SANKARAN P.

American institute of homoeopathy

1011 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pa., 1907
Office of the Journal
ELIZABETH WRIGHT HUBBARD, m.d. Sept. 28, 1965
108 East 86th Street
New York, NY. 10028
212-4-0686

To Dr. Dinesh Dhoke

It has been my privilege at two world homoeopathic congresses to meet and to hear
Dr. P. Sankaran of Bombay, India. He also came to the post-graduate summer school of
the American Foundation for Homoeopathy held at the State Teachers Training College in
Millersville, Pennsylvania, as a student. We, the teachers, soon found that we could learn from
him, so brillant and well-informed was he. As a teacher he has not only rare humor but a
sense of timing and repetition which make working under him a pure delight. He had a group
of 28 doctors eager to learn homoeopathic Materia Medica spellbound.
The congress at which I first meet him was the triennal one of the International
Homoeopathic League, which was held this year in London and attended by Vice-Presidents
from sixteen coutries and delegates from five continents.
The International Congress in Philadelphia, which he later attended, and at which he taught,
was under the auspices of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, founded 121 years ago two years before the A.M. A. - and the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society (115
years old), the Pan-American Homoeopathic Congress, in its 36th year, the Southern
Homoeopathic Medical Association, 80 years old, all joining in the centennial of the
Pennsylvania State Homoeopathic Medical Society. The congress banquet speaker was Dr.
James Z. Appel, President of the A.M. A.
His knowledge and personality are such that we wish Dr. Sankaran could and will remain in
the United States to teach Homoeopathy.

Dr. Elizabeth Wright Hubbard, M.D. , New York

Foreword
Dr. Rajan Sankaran asked me to write a foreword to the late Dr. P. Sankaran's collected
writings which are published in two volumes entitled "The Elements of Homoeopathy".

I was glad and felt honoured in accepting this assignment because Dr. Sankaran was not only
a close friend and valued colleague of mine but also one of the greatest homoeopathic
physicians and teachers produced by India. During his life-time, I asked him why he was
writing his experiences, etc., in so many small booklets instead of publishing the whole
material in two or three large volumes as it is easier for us to locate references and keep track
of his contributions. With his usual smile, he argued that with his periodical small publications,
he was able to make his writings faster and make it easier for students and young physicians
to buy them.
Dr. Rajan Sankaran has fulfilled my desire by publishing all his books in two large volumes,
thus making our access to the study of the material relatively easier. The profession must
thank Rajan for undertaking this task. He has, of course, given his own reasons for republishing his father's writings in these two volumes.
While writing the foreword, I go down memory lanes and seem to relive the great moments,
sitting together with Sankaran and discussing the development of homoeopathic medicine in
India, our reseach problems and educational activities and other problems.
We often met whenever there was any seminar or homoeopathic conference. He was a most
welcome figure on such occasions, as he charmed the audience by his contributions and
papers on specific subjects. His talks were always punctuated with humour and wit. On those
occasions, the subjects presented by him were always illustrated with practical case-records
and that is why his talks were so convincing and popular. Most of his papers have been
included in these volumes.
On going through these volumes, one wonders how he could touch upon and write very
authentic and authoritative articles on practically every aspect of Homoeoepathic medicine,
whether it is provings, teaching techniques or Materia Medica, or ingenious ways of working
out cases on different repertories; or homoeopathic philosophy or homoeopathic pathology or
homoeopathic pharmacy. His views and methods of teaching Materia Medica are very
interesting. He said that homoeopathic Materia Medica is very cumbersome - it is a dull study.
Our drugs are living, vital personalities and should be presented as such to students, not only
in classroom, but also at the bedside and outdoors.
One cannot help being fascinated by his "Random Notes on some Remedies". Having a very
large practice, he had a vast collection of case-records and from these records, he has given
us glimpses of unknown facts of some of the remedies. His "Random Notes on some
Remedies" testifies to his keen observation and meticulous record-keeping. He was always
like a hunter, in search of a remedy's special action and its unknown clinical applications. For
example, he talked of the action of Calc. Ars. in diseases of kidney and Syphilinum in "crying
babies".
His intense involvement in the field of Homoeopathy could be explained only on the facts that
his conversion to Homoeopathy took place when he, being an allopathic and ayurvedic
physician, could not cure himself of an obstinate sickness and was induced to try
homoeopathic medicine, which ultimately relieved him of his troubles. He practically came to
the conclusion that you cannot imbibe the true spirit of Homoeopathy unless you have
suffered and been cured by homoeopathic remedy, especially when other treatments have
failed. I, too, have undergone that experience personally. He has given his story of his
conversion to Homoeopathy in one of these volumes.
One of the subjects that he wrote about was the evaluation of symptoms, and his
contribution here should be very useful to both students as well as practitioners. As I have

already said, all his statements on a particular subject are demonstrated by convincing caserecords from his clinical practice.
In this connection, he has brought out an exhaustive paper on cross-references. In the
evaluation and comparison of symptoms, especially in the references to mental symptoms,
Sankaran was the first one in India to write about this subject. Boger had done it earlier but
Sankaran realised that for proper selection of the rubrics for repertorial analysis, it is very
imperative that we do not miss the right expression or at times even to combine two rubrics
to avoid the likelihood of elimination of the indicated remedy. In this context, he has laid great
emphasis on the role of Causation. At times, this take the first place in the Evaluation, in spite
of a number of other mental aberrations. He has cited some cases to illustrate
his points.
From his writings, it is quite apparent that his clinical approach to Homoeopathic Medicine
was very objective and scientific, and was not swayed by emotions. He was very correct in
saying that emotion generally tends to cloud reason. He did not believe in fanatical adherence
to some of Hahnemannian's writings. Regarding vital force, miasm and drug-disease,
Hahnemann had given some postulation which could not be accepted as scientific or gospel
truth. He did not mince matters when he found that certain sayings or theories advanced
even by the so-called authorities did not convince him.
In his vein, he exploded the adherence to some dietary restrictions when prescribing
homoeopathic medicines. He has brought these things beautifully and convincingly in these
writings. We find the same things when we read his comments on the Relationship of
remedies. As a great thinker and observer, he has not hesitated in giving his own
explanation, although he has quoted various authorities, whenever he felt that their
contributions were relevant and useful. His unprejudiced and objective approach in the clinical
evaluation of the action of homoeopathic remedies is borne out by his statements that
symptomatic improvement may not be accompanied by a simultaneous improvement in the
pathological picture. He cited cases of gall-bladder stones where X-ray pictures may continue
to show abnormalities.
One wonders how in his comparatively short span of life he could have done so much. He did
not spare himself in his continued occupation with his teaching and writing in spite of a very
large practice in a town like Bombay. On top of this, he actively participated in the periodic
seminars, conferences - both national and international - and activities of the
all-India professional organisations. He did not, however, waste his time in petty politics of
some associations. Possibly because of these activities, he was able to leave behind such a
rich heritage. I am quite sure everyone of us would like to add these volumes to our library.
He spared no effort in collecting relevant data regarding the work done by Reseach workers
in homoeopathic medicine. Actually, the account given by him in the chapter on research is a
short updated history of Research in Homoeopathy, whether it is about the micro-doses of
Homoeopathy or provings of new remedies or clinical research or efforts made by some in the
detection of the indicated remedies other than symptom-similarity. He has referred to the
work done by Abraham, Dr. Boyd and others.
He dares to write the limitations of homoeopathic medicine and also the unpleasant side of
difficulties in its practice. He had a wonderful knack of calling a spade a spade, but with a
charming smile which would soften the hostile reaction of any of his listeners.

Dr. Jugal Kishore

B. Sc., D.M. S., M.D. (Hom.)
President Asian Homoeopathic Medical League

Dr. P. Sankaran
A brief biography
Dr. P. Sankaran was born on the 15th November 1922 in Madras, India. His father shifted to
Bombay when he was 3 or 4 years old. He began his schooling here, but before he could
complete it, his father died, leaving the family in a poor financial condition. The family of ten
siblings was separated and were sent to various places to be supported by relatives. He went
to Madras to stay with his paternal uncle Dr. Sharma, an Ayurvedic practitioner. Here he was
put in a college where both Ayurveda and Allopathy were taught, and qualified with a
Licenciate in Indian Medicine (LIM). After working in a few jobs, he somehow managed to
start his own practice in the early 1950's, and was practising allopathy predominantly. Within
2-3 years of starting his practice, he fell sick and was not relieved by the best allopathic
treatment of the day, but was cured of his ailment by a homoeopath (described in "My
Conversion to Homoeopathy"). This removed his scepticism and he became an ardent
learner. In 1955-56, he got the opportunity to go to London, where he studied in the Royal
London Homoeopathic Hospital under famous teachers like Sir John Weir, Margery M. Blackie,
Alva Benjamin, Foubister and others. It must be mentioned that the dominant emphasis in
the Royal Hospital was on the Kentian method, with emphasis on the repertory and mind
symptoms, etc. During this time, he also met Elizabeth Wright Hubbard, who invited him to
New York. He came back to Bombay and re-started his practice with added vigour. As his
practice grew in the Bombay suburb of Santa Cruz, he also started teaching in the
Homoeopathic College and became Honorary Physician at the Govt. Homoeopathic Hospital.
He married in 1959 and had a son in 1960.

He founded and edited the Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine, which was later amalgamated
into the Indian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine, of which he remained the editor till the end.
In 1965, he went to New York to study under Dr. E. Wright Hubbard. She was much impressed
by him and asked him to be a teacher (instead of a student) in the course. After hearing his
first lecture on Lachesis, Dr. Hubbard wrote, "Dr. Sankaran's talk was so captivating with his
knowledge of zoology, botany, psychology and homoeopathy, and with such a fine sense of
humour that "The Sankarans" would be competition for "The Beatles", if only there were four
of them!" He obtained a diploma in Homoeopathic Therapeutics from there.
In India, he was one of the main persons responsible for the propagation of the Repertory. At
that time, the dominant school of practice was that of the Calcutta Homoeopaths, with an
emphasis on the Materia Medica to the near exclusion of the repertory. One of the first works
he authored was the Card Repertory, which was a refinement of Boger's Card Repertory. Not
finding a publisher, he started his own Publishing Company, and later on went on to write and
publish 36 small booklets. He was one of the leading figures in the profession and was
responsible for the organisation of many meetings, symposia and conferences which were
purely scientific and non-political. Here he was much supported by his close friends who
included Dr. J.N. Kanjilal (Calcutta), Dr. S.P. Koppikar (Madras), Dr. Sarabhai Kapadia
(Bombay) and Dr. Jugal Kishore (Delhi). He was closely associated with Dr. L.D. Dhawale and
Dr. S.R. Phatak, both great admirers of Boger. He was a member of the first Central Council of
Homoeopathy which was instrumental in formulating standards and guidelines for
homoeopathic colleges. He was one of the instructors in the Teachers' Orientation course
where he taught the repertory to teachers of homoeopathic colleges.
He presented papers in various international conferences. He was known for his warmth, his
sense of humour, skill in communication, diplomacy, sincerity and a remarkable
open-mindedness. He investigated diverse areas of science trying to improve and advance
Homoeopathy. He worked on Kirlian Photography, Bowel Nosodes, Boyd's Emmanometer, did
provings, experimented with the repetition of remedies etc. Beside Homoeopathy, he was
interested in such varied things as Travelling, Psychology, Photography, and was learning the
musical instrument, Veena.
He practised in two places in Bombay, visiting each on alternate days. His practice was
extremely busy, and he kept up his hectic schedule of practice, teaching, editing, organising
etc., till the very end. His health gave way. In 1978, cancer in the second stage was
diagnosed. He lived for 6 months after the diagnosis during which time, in between his pains,
he managed to complete three of his booklets and write the last one, "The Selection of the
Similimum and Management of the Patient".
Dr. P. Sankaran passed away on 20th January 1979 in Bombay.

Editor's introduction
I have been teaching Homoeopathy in India and abroad since 1986. It is my experience that
students of Homoeopathy, from the very beginning, get drawn to some particular kind of
homoeopathic practice as taught by various charismatic teachers. Of these teachers, each
has his or her own individual style of Homoeopathy. I can be considered guilty of the same;
each of us wants to teach what interests him and appeals to his mind. Being an art,

Homoeopathy has various aspects to it: just as there are various schools of painting, so are
there different schools of Homoeopathy. Earlier, I had assumed that students had the same
solid background of Homoeopathy that I had, through learning it in a systematic way as I
myself was taught by my father. But over the years, as I taught several students in different
countries, I found that students got diverted too early into specific schools of thought, and did
not have their basics clear. Except for a few searching students, most opted for shortcuts and
were not even aware of the works of past masters. Most students are unaware of the kind and
extent of experiments and research done so far. Worse, I find a surprising lack of the most
basic knowledge of the repertory, and such fine works as those of Boger seem almost
unknown. All these things are the very ground on which I stand, base my understanding and
construct my ideas. Lacking such firm ground, a student is easily swayed and is lost in
confusion.
When my father started his practice, there were mainly two schools of homoeopathic practice
- the Keynote (Calcutta) and the Kentian (London). There was no theory of essences, of
delusions, of dreams, of group provings or intuition, nor deep psychological theories about
remedies and patients. Homoeopathy was simple, basic, based on symptoms found in
patients and in remedies. At least, so it appeared. But behind this simplicity, there was a deep
understanding of philosophy and the nature of remedies, an understanding developed
through careful study and patient application of the law of similars. Every problem such as
potency, repetition or repertory was grappled within clinical practice. My father did not
believe in mere authority - he believed in experience and experiment. For each of these
subjects, he studied long and hard, and from various sources, experimented and tried to find
answers. And he had a vast practice to see the results for himself. The beauty of my father's
work is that he distilled the various works of great masters in the light of his own experience
and made it easily available to students and practitioners. The books he wrote represent his
search, his study, his experiment and his experience.
On going through the various chapters of this book and the cases mentioned therein, the
reader may find some parts controversial.
1. Use of Nosodes: The use of nosode as an intercurrent remedy has been recommended
by many homoeopaths, past and present. In his experience, my father found that a case with
a family history of Tuberculosis or Cancer benefitted by initiating the treatment with the
corresponding nosode, viz. Tub. or Carcinosin. He found that the indicated remedy seemed to
work better after the nosode. This practice may not be fully agreed to by Purists who believe
that the patient needs only the indicated remedy and none else. I am of this view too,
presently. However, this subject needs more discussion and experimentation. The reader will
also note that in some cases, where the indicated remedy seemed to stop working, a nosode
of a past disease (e.g. Morbillinum) was given and the indicated remedy repeated again with
effect. The idea was to remove the block created by the past disease by giving the
corresponding nosode. This idea, too, needs further study and experiment. For purposes of
this book, these observations must be taken as the experience of my father, and not as a rule.
2. Repetition of remedies: In many cases, it will be seen that the remedy has been
repeated despite amelioration. Here, I can say that my father was influenced by D.M. Borland
and Maganlal Desai, both of whom repeated high potencies frequently, the former especially
in acute cases like pneumonia and the latter in chronic cases like active tuberculosis,
gangrene and coma. Dr. Maganlal Desai practised in Bombay and Gujarat. He reported
astounding success in some severe conditions where he repeated high potencies frequently
e.g. Tub CM QDS for several months. His experience encouraged my father to experiment

with frequent repetition of high potencies, with some good results in some cases. Again, this
must be taken as one man's experience and not as a rule. The subject of repetition is a
difficult one, and students either thoughtlessly follow the diktat of some teacher or look
around helplessly for guidance. To repeat or not to repeat - that is the question, and the
answers proposed by various homoeopaths are mentioned (in the chapter on repetition) for us
to weigh and judge for ourselves. There are many teachers in Homoeopathy who insist that
repeating a dose while the patient is improving invariably spoils the case. The experience of
my father in several thousand cases will at least disprove this notion. I hope this experience
will initiate a discussion as to the logic of and conditions for repetition.
Dr. J.N. Kanjilal, one of my father's closest friends believed religiously in a single
dose - "wait and watch", whereas his other close friend, Dr. Sarabhai Kapadia would repeat at
least two to three times a day as a rule in every case, often for months.
The results and experience of these two stalwarts can be had from their books:
Writings on Homoeopathy, Vol. I and II - J.N. Kanjilal
Homoeopathic Reminiscences - S. Kapadia
Also useful will be the book "Coma" by Maganlal Desai.
3. Repertorization: It may seem in some of the cases given in the book that the prescription
was based solely on repertorisation, by a method of elimination. In many such cases, there is
hardly any reference to the Materia Medica. Here, the reader must be aware that the remedy
selected on the basis of the repertory was not prescribed solely on that basis but on a sound
knowledge of the Materia Medica. I know that my father read the Materia Medica from cover
to cover, especially Kent's Materia Medica and Boger's Synoptic Key. He carefully studied
several others such as Clark's Dictionary of Materia Medica, the works of Ernest and Harvey
Farrington, Nash's leaders, etc. These books are often ignored by the present day student,
who read interpretations and commentaries instead. With his knowledge of the Materia
Medica, my father could see immediately whether the remedy indicated by the repertory did
indeed fit the character of the case, and he always insisted on such correspondence during his
lectures. The reader must study these cases and note the choice of rubrics and their
evaluation, giving importance to the causation, sensations, the general modalities, the mind
and the characteristic particulars. His manner of repertorization was influenced by Boger and
his most ardent follower, Dr. S.R. Phatak - who was my father's mentor and guide. Boger's
Synoptic Key is a masterpiece condensing the whole remedy into a few words, thus bringing
out its very essence. My father once taught me from this book. Teaching me Sepia, he pointed
to its first word "Draggy". He told me that the word in this sense didn't exist in the English
language but was coined by Boger to denote the feeling of Sepia, which is a dragging down:
everything drags down - the face, the stomach, the uterus and the mood. The patient's
energy itself is dragged down, making her weary, and the disease too is dragged out,
becoming chronic, going on and on. Thus one word is used by Boger in his special way to
express the whole of the remedy. In practice, the rubric selected must express this central
symptom or feature of the patient best and most completely. Giving an example, my father
said that if a person is worse after a later night out, we must see if it is (1) Loss of sleep, or (2)
Alcohol, or (3) The excitement of company, or (4) Some other factor; or a combination of one
or more of the above.
One must examine the whole case and then choose the most appropriate rubric. After that,
one has to refer to all possible repertories to study the symptom. Once again, he emphasized
that the repertory was only an index to the Materia Medica. This part of taking the remedy for

study to the Materia Medica may not have been emphasized in all cases because my father
was mainly teaching the repertory and assumed a good knowledge of the Materia Medica. For
the present day student, I wouldn't make this assumption.
4. Drug Provings: There is a chapter on provings conducted by my father. These include
substances like Diamond (Adamas) and Sea Water (Aqua marina). Even though these provings
were conscientiously performed, one can see a relative paucity of symptoms obtained, as also
an absence of a good mental picture that can make the remedy more understandable. In my
experience, provings conducted with individual provers and strict controls do not produce the
kind of effect they did in Hahnemann's time, for some reason. I have found that Group
Provings help to accentuate the drug effect and bring out clear and usable pictures of these
drugs.
5. Materia Medica: "Random Notes" was the only attempt by my father to write something
on the Materia Medica. It was not intended to be a definitive Materia Medica but merely
describes some of his experiences and ideas, and give a glimpse of the way he viewed the
Materia Medica. In this, he may have been influenced by William Guttman, the American
homoeopath, who was his friend, and whose book "Homoeopathy" contains some remarkably
poetic descriptions of remedies.
In all, this book covers a vast area of Homoeopathy - from its History to Research, from
Pharmacy to Philosophy, from Case Taking to Repertory, from Provings to Potency.
They reveal the secret of my father's success as a homoeopath and a physician. He never
kept any knowledge hidden. All that he knew, he tried to communicate. Together these books
have formed for me his legacy, have given me a bird's eye view of the entire subject. These
books were very popular in the 1960's and 1970's. In the 80's, my attention was diverted and
I was developing and communicating my own ideas. It is only recently, as I continue to teach
more and more, that I realised that the fundamentals of Homoeopathy need to be taught first
- even to senior students - without which all these new ideas serve only to distract and divert.
My father's books are a relatively easy way to grasp the elements, the fundamentals of
Homoeopathy. I thought it a good idea to collect his writings and arrange them in proper
order, to remove articles that are repeated in various places, and to edit and publish them in
the form of a book.
The main work of making this book has been done patiently and accurately by
Dr. A.V. S. Prasad. The typing has been done by Mr. Antony. To them, both the reader and
myself owe a debt of gratitude.
Rajan Sankaran

Introduction
My conversion to homoeopathy
Behind almost every conversion to Homoeopathy lies an anecdote - usually a very interesting
one and I may be permitted to add my contribution to this.
I studied allopathic and Indian Medicine in my college and started practising after graduating
in 1943. My results were good and bad, all that a beginner could expect. And I had almost
settled down to a professional routine.
However, around the year 1945, I started developing a feeling of fatigue in the evenings
associated with a feeling of internal warmth. Gradually these sensations increased and there
actually developed an evening rise of temperature, upto 99 oF. As a member of the medical
profession, all kinds of pathological and radiological investigations as well as the expert
advice of eminent colleagues were easily available to me. Accordingly, the blood, stools,
urine, etc., were examined, and radiographs were taken but the disease could not be
diagnosed. All the time, the temperature continued to rise, regularly upto 100 oF or more in
the evenings. There was also weakness associated with a loss of weight. I had lost about two
28 pounds in a month. It was clinically suspected to be malaria and I was given quinacrine.
Nothing happened except that my body became yellow. Some hidden focus of infection was
suspected and I was given sulpha drugs but these had to be discontinued because they
produced severe vertigo. I also took liver extract without any improvement. It was then
suspected to be amoebiasis and I took some emetine with temporary benefit. Ultimately it
was suspected that it might be a case of incipient tuberculosis and I was advised change of
air, as there were then no specific drugs for the condition.

The whole series of investigations and treatment were merely a source of disappointment to
me. They only helped to discourage me more and more. So, as I looked around in desperation,
I thought of Homoeopathy. I had no knowledge of Homoeopathy and I had no faith in it; my
impression of Homoeopathy was that it was some sort of a medical fad. Yet, such "fads" were
sometimes known to do the trick where the highly developed modern sciences had failed. So I
decided to consult a homoeopath, particularly as there was a well qualified allopathic
physician who had somehow become a convert to Homoeopathy.
The physician asked me to write out my symptoms and bring them to him. I did so and
presented the list to him. He did not examined me thoroughly physically nor did he go deeply
into my various investigation reports. But he merely read my notes, asked me one or two
questions, then referred to a book and prescribed a drug. While I was disappointed to see that
this physician did not examine me thoroughly, I was annoyed that he looked into his book and
prescribed, as though my case and my medicine were recorded in print! Further he asked me
to take only one dose of the medicine he prescribed for me. When I enquired how often I
should repeat the doses, he advised me to take only one dose and wait for 15 days. How
could one dose of medicine act for 15 days... Surely this was stretching one's credulity too far.
However, notwithstanding this series of shocks, I decided to experiment. I went to a
homoeopathic pharmacy and ordered a dose of the medicine in 30th potency as directed by
the physician. I expected that since this dose was to act for a fortnight, it must be a very
powerful and, therefore, a very expensive drug. But to my utter surprise, the chemist charged
me only one anna (one penny) for the dose, with the result that even the little faith I had
completely evaporated. But, strange to say, within three days of taking this dose, I found such
a tremendous beneficent effect that cannot be described in mere words. The feeling of fatigue
and fever disappeared. I regained all the original energy that I had lost during my illness. I
actually felt as if someone had removed from my body all my old and useless blood and
replaced it by fresh blood. I quickly regained the weight I had lost and was able to take up all
my original activities with redoubled vigour. I felt very well for at least six months after which I
think the dose of medicine had to be repeated.
That a single dose of medicine costing so little could give me such tremendous relief for six
months, whereas the most expensive medicines prescribed after lots of investigations had
failed miserably was a great surprise that I could not surmount for a very long time.
Incidentally, I want to mention here my belief that the homoeopath who can appreciate the
system most is the person who has suffered and has been himself benefited by homoeopathic
medicine.
This incident filled me with gratitude for the system and stimulated me to study this science
which in the past I had always equated with quackery. During the next two or three years I
studied all the books I could get hold of. I read Kent's Materia Medica and Robert's Principles
and Art of Cure and several other books repeatedly. But still I had not the courage to test
Homoeopathy on any patient.
However, an opportunity soon arose for me to see the effect of Homoeopathy objectively. A
child of 4 years in our family had a severe attack of smallpox from which she eventually
recovered. But though she recovered, she did not regain her original health or vigour. On the
contrary, she started weakening and emaciating steadily. She became more and more listless
and inactive and soon ceased to stand up or walk. Still later, she failed to sit up too, she could
only lie down. She even stopped speaking; when she wanted anything she would merely roll
her eyes. Her condition was most pathetic but none of the several physicians whom we

consulted could do anything because all investigations that had been done failed to show the
presence or nature of any gross disease. However, it was very clear that the child was
declining very rapidly in health and perhaps in another fortnight or a month she would be lost
to us.
At this stage, a homoeopathic friend of mine arrived and I consulted him about this child. In
this case also, without thoroughly examining the child but only on hearing the history that the
child had been declining since the attack of smallpox, he prescribed three doses of Variolinum
30, 200, 1000 to be given, one dose daily for three days. In this case too, I was rather
perturbed that this physician instead of taking very active steps, was merely putting his whole
faith in three little powders of medicine. But again, strange to say, within a week the child's
condition was reversed; she started regaining all her original activity and also grew as chubby
as before, and in the course of a month or two became perfectly normal. In the words of the
father of the child, who wrote a letter of thanks which can be considered a classic, the child
regained her original vivacity and vitality and he considered that Homoeopathy had justified
its greatness by this singular success!
So, here again was a case which had completely stumped our allopathic colleagues who, not
being able to see gross evidence of any disease even though the patient was declining and
dying, could do nothing whatsoever, whereas Homoeopathy stepped in with a few doses and
set everything right. So this encouraged me to study the subject of Homoeopathy more
vigorously. Very soon, another occasion presented itself.
A close relative of mine was getting recurrent attacks of intermittent high temperature for
over three years. These attacks used to last for two or three weeks at a time. It had been
diagnosed as malignant tertian malaria and had generally responded to quinine. But this time
there was a recurrence of the temperature which had lasted for about a fortnight and in which
quinine had no effect whatsoever. At that time, quinine was the only certain antimalarial
remedy. So, the relatives of the patient were very much worried and they telephoned to me.
This was on 7th November 1947. I responded to the call and went and saw the patient. The
patient had a temperature of 107.1 F, a temperature which I had never encountered so far in
my life. Naturally I was extremely upset and in panic I ran to my nearest Physician-friend.
However, this physician was not available and, therefore, I left a word that he should come at
once as soon as he returned to his clinic. Meanwhile, we procured some ice and rubbed it all
over the head and body of the patient, but the temperature came down only by 0.3 F and
stayed at 106.8 F. As quinine had already been tried without effect and no other measure was
available except to take him to the hospital, I decided to try my Homoeopathy without,
however, any hope that it would help. So, I studied his symptoms in the homoeopathic way
and found the following points:
Temperature 106.8 F; Pulse 112. Even with such high temperature patient was conscious and
loquacious and was asking us why we were all looking so worried as, after all, nothing was
wrong with him except for a little fever. He complained of great bodily soreness. The history
was that almost every time he got the (recurrent) temperature, it used to rise very high but
the patient would not feel it much. He was also listless.
Finding the marked disproportion in the pulse-temperature ratio, the tendency to
hyperpyrexia, the soreness, the feeling of well-being in spite of the seriousness of the
condition, etc. I decided to try Pyrogen. Since I had not prescribed for a single case so far, I
had no homoeopathic drug at all with me. So, I procured the drug in the 30th potency and
administered one drop. Whereas I myself had very little confidence, the relatives of the
patient had no faith at all that the one drop of medicine was going to do anything,

particularly, as his aunt remarked, "It was not sufficient even to go down his throat." However,
as we watched with trepidation, the miracle happened again! We were measuring his
temperature every 15 minutes being apprehensive that it might rise further but luckily it
dropped rapidly as follows:
6.00 p.m. : 106.8 oF 6.45 p.m. : 102.4 oF
6.15 p.m. : 104.6 oF 7.00 p.m. : 102.0 oF
6.30 p.m. : 103.0 oF 8.00 p.m. : 100.0 oF
He perspired so profusely that all his clothes were drenched but when we changed his
clothes, he fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up next morning, he was quite well; he said
that for the first time in so many attacks of fever, he was feeling fit in spite of the fact that he
had suffered for a fortnight. Since then, he has not had any more such attacks in the last 20
years.
These three instances in which I had found Homoeopathy acting like a charm were enough to
convince me that this was the system which I should study and practise. So, I discarded all my
original volumes of therapeutics and replaced them with homoeopathic books. To this day I
have not regretted this change. On the contrary, I have earned far more appreciation and
gratitude and derived far more satisfaction than I ever should have dreamt of securing by
doling out routine prescriptions of other systems of medicine. Every aspect of Homoeopathy
such as the intelligent case taking, the system of matching the disease-picture with the drugpicture, the single drug, the minute dose, etc., has appealed to me and I really enjoy
practising Homoeopathy.

Homoeopathy - an explanation
Its origin

Homoeopathy is a system of medical treatment founded by a celebrated German physician

and chemist, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Born in Germany on 10th April 1775, he was spared a
long and useful life of 88 years during which he benefited humanity immensely by introducing
this new system of medicine. He first graduated in Medicine and practised for several years
becoming very successful and famous. However, the practice of medicine in those days was
very unscientific and crude, even barbarous, so that in spite of his success, he was thoroughly
dissatisfied with the methods and the results of the orthodox treatment. Patients were purged
and sweated, bled and branded. It was often in doubt whether the patients died of the disease
or of the treatment! So, in disgust, Hahnemann gave up medical practice. But he continued to
study and experiment in an effort to evolve a more rational method of treatment.
Even in those days Cinchona, from which Quinine is derived, was famed for its specific
curative effect in malaria. Hahnemann, in an attempt to discover its true mode of action,
himself ingested some Cinchona, whereupon he was surprised to notice that it produced in
him fever and chill, resembling Malaria. This unexpected result set up in his mind a new train
of thought and he conducted similar experiments with other well-known drugs. To his surprise,
every drug produced in his healthy body the same symptoms which it was reputed to remove
from sick persons. So he was led to the inference that what a drug cures in the sick it causes
in the healthy, and similarly, what it causes in the healthy it can cure in the sick. He,
therefore, put forward the new principle of treatment "Similia Similibus Curentur", which
translated means "Let likes be treated by likes". This principle, however, was not an entirely
new discovery because it had been already enunciated and followed by ancient Indian
physicians, as stated in the popular proverb (Poison cures poison), but Hahnemann was the
first to confirm this by experiment and observation and to emphasize it.

Its development
Applying this principle in practice, to know what a drug can cure, we have to merely find out
what it can cause. This can be done by administering it to healthy human beings and noting
down its effects. Following this approach, Hahnemann experimented with nearly a hundred
drugs and recorded all the symptoms produced by them. Such experiments, which are called
"Provings" *, are continued by his followers. Thus the real effects of more and more drugs are
discovered, i.e. what they cause and therefore what they can cure. Hahnemann, adopting this
principle, cured innumerable cases. Even within his lifetime, this method became worldfamous and ultimately when he migrated to Paris, he received patients from several countries.
His system became known as Homoeopathy (Homoeos meaning similar and Pathos meaning
Suffering).
However, it was found that when cases were treated according to this new homoeopathic
principle the disease symptoms became initially a little worse. This was only to be expected
because the drug is similar to the disease in its effects. Therefore, in order to cut down this
initial aggravation, Hahnemann reduced the dose, i.e. , the quantity of the medicine. As he
gradually reduced the dose he observed that the patients improved better. The smaller dose
seemed actually to have a better effect. So, gradually bringing down the dose further and
further, he ultimately started diluting the medicine with some inert medium (like sugar or
alcohol). Even when so diluted the medicines seemed to act very well. In fact they seemed to
act better. So these dilutions became known as "Potencies". These potencies are a peculiar
feature of Homoeopathy, and the idea of potentiation has been called Hahnemann's greatest
gift to science. Such dilution with sugar and alcohol makes the medicines not only harmless
and palatable but also very economical.

Its features

We shall now discuss the main features of Homoeopathy. They can be summarized as the
Similar drug, the Single drug, the Small dose and the Single dose.
By Similar drug, we mean the drug that is able to produce symptoms similar to the disease.
To know to which diseases drugs are similar, homoeopaths administer to healthy persons a
drug (in non-toxic doses **), and record its effects. Human beings are still preferred for such
experiments because they are more sensitive than test-tubes, and, unlike animals, they can
express their sufferings. At present the effects of over 2 000 drugs are available. From among
these drugs whose effects are so recorded, the homoeopath selects the one which is most
similar in the totality of its effects to the case that he wants to treat. In so selecting, he takes
into consideration every symptom of the patient. He first examines and diagnoses the case
like any other physician, for which purpose he must of course have all the knowledge
possessed by the ordinary physician. But in addition to noting the symptoms of the disease he
goes further and notes the symptoms peculiar to each patient. For example, when he deals
with cases of Pneumonia, he notes that in addition to all the symptoms of Pneumonia like
fever, cough, rapid breathing, etc., which are to be found in every pneumonia patient, the first
patient is restless, the second is thirsty, the third is irritable, the fourth is drowsy and so on.
Even though the disease may be the same, each patient reacts in a different way and as such
produces some symptoms which are peculiar to himself. The homoeopath takes into
consideration all the symptoms of the case - the common and the uncommon ones - giving
more value to the latter which reflect the patient's individuality, and prescribes that drug
which has produced an identical group of symptoms in the provings.
The second feature of Homoeopathy is the Single drug. The homoeopath always prescribes
drugs singly because only single drugs have been tested in homoeopathic provings. The
effects of combinations of drugs have not been observed or recorded and so combinations
and mixtures are not generally prescribed by the homoeopath.
The third feature of Homoeopathy is the Small dose. As already explained, the dose of the
drug in Homoeopathy is usually so minute that chemical analysis does not reveal any trace of
the drug in the higher potencies. It seems that by the special method of dilution used in
Homoeopathy all the energy of the drug is liberated and transferred to the medium of sugar
or alcohol. Indeed the dose looks ridiculously small; but the development of physics has
shown us what a vast amount of energy lies within the infinitely minute atom, awaiting to be
released and utilised.
The fourth feature of Homoeopathy is the Single dose. Homoeopaths usually prescribe one
dose of the indicated medicine and then wait till its action is completely exhausted. While the
patient is improving, the medicine is generally not repeated. * Sometimes this single dose is
found to act for weeks or even months and occasionally the single dose often cures the case.
By the way, we must mention that homoeopathic treatment is purely medical in nature.
When a homoeopath comes across a frankly surgical case **, especially mechanical conditions
requiring surgical intervention, he hands the case over to the surgeon. But even here
homoeopathic medication before and after the surgery hastens recovery.

Its progress
We shall now briefly consider the progress of Homoeopathy. Originating from Germany,
Homoeopathy has spread all over the world. There are homoeopathic physicians almost in all
countries, a good number of whom are converts from other systems.

In India, Homoeopathy was introduced by a German physician, Dr. Honigberger, who was
called upon to treat Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The system then rapidly spread to Bengal and
some of the best physicians of Bengal including Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar were converted to
Homoeopathy. It has then spread all over India and it is now recognised and accepted as a
standard system of medical treatment in most States. Homoeopaths have been appointed as
the personal physicians to the President of India.
The homoeopathic approach is accepted and appreciated especially in India as it has a
peculiar appeal to the oriental mind with its inherent acceptance of the non-material. Further,
the modern trend of medicine in the West is also to view the sick organism as a coordinated
whole and to give less importance to the individual organs. Considering all the factors, viz.,
the scientific foundation of Homoeopathy on the eternal principle "Similia Similibus Curentur",
its Materia Medica built up from scientific experiments on healthy human beings, its single
harmless dose, its curative effects, its power of aborting diseases in the early stages and of
strengthening the human organism and also its economical nature, there is reason to believe
that Homoeopathy, which seems to be actually in advance of its time, has a bright future,
particularly in India.

Elements of homoeopathic pharmacy

A remarkable discovery of Hahnemann is the potentized dose, a phenomenon which even the
modern scientist is unable to comprehend, let alone explain, although it results from a
ridiculously simple procedure. This makes homoeopathic pharmacy a fascinating and
intriguing subject. This chapter attempts to introduce the newcomer to the elements of this
subject. For more information, the reader should refer to standard books on the subject.
Pharmacy is defined as that department of the medical art which consists in the collecting of
drugs and the preparing, preserving and dispensing of medicines.
Drugs are substances which have the power of altering the state of health of the living
organism. When drugs are purified, processed and prepared so as to become fit for
administration to patients they are called medicines. Medicines when properly administered in
sickness are called remedies.
Since the homoeopathic prescriber depends almost entirely on the infinitesimal doses of the
single drug, it is essential that the homoeopathic medicinal preparation must be absolutely
dependable. So the pharmacist must be learned, skilled, honourable and trustworthy and
must be fully aware of his responsibilities. As there are no available tests to see if the
medicines obtained are genuine, we have to depend completely on the pharmacist and
therefore the pharmacist must be completely reliable. The most painstaking care and
accuracy must be exercised by him in every step of preparation, handling and dispensing.

Collection
Sources
The sources of the medicines in Homoeopathy are mainly the following:
1. The Mineral Kingdom: Consisting of the various chemical elements and their compounds
(organic and inorganic), e. g Arsenic, Calcium carbonate, Petroleum, Sulphur.
2. The Vegetable Kingdom: Consisting of the various plants, herbs and trees, their parts,
exudates and extracts, e.g. Asafoetida, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Thuja.

3. The Animal Kingdom: Comprising of the healthy secretions and tissues of various animals,
and other living creatures, e.g. Aranea diadema (Spider), Lachesis (Snake).
4. The Nosodes: The products of disease of human beings, animals and plants, e.g. Lyssin
(Saliva of rabid dog), Secale cornutum (Ergot of Rye).
5. Imponderabilia: Non-material elements, e.g. X-ray, Sun's rays (Sol), Moonlight (Luna), the
magnet.
Hahnemann's discovery of the method of potentiation has revealed that every substance or
element in the world, whether falling into one of the above groups or not, has inherent
medicinal energy which can be released and developed by proper methods. *
Drugs collected should conform absolutely to the descriptions and standards laid down in the
standard homoeopathic pharmacopoeas.
Plants are collected as far as possible from their natural habitat just before or during full
bloom. Generally, the whole plant is used to prepare the medicines. Where fresh plants
cannot be procured, the dried plants can be used.
Recently the method of curing or removing the ill-effects (toxic or allergic) of crude drugs by
the administration of the identical substances in potentized form has become popular. Mr.
Dudley Everitt has coined the term Tautopathy for this therapy and Ramanlal Patel has written
extensively about it.
Preparation
The actual art of preparing the medicines is termed Pharmacopraxy.
The drugs (crude substance) are combined with some neutral substance in such a way that
their medicinal energies are developed and preserved in the neutral medium. These
preparations are called Potencies. They are also called Attenuations or Dilutions. The method
of preparing such potencies is called potentiation or dynamization.
For the purpose of preparing potencies, one of the following media is selected.
Liquid media
1. Aqua distillata or distilled water.
2. Alcohol. Used for preserving green plant extracts, preparing mother tinctures from dry
herbs and for making higher dilutions (liquid potencies).
Strong alcohol (containing 94% by volume of Ethyl alcohol) is mainly used for preparing
mother tinctures.
Dispensing alcohol (obtained by adding 1 part of strong alcohol to 12.75 parts by volume or
10 parts by weight of aqua distillata) is used for preparing most of the dilutions because this
is readily absorbed by cane sugar and milk sugar and is therefore suitable for medicating the
sugar globules or powders.
Rectified spirit is practically the same as dispensing alcohol.
3. Glycerine is used as a preservative for certain animal products, e.g. Crotalus horridus,
Elaps.

Solid media
1. Sugar of milk (Lactose, Saccharum Lactis): The hard and sharp crystals of this substance
make it an ideal medium for triturating drugs.
2. Cane Sugar globules are found very convenient to medicate and use. These are available
in various sizes from 5 to 100, the number representing the diameter of ten globules put
together and measured in millimeters e.g. the total diameter of ten globules of No. 5 put
together would be 5 millimeters.
Potencies
The purpose of attenuation or dynamization is to divide and sub-divide the medicinal
substance progressively in order thereby to liberate and develop its latent power by degrees
and to retain it in a suitable form. This is generally done by dilution with alcohol and
succussion (shaking) in the case of soluble substances; and dilution with sugar of milk and
trituration (rubbing) in the case of insoluble substances.

Since the products of such attenuation seem to acquire more and more power, they are
called "Potencies".
In case of vegetable products and other soluble substance, this is done by expressing the
juice of the plant and mixing it with alcohol. The mother tincture, designated Q, the basis from
which potencies are run-up, represents one tenth of the drug strength. Further subdivision is
done by diluting with alcohol and succussing (shaking it up). Such liquid potencies are called
"Tinctures" or "Dilutions".
When green plants are used, the amount of moisture in each plant is calculated and
deducted. Only the quantity of the dry crude drug is taken as the starting point from which to
calculate the strength of the medicine.
Mineral and other insoluble substances are similarly potentized by mixing with sugar of milk
and triturating (rubbing in a mortar). Such potencies are called "Triturations".
Homoeopathic potencies are thus prepared in the form of (1) Tinctures, (2) Triturations.
Potentiation
Potentiation is usually done in two scales.
a. The Centesimal, evolved by Dr. Hahnemann and
b. The Decimal, evolved by Dr. Hering.
c. In the last edition of the Organon, however, Hahnemann has described a new scale of
potentiation, which is named the 50th Millesimal scale.
Tinctures ( dilutions)
1. Centesimal Scale
For the purpose of carrying out the preparation of potencies in liquid form, pour into a small,
clean, new phial one minim (i.e. one drop) of the mother tincture of the drug (designated Q)
and add ninety nine minims of dilute alcohol. Cork the phial tightly with a new cork, hold it in

the right hand with a finger on the cork, raise it above the shoulder and give a shake or a jerk
to the contents in such a way that each shake terminates in a jerk against the palm of the left
hand or on a book. Repeat this process ten times. This results in the first centesimal potency
of the drug.
If one minim of the 1st potency so prepared is taken and ninety-nine minims of dilute alcohol
are added and shaken ten times, as described above, the second potency is prepared. Further
potencies are prepared in the same manner by repeating this same procedure.
2. Decimal Scale
During Hahnemann's life time, another scale of drug attenuation was introduced by his
staunch follower Dr. Constantine Hering. According to this scale the first potency should
contain 1/10th part of the drug substance, the second potency 1/10 part of the first potency
and so on.
Preparation of tinctures under decimal scale is made by taking one minim of mother tincture
and nine minims of dilute alcohol and shaking the bottle ten times as described above, the 1X
potency being thus obtained. The 2X potency is then prepared in the same manner by taking
one minim of the 1x potency, adding nine minims of dilute alcohol and shaking as usual ten
times. Further potencies are prepared in the same manner.
In modern times such dilution and succussion are done with a potentizing machine in which
the process is carefully and automatically regulated.
Triturations
1. Centesimal Scale
To one grain of the substance is added thirty three grains of milk sugar, and this mixture is
rubbed vigorously in a mortar for 6-7 minutes; it is then scraped for 3-4 minutes.
This process is repeated thrice so that the first centesimal potency results in an hour by the
addition and trituration of ninety-nine grains of milk sugar, in three instalments of thirty-three
grains each time, to one grain of the drug (1:99).
For preparing triturations under the decimal scale, the same method as in the centesimal will
be employed except that here ten grain by weight of the crude substance is triturated with
thirty grains of sugar of milk each time and the process repeated thrice as described above,
so that in all ninety-grains of milk sugar are added to the ten grains of the drug and triturated
(1:9).
Even minerals and other insoluble drugs when triturated upto the 6x potency become soluble
in a liquid medium so that further potentiation can be continued in an alcohol medium.
Nowadays trituration is done by machines in which the mortar and pestle are rotated by
machines.
Potencies prepared under the centesimal scale are marked by using simple numbers or by
the number followed by the letter, e.g. Sulph 200 or Sulph. 200C.
2. Decimal Scale
Potencies of the decimal scale are marked by suffixing an "X" to the number, e.g. Sulph.
200x, or by the Prefix "D",. e.g. Sulph. D 200.

Thus in the Decimal Scale we have potencies such as 1x, 2x, 3x and so on made up as
follows:
1x - 1 part of dry substance and 9 parts of diluent: representing Drug strength - 1/10,
2x - 1 part of the 1x and 9 parts of diluent: representing Drug strength - 1/100,
3x - 1 part of the 2x and 9 parts of diluent: representing Drug strength 1/1000 and so on.
In the Centesimal Scale, we have:
1 or 1C: one part of the drug substance to 99 of diluent: representing Drug strength 1/100
2 or 2C: one part of 1C to 99 of diluent: representing Drug strength 1/10000 and so on.
It can be seen that in drug content, the 1C corresponds to the 2x, the 2C to the 4x and so on.
Sometimes, the potency strength is designated by Roman numbers (especially the higher
potencies), e.g. 200 as CC, 1 000 as M or 1M, 10 000 as 10M, 50 000 as 50M or LM, 100 000
as CM, 500 000 as DM, 1 000 000 as MM, and 500 000 000 as DMM.

3.

50th Millesimal Scale

Hahnemann had in the last years of his life envisaged another scale of potencies in which the
drug is diluted with 50,000 parts of diluent and potentized. The potencies thus made are
designated as 50 millesimal scale or LM scale of potencies.
Everitt has calculated that these potencies can be compared or equated theoretically on
paper to the traditional potencies as follows:
New Scale Potency I - 16x
II - Between 20x and 21x ( i.e. 10c approx.)
III - " 24x and 26x ( " 13c " )
VIII - " 44x and 51x ( " 25c " )
X - " 52x and 61x ( " 30c " )
XII - " 60x and 71x ( " 35c " )
XVIII - " 84x and 101x ( " 50c " )
XXIV - " 108x and 131x ( " 65c " )
XXX - " 132x and 161x ( " 80c " )
In practice, however, they seem to be far more powerful.
Medicines for external use
Ointments

Ointments are usually prepared by mixing the mother tincture of the required drug with any
simple base such as prepared lard, vaseline, etc. The proportion of drug content may vary
from 1 in 10 to 1 in 40.
Though "homoeopathic" medicines for external use are available, they are not commonly
used. The homoeopathic concept is that all diseases including all manifestations on the skin
arise from internal disturbance and therefore they are to be cured by internal medicine. By
the use of external medicines, there is a possibility that the external manifestation is
extinguished without a corresponding internal improvement and this will give rise to a false
sense of satisfaction.
Preservation
Homoeopathic medicines should be stored in rooms which are neither too hot nor too cold,
away from sunlight, dust, smoke and strong odours. The phials should not be coloured. Phials
and corks should be washed and boiled, and then washed again in distilled water and dried
before using.
Phials used for keeping one medicine should never be used for any other medicine nor for the
same medicine in any other potency. The same rule applies to cork also.
Never use glasses for measuring, keeping, dispensing or administering potentized medicines
because they become contaminated with the potency energy which is very difficult to destroy.
Two phials containing different potencies or remedies should never be opened at the same
time in close proximity. It is always safe to record one phial and put it away before opening
another for fear that the corks may be interchanged.
Always mark the name of the medicine and potency clearly on the cork, besides labelling the
phial correctly, as soon as any medicine is prepared.
Sterilisation: Hahnemann mentions that after preparing a trituration, if the mortar, pestle and
spatula are made red-hot, the medicinal substance will be destroyed.
But McCrae thinks this not enough. He lays down that if by chance any material or container
has come into contact with the homoeopathic potentized medicine and has thus become
contaminated with the drug energy, then such potency energy is never destroyed unless the
material is sterilised by exposure to dry heat at 160 degree C. for one hour.
Dispensing
The practitioner can usually obtain his potencies from homoeopathic pharmacies both in
liquid form (alcoholic dilution) and in solid form (globules, powders and tablets). They can be
then dispensed in both forms. It need not be emphasized that the pharmacy must be a
reliable one, particularly as it is very difficult to identify or analyse the drug or its potency *.
Liquid potencies can be used to medicate globules by adding 5 to 6 drops to a drachm of
cane sugar globules in a phial and mixing it very well after corking. The excess of liquid if any,
is drained. Small globules, say size No. 20 or 30 are found very convenient.
Both the liquid and solid potencies keep well for several years if kept well-protected as
directed.
Dispensing in distilled water: Pour the requisite number of drops or pills into doses. If distilled
water is not available, use filtered, boiled and cooled water.

Bottles and corks should never be used again for another drug or another potency of the
same drug.
A case is also related in which a servant of a worthy lady in Silesia was to obtain a
homoeopathic medicine from an apothecary, besides fetching a certain sort of wool (called
Estremadura No. 5) from a shop and the pharmacist promptly supplied the medicine labelled
"Estre madura No. 5"!
While discussing how long the medicines can retain their potency McLaren states that he
used a potency that was seventy years old and found it quite effective.
Aegidi of Freienwalde reports having used in 1860 with excellent effect a potency of
Cantharis in pills, which had been given to him by Hahnemann himself in 1831.
Tomlinson mentions that a potency of Zinc sulph. 82M in his possession for 42 years
continued to act.
Phatak records that a potency of Ledum which he had with him for 20 to 25 years had turned
black, but was found by him to act, though he did not expect it to act.
Other ways of dispensing:
1. Put one drop of the dilution on a little sugar of milk, say 5 grains. This forms one dose.
2. A few canesugar pills medicated as directed above can be added to a little of sugar of milk,
say 5 grains, and crushed so as to make a uniform powder. This forms one dose.
The number of drops or the number of pills of the medicine makes little difference. Given at a
time, one drop or one pill will have the same effect as many drops or many pills.
The powders should be packed in clean new papers, preferably in cellophane or tissue paper.
Where two different sets of powders are given, they should be dispensed in separate
envelopes.
Medicines, dispensed in whatever form, should always be neatly labelled, the name of the
patient and full directions for use being written on the label.
Administration
The subject dealing with the route of administration of medicines is termed Pharmaconomy.
Hahnemann has laid down that homoeopathic medicines may be administered in any of the
following ways.
1. By oral route. 2. By inhalation. 3. By application to the skin.
For many years he was administering medicines mainly by mouth. But in his last years, he
favoured the inhalatory method.
Homoeopathic medicines are generally administered singly and by the oral route.
Administration by mouth seems to be most convenient and effective. Homoeopathic
potentized medicines seem to require no digestion but seem to be absorbed directly from the
mouth and then act through the central nervous system. If the medicine is dropped below the
tongue (sub-lingual), even the possibility of a coated tongue interfering with the absorption
and action of the medicine will be avoided.

In the writer's experience, medicines appear to act as effectively when administered as pills
or powders or in the form of watery solutions. Hahnemann, however taught in his later years
that the medicines should be invariably administered in water.
During recent years, homoeopathic potencies have been introduced in the form of
injectables. Since the medicines given orally seem to act effectively and promptly, the merits
or advantages of the injectables is not clear. Further, no scientific or objective large-scale
studies have been published comparing the relative effects of the injectable and the oral
administration. So the need for and value of these injectables are yet to be assessed.

Pharmacology
The exact mode of action of the homoeopathic medicine is still not known but it is known that
the sick individual is most sensitive to the similimum (most similar remedy).
Considering that the drug substance is in such infinitesimal quantity that it is practically
impossible to analyse or detect it, the average allopathic physician refuses to believe that this
can have any medicinal effect at all. So efforts have been made by various homoeopaths to
show the presence or effect of drug substance even in high dilutions.
The famous German surgeon Prof. Augustus Bier had demonstrated that it requires 250 000
times as much formic acid to affect a healthy person as is needed to cause a sufferer from
gout to react.
Tomlinson reports that he was able to make prints on sensitive photographic plates by the
help of the radium contained in one part.
Boyd has shown by very carefully conducted elaborate experiments that high potencies have
an action on the rate of growth of yeast.
Sir Jagadish Bose was able to demonstrate that plants are sensitive to the effect of very
minute quantities of poisons.
Anna Koffler et al proved that homoeopathic potencies are able to affect the growth of plants.
Other examples are: A small amount of Selenium, e.g. 2.5 parts per million can poison young
rats (not old ones!) and 0.7 per million can affect chick embryos; Colchicum in dilution of 1
part per billion can inhibit cell division; inhalation of 0.000 000 1 gm can produce a garlic
odour in breath; LSD - 0.000 02 gm or 1/700 000 000 of body weight can produce
hallucinations.

Materia medica
The study of materia medica
The importance of the study of the Materia Medica and its enormous value to the
homoeopathic physician cannot be adequately described. It has a predominant role in the
field of Homoeopathy. We can do no better than to quote the words of Clarke who says, "We
must never lose sight of the fact that Homoeopathy is Materia Medica and nothing whatever
else. All other branches of medical study are Homoeopathy's handmaidens buy take away
Hahnemann's Materia Medica and Homoeopathy vanishes from the scene. So that in so far as
we are homoeopathists, Materia Medica is our sole concern...

Books of Materia Medica and Repertories are the Road maps, Time-tables and Guide books of
the powers at our disposal..."
The homoeopathic Materia Medica is peculiar in its construction and differs very much from
the orthodox Materia Medica. Whereas the orthodox Materia Medica traces the action and
therapeutic uses of various drugs through physical and chemical properties, pharmacological
action, etc., the homoeopathic Materia Medica provides no such material. In truth, it is mainly
a record of the effects of drugs on healthy human beings. The original basis for our Materia
Medica is the records of provings * and poisonings (accidental or intentional), the former
being experiments done to intentionally produce drug symptoms on healthy persons for the
purpose of advancing medical knowledge. These symptoms are later confirmed and
augmented by clinical experiences.
The Materia Medica Pura of Hahnemann is actually not a Materia Medica in the ordinarily
accepted sense of the word but is purely a record of drug-effects. It is unfortunately rather dry
to read and difficult to digest. If this Materia Medica Pura is put in the hands of a beginner, he
is likely to be frightened away from Homoeopathy for life **.
Meyer describes the difficulty in studying the homoeopathic Materia Medica. He writes, " We
shall probably not be contradicted when we affirm that the study of the Materia Medica is the
most difficult in the whole range of medicine. Who is there of us who has not, in the beginning
of his practical career, often taken up Hahnemann's Materia Medica with the most energetic
purpose and sincere intention of studying and mastering some one or other of the remedies
there recorded by the hand of the master and has not, as often, thrown the book aside in
despair and disgust? Our own experience will furnish the reason for this frequently repeated
result. It is not from the absence of a scientific interest in the matter, nor from want of a
steady perseverance; the difficulty lies in the Materia Medica itself. A single glance at a
remedy presenting to us many hundred different symptoms is enough to shake the most
earnest good intentions, and if we reflect further on the absolute want of connection between
these phenomena and that at the most, the only link between them is the part of the body in
which they make their appearance, it is not to be wondered at that so many remain mere
bunglers in this department of our art, and that some, terrified by the apparently insuperable
difficulties that beset the way should have rejected Homoeopathy and sought a resting place
in the arms of their less exacting allopathic mother. In both ways our therapeutics have
received great injury, and many of promising genius have been led astray."
This is testimony concerning himself of one of our most excellent homoeopathic colleagues:
"I am not ashamed to acknowledge", says he, "that if when I commenced the study of
Homoeopathy, had I not had the most intimate conviction of the truth and excellence of the
homoeopathic fundamental law, such were the difficulties in the study of the Materia Medica
that they would have been near repelling me from it altogether."
It requires very great insight to look into each symptom and pick out the characteristic
features of each drug. But thanks to giants like Clarke, Dunham, Farrington, Kent and others it
has been possible to construct out of these seemingly unconnected and fragmentary pieces,
living throbbing images of the drugs. Their labours have lightened our task considerably and
we are now able to comprehend well the individuality of the drugs even without going through
the records of provings. By repeatedly refreshing our memory from these books, we are able
to have a good grasp of the subject.
Moore says, "Four requisites to an intelligent study and application of homoeopathic Materia
Medica should be recognised. First, a thorough knowledge and intelligent understanding of the

philosophy of Homoeopathy so far as this is revealed; second, such a familiar acquaintance

with the names, appearances and properties of remedies as comes not only from a knowledge
of practical homoeopathic pharmaceutics, but from personal contact and handling of the
remedies themselves... "
Weisselhoeft advises the following method, "Now take the Materia Medica and divide it up in
that way. Learn one medicine at a time, and then you are over the worst of it, but do not try to
learn it alphabetically. That is like trying to learn a language by learning the dictionary by
heart. All these methods require work and most people do not want to do that. Most of us
would like to have a machine that would put it right into the brain without any exertion on our
part. Take the chemical groups, the lead group,the arsenic group, the gold group. If you know
one of the group well, you know considerable about the rest."
Del Mass writes, "To study the Materia Medica so that one will not fall into some rut and
become one-sided and weak in his armour of defense against disease requires many methods
of study."
"It is to be admitted that for the first years of study, each remedy should be studied alone
until a vivid picture is obtained of its general characteristics, so that the physician would
readily recognise in the symptoms of the sick individual the corresponding similia of the
proven drug."
"When we have to do with an art those end is the saving of life, any neglect to make
ourselves thoroughly masters of it becomes a crime.
"Do not think that when you have finished your college work you are thorough with the study
of your Materia Medica; if you have learned how to study you have done well. It is when in
active practice that the greatest amount of careful systematized study should be done."
"There are great opportunities for modernization. We admit without hesitation that we have a
cumbersome Materia Medica, but we also know that the real clinician is able to use it
successfully. It is to be modernized first by literary research and analysis. The value is there,
but we must subject the mass to modern methods to develop that which is of value."
Different authorities suggest different methods of studying the Materia Medica. In general, all
are agreed that the whole Materia Medica cannot be memorized. The Pulfords say, "We all
know that it is impossible to memorize our Materia Medica. On the other hand, we all know
how necessary it is to have an individual grasp of each drugs used."
But many authors suggest that at least the leading characteristics of remedies should be
memorized. Seibbert says, "We are called to the bedside of a patient, possibly a new family or
an influential old family. We face a different proposition than books, quiz or society. We are
facing a life and death situation. Under these circumstances it would be extremely hard to
choose a remedy by totally relying entirely on memory.
"I can call to mind cases in which I thought half our Materia Medica was indicated according
to symptoms given, and then by chance, some leader would present itself and lead to the
correct prescription.
"For this reason I believe we should always keep leaders first in our memory, even at the
expense of totalities."
But yet, the process of study and simplification of the Materia Medica has not been taken to
its logical conclusion, for, notwithstanding the coherent picture given by Kent and others,

students and neophytes find themselves struggling hard to grasp and retain in the memory
the essential features of each drug. When we stepped away from the structure of
Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura and compiled a regular descriptive Materia Medica so that
students may understand easily the action and uses of the various drugs, we have taken only
the first step towards the goal of simplification. Further steps must necessarily follow. The idea
is explained below.
We do not conceive of drugs as mere inert material substances to be used in diseases on the
basis of previous experience. Our conception is that drugs are living, vibrating personalities,
each full of its own specific energy and capable of influencing life in all the three planes, viz.
the physical, mental and moral (or spiritual). Each drug performs a specific type of work of a
specified degree. We may even conceive drugs as constituting a separate world of their own
specified field and function, just as we have in our society doctors, lawyers, teachers and so
on. As in our human world, no one individual is completely similar to nor can completely
replace another. Similarly no drug can be a completely satisfactory substitute for another. It
should, therefore, be our object to study drugs as individuals and completely grasp their full
individual characteristics so that at the right time we may call upon the right individual to do
the right job.
Symptoms evoked by a drug in the proving may seem unrelated to each other and even
bizarre in nature. Yet, they have been produced by the particular substance owing to the
impact of its own individuality on a particular organism which had been functioning in a
coordinated and harmonious manner before the proving was done - the set of symptoms have
been produced on account of an organised disturbance caused by the drug. Therefore, even
though the symptoms appear to be parts of a jig-saw puzzle, if the essential personality of the
drug is grasped, the various features will fit into a harmonious pattern. Therefore, the study of
the action of the drug, viz., the Materia Medica should be done in an intelligent and
imaginative manner.
Pulford writes, "We must not merely teach our students to simply read the Materia Medica so
that they may get just what little out of it they can but we must teach them how to study it,
just what they must look for in a drug and how to find it. Our Materia Medica is vast, and the
worst of it is that it is only a very small portion of what is to follow when the unfolding of
Homoeopathy is completed; no single mind can grasp it; it staggers all newcomers who
approach it, and it means no more than a vast amount of words to them, meaningless in their
import, and thus a barrier. But with a charted map one can traverse the paths of what seems
a vast tractless wilderness, with some degree of intelligence surely, and benefit."
Diechmann says, "And we do not want to get the remedy diagnosis from physiological
consideration but from the drug picture. Yet in modern medicine we must construct on the
physical data, then the facts of the Materia Medica will stick more firmly in our minds and
sometimes with very similar drug pictures it may be made easier to choose the right direction.
It remains a matter of personal inclination how one creates order and lucidity in the
compartments of one's brain."
Schwartz writes, "To study the Materia Medica so that one will not fall into some rut and
become one-sided and weak in his armour of defence against disease, requires many
methods of study.
"It is to be admitted that for the first years of study each remedy should be studied alone
until a vivid picture is obtained of its general characteristics, so that the physician would

readily recognise in the symptoms of the sick individual the corresponding similia of some
proven drug."
In our efforts to study and understand the complete individuality of the drug, we should
naturally proceed as we would do when we deal with a sick individual, for to the homoeopath
the drug-picture and disease-picture are only counter-images of each other.
Individuality comprises of the special inherited characteristic features moulded, altered or
added to by the particular circumstances and influences to which each person is exposed. We
have to study, understand, unravel and interpret the congenial and acquired attributes of the
individual, subsequently modified by the circumstances. Every individual is to be studied in
his own surroundings, in his own background, his actions and reactions being interpreted in
that light. In absolutely the same way, we have to know, study and understand every facet of
the make-up of each drug, to see if that could offer some clue to explain the peculiar activity
of that drug.
Such aspects as the morphology, habitat, physical and chemical properties, family
relationships, group tendencies, elective affinities, the identity of substances, the sources and
origin with particular reference to the nature of and behaviour of the original substance
(mineral, plant or animal), traditional uses, physiological and toxic effects, medicinal and nonmedicinal uses, etc., should be considered and analysed. Every piece of information that may
enhance our understanding of the drugs should be collected and collated.
That morphology may offer some clue towards the action of the drug is a most ancient idea,
from which arose the doctrine of signatures. This doctrine has been sufficiently ridiculed but,
perhaps, it was not entirely baseless. The shape of the plants and animals, their size, colour,
structure, etc., reflect their individuality. Even the crystals of various minerals ultimately
assume the same shape and pattern with the result that we are able to recognise the original
substance by looking at one microscopical part of it. So also is their individuality reflected in
their actions (effects). If such is the case, if the shape and pattern as well as the actions
reflect the individuality, is it not possible that the two are inter-related in a way we are unable
comprehend or explain? The aspect of the Thuja patient, who has the waxiness and build
resembling the plant, is but a crude instance of such a conception.
Boger, writing on this subject, says, "The doctrine of signatures has been derided and is said
to rest upon pure fancy but I know of no accident in nature and everything has an adequate
cause; hence we should not be too ready to attribute such things to mere coincidences. Such
correspondences are too numerous as well as too striking to be lightly passed over. It seems
rather a case of not knowing just what they mean or what the real connection is.
"At the risk of seeming to ask hard questions we may inquire why the time of the honey bee's
greatest activity corresponds closely to that of the Apis aggravation? Why the poison of the
sleepy surukuku snake is most active a little while after falling to sleep? Why Kali
bichromicum crystals become tough on exposure to the air? Why the twining Convulvulucae
cause twisting intestinal colics, etc., etc."
The juice of Chelidonium is yellow, resembling bile, and it is one of the well-known remedies
for jaundice and liver diseases; Corallium rubrum, the red coral cures red chancres.
Boger further writes: "In the life history of every substance there is a mark which points
towards its application. The doctrine of signatures is not all fancy even if correspondences
have mostly been found in forms, a little understood subject. Striking things have their
counterparts and their mutual connection is made clearer through symptomatology. While the

indications include subjective, objective, anamnesic and environmental effects, drug

symptoms are also made up of much more than has been recorded and we read much
between the lines."
Clarke says, "Every mineral, every plant and every animal has its own living principle
embodied in its form. The form is the expression of the principle. In a number of cases, the
nature of the principle can be read from its form, and has been thus read correctly by
primitive people from time out of mind. The common names of plants embody these
character-readings; "Worm wood", "Worm seed", "Squaw root", "Snake-root" are a few
samples. Arnica had been named "Fall Kraut" before Hahnemann discovered its power to
produce bruises, and Bellis perennis, our Daisy (Day's eye), had been named "Eye bright", and
Symphytum (which in Greek means: grow together) commonly known as "Comfrey" (from
"confirm", which is the Latin counterpart of the Greek name, and means the same thing) had
received its name "Bone-set or Bone-knit"- all before Hahnemann's time. Konig remarks, "The
more we attempt to enter into the often impenetrable maze of the homoeopathic materia and
try to bring order into the abundance and apparent random choice of all the symptoms, the
more we feel the need for a new doctrine of signatures."
Habitat has a great part in such moulding. Members of the animal and vegetable kingdom
acquire certain properties by virtue of the soil and climate wherein they flourish, the quantity
and quality of nourishment, water and sunlight they receive, etc. In this respect, they may be
compared to human beings whose characteristics, habits and reactions are often moulded by
the circumstances and environment of their life. Animals and even plants develop special
methods of sustenance and self-protection suitable to the areas wherein they reside. One
would almost think them to be human and that their behaviour is as much the result of
intelligence as of instinct. All these inherited and acquired virtues and defects go to make up
the individuality of the substance which is reflected in its actions and reactions. It is also
considered by some that substances available on the spot are usually found most suitable to
diseases arising in that area, as for example, Arnica montana which grows in mountainous
areas, is useful for exertion and after-effects of mountain climbing, as also for the injuries
sustained by climbers from falls. Aconite grows in dry soil and its symptoms are worse in dry
weather. The idea is that the influences which go to produce the diseases peculiar to the
place, also go to mould the drugs peculiar to the place which may prove useful for such types
of diseases.
The physical and chemical properties of a drug may be reflected themselves its symptoms.
The yellow and red colour of Phos. reminds us of its action on the liver producing jaundice and
its haemorrhagic properties. You must have observed that most substances with a strong
smell like Ambra grisea, Asafoetida, Crocus, Moschus, Nux moschata, Valerian, etc., are
hysterical remedies *.
The chemical composition of substances often explains their action, e.g. the action of
Spongia resembles that of Iodum closely, the latter being a constituent of the former
substance. Both are better by eating. Ledermann says that the iodine component of Spongia
can account for its effect on swellings of the testicle and epididymis. Lycopodium contains
sulphur and hence much of its similarity to Sulphur; the close relationship of Pulsatilla and
Kali-s, arises from the fact that Pulsatilla contains potassium sulphate. Lycopodium contains
both Silica and Aluminium and has symptoms of both the drugs such as diffidence,
constipation with soft but difficult stool, etc.; Antimonium crudum contains sulphur and it has
similar aversion to and aggravation from bath and heat. Allium cepa also contains sulphur and
has similar acrid discharge. Both Graphites and Petroleum contain carbon and have similar
symptoms like Carbo vegetabilis. Graphites contains in addition 3% of iron and has several

symptoms of Ferrum in its pathogenesis. Kreosote also contains carbon and has black,
offensive, burning discharges. Nux vomica contains copper and has all the spasms and
cramps of Cuprum. Both Nux-v and Ignatia contain strychnine and produce similar
convulsions. Belladonna contains Magnesium phosphate, and has spasms and pains. That
marvellous teacher, Hubbard **, writes, "To simplify Materia Medica conning, one must ponder
on the elements of which all other substances and man is made; one must analyse plants into
their component simple substances, at least the predominant ones and feel one's way into the
relationship of remedies. Who is not helped by knowing that Lachesis contains much sulphur
or Lyc. lot of alumina? or Bell. some magnesium phosphoricum, and Nux vomica a share of
copper?"
Lapis albus is nothing but Calcium silico-fluoride and so covers tumours of bones. Pulsatilla
contains Iron and both Pulsatilla and Ferrum have many common symptoms and are indicated
in anaemic patients who are better by slow motion. Borax being Sodium Biborate belongs to
the Natrum family and has similar aggravation from noise. Causticum, being a potassium
compound has the weakness of the Kali group, extending to paralysis. Grimmer says Merc-s
contains traces of Nitric acid; both are aggravated at night and are prominently anti-syphilitic.
Analysing the action of salts Stonham says, "The analysis showed that in all cases the basic
element predominates in its salt. The salt is more than the sum of the qualities of the
elements that compose it. We may perhaps infer that the chlorides work in the direction of the
arterial system, the bromides of the sexual organs, the iodides of the lymphatics and glands,
and the phosphates of the skeletal and nervous systems, while the sulphates have a more
general influence on the system generally. It may be that when we have a more certain
knowledge of the correlation of the physiological action of drugs with their chemical structure,
we shall be able to make a better prediction of the therapeutic value of their combinations."
The family and group tendencies are also prominent, such as the sadness of the Natrums, the
weakness of the Kalis, the neuralgic pains of the Magnesium family, the sluggishness of the
Carbons, the glandular affections of the Halogens, the prostration of the Acids and so on."
Further, a unique phenomenon exists in the field of chemistry, which Dr. Otto Leeser has
explained in his book, that when all the elements of the mineral kingdom from Hydrogen
onwards to Uranium are arranged in the order of their atomic weights (periodical table), every
seventh element falls into the same group and exhibits similar chemical properties. The
members of these groups of elements also exhibit similar drug effects in their provings.
Under elective affinities, I wish to draw attention to the fact that most substances seem to
have a strong affinity for certain tissues or locations. For example, Apis and Thuja seem to act
well on ovoid organs like the kidneys, ovaries, testes, etc. Argentum metallicum acts on the
cartilages, Bryonia on serous membranes, Cactus on circular muscle fibres, Capsicum on the
mastoid process, Ceanothus on the spleen, Chelidonium on the liver, Digitalis on the heart,
Euphrasia on the salivary and sweat glands, Kali-c on the lumbar region, Lachnanthes on the
sternocleidomastoid muscle, Manganum on the ears, Nitric acid on muco-cutaneous junctions,
Onosmodium on the female organs, Phytolacca on the mammary glands, Quercus on the
spleen, Ruta on the periosteum, Sabal serrulata on the prostate, Staphysagria on the
sphincters and genitalia, Terebinth on the kidneys, Ustilago on the hair and nails, Vipera on
the veins, Xanthoxylum on the nervous system, Yohimbin on the sexual organs, Zincum on the
brain and so on.
By the identity of substances is meant the knowledge of what they actually are. Sometimes
the homoeopathic Materia Medica is studied without a proper knowledge of the identity of the
substances studied. One who has seen the jelly-like content of Aloe leaves will remember the

identical nature of the discharges produced and removed by the drug; one who has eaten the
root-tubers of the Arum plant (Yam) especially in the raw or partly cooked state, will not forget
the terrible rawness accompanied by great itching that it produces in the throat. Mercury on
being dropped, scatters itself in a restless manner reminding us of the restless patient
requiring Mercurius solubilis. Can we not understand the lachrymation and coryza of Allium
cepa when we know it is the onion that has made cooks lachrymose? Similarly, we can
appreciate the foetid discharges of Asafoetida; the pride under Platinum, a most expensive,
and therefore proud, metal; the aggravation from petrol fumes and car sickness of Petroleum;
the burning redness and pungency of Capsicum, the Cayenne pepper, etc., etc.

Sources and origin

Knowledge of the source and origin of substances helps much. Sulphur comes from burning
lava of the volcanoes and produces much burning. Amphisboena is prepared from the jaw
bone of the lizard and acts markedly on the jaw. For substances of animal origin, quite often
the behaviour and habits of the animals give a clue to their actions and uses. It is said that
the Lachesis snake coils itself always from left to right, in which direction the symptoms of the
drug also travel. One who has read about the habits of the Tarentula spider and its
toxicological effects will easily comprehend the cunningness and quickness of the spider
reflected in its symptomatology. Persons bitten become more or less insane every spring and
then, on hearing the least musical sound, start dancing wildly. Though the music thus
aggravates their condition at first, later they feel greatly relieved after they continuously
dance for three or four days and become thoroughly exhausted. This is why, in homoeopathic
repertories, this drug is given under the rubrics "Agg. from music" and "Amel. from music and
dancing".
The fact that the halogens, Bromine, Chlorine, Fluorine and Iodine as well as Spongia come
from the sea explains their common characteristics and the influence of the sea on their
symptoms. So also is the effect of the sea-shore exhibited in drugs like Nat-m, and Sepia,
which originate from the sea. We can also appreciate the fact that animal poisons (like
Lachesis and Apis), poison the mind and produce suspicion and doubt; that substances found
together in nature like Carb-v and Kali-c, Selenium and Sulphur, Arsenic and Phosphorus,
Cadmium and Zinc, are similar in symptomatology; that Belladonna grows in Calcareous soil
and hence the close relationship between Belladonna and Calcarea. The very touch of the
Spanish fly Cantharis produces a blister and it is thus a remedy for burns.
The nature of the drug is also very useful. Drosera is an insectivorous plant. Whenever any fly
sits on the leaf, the leaf slowly closes, imprisons the fly and secretes a juice which is able to
digest the fly. It is also able to similarly dissolve bones and glands as in tuberculosis. Further,
sheep eating Drosera leaves develop a nocturnal cough and die. Dro. is a well-known remedy
for cough at night and for tubercular glands. The plant Rhus tox is said to be most poisonous
in rainy weather and the symptoms of that drug are worse in that weather. Pulsatilla, also
known as the wind flower, is a remedy for women who are reputedly changeable like the wind.
Nat-m being salt produces a lot of thirst. Potassium has a toxic effect on the heart and Kali-c
presents many heart symptoms.
The traditional and other uses of drugs also give much information. Bellis perennis (Daisy) is
used as a remedy for injuries. Even after being trampled upon, the flowers come up smiling.
Aloe has been traditionally used for inducing abortion because it is able to bring out
everything involuntarily, including the stools and the rectum. Bufo has been made use of to
produce impotence by women who find their husbands sexually overactive. Stramonium has
been given to produce insanity, Opium has been used to produce constipation and a sense of

well-being and when these symptoms are found in the sick, it is able to cure. Coffee is taken
to produce insomnia, e.g. by students preparing for examination, and it is our well-known
remedy for insomnia. Nux moschata is used by village women to keep their children quiet and
drowsy while they go away for work. Cannabis indica is taken by addicts to experience
glorious delusions and phantasies. Carb-v is used in modern medicine for flatulence since it
has the capacity to absorb 40 times its volume of gas. Mercurius solubilis is used in the
thermometers and barometers to indicate the changes of temperature and weather; Merc-s
patients also react as quickly to such changes.
Belladonna (Bella = beautiful, Donna = lady) was being used by women to produce
brightness of the eyes and red cheeks so that they may look attractive. It produces all these
symptoms in the sick, along with hot head and cold extremities. The dilated pupil * results in
photophobia and the patient sees also visions as in Calcarea carb. Calc-c is the chronic
complementary of Belladonna and it also has dilated pupils, hot head and cold extremities.
Curare the famous arrow poison is used to catch animals alive since it paralyses the hind legs
of running animals.
Coca is a well-known remedy for the effects of mountain climbing. One traveller gives a
remarkable incident showing the stimulant effect of the narcotic. He says, "An Indian was
employed by me for very laborious digging; for five days he never tasted a mouthful of food
nor took more than two hours of sleep at night, but at intervals of two to three hours he
regularly chewed about a half ounce of coca leaves. Following this he travelled for two days
across the high plains, keeping up with my mule, only halting to take his coca. At the end of
this time he expressed himself willing to engage for a like amount of work and that without
food if I would furnish him sufficient coca leaves. The village priest affirmed that he was sixtytwo years of age and had never been known to be sick a day... "
Even when a knowledge of these various properties and features is unable to give us a
comprehensive idea of the action of a drug, the essential symptoms of a drug may be
remembered by an association of ideas and through hypothetical explanations. Such
association of ideas and hypothetical explanations may not stand the test of scientific scrutiny
but to the extent they may enable us to remember the symptoms, they will prove useful.
For aiding the memory while learning, memorizing or teaching the Materia Medica, we can
freely make use of mnemonics, e.g. Bry. is Dry (i.e. it has much thirst). Opium which comes
from Poppy has P.P. P. (i.e. pin-pointed pupils). Podo. has Profuse, Putrid, Painless, Prostrating
diarrhoea with Prolapse. Rhus-t is like a rusty hinge, i.e. worse on beginning motion; Apis had
adipsia; Capsicum (the chilli) has generalised chilliness with local burning.
Apis is derived from the honey bee. The queen bee is a most jealous creature, so jealous that
after cohabitation with a male bee, it kills the drone because it cannot tolerate the idea of the
drone having relationship with some other female bee, with the result that it is itself widowed.
Apis is a remedy for the effects of jealousy and for widows. About the interpretations and
explanations of the general actions of the drugs and their manifestations in various parts of
the body, we no doubt find many precious hints, descriptions and explanations scattered in
the writings of various authors, esp. Kent, Dunham, Farrington, Tyler, Wheeler, Neatby and
Stonham, and Otto Leeser. Farrington writes:
"We include all the symptoms that we observe. Then what have we? A mass of symptoms
seeming to have no connection at all. They come from an organism that is all order and
perfection, and all the parts of which are in perfect harmony. When even one of these parts is

out of order, then there must be a certain clue to string these effects together and picture a
form of disease."
So it is the stringing together that would help the beginner much but a task that is not
completely done.
To quote Dr. Wheeler, "Homoeopathy is primarily concerned with practice. If a symptom can
be held to be the result of a drug-effect on the human body, then that symptom appearing in
disease is an indication for the remedy. We may explain symptoms in various ways but their
worth as pointers to a good prescription remains unaltered.
"But to attempt to explain the possible mechanism of symptoms has value in that it may
show relationship that makes possible symptom groupings. The memory is aided and it is
conceivable if (or when) a fuller knowledge is available that a realisation of relationship will
take the place of much more laborious symptom matching by enabling one or two
observations to imply the whole picture. But while that day is far off, no apology is needed for
an attempt to explain the why and wherefore of characteristic drug-symptoms."
Thus Wheeler proceeds to explain the symptoms and attempts to give them a physiologicopathological basis so that the medical student can comprehend the picture fully. I shall also
adduce some examples.
Conium has symptoms such as "Great aversion to light without redness", "Agg. by seeing
moving objects" and "Seasickness". Now if one can remember that Conium produces paralytic
states, the whole thing is apparently explained. The paralysis of visual accommodation might
be the cause of photophobia (without redness), and the inability to quickly accommodate to
different distances may result in the aggravation from seeing moving objects (and also
looking out from moving vehicles) and aggravation by turning the head quickly; the sickness
at sea may also be added to by looking at the constantly moving waves.
The constipation of Opium in the provings is not surprising when one knows that the drug
produces profound depression of motor and sensory nerves and inhibits secretion. The
inhibition of secreting glands may result in dryness of the alimentary tract and even when the
rectum is full there may be no sensory impulses sent to the central nervous system; and
again the expulsive power is lacking. The urinary suppression, and retention are also
explained by the lack of secretion, insensibility, etc. The pathogenesis of Ip. and Ant-t
contains dyspnoea, cough, vomiting, etc., possibly because they affect the vagus nerve,
which supplies the respiratory passages and lungs, stomach, diaphragm and heart. The great
congestion of the pelvic organs in Sepia must be responsible for the aggravation before
menses, during coition, pregnancy, abortions, puerperium, menopause, etc., all of which
produce congestion of pelvic organs. The ptosis of the organs owing to the atony of the
muscles and ligaments result in prolapses and may be responsible for the sense of internal
emptiness.
Lachesis has agg. from touch and amel. by pressure. Hence in throat conditions swallowing of
liquids and saliva aggravates, while deglutition of solid food causes relief owing to the
pressure exerted.
In Stramonium there is both agg. and amel. from light because the dilation of the pupils
results in photophobia but in the mind there is a terror of darkness. This is why it has been
described that the patient prefers to lie in a lighted room with his eyes turned towards the
darkest corner.

Besides the use of the above data, we may even remember the symptomatology of a drug by
imaginatively interlinking its symptoms and by visualising the underlying pattern. Let us take
the example of Silica.
Silica forms the major part of the earth's crust, upto 120 miles deep down. Just like the
earth's crust, the Silica patient also gets heated and cooled easily and is agg. by heat and
cold. The Silica patients are also characterised by deficiency somewhere and excess
somewhere else. The head and abdomen are big and the body and limbs emaciated. There
may be defective growth of bones, e.g. rickets, but there may also be exostoses; defective
healing or excessive granulation; softening or liquefaction of hard tissue like bones, e.g.
caries, or hardening of soft tissues like glands; weakening of fibre resulting in shyness and
timidity, but strong will-power causing stubborness. In this last, it resembles their hair, which
looks thin and yielding but is actually very strong, and of which Silica is a constituent. As the
patient is stubborn, so do we find stubborn suppurations, ulcerations, sinuses, fistulae, etc.
Silica has a peculiar lack of grit, the inability to carry out any task fully. This is even reflected
in the constipation, where the rectum expels the stool but not fully, so that the stool recedes
back. This has been called the bashful (shy) stool.
Still more examples may be adduced to show how the personality of drugs can be
comprehended by widening our horizon and trying to study all aspects of the drugs. But
sufficient has been said to convey the idea. Such valuable hints, clues and pieces of
information lie scattered all over homoeopathic literature, and it would take quite a long time
for one to go through all these sources. If these details could be collected and presented in an
interesting manner *, the beginner will have less difficulty in grasping the individuality of the
drugs.

To the eager reader who wishes to follow this line of study of the Materia Medica, I may
suggest the following literature:

Boericke William : Pocket Manual of Materia Medica

Boger C.M. : Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica
Clarke J.H. : Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica
Farrington E.A. : Clinical Materia Medica
Kent J.T. : Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Neatby and Stonham : A Manual of Homoeo-Therapeutics
Lesser Otto : Text Book of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Pierce W.I. : Plain talks on Materia Medica
Tyler Margaret : Homoeopathic Drug Pictures
Wheeler C.E. : An Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Homoeopathy

Wright Elizabeth : A Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy

Besides the above, I would also suggest to the reader to go through the various Materia
Medica studies of Otto Leeser and D.M. Gibson in the British Homoeopathic Journal, of William
Guttman in the Journal of the American Institute of Homoeopathy and Hubbard and Whitmont
in the Homoeopathic Recorder.
Random notes on some remedies
As we practise Homoeopathy and are blessed with increasing success, our appreciation of
Hahnemann turns into admiration, respect and reverence for his genius in discovering this
method by sheer force of logic and experiment, in an age of ignorance and superstition,
abounding as it was in bigoted quacks. The results of a few infinitesimal doses of the
similimum, as compared with the effects of the large violent doses of the other systems, are
simply delightful to watch and experience. To the convert especially, Homoeopathy is like an
oasis and provides a cool refreshing drink after a hot and tiresome travel in the desert of
palliative and suppressive drugging. Our repeated successes not only confirm the correctness
of the similia principle but also provide verifications of the drug symptoms contained in the
Materia Medica. The words of the Materia Medica begin to assume shape and take on life and
form and the prescriber is able to see in actual practice what he has read in words. He thus
becomes gradually acquainted with the drugs. First, when he meets them, he gathers an
introduction, then a nodding acquaintance; as he meets them more and more in their various
moods, he develops an intimate friendship and gets an insight into their make-up and
personality. In course of time he is able to identify them more easily by their gait, speech,
mannerisms, dress, behaviour, etc. Ultimately he can recognise them even if they are
disguised.
Thus, to the experienced homoeopath, the symptomatology of the drugs, which at first
reading had appeared unconnected and even meaningless, slowly takes on some definite
form and shape, at first blurred but gradually more clear-cut and distinct. His own mental
images or concepts of remedies are naturally moulded, shaped or warped by the nature,
extent and types of the cases he comes across, and since the experience of no two physicians
can be exactly the same, it is quite understandable that these concepts of remedies in the
minds of various homoeopaths, while being in general form identical, are likely to vary much
in details. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to exchange our own concepts with those of
others, for one's own impressions might prove new and useful to others.
So, here follows a serie of rambling thoughts on some remedies. The reader who wishes to
get more coherent and comprehensive pictures of the drugs should refer to standard books on
Materia Medica.
These notes were originally published in the Indian and foreign homoeopathic journals and I
am grateful to the Editors for their kind permission to reprint them.

Alumina
Alumina is not a remedy that is being used very often in homoeopathic practice but when one
comes across the symptomatology of Alumina in a patient, one should carefully enquire if
aluminium vessels are being used in the kitchen. It is well-known that in patients from cities,
constipation is a common feature and very often patients give a history that they are forced
to strain very hard at stool even though the stool is very soft. While this symptom might
remind us of the remedy Alumina, it should also stimulate us to enquire about the use of
aluminium vessels. Even if aluminium is not being used in the kitchen in the house, quite a

large number of people in the city take their lunch outside and in restaurants. The use of
aluminium vessels for cooking has become very widespread all over the world because they
are very light, become easily heated and are economical. There is no doubt that the
aluminium from these containers gets gradually dissolved and ingested along with the food.
Though a number of people may remain immune, it is certain that some people suffer
severely from its effects, whether these effects are toxic or allergic.
The role of aluminium in the causation of disease is not properly appreciated but anyone who
has followed the investigations of Dr. Le Hunte Cooper, published in his various articles, will
keep his eyes wide open for this source of trouble. Dr. Cooper, whose persistent and deep
study of the problem is most admirable, in a learned article gives numerous instances of such
reactions and sufferings. The booklet, "Aluminium, a Menace to Health" by Mark Clements
also makes a strong case against the use of aluminium vessels. We are well aware that the
cause of diseases should be traced and removed and/or neutralised and, therefore, one has to
make careful enquiry in this respect to eliminate the possibility of aluminium contaminating
the food.
Among the numerous symptoms which suggest the possibility of aluminium contamination in
the kitchen are two noteworthy ones. One is itching of the eyelids and especially the inner
canthi, and another constipation where the patient has to strain hard even though the stool is
very soft. The elimination of aluminium containers itself, where it is being used, often brings
about improvement. I may quote from my experience one such case.
"Mr. A.V. D., aged 18 years, consulted me for circular, bilateral and symmetrical patches of
eruptions in both the feet below the ankles existing for two months. There was some itching
with exudation of thin fluid on scratching and also formation of white scales. The patient was
very fond of sweets and milk. He had constipation and had to strain for stool although it was
soft. On enquiry, I found that aluminium vessels were used in his kitchen.
Thereupon, I merely advised him to discard these and gave him no medicine. In nine days'
time, he reported to me that the itching was much less and that the eruptions had started
fading. In a month's time, without any medicine whatsoever, the patches had practically
vanished though not completely. One dose of Morgan (Bach) 30 * removed the remnants."
Incidentally, I have a feeling that many cases of skin disease, so common in modern times,
may be due to the use of aluminium vessels.
Alumina seems to be a most deep-acting drug and it has considerable resemblance to
Causticum and to Lycopodium (Lycopodium pollen contain aluminium). It produces both
paralysis and anaesthesia as well as paraesthesia. I have seen one or two cases of Alumina
who had a craving for and aggravation from potatoes. One of my patients who needed
Alumina, a young man of 28, used to eat raw rice by the handfuls.
I was once able to cure a case of epilepsy where the patient reported to me that he got more
seizures in summer and if he took potatoes.
A very delightful case treated by me with Alumina is worth narrating. Mr. G.V. P., aged 51,
consulted me on 15th April 1954 with the following history.
In 1942, he had had an attack of Korsakoff's Psychosis. He was a cashier in the Railways, and
one day he brought home all the office cash which was a considerable amount and told his
wife that it was the money a friend had given to him for safe keeping. Next day, he did not go
to office since he did not remember where he was employed but he explained to his wife that

it was a holiday. When he did not turn up for work, and as at the same time, so much cash
was missing, the police were informed and they turned up at his house. When the truth came
out and his peculiar behaviour became known, he was taken to the mental hospital where he
became violent but after three weeks' confinement he became all right.
In 1946, a second and similar attack occurred with defect in locomotion and other symptoms.
He also developed a delusion that his friend had killed his child. This time he was examined
by a good physician and it was diagnosed as a case of subacute combined degeneration of
the cord. He was advised to continue liver extract injections daily for lifetime. Since then he
has been regularly taking the injections. He became mentally sound and physically slightly
better but otherwise his condition had remained stationary.
When I examined him, he had a sense of weakness in the ankles and a sense of heaviness in
the legs, but the soles felt numb and he felt as if he was walking on cotton or on a spring. On
standing up, he was unable to move immediately, nor could he walk fast. He felt as if there
was no life or strength in the nerves and in the chest. He could bear neither heat nor cold. He
could not walk or stand with eyes closed.
Previous history: In his younger days, his father had troubled him much and had driven him
out of the house.
Blood examination on 10.4.54 showed Kahn +++. I gave him a dose of Syphilinum 1M on
15.04.54 and advised him to discontinue the injections of liver extract. He experienced
considerable improvement. The numbness and heaviness decreased markedly. On 20.07.54,
the whole symptom-picture returned and I then gave him Syphilinum CM. He continued to
progress were till 08.09.1954. His Kahn then showed one +.
I now repertorized his case on Ken't Repertory and Boger's Synoptic Key with the following
rubrics: Vertigo agg. closing eyes (K.p. 88); Agg. speaking (B.S. K.p. 28); Numbness of sole
(K.p. 1043); Heaviness of lower limbs (K.p. 1015). It worked out to Alumina. I gave him
Alumina 1M, 1dose and this produced remarkable improvement till 16.10.54. With this dose,
he said he found "tremendous amount of good". He was able to walk much better, the feeling
of walking on cotton became much less. Blood examination showed Kahn negative.
I had to repeat the medicine on 16.10.54 and again on 24.06.55. Every time after the dose,
he felt completely normal for several months. Unfortunately he went out of my observation
and I could not check up on his further progress. But I am satisfied the Alumina did him "a lot
of good". I was also pleased that he was able to discontinue the daily injections of liver extract
and in its place got better improvement with 5 doses of medicine given during a period of 14
months.
Ammonium carbonicum
I was not using Am-c much and I used to wonder because the famous Dr. Benoyotosh
Bhattacharya of Baroda had stated in a book that Am-c is one of the six gems among the
homoeopathic medicines.
Recently, a girl aged 18 years came to me suffering from repeated attacks of asthma agg. at
new moon, agg. before menses, with cough agg. lying on the right side. I studied her case and
came to three remedies, viz. Am-c, Lyc., and Sulph. Because Am-c had the respiratory
symptoms, I gave her this remedy and she became completely well. We were giving her a
dose about once in 15 days. Now she has been completely well for over one year.

I studied Am-c more closely and I was surprised to note that it is given in innumerable
rubrics. It seems to cover many cases of Asthma. Many times I find that when we are using
Ars., we ought to be using Am-c.
Carb-v is a reaction remedy. We give Carb-v in chronic respiratory conditions where the
reaction is poor. But actually, Am-c seems to act better than Carb-v as a remedy to promote
reaction. For patients with coryza, who have obstruction of the nose at night, I used to give
Ars. with some relief. When I looked into Kent's Repertory under the rubric "Nose, Obstructed,
night", I found only three remedies in bold type, viz. Am-c, Lyc. and Nux-v. I gave Am-c and
found that it gave much more relief than Ars.
I had another very interesting case. "A boy aged 16 years, was extremely fat. 223 lbs in
weight. Obesity is a symptom of Am-c though it is not given in Kent's Repertory under the
rubric "Obesity". This boy had non-healing ulcers in the feet for many months. He used to
spend money lavishly. If his father gave him some pocket money he would waste it. He would
take a taxi and go round two or three times. Or he would take his friends to a paan shop and
buy everybody a one rupee paan. He had excessive thirst for cold drinks. He would tell lies.
He would often stammer. Am-c covered most symptoms. I gave him Am-c and all the
symptoms improved."
Since Am-c has 3 a.m. aggravation and is agg. by dampness, I think it might be more useful
than Kali-c in Bombay.
Am-c is very useful in old age. We give Carb-v to old people but Am-c may be equally good.
You will find in the Repertory under "Obesity in old people", only Kali-c but Am-c also covers
obesity and old people. So, many times when we give Kali-c, we have to consider if Am-c
would be better.
I have treated two other interesting cases: "Mrs. J.R. K., aged 49, consulted me on 9th April
1975 for rheumatic pains in joints, more on the right side of the body, worse in winter, worse
by rest, better by motion. Recently, she gets pains in the right hip and pulsating, cramping
and electric shock-like pains in right leg shooting down, worse at night between 1 and 3 a.m.
She has to walk about to get relief or her husband has to press and massage the part. She is
depressed in cloudy weather. Dreams of ghosts. The pains are in spots, moving or wandering
and are associated with heat and redness. She gets angry when contradicted. Weeps easily
and feels better. Used to weep while telling symptoms. She was disappointed with some
relatives as she felt cheated. She had been given Rho. 10M, Sulph. 1M, Puls. 10M, Bry. 10M,
Rhus-t 10M and Syph. 10M by some homoeopath without any relief. Her case was worked out
with the following symptoms:
Cloudy weather agg.
Side right
Pains, Wandering
Motion amel.
Rubbing amel.
Pressure amel.
Anger from contradiction.

The only remedy to come through was Am-c. Am-c also covered the background of grief,
dreams of ghosts, etc. She was given Am-c 30, t.i. d. and she felt 25% better within a week.
Thereafter, Am-c was repeated in various potencies ranging from 200 to 50M and she became
95% better. The rest was removed by Puls."
Arnica montana
If an allopathic physician is to be induced and introduced to study or practise homoeopathic
medicine, the first remedy that I would recommend to him to study or use would be Arnica
because this remedy is very simple to prescribe in case of injuries. When a person is injured,
Arnica can be given without going into the detailed symptomatology and in quite a number of
cases it is able to give relief. So the allopathic physician is able to use it easily and see the
results. Later on, he can go into the philosophy of Homoeopathy and study and practise it the
way it should be done.
Whenever a person has been injured, not only the acute effects but even the chronic effects
of this injury can be removed by Arnica, whatever its nature may be. I remember very well a
lady who had developed a lipoma in the gluteal region after a fall. With few doses of Arnica,
the size of the lipoma reduced considerably. Arnica is not only a remedy for the ill-effects of
injury but also for the effects of overexertion. We know in this highly competitive society,
every person specialises in the use of some particular organ, e.g. a typist or pianist has to
continuously use his fingers, a singer his vocal cords, a trumpeter his lungs, an athlete his
limbs, a proof reader his eyes and so on. All these persons can have relief from Arnica when
they suffer due to the overexertion of particular limbs or organs. I once had a cricket player
as my patient. This person used to start batting well but would soon become tired and get
out. When he went to Australia with his team I gave him some doses of Arnica to be taken
before and during the play. With these doses he was able to bat so well that I received a cable
from his team-mates in Australia asking me to send the same medicine for all the eleven
players!
I once treated a girl suffering from Asthma which she had developed after overexertion. She
had climbed a mountain with a party of her schoolmates. They made a bet as to who would
reach the top quickest. This girl went ahead of everyone but after that she had developed
Asthma. I saw her two years after the event and Arnica completely cured her.
Sometimes Arnica relieves or cures a case in which there is history of an injury, however
remote, and even though there seems no apparent cause-and-result relationship between the
injury and the disorder.
"Mr. A.D. C,. aged 38 years, consulted me for loss of vision in Aug. 1973. One morning on
waking he found that he had lost his vision in the left eye. He consulted an eye specialist. It
was diagnosed as due to vitreous haemorrhage. He took some vitamin injections and became
well. The condition, however, relapsed after sometime and this time vitamins did not help.
Now he had very little vision in the left eye. He could see vaguely the lateral part of the visual
field. His blood sugar curve was normal. He gave a history that his left eye had been hurt by a
stone in childhood. I asked him to consult an eye specialist. The eye specialist's opinion was
"Vitreous haemorrhage in the left eye. The fundus could not be seen. Vision is reduced to
perception of projection of light only for the left eye. Rt. eye is normal."
Because of the old history of injury and the haemorrhage, I put him on Arnica 30, three times
a day. After one month he told me that he was suddenly finding 2 or 3 big spots of clear vision
through which he was able to see. And these spots of vision gradually enlarged. The same

medicine was continued and later, on 15.06.74 he was put on Arnica 200, daily one dose,
which was continued upto 17.07.74.
He was then able to read big letters like the headlines in the newspapers. Arnica 200 was
continued and from 11.11.75 he was put on Arnica 1M, weekly one dose.
In Jan. 1976, his office people offered to buy for him a scooter, if his vision was normal. He
wanted from me a certificate that his vision was normal. As I felt that I was incompetent to
give such a certificate, I sent him back to the eye specialist. The eye specialist examined him
and certified that his vision was completely normal. So he was given the scooter by his office
and this made him extremely happy."
"I was consulted for Mrs. I.R. , aged 61 years, who had met with an accident days earlier. She
had been knocked down by a scooter and had since then been comatose or semicomatose.
She had been admitted in a hospital and treated but her condition had deteriorated and the
attending physician had then said that the prognosis was bad, but that there was a small
chance if she was operated immediately because he thought that it was due to a clot in the
brain. Somehow, the relatives of the patient were not ready to submit her to an operation. So
they decided to try Homoeopathy and I was called.
When I saw her, she was semicomatose. If she was shaken and asked to protrude her tongue
she would slowly open her eyes, pause and then respond slowly. Then she would lapse into
coma. She could not speak. Since her bladder was not working, a catheter had been kept in.
Her pupils were normal but not reacting to light.
Because of the head injury and because she would respond and then lapse into drowsiness, I
gave her Arnica 200, one hourly. Within 48 hours she was able to respond better, speak, and
answer questions. Her coma was 50% better. Arnica 200 was then continued two hourly and
after 4 days she was put on Arnica 1M, 3 hourly. She improved steadily. On the 12th day she
felt an urge for urine and so the catheter was removed and she was able to pass urine by
herself. She started complaining of severe pain in the bruised parts but later on this pain also
came down. She then went home from the hospital.
After going home she developed a rise of temperature. The urine showed 150 pus cells per
field and the infection was attributed to the catheter having been retained in for many days.
The symptoms indicated Lyc. With a few doses of Lyc. 30 the urinary infection also passed
away. She is now quite well and is able to look after herself."

Arsenicum album
Ars. is a remedy which is most useful when indicated in a variety of conditions, from asthma
to arthritis, coryza to cancer, in the acute and chronic, benign or malignant conditions.
Taking up my experience at the Govt. Homoeopathic Hospital I have to record that I have
seen hundreds of cases of asthma and in nearly 50% of them Arsenic was found indicated.
Originally it seemed to me that it could not be indicated in cases of asthma because
asthmatic patients are aggravated by the least movement, whereas Arsenic patients are said
to be better by movement. Very soon I realised that Arsenic is, of course, ameliorated by
movement; but at the same time, it is aggravated by the least exertion, and movement is also
a minor degree of exertion. This slight difference in interpretation gave a different angle and
since then I have freely prescribed Ars. in cases of asthma and wherever it was indicated it

gave results. Thus in the treatment of a condition very rarely near death or dissolution,
Arsenic has been found indicated very often and found to act very well, too. Incidentally it
may be noted that only in a minority of cases fear of death was found in the patients.
Ars. has nausea at the smell and thought of food, a symptom often found in jaundice
associated with prostration. Ars. is a well-known remedy for jaundice (as well as for yellow
fever).
Another remarkable symptom is blackness. The discharges, the skin (eruptions, ulcers,
discolouration, gangrene), lips, etc., all turn black. Arsenic is an antidote to tobacco and I
have noticed that most smokers have black lips. When the stools are black, the possibility of
haemorrhage from the upper part of the digestive tract should be considered; here again
Arsenic may be indicated.
I remember an elderly lady whose nose for some unknown reason had become intensely
black. It was black as a crow. The lady felt like dying of shame. Whenever she went out, she
used to cover it with a kerchief. Getting no other indications, I gave her Ars. which completely
cleared it up. She became immensely happy.
Ars. has not only burning sensation but the skin also looks black as if seared. Therefore, it
has been found very useful in burns.
Again in the treatment of extreme weakness amounting to prostration, especially after acute
illnesses such as Influenza, where no other prominent indications are found beside the
asthenia, Arsenic is found to be fairly effective. Where people complain of exhaustion without
any other clear indications and without any apparent cause, Arsenic in low potencies does
help.
This seems to be such a wonderful drug, full of such wide possibilities and of benefit in such a
wide range of diseases that I feel I could fill up three fat volumes only with Arsenic cases. But
it not being my intention to give a full picture of the remedy, I only draw the reader's attention
to some salient features.
I also wish to draw attention to the mistake of putting undue emphasis on certain aspects of
a remedy to the exclusion of other aspects. Greatest emphasis must be laid on one fact that
seems to be widely misunderstood. Very often one is confronted with the question raised by
brother homoeopaths: "How can you prescribe a drug when a symptom which is so
characteristic of that remedy is absent? For example, how can you prescribe Arsenic when the
patient has no fear of death?" The answer obviously is that the prescriber may expect all the
characteristic symptoms of the patient to be present in the remedy but he should not expect
all the characteristic symptoms of the remedy in any particular case; he will not overrule the
choice of the remedy if it is otherwise well-indicated. Such absence can, at the most, have
negative value only. If all the symptoms (given in the Materia Medica) of a drug, for example
Arsenic be present in one patient, it is probable that he would commit suicide before he thinks
of seeing a physician!
When we notice how frequently this remedy seems to be needed in attacks of gastroenteritis
and food poisoning, we are tempted to consider it almost as a specific for this condition. One
of the keynotes is that whatever is ingested is vomited at once; and vomiting and diarrhoea
occur often simultaneously.
The effects of Arsenic seems to be rapid or sudden and intense, the emaciation, the
weakness, prostration, the vomiting, etc., so that it is often needed in serious conditions and

emergencies. Arsenic is one of the lifesavers. Indeed, in so many cases which are serious or
desperate, when death seems round the corner, Arsenic is often indicated and saves lives.
I shall now describe some cases of Arsenic that I have treated.
"A child, aged 31/2 months, was brought to me for diarrhoea. The child at birth had weighed
only 4 lbs. and so was given a Durabolin injection for increasing the weight. He developed
diarrhoea. But still, a second injection was given. Immediately the diarrhoea became worse.
The child became so dehydrated that he had to be admitted in hospital and various medicines
were given along with intravenous fluid. The child improved but the diarrhoea continued. They
consulted good pediatricians and gave further allopathic treatment for nearly a month. But
the diarrhoea persisted. Ultimately, they came for Homoeopathy. When I saw the child, he
presented the following main symptoms:
Diarrhoea agg. drinking; stool excoriating.
On these and other symptoms Ars. 200 was prescribed. The child became completely well
within four days."
"The next was the case of a navigator, aged 43 years, working in an international airlines
company. He suddenly developed a sense of sinking with nervousness and fear of death which
was very much worse if he smoked. It was also worse by loss of sleep. He had all sorts of
imaginary fears. He was most unhappy flying because he feared the plane would crash. He
developed also trembling, vertigo and various other symptoms suggestive of neurosis. He had
been given tranquilizers with no effect. Ars. 1M was prescribed. This cleared up everything.
He said that within 3 hours of the medicine he felt completely normal in mind and body. The
medicine had to be repeated four or five times for relapses but every time it helped him."
Even where a case is incurable, homoeopathic treatment relieves the suffering and affords a
painless end. Arsenic is one of the medicines which can do this.
"An elderly lady, aged 58 years, came for consultation in 1953. She had severe burning pain
in left hypochondrium with restlessness of two or three months duration. The burning was
better by hot applications. She could not lie on the left side. She used to take 2 to 3 sips of
water every half an hour. On examination, there was a hard tender mass in the area. She also
had history of bleeding P.R. She had already consulted some doctors who had done Ba.
enema and had diagnosed the condition as carcinoma of the transverse colon near the splenic
flexure. The case was beyond surgery and only symptomatic treatment had been advised.
Various sedatives had been given without any effect.
The indications for Ars. were clear and I gave her Ars. 30. The very first dose aggravated her
condition and so I changed to Ars. 6, t.i. d. With three doses of this medicine she felt dramatic
relief, she felt completely all right in a day or so, and so she stopped the medicines. She
remained completely well for six months without taking another dose of medicine. Then, one
night at 1 a.m. she woke up, read some religious book, then had a sudden attack of
dyspnoea, and she collapsed and died."
"On 24 October 1960, I saw Miss P.D. , aged 7 years, with the following history and
symptoms:
She had puffiness on the face and around the eyes for the last 5 months. Five months earlier
she had gone to see the Ajanta caves and had taken some allopathic medicine but then had
developed puffiness of the face. She then took homoeopathic treatment and felt better but
the condition has relapsed. In the last 10 days, the swelling has increased and she has put up

7 lbs. in weight. The average daily fluid intake is 600 cc and output is 300 cc. Oedema slight
on feet. Ascites. No appetite. Thirstless. Wants cold air, uncovering, etc. Puffiness on face agg.
morning. I gave her Apis 1M, 3 doses.
She felt no better and the next day consulted some other homoeopath. She felt much better
on his treatment for some months but there was again a relapse and I was called again on the
case. I saw her now on 09.03.61 and the condition was as follows:
The urine showed plenty of albumin, casts, and RBCs. It had been diagnosed as Nephritis. An
eminent pediatrician had seen her and had given a very grave prognosis and had advised
immediate hospitalisation. She had puffiness++ around eyes, oedema of feet and general
anasarca. The urine output was 180 cc. No thirst. Fruits especially sour oranges, and curds
agg. the swelling. The smallest piece of orange or apple causes immediate and intense
swelling over the body with oliguria.
I took the agg. from sour foods and from fruits as characteristic along with the other
symptoms. On referring to Kent's Repertory, I found Ars. and Fer. coming through.
As I could not decide between Ars. and Fer. I gave her Fer-a, 3 doses 6 hourly. Next day she
had urine 3-4 times and stools 3-4 times. Swelling reduced. Fer-a 30 was continued, daily once
for a week. The urine still showed proteins, ketones, pus cells, R.B. Cs, hyaline and granular
casts. But the patient continued to improve steadily. Now and then there were relapses or
short periods of no improvement, but in general she responded to Fer-a 30 every time and
showed good progress. As the condition improved, the doses of Fer-a were reduced, first to
one dose every 24 hours, then one dose every 48 hours, then one dose every 72 hours and it
was stopped ultimately after ten months after the urine showed N.A. D. She remained well
and was able to take all items of food including sour fruits. Later on, she had a severe attack
of measles but recovered from it without any trace of albumin in urine. Repeated urine
examinations done at various intervals showed N.A. D. and two years later she was still well."
The following was a case of multiple sclerosis treated by S.R. Phatak.
"Miss P.B. , aged 24 years, came on 21st Jan. 1971 with the following history:
In 1964 her sandals started coming off her feet while walking. Later, one morning on rising
she found she could not stand up. Also her legs felt heavy and she could not control her urine.
She was kept in an allopathic hospital for 2 months and later on treated for 2 or 3 years with
slight improvement. Again she got a relapse and then she could not keep her balance. In 1967
she was hospitalised again in another allopathic hospital and it was diagnosed as multiple
sclerosis (postero-lateral sclerosis). She felt better with Vit. B1, B2, folic acid and Prednisolone,
but gets agg. if these are stopped. Now she has weakness esp. in the legs. The body shakes if
she stands. She goes back involuntarily while standing. Appetite, thirst, etc., are normal.
Weeps easily, Irritable, Company amel.
Past History: Severe smallpox at the age of 11/2 years.
Fam. History: M. aunt had Parkinsonism. M. uncle had cancer. Sister had Koch's.
On Exam.: Extremities are cold. Squint. Kneejerks ++ Jt. sense absent. Plantar extensor,
Abdominal Reflexes absent. Power in lower extremities diminished esp. left. V.D. R. L - ve.
Carcin. 1M and Tub-bov 1M, were given with no effect. On 13.02.71 she was mildly slapped on
the back by her brother and after that she felt very weak. Arnica 200 and Rhus-t 200 were

given but the condition remained the same. Syph. 1M followed by Rhus-t 1M t.d. s. was given
with no effect. She now said the weakness of lower limbs was agg. from anger.
Zn. 30 and Zn-p 30 were tried with no result. So Dr. Phatak was consulted on 16.03.71. He
prescribed Ars. 1M, b.d. for a week. She felt amel.. She was able to stand and walk better but
the jerks were same as before. Power in lower extremities improved considerably. Ars. 1M for
sometime and then 10M was given. By 26.06.71, she felt completely well. She has stopped
the vitamins and other medicines and still feels well. Power in legs is much better but the
plantars still remain extensor and abdominal reflexes are still absent."
"Dr. M.M. S., aged 50 years, an Asst. Medical Officer in a Railway Hospital, saw me on 5th July
1972 for the following complaints:
He had chronic gastritis with colicky pain in the lower abdomen in April 1971 and again in
June 1971. It was associated with vomiting, the vomitus containing mostly acid, sometimes
food material, sometimes brown and once fresh blood. Vomiting relieves the pain. He had a
mental upset before the attack, as he became disappointed in his service, not getting
promotion in spite of working hard. Gets pain in back and knees. Loss of sleep causes
headache. Fats make him feel sick. Fasting upsets. Cannot tolerate tight clothing. He craves
for sweets and has aversion to fats. He has quick ejaculation. He is suspicious, impatient,
irritable, indecisive and gets offended easily.
Past History: In 1938, he had Malaria; had suspected Koch's (lung) in 1950 and fully
recovered. H/o fall from scooter, had become unconscious. Fam. Hist.: One sister had insanity.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics:
Grief, ailments from (p. 51), Food, fat, Agg. (p. 1363), Offended easily (p. 69); Desires sweets
(p. 486); Vomiting, Amel. (p. 411); Aversion to fats (p. 480). Ars. alone came through.
Ars. 30 was given b.d. for one week and then once a day for two weeks. He improved and
continued to improve till he became well."
Calcarea carbonica
Although the mineral elements constitute a relatively small amount of the total body tissues,
they are essential to many vital processes.
The balance of ions in the tissues is of great importance. For example, normal ossification
demands a proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus, the normal ratio between potassium and
calcium in the extracellular fluid must be maintained to ensure normal action of the muscle
and so on.
Certain mineral elements, principally sodium and potassium are the major factors in osmotic
control of water metabolism. Other minerals are an integral part of important physiologic
compounds such as iodine in thyroxin, iron in haemoglobin, biotin, coenzyme A and lipoic
acid.
The animal body requires seven principal mineral elements, viz., calcium, magnesium
sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulphur and chlorine. These minerals constitute 60 to 80% of
all the inorganic material in the body. At least seven other minerals are utilised in trace
quantities, viz., iron, copper, iodine, manganese, cobalt, zinc and molybdenum. Several other
elements are present in the tissues but their functions if any, are not clearly defined. These
include fluorine, aluminium, boron, selenium, cadmium and chromium.

Clarke says, "Calcarea is one of the greatest monuments to Dr. Hahnemann's genius. The
triad of remedies, viz., Sulphur, Calcarea and Lycopodium can be called Hahnemann's
magnificient gifts to humanity. Indeed, we shall be extremely poor without these excellent
remedies - Sulphur, the predominant antipsoric, Calc-c, the excellent antisycotic and Lyc., the
marvellous anti-syphilitic."
Hippocrates lauds the use of lime water in several diseases but it was used in its crude form
and it was Hahneman's genius that created valuable remedies from apparently inert and
innocuous substances like Calcarea, Silica and Lycopodium.
Chalk which is a main source of calcium consists of the deposits of the remains of millions
and millions of the shells of sea animals - of sea life that has come to a standstill. Thus
calcification represents standstill, immobilization and death. In the human body dead tissues
become calcified. Even the calcium in the blood goes out of circulation and is deposited (in
the bones).
The bones, as one of the hardest tissues in the body, represent stability and give firmness
and stability to the body; as in case of the brain and spinal cord, the surrounding bony tissue,
viz. the hard cranium and the vertebral column provide protection to the soft, pulpy nervous
tissue.
Calc-c is prepared from the snow-white middle layer of the oyster shell. The oyster shell is
formed by the calcareous secretion of the oyster which is the result of its attempt to protect
itself from the external environment. It is well known that all living creatures originated from
the sea; the sea represents perpetual agitation and movement, whereas the earth represents
solid stability and inertia. So the oyster in its attempt to protect itself creates a covering for
itself (shell) and thus also provides itself with a house and thereby unconsciously stabilises
itself on terra firma. The stabilisation and lack of mobility is exhibited in the symptoms of
Calcarea by inertia and agg. on movement and exertion.
Just as the solid oyster shell came out of the liquid sea, so also throughout the
symptomatology of Calc. is the tendency to solidify, to precipitate, to coagulate. So this
tendency is seen in the formation of calculi and clots, the clots of course serving to protect
the organism from excessive bleeding.
Calcium is present in the body in larger amounts than any other cation. It is the most
abundant mineral in the body and 90% of the Calcium is found in the bones and teeth (in the
form of calcium phosphate). The very small quantity left out of the skeletal structure is in the
muscles and body fluids and is in part ionized. Ionized calcium is of great importance in blood
coagulation, in the function of the muscles and nerve, and in the permeability of membranes.
Calcium is never found in its natural state. It is generally found combined with carbonic acid
(H2CO3 or H2O + CO2 , i.e. water and carbon dioxide) to form calcium carbonate.
The acid element is reflected in its sour discharges, sweat, urine, stool, etc.
Calcium promotes a tendency to hardening of the liquid and a tendency to soften in the solid.
The bones become soft and even flexible as in rickets while the tissue fluids lose their watery
element and may even coagulate, e.g. blood, milk, etc.
In blood, calcium and phosphorus are always found in inverse proportions. If the calcium level
is raised, the phosphorus level falls. The Calcarea and Phos. pictures are often opposed to
each other - the Calcarea which is dull, slow, fat, while the other is sensitive, quick and grows
thin and tall.

The parathyroid glands have a direct effect on the calcium metabolism. When their function
is increased the blood calcium rises and this may lead to calcification of the renal tubules,
formation of calculi, etc. When the parathyroid hormone is decreased, the blood calcium level
falls and convulsions are produced (tetany).
The body is constantly trying to protect itself from disturbances whether from outside or
inside. The former is achieved by walling off, and the latter by stabilisation. The walling off
can be physical, mechanical, chemical, biological, etc. The skin, the lymphatic glands, the
bones (e.g. the cranium) all take part in this and Calcarea affects all these tissues.
Once the body puts up a protective layer and walls itself, this walling itself symbolises a
completion of development and an obstruction to further growth and development as is noted
in Calc-c.
Once the solids precipitate, the liquids naturally have to be eliminated and so we have a
profuse elimination of fluids as sweat, urine, etc. In fact, the Calc-c patient has a hydrogenoid
constitution and is worse by dampness, getting wet, washing, etc.
Gutman has described the Calcarea patient as the boneless man. As calcium phosphate is
the main ingredient of bones, the patient suffers from bone deficiency conditions like rickets.
Even in late childhood the fontanelles may remain open. Calc-c is a chalky substance and it
has whitish, milky discharges. It is also aggravated by milk. The patient may have a craving
for inedible substances like chalk, rice, etc. This craving for peculiar substances termed Pica,
is often associated with anaemia (causing pallor). The patient may crave for eggs and salt.
The Calc. patient is notoriously aggravated by physical exertion. The physical stamina is
extremely limited and he is worse by any exertion such as ascending, eyestrain, etc. Even
mental exertion may aggravate and produce a sense of heat in the head. The following
remarkable case will illustrate certain characteristics of Calc-c particularly the aggravation
from ascending.
"I was once called upon to treat a very fat gentleman from Goa, Mr. M., aged fifty. He had a
peculiar symptom. If he went up the stairs or went up an incline he would develop
haematuria. He was seen by an urologist who did a cystoscopy and diagnosed it as due to a
polypus in the bladder. An operation was advised but the patient did not want to undergo the
same. So he consulted me. I selected and gave him Calc-c. Within 2 or 3 days the haematuria
disappeared and never recurred."
We read that Calc-c children are usually fat and flabby. But my experience is that at least
50% of them are not fat and flabby, at least not in India. When you refer to Kent's Repertory
under the rubric "Appetite increased with emaciation", you find Calc-c given in bold type
which means Calc-c also covers emaciation. Secondly, I have treated many fat Calc. patients
with Calc-c on the totality of the symptoms. On this remedy they feel considerable
improvement but I find that they do not reduce in weight as I expect them to. In fact, I have
found reducing a patient's weight a great problem.
From the description in the Materia Medica, you feel that they are very chilly but sometimes
they are not so. I have seen Calc-c patients who are as hot as Sulph. But unlike Sulph., even
when they complain of burning in a part, that part is cold.
Tyler aptly describes that the Calc-c patient has fatness without fitness, tissues of plus
quantity and minus quality.

While the Calc. patient has less physical stamina, the Silica patient seems to have a lack of
mental stamina, or grit. There are many resemblances between the two - both are aggravated
during and have late dentition, have aversion to and agg. from milk, are agg. by exertion,
have desire for indigestible things, etc., but the mental features are much different. The
Silicea patient is more intelligent and active than the Calc. patient. This difference has been
brought out very well by Borland in his wonderful book, "Children's Types". The Sil. child is
said to be sharper than Calc., more shy, timid and obstinate. Calc. craves for salty food, Sil.
prefers cold food. Both Calc-c and Sil. have offensive foot sweat. Calc. has painless glands
while Sil. has painful ones. If I get an additional history that the child has had a very bad
vaccination, I choose Silica.
Calc. has a craving for eggs * and salt **, and an aggravation from both. A very large number
of children seem to require Calc-c in my practice. They have gradually a large sweaty head
and a large abdomen, spindly legs, with a h/o difficult and late dentition. Many of them do not
put on weight. (I have noted that Calc. is one of the remedies for emaciation inspite of
excessive appetite.) If the head is hot and extremities cold, they require Calc-c. If the
abdomen is sunken, I prefer Calc-p instead of Calc-c.
When a patient has a craving for a substance which aggravates him I consider this a very
good symptom. E.g. Ant-c has craving for and agg. from sour foods, Nit-ac from fatty food,
Nat-m from salt, Arg-n from sweets and so on.
Calc-c has a big head and a big abdomen. The big head may be due to rickets or
hydrocephalus or any other disease. I have treated successfully several cases of
hydrocephalus with Calc-c. The big abdomen may be due to distension, fat, tumour or ascites
or any other condition. We are not to worry about these, but only see whether the totality of
symptoms is matching. Calc-c is also a remedy for growths including warts, polypi, etc.
Some drugs have some peculiar symptoms which often guide us to the remedy. One such
extraordinary symptom of Calc-c is that the patient is ameliorated when constipated. This
symptom it shares with Pso. and Merc. I once treated a lady with many complaints who
mentioned that if only she would remain constipated, all her problems would be solved. This
put the remedy in my mind.
Whereas Sulphur has heat in spots, Calc. has coldness and perspiration in spots. I have seen
many Calc. patients perspiring on the head or elsewhere during sleep or while they are eating
or drinking. One patient used to have perspiration on the forearm while chewing (betel leaf).
Calc-c is a hydrogenoid remedy and is agg. by dampness like Rhus-t. It has got the same
aggravation from lifting and pain as if sprained, and is a remedy for old sprains. Calc-c is often
the chronic of Rhus-t.
Belladonna is the acute of Calc-c and children who require Bell. for their acute attacks (such
as tonsillitis, fever, etc.) will required Calc-c for a cure. Calc. has a hot head and face and
dilated pupils like Bell. The patient has not only photophobia but he also sees objects beside
the visual field or on closing eyes, or is sleepless.
"Mrs. S.Y. D., aged 25 years, had urticaria of 5 years duration. This had started the last
summer after her last delivery. Attacks of urticaria come on with chilliness. So she covers her
body but then she gets burning. There is also burning in soles. The attacks are agg. by mental
upset, becoming angry, if she is chilled, and by eggs. Last two years, she has frequent urging
for urine with burning during micturition which is agg. in summer. She has an aversion to milk.

Thirst, 1 to 2 glasses per day. She is very obese. Menses are scanty. Her condition has been
diagnosed as due to E. coli infection.
Almost all her symptoms were covered by Calc-c.
So she was given on 13.3.1962, Calc-c 200(3), 6 hourly. She started improving. Later, she
was given Calc-c 1M and then 10M. By 21.10.62, she was quite normal."
Whitmont summarizes as follows:
"Calcarea is standstill, passivity, immobility, clinging, restraining, peripherally enclosing,
restricting, ingoing, negative, a holding in, receptive principles."
I have noted the following symptoms in my book under Calc-c : Coldness and sweat in
patches, haemorrhages, cramps and convulsions, tetany; milky secretions, itching; sneezing
amel.; vertigo agg. open air; coryza alternating with colic or diarrhoea; averse to warm cooked
foods; hunger with coryza; frequent urination; hot semen; ammoniacal; cough agg. piano
playing; cramps in calf, agg. night, stretching leg or foot, urticaria amel. open air.
Other peculiar symptoms of Calc. compounds noted are: Calc-a, Royal calls this the kidney
member - very sensitive to pressure in the kidney region; Calc-i has high fever; Calc-f covers
leucoderma.
Calc-hypophos has suppurative conditions, marasmus and night sweat. Also it has ravenous
hunger agg. 2 hours after a meal amel. when stomach is full. Calc-p is agg. thinking of his
disease, has pain in all bony prominences and hunger at 4 p.m.
Carbo vegetabilis
Carbo vegetabilis belongs to the famous carbon family. We meet carbon in its various forms
in all the three kingdoms - the mineral, vegetable and animal. It is an essential constituent of
all organic substances. It is found as coal, animal carbon, carbo sulph., the diamond
(Adamas), graphites, petroleum, kreosote, lamp black (Fuligo splendens), etc. The various
other carbon derivatives, and the various compounds of carbons like Am-c, Anthorkokali, Barc, Lith-c, Mag-c, Nat-c, and Stront-c, all used in Homoeopathy, have their own broad fields of
action and wide indications, covering a large number of conditions. Staffelstein also mentions
Carbocarnis made from calves' flesh and includes among carbons the roasted sponge and
toasted coffee. Carb-s, Carbo oxygenisatum and Carbo hydrogenisatum are also well-known
remedies.
Hahnemann was laughed at by Pareira for filling up thirty five pages with the symptoms
produced by the millionth of a grain of this inert substance, but prominent among the
wonders of Homoeopathy is the miraculous development of the powers of inert vegetable
carbon into a most extraordinary, life-saving remedy.
Considering that it is an essential constituent of all living organisms, carbon can be called the
basis of life. This life-giving property of the element can be seen in its action when it is able to
save persons who face imminent death, or even those who show signs of apparent death. It
has therefore been called the corpse-reviver, a designation it rightly and richly deserves as
the following experience of mine will prove.
"In the very early days of my practice when I had very little courage and even less
confidence, I was called to see a poor patient living in a hut. When I went and saw him, I
found him unconscious. The history as reported by the relatives was that he had been

vomiting and purging for the last 48 hours, on an average about 50 times a day! I found him
in a completely dehydrated and collapsed state. The body was cold. The pulse was extremely
feeble and thready. And as I was feeling it, it stopped for a few seconds and started beating
again. This happened 3 or 4 times and I felt sure that he was dying. I was too nervous to treat
such a serious case. Also, I honestly felt that he required hospitalisation so that he could
receive glucose, saline and electrolytes which might improve his slender chance of survival.
So I advised the relatives to shift him to the hospital immediately though I felt a doubt within
myself whether he would reach the hospital alive. As I was preparing to leave, the relatives
requested me to at least give him some medicine. Without any hope whatever, I gave them a
dose of Carb-v 30, advised them to dissolve it in water and give it orally at the rate of one
drop per second and then I left. This was in the morning.
In the evening when the relatives came to report, I enquired whether the patient had been
admitted to the hospital and if he was better. When they told me that the patient was still at
home, I was enraged and I scolded them severely for their stupidity. Then they explained to
me that no sooner had I left, they had called for an ambulance. The ambulance came in half
an hour but by that time the patient had become conscious. He had asked for water, drank it
and had retained it. So the ambulance driver told them to wait. For the next two hours there
was no vomiting or stool, so the ambulance man left, promising to return at once if required.
Till evening there was absolutely no vomit or stool. This was the situation.
Entirely surprised by this news and yet unable to believe in the capacity of the medicines to
tackle such a serious case, I warned them that still the patient may need immediate
hospitalisation, and that though I was giving them a dose of medicine, they should be ready
for any emergency. They promised to obey and left with another dose of Carb-v.
Next morning they turned up again with the report that there was no further stool or
vomiting. I was very pleased and surprised, and decided to go and see the patient. They then
told me that I could not see him because, being poor, he had gone away for work!"
This reminded me of the case of the washerwoman treated by Hahnemann who became quite
well with his dose of Chamomilla but did not report to him because she was too busy working.
The action of Carb-v and such homoeopathic remedies is so strange that we feel puzzled
about the whole thing. How does the body restore its lost fluid and electrolytes without
glucose saline and electrolytes being given? How does the patient get back his energy so
quickly without rest, convalescence and tonics?
Of course, this would be a typical case of Carb-v almost out of the text-books. But Carb-v is
indicated in all kinds and degrees of lack of reaction from the mildest to the most serious. So
we should not expect in every case all the typical symptoms such as coldness of the body,
extremities, breath, tongue, etc., which are to be found only in the most desperate cases.
Carb-v is an inert substance. The keynote of the drug seems to be inertia. The inertia or
sluggishness may be expressed in diverse ways, in the sluggish reaction, in the sluggish
digestion, in the sluggish circulation, etc. The deprivation of blood naturally starves the
important organs of the necessary amount of nourishment and leads to deficient functioning,
as, e.g. the stomach cannot digest the food, the heart cannot pump enough blood (causing
breathlessness and/or air hunger), the body reacts badly in diseases so that diseases are not
thrown off so easily and leave behind obstinate complications or sequelae. The poor
circulation is also exhibited in the coldness of the extremities and the blueness of the skin
surface, etc.

One of the finest indications for Carb-v is when a patient comes and reports that he has never
been well since an attack of some infectious disease. Carb-v is considered almost a specific
for asthma originating from an attack of measles or whooping cough. One of my teachers
used to repeatedly state that the expression of a patient, "Never well since..." should always
put Carb-v in one's mind whether it is after an attack of pleurisy, or any acute infection of
even an injury. He has treated numerous cases successfully with Carb-v on this indication,
even when the existing symptomatology of the patient was not characterised by symptoms of
Carb-v. I have found this a most valuable and practical hint.
Carbon is an inert substance and the remedy Carb-v puts in our mind the idea of inertia or
sluggishness; its symptoms are characterised by sluggishness. The sluggishness is
everywhere - in reaction, recuperation, circulation, digestion, etc. Let us first consider the
sluggish reaction or resistance.
In the last Asian Influenza epidemic, I myself suffered from flu. Thereafter, I became
extremely weak and even prostrated, and the prostration persisted from day to day for
several days without abating the least. The prostration was so severe that I had not the
strength to lift my little finger. But two doses of Carb-v restored to me all my original vigor and
strength and I was then myself able to treat hundreds of cases in the epidemic.
During and after the epidemic, we had quite a large number of cases who turned up with
similar post-influenzal asthenia and/or cough. Almost all of them improved quickly with Carb-v
after they had been treated by the allopathic doctors without any result. The only difference
was that instead of the two doses I had needed, many of them required several doses. Most of
these patients required Carb-v 1M, twice a day for a week, some for a fortnight and a few upto
one month before they were completely relieved.
I can also recall two sisters who suffered after influenza.
"Miss N.I. , aged 23, had developed the following symptoms after an attack of "Flu". A feeling
of tightness of the skin of the face agg. in the evening. Itching of the inner canthi of the eyes.
Profuse leucorrhea. M.P. irregular, scanty or profuse, blackish; pain in the throat, ears, back,
spine and occiput. Feels as if she is pulled down to the ground agg. evening. Feels as if her
breasts are falling or being pulled down. Stitching pains in fingers and soles. Feels prostrated.
Tired of life. Fears being alone, disease and death. Feels guilty as if she has done something
wrong. Pain in abdomen going into the genitals. She had indurated and tender swelling in both
the breasts.
After all investigations (including X-rays of the skull and spine) had shown N.A. D., it was
labelled as neurosis.
Ignoring completely her symoptomatology I gave her Carb-v 1M, t.d. s. at first. In four days,
she felt about 40% better. The remedy was continued b.d. for 3 weeks and she became
completely normal."
"Her sister had also developed after "Flu" tender, indurated swelling of both the breasts, with
sudden attacks of pain in them. I put her also on Carb-v 1M, b.d. for 2 weeks and she became
well."
Sluggish reaction is also a feature of old age and Carb-v is one of the remedies for complaints
of old people.
The mucous membranes of the stomach and its glands are sluggish and therefore the
production of acid and pepsin must be poor. This leads to sluggish digestion which creates a

feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Coal is used for producing (coal) gas. It is often used in
its crude state by allopathic doctors for absorbing gases in G.I. tract. (Charcoal is said to
absorb 40 times its volume of gas.) It was also used as a deodorant and is applied to
putrefying ulcers. But instead of using crude carbon to absorb the gas that is produced and to
remove the offensiveness, we utilise potentized carbon to prevent the formation of gas and to
prevent putrefaction.
There is such flatulence that the patient feels bloated all the time though this is relieved by
belching. The eructations relieve the patient as a whole. Probably the inactive stomach and
sluggish digestion allow organic fermentation leading to formation of gas.
Sometime back, I had developed for no apparent reason a sudden feeling of distension in the
stomach while eating. I used to feel that with the first morsel of food, the stomach was
bloating up like a balloon and stretching out. With two or three morsels, I would become
actually uncomfortable and overfull and I had to stop eating but if I stayed on at the table for
a few minutes, I would belch once or twice and then feel much better, and could take some
more food. This went on for three or four days. Then I took a dose of Carb-v and within half an
hour I could do justice to a real full-style Punjabi dinner.
As compared to the distension in upper abdomen amel. by eructation of Carb-v, Lyc. has
distension of lower abdomen amel. by flatus. And both are complementary remedies. (It is
said also that a weekly dose of Carb-v helps to prolong the action of Lyc.)
Sluggish circulation produces its own complications, such as varicose veins, varicose or nonhealing ulcers, oedema of dependent parts, icy coldness of the various parts such as hands,
legs, knees, nose, tongue, etc., even the breath may become cold, and the physician may feel
a cold fear clutching at his heart when facing a Carb-v such as amel. eructations, amel.
fanning, etc.; then this remedy will be positively useful.
The following case of varicose ulcer was an interesting one:
"Mr. J.B. had thrombosis in the left leg in 1935 and since then has a permanent swelling in
the foot. In 1952, he had vasectomy done and then had developed some eruptions which
increased in size, suppurated, burrowed and opened, forming a painless ulcer, which had
shown no tendency to heal for the last 8 years. I found the ulcer bluish in appearance. He
was put on Carb-v 1M in August 1960 and in 4 months the ulcer healed completely."
Coal (which is itself the product of combustion) and coal gas are used for burning as fuel.
Carb-v has burning with external coldness, and the burning may be relieved by heat as in
Alumina, Arsenic, Caps. and Lyc. When this coldness is associated with a condition of collapse,
then we definitely consider Carb-v. Carb-v is as good a remedy for collapse as Ars. but the
collapse picture of one is very different from that of the other. The Carb-v condition may come
on gradually and can be somewhat anticipated whereas Ars. is characterised by suddenness.
Secondly, the Carb-v patient may go on to collapse and may pass away quietly while the Ars.
patient, even in the extreme stage of collapse, is restless; the Carb-v has no anxiety, whereas
Ars. is full of agony and anxiety and so on.
Carb-v generally contains small quantities of potassium carbonate and this may explain both
the complementary relationship and the similarity between this remedy and Kali-c. Both are
chilly, both antidote the ill-effects of loss of fluids, both are flatulent and weak and both affect
the heart, producing myocardial weakness. But there is a main difference in the modality, viz.
Carb-v is amel. by fanning and Kali-c is agg. by it.

Carb-v is one of our best remedies for the effects of too much drugging. This indication of
Carb-v is particularly useful because many patients come to us after having been drugged a
good deal. It is said that in 1930, the apothecary Thorey swallowed one gram of strychnine
(which is ten times the lethal dose) along with 15 grams of charcoal powder but remained
well.
Carb-v is a remedy for death and local death leads to decomposition and offensiveness as in
gangrene.
While there is excessive gas in the upper abdomen, there seems to be insufficient aeration or
oxygenation. We know how CO and CO2 have specific effects on the respiratory centre. There
seems to be sluggish oxygenation with consequent desire for air or for fanning - Air hunger.
There is desire for fanning even though the patient may be cold and may feel cold.
Improper oxygenation also leads to another prominent symptom, viz. blueness or cyanosis.
Lutze reports a very peculiar case. A lady had taken a large amount of charcoal tablets during
her pregnancy, as she said in order to have a beautiful baby. The baby was not as beautiful as
she had wished but at each nursing of the baby the mother had a severe cutting pain in the
abdomen. Lutze could not find this symptom in any Materia Medica, but on the history
mentioned above, he gave her Carb-v CM, two powders which cured the trouble.
I am also reminded of a case of Koch's abdomen which responded to Carb-v chosen in
peculiar circumstances.
"This patient, Mrs. L.S. G., aged 35 years, was admitted in our hospital on 29.02.68. She had
been directed by an eminent homoeopath from a mofussil town and had been already
diagnosed as a case of Koch's abdomen. Her history and symptoms in brief were that she had
pain in abdomen of four years' duration agg. by milk, agg. after eating esp. spicy food. She
had oedema of feet which had appeared first in the left and then in the right foot, vertigo,
weakness agg. in sun, burning in anus after stool, thirstlessness, poor sleep , amenorrhoea
since 2 months with a h/o profuse menses; mentally irritable. Physical examination revealed a
doughy abdomen and cracks in the angles of the mouth. Routine investigation showed: Urine
n.a. d., Stool: R.W. ova., Blood: n.a. d.
We repertorized her case and came to some remedy. She was given this remedy for three
days with no change. But on 03.03.68 at 5.15 p.m. , for no apparent reason, she suddenly
developed symptoms of collapse. She became comatose with extreme coldness of body, very
low B.P. and with a feeble, thready pulse. We put her immediately on Carb-v 200 and then on
1M. She rallied and slowly came out of the state of collapse. Finding that she responded well
to Carb-v even as regards her abdominal pain and other original symptoms, we continued to
put her on Carb-v, giving it at intervals, first in 1M and then in 10M potencies. She responded
so well that by 27.03.68, she was quite normal and we discharged her. Her weight went up
from 27 kg to 32 kg. Then treatment was stopped.
After nine months, she had a relapse of the abdominal pain (not collapse) but with Carb-v
10M she became completely well. She has remained well for eight years."
Dr. Mistry, a surgeon from Sholapur, has reported several remarkable cases in which Carb-v
has proved consistently far superior to any allopathic drugs in post-operative shock.
China officinalis

The normal indications for the use of China (such as the ill-effects of the loss of fluids,
flatulence not better by flatus, pain agg. by touch but amel. by pressure, etc., etc.) are known
to all homoeopaths but I have found China useful in two different conditions which I shall
describe.
"Mr. J.V. D., aged 62 years, came on 01.01.74 for treatment of gangrene of the toes of the left
leg from which he has been suffering since 1970. He had been advised amputation which he
had refused.
History and symptoms: In 1970, one toe was crushed and had suppurated. It was operated
twice but did not heal and gangrene had set in. Later two more toes were affected. Then it
was diagnosed as chronic vascular insufficiency due to atherosclerosis. He had pain in the leg
agg. 10 to 11 p.m. , amel. pressure, agg. letting the leg hang down, agg. walking, amel. cold
water application, agg. in sleep, even in afternoon sleep. He had a suicidal disposition. Head
heavy, with vertigo and nausea sometimes. He also had twitching on rt. side of the face and
rt. side of tongue with black patches on tongue. Lips black. Pain in soles at night, wakes up 45 times due to pain. Cannot wait for food. Loquacious.
Prev. Hist.: Malaria in childhood. Used to smoke 50 cigarettes a day for 45 years. High B.P.
since 1947. Now B.P. 200/130. The affected three toes are black and gangrenous with a very
offensive discharge.
I took the following rubrics in Kent's and Phatak's Repertory, viz.,Tobacco; Injury; Gangrene;
Suicidal; agg. in sleep; Rt. side; Black. China alone came through.
He was given China 30 and he started improving. With repeated doses of China 200, he
became well. The gangrenous toes healed. We stopped the treatment on 29.03.75. "
On looking into Hering's Guiding Symptoms, I do not see any indication of gangrene under
China though I do find the following symptoms "Pain with swelling of the big toe worse by
touch and motion, esp. evening and night", "Red swelling of the two tips".
I have used China in two cases in which the patient had dark pigmentation of the skin. I have
mentioned that I have found Ars. useful in this condition. But when Ars. fails, I think of China.
The following two cases will illustrate this point.
"Mrs. M.G. , aged 48, has black pigmentation of the whole Rt. upper limb, last 11/2 years.
She had had a hysterectomy done and took pencillin injections. Two months after that, the
pigmentation has worsened.
Appetite, thirst, etc., are all normal. No other symptoms. This has been diagnosed as Toxic
melanosis.
I gave Ars., Sul-ac, Vipera, etc., all with no effect. Later on, I put her on China and thereafter
she improved very well. She is now 90% better."
"Miss P.S. K., aged 17, had blackish patches on the anterior aspect of both legs for last many
years which were agg. with new moon (increasing with waning moon).
I put her on various medicines like Phos., Ars., Puls., Merc-s, Calc-c, etc., with no amel..
Because of the experience quoted above, I gave her China and she is now nearly normal."
I have found Chi-a indicated by the symptom, "Diarrhoea agg. from eggs and fish". The
patient may be suffering from any disease but if this symptom is present, we must consider
Chi-a.

The following cases will illustrate this point:

"A boy, P.N. , aged 3 years, was admitted to the hospital on 11 June 1957, with a history of
oedema of the lower limbs, puffiness of the face and oliguria of five years' duration with
intermittent remissions and exacerbations. His case was taken thoroughly and all
investigations done, and a diagnosis of hypoproteinemia was arrived at. The oedema was
aggravated by taking fish or eggs.
The symptoms indicated the probable similimum as Chi-a. Therefore, the patient was put on
Chi-a 200, t.d. s. whereupon his urine output, which originally averaged 6 to 8 oz. per day,
gradually and steadily rose to 78 oz. per day within a fortnight. The puffiness and oedema
considerably lessened and then disappeared. The patient was kept under observation for six
months and he continued to remain well."
"I remember another case of a middle-aged person. He was admitted in the Govt.
Homoeopathic Hospital with general anasarca and his case was also diagnosed as
hypoproteinaemia. In his case also, he gave a symptom that his oedema was worsened by
taking fish or eggs. On admission, his urine output was only about 6 or 7 oz. a day. But after
Chi-a, the output increased steadily and went upto 170 oz. or so daily which continued for
several days, so much so that he nearly became dehydrated. The medicine was discontinued
and he became well."
Chi-a has oscillating temperature in fevers like Pyrogen. I had the opportunity to treat such a
case.
"I was called to see Mr. S.S. K., aged 21 years, son of a well-known allopathic doctor who was
also running a nursing home. The boy was studying for M.B. B.S. I saw him on 3rd Sept.
1972.
He was getting fever from the 2nd week of July and had been treated with Chloromycetin and
Betnesol. The fever had come down and he was well for 11/2 weeks. But he had fever again
on 30th July. His W.B. C. count was 12 100 (poly. 62.5%) and he responded to Ledermycin and
was all right for three weeks. He started attending his college. But again he got fever on 21st
Aug. with shivering. This time it did not respond to any of the allopathic medicines. So I was
called in by the parent who, being a doctor, had become anxious, especially because several
consultants had prescribed for him with no result.
The present situation was that he was having daily remittent temperature. The temperature
would rise upto a maximum of 105 or 106 F at any time with chill. The fever used to go up
and down very quickly. For instance, if the temperature was 98 F at 9 a.m. , it might be 104
F at 10 a.m. He gets burning of palms with the rise of temperature. Gets pain in left shoulder
and hip and cramps in calf muscles occasionally. Gets offensive stools three to four times a
day. His maternal aunt had suffered from T.B.
His case was repertorized in Phatak's Repertory with the following rubrics:
Fever high, hyperpyrexia (p. 105); Fever, Oscillating (p. 104): Fever, hectic (p. 104);
Only Chi-a came through. Chi-a 200, 8 doses to be taken every 3 hrs. was given. Within 2
days he felt better. The maximum temperature was only 102.8 F.
Now Chi-a 1M, 6 doses t.d. s. were given. Next day, the temperature was normal upto 4 p.m.
but rose thereafter.

Chi-a 1M was continued t.d. s. and by 09.09.72 the temperature came down and remained
normal and thereafter, it did not rise.
The boy started attending college from the 11th. The father who had planned for a long
convalescence was surprised both because I permitted the boy to attend his college from the
11th and also because the boy himself felt no weakness and was able to attend classes. There
has been no recurrence of the fever for over 3 years."
Where I have failed with Ars. and China in dark pigmentation of the skin without any other
symptoms, I have succeeded with Chi-a.
Cimicifuga racemosa
On looking around for the collateral remedies of Ignatia, one comes across Cimicifuga. Boger
calls it a hystero-utero-rheumatic remedy and, considering the wide incidence of hysterical,
rheumatic and pelvic disorders in women, one feels that Cimic should have a wide application
in practice but is not as well-utilised as it should be. Cimic is as bewildering in its
symptomatology as Ign. It has a variety of pains: aching, shooting, soreness, shocks, etc.,
representing myalagias, neuralgias, etc. The symptoms change in location and nature so
rapidly that the patient of today seems to be a different person from the patient of last week,
and so one suspects a strong neurotic element in the case. Often one is unable to make head
or tail out of the case, both as regards the remedy as well as the diagnosis, for the symptoms
seem to be everywhere and of every sort. The patient is absolutely nervous and apprehensive
as well as gloomy, so gloomy in fact that she feels "as if she is enveloped by a black cloud".
Like Sep., this patient is also aggravated during puberty, climaxis, menstruation, suppressed
menses and pregnancy.
"One remembers the case of a nice old lady who came for treatment full of tears due to years
of suffering. She was aged 60 and complained of pain in the left knee of twenty years'
duration. She could not stand or walk and the pains were mostly aching with stitching pains
being superadded sometimes. The pains were all over in various places and often shifted from
place to place. She also used to get cramps in various muscles.
She had vertigo on first beginning to walk with a feeling that she would fall to the left. Cold
baths aggravated her. She also had an oedema of feet for the last 5 or 6 years. She
mentioned the fact that she had menopause at the age of 40 after which all her troubles had
started. The case was repertorized (with Boger's Synoptic Key) with the peculiar symptoms of
Climaxis aggravation, wandering pains and aching.
The only remedy that came through was Cimic. The very first dose of Cimic 200th gave her
enormous relief. She received in all three more doses at intervals of 2 to 3 months, which
wiped out the whole trouble. She is well now for over ten years."
One has been led to the remedy by a peculiar symptom in the patient, viz. an aching, stiff or
rheumatic pain in the nape of the neck which is relieved by throwing the head back and
moving the neck to and fro.
The impression has probably been created that this is a remedy for females only. This, of
course, is false, for any remedy in the homoeopathic Materia Medica may be indicated in any
person for any disorder, provided the symptomatology of the drug and the disorder
correspond. The case of a male patient who required Cimic may serve as an example.
"Mr. G.R. S., aged 36, a stenographer by profession consulted me for the following disorders:

He had been suffering from pains in all the joints and muscles of the body for the last two
years. The pain was constant and aching in nature, especially worse during the cold wet
weather and on rising in the morning. He had pain in the heels while standing, pain in the
gluteal region while sitting, pain in the back while lying on his back, pain in the fingers and
palms while writing, in the areas on which the pen exerted pressure.
On analysis of the symptoms, they were reduced to the following rubrics in Boger's Synoptic
Key:
1. Pressure, agg.
2. Dampness, agg.
3. Aching
4. Joints
5. Muscles.
Only the remedy Bryonia came through but that did not seem to fit the case. But when the
first rubric, pressure aggravates was bypassed in the repertory, one came to Bry., Cimic, Phyt.
and Rhus-t.
1000th potency of this drug cleared up the case completely within two months."
It is a pity that the drug is not mentioned under "Pressure agg." in our repertories. One might
have completely failed in this case without a knowledge of/or reference to the Materia Medica.
Basing one's conclusion on this case as well as on many other such cases, one is led to the
impression that the symptomatology of Cimic is not wholly and well represented in our
repertories.
Conium maculatum
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) has been made famous in history because the great
philosopher Socrates died by drinking it. When Socrates was charged with corrupting the
morals of young men and was condemned to death, it is said that he spent his last hours
discussing philosophy calmly with his friends. As calmly, he took the poison and drank it
himself. Then he died, after describing minutely the effects of the poison. His disciple Plato
has written down a graphic description and this is one of the best descriptions of drug action,
equalling the drug provings of Hahnemann.
Conium has ascending sensations: the numbness and paralysis ascending from the feet, the
coryza ascending from throat, etc. It has vertigo agg. by the least movement such as of the
head or eyes. This, combined with its trembling, uncertain gait, progressive weakness etc.,
makes it ideally suitable for conditions of old age.
Conium is a remedy for complaints associated with suppression of sexual desire due to
(religious) celibacy or other causes. My friend Dr. Sarabhai thinks that it ought to be a good
remedy for Christian priests, Jain Sadhus and others.
It seems to have a specific effect on glands, particularly on the mammary glands esp.;
effective in injuries to these glands and is a very well-known remedy for injury to the breasts. I
have used Conium in the numerous such cases with great satisfaction.

"Mrs. M.K. , aged 28, came with the following disorder on 10th May 1959.
She gets a cold swelling of the rt. forearm before every M.P. during the last two years. The
swelling is painful and she describes the pains as "cold pains". Formerly, for 5 years she used
to have painful nodular swelling of both breasts before every menstrual period. This is now
replaced by the present disorder. If she gets swelling in the forearm, she does not get the
swelling of the breasts. She now desires more salt. Fears being alone, yet dislikes company.
Must drink water in order to swallow solid food. Vertigo on rising from sitting. Is afraid of
robbers. Past Hist.: She gives a history of mild injury to the breasts some years back, just prior
to the onset of the disorder. She has been married for 10 years but has no children.
Phys. Exam.: No tenderness or redness in the swelling. Wt. 120 lbs. B.P. 130/80. Otherwise
N.A. D.
The characteristic symptoms of this patient were found under the remedy Conium. So, she
was given, on 10.05.50, Con. 1M, 3 doses in one day.
Next month she reported that she had no swelling of the breast before the menses. The third
month it recurred again but one repetition of Conium 1M set things right and she has been
quite well now for several years, neither the swelling of the forearm nor that of the breast
having recurred."
"Mrs. D.D. , aged 44 years, came on 12.01.60 with the following history:
Two months back she had a lump in the lt. breast. Immediately mastectomy was done as it
showed signs of malignancy.
Now she feels stiffness in operated area. Has a node in rt. breast and constipation.
H/o fall in childhood? Had dislocation but it was not diagnosed for 15 years.
Because of the node in the breast and the h/o operation (injury) to the breast, I selected
Conium.
I gave her Conium 1M, 3 doses in one day, on 12.01.60.
By 03.02.60 the node in the breast became smaller and the stiffness better.
Conium 1M (3) was repeated twice again and by 29.04.60 the node disappeared and her
condition became quite normal."
"Mrs. M., aged 32, an English lady, consulted me on 23.10.73 with the following complaints:
In sun, gets rt. supra-orbital headaches, the right eye feels bruised. Headaches are worse by
smoking and lying with head low. She is afraid of thunderstorms. She gets constant pain in the
breasts worse before the menses, the breasts become very sore and tender and the pain is
worse stepping, jarring and turning over in bed. Past Hist.: She had fibroadenoma in the
breasts which had been removed, first in the rt. then in the lt.
I took the following symptoms for study., viz. Tobacco agg., Sun agg. and Pain in breasts
before the menses. I got Calc. and Con. Of the two, I preferred Con. because of the modalities
of the breast pain, viz. worse on stepping and turning in bed. With Con. there was marked
improvement and she became completely well. She said that what all the medicines in U.K.
had failed to do, the homoeopathic medicine had done, and for the first time, she was able to
walk without consciousness of her breasts."

Ignatia amara
In modern times the incidence of neurotic disorders seems to be rapidly rising and in this
sphere Ignatia is particularly useful, of course, only when it covers the symptom-totality of the
particular case. Modern civilised life, especially in the cities, seems directly to give rise to
repressions and conflicts, and to expose the individual to many types of anxieties. The
increasing demands of modern life present many problems, and as a result there is a constant
sense of insecurity. Ignatia seems to cover very well the results of such tensions and
emotional imbalance. The following interesting example may serve to illustrate how Ignatia
helps to antidote the ill-effects of worry, however remote and persistent.
"Mrs. B.V. , aged 33 years, consulted me for the following disorders:
She had recurrent headaches, attacks of vertigo, periodical oppression in chest and
wandering pains in the limbs. Her menses were irregular and the flow was generally very
profuse lasting for six or seven days. She has been suffering for the last six years. The whole
disorder had originated after a period of intense worry, just after the birth of her last child.
She had consulted numerous physicians and gynaecologists and had taken much treatment
without any benefit.
She had come to me for consultation late at night and so I had taken down these few
symptoms just to satisfy her. I called her back the next week in order to complete her case,
but in the meantime as she insisted on getting some medicine I gave her one dose of Ignatia
30, more as a stop-gap, instead of placebo.
She returned after a week and gave me the surprising news that the second day after the
dose of medicine, she had passed through her vagina, a large black lump (clot of blood?) the
size of an orange and since then, she is completely relieved of all her pains and troubles! She
had her menstrual period also immediately following and, this time, it was quite normal.
She thanked me profusely "for diagnosing the existence of the lump which no gynaecologist
had been able to do and for expelling it with the medicine!"
In the field of neurosis, where psycho-analysis and suggestions are used, often with
unsatisfactory results, the appropriate homoeopathic remedies work most speedily and
satisfactorily. Among such remedies Ignatia has its own wide sphere of application. It covers
all the immediate and remote effects of worry, grief and disappointment. And is there any
limit to the possibility of worry, grief and disappointment in people's lives? The wonder of
Homoeopathy is that the appropriate remedies are able to antidote the end-results of all these
emotional disturbances even while the causative factor might be still operating. They seem to
restore to the mind a sense of proper perspective, equanimity and a new philosophical
attitude. This attitude represents a completely re-adjusted state of mind and, therefore, is far
superior to the artificial euphoria induced by modern tranquillisers, wherein the patient feels
well but continues to be ill!
The typical patient requiring Ignatia, afflicted by grief, becomes morose, shuns company and
weeps, her weeping is worsened by company and consolation.
The following case typifies some aspects of the Ignatia symptomatology.
"Mrs. C., aged 30, consulted me for recurrent attacks of convulsions (hysterical). She is
married to an old widower. There being a great disparity in their ages, she is apparently
dissatisfied, sexually and otherwise.

Just as I was preparing to note down her case she got an attack and I was enabled to observe
the symptoms of the actual seizure.
During the seizure, though she appeared to be unconscious, she was weeping bitterly. Her
teeth were clenched but at times there was involuntary to-and-fro movement of the lower jaw.
She had a sighing respiration. I was told that these attacks lasted usually one or two hours,
and that after the cessation of these attacks, she had a profuse flow of urine.
I found all these symptoms under Ignatia. So a phial of Ignatia 1M was procured and as her
mouth was clenched and shut, the phial was held below her nose so that she inhaled from the
phial three or four times. Thereupon, she opened her eyes, sat up, went and passed urine and
then was normal within about five minutes.
Later on, Aur-m completed the cure."
The sighing of the Ignatia patient, usually a symptom of grief or anxiety neurosis, may be
described by the patient in different words and found under the appropriate rubrics in
repertories, e.g. sighing, taking deep breath, inclination to take a deep breath, breathing
deeply ameliorates, etc.
When a person has been seriously disturbed by grief and continues to suffer from anguish,
we think of other deep-acting remedies, which are complementary to Ignatia.
Here is a friend who has suffered, perhaps, a serious financial loss, perhaps the loss of
someone very near and dear. We console him and then leave him alone expecting that time
will heal his wound. But when we meet him again sometime later, we find him still in the same
state of depression, asking us, "What is the use of life when my so-and-so is dead ?" The next
time he may ask us, "Is it necessary to live ?" or, "Why should I live?" When we meet him yet
again, he might be more dejected and may ask, "Is it not better to die?" This may slowly
change to a desire for death and ultimately end in an attempt at suicide. Many have
committed suicide in this frame of mind. These are the various stages in any of which Aur. will
help to restore the patient to normalcy.
Then again, we have met the typical disappointed lover (so often depicted in our Indian films)
who wanders from place to place in shabby clothes, with a shaggy beard, supremely
indifferent to the environment and immune to the comments and criticisms of the people. Or
he might sit in a place and go on staring blankly into space, completely disinterested in
everything, even in food and drink. Nothing seems to touch him or affect him . He is like a
piece of wood. His mind is blank. He remembers nothing except perhaps his disappointment.
Sometimes he has polyuria, a symptom we found under Ignatia too. He only needs Phosphoric
acid.
The next patient, it is reported, has become sullen and irritable. He dislikes consolation, hates
fuss and avoids company. No sooner we go and sympathise with him, he jumps at our throat.
In addition he is much aggravated by heat especially of the sun and often has a craving for
salt. Of course, he requires Natrum muriaticum in potency.
This other victim of grief is a woman. Ever since she had a shock - possibly she has lost a
dear child - she has become very irritable and moody. She detests fuss, hates sympathy and
help. She hates her friends who fuss and despises her husband who comes to her help; she is
annoyed with her children who make so much noise and who make so many demands on her
when she is so tired. She abhors her very house where she has to work so hard wearing her
fingers out, from morning till night. She loathes her miserable existence which is nothing but a

life of drudgery. In addition, she is chilly but the heat of the room is intolerable. Sometimes all
food and drink tastes salty to her. She feels empty in her stomach but she cannot eat because
she has nausea. She also has disgust for sex. Does she need anything more to make her
disgusted and desperate? But life can once again become interesting and full of joy for her, if
she has a dose of Sepia.
Finally, we meet a girl who suffers from the after effects of grief. She weeps so easily and
sobs pitifully and gains all our sympathy. Our sympathy helps her, for after the sobbing,
having been patted and petted she feels bright once more. Of course she needs Pulsatilla.
Unlike the Sepia patient who is often a mature adult with many children, and who as a result
of much experience in life, pleasant and otherwise, ups and downs, has developed a lot of grit
so that, however miserable she is, she does not break down or give vent to her sorrow soon,
our Pulsatilla patient is usually a tender, inexperienced girl who is soft and easily upset.
Physically she is agg. by heat and is thirstless.
The effects of grief and their remedies can be tabulated as it may appeal to some minds:
Grief
Acute effects + Chronic effect= Ignatia
Sadness + Depression = Aur.
Sadness + Apathy (Suicidal) = Phos-ac
Sadness + Irritability = Nat-m
Sadness + Disgust = Sepia
Sadness + Tearfulness = Pulsatilla
Sadness + Quarrelsome = Staphysagria
Sadness + Hysterical = Cimicifuga
One can now see how the same causative factor affecting different persons is able to evoke
different types of reactions, and how we have remedies which have provided in the provings
varying types of effects, so that each individual kind of reaction can be matched perfectly,
and the patient cured.
The homoeopath is particularly looking for symptoms which are peculiar, strange or rare.
When this strangeness of a symptom exceeds all limits and becomes paradoxical and
contradictory and goes against all accepted ideas of physiology, pathology and
commonsense, one should think of Ignatia. Wherever there are contradictory symptoms, even
if such symptoms are not mentioned in the Materia Medica under Ignatia, one should
consider Ignatia.
Some examples are: Sense of lump in throat amel. swallowing solids; Difficulty in swallowing
liquids but not solids; Vomiting amel. indigestible foods; Hunger with nausea; Emptiness in
stomach not amel. by eating; Stool soft but difficult; Cough agg. by coughing; No thirst during
fever.
It should not be misunderstood that Ignatia is merely a hysterical remedy. It has been known
to give relief to cases of dysentery, gastritis, diarrhoea and plague! The criterion is only
whether the symptoms of the patient are covered by Ignatia.

We should remember that Ignatia contains strychnine, which is also found in Nux-v. The
difference seems to be that the strychnine in Nux-v produces spasmodic or incoordinate
effects, whereas in Ignatia it causes erratic or contradictory effects which, by the way, is an
extreme degree of incoordination. There is a further major difference, viz. whereas the Ignatia
patient is moody, capricious, lachrymose and morose, the Nux-v patient is extremely
impatient, irascible and violent. The trigger for the Ignatia patient is grief while that for the
Nux-v patient is anger. The Nux-v patient resembles Staphysagria.
To sum up the mental state of the Ignatia patient, the symptoms of this patient are caused or
aggravated by grief, anxiety, worry and chagrin and the patient is always sad, sighing and
silently sorrowing. The patient likes neither consolation nor contradiction, and the symptoms
are always worse when others are present. The patient is not only sad but also enjoys being
sad!
Kalium carbonicum
"The Kali-c patient is a hard patient to study, and the remedy itself is a hard one to study."
This sentence in Kent's Materia Medica had always intrigued me. I had always wondered why
one particular remedy should be more difficult to study.
However, I did notice that for many years the number of cases for whom I was prescribing
Kali-c was very low as compared with the cases for whom I was prescribing remedies like
Sulph., Calc., Sep., etc. So I came to the conclusion that I must not have understood Kali-c so
well. However, I came to understand Kali-c better recently as I shall describe.
My mother, for some reason, started emaciating and became steadily and progressively
weaker. She went on losing in health to such an extent that I became very anxious. This had
started after she got frightened when my brother had high fever and had to be hospitalised,
apparently in a serious condition. She had right-sided complaints (like headache), fullness
after eating even a little, irritability, weakness and pain in the lumbar region, etc. She was 65
years old. I gave her Lyc. She felt some relief but I myself could see that she got only partial
relief but I studied her symptoms more carefully and got the following picture:
1. At the end of a meal she would feel a sense of blocking in the chest as if the food
remained there, with nausea and retching. This was relieved by eructations.
2. Palpitation immediately after every meal forcing her to lie down.
3. Eating little causes fullness.
4. Eating a little more aggravates.
5. Difficulty in swallowing solids esp. if they are cold.
6. Chilly.
7. Anaemia.
8. Unable to sit, talk or walk because of weakness.
9. Weakness in lumbar region esp. while walking.
10. Throbbing in the suprasternal notch and epigastrium.

On studying the case I felt that the remedy was clearly Kali-c though in Kent's Repertory it is
not found under the rubric "Ailments from fright". I gave her Kali-c and thereafter, she
improved remarkably, became well and remains well now for several years though she
requires doses of Kali-c on and off.
My nephew once got an attack of whooping cough. Night after night he would get cough for 2
or 3 hours. I could not decide his remedy. So I, for 2 or 3 days, watched him and then noticed
that the paroxyms of cough would start at 3 a.m. and would last upto 6 a.m. or so. I decided
to give him Kali-c the next morning but I forgot to do so. The next night, he again started
coughing at 3 a.m. After the first paroxysm of cough, I gave him a dose of Kali-c 30 though,
advisedly, a remedy should not be given during a paroxysm. After that one dose there was no
further paroxysm of cough that night or the next night or any other night. And I remember not
to have heard him cough at all for the next several years.
It so happened that I myself once required Kali-c. I had a number of symptoms like weakness
in the lumbar back and pain in the lumbar region as if it was bruised or broken. I became very
chilly and got headaches if exposed to the cold air. Also, in cold air there would be stitching
pains in the ears. All these complaints were worse after coition or after seminal emission.
Because my mother had improved on Kali-c, and I had so many symptoms of the remedy, I
also took Kali-c and found that it had very good effect. For the next two years or so I noted
very good improvement. A few weeks after each dose, when the effect disappeared, the
pains, etc. would recur which would disappear again the next day when another dose was
taken.
Once Dr. Koppikar of Madras quoted Allen about Kali-c, that it covers complaints of old and fat
people. At that time, I had a Sindhi lady patient who was old and fat and was having pain in
the knees worse by beginning motion. It was diagnosed as osteoarthritis. Since fatness in old
age itself is a peculiar symptom, though the case seemed to work out to Calc-c on all her
symptoms, I decided to try Kali-c and was surprised to find good results. Since then, whenever
I see any old, fat patient, I consider first whether they have Kali-c symptoms. This is because
Kali-c does not come out very well when cases are repertorized. And because I depend much
on the repertory, possibly I have been missing this remedy. And now when I am looking for
Kali-c, I do find many cases requiring the remedy and improving. So now I understand Kent's
remarks.
Boger says under Kali-c, "Everything affects the small of the back." Though T.F. Allen says
that Kali-c is not indicated in fever, I have cured a febrile case of pericarditis with effusion with
Kali-c.
"A female patient H.S. , aged 27, was admitted to the hospital with a history of pain in the left
chest and pyrexia of four days' duration. The pain was stitching, stabbing and cutting in
nature and was agg. from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from coughing, and was accompanied by
profuse perspiration. It was relieved by warm applications. She could not lie on her left side.
There was dullness of the left base with diminution of breath sounds. A provisional diagnosis
of pleurisy with effusion was made.
The report of the X-ray taken later read as follows: "Huge dilatation of the heart, pericarditis
with effusion - also pleural effusion left base and thickened pleura".
The remedy Kali-c was found to cover the following symptoms in Boger's Synoptic Key.
Morning and evening, agg. (p. 17)

Stitches (p. 45)

Cough, painful (p. 63)
Dropsy (p. 89)
Cutting (p. 68)
Sweat in general, easy tendency to (p. 104).
Reference to the Materia Medica portion (p. 224) showed that the remedy also covered the
symptoms "worse lying on, painful" or "left side" and "better warmth". So she was given Kali-c
200, six hourly. There was an immediate all-round improvement which continued steadily; in
four days she felt considerably better.
The second X-ray, taken on 15.05.59, showed Heart size markedly diminished. Slight pleural
effusion still present. The patient was discharged a week later and has remained well.
Aggravation time of the pains in this case was 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as against the usual 1 to 4
a.m. of Kali-c. Such twelve-hourly reversibility (day instead of night and vice versa) of time
modalities is met with in the homoeopathic Materia Medica. An Ars. patient may be worse at 1
a.m. or 1 p.m. ; Chel. and Lyc. at 4 a.m. or 4 p.m. ; China at 5 a.m. or 5 p.m. ; Nux-v at 6
a.m. or 6 p.m. ; Sepia at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. ; Thuja at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m. and so on.
"Mrs. R.P. , aged 42 years, suffering from cervical spondylosis came for homoeopathic
treatment because the collar she was given did not give her relief. Her history was as follows:
On 27.06.62, she had sudden excruciating pain in the rt. scapular region and shoulder at 2
a.m. She woke up from sleep due to pain. Since then the pain has been there constantly. The
pain is agg. at 3 a.m. She invariably gets up with pain at that time. It is agg. before menses,
sitting and lying on the right side, agg. using the hand, as in writing. Pain in shoulder joint is
agg. letting the hand hang down, amel. heat, rubbing, pressure on nape and shoulder. Has
bad throat and sinusitis last 6 years. This is agg. by cold and sour foods. Irritable, worrying
type; faints with pain.
Past Hist.: Had a serious shock two years back (due to suspected infidelity of husband),
Amoebic colitis eight years back. Pleurisy 25 years ago.
Her case was studied in Kent's and Phatak's Repertory and Kali-c was found to cover the
following symptoms:
agg. at 3 a.m. (K.p. 1343)
agg. before menses (K.p. 1373)
agg. lying on right side (K.p. 1373)
Fingers, working with agg. (Ph.p. 107)
On 3rd Aug. 1962, she was given; 30, 12 doses to be taken twice a day till relief was
obtained.
On 17th Aug., she reported pain less in intensity, can hang her hand down without pain. From
then on, she was put on Sac-l and advised to take Kali-c 200, 3 doses and by Nov. 1962 she
was completely well and so the treatment was stopped. Now she has been well for several
years."

In one case of repeated attacks of abdominal colic, Colo. relieved the pain but did not cure. I
read up Kent and gave Kali-c, which is the chronic of Colo. and the patient became well.
If you show sympathy and if the patient weeps, it may be Kali-c, Lyc., Sep. or Sil.
Lachesis mutus
The study of various remedies in the homoeopathic Materia Medica is a most fascinating one.
And among these remedies, the study of Lachesis can be particularly interesting. The story of
how the terrible Surukuku snake - Lachesis mutus of South America was caught and how its
venom was proved by the indomitable Constantine Hering is well-known to all Homoeopathic
students. This snake poison is one of the most well-proved remedies in our Materia Medica.
Not only are we provided with an almost complete picture of the drug action, thanks to
Hering, but also the symptoms are so clear cut and characteristic that it is difficult to miss or
mistake them in practice.
Allen's Encyclopedia gives more than 3 600 symptoms of this drug and its symptoms occupy
more than a hundred pages in Hering's Guiding Symptoms. Hundreds of homoeopathic
practitioners have used this remedy, relieving and curing thousands of cases in different
conditions, wherever its fundamental characteristic symptoms were met with.
Clarke says that the physical characteristics of substances correspond with their dynamic
effects and in the study of the symptomatology and clinical application of Lachesis also we
find in the symptoms such a reflection of the basic characteristics of the snake from which the
poison has originated.
When the snake bites a person, the first thing we do is to try and stop the circulation of blood
by applying ice or proximal to the bite a very tight tourniquent. By the application of ice or
such tight pressure, we may save the life of the patient. Now this relief by cold and hard
pressure are also found in the Lachesis patient in many of his symptoms.
Beside the application of hard pressure, we also make an incision at the spot where the snake
has bitten and let out the blood and along with it, the venom which is deposited there. This
also helps the victim of the snake bite to survive. This general relief from bleeding is also
found in the symptoms of the drug. One particular form of bleeding which is physiological is
the menstrual flow and this gives great relief to the female patient. Among the drugs which
have great relief from menses are Lachesis and Zinc. Not only bleeding, but almost any
discharge gives relief to the patient, this being one of the most characteristic symptoms of the
Lachesis patient.
Once I was consulted by a person who was getting recurrent attacks of epididymo-orchitis.
His wife was in U.P. When he went to U.P. and stayed with her, he would get no attacks, but
when he returned to Bombay after 2 or 3 months the attacks would occur. And thereafter, the
attacks would recur at quicker intervals. During the attack the allopathic doctors would treat
him with antibiotics but they could not prevent the attacks. Of course, they considered the
fact of the attacks occurring when he was away from his wife as irrelevant. We know that
allopathy does not consider suppression of sexual desire as a significant factor in the
causation of disease. I prescribed for him Conium with no effect. Then he went and consulted
one Dr. Dagli. This doctor found that his testis was extremely sensitive to touch and
combining this with the amel. from discharge prescribed Lach. and cured him.

While bleeding or any type of discharge gives relief, the suppression or non-appearance of a
discharge or eruption aggravates the patient. In women they may have aggravation before
and after the menses, or if it is suppressed, or if it ceases as in menopause.
When the snake bites its victim not only is there localised blueness but if the poison is
allowed to spread all over the body, there is a blue discoloration of the whole body due to
cyanosis. Here again is a keynote of Lachesis. I have cured successfully with Lachesis a
chronic non-healing varicose ulcer of many years * standing which was very much blue along
the edges and was extremely sensitive to and bled easily from touch. The discharge, ulcers,
skin, etc. may be bluish or blackish. (The Lachesis snake has blackish brown spots.)
The snake is extremely sensitive to heat. It is said that the pit vipers have an exceptional
sensitivity to cold and heat. The pits on their heads enable them to detect a mouse at a
distance of one metre, even in complete darkness, by the heat radiated from it. Besides, since
the sense organs are in pairs, they can detect the direction in which the mouse is moving. A
frog, in dry air, is detected by the cool effect of the evaporation of water from its moist skin. A
mere thousandth of a degree Fahrenheit is enough difference in temperature to alert the
snake. It lives in deep pits or burrows where it is considerably cooler than on the surface.
(The cobra, it is said, prefers to live beneath sandalwood trees.) It prefers the cool
surroundings and that is why it ventures out more at night when it is cooler. The Lachesis
patient also shows a tendency to be worse by warmth, by hot drinks, in the sun and in
summer.
The snake is very sensitive to touch and vibration (sound), and so is the Lachesis patient.
The aggravation by touch and amelioration by pressure are also noticed in the throat
symptoms. The patient is worse by swallowing liquids (touch) and is better by swallowing
solids (pressure). We must remember that the snake, especially the Python, can swallow
relatively very large creatures (solids) easily. This it is able to do because of the peculiar
structure of the jaws which consist of four separate segments which are merely joined by
ligaments in such a way that the jaws can open very widely and allow the snake to swallow
animals far bigger than itself.
The tongue of the snake is constantly darting in and out of its mouth. The Lachesis patient
may exhibit the same constant to and fro movement of the tongue or he may exhibit it in the
form of trembling of the tongue. In fact, there is a trembling of the whole body in the patient.
(The sight of a snake induces fear and causes trembling.) Or there may be difficulty in putting
out the tongue. The remarkable mobility of the tongue can also be exhibited in a constant
flow of speech. The tongue of the snake is bifid, looking double and this is reflected in the
patient's speech who uses double the number of words and also repeats his words. In fact,
the first thing we may note about the patient is his or her loquacity. She may go on and on
telling her symptoms and branching off in various directions, even repeating the same points.
Loquacity is notoriously met with in women but it is also seen in men as the following case
will show.
Mr. U.A. M., a fairly well to do Muslim business man aged 53 years, consulted me on 12th
Dec. 1962 with the following history:
Some 5 years back, while in Surat he had a sudden attack of severe precordial pain with
palpitations. His brother, a doctor, examined him and came to the conclusion that it might be
a coronary attack. He was advised bed rest, then examined again after some days. This time
the diagnosis of coronary thrombosis was revised and it was re-diagnosed as a case of cardiac

neurosis or neurasthenia but he was still advised to retire from business permanently, which
he did unwillingly. He, however, continued to develop various complaints from time to time
and was given various medicines for appetite, for sleep, for pain, etc., in all amounting to 24
doses per day.
His present symptoms were: Pain in the precordium, worse on ascending steps, worse by
talking for a long time. Swelling around eyes on speaking for some time. Pain along a line
from frontal to the occipital region. Difficulty in breathing; has to take a deep breath, often
with a groaning noise. Oedema of the feet, worse on exertion, worse in the evening. Stiffness
of the left arm and left leg on beginning to walk. Abdominal distension after food. Pain in the
left renal area, on and off, worse by cold application, worse by sitting long. If he discussed
business for a long time and then passes urine, he feels very weak. Pain in the chest after
stool in the morning, better after tea. Sleeplessness upto 2 a.m. Jerking and pulling of left leg,
esp. of the left big toe during sleep at night so that it wakes him 4-5 times at night. This is
worse if he gets sexual thoughts or if he sleeps near his wife.
Appetite poor, but feels much better in general after food or drink. Head hot, eyes burn esp.
in the morning and in general feels worse after sleep in the morning. Feels worse in summer.
But if he is chilled, he gets pain in the joints.
Extremely loquacious; repeats the same thing several times, talks for 5 to 6 hours non-stop;
gives long lectures to his sons every day though it causes much chest pain. Will not allow
others to talk or finish what they have to say.
On examination: B.P. 150/90, Wt. 170 lbs. He was obese and had a prominent abdomen.
There was oedema of both the legs, pitting on pressure.
The indications for the remedy seemed clear. But I repertorized his case on Boger's Synoptic
Key with the following rubrics:
Sleep, during, agg.;
Sleep, after, agg.;
Spasmodic effects - Jerks, etc.;
Side left;
Loquacity.
Lach. alone came through. It also covered the following symptoms

(in Kent's Repertory).

Convulsions from sexual excitement (p. 1355);

Summer (p. 1404);
Desire for deep breath (p. 766);
Head, heat (p. 121); Eating, after amel. (p. 137);
Motion, beginning agg. (p. 1374).
I put him on Lach. VI (6th potency of 50 millesimal scale) in water to be taken daily once,
diluted and succussed and asked him to discontinue forthwith all his daily 24 doses of
allopathic medicine. From that day there was very steady progress and he never looked back.

He is now completely normal for several years without any medicine and is taking active
interest in his work.
(Incidentally under the symptom "Jerking of the leg in sleep" in Kent's Repertory, Lach. is not
mentioned.)
The skin of the snake is reddish brown in colour. We see the redness in the symptoms - red
(bloody) discharge, dark reddish eruptions, red nose, etc.
The snake is more ferocious and poisonous when hungry; so also the Lach. patient is agg. by
fasting and amel. after eating.
The neck of the snake is always the thinner portion of the body and this constriction of the
neck is reflected in the sensation of constriction of the neck in the patient also. The neck, of
course, is the most vulnerable portion for one who wishes to catch the snake always catches it
by the neck. And we do find the neck prominently affected. The python and mamba snakes,
incidentally, kill their victims by enveloping, constricting and crushing them.
When the snake is held hanging by its tail, it invariably starts raising the head up and tries to
come up. This upward direction is met with in several sensations such as the rush of blood to
the head, the headache going up from the nape, etc.
They say that when the mind is poisoned there is jealousy and this is again a very
characteristic symptom in Lachesis. Suspicion and jealousy are met with in many of the cases.
The following is a typical case.
I was once consulted by a lady, Mrs. B., who had developed severe itching in her neck. She
had been suffering thus for seven years. She had been scratching her neck day in and day
out, till it bled profusely and had the appearance of raw beef. She had gone to a skin specialist
who having done his best and failed, had given up. She had then gone to a psychiatrist but
without any effect. I made a close enquiry about the origin of the ailment, and was rewarded
by a very interesting account. It seemed that one day her husband Mr. B. had gone to his
native town. It so happened that Mr. B.'s boss's wife, Mrs. J., had also gone to the same city at
the same time and so when Mr. B. was about to return, his boss Mr. J. wrote to him and
requested him to escort Mrs. J. When Mr. B. and Mrs. J. returned together and disembarked
from the steamer, Mrs. B. was present at the pier to receive them. Just then a friend of Mrs. B.
also present there whispered into her ears that surely Mr. B. and Mrs. J. must have travelled in
the same cabin, perhaps in intimate company. Thereupon, Mrs. B. got intensely suspicious and
jealous. The subsequent behaviour of Mr. B. seemed to confirm her worst fears. It was during
this period that she had developed the skin disorder. Later on, her husband had convinced her
by various acts that he was completely loyal to her and had nothing to do with Mrs. J. Mrs. B.
appeared to be thoroughly convinced of his fidelity but it had made no difference to her
ailment. The itching continued and she continued to suffer. She had consulted both a skin
specialist and psychiatrist but neither had been able to help her.
It only required of me to put one or two questions to her to ascertain that her remedy was
indeed Lachesis. Two or three doses of this medicine sufficed to restore her completely to
normal health so that Homoeopathy earned her eternal gratitude.
In some parts of India, when a person is bitten by a snake large quantities of cold water are
poured on his head and he is made to walk up and down constantly and is not allowed to
sleep at all because it is considered that if he falls asleep he will die. This probably has some
scientific basis. And it is also noticed that the Lachesis patients are almost invariably worse

during and after sleep. In fact, they may be worse even by closing the eyes. Incidentally, a
snake has no eyelids.
The symptoms of snake poisoning and alcohol are similar to a certain extent. There is
dizziness, volubility, trembling, drowsiness, slurred speech, etc. The Lachesis patient is worse
by alcohol.
The snake coils itself from left to right and the symptoms of Lachesis proceed from left to
right. Following is a typical case.
"Mrs. L.C. , aged 62 years, consulted me on 12.03.58 complaining of the following:
Six years back she started having pain and stiffness in the lumbo-sacral region which later
descended into the left leg. Now, there is pain and swelling in left ankle which sometimes
disappears from the left and appears in the right ankle, sometimes exists in both legs
together, often painful, sometimes painless. Pain and heaviness in leg, agg. by motion and
amel. by rest and agg. when legs hang down. Occasional pain epigastrium piercing to back.
Sweats on palms and soles even in winter; sweat offensive. Feels hot in legs and body, wants
to place the legs on cold floor and also sleep on cold floor; likes cold in general. Dislikes noise
made by children. Recently has developed fear of thunder. Nowadays nervous, fears every
little thing, fears something may happen, and trembles. Nervousness has started after the
death of her husband who died of heart failure. Constipation, no urge for stool.
Past history: Menses were generally very profuse. During menopause had much bleeding and
other troubles. Also had high B.P. with headaches and vertigo. Vertigo was agg. looking up.
On examination: Has varicosities in both legs; also oedema, more in left leg. Wt. 115 lbs, B.P.
150/100.
The symptoms were evaluated and repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory.
Fear of thunder being a mental symptom and the latest to appear was taken first. This was
combined with another mental symptom, the fear that something may happen. Fear,
misfortune of (p. 46). Next came another mental - Sensitive to noise. Then came a general
symptom, the intolerance to heat. Warm agg. (p. 1412). Now came the peculiar symptom that
though there were varicosites in both the legs, the oedema appeared more on the left and
travelled from left to right. Side, left, then right.
Lach. alone covered these rubrics. It also covered the haemorrhagic tendency discovered in
the previous history, "Perspiration offensive" (p. 1298) and the "Varices, lower limbs" (p .
1233).
So she was given Lach. 30 on 13.03.58. There was an immediate and quick amelioration. The
improvement continued and she became well in 3 months. There were one or two relapses
but every time the same remedy in the 200th potency put her all right. All her symptoms
have disappeared and the varicose veins give her no trouble. She is now well for many years."
I have seen two cases of atherosclerosis going on to gangrene, in which the patients were
agg. in sleep and woke up with pain at 3 a.m. Lach. helped them. One is the wife of a famous
eye-specialist. By the way, in her case, I got good results with Lach. but better results when I
gave her Lach. high and Sec-c low.
"Mrs. M.R. B., aged 22 years, came for consultation on 4th Jan. 1969. She is getting attacks of
Epilepsy since the age of 9 years. The minimum interval between two attacks is 15 days and

the maximum 3 years. It started after some neighbour hit her on the head out of malice. She
gets frightened too. She is impatient, suspicious, depressed, irritable, proud and jealous. She
has a suicidal disposition and has tried twice to commit suicide. Once while in school she
swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills because she was not prepared for an exam. She was then
unconscious for one week. She is excitable and talkative. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are
normal. Her wounds bleed much, suppurate easily and heal slowly.
Past History: H/o smallpox, mumps, pneumonia and nervous breakdown.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory with the following symptoms:
Suicidal, disposition (p. 85); Jealousy (p. 60); Suspicious (p. 85): Haughty (p. 51); Wounds
bleed freely (p. 1422). Only Lachesis came through. She was given Lach. 200. She got a few
more attacks, generally mild, all in sleep, but slowly she got out of them. She was given : 1M
and then 10M and then she was relieved. She has remained well for over six years."
" A girl R., aged 5 years, 6 m., was seen by me on 3rd June 1963 for the following complaints:
She gets frequent epistaxis for last one year. Formerly used to get epistaxis every 2 months
or so, but now gets it as often as once a week. The bleeding is very profuse and if she is made
to lie down there is bleeding from the mouth. The blood is blackish and clotted. Bleeding
occurs from the left nostril only. It is agg. in summer. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal.
Generally, she is irritable after sleep. Many specialists were consulted. They said it was due to
anaemia and that only blood transfusion would help her. O/E. there is a presystolic murmur in
mitral area.
At first, thrombocytopenia was suspected but investigations showed that the platelets are
normal in quantity but they do not break down easily, so that there is bleeding. It is diagnosed
as qualitative platelet change. (Thromboasthenia) Plasma Prothrombin: 13; Serum
Prothrombin: 24 sec.; Bleeding time 8'; Coagulation time 7'30". Clot retraction present.
Platelet count 234 000.
I prescribed Lach. 1M, 7 doses, once a day and then placebo considering the following points:
Left side; agg. in summer; haemorrhagic tendency; black discharge; agg. after sleep, etc.
She started improving. There was no epistaxis for 25 days. Her blood exam. on 23.06.63
showed R.B. C. 2.7 mil. Hb. 27% W.B. C. 6 800.
Lach. 1M, 6 doses, t.i. d. for 2 days, then placebo. On 28.06.63 she had epistaxis once again.
Lach. 10M, 3 doses were given in one day followed by placebo.
Her chest was screened on 22nd May. Report showed Heart size +, Marked hilar congestion.
Two child specialists were consulted but they refused to hospitalise her.
Lach. 10M was repeated on 18.07.63, 30.08.63 and 13.09.63.
On 19.09.63, reported no further epistaxis. General condition much better.
On 01.11.65, I heard that the child was quite well with no further attacks of epistaxis."
" Mrs. D.D. , aged 46 years, came for consultation on the 4th Jan. 1972. She had a history of
pain in abdomen 11/2 years back and it had been diagnosed as Colitis. It has now recurred for
the last 21/2 months. The pain is agg. after eating,agg. lifting any weight, agg. after stool and
urine. She gets attacks of convulsions during which she bites her tongue, her eyes turn
upward and she gets salivation. Usually she gets such attacks while lying down. She gets

these attacks since the age of 17 years. It is suspected as Epilepsy though the E.E. G. is
normal. She gets coryza agg. changes of weather. Gets cramps in left leg in sleep. Gets
ecchymosis if hurt but only in left leg. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Feels depressed
after sleep esp. agg. after afternoon nap. Gets scanty menses. She is sensitive. Likes to
remain alone and does not like sympathy. No h/o Head injury. Is becoming obese since the last
six months. On exam.: Tenderness all over abdomen especially in hypogastric region. Jerks
and reflexes normal, except plantar left foot which is extensor. She is taking 3
phenobarbitone tablets daily. Was taking Gardinal for 6 years, then felt agg..
The remedy seemed clear but her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's
Repertory with the following symptoms:
Sleep afternoon agg. (K.p. 1402)
Menses scanty (K.p. 728)
Lifting agg. (K.p. 1371)
Discharge agg. (Ph.p. 69)
Haemorrhage (Ph.p. 120)
Obesity (K.p. 1375)
Side left (K.p. 1401)
Only Lach. came through.
Lach. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo given 15.01.72. No attacks. Slight pain in abdomen.
Medicine repeated 01.02.72: No attacks: Lach. 10M, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo given. The
patient continued to improve steadily and became well."
Lycopodium clavatum
Lycopodium is one of our deep-acting polycrests. When indicated and administered the
patient benefits from it for a very long time.
The aluminium content of Lyc. probably explains many of its features. This is probably
responsible for the flashes it produces when used in fire crackers. The alternating constipation
and diarrhoea, the paralytic effects, soft stool passed with difficulty, the dryness (the
lycopodium powder was used by pill makers as a dusting powder to keep their hands dry
while making pills), burning pains amel. heat, the falling hair, the adaptibility to persons who
appear prematurely old are all common to Lyc. and Alumina.
I mentioned that Lyc., when put into fire, produces flashes. The Lyc. symptoms also may
come in a flash, they can be sudden and intense, as for example the hunger and the sexual
excitement but the satisfaction or satiety is also very quick or sudden.
Lycopodium produces signs of senility so that the patient appears to become prematurely old.
The hair falls causing baldness or it becomes grey; there is wrinkling of the forehead creating
an old look; the power of retention in mind (as well as in sex) is poor, resulting in a weak
memory so that the patient makes mistakes in speaking - he can't recollect names and slowly
develops a sense of incompetence and lack of confidence. So this patient is a young old man.
Whenever I see a patient who looks older than this age, I always consider Lycopodium.

I can recollect a case of Pneumonia in a child which responded dramatically to Lyc. which was
selected because there was wrinkling of the forehead. Kent gives only Lyc. and that too in bold
type under the rubric "Face, wrinkled, forehead with chest symptoms".
Out of the numerous cases of Lyc. I have seen so far, I have come across many of the
characteristic symptoms mentioned in the books, in one patient or the other. The remedy has
a very deep range of action producing lasting changes in the nervous, digestive, respiratory,
circulatory and urogenital systems. The plant Lycopodium clavatum is said to be one of the
oldest plants which has survived thousands of years of change.
Theoretically, I see no objection to give Lyc. straight away in a case if it is indicated clearly.
But in practice, I must admit that whenever I saw Lyc. indicated and gave it straightaway as
the first remedy, usually, it did not act well.
Often Lyc. works out for cases of calculi. Cases of both renal and biliary calculi so often
exhibit constipation and flatulence and are agg. by peas, potatoes, etc. The renal cases are
relieved by micturition. After Lyc. is given either the calculi are passed painlessly or
subsequent X-rays show their disappearance.
The movement of the alae nasi is a symptom of respiratory embarrassment. Boger says that
to be of value, the movement of the alae nasi should be independent of respiration.
I shall now present a few cases cured by Lyc.
Mr. S., aged 39 years, consulted me on 17th Nov. 1961 with the following complaint:
Has recurrent coryza for the last 7 years. He got the first attack in Calcutta in 1956. A
complete blood count revealed Eosinophilia. In Bombay, in 1957, he got the second attack. He
consulted an E.N. T. surgeon. The nasal mucosa was cauterised and he felt better. In 1960, he
got another attack, after the death of his mother. Again in 1961, he suffered a fourth attack.
This time, he took autovaccine. The nose was also punctured but he felt no relief.
Now, the attacks are provoked by dust and by taking fish or prawn and in the rainy season.
During the attacks, his nose gets blocked or he gets a watery discharge. The attack is
aggravated from midnight till morning and by lying down. The patient is constipated, so he
takes laxative daily. He had flatulence amel. by passing flatus. Appetite, thirst, urine, stool,
etc., normal.
He weeps easily, he can't see or bear suffering. He is very sensitive, gets upset easily.
Sometimes he becomes irritable and shouts. He is losing confidence since he entered a new
department in his office, although he is very competent and can easily manage his work. He
also gave a history of repeated vaccination and of tuberculosis in an ancestor.
The following symptoms were taken for study and the case was repertorized using Kent's
Repertory:
Confidence, want of (p. 13); Sympathetic (p. 86); Wet weather agg. (p. 1421); Food, shell fish
agg. (p. 1363).
Only Lyc. came through.
Lyc. was given in 1M potency, 3 doses to be taken in one day to be followed by placebo.
On these doses, he felt much better for a month. There was a relapse on 29th Dec. 1961 and
so Lyc. 1M was repeated.

On 10th Feb. 1962, he got back a skin lesion from which he had suffered originally and had
been "cured" homoeopathically, but which he had forgotten to tell me about. I waited for
some time and as the lesion persisted, Lyc. 10M, 3 doses were prescribed.
He also received an intercurrent dose each of Thuja and Tuberculinum because of the
previous and family history. On 1st Aug. 1962, he reported that he felt completely alright,
except for the small patch of eczema. Lyc. 50M completely wiped off the remnants and he
remains well till now (10 Dec. 1968). Comment: This was a good case of Lycopodium but
readers will note with curiosity the fact that this patient was worse after midnight though Lyc.
is well-known to have its amelioration after midnight.
Mrs. J.T. , aged 23 years, consulted me on 15th Dec. 1961 for the following complaint:
She suffered from pain in the middle of forehead for the last six months. Originally she had
suffered from coryza which had been treated with some injections. The coryza had stopped
but then the headache had started. She had consulted an E.N. T. specialist and he had
diagnosed it as a case of Sinusitis. As the treatment of sinusitis was not satisfactory she had
been directed to me.
She had pain at the root of the nose but more especially in the middle of the forehead and
over the eyes especially on the right side. Close questioning elicited no more significant
symptoms except that she was constipated and that the headaches were worse if she worried
or got upset about anything. Her personal, previous and family history revealed nothing
unusual.
So I repertorized the case using Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics:
Head pain, coryza suppressed from having (p. 138); Head, pain, forehead, above right eye (p.
159); Head, pain, forehead, middle (p. 161); Head, pain excitement of the emotions, after (p.
139).
Only Lyc. covered the above rubrics.
I, therefore, selected Lyc. which I gave in the 200th potency. On 12.01.62, she reported that
the headaches continued upto 27th and then ceased. As there was relapse I repeated Lyc. 1M
on 03.02.62. She reported on 26.05.62 that she had no more headaches. She has remained
well now for many years.
Comment: I had to select the remedy purely on the local symptoms because of the absence
of any other mental, general, concomitant or characteristic symptoms. Although this is not a
procedure to be recommended, yet the homoeopathic remedy that worked out helped the
patient.
Mr. K.C. , aged 40 years, consulted me on 18th July 1962 with the following history:
He is a high placed executive in a very important bank in India. His duties require that he
should address important conferences and talk to V.I. P.s. He has found that, of late, he has a
feeling of excitement (sexual) especially marked when his wife is away. But he has poor
erections and quick ejaculations. Gradually he has also developed a sense of inadequacy in
his work, a lack of confidence and a sense of insecurity. He becomes nervous before his boss.
His memory is poor and he is not able to speak so fluently and easily. He says he had a period
of severe strain from 1956 to 1959 when he had a tussle with his boss. He generally feels very
hungry but is easily satisfied. No other symptoms of any importance were elicited.

To me the whole picture seemed to be a picture of Lycopodium. Probably the severe stress in
his work reflected on the sexual sphere, and the sexual incompetence reflected on his work
again. I gave him Lyc. 1M on 18th July 1962 with some improvement. On 30th not being
satisfied with the improvement, I gave him Lyc. VI in the LM scale of potency. This brought
about 50% improvement both in his work and in his sexual functions. Then I gave him a dose
of Lyc. XXX in the LM scale which brought about 80% and then 90% improvement. The
improvement progressed and by 08.04.63 he was completely normal . Still, I had to repeat
this dose occasionally as he had relapses, but by 07.10.63 he was completely normal and so
treatment was stopped. He dropped in to see me in June 1965 just to inform me that he was
getting on extremely well in all spheres, thanks to Homoeopathy!
Comment: For such cases modern medicine has little to offer except some reassurance or
psychoanalysis or tranquilisers and sexual stimulants but our Homoeopathy can do wonders
to rejuvenate these people.
"Mr.T. R., aged 45 years, consulted me on 14th Dec. 1961 with the following history:
Since age of 19 years, i.e. from 1935, he has eczema in the legs, has itching and on
scratching a thin fluid exudes. The eruptions are black and are worse in summer. Since 1951,
he gets attacks of giddiness. This has started after his son-in-law, aged 35, expired. This was
a great shock to him and he was greatly depressed for one year. The giddiness is agg. after
coffee and is amel. by vomiting. It is associated with throbbing in temples. Heavy foods cause
discomfort in abdomen between 1 and 2 a.m. Prefers hot food and drinks and sweets. Milk
causes diarrhoea. Gets tinnitus in ears on and off, started in the right ear, now in both, amel.
fasting. Sometimes gets sprained pain in right scapular area , amel. by eructation. Feels
generally better in the cold season. For the eczema he had taken X-ray exposures with no
relief.
On examination I found nothing abnormal except that he had external piles.
This case was repertorized with the following rubrics using Kent's Repertory:
Grief, ailments from (p. 51)
Diarrhoea after milk (p. 614)
Food, heavy, agg. (p. 1363)
Food, coffee, agg. (p. 1362)
Lyc., came through as the only remedy.
The remaining picture also fitted in with Lyc. I prescribed Lyc. 200, 3 doses six hourly to be
followed by Sac-l.
By 25.12.61, he felt better in all symptoms: the eczema the vertigo, the tinnitus, the
abdominal discomfort, etc. The remedy had to be repeated in the 1000th potency, followed by
a dose of Carb-v 1M. Till now he remains well without any further medication."
"Mr. G., aged 39, consulted me in 1957 for attacks of flatulent colic amel. flatus, amel.
fomentation, agg. potatoes, onions, fruits, coconut, rice, heavy foods. Sweats with abdominal
pain. Milk causes diarrhoea. Cannot stand hunger. Prefers hot drinks. Lumbar ache agg. rising
in morning, agg. pressure. A Barium Meal X-ray showed an ulcer niche in duodenum with
pseudodiverticuli due to adhesions.

On looking through the following rubrics in Kent's Repertory, viz. Fruit agg.; Onions agg.; Milk
agg.; Perspiration with pains, I found that only Lyc. covered them all. Besides, Lyc. also
covered the back pain.
So he was given Lyc. 200 and was put on bland diet. His response to this prescription was
very satisfactory. He continued the treatment irregularly taking Lyc. upto 50M but by 1964, he
became completely well."
Osteoarthritis is said to be a degenerative particular disease of old age for which even relief
is not promised. The following case illustrates how even this can be cured in a limited sense,
i.e. the patient made comfortable and symptom-free.
"Mr. T.A. K., aged 69, came on 26th July 1963 with the following complaints:
Has arthritis in knee joints agg. right knee for the last 10 years. Pain agg. rising from sitting,
agg. beginning motion, agg. descending steps. It is diagnosed as Osteoarthritis. Has frequent
urination at night. Weight is increasing. Has bilateral cataract.
On looking up the rubrics "Descending agg.", "Obesity" and "Old people" in Kent's Repertory,
I came to Bar-c, Con., Lyc., Sulph.
Of these I preferred Lyc. as it was right sided, had frequent micturition at night, etc. So, I
gave him Lyc. 200. He felt relief, but the medicine had to be repeated about once a month, in
1M and then in 10M potencies. Later I gave him doses of Lyc. in the 6th potency of the LM
scale to be taken in water succussed daily once.
On 17th Feb. 1965, he reported that he was completely well, there was no pain in the knees.
The medicine was discontinued. He has remained well for many years now."
Our books generally picturize the Lyc. patient as a thin, withered patient but sometimes it is
not so. I have treated several obese patients with Lyc.
"Mrs. M., aged 68, wife of an allopathic doctor saw me on 7th June 1972 with the following
complaints:
She is suffering from lumbago for the last 20 years. Now she cannot get up from bed due to
the stiffness. Pain is agg. rising from sitting, agg. sitting long, agg. lying on back, agg. cold
drinks, agg. stooping; cannot squat. It is amel. pressure and amel. by massage. Gets pain and
heaviness in the thighs. She has become very obese. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal.
She is amel. by company. Very irritable.
Past Hist: She had thyrotoxicosis which was amel. with Neomercazol. Fam. Hist.: Her sister
had tuberculosis.
The case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory:
Back, pain, lying back on (p. 896)
Back, pain, lumbar region, lying back on (p. 906)
Back, pain, rising from sitting (p. 897)
Back, pain, lumbar region, rising from a seat (p. 907)
Obesity (p. 743)

Cold drinks agg. (p. 1363)

Lyc. and Puls. came through.
I preferred Lyc. as she was very irritable. Lyc. 200, 3 doses were given in one day. By
17.06.72, she felt 25% amel. but still had pain. Lyc. 200 was continued, once a day. She
continued to improve but with relapses, but by 30.08.72 she felt normal."
"Mr. C.S. , aged 38, came with following symptoms:
Burning in epigastrium agg. 4 to 10 p.m. Appetite poor. Distension with eructations. Alcohol
and heavy food agg., causes acute pain in epigastrum. Stool irregular. Memory poor, lack of
concentration. Weakness in legs agg. if he worries. No energy to work. Sour foods agg..
Summer agg.. H/o grief due to father's death. Suspected as ulcer, gastritis or colitis. On
examination: Tenderness all over abdomen.
On these symptom indications, he was given Lyc. 200 on which he felt amel.. He went on
improving though he required doses of Lyc. on and off upto the CM potency. He felt and
became so well that even after attending his office for the entire day, daily, he was able to
work the whole night and drove a lorry for 3 full nights.
Nowadays he comes to me once in 3 or 4 months and takes one dose of the "tonic medicine"
- Lyc. CM."
"Mr. P.P. T., aged 32 years, came to me on 7th Jan. 1953 for consultation with the following
history:
Nine years back, he had pain in chest as if an abscess was forming which was amel. by
fomentation and hot drinks. Pain used to occur once in 10-15 days, at any time of the day and
would last for ten minutes. After six months he developed a feeling of food sticking in
oesophagus and had retrosternal pain only while swallowing food or drink. And if he lay down
after food, 3 to 4 hours later, the food and drink used to ooze out of the nose, first the liquid
element followed by the solid part, sometimes 3 to 4 cupfuls through the nostril of the side on
which he lay. This started occurring once in 2 or 3 months; he would also then vomit
everything for 3-4 days.
At present, he has retrosternal pain on eating or drinking hurriedly. Appetite poor, likes
sweets, but sweets cause nausea afterwards. He likes warm food and drinks. The sense of
obstruction is much less with warm food and drink. Has rattling in chest during sleep,
especially after 3 a.m. Dreams of business. A Ba. swallow X-ray showed Achalasia Gastrica
with oesophageal pouch.
Lyc. in different potencies including 50 milesimal scale potencies was given during a two year
period. The patient showed considerable improvement and is now completely free from this
trouble though he needs to take a dose occasionally.
About one year later, an eminent surgeon was consulted for an opinion. He expressed the
opinion that there was no doubt about the diagnosis and no doubt also that it was a clearly
surgical condition but since the patient had shown such remarkable improvement and was
practically free from the difficulty, surgery was inadvisable and homoeopathic medicine
should only be given when necessary."
And now, I shall give some diverse symptoms of Lyc. in verse:
Look at Lyco., lean and hungry,

Not one to like for he awakes angry,

As a little food overfills
So, smaller grow his dinner bills,
Very forgetful, so he makes
Speaking and writing, many mistakes
Worse in the evening four to eight,
But troubles cease after midnight,
Full of gas, abdomen tight,
Complaints go to left from right,
Thin, withered, full of gas,
Alas! Cannot satisfy any lass!
Mercurius solubilis
Mercury is a very interesting remedy to study. To confess the truth I did not realise its full
potentialities in the beginning. It was only later that I was able to understand its virtues,
thanks to my good friend, Dr. Sarabhai.
In acute colds and coughs due to constant change of weather from hot to cold, it is an
excellent remedy esp. in Bombay.
I must also tell you about my personal experience with Merc-s. For some years I used to get
repeated attacks of colds and coughs (tonsillitis) esp. coming on if I took iced drinks.
Therefore, though I was very fond of cold drinks, I could not take them. The symptoms of the
attacks were: severe pain in the throat agg. empty swallowing, agg. cold drink, agg. at night
with fever and chills. I would feel chilly but if I put off the fan I would feel hot and perspire.
After perspiring I would feel worse. I also had complete thirstlessness. Normally I would take 6
to 8 glasses of water a day but during the attacks I would not like water at all. I used to work
out my case in the repertory and it would come to Puls., but Puls. would not like water at all. I
did not consider Mercury because of the thirstlessness. But once I happened to take Merc-s
by chance (or Merc-i-r) and I felt immense and immediate relief. So the absence of thirst had
fooled me until this time I felt it was a contraindication for Merc-s. Since then, I am able to
take a lot of cold drinks with impunity and even if there is slight throat trouble a dose of Mercs or Merc-i-r puts me all right at once. Every time I enjoy an iced drink I thank Merc-s and
think gratefully of Hahnemann who gave it to us.
I would like to report a recent case treated by me.
"A boy, aged 10 years, had nocturnal enuresis. He would pass urine in bed but continue to
sleep over it. The urine was generally offensive. Sometimes he would pass urine involuntarily
even in daytime and sometimes he was not even aware that he had passed urine. I
repertorized his case, taking the symptoms "Urination, involuntary in bed", "Urination,
unconscious" and "Urine, offensive" and found Merc-s alone coming through. Merc-s put him
all right."
A peculiar characteristic of the Merc-s cough is that it occurs in bouts of two coughs.

Merc-s is prominently agg. by lying on the rt. side.

I remember the case of a girl who developed bilateral pneumonia and was under my
treatment. She did not improve. So she went under allopathic treatment. Somehow, under the
allopathic treatment she became worse and so came back to me. I then noted two prominent
symptoms: (1) She could not lie down on the rt. side at all because of severe agg. in chest
pain and cough, (2) Salivation ++. With Merc-s she was completely cured.
I have a problem with Merc-i-f. It is said that in Merc-i-f the throat pain is better by cold
drinks. But I have rarely seen throat troubles better by cold drinks.
"Dr. H.G. B., aged 37 years, came in 7th Oct. 71 with the following complaints:
He gets recurrent nasal congestion for last 5 years, coming on if he drinks iced water. First,
the throat gets affected, then the nose gets blocked. It is amel. if he is engaged. He had also
lachrymation from left eye esp. while eating. He had got ringworm infection in the groin which
is agg. heat. His appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Sweets cause bloating of abdomen. Wounds
take long time to heal. Past Hist.: He had typhoid in childhood. He uses nasal drops.
His case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Cold drinks, agg. (K.p. 1362)
Sweets, agg. (K.p. 1364)
Coryza, ascending (Ph.p. 53)
Only Merc-s came through.
Merc-s 200 was given for a fortnight. He found no change. So I gave him Bacill. 1M, 3 doses
followed by Merc-s 1M, daily once for a fortnight.
He felt better and was able to get on without using nasal drops. With Merc-s 1M, then 10M
and the VI (i.e. 6th potency of 50 Millesimal scale) succussed and given in water daily
repeated at increasing intervals of time with intercurrent doses of Bacill. 1M, he became
completely well."
"Dr. M.B. R., aged 76 years, came on 21st June 1972 with the following complaints:
At he age of 4, he had had a stone in the bladder. He was operated but burning in urine
continued for one year. At the age of 8 months , he had had abscess and cellutitis above rt.
iliac bone. This led to a sinus which lasted for 2 years. Amputation of the leg was advised by a
surgeon but some lay woman cured it. At the age of 30, he got gout. At 35, had pneumonia.
Since then he gets pain in joints agg. at night and agg. rainy season. Gets pain in knees which
is agg. night agg. descending and agg. by motion. Gets heartburn at night. His memory is
poor for names. Has enlarged prostate and fungus infection in nails. Prev. Hist.: He had
bilateral inguinal hernia. Had prolapse of anus during stool.
His case was repertorized with Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Extremities pain, joints, night (K.p. 1047)
Wet weather (K.p. 1421)
Nails (Ph.p. 186)

Calculi (Ph.p. 33)

Only Merc-s covered all the symptoms.
Because of the agg. at night, I gave him first Syph. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and then followed it
with Merc-s 30 b.d.
By 18.07.72, he felt much better. So medicine was discontinued. But he improved still further
and became well."
"Mr.V. , aged 39 years, came for help on 17th Sept. 1964 for the following complaints:
For the last three months, he has had to strain a little for urine, sometimes the urine comes in
a double stream, sometimes in a thin stream. The condition had been diagnosed as stricture
of the urethra.
He had an attack of typhoid treated with Chloromycetin three years back. Since then, he has
had much bleeding from the gums; even now sometimes he gets sudden bleeding from the
gums while washing the face.
Past Hist.: He had had an attack of measles and chicken pox.
Fam. Hist.: Married in 1952; has two children aged 11 years and 6 years. Father, mother and
three sisters living and healthy.
I first gave him Chloromycetin 30, b.d. for a week to eliminate any possible ill-effects of the
original drug given for typhoid.
This prescription relieved the straining a little and urine came in a single stream. So, on 24th
Sept., I gave him 14 doses of Chloromycetin 30, to be taken daily once. But on 8th Oct., he
reported no further progress.
I then noted the following additional symptoms:
Urging for urine on rising from sitting; sweat stains yellow; skin has turned dark.
I now repertorized the case as follows on Kent's Repertory:
Urination, forked (double) stream (p. 657)
Urination, feeble stream (p. 661)
Bleeding from gums
Bathing (or washing) agg. (p. 1345)
Perspiration stains yellow (p. 1301)
Black, Dark, etc. (Phatak's Rep. p. 25)
Only Merc-s came through and Merc-s was obviously the correct remedy. I gave six doses of
Merc-s 1M to be taken t.i. d. for two days.
The patient started improving. I had to repeat Merc-s 1M and then Merc-s 10M. On 19th Dec.
1964, he reported that he was completely well."

"I was consulted for Miss J.C. , aged 16 years. The girl was the daughter of a rich land-owner
and she had developed behavioural defects. At birth she had had no hair on the body. She had
been treated with Thyroid and Durabolin and hair had grown. She was now stunted in stature
being only 4'2" tall. Her weight was 26.5 kg only. This had created a serious complex in her
mind. Her father was tall, so she believed that her short stature was due to her mother. Hence
she hated her mother. She had been mentally deranged for some time. For the last few
months, she had been depressed and had talked of death and had expressed a desire for
death. She had changeable moods. Milk used to cause diarrhoea. Her older brother aged 21
was quite normal. Recently, she had created a problem because she suddenly told her parents
that she wished to marry the son of their cook. She also announced this to all her schoolmates
and thus had become the laughing stock. She had been seen by a neurologist who had said
that pituitary dysfunction was the cause of her stunted growth. X-ray had shown fusion of the
epiphysis and so there was no possibility of increasing her height.
She was behaving like a child and would eat with both the hands. She would eat in a hurry.
She was shameless and foolish. She was very fond of sweets. She was very dirty by habit. She
would often talk of marriage. She was very sensitive to music. She was averse to consolation.
She had been treated by a homoeopath previously with Puls., Tub., Pso., etc., and had shown
some improvement on these medicines.
I repertorized her case with the following symptoms, viz. Dirty, Lascivious, Moods
changeable, Sensitive to music, Hurry, Consolation agg., and Dwarfish. I got Merc-s. I put her
on Merc-s, starting from 1M going upto the CM with intercurrent doses of Syph. In the course
of 2 years her behaviour has become completely normal.
Now, she has married some person of her own status to the satisfaction of her parents."
Natrium muriaticum
Nat-m, like Carb-v and Silicea illustrates the effects of potentizing and the power residing
within apparently inert substances.
Of course, Nat-m like any other remedy is able to relieve cases wherever it is indicated by the
symptoms but cases of throtoxicosis, psychoneurosis esp. of the depressive types,
hypertension, sinusitis, etc., often seem to require Nat-m.
Nat-m is often described as a drug agg. by heat but it is better to remember that (like Sil.,
Lach., etc.) it may be agg. both by cold and heat.
Dr. S.R. Phatak had recently described a case of a lady who became mentally unbalanced.
On the history that when she had lost her child a while ago she had not wept, she was given
Nat-m which cured her.
Another such case was a boy who had continuous attacks of asthma since childhood. On the
history that the boy had not cried well after birth, Dr. Phatak again prescribed Nat-m and this
gave relief to the boy for several months. To me this appeared to be a strange interpretation
of a common rubric "Sad but cannot weep" (Kent's Repertory p. 78).
In another case, the symptoms were practically contradictory and hopelessly mixed up. Boger
gives an indication under Nat-m, "Thin, thirsty and hopeless". By interpreting the word
"hopeless" in a much broader sense, Dr. Phatak prescribed Nat-m which gave relief to the
patient.

The more we study and practise Homoeopathy the more we realise in how many thousands
of ways a remedy could be manipulated. Proceeding on this line of thought a little further, I
may say that one might never be able to master all the possibilities of a single remedy in
one's lifetime. This is a very sweeping (and perhaps a depressing) thought but I think that it is
true.
"Mr. H.J. S., aged 24 years, had recurrent pain in the left supraorbital region, of 4 years'
duration occurring almost daily. The pain would increase and decrease gradually. It was agg.
by fan, agg. in an air-conditioned room, agg. in the sun. With the pain there was swelling
below the eyes, and lachrymation. The pain was agg. after sleep. Rising from the sitting
position used to cause syncope. He had desire for salt and aversion for milk. Thirst: 5-6
glasses of water per day. His memory was poor, he was irritable and preferred to be alone
now; he disliked consolation.
It was a typical case of Nat-m. With Nat-m 200, 3 doses, 2 hourly in one day, followed by Sacl, he felt better in one week. He became quite well in a month with one more dose of Nat-m
1M, and reported well after 4 years.
It is a complementary to Bry. and has the same dryness in the mouth and throat causing
thirst, in the rectum causing dry hard stools, in the vagina causing painful coition, and in the
skin.
Considering the fact that three-fourths of the earth's surface is covered by sea water and that
the major solid constituent of this water is ordinary salt and considering also that almost all
human beings require and consume salt in their food, I think Nat-m should be a very
important remedy for many disease-conditions and perhaps should be used more extensively.
While going through Hering's Guiding Symptoms, I noted that Nat-m has got a crack on both
the upper and lower lips, whereas all the Materia Medica writers only emphasize the crack in
the middle of the lower lip. I wonder how they pick out and give some particular symptoms
out of the large group of symptoms found in the provings. What must be their criteria of
selection? For example, under Nat-m in the provings there are 34 symptoms given under
"Face" in Hering's Guiding Symptoms. Out of these 34, Boericke gives 3 symptoms. How did
he decide that these three are the important symptoms out of the 34? Does it depend on each
writer's own experience?
Incidentally, the biochemic practitioners, I think, use Nat-m extensively. They say that Nat-m
is the remedy for disturbances of fluids, either excessive fluidity or dryness, e.g.
lachrymation, diarrhoea, constipation, etc. There is lachrymation or weeping with laughter or
laughter ending in weeping.
They say Nat-m is chilly but it is also agg. by heat.
Dr. Dhawale (Sr.) always used to emphasize agg. consolation as a very important symptom.
By the way, Dr. Gutman told me once that Nat-m has no dreams of robbers though it is given
in Allen's Encyclopaedia. It is Nat-c which has this symptom.
It is said that Nat-m should not be given during fever. Dr. Phatak told me that in the
beginning of his practice he used to give Nat-m during fever and found very bad aggravation.
But in my experience, I have given it without aggravation.

Some people say Nat-m is a good remedy for high B.P. You know these patients are agg. by
salt. Incidentally we have seen many patients with various diseases improving only by cutting
off salt. This is usually the prohibition imposed by many ayurvedic physicians.
I had one case. He could not forget an evil committed against him. He used to go on thinking
about revenge. The patients brood over old grief and grievances. It seems they enjoy this
pastime just as the Ign. patient enjoys being sad.
Kent says that Nat-m is indicated when a girl falls in love with a married man or a person
unequal to her in status. This is indeed a very remarkable indication for a remedy. I have
verified this in my practice.
"An uneducated Muslim girl, aged 20, was brought to me by a doctor for various types of
symptoms including mental depression, indifference to life, etc. At the first interview in the
presence of the doctor I could not get to know the proper background, but when she came
again with her mother, I came to know that she was desperately in love with a person who
was highly educated and of a comparatively much higher status. On enquiry, I was told that
the object of her love was the doctor himself who had brought her to me, though he himself
was not aware of her feelings for him. The girl knew that her love could never succeed. I gave
her Nat-m and she became normal."
Nux vomica
Though the alkaloid of Ign. and Nux-v is one and the same, Strychnine, the two drugs provoke
very different reactions. But both seem to be suited to the effects that seem to have resulted
from the civilization of the human race, each in its own way. Nux-v seems to be the remedy
ideally made for the modern city dweller. When one glances down the list of things or
influences that would go to create the Nux vomica symptoms, one comes across:
Anger Light
Anxiety Liquor
Coffee Mental exertion and fatigue
Condiments Mortification
Debauchery Noise
Disappointment Odours
Disturbed sleep (or late nights) Over-eating
Drugs Purgatives
Grief Rich food
High living Sedentary habits
Hurry Vexation
One can easily recognise without reflecting that these are indeed the components and spice
of city life and that almost every citizen is exposed to many of these influences. Besides, one
has to put up almost every day with many annoyances, minor and major. Of how many
irregularities in diet and habits, how much abuse of nature's laws, one is guilty! Therefore, it is
no surprise that when one falls ill, these influences, singly or in combination, are often to

blame and then one finds Nux-v coming up to antidote the results of these transgressions.
This is why this remedy is so often found useful in every-day practice.
The Nux-v type is the impatient, intolerant, irritable type, the top-class efficient executive
who tolerates no mistakes, no delays, who won't stand any nonsense, who becomes easily
cross, and whose path every one is afraid to cross. Of course, he gets things done but he
often leaves a bad impression behind because of his fastidiousness; he annoys and gets
annoyed. The following case is a good example.
"Once a very well-to-do, intelligent businessman came to consult me. By nature he was very
meticulous and thorough, but impatient and intolerant of the least contradiction. The least
contradiction would make him violent. The nature of his work confined him to his chair the
whole day.
Now, he had suddenly developed a shooting pain in the chest. Someone had diagnosed it as
pleurisy and this had upset him considerably. But the pain was independent of respiration. As
he preferred homoeopathic treatment he came to me, accompanied by a friend. When I
questioned him about his symptoms, he merely pointed to his friend who had to explain
everything on his behalf. When I asked more and more questions, he became impatient, flared
up and shouted at me, "What do you mean by asking silly questions? Aren't you going to give
me some relief ?"
I gave him two doses of Nux-v 30, one to be taken at once and one after one hour if
necessary. Within five minutes of the first dose, by the time he got into his car and left, the
pain had disappeared."
Irritability is the keynote - irritable mind, nose, throat, stomach, rectum, muscles, etc. For
instance, the patient with the dry cough goes hack, hack, hack all the time; and when he
sneezes, they amount to a dozen at least.
Though Nux-v is usually effective in many acute conditions, it is equally efficacious in chronic
conditions too, if the symptoms tally. The following instance will illustrate this fact.
"An engineer by profession, Mr. K.A. L., aged 35, came to me with the following complaint:
In Jan. 1954, while in the U.S. A., he had started vomiting at night. He was hospitalised and
investigated. Ba. meal X-rays did not reveal any abnormality. Gastric analysis revealed
hyperchlorhydria. He was treated for this in the U.S. A. (in the famous Mayo Clinic) and in
England, but with little relief.
At the moment he had heaviness of stomach with a dull pain starting half an hour after food
and lasting an hour. With the pain, he had a headache, and he became very irritable and
impatient. The pain was aggravated by heavy and starchy food, spices, tea and exertion and
much relieved even by a very short nap. If the pain was very severe, he induced vomiting
which ameliorated. The vomit was extremely sour. The pain was also ameliorated by sweating
and micturating. He preferred eggs, hot foods and drinks. Otherwise, there was nothing worth
reporting.
The case was repertorized using Boger Synoptic Key and the following rubrics were chosen
from.
Sleep, amel. (p. 28)
Discharges, amel. (p. 21)

Impatience, etc. (p. 51)

Anger, irritability, etc. (p. 49)
Sourness (p. 45).
The only remedy that came through was Nux-v. The whole case fitted in with Nux-v and so
one dose of the remedy was prescribed in the 1M potency.
There was an immediate and very gratifying response to the remedy and the patient felt
completely well in a week's time. However, there were all relapses, and the remedy had to be
repeated twice, but with the last dose the whole condition cleared up completely."
"Mr. K.S. M., aged 39 years, came on 5th July 1973 with the following history:
In June 1946, he had an attack of haemoptysis. It was suspected as food poisoning and
treated as such. Later he had abdominal pain which was diagnosed as duodenal ulcer with
superadded amoebic infection. Allopathic treatment gave no relief. Now he gets abdominal
distension 2 to 3 hours after food with burning, very offensive eructations or vomiting, both of
which relieve. The vomitus is extremely sour. He has frequent, scanty stools. He has to strain
even for a soft stool. He feels agg. lying on back and right side. Thirst: takes only one cup of
water a day. Nowadays he does not perspire but feels amel. if he perspires. If he sleeps in the
afternoon, he vomits on getting up. He feels suffocated in a closed room. He prefers to be
alone. He is very nervous and irritable but suppresses anger and broods, is oversensitive and
very punctual in his work.
Past Hist.: In Oct. 1945, he was not allowed to appear in a departmental examination, and
was very disappointed as a result. He suffered grief when he lost his son aged 2 years in
1951. Wt. originally 128 lbs is now 101 lbs.
All the following rubrics in Kent's Repertory were found covered by Nux-v, viz., agg. Lying on
back; agg. Lying on right side; Constipation difficult stool; Grief, ailments from; Brooding;
Eructations, foul.
Nux-v also covered most other symptoms and seemed to match the totality. So he was given
on 19.07.63, Nux-v 200. He started improving on infrequent doses on Nux-v, given upto 10M
and was completely relieved by 30.09.63.
Three years later, I heard that the patient remains well. Unfortunately, a follow-up X-ray
could not be taken."
We have seen many reports of cases of strangulated hernia being relieved by Nux-v. It is also
useful in ordinary hernia.
"Master Nirmal, aged 6 years, had developed left-sided incomplete inguinal hernia since
three months. It originated when one day his elder brother sat down with force on his
abdomen. The boy had no other symptoms of significance.
Because of the history of injury, Arnica was prescribed in different potencies but with no
result.
The case was then repertorized as follows using Kent's Repertory:
Hernia, Inguinal, children, left side (p. 552)

Injury (p. 1368) = Nux-v

Nux-v 6, twice a day for seven days was given with no effect. Then Nux-v 200, 3 doses in one
day followed by placebo were given on 7th March 1962.
On 10th April 1962, condition was better; the impulse felt on coughing was less. The boy was
kept under observation and Nux-v in higher potency was repeated according to necessity.
By 11th Aug. 1962, Nirmal was completely normal and medication was discontinued. He was
still normal on 1st Nov. 1965. "
Opium
The study of Opium is an absorbing one.
Opium is the air-dried juice obtained by incision of the capsules of the white poppy, Papaver
Somniferum. The white poppy belongs to N.O. Papaveracaea and is grown in India, Persia,
Asia Minor, Turkey, China and Egypt and is also cultivated in England and other cold countries
like Russia and Yugoslavia.
It is a highly complex substance, containing about twenty-five alkaloids combined with
meconic, lactic and sulphuric acids. Of these, the most important is morphine which occurs in
combination with meconic acid. Next in importance are codeine, narcotine, papaverine and
thebaine.
The various alkaloids have each a slightly different action but the total combined effect of
these makes an excellent composite picture. This drug used by many narcotic addicts
stimulates at first, and then depresses. The effects of the drug can be studied in three broad
stages.
1. Stage of Excitement: During this stage, the symptoms are an increased sense of well-being
and increased mental activity, freedom from anxiety, loquacity, restlessness or even
hallucinations, flushing of the face and increased action of the heart. This stage is of short
duration and may be absent if a large dose is taken. In children convulsions or a maniacal
condition may be seen in this stage. The person may experience a feeling of euphoria (a
sense of well-being) and he may develop very delightful visions or phantasies; he may also
feel excited and sleepless. There may be exalted perception. It is for this stimulant effect that
the drug is taken by addicts.
2. Stage of Sopor: The nerve centres are depressed during this stage, which sometimes
comes in quite suddenly. The symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting, giddiness, lethargic
condition, drowsiness and an uncontrollable desire to sleep from which the patient may be
roused by external stimuli. The pupils are contracted, the face and lips are cyanosed and an
itching sensation is felt all over the skin. The pulse and respiration are still normal.
3. Stage of Narcosis: The patient now passes into deep coma from which he cannot be
roused. During this stage the muscles are relaxed and the reflexes are lost. All the secretions
are almost completely suspended except that of the skin, which feels cold and clammy. The
face is pale, the lips are livid and the lower jaw droops. The conjunctivae are injected. Blood
pressure begins to fall and the pulse is low, small and compressible. The respirations are slow,
laboured and stertorous and the rate may be as low as 2 to 4 per minute.
Even at this stage, recovery may take place by prompt and proper treatment. Otherwise
lividity of the surface increases. The pulse becomes slower, irregular and imperceptible. The

respirations are slower, more feeble, and assume the character of Cheyne-stokes, death
occurring from asphyxia. Convulsive twitchings in groups of muscles are observed, and the
pupils are widely dilated towards the end. Vomiting may occur in some cases. Convulsions of
a tetanic character are occasionally present, more frequent in children than in adults.
Diagnosis: Opium poisoning has to be diagnosed from apoplexy, uraemic, diabetic, epileptic
and hysterical coma, acute alcoholic, carbolic acid and barbiturate poisoning and compression
of brain.
In the stage of depression, there may be insensibility and loss of reaction and sensation. The
sensory and motor nerves may both become sluggish and so the various organs like bladder,
rectum, etc., may not send impulses to or react to impulses from the brain. There may,
therefore, result constipation with no urge, retention of urine, etc. The glands may lose their
function, and so fail to produce secretion and therefore dryness occurs everywhere, except on
the skin. In the extreme stage of depression the patient may go into deep sleep resembling a
coma-like stage. In this profound comatose stage there are pin-point pupils (P.P. P.) with a
moist skin. There can be cyanosis also.
In this connection I may relate the case of a child.
"I was once called to see an infant aged 14 days who was in a cold, cyanosed and collapsed
state. The child soon after birth had developed rattling respiration and cyanosis.
A child specialist and later an eminent cardiologist had diagnosed it as a case of Fallot's
Tetralogy which is a congenital malformation in the heart. And they had said that nothing
could be done. So the child was sent home from the nursing home. When I saw the child she
was practically in a moribund state. She had very loud rattling respiration which could be
heard 20 ft. away. She was cyanosed and unconscious and I was told that she had passed no
stool for the last 8 days. When I turned the child over to the side in order to auscultate the
back, I found that the rattling suddenly ceased and when the child was again turned over to
lie on the back the loud rattling started again. I took the rubrics "Rattling" (p. 42), "Lying on
back agg." (p. 25) and, "Bluish, Purple" (p. 3), all in Boger's Synoptic Key. The three remedies
that came through were Cup., Op. and Sulph. Out of these, I preferred Opium because of the
prolonged constipation. You can imagine my surprise and happiness when after one dose of
Opium 30, within ten minutes, the blueness entirely disappeared, the face became slowly red,
the rattling lessened and the child became conscious. The child continued to live very happily,
every time responding to Opium whenever she went into a cyanotic state, I advised them
time and again to get the child operated but they repeatedly postponed it. Ultimately, when
she was aged 4 years, one day while sitting on the mother's lap she laughed loudly and died."
Opium seems to be an excellent remedy for the effects of fright.
Foubister describes a girl of 31/2 years who was admitted in the hospital, dangerously ill with
a temperature of 105 F, drowsy and delirious with a W.B. C. count of 38 000. She had
evidence of sinusitis with large tender glands. The pupils were pin-point. There was a history
that the child had been frightened by a wasp and with Opium CM she came round very well.
He goes on to describe another case. "A girl of sixteen years of age was slow in recovering
from influenza. Thinking back over the twelve years I had looked after her, this was the usual
pattern, there was sluggishness in recovering from every acute illness for no obvious reason.
Going back over the history, I discovered that the mother had been frightened by a doctor
during pregnancy on being told that she might lose her baby. She said, "I felt the shock go

right through me." The girl was given Opium CM and made a quicker recovery, but not only
that, she became physically more robust and her ability to study increased quite definitely."
Opium eaters are known to suffer from very frightful visions of rats, mice and other fantastic
animal formations jumping at them from which they try to escape by hiding themselves under
the bed. Their looks, gestures and speech express the greatest fear of the animals which they
fancied were incessantly chasing them. This is how the remedy has come to be beneficial for
ailments arising from fright, particularly where the effect of the fright has persisted for a very
long time.
"In 1965, when I was returning from the U.S. A., I boarded the plane in New York at 9 p.m.
After flying smoothly for about three hours, suddenly the plane started lurching and rolling
and we could see that it was losing height rapidly. We all felt that something was wrong but
we could not know what was wrong and how serious it was. After half an hour, the Captain
announced that owing to some mechanical trouble, the plane would now return to New York.
Now, we, the passengers, were unaware of the nature of the trouble and, therefore, we
imagined that it must be something serious because the plane was pitching up and down. We
felt that the plane might crash and feared we may not survive. This state of doubt went on to
fear bordering on panic. (Next to me was a priest going to Rome and he took out his Bible and
started saying his prayers.) This state of suspense and dread continued till we landed at New
York around 3 a.m. We all then heaved a big sigh of relief and congratulated ourselves on our
safe return. On the next day, I boarded the same plane to London. From London I flew to Paris
and then to Bombay. I felt absolutely fine.
Some time after I resumed my practice in India, I had to fly to Bhavnagar to see a patient. I
got into the plane and when the plane took off, I started feeling nervous. The nervousness
increased and became fear, and the fear became dread. I felt terribly frightened and kept
thinking that the plane might crash. With every little movement or jerk of the plane up or
down, every time it slanted, with every little change in the sound of the engine, I got the
feeling that it was going to crash. I felt most miserable and unhappy during the journey
whereas earlier I used to enjoy every flight. I felt relieved when the plane landed at
Bhavnagar.
Now this experience of the flight to Bhavnagar was repeated when I had to fly to Goa and
then to other cities to see other patients.
The last time when I had to go to Delhi for a seminar, a friend of mine, Dr. S. suggested that I
should take some medicine when I explained to him that I would prefer to go by train because
of my fear. Since the symptom was that the fear of the fright had remained, the remedy I
chose was Opium. I took a dose of Opium 1M, 3 hours before the air travel. After getting into
the plane, I looked forward with fear to the flight. But as the plane took off I was talking with
my friends and after a few minutes I noticed that I was not feeling any fear at all. The plane
went into a cloud and bumped up and down, but I did not experience any fear. I had thus a
fear-free journey throughout though I would not call it an enjoyable one because I was all the
time looking forward to a return of the panic. During the return trip again, I was without fear,
and this time I could even relax and enjoy the journey. Since then, my air journeys have once
again become enjoyable."
T.F. Allen mentions that Opium is not far removed botanically from Aconite. This may explain
how both are useful for fright. Stramonium has also the agg. from fright but it has wide staring
eyes with wide dilated pupils.

One of the characteristic objective symptoms which can guide the physician particularly in a
case of coma is the pin-point pupil (PPP). If we remember that Opium comes from Poppy, this
is easy to remember.
"The mother of a renowned E.N. T. surgeon, herself a gynaecologist, aged 72 years, became
ill and gradually went into uraemic coma. She had anuria. Her blood urea was 120 mg. Her
B.P. was high. Her general condition was poor. Several physicians had come and had said that
nothing could be done. The lady suddenly opened her eyes and said, "Call a homoeopath"
and then went back into coma (she had great respect for Homoeopathy). So, I was called. I
examined her pupils. They were pin-point. They pin-pointed the remedy to me. I gave her
Opium 1M. Within 10 minutes her pulse and the B.P. improved. In one or two hours she
became conscious, passed urine and soon became completely well.
Two and half years later she died from some other cause."
Two of the most common afflictions found in most of the diseases are pain and sleeplessness
and since Opium is able to suppress or relieve these two conditions in crude doses it has been
used and abused enormously for centuries. And this is how again it had been praised as an
agent of highest value by the great Hufeland and as the most injurious poison, by Stahl, two
famous physicians.
Since pain is the prominent symptom of most diseases and Opium has predominently
painlessness in most conditions, it seems Opium is not needed often in homoeopathic
practice. This is apparent from the few references to the remedy that we find in our literature.
But the fact is Opium is enormously beneficial and is indeed a life-saver in certain conditions
and diseases where it may be needed.
Pain is a chief diagnostic sign for the physician and its total abolition may seriously handicap
the discovery of the nature of the disease. Therefore, the physician should use morphine as a
miser spends his gold.
If an allopathic physician wants to study homoeopathic Materia Medica, Opium would be one
of the best remedies to start with. The (toxic) effects of opium are fairly well-known to him
and these symptoms are most faithfully reflected in the homoeopathic Materia Medica.
Boger admirably sums up the action of Opium in one phrase, "Negative, torpid states". There
is absence of pain where pain is expected (e.g. painless ulcers), absence of secretions,
causing dryness in general (except on the skin), absence of reaction (to stimuli, to medicines,
of the pupil to light, etc.), absence of suffering, absence of moral sense (tendency to lie and
deceive), absence of discharges (suppression, retention, etc.) and absence of eruptions in
eruptive fevers.
The respiration is slow. The pause between the breaths is so long that this, together with the
general non-reactive comatose state of the patient, may give an impression that he is dead.
Or the respirations may be unequal as in Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Or it can be of a rattling
type (resembling a death rattle), sighing, snoring or stertorous nature. Like the respiration,
the pulse is slow. There can be paralysis of the bowels which together with lack of secretion
and absence of sensation conveyed to the brain produces no urge for stool resulting in dry
ball-like stools. The scybalous stools further promote constipation.
Opium covers both a stupid sleepy state or stupor and coma as well as a sleeplessness
caused by any emotion such as fear or even joy.

Morphine produces both sneezing and itching of the nose. Coma, P.P. Pupils and greatly
depressed respiration suggest morphine poisoning.
Leriche M. has reported eight cases of Puerperal fever treated by Opium.
Bayes writes, "There is no single drug in the Materia Medica whose range of action is so fully
known as Opium. From narcotism at one end of the chain to its action as energizer at the
other, it leads us from allopathy and antipathy to Homoeopathy, and shows how these
opposite methods may each coordinate in the preservation of human life and in the relief of
human suffering. This drug has its uses and advantages in each of the several methods of its
administration.
"Again, there are some diseases where pain is so prominent a symptom and so terrible in its
violence, as to be in itself a source of great danger to life. There are other diseases which are
in certain stages wholly incurable, and in which there are severe and agonising pains. In such
cases, the administration of opium or its salts is not only admissible, but becomes a clear
duty. I may give as familiar examples of the former, the passage of gall stones or of calculus
from the kidney to the bladder. In both these cases as I have pointed out (under the heading
of Calcarea) that I have found Calc-c 30 gives full relief, when conjoined with the hot bath; still
if I found these means disappoint me, I should not hesitate to give a full dose of Opium or
Laudanum. It would be inhuman to permit the long continuance of such acute suffering when
the means of relief were ready at hand.
"Why, then, not give opium at once?", an allopath will say. Because if I can give relief by the
simpler means, I avoid the injurious after-effects of opium and my patient is sooner a sound
man.
"Why give opium at all ?" says the high dilutionist. Because if my homoeopathic remedy
failed me, I could not permit my patient to remain longer in an agony which might produce
such exhaustion as to end in a prolonged illness."
I shall now describe the case of a morphia addict.
"In August 1959, I was consulted by Dr. S. He reported that he had taken morphia for 3 or 4
days for some pain and had then become addicted to it. He now required 1/4 grain of morphia
per dose six or seven times a day. During the period of this addiction in the last 3 or 4 months
he had lost 22 lbs. in weight and had become careless about his profession. He complained
that if he did not take the morphia he would feel some unbearable discomfort in the abdomen
and develop a diarrhoea with sudden and frequent urging for stool. The discomfort and
diarrhoea would be eased as soon as he took the morphia injection. When he consulted me
first, I just prescribed Nu-v 200 t.i. d., feeling that it would antidote the effects of the narcotic
drug. This gave him much relief. So I continued the remedy and in the course of a fortnight, he
was able to cut down his injection to 2 or 3 per day but he still could not give it up. I changed
the prescription to Opium CM, t.i. d. * and this gave considerable relief and in the course of
another ten days he was able to give up the morphia."
Those who have read case histories of morphia addicts and have seen them suffer and slowly
sink deeper and deeper into the habit, will realise what is owed to Homoeopathy. Secondly,
these cases seem to illustrate the point that homoeopathic remedies may act in spite of all
opposition with crude drugs. So homoeopaths who insist on a very strict, puritanical diet and
regimen may pause, reconsider and relent and give their patients more amplitude.
Phosphorus

Phosphorus comes in the red or yellow varieties reminding us (signature) of jaundice and
haemorrhage and it is one of the best remedies for liver disorders and for haemorrhagic
conditions. "Phosphor" means light and many symptoms of this remedy can be connected to
light. The word light conveys symbolically the meaning knowledge, and knowledge is
perceived through the senses and the nervous system. Phos. has a marked effect on the
senses and the nervous system. The patient's senses are acute, perception is exalted, and he
is worse by noise, touch, odour, etc. He is acutely sensitive, so sensitive that strong odours
may cause headache, as illustrated in the following case.
"Mr. R.S. S., aged 24 years, was seen on 8th June 1964 for the following:
Frontal headache for last 10 years. Usually he gets it twice a month. It is agg. by scented hair
oils, agg. fasting, agg. reading much, agg. closed room, and agg. smoking and cigarette
smoke. He is allergic to oranges, lemons, i.e. sour food; they cause coryza. Whenever he
gets coryza he gets pain in right supraorbital region, sometimes in left also. His appetite,
thirst, etc., are normal. Feels sensation of heat in head. Diagnosed as a case of sinusitis.
Prev. Hist.: Tonsillectomy done in 1952. Had mumps in 1963.
Fam. Hist.: His mother and one brother are mentally unsound.
His case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory as follows:
Head pain, fasting, from (p. 140)
Head pain, odours, from strong (p. 144)
Food, sour agg. (p. 1364)
Head pain, air open, amel. (p. 136) = Phos., Sulph.
Phos. covered the other symptoms also. So Phos. 1M was given.
The patient started improving. The medicine had to be repeated in 1M potency on 22.06.64,
10.07.64, 24.07.64, 16.10.64, 09.11.64 and in 10M potency on 18.11.64 and 02.04.65.
Thereafter, he had no headaches."
Not only is the Phos. patient's sensory perception acute but he may also develop extrasensory perception (ESP) such as clairvoyance. He may developed delusions also and hear
voices. He is sensitive to slightest environmental changes: physical changes such as change
of atmosphere, temperature, weather, etc., (human barometer) and also mental and
emotional changes such as company, moods of companions, etc. The patient is also sensitive
to light and dark. He prefers the light to dark and gets depressed as the darkness comes on.
He is agg. at the borderland of light i.e. twilight and so he is agg. in the morning and evening.
Light is perceived through the eyes and Phos. has a special effect on the eyes. The eyes of
the Phos. patient may be bright, even brilliant, and many conditions can arise within the eyes
(affecting all parts of the eye), such as cataract, haemorrhage, atrophy of the optic nerve,
detachment of retina, etc. The eyes are also very sensitive. The following case will illustrate
its use in an eye condition.
"Master T.S. R., aged 13 years, was brought to me on 14th Oct. 1964 for the following
complaint:

He had a penetrating injury in the right eye, when a flask containing hydrogen gas exploded.
He was admitted in the hospital at Mysore and was treated surgically. Later on, two wellknown ophthalmologists of Bombay were consulted. According to them, it was a vitreous
haemorrhage and prognosis was generally good in the long run, but they could not give any
opinion as to whether the condition would clear up at all and if so when. Now he can only
distinguish between light and dark but cannot count fingers. His appetite, thirst, etc., are
normal. Prev. Hist.: He had polio at the age of 21/2 years but recovered without much
damage. Had chicken pox last year. Fam. Hist.: His mother has bleeding tendency. O/E: The
pupil of right eye is dilated.
Arn. 200, 21 doses T.D. S. given.
This produced no change. Arn. 1M was then given for a week. There was slight improvement.
He was able to count fingers in sunlight. So Arn. 1M was continued. But by 30.10.64, there
was no further improvement. Then the boy developed new symptoms, viz. unbearable hunger
and headache on fasting. So Phos. 1M, 14 doses, daily once, was given. The boy reported
much improvement and the condition cleared up on the same remedy so that his vision
became completely normal."
There is photophobia and the patient may see better by shading the eyes. These patients are
truly sensitive to form and shape, to light and shade, and to colours and because of quick
perception and finer appreciation of these things, they have a sense of beauty and they make
some of the best artists. The patients themselves are well-shaped in body, and are slender,
tall and graceful. They have long, drooping eyelashes and long tapering fingers (like artists).
These patients have an active metabolism, with the result they grow quickly, and so grow tall
and thin. They shoot up, so to say. Becoming tall and thin suddenly they seem to bend like a
creeper which droops and so these patients may become stooped. The Calc-c patient is
generally known to be dull, sluggish and fat but the Calc-p patient becomes tall, active and
sensitive and may get growing pains in the joints. This is due to the Phos. element. Dr. Boman
Behram writes, "There is no homoeopathic explanation as to why Phosphorus should act on
such a constitution, but detailed biochemistry of Phosphorus on human and animal organism
has revealed that it has a profound influence on the metabolism of glucose. By its action, it
depletes the store of glucose in the liver, muscles and other tissues for rapid combustion.
Naturally, the fats are also burnt alongwith glucose, so that there is no chance of the fat being
deposited in the body, therefore, the persons remain lean. Secondly, Phosphorus has a
marked stimulating effect on the growing ends of the bones so that the person grows tall.
Hence you have the Phosphorus constitution which is essentially tall and lean."
The symptoms of Phos. also shoot up or travel in an upward direction. These patients may
eat well and still emaciate due to the active metabolism, as in tuberculosis. Like many other
tubercular remedies they have a craving for salt.
Just as the substance Phosphorus, which has a tendency to ignite and burn spontaneously, is
safe only if immersed in large quantities of cold water, so also this patient has a thirst
requiring large quantities of cold water, which quenches the burning sensation in the body or
stomach. The burning in stomach is also relieved by eating which becomes a general
modality. Phos. has helped many cases of peptic ulcers especially duodenal ulcers where the
pain is relieved by eating especially cold foods, and extends from the abdomen to the back or
chest. These patients also get hunger pains at night.
Phos. acts upon the cavities in the body such as the head, chest and abdomen and acts on
the organs contained in these cavities such as the brain, lungs, heart, stomach, etc. (which

organs themselves have cavities in them). It may produce a sense of fullness or tightness in
the same organs or cavities. The emptiness can also become a feeling of lightness or vertigo
(floating or flying, as if Phos-ac has this symptom in a greater degree, and the patient when
lying in bed feels as if the legs are lifted up in the air). The remedy is also able to produce and
therefore, cure cavitation in a semisolid organ like the lung, and Phos. is one of our good
remedies for tuberculosis.
I have mentioned that Phos. is related to light. Absence of light is darkness which is symbolic
of ignorance and often ignorance is the cause of fear. Phos. has fear of all sorts such as fear in
the dark, of being alone, of thunder, in the crowd, of death, of disease, of evil, that something
may happen, of insanity, of ghosts, robbers and so on. I have a printed case form which I give
to my patients, in which there is a question, "Have you become anxious or afraid of anything
such as being alone, of a crowd, of death, disease, evil, that something will happen, of
insanity, ghosts, robbers, sudden noises, thunder, etc.?" If the patient ticks most or all of them
or writes yes, meaning thereby that he has all these fears, then I think his remedy is most
probably Phos. and on a careful study I do find that his other symptoms often tally with those
of Phos.
The following case will explain this point.
"Mr. M.S. , aged 20 years, came to me on 5th Nov. 1952. He has been emaciating for last 6
months. Sometimes he gets shivering and internal burning in the morning for 15 days. Has a
poor appetite. Wants to drink ice cold water. Gets cough on lying down. Prefers cold open air.
Has fear of being alone, dark, robbers and thunderstorms. Prev. Hist.: Severe injury to the
head at the age of 8; took 5 to 6 years to recover completely.
No definite diagnosis could be established.
The case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory, as follows:
Fear, alone of being (p. 43)
Fear, dark (p. 43)
Fear, robbers of (p. 47) = Phos. alone came through and it also covered the following:
Fear, thunderstorm of (p. 47)
Cough, lying agg. (p. 798)
Appetite wanting (p. 479)
Emaciation (p. 1357)
Injury (p. 1368)
Phos. 30, 3 doses T.D. S. and placebo given.
14.11.52: Cough in morning. His general condition and appearance have improved much. He
was given Bacill. 200, 1dose and by 25.03.53 he felt normal, having added 14 lbs to his
weight.
There was a relapse in June 1953 but Phos. 30 again made him well."
Phos. seems to have a peculiar propensity for company. The patient cannot be alone. Not
only does he want company and is amel. by company but he would like to be touched, stroked

or magnetised. The child would like to hold the mother's hand. This touch will reassure the
child and remove its fears. An extreme form of this may be a desire for a sex partner. It is said
that a dog which was poisoned by Phosphorus got violent sexual excitement and died during
sexual intercourse. Phos. has violent sexual desire and also is a remedy for homosexuality.
Mentally, the patient wants to receive and give affection. He is also over-sympathetic and
cannot see others suffer, (like Causticum with which, however, it is inimical).
Phos. has the peculiar symptom of a sense of well-being before an attack. The patient will
feel quite well and then an illness would occur. Since well-being is generally associated with a
good appetite, the patient may also feel hungry before an attack. Increased appetite during
fever is also noted as a peculiarity and this has helped me to cure many fever cases with
Phos. Psychologists say that those who desire to receive love and affection may take food as a
substitute. Phos. has a desire for affection, as well as increased appetite.
Phos. affects the bones esp. the long bones and produces necrosis. It peculiarly affects the
mandible. The phossy jaw of workers in match factories is well-known. In this action it
resembles Amphisboena which is prepared from the jaw bone of the lizard and produces
swelling of the jaw.
"Mrs. P., aged 34, years came on 23rd Sept. 1959 for the following:
Backache, lumbosacral, which has started after a delivery 3 years back. The pain is agg.
sitting bent and by exertion, amel. sitting erect and by rest. Her menses are regular but very
painful, pain is worse after the flow starts. She was given a pessary and was better for
sometime but is now worse again. Flow is changeable. She is restless during the menstrual
period. Dreams of dead people. Has fears of robbers. She has become very doubtful. She gets
headache worse seeing films and worse in the sun.
Past Hist.: She has had an attack of dysentery. Family Hist.: N.A. D.
Her case was repertorized as follows using Kent's Repertory:
Fear of Robbers (p. 47)
Suspicious (p. 85)
Dreams of the dead (p. 1237)
Back, pain, lumbar agg. sitting bent (p. 907)
Phos. alone came through.
Phos. covered the rest of the symptoms also. So, on 3rd Oct. she was given Phos. 1M, 3 doses
in one day. Her response to this prescription was very satisfactory and she showed all-round
improvement.
On 20th Oct., she reported that she had her menses. There was some pain and the flow was
scanty. So she was given Phos. 10M. This had to be repeated on 20.01.59. Thereafter, she has
remained well. In Aug. 1965, she reported that she had been normal and that she has had no
more trouble."
"Mrs. M.S. came on 5th Jan. 1970 with the following complaints:

For last 20 years she has been addicted to Dexedrine and Methedrine. Generally takes about
100 Dexedrine tablets per day (as she and her husband told me). Got low B.P. When these
drugs were not available, she became irritable, aggresive, restless and violent and felt like
killing somebody. When she became violent, she would resist with as much strength as four
men. Was sleepless for a long time while she was taking the drug. Now gets palpitation,
sinking feeling, restlessness and vomiting of bitter fluid. Feels that she will die. Palpitation is
agg. sitting, agg. walking, agg. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on lying down. She cannot bear hunger,
cries when hungry, likes warm, spicy food, cold drinks and extra salt. Constipated. Feels
drowsy all the time. She was upset as her first husband gave her a lot of trouble and drove
her to the point of insanity. Was given electric shocks when she was nervous. She is afraid of
being alone, of ghosts, thunderstorms, earthquakes, darkness, death and sudden noise. She
tried to commit suicide twice. Weeps easily; contradiction makes her angry. She gets offended
easily, is emotional, jealous. Puts on weight easily. Fam. Hist.: Her mother had tuberculosis.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory, with the following rubrics:
Fear alone, of being (p. 43)
Fear, ghosts, of (p. 45)
Fear, death, of (p. 44)
Fear, thunderstorm, of (p. 47)
Suicidal disposition (p. 85)
Desires, salt things (pp. 48, 63)
Only Phos. came through.
Nux-v 1M, 8 doses were given first, to be taken every 4 hours to remove the effects of the
drugging. She felt slightly better. Then Phos. 1M was given to be taken four times a day. With
these doses she felt amel.. Thereafter, Phos. 1M was given as and when necessary. She went
on feeling much better with Phos. and she was able to completely give up the addiction to
Dexedrine."
"Some years ago, I was called out of town to see a patient who was said to be very ill.
The patient, Mrs. S.N. M., aged 64 years, was suffering from pneumonia for the last 13 days.
She had been paralysed and was incapacitated for the last one and a half years and had
developed pneumonia. A homoeopathic physician had prescribed for her but her condition
had deteriorated and the homoeopath himself, becoming rather anxious, had suggested
allopathic treatment. An allopathic physician had been called but he had refused to come
because the patient had been under homoeopathic treatment. This particular family had great
faith in Homoeopathy and was still keen to have homoeopathic treatment.
The patient had all the signs of pneumonia. She was conscious but could not speak as she
was paralysed. I noted the following symptoms also: She would laugh often and without
reason. Secondly, she would try to remove her blouse. Even if she did not remove her clothes,
if her body was exposed she would not mind it. She had marked thirst at night. She had
rattling respiration with cough agg. lying on the left side. I learnt that she had become worse
after she had taken a cold bath while she was already having slight fever.
Now, I studied and repertorized her case with the following symptoms in Kent's Repertory and
Phatak's Repertory:

Shameless, exposes the person (K.p. 79)

Laughing (K.p. 61)
Cough agg. lying on left side (K.p. 797)
Chilled when heated (Ph.p. 43)
The only remedy that came through was Phosphorus. I was told that the previous
homoeopath had already given Phos. but he had given only two or three doses and had not
persisted. I gave her Phos. 200, first every 4 hours and then thrice a day. She improved
steadily and became well in a week."
"Mr. G.M. , aged 37 years, came on 25th Dec. 1965 with the following history:
He is suffering from cough for the last four years, diagnosed as Chronic Bronchitis. It is
spasmodic and very violent. It is agg. cold drinks; agg. dust and agg. lying on back. His
appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. He is bald in front (hereditary). He gets skin trouble in winter
sometimes. His mother had carcinoma.
Carcin. 1M, 3 doses T.D. S., followed by Ars. 30, 6 doses T.D. S. given.
By 04.01.66, his cough became worse and constant but every time he coughed he coughed
twice. Also he got pain in chest on coughing. His case was then repertorized using Kent's
Repertory, with the following symptoms:
Chest pain, cough during (p. 842)
Cough, paroxysmal, consisting of two coughs (p. 200)
Cough, constant (p. 784)
Cough, amel. cold drinks (p. 784)
Cough, agg. lying on back (p. 797)
Only Phos. came through.
Phos. 30, 8 doses Q.D. S. given.
He was considerably relieved but he had some relapses and Phos. had to be given in 1 M
potency and repeated thrice and after an inter-current dose of Bacill. 1M, had to be given
thrice again in 10M potency, and yet once again in 50M on 15.09.66. This completely cured
him."
"Mr. M.R. H., aged 40 years, consulted me on 6th Dec. 1966.
Since he went to Madras in 1960, has constant mild abdominal pain, which comes on 3 to 4
hours after food with nausea. It is amel. after eating. He gets substernal burning and sour
belching 1 hour after food. He cannot wait for food; feels weak when hungry. Takes 8 to 10
glasses of water a day. Prefers cold food and drinks. Is fond of day-dreaming. Past Hist.: In
1948, he had dyspepsia. Treated as amoebic dysentery and felt amel.. Used to get vertigo on
raising his head from the pillow.
Ba-meal X-ray showed "Gastritis".

His case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics, and Phos. came
through:
Hunger, from agg. (p. 1367)
Desires, cold food (p. 484)
Stomach, pain, eating, 2 to 3 hours after (p. 513)
Phos. 200, 6 doses T.D. S. and placebo given.
In one month he felt much better. He continued treatment but then gave up when he felt
normal, after a dose of Phos. 10M and then Phos. VI (i.e. 6th potency of the 50 millesimal
scale) given on 28.07.67. "
"Mrs. L.M. , aged 29, came on 14th May, 1965 with the following history:
She has pain in hips for the last 6 years. It started suddenly and it is agg. change of position.
Chocolates and chillies cause bad throat and loud noisy cough. She loves cold things and
chillies. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Does not feel fresh in the A.M. but amel. after
an afternoon nap. She gets pain in one spot, bilaterally symmetrically in her thighs, very
sensitive to touch and pressure. She is fond of company. Likes sympathy. Is nervous.
Past Hist.: She had typhoid at 6 years, was serious, then could not walk for 6 months. H/o fall
14 years back. She got hurt in abdomen, then got pain on and off for 1 year. Had Pneumonia
at 9 years.
Arn. 200, 14 doses B.D. was given first.
She felt much better but had relapses and the medicines was repeated three times.
By 30.10.65 there was a change in the symptoms. She developed a pain in right lumbar
region agg. rising from a seat and pain in throat (Rt.). Her case was repertorized using
Phatak's Repertory, as follows:
Rising from sitting agg. (p. 226)
Spots (p. 248)
Direction, side, right (p. 68)
Injuries, constitutional effects (p. 148) = Con., Phos.
Because of the agg. form chillies and sweets, I selected Phos. Phos. 200, 3 doses T.D. S. and
placebo given.
She started improving steadily but I had to repeat the doses on and off going upto Phos. CM
and later to VI and XXX (of the 50 millesimal scale). She felt normal by 02.01.67 and
discontinued treatment."
"Shree K.V. P., aged 42 years, turned up for consultation on 23rd Oct. with the following
history:
He had fried food on 01.010.64. Then got abdominal pain on the 3rd or 4th. It has been
diagnosed as hyperacidity. Since then he gets pain with eructations smelling of food. He
takes extra salt. He prefers cold food and drink, he even likes his tea cold. His thirst, stool,

sweat, etc., are normal. He cannot stand heat. Is worried about trifles and is always tense,
and nervous. Cannot stand suspense. Likes company. He has got a weak memory and poor
concentration. Weeps easily.
Past Hist.: He had epistaxis in summer till age of 25. Had pneumonia twice. Once he had a
fracture of his leg bone.
Fam. Hist.: His father and sister died of tuberculosis.
Because of the family history of tuberculosis, Tub. 1M, 3 doses were given in one day. This
was followed one week later by Phos. 1M which rendered him all right."
"Mr. P.J. , aged 21, came for consultation on 19th Dec. 1963. He gets backache for last one
year. It is agg. at night. He is unable to turn his head sideways easily. It is agg. cold season
and monsoon, agg. lying on right side. On turning on the back, pain is agg. at first and then is
gradually amel., and is agg. turning in bed. It is amel. taking brandy and tea, agg. pressure
and amel. by sitting erect. He has got pain in the gluteal region, right or left, while walking, for
last 5 years. It started when he had travelled in an air-conditioned ship and had had a cold
beer during the journey. It is agg. in Bombay. He cannot exert himself as it causes pain in
chest and a tired feeling. He gets pain in precordium once in 4 or 6 months which lasts one
day and is amel. by stretching the body and neck. He gets pain in right side of the abdomen
on exertion, sometimes in the left side also. Cold drinks cause toothache. Any irregularity in
food or food-timing upsets his health too much. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Cold sweat on
palms. Nose gets blocked in cold season. Bleeds too much from wounds. Is irritable and
nervous. Wants to be alone and quiet. He had a shock 4 years back when one of his dear
friends died suddenly. Is worried about failure in a love affair.
Past Hist.: He had rickets, typhoid, chicken pox, whooping cough and diphtheria. Fam. Hist.:
Mother has tuberculosis. Father died of cancer. O/E. Scoliosis, Bulging of Rt. chest. Feeble
diastolic murmur in Mitral area. Tenderness over 10th and 11th Dorsal and L5 spine and also
in rt. sacroiliac joint. SLR +ve on rt. side, 30 degrees. His gait is stooped. Consulted a
specialist who diagnosed it as a case of Koch's right hip joint and advised X-ray.
His case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Lying, side, on right, agg. (p. 171)
Haemorrhage (p. 120)
Chilled, from exposure to cold agg. (p. 43)
Gait, stooped bent (p. 144)
Only Phos. came through.
Phos. 30, 9 doses T.D. S. given. His condition was 50 percent better. Placebo was given. When
improvement lapsed Phos. VI (i.e. 6th potency in 50 millesimal scale) was given in water once
a day. Later he had one dose each of Carcinosin 1M and Tuberculinum 1M and then Phos. XXX
in water daily. He felt 90 percent better in 2 months and became quite well in 5 months."
"Mrs. K., aged 28 years, consulted me on 5th November 1952. She was suffering from
frequent attacks of dyspnoea since the last 2 years. It is agg. lying on the left side and back
and agg. by moon phases. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Woollen clothes agg.. Open
air agg.. Ascending steps agg. . Pain in joints agg. flexing and extending, agg. beginning

motion. She has to take a deep breath now and then. Diagnosed as Eosinophilia. O/E looks
anaemic.
The case was repertorized using my Card Repertory and the following cards were chosen:
No. 190 : Lying on back, agg.
No. 194 : Lying on side, left agg.
No. 211 : Moon phases, during agg.
No. 214 : Motion, beginning agg., continued amel.
No. 17 : Ascending agg.
These cards when put together revealed the remedies Phos. and Sep.
Phos. 200, 3 doses T.D. S. and placebo given. By 13.12.52, the patient reported continuous
improvement. Appearance much better. Dyspnoea nil. No medicine. 20.10.53: Condition
reported to be normal."
"Mrs. S.K. , aged 23, came on 29th Jan. 1953. She had headache (rt) for one year. It is
irregular and is agg. exposure to sun, agg. excessive heat or cold, agg. exertion and agg.
morning and evening, amel. binding the head. Pain is generally rt. sided but sometimes goes
from rt. to lt. There is also pain and formication in rt. eye and pain in rt. maxilla and teeth
which is agg. least motion, agg. stooping, agg. lying on painful side. There is thirst for ice cold
water esp. at night. Slightly agg. after food. Desires salt from childhood. Gets pain in lumbar
region on exertion. Has profuse menses. Gets vertigo also. Prefers to be in company. The case
was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key and Kent's Repertory, with the following
symptoms:
Side right to left (B.S. K.p. 44)
Morning and evening, agg. (B.S. K.p. 17)
Thirst at night (K.p. 528)
Desires cold drinks (K.p. 484)
Desires salty things (K.p. 486)
31.01.53: Headache was considerably amel. but she had thick, yellowish discharge from
nose. Placebo.
No further medicine was given but by 23.02.53 condition was normal. She did not get
headache in spite of going in the sun. Vertigo nil. No Medicine."
"Mrs. P.D. , aged 40 years, suffering from Cardiospasm consulted me on 26th Feb. 1965. Her
history was as follows:
Towards the end of 1962, while lying down, she noticed a gurgling sound in throat with
regurgitation of fluid. She then developed a choking sensation while swallowing esp. solids,
and she could locate the obstruction in the lower substernal region. She consulted an eminent
E.N. T. surgeon. Ba. swallow did not reveal anything abnormal but an X-ray showed
obstruction in the cardiac end of the stomach. The surgeon advised an operation but another

surgeon advised against it. The patient took homoeopathic treatment from a colleague of
mine and felt some relief. It was at this stage that I was consulted.
At present: She feels that the food is first obstructed in the cardiac end of the stomach, but
then it drops into the stomach. She has choking and regurgitation, agg. lying on the left side
or back, if she lies down immediately after food. Choking is amel. lying on abdomen. She can
swallow better while sitting erect. Sour and spicy food, eggs and beer make her worse. She
has vague pains in the joints. There is also pain in the teeth which feel loose. Appetite, thirst,
etc., normal. Sweat nil. Patient feels chilly even in warm weather.
Pt. is nervous and shy.
Past Hist.: Bronchitis often. Malaria at 15 years treated with Quinine.
Her case was studied as follows using Phatak's and Kent's Repertories:
Cold agg. (Ph.p. 46)
Lying on left side agg. (Ph.p. 171)
Lying on back (Ph.p. 171)
Food sour (K.p. 1364)
Constriction cardiac orifice on swallowing (K.p. 483)
Quinine abuse, of (K.p. 1397)
Only Phos. came through.
The patient as given Phos. 200, 1M and 10M, and Tub-bov 1M, at long intervals.
She felt much better in her condition but she developed some eruptions below and around
the right ear itching and exuding thick fluid. But the prescription was not changed.
On 09.12.66, she went to New York. I advised her to take the opportunity to consult my
respected and beloved teacher Dr. Elizabeth Hubbard in New York. But as she continued to
improve on Phos. 10M, she did not consult Dr. Hubbard. She returned and reported that she
was normal."
Pulsatilla pratensis
I must mention that I came to know Puls. much better after I engaged a lady doctor as my
assistant. She was typically Puls. She would develop different symptoms on different days.
Today she would have headache, tomorrow a backache, next day a throat pain, then a vertigo
and so on. But she had some constant basic symptoms. They were as follows:
1. Agg. from fat food. This would cause diarrhoea.
2. Agg. from sour foods. She would get headache and throat pain. Even if one drop of lemon
juice was put into her food without her knowledge, she would have a violent aggravation.
3. Agg. in summer.
4. Agg. by cold and heat.
5. Generally thirstless.

6. Weeping on the least provocation. Even if a patient insisted on getting an earlier

appointment or if someone did not pay his fees or if some patient was rude, she would weep.
7. Marked amel. by sympathy. If she received sympathy even her headache would disappear.
8. Any emotional upset would cause symptoms like backache, throat pain, fever, etc.
She responded to Puls. everytime and her general level of health improved considerably and
she put up 40 lbs in weight. I am grateful to her for she made me understand this remedy
better.
I remember my earliest Pulsatilla case.
There was a watch repairer who came and told me that he was suffering from a complete loss
of appetite for four years and was willing to try Homoeopathy, though he had no faith in
Homoeopathy or in me as I was just a beginner, and because he had already tried the best
doctors of other systems. I took his case carefully and found no characteristic symptoms at
all. All that I could find was that he had complete loss of appetite. If he ate even one slice of
bread he would feel heavy the whole day. He had no thirst at all and was spitting all the time
due to salivation. I looked up these three symptoms in Boger's Synoptic Key and I got Puls. I
gave him Puls. 30, 1dose without much hope. Two days later, he came to see me again and I
made him wait outside for two minutes. When I called him in I found that he had gone. Later
he came back and explained to me that he had rushed to his house as he had felt desperately
hungry. Finding nothing edible at home he ate up all the curd which was the only thing
available then!
And now I shall describe a recent case of mine.
A young girl, Miss D., aged 17 years, came to me from some town in Gujarat. She had
oliguria. Her peculiar symptom was that even though she would pass urine only once in 24
hours, that amount would still be very scanty. This was going on for the last one year. If she
travelled, urination become even less so that she would not pass urine even once in 24 hrs.
But in spite of this, she had no discomfort or pain or swelling anywhere in the body. Her other
symptom was very scanty, black and offensive menses. She had been examined by several
doctors but no one could make a diagnosis nor could anyone relieve her. I worked out the case
and it came to Kali-c and Puls. I gave her Puls. which did not act at first. But after some doses
of Opium (as it covered the lack of reaction, infrequent urination and absence of discomfort)
when Puls. was repeated, it acted nicely. We had to go upto Puls. 50M and then she was
cured.
Incidentally, the British Homoeopathic Journal has published an excellent paper on Puls. by
Dr. William Gutman. Dr. Gutman is a great thinker and he comes up with excellent papers on
various remedies. His paper on Pulsatilla is a classic.
The Puls. patient is chilly but is agg. by warmth. I must confess here that I do not give great
importance to chilliness and warmth because I have seen Sepia patients who are warm and
Lachesis patients who are chilly. Under the rubric "Cold and heat agg.", you will find remedies
like Puls., Sep., Sil., Lach., etc., which we think are predominently agg. by cold or by heat.
Again our remedies were proved in countries with different climatic conditions and we do not
know how far they will apply here exactly. So, unless the patient is very markedly aggravated
by heat or cold, I do not consider this.

I find some of the Puls. patients very irritable though according to the book, classically Puls. is
not irritable. The only difference is that when the Puls. patient gets angry she weeps, as the
following case will show:
"Mrs. V.P. , aged 40 years, was directed to me by a homoeopath from Ahmedabad. She had
been suffering for 8 years from recurrent coryza, cough and itching of the palate, all usually
agg. at night. Cough is agg. lying down. Since the last 6 months she gets a swelling of limbs
and face which appears on and off. Gets attacks of pain and redness in the eye near the outer
canthus, right or left, on and off for the last 10 years. Dysmenorrhoea since puberty. Pain is
agg. after flow starts - more the flow, more the pain. Has pain and heaviness in breasts before
menses, with scanty menses. Cramps in the abdomen 10 days before menses, agg. left side
and agg. turning to left side. Walking fast causes substernal pain. Chilly. Feels cold especially
in hands and feet. Seasickness. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Aversion to milk. Sweats in the
morning after rising. Has poor sleep. Is irritable, oversympathetic and emotional. Weeps when
angry. Desires company. Is putting on weight.
Past Hist.: 10 years back had measles; dysentery in 1949, which recurs in attacks every
monsoon. Breast abscess after 2nd delivery. Tonsillectomy 21/2 years back is since then
coryza is agg.. H/o shock due to brother's death in an accident. Since then, very sensitive and
not in good health. Vaccinated often. X-ray (1951) showed lesion in lung and was treated with
anti-tubercular drugs. Fam. Hist.: Uncle had Tub. of bone. On Exam. fingers and toes cold.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory with the following
symptoms:
Grief, ailments from (K.p. 51)
Sympathetic (K.p. 86)
Menses, before agg. (K.p. 1373)
Abdomen, pain, menses, during (K.p. 559)
Cough, lying agg. (K.p. 785)
Obesity (K.p. 1376)
Itching, palate (K.p. 406)
Motion slow, gentle, amel. (Ph.p. 192)
Puls. alone covered all the symptoms.
Puls. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. was given for one day and she felt 50 percent better. As she did not
respond further to Puls. 1M, she was given Puls. 10M, 3 doses t.d. s. She then reported
continuous improvement till she became well."
Recently I have been noticing that more and more patients of mine seem to require Puls.
Many patients come and give symptoms which lead up to Puls. Sometimes I get a doubt as to
whether I am prejudiced in favour of this remedy. But as a good number of these patients
improve on Puls., I often wonder why this remedy seems to be more often needed. Is it
because Puls. antidotes the ill-effects of drugs and many patients come to us after drugging?
Changeability is one of the characteristic features of Puls. Hence, Puls. patients can be
irritable and/or thirsty. (Ref. Kent's Repertory - Mind, Irritability p. 58; Stomach, Thirst, Extreme

p. 529.) Therefore, the presence of irritability and/or thirst in a patient does not necessarily
contra-indicate Puls.
According to the homoeopathic principle, any symptom that is produced by a remedy is an
indication for that remedy. If Puls. has produced one thousand symptoms, all these one
thousand symptoms can be indications for Puls.
Suppose a remedy has produced one thousand symptoms and out of these one patient
exhibits three symptoms, e.g. symptom No. 77, symptom No. 93, and symptom No. 140, and
if this combination of the three symptoms is found in only one remedy, say Puls., then Puls. is
the remedy for this patient, whether the picture of this patient corresponds or not to the
picture of the remedy as described in the books or the picture that you have in your mind. If
these three particular symptoms are covered only by Puls., whether the picture fits within
your conception of Puls. or my conception or Hahnemann's conception, Puls. is the remedy.
Pyrogenium
The Greek word Pyro means fever, heat or burning. Pyrogens are known to produce fevers.
Our Pyrogen has many indications esp. in septic fevers. I have described a case of Malignant
tertian malaria dramatically cured by Pyrogen. *
The indications for Pyro. that I have often noted in fevers in my practice are:
(1) Hyperpyrexia, (2) Pulse out of proportion to temperature, whether increased or decreased,
(3) A sense of well-being in a patient even with high temperature.
The following cases will illustrate these points.
"Master S.S. , aged 7 years, was seen on 18th July 1953. He had developed temperature
about seven weeks back. The temperature had risen steadily every day and had become
continuous, ranging between 103 oF and 104 oF . When the fever had gone on for a fortnight,
an allopathic physician was called in. He diagnosed it as Enteric fever and prescribed
Chloromycetin. The temperature dropped to normal in three days but after a fortnight went up
again. This time Chloromycetin produced no effect. When the temperature continued for two
weeks more, homoeopathic aid was sought. When the boy was first seen by me, the following
symptoms could be elicited.
Temp. 103.6 oF, Pulse: 132 per minute, Resp.: 32 per minute, General condition fair.
The temperature is irregular and remittent, and sometimes rises twice in a day.
He picks at his nose, and sometimes at his bedclothes; his hearing has become dulled after
the onset of the fever; he is constipated. He has polyuria with the rise of temperature. As the
fever rises, his memory becomes sharper and he wants to read his lessons; he then becomes
very particular about wearing clean clothes.
Physical examination and laboratory investigation gave no indications as to the cause; so it
was classified as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin.
The alertness during fever was suggestive of Pyrogen. A look into Allen's Materia Medica of
the Nosodes brought out the symptom, "Frequent call to urinate as fever comes on" under
Pyrogen (p. 415).
On these indications, the boy was given one dose of Pyrogen 30, on the 18th itself. After this
one dose, the temperature started falling gradually by one degree every day and eventually

came to normal in five days without any further dose of medicine, leaving the boy healthy and
well. No marked pulse-temperature disproportion was noticed in the case."
"I was once asked to see a girl aged 20 years, who had fever. She had originally been treated
as a case of typhoid with Chloromycetin. The temperature came to normal but again rose.
This time the Chloromycetin had no effect. The temperature rose in the evenings daily. It was
now suspected as T.B. of the caecum. The girl had by birth a deformity with the result one leg
was so shrunken that it was only a foot or so long while the other was normal. This gave her
an ugly appearance and also a very bad complex and an ugly temper.
When I saw her, she had been having a rise of temperature every evening. The parents gave
me two peculiar symptoms, viz., that the girl would be depressed, irritable, fault-finding and
quarrelsome in the mornings when her temperature was normal but would become sweettempered, jovial and friendly in the evenings when the temperature went up. They also told
me that although she used to be in bad temper normally, she had been in better humour after
the attack of fever had come on. On these indications, I gave her Pyro. 200. With two doses,
the fever went down and she remained normal."
Sepia officinalis
I think Sepia is a wonderful remedy to study and to use. A very eminent homoeopath has
stated that if he were allowed to keep only one drug, he would choose Sepia. Experience in
practice confirms its great usefulness and wide field of application.
Sepia is complementary to both Ignatia and Nux vomica, and combines all the depression
and sadness of the former with the irritability of the latter.
Considering the fact that it affects the sexual organs in women and considering that many of
its aggravations are connected with the sexual sphere, e.g. with menses, coition, pregnancy,
abortion, menopause, etc., it is an excellent remedy for various complaints in women. If you
add the fact that is also covers the bad effects of anger, fright, grief, disappointment in love,
etc., you can imagine its wide range of action. Women are particularly emotional and sensitive
and they live in a small world. Therefore, small things assume great significance for them. So
when you combine this mental state with the physical condition, you get a good picture of
Sepia.
Generally, we have the impression that Sep. has great aversion for sex. But it has also got a
symptom, "sexual-minded". However, though she may be sexual-minded she has great agg.
from coition and so is unable to enjoy it. This is why Boger describes the Sepia patient as
"Miserable". I think it is particularly needed for women who have had many children or many
abortions. Incidentally, women seem to suffer more after an abortion than after a full
pregnancy. Abortion seems to produce a kind of serious disturbance in health. I also think that
where women terminate a pregnancy by inducing abortion because they don't want children,
it may produce some kind of guilt complex.
The keynote of the physical symptoms of this remedy is relaxation. All the muscles and
ligaments are so relaxed that there is a displacement, esp. downward, for it is the ligaments
that bind and keep the organs and limbs in their proper positions. We get the various degrees
of ptosis, e.g. of the eyelids (cf. Gels., of which it is a complementary), visceroptosis, prolapse
of the uterus or rectum, dislocation of joints, etc. There is also a concomitant congestion of
the pelvic viscera which causes heaviness, aggravates the ptosis and produces the feeling of
dragging down, which can be a very uncomfortable feeling indeed! The downward
displacement of the abdominal organs also gives rise to a feeling of emptiness in the upper

abdomen which the patient may try to fill up with food, believing it to be emptiness of
stomach, but as it is not so, and it only provokes nausea. *
The nausea is agg. by the sight, smell or thought of food. This symptom may be found in
pregnancy. So, even with hunger the patient cannot enjoy food which makes her miserable.
The discomfort in the pelvis is naturally aggravated by any condition which would increase
the congestion of that area. So in women there is great suffering before and during the
menses, by coition, pregnancy, abortion and during menopause. Repeated pregnancies and
abortions (which unfortunately are so common in India) with other concomitant physical and
emotional stresses ideally produce the Sepia picture. These promote further relaxation and
congestion in the pelvis. As a result of this aggravation by coition and pregnancies, the
woman has aversion to and is disgusted by sex, and is terribly upset even if the husband
should make normal demands.
The displaced organs impinge upon one another provoking more symptoms, e.g. the uterus
if displaced backwards may press upon the rectum and produce a sensation of a lump or ball
in the rectum or a frequent sensation for stool (cf. Nux-v), so that the patient goes and strains
without result and only succeeds in adding to her discomfort by increasing the congestion. So
also it may press upon the bladder and provoke frequent urging for micturation. The sensation
of a lump can be felt elsewhere also, e.g. in the throat (globus hystericus cf. Ign.) or in the
abdomen.
If one remembers that the pelvic viscera are attached by their ligaments to the posterior wall
of the abdomen or the back, and also the fact that all the ligaments supporting the vertebral
column become lax, then one can realise how much discomfort is referred to the back. And if
the patient is forced to stoop and work, the back is further strained.
So, you have the picture of a woman with a history of many abortions or pregnancies, a hard
working house-wife with many children to attend to, working and washing and wearing herself
away, who cannot enjoy her food, for she often has nausea at the sight, smell or even at the
thought of food (cf. Hyperemesis gravidarum) cannot rest, and cannot even satisfy her sex
urge, which is so fundamental. Is there any wonder she becomes disgusted by the home, by
the husband, by the children who all make so many demands on her and by life itself and
wants to run away from it all? Is it any surprise that though she may be full of love she has no
apparent affection towards even her near and dear ones?
The Sepia patient has got some kind of venous stasis and she improves very much by
exertion, esp. by violent motion such as dancing. Here, it is the opposite of Puls. which wants
gentle motion, and it resembles Tarn. which also wants violent motion.
Margaret Tyler with her marvellous insight calls it a washerwoman's remedy.
I shall now describe one of the best cases of Sepia I have ever seen.
"Mrs. J.K. H., aged 26 years, came for advice on 23rd April 1953. She was a Polish national
and had been in a Russian concentration camp during the war. She had tried to escape along
with her father, brothers and sisters. But all of them, her dear ones had been shot dead, all in
front of her eyes. Ultimately she had managed to escape alone. She had come over to India,
had married and settled down here. She had a baby born in August 1952 and since then she
has not been well. She now has headaches, vertigo, indigestion and leucorrhoea and feels
very weak. Headaches occur almost daily and are worse from noon till evening, hammering in
type agg. pressure, amel. lying down, in the sun. She has also developed vertigo with

suffocation agg. moving about; frequent diarrhoea agg. eating pulses and potatoes; great
aversion to milk; desire for sour and spicy food; nausea after food, nausea while travelling in a
bus. Dreams frequently of the dead. She sweats less; she is amel. in open air. She has become
very irritable.
Wt. 96 lbs. B.P. 100/80. Has a brownish butterfly patch on her face.
Past Hist.: Typhoid 1940; Dysentery 1940; Malaria 1945; Vaccinated every year, no reaction.
Family Hist.: Mother died at the age of 49 of typhoid; father, brothers and sisters were shot.
Has three children, all healthy.
The case was repertorized with the following symptoms in Boger's Synoptic Key:
Pregnancy (p. 42)
Swaying, swinging, agg. (car sickness) (p. 29)
Ascending agg. (p. 19)
Aversion to milk (p. 73)
Saddle, brown, across nose (p. 94)
The only remedy to come through was Sepia and I was quite satisfied that this remedy
covered the case well. So I gave her Sepia 200, 1 dose and Sac-l B.D.
She improved steadily without any further medicine and by 9.6.1953, she was completely
well. She also put on some weight. On 10.4.1957, I found that she was still quite well."
Though the displacement of the viscera is downward, the direction of sensations is generally
upward. I have made a mark in my book Sepia as follows:
There is a sudden rush of blood upward to the chest and head (e.g. menopausal flushes), the
nausea with tendency to bring up food, pains shooting upwards in rectum, vagina, etc.
This direction reminds me of another case.
"A certain hysterical lady came to me with numerous symptoms, the prominent one being
that she often had a feeling that a ball entered her foot and travelled up, upto the shoulder
and then disappeared. She was what some would classify as an amazon; she had divorced
once and her innate haughtiness was heightened by her second husband's confession made
to her that she had been conferred on him by God after he had prayed for many years. She
gave a history that since she had no wish to have any children and that she had induced
abortion nineteen times.
Since for certain reasons I did not wish to treat her, I sent her on to a colleague. He picked
out her remedy as Sepia correctly, no doubt basing his selection on, (1) the history of
repeated abortions, (2) the sensation as of a ball and (3) the ascending direction, the
corresponding rubrics being (ref. Boger's Synoptic Key):
1. Abortion (p. 84)
2. Ball, lump, knot, etc., as if (p. 31)
3. Direction, ascending (p. 84)

The remedy helped her considerably."

The Sepia patient is said to be chilly but one must remember that the typical Sepia
washerwoman of Dr. Tyler was also agg. by the heat of the room and the heat of the iron. Kent
gives this remedy under "cold and heat, agg." and this is often verified in practice.
The Sepia fish, when it is attacked, throws out a brownish inky secretion (which was used by
artists), and thus forms a cloudy protective screen to hide and to escape. The Sepia patient
also develops emotional antagonism and, behaving as if she is being attacked, throws out a
screen of indifference which clouds and masks her real tender nature and feelings.
Pulsatilla and Sepia often resemble each other, both being very touchy, but the Sepia patient
does not break down or weep so easily. Pulsatilla seems to be needed more by the immature,
adolescent, sensitive girl of puberty, while Sepia seems to be indicated better in the
experienced, hardened woman of climaxis. She has usually seen and put up with many more
vicissitudes. She is, unlike Puls., very indifferent and irritable, disliking sympathy and
company. She does not lack in love but in affection, which is the manifestation or expression
of love. Even the love of self is stifled to such an extent that the patient becomes indifferent
to her own affairs. Though the Sepia patient often moans or groans, one must remember that
she is quite tough. She groans because of the intensity and variety of troubles she has to
undergo which however she will not express freely.
It might have been noticed that so many patients of Sepia are women. This sex shows a
readiness to develop subacute and chronic inflammatory conditions in the pelvis and these
respond very well to this remedy.
Another symptom often seen is the brownish butterfly-like patch (Chloasma) * seen on the
face with the wings on both sides of the nose. There is a recent belief in the medical field that
certain areas of the skin correspond to certain internal organs, and that disorders in these
organs produce corresponding changes in the relevant areas of the skin **. Homoeopathy has
recognised much earlier such inter-relationship of various tissues and organs.
Often Sepia resembles Nat-m. The latter is the chemical analogue of the former. After all, the
Sepia fish is a resident of the sea and remains thoroughly soaked in brine.
Here is another patient of Sepia who felt grateful to Homoeopathy for the relief she got.
"Miss B.F. , aged 47, came on 14.09.59 with the following complaints:
She has hypertension since 3 years. She gets vertigo and syncope if she looks upwards or
downwards. Has pain in limbs which is amel. by bandaging. Her menses are scanty and
painful, with pain agg. during menses. She passes urine three to four times at night. She is
very irritable. On examination : Butterfly-like brownish patch on the face. Her B.P. is 200/120.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory with the following rubrics:
Vertigo agg. looking up (p. 100)
Vertigo agg. looking down (p. 100)
Pain uterus, during menses (p. 734)
Puls. and Sepia came through. Because of her hyper-irritability I chose Sepia.

Sepia 1M, 3 doses in one day and placebo were given. She improved steadily, felt better and
by 04.01.60, her B.P. came down to 130/80. "
"Mrs. S. aged 33, saw me on 13th May 1964. Her complaints were : Hernia for last 5 months.
A pain in the left lumbar region for last 2 months, which is amel. by bending forward and
amel. by warm application.
Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. Fried food and pulses cause flatulence and diarrhoea.
Gets cough on exposure to fan. Likes open air. She is not well since her last delivery 21/2
years back. Feels a sensation of prolapse during her menstrual periods. She weeps easily at
trifles. Gets irritated and beats children because she does not have a male child. She is
worried. Past History: She has had typhoid twice, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, flu,
dysentery, rheumatism and tonsillitis. She used to get numbness of the upper extremities
including the fingers. O/E Tenderness in umbilical region. She is obese. Has dark rings around
the eyes. Her body smells offensive.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory with the following
symptoms:
Food, fat, agg. (K.p. 1363)
Food, beans and peas, agg. (K.p. 1362)
Pregnancy, child bed, affections of/or since agg. (Ph.p. 213)
Obesity (K.p. 1376)
Female genitalia, prolapse, uterus, menses, during (K.p. 743)
Only Puls. and Sep. came through.
She was first given Carcinosin 1M, because of the h/o several infectious diseases. One week
later, she received Sep. 1M, 3 doses in one day. Sepia was selected because of her irritability.
She improved steadily and became well by 30.05.64. "
"Mr. V.P. , aged 25 years, son of an allopathic doctor, came on 4th June 1971 with the
following complaints:
One year back, suddenly he got pain in both feet which extended upto the knees and thighs.
He consulted some specialist and took treatment with no relief. Now gets pain in the knees
alternating between left and right knee. It is agg. ascending, flexing, agg. beginning motion,
agg. morning, and amel. hot application. His appetite, stool, etc., are normal. Takes ten
glasses of water per day. Gets depressed easily. P/H: He had liver disease in childhood for
which he has taken an ayurvedic preparation of zinc for a long period. H/o trauma to knees.
Fam. Hist.: His grandmother had tub. adenitis. Great grandmother had cancer.
His case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory and following symptoms were selected:
Alternating effects, sides, metastasis (p. 8)
Motion, beginning, agg. (p. 182)
Direction, ascending (p. 67)
Thirst (p. 269)

Only Phos. and Sep. covered the symptoms.

Because of the family history I gave him first Carcin. 1M followed one week later by Tub-bov
1M. Because Phos. covered the h/o trauma rather than Sep. I gave him Phos. 30, daily once.
As there was no amel., I gave him as an antidote to the old Zinc medication, Zn 30, t.d. s. for
a week followed by Sep. 30, b.d. for a week. Sep. was given because of his depressive
moods.
He started improving and the doses of Sep. were reduced. By 01.12.73 he became normal."
"Mrs. L.D. , wife of an allopathic G.P. also practising Homoeopathy, aged 25 years, came on
22nd Aug. 1969.
She was pregnant. She had intense nausea for the last 11/2 months. It was agg. in a closed
room , strong odours , agg. 4 p.m. agg. talking, and agg. walking. It was amel. in open air and
amel. vomiting. She had a bad or bitter taste in mouth. She was thirstless. She had an acute
sense of smell. She felt completely relieved with Tab. 30, 200 and 1M.
Unfortunately, she had a premature baby and the baby expired the day after birth. The next
year she conceived again and developed nausea and vomiting. Now she gets nausea and
vomiting since last 2 months. Tab., Lyc., Puls., etc., have been given without any relief. All the
previous symptoms have returned. She has become very sensitive to noise, touch and odours.
She has a desire for open air. Also has a strong desire for company. Cannot tolerate tight
clothes on her body. Gets pain in abdomen which is agg. lying on back. She had frequent
urination and leucorrhoea. Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory as follows:
Sensitive, noise, to (p. 509)
Clothing, intolerance of (p. 1348)
Air, open, desire for (p. 1344)
Company, desire for (p. 12)
Urination, frequent (p. 657)
Smell, acute (p. 349)
Leucorrhoea, pregnancy (p. 722)
Lying back, on, agg. (p. 1372)
Sep. alone covered all the rubrics.
Sep. 200, 3 doses t.d. s. given. She felt better and by 14.12.70 she became completely well
with Sepia, given as and when necessary."
"Shri E.S. N., aged 39 years, came on 14.12.63 for pain in epigastrium agg. when hungry,
amel. after eating, amel. eructations, agg. by pressure and agg. by bending forward. X-ray
report on 23.03.61 showed chronic duodenal ulcer. No other symptoms of value could be
elicited. The case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key with the following symptoms:
Eating amel.; Pressure amel.; Bending agg..

Only Sep. covered the symptoms. Sep. 200, 3 doses in one day and placebo given. He got
relief. With Sep. given in various higher potencies, he improved considerably. Later he
required Kali-bi, and then again Sep. to cure him."
I have also found it useful in chronic dysentery-like conditions.
"Shri A.D. D., aged 25 years, came with the following history:
Two months back he had an attack of dysentery. Since then he gets abdominal pain before
passing stool. Pain is stitching and is shoots up. Pain is agg. by taking cabbage, potatoes, cold
drinks or buttermilk, and agg. after stool. He dislikes hot drinks. He is irritable and gets tired
by speaking.
The case was repertorized with Kent's Repertory and the following symptoms were selected,
viz.:
Food, cabbage, agg.
Eating, satiety, to
Food, bread, agg.
Food, potatoes, agg.
Food, cold drinks agg.
Only Sep. covered all these symptoms. Sepia starting with 200 and going upto CM cured
him."
Silicea terra
Some years back there was an excellent paper on Silicea by William Gutman published in the
American and British homoeopathic journals. Therein he starts by saying that Silicea is
derived from the earth's crust. Having started at this point, he then goes on building up the
character and explaining the characteristic symptoms of Sil. The crust consists of sand or grit
and the patient shows lack of grit. The earth's crust gets easily heated by the sun and easily
chilled also. The Sil. patient also is sensitive to cold and heat and is worse by cold and heat.
(Some people think that the Sil. patient is only worse by cold. This is not true.) The earth's
crust was originally soft consisting of lava and then gradually it became harder and harder. In
Sil. also the soft parts become hard, e.g. the glands, the muscles, etc., become hard and the
hard parts become soft, e.g. abscess formation of the bones, caries of the teeth, etc. There is
an irregular distribution of matter. There may be overdevelopment of some parts and
underdevelopment of others. For instance, the Sil. child has a big head and small body.
A very large number of children are found to improve on Sil. if they have a large head,
shyness and obstinacy, tendency to suppuration, a history of late or difficult dentition, etc.
Borland describe that Calc. is dull, almost like Bar-c, while Sil. is extremely sensitive and alert.
The patient may be mentally sharp and physically in poor shape. If you study the mind also
you see a peculiar combination - of timidity and obstinacy. Timidity means lack of courage. So,
when you find children with lack of courage, you think that these children cannot have will
power. But they prove to be obstinate. Also the child may be stubborn or hard outside but soft
or yielding inside like a coconut or an oyster in its shell. The oyster's shell is only the
hardened secretion of the oyster and consists of silicea. Boger uses the word, "Stubborn" in a

general sense. The disease may be stubborn, or the patient may have stubborn-abscesses,
non-healing fistulae or stubbornness in mind.
People say that Silica represents the fibre of the plant which keeps it erect and it also affects
the back-bone of the patient, mentally making him cowardly and physically producing
curvatures. It has another good symptom i.e. nervousness. The patient is quite nervous and
this may be exhibited in so many ways e.g. cold perspiration in the palms, soles, etc. The Sil.
patient is worse by anticipation.
I had once seen a boy who was the son of a High Court Judge. The boy was appearing for his
law examination. He would start vomiting violently three days before each of his final
examinations, so much so that he could not appear at all for the exams. For three years, year
after year, this went on and the father was very much worried for his sake. Sil. set him
completely all right. He appeared and passed in the examination.
I have used Sil. when head injuries result in convulsions. They may be worse in sleep and
during moon phases. Sometimes there is a history of late teething, walking, etc. There are
more remedies for head injuries than those given in Kent's Repertory. * Of course Sil. can
apply to epileptiform convulsions without a h/o head injury. In one case when I could not
clearly distinguish between Calc-c and Sil., I have given Calc-sil with good results.
Suppression of any symptom can never help the patient. And Sil. may be needed when there
is suppression of foot-sweat, ear discharge, etc.
Sil. is one of the most sensitive and nervous patients. He cannot bear noise, pain, etc.
If Sil. seems indicated and fails I think of Sil. marina.
The following is a typical case of Sil.
A boy S.P. , aged 18 years, was brought to me for coryza of 3 years' duration. It is agg. in
evening, agg. in rainy season, agg. if exposed to dust, agg. if he has a cold bath. He gets
headache over eyebrows and pain in eyes as if they were popping out. He is nervous. Gets
cold perspiration in palms and soles, when nervous. He is very shy and timid. Wants to cover
himself with a blanket even in summer. Teething had started late He was very constipated in
childhood. The remedy was clearly Sil.
His father was so pleased that he took up the study of Homoeopathy and when he retired he
himself started his consulting homoeopathic practice in the building next to mine!
Sulphur
The Sanskrit world for Sulphur is (Sulphari) which means enemy of copper *. From this word
the Latin word Sulphuricum is derived. However, the great Greek poet, refers to Sulphur as
Brimstone i.e. burning stone. Since on burning it produces a strongly smelling gas, it is called
(Gandhak) **.
Sulphur is mostly derived from the lava or the molten red-hot fiery liquid that erupts from the
inside of the earth through the volcanoes. The character of the source can be seen reflected
in the centrifugal force of the drug which drives and throws out everything on to the surface,
bringing internal peace. The red-hot openings of the volcanoes have their counterparts in the
red-hot orifices, e.g. eyelids, lips, nostrils, meatus of the ears, anus, etc., through which the
red-hot burning discharges comes out. Sulphur itself catches fire easily and because of this
quality, it was used in the manufacture of gunpowder by the Chinese several centuries ago.

The (liquid) outpouring can be seen in the diarrhoea, (Mag-s is a well-known purgative). Taken
in mass, Sulphur is an inert powder and the greater part escapes unchanged with the stools,
but some of it forms sulphides, mostly sodium sulphide, in the alkaline fluids of the intestines
and these cause irritation of the mucous membrane, with consequent increased peristalsis
and mild purgation. In some instances inflammation has been set up, with resultant pain and
mucus and bloody evacuations.
The skin is particularly vulnerable and exhibits various manifestations like eruptions, ulcers,
warts, etc. (The eruptions of the volcanoes are reflected in the eruptions on the skin.) This is
no surprise since the skin contains sulphur and has a particular affinity for sulphur. Ointments
containing sulphur are used as external applications for various skin conditions in Ayurvedic
and Allopathic medicine particularly for scabies, and Sulphur springs are very popular in
patients suffering from skin diseases. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most offensive
gases and this can explain the extremely offensive discharges of the Sulphur patients. Some
of the sulphides are absorbed and destroyed in the organism with the liberation of
sulphuretted hydrogen which escapes via the lungs and skin, giving the characteristic odour
of rotten eggs to the breath and perspiration, others form sulphates and are excreted in the
urine. The patient himself is found to be offensive.
Water being the enemy of fire, the Sulphur patients are worse by washing and bathing.
Antimonium crudum which is a sulphur compound (Antimony sulphide) also has aversion to
and agg. from bath. The Sulphur patient also develops dirty habits. He is himself dirty and
offensive and/or is indifferent to dirty and offensive surroundings. The yellow colour of the
element is also seen in the yellow staining of the perspiration.
The depletion by perspiration or diarrhoea may account for excessive thirst and the craving
for salt. Insulin contains Sulphur and this may explain the craving for sweets and agg. from
sweets. The metabolism itself is disturbed and so the patient is always hungry, he gets well
but emaciates. He has also craving for fats. Of the 5 remedies in Kent's Repertory given for
desire for fats, viz., Ars., Hep., Nit-ac, Nux-v, and Sulph. Sulph. is the only one agg. by
warmth.
The experiment of Prof. Augustus Bier is very interesting and gives us some idea of the
nature of Sulph. He put a patient on Sulphur 3x and found that the patient started excreting
daily 576 mg of Sulphur, which is sixty times the normal rate. Even after the Sulphur was
discontinued he was found to excrete 117 mg on the day after, he then averaged 54 mg for
ten days, and after 30 days he was still excreting about twice the normal. The seborrhoea
about which he had complained was markedly improved and his general well-being decidely
better than before the experiment. The patient was located two years later and agreed for the
sake of experiment to make a retrial, although he considered himself cured. When he now
took Sulphur 6x for 10 days, hardly any extra excretion of sulphur was found.
The relationship between Arsenic and Sulphur is interesting. Sulph. is complementary to Ars.,
but they are widely different in nature. Ars. is agg. by cold and Sulph. agg. by warmth. Ars. is
meticulous, wants everything in its place. Sulph. is indifferent, careless, slovenly and dirty.
The excessive anxiety, hurry and restlessness of Ars. contrasts with the euphoric, slow, lazy
state of Sulphur. Arsenic is an artist (the latin word for Arts is Ars.) while Sulph. is a scientist
and goes on questioning everything.
Sulph. is a good remedy to close the treatment of acute diseases and to begin the treatment
of chronic conditions.

Almost every rubric in our repertories contains Sulph.; so, the neophyte is likely to select
Sulph. for every patient. Only later on he will understand where Sulph. is really indicated,
though of course it is needed in many cases.
I narrate the following case not only to show how Sulph. acts when indicated but also to
illustrate how it can overcome obstacles in the way of cure and help in addiction.
"In Jan. 1965, Dr. S.M. O., in charge of a Govt. hospital, consulted me regarding his mother.
She was a lady aged 60 years suffering from a very painful osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.
She could not stand up or walk, and could only sit up with difficulty. It was an agony for her
even to turn in bed. Her son not being able to bear to see her suffering had one day given her
Pethidine which gave her considerable relief. He repeated the injections for some days as she
became restless and uneasy without them. But soon he realised to his dismay that she had
now developed an addiction to the drug; this, in addition to her original disease. She suffered
agony when she was deprived of the drug. She not only required the drug but even if the
quantity of the drug was reduced slightly she would feel the difference. Being very perturbed
by this, the doctor sought the help of Homoeopathy.
I found in her symptoms like burning of the palms and soles, inability to withstand hunger,
increased thirst, redness of the lips, early morning diarrhoea, etc., all indicating Sulphur. But
before I prescribed for her, the doctor laid down the condition that even while under
homoeopathic treatment if his mother craved for the drug and suffered without it, he should
prefer to give her the Pethidine as he could not allow her to suffer.
Finding that it was either a case of allowing the continuation of the drug along with the
homoeopathic medication and taking a chance of providing relief, however slender, or giving
up the case altogether, I agreed to the condition and gave her Sulphur 200, 3 doses in one
day, followed by placebo. This gave some relief to her pains. Later on, I had to give her Zn
and other drugs. She improved steadily. She continued to take Pethidin for a few days but the
craving for the drug also decreased and we were able to discontinue it without any ill-effects.
Tarentula hispanica
Tarentula hispanica, the Spanish Spider remedy, is another fascinating one to study.
Before studying the symptomatology of the remedy, it would be worthwhile to study the
nature and behaviour of the spider itself. Spiders, in general, are known for spinning and
weaving artful traps, into which they lure their victims. This spider is found in the western part
of America, and in Italy. Before the rainy season it migrates in herds, travelling in leaps and
bounds. It makes its nest in the ground in small holes in a burrow lined with web which turns a
crooked angle after going down a few inches. There the spider sits to watch for its prospective
prey. When it spies its prey, it does its work suddenly and violently - one sharp pounce on the
neck of the victim and the ganglia are severed, paralysing or killing the victim. It strikes and
disappears, never holding on. Before the victim is able to turn round, the spider has vanished
from sight into its hole, so quickly that the victim may turn around and find nothing and
imagine that probably nothing has bitten him and that it was all his imagination. Also there
may be no immediate manifestations. But as spring comes on, the patient feels a certain
terrible restlessness.
For the victims of this spider poison, a peculiar treatment is adopted. As spring comes on,
groups of pipers go from village to village and play particular tunes on their pipes in the
village square. At the sound of the first note of music the victims of the spiders bite, persons
who had been hitherto apathetic or drowsy, become restless and excited, start swaying

involuntarily and gradually begin to dance rhythmically. With this dancing movement they
come out before the pipers, so that in a few minutes all the (bitten) victims in the village have
assembled in the square, continuing their dance, the dancing becomes fast, then faster, then
vigorous and then wild and frenzied but is continued and may last for days at a stretch. The
pipers continue to play in relays. At the end of 3 days, all the victims sink to the ground
thoroughly exhausted and soaked in sweat. But then, they find they are rid of the effects of
the spider poisoning.
Julia Loos describes the symptoms very nicely. She writes, "Tarentula Hispanica is a member
of the spider family Lycosa, of tropic or sub-tropic origin, and is commonly known to the world
for its fatal poison and the intense sufferings which this brings to its victims. The poison is a
glandular secretion and this concentrated essence is a vehicle transmitting to the victim the
characteristic nature of the creature which produced it. The provings of this poison and the
indicated therapeutic uses following thereon are derived from a prepared tincture of the living
spider, whose influence pervades this product.
"The intelligence of the creature appears as disorderly. Instability is the outstanding feature:
Instability of action, of purpose, in wisdom for carrying through its changing purpose.
"Adroit, conceited of its cleverness; yet stupidly assuming that false methods and false
motives will escape detection, it elaborates manoeuvers to deceive. Appearing in view, even
parading its presence; then seeking cover, it hides from detection, unexpectedly to emerge
from ambush to attack its victim elsewhere unaware.
"All purpose, whatever and however carried out, excludes every consideration of the interest,
the desire or the purpose of another. Only self-interest and desires are observed; and these
are whimsical, changeful without limit, without calculation or foresight. Its habit is restless
activity.
"The guiding light is darkness; avoiding light, Tarentula shuns all investigation of its way or
wish and, withdrawing to whatever convenient lair of the moment, by hidden devious path it
makes its way to another point of vantage, resenting with insult any endeavour to change its
course or to dislodge it.
"Clever, adroit, furtive sly ways of carrying through courses of action which, were they
announced, would be opposed by attendants or associates: these ways, and the doing of
unusual things trivial in themselves and fulfilling no purpose engage the individual affected.
Here are peerings and, "peekings" into things and into affairs; hiding from view; hiding things.
He is destructive: interfering with plans; menacing the safety of himself and of others.
"He loves to assume the false as a basis of conduct; and depends on whims for guidance; this
mind does not submit its thought, its desires, to the light of wisdom or of truth. It shuns such
gauge or investigation and darts from idea to idea with the ability and the seeming
purposelessness of the spider. Defence from seeming interference is aggressive, through
some sort of vicious thrust, cutting remark or threatened injury.
"Restlessness, tormenting, intense, demands continued motion. In bed: rolling from side to
side; when able to be out of bed, compels to walk, even though walking aggravates symptoms
of the body. Herein is shown the contrariness within himself.
"Chorea: twitchings and jerkings - continuing into night - of single muscles, groups of
muscles, entire limb or head; and more general, in body contortions or in the dance.
Ameliorated through influence of music.

"Sometimes a sweet cheerfulness and gaiety, while at other times, anger, irritability.
Quarrelsome, excitable; exhilarated or sad: but whatever the emotion - quite unwarranted by
circumstances or environment and unrelated to persons or incidents; merely an outcropping
of the entire mood.
"Aversion to company; but wants someone present. Making persistent demand on those
present to minister to complaints. Complaints concurrent and so numerous, they cannot all be
met nor ministered to at once; satisfaction is impossible. Gratitude and content are expelled
from consciousness. Discontented with himself and with all things about him.
"Delirium, mania, shrieking, singing; erotic mania, or stupefaction, or indisposed to talk. Yet
the entire condition may be held in abeyance and positively ameliorated through persistent
and habitual bathing...
"In many instances, after attaining a measure of success with Arsenicum album, in acute or
recent disorders or for repeatedly recurrent distresses, the prescriber is led to explore this
subtle constitutional background. Arsenicum "covers the case" to a limited degree. The
symptoms and the characteristics shown before Arsenicum was called out, together with the
tendencies, the lowered resistance and the frailties which feature the patient's experience
after Arsenicum has cancelled the acute disturbances, display a total condition frequently
recognizable as Tarentula."
All these features are represented in the symptoms - the quickness, suddenness, violence,
destructive tendency, cunningness, etc. The great sensitivity to music is also found in the
patient who on hearing any musical note becomes charmed and attracted and leaves off
whatever he maybe doing. The remedy has both agg. from music and amel. from music
because the music may excite him first but later on soothe him, or again whether the music
has aggravating or ameliorating effect may depend on the type of music and the type of
patient. The restlessness and the quickness are reflected in the amelioraton from rapid and
violent motion, e.g. violent dancing (cf. Sepia). It is said the patients can run better than walk
like the patient of Parkinsonism. The extraordinary cunningness is also noted in the patient
who may behave in an entirely different way in front of outsiders. He may thus exhibit two
types of personalities like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The destructive tendency of the spider is
also reflected in the patient who destroys things without any purpose.
The symptoms of this remedy are described beautifully by the late Dr. Margaret Tyler. She has
quoted a case of Dr. Roberts. The patient was lying quietly on the cot when the nurse left the
room for washing her hands. Suddenly the nurse heard loud crashing noises. When she ran
back into the patient's room, she found the patient lying as quietly as she had left her. But
everything on the shelf had been swept down and smashed within the few brief moments of
her absence.
"I had once an occasion to stay with an acquaintance. As soon as I hung up my coat he took
charge of my wallet. When I asked him the reason, he gave me a long story somewhat as
follows:
He had an only son aged 14. This boy was brilliant in some ways but appeared mad in some
ways. He would do the most crazy things without any reason. Once just before the whole
family was leaving on vacation he invited all his teachers to his house for dinner. Next day,
when all the poor teachers turned up with pleasant anticipation they found the doors locked.
Not all his pranks were harmless. Once, he gave away his gold necklace to the servant and
then reported that it had been stolen. The servant was put in prison. Once, he had his head
shaved, begged at street corners, collected money and spent it. Once, he went to his father's

friend and wept saying his mother was dead and borrowed money for the funeral. He could
tell the wildest lies without a moment's hesitation. He would pick the pockets of guests.
Sometimes he was most cunning. He made the life of his parents most miserable and his
father confided to me that he was so ashamed by his son's behaviour he was actually thinking
of committing suicide. In spite of all these aberrations, there was one thing that captivated
the boy and that was music. He was crazy after music. He had bought some musical
instruments and without lessons or books, of his own accord, had become an expert on these
instruments.
Because of the cunning and malicious nature, the tendency to tell lies and steal, and his
ardent attachment to music, I prescribed Tarentula hisp. 10 M. With a few doses and in the
course of one or two years the boy became perfectly normal and a source of joy to his
parents. He is now a professor of Hindi. An individual who was becoming almost a burden is
now transformed into a useful member of society."
"Another interesting case was that of an old lady aged seventy-one who was living with two
of her daughters who were unmarried. For some unknown reason she had started behaving
very oddly for the last 2 years. She was a widow and her three daughters had sacrificed much
in order to make her happy. Two of them had remained single for her sake. But the mother
had started abusing the daughters, using bad and even obscene language. She would
demand from them more and more money, fine clothes, rich food, etc., things they could not
afford to give. She would squander and waste their money. They had engaged a very good
servant-maid but the old lady went after her blood. She would tear away the servant's clothes
and then she would complain that she herself had been beaten. Nobody who saw her frail,
wizened, old figure would believe that she was capable of hurting even a fly. After having
eaten well, she would go to her neighbour's house and say she was starving and would eat in
their house too. While taking food in her own house she would pick up some item of food, hide
it, take it out and eat it surreptitiously, sometimes after 2 or 3 days when it had become stale.
When her daughters were away at work, she would sell away all the furniture and household
belongings for a song. She would put salt or water into the various dishes and spoil them so
that no one could consume them. She would bang, damage and destroy things. She would
pass urine or stool in the room. She would collect old and useless things and treasure them. In
fact, she became a nuisance to her daughters and neighbours. They had decided that they
could endure this no more and were actually going to put her in an asylum. It was then that
they thought of trying Homoeopathy. One dose of Tarentula made an amazing transformation
in her personality. Within 24 hours she was utterly changed. She started behaving in a
completely normal manner. I was surprised myself, the daughters were delighted, the
neighbours were astonished and everyone was vastly pleased and relieved. She lived for a
few years more and was completely well with infrequent doses of Tarentula.
Thuja occidentalis
Thuja is a favourite remedy with my colleague Dr. Sarosh Wadia. That may be because he is
practising near the naval quarters and the naval people have, I believe, more than their share
of vaccination and gonorrhoea. (They say a sailor has a wife in every port.) Thuja is given for
the ill-effects of vaccination. Now three questions arise in my mind for which I do not yet know
the definite answers. Firstly, is Thuja to be given to a person who when vaccinated gets a
violent reaction, or to one who gets no reaction? Secondly, people say Thuja is indicated by a
history of repeated vaccination. How many times or how often should a person have been
vaccinated in order to call it repeated vaccination? Thirdly, is Thuja to be given to a person
with a history of gonorrhoea, irrespective of whether the symptoms of Thuja are present now
or not? Carefully recorded experiences alone can provide the answers to these questions.

Homoeopaths think that vaccination is extremely harmful. Is this really so? Does vaccination
help or not in the prevention of smallpox? I ask this question because of the following
experience. Three years back, Mr. Everitt of Nelson's in London had written to me asking me
to supply one drop of pus taken from a typical smallpox pustule. I had assured him that I
would be able to supply this very soon because we always have in India, if not thousand, at
least hundreds of cases of smallpox. At that time I was treating a doctor who was an R.M. O. in
the the Infectious Disease Hospital here. She promised to get me a drop of pus as soon as the
first typical case of smallpox came up. But imagine, she could not get this sample even after
one year because they did not get a single typical case! It seems after compulsory
revaccination has been enforced the cases of smallpox have dropped practically to zero. There
was not a single case of smallpox admitted in the Infectious Disease Hospital! So, I could not
get or send the drop of pus for one whole year. This fact has to be taken into consideration
when we talk about vaccination and its ill-effects. I must also mention that in the last 4 or 5
years, I am seeing less and less cases of Diphtheria and Whooping cough. I do not know if this
is due to routine immunization done with triple antigen by allopathic doctors.
There are seven or eight remedies given under the rubric "Vaccination agg." in Kent's
Repertory. There are still more remedies given by Allen in his Keynotes. We generally prefer
Thuja. But S.R. Phatak prescribes Ars. for the ill-effects of vaccination. He says that he has
found Arsenic effective for this purpose.
Following is an interesting case of Thuja:
"Smt. M.S. , aged 75 years, came for consultation to me, on 11.07.61, with the following
history:
Has a hard nodule or tumour of the size of a lemon in the rt. iliac fossa for last one year. She
consulted Dr. B., a well-known surgeon, who opined that it is a calcified fibroid. Advised
operation. Has occasional pain with no specific features. B.P. 180/100. Wt. 76 lbs.
Calc-f 1M (3) doses for one day and then Sac-l. On 18.07.61; Has more pain, Aur-m-n 3, T.D.
S. On 05.08.61; Has still pain and heaviness in abdomen. Calc-f 1M (3) doses for the first day
and then Aur-m-n 3, twice a day for one week were given. She gave up the treatment but
nearly four years later, she came with a different set of complaints.
On 22.05.65: Burning in urethra after urination; flow intermittent, pain in Rt. iliac fossa agg.
lying on rt. side, agg. pressure. Cond. was normal for three years. Now she has again pain in
right iliac fossa. The case was repertorized using Phatak's Repertory:
Urination, after (p. 287) +
Urination intermittent (p. 288) +
Tumours (p. 118) = Thuja.
Thuja 1M (3) doses and placebo for a week was given.
I then lost touch with her but she came to me early in 1968 for some minor complaint. I
examined her and found the nodule gone and she told me she had taken no other medicines
except those given by me."
"Dr. S.K. , aged 38, approached me for brownish pigemented patches in the upper eyelids
above the inner canthi. Though this usually indicates an excess of blood cholesterol, in his
case the levels were only 158. The only symptoms I could get from him were that he was

addicted to alcohol and smoking and he had a desire for salt. He was obese. When I looked up
these symptoms, viz. Alcohol agg., Tobacco agg., Desire for salt and Skin discolouration
brownish spots, I found the following remedies, viz., Calc., Con., Sulph. and Thuja. I gave him
Thuja 30 twice a day. There was remarkable reduction in the spots."
Some notes on the nosodes
Introduction
The subject of Nosodes provides a most interesting study to the homoeopath and yet,
strangely, the nosodes seem to have received much less attention that they deserve, in spite
of their great utility and efficacy when indicated in practice. Goldberg says, "It may be aptly
said of the nosodes that they have the unusual distinction of being the most abused, unused,
and misused of all the remedies in the homoeopathic Materia Medica. Some physicians use
when routinely, others use them rarely or not at all."
We shall now try to make this even by bringing out the salient features of some of nosodes.
The term Nosode is derived from the Greek word, "Nosos" meaning disease. Nosode is the
name used to denote a remedy prepared either from actual disease tissue or disease
secretion (discharge) or from disease-associated organisms, bacteria or viruses in culture
form. In some cases the commercial vaccine, for instance polio vaccine or T.A. B. (Antityphoidparatyphoid) vaccine in potencies. Nosodes may be of vegetable (e.g. Secale cornutum),
animal (e.g. Ambra grisea), or human origin (e.g. Psorinum).
A very large number of nosode preparations have been produced, many of them only related
to some specific disease or even a particular case of illness.
Soon after Hahnemann propounded the similia principle which states that diseases could be
treated by drugs which are most similar in their effects, it was realised that the most similar is
only slightly removed from the completely similar or the identical substance (Idem). Naturally,
efforts were made to utilise the identical morbific agent in the treatment of diseases, which
led to the method of treatment known as Isopathy. Hahnemann clearly distinguished between
isopathy and homoeopathy, being aware of the possibility of treating diseases by products of
the same disease. For instance, he was known to have used in his practice Psorinum though
he did not publish the indications of Psorinum, since it had not undergone systematic provings
and he did not like to incorporate into his Materia Medica anything that had not undergone
such investigation. Hering was the first to openly introduce disease products into
Homoeopathy by proving Lyssin. However, one of his followers, Samuel Swan went further
along these lines and developed a number of such disease-products. Later, H.C. Allen
published his book "Materia Medica of the Nosodes" in which is incorporated the
symptomatology of several nosodes. This book contains also, besides that of the nosodes the
symptomatology of healthy animal products (sarcodes) and imponderable substances like Xrays.
Nosodes have been compared to vaccines and even called oral vaccines. Boger writes:
"When our late confrere, Dr. H.C. Allen, pointed to the nosodes as the most important of
remedies in arousing reaction, he did the greatest thing of his busy life." Coleman says,
"Vaccine therapy has found its way into general medicine of today. It is only a modification of
the method taught by Xenocrates and introduced later thorough the homoeopathic school by
Dr. Lux in 1823 under the name of Isopathy. Hering, Swan, Burnett and others did much along
this line. Hering proposed the employment of the diluted saliva of a rabid dog for hydrophobia
in 1833, antedating Pasteur. Swan antedated Koch in the discovery of Tuberculinum. Koch

introduced Tuberculin in 1890. Burnett began his work with this remedy (under the name of
Bacillinum) in 1885 and obtained results never dreamed of by Koch.
We do not have any idea of the exact number of nosodes and sarcodes available but over 20
are well-known viz:
Agaricus, Ambra grisea, Anthracinum, Bacillinum, Eel's serum, Cholesterin, Diphtherinum,
Castor equi, Influenzinum, Lyssin, Malandrinum, Malaria officinalis, Medorrhinum, Morbillinum,
Parotidinum, Pertussin, Psorinum, Pyrogen, Scirrhinum, Thyroidin, Tuberculinum, Ustilago,
Variolinum, etc.
Clarke in his Dictionary gives 18 animal nosodes, 4 vegetable nosodes, 25 sarcodes and 12
sarcode derivations. In this list preparations of poisonous animals Homarus, Sanguisuga,
Erythrinum, etc., are not included.
More products have been added latterly. For instance, Clarke mentions a product called
Cerebrin. This is probably a sarcode and not a nosode. Amongst the recent products added
are Carcinosin, Iscador and the Bowel Nosodes.
Autogenous nosodes can also be made from the secretions of the patient. For instance,
Green reports a case of eczema which was cured by a potency made from the discharge itself,
after Graph., Petr., Mez., Sulph., etc., had failed.
Commenting on the utility of the sarcodes and nosodes Yingling writes, "The Sarcodes form a
series of remedies of very great importance. They are remedies prepared from healthy animal
tissues and organs, including the Sarcode-derivatives, such as Cholesterinum, Lac defloratum,
Pancreatinum, Pepsinum, Saccharum lactis, Thyroidinum, Urea, Uric acid, and possible others.
Some of these Sarcodes are well known today, such as Cholesterinum, Lac defloratum,
Pancreatinum, Pepsinum, Castor equi, Helix tosta, Lac caninum, Lac felinum, Ovi gallinae
pellicula, Thyroidinum, etc., and part of them are Polycrests used extensively. They are
invaluable to us as curatives. It would be impossible to get along in active practice without
part of them. A carpenter might as well try to ply his trade without a saw or the mason
without a trowel. The list from this source may be extensively increased in the future." He also
says, "What shall we say of the Nosodes, remedies derived from morbid tissues and secretions
containing the specific virus of diseases? Some twenty of the animal and four of the vegetable
nosodes are now used with success. The list may be extended largely. We, of this society, all
know and appreciate their use and value. It would be impossible today to get along without
them. Our usefulness would be wonderfully curtailed and menaced."
Hubbard thinks that the practice of homoeopathic pediatrics cannot develop its best results
without the frequent use of the basic nosodes.
Various explanations have been offered to prove that nosodes are not isopathic remedies. It
has been suggested that potentization alters the nature of the original substance so that the
resulting product becomes similar and not identical. But the correct reasoning seems to be
that the nosode represents a product of disease in a particular individual, animal or plant.
Each disease-product is the result of an interaction between a particular individual and a
particular pathogenetic agent. Since these two factors and the resulting reaction cannot be
exactly duplicated, the resulting product can never be identically same for any other case of
disease, though the outward disease-manifestations and the disease-label may be the same.
For instance, in virus diseases, it is known that the virus may mutate from time to time. The
virus of the Asian Influenza epidemic of 1956 was different from the virus of the Influenza
epidemic of 1918. The manifestations were also different. The mortality of the 1918 epidemic

was high while the mortality of the later epidemic was practically nil. Similarly, when bacteria
are attacked by antibiotics, these organisms are found to develop different strains which are
resistant to the drugs. These are instances to show the variability in the nature of the invading
organism.
The variability in the nature of each nosode introduced by the other factor, viz., the sick
individual has also not been fully appreciated. No two individuals in the world are exactly alike
and the reaction of each individual to a specific circumstances or agent is bound to be
different from that of any other individual, however, much the reactions may appear to the
alike. As a corollary, a nosode-product developed from the diseased tissue of one individual
will probably vary in nature and indications from the nosode-product developed from the
diseased tissue of another individual, though the disease entity affecting both persons may be
the same. McCrae has remarked upon the fact that so many nosodes, e.g. Bacillinum,
Malandrinum, Medorrhinum, Psorinum, Pyrogen, etc., fall in the 8th Emanometer group, i.e.
the same group, as Sulphur, the same group in which large number of patients tend to fall.
This cannot be a mere accident. In fact, it seems the nosodes tend to fall under the same
Emanometer group as the group of the sick person from whom it is extracted. It is also
mentioned that when the same nosode is prepared from different persons, each preparation
may fall under a different group; with the result, we may have a Syphilinum of the 8th group,
one of the 7th group and so on, if we were to prepare the nosode from different sick
individuals. The enormous implications of this discovery can be easily imagined.
Unlike many other animal and vegetable products, the nosodes have not been subjected to
any chemical analysis. This is probably because the products themselves are not chemical
entities but biological products. However Judd Lewis has made an attempt to analyse Pyrogen.
Indications
The broad general indications of the nosodes are given hereunder. They may be prescribed:
1. On the indications of the actual symptoms of each nosode, i.e. on symptom-similarity.
2. For assisting the effect of the main remedy in certain cases, both acute and chronic, where
though indicated clearly, the similimum does not act well.
3. For initiating the treatment in conditions where the indications for any regular remedy are
very few, too few for a good prescription to be made.
4. For cases where there are indications for any drugs but for not anyone of them very
specifically.
5. For eradicating the miasmatic background in chronic cases.
6. For antidoting complications or sequelae of acute infectious diseases.
7. When the patient traces the whole disorder to a previous acute infectious illness, however
remote.
8. When convalescence after an acute disease is unduly slow, when the patient is apt to
relapse and when after an acute infectious disease the patient, though apparently well, does
not pick up health.
When asked, "Do you see Pneumococcine?", Borland replies, "I use all the nosodes of that
type much more for the after-effects than during the acute illness. I have been awfully
disappointed by them during the acute attack, but they are simply marvellous in clearing up

the effects of pneumonia. For instance, if you have a patient who has never been well since a
pneumonia, a dose of Pneumococcine simply makes a new man of him. And Dipth. is the
same so far as I can see in the actual disease. We tried it here and without much effect in
actual diphtherias, giving Diphtherinum didn't have the effect we had hoped, whereas giving
the appropriate Mercury salt, as it mostly was, the result was astonishing. But a postdiphtheretic heart would jump ahead on a dose of Diphtherinum.
"It is the same with "flus". Influenzinum does not work well in "flus", but it is astonishing what
it will do for a patient with influenzal depression or something of that sort.
"It is exactly the same in tuberculosis. I think Tuberculinum is definitely dangerous in an acute
T.B. , and yet a tuberculous taint in the patient responds astonishingly to Tuberculinum. And
there were some experiments carried out in gonorrhoea with Medorrhinum and they got no
results at all, but you know the astonishing effect it has with a gonorrhoeal taint.
"For the after-effects, I usually give 200 in single dose, and they seem to respond well. I
repeat it in a couple of months' time."
9. When there is a family history of diseases like tuberculosis cancer, etc., and as a result the
patient does not improve well on the indicated remedy, and
10. For the prophylaxis of infectious diseases.
Wheeler recommends that in epidemics, the corresponding nosode in the 30th potency will
protect for at least a fortnight. Others like Grimmer recommend one dose in high potency,
once a year.
We shall now discuss some of these indications:
Speaking of the action of the nosodes in general, Hayes says that Ambra affects the solar
plexus and disturbs nerve function, Psorinum affects the secretions, Pyrogen the lymph,
Anthracinum the RBCs, and Tuberculinum the membranes, Diphtherinum the suprarenals, and
Syphilinum the connective tissue.
Gordon Ross writes, "Nosodes should not be used too often in one patient. They go deeper
than our usual medicines and in my experience, they act more markedly on the young and
middle aged and have little effect in geriatric work."
However Tyler says, "In my experience the nosodes are not long acting. I have thought that
their reactions are apt to run out in a month."
The effectivity of the nosode in preventing infectious diseases seems to have been
established. Samuel Swan has reported a number of instances where the administration of
Variolinum has apparently prevented the onset of smallpox. Wheeler has conducted scientific
experiments with potencies of Diphtherotoxin and has shown that the drug in potency has the
power of altering the Schick reaction. Various other reports are also to be found in the
literature which seem to prove that the various nosodes have prevented specified diseases. Of
course in some cases, a drug which has produced a similar symptom picture also appears to
have acted as a prophylactic, but between the two, the similar drug and the nosode, the
nosode is apparently preferred, because of its greater similarity and easier selection.
Particularly in tuberculosis, the nosode Tuberculinum seems to have a very definite effect in
producing prophylaxis. Incidentally, the preventive virtues of Tuberculinum seems to be safer
too. Kennedy has questioned the statement that BCG is absolutely safe. In a letter to the

Editor of the British Medical Journal, he gives instances of children who were adversely
affected by BCG vaccination.
The detailed symptomatology and indications for the various nosodes have been given by
various authors in different ways. We shall only glance at some of the prominent features of
some of the nosodes and sarcodes.
Remedies
Ambra grisea
It is prepared from ambergris, the strange ash-gray wax substance formed in the alimentary
canal of the sperm whale, used in the manufacture of perfumes. This is possibly a pathological
product.
Characteristic of this remedy is a liability to easy embarrassment, a tendency to avoid
strangers through shyness, to cut across the street in order to avoid meeting someone. Is illat-ease in company, cannot, for instance, pass stool in the presence of anyone, even a nurse.
Music is quite unbearable, may cause weeping tremors in the spine, or bring on a fit of
coughing. There is sensitivity also to smells and noises. Depression, even despair, alternates
with violent rage.
The subject is likely to be weak, wasted and shaky, and may look prematurely old. It seems
more applicable to older men.
Physical complaints are widespread throbbing or pulsation; pains are relieved by walking out
of doors or by lying on the painful part. The subject is warm-blooded, feels worse in a warm
room, prefers cold air, cold food and cold drinks.
Numbness and tingling are prominent symptoms. Skin affections itch, burn and are often
vesicular.
Anthracinum
The source of this valuable remedy is a material from the spleen of an infected animal. The
first preparation was made in 1830 and was found to be of definite curative value in both
cattle and human subjects suffering from anthrax.
It is most effective in treating boils or carbuncles associated with severe burning pain and
great prostration. The centre of the lesion is often black and the surrounding area blue and
possibly blistered. It resembles Ars. Anthracinum has the severe burning pains and
malignancy of Ars. and the coldness and collape of Carb-v. It may help carbuncles and like
conditions when Ars. fails.
Gangrene with foul pus, with septicaemia, malignant erysipelas are other indications, also
insect stings which are followed by lymphangitis.
Boger says, "After serums, Anthracinum, Psorinum or Sulphur are often indicated." Hayes
thinks Phos. is more often indicated.
Carcinosinum
While we are deeply indebted to W.L. Templeton for proving this nosode, the credit for
exposing the extensive possibilities of its clinical application must go to D.M. Foubister.

Quite a number of potencies have been prepared from different samples of cancerous tissue.
Experience has shown certain indications for the use of this remedy.
One of these is "a strong family history of cancer, diabetes, or tuberculosis". A point
emphasized in relation to the prescribing of this nosode as a constitutional remedy, however,
is that it is probably unsafe to give it to patients suspected of cancer.
Children requiring the remedy often show "a brownish, caf au lait complexion, numerous
moles and blue sclerotics" .They are often to be found sleeping in the knee-elbow posture.
Fastidiousness is often noticeable. There is either a craving for or an aversion to salt, milk,
eggs, fat and fruit. They are influenced by sea air, being either better or worse at the seaside.
It is a remedy to be considered in relation to insomnia with delay in falling to sleep, frequent
waking and a tendency to stay awake after 4 a.m.
It has been found of value in emotional disturbance with a back-ground of fright, prolonged
fear or unhappiness.
I give it almost routinely; 1. to all patients who give a history of any blood relative having
suffered from Carcinoma, 2. to all patients who give a history of having suffered from several
(at least four or five) acute infectious diseases in their childhood, 3. to patients who have
several naevi on the body.
Whereas Foubister thinks that Carcinosin may act adversely and allow the disease to
metastate if given to patients who are actually suffering from cancer, Le Hunte Cooper who
used Carcinosin extensively says, "I would lay it down as a maxim that there is no case of
carcinoma that Carcinosin will not benefit at some period of its existence, so much so, that I
could suggest the proverb, "When in doubt give Carcinosin."
I may here relate an interesting case which benefited from Carcinosin.
I was consulted regarding a girl, aged 14 years, who was having nocturnal enuresis. Both the
parents of the girl were physicians and so they had tried and exhausted all known and
available medicines and methods without any benefit. They had become quite depressed and
desperate, ready to try anything, even Homoeopathy. Particularly, the mother of the girl was
quite skeptical and even hopeless because as she said, her own mother had suffered from
nocturnal enuresis till the age of 20 and she herself (a doctor) had had it till the age of 25. She
probably had calculated that her daughter, i.e. my patient, might continue to have the
trouble till the age of 30 or so. They had consulted a good homoeopathic colleague of mine
and tried his medicines but they had failed. I compared notes with this colleague and found
that he had selected the medicines well but there was a strong family history of cancer and
he had done nothing about it. So I gave now a dose of Carcinosin and you could visualise the
mother's joy when she found that this completely cured the girl, a joy which she expressed in
several ways.
Sankaran and Matani posed a question whether in cases with a family history of Cancer a
dose of Carcinosin will necessarily produce improvement or help the action of the main
remedy if interposed as an inter-current remedy. To answer this question they gave a large
serie of such cases Carcinosin and noted the results .
The conclusion reached was that around 20% of the patients showed a good response out of
whom some showed a splendid response.

Castor equi
Farrington writes that this sarcode made from the rudimentary thumb nail of the horse has
healed one third of his cases of sore nipples after parturition. It has affinity for the female
nipples, hair, nails and bone esp. the right tibia and coccyx.
Cholesterinum
Yingling reports some cures of gallstone colic and other diseases of the liver (Medical
Advance, p. 659, Aug. 1908) and arrives at the following conclusion:
"In gallstone colic the patient suffers so severely that it is almost impossible to obtain
symptoms. In such a case, when I cannot give a well-selected remedy, of late, I rely on
Cholesterinum, and thus far it has never failed. It should have a proving. Until then it can be
used instead of Morphine in cases where the symptoms cannot be obtained for the proper
selection of a remedy. Where a case of routine work is necessary, as it is sometimes, I believe
the homoeopathic guess should be given the preference. It is very improbable that a person
suffering from gallstone colic will wait very long for the physician to study the case."
Swan thinks that Cholesterinum which is prepared from gallstones is almost a specific for
gallstones and relieves the colic at once.
Allen says that Cholesterinum has great power over the pain of liver cancer.
Diphtherinum
This remedy is prepared from diphtheritic tissue. It is of value in the actual disease. Given
early in a case with a positive throat swab it will quickly render further swabs negative. Its use
is safer than that of antitoxin.
Given to contacts it is a most effective prophylactic. It should also be considered when there
is a previous history of an attack of diphtheria, followed perhaps by chronic ill health.
It can also be prescribed in a case where paralysis of the soft palate has supervened after an
attack of diphtheria.
Allen says that he has used Diphtherinum as a prophylactic for 25 years and has not seen a
second case occur in a family after it has been given.
"Never well since Diphtheria" is a well-known indication for Diphtherinum.
Margaret Tyler describes the picturesque results in a case to illustrate this.
"With the doctor who is my clinical assistant, and who had previously seen the girl, we set out
to find her some ten days ago. Her mother was emphatic in regard to the atrocious pain she
used to suffer during her twenty year's martyrdom, and how it had ceased almost
immediately, and finally, with the first dose, or doses, of Diphtherinum. She described how the
wet rags she used to put on her head, to try to ease the pain, steamed. "Oh! If I had only
brought her to you, all those years ago!" (during which, her head gradually enlarged, while
she lost one eye after the other; one ear's hearing after the other; half the function of tongue
and gullet), "She might never have been like this..."
"I could not have helped her then; I had not the knowledge. As a matter of fact I treated her
diphtheria, which she had at seven years of age! ..."

"Yes, she had it very badly. She very nearly died. And she has never been well since! All this
has come from that illness... I should have come back to you directly" (I had not seen her for a
year!), "if the pain had returned. But she has not had a scrap of pain since that first dose you
gave her. (Some three and a half years ago!)"
Powell writes that Diph. is curative in pharyngitis not amenable to other remedies. He says
there is more pain that the appearance warrants.
Cahis says, "It is a great remedy, it is not only a sure remedy against diphtheria (at present I
have not only cured cases of diphtheria of the tonsils, the nose and mouth, but also those
accompanying the scarlet fever, in which disease I have cured all the cases without any local
remedies or any injections) but besides, it is the principal remedy for the paresis, the
paralysis, the anaesthesiae, and all post-haemorrhagic or post-embolic nerve lesions. It is
also the remedy for strabismus, prolapse of the womb, paralytic constipation, enuresis, atonic
spermatorrhoea, passive haemorrhages and catarrhs. Of all this large sphere of action I have
practical experience. There is not one of its applications from which I have not had at least a
brilliant result."
Allen considers that Diphtherinum is practically worthless in potencies below the 30th and
that its curative value increases with increase of potency from 200th to CM. He also says that
it should not be repeated frequently.
I may here relate a remarkable case I had treated with Diphtherinum, though I have already
reported this elsewhere.
Master P.B. , aged 14 years, a young boy, was brought to me for consultation on 28th Oct.
1963, with very severe pain in the hamstring tendons of the right leg, of 15 days' duration.
The pain was so severe and he was so much aggravated by stretching the leg, that the boy
could not stand up or walk. He had to be carried to the bathroom by his father whenever he
wanted to attend nature's calls.
On examination, I found tenderness in the right popliteal fossa. The lateral tendon which is
normally palpable on flexion could not be felt or seen.
His appetite, thirst, stool, sleep, etc., were normal but enquiry revealed that one month
previously he had had an attack of measles.
Further, I learnt that in July 56, he had suffered from an attack of Diphtheria (?) from which he
had recovered with the help of A.D. Serum but since, then his health had not at all been
good. He used to suffer some disorder or other every day, throat trouble or fever or abdominal
pain or vomiting and so on.
Though the boy had approached me only for the acute condition of the pain in the hamstring
tendons, I thought of treating the background first. After all, there was the possibility that he
was suffering from ill-effects or sequelae of Diphtheria whether it was related to the present
illness or not. So I gave him six doses of Diphtherinum 1M to be taken T.D. S., thinking I would
clear up the background first. I was planning to work out the remedy for his acute condition,
after two days.
On 31st Oct. 1963, that is three days later, he returned to consult me and you can imagine
my surprise when I found that the severe pain and tenderness in the legs had completely
disappeared! He could extend his legs completely and was able to walk about normally. His
mother reported that within the last two days his general health has become much better.

I gave him no further medicine.

I saw him again on 11th Nov. 1963. His condition was normal. He got slight pain in the leg
only if he walked very long distances.
Till 1st August 1966, he has remained normal.
Several interesting points rise in our mind on reflecting about the case described above. I
shall mainly deal with one important point.
When a person is affected by an acute infectious disease, e.g. diphtheria, measles, etc., then
the patient is given treatment with antibiotics, sera or any other appropriate treatment
available in modern medicine. The patient recovers and apparently becomes well. But very
often he complains of some residual weakness. He is then given some vitamins or tonics to
overcome this weakness and to build him up. But this usually does not suffice, because the
residual toxins have to be directly antidoted. And only the proper homoeopathic remedy,
perhaps the appropriate nosode, can do this.
Serum anguillae
Donald Gladish writes that he has found Eel's serum (Serum anguillare ichthyotoxin) very
useful in hypertension with renal disease, presenting no guiding symptoms. Chiron reports a
case of congestive heart failure cured by Eel's serum.
I once had a very happy experience with this remedy.
A close relative of mine aged 70 years living in Madras, who was much addicted to alcohol,
once went into coma and was admitted in the allopathic hospital there. His blood urea was
very high and it was suspected as a case of renal failure. After some days of treatment the
physicians finding no response at all stopped all the medicines and told the relatives to take
him back home because they had no hope of his recovery. A cousin of mine rang me up from
Madras and asked whether I could suggest some medicine. When I enquired about the
symptoms, he could give no indications at all except that the patient was comatose. Without
any hope, I prescribed for him Eel's serum over the phone. A few hours later, I received a
message that this remedy was not at all available in Madras. Though he was expected to
survive only for a few hours, I sent the remedy from Bombay which reached them the next
day. I was told that after two or three doses were given, the patient became conscious and his
condition then gradually improved. His blood urea came down to normal and he was then
discharged from the hospital after a few days. The improvement in the condition of this
patient can be attributed only to Eel's serum because all other medication had been stopped
in his case. *
Lyssinum
This nosode is prepared from the saliva of a rabid dog. The interest here is that Hering's work
with this virus preceded Pasteur's discovery by some fifty years.
It is used as prophylactic in cases of bites from a rabid animal, dog, wolf, bat or other. It is,
nevertheless, of vital importance in as much as the disease once developed is invariably fatal.
This nosode should be given after any dog bite whether the dog is mad or otherwise.
Gibson says, "Any steps available should, therefore, be taken without delay in the event of
such a bite or even a slight scratch or abrasion. As an additional precaution this nosode could
also be given."

A peculiar aggravation is that all complaints are made worse by the sight or sound of running
water. Mentally there is a fear of becoming insane. Convulsion may be induced by dazzling
light or light reflected from water or a mirror, or even by light touch or a current of air. The
sight of running water causes a desire to urinate.
The heat of the sun is not tolerated.
It is said to be of value in long-standing cases of uterine prolapse.
Berridge reports a case of hydrophobia in which the nosode produced euthanasia.
Woodbury says, "In sex difficulties of women at the mid-century, Med. or Syph. may be
needed. Or if spasms are present and the patient wakes in the night with lascivious thoughts,
consider Lys."
Influenzinum
Influenzinum is indicated for poor reaction, when the patient's recovery is poor after
influenza. It also acts as a preventive if given in the autumn of the year. Someone has said
Influenza is the cowbird of the disease family, "depositing its germ in the nest with every
other infection". Fifty percent of all chronic cases have chronic influenza as one of its
complications and often it is the sole cause of their chronic state. Obsessions, delusions and
other anxious states may show their appearances to long after the acute attack of influenza
as not to be readily associated with it. While Influenzinum is rarely of benefit in an acute case
of influenza, its use in the chronic case is frequently astonishing. Patients who have been
ailing or complaining since an attack of this disease, recent or remote, will also show a
marked relief from their symptoms. It may also be given for prophylaxis with some surprising
results. C.E. Wheeler says, "In any epidemic the corresponding nosode can be given for this
purpose and will be found valuable. Generally speaking, a dose of the 30th will protect for at
least a fortnight. For the more resistant and recurrent infections like influenza, in our
judgement, the nosode Influenzinum is best mixed with one of the Tuberculinum nosodes,
either Tuberculinum bovimum or Bacillinum. All the Tuberculins suit that type of patient who
seems to pick up nasal catarrh on the least provocation and the mixture suggested is effective
against the common cold as well as against influenza. A monthly dose of the 30th potency is
usually sufficient to confer protection."
The original Influenzinum was prepared merely from the nasal smear of a patient suspected
to suffer from influenza. The smear probably contained several other organisms besides the
virus. Further, the virus is known to undergo mutation, so that the virus of one epidemic
differs from the virus of another. Gutman gives indications for this nosode.
Stearns writes:
"In the matter of influenza, the acute cases are quickly cured by the proper Influenzin nosode
and the chronic cases are so modified by the nosode as later to make easy the selection of
the true chronic similimum.
"Every case of acute encephalitis required Influenzin, as does every chronic post-encephalitic
case, but in chronic influenza as in all chronic conditions, the nosode will not complete the
cure."
"Infection originally occurs because of some constitutional tendency. The disease factor is
best met by the nosode - the constitutional by the constitutional remedy. In post-encephalitic
cases, remedies of the type of the Belladonna group are likely to be required after Influenzin

has done its work and, finally the more deeply-acting constitutional remedies are needed. In
intuitive prescribing, however, the only guide to the follow-up remedies after Influenzin has
finished, lies in the symptoms as they develop. It is like a house of mystery; Influenzin is the
key which opens the front door but each room has a secret combination lock of its own."
"Influenza is almost always associated with tuberculosis, and acute influenza often stirs up
latent tubercular infections. Because of this, Influenzin usually is indicated when we begin
treatment of tuberculosis and, on the other hand, Tuberculinum saves the most desperate
cases of influenza. Remember that when Koch developed his original tuberculin, its use
frequently caused pneumonia with patchy areas of congestion in the lungs, and note that
patchy areas of congestion are found in the lung involvement of influenza. Koch's
Tuberculinum 1M was a sheet anchor in the pneumonia type of influenza, during the 1918
epidemic."
"Dr. Pierre Schmidt sent over the first influenza nosode, calling it Spanish influenzin and this
has proved the best in the chronic forms of the disease, especially with patients who had
severe attacks in the 1918 epidemic."
"Influenzin antitoxin acts best in the recent acute cases and in the chronic form of more
recent origin."
"Influenzin meningeal is seldom useful, but it is needed it acts brilliantly."
"Influenzin serum is sometimes helpful."
"Recently we have obtained three new Influenzins, which are Influenzin nekel catarrhalis,
Influenza vaccine polyvalent and Influenzin polyvalent. The last two are from Lederle."
Some of the Influenzinums marketed by Nelson's of London are as follows:
1. Influenzinum (the 1918 epidemic)
2. Influenza virus A Asia/57
3. Influenza virus A England/42/72
4. Influenza virus B Hong Kong 5/72
5. Influenza virus A/Port Chalmers/1/73
6. Influenza virus A (Asian) 1954
7. Influenza virus B (Asian) 1954
8. Bacillus influenza 1918
9. Influenza virus Az Hong Kong 1968
10. Influenza virus Ar 1967
11. Influenza virus B
12. Influenza Co. (Combination of Az to 1918)
13. Influenza virus a1.
They also have a combination of influenza strains with Bacillinum.

Tyler reports a case:

"POST-INFLUENZAL EPILEPSY: "Fits ever since influenza twelve months ago." Severe fits
several times a week, with enuresis. Also fits of very violent temper. Had been treated
unsuccessfully for six months at a Children's Hospital. She was given Influenzinum 200, 3
doses, six hours apart. She needed no other medicine. The report was "No more fits", and now
she is no more trouble than the other children."
But personally I prefer to give Cadmium metallicum to antidote the sequelae of influenza. I
have seen its remarkably beneficial effect in numerous cases.
A patient whom I treated recently had not been well since Influenza. His symptoms were
great weakness in the body, especially the legs, felt unsteady and heavy, confusion of mind,
etc. All these symptoms had appeared since an attack of Influenza which had occurred two
years back. Cad. completely cured him. This indication has been given by William Gutman
who has published the provings of Cadmium metallicum.
Insulinum
Sukerkar gives the following indications for Insulin in potency.
He says Insulin is indicated in:
1. Chronic intestinal disorders, especially with diarrhoea and enlarged liver. The more chronic
the diarrhoea, the more Insulin is indicated.
2. Ulcers, boils, bed-sores, hypopion, etc., as sequelae of infectious diseases, with disordered
liver.
3. Chronic otorrhoea and mastoiditis in emaciated children where the pus is thin, especially
when associated with enlarged liver and chronic diarrhoea, or as sequelae of acute infectious
diseases.
4. In some cases of eczema in patients with chronic liver disorders. It is a great reactive
remedy in allergic eczema.
5. Suppuration of the scrofulous glands in the neck or any other type of suppuration of this
part of the body to which it has a particular affinity.
Muzumdar has published his experiments with Insulin in potency in cases of diabetes. He
says that Insulin 30 or 200, given thrice a day reduced the blood sugar levels. Later, in some
cases, even after the doses were reduced and discontinued, the blood sugar levels continued
to remain normal for over six months.
Matani has published her clinical observations with Insulin in potency. She has summarized
the symptoms as follows:
Vertigo when hungry agg. anger agg. looking up agg. moving
Hair falling
Headache when constipated
Dimness of vision in the evening
Pain throat worse swallowing liquids

Pain between scapulae in the morning

Pain lumbar back worse sitting
Pain right shoulder and knee
Pulling pain behind knees worse rising from sitting
Pain calf muscles extending upto gluteal region
Pain calf muscles, right, then left
Heaviness of legs when the legs hang down
Pain left great toe
Burning in soles
Drowsiness
Chill at 11 a.m.
Weakness after stool
Lac caninum
Classified by Allen as a nosode even if it is not strictly so, it is a most interesting and valuable
remedy. It is potentized bitch's milk, a substance which was used medicinally by the ancients.
Characteristically, the symptoms fly from one site (or side) to another, or shuttle back and
forth from one side of the body to the other.
Mental symptoms are prominent. Full of fears and weird imaginings, bouts of rage with
tendency to curse and swear - child cries and screams non-stop, forgetful, absent-minded,
makes purchases, then walks away without them; sees "spiders, snakes", etc., but only in the
light, not in the dark, seems to be "walking on air" or floating or when lying seems as if "not
touching the bed".
Throat symptoms are specially severe. Throat feels as if "closing", must keep mouth open lest
may choke; swallowing is impossible; pain shoots into ears; throat looks shiny, glazed, with
red or silvery white patches like China. The symptoms appear first on one side, clear up, then
move to the other side, clear there and reappear on the original side. This is quite
characteristic of the remedy.
It can be used in acute diphtheria; also in prophylaxis; and if there is a history of diphtheria,
even in the remote past.
Sore throats which tend to appear preceding the menses is another valuable indication for
Lac-c. Lac-c has a decided effect in drying up the secretion of milk in women who have
weaned or lost their babies.
Cases of ill-effects of the Schick test where no other remedy is clearly indicated often run to
Lac-c. Its relation to this condition is similar to that of Thuja through the results of
vaccination.
The most interest case of Lac-c was the one treated by Lippe:

The patient, a man nearing 40, had been completely impotent, with no discharge of semen
during coitus, for 10 years. He was referred to Lippe, who gave a single dose of Lac-c CM,
which cured him in a very short time. Lippe based his prescription on the fact that the patient
had suffered 10 years previously from an extremely severe attack of diphtheria, which had left
him very weak, and in which the patient had the classical symptom of the lesion shifting from
side to side.
Clarke in a discussion quotes Perkins as saying that if Nit-ac doesn't work Lac-c should be
given. He confirms this from his own experience.
Dixon mentions that he has found Lac-c very useful in nocturnal enuresis.
Malandrinum
A nosode prepared from the "grease of the horse". It is described as a deep, long-acting
remedy. It should be given in infrequent doses. It has been used as a prophylactic against
smallpox, and is of value for ill-effects following vaccination.
Other indications are: Intense pain in the small of the back, sacral pain, profuse foot sweats
with carrion-like odour; feet burn when covered or warm; sore, bleeding cracks on soles,
paronychia hands or feet; impetigo, boils.
Puddhepatt writes that two doses of Malandrinum a week apart will immunize against
smallpox for some months.
Cooper used it as an intercurrent in his cancer cases.
Medorrhinum
Baker says that Medorrhinum though a most important remedy is much neglected. He thinks
that "Sleeps in knee-chest position" is the best symptom. Another is "Intense tenderness of
soles". He says Med. is agg. thinking of complaint, heat, covering, stretching, leaning head
forward, thunder, motion, inland, sweets, bathing in sea, etc., and amel. at seashore, lying on
abdomen, damp weather. It craves for liquor, salt, sweets, beer, ice, acids, green fruits, coffee
grounds.
Roberts clearly explains that Medorrhinum has a proclivity to affect the pelvic and urogenital
organs such as the bladder, uterus, etc., and produces in them subacute and chronic
inflammatory conditions and growths. I have given with great benefit an intercurrent dose of
Medorrhinum in most of such cases.
Bellokkossy describes several cases treated with Medorrhinum and describes several new
symptoms of this nosode.
Burnett called Medorrhinum, "Glinicum" and says he has cured half his left-sided sciatica
cases with Med. especially if the patient has sour taste and filthy tongue in early morning.
Medorrhinum is generally amel. at seashore but some patients are agg. also. Swan and Tyler
found Med. a good antidote to the after-effects of influenza. Harvey Farrington describes some
typical cases and refers to a drug called "Medorrhinum chronic". Further on, in a discussion,
he mentions some characteristics of Med., viz., leaves off initial letters when writing, e.g.
writes "ere" for "here".
Aversion to salt. All symptoms amel. eating. Brick dust sediment in urine. Tumour in left
labium cured by Thuja many years ago, repeated after a dose of Med. 10M. Enormous dilation

of heart and dropsy. Constant desire to wash hands. Child exhilarated, playful at night, cross
by day.
Hubbard says that the terminal cough which comes after some illness may clear up with Tub.,
Bacil., Med., or Influenzinum.
Sutherland draws attention to the cough agg. candies (sweet-meats) of Med.
Boger considers Medorrhinum as his most useful remedy in the vomiting of pregnancy.
Underhill writes, "Medorrhinum is as frequently indicated as any remedy in pediatrics."
Leon remarks that many rheumatic conditions and migraines had resisted treatment until
Medorrhinum was given.
Prostrated in morning, always brighter in evening.
Euthanasia and bringing back to consciousness (many cases).
Nail biting fits the nervous fidgetiness characteristic of Med.
Gibson writes, "This is the gonorrhoeal nosode, a well-proven remedy with a wide range of
usefulness."
Symptoms are worse in the daytime, from sunrise to sunset and are aggravated in a
thunderstorm. Lying in the prone or knee elbow posture affords relief, and there is definite
amelioration at the seaside.
Psychological features are prominent. The patient feels "as if in a dream"; everything seems
unreal, time sense is confused and time seems to pass too slowly, feels hurried, hurried, in a
haze; starts at slightest sound; annoyed by trifles, is apt to weep when telling symptoms;
mental symptoms worse when thinking about them and at night.
Legs and feet are intensely restless and fidgety. Hands and feet burn; wants them uncovered
and fanned.
Indicated, of course, if there is a gonorrhoeal history. Should be used with caution in acute
disease."
Baker says, "In some cases where men have been threatened with tuberculosis with
intractable cough and where the symptoms seemed obstinate and did not yield to what I
considered the proper remedies I have given Med. with good results."
Boger states, "I can corroborate what Dr. Stearns says about Med. being useless in
gonorrhoea.
"Two prescriptions suffice for most cases of gonorrhoea in the acute stage. I give Cannabis,
one drop twice a day for three days, then once a day for three days and Sac-l for five days. If
it is a mild case one drop at night for five days and then Sac-l for five days. This is nearly
always indicated and acts splendidly. It is the method of Jahr."
I may here relate a case.
Once I had to treat a young girl of 15 years of recurrent attacks of bronchial asthma. Several
drugs had failed and it was then that I noticed during a routine examination that her breasts
were icy cold, esp. the nipples, while the exposed parts of her body like the arms and legs

were warm. So this was a peculiar symptom and Kent's Repertory gave Med. as the only drug
covering this symptom. Further enquiry brought out the fact that the patient's attacks were
affected by the proximity of the seashore and that she slept most comfortably on the
abdomen. Medorrhinum relieved her immediately.
Morbillinum
Foubister says, "As a matter of fact we have for years been making play with Variolinum,
Tuberculinum, Lueticum, Medorrhinum; only, as said, Morbillinum and several others have till
now not entered into the picture, and Morbillinum threatens to become the most important of
the lot."
He reports a case: "I had a case of this sort a few years ago, when no remedy seemed clearly
indicated from the start. A University student had been unable to concentrate and suffered
from attacks of vertigo when walking. He described this as feeling "as if he had put one foot
in a small boat". This began after an attack of measles two years previously. The cause of
the vertigo was obscure, he had been checked over at the E.N. T. department of a teaching
school without a definite diagnosis having been made. Morbillinum 200, 1 dose was followed
by a short aggravation, then complete cure."
Schachterle writes, "Mrs. E.G. complained of visual discomfort, particularly on reading or
sewing. Her vision could blur after a short time of close application, to be relieved by looking
off at a distance. Other symptoms that were brought were: a vague headache around the
hairline and the top of the head; generalised easy fatigue, a dull aching pain in the legs, a
lack of sexual response. All followed an attack of measles three months prior to her visit.
Morbillinum 200x was prescribed on discs to be taken four times daily. About two years later,
she came in with a simple problem and stated that those little pills had made a new person
out of her."
Parotidinum
Parotidinum has been used successfully in acute attacks of mumps, for the prevention of
mumps and also for the after-effects of the disease.
Pertussinum
Mitchell remarks in a discussion that whereas Drosera is often indicated early in whooping
cough, Pertussin is more useful late in the illness.
For paroxysms of three coughs, Griggs suggests Marrubium. He also mentions that the worst
and loudest cough is produced by Pertussin (also called Coqueluchin).
= pitu-gl. = pituitrinum
Ghosh who seems to have experimented widely with this sarcode says, "Pituitrin in potency is
worth a place in heart attacks of old people where sometimes it is hardly possible to pick up a
well-indicated remedy. It has a specific action in anginal attacks due to coronary trouble, in
chronic uraemic conditions as well as in allergic subjects where it relieves readily."
Sukerkar writes, "This is an important remedy and is generally indicated in retarded sexual
and general development, obesity, asthma and other conditions indicative of defective
(organic) coordination of the ductless glands. This nosode has an anti-spasmodic property and
on account of this, it is useful in coronary spasms of old persons with shooting pain or a sense

of great precordial heaviness on slight exertion. It is also useful in irregular peristalsis, in

chronic colitis and also in spasms of anus and rectum in asthmatic patients.
"It is very useful in intussusception and in intestinal obstruction from other causes, especially
in old people and in children.
"It is a good remedy in strangulated hernia of old people, particularly asthmatics with intense
griping pain and also in many cases, when the indicated remedies fail.
"It is an excellent remedy in obstinate cases of spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.
"Due to its action on the uterus and mammary glands, it is one of our sheet-anchors in
delayed puberty and stunted growth with amenorrhoea and atrophy of breasts, due to
endocrine imbalance. It regulates the action of Corpus Luteum in sterile women with defective
development of breasts, amenorrhoea, cryptomenorrhoea and favours conception in many
cases."
I, myself, have conducted provings of Pituitary in 3x and 30C potencies which have been
published in the Indian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine. *
Psorinum
The first nosode to be used in Homoeopathy, it has proved extremely useful. The psoric
cases requiring Psorinum are chilly and exhibit a mood of depression as against the cases of
Sulphur who feel hot and show a care-free, over-optimistic or philosophical attitude. Psorinum
can be tried when Sulph. fails to act. It has been called the "chilly Sulphur". It is useful in
patients who do not recover fully after typhoid. H.C. Allen writes, "I have never succeeded in
curing a case of eczema permanently without the use of Psorinum at some time in the course
of the disease." Hahnemann called Psorinum "the great anti-psoric" and it is more frequently
called for now than it was in his time, more frequently than even Sulphur.
Psorinum has a very peculiar symptom, viz., "Feels unusually well before an attack". This
symptom it shares with Bry., Nux-v, Phos. and Sep. I have had patients who have told me,
"Doctor, I feel really very well. But I fear to express it because I may get an attack again." And
they do! It has also other strange symptoms like "Asthma amel. lying down" and "Hungry
before headache".
That astute prescriber Hayes says that Psorinum is usually needed at some time in the
treatment of fibroids.
Guild-Leggest presents a comparison of the symptoms of Psorinum, Syphilinum and
Medorrhinum under different headings.
Woodbury quotes Enos to say that Pso. is the remedy for Infantile Paralysis.
Rorke records the Psorinum symptoms - Fear of failure in business, fear of poverty, and even
a conviction of failure.
Underhill feels that Psorinum is often indicated after Pyrogen. He writes, "Pso. has periodic
headaches, preceded by or associated with very putrid stool."
I have always found some beneficial effect with Psorinum in chronic skin conditions.
Pyrogenium

This rather old remedy might be described as a polyvalent nosode. Following experiments
made on animals by Dr. Burden Sanderson in 1875, Drysdale, realising the potential of such
substances in homoeopathic practice, made a similar preparation by exposing lean meat in
water to the sun's rays for three weeks. The resulting material was put through various
processes, including two boilings, and the final watery extract was named Sepsin. This
product admixed with an equal part of glycerine was termed Pyrexin or Pyrogen. At a later
date potencies were prepared from this product or from the pure extract without the addition
of glycerine. It is an extremely active and most valuable remedy.
It mainly affects the blood, causing a degeneration such as is met with in septicaemic states
with resulting fever, rigors, interstitial and intestinal haemorrhages.
The face and ears are red and hot or may change to the hippocratic facies with an ashy hue
of the skin. The hands are cold and clammy. The subject is icy cold with evident air hunger.
Fan-like movements of the nasi are seen. Restlessness is very noticeable, the sufferer being in
constant movement despite the prostration and weakness.
There is tendency for loquacity with rapid speech, but dryness of the tongue may make
articulation difficult. This may pass on to a muttering type delirium, especially on closing the
eyes. The head is rolled from side to side on the pillow.
The temperature may go up very high and the temperature pulse ratio is totally disturbed - it
may be high or low. The tongue is clean, fiery red and smoothly glazed as if with a coat of
varnish.
Mentally the patient may feel as if "she covered the whole bed", as if "he were two people",
as if "crowded with legs and arms" or as if "the bed lain on were too hard and full of lumps"
(cf. Arn., Bapt.). There may also be delusions of wealth or a sense of euphoria. A sensation of
numbness starts in hands and feet and spreads all over the body.
There may be extreme chilliness that no fire can warm but at the same time a craving for
fresh cool air.
Urging to urinate at the onset of fever is another feature of Pyrogen.
The word Pyrogen, literally meaning "fire producer", is now generally accepted to mean
substances derived from bacteria, moulds, viruses, white blood corpuscles or damaged tissue
cells capable of causing fever. It has been established that the most powerful pyrogens are
lipopolysaccharides which are especially to be found in the endotoxins of gram-negative
bacteria.
Foubister says that during the war, while serving in India, he found Pyrogen and Ars. the
most commonly indicated medicines in outbreaks of dysentery. He says, "In any case of
vomiting and diarrhoea without other information I first think of these two remedies."
He also says that during the past two years Pyrogen has proved useful in the treatment of
influenza especially in the later stages when a relative tachycardia was present.
Pyrogen has an extensive record in successfully dealing with puerperal sepsis. H.C. Allen
recommends it for septic fevers especially puerperal and for all complaints arising after
puerperal fever.
Pyrogen has also been found useful in dealing with retained placenta. H.C. Allen suggested
that the administration of Pyrogen acted by raising the vital activity of the uterus thus

enabling it to expel its contents. Another well-tested use of Pyrogen is in chronic ill-health
after an abortion or a severe labour, even without any obvious pelvic pathology and in the
absence of offensive odours or any other symptoms of Pyrogen.
I have prescribed Pyrogen on the basis of relative tachycardia or a swinging temperature
when a septic focus was present when apparently indicated remedies failed often in the
absence of any other Pyrogen symptoms and almost always successfully.
Other pyrogens
Swan potentized "the contents of septic abscess" and called it Septicaeminum which from its
origin is obviously another pyrogen. A supply was given to a soldier fighting in the South
African war with instructions to take a globule every four hours if attacked by anything like
sinking or typhoid fever. The young man wrote home that "Septicaeminum is like magic in
diarrhoea and dysentery in camp life" and asked for more as his supply was largely drawn on
by his friends. Foubister writes, "Shortly after World War-II, we admitted a number of patients
into the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital suffering from osteomyelitis, children who had
received antibiotic treatment with sterile pus still flowing. They all cleared up on
homoeopathic treatment with intercurrent doses of individual 30C potencies of their own pus."
Psorinum is complementary to Pyrogen.
Those who have used Pyrogen with success marvel at the magical efficacy of the drug. It has
very clear indications like hyperpyrexia, oscillating temperature double rise of temperature, a
feeling of euphoria in spite of fever, etc. It has symptoms of several drugs like Arnica, Arsenic,
Baptisia, etc., all rolled into one. It is indicated in a wide variety of fevers and it can be called
the "homoeopathic broad spectrum antibiotic", of course acting on its own indications. It is
almost a specific for puerperal sepsis. Foubister says that it may be prescribed even
pathologically when there is a septic focus with either a swinging temperature or
disproportion between pulse and temperature.
Boger in a discussion states in 1930, "I have been in practice since 1888 and since Pyrogen
was brought to my attention, I have only lost one case of general sepsis. That case was not
given Pyrogen. What better testimonial to its efficacy can be expected?"
Yingling quotes Swan to say, "In all fevers when other remedies do not act, think of
Pyrogen."
A severe agg. from Pyro. can be checked by Calc-s.
On analysis Pyrogen is found to contain the following inorganic constituents;
Aluminium, Arsenic, Boron, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Lithium, Magnesium, Sodium,
Phosphorus, Lead, Silicon and Zinc.
I have had delightful experiences with Pyrogen which I have described in my book "Random
Notes on Some Remedies".
I feel that this drug is not fully exploited in everyday practice. Its symptoms suggest a very
wide range of application, but unfortunately it is not well represented in the repertories.
Staphylococcinum
Foubister opines that Streptococcin is indicated where there is a history of acute
streptococcal infections very probably including infection in the mother during pregnancy. He

noticed that more than half the patients who needed Streptococcin wept on being shown
sympathy.
He writes, "Tyler mentioned Streptococcin in relation to a rheumatic fever history, meaning
that such a history would suggest Streptococcin should there be the indications for a nosode,
as a constitutional remedy. Staphylococcal infection is common too, and Staphylococcin may
be useful remedy. A mongol child of eight years suffered from furunculosis of her back and
perineum which was sluggish in responding to treatment. Staphylococcin 30 was followed by
a rapid clearing of the condition. Several months later there was a recurrence and again
Staphylococcin 30 cleared it up, and it is still clear after some months."
"A lad of 15 years of age had suffered from eczema practically all his life, accompanied by
secondary infection on many occasions. It was widespread, and he had been in hospital
almost half his life, partly because of the severity of his condition and partly because home
conditions were far from good. He responded slowly and unsatisfactorily to homoeopathic
treatment, till it was noted that he was always worse at night. A nightly aggravation is
covered by about two hundred remedies, but when this remains an outstanding feature after
apparently well-indicated remedies have been given, Lueticum is nearly always required. He
was given Lueticum 30 and this was followed by great improvement. Then a month later, he
developed widespread furunculosis. Staphylococcin 30 was given and there was a dramatic
improvement. Staphylococcin had to be repeated six months later and he has been practically
free from eczema and furunculosis for a year.
It is, of course, impossible to assess the part played by Staphylococcin in this case, as
Lueticum is associated with "successions of abscesses", a point also to remember in utilising
the past history for prescribing. I mention this case as it illustrates the kind of case in which
Staphylococcin seems to be indicated that is to say when there have been recurrent
staphylococcal lesions over a long period of time and when staphylococcal lesions are
widespread. At least, it is worth a trial in these circumstances when all else fails. It would take
careful analysis of many cases to establish a "clinical proving" of Staphylococcin which I
believe would be of value in respect of many of the nosodes of acute infections.
"A clinical proving should be based on a large number of cases say at least 50. Before
publishing the first paper on Carcinosin, we had detailed notes of over 200 patients. Some
years ago, I made a brief study of Streptococcin from about thirty cases. The most definite
symptom which emerged was "Weepy, consolation aggravates", and this has been of value in
confirming several subsequent prescriptions. Another symptom which emerged not quite so
definitely was "Better in the open air". Also Streptococcin has certain rheumatic symptoms
indistinguishable from those of Rhus-t and other remedies which one might expect from its
pathological relationship of Pyrogen, "Worse in wet weather, worse on beginning to move,
better for subsequent movement". A woman of 50 had fallen on her knees and had pain which
had persisted for some months although there was no evidence of a fracture or osteoarthritis.
She had these symptoms and Rhus-t helped a little. Arnica and Rut. had no obvious effect.
Many years previously she had suffered from quinsy and rheumatic fever. Streptococcin 30, 3
doses, 2 hourly was followed by a dramatic and lasting freedom from pain although she was
not completely cured."
Sukerkar writes:
"There is very little difference in action between these remedies although Streptococcin is
more useful in acute and Staphylococcin in lingering and chronic cases.

These nosodes are very effective in dysentery of the Bacillary type. Streptococcin is very
effective in acute dysentery with excessive haemorrage and high rise of temperature and with
toxaemia. Here it competes with Merc-c. It is particularly useful in dystentery occurring in
summer.
Streptococcin is also an excellent remedy for the sequelae of tonsillectomy and impetigoconditions which are very obstinate.
Staphylococcin is indicated in chronic dysentery. It cures this condition quickly. Here a dose
of anti-psoric remedy can be given to complete the cure.
Streptococcinum
Foubister opines that Streptococcin is indicated where there is a history of acute
streptococcal infections very probably including infection in the mother during pregnancy. He
noticed that more than half the patients who needed Streptococcin wept on being shown
sympathy.
He writes, "Tyler mentioned Streptococcin in relation to a rheumatic fever history, meaning
that such a history would suggest Streptococcin should there be the indications for a nosode,
as a constitutional remedy. Staphylococcal infection is common too, and Staphylococcin may
be useful remedy. A mongol child of eight years suffered from furunculosis of her back and
perineum which was sluggish in responding to treatment. Staphylococcin 30 was followed by
a rapid clearing of the condition. Several months later there was a recurrence and again
Staphylococcin 30 cleared it up, and it is still clear after some months."
"A lad of 15 years of age had suffered from eczema practically all his life, accompanied by
secondary infection on many occasions. It was widespread, and he had been in hospital
almost half his life, partly because of the severity of his condition and partly because home
conditions were far from good. He responded slowly and unsatisfactorily to homoeopathic
treatment, till it was noted that he was always worse at night. A nightly aggravation is
covered by about two hundred remedies, but when this remains an outstanding feature after
apparently well-indicated remedies have been given, Lueticum is nearly always required. He
was given Lueticum 30 and this was followed by great improvement. Then a month later, he
developed widespread furunculosis. Staphylococcin 30 was given and there was a dramatic
improvement. Staphylococcin had to be repeated six months later and he has been practically
free from eczema and furunculosis for a year. It is, of course, impossible to assess the part
played by Staphylococcin in this case, as Lueticum is associated with "successions of
abscesses", a point also to remember in utilising the past history for prescribing. I mention
this case as it illustrates the kind of case in which Staphylococcin seems to be indicated that
is to say when there have been recurrent staphylococcal lesions over a long period of time
and when staphylococcal lesions are widespread. At least, it is worth a trial in these
circumstances when all else fails. It would take careful analysis of many cases to establish a
"clinical proving" of Staphylococcin which I believe would be of value in respect of many of the
nosodes of acute infections.
"A clinical proving should be based on a large number of cases say at least 50. Before
publishing the first paper on Carcinosin, we had detailed notes of over 200 patients. Some
years ago, I made a brief study of Streptococcin from about thirty cases. The most definite
symptom which emerged was "Weepy, consolation aggravates", and this has been of value in
confirming several subsequent prescriptions. Another symptom which emerged not quite so
definitely was "Better in the open air". Also Streptococcin has certain rheumatic symptoms
indistinguishable from those of Rhus-t and other remedies which one might expect from its

pathological relationship of Pyrogen, "Worse in wet weather, worse on beginning to move,

better for subsequent movement". A woman of 50 had fallen on her knees and had pain which
had persisted for some months although there was no evidence of a fracture or osteoarthritis.
She had these symptoms and Rhus-t helped a little. Arnica and Rut. had no obvious effect.
Many years previously she had suffered from quinsy and rheumatic fever. Streptococcin 30, 3
doses, 2 hourly was followed by a dramatic and lasting freedom from pain although she was
not completely cured."
Sukerkar writes:
"There is very little difference in action between these remedies although Streptococcin is
more useful in acute and Staphylococcin in lingering and chronic cases.
These nosodes are very effective in dysentery of the Bacillary type. Streptococcin is very
effective in acute dysentery with excessive haemorrage and high rise of temperature and with
toxaemia. Here it competes with Merc-c. It is particularly useful in dystentery occurring in
summer.
Streptococcin is also an excellent remedy for the sequelae of tonsillectomy and impetigoconditions which are very obstinate.
Staphylococcin is indicated in chronic dysentery. It cures this condition quickly. Here a dose
of anti-psoric remedy can be given to complete the cure.
Syphilinum
Whenever a patient is decidedly worse at night, whatever the disease, Syphilinum should be
considered. I also find that wherever there is a history of many abortions Syphilinum will often
be needed.
I must relate a very novel case cured by Syphilinum.
Once a child aged about 3 months was brought to me by its parents. The father complained
that since the day of birth the child had been screaming all the time except while it was taking
feed or while it was asleep. The rest of the time it would scream without a minute's pause.
The child had been taken to many hospitals and child specialists and being unable to find the
cause the physicians had merely prescribed sedatives. Even these sedatives would not work.
The parents had spent sleepless nights and the neighbours were seriously annoyed. The
father of the child who was a Pathan told me that his life had become a nightmare. He
requested me that either I should cure the child or give some poison and finish it off. This
request reflected his deep disgust.
I could elicit no symptoms of homoeopathic value; there was no history of illness in the
mother or injury to the child. There were no modalities. I was frankly nonplussed. I tried
Chamomilla, Cina, etc. all with no effect. I, therefore, consulted my senior Dr. S.R. Pathak. He
straightaway prescribed Syphilinum 1M to be given once in 6 hours. The father of the child
reported most gratefully that with the very second dose the child had stopped screaming.
I looked into Clarke's Dictionary and found under the heading "Syphilinum" the following,
"Swan says that he gave crying infants when they developed the propensity immediately after
birth, one dose of Syph. CMM, and it was difficult to make them cry after that."
Since then I have extended the analogy and have prescribed Syph. when the parents
complain that the child has been ill since the very birth, whatever the illness.

Also when Sulph. fails to act, or aggravates, we should think of Syphilinum.

Olds writes that Syph. cures most terrible vertigos.
The desire to wash hands is a well-known symptom of Syph. but Sir John Weir reports a case
cured by Pso. (Med. also covers this symptom).
Hayes finds Syphilinum and Medorrhinum to be complementary more often than other
nosodes.
Syphilinum is to be used in the Fluoric type of patient because he carries within him the
syphilitic taint. Characteristics of Syphilinum are the following:
Dread at night with physical and mental depression; Loss of memory, specially cannot
remember the proper names; Alternating moods: exasperation and nervousness, apathetic or
in different.
Nighly pains, being with sunset and disappear with the rising of the sun. Pain appears and
disappears gradually. Bone pains, pains of nerves, always linear, persistent and deep.
Symptoms worse at night, on seaside and always better in the mountains.
Pains wander from joint to joint and cause frequent changes of position in search of relief.
Should be considered when response to the "indicated remedy" is disappointing.
Desai reports some cases of fever treated with Syph. In the first case the boy with a chronic
discharging ulcer, which refused to heal, had a depressed nasal bridge. In the second case, a
huge scalp abscess was drained but the ulcer refused to heal. With Syph. healing occurred.
Clarke reports cases with a history of Syphilis treated with Syph.
Beronville writes, "Besides the ordinary Syphilinum (from the scrapings of indurated chancre)
we have Hepato-Syphilinum (Syphilitic affections of the liver of the new born, an antigen). It is
used in Syphilitic affections of the liver and viscera in tertiary period and in hereditary syphilis
of nerves (tabes, meningitis, etc.).
"Finally, we have Leuso Marmoreck P. a very interesting medicine prepared in association with
high and low dilutions of Marmoreck and Syphilinum. Very frequently we used to give our
patient a dose of Syphilinum and a dose of Tuberculinum because we have seen that we can
act better in this way instead of giving them one after the other. One will find it very often
interesting to associate the two factors which correspond to a double etiology.
"About ten years ago, a homoeopathic doctor of America used in syphilitic patients numerous
medicines strictly according to the law of similars. The Border - Wassermann reaction was
tested before and after the treatment. Among the medicines that seem to negativise was
Lycopodium. Syphilinum comes second in rank ex-aequo with many other remedies.
Syphilinum is prepared from the serosity obtained by scrapings of syphilitic chancre. Skinner
and Swan, two American homoeopaths, first made its provings.
"It will act in old syphilitics aggravated by Sulphur, who had the symptoms of this remedy.
Syphilinum is an antidote of Sulphur. When the patient is aggravated by Sulphur and when
Pulsatilla, another antidote of Sulphur, does not give any results, we must always think of
latent syphilis.

Syphilinum is to be considered in:

1. Prolonged convalescence of old syphilitics.
2. Patients aggravated by Sulphur.
3. Old syphilitics when well-chosen remedies do not act.
4. In old syphilitics who suffer without precise symptoms.
Syphilinum will "make the symptoms to come out".
"Syphilinum is used like Sulphur as a restorer of sleep. It is an excellent remedy of insomnia.
"It is an important remedy of ulceration of the mouth, of nose, of genital organs and of the
skin. There may be nauseating ozena, with bits of foul-smelling discharge.
"It is indicated in all foetid ulcerations. It is a good remedy for repeated abscess.
"The patient has great desire for alcoholic drinks.
"The patient has stubborn constipation. Syphilinum is a remedy of anal fissures and
prolapsus of the anus of persons having syphilitic antecedents.
"The leucorrhoeic flow is profuse.
"The falling of hairs is often related to very violent headache of neuralgic character, causing
sleeplessness and delirium at night. Generally, headaches begin at 4 p.m. , become maximum
at 10 to 11 p.m. and cease immediately with sunrise. The neuralgias of Lycopodium cease at
11 to 12 p.m.
In Syphilinum the tibias and the cranial bones are painful.
A curious symptom which is very real is that the patient very often washes his hands.
There may be considerable emaciation of the whole body.
"Interesting sensations are:
Boiling, as if hot water and oil flowing through veins.
Mania and paralysis of the tongue are possible.
Head drawn backward as if by a weight.
Sand in the eyes.
The right eye is wide open, as if cold air is blowing within it.
Something living in the teeth, as for example a worm.
Sternum drawn backwards.
Coccyx swollen.
Bones are sawed.
Soles of hands and feet as if pierced by needles.

"Aggravations are: by touch (tibia and neck of the uterus); by movement, by stretching the
arms; at night (very important); in the weather, hot weather, on the seaside; in hot or in the
cold weather.
"Ameliorations are: In toothache by pressing the teeth one upon the other; Pains of the
buttocks are ameliorated by walking; Headache by heat; Pains of the wrist and of the limbs
are ameliorated by heat.
"In the mountain, or in the fields (inverse of Medorrhinum)."
I may also report the following interesting case:
Master S.P. , a boy, aged 12 years, was admitted in the Govt. Homoeopathic Hospital on
18.01.69 with history of fever of one week's duration. On taking his case we noted that he
gets fever with chill from 12 noon till 5 p.m. He also had gurgling in abdomen agg. lying on
abdomen and itching eruptions all over body for last 2 days, which bled on scratching. He
had burning all over agg. bathing in warm water. He had pain in the chest for days, more on
Rt. side agg. lying on Lt. side agg. coughing. The pain extended to the back to the Rt. scapula.
His appetite was reduced, he had bitter taste in the mouth, his thirst was less, he was
constipated and there was burning micturition with high coloured urine. His sleep was
disturbed. Perspiration slight. In past history he had had similar type of fever in 1963. His
family history gave us no direction. His general physical examination revealed shining finger
nails and slight oedema of feet. Tongue was coated. B.P. was 80/60. The temp. was 101.6 F.
Pulse was 104, regular. Systemic examination revealed n.a. d.
The following symptoms were selected, viz. 1. Rt. sided complaints, 2. Amel. lying on
affected side, 3. Pain extends backward and 4. Thirstless during heat, and these symptoms on
repertorization pointed to Pulsatilla. Puls. 200 was prescribed every four hours. After 3 days
the condition was almost same. So on the finding of shining finger nails which generally
signifies a tubercular background, Tub-bov 1M, 1 dose was given as the fever was not reacting
to any medicine and as it showed a tendency to rise at night. There was some response. So
Lueticum 10M, 2 doses were given next day and then the temp. suddenly came to normal and
from 19th Feb. onwards there was no fever till the boy was discharged on 6th March 1969.
Thyreoidinum
Thyroidinum is prepared from the desiccated thyroid gland of the sheep. Rabe says,
"Thyroidinum is related to such remedies as Calc-c, Kali-c, Iod., Phos., and Sil."
Bidwell reports a case of hyperthyroidism cured by Thyroidinum.
Clarke describes extensively the pathogenic effects produced by Thyroidin and mentions a
case of thyrotoxicosis cured. Lambert describes a case of hysteria cured with Thyroidin. He
also mentions that Thyroidin produces and cures symptoms of diabetes.
Ghosh has observed: "This is a very neglected nosode in Homoeopathy. Seldom have
homoeopaths taken services of this widely useful nosode. Particularly in cases with deepseated chronic complications, it unlocks many a tangle very easily and makes an easy way to
cure."
He has given numerous clinical indications for the use of Thyroidinum.
Sukerkar says, "In prescribing Thyroidin, more attention should be paid to this basic condition
in the background, where the symptoms are connected with want of metabolic, nervous and

vascular adjustment or a combination of some or all of them. Although symptoms manifesting

functional imbalance and mal-adjustments are numerous and are so unlike in different
persons, the remedy in all cases will be Thyroidin from the standpoint of the basic similarity which very often cures the symptoms, or it may serve as a reactive agent when other
indicated remedies are not able, by themselves, to bring about a cure.
"Its wide range of therapeutic use includes disturbances in childhood such as convulsions,
epilepsy, vomiting and icterus, chronic diarrhoea, emaciation, anaemia with dropsy, excessive
or want of appetite. It also covers nervous disturbances of adolescence such as irritability,
whimsical mood, hysteric tendencies, vertigo, chronic headaches, etc.
Thyroidin is a valuable remedy for what is commonly known as allergy, i.e. disturbed or
defective and perverted functional nervous and vasomotor reactions of some organs or the
patient in general.
Thyroidin is a very useful remedy in rhinitis, as also in dyspnoea complicating various
diseases or conditions without inflammatory affection of the bronchi and fever, dyspnoea
without apparent cause or of obscure character.
"It is very effective and is almost a specific for urticaria and angioneurotic oedema, which are
manifestations of vasomotor imbalance.
"Thyroidin is a most important remedy in Homoeopathy for diabetes mellitus, when
symptoms appear with great rapidity and with extreme weakness."
Bacillinum burnett
Allen says, "The potencies of Fincke and Swan were prepared from a drop of pus obtained
from a pulmonary tubercular abscess or sputa. Those of Heath from a tuberculous lung from
which the bacillus tuberculosis has been found microscopically, hence the former was called
Tuberculinum and the latter Bacillinum. Both preparations are reliable and effective."
Moncrieff writes, "Clarke's Dictionary of Medicine makes reference to this under
Tuberculinum. I consider it best to reserve the name "Tuberculinum" for this preparation of
Koch as it is universally known by that name. Burnett's "Bacillinum" is now accepted as the
name of the original homoeopathic preparation and though its originator, Swan, named it
Tuberculinum, it owes its present position in therepeutics to Burnett, and it will be simplify
matters if we make the term Bacillinum cover the homoeopathic nosode and Tuberculinum the
preparation of Koch." He also writes, "I do not find any appreciable difference between the
action of Tuberculinum and that of Bacillinum. My own impression is that they are practically
identical, and that the one will answer to the indications of the other." Whenever he found a
family history of Tuberculosis, however remote, he did not hesitate to give Tuberculinum
unless there was a very well-indicated remedy. He usually commenced these cases with the
200th potency, and often did not require any other remedy.
Tuberculinum seems to have a very wide range of action. One is surprised to find in it
symptoms of several polycrest remedies which we use in everyday practice.
Tuberculinum has to be considered especially in patients whose near relatives have been
affected by the disease. Such patients may also give a history of having had measles or
whooping cough in severe form (cf. Carcinosin), or repeated attacks of pneumonia. Such
patients with pre-tubercular states are called, "tuberculiniques" by French homoeopaths.
These patients may have repeated exacerbations of local symptoms, e.g. migraine,
diarrhoea, intermittent fever, etc. Vannier gives a vivid description of their constitution. He

also describes an interesting sign elicited where a tubercular lesion of the lung has existed.
When friction is applied to the chest wall on the both sides, a marked redness will appear and
persist for some time on the area overlying the affected part of the lung.
Recurrent attacks of cold, enlargement of tonsils and adenoids have all been ascribed to the
tubercular miasm and all these patients may need periodical doses of Tuberculinum.
Among all the symptoms, a peculiar one seems to be the great restlessness of the patient
who desires to change his dress, diet, residence, occupation, activities, friends, etc., and
even the doctor. The patient also feels better by travelling. We find the patient described as
"Cosmopolitan". Even the symptoms change. A drug seems clearly indicated, the drug is
given, the symptoms change and next day another drug seems as clearly indicated, and so
on, the symptoms changing from time to time.
A definite indication for Tuberculinum is that the symptoms are ever changing.
Underhill says, "When the case changes every time you go and the symptoms imitate a
different remedy at each visit, think of Tuberculinum."
This is a cardinal feature of the remedy. Not only do the symptoms change but the patient
wants to roam around and seek change of scenery to the point of restlessness.
Kanjilal has described a case of Diphtheria in which he found the symptoms continuously
changing indicating different remedies such as Merc-s, Phos.,etc. at different times. It was
only after he had prescribed five or six remedies he realised that this changing of symptoms
itself was a symptom and the prescribed Tub. and cured the case.
Kent has described in general the symptoms of Tuberculinum under the heading Tub.
bovinum. Actually, Tuberculinum is prepared from the tubercular abscess while Tuberculinum
bovinum is made from the gland of infected cattle. But the indications for the different
varieties of Tuberculin such as Tub. of Koch, Residual Tub. of Koch, Tub. aviare, Serum of
Marmorek, Tub. of Rosenbach, etc., are given by Clarke, Wheeler, Cartier and others. Goldberg
summarizes the indications well.
Quinton was using Tuberculinum constantly in all cases of children and chest diseases or
where a hereditary taint is suspected.
Boger writes that he received the following advice from two senior homoeopaths: "When you
have failed to find a remedy after trying your best, give a dose of Tuberculinum at long range,
and then repeat the medicine and you will have success with the remedy you at first failed
with."
Wians describes a case of active Tuberculosis; when he gave Bacillinum CC it caused an
aggravation of his symptoms which was soon followed by an amelioration. He also writes,
"When a patient with the tuberculosis bent cannot get his intermittent fever cured with
Quinine, nor apparently with any other remedy, a course of Tuberculinum will sometimes cure
or make the patient curable. Tuberculinum bovinum has served well in many such cases."
KOCH'S TUBERCULIN: Delayed resolution in pneumonias and influenzas. This was one of
Clarke's favourite remedies for the after-effects of influenza vying with Psorinum.
Power writes, "Koch Tuberculin 1M has accomplished much in delayed resolutions of influenza
attacks. There may have been improvement under the remedies, and at the stage when

improvement appears at a standstill, the leading symptoms though modified still are in situ,
this potency has done the needful."
Clarke records his emphatic opinion that if a patient has never been the same since an attack
of influenza - recent or remote - a course of Tuberculinum of Koch will be needed.
Vannier considers that Residual Tuberculinum of Koch, is of value in patients who have
recovered from tuberculosis, especially for those who develop arthritis, migraine, etc. This is a
filtered culture of tubercular bacilli in broth.
Fergie Woods mentions that when Tub-bov ceases to act, Tub. of Koch might bring great relief.
TUBERCULINUM (SWAN'S): for glandular manifestations.
TUBERCULINUM OF DENYS: is made by the French from the filtered broth in which tubercular
bacilli were grown. This is useful in sudden attacks of depression, and weakness with nausea,
diarrhoea, vomiting, etc., or in any sudden illness with no obvious cause.
TUBERCULINUM AVIARE: made from chicken, acts on apices of lungs. Its sphere of action is in
post-influenzal brochitis in which field it excels. It relieves the teasing, exhausting cough.
History of influenza is an important indication.
Baker says Tub. aviare 30x has served better than any other remedy for prostration after
influenza.
Tub. aviare 1M in its known sphere of bronchitis and influenza may be said to offer a valuable
suggestion for the annoying, teasing cough so often remaining after the active symptoms of
larger significance have subsided. In a good many such instances Aviare 1 000 has put an
immediate end to this cough and any related discomforts.
Jaisoorya remarks, "I have treated cases of broncho-pneumonia of over 400 rickety children
with only one death and the secret is Aviare 30, 1 single dose."
Hayes says that in his experience Tuberculinum bovinum benefits patients with pronounced
localizations in the meninges, abdomen, skin, glands or joints; but the Aviare in those who
have more evident depreciation of quality in the entire person at the same time such as after
grippe or similar crisis.
TUBERCULINUM BOVINUM: is said to have an affinity for the intestinal tract. Some use it upon
indications similar to Tuberculinum aviare.
BACILLINUM: frequency of colds leading to bronchial irritation. Sudden and deep seated
cough. Low resistance to upper respiratory infection.
McAdam says he has used Bacil. with excellent results in a variety of respiratory conditions
and in cases where he suspects a tubercular soil.
Usher, A. Clement and many others report actual cases of tuberculosis cured with Bacillinum
or Tuberculinum.
Winans describes several cases of tuberculosis, flu and appendicitis cured with Bacillinum.
Waffensmith quotes Burnett saying that Bacillinum is the potentized portion of lung
containing the tubercle bacilli. He mentions among its symptoms taste of blood in mouth,
green colour of tongue, aversion to water, desire for eggs, etc.

McNiell in a discussion says that this was one of the remedies he used for cyclical vomiting.
Children who had cyclical vomiting often had a tendency for papular urticaria and for these
children he found that Bacil. was nearly always the most useful remedy.
SERUM OF MARMOREK is made from Tubercular bacilli grown symbiotically with tricophyton.
This is useful in Lupus.
BACILLINUM TESTIUM is prepared from a tubercular testicle and acts well on effects of the
lower part of the body.
Alfred Heath mentions a case of stricture urethra and one of nocturnal enuresis cured by Tub.
testium. Zoppritz also describes two cases of cystitis so cured.
In nocturnal enuresis, when Tub-bov is indicated, Foubister suggests Bacillinum testium
instead.
Boyd has noted a very interesting thing. He had to treat two pairs of identical twins; one of
each pair did very well on Ars-i and the other of each pair on Tuberculinum (Light Wilson).
Discussing psychopaths, Tayler Smith says that two-thirds of the certified cases needed Tubbov followed later by Med.
If Tub. produces an aggravation, Calc-c, or Calc-p in a lower potency may check it.
That master, A. Pulford, writes that Tub. is almost routinely successful in herpes circinatus
when other symptoms are lacking.
Schwartz mentions that he has removed the ill-effects of typhoid inoculation with Tub. 10M.
In a discussion, Krichbaum says that it is characteristic of the nosodes that they start a case
towards a polycrest or an antipsoric remedy. Start with Pyrogen and it leads you to Ars. or
Rhus-t, Tub. to China or Calc-c; Malaria o. to Ars. or Nat-m. "That means", he says, "we do not
know much of these nosodes..."
Boericke gives an indication that in dysmenorrhoea of Tuberculinum, pains increase with the
establishment of the menstrual flow.
He also says that he often used it, as others use Sulphur, as an intercurrent, having a great
effect in stimulating the resistance of the organism, and he advises the 8x trituration.
Patch writes, "With regard to the similarity between Pulsatilla and Tuberculinum, in my work
at the hospital, I took down the characteristics of about a hundred cases with a view of
working out several remedies for this disease, but Pulsatilla was the one most prominent. It
would seem that perhaps Pulsatilla is an analogue - or that Tuberculinum is an analogue of
Pulsatilla."
In rheumatism when Rhus-t fails to cure though indicated, Lyc. or Tub. may be needed. In
dysmenorrhoea when Mag-p palliated, Tub. cured.
While suggesting remedies such as Rad. , Stro., X-ray, Uran-n, etc. for the ill-effects of nuclear
radiation, Bellokkossy says that nosodes such as Tuberculinum, Influenzinum, Psorinum,
Pneumococcin, etc. enhance the effects of these remedies.
Krynicki says that Tub. has proved effective in the treatment of poisoning by poison ivy. It has
also proved to be of help in the treatment of Asthma in adrenalin-fast patients.

For the symptoms that hang on after influenza, the cough, weakness and weariness and the
sweating, always keep this remedy in mind, as also when treating sore throats with frequent
attacks of tonsilitis and enlarged tonsils. A nosode in line with a patient's constitution or
family history has frequently given striking results, allowing the previously well-indicated but
inactive remedy to take hold.
Sinha says, "It was in the year 1938 that the first idea of using Tuberculin flashed in the mind
of Rober who wrote that the sputum rejected from the lung of a tubercular patient after its
proper preparation can cure phthisis. Sometime before 1854, a Portugese Homoeopathic
physician practising in Rio used Tuberculin. In 1975, Drs. Swan and Fincke prepared their
Tuberculin from the abscess of a tubercular lung and prepared its "potency". In 1890, Dr.
Burnett got this Bacillinum prepared from the contents of the part of a cavity and adjacent
tissues of a tubercular lung by Heath. It was proved to some extent by Dr. Boocock. Five
years later Koch prepared his Tuberculin from tubercular bacilli and applauded it for the cure
of phthisis. After some time, he prepared another preparation by residual method and this was
called "New Tuberculin of Koch T.R. " while the other was called Old Tuberculin (O.T. )... Hallock
prepared a bacillary emulsion and after using it in a dilution found it very useful in some of
his afebrile cases. Denys Tuberculin, which is also called Filtered tuberculous bouillon, is now
used mostly by homoeopaths of France in true homoeopathic doses. It is usually called Denys
Bouillon Marmorek. Dilute serum was introduced to us by Dr. Nebel and is called Dilute Serum
of Marmorek though he does not believe in the tubercular infection. As a matter of fact, his
preparation is an anti-toxic serum suiting to those tubercular patients who are prior to getting
pulmonary tuberculosis and are very much susceptible to cold and cough. Some of the great
French homoeopaths have spoken very highly and extensively of this nosode especially Leon
Vannier, Nebel and Mordani. It is said of this nosode that after its ingestion, improvement is
always preceded by a violent and severe aggravation which is likely to pass off very soon.
Aviare is the Tuberculin from the bird. It was first used by Pierre Jousset who used this nosode
extensively for tuberculosis but not confirmation of any cure has been given by him to us. But
it has been found of immense value in the respiratory disease of the young ones, where it
works like miracle.
The whole range of Tuberculins comprises of the following preparations most of which have
been sparingly used by our profession. Bacillinum, Tuberculinum bov. and Tuberculinum (Koch)
are mostly used by us. Serum of Mormoreck and Denys have been used by our French
colleagues and they have given us some meagre guidance for their use. Preparations that
have been used till now by different physicians are *:
1. Tuberculinum (Swan and Fincke)
2. Bacillinum (Burnett)
3. Tuberculinum (Koch) O.T.
4. Tuberculinum (Koch's residual T.R. )
5. Koch's Lymph
6. Aviare
7. Serum of Jousset
8. Allergine of Jousset
9. Bouillon of Denys

10. Dilute serum of Marmoreck

11. Tuberculinum bov. (Kent)
12. Human Tuberculin of Klebs
13. Immunizing bodies of Spengler
14. Dialysed Tuberculin
15. Auto-geneous products
16. Vaccine of Bossan
17. Serum of Movigliano
18. Pulverised Bacillary Emulsion of Hallock
19. Vaccine of Vaudremer
20. Chloroformed Tuberculin
21. Bacilli of Ostermann
22. Electronic Bacillinum of Whiting
23. Tuberculinum Procinus
24. Bacillus Testium
25. Diluted B.C. G.
26. Serum of Ferran
Tyler writes, "Tub. and Drosera have seemed to, perhaps, help one another. But this insertion
of doses of Tub. when there was evidently no call for them, the patient being in a state of
healthful reaction, is I now think a folly of mine. One has a kind of suspicion that Tuberculinum
acts on a different plane, and may not at all interfere. I have always thought so in regard to
Tuberculinum and Silica, which seem to reinforce one another."
Schwarts says, "The inertia produced by the shock of typhoid inoculation and even
centripetal activity is met with by Tub. showing the relation of typhoid as an acture
manifestation of a tubercular diathesis, i.e. I have frequently seen spoiled typhoids go into a
tubercular state" and then says, "I have saved a number of Georgia victims of typhoid
inoculation with Tuberculinum 10M."
Hayes remarks, "We must carry Tub. always in mind while treating acute throat troubles. Our
nosodes are so comparatively few, so broad yet obscure clinically that we must have their
possibilities always in mind."
Bernoville writes, "It is the Phosphoric type who requires the tuberculines. The tuberculines
are : T.K. (Koch's tuberculine), Marmorek, Denys, T.R. (Residual Tuberculine).
"T.K. may be compared with Marmoreck. Both of them act on oxygenoid ground. Marmoreck
is a remedy for infants having a pretuberculous condition in whom the tubercular lesion is
suspected. It is a remedy for an anaemic child who has some troubles of growth. This remedy
should be applied in the first part of life, i.e. from the age of 1 to 35 years. T.K. is used in an

advanced age between 35 and 45 years. It is the remedy of the adolescent, of young adult
persons, in whom a para-tuberculous condition or a confirmed tuberculous condition is
suspected.
"Denys is generally a hydrogenoid having a florid look. He is fat, having a healthy and deep
coloured appearance. It is indicated from the age of 15 to 40 and corresponds to
preturberculous condition. If the application of this nosode cause aggravation, it may be
replaced by T.R. which is milder.
"T.R. is a carbonitrogenoid. This is the remedy of old tuberculosis in whom the tuberculosis
has become torpid. Tendency to sclerosis is a very important symptom of this remedy, pleural
symphisis, deforming rheumatism. It is moreover indicated after 40 years of age. Its
prescription is at this age harmless.
"With Marmoreck we may compare Spengler (Immunobodies) and the Vaccine of Vaudremer.
These are milder remedies. When there is the fear of aggravation we may use these
remedies. We may compare with it Aviare which establishes a link between Marmoreck, Denys
and T.K.
"Bacillinum of Burnett is a trituration of the pulmonary tissues of the cavity, it is very often
applied because it is easy to manipulate. It causes no aggravation. For this reason many
homoeopaths apply it instead of T.K. , Denys or T.R. when they suspect an aggravation."
McAdam says, "For cases of influenza which do not respond to the indicated remedy or for
the aftermath, Bacillinum will help. It also acts as a prophylactic if given in the autumn of the
year. We have a good basis for prescribing Bacillinum somewhere in the course of every
pleurisy (esp. with effusion). Also in cases of cough where no remedy is clearly indicated
resulting from neglected colds. Bacillinum is also of great value in lung infections resulting
from influenza."
He also writes, "And if the apparently indicated remedy does not yield prompt results - then
the infallible remedy Bacillinum."
Wilson reports that Burnett repeated Bacill. once a week.
Tyler writes, "We are told that: Figures from cultures indicate that there is a relatively high
incidence of bovine tubercle in alimentary canal, tonsils, glands, bones, kidneys: believed
entry from milk."
The above facts may help us to consider the use of Tub-bov in alimentary canal lesions,
bones, glands, etc., and the use of Bacillinum in affections of the lungs.
Tuberculinum Heathii which is totally distinct from Dr. Koch's was made by Dr. A. Heath in
1883. It is purely pathological preparation, in which the Bacillus Tuberculosus was found. It is
the same preparation with which Dr. Burnett made the celebrated cures mentioned in his
book, "Five Years Experience with the New Cure for Consumption". The remedy is called by
him Bacillinum. Since the publication of this book, the remedy has been used by allopathic
and homoeopathic physicians in all parts of the world, and its effects have been remarkable.
The late Dr. S.S. Banker reported a peculiar case where the patient had two alternating
groups of symptoms, each responding to a particular remedy. But no drug seemed to cover
the whole picture. However, the patient had a peculiar symptom, viz. that he was definitely
worse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For this indication, Boger's Synoptic Key gives only one
remedy, viz. Tuberculinum. When Dr. Banker gave Tub., the whole symptom-picture changed

and a new symptom-picture emerged for which a new remedy was found indicated which
completely cured the patient.
H.C. Allen writes as follows:
"This remedy acts frequently best in the single dose. Strange to say, its symptom-list of
diseases of the skin exceeds very much that of Sulphur in number. Hahnemann left us in his
"Chronic Diseases" three or four remedies he pointed out for some of the constitutional
dyscrasiae. Sulphur was one of the great anti-psorics, the king of chronic diseases; Thuja was
the great anti-sycotic; Mercury the great anti-syphilitic. But if you will look into Psorinum,
Medorrhinum, Syphilinum and Tuberculinum, you will find they will cure a great many of these
constitutional diseases after Thuja and Mercury and Sulphur have failed, although as well
selected as possible. The symptoms of constipation and diarrhoea are side by side with those
of Sulphur. The constipation produced on the healthy has been most obstinate I ever met and
very difficult to get rid of. The diarrhoea is more like Sulphur coming on in the morning,
imperative, with a rush, the stool is profuse, watery, yellow, gushing, offensive, and unlike a
great many of our remedies, painless and not exhausting.
"There is extreme sensitiveness to atmospheric influences. There is no remedy in our Materia
Medica so sensitive to change of weather, to cold and to heat as Tuberculinum. It is as
sensitive as Lachesis or Sulphur to the heat of summer, as Kali-c to the extreme cold or
winter; as Mercury or Rhus-t to weather changes. Like Pulsatilla, Kali-bi, Lac caninum, etc. it
contains a list of the most erratic symptoms; not quite too peculiar or contradictory as Ignatia,
nor yet too evanescent, it gives first one thing and then another."
Tyler writes that she has, "Tuberculinum cases innumerable; where there is a family history of
phthisis, or a previous personal history of any of the T.B. manifestations, as in Asthma of one
year's standing in a woman of 38. Her mother had died of phthisis, and treatment was started
with one dose of Tub-bov 200. In a month, "Very much better! Only twice awakened by it in
the first week. Feels better; less chilly". Another month, and, with a cold, she had one more,
her last attack. Last seen five months later when she had never had another attack.
Sankaran and Matani posed a question whether in cases with a family history of Tuberculosis,
a dose of Tuberculinum will produce improvement or help the action of the main remedy if
interposed as an inter-current remedy. To answer this question they gave a series of such
cases Tuberculinum and noted the results.
The conclusion reached was that around 20% of the patients showed a good response out of
whom some showed a splendid response.
Sankaran noticed that quite often patients with a family history of tuberculosis were found to
have glossy or shining fingernails. He says, "Noting this peculiar sign we made a detailed
statistical survey of about 2000 cases and the result came out as given hereunder.
"With regard to this glossiness of fingernails, though this was significantly marked in patients
with a family history of tuberculosis, I did not notice a very high incidence among actual
patients of tuberculosis. In order to verify this point we went over to the tuberculosis hospital
and examined the fingernails of all the patients in the indoor department. This observation is
given in the following table.
"While making this observation about glossy fingernails, we also noticed that quite a number
of them have a significant growth of hair on the back between the scapulae. Some of them
also had a growth of hair in the lumbar region."

Sankaran further reports, " I once had a chance to utilise this observation in practice.
I was called to see a lady, aged 30 years, who was suffering from an attack of acute
rheumatic fever. She presented the usual picture of this disease with the swelling of joints,
high temperature, etc. Her remedy worked out clearly to Rhus-t. So we put her on Rhus-t 30
every four hours, but with no result. Being sure of the remedy, we raised the potency to 200
and then to 1M, all of which produced not the least change in the condition of the patient. On
the contrary, by the fifth or sixty day her condition became very much worse and she also
developed and presented signs of a very severe form of conjunctivitis and keratitis. Her vision
became blurred and she was not able to see anything. The husband and relatives naturally
became panicky and they practically decided to change over to allopathic treatment. I
examined her closely and I noticed that the lady had markedly glossy fingernails. They were
shining as if nail polish had been applied. Naturally, I enquired if there was any history of
tuberculosis in the family. The answer was negative. But still I gave her one dose of
Tuberculinum 1M and then repeated the Rhus-t. The response was really dramatic. Within a
few hours she became much more comfortable, the pains and swelling in the joints and the
temperature came down, the condition of the eye and vision improved and she felt very much
better. She improved steadily and made an uneventful recovery in a week's time. Now she has
remained well for over two years. The condition of the patient had been so bad and the
response to the medicine had been so remarkable that it impressed the whole community.
"About two weeks after she had recovered, she came and told me that she had thought over
my question about tuberculosis and had written to her mother who was away. The mother
had replied that indeed she (the mother) herself had suffered from tuberculosis in her younger
days. This fact, her daughter, that is my patient, had not been aware of.
"This experience has been repeated numerous times in my practice."
Tuberculinum bovinum kent
Allen says, "The potencies of Fincke and Swan were prepared from a drop of pus obtained
from a pulmonary tubercular abscess or sputa. Those of Heath from a tuberculous lung from
which the bacillus tuberculosis has been found microscopically, hence the former was called
Tuberculinum and the latter Bacillinum. Both preparations are reliable and effective."
Moncrieff writes, "Clarke's Dictionary of Medicine makes reference to this under
Tuberculinum. I consider it best to reserve the name "Tuberculinum" for this preparation of
Koch as it is universally known by that name. Burnett's "Bacillinum" is now accepted as the
name of the original homoeopathic preparation and though its originator, Swan, named it
Tuberculinum, it owes its present position in therepeutics to Burnett, and it will be simplify
matters if we make the term Bacillinum cover the homoeopathic nosode and Tuberculinum the
preparation of Koch." He also writes, "I do not find any appreciable difference between the
action of Tuberculinum and that of Bacillinum. My own impression is that they are practically
identical, and that the one will answer to the indications of the other." Whenever he found a
family history of Tuberculosis, however remote, he did not hesitate to give Tuberculinum
unless there was a very well-indicated remedy. He usually commenced these cases with the
200th potency, and often did not require any other remedy.
Tuberculinum seems to have a very wide range of action. One is surprised to find in it
symptoms of several polycrest remedies which we use in everyday practice.
Tuberculinum has to be considered especially in patients whose near relatives have been
affected by the disease. Such patients may also give a history of having had measles or

whooping cough in severe form (cf. Carcinosin), or repeated attacks of pneumonia. Such
patients with pre-tubercular states are called, "tuberculiniques" by French homoeopaths.
These patients may have repeated exacerbations of local symptoms, e.g. migraine,
diarrhoea, intermittent fever, etc. Vannier gives a vivid description of their constitution. He
also describes an interesting sign elicited where a tubercular lesion of the lung has existed.
When friction is applied to the chest wall on the both sides, a marked redness will appear and
persist for some time on the area overlying the affected part of the lung.
Recurrent attacks of cold, enlargement of tonsils and adenoids have all been ascribed to the
tubercular miasm and all these patients may need periodical doses of Tuberculinum.
Among all the symptoms, a peculiar one seems to be the great restlessness of the patient
who desires to change his dress, diet, residence, occupation, activities, friends, etc., and
even the doctor. The patient also feels better by travelling. We find the patient described as
"Cosmopolitan". Even the symptoms change. A drug seems clearly indicated, the drug is
given, the symptoms change and next day another drug seems as clearly indicated, and so
on, the symptoms changing from time to time.
A definite indication for Tuberculinum is that the symptoms are ever changing.
Underhill says, "When the case changes every time you go and the symptoms imitate a
different remedy at each visit, think of Tuberculinum."
This is a cardinal feature of the remedy. Not only do the symptoms change but the patient
wants to roam around and seek change of scenery to the point of restlessness.
Kanjilal has described a case of Diphtheria in which he found the symptoms continuously
changing indicating different remedies such as Merc-s, Phos.,etc. at different times. It was
only after he had prescribed five or six remedies he realised that this changing of symptoms
itself was a symptom and the prescribed Tub. and cured the case.
Kent has described in general the symptoms of Tuberculinum under the heading Tub.
bovinum. Actually, Tuberculinum is prepared from the tubercular abscess while Tuberculinum
bovinum is made from the gland of infected cattle. But the indications for the different
varieties of Tuberculin such as Tub. of Koch, Residual Tub. of Koch, Tub. aviare, Serum of
Marmorek, Tub. of Rosenbach, etc., are given by Clarke, Wheeler, Cartier and others. Goldberg
summarizes the indications well.
Quinton was using Tuberculinum constantly in all cases of children and chest diseases or
where a hereditary taint is suspected.
Boger writes that he received the following advice from two senior homoeopaths: "When you
have failed to find a remedy after trying your best, give a dose of Tuberculinum at long range,
and then repeat the medicine and you will have success with the remedy you at first failed
with."
Wians describes a case of active Tuberculosis; when he gave Bacillinum CC it caused an
aggravation of his symptoms which was soon followed by an amelioration. He also writes,
"When a patient with the tuberculosis bent cannot get his intermittent fever cured with
Quinine, nor apparently with any other remedy, a course of Tuberculinum will sometimes cure
or make the patient curable. Tuberculinum bovinum has served well in many such cases."
KOCH'S TUBERCULIN: Delayed resolution in pneumonias and influenzas. This was one of
Clarke's favourite remedies for the after-effects of influenza vying with Psorinum.

Power writes, "Koch Tuberculin 1M has accomplished much in delayed resolutions of influenza
attacks. There may have been improvement under the remedies, and at the stage when
improvement appears at a standstill, the leading symptoms though modified still are in situ,
this potency has done the needful."
Clarke records his emphatic opinion that if a patient has never been the same since an attack
of influenza - recent or remote - a course of Tuberculinum of Koch will be needed.
Vannier considers that Residual Tuberculinum of Koch, is of value in patients who have
recovered from tuberculosis, especially for those who develop arthritis, migraine, etc. This is a
filtered culture of tubercular bacilli in broth.
Fergie Woods mentions that when Tub-bov ceases to act, Tub. of Koch might bring great relief.
TUBERCULINUM (SWAN'S): for glandular manifestations.
TUBERCULINUM OF DENYS: is made by the French from the filtered broth in which tubercular
bacilli were grown. This is useful in sudden attacks of depression, and weakness with nausea,
diarrhoea, vomiting, etc., or in any sudden illness with no obvious cause.
TUBERCULINUM AVIARE: made from chicken, acts on apices of lungs. Its sphere of action is in
post-influenzal brochitis in which field it excels. It relieves the teasing, exhausting cough.
History of influenza is an important indication.
Baker says Tub. aviare 30x has served better than any other remedy for prostration after
influenza.
Tub. aviare 1M in its known sphere of bronchitis and influenza may be said to offer a valuable
suggestion for the annoying, teasing cough so often remaining after the active symptoms of
larger significance have subsided. In a good many such instances Aviare 1 000 has put an
immediate end to this cough and any related discomforts.
Jaisoorya remarks, "I have treated cases of broncho-pneumonia of over 400 rickety children
with only one death and the secret is Aviare 30, 1 single dose."
Hayes says that in his experience Tuberculinum bovinum benefits patients with pronounced
localizations in the meninges, abdomen, skin, glands or joints; but the Aviare in those who
have more evident depreciation of quality in the entire person at the same time such as after
grippe or similar crisis.
TUBERCULINUM BOVINUM: is said to have an affinity for the intestinal tract. Some use it upon
indications similar to Tuberculinum aviare.
BACILLINUM: frequency of colds leading to bronchial irritation. Sudden and deep seated
cough. Low resistance to upper respiratory infection.
McAdam says he has used Bacil. with excellent results in a variety of respiratory conditions
and in cases where he suspects a tubercular soil.
Usher, A. Clement and many others report actual cases of tuberculosis cured with Bacillinum
or Tuberculinum.
Winans describes several cases of tuberculosis, flu and appendicitis cured with Bacillinum.

Waffensmith quotes Burnett saying that Bacillinum is the potentized portion of lung
containing the tubercle bacilli. He mentions among its symptoms taste of blood in mouth,
green colour of tongue, aversion to water, desire for eggs, etc.
McNiell in a discussion says that this was one of the remedies he used for cyclical vomiting.
Children who had cyclical vomiting often had a tendency for papular urticaria and for these
children he found that Bacil. was nearly always the most useful remedy.
SERUM OF MARMOREK is made from Tubercular bacilli grown symbiotically with tricophyton.
This is useful in Lupus.
BACILLINUM TESTIUM is prepared from a tubercular testicle and acts well on effects of the
lower part of the body.
Alfred Heath mentions a case of stricture urethra and one of nocturnal enuresis cured by Tub.
testium. Zoppritz also describes two cases of cystitis so cured.
In nocturnal enuresis, when Tub-bov is indicated, Foubister suggests Bacillinum testium
instead.
Boyd has noted a very interesting thing. He had to treat two pairs of identical twins; one of
each pair did very well on Ars-i and the other of each pair on Tuberculinum (Light Wilson).
Discussing psychopaths, Tayler Smith says that two-thirds of the certified cases needed Tubbov followed later by Med.
If Tub. produces an aggravation, Calc-c, or Calc-p in a lower potency may check it.
That master, A. Pulford, writes that Tub. is almost routinely successful in herpes circinatus
when other symptoms are lacking.
Schwartz mentions that he has removed the ill-effects of typhoid inoculation with Tub. 10M.
In a discussion, Krichbaum says that it is characteristic of the nosodes that they start a case
towards a polycrest or an antipsoric remedy. Start with Pyrogen and it leads you to Ars. or
Rhus-t, Tub. to China or Calc-c; Malaria o. to Ars. or Nat-m. "That means", he says, "we do not
know much of these nosodes..."
Boericke gives an indication that in dysmenorrhoea of Tuberculinum, pains increase with the
establishment of the menstrual flow.
He also says that he often used it, as others use Sulphur, as an intercurrent, having a great
effect in stimulating the resistance of the organism, and he advises the 8x trituration.
Patch writes, "With regard to the similarity between Pulsatilla and Tuberculinum, in my work
at the hospital, I took down the characteristics of about a hundred cases with a view of
working out several remedies for this disease, but Pulsatilla was the one most prominent. It
would seem that perhaps Pulsatilla is an analogue - or that Tuberculinum is an analogue of
Pulsatilla."
In rheumatism when Rhus-t fails to cure though indicated, Lyc. or Tub. may be needed. In
dysmenorrhoea when Mag-p palliated, Tub. cured.

While suggesting remedies such as Rad. , Stro., X-ray, Uran-n, etc. for the ill-effects of nuclear
radiation, Bellokkossy says that nosodes such as Tuberculinum, Influenzinum, Psorinum,
Pneumococcin, etc. enhance the effects of these remedies.
Krynicki says that Tub. has proved effective in the treatment of poisoning by poison ivy. It has
also proved to be of help in the treatment of Asthma in adrenalin-fast patients.
For the symptoms that hang on after influenza, the cough, weakness and weariness and the
sweating, always keep this remedy in mind, as also when treating sore throats with frequent
attacks of tonsilitis and enlarged tonsils. A nosode in line with a patient's constitution or
family history has frequently given striking results, allowing the previously well-indicated but
inactive remedy to take hold.
Sinha says, "It was in the year 1938 that the first idea of using Tuberculin flashed in the mind
of Rober who wrote that the sputum rejected from the lung of a tubercular patient after its
proper preparation can cure phthisis. Sometime before 1854, a Portugese Homoeopathic
physician practising in Rio used Tuberculin. In 1975, Drs. Swan and Fincke prepared their
Tuberculin from the abscess of a tubercular lung and prepared its "potency". In 1890, Dr.
Burnett got this Bacillinum prepared from the contents of the part of a cavity and adjacent
tissues of a tubercular lung by Heath. It was proved to some extent by Dr. Boocock. Five
years later Koch prepared his Tuberculin from tubercular bacilli and applauded it for the cure
of phthisis. After some time, he prepared another preparation by residual method and this was
called "New Tuberculin of Koch T.R. " while the other was called Old Tuberculin (O.T. )... Hallock
prepared a bacillary emulsion and after using it in a dilution found it very useful in some of
his afebrile cases. Denys Tuberculin, which is also called Filtered tuberculous bouillon, is now
used mostly by homoeopaths of France in true homoeopathic doses. It is usually called Denys
Bouillon Marmorek. Dilute serum was introduced to us by Dr. Nebel and is called Dilute Serum
of Marmorek though he does not believe in the tubercular infection. As a matter of fact, his
preparation is an anti-toxic serum suiting to those tubercular patients who are prior to getting
pulmonary tuberculosis and are very much susceptible to cold and cough. Some of the great
French homoeopaths have spoken very highly and extensively of this nosode especially Leon
Vannier, Nebel and Mordani. It is said of this nosode that after its ingestion, improvement is
always preceded by a violent and severe aggravation which is likely to pass off very soon.
Aviare is the Tuberculin from the bird. It was first used by Pierre Jousset who used this nosode
extensively for tuberculosis but not confirmation of any cure has been given by him to us. But
it has been found of immense value in the respiratory disease of the young ones, where it
works like miracle.
The whole range of Tuberculins comprises of the following preparations most of which have
been sparingly used by our profession. Bacillinum, Tuberculinum bov. and Tuberculinum (Koch)
are mostly used by us. Serum of Mormoreck and Denys have been used by our French
colleagues and they have given us some meagre guidance for their use. Preparations that
have been used till now by different physicians are *:
1. Tuberculinum (Swan and Fincke)
2. Bacillinum (Burnett)
3. Tuberculinum (Koch) O.T.
4. Tuberculinum (Koch's residual T.R. )
5. Koch's Lymph

6. Aviare
7. Serum of Jousset
8. Allergine of Jousset
9. Bouillon of Denys
10. Dilute serum of Marmoreck
11. Tuberculinum bov. (Kent)
12. Human Tuberculin of Klebs
13. Immunizing bodies of Spengler
14. Dialysed Tuberculin
15. Auto-geneous products
16. Vaccine of Bossan
17. Serum of Movigliano
18. Pulverised Bacillary Emulsion of Hallock
19. Vaccine of Vaudremer
20. Chloroformed Tuberculin
21. Bacilli of Ostermann
22. Electronic Bacillinum of Whiting
23. Tuberculinum Procinus
24. Bacillus Testium
25. Diluted B.C. G.
26. Serum of Ferran
Tyler writes, "Tub. and Drosera have seemed to, perhaps, help one another. But this insertion
of doses of Tub. when there was evidently no call for them, the patient being in a state of
healthful reaction, is I now think a folly of mine. One has a kind of suspicion that Tuberculinum
acts on a different plane, and may not at all interfere. I have always thought so in regard to
Tuberculinum and Silica, which seem to reinforce one another."
Schwarts says, "The inertia produced by the shock of typhoid inoculation and even
centripetal activity is met with by Tub. showing the relation of typhoid as an acture
manifestation of a tubercular diathesis, i.e. I have frequently seen spoiled typhoids go into a
tubercular state" and then says, "I have saved a number of Georgia victims of typhoid
inoculation with Tuberculinum 10M."
Hayes remarks, "We must carry Tub. always in mind while treating acute throat troubles. Our
nosodes are so comparatively few, so broad yet obscure clinically that we must have their
possibilities always in mind."

Bernoville writes, "It is the Phosphoric type who requires the tuberculines. The tuberculines
are : T.K. (Koch's tuberculine), Marmorek, Denys, T.R. (Residual Tuberculine).
"T.K. may be compared with Marmoreck. Both of them act on oxygenoid ground. Marmoreck
is a remedy for infants having a pretuberculous condition in whom the tubercular lesion is
suspected. It is a remedy for an anaemic child who has some troubles of growth. This remedy
should be applied in the first part of life, i.e. from the age of 1 to 35 years. T.K. is used in an
advanced age between 35 and 45 years. It is the remedy of the adolescent, of young adult
persons, in whom a para-tuberculous condition or a confirmed tuberculous condition is
suspected.
"Denys is generally a hydrogenoid having a florid look. He is fat, having a healthy and deep
coloured appearance. It is indicated from the age of 15 to 40 and corresponds to
preturberculous condition. If the application of this nosode cause aggravation, it may be
replaced by T.R. which is milder.
"T.R. is a carbonitrogenoid. This is the remedy of old tuberculosis in whom the tuberculosis
has become torpid. Tendency to sclerosis is a very important symptom of this remedy, pleural
symphisis, deforming rheumatism. It is moreover indicated after 40 years of age. Its
prescription is at this age harmless.
"With Marmoreck we may compare Spengler (Immunobodies) and the Vaccine of Vaudremer.
These are milder remedies. When there is the fear of aggravation we may use these
remedies. We may compare with it Aviare which establishes a link between Marmoreck, Denys
and T.K.
"Bacillinum of Burnett is a trituration of the pulmonary tissues of the cavity, it is very often
applied because it is easy to manipulate. It causes no aggravation. For this reason many
homoeopaths apply it instead of T.K. , Denys or T.R. when they suspect an aggravation."
McAdam says, "For cases of influenza which do not respond to the indicated remedy or for
the aftermath, Bacillinum will help. It also acts as a prophylactic if given in the autumn of the
year. We have a good basis for prescribing Bacillinum somewhere in the course of every
pleurisy (esp. with effusion). Also in cases of cough where no remedy is clearly indicated
resulting from neglected colds. Bacillinum is also of great value in lung infections resulting
from influenza."
He also writes, "And if the apparently indicated remedy does not yield prompt results - then
the infallible remedy Bacillinum."
Wilson reports that Burnett repeated Bacill. once a week.
Tyler writes, "We are told that: Figures from cultures indicate that there is a relatively high
incidence of bovine tubercle in alimentary canal, tonsils, glands, bones, kidneys: believed
entry from milk."
The above facts may help us to consider the use of Tub-bov in alimentary canal lesions,
bones, glands, etc., and the use of Bacillinum in affections of the lungs.
Tuberculinum Heathii which is totally distinct from Dr. Koch's was made by Dr. A. Heath in
1883. It is purely pathological preparation, in which the Bacillus Tuberculosus was found. It is
the same preparation with which Dr. Burnett made the celebrated cures mentioned in his
book, "Five Years Experience with the New Cure for Consumption". The remedy is called by

him Bacillinum. Since the publication of this book, the remedy has been used by allopathic
and homoeopathic physicians in all parts of the world, and its effects have been remarkable.
The late Dr. S.S. Banker reported a peculiar case where the patient had two alternating
groups of symptoms, each responding to a particular remedy. But no drug seemed to cover
the whole picture. However, the patient had a peculiar symptom, viz. that he was definitely
worse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For this indication, Boger's Synoptic Key gives only one
remedy, viz. Tuberculinum. When Dr. Banker gave Tub., the whole symptom-picture changed
and a new symptom-picture emerged for which a new remedy was found indicated which
completely cured the patient.
H.C. Allen writes as follows:
"This remedy acts frequently best in the single dose. Strange to say, its symptom-list of
diseases of the skin exceeds very much that of Sulphur in number. Hahnemann left us in his
"Chronic Diseases" three or four remedies he pointed out for some of the constitutional
dyscrasiae. Sulphur was one of the great anti-psorics, the king of chronic diseases; Thuja was
the great anti-sycotic; Mercury the great anti-syphilitic. But if you will look into Psorinum,
Medorrhinum, Syphilinum and Tuberculinum, you will find they will cure a great many of these
constitutional diseases after Thuja and Mercury and Sulphur have failed, although as well
selected as possible. The symptoms of constipation and diarrhoea are side by side with those
of Sulphur. The constipation produced on the healthy has been most obstinate I ever met and
very difficult to get rid of. The diarrhoea is more like Sulphur coming on in the morning,
imperative, with a rush, the stool is profuse, watery, yellow, gushing, offensive, and unlike a
great many of our remedies, painless and not exhausting.
"There is extreme sensitiveness to atmospheric influences. There is no remedy in our Materia
Medica so sensitive to change of weather, to cold and to heat as Tuberculinum. It is as
sensitive as Lachesis or Sulphur to the heat of summer, as Kali-c to the extreme cold or
winter; as Mercury or Rhus-t to weather changes. Like Pulsatilla, Kali-bi, Lac caninum, etc. it
contains a list of the most erratic symptoms; not quite too peculiar or contradictory as Ignatia,
nor yet too evanescent, it gives first one thing and then another."
Tyler writes that she has, "Tuberculinum cases innumerable; where there is a family history of
phthisis, or a previous personal history of any of the T.B. manifestations, as in Asthma of one
year's standing in a woman of 38. Her mother had died of phthisis, and treatment was started
with one dose of Tub-bov 200. In a month, "Very much better! Only twice awakened by it in
the first week. Feels better; less chilly". Another month, and, with a cold, she had one more,
her last attack. Last seen five months later when she had never had another attack.
Sankaran and Matani posed a question whether in cases with a family history of Tuberculosis,
a dose of Tuberculinum will produce improvement or help the action of the main remedy if
interposed as an inter-current remedy. To answer this question they gave a series of such
cases Tuberculinum and noted the results.
The conclusion reached was that around 20% of the patients showed a good response out of
whom some showed a splendid response.
Sankaran noticed that quite often patients with a family history of tuberculosis were found to
have glossy or shining fingernails. He says, "Noting this peculiar sign we made a detailed
statistical survey of about 2000 cases and the result came out as given hereunder.

"With regard to this glossiness of fingernails, though this was significantly marked in patients
with a family history of tuberculosis, I did not notice a very high incidence among actual
patients of tuberculosis. In order to verify this point we went over to the tuberculosis hospital
and examined the fingernails of all the patients in the indoor department. This observation is
given in the following table.
"While making this observation about glossy fingernails, we also noticed that quite a number
of them have a significant growth of hair on the back between the scapulae. Some of them
also had a growth of hair in the lumbar region."
Sankaran further reports, " I once had a chance to utilise this observation in practice. I was
called to see a lady, aged 30 years, who was suffering from an attack of acute rheumatic
fever. She presented the usual picture of this disease with the swelling of joints, high
temperature, etc. Her remedy worked out clearly to Rhus-t. So we put her on Rhus-t 30 every
four hours, but with no result. Being sure of the remedy, we raised the potency to 200 and
then to 1M, all of which produced not the least change in the condition of the patient. On the
contrary, by the fifth or sixty day her condition became very much worse and she also
developed and presented signs of a very severe form of conjunctivitis and keratitis. Her vision
became blurred and she was not able to see anything. The husband and relatives naturally
became panicky and they practically decided to change over to allopathic treatment. I
examined her closely and I noticed that the lady had markedly glossy fingernails. They were
shining as if nail polish had been applied. Naturally, I enquired if there was any history of
tuberculosis in the family. The answer was negative. But still I gave her one dose of
Tuberculinum 1M and then repeated the Rhus-t. The response was really dramatic. Within a
few hours she became much more comfortable, the pains and swelling in the joints and the
temperature came down, the condition of the eye and vision improved and she felt very much
better. She improved steadily and made an uneventful recovery in a week's time. Now she has
remained well for over two years. The condition of the patient had been so bad and the
response to the medicine had been so remarkable that it impressed the whole community.
"About two weeks after she had recovered, she came and told me that she had thought over
my question about tuberculosis and had written to her mother who was away. The mother
had replied that indeed she (the mother) herself had suffered from tuberculosis in her younger
days. This fact, her daughter, that is my patient, had not been aware of.
"This experience has been repeated numerous times in my practice."
Variolinum
Krynicki describes the treatment of smallpox vaccination reactions. He says both Variolinum
and Malandrinum have proved useful. He thinks that it can be given either three times on the
first day, twice the second day, and once on the third day, or just one dose a day for three
days. He considers that one dose of Variolinum 30x can immunize against smallpox, as also
Malandrinum.
Variolinum is indicated in smallpox prophylactically and therapeutically and for the pitting
and scarring results of the diseases.
Tyler finds that this pitting of the skin due to the scars left behind after smallpox can be
mitigated by Variolinum. She says:

"Cases with histories of smallpox forty to fifty years before, treated by Variolinum with
marvellous improvement, till friends have asked, "Why, whatever have you done to your
face?"
Samuel Swan proved it on a large scale on 200 inmates of an institution.
Boger describes a patient who had suppressed milk after an anaesthesia who improved very
well on Variolinum DMM, which had been given to her by mistake. He also describes two girls
who developed eczema after vaccination and were cured by Variol. DMM after Thu. had failed.
Hallman reports 3 cases of smallpox cured and several children immunized with Variol.
McLaren says Variolinum will prevent and cure smallpox.
Dr. Jugal Kishore reports, "In an interesting experiment in a research, healthy young guinea
pigs were given Variolinum 200, before and during artificially induced vaccinia by live vaccinia
virus. In the control all the stages of vaccinia were noted and lasted for 12 days but in the
experimental pretreated animals all stages were arrested except slight erythema in some.
From the experiment, it appears that the preventive effect appeared to be more pronounced
than its curative effect. This small experiment seems to have given us an evidence of an antiviral activity of Variolinum. Further experiments are indicated.
I must mention one of my earliest experiences with Variolinum when I had not become a
homoeopath.
A child of 4 years in our family had a severe attack of smallpox from which she eventually
recovered. But though she recovered she did not regain her original health or vigour. On the
contrary she started weakening and emaciating steadily. She became more and more listless
and inactive and soon she ceased to stand up or walk. Later on still, she failed to sit up also;
she could only lie down. She even stopped speaking; when she wanted anything she would
merely roll her eyes. Her condition was most pathetic but none of the several physicians
whom we consulted could do anything because all investigations that had been done failed to
show the presence or nature of any gross disease. However, it was very clear that the child
was declining very rapidly in health and perhaps in another fortnight or a month she would be
lost to us.
At this stage, a homoeopath friend of mine arrived and I consulted him about this child.
Without thoroughly examining the child but only on hearing the history that the child had
been declining since the attack of smallpox, he prescribed three doses of Variolinum 30, 200,
1 000 to be given one dose each on three successive days. I was rather perturbed that this
physician instead of taking very active steps, was merely putting his whole faith in three little
powders of medicine. But strange to say, within a week the child's condition was reversed;
she started regaining all her original activity and also grew a chubby as before, and in the
course of a month or two became perfectly normal. In the words of the father of the child, the
child regained her original vivacity and vitality and he considered that Homoeopathy had
justified its greatness by this single case.
I may also mention another interesting case. Once I had gone to Kota for a private visit.
I was then casually consulted by a gentleman for his daughter aged 16 years. She was very
backward in her studies and had failed in the same class for 3 years. I noticed that the girl
had deep smallpox scars on her face. On enquiry, I learnt that indeed she had had a severe
attack of smallpox and that since then she had become retarded. Without bothering further, I

prescribed for her Variol. 1M. Thereafter, I heard reports of her excellent progress. She got a
double promotion in school and also came first in rank in her new class!
Indeed our nosodes can produce amazing results in many such cases where allopaths have
nothing to offer except tonics which are useless.
Dd other nosodes
Power describes a case of allergy to strawberries who was amel. with Fragaria vesca and
another with craving for paper amel. on Lac felinum.
Sloan and Case report cases of warts cured by Verrucinum.
McLaren writes, "In some cases, (of warts) where I have failed, the warts have been cured by
Verrucinum." *
Lehman describes a variety of cases cured by Suprarenal in potency. He says, "One lady
aged 35, has never been well since a spell of typhoid fever. There is frequent involuntary
passage of urine and after every lifting there is a haemorrhage in the left lung which has been
sore ever since the typhoid fever. Suprarenal 6x and 12x removed most of these symptoms."
Hue Bon Hoa writes, "Micrococcinum was prepared from Micrococcus neoformans, which was
found in a malignant tumour by Doeyn in 1901 and which he held to be the cause of cancer.
Micrococcinum has been used by Leon Vannier since 1919 as a "specific desensitizer of the
cancerinic state."
Allen says, "Seeing that gonococcus, penumococcus, B. Coli, etc., may actually be found in
the affected joints, and that one gets the greatest help by considering the patient's hereditary
or personal history, in regard to acute fevers it is well always in these difficult and incurable
disease to obey Hahnemann and treat the original disease - generally with its own nosodes."
Oscillococcin was prepared from the oscillococcus described by a homoeopathic physician,
Dr. Roy, in 1925. It also was soon used by Leon Vannier. Vannier himself described the results
of his experiment. "In the cancerinic state, Micrococcinum and Oscillococcin are far from
giving the same results as the potentized tuberculins give in the tuberculinique state.
Oscillococcin is better known for its action against influenza. There are no keynotes: it seems
to work as a pathological remedy for influenza (Chavanon)."
He says Helios is a remedy for sunstroke.
Pulex prevents troubles from flea bites.
Pulford remarks that X-ray in potency is claimed to bring back urethral discharge.
Power states, "Vaccinum 200 and other potencies has been of inestimable value in conditions
of disordered and permanently impaired health from vaccination. These cases present the
picture in many ways. There may be no tissue lesion observable, but the vaccination history,
including the behaviour of the site of inoculation or symptoms attending it, and the course of
impaired health will give abundant aid in fixing the prescription. On the other hand, there may
be seen in some patients an area about the original scar, an areola of chronic inflammation,
showing an effort of the organism to forestall systemic diffusion of the virus."
He also describes a case of smallpox inoculation (ill-effects) not amel. by Vaccinum but
relieved by Sil.

Garrison reports a case of tuberculosis cured by Vaccin. 200.

Wilson mentions having used a nosode Coccal co. with remark.
There are several other nosodes which have not been utilised much.
Winter nosodes
Brieger writes: "Efforts to reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in children
and adults, particularly those who suffered attack on attack following each cold, had been
relatively unsuccessful. Where asthma was present the situation looked even blacker,
particularly when the patient was geographically inaccessible. Constitutional prescribing,
though procuring some improvement of general health and stamina, had done little to alter
the pernicious pattern, nor had the use of Bacillinum or Nelson's Influenza vaccine, given
either according to their instructions or more frequently, any striking effect. On the contrary,
the use of the latter not infrequently produced reactions which discouraged patients from
taking it. Protection against secondary infection seemed desirable and a mental review of the
etiology of these conditions has led to the preparation of what is known at Nelson's as, "Dr.
Brieger's Vaccine".
"As well as H. influenza A and B, the vaccine contains Bacillinum, Streptococcin and
Staphylococcin in the thirtieth centesimal potency. As it seemed desirable to get an effect
quickly, patients were advised to take 4-6 doses once a fortnight or in severe cases once
weekly between October and March. My shame at this procedure was great and fear of the
consequences, should my colleagues take cognisance of this unscientific procedure, acted as
blinkers and stopped me registering results. However, it was patently obvious that my phone
rang less this winter than ever before."
Pneumococcin
Tyler reports a case, "Chorea, girl of 9. Grimacing and twisting, temperature 99.6 F, heart
irregular, with impure first sound at apex. Hyo. failed to help. Nat-m did but it did not cure,
temperature was still 99 F and heart irregular. But she had had pneumonia twice, and once
broncho-pneumonia, so she got a dose of Pneumoccoccin 200, and soon cleared up. Better
than for years, said her mother a month later. Four months later, she remained well, and she
never needed a second dose."
Kerr mentions, "I have just written up the case where the lady in middle life and now, aged
77, had pneumonia three times and Pneumococcin helped her get over a neuritis since
puberty in 1898 or so, which baffled London homoeopaths whom I know to be much better
prescribers than I am."
Colitoxine (bacillus coli)
Cahis says, "It is a remedy of very large applications. According to my experience a special
indication for its use is that stools are watery or at least soft. Constipation is a
contraindication for its use. It is the great remedy for the paratyphoids with severe infection,
but without great depression. Its first indication is the tongue covered with a white, uniform
varnish and foul taste in the mouth. With it I have cured some chronic diarrhoeas resistant to
other remedies. One of these was a lady from Gracia, who had been treated without any
result by another homoeopathic physician. The prominent symptoms were marked
borborygmi and sensations of something moving in the colon."
The indications and use of bowel nosodes

Many of my homoeopathic colleagues, I am sad to see, do not utilise the bowel nosodes. This
may be due to a lack of awareness of their usefulness or due to a spirit of conservatism. I can
assure them that these remedies, though recently introduced into our field - and in spite of
the fact that their indications have not been discovered through regular provings - have fully
proved their value. Those who do not use them are indeed missing something very valuable,
something which might come to their rescue in many awkward situations.
The following brief description is intended only to introduce these remedies to the uninitiated
and to create an interest in them. For a fuller, more comprehensive and authoritative account
of their evolution, indications and uses, readers should naturally refer to the original literature
on the subject especially the booklet, "The Bowel Nosodes" by Dr. John Paterson, and the
book, "Up-to-date with Nosodes" by Dr. B.K. Sarkar.
Evolution
In the beginning of this century, a famous surgeon, Sir Arbuthnot Lane put forward a
hypothesis that most of the chronic diseases were a result of autointoxication from the colon.
On the basis of this assumption he treated many of his patients suffering from chronic
diseases by removing a part of the colon. Whether that surgeon's hypothesis was correct or
whether it was due to the psychological effect of the surgical procedure, many of the patients
improved after the operation. As a result, this operation called the resection of the colon
became extremely popular and even fashionable, just as Appendectomy became later on.
About the year 1912, a very young, highly qualified and energetic physician, Dr. Edward
Bach of England (1880-1936) also considered this possibility that most chronic diseases were
the result of auto-intoxication from the bowels. He recognised that the intestinal content of
both apparently healthy as well as diseased people, contained a class of bacilli - the B. coli which had hitherto been considered insignificant. This B. coli is a normal inhabitant of the
intestinal canal and in a healthy intestinal mucosa it is not pathogenic but actually assists in
maintaining the health of the host. These organisms, the various types of non-lactose
fermenting bacilli belonging to the coli-typhoid group very closely allied to the organisms
causing typhoid, dysentery, paratyphoid, etc., but yet they do not give rise to acute diseases.
Since they were not directly connected with any specific disease condition they had up to that
time been regarded as non-pathogenic and had been disregarded by bacteriologists and
clinicians.
Although these organisms are often regarded as non-pathogenic mainly because they do not
give rise to active symptoms in laboratory animals and can be present for long periods in the
human being without causing obviously associated disease, nevertheless they are so
constantly present that even though they are relatively less virulent the persistence of their
toxins has some kind of a cumulative effect, and chronic disease conditions result. A mass of
evidence has gathered up to show that this sub-group of non-lactose fermenting bacilli which
had hitherto been considered non-pathogenic is in reality one of the most important groups of
organisms in nature, producing some kind of a chronic intestinal toxaemia, and laying the
foundation for a variety of chronic diseases. The sufferers from the toxaemias become liable
to all kinds of secondary infections, which further weaken them and complicate the diagnosis
of their disorders.
The symptoms presented by each patient will vary according to the constitution of the
patient and the particular tissues of each patient which are more susceptible yield first.
Moreover, most probably, toxins from different strains of organisms exercise selective powers

over different organs of the body so that each group of bacilli may give rise to a different set
of symptoms.
The above theory of chronic diseases propounded by Dr. Bach is set forth in the book
"Chronic Diseases" by Drs. Bach and Wheeler. The clinical evidence in support of the truth of
Dr. Bach's theory is overwhelming.
Experimenting along with Dr. C.E. Wheeler, who incidentally was a homoeopath, Dr. Bach
developed the idea of preparing an autogenous vaccine from the stool of each patient and
using it on the same patient orally. They had such excellent results in hundreds of chronic
cases that there were demands for such vaccines from all over the world. Besides preparing
and treating cases with such autogenous and polyvalent vaccines, Dr. Bach was able to
identify and classify the bowel organisms into seven major groups, viz.:
1. Morgan (Bach) comprising of the two sub-types Morgan Pure and Morgan Gaertner
2. Proteus
3. Mutabile
4. Bacillus No. 7
5. Gaertner
6. Dysentery Co. *
7. Sycotic Co.
8. Faecalis
Dr. John Paterson of Glasgow (1890-1955) studied more deeply the characteristics of the
bowel flora, especially their behaviour in health, in diseases and in drug provings. After doing
patient and laborious research for over twenty years and after examining more than 20 000
specimens of stools, he came to certain definite conclusions. One of them was that whether
these non-lactose fermenting bacilli are the cause or the result of diseases, they are definitely
associated with the pathological or disease condition.
The normal B. coli in the intestinal tract performs a useful function and is considered a
harmless and non-pathogenic saprophyte. Any change in the human host which affects the
intestinal mucosa will upset the balance between the host and bacilli and is followed by a
change in the habit and biochemistry of the B. coli which may then mutate (i.e. change in
character) and become pathogenic. While this alteration in the nature of the bowel flora might
be a mere concomitant to the disease condition there is reason to believe that the change in
the nature of the B. coli always follows an alteration in the state of the host, so that the
conclusion seems inescapable that diseases are caused primarily and fundamentally as/by a
disturbance in the patient (or host) and not by the microorganisms, the disturbance or
alteration in the nature of the B. coli occurring only as a consequence and as a reaction to the
change in the nature of the environment in the host *. Whereas the normal B. coli ferments
lactose, it seems to lose this power when it becomes pathogenic. This alteration can be
brought about in several ways, such as by diet, by the potentized drug and by the nosode.
The effects of diet, though definite, are not so rapidly achieved and unless the patient
persists in the diet, the B. coli goes back to the original state, the symptoms return and the
condition tends to relapse. With the potentized drug or the nosode, however, the alteration in
the bowel flora is more rapid also much more lasting.

Dr. Peterson grouped and typed the flora and by continuous experiment and observation he
was able to detect a definite relationship between certain drugs and certain types of bowel
flora. When particular drugs were administered in potencies, the bowel flora was altered in a
particular fashion. By clinical study he was also able to bring out more clearly the indications
for each type and develop further the technique of treating cases with these bowel nosodes.
We have mentioned that originally each nosode was an autogenous nosode, that is, the
bacilli from the patient's own stool were potentized and administered as indicated. This was
comparatively simple when the organism could be isolated. Unfortunately, such isolation was
not always possible, although the patient may present symptoms. So the next step was to use
the nosode in a case showing similar symptoms. Gradually many vaccines were accumulated
and put together in a composite vaccine of each organism, which might therefore contain
many hundreds of different strains of these organisms. These vaccines were potentized and
form what we now know as the nosodes Morgan, Proteus, etc.
Provings, that is experiments on the healthy human beings, had not been made with the
remedies. Therefore, in order to obtain a symptom-picture of each nosode, notes were kept of
thousands of cases, of symptoms appearing in the patient when the corresponding organism
was found in the stool and gradually a Materia Medica of each nosode has been thus built up
through such clinical observations.
Indications and choice of the nosode
Bowel nosodes are particularly applicable to the treatment of chronic diseases.
The bowel nosodes can be prescribed on anyone of the following indications.
Symptom-similarity
By virtue of symptom-similarity between the patient's picture and the nosode picture just as
is done in everyday homoeopathic practice. As has already been mentioned, the Materia
Medica of these nosode remedies has been built up by carefully observing the symptoms
exhibited by thousands of patients in whom each type of organism was found in the stool. And
this Materia Medica picture can provide the basis for symptom matching and prescription.
When the apparently indicated remedy fails
In a case where the apparently indicated remedy fails to act or there is a lack of response to
previously effective remedy, an intercurrent dose of the appropriate nosode can be
prescribed, e.g. Morgan (Bach) where Sulph. seems indicated but fails to act, Gaertner for
Phos., Bacillus No. 7 for Kali-c, and so on. The corresponding nosode for each remedy can be
looked up from the table of collateral remedies given at the end of this chapter. Later, the
original remedy may be repeated, this time with beneficial response.
No remedy clearly indicated
In a case where several remedies seem indicated but none of them clearly and outstandingly,
a nosode can be selected which is related to the majority of these drugs. If a remedy comes
out from the "taking of the case", the rule is to give that remedy, but in many cases the
choice is difficult and lies within a group of possible remedies. Here, the homoeopath can
make use of the published list of remedies associated with the bowel nosodes, and repertorize
the group of possibles. If the majority of remedies which repertorize out appear in anyone of
the nosode groups that is the nosode of choice in that case. For instance, if a patient exhibits
symptoms of Sulph., Calc-c, Med., and Nat-c, we can prescribe for him Morgan (Pure). In a

case where Merc., Phos., and Sil., all seem indicated, Gaertner (Bach) can be selected. Within
the Morgan (Bach) group one may even be able to select Morgan (pure) or Morgan-Gaertner,
but again if there is doubt, then the broader type of nosode - Morgan (Bach) should be used
in cases where Merc., Phos., and Sil., all seem indicated.
Extending this principle, if there is no outstanding group of remedies which would decide the
choice of a particular nosode, you may start the case off with "Poly bowel (Bach)" formerly
called, "P.B. B." which is the broadest of all the nosodes since it was made from all the nonlactose fermenting bowel organisms, excepting the Sycotic Co. (Paterson).
Several remedies acted but none cured
In an old, case where several remedies have helped but none has been able to cure the
patient, we can select the nosode which is related to the majority of remedies to which the
patient has responded well. For instance, if the patient has shown a good reaction to Anac.,
Arg-n, Ars., and Kalmia then he can be given Dys. co. (Bach).
In taking the case, the life history of the patient must be included for here you may find the
clue to a nosode from your knowledge of the acute phases - disease complexes - and their
association with a basic chronic disease and the clinical proving of a bowel nosode.
Dosage
The selection of the potency of the nosode is guided by the same general principles that
govern the selection of potency of other remedies. When the case is well covered with
matching of general and especially outstanding mental symptoms, 1M potency or higher can
be given. Where there is advanced pathology, e.g. as in rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, etc., a
low potency, i.e. 6C or potencies below 6C can be used and given daily.
In acute diseases, which are actually acute exacerbations of chronic diseases, a potency
between 30C and 1M and can be given and must be repeated at intervals.
Potencies above 1M can be given in single doses in acute diseases.
When a nosode has been given especially in the 30th potency or above, it is wise not to
repeat it within three months. Not only does the nosode not bear repetition for (at least) three
months but, in fact, may not be required again for many months or years.
When the patient has received any homoeopathic remedy in potency within the last one
month, it is safer to give low potencies.
When a nosode has been given in high potency, it should be repeated infrequently and only
when necessary. But even while its action is going on, a homoeopathic remedy (simile) can be
given in low potency to compliment its action as e.g. for a relief of some troublesome
symptom. For instance, if a patient has received Syco co. in high potency for an arthritis, he
may feel well in the joint pains on Rhus-t 3 or 6 in repeated doses.
In case of chronic disease, which present symptoms demanding active treatment, e.g.
extensive eczema with intense itching or a rheumatoid arthritis with persisting pain, it is
practical and often beneficial to combine the action of a bowel nosode with a complementary
remedy. The nosode may be given, say in 1M potency for a dose each of four nights, and
concurrently a daily dose of the complementary remedy in low potency can be given.

This combination of nosode and remedy in varying potency has remarkable effect in the
treatment of chronic disease in the dual sense of the word - diseases which have been of long
standing and also of great depth of action from a basic miasm.
Reaction
After the administration of the appropriate nosode, there may be either amelioration of the
symptoms or the symptom-picture, if vague or confusing, may clear up and give clear
indications for some remedy. Alternatively, there may be no apparent change in the patient
but if the nosode has been really well selected and has acted, the patient will now, i.e.
hereafter respond much better to dose of the original remedy which had been indicated and
given but had not acted well.
Symptomatology
Bacillus morgan (bach)
Keynote : Congestion.
Affects predominantly the skin and the portal system.
Mind : Anxious and apprehensive, irritable; averse to company but agg. alone (cf.
Lyc.),depressed and suicidal.
Head : Congestive headaches agg. heat agg. thunderstorm agg. excitement agg. bus
travel.
Digestive : Heart-burn, bitter taste and vomiting in morning; "Bilious attacks" cholecystitis;
gallstones; haemorrhoids pruritus ani, liver disorders.
Respiratory : Repeated attacks of broncho-pneumonia in children. Sargunar who reports
having used bowel nosodes in 5308 cases says that Morgan (Bach) relieves the attacks of
bronchial asthma as quickly as adrenaline.
Genito-urinary : Menopausal flushings.
Skin : This nosode has outstanding action on the skin. Almost all infantile eczemas may
need this remedy. Intense itching.
General : Sluggish circulation; varicose veins; arthritis of phalangeal and knee joints; 4 to 8
p.m. agg.
Of the two sub-types, Morgan (Pure) is more useful in skin eruption, bilious headache and
gallstones; and Morgan (Paterson) in inflammatory conditions like cholecystitis, and in renal
colic with 4 to 8 p.m. aggravation.
Among the remedies related to Morgan (Bach) is the famous trio of Sulph., Calc-c, and Lyc.,
and many carbonates.
Morgan (Gaertner) : Lt. sided renal colic and calculi.
Bacillus proteus (bach)
The Keynote of Proteus is suddenness and spasmodic conditions.

Mind : "Brain storm", sudden, violent temper agg. contradiction; will scream, kick, strike or
throw.
Digestive : Duodenal ulcer caused by prolonged nerve strain with tendency to perforate
resulting in a sudden crisis.
Skin : Angio-neurotic oedema (cf. Apis); herpetic eruptions at mucocutaneous juctions.
Sudden oedema or sudden blanching.
General : Convulsive seizures; spasm of peripheral vessels, intermittent claudication,
angina, Raynauds' and Meniere's diseases, cramps (cf. Cup.).
Roger Schmidt describes the following indications for this remedy.
Rigidity, both of body and mind. The patients are mentally stubborn and unresponsive, and
amongst the most difficult to treat, not only because of their mental attitude but also because
of the intractable nature of their ailments. Often fixed ideas.
Physically, they suffer from chronic arthritis, fibrositis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis,
Meniere's disease, hysteria, brainstorms, irritation of the central and peripheral nervous
systems, epilepsy, Raynaud's disease, intermittent claudication, bleeding, chronic ulcers.
Cramps in the legs, numbness, tingling, paraesthesias of the extremities. Angina pectoris,
acidity, heartburn, duodenal ulcers, constipation. Anal and genital pruritus. Dupuytren's
contractures. Sciatica, Bronchitis in old people (Farrington). Herpes, hives and intractable
dermatitis, usually prurigenous. Photosensitivity. One of the important keynotes of Proteus is
violence, spasms, outbursts of temper, particularly in the young.
Amont the remedies related to Proteus are many chlorides, esp. Nat-m.
Bacillus 7 (paterson)
Keynote : Mental and physical fatigue.
Digestive : Fullness after food.
Genito-Urinary : Feeble urinary stream; impotence.
Respiratory : Asthma; tough, sticky expectoration.
General : Slow pulse; low B.P. ; faintness on standing long and after sudden exertion.
Among the remedies related to this nosode are many iodides.
Bacillus gaertner (bach)
Keynote : Malnutrition, esp. useful in earliest months of life.
Mind : Hypersensitive; overactive.
Digestive : For children when put on artificial feeding; inability to digest fat; chronic gastroenteritis; threadworms.
General : Indicated in children and in old age; marked emaciation. Malignancy.
E. Paterson thinks that where Cham. fails in teething troubles, Gaert. may help.
Bacillus dysenteriae (bach)

Keynote : Nervous tension (anticipatory). It has special action on the nervous system and
the heat.
Mind : Nervousness agg. anticipation; (cf. Arg-n); agg. presence of strangers, fidgety.
Head : Frontal headache agg. excitement agg. every 7 or 14 days.
Digestive : Pyloric spasm and stenosis; pain abdomen agg. midnight agg. vomiting;
duodenal ulcer (with nervous tension); cyclical vomiting in children.
Skin : Small circinate scurfy patches.
General : Choreic movements, chorea, (very nearly specific).
Bacillus sycoccus (paterson)
Keynote : Irritability, Catarrh.
Affects mucous membranes esp. genito-urinary tract and kidneys.
Mind : Irritable; fear agg. dark agg. alone.
Head : Pain due to sinusitis or persistent headache in children (prodrome of tub. meningitis)
(cf. Hell.); sweat on head at night.
Digestive : Offensive diarrhoea, excoriating; urge on rising in morning; nausea agg. eggs (cf.
Fer.).
Respiratory : Catarrh of nose, throat and bronchi; enlarged tonsils and adenoids; cough and
dyspnoea agg. 2 a.m.
Skin : Warts on muco-cutaneous surfaces.
Genito-urinary : Syc. Co. has special action on the whole genito-urinary tract causing
inflammation; pain left ovary at menses; leucorrhoea. Adhesions. Gonorrhoea.
General : Twitching of facial muscles; fibrositis agg. dampness agg. beg. motion (cf. Rhus-t);
fidgety feet in bed; painful soles. Predisposition to influenza; convulsive seizures.
The well-known antisycotic Thuja is related to this nosode.
Bacillus mutabile (bach)
Cystitis, asthma, alternation of symptoms.
Elizabeth Paterson says that of all the bowel nosodes, the one most frequently met with in
children is Morgan and next comes Gaertner. She says that as a rule it is better to begin the
treatment with the seemingly well indicated remedy rather than the nosode.
References
Boyd W. : The Bowel Nosodes in Stomach Disorders; Souv. 17th A.I. Hom. Med. Conf., 77,
1988
Boyd H.W. : Some Lycopodium Cases (Disc.); Brit. Hom. J., 52, 27, 1963
Boyson W.A. : Time and the Nosodes; J. Am. Inst. Hom., 59, 209, 1966

Brown G. : Drs. John and Elizabeth Paterson; Hahn. Glean., 36, 353, 1969
Foubister D.M. : Vomiting in Infancy and Childhood; Brit. Hom. J., 92, 85, 1952
Griggs W.R. : Clinical Experience and Homoeopathic Research with the Morgan Bacillus
(Pure); Hom. Herald, 7, 493, 1974.
Griggs W.B. L. : Clinical Proving and Research of the Intestinal Nosodes Dysentery Comp. ; J.
Am. Ins.t. Hom., 54, 75, 1961
Kennedy C.O. : Further notes on the Bowel Flora; Brit. Hom. J., 44, 100, 1954
Misra B. : Researches in Homoeopathy; The Bowel Nosodes; Souv. State Hom. Pract. Conf.,
17, 1969
Paterson E.M. J : Bowel Nosodes in Four Dispensary Cases ; Brit. Hom. J., 35, 69, 1945
Paterson Elizabeth : A Survey of the Nosodes; Brit. Hom. J., 49,161, 1960
Paterson E. : Skin Disease (Disc.); Brit. Hom. J., 45, 153, 1956
Pateron J. : Up-to-date with Nosodes; Brit. Hom. J., 43,130, 1953
Powel M. : Nosodes; Proc. Int. Hahn. Assn., 93, 1919-1920
Ross T.D. : Vomiting in Infancy and Childhood (Disc.); Brit. Hom. J., 42, 60, 1952
Schmidt R.A. : Proteus - A Bach Nosode; J. Am. Inst. Hom., 58, 261, 1965
Sargunar H.T. P : Bowel Nosodes; The 50 Millesimal; 4, 510, Feb. 1973
The bowel nosodes and their related remedies
Morgan (Bach) : Alum., Dig., Nat-c
(A) Morgan : Bar-c, Calc-c, Calc-s, Carb-s, Carb-v, Fer-c, Graph., Mag-c, Med., Petr., Pso., Sep.,
SULPH., Tub-bov
(B) Morgan-Gaertner : Chel., Hep., Merc-c
(Paterson) : Chen., Lach., Sang.
Colic : Hell., LYC., Tarx.
Proteus (Bach) : Ac-m, Bor., Ign.
Brain Storm : Am-m, Aur-m, Ap., Bar-m, Calc-m, Con., Cup., Fer-m, Kali-m, Mag-m, NAT-M,
Sec-c.
Mutabile (Bach) : Fer., Phos.
Alternation : Kali-s
Skin, Asthma : PULS.
Bacillus No. 7 : Ars-i, IOD., Kali-i
(Paterson) : Brom., Kali-bi, Kali-nit

Fatigue : Calc-i, Kali-br, MERC-I

Mental and Physical : Fer-i, KALI-C, Nat-i
Gaertner (Bach) : Calc-f, Nat-p, Puls.
Malnutrition : Calc-hypo, Calc-sil, Kali-p, MERC-VIV, Nat-sil-f, PHOS., Phyt., Syph., SIL., Zn-p
Dys. Co. : Anac., Arg-n, ARS., Cad., Kalm., Ver-a, Ver-v
Sycotic Co. : Ac-n, Ant-t, Bacil., Calc-met, Fer., Nat-s, Rhus-t,Thu.
Faecalis (Bach) : Sep.
Some new provings
Introduction
As one studies and practises Homoeopathy and contemplates measures for its further
advancement and progress, the possibilities of various forms of research open out before
one's vision. For, though Homoeopathy, practiced as it is today by a minority, is very
satisfying to thoughtful physicians, there are several aspects that are yet to be clearly
defined, enlarged, delineated. Besides, new problems are constantly arising before the
medical profession in view of the advancement in science and civilisation (e.g. atomic
radiation hazards) and solutions will have to be found for those.
As one considers the various methods of research that could be carried out within the field of
Homoeopathy, relatively the most simple, inexpensive and yet the most fruitful form of
research seems to be the conduct of Drug Provings. The discovery of the properties, effects
and indications of drugs in our field requires no costly laboratory equipment, no deep
knowledge of pharmacology, not even expensive animal experiments, but only very carefully
conducted provings done with the help of enthusiastic, reasonably healthy and faithful
volunteers as provers. Some of the most valuable therapeutic indications for our drugs have
come only through this source, namely the experiments called Provings, initiated by the
genius of the master Hahnemann himself. No doubt, careful clinical observations at the
bedside have considerably added to and enriched the material made available through
provings; yet the backbone or core of our drug symptomatology, forming the most reliable
indications have come only through the provings.
Considering that the most fundamental and fruitful form of research in Homoeopathy namely
Provings, require no costly apparatus or technical "know-how", but merely reliable volunteers,
it is a great pity that despite the fact that the homoeopathic profession in India boasts of
thousands of vociferous adherents, very few provings have been conducted, so that the
Materia Medica that our generation inherited practically remains static, unadded to.
Compared to the tremendous whirlwind activities of the homoeopaths of the latter half of the
19th century, the activity of homoeopaths of this century appears very poor, and shamefully
so, by contrast.
I shall now give a brief summary of our attempts at provings at the Homoeopathic Hospital,
Bombay. The first was a proving of Hydrophys cyanocincta, the sea snake. The fact that this
sea snake is ten times as venomous as the cobra (Naja), prompted the feeling that it might be
more powerful, if not more useful, as a remedy. When the proving was suggested to us by Mr.
Dudley Everitt of Nelson's, London, we welcomed the idea with relish. We caught the snake
with great difficulty from the Arabian Sea, had the venom extracted, sent it to London and got

it potentized by Nelson's. But, most unfortunately, very soon after the proving started, the
whole group of provers were attacked by the Asian Influenza epidemic and so the proving had
to be abandoned. Fortunately, however, Dr. Raeside has been good enough to prove the drug
and enrich our Materia Medica, for which the profession will be eternally grateful to him.
The next proving that we attempted was with China, two in the 6th potency, two in the 30th
potency, two in 200th and two in 1 000th potency with four as controls. First, one dose was
given daily, then two. But in one month, strange to say, not a single prover brought out a
single symptom! In fact the provers felt that they had all been given only Sac-l. This was our
second failure.
However, we persisted and attempted to prove other drugs and I am happy to say we had
some encouraging results. The results of our provings are published in this booklet.
I am aware that these provings are somewhat fragmentary and the drugs will have to be reproved to complete their symptom-pictures.
However, the full symptom-picture of a drug may not be completely available through
provings alone. In fact, provings are only like rough diamonds and to bring out their full lustre
they have to be cut and shaped through clinical experience, that is experience in practice.
The symptoms brought out in the proving will have to be confirmed and the outlines
sharpened by clinical experience. Therefore, I now appeal to my colleagues in the profession
to study these provings, conduct further re-provings and try them out in practice on the basis
of available symptoms delineate their full shapes through clinical experience.
The provings were published in the British Homoeopathic Journal, the Journal of
Homoeopathic Medicine, and other journals. I am most grateful to the editors of these journals
for kindly permitting me to reprint them.
Bombay, 15th December 1978
A proving of adamas
Adamas
Introduction
A proving of Adamas * (the Diamond) was conducted in August-September 1969 and it was
repeated in October 1970.
The proving of the diamond was suggested by our esteemed colleague Dr. James Stephenson
of New York. Dr. Stephenson told us that since the diamond was being extensively and
successfully used in Ayurvedic Medicine, it deserved a proving in order that its homoeopathic
indications may be discovered. When we requested A. Nelson's of London to prepare and send
us a potency of Adamas, they found great difficulty in preparing a potency. As the diamond is
one of the hardest substances in the world, they felt that it would wear away the mortar and
pestle rather than get triturated. Ultimately, they overcame this difficulty by using a special
mortar and pestle perhaps made of Agate.
In the 1969 proving, there were 4 provers and 2 controls; in the 1970 proving there were 5
provers and 2 controls. The drug was given to the provers in 30th potency, two doses daily,
one in the morning and one in the evening. Each prover was also made his own control by
giving him Sac-l for the first one week. From the 8th day onwards, each prover was switched
over to the potency of Adamas. In 5 provers the doses were discontinued after one month

while three provers continued the proving for 11/2 months and one prover for 2 months. The
symptoms noted are now presented in a schematic form.
One of the outstanding symptoms was headache associated with sugar ameliorated by
eating. In one prover, this symptom lasted for 2 years after the proving was over.
The proving is somewhat fragmentary and the drug will have to be reproved with more
provers to know the full range of the drug.
Symptoms in schematic form
Mind
Irritable, does not like to talk.
Lethargic in morning.
Does not like to work.
Mind unstable.
Does not stick to one decision.
Fear of getting some serious disease.
Fear of death.
Mentally depressed.
Suspicious that everybody is making fun of him.
Listless.
No desire to do any physical and mental exertion though no feeling of tiredness. Wants to
stop in whatever work engaged and take rest.
Forgetful; loss of memory for recent events, cannot remember the names of people, even of
fast friends, or well-known objects.
Fumbles in speech with difficulty in getting at certain well-known words.
Makes mistakes in speaking - instead of "speech" says "speed" instead of "Shukla", says
"Sachivalaya".
Prostration.
Vertigo
Feeling of vertigo, sickness and sleepiness whole day.
Head
Heaviness of head from morning to evening.
Head, pain amel. tea, amel. closing eyes,agg. exertion, agg. talking, amel. afternoon
sleep,agg. getting wet.
Head pain with burning in eyes.

Head, pain, throbbing, temporal region agg. 11 p.m. agg. afternoon till 9 p.m. agg. every
step, agg. jar, agg. motion,agg. noise, amel. pressure, with nausea,agg. travelling in train or
bus; with pain in eyes and above eyes.
Head pain frontal agg. waking up in morning, agg. rising up, amel. after an hour.
Head pain dull aching type agg. sitting.
Head pain left side from frontal to occiput agg. exertion, agg. morning agg. afternoon upto 4
o'clock.
Pain left lower 5th tooth with left parietal headache.
Head, pain, right side 8-11 p.m. agg. lying left side, amel. lying right side amel. sleep.
Head pain from left to right agg. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the rest of the day, a little pain
appearing and disappearing on left and right sides.
Head pain amel. lying with head straight (90 degrees).
Head pain gradually increases towards evening amel. 11 p.m.
At 3 a.m. , a sensation as if spikes or sharp nails were trying to come out of the skull by
radiating from a point somewhere deep in the brain.
From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. , sensation as if the cranial cavity is empty still,agg. rising from
squatting (particulars agg. 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. ).
Head pain when hungry amel. eating.
Boil left parietal region.
Sensation of something circulating in the head.
Eyes
Lachrymation with headache.
Burning in eyes with headache.
Pain in eyes and above eyes.
Ear
Feeling in the ear as if ear is filled with water.
Having noise in the ear as if water is rolling inside.
Mouth
Dryness of mouth.
Pain, sore, tongue and under tongue.
Salivation throughout the day amel. night, agg. during sleep in afternoon.
White coating on the tongue with red edges.
Teeth

Pain tooth 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. agg. pressure.

Pain left lower 5th tooth with parietal headache.
Throat
Pain agg. evening and night, agg. empty swallowing amel. drinking, amel. eating or drinking
hot things,agg. drying up of throat.
Pain sore with unproductive cough agg. all day.
Pain stitching, pricking amel. tea.
Sensation of mucus sticking inside which cannot be brought out by any amount of straining
(hawking).
Pain sore extending down the trachea.
Stomach
Appetite increased.
Intense thirst, wants half a glass water every hour during the day.
Thirst for chilled water.
Abdomen
Rumbling amel. passing flatus.
Flatulence completely relieved after stool.
Rectum and stool
Passes stool in large quantities.
Pulling sensation after stool.
Flatus offensive in morning, non-offensive at night.
Passes a lot of flatus before stool.
Flatus, not noisy agg. night.
Pain in anus after stool, relieved after some time.
Desire to pass stool, urgent, agg. in the morning, agg. after tea.
Has to wait long for stool.
In the morning, has to rush for stool.
While going to sleep sudden urging for stool.
Watery stool with mucus and flatus.
Passed little stool, hard in consistency.
Watery stools in the morning about 6.45 a.m.

Stools yellowish, offensive.

Reversed peristalsis agg. pressure.
Constipation, passed stool with difficulty.
Passed stool twice a day.
Two normal stools, 2nd offensive or green and offensive in the morning.
Constipation with hard stool.
Urinary tract
Burning sensation in urethra while passing urine every time.
Burning sensation in urethra while passing urine agg. in the morning.
Urine profuse, passed every three hours.
Pain urethra amel. after urination.
Genitalia
Passed prostatic fluid after urination after much straining.
Seminal emissions, very much sexually excited after getting up in the morning, and in the
night also.
Satyriasis.
Seminal emission early morning.
Nocturnal emission.
Larynx
Tearing pain in larynx with chill in larynx; sensation as if larynx would start bleeding agg.
talking, agg. 11-12 a.m.
Respiration
Asthmatic, wheezing 2- 2.30 a.m.
Lot of panting after running in the morning.
Lot of panting after swimming.
Rattling with explosive cough agg. day, amel. night, amel. open air.
Cough
Cough with coryza with jelly-like dirty-green discharge agg. daytime, amel. night.
Explosive type of cough with much rattling in chest and occasional expectoration with much
saliva agg. day, amel. night, amel. open air.
Cough agg. in closed room.

Unproductive paroxysmal cough agg. 10 - 10.30 p.m.

Expectoration
Whitish, greenish, yellow, dirty green, thick expectoration.
Chest
Empty sensation in chest.
Feels as if blood is flowing ouf of the heart and blood vessels agg. evening, agg. when not
occupied. Feels heart beats have increased.
Heaviness with substernal coldness.
Pain sore, aching near the sternum.
Heaviness precordial region.
Pain amel. pressure, amel. hot application, agg. 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pain sides amel. lying on back, amel. pressure, amel. hot application.
Pain intercostal spaces, parasternal area.
Pain precordial agg. evening after dinner, agg. deep inspiration.
Pain in left chest agg. evening, agg. deep breathing, agg. laughing agg. coughing bending,
agg. lying on left side, amel. lying on right side amel. rest.
Pain dull aching at the origin of sternomastoid muscle throughout the day agg. extending the
neck, amel. flexing the neck and then pressing the muscle.
Back
Backache, lightning pain after getting up in morning.
Extremities
Pain upper limbs travelling from shoulder to finger, agg. pressure,agg. night, agg. lying on
side, agg. going to bed, when pain amel. during day.
Itching dorsum of left foot, painful after scratching, pain going upto the ankle.
Knees cold.
Hot burning sensation in the shoulder agg. in the sun.
Coldness of palms and fingers esp. finger tips.
Sleep and dreams
Cannot wake up early in the morning. Feels sleep is not enough.
During sleep in the night clenched the fists hard.
Dreams of snake bite. Gets up frightened with palpitation for a few seconds.
Dreams of friends betraying him and felt disappointed.

Had dreams but could not remember them.

Skin
Itching all over body. Part becomes red after scratching. Burning after scratching
Itching at different regions.
Skin symptoms agg. 1 p.m. lasted till going to bed (10 p.m. ).
Summary of proving symptoms of adamas
Lethargy in morning.
Fear of getting disease.
Fear of death.
Forgetful of names of friends.
Fumbles for words and makes mistakes in speaking.
Headache from hunger amel. eating.
Lachrymation with headache.
Salivation throughout the day .
Pain throat amel. by drinking.
Stitching pain in the throat.
Diarrhoea with urgent stools.
Pain in chest on deep breathing.
Emptiness in chest.
Pain extending from shoulder to fingers.
Coldness of the fingers and knees.
Very frightful dreams.
A proving of aqua marina
Aqua marina
Introduction
The idea of proving Aqua marina (Sea Water) arose by reading in Clark's Dictionary under
Aqua marina, "Sea water contains in solution every inorganic substance in the world". Now it
seemed that if a solution should contain every inorganic substance in the world, surely it must
have the widest range of action and utility. Besides, we may also consider the fact that the
sea water is under a continuous process of dilution by virtue of the water being added to it in
the form of rain as well as through the rivers which further enrich the water by addition of
various minerals. Besides, the sea water is also undergoing a continuous process of agitation
by virtue of the constant movement of waves. It is possible that this continuous (natural)

dilution and agitation, perhaps imparts some potency to the various inorganic compounds
contained. Besides the inorganic compounds, we may also contemplate the fact that the
secretion of various creatures like the cuttlefish, snakes like Hydrophys, etc., and the remains
of the various animals, fishes, are also to be found in the sea water. While such is the
chemical composition and nature of Aqua marina, whose several constituents have proved
each a boon to suffering mankind, yet we were surprised to find that the symptoms of the sea
water itself are dismissed with only a few lines in Clarke's Dictionary giving us the impression
that the drug had not been seriously proved.
The idea of proving sea water was strengthened by a suggestion from our valued colleague
Dr. Ronald Livingston of London. He was also kind enough to supply us with ampoules of sea
water to be proved by injecting it in healthy persons. This, unfortunately, we could not do as
we could not get volunteers for this purpose. However, Messrs. Nelson's of London were kind
enough to supply us with potencies of Aqua marina prepared by using Plasmo de Quinton
which is nothing but sea water taken from the Bay of Biscay at a depth of 100 fathoms.
We started the proving on 15th of March 1962, with eight provers of whom six were given the
drug in the 30th potency and two were given Sac-l to serve as controls. The proving was done
by the double blind method wherein neither the Director of the proving nor the provers knew
who were the provers receiving the drug and who the controls were, getting the Sac-l.
The drug was administered daily to the provers, one dose in the morning and one in the
evening and was continued for 15 days. After 25 days, the drug was stopped but the
symptoms were continuously recorded for a month. Whenever any prover found that he could
not carry on with the proving, we had to give him the antidote on the basis of available
symptomatology. The details of the symptoms evolved are given hereunder.
I, myself, took part in the provings but since I was aware of the identity of the substance
being proved, I had not included myself among the provers. I had intended to keep my
symptoms separate from those of the others, but unfortunately it turned out that I was one of
the controls who received Sac-l. I say, unfortunately, because I am by nature very sensitive to
potentized drugs and might have brought out good symptoms had I received the drug.
One important fact must be mentioned here. After the proving was over it was noted that
two provers who had produced some very fine symptoms - some of them homoeopathically
very significant - had actually exhibited the symptoms merely on Sac-l, since they had been
among the controls. Whether these symptoms were the result of latent illness or latent
neurotic trends in the provers, or of an expectant or over-wrought imagination or due to any
other circumstances, the fact has to be taken in consideration that all the symptoms evoked
during a proving, especially one conducted without controls, are not necessarily due to the
drug. Applying this criterion to provings conducted without controls, as some were no doubt
done even during Hahnemann's time, one can realise why some of the indications in the
Materia Medica are found unreliable.
Symptoms elicited in more than one prover are given in italics.
Symptoms in schematic form
Mind
Delusion of being watched. (cf. Ars., Hyo.).
Fears that others are seeing him doing work; during bath feels bathroom door is open.

Sensation as if all organs are swallowed (?).

Restlessness.
Forgetfulness.
Tendency to lie down but no sleep.
Worried.
Does not want to do any work; no desire to read; uneasy; dull in class; understands what
lecturer speaks but when trying to note down forgets it.
Mixes one sentence with another.
Very unrefreshed in the morning on getting up due to lack of sleep.
Lascivious thoughts.
Fear of becoming crazy due to persistent lascivious thoughts which forced him to be religious.
Concentration difficult.
Desire to lie down.
Averse to bath (cf. Am-c, Ant-c, Sep., Sulph.).
Becomes more sluggish.
(All these symptoms persisted for four days.)
Sense of well-being.
Anxiety, cannot sit in one place, must move in order to ease the mind (cf. Ars.).
Depressed feeling.
Likes company.
Anxiety amel. fast motion (cf. Ars., Sept.) amel. riding in carriage (cf. Ars., Nit-ac) moving (cf.
Ars.) amel. perspiration, amel. icy cold drinks (cf. Phos., Sep.) amel. cool open air, amel.
talking.
Much restless, thinks of suicide.
Anxiety amel. company, amel. walking, amel. direct wind on head.
Straining of mind results in sudden loss of memory (for 10 days); (Had to take Anacardium
1000, 3 doses to relieve this).
Anxiety agg. 2 to 4 p.m.
Vertigo
Vertigo with headache.
Head
Heaviness of head.

Frontal headache amel. pressure, amel. pressing teeth together.

Headache temporal region.
Headache amel. eating, amel. sleep.
Headache, right eyebrow.
Headache frontal to occiput.
Dull headache in temporal region.
Dull headache.
Sour food causes headache.
Frontal and temporal headache at 9 p.m. after dinner.
Feeling of headache only after thinking of it amel. pressure and cold water application,
disappeared completely after sleep.
Occipital headache with heaviness at 6 p.m. amel. motion. Then the pain travelled to the
nape of the neck with stretching and pulling pain, amel. in cold air, amel. rest, more in nape of
neck.
Occipital headache at 4.30 p.m.
Heaviness as from weight amel. warmth, amel. pressure, distinctly amel. by walking slowly in
open air.
Occipital headache.
Vacant feeling in head (cf. Sulph.) immediately after sleep (for 2 days).
Eruption on forehead with pus.
Eyes and vision
Heaviness of eyelids immediately after dinner. (Thinks this is an old symptom coming up).
Burning in the eyes in the afternoon from 4 to 6.30 p.m. amel. by cold application.
Face
Some eruptions on face appeared on both cheeks. Eruptions appeared on chin, left side, red,
painful to slight pressure.
Cracks appeared in the centre of lower lip; (cf. Nat-m).
Slight burning in evening, burning agg. opening the mouth agg. laughing.
Dryness of lips, felt only after another prover told that he is getting the same symptom.
Dryness of lips more at night.
Nose
Sneezing on awaking.
Coryza, watery discharge.

Blocking of left nostril.

Coryza amel. tea.
Blocking of rt. nostril, then left.
Sensation as if cold only in the root of nose.
Pain in the nose, in the corners of both nostrils since morning.
Slow dull pain.
Offensive odour.
Mucus dropping from posterior nares.
Feels as if stuffed, stopping of rt. nostril.
Mucus thick white, very offensive, dropping from posterior nares copious in morning. Mucus
from left side.
Mucus, discharge, amel. after food, amel. after sleep.
Sneezing.
Burning water discharge amel. perspiration.
Mouth
Yellowish white mucous membranes.
Offensiveness from mouth, with mucous membranes.
Offensiveness from mouth, with spitting of blood. Offensive odour with burning in mouth.
Pain in the left side of soft palate at 8 p.m. on empty swallowing amel. by cold drink.
Pain in the left side of the palate in the morning on getting up which disappeared after 2
hours amel. cold drinks, agg. empty swallowing.
Throat
Pain in throat after eating.
Pain in rt. tonsil agg. pressure, agg. night.
Severe digging pain behind rt. sternomastoid at medial end of the clavicle agg. on swallowing
esp. forceful swallowing, amel. hot drinks and hot application.
Mucus, very offensive, on empty swallowing.
The throat was looking congested, more on the left side.
Constant oozing of offensive mucus from the left side of throat, more in morning on getting
up, afternoon and evening.
Tickling in the throat at 8 p.m. with desire to hawk.
Pain in throat, left side 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mucus more after afternoon sleep.

Stomach
Appetite increased.
Thirst ++.
Appetite increased at 11.30 a.m. , also felt after eating.
Appetite increased at 11 a.m. after food.
Pain in the pit of stomach amel. pressure, amel. hot application.
Appetite reduced in the evening.
Pain in epigastrium just below the xiphisternum felt in morning on opening the eyes,
gradually increased after motion, amel. after hot bath, agg. straining, amel. resting.
Abdomen
Flatulence.
Tenderness in abdominal muscle.
Pain before and during stool though the stool was soft.
Sensation of heaviness before stool.
Burning in anus after stool.
Bleeding per rectum.
Stool first part large which tears anus and it bleeds. Bright red blood about 3 drops (old
symptom).
Stool
Stool undigested, somewhat dry, brownish black with flatulence and rumbling sound.
Passed small worms with stool (on successive three days though he had passed no works
before).
Stool slightly loose, slightly offensive.
Constipated, unsatisfactory stool, slightly hard.
First portion of stool hard followed by soft stool.
Urinary organs
Could not pass urine in public urinal.
Urination every 2 hourly or 1 hourly.
Genitalia
Seminal emission early in the morning.

Seminal emission 3 times with subsequent weakness, drowsiness and great muscular pain
with desire to lie down.
Weakness of the sexual organ, does not get erect easily, though there is intense sexual desire
(unusual symptom).
Cough and expectoration
Expectoration watery.
Expectoration won't come out and can't be swallowed.
Salty rust-like taste, mucus sticking on posterior aspect of throat.
Cold, watery expectoration in the morning.
Chest and back
Backache at 5.30 p.m. with desire to lie down.
Heavy pain behind rt. side of sternum at 10.15 p.m. (passed off after 15 minutes).
Pain in nape of neck, difficulty in rotating neck.
Pain in neck, rt. side behind mandible amel. by hot drinks. Started about 6 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.
(successively for 3 days at 6.10 or 6.15 p.m. ).
Stitching pain in chest amel. warmth of warm drinks, agg. by slightest touch, agg. slightest
pressure.
Pain in chest as if coming up from chest from behind 3rd interconstal space, just next to
sternal articulation.
Pain in chest at about 4 p.m.
Pain in chest at 4.10 p.m.
Pain in the lower 3 intercostal spaces, both sides on rising in morning, disappeared after half
an hour. Diffuse pain in the lower 4th or 5th intercostal space in morning on rising, amel.
pressure.
Pain in the left side of back under the lower angle of scapula in the evening.
Extremities
Coldness of extremities.
Pains in left shoulder at 9 a.m.
Pain in rt. forearm from elbow to the tip of fingers.
Pain severe, unbearable, more in palm and medial aspect of hand about evening, more
severe at 9 p.m. (took sleeping pills for relief).
Sore pain in sole and ankle joints after travelling.
Sore pain in palms and soles, calf muscles.

Itching between thighs.

Pain in rt. knee.
Perspiration on palms and soles after taking bath in morning sticky, more in axilla, on rt. side.
Pain in palm and lateral side of hand.
Muscles painful on pressing.
Pain arm upto scapula.
Pain in rt. hand on medial aspect with trembling.
Severe pain more at night, 12 to 6 a.m. amel. hot application amel. pressure.
Shooting pain at 1 p.m. , severe from 2.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lightning like pain at night 12 to 6 a.m.
Pain rt. arm starting in lunar aspect of palm shooting upto the elbow agg. rest, amel.
pressure, agg. night, agg. cold air, agg. air-conditioning amel. hot application, agg. sour food,
tomatoes.
Coldness of upper arm.
Tremor of both hands esp. rt. (pain had to be antidoted by Rhus-t 200).
Eruptions on rt. leg with pus.
Itching in bends of thighs.
Involuntary movement of lef medially only when resting legs on floor.
Offensive perspiration of the soles in the evening.
Offensive perspiration, palms and soles.
Itching of left palm and fingers of left hand.
Itching around toe of left foot (persisted for 2 days).
Numbness in legs especially in calf muscles agg. morning, agg. squatting, amel. walking.
Chill and fever
Fever in morning at 10 a.m. with much dryness of mouth (cf. Nat-m).
Chilliness.
Summary
An attempt to prove Aqua marina was made and the results are published. It would be better
to call this an attempt at a proving for in several ways, this proving falls short of optimum
requirements. For example, we did not do pathological, bacteriological examinations as is
being done in modern provings. However, we are publishing this proving with the hope that
this will stimulate further provings of this substance by other interested homoeopaths, so that
we shall be able to gather rich material concerning this substance.

Acknowledgement
I am deeply indebted to the following students who were kind enough to volunteer as provers
and who exposed themselves to much discomfort for the advancement of the science of
Homoeopathy.
Dr. D.P. Singh Mr. S.S. Shirke
Miss S.P. Saraswathi Mr. C.Z. Pattani
Mr. M.A. Moti Shaikh Mr. N.B. Patel
Mr. S.D. Narkar
I must also express my thanks to my house physicians Dr. (Miss) S.M. Nerurkar, Dr. (Miss)
S.M. Mirchandani, Dr. (Miss) S.K. Nagpal and Dr. S.A. Jamdar for helping me in conducting
the provings and to my friend Dr. M.O. Shaikh for assisting me in collating the results.
Besides, I must also express my gratitude to Messrs. A. Nelson's of London for supplying the
necessary medicines.
Summary of proving symptoms of aqua marina
Delusion of being watched.
Dullness, no desire to work.
Confusion of thought.
Lascivious thoughts.
Aversion to bathe.
Restless.
Depressed.
Anxiety, worse 2-4 p.m. , better by movement, better by cold drinks.
Thoughts of suicide.
Sudden loss of memory.
Frontal headache.
Headache from sour food, amel. motion.
Occipital headaches.
Coryza with sneezing.
Crack in the centre of lower lip.
Offensive breath.
Pain lt. side of palate better by cold drinks.
Appetite increased at 11 a.m.
Pain abdomen along the line of diaphragm.

Could not pass urine in presence of others.

Sore pain in limbs.
Fever in the morning at 10 a.m.
A proving of atrax robustus
Atrax robustus
Introduction
A proving of Atrax robustus - the venomous Australian spider - was suggested by Mr. D.W.
Everitt of Messrs. Nelson's of London. He was also kind enough to supply detailed information
about the spider, through photostat copies of pages from a Journal from the Australian
Museum. The spider is said to be venomous and it is reported to have caused even deaths of
human beings.
Mr. Everitt was further kind enough to supply us potencies of the remedy and we conducted a
fragmentary proving of the same in the Bombay Homoeopathic Medical College.
In this proving 4 provers took part. One was given Sac-l as control and out of the remaining
three who took the actual drug in the 30th potency, only one prover brought out the
symptoms which are given hereunder in schematic form. The provers were given one dose
daily for a month. At the end of a month the drug was stopped but the provers continued to
observe their symptoms for a month more. Once a week, their notebooks were checked by
the director of the proving. No change of any sort in the diet or activities was made during the
proving. No pathological investigation before, during or after the proving were attempted.
Extracts from this report are given in the Appendix.
Symptoms in schematic form
Mind
Mentally exhausted in the evening, cannot do mental or physical work.
Vertigo
Slight vertigo in evening at about 7.30 p.m. only for a short time.
Eyes
Pain above lt. eye agg. at bed time, in bed before sleep. Discharge, white or little yellowish at
night, copious, eyelids stuck in the morning.
Redness of eyes esp. left, in evening.
Pain in eyeball esp. left as if it is pushed forward, with copious yellowish white discharge.
Ear
Pulling sensation behind the lt. ear as if a string is tied between occiput and mastoid on lt.
side (H/o ear discharge in left ear some months back).
Pulling sensation behind ear has shifted to rt. side from lt. side.

Nose
Yellowish thick discharge, sometimes black and sticky.
Throat
Sensation of lump in the throat agg. lying on back.
Soreness in throat at about 2 a.m. Soreness increases esp. on left side of throat while
swallowing so that he cannot sleep for about one hour, somewhat better in the morning.
Sore throat , evening.
Dryness in throat not relieved by drinking water.
Soreness of throat agg. cold drink.
Sensation as if thyroid cartilage is pressing on the outer surface of throat.
Abdomen
Slight crawling pain around the umbilicus at 8.30 a.m. developed gradually half an hour after
meal amel. hard pressure, amel. lying on abdomen, amel. bending double, agg. bending
back, agg. walking, agg. sitting erect.
Cough
Cough with expectoration, greenish, thick, easily expectorated.
Urinary tract
Urine feels a little hot and slightly excoriating.
Frequent urination at night.
Sensation as if something remained after passing urine.
Last drop very hot and feels as if it is very concentrated, excoriating.
Extremities
Sudden weakness in both extremities in the evening esp. in lower; wants to lie down quietly.
Relaxation in extremities.
Pain in knee joint amel. by continued hard pressure.
Generalities
Exhaustion, remains till morning; gets up with tired feeling but slowly it disappears.
Summary of proving symptoms of atrax robustus
Mental exhaustion in the evening.
Vertigo in the evening.
Pain behind left eye at bed-time.

Pulling sensation behind left ear.

Feeling of lump in the throat worse by lying on the back.
Pain left side of the throat when swallowing.
Dryness in throat not relieved by drinking water.
Pain abdomen amel. bending double, amel. by lying on abdomen.
Urine feels hot, especially the last drop.
Sudden weakness in both extremities in the evening.
Appendix
The position of spiders in the animal kingdom *
The Animal Kingdom is divided into certain groups called phyla of which the greatest in terms
of numbers, if not in importance, is the phylus Arthropoda, which includes those animals with
jointed legs and with a hard exoskeleton. The phylum Arthropoda is further subdivided into
classes of which the Crustacea are aquatic for the most part, but the classes Insecta,
Arachnida, Chillopoda (Centipedes), and Diplopoda (Millepedes) are, in the main, land
animals, though many forms are aquatic or partly so.
Spiders are members of the class Arachnida and are, therefore, not to be confused with
insects which constitute the class Insecta or Hexapoda. Arachnida are eight-legged animals
with leg-like feeling organs called pedipalpi structurally dissimilar to the thread-like or manyjointed antennae of insects. These latter often possess wings which do not occur in the
Arachnida. Grouped in the class Arachnida are the orders Araneida (spiders), Scorpionida
(scorpions), Pseudoscorpionida (false scorpions), Phalangida or Opiliones (harvest men),
Acarina (ticks and mites).
The order Araneida, in which the spiders are included, may be identified by their
unsegmented body and in having a united head and thorax (cephalothorax) joined by a
narrow waist to the abdomen. To the cephalothorax are attached the eight legs, and at the
end of the abdomen are the small projections termed spinneret through which the spider
spins the silk to catch its prey, line the shafts of its burrow, or spin egg bags.
The poison glands are stated to be in the basal joints of the chelicerae in all mygalomorph
spiders, while they may extend into the head in all the dipheumone spiders (which constitute
the vast majority of spiders). Poison glands are wanting in certain spiders of the family
Ulohoridae.
The funnel-web spiders
The members of the family Dipluridae do not construct lids to their burrows. This family
includes our most harmful spiders, these belonging to the Australian genus Atrax being
popularly termed, "funnel-web" spiders. In the United States, the spiders of this family are
termed, "funnel-web tarantulas", but in Australia, as in other parts of the world, the term
"tarentula" is loosely applied to most large spiders.
Eight species belong to the genus Atrax which ranges from Queensland to Tasmania. Some of
these species burrow in the soil in true Mygalomorph fashion, while others prefer to place

their silken tubes in stumps, rotting logs, rockeries, by the sides of fence posts, under stones,
and in rubbish heaps.
In the males of Atrax, a spur or group of spines is present on the underside of the tibiae of
the second pair of legs. The female has a relatively larger abdomen than the male. Though all
species of Atrax are potentially dangerous to man, only two are recorded as harmful.
Extracted from the Journal of the Australian Museum.
The sydney funnel-web spider
The most toxic of all the spiders of the Sydney district is somewhat local Atrax robustus, for
although the Redback Spider is common everywhere, it does not come so closely into the
affairs of man in the city and suburbs as it does in the country.
The Sydney Funnel-web is large, the male measuring about an inch in length and the female
about one and one-third inches. The cephalothorax is black, smooth and shining, the
abdomen, above dull brown while the body is reddish-brown beneath. The legs of the male are
relatively longer than those of the female and it seems to be more active. It is greater
wanderer than the female, judging from the numbers brought into the Museum. Specimens of
both sexes kept in captivity proved very aggressive, being quick to rear back and ready to
strike when disturbed, otherwise they would remain with their legs hunched up and, to all
appearances, comatose. It is well not be deceived by this passive attitude.
Though Atrax robustus is a ground-dwelling spider of the Sydney sandstone district and in
gardens about the city, nevertheless it is said to enter houses through the ventilators, which
may involve a high vertical ascent. The spider may also enter through windows or doors.
Inside the house they may sometime be taken in laundry tubs or baths, or hide in slippers,
shoes or boots, and three cases of bites are known (two ending fatally) as a result of these
invasions.
The spider seems to be chiefly nocturnal in his habits and specimens kept alive at the
Museum seemed to shun strong sunlight. People have, however, been bitten while working in
their gardens in the daytime, their hands having come too close to the spider which promptly
showed its resentment by attacking them. Those thus bitten have remarked that it required
quite a strong blow to dislodge the spider. Though much press publicity has been given to this
spider, some of it rather ludicrous, many records of bites never appear in the newspapers.
From some of these bites no symptoms develop, due perhaps to the fact the spider failed to
introduce the venom into the wound made by the fangs, or the skin in the area bitten was too
thick to permit the fangs to enter. The nature of the venom and habits of the spider still await
investigation.
Poison and treatment
The poison of spiders is secreted by certain glands, probably corresponding to the salivary
glands in other animals. It has been pointed out in an article on ticks that the products of
these glands in the Dog Tick of the Sydney district may cause respiratory paralysis in man and
the domestic animals. The secretions of the poison glands of snakes are likewise an aid to
digestion in the animal, and to appreciate the nature of spider venom and arrive at a better
understanding of its toxic effects, we may learn something of the venoms of snakes. In the
past a great deal of research work has been done in Australia upon these reptiles by Dr. C.H.
Kellaway, who has written:

"Snake venoms are beautifully adapted to their functions in the reptilian economy. They serve
rapidly to immobilise living and active prey which is to be swallowed whole. To assist in the
digestion of this unmasticated food, the venom must be distributed through the body of the
victim while it is yet alive. These ends can only be achieved by the injection of the venom,
and the venomous snakes are provided with a biting mechanism, which in its most perfect
form anticipated the discovery of the hypodermic syringe."
He then describes the nature of snake venoms and then goes on to say, "Neurotoxin is the
most potent constituent of colubrine venoms, it possesses a special affinity for the cells of the
respiratory centre and the blub, though it also involves nervous tissues elsewhere in the cord
and brain."
Dealing with the effects of neurotoxin on sheep he points out, "Respiratory failure is the
common mode of death with all colubrine venoms and sheep die regularly from this cause."
In the spiders of the world-wide genus Latrodactus all of which have a bad reputation as a
cause of arachnidism (spider bite), the chief constituent of the venom is a neurotoxin but a
haemolysin has also be described. Castellant and Chalmers also state that it contains a
substance which increases the coagulability of the blood. It is doubtful whether this is so, and
the undoubted increased coagulability can be attributed to the extreme dehydration which
occurs.
Certain difficulties appear to present themselves in overcoming the action of neurotoxin and
some doubt exists as to the first aid treatment for neurotoxin poisoning. This is of primary
importance in certain Australian snakes and in those spiders harmful to man.
A proving of hirudo officinalis
Hirudo medicinalis
Introduction
The International Homoeopathic Research League decided to take up the drug Hirudo
officinalis or Sanguisuga officinalis for proving and accordingly we, of the Indian Unit, were
requested to collaborate with other units in carrying out the proving of this drug. We agreed
most willingly and we were able to conduct the proving in Bombay with 12 provers. The
record of the proving is published hereunder.
Hirudo officinalis or Sanguisuga officinalis is the common blood leech which is well-known as
a blood sucker. From time immemorial it has been used for the purpose of blood-letting. The
Ayurvedic texts mention this method of blood-letting practised as far back as 2000 B.C. The
peculiarity of this creature is that when it bites and sucks the blood, the blood combines with
the saliva of this creature and does not coagulate. To remove the leech itself is a very difficult
job; hence the expression, "he stuck on like a leech". Even after the leech has been removed,
the point at which the skin was punctured continues to bleed for a very long time probably
owing to the effect of the saliva in retarding the coagulation of the blood.
In Homoeopathy, the tincture of the living animal has been used. Burnett was the first to use
the Sanguisuga officinalis as a homoeopathic medicine and had made a brilliant cure with the
potensified drug. However, in Clarke's Dictionary we do not find any detailed record of the
proving and we have to infer that the drug had not been proved but used only on an empirical
or clinical basis. Considering the fact that the bleeding point continues to bleed, the drug has
been used mostly for haemorrhages, especially bleeding per rectum.

The following record of providing was sent to the President of the International Homoeopathic
Research League for incorporating it along with the records of the provings from other
countries.
The proving was conducted as usual by the double blind method in which neither the prover
nor the Director of the provings knew which prover was taking the drug and who was on Sal-l.
Five provers took the drug in 30th potency, four in 200 potency and three were put on Sal-l.
The provers continued taking the drug daily once for a month. The provers were drawn from
the students of the Bombay Homoeopathic Medical College and comprised of seven young
men and five women, all in a reasonably good state of health. Out of these, 5 men and 5
women received the drug and the rest Sac-l.
In the record of the symptoms before each group of symptoms the number of the prover in
whom they were evoked is given, e.g. Pr. 1 referring to Prover No. 1. The potency which
provoked the symptoms is also mentioned in parenthesis at the end of the group of
symptoms, the potency mentioned in parenthesis referring to or being related to all the
symptoms that precede the parenthesis.
Blood letting was such a common and universally adopted form of treatment even in the
West especially before Hahnemann that almost every physician carried with him a lancet and
a leech. To such an extent did the physician become identified with these that he himself
came to be known as the leech. And one of the oldest British medical journals still being
published is called the Lancet.
Symptoms in schematic form
Mind
(Pr. 11) No interest in any work, did not even feel like eating.
Wanted to remain alone and quiet.
Very irritable without cause or with little cause (30).
Head
(Pr. 9) Slight dull headache, whole head, agg. afternoon, amel. after dinner, agg. heat of sun.
The headache continued for a week. Thereafter, never returned (200).
(Pr. 3) Dull headache, whole day agg. by warmth, amel. pressure amel. open air, agg. direct
draught of air, agg. walking.
Severe headache, sometimes, same modalities.
Severe pressing type of pain, amel. pressing, amel. at night, amel. lying down, agg. by fan.
Pain felt in vertex agg. cold water application.
Headache, vertex agg. morning.
Frontal headache agg. afternoon.
Headache sometimes at night.
Severe frontal headache and heaviness about 2 p.m. while standing.

Severe pain in head-frontal and vertex amel. in the afternoon, agg. night (200).
Slight dull headache, started in the morning at about 7.30 a.m. remained for some time
(11/2 to 2 hours).
Burning sensation amel. cold water application, amel. open air; agg. closing eyes, agg.
looking at bright light, agg. movement of eye balls (30).
Ear
(Pr. 3) Pain the right ear, agg. afternoon, agg. cold air agg. draft of air.
Feeling or sensation as if air is passing in the ear (200).
Nose
(Pr. 3) Severe cold, running of nose (200).
Face
(Pr. 3) Burning sensation all over face, whole day (200).
Mouth, tongue and teeth
(Pr. 3) Ulcers on the right cheek, pains while eating.
Ulcers on the palate.
Slight burning, agg. eating food, agg. drinking cold water.
Soreness in the throat and rawness in the throat, agg. talking, amel. cold water, agg. night.
Gums bleeding easily while brushing the teeth (200).
(Pr. 9) Toothache (due to eruption of wisdom tooth?), amel. warm water application (200).
(Pr. 11) Dry, white coated tongue, no thirst.
No taste or bland taste for food. No offensive breath (30).
Stomach and abdomen
(Pr. 11) Morning thirst, has to drink water, very little at time.
Pain in the abdomen, started in the evening (about 7.30 to 7.45 p.m. ); dull pain and
discomfort in the abdomen near umbilical region.
Gurgling noise especially felt in the lower abdomen; with it, there was sudden urge for stool,
painless diarrhoea, semi-solid, yellow stool, not offensive. Passed stool only once. The
discomfort, gurgling in abdomen stopped after stool. (Due to heavy dinner that evening?).
Loss of appetite.
Loss of hunger.
Appetite + but not hungry.
No appetite, aversion for food during pain in abdomen (30).

Pain in the abdomen before stool and after stool. Pain felt little during stool. The pain
remained for an hour or so, after stool.
The pain used to come intermittently, but suddenly in umbilical area and extend towards left
side of the abdomen, then go round he umbilicus in a clock-wise direction, and used to
disappear gradually. The pain was agg. by pressure, agg. lying on back, amel. lying on side,
especially right, agg. walking, amel. bending double, amel. stooping, agg. stretching
backward.
(Pr. 9) Slight pain over left side of the abdomen remained for whole day; agg. on movement,
amel. sitting (200).
Pain in abdomen slightly relieved after stool (200).
(Pr. 3) Severe pain in the abdomen, umbilical area, at 2 p.m.
The pain was noticed for 11/2 hours. agg. walking, amel. bending, amel. lying down, amel.
pressure (200).
Rectum and stool
(Pr. 11) Constipation noticed for 2-3 days. Then diarrhoea 3-4 times in a day for 2-3 days.
Stool yellow or brown in colour.
Liquid (not watery) semi-solid stool with pain in abdomen before and after stool (30).
(Pr. 9) Constipated, ineffectual urge for stool (200).
Urogenital system
(Pr. 11) Slight burning sensation in the urethra while passing the first urine in the morning
(30).
(Pr. 3) Menses late by 10 days (200).
Larynx and trachea
(Pr. 11) Hoarseness of voice day and night. amel. cold water, drinking (200).
Respiration
Nil.
Cough and expectoration
(Pr. 3) Dry cough without expectoration (200).
Chest and back
v(Pr. 3) Pain in the chest, suddenly appeared and suddenly disappeared.
Pressive pain over sternum agg. by pressure.
Chest pain alternates with pain in abdomen.
Pain in the chest remains only for a short time. Appearance of the pain between 10 a.m. and
11.30 a.m. (200).

(Pr. 11) Severe breaking pain felt in the cervical vertebrae and shoulders. The pain was not
relieved or aggravated in my position or by pressure. Very restless due to pain (30).
Extremities
(Pr. 3) Burning of palms and soles amel. cold water application.
Burning of left palm.
Pain in the legs especially left, in the evening by walking.
Pain in the left (lt.) agg. in the evening till 9 a.m. , amel. walking.
Pains stopped suddenly after passing stool at night, agg. sleeping on lt. side (200).
(Pr. 9) Pain in the legs especially in calf muscles (jut like every month) agg. night (with
delayed menses) (200).
(Pr. 11) No symptoms except aching in calf muscles (30).
Sleep
(Pr. 11) Sleeplessness.
No sleep till 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Disturbed sleep at night (30).
(Pr. 3) Feeling sleepy. Went to bed early due to sleepiness; did not feel fresh after a good
sleep. Felt heaviness in the head.
Drowsy whole day (200).
(Pr. 9) Sudden awakening from sleep in the night.
Does not feel fresh after sleep. Heaviness of head, feels dull (200).
Chill and fever
(Pr. 9) Chill at 9.30 p.m. and is followed by slight fever amel. after food (200).
(Pr. 11) Felt chilly in the morning, creeping chill, creeping from below upwards. Thereafter,
felt feverish, but there was no actual rise of temperature (30).
(Pr. 3) Slightly feverish with chill at night about 9 p.m. Temp. raised whole day. Temp. 103 F
whole day, chilly whole day (200).
Generalities
(Pr. 11) Malaise, general weakness, bodyache, feverishness (30).
(Pr. 3) Feeling very tired and exhausted (200).
I have used Hirudin in 3 cases of recurrent Epistaxis. One case gave clear indications for
Lachesis (with symptoms like Epistaxis worse in sleep, worse in summer, etc.) but gave only a
limited response to Lachesis but was cured by Hirudo. Two of the cases showed a platelet
deficiency - in one an actual deficiency in the number and in another a deficiency in quality.
All the 3 cases improved and became well on Hirudo 12x given daily for a long period.

Acknowledgement
I have to express my deep gratitude to the enthusiastic students who took part in the proving
at great personal inconvenience and thus contributed to the advancement of Homoeopathy. I
have also to think my friends Dr. P.S. Kumta and Dr. M.O. Shaikh for helping me to tabulate
the results.
I am also grateful to Messrs. A. Nelson's for supplying me the necessary material for the
proving.
Summary of proving symptoms of hirudo officinalis
No interest in work.
Wants to remain alone and quiet.
Headache worse by heat of sun, better after dinner, better by pressure; pain frontal and in
vertex.
Burning sensation in eyes.
Burning sensation of face.
Burning in mouth worse drinking cold water.
Pain abdomen before and after stool, better by bending double.
Hoarseness of voice better by drinking cold water.
Chest pain alternates with pain in abdomen.
Pain in the legs better after stool.
Aching in calf muscles.
Sleeplessness.
A proving of mimosa pudica *
Mimosa pudica
Introduction
A proving of Mimosa pudica was carried out in the Bombay Homoeopathic Medical College in
January and February 1969.
This remedy was selected for proving by the International Homoeopathic Research Council,
and at a meeting of members of the I.H. R.C. held in October 1965 before the International
Homoeopathic Congress at New Delhi, it was decided to prove it internationally.
M/s. Willmar Schwabe of Karlsruhe, W. Germany were kind enough to supply the remedy in
potencies. The potencies were not marked on the bottles but only code numbers were noted.
Though I, as the Director of the proving, was aware of the remedy by name, I had no
information about its nature or its symptoms.
Six provers took part in the proving and they were all young healthy male students selected
from the College. Out of these only three provers brought out symptoms. All the provers were

given Sac-l for the first 7 days and they were then put on the drug from the 8th day onwards.
The provers were not aware what they were taking. They continued to take the drug, daily one
dose for 3 weeks and noted the symptoms for a further period after stopping the drug, as long
as symptoms were noticeable. No pathological investigations were done before or after the
proving.
The potencies used were 3x and 6x. The symptoms produced by 3x are marked with
asterisk.
Symptoms in schematic form
Mind
Gets irritated with the thought of taking medicine, does not want to take medicine.
Head
Headache agg. closing eyes, agg. by eye-strain; amel. tight bandage, agg. jarring, agg. bright
light (Had done strenuous reading at night). Supraorbital headache, throbbing agg. eye strain,
agg. motion, amel. closing eyes.
Headache over lt. eyebrow.
Eyes
Slight blurring of vision.
Eyelids agglutinated in morning. When getting up, yellowish pus at canthi.
Burning in eyes agg. draft of air.
Photophobia with headache agg. in sunlight.
Ears
Sudden sharp stitching pain started in rt. ear at 11 p.m. continued throughout the night agg.
lying on rt. side, agg. in draft of air, agg. hard pressure, amel. lightly closing the ear.
Difficulty in hearing with buzzing in ear with too much noise.
Nose
Sneezing whole day with watery discharge.
Irritation of mucous membrane.
Mouth
Profuse salivation all day.
Saliva dribbles out from rt. side in sleep.
Was not able to feel any taste in mouth.
Throat
Soreness at throat on waking not relieved by coughing, agg. talking, amel. drinking warm
tea.

Tickling sensation in throat and larynx (H/o having taken ice cold drink).
Stomach
Pain in the epigastrium agg. coughing.
Rectum
Diarrhoea, passed 10 stools offensive with griping pain in the abdomen before stool, amel.
after stool, rubbing the abdomen.
Genitalia
Male - Increased sexual desire.
Respiratory
Dull aching pain lower border of pectoralis major muscle agg. abduction of arm, agg. cold
open air, amel. warm bath.
Dry cough.
Extremities
Slight pain in both shoulder joints agg. cold open air, agg. warm bath.
Back
Backache.
General
Injuries take long time to heal.
Wants fanning and cold open air; cannot tolerate heat.
Likes open air.
Feels body is very light.
Summary of proving symptoms of mimosa pudica
Does not want to take medicine.
Headache worse by closing eyes, better by tight bandage.
Sharp stitching pain in the right ear.
Profuse salivation all day.
Pain epigastrium worse coughing.
Injuries take long time to heal.
Feels body is very light.
Appendix
"Mimosa Pudica Linn. N.O. Leguminosae. *

Sansk. - Lajjalu; Ajalikalika; Namaskar; Varaha-kranta.

Eng. - Sensitive plant, humble plant.
Fr. - Sensitive commune.
Ger. - Shamhafte Sinnpflanze; Fuhlpflanze.
Hind. - Lajjalu.
Tamil - Thottashurungi.
Habitat : This sensitive shrub, a native of Brazil, has long been naturalised and is plentiful in
the hotter regions of India; it grows wild as a weed in certain parts of the West Coast of India,
in Mysore and Coorg.
Parts used : Root and leaves.
Constituents : Root contains 10 percent tannin.
Action : Resolvent, alternative and carminative, the root is aphrodisiac. Juice is antiseptic,
alternative and a blood-purifier.
Uses : Root in the form of a decoction (1 in 10) is given in doses of 2 to 6 drachms for gravel
and similar urinary complaints and for diseases arising from corrupt blood and bile. Infusion of
leaves is also used in 1/2 to 1 ounce doses. Leaves and root in powdered form are given in
milk in cases of piles and fistula... Juice is applied externally in fistulous sores, piles and
scorpion sting. Leaves rubber into a paste are applied to hydrocele and glandular swellings,
and their juice, with an equal quantity of horse's urine, is made into an anjan which is used to
remedy films of the cornea by setting up and artificial inflammation. Juice of the leaves is
used to impregnate cotton wool for dressing in any form of sinus. Leaves are employed as a
bath in the pains of the hip and kidneys."
If the leaves are touched, they tend to close or collapse.
A proving of pituitary
Pituitaria posterior
Introduction
A proving of the Pituitary was conducted in the Bombay Homoeopathic Medical College on
two occasions, once in 1965 and again in 1967 by two different sets of provers.
The Pituitary was selected for the following reasons:
It is a well-known fact that the endocrine glands have a powerful influence almost over all
bodily functions. And among all the endocrine glands the Pituitary gland has been variously
designated as the "Conductor of the endocrine orchestra", the "Prime Minister of endocrine
cabinet", etc. This is because the Pituitary gland has an overall controlling influence over all
the other endocrine glands.
With this background of the importance of this gland in the regulation of bodily functions and
its supremacy, we were rather surprised to find very little mention of its provings or
symptomalogy in the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. Allen's Materia Medica of Nosodes and
Clarke's Dictionary make no mention. Even Allen's Encyclopedia does not mention it. Only Dr.

S.K. Ghosh has given numerous clinical indications and verifications in his book "Clinical
Experiences with Rare Nosodes". A perusal of Boericke's Materia Medica gives an impression
that the symptoms and indications given are not from the provings but rather taken from the
physiological and toxic effect. This is why we were prompted to prove the remedy in our
college.
We used the 3x and the 30th potencies of the whole gland of B and T make, obtained from a
reliable pharmacy. Nine provers participated in all, out of whom two were given Sac-l as
controls. The rest, all of them, received potencies of the Pituitary - four of them received 30th
potency and three 3x, which was taken daily once in the morning for one month. At the end of
the month the drug was stopped but the provers continued to observe their symptoms for a
month more. Once a week their notebooks were checked by the director. No change of any
sort in the diet or activities was made during the proving. No pathological investigations
before, during or after the provings were attempted.
The symptoms elicited in the provings are given hereunder. When more than one prover
brought out the same symptoms the number of provers is given at the end of the symptom.
The asterisk (*) is put on the symptoms which are elicited with the 3x potency. The remaining
symptoms were provoked by the 30th potency.
Symptoms in schematic form
Mind
Changeable mood; No interest in anything. Read a line several times as if reading
continuously - that is, failed to read ahead. Read one line, then re-read it thinking it to be
another line.
Though tried to read, failed to read, at last had to close the book.
Vertigo
Vertigo present when not in motion but becomes doubly severe on motion, especially of
head, at the same time sensation of nausea with empty stomach, which he thinks will relieve
him.
Slight nausea like feeling with severe vertigo from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. along with head
symptoms noted below.
Feeling of faintness in the afternoon agg. near fire, agg. standing, agg. exertion, amel.
moving about, agg. lying down, amel. empty stomach agg. sun, stooping or bending forward,
agg. due to loss of sleep, agg. early morning.
Head
Sudden stitching pain in both temporal regions at 3 a.m. and tearing pain in neck and deltoid
of right had till 5 p.m. Dull headache in occiput from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Headache from temporal region to the neck upto scapula at 9 a.m. accompanied with slight
vertigo and sensation of vomiting; all disappeared at 1 p.m. but headache continued upto 9
a.m.
At 7 a.m. early morning on getting up, heavy dull head with severe vertigo (2), edges felt
heavy and headache. Heavy feeling 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Headache amel. cold.

Headache amel. bandaging, amel. pressure, amel. cold application.
Headache in the evening and night agg. 4-5 p.m. *
Headache frontal - 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Slight heaviness of head agg. sun, agg. tea, agg. mental exertion, amel. rest, amel. pressure,
amel. closing eyes, sleep (?), agg. bending forward.*
Headache, throbbing, bursting agg. noise, agg. sun, agg. strong artificial light, amel. closing
eyes, amel. rest, amel. exertion. Headache disappears suddenly after one hour.*
Headache starts as dull and becomes throbbing.*
Severe headache on coughing.*
Slight dull headache.*
Eyes
Burning pain amel. by applying cold water.
Pain in left eye.
Redness, painful agg. reading.
When trying to close, burning in day time.
Burning of eyes - at about 2 p.m.
Tearing pain in eye ball (upper half of both) that through temporal region extends upto base
of the neck, till 5 p.m.
Heavy and swollen with headache and vertigo.
Heaviness of eyelids as if aroused from deep sleep with redness and burning of eyes in the
afternoon.*
Nose
Running of nose, left side.
In the evening at 6 p.m. fluent coryza with sneezing.
Studdy nose at night.
Sensation of sneezing; thick discharge from nose, more from rt. side.*
Right nostril blocked only upto 10 a.m.
Severe watery discharge only from right side with headache.*
Mouth
Swelling below the tongue (left).
Redness on left side; soreness in mouth on left side.

Dryness of mouth with thirst for large quantity of water at long intervals.
Inflammation of gums around molar teeth.*
Inflammation of tongue.*
Food felt tasteless.*
Throat
Choking sensation with cough and expectoration.
Tickling sensation in the throat.
Tickling early morning as if choking agg. talking.
Sticky mucus with cough. Obliged to hawk it out.
Change in voice: Warm water amel. the pitch of the voice.
Stomach
Violent hunger at 12 noon followed by sinking with black circles in front of eyes; this stopped
at 1 p.m. on eating.
Thirst for large quantity of cold water after 3-4 hours, or at long intervals.
Unquenchable thirst.
Thirst for cold water at shorter intervals.
Nausea 11 a.m.
Pain in epigastrium agg. after lunch.*
Thirstless.*
Hungry feeling at 12 noon and 6 p.m. and excessive desire to eat mutton, onions and
chicken.*
No appetite - feels stomach is full.*
Abdomen
Heaviness and pain abdomen.*
Heaviness in abdomen.*
Slight heaviness in abdomen.
Sudden pain with gurgling in abdomen, has to run for stool.*
Rectum
3 stools in morning
2 black and hard stools.
Constipated.*

Little semi-solid stool with great straining.*

Soft stool but with a feeling as if something is left behind.*
Stool became very scanty with feeling as if some stool is still remaining behind - not satisfied.
Stools hard, slightly slimy.
Stools very sticky, looks like jelly - not satisfied.
Urine
Excessive urination, 7 - 8 times.
Respiration, cough and chest
Cough with chilliness.
Dry hard cough.
Hoarseness of voice.
Dry cough.
Cough with slight expectoration.
Slight difficulty in respiration with pain in chest.
Choking sensation in throat with cough and expectoration.
Pain in second right and third costochondral junction between 2.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. ,
followed by pain in left costochondral junction at 4 in evening; sharp pricking pain up to 5
p.m. *
Chest pain in the morning at 8 a.m. , and at 12 - 1 p.m. , more in 3rd and 4th. left intercostal
space with heaviness.*
Palpitation at night before sleep agg. lying on left side.*
Dry cough in the morning till evening, sometimes with little expectoration - white.*
Sudden shooting pain in chest.*
Cough with white, sticky expectoration.*
Chest heavy in afternoon.
Back
Stitching pain in the left scapular region agg. open air.
Pain in the back.
Backache 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sudden severe pain in the left lumbar region, unbearable for 7 hours, continuous, started at 4
p.m. and lasted upto midnight.*
Extremities

Pain in lower extremities.

Both extremities paining.
Slight pain in lower extremities with fever.
Weakness in both extremities in afternoon between 2 and 3 p.m. *
Neuralgic pain in left thigh in evening agg. walking *
Cramps in calf muscles agg. evening, agg. walking.*
Fever
Fever 99 oF. Feverish more towards evening. Fever at night (3)
Fever from 7 p.m. with headache.
Fever at night with chill.
Slight fever between 11 to 12 p.m. (night).*
Fever upto 100 oF. from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. *
Sleep
No sleep from 3 a.m. till morning due to headache. But great sleepiness at 3.30 p.m.
Desire for sleep at 12 noon.
Sleepy.
Sleep disturbed.*
Sleep restless at night, no sleep after 2 a.m. *
Skin
Red spot on the dorsum of hand, disappeared on 4th day of its appearance. Skin red with
fever.
Oedematous eruption on right side of neck.
Oedematous eruption with itching.
At 10-15 a.m. there was itching on skin of dorsal side of wrist of right hand, it was there
upto 11 a.m. , very violent.
Itching with skin eruption on elbow joint.
Slight itching.
Slight itching on palms.
Generalities
Aversion to motion.
agg. in the evening and towards night.

agg. cold - chilliness.

Weakness agg. evening.*
Wants fan to sleep.
Feels tired. Physically very weak.*
Does not want to do anything; does not want to move parts of body also.*
Summary of proving symptoms of pituitary
Inability to concentrate.
Vertigo worse from movement, especially of head, with nausea.
Headache better by cold application.
Headache on coughing.
Redness of eyes; pain and burning in eyes.
Food felt tasteless.
Choking sensation in throat with cough.
Thirst for large quantity at long intervals.
Sinking in stomach at 12 noon.
Nausea at 11 a.m.
Cough with chilliness.
Cough worse in evening.
Palpitation while lying on left side.
Weakness and pain in both extremities.
Cramps in calf.
Generalities
Aversion to movement.
Worse in the evening and towards night.
Worse by cold.
Weakness worse in evening.
Does not want to do anything.
Insulin - a clinical proving
By dr. (miss) k.h. matani, l.c. e.h. , b. sc. (physiology), bombay
Insulinum

Introduction
A study of potentized Insulin in its 30th potency was under progress since early 1976 at the
Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy at Calcutta, under the guidance of Dr. K.P.
Muzumdar, the Director of the Institute. He was trying to study the effect of Insulin 30 on
blood-sugar levels in hyperglycaemic patients. Since very little or insignificant information is
available in respect of Insulin in our literature, it was decided to prove the same
simultaneously when its clinical trial was being conducted.
Materials and method
Diabetic patients were the subject of study. The main purpose of the study was to note the
effect of insulin in potency on blood sugar levels of hyperglycaemic subjects. Irrespective of
their individual signs and symptoms, diabetic patients with high blood sugar levels were given
Insulin in the 30th potency, 3 or 4 times a day, for 3 weeks at a time and the blood sugar level
was recorded after 3 weeks. If the blood sugar level had not become normal by then, they
were given the same medicine for a further period of 3 weeks and if necessary again for a
further period of 3 weeks.
Though the main purpose of the study was as stated above and the experiments were
designed by Dr. Muzumdar, we felt that this opportunity could be also taken to study the
symptoms produced or erased in each individual by the administration of this remedy. Since
the drug was being given 3 to 4 times daily continuously for a minimum period of 3 weeks
and in some cases for a further period of 3 to 6 weeks, we felt that some kind of a clinical
proving may result. So we took the cases of these patients in great detail and carefully noted
the signs and symptoms. They were then seen once a week and the change in the symptoms
noted. Our observations are presented herewith.
During the treatment no change in the diet was made. If the patients were already taking any
anti-diabetic medicines (allopathic), they were allowed to continue the same.
We felt that if the Insulin was found to have a definite effect in reducing high blood sugar
levels, this would be a valuable piece of knowledge, no doubt. But we also felt that if we could
develop some homoeopathic indications for the use of this drug, this would give us additional
useful information.
The number indicates that this symptom was found in three different patients. All other
symptoms were noted in any one patient.
Schematic presentation of symptoms relieved and symptoms caused
Symptoms Relieved Symptoms Caused
Vertigo agg. when hungry.
agg. when angry, agg. looking up.
agg. moving the head quickly.
agg. fasting 3. *
agg. morning.
agg. in the morning.

Head Hair fall.

Headache agg. when constipated with flatulence.
Vision Dimness of vision in the evening.
Throat Pain throat agg. swallowing liquids.
Dryness of throat.
Abdomen Heaviness of abdomen at night.
Respiration Dyspnoea on walking.
Back Pain between scapulae in the morning, after sleep.
Pain lumbar back agg. sitting, agg. squatting.
Extremities Formication hands agg. when constipated.
Pain right shoulder.
Extremities (Contd.) Pain right knee.
Pulling pain behind knees agg. squatting.
Stiffness of knees agg. rising from sitting.
Pain calf muscles extending upto gluteal region.
Pain calf muscles agg. standing, agg. walking, agg. ascending, agg. lying on painful side.
Pain right calf muscle, then left calf.
Heaviness of legs agg. when the legs hang down.
Pain left great toe nail as if there is a boil.
Burning in soles.
Heaviness in soles.
Sleep Drowsiness as if he has taken alcohol, agg. morning.
Chill Chill at 11 a.m.
Skin Itching eruption on body.
Generalities Pain all over body agg. when constipated, agg. cold weather.
Weakness agg. after stool.
Feels as if intoxicated.
Sudden lightness of body.
Pain goes to side lain on.
Summary of proving symptoms of insulin 30

Vertigo when hungry agg. anger, agg. looking up, agg. moving.
Hair fall.
Headache when constipated.
Dimness of vision in the evening.
Pain throat, worse swallowing liquids.
Pain between scapulae in the morning.
Pain lumbar back, worse sitting.
Pain right shoulder and knee.
Pulling pain behind knees, worse rising from sitting.
Pain calf muscles extending upto gluteal region.
Pain calf muscles, right, then left.
Heaviness of legs when the legs hang down.
Pain, left great toe.
Burning in soles.
Drowsiness.
Chill at 11 a.m.
Weakness after stool.
Acknowledgement
I must thank my senior Dr. P. Sankaran for guiding me in this work.
Case taking and repertorization
Some hints on case taking
The first and a very important step in homoeopathic practice is the taking of the case and
much of the success of the practitioner depends upon the accuracy and thoroughness with
which the case is taken. It is said that a well-taken case is half-cured and this statement is
indeed very true. Although case taking is apparently a simple and easy procedure, in
practice, however, it requires all the alertness, intelligence, ingenuity, care and
circumspection on the part of the physician and it would not be wrong to say that it may take
years of experience to take a case well. Dr. Burnett states that in his opinion, only one in a
hundred physicians takes a case well and lest we may feel he is cynical, he adds that even
this must be a gross over-estimation!
Rudolf Rabe, writing in an editorial, says, "There is no procedure in homoeopathic practice
more important than a thorough knowledge of the right way to take a case. The ability to do
this insures against humiliating mistakes and failures, prevents misconceptions of the sphere
of homoeopathic therapeutics and paves the way to relief or cure where either is possible."

I must mention here my experience as a teacher and as a consultant. Very often, I have
noted that the students and other practitioners who consult me bring to me their cases and I
find that the vital indications for the remedy are missing from their case records, though they
may contain a mass of details, all because they failed to probe and enquire a little further to
discover the finer modifying factors or circumstances of the symptoms. Had they put the one
or two more vital questions necessary, they might have found the answer to the case.
Writing in an editorial, Alfred Pulford, that master prescriber, records as follows, "Case
taking, as commonly understood, is a thorough examining of the patient from every possible
angle that will give a definite clue in the search for the indicated remedy. It is the greatest
problem with which the physician must contend and requires every atom of his ingenuity,
skill and patience, for the case properly taken or canvassed is fully one half-cured. The
physician must be a good listener, a very acute observer and a past master in the art of crossquestioning. He must know how to ask questions, when necessary without any hint of
suggestion of the correct answer and watch the patient's every movement."
H.C. Allen has remarked that a case well-taken insures accuracy and efficiency in the
selection of the similimum.
McKillop explains the other objects of case taking as follows: "The ultimate aim of
homoeopathic case taking is of course to enable one to find the similimum, the remedy
homoeopathic to the case, which will heal the sick person. But the indicated homoeopathic
remedy is not the whole treatment. It is also necessary to ensure that the patient's
environment is rendered conducive to recovery, and that such regimes of nursing, general
hygiene and ancillary treatment are instituted as will assist towards this aim. Treatment,
however, is not alone the sole aim of case taking, homoeopathic or allopathic. Treatment is
but a part of the three-fold entity of Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment, three functions of
case taking which are so inextricably involved with each other, that it is impossible to
separate them. From Diagnosis we can assess Prognosis or probable progress of the case if
untreated, possibilities and scope of recovery under treatment, whether a surgical
catastrophe is imminent or not, whether pathological changes present are reversible or not,
and hence we can decide what form of treatment to adopt, surgical or medical, or even both
together, what sort of nursing regime to initiate and what sort of personal regime to the
patient."
Object
The main object of the homoeopathic case taking is of course to record faithfully the picture
of suffering of each individual patient in such a way that the indications for the similimum
emerge out of it. Almost every master from Hahnemann downwards has given us lucid
directions for taking the case and it is indeed difficult to add anything new on the subject. And
yet every generation and in fact every physician approaches each problem in its or his own
way and has some modifications or improvements to suggest. The following hints are,
therefore, offered in this spirit, and are merely intended more to re-emphasize and add to
certain well-known aspects, especially for beginners.
In taking the case, we seek to record details of the sufferings of the patient, including the
chief complaint, present symptomatology, previous history, personal history and family
history, along with the abnormal findings on physical examination, and a summary of the
previous treatments taken and their results.
While taking the case we have to remember that we may come across the most significant
symptom or symptoms at any stage of the case taking - while listening to the patient (or the

relative), interrogating him or examining him - and so we have to be very alert and keenly
attentive always. It is very difficult to say beforehand which particular answer may provide the
clue to the similimum. It may even be some chance remark of the patient. I remember a
patient who, while leaving after the consultation said, "Oh! I must hurry up now. It is 11 a.m.
and I am famished." This remark helped me to find his remedy. Dr. Stanton calls it aliveness
and says, "Too often we examine a case ploddingly, when we should come to it alive in every
fiber, keenly and vigorously on the scent. We must time our mood to the exigencies of the
occasion, otherwise symptoms of inestimable value will inevitably escape us." We have also to
intelligently evaluate each answer so that we may frame the succeeding questions suitably.
Generally speaking, nothing that the patient says or what we notice about the patient is
completely useless or insignificant.
Precautions
The very first precaution to observe before taking the case is to start with a blank paper and
a blank mind. The "blank-mindedness" which is easier conceived than achieved, should
continue throughout the period of case taking. It is possible that the first few symptoms of the
patient may suggest to the mind of the physician a particular remedy but he should not allow
himself to be biased and should think of remedies only after the case taking has been
completed; otherwise objectivity in taking the case, which is so essential, will be lost.
One point must be emphasized here. Disease is only an alteration in the state of health of the
individual and this alteration is represented by symptoms. The physician must therefore
ensure that all the symptoms recorded are actually part of the deviations from the originals or
normal state of the individual and that therefore they form part of the disease-picture. It is
useless to record details of the normal state of the individual because we are not going to
treat the normal individual. We have also to ensure that the symptoms noted are fairly
marked in intensity.
These points are to be especially remembered in treating acute states; the physician should
consider only the symptoms of that state with the exclusion of the symptoms of the original
chronic condition that the patient might have been suffering from. To give an instance, if a
chronic patient who is normally thirsty develops an acute syndrome say, gastroenteritis, and
is thirstless during this attack, then it is this thirstlessness that would lead us to the remedy
for the acute condition. When the acute picture is erased and is replaced by the chronic
condition, then only the symptoms of the latter should be taken into account.
Method
After taking down the name, age, occupation and address of the patient, the physician can
say, "Please describe all your troubles from the beginning and give me all the details." Then,
as the patient proceeds to describe his illness, tracing its origin, course and progress, the
physician continues to note down all the data while listening to the patient.
As the case taking progresses, it would be wise on the physician's part to allow the patient to
express his disorders without any interruption. His should be an attitude of "Watchful
expectancy and masterly inactivity". All that should be asked in the beginning is "What is
troubling you?" or some such question and the patient should be allowed to detail in his own
words the description of his ailments. If he is too garrulous and his statements are quite
irrelevant, then he should be tactfully brought back to the main point. Information provided by
the patient voluntarily and spontaneously is of maximum value. To this extent a physician cuts
down questioning and gets a picture of the case. Without much questioning, he will get more
valuable information. Therefore, merely prompting the patient on and on, he should gather

the maximum information, encouraging the patient to describe his troubles in his own words,
till he runs dry, so to say. Care should be taken never to interrupt since as a result of such
interruption of his line of thought, what the patient was about to say might remain unsaid. All
questions should be asked and doubts clarified only at the end without disturbing the patient's
trend.
Borland, that delightful teacher, has given some practical hints: "For a successful
homoeopathic prescription the physician ought constantly to bear in mind the six following
rules:
1. To observe 4. To question
2. To listen 5. To examine
3. To write 6. To coordinate
1. To observe without saying a single word, but with eyes wide open to notice the gait,
behaviour, gestures, the smallest changes of expression, etc.
2. To listen to all noises, respiratory, digestive, articular, etc., and, of course listen without
interrupting. If a patient talks, let him do so freely, otherwise he will reproach you for not
having been able to utter a single word or, at the end of the consultation, he will come out
with a long array of symptoms written in his notebook. Put him off until tomorrow if necessary
but let him talk. First because to listen is a sign of politeness and, besides, you will let him do
the extraversion so preached by the psycho-analysts. To be able to narrate one's ailments and
feel that somebody is listening with interest and benevolence, constitutes a great relief. You
know it.
3. To write and in the exact terms of the talker in order to be able later on to recollect his own
personal expressions.
4. To question, bearing constantly in mind that all questions that can be answered by "yes"
or "no" are badly put. Please read with rapt attention 84 to 104 in the Organon concerning
taking the case. About this it is certain that if Hahnemann had been alive today knowing his
love for detail, for accuracy and his extreme conscientiousness, he would have adapted his
methods to the most modern way of investigations and adopted the last word in modern
diagnosis, as applied by all good homoeopaths."
During the process of the questioning, the physician should pose only such questions which
are not leading in nature, viz. those that do not suggest any answers. Questions may suggest
only the type of answer required. Leading questions may bring forth misleading answers. The
patient sometimes gives the answer which he thinks the physician wants from him.
For instance, we should never ask, "Are you thirsty?" but only enquire, "How much water do
you take ?" In case the patient does not follow a question and finds it too vague, a more
specific and even slightly leading question can be put but a number of alternatives should be
placed before him. For example, we may ask, "What kind of pain do you suffer from? Is it
burning, pressing, pricking, shooting, stitching, tearing?" We may ask, "What food or drink do
you desire?" or, "In which position do you find relief from pain?", etc. Or we may ask, "Do you
crave for any particular items of food, such as sweets, sour, salty foods, milk, eggs ?", etc. Or
sometimes you can put a question leading in the opposite direction. If you feel that the
patient is very nervous, you may ask, "You are not nervous, are you?"

The case taking may sometimes take two or three or even more sittings to be completed.
Very often, in the first sitting the patient merely becomes aware as to what sort of symptoms
we expect from him and it may be only by the second or third or later interview that he may
recall, recollect or observe and offer voluntary information about those symptoms which he
had formerly omitted to observe or describe or had ignored. Here, therefore, there is often
need for greatest patience. Sometimes, I have spent a full hour of consultation merely looking
at the various reports and X-rays and listening to the various treatments the patient had
taken, without eliciting even a single symptom of homoeopathic significance. Of course, this
refers to chronic cases.
Julia Green, the veteran teacher, has given detailed hints about case taking. She says:
"First, schematic form: by this I mean indentation writing so that each symptom reported will
have a line of its own and all the modifications, aggravations, concomitants of that symptom
will be recorded under it on lines further indented, so that in glancing down the page the
reader may see coordinate statements under each other with the same indention and be able
to read the whole at a glance.
"Second: an entry for each date, giving changes in old symptoms and new ones in fullest
detail.
"Third: a separate column for dates and prescriptions so that one may see easily the
remedies given and the intervals between them. These things are too often incorporated into
the body of a record so they must be hunted out if wanted.
"Fourth: a separate column for diagnosis and laboratory reports so that a summary of these
may be seen opposite the symptom lists relating to them and the whole case made more
comprehensible to the allopaths and general scientists."
In acute cases, the case taking is somewhat easier. The changes due to the disease being
more recent and more marked, both the patient and those around him are able to observe
and describe these symptoms clearly to us. This makes our work lighter. In addition, the
observant physician will be able to note various small but significant details such as the
decubitus, the expression, perhaps a flapping of the alae nasi or twitching somewhere, etc.,
which will all add up to a totality. Boyson says about observation, "Before we begin to
question him, our patient tells us much. The gait, the face, the eyes, the skin, the nails, the
hair are all indications towards the individualisation of the patient." I may mention that in a
case of pneumonia I was guided to the remedy by a wrinkling of the forehead of the patient.
Van Tine has remarked, "There is no symptom in the sick room without its value, especially in
acute and serious cases."
Writing on the value of observation, McKillop says, "Observed symptoms are generally more
reliable than those elicited by interrogation alone. I, for one, regard every patient as
potentially incapable of telling the truth regarding his innermost nature and personal
character. Even when they believe themselves to be truthful the judgement of most people
regarding their own characters is apt to be widely off the mark. A symptom which does so
correspond can be accepted with some confidence. I find that this tends to shorten one's case
history. Think of the great number of valuable prescribing symptoms that can be observed
almost without uttering a word. Why, one could often make out a reasonably complete case
history, even including some parts of the physical examination, without uttering a word or
laying a hand on the patient. On the physical side there are such signs, for example, as
complexion, physical conformation and deportment, speech, gait, proptosis, glandular
enlargements, breathlessness, etc. On the mental side are such symptoms as loquacity,

diffidence, easy embarrassment, timidity, tearfulness, anxiety, fearfulness, suspiciousness,

impatience, haughtiness, egotism, excitability, depression, and many more.
"Again, observation can be used as a test of the reliability of a patient's responses to
interrogation. If a reply is enthusiastic it can be trusted. This test applies especially to physical
desires and aversions and to desires and aversions to certain articles of food."
Particularly in children, the observation of the physician plays a vital role. As infants and
children are not so articulate, we have to compensate by keener observation.
In recording the case, it is advisable to note down all the relevant informations as the patient
describes his sufferings, preferably in his own words. The patient may be requested to detail
the symptoms a little slowly in order that we may keep pace with him. After noting down the
main features quickly as he narrates them, we may then enquire into each symptom leisurely,
when the patient has exhausted whatever he has to say. The main features can be noted
down line by line with intervening spaces wherein further details of each symptom can be
filled in later on by careful enquiry.
While taking the case the physician should have in his mind an order or plan of questioning
so that nothing is left out. He may deviate now and then to go after some points but in the
main he should stick to his plan and complete all the questions to get all the data.
Stevens says, "The physician who would become skilful in case taking will arrange for himself
a scheme or order to follow in questioning, so that no part or function of the body may be
overlooked. The mental symptoms should be inquired into carefully as these often are of great
value. Through all this, the physician should use his own powers of observation as accurately
as possible and should note down the results." But this need not be done in a stereotyped
way.
Stearns thinks that the preliminary work which goes into the taking of a case is the most
important help in the subsequent curing. But it is not to be done in a routine way. Different
individuals approach a case in different ways; there may be nearly as many ways as there are
prescribers but nine-tenths of them may arrive at the same result.
In taking the symptoms, we attempt to record not merely a lifeless list of symptoms but to
draw a picture of the suffering of a living individual and to try and understand the whole
circumstance that has given rise to these symptoms. In other words we try to get at the
background of the patient's symptoms and in so doing we go through his fears and doubts,
disappointments and emotional feelings and also his social, economic, domestic and other
circumstances so that we get a better understanding of the patient's difficulties as a whole.
Further, we have also to try to define and delineate each symptom. When a patient says that
he has an aggravation at a particular time we should try and visualise what the patient must
be doing at that particular hour and how far the aggravation has to do with the circumstances
then. For instance, if a patient says he is worse at night, we want to know whether he is
actually worse at night or worse lying down or merely worse by heat of bed, etc. If he is worse
in the afternoon, we want to know whether he is worse in the afternoon as such or worse
while sitting in the office or worse after lunch, etc. Thus, in dealing with his symptoms we try
to elicit as many circumstances as possible which modify that symptom. This renders each
symptom complete with its location, sensations, modalities, causation, duration, extension ,
etc., and the case becomes clearer and easier.
It is possible to carry out the interrogation of the patient in the form of a conversation or
discussion rather than as a question-and-answer business. We must remember that by our

questioning we merely seek to secure information. We are not trying to force the patient to
say something, to agree or disagree, as the prosecutor does in a court of law. So our
interrogation should not be merely mechanical but informal, tactful, imaginative and
intelligent, having our object in view. If the patient is unable to answer any question it is
better to drop the question, or if he gives a doubtful answer it is good to omit the answer.
Wherever his answers do not tally, it is better to put a query against the original answer. If
the patient modifies his original answer such modifications should be entered. If the patient
reflects very long before answering a question, usually the answer is not very valuable though
the fact that he reflects long before answering can be a symptom.
History
The importance of a full and accurate history cannot be sufficiently emphasized. It may
provide us with a very good idea as to the nature of the illness (diagnosis). To quote only one
example, a history of convulsions in a young woman, which never occur in sleep and which
never result in injuries to her person is highly suggestive that the disorder is of a hysterical
nature. In most cases, the history also furnishes valuable data indicating the remedy required.
Even textbooks on modern medicine lay great stress on recording the history fully and
accurately. *
In cases of children, the unconscious, the insane and in animals the history of the case and
the objective findings (including the reaction and behaviour of patients as noted by the
physician or by those around) generally lead to the remedy.
The cause
The exciting or precipitating cause of the illness ranks very high in importance. Farrington
says that Arnica may well cure an illness originating from an injury, even though symptoms of
Arnica may not be actually present in the case. Homoeopathy provides us with useful
antidotes for varied types of causes, some of which our modern physicians may not even
comprehend. And many times these antidotal remedies even help to remove the whole
illness.
Experience teaches us that in the majority of cases, through careful interrogation and by
association of facts and circumstances, the exciting cause can be arrived at. The patient was
once a healthy individual and something has happened to upset the balance called health.
The knowledge of this factor - this "something" - is very important. It might have been an
injury, an emotional upset, shock, a loss, greed, disappointment, fright, anxiety or vexation,
an exposure to cold damp, heat or sun, an indiscretion in diet or activity, overexertion,
suppression of discharges or eruptions, etc., or anyone of the numerous morbid influences
which excite or activate disease conditions, and which the careful physician can uncover by
close and intelligent questioning.
Dixton notes, "I could cite cures following the finding of causes in history taking from
diagnosis too, like a cataract following a suppressed foot-sweat, a nervous breakdown from an
unfortunate love affair, an insanity from a fright, an epilepsy from a head injury, a
tuberculosis from a suppressed eczema. But let's stop here by just pointing out again the
moral: that it is easy if you take the time to get a complete history of the individual before you
make that first prescription."
Again, among the various types of causes, especially in adults, the emotional ones seem to
be very common. Though the patient may fail to disclose these or may even hide them in the
beginning or sometimes even till the end, the pattern of symptoms may suggest to the

experienced physician an emotional background to the case, the discovery of which will be
very rewarding.
When the patient describes or admits that he has become irritable, or suspicious, or jealous,
impatient, restless, afraid, nervous, etc., when he has developed any of these negative traits,
I suspect that there must have been some shock, disappointment, bad news, etc., some
negative or unhappy experience at the back of these and by close and tactful questioning here some leading questions may be necessary * - I am usually able to discover what it is.
The past history can prove to be of vital significance for the treatment of the case.
Sometimes, especially in the absence of definite and useful present symptomatology, e.g. as
in a case of cancer, the past history may help a great deal. Boger even says, "In chronic
disease, it is useful to pick out the peculiarities of each past illness, combine this with the
present complaint and then seek for the remedy, bearing in mind that the latest development
most likely contains the real deciding symptom."
I have generally found it more convenient to start with the present complaints and then to
trace them back to their origin or cause. Then, after dealing with and fully defining and
finishing each symptom, I fill up details of other aspects that might have been untouched, like
appetite, thirst, urine, stool, sleep, sweat, general reactions, mentals, etc. Next, the previous
history, family history and past treatment are to be made note of. After having completed all
these, I will examine the patient physically.
Physical examination
One cannot but emphasize the importance of physically examining the patient, a procedure
which unfortunately many homoeopaths tend to neglect in their over-eagerness to hunt for
homoeopathic symptoms. Physically examining the patient may disclose to us many valuable
objective symptoms, such as a deformed nail, offensive foot-sweat, keloids, warts, carious
teeth, patches of baldness, tenderness anywhere, coldness or heat anywhere, localised sweat,
etc. Particularly in skin diseases, I have found the location and appearance of the skin lesion
very valuable. An examination of the tongue alone (the tongue can speak and tell a lot!) may
give a wealth of information. A thorough physical examination may enable us to discover facts
hitherto unknown to the patient such as a high blood pressure, pin-point pupils, extrasystoles, etc. While it enables us to arrive at or confirm the diagnosis and helps in the
selection of the remedy, it also gives satisfaction to the patient and increases his faith.
Mac Adam mentions, "There is one especial fault we homoeopaths have. We do not examine
our patients sufficiently. We get down a most painstaking account of their subjective
symptoms, but we do not examine the ears, eyes, nose, throat, stomach or even go carefully
over the chest. This is often my mistake. I am so eager to get down symptoms that will be
helpful in prescribing that I neglect to examine the objective conditions.
"I think we run into more snags from neglect of these necessary and simple procedures than
from anything else. And they are as simple as they are necessary."
Underhill confirms this. He says, "It seems to me that as homoeopaths we have a tendency
to neglect physical examinations, and local examinations to determine mechanical
conditions."
Mental symptoms
I have generally found it easier to bring out the patient's mental symptoms during or after
the physical examination, since by this time we have developed a rapport. Even otherwise,

by the time we have completed half the case taking, the patient becomes more relaxed and
cooperative and is ready to tell us all his inner feelings, doubts, fears, etc.
Sometimes, the patient may inadvertently reveal an emotionally disturbed state by the way
he answers our questions or rarely even by an inflexion of his voice. Sometimes, a smiling
patient may suddenly break down and weep bitterly when we have accidentally touched an
emotionally sore spot. Sometimes the patient may avoid answering a question or hesitate, or
he may give a vague answer or go round the question, or he may look down or look elsewhere
while answering. All these generally indicate that he is trying to hide something.
The importance of mental and emotional symptom, i.e. the changes that have occurred in
the personality and temperament of the patient, cannot be adequately stressed, though they
may require great patience and tact to elicit. The experienced prescriber is able to find, in a
vast majority of cases, an emotional or psychic element in the patient. These elements are
very valuable because they often have a dominant say in the selection of the similimum or
they, at least, help us greatly to differentiate between competing drugs.
At times, the patient may try to hide or refuse to reveal some emotional factor. It may be
some tragic episode or one which may have an element of personal shame. Then I explain to
him that the more he feels like hiding it, the more important it is for us, as it will help us to
find his remedy. This always gets him to cooperate.
In trying to discover the mental or emotional make-up and in uncovering the inner conflicts of
the patients, it is always advisable to see the patient alone. Very often, there are thoughts
and feelings in the mind of the patient which may be unknown even to his closest relatives,
and which he may never reveal in the presence of anyone else, but only in complete
confidence.
The fourth homoeopathic scientific seminar, belgaum
Discussion
In conditions like Schizophrenia, symptoms have a very peculiar way of appearing suddenly,
lasting for some time and leaving behind lucid intervals which may last for long periods. In
these intervals, the patient will seem to be all right. And then suddenly there is an explosion. I
asked my psychiatrist friend how long the cases should be followed up. He says that since this
condition takes many years to develop, they should be followed up for many years.
I will mention a case of Schizophrenia. A lady came from South Africa and asked me whether
I could treat her daughter who was a schizophrenic. The daughter was an M.A. , L.L. B. When
she came to my consulting room, I said, "Please sit down". The girl said, "Doctor, before I sit
down let me know your fee." I said, "The fee is not important." She replied, "No, the fee is
very important. You are a professional, and you have to make a living. So you must take your
fee. But I am not rich and I must see if I can afford it. So I must know your fee." I said, "We
shall discuss the fee later on." But as she insisted that we must discuss the fee first, I said,
"Whatever you pay, I shall take." She said, "Why should you take whatever I pay? You do not
know who I am. Why should you do me a favour?" Ultimately she sat down and I asked her,
"What is the matter?" She said, "Nothing is wrong with me." I told her, "Your mother has
brought you here." She replied, "My mother thinks I am mad, so she has brought me. I do not
think I am mad. Am I not talking sense?" I said, "Your mother complains that you take bath for
two hours." She said, "Which rule says that a person should not take bath for two hours? I like
a bath, so I take bath for 2 hours. Does that make me mad?" So after one hour's discussion I
could find nothing wrong. Then the mother and daughter left. After five minutes the mother

came back and asked me, "Do you think you can cure my daughter?" I said, "Cure her of
what? I think she is O.K. " After five minutes the daughter came back and said, "Doctor, I
forgot to tell you that when I was coming up in the lift I saw below the lift 20 dead bodies. Will
you inform the police or shall I do so?" I said, "Don't worry I shall do it." See the peculiarity of
this case. She talked for one hour and I found nothing wrong and she then came back and
spoke nonsense. Now this is often the case with schizophrenia. You may watch them for
months and you may find them normal. After two years you may find some abnormal
behaviour. So, before you pass judgement on these cases you must be very careful.
The details of the previous treatments taken and their results (including surgery) should also
be carefully recorded since they might have suppressed the natural evolution of the disease
or alternately they might have added drug effects to the natural picture. Osgood emphasizes
this point.
After the case recording is completed it would be advisable to verify the more important
symptoms again by putting the same questions but in different ways to see whether the
patient repeats, confirms or sticks to his original answers.
Whenever the patient repeats any symptoms I underline those since they become confirmed.
If he places greater emphasis on a particular modality, I write agg. or amel. to indicate the
great degree of aggravation or relief. When a symptom which is already recorded proves on
later enquiry to be doubtful, I enclose it in brackets.
I use a number of abbreviations to keep pace with the patient during his narration. For
example, I write F.L. H. 55 to indicate father, living, healthy and aged 55; 2 B, 2 S.L. H.
denotes 2 brothers and 2 sisters living and healthy. Each physician can develop and use his
own symbols or abbreviations to save time.
Our case taking becomes so personal and intimate, and covers so much of the sufferings of
the patient into which other physicians may not have enquired so closely or to which they
may not have listened so carefully, that the patient is already much influenced and quite
often he actually feels better by the time the case taking is completed, for in giving
expression to many of his symptoms, including his hidden anxieties and doubts, he feels
better by a process of psychological ventilation. It is a good measure of our success in case
taking when the patient says by the end of the interview that he feels better or more hopeful.
For those who desire to study the subject of case taking systematically and in detail, the
following reading material is recommended:
Boger C.M. : Study of Materia Medica and Case taking
Close Stuart : Genius of Homoeopathy (relevant portions)
Kent J.T. : Lectures on Homoeopathic Philosophy (relevant chapters)
Kent J.T. : What the Doctor Needs to Know
Nash E.B. : How to Take the Case
Roberts H.A. : The Principles and Art of Healing (relevant chapters)
Schmidt Pierre : The Art of Interrogation
Schmidt Pierre : The Art of Case Taking

Wright Elizabeth : A Brief Study Course in Homoeopathy

Analysis and evaluation of symptoms
Next in importance to case taking or perhaps even greater than that, is the proper
interpretation and evaluation of symptoms. Case taking merely affords us a mass of data,
some useful and some useless, some of great value, some of lesser value from both the
diagnostic and therapeutic points of view, out of which must emerge the characteristic
symptom totality, which alone will lead us to the indicated remedy - the similimum. With a
certain amount of experience and patience, case taking can be perfected and mastered to
some extent but analysis and evaluation of symptoms will prove to be a continually
challenging job requiring constant alertness and care on the part of the physician. It can be
said that the greatest prescribers have been those who have been very successful in properly
evaluating the symptoms.
Classification
Classification of the symptoms into various groups is called analysis. In analysis we may
classify the symptoms into Mentals, Generals and Particulars.
A different but more practical and useful method of classification is to divide the symptoms
into two major groups, viz.:
1. Symptoms which characterise the disease that the patient is suffering from, that is the
symptoms one would expect in that particular disease, and
2. Symptoms which do not actually belong to the sphere of that disease but yet are found in
that particular patient and therefore form part of the symptom-picture of that particular case.
If the totality of all the symptoms of a case is covered by a single remedy, there is practically
no difficulty in choosing the remedy. But quite often such is not the case. A certain number of
symptoms may be covered by one particular remedy and certain other symptoms by another
remedy. In such a case we are called upon to evaluate the symptoms and select the more
important ones upon which we should base a prescription. It is in such cases that this
distinction helps us.
The former symptoms which are called the Basic, Common or Pathognomonic symptoms,
symptoms characterising the disease, help us to make a diagnosis. The latter, called the
Determinative, Uncommon, Discriminative, Non-pathognomonic or Characteristic symptoms,
do not contribute to the making of the diagnosis. They do not form part of the disease-picture
and therefore, they reflect the individual reactions of the patient and so are characteristic of
the patient. These symptoms aid us more in choosing the remedy. These symptoms, which
are usually ignored or discarded by the allopathic physicians who consider them as irrelevant,
are considered to be of the greatest value by the homoeopathic physicians who often base
their prescription, mainly if not exclusively, on these symptoms.
Even though these non-pathognomonic symptoms may not form part of the diagnostic
picture and may be brushed aside as of no consequence by the orthodox practitioners, we, as
homoeopaths, give them the highest importance because they are peculiar to this particular
individual patient and therefore reflect the individual reaction of the patient in this particular
case and to that extent help us to individualise each case. Because we are unable to explain
these symptoms though they are present in the case, they fall under the group of strange,
rare and peculiar symptoms. Quite often they almost exclusively decide the prescription.

Of course, the totality of the symptoms alone will lead to the choice of the remedy but within
this totality, the individualising characteristic symptoms play a dominant role and may
outrank and even overrule the diagnostic symptoms. And it is our repeated experience that
generally remedies selected covering the totality of these characteristic symptoms also
automatically cover and remove the disease, correcting the underlying pathology also, even
if the pathological symptoms have not been considered and covered while selecting the
remedy.
An example may serve to illustrate what we mean by pathognomonic symptoms.
A patient suffering from pneumonia turns up. He has a temperature of 102 oF, which has
originated after he got wet. He has pain in the chest, cough with blood-streaked
expectoration, pulse 120, respiration 60. He has restlessness, is worse after midnight and his
tongue shows a triangular red tip. He has pain in the body worse by beginning motion, better
by continued walking.
The symptoms of this patient can be classified as follows:
Pathognomonic Non-Pathognomonic
Fever Origin after getting wet
Pain, chest Restlessness
Cough Worse after midnight
Blood-streaked expectoration Triangular red tip of tongue
Pulse-respiration disturbed Pain in body agg. beg.,
amel. continued motion.
The symptoms on the left-hand side are those which help us to arrive at a diagnosis. They are
the classical symptoms of the disease, pneumonia.
The symptoms on the right-hand side do not fall under the clinical picture of pneumonia but
yet they form a part of the totality of symptoms in this particular case and represent the
characteristic reaction of this individual patient suffering from pneumonia. The latter are the
symptoms which therefore individualise this patient, and these are the symptoms which
mainly and generally help us to decide the prescription.
This golden rule for the evaluation of symptoms, viz. that the more peculiar, strange or rare a
symptom, the more important it is, has been emphasized by Hahnemann himself in para 153
of Organon and it is the opinion of many learned homoeopaths that this is one of the most
important teaching of Hahnemann.
When we are concerned with homoeopathic therapeutics, we notice that the more a
symptom is important from the diagnostic angle, the less value it seems to have for selection
of the drug. At the most, the diagnostic symptoms may only help us in choosing a particular
remedy out of a group. So we notice that while a clinical approach may enable us to diagnose
a case, when we want to select the drug, we have to put a stop to the clinical line of thought
and proceed to study the non-pathognomonic or individualising symptoms.
Stearns says, "As Dr. T.F. Allen puts it years ago the greater the value of a symptom in a
diagnostic sense, the less its value in a therapeutic sense. In other words, diagnosis had

nothing to do with the selection of the remedy, and I really believe it may and often does lead
people astray."
Crutcher writes, "The interpretation of a symptom depends upon the accuracy of the patient's
expression and also upon the doctor's ability to correlate them and give each its due
importance and not to put undue importance upon any one that does not deserve it." Boger
remarks, "In the abstract the same symptom may have the highest standing in one case and
the lowest in the next all depending upon the general outline of the case, as delimited by the
associated symptoms."
Pulford states, "A mass of symptoms used according to our own notion, no matter how
important they may appear, and put through any repertory, will not necessarily cause us to
arrive at the coveted goal, unless they contain the core of the drug. Those rare, strange,
peculiar symptoms are the only ones that mark the true individuality of the drug."
The characteristic symptoms
This is a very peculiar feature of homoeopathic prescribing that an apparently insignificant
symptom, insignificant in the eyes of the patient or of the orthodox physician, may be to us
the strongest pointer to the correct remedy. The patient may tell us the symptom in a most
casual manner or might even omit to mention it because he considers it meaningless or
absurd and yet that very symptom may prove to be a very important one, which may provide
the clue to the similimum.
How far a symptom is peculiar will depend upon various factors and the intelligent physician
will have to be extremely discriminating and circumspective. A feature which may be quite
normal at a particular age or stage or circumstance may be quite abnormal in some other
age, stage or circumstance. This requires a clear knowledge of the functioning of the human
organism. In evaluating we will have to consider every type of circumstance to decide
whether a symptom is to be taken as peculiar or not.
An ordinary symptom may become extremely peculiar under particular circumstances or in a
particular background. Laughing over a joke is not a symptom; it is a normal thing. But
laughing excessively or laughing over serious matters or laughing when sad or laughing
without cause, laughing alternating with weeping, laughing with pain - these are all peculiar
symptoms.
A symptom which is common place in a particular setting may become peculiar in another
setting, e.g. loquacity in a woman is not so uncommon as in a man esp. an old man. A
tendency to weep easily is common in a young girl, not so common in an old woman and rare
in an old man. So also impatience and hurry are the attributes of youth and are unusual in the
elderly.
Let us consider weeping. Weeping from disappointment or grief is a natural expression of a
natural reaction. But weeping over trifles (I had an assistant who would weep if anything went
wrong, e.g. if she could not oblige a patient with an early appointment), weeping without
cause, weeping from consolation, weeping when telling symptoms, weeping when caressed,
weeping before coughing, weeping from joy, weeping when looked at, as also not being able
to weep when sad - these are all unusual.
Let us see hunger. Hunger after eating, hunger in the middle of the night, hunger during
fever, hunger with headache - these are strange.

Take thirst: thirst for small quantities often, thirst during convulsion, thirst after anger, thirst
without desire to drink, thirstless with desire to drink, such are peculiar.
The intensity of a reaction or symptom can also make it peculiar, e.g. excessive irritability
amounting to rage, excessive fear amounting to phobia, etc. I have once treated a girl aged 6
years, who was so shy that she would ask her sister to go out of the room before undressing
to be examined. Intolerable hunger or thirst, excessive pouring sweat, etc., can all be rare
symptoms. I have seen an adult male patient who would hide under the cot if there was
thunder; such was his fear! A male patient, aged 72 years, became violent if his wife refused
to allow coition. This is unusual.
This strangeness or peculiarity of the symptom may be exhibited in several ways, but its
importance is undiminished. The strangeness may be in the location, e.g. :
"Symmetrically bilateral eruptions" (Arn.) *
"Crack behind the ear" (Graph.)
"Root of the nose" (Kali-bi)
Or it may be in the sensation itself, e.g. :
"Sensation as if he had no head" (Asar.)
"Teeth feel long" (Ant-c)
"Sensation as if wound by a wire" (Cactus)
"Bleeding from anus on passing flatus" (Phos.)
Or it may be in the modality, e.g. :
"Coryza , cold bath" (Calc-s)
"Pain in knee agg. after stool" (Dio.)
"Nausea amel. after eating" (Sep.)
Or it may be in the causation, e.g. :
"Convulsions from anger" (Cham.)
"Convulsions from grief" (Ign.)
"Convulsions from loss of sleep" (Cocl.)
Or it may be in the extension, e.g. :
"Pain spreading diagonally" (Agar.)
"Symptoms proceed upwards" (Sep.)
"Pain stomach extending to the testes" (Kali-c)
Or it may be in the mode of onset and decline, e.g. :
"Pain appearing and disappearing gradually" (Stan.)

"Pain appearing suddenly and disappearing slowly" (Puls.)

"Pain appearing suddenly and disappearing suddenly" (Bell.)
Or the peculiarity may be in the associating circumstances, e.g. :
"Sleeplessness although sleepy" (Puls.)
"Thirstlessness although mouth is dry" (Nux-v)
"Strains hard although stool is soft" (Pso.)
Or it may be in the peculiar association or juxtaposition of the Concomitant symptoms, e.g. :
"Polyuria with headache" (Gels.)
"Cough ends in sneezing" (Bell.)
"Shortness of breath associated with pain" (Pru-s)
Or it may be the absence of some symptom expected in a case, e.g. :
"Vomiting without nausea" (Apoc.)
"Painlessness of ulcers" (Op.)
"Sense of well-being in fever" (Pyro.)
These are thousands of such strange symptoms and strange combinations of symptoms
which are found scattered all over throughout the Materia Medica and which can be found
classified in the repertories.
Some more examples are quoted here to give a better idea to the student, all the symptoms
being taken from the pathogenesis of the remedy Alumina:
"Exhausted even after a normal menstrual flow.
Weakness in chest after speaking even a little.
Craves for charcoal.
Fear at the sight of knives.
Nausea amel. eating.
Must strain at stool to pass urine.
Feels as if a hot iron was thrust through spine.
Feels as if the white of an egg was spread on the face.
Hasty but slow of execution."
Such symptoms, known as characteristic symptoms and which characterise each remedy,
may be found in every remedy. They are also known as Keynote symptoms. When such
symptoms are found in a patient, they gain much importance.
Very often such are the symptoms that give valuable clues to the indicated remedy. These
symptoms characterise particular remedies and when a whole group of such characteristic

symptoms of a remedy are found in one particular patient, then the selection of the remedy
becomes easy.
We shall now discuss the value of different kinds of symptoms.
It has been already mentioned that among all the symptoms, the peculiar or characteristic
symptoms override all the other symptoms, the more peculiar the symptom, i.e. the more
remote and unrelated the symptom is to the disease and the more inexplicable it is, especially
from the point of view of diagnosis and pathology, the higher its merit.
It must be emphasized that patients may not clearly express these peculiar symptoms. The
physician will have to be alert to carefully note the different statements of the patient,
juxtapose them and note or elicit the peculiar aspects of each symptom or the peculiar
association of various symptoms. For example, a patient may complain that he is losing
weight. Later while being questioned about his appetite he might say that his appetite and
food-intake are quite good. The prescriber has to take note of the peculiar combination of
these two symptoms. Similarly, when questioned about his thirst, he may say that he drinks
one or two glasses of water per day and later, when questioned about micturition, he may
state that he is passing urine several times a day in large quantities.
One must also make very careful enquiry to assure himself that a symptom is indeed strange
or rare. A patient says he is not refreshed in the morning on waking. We have to enquire if he
has slept well. He says he did not. We ask why. He says he had to get up for micturition
several times. Here the symptom is not "not refreshed after sleep" but, "frequent urination at
night".
While discussing the value of various symptoms, we shall first consider the value of the
causative factor which is itself a symptom.
The cause
Where definitely available, the causation (emotional, physical, chemical, mechanical,
dynamic, etc.) or origin of the disorder is considered to be of great importance.
The patient was quite well upto a certain time and then he fell ill. Something has happened to
make him ill, for without cause there is no effect. Every circumstance that contributed to the
onset of the disease must be taken into account. A state of health cannot be disturbed to such
an extent as to be replaced by a state of illness without a sufficiently strong provocative
influence having come into play. Even though an apparently trivial cause such as getting wet
might have brought into existence a serious illness, even this exciting cause reflects and
reveals the nature of the original susceptibility and contributes its share to the knowledge of
the symptom-totality.
The intelligent and enquiring physician will be able, in a large majority of cases, to trace the
illness to some causative factor, source or origin, though the patient may not be able to recall
and give this information easily and at first.
Fortunately for us, in Homoeopathy, we have different medicines which are able to antidote
and remove the effects of various morbid influences even though these influences might have
acted at some remote time and might have produced their effects a long time ago. Even when
such influences continue to operate and disturb the patient's health, and we are unable to
remove them, the suitable antidotal medicines are able to mitigate their continuing effects to
a considerable extent.

Farrington writes that in a case which has originated after injury, even though the present
symptoms may not coincide, the prescription of Arnica, and in conditions caused by incised
wounds, the prescription of Staphysagria should be considered. Boger mentions that so much
depends upon the knowledge of the cause of the disease that without it the choice of a
homoeopathic remedy cannot be made with safety. I have seen numerous patients who have
attributed the origin of their illness to a suppressing of anger and many of these cases have
been cured by Aur., Cham., Ign., Sep., or Staph. - the remedies which cover this cause. A
patient suppressed his anger and got pain radiating to the teeth. It was diagnosed as a
coronary attack. Staph. helped him.
I have cured many young men and women, who suffered from various troubles due to
disappointment in love, with remedies like Ant-c, Lach., Sep. etc., based on this cause. A
young girl climbed a mountain and then developed asthma. She was cured by Arnica. A girl
developed nausea after taking too much ice cream. Ip. promptly relieved her.
S.R. Phatak has reported a case of a patient who developed diarrhoea after drinking too
much water in summer and who was cured by Gratiola. *
Mental symptoms
Next in order come the mental symptoms.
The mental symptoms are important and rank very high especially if they are marked and
strange. Mental symptoms which are of a mild nature, e.g. a slight irritability, or those which
can be fully accounted for by the circumstances, e.g. fear in a lady or a child when alone in
the dark, or depression in a patient who is suffering for several years and is not relieved by
various treatments, are not to be much valued. A very large number of patients, however, will
on careful questioning reveal some pyschological element in their suffering, either as an
addition to or even as a causative factor for the whole disorder and these should be given
much weightage.
Paschero writes, "It is the person and not the disease that interests us in Homoeopathy. The
symptoms expressing a human being's functions reside only in the mind, as in the conception
of classical Psychology, but also through the body. Thus Homoeopathy bears out the
prevailing psychosomatic ideas of modern medical thought.
"A characteristic of the mind and personality of the patient may often be modality of a
particular symptom, or simply an isolated symptom apparently unconnected with the
syndrome of the local or organic disease. Consequently it stands out as a curious or "rare,
strange and peculiar symptom". Named by Guernsey a "Keynote", it may lead us through the
case to the patient's similimum. Peculiar modalities of local symptoms when not
pathognomonic of the disease belong to the patient and not to the disease even though they
do not seem general enough to express the patient's totality. But it is also necessary not to
consider keynotes in isolation and not to prescribe on them only. The general symptoms and
the mentals must agree and never contradict. The suppression of a single symptom does not
mean the patient's healing; that will be reached only when the totality of symptoms is
considered."
Sometimes while being question the patient may feel shy, hesitate or refuse to disclose some
mental or emotional symptoms because he or she feels they are too personal and
embarrassing. Very often these symptoms prove to be of high value.

Among the mental symptoms, changes of the will and emotion come first, e.g. loves and
hates, loathing, suicidal tendencies, lasciviousness or revulsion to sex, sexual perversions,
fears, greed, various impulses, attitudes towards company, family, friends, etc., jealousy,
suspicion, obstinacy, depression, weeping, loquacity, laughing, hurry, impatience, alcoholic
tendency, etc. Then comes the understanding, e.g. , orientation in time and space, delusions,
delirium, confusion, etc. Lastly come the symptoms of intellect and memory, e.g. , the
patient's power of concentration, whether he makes mistakes in reading, writing, speaking,
etc.
It must be remembered that the Psyche (mind) and Soma (body) are inseparable constituents
and constantly act and react upon each other. So, even in the so-called purely physical or
mental diseases, the influence of one constituent upon the other cannot be overlooked. This is
being increasingly recognised even by modern medicine and the psychological state of the
patient is given very careful consideration both in diagnosis and in treatment.
General symptoms
Now come the general symptoms. A general symptom refers or applies to the conditions and
reactions of the person as a whole, or to a particular sensation or modality referable to
several parts of the body, e.g. , burning in the feet, hands and head. The more general the
symptoms taken, the better the chances of getting at the proper remedy.
Though the general symptoms come next in rank to the mentals and have greater value than
the particular symptoms, if the general symptom is not very marked and is not peculiar, it will
not be equal to a particular symptom which may be strange or characteristic.
Among the components of the symptoms, the modality has a higher standing than the
sensation, and sensation is assigned a higher place than the location. Modalities include the
reaction of the patient or his parts to various influences such as weather, season,
temperature, open air, motion, rest; position; touch, pressure, massage, light, noise, smell;
sleep; eating and drinking, fasting, particular items of food and drink, company, emotions,
such as anxiety, grief, etc., exertion - mental and physical, ascending, descending, bathing,
washing, exposure to sun; discharges such as stool, urine, sweat, etc., clothing, covering,
time, travelling, weather season, etc. Sensations * include all changes, felt or observed,
locally or generally, such as burning, discolouration, swelling, etc.
We have treated numerous patients suffering from various diseases with Lachesis because
they all presented the general symptoms like agg. from sleep, agg. from heat, a bleeding
tendency, etc.
The concomitant symptoms
The symptoms which coexist in the patient but which seem unrelated to the main diseasepicture are called the concomitant symptoms. These again reflect the individuality of the
patient and help in choosing the remedy. In fact the totality of the characteristic symptoms is
usually the totality of the concomitant symptoms.
Boenninghausen has given greatest emphasis to concomitant symptoms. Because these
symptoms are not explainable, because they seem unrelated to the main disease-picture and
yet are present in the patient and form part of this disease-picture or symptom-totality, they
come into the group of rare, strange or peculiar symptoms and therefore become very
valuable.

Boger says that for the selection of the remedy, the concomitant symptom is more important
than the main complaint itself. Frequent urination during headache (Vib.), nausea with
haemorrhage (Ip.), are examples of concomitant symptoms.
Particular symptoms
The particular symptoms are important to the extent they are peculiar. Though in the
repertory, they are classified under particular regions, symptoms referring to appetite and
thirst, and the desires and aversions of the patient, and symptoms of sleep and the dreams,
and in women symptoms of the menstrual states are considered very important and
equivalent to general or even mental symptoms in rank.
A remedy which covers the outstanding characteristic features of a case, however few they
may be in number, is more likely to be the similimum than the remedy which merely covers
numerous common symptoms.
The peculiarity of a symptom adds to its value. A peculiar particular is more important than a
common general and a peculiar general gets preference over a common mental symptom.
The physician can assess or decide the strangeness or peculiarity of a symptom in two ways.
The first is by his knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, medicine, psychology,
sociology, anthropology and above all, common sense, taking into consideration all aspects of
the patient, e.g. his race, religion, diet, habits, background, circumstances, etc. By virtue of
the above knowledge he expects certain diseases or patients to show particular features or
expects the disease to take a particular course or expects the patient to behave or react in a
particular fashion. When he finds some aspect present that he did not expect or something
absent which he expected to be present, his expectations are belied and he considers it as
peculiar. Or alternately, when he sees several patients of the same disease and finds some
unusual feature in one particular patient not found in others, he finds something contrary to
expectation and he considers this as peculiar.
Objective symptoms
While subjective symptoms are useful because they belong to the sphere of consciousness,
objective symptoms have the advantage of being more reliable since the examining
physician is able to observe and confirm their presence by his senses. Objective symptoms
are especially valuable in cases where subjective symptoms cannot be obtained or relied upon
such as in the unconscious, hysterical, insane or imbecile patients, in children and in animals.
Pathological symptoms
Pathological symptoms are usually assigned a very low value because such symptoms have
not been evoked much in the provings. But when we come across pathological generals such
as tendency to warts, tendency to form calculi, tendency to bleed, etc., such reflect the trend
of the organism as a whole and are, therefore, to be considered. The later homoeopaths have
observed and recorded at the bedside various pathological conditions caused and cured by
homoeopathic remedies and these are not to be ignored. Further, in practice, several types of
cases present themselves with a symptom-picture which is predominantly or even exclusively
pathological and the homoeopath has no alternative but to match them with the pathological
symptoms in our Materia Medica. Many homoeopaths, e.g. Boger, Dunham, etc., have been
able to succeed even in such types of cases, by such selection, even though matching of the
drug and the disease-picture purely on the pathological plane is not considered very
satisfactory or advisable.

Common symptoms
We have all along stressed the value of the peculiar symptoms as against the common
symptoms. The common symptom has, of course, little or no value if there are characteristic
symptoms which alone decide the remedy. But in the absence of such characteristic
symptoms, if only common symptoms are available, the prescription has to be based on such
common symptoms, though the chances of selecting the correct remedy are less.
In other words, if in a case no characteristic symptoms are present we may have to prescribe
on the diagnostic symptoms though this is not the ideal method. But still we may achieve a
limited degree of success. For instance, I have successfully treated Appendicitis with Iris tenax
and Vitiligo with Ars-s-f when no other guiding indications were present.
Boger writes that the emphasis on the peculiar symptom does not mean that a diagnostic
symptom can never be a major indication. He quotes as example the marked aggravation
from motion equally prominent in pleurisy and the proving of Bryonia, and the 2 a.m.
aggravation, frequent in both duodenal ulcer and the effects of Kali-bi.
We have generally stressed the value of the peculiar symptoms and we have mentioned that
these mainly, if not solely, decide the remedy selection. However, it must ever be kept in
mind that there must be a general correspondence between the symptoms of the patient and
those of the remedy, and that however helpful the peculiar symptoms may be in calling
attention to certain remedies, they will not decide the prescription if there is no general
similarity, for, after all, it is the totality of the symptoms that determine the choice of the
remedy.
Positive and negative symptoms
Tyler writes, "Positive symptoms are all important. The patient has these symptoms and
therefore requires this remedy. Negative symptoms may be less than of no importance; they
may put one clean off the remedy. It is not safe to say that because the patient has not this
symptom, he cannot need this remedy. It is what he has, not what he has not, that
determines the remedy."
Illustrations
I should now like to describe a few cases to illustrate how a peculiar or characteristic
symptom helped me to select the proper remedy.
Once I was treating a child aged 11/2 years for recurrent eruptions on the body. He also had
whitish stools and used to get diarrhoea from milk. But the peculiar aspect of the case as
reported by the parents was that the child would be playing cheerfully all the while but as
soon as the time approached for sleep, he would start screaming. We naturally expect that a
child would become dull, drowsy and quiet before sleep but here it was the reverse. Under the
rubric "Sleep before agg", three remedies are given prominents, viz. Bry., Calc., Puls. Out of
these, Calc. covered all his symptoms. Further, the boy had suffered from very serious
dentition disorders. This remedy given at intervals starting from 200 and going upto DMM
potency completely cured him.
Once I was consulted by a Christian lady for her sister. This sister who was married had gone
to Africa with her husband and there she had become insane. She would have periods of
insanity and periods of lucidity. When I took her case I found a very peculiar symptom. She
had a peculiar aversion to four colours, viz. red, black, yellow and green. For aversion to each
colour she attributed a reason, e.g. she said black represented funeral, red represented blood

and so on. In Kent's Repertory there is a rubric in the chapter "Mind" which reads: "Colour,
aversion to red, yellow, green and black" under which only one remedy is given, viz. Tarn. This
remedy brought about a remarkable change in her.
Another patient, a young lady of 25, complained to me that she felt sad in cloudy weather.
Through this symptom, I found her remedy to be Am-c, which is the only remedy given under
the rubric "Sadness in cloudy weather" in Kent's Repertory.
I had to treat a homoeopathic doctor once who had a peculiar symptom. He did not feel
thirst, but he had inclination to drink water. I found that Caladium covered this as well as his
other symptoms and this remedy relieved him.
I once saw a child who was having a history of diarrhoea with 5 to 6 watery stools daily for
over six months but had lost no weight. In fact the child was actually overweight! Phos-ac
given on this indication ("Diarrhoea without weakness") cured the child.
In another case of an allopathic doctor who had malignancy in the brain, Cham. gave
enormous relief, prescribed on the symptom "Extreme irritability and violence during pain".
A lady complained that on alternate months her menses were profuse. She was cured by
Thlaspi bursa pastoris.
In a case of malignancy of the bladder, I was led to the remedy Nit-ac - which gave
tremendous relief to the patient - through a symptom he had, viz. "Burning in the rectum after
passing urine".
Several cases of patients with deafness have been helped by Graph. on the symptom
"Hearing better in a noise".
Pyrogen has a peculiar symptom in fever - with fever, the patient feels well. On this indication
Pyrogen has helped many cases. In one case of typhoid, a boy with fever would become
bright with the rise of temperature and would ask for new clothes. Pyro. cured him.
Many female patients of asthma have been relieved by Kali-c because their attacks were agg.
during the menses and many others by Sulph. because their attacks were aggravated before
the menses.
A young girl had a peculiar symptom that she would pass urine only once a day and even
that scanty but had no discomfort whatsoever. She was cured by Op.
Summary
When a case has been well-taken, success is assured in Homoeopathy if the prescriber knows
which symptoms are to be considered for prescribing and if he knows further how much value
to attach to each symptom. I am convinced by experience that this is the real secret of
success in homoeopathic prescribing.
The value of the repertory
In the selection of the homoeopathic remedy, the repertory has a very useful and important
role to play. It is possible that some prescribers who have a profound knowledge of Materia
Medica at their command and who are endowed with a prodigious memory are able to
prescribe successfully for cases without the need of repertories, but such knowledge and
memory are indeed very rare. These are not to be expected in the average homoeopath. The
homoeopathic Materia Medica consists of two thousand or more drugs and out of these, the

average homoeopath may have a good grasp of only about forty or fifty or at the most a
hundred drugs. Further, each of these drugs has in its symptomatology hundreds or even
thousands of symptoms out of which even a good homoeopath may be able to recollect only
fifty or a hundred symptoms. We realise that the task of remembering all the symptoms of all
the drugs is a hopeless one, beyond human capacity and, therefore, some form of a reference
book is quite necessary.
Of course, it is a matter of good fortune to us that in many of the cases, certain outstanding
characteristic symptoms of particular drugs, the so-called keynote symptoms, repeatedly
present themselves, either singly or in particular groups or combinations, so that one who is
well conversant with these keynote symptoms as described in Allen's Keynotes or Nash's
Leaders or some such book can select the similimum fairly well. Yet if we can visualise the
myriad of symptoms and combinations of symptoms which can present themselves before us
in their everchanging mosaic forms, we shall feel more confident and safer with a reference
book - the repertory at our side.
Renner quotes J.H. Clarke as saying, "It is impossible to practice Homoeopathy as it should
be practised without the aid of repertories."
Grimmer states, "Repertory prescribing makes for greater accuracy and in the long run is a
time saver, and with its use one grows in the knowledge of the Materia Medica."
We have to appreciate the fact that the repertory will only help us to come to a group of
drugs; it may merely indicate to us the list of possible drugs. It is for us to study this group
carefully and select out of the group that one drug which fits our patient most fully - the
similimum. The repertory is not a mechanical brain. It will not straightaway take us to the
correct drug. It does not do our thinking for us. It does not replace our brain. It is only like a
dictionary or a thesaurus in which various shades of meaning are given for each word, out of
which we have to select the one meaning that is relevant to our context.
The selection of the correct drug, the similimum, is an extremely delicate and intricate task.
There are so many variable factors to be taken into account - the accuracy of observation and
expression on the part of the patient, the ability of the physician to observe and understand
the patient's sufferings and to properly interpret them, the incomplete nature of our Materia
Medica itself, etc., etc. So a good physician must take care not only to minimise the variability
of all these factors but to see that these uncertainties are not further added to by his placing
complete faith and reliance on his incomplete knowledge and imperfect memory. He will try to
take the aid of all possible sources of help in order to succeed in his task. The repertory offers
such a medium which, wisely used, considerably lightens the task of the prescriber and helps
accurate selection of the similimum.
No doubt, all repertories have their own imperfections - some of them may even confuse and
discourage a beginner - but if one can understand and overcome these little defects and use
the repertories intelligently, they can be a tremendous advantage.
Ewart writes, "If repertorization were more widely practised it may be that Homoeopathy
would forge ahead and occupy a more exalted place in therapeutics than its present humble
one."
As Borland mentions, there is no repertory in existence which is complete in all respects.
"But" he writes, "in spite of all the defects of the existing repertories, in spite of all the traps
which repertory work lays for the uninstructed and the lazy, there is a need which a repertory
alone can supply."

He writes further, "Without such a work the homoeopathic Materia Medica is an untracked
wilderness. What mind can master, retain and reproduce at will our hundreds of drugs and
their thousands of symptoms?"
No better evidence is required than the statement of Dr. Pierre Schmidt, the world renowned
homoeopathic teacher and prescriber, who writes in a masterly article that the possession of
a good repertory and the perfect understanding of its use become for a good homoeopath
both indispensable and of outstanding value. He mentions that in his library there were a
hundred different repertories but that does not exhaust the list. He calls Kent's Repertory * the
most valuable help, "the golden book", and mentions that every day he has occasion to refer
to it at least fifty times (in spite of his deep knowledge and vast experience!).
Of all the repertories available, Kent's is perhaps the most complete and therefore, the best.
It is also the most popular. Indeed, it is a marvellous book and I salute the great author for his
monumental work.
On turning over the pages of the repertory, we are surprised to see that under each rubric
many more drugs are given than those we are aware of. Even as we look into the repertory to
seek some rubric, we come across several other rubrics and several drugs in various rubrics of
which we have had no inkling at all. For instance, we find Puls. given under the rubric "Coryza,
open air, agg." and Nux-v under "Coryza, open air, amel.", both drugs in bold type! And I have
treated two or three cases of "Convulsions during menses" with Lachesis. Because of the
repertory, we also learn that many disorders of the right leg are covered by Lachesis and of
the left leg by Lycopodium! This itself is an education.
Pierre Schmidt again lists the advantages of the repertory as follows:
1. It helps in case taking.
2. It shows us numerous remedies for such symptoms, that we do not know or think of.
3. It teaches us more about Materia Medica and makes its study interesting.
4. We learn the relative importance of various remedies in various symptoms.
5. It simplifies and helps in the selection of the remedy.
6. It allows comparison between different remedies.
7. It promotes the understanding of auxiliary remedies.
Pulford summarizes the use of the repertory and says:
1. The repertory is a tool. It is not a piece of magical equipment. Its use must be learned by
practice. It is only a time saving device and not a guarantee of an accurate prescription. Some
cases may even defy the repertory, yet one skilled in Materia Medica may see the remedy at
once. The Materia Medica, and not the Repertory, is the court of last resort.
2. The classical method of Kent and his Repertory are perhaps the most sound and safe.
3. Specialized repertories have their uses and are extremely helpful, but it is difficult to
repertorize a case in full by using them.
4. One must develop his own method of use, the one which suits him best.
5. Do not pass up any repertory you can get your hands on.

I shall now briefly describe some cases for which the main indication for the correct drug
came through the repertory.
Once, a young lady came to me for a complaint of recurrent coryza. While I was taking her
case, she gave me a most peculiar symptom, viz. that her coryza was always ameliorated by
a cold bath. She was quite positive about this symptom. I knew several drugs which were
relieved by cold baths, e.g. Pulsatilla, Fluoric acid, Mephitis, etc., but when I turned the
pages of the Repertory (Kent's), I found a drug that I had never though of, viz. Calc-s. This
drug actually helped to cure the patient.
Another time, an elderly lady came to me with several complaints - with eczema, difficulty in
breathing, high blood pressure, etc. While narrating her case, she gave me a very funny
symptom, viz. that she always experienced a pain in the heart before and during micturition
and which was relieved after micturition. I had no idea what the drug could be but Kent's
Repertory again provided the answer. I found Lith. under all the three rubrics, "Pain heart,
before urination", "Pain heart, during urination" and "Pain heart, urination after, amel." (p.
850). This drug considerably relieved the patient of all her complaints.
One of my patients came to me with several symptoms all looking like Lachesis. Lachesis
however failed to give satisfaction. Then she gave me a good symptom that she invariably
developed palpitation after bath. It did not depend upon the exertion of the bath nor on
whether hot or cold water was used but upon the bath itself. When I referred to Kent's
Repertory, again it came to my rescue. Under the rubric "Palpitation, bathing agg." (p. 874),
only one drug was found - Am-c *. This drug was found to cover the other symptoms of the
patient also and it completely cured her of her whole disorder, including an eczema.
I had to treat a young girl of 15 years for recurrent attacks of bronchial asthma. Several drugs
had failed and it was then that I noticed during a routine examination that her breast and esp.
the nipple was icy cold while the exposed parts of her body like the arms and legs were warm.
So this was a peculiar symptom and Kent's Repertory gave Medorrhinum as the only drug
covering this symptom. Further enquiry brought out the fact that the patient's attacks were
affected by the proximity of the seashore and that she slept most comfortably on the
abdomen. This drug Medorrhinum relieved her immediately.
On one occasion, a middle aged Bengali lady applied for treatment for a severe, itching
urticarial rash in the bend of the elbow which came on after eating fish. The rubrics "Fish
agg." and "Eruption, elbow, bend of" when combined, brought out only one drug, viz.
Caladium, which cured her.
One day, a patient came to our hospital suffering from severe hypoprotememia with marked
general anasarca and oliguria. His total daily urine output was only 150 to 180cc. His swelling
was agg. by taking fish, eggs and fruits. The only drug that came through the rubrics "Food,
agg. eggs,", "Food, agg. fish" and "Food, agg. fruits" was Chi-a. This drug had such a profound
effect on the patient that the urine output went up from the 150 or 180 cc daily to 3 900 cc
daily and maintained this level so that in a few days he became nearly dehydrated!
Recently we had a patient admitted to the hospital. He was passing about 25 stools per day,
with mucus and blood in every stool, for the last four days. He used to get such attacks on
and off in the last three years. Stool examination showed that he was suffering from tape
worm infestation. His attacks were generally provoked by taking fish and eggs. The repertory
as mentioned in the above case showed his remedy to be Chi-a. This medicine rapidly cut
down his disorder. With the first day's medicine he improved and passed only seven stools

with no mucus or blood. Next day, he had only one normal stool and thereafter the
improvement was sustained.
I was at one time called upon to treat a case of a girl of eight years suffering from acute
nephritis. When I saw her there was complete anuria for over twelve hours. A child specialist
had already seen the child and had given a very grave prognosis. The symptoms that were
very characteristic were that she had become worse after eating apples. This was the third
attack and every time it had been precipitated by taking sour foods or fruits. The rubrics
"Sour foods agg." and "Fruits, agg." brought out Fer., and Ars. As the patient seemed to have
symptoms of both the elements, I gave her Fer-a which completely cured the case.
Subsequently, she passed through a severe attack of measles but there was not even a trace
of albumin in the urine.
One patient of Dr. S.R. Phatak was suffering from diarrhoea of 40 years' duration. He had
consulted several eminent physicians of two generations with no relief. He was diagnosed as a
case of mucous colitis. He gave the origin that during his marriage he had been asked to take
some preparation of boiled concentrated milk. That very day he had developed diarrhoea.
Taking the rubric "Diarrhoea, Boiled milk, agg.", Dr. Phatak found only two drugs, Nux-m and
Sepia in Boger Boenninghausen's "Characteristics and Repertory". Out of these, he selected
and prescribed Sepia which completely cured the patient.
About three years back, I was called to see a young married lady suffering from retention of
urine. Some five weeks earlier, she had developed fever which had been treated with
Chloromycetin. The temperature had dropped to normal but on the same day she had
developed retention of urine. Not being relieved by any medicine, she had to be catheterized
four times a day. It was thought that the retention would gradually disappear but it did not.
So, a neurologist was consulted who found nothing abnormal and thought it must be due to
shock. She was discharged from the hospital without any specific treatment being suggested
and so she had to continue to catheterize herself four times a day till I saw her.
Since there was the possibility of a fright having caused the condition, I gave her Opium in
potency with no good result. Thereupon, I consulted Dr. S.R. Phatak who diagnosed it as
hysterical. On looking into Kent's Repertory under the rubric "Bladder, Retention of urine, in
hysteria", we found only one drug and that too in bold type - Zinc. So she was given Zn 200.
With the second dose of Zn she had a copious flow of urine without resorting to the catheter.
Since then, she has neither required the catheter nor any dose of any medicine.
A young girl of 20 consulted me for a peculiar and embarrassing disorder. She had itching of
the nose, which at first, came on every time when she started eating but which later on
appeared even at the sight of food. So bad was the disorder that she had not been able to eat
anything for nearly a month. She has had to liquefy her food and drink it up. She had
consulted several skin specialists but they could not relieve her. They had actually directed
her to a psychiatrist. When she applied to me for medicine, I doubted if such a symptom
could be found even in Homoeopathy. But when I referred to Kent's Repertory, to my surprise,
I found the rubric "Itching of nose while eating" and under the rubric the following drugs, viz.
Jatropha and Lachesis. Of the two, I preferred Lachesis because she was loquacious, and one
dose of this relieved her completely.
I once saw an infant aged 14 days in a state of cyanosis and collapse. It was actually a case
of congenital heart disease, of Fallot's tetralogy. An eminent cardiologist had seen the baby
and had expressed that nothing could be done. When I saw the infant, she was moribund but I
noticed the following symptoms: "Rattling in the chest agg. while lying on back; Blueness;

Unconsciousness; Constipation for 8 days". I took the rubrics "Rattling", "Agg. lying on back"
and "Blueness", all in Boger's Synoptic Key. The three drugs that came through were Cup.,
Op., and Sulph. Out of these, I preferred Opium because of the prolonged constipation. You
can imagine my surprise and happiness when after one dose of Opium within ten minutes the
blueness entirely disappeared, the rattling lessened and the child became conscious!
A patient once entered our hospital with pain in chest, bleeding haemorrhoids, etc. He gave
us a peculiar symptom that he had discharge of blood per anus whenever he passed flatus.
On looking up this symptom in Kent's Repertory, we found only one drug, viz. Phos. This
remedy helped him all round.
I now quote two cases of my friend, Dr. Bhanu Desai.
He once saw a patient who had fever and chill. The chill occurred with regularity at 3 a.m.
and 3 p.m. daily. On referring to Boger's Synoptic Key under the symptoms "agg. 3 a.m. "
and "agg. 3 p.m. ", he found five drugs, viz. Ant-t, Ars., Ced., Nat-m and Thu., covering the
two rubrics. Out of these he selected Thuja because of some other symptoms. This drug
relieved the patient.
The second one was a case of eczema at the bend of the elbow. It was of an oozing type.
After having tried and failed with such remedies like Graph., Mez., Pso., etc., he looked into
Kent's Repertory and was surprised to find Cup. as the fourth drug, besides the three
mentioned above given under the rubric "Extremities, eruption, elbow, bend of, eczema".
Cup. was prescribed and the case was cured.
Dr. Pierre Schmidt has described several cases and I shall quote two.
The first was a physician of Chicago who has consulted Dr. Schmidt. He had an array of
symptoms but among those there was one that was very curious. Every time he went to pass
a stool, his nose used to run. Dr. Schmidt opened the repertory and found at once the only
remedy given under the rubric "Nose, coryza, stool, during" (p. 328) was Thuja. Further
questioning of the patient disclosed that he had a history of gonorrhoea and warts, and Thuja
eliminated the whole symptom-complex.
The second was a case treated by a doctor friend of his who was unaware of the use of the
repertory. The patient had applied to him for the treatment of a severe vertigo. The
prominent characteristic feature of the vertigo was that it was worse by reading for some
time. The doctor was sure the symptom would be found in the Materia Medica but he did not
know where he could find it. So not knowing the use of the repertory he started searching in
the Materia Medica reading through symptoms of every drug beginning from 'A' and going
through Abies nigra, Abrotanum, Aconite, Agnus castus, Ailanthus glandulosa, Allium cepa,
Ammonium carb. and so on. If the symptom had been under some drug beginning with the
letter C or P or S or some such letter, it might have taken the doctor several months to find it.
But luckily it was in the letter A itself, under the drug Arnica and it took him only seven hours
to find it. Had he possessed Kent's Repertory and known its use, he would have found it in two
minutes. In this book, under the rubric "Vertigo worse by reading" a number of drugs are to be
found but under the next very rubric "Vertigo worse by reading long", only one drug is given
and that is Arnica. This gave an idea to Dr. Schmidt that there might be a history of injury. On
being closely questioned, the patient recollected that some days earlier he had wanted to go
somewhere in a hurry. He had gone in a taxi and when the taxi was speeding over a hump on
the road, his head had bumped against the roof of the taxi. So Dr. Schmidt prescribed Arnica
and the patient was rid of the vertigo.

I have seen coppery eruptions relieved by Ustilago, salivation with headache by Epiphegus, a
case of left sided headache worse by touch and relieved by pressure and associated with
loquacity by Paris quadrifolia (after Lachesis had failed), a case of Bronchiectasis with profuse
offensive discharge by Phellandrium, torticollis by Lachnanthes and so on, in all these cases
the drug having been arrived at with the help of the repertory.
I have given above only some instances where the repertory has helped me and others in the
choice of the remedy. It is my practice to refer to the repertory at every possible opportunity
and I cannot sufficiently express how much it has helped me in the differentiation and
selection of drugs and how much it has enriched my knowledge of drugs. I think that in many
of my cases like the ones described above, I might not have succeeded without the help of
the repertory. There are rubrics differing in shades of meaning and it may need all our
intelligence, care and contemplation to fully realise these shades of meaning.
In conclusion, I want to emphasize that each drug in our Materia Medica has numerous
indications and vast potential. Each is like an ocean. Comparatively, our vision, understanding
and experience are so limited that we cannot fathom any drug fully. Our concept of a drug and
its field of application are almost like the concept the blind men had of the elephant. In fact, I
believe that we may not comprehend even one drug thoroughly and completely, even if we
were to devote a lifetime to its study. Under the circumstances the use of a repertory will
considerably enlarge our vision, and help us to succeed in our work.
As regards the actual process of repertorization, I am not competent to and anything more
educative to what is described in standard booklets, "Repertorizing" by Sir John Weir and
Margaret Tyler, Dr. Bidwell's book "Aid to Kent's Repertory" and Dr. B.K. Sarkar's "Synopsis of
Homoeopathic Philosophy" (relevant chapters) should all be carefully studied by students.
Repertorization
Recurrent mastitis
Mrs. M.K. , aged 28 years, consulted me on 23.08.58, with the following symptoms:
She gets a cold swelling of the Rt. forearm before every M.P. during the last two years. The
swelling is painful and she describes the pains as "cold pains".
Formerly, for 5 years she had painful, nodular swelling of both breasts before every
menstrual period. This is now replaced by the present disorder. This mammary pain used to
be worse by stepping hard.
If she gets a swelling in the forearm, she does not get the swelling of the breasts.
She now desires more salt.
Must drink water in order to swallow solid food.
Vertigo rising from sitting.
Is married for 10 years, but has no children.
No physical findings except that the swelling of the forearm is tender but cold.
Apparently it was a case of Conium and reference to Kent's Repertory confirmed this choice.
Since they appeared to be part of the picture, I included old symptoms also for study

Pain, mammae, before menses (p. 846)

Swelling mammae, before menses (p. 991)
Desires salt things (p. 486)
Coldness, forearm (p. 958)
Vertigo, rising from a seat, on (p. 103)
Pain, mammae, every step (p. 846)
Conium was found under all the above rubrics. So on 23.08.58 she was given Con. 1M, 3
doses, 2 hourly.
On 01.10.58, she reported that the swelling in forearm had disappeared and did not recur.
Before the last M.P. , there was no swelling, no pains. But she had a recurrence of the painful
swelling of the breast before M.P. , which she had suffered from formerly. This pain was
aggravated by jarring. Dysphagia still present; but vertigo was nil.
Since this symptom-picture persisted, she was given Con. 10M, 3 doses, 2 hourly. During the
next menstrual period she had no trouble at all. Since then, till now, she remains well.
Comment
For the peculiar sensation of "cold pain", Conium may have to be considered along with other
drugs like Agaricus, Arnica, Medorrhinum, Saccharum lactis and Syphilinum.
Recurrent coryza
A boy, S.P. , aged 18 years, was brought to me for consultation on 16th May 1963. He gets
recurrent coryza for last 3 years. It started as coryza with rash and temperature, which
subsided after 15 days. It is agg. in rainy season. He also gets headaches over the eyebrows
and pain in the eyes with a feeling as if the eyes are popping out. The coryza is agg. if he is
exposed to dust agg. if he takes cold bath and agg. in the evening. He is nervous before any
function. He gets perspiration in palms and soles, when nervous. He is very shy and timid.
Wants to cover himself with a blanket even in summer. Teething started late. He was very
constipated in childhood.
The remedy was prescribed without repertorization.
Sil. 10M, 3 doses, thrice in one day and placebo given.
23.05.63 : Feels much better. Headaches nil. "Powders have done wonders!" Does not want
any blankets now. Bacil. 1M, 3 doses in one day and placebo given. (I generally interpose
Bacil. or Tub. in all cases of tendency to coryza.)
01.06.63 : Feels better. Sil. 10M, 3 doses, thrice a day and placebo given.
01.10.65 : Remains normal.
For the information of students, the rubrics covered by Sil. are given below: (Ref. Kent's
Repertory and Phatak's Repertory):
Generalities, Cold, tendency to take (K.p. 1349)
Wet weather (K.p. 1421)

Head, pain, forehead, eyes, above (K.p. 159)

Eye, Pain, pressing-outward (K.p. 257)
Dust agg. (Ph.p. 74)
Chilled agg. (Ph.p. 43)
Nervous (Ph.p. 191)
Cold agg. (Ph.p. 46)
Timid (K.p. 88)
Teeth, Dentition, slow (K.p. 431)
Extremities, Perspiration, palm (K.p. 1182) and sole (K.p. 1184)
Melancholia
On 10th January 1958, Mrs. R.F. , aged 60 years, came for consultation, complaining of the
following:
Last three years, has very poor sleep.
Shooting pains in chest on and off, agg. speaking.
Lightning pains in body, anywhere.
Heaviness of body.
Anorexia; Desires alchool; Thirstless.
Constipation with hard stools.
Dyspnoea on exertion and on ascending stairs.
Very small soft warts all over the body, sometimes painful.
Sweats when excited.
Very nervous; any little thing frightens her.
Very sensitive; easily offended; weeps easily.
Gets easily hurt, contusions take long to clear up and pain for a long time.
Almost all her troubles started after the death of her husband 3 years back.
Always thinks of dead husband.
Likes to be alone or only in company of her children.
Feels she ought to be happy in every way but she is sad without reason.
She becomes very irritable, flies into rage and abuses but regrets later.
Prev. Hist.: N.A. D. Family History: N.A. D.
Physical Exam.: Pt. looks emaciated. Wt. 96 lbs.

B.P. : 155/90. Otherwise N.A. D.

In analysing and evaluating the above case, the symptom that struck me as very strange was
the fact that she herself felt that she had all the ingredients of happiness but was unhappy
without reason; this was a mental symptom. The apparent exciting cause, viz. the shock at
the death of her husband, was also considered valuable as it had set into motion the whole
panorama of mental and physical changes.
Her recent irritability, the peculiar physical concomitant of painful warts, the constitutional
tendency for wounds to heal slowly, were all given due importance and the case was
repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Grief, Ailments from (p. 51)
+ Sadness (p. 75)
+ Abusive (p. 1) = Am-m, Anac., Caust., Con., Hyo., Lyc., Nit-ac, Nux-v, Ver.
+ Wounds, heal, slow to (p. 1422) = Caust., Con., Lyc., Nit-ac
+ Warts, painful (p. 1340) = Caust., Lyc., Nit-ac
+ Warts small (p. 1340) = Caust., Nit-ac
Out of the two, the drug Caust. seemed to fit the case better, esp. considering her
depressive, brooding and hopeless mood, and so she was given one dose of Causticum 1M on
14.01.58. When she reported on 21.01.58, she was less sad and excitable; pain chest nil; pain
in body less; sleep and constipation better.
By 10.03.58, she was completely normal having received Caust. 10M, twice and Med. 1M,
once, as an intercurrent remedy. She has remained well ever since.
Emphysema
Shri P.A. M., aged 86 years, came to me for consultation on 25th Dec. 1970 with the following
symptoms:
He has got asthmatic dyspnoea and cough for the last 12 years. Cough is amel. lying on right
side. Cough and dyspnoea agg. strong odours. Sometimes he gets involuntary stool or urine
on coughing. Expectoration is thick and sticky. His skin is very dry.
The case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Cough agg. lying. side (p. 797)
+ Expectoration, viscid (p. 820) = Alu., Am-m, Kali-c, Lyc., Merc., Phos., Plb., Sil., Spo., Stan.
+ Skin, rough (p. 130) = Alu., Merc., Phos., Plb.
+ Rectum, involuntary stool, coughing or sneezing on (p. 621) = Merc., Phos.
+ Urination, involuntary, cough, during (p. 659) = Phos.
+ Cough, odours, strong (p. 798) = Phos.
Phos. also covered the symptom "old age" as given in Phatak's Repertory (p. 200).

Phos. 6, 1dose every 3 days relieved him considerably.

Varicose veins
Mrs. L.C. , aged 62 years, consulted me on 12.03.58 complaining of the following:
Six years back she started having pain and stiffness in the lumbo-sacral region which later
descended into the leg. Now, there is pain and swelling in left ankle which sometimes
disappears from the left and appears in the right ankle; sometimes exists in both legs
together.
Pain and heaviness in leg, agg. motion, amel. by rest and agg. when legs hang down.
Occasional pain in epigastrium piercing through to the back.
Sweats on palms and soles even in winter; sweat offensive.
Feels hot in legs and body, wants to place legs on cold floor; also wants to sleep on cold floor
and likes cold in general.
Dislikes noise made by children.
Recently has developed fear of thunder.
Milk causes diarrhoea. Prev. Hist.: She had a fall with injury to the head resulting in
unconsciousness 13 years back. Also 12 years back her child died of diarrhoea. H/o shock due
to father's death in accident 5 years back. She also had suffered from dysentery and recurrent
coryza in past.
Her case was now repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
The peculiar modality of the headache and the peculiar combination of numbness with pain
was taken first.
Head Pain, standing while (p. 148) + Numbness, suffering parts of (p. 1376) = Alu., Arn.,
Ars., Calc., Chi., Dig., Kali-c, Nat-m, Puls., Rhe., Rhus-t, Spo., Staph., Sulph., Ver., Zn.
The aggravation from milk, a normal food item, came next.
+ Generalities, Food, milk agg. (p. 133) = Alu., Ars., Calc., Chi., Kali-c, Nat-m, Puls., Rhus-t,
Spo., Sulph., Zn.
+ Stomach, Nausea, headache, during (p. 508) = Alu., Ars., Calc., Chi., Kali-c, Nat-m, Puls.,
Rhus-t, Sulph., Zn.
The concomitant symptoms came next.
+ Vision, Diplopia (p. 277) = Calc., Kali-c, Nat-m, Puls., Rhust-t, Sulph., Zn.
+ Eye, paralysis of muscles of eyeball (p. 261) = Nat-m, Rhus-t
In view of the h/o injury to the head and the h/o grief, I preferred Nat-m. So Nat-m VI (ie. 6th
potency of 50 millesimal scale) was given, 1 dose to be taken in water succussed once a day.
10.06.64 : Condition much better. Headache amel. but eye condition same. Medicine
repeated.

16.06.64 : Movement of eyeball is better but still had diplopia. Medicine repeated.
10.07.64 : Feels better. Dr. R., a physician, was consulted.
All investigations were done and nothing abnormal was detected. But an intracranial spaceoccupying lesion was suspected. They are advised to have carotid angiography done after one
month if she is not better. She still has headaches. Nat-m XXX (i.e. 30th potency of 50
millesimal scale) dissolved in water and with placebo, to be taken once a day succussed.
28.07.64 : Condition much better. Medicine repeated.
31.07.64 : Eyes are quite normal. Movements of eyeball are much better. Medicine was
repeated.
01.10.64 : Patient reported that she was quite well.
Note
With regard to aggravation from items of food, I generally prefer the general rubric, e.g.
"milk agg." to the particular rubric "Diarrhoea, milk agg." In this case, if the particular rubric
"Diarrhoea, milk agg." had been taken, Nat-m would have been missed.
Supra-orbital neuralgia
Name: L.H. J.S. Age: 24 years Sex: Male.
This patient consulted me on 30.11.59 for recurrent pain in the supra-orbital region of 4
years' duration occurring almost daily. He had been examined and investigated by many
doctors and had taken much treatment (non-homoeopathic, all to no effect). The pain usually
increased gradually and decreased gradually. It was agg. by fan, agg. in air-conditioned room,
agg. by exposure to the sun. With the pain there was swelling below the eyes and
lachrymation. The pain was amel. after sleep. Rising from sitting used to cause syncope.
Appetite: normal; he had desire for more salt and aversion for milk.
Thirst: 5-6 glasses of water per day.
Sleep: less than 5 hrs, but felt quite refreshed.
His memory was poor.
His case was repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Firstly, the fact that though he was a young man, he had aversion to company and
consolation was taken.
Company, aversion to (p. 12) + Consolation, agg. (p. 16) = Bell., Cact., Calc., Calc-p, Cham.,
Chi., Hell., Ign., Kali-c, Lyc., Nat-m, Nux-v, Plat., Sep., Tarn., Thu.
Next, the craving was taken.
+ Desires salt things (p. 486) = Calc., Calc-p, Nat-m, Tarn., Thu.
The peculiar nature of onset and decline of the pain was taken next.
+ Pains appear gradually and disappear gradually (p. 1377) = Nat-m

Nat-m also covered the other symptoms such as "Head, Pain forehead, eyes, above" (p. 159)
and "Head, Pain, sun, from exposure" (p. 149).
The first prescription made was Nat-m 200, 3 doses 2 hourly in one day, followed by Sac-l.
The report in 7th Dec. 59 was: Feels better. No pain last 3 days. Sac-l was continued.
He continued to improve steadily but Nat-m had to be repeated on 4th Jan. 1960 in the 200th
potency and again on 12th Feb. 1960 in the 1M potency. Since then, he has had no more
attacks and has remained very well. I have last seen him on 28th Dec. 1963 and he has
required no medicine at all so far.
Comment
This is an example of a simple cure of a condition which our colleagues who practice modern
medicine are unable to treat and cure so easily. This is also just one example of similar easy
cures of apparently difficult disorders being achieved daily by the thousands of homoeopaths
all over the world.
Cervical spondylosis
Mrs. R.P. , aged 42, suffering from cervical spondylosis decided to take homoeopathic
treatment because the collar she had been prescribed was giving her discomfort without
giving much relief. I saw her on 3rd Aug. 1962. Her history was as follows:
While at Bangalore on 27.06.62, she had a sudden, excruciating pain in the right scapular
region and shoulder at 2 a.m. She woke up from sleep due to pain. Since then the pain has
been there almost constantly.
The pain is agg. at 3 a.m. She invariably gets up with pain at that time. It is agg. before
menses, sitting and lying on right side agg. using the hand, e.g. as in writing. Pain in shoulder
joint is agg. hanging the hand down, amel. heat, rubbing, amel. pressure in nape and
shoulder.
Appetite, etc., normal, but milk causes flatulence. M.P. 3/28, regular.
Had bad throat and sinusitis last 6 years. This is agg. by cold foods.
Irritable worrying type, faints with pain.
Prev. Hist.: Had a serious shock two years back (owing to her suspicion of her husband's
infidelity). Amoebic colitis eight years back. Pleurisy 25 years ago.
Her case was studied as follows on Kent's and Phatak's Repertory.
The peculiar time and other modalities of the pain were taken first.
agg. At 3 a.m. (K.p. 1343) + Before menses (K.p. 1373) = Am-c, Bor., Calc., Chi., Con., Dul.,
Kali-c, Kali-n, Mag-m, Nux-v, Sep., Staph., Zn.
+ Lying on painful side, agg. (K.p. 1373) = Am-c, Calc., Chi., Kali-c, Kali-n, Nux-v, Sep.,
Staph.
+ Sitting, while, agg. (K.p. 1401) = Do.
+ Food, milk, agg. (K.p. 1363) = Calc., Chi., Kali-c, Nux-v, Sep.

+ Fingers, working with, agg. (Ph.p. 107) = Calc., Kali-c, Sep.

+ Rubbing, amel. (K.p. 1398) = Calc., Kali-c
+ Food, cold, agg. (K.p. 1362) = Calc., Kali-c
Between the two, I preferred Kali-c because it has more typically the 3 a.m. aggravation.
So, on 3rd Aug. 1962, she was given Kali-c 30, 12 doses to be taken twice daily till relief was
obtained.
On 17th Aug., she reported that the pain had reduced in intensity; she was able to let her
hand down without pain. From then, once she was put on Sac-l and was advised to take Kali-c
200 as and when necessary. She discarded the collar but still had no pain. She had to take in
all Kali-c 200, 3 doses and by Nov. 1962, she was completely well and so the treatment was
stopped. Now she has been well for over nine years.
Bronchial asthma
Mrs. J., aged 36 years, came to me for consultation on 22nd Jan. 1970 with the following
history:
She gets recurrent attacks of dyspnoea and cough for last 2 years. It is agg. in summer, agg.
fat food, agg. ascending, agg. at night. Her appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Wants extra salt.
Milk causes dysenteric stools. Perspires with attack. Very irritable. Weeps easily. Very
loquacious. Fam. Hist.: Grandmother had cancer. She had one abortion. Weight: 88 lbs.
The peculiar occurrence of dyspnoea and cough in summer was taken first and combined
with the aggravations from the items of food.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory:
Summer, in (p. 1404) + Food, fat, agg. (p. 1363). = Ant-c, Bell., Bry., Carb-s, Carb-v, Nat-c,
Nat-m, Nux-v, Puls., Thu.
+ Food, milk, agg. (p. 1363) = Ant-c, Bry., Carb-s, Carb-v, Nat-c, Nat-m, Nux-v, Puls.
Next came the craving.
+ Desires salt things (p. 486) = Carb-v, Nat-m
Now the mental symptom was taken.
+ Loquacity (p. 63) = Nat-m
Carcin. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. (because of the family history of cancer) and placebo given.
08.02.70 : Conditions same. Nat-m 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo given.
12.02.70 : Feels no amel., Tub-bov 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. followed after a week by Nat-m 1M, 3
doses t.d. s.
26.02.70 : Felt amel. but condition relapsing. Her husband lost some office money, about Rs.
1300. Since then, she gets severe attacks. Ign. 1M, 9 doses t.d. s. followed by Nat-m 1M, 3
doses t.d. s.
26.03.70 : Feels better but still gets dyspnoea. Nat-m 1M, 3 doses t.d. s.

She was feeling much better. The medicine in the same potency was repeated two or three
times and then was given in 10M potency for about six times as and when necessary. She
feels much better and she has been putting on weight also.
Sciatica
I was asked to visit Shri H.L. G., aged 55 years, on 2nd Sept. 1970 for the following
complaints:
In 1951 he slept on a wet cot in the rainy season and got stiffness which lasted for two years.
Then, he was advised to dance on his toes and thus he got pain in the sciatic nerve. Then he
was advised to have myelography done and undergo on operation which he avoided. He was
using a belt and took some injections and felt better.
Now, he gets pain in the left gluteal region which extends down the leg to the lateral three
toes. There is numbness with the pain. The pain is agg. lying on left side, agg. beginning
motion agg. standing and is agg. by hot application. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. He smokes
20 to 25 cigarettes per day. Past. Hist.: In 1928, relapse of typhoid. In 1947, his younger
brother was murdered. In 1956-60, had fistula for which he took ayurvedic medicine and felt
better. Fam. Hist.: Nothing particular.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory.
Whenever a patient says he has been smoking regularly, I take it that the tobacco must have
disturbed his health and paved the way for the disease. So, I translate this symptom into the
rubric "Tobaccco, agg.". In this case, I took this symptom and combined it with the exciting
cause.
Tobacco, agg. (K.p. 1407) + Lying, wet surface, floor, on or sitting on moist ground, agg.
(Ph.p. 172) = Ars., Calc-c, Nux-v, Rhus-t, Sil.
Next was taken the peculiar symptom, numbness with pain.
+ Numbness, suffering parts of (K.p. 1376) = Ars., Calc-c, Nux-v, Rhus-t, Sil.
Then the peculiar particular modality of the pain came.
+ Pain, lower limbs, sciatica, standing agg. (K.p. 1065) = Nux-v
Nux-v 200, 12 doses q.d. s. given.
10.09.70 : Condition slightly better. Nux-v t.d. s. given for a week.
24.09.70 : Condition better. Nux-v 1M, t.d. s. given for a week.
06.10.70 : Condition better. Medicine repeated.
22.10.70 : Feels 80% better. Nux-v 1M, b.d. given for a week.
24.12.70 : He has been given Nux-v 1M, twice a day and is much better.
02.02.71 : Feels that he is practically normal.
Koch's abdomen
Miss. R.S. , aged 23 years, turned up for consultation on 21st Oct. 1965 with the following
history:

She gets pain in abdomen for last five years. It is agg. rich, fat food, agg. lying on left side or
back agg. summer amel. knee chest position. Gets dysponoea on exertion; desires deep
breath. She gets a ball-like sensation moving in the abdomen from epigastric region to lower
abdomen. Ring-worm on right elbow for last two months. Gets dreams of snakes. Prev. Hist.:
She had disappointment in love and since then she is not well. H/o Malaria suppressed by
quinine. It had been diagnosed as a case of Koch's abdomen.
He case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
The causation and the concomitant were taken first.
Love, ailments, from disappointed (p. 63)
+ Respiration, deep, desire to breathe (p. 766) = Aur., Calc-p, Caust., Ign., Kali-c, Lach., Nuxm, Sep.
The aggravation from a food item came next.
+ Food, fat, agg. (p. 1363) = Caust., Kali-c, Sep.
The background of suppressed malaria came next.
+ Quinine, abuse of (p. 1397) = Sep.
A peculiar particular was taken last.
+ Abdomen, ball, rolling in = Sep.
Sepia 1M gave her profound relief but the remedy had to be repeated in 1M, 10M, 50M and
CM potencies as and when necessary till she was completely cured by Aug. 1968.
Haemorrhoids
Mr. K.V. R., aged 46 years, came for consultation on 27th July 1963, with the following history:
He has piles for last 6 years with pain and bleeding. Gets burning pain for 2 hours after stool.
Occasional occipital headaches amel. pressure, agg. summer, agg. in sun agg. reading. He is
slightly worried because his daughters-in-law are not cordial. He has severe constipation. First
part of stool is hard, then it is soft. He has to strain hard even for soft stool. He gets pain in
abdomen from morning to noon, with a feeling of tiredness and pain in joints for last 6 years.
Pain starts when straining for stool amel. after stool, slightly amel. moving. No appetite.
Thirst, etc., normal. Sleep: He cannot sleep on back.
Gets bodyache in the morning .
Prev. Hist.: 20 years back he had Double Pneumonia which lasted 3 months.
Occasional dysentery.
The case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
The peculiar stool and the modality came first.
Stool, Hard, first, then soft (p. 638)
+ Rectum, Pain, burning, stool, after (p. 626) = Alumn., Berb., Caust.

+ Rectum, haemorrhage from anus (p. 619) = Alumn., Berb.

The peculiar constipation was then taken.
+ Constipation, difficult stool (p. 607) = Alumn., Berb.
The concomitant symptom was added.
+ Head pain occiput (p. 161) = Alumn., Berb.
+ Head, pain, pressure external, amel. (p. 164) = Alumn.
Alumen 1M, 3 doses were given in one day.
03.08.63 : Patient gets bleeding + burning pain amel. itching + abdominal pain amel. Stool
amel. Placebo given.
As he was gradually feeling better and better, placebo was continued for about one month.
The doses of Alumen had to be repeated in 1M potency on 07.09.63, 21.09.63, 15.10.63 and
in 10M potency on 9.11.63. He improved considerably after each dose and became well.
Peptic ulcer
Mr. S.S. B., aged 46 years, came to me on 17th April 1963 with the following history:
Patient suffers from duodenal ulcer since 1956. Originally it had been diagnosed as hyperacidity but later X-rays had revealed the lesion. Pain in abdomen is relieved by taking food or
milk. The pain is at once amel. by passing flatus, amel. stretching, agg. pressure, agg. by
wearing tight clothes around the abdomen. He has got constipation and piles. He has to strain
even for a soft stool. Milk and rice cause flatulence. He smokes 30 cigarettes a day for the last
20 years. He is outwardly calm and unperturbed but actually he suppresses his feelings. He
keeps things to himself. In the past, he had suffered from malaria. Also, in 1951, he suffered a
shock, when his sister was killed in a car accident; at the same time, his wife and brother
were also seriously injured. Family history: his mother had cancer in 1958 and died after five
months.
The case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
First the cause was taken and combined with the peculiar local modality.
Grief, ailments, from (K.p. 51) + Clothes, loosening amel. (K.p. 1348) + Abdomen, clothing,
sensitive to (K.p. 541) = Caust., Graph., Lach., Lyc., Nit-ac, Nux-v, Puls.
Then, the habit of smoking which is known to aggravate an ulcer was added.
+ Tobacco, agg. (K.p. 1407) = Lach., Lyc., Nux-v, Puls.
Then the peculiar constipation was considered.
+ Rectum, constipation, difficult soft stool (K.p. 607) = Lyc., Puls.
Then again the local modalities were combined.
+ Abdomen, pain, flatus passing, amel. (K.p. 558) = Lyc.
+ Stretching (bending back), amel. (Ph.p. 24) = Lyc.

Lyc. seemed to fit the case well.

Lyc. VI (i.e. 6th potency of 50 millesimal scale) in water, once a day with placebo given.
10.05.63 : Patient feels amel.; pain nil; slight heaviness only. Same medicine continued.
02.09.63 : Patient is much better but has a slight relapse. Medicine was repeated.
He continued the medicine for some time and two years later I heard that he was well.
Lumbago
Mr. A.M. , aged 37 years, came for advice on 1st September 1970 with the following history:
He has got a pain in the lumbar back for last five years. It is amel. by stretching backwards
and amel. by lying down. He gets trembling of the body when he is hungry. Gets bodyache
and has a feeling of inactivity. All the troubles have started after anxiety, when he had a
business loss. Formerly he was irritable but now he is unable to get angry, even if somebody
beats him. His appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. He was suspected as a case of Thyroid overfunction. His weight is increasing. Weight: 158 lbs. Fam. Hist.: Mother had tuberculosis. On
exam.: Tremors in fingers. Lidlag sign negative. S.L. R. negative. He says that so far he has
spent Rs. 5,000 for the treatment of his backache, with no relief.
The peculiar change in his temperament was taken first followed by effect of hunger on him.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Mild (p. 65) + Trembling hungry, when (p. 1409) = Stan., Sulph., Zn.
Next was taken his extra weight which was increasing though his case was suspected as
thyrotoxicosis.
+ Obesity (p. 1376) = Sulph.
Sulph. 1M, 6 doses t.d. s. and placebo given.
By 08.09.70, he felt much better. The medicine was repeated periodically and by 10.10.70,
he reported that his condition was practically normal.
Menopausal syndrome
Mrs. K.P. , aged 50 years, was brought to me for consultation on 30th April 1970. She had got
swelling all over the body. It had started after menopause. Gets dyspnoea on exertion, e.g. on
ascending; headache agg. noise. Stiffness of back on waking. Sun agg.. Gets burning in chest,
throat, etc., with headache at night waking her from sleep. Cannot bear hunger or fast. Feels
agg. by talking. Feels something like a ball moving in abdomen. Wt. 188 lbs.
The fact that her troubles had started after menopause, the origin was considered most
important and was taken first. Then the general aggravation from sun was taken.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Menopause (p. 724) + Sun, from exposure to (p. 1404) = Agar., Bar-c, Bry., Calc., Gels., Glo.,
Graph., Ign., Lach., Pso., Puls., Sele., Sulph.
Her excessive weight was taken next.
+ Obesity (p. 1376) = Agar., Bar-c, Bry., Calc., Graph., Lach., Puls., Sulph.

Her inability to fast was taken next.

Then two particular peculiar symptoms were taken, viz. the headaches coming on from noise
and the felling of a ball rolling in the abdomen.
Head, pain, noise, from (p. 144) = Bar-c, Calc., Graph., Lach.
+ Abdomen, ball, rolling in (p. 541) = Lach.
Lach. also covered the headaches coming on in sleep and the burning pains.
Lach. 1M, 3 doses in one day followed by placebo given.
07.05.70 : Condition better. Swelling amel.. Medicine repeated.
She continued to improve and had to be given Lach. 1M, 10M, 50M and CM potencies as and
when necessary, with a few doses of Rhus-t 6 on and off for minor rheumatic pains. Later on
she received Lach. VI (i.e. 6th potency of the 50 millesimal scale) and by 20.02.71 she had
improved considerably and was practically normal.
Osteoarthritis
Mr. T.A. K., aged 69 years, from Surat, came to me on 28th July with the following complaints:
Has arthritis in knee joints, esp. right knee, for last 10 years. Pain agg. rising from sitting,
agg. beginning motion. agg. descending steps.
Appetite good; urine 3 times at night; sleep good. Likes fan and cold air. Weight is increasing.
On examination: No tenderness in knees. Has bilateral cataract.
Previous History: Had asthma 40 years back, took homoeopathic treatment, but was not
relieved.
His case had been diagnosed as osteoarthritis.
Because we expect a pain in the knee to be worse when ascending rather than when
descending, and because we do not expect an old man to gain weight, I took the following
symptoms as peculiar and worked out the case in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Pain, knee, descending steps, when (p. 1072)
+ Obesity (p. 1376).
I got Merc. and Ver-a. These two drugs did not cover "Old age". So I now worked out the case
again taking "Descending agg." (p. 1356) as a general symptom. This was added to "Obesity".
Then I got Am-m, Bar-c, Bor., Bry., Canth., Con., Fer., Lyc., Plb., Sulph., Ver.
Now, I added "Old people" (p. 1376) and got Bar-c, Bry., Con., Lyc., Sulph.
Then, "Motion at beginning of, agg." (p. 1374) was taken. Now only Con. and Lyc. remained.
Of these, I preferred Lyc., as it was right-sided, had frequent micturition at night, etc. Besides,
osteoarthritis was a destructive lesion rather than a paralytic one. So, I have him Lyc. 200, 3
doses in one day. He felt relief but the medicine had to be repeated about once a month first
in 1M and then in 10M potencies.

On 2nd June 1964, he reported that his pains were relieved but he was unable to walk much.
So I now put him on daily doses of Lyc. 6th potency of the LM scale to be taken in water
succussed, daily once.
On 17th February 1965, he reported that he was completely well; there was no pain in the
knees. The medicine was discontinued. He has remained well still.
Pneumonia
A few nights ago, I was suddenly called to see a patient who was said to be seriously ill in a
town about 200 km away. I left the next morning and reached the town at about 2 p.m. The
patient was an old lady, Mrs. S.N. M., about 64 years, who was suffering from Pneumonia for
the last 13 days. She had been paralysed and had been in bed for one and a half years and
possibly she had developed hypostatic pneumonia. She had been under the treatment of a
homoeopathic physician who had prescribed for her well, but her condition had taken a
serious turn and the homoeopath had become rather anxious. Therefore, he had suggested
allopathic treatment and an allopathic doctor had been called in. This gentleman, however
refused to come and attend to the patient. No doubt he thought that the homoeopaths treat
patients till they become very serious or moribund and then call in the allopathic doctor to
take the blame. This particular family had been having faith in homoeopathic medicine for the
last 35 years. So they were still very keen to have homoeopathic treatment. Therefore, it was
decided that some other homoeopath should be called in and I was selected. So the case was
before me now.
I examined the patient carefully and I found she had all the signs of Pneumonia. But there
was no temperature, which was due to the very weak condition of the patient. The patient
was fortunately conscious but could not speak as she was paralysed. I noted the following
symptoms of the patient: she would suddenly laugh without any reason; she even laughed at
me. Secondly, she would try to remove her blouse. Even if she did not take off her clothing, if
her body was exposed for examination, she did not seem to mind it. She had plenty of thirst
which was more marked at night. She had rattling respiration with cough agg. lying on the left
side. The pupils were small and reacting to light. Her husband mentioned that she had
become worse after she had taken a cold bath at the time she possibly had a mild fever.
Now, I studied the case with these symptoms and repertorized her case as follows in Kent's
Repertory and Phataks' Repertory.
Shameless, exposes the person (K.p. 79)
+ Laughing (K.p. 61) = Hyo., Phos., Sec-c, Tarn.
+ Thirst for large quantities (K.p. 529) = Phos.
+ Thirst, night (K.p. 528) = Phos.
+ Cough agg. lying on left side (K.p. 797) = Phos.
+ Chilled when heated (Ph.p. 43) = Phos.
I found that the only remedy that came through was Phosphorus. I did not know if Phosphorus
could be used in such a serious state. However, we gave her Phos. 200, 1 dose about 2 p.m.
and after this there was a rise of temperature. I considered this a good sign because rise of
temperature shows a re-establishment of resistance in the patient. I then advised them to
continue the Phos., 3 times a day and then left for Bombay. Two days later I was informed

that she was feeling better and after another four days I was told that she was completely
well. We were then able to start the treatment for the chronic paralytic condition.
I am describing this case only to show how even very serious cases can be treated with
homoeopathic medicines very nicely and easily, even when the allopathic doctors may
consider these cases beyond the scope of their medicines.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
The patient, Mr. G.A. , aged 33 years, consulted me on 10th February 1958, for suppurating
crusty eruptions all over the body especially marked on all hairy parts such as beard, scalp,
etc. He had been suffering for the last two years, and was usually worse in summer. The
itching was very severe, agg. on sweating, and agg. at night. His body generally felt hot.
Appetite was poor, thirst less. For past six months he had burning in abdomen, one to one
and a half hours after dinner, amel. cold milk. Patient was very irritable. He also reported that
the male organ became relaxed during coition. He had also inflamed cervical glands. B.P. was
130/90. Wt.: 111 lbs.
Prev. History: Syphilis. Family History: not married.
He had consulted eminent skin specialists but their prescriptions had proved ineffective.
His condition, when I saw him was quite bad; so bad that each night his pillow had to be
changed three or four times as each pillow got completely soaked with the pus that poured
out from the eruptions in the scalp.
Pathological investigations revealed the following:
RBC : 4.04 m/mm3 Hb. 14.5 gm WBC 15 800/mm3
Diff. Count: Neutro : 80%, Eosino : 4%, Lympho : 13%, Monocytes : 3%
Kahn: Positive. Stool: Ova of round worm. Urine: N.A. D.
First, one dose of Sulphur 30 was given on 10.02.58 as it covered the suppurating eruptions
and the deficient erection, but as the response was poor, the case was re-studied and
repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Eruptions on hairy parts (p. 1312)
+ Eruptions, suppurating (p. 1319) = Calc., Lach., Lyc., Merc., Nat-m, Nit-ac, Phos-ac, Rhus-t,
Sil.
+ Eruptions itching at night (p. 1314) = Merc., Rhus-t
+ Eruptions, crusty (p. 13107) = Merc., Rhus-t
Out of these Merc-s covered the agg. from sweating and the history of syphilis.
He was given one dose of Merc-s 200, which resulted in a radical improvement on his
condition. Within 2 months, and with only one more dose of Merc-s 200 he was very much
improved. Then he failed to respond to Merc-s. But when put on Mez., there was further rapid
progress which went on to complete recovery. His Kahn became negative. As far as I know, he
never had a relapse.

The patient, Mr. G.A. , aged 33 years, consulted me on 10th February 1958, for suppurating
crusty eruptions all over the body especially marked on all hairy parts such as beard, scalp,
etc. He had been suffering for the last two years, and was usually worse in summer. The
itching was very severe, agg. on sweating, and agg. at night. His body generally felt hot.
Appetite was poor, thirst less. For past six months he had burning in abdomen, one to one
and a half hours after dinner, amel. cold milk. Patient was very irritable. He also reported that
the male organ became relaxed during coition. He had also inflamed cervical glands. B.P. was
130/90. Wt.: 111 lbs.
Prev. History: Syphilis. Family History: not married.
He had consulted eminent skin specialists but their prescriptions had proved ineffective.
His condition, when I saw him was quite bad; so bad that each night his pillow had to be
changed three or four times as each pillow got completely soaked with the pus that poured
out from the eruptions in the scalp.
Pathological investigations revealed the the following:
RBC : 4.04 m/mm3 Hb. 14.5 gm WBC 15 800/mm3
Diff. Count: Neutro : 80%, Eosino : 4%, Lympho : 13%, Monocytes : 3%
Kahn: Positive. Stool: Ova of round worm. Urine: N.A. D.
First, one dose of Sulphur 30 was given on 10.02.58 as it covered the the suppurating
eruptions and the deficient erection, but as the response was poor, the case was re-studied
and repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Eruptions on hairy parts (p. 1312)
+ Eruptions, suppurating (p. 1319) = Calc., Lach., Lyc., Merc., Nat-m, Nit-ac, Phos-ac, Rhus-t,
Sil.
+ Eruptions itching at night (p. 1314) = Merc., Rhus-t
+ Eruptions, crusty (p. 13107) = Merc., Rhus-t
Out of these Merc-s covered the the agg. from sweating and the history of syphilis.
He was given one dose of Merc-s 200, which resulted in a radical improvement on his
condition. Within 2 months, and with only one more dose of Merc-s 200 he was very much
improved. Then he failed to respond to Merc-s. But when put on Mez., there was further rapid
progress which went on to complete recovery. His Kahn became negative. As far as I know, he
never had a relapse.
Comment
Though Kent does mot mention it under the rubric "Eruptions on hairy parts", I have found
Mez., one of the most valuable drugs for this condition.
Emotional diarrhoea
Mr. A.R. T., aged 48 years, sought my advice on 29.03.65 with the following history:

In June 1947, he got paratyphoid and became very weak. In August 1947, he lost his father
which was a shock to him. Then, one day, while travelling in the train, he got a cramp in the
epigastrium, with shivering and sweating followed by a stool. This recurred again and then he
developed a fear. After that he started passing mucus in stool. This was diagnosed as
dysentery and he took a lot of anti-dysenteric drugs. The stools are agg. by excitement. He
has also developed frequent sensation for stool which is agg. while riding on a motorbike. He
has a lot of mental upsets and worries. He also gets shivering when he goes to the seashore.
Weight has been reduced from 160 lbs to 125 lbs. Married in 1945. Had electric shock in 1953.
He had arsenic poisoning due to injection given for Eosinophilia in 1956. Now, he has stopped
eating non-veg. food and since then he has no mucus in stool. He has to suppress his sexual
desire very often because his wife is disinterested in sex.
Ign. 1M, 3 times a day for three days was given to him, because of the history of grief.
On 02.04.65, he reported that his condition was the same.
The case was then repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Suppression of sexual desire (p. 711) + Grief, ailments from (p. 57) = Ap., Calc., Con., Phosac, Plat., Puls., Staph.
+ Diarrhoea on excitement (p. 612) = Phos-ac
Phos-ac 1M, 3 times a day for three days was given.
29.04.65 : Patient feels much better. Feels he will be cured.
Phos-ac 1M, 3 doses a day for two days was given.
27.09.65 : Feels amel. amel. mentally. Fear nil. Phos-ac 10M, 3 doses a day and placebo were
given.
Six months later I heard that he remained well.
Dysentery
Shri A.D. D., aged 25 years, came to me for help on 1st May 1959 with the following history:
2 months back he had an attack of dysentery. Consulted Dr. S.D. who is his uncle but did not
follow his treatment. He gets slight abdominal pain before passing stool. Has only one stool
per day. Pain is stitching and is shooting up. Pain is agg. by eating cauliflower, cabbage,
potatoes, rice, fried food bread and by over-eating; is amel. by passing flatus, taking cold
drinks and butter milk and after stool. He dislikes hot drinks. He is irritable and gets tired by
speaking.
The case was repertorized with Kent's Repertory as follows:
All the modalities were added together, one by one.
Food, fat agg. (p. 1363) + Food, cabbage, agg. (p. 1362) = Ars., Bry., Carb-v, Chin., Hell.,
Kali-c, Mag-c, Nat-m, Puls., Sep., Sil., Ver-a
+ Eating, satiety to (p. 1357) = Carb-v, Nat-m, Puls., Sep., Sil.
+ Food, bread, agg. (p. 1362) = Nat-m, Puls., Sep.

+ Food, potatoes, agg. (p. 1363) = Sep.

+ Food, cold drinks, amel. (p. 1363) = Sep.
Sep. also covered "Abdomen, Pain, stool, before" (p. 560), "Abdomen, Pain, flatus amel." (p.
558), "Abdomen, Pain, stitching" (p. 591), and "Direction, Ascending" (Phatak's Rep. p. 67)
Sepia 200, 3 doses in one day and placebo given.
16.05.59 : Pain was slightly better but has relapse. Sepia 1M, 3 doses in one day and placebo
given.
03.07.59 : Feels better but still he gets pain twice a week. Sep. 50M, 3 doses in one day.
21.07.59 : Again got pain. Sepia CM, 3 doses in one day given.
29.07.59 : Practically no pain. Sac-l.
01.10.59 : Has remained well.
Stress incontinence
Shri B.S. , aged 27 years, came for homoeopathic help on 17th July 1963 for the following
complaints:
He has involuntary urination for last 8 years. It is intermittent. It is agg. jumping agg.
exertion agg. when he squats cross-legged, agg. kneeling, agg. wearing woolen clothes, and
with excitement. Formerly, it was associated with cough. He gets urging for urine after taking
bath and after washing hands and feet. He passes urine every 4-5 minutes in day time in
rainy season. His appetite is poor. He perspires too much since last year. His perspiration
stains the linen yellow.
He likes open air. He is irritable. He is very tired after coition. He has premature ejaculation.
His memory is getting worse. He had bed-wetting till the age of 16 or 17 years. He took
homoeopathic medicine in Secunderabad with no improvement. He is very sensitive to drugs.
Urine report showed N.A. D.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Urination, involuntary, exertion during (p. 659)
+ Seminal discharge, quick, too (p. 710) = Phos-ac
+ Memory, weakness of (p. 64) = Phos-ac
Phos-ac 1M, 3 doses a day and placebo given.
23.07.63 : Appetite has doubled. Frequency of micturition is less. Placebo given.
25.07.63 : Feels better. Involuntary urination has almost stopped.
Placebo and Phos-ac 10M, 3 doses, to be used if necessary, given.
01.10.63 : Condition reported normal.
Cardiospasm

Mrs. P.D. , aged 40 years, suffering from Cardiospasm wanted homoeopathic aid on 26th Feb.
1965. Her history was as follows:
In the end of 1962, while lying down, she noticed a gurgling sound in the throat with
regurgitation of fluid. She then developed a choking sensation while swallowing, accompanied
by vomiting. She experienced difficulty in swallowing esp. solids, and she could locate the
obstruction in the lower substernal region. She consulted an eminent E.N. T. surgeon. Ba.
swallow showed N.A. D. but an X-ray showed obstruction in the cardiac end of the stomach.
The surgeon advised an operation but another surgeon advised against it. The patient took
homoeopathic treatment from a colleague of mine and felt some relief. It was at this stage I
was consulted.
At present: She feels that the passage of food is first obstructed at the cardiac end of
stomach, but then the food drops into the stomach. She has choking and regurgitation, agg.
lying on the left side or back, agg. if she lies down immediately after food. Choking is amel.
lying on abdomen. She can swallow better while sitting erect. Sour and spicy food, eggs and
beer make her worse.
She has vague pains in the joints. There is pain in the teeth which feel loose.
Appetite, etc., normal. Sweat nil. Patient feels chilly even in hot weather.
Nervous and shy.
Prev. Hist.: Bronchitis often. Malaria at 15 years treated with Quinine.
Her case was studied as follows in Phatak's and Kent's Repertories (Ph. = Phatak; K. = Kent ).
Cold, agg. (Ph.p. 46) + Lying on left side agg. (Ph.p. 171) = Am-c, Bar-c, Colch., Kali-c, Lyc.,
Phos., Sep., Sil., Sulph.
+ Lying on back agg. (Ph.p. 171) = Colch., Phos., Sep., Sil., Sulph.
+ Food, sour agg. (K.p. 1364) = Phos., Sep., Sulph.
+ Lying on abdomen amel. (K.p. 1372) = Phos., Sep.
+ Constriction, cardiac orifice on swallowing (K.p. 483) = Phos.
+ Quinine, abuse of (K.p. 1397) = Phos., (Sep.)
+ Food, spices agg. (K.p. 1364) = Phos.
Phos. covered the chilliness also (Heat, vital, lack of - K.p. 1366).
Patient was given Phos. 200, 1M and 10M and Tub-bov 1M at long intervals.
She felt much better in her condition but she developed some eruption below and around the
right ear, itching and exuding thick fluid. But the prescription was not changed.
On 09.12.66, the report was that she has gone to New York. She has been taking Phos. 10M
at long intervals and is feeling completely well. Skin condition better. I advised her to consult
my teacher Dr. Elizabeth Hubbard in New York but she did not do so as she felt considerably
better.
Anaemia

Mrs. D.S. K., aged 40 years, approached me for help on 24th Dec. 1970 with the following
complaints:
She has got stomatitis for about 15 years. It is agg. during pregnancy. Gets diarrhoea often
agg. beans. Fasting causes headache, vomiting, etc. Car sickness. She is agg. every alternate
winter. Itching in vagina before urination. Menses: Normal. Likes company and sympathy. Mild
by nature. Fam. Hist. Her niece had tuberculosis.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Fasting agg. (K.p. 136) + Food, beans and peas agg. (K.p. 1362) = Ars., Calc., Carb-v, Chin.,
Hell., Kali-c, Lyc., Petr., Puls., Sep., Ver.
+ Riding in a wagon or in the cars agg. (K.p. 1397) =Ars., Calc., Carb-v, Kali-c, Lyc., Petr.,
Puls., Sep.
+ Winter agg. (K.p. 1422) = Ars., Calc., Carb-v, Kali-c, Lyc., Petr., Puls., Sep.
+ Pregnancy (Ph.p. 212) = Calc., Kali-c, Puls., Sep.
+ Alternating effects, sides, metastasis (Ph.p. 8) = Puls., Sep.
Because she was mild by temperament, Puls. was chosen.
Puls. 1M, 3 doses in one day and plabebo given. Advised routine blood examination.
31.12.70 : Condition same. Her blood report shows: Hb. 8 gms. (55%), R.B. C. = 3.15 per cu.
m., W.B. C = 8 000 per cu.m. , N: 66%, L: 24%, E: 7%. Medicine was repeated.
15.01.71 : Much better except for slight pain in arms. Medicine was repeated.
28.01.71 : Feels amel. amel. Medicine repeated.
04.02.71 : Condition absolutely normal. Beans do not upset her now. Tub. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s.,
and one week later Puls. 1M, 3 doses.
01.04.71 : Remains quite well.
Chronic bronchitis
Master A.M. , aged 8 years, was brought to me for advice on 24th Dec. 1964 with the
following history:
He gets attacks of cough with dyspnoea for last eight months. Cough is loud, hollow, dry,
brassy, spasmodic. It is agg. before midnight and 3 a.m. amel. sitting up. Gets cramps in legs
while sitting long. Eats more than normal, likes sweets, sour and ice cream. Gets stool every
three or four days. Prev. Hist.: Vaccinated every year. Has taken large quantity of antibiotics.
He had Typhoid which was treated with Chloromyecetin. Measles in 1960. Tonsillectomy in
1960. The case had been diagnosed as Chronic bronchitis.
Thuja 1M, 9 doses t.d. s. given (H/o vaccination+)
26.12.64 : Condition amel. but cough + Dros. 30, 14 doses b.d. given but to no effect.
09.01.65 : Condition same. Has got pain in left supra-orbital region.
His case was repertorized in Phatak's Repertory as follows:

Eyes, over left (p. 91) + Cough, whooping, violent spasmodic (p. 58) = Kali-c, Sep.
+ Cough, dry, expectoration, without (p. 55) = Kali-c
Kali-c 1M, 9 doses t.d. s. given.
14.01.65 : Headache amel. amel.; cough less intense and infrequent. Kali-c 1M, 14 doses
b.d.
The boy continued to improve on doses of kali-c which was given once a day and then
stopped when he became completely well. His general health also improved. His weight was
56 lbs.
On 27.08.68, he reported a relapse due to taking very sour food. He was otherwise quite well
and now weighed 100 lbs Kali-c 10M, 7 doses were given to be taken daily once.
On 20.10.70, there was a slight relapse of cough again. Kali-c 50M, 7 doses once a day were
given and he became quite well.
Note
Kent does not give in his Repertory Kali-c under "Food, sour, agg.".
Temporal arteritis
Shri A.H. , aged 67 years, is the father of a medical practitioner and I was called to see him
on 3rd Dec. 1968. He had been suffering from Koch's, had been treated and has been all right
for the last 45 years. He went to Karachi in Jan. 1968, where he got diarrhoea. In October
1968, he got headache and it was diagnosed as a case of Temporal Arteritis. It used to recur
on and off but now, for the last 20 days, he has a continuous headache. It is agg. lying down,
agg. at night, agg. lying on the back. It is amel. after sleep and amel. by stretching the neck
backwards. He used to get pain in the right temporal region, but now it is in the occipital
region. On 27th Nov., he had vomiting which relieved his headache slightly, but then he felt
giddy for 11/2 hrs. Since then the headache is associated with vertigo. And he has not been
able to lie down for the last one week, so that he is sitting up day and night for the last one
week.
Previous History: He had met with a train accident in 1962. Fam. Hist.: H/o two still born
children.
On examination: Naevi on the body. Coldness of right leg. Swelling below eyes; right temporal
artery is full and bounding.
Syph. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. were given first because of the h/o still born children and the agg. at
night. This did not give much relief. Then his case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as
follows:
Head, Pain, occiput, night (p. 162) + Head, Pain, occiput, lying while (p. 163) = Chel., Sep.
+ Vertigo, headache, during = (p. 99) = Chel., Sep.
+ Head, Pain, occiput, lying back of head on (p. 163) = Sep.
Sep. 30, 4 doses every 4 hours given.

09.01.69 : Feels much better. Is able to lie down and sleep. The constant headache is gone
but he gets pain once in 10 days. Sep. 1M, 1 dose, to be taken every 10 days given.
30.01.69 : Feels very much better; very slight headache. Syph. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. followed
by Sep. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. after 15 days, given. With these doses the headaches disappeared
and when last seen on 03.03.71, he was still quite well.
Peptic ulcer
Mr. G. consulted me on 18th Dec. 1969 for a pain in the abdomen. He gets pain when he is
hungry. It is amel. after eating. It extends to the back also. Has desire to have cold food. Ba.
meal X-ray had been done and it has been diagnosed as peptic ulcer.
His case was repertorized in Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Eating, amel. (p. 77) + Abdomen, backward (p. 1)
+ Fasting, agg. (p. 97) = Con., Phos., Plb., Sep., Tab.
+ Craving, cold things, for (p. 60) = Phos.
Phos. 200, 6 doses t.d. s. followed by placebo given.
20.01.70 : Feel much better. Phos. 200, 6 doses t.d. s. to be taken every week and placebo
given.
His condition continued to improve and Phos. was repeated periodically, first in the 200 and
then in 1M potency. By 17.09.70, he reported that he was quite normal.
Chronic gastritis
Miss A.M. , aged 17 years, turned up for consultation on 5th Oct. 1965. She has got pain in
epigastric region for last two months. It is associated with burning. It is agg. before food agg.
lying on back, and agg. stretching. It shoots to the back. It is amel. after food. Gets pain in the
whole body and also trembling of hands. Abdomen bulges, then she belches, has nausea and
vomits - vomit is bitter. Feels amel. by passing flatus. Aversion to sour food. Dryness of mouth
with thirst. Her menses are late and scanty. Gets severe pain after the flow. She is irritable.
Wants company. Likes sympathy. Prev. Hist.: Appendicectomy in 1962. Had measles, whooping
cough and flu. Fam. Hist.: Grandmother and uncle had tuberculosis. Great grandfather had
cancer. She is obese.
Her case was repertorized in Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Eating amel. (p. 77) + Direction backward (p. 67)
+ Abdomen, backward (p. 1) + Stomach, backward (p. 249) = Chel., Con., Kali-bi, Nat-m,
Phos., Plb., Sep.
+ Lying, back, on, agg. (p. 171) = Phos., Sep.
+ Bending forwards or doubling up, amel. (p. 24) = Sep.
Sepia also covered many of her other symptoms.
Sep. 1M, 6 doses t.d. s. and placebo given.

18.10.65 : Feels amel.; Gets headache. Tub-bov 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. (H/o Tub. in family) and
placebo given. Sep. 1M, 3 doses to be taken if necessary, also given.
13.01.66 : Felt normal all along. Only today has nausea. Sep. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo
given.
23.05.70 : Was much better. Now again has pain in epigastric region. Milk causes diarrhoea.
Carcin. 1M (H/o cancer in family), 3 doses t.d. s. followed by Sep. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. and
plabebo given.
06.06.70 : Feels amel..
She had to be given Sep. 1M, once or twice more, then Sep. 10M twice and Sep. 50M once.
By 29.12.70, she felt quite well.
Appendicitis
Master Kumar, aged 7 years, was admitted in the homoeopathic hospital with the following
complaints:
For the last 3 months, he gets pain in the abdomen agg. after eating and agg. milk. During
pain he becomes restless, irritable and even violent and beats his mother. Pain started after
an attack of fever. Now, he has aversion for milk. Thirst: 2 glasses per day. Stool, urine, sleep,
etc., normal. With pain there is sweat on the forehead.
Mother says that previously he used to get repeated attacks of cold but since the pain started
he does not catch cold. Prev. Hist.: Milestones normal but had teething diarrhoea; dysentery
at 6 months; whooping cough at 1 year; chicken pox at 2 years.
Family History: Nil.
On examination: Tenderness in the right iliac fossa.
Investigation. Ba. meal shows stomach and duodenum normal. Follow up shows, "Appendix
not visualised? Obstructed appendix."
The case was repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
The peculiar mental concomitant was taken first and added to the probable cause, viz.
suppressed coryza.
Mind, Violent, Pain, from (p. 91) = Aur., Cham., Hep.
+ Nose, Coryza, suppressed (p. 328) = Cham.
Cham. also covered "Abdomen, Pain, eating, after" (p. 558) and "Food, milk, agg." (p. 1363).
Cham. 1M given every 4 hours gave prompt and complete relief. We would have liked to see
the return of the coryza but unfortunately the patient discontinued the medicines as he felt
well.
Respiratory allergy *
Miss H.L. Age 19 years.

Always catching colds. Nose gets blocked and in a few days goes to chest; there is always
wheezing and she gets short of breath. Worse cold damp weather, better warm dry.
Pneumonia at age of 2 years; has cough ever since mother had asthma and bronchitis, better
doors and windows open, worse extremes of weather, worse warm room. Appetite very good;
likes fat, sweet and salt; would sip vinegar; likes pepper and mustard.
Is excitable; shouts at people; vivacious; enthusiastic; impatient.
Critical and tidy.
Cough worse nights, lying down, better lying on right side.
Has had all sorts of treatment for nose.
Said to be allergic to dogs?
Had a skin condition? fungus.
If the case is repertorized with the following rubrics in Kent's Repertory:
Cold wet weather, agg. (p. 1350)
Cold, tendency to take (p. 1349)
Mind, Excitement, excitable (p. 40)
Mind, Impatience (p. 53)
Mind, Censorious, critical (p. 19)
Air, open, amel. (p. 1344)
Stomach, Desires fat (p. 485)
Stomach, Desires sweets (p. 486)
Cough, Night (p. 780)
Cough lying , agg. (p. 796)
Cough, lying, side, left (p. 797)
The only remedy to come through is Ars. We were told that a few doses of Ars. completely
relieved the patient.
Gastro-enteritis
*1945, April 1st, Mr. R. Albee, male, single, 29 years.
Large healthy looking man without the endurance he should have; fat.
Easily worried; full of apprehensions esp. about health.
Hair falling fast, bald spot already.
Extremely active; good student; particular about his appearance always.
Home on furlough from Pacific.

Today at midday he ate a very hearty dinner with mushrooms, ice-cream, etc.
Long walk for 2 hours right after dinner; illness began as soon as he returned.
Vertigo for the first 1/2 hour.
Sudden vomiting of food over and over again; all the food he had eaten.
Simultaneously he had diarrhoea which persisted, watery stools, offensive.
Cramps in abdomen come and go; come suddenly, doubles up with them.
Cold perspiration all over, profuse. T. 97 F.
Face pale, very anxious, apprehensive.
Cramps in legs, rather violent.
The patient was given Ars. 2C **, 1 dose every 15 minutes to be repeated in 2 hours if
necessary. But the patient felt better within half an hour of the first dose. "Acted like magic".
He felt quite weak for several hours, then well as ever.
Only Ars. covered the following rubrics (Ref. Kent's Repertory).
Stomach, Vomiting, sudden (p. 534)
Stomach, Vomiting, ice-cream, after (p. 533)
Stomach, Vomiting, diarrhoea, during (p. 532)
Stomach, Vomiting, vertigo, during (p. 535)
Stool, Odour, offensive (p. 640)
Abdomen, Pain, cramping (p. 573)
Abdomen, Pain, bend double, must (p. 557)
Perspiration, Cold (p. 1296)
Face, Discolouration pale (p. 359)
Face, Expression, anxious (p. 374)
Extremities, Cramps, calf (p. 975) *
Bronchitis
**Case (Jan. 24, 1893). Female, age, 23. Mill worker. Since 19th has had a severe cough,
which wakes her at 3 a.m. and continues for an hour or so. Expectoration purulent and tough.
Wheezing respiration. Perspiration excessive with slight exercise. Sticking pain in chest.
Dyspnoea. Starting during sleep. Cold feet.
This case is repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Cough, Night, 3 to 4 a.m. (p. 781)
+ Mind, Starting, during sleep (p. 83) = Kali-c, Lyc., Op.

+ Chest, Pain, stitching (p. 863) = Kali-c, Lyc.

+ Expectoration, tough (p. 820) = Kali-c
Kali-c also covers all the other symptoms as "Cough, Violent" (p. 809), " Expectoration,
Purulent" (p. 817), "Respiration, Wheezing" (p. 776), "Perspiration, Exertion, during, slight" (p.
1297) and "Extremities, Coldness, foot" (p. 962).
Dyspepsia
** "A stone mason, aged 47, brown hair, partially bald, grey eyes; spare of build, slightly
stoop-shouldered with scrawny neck and thin arms. Married, father of four children. Has led
the ordinary life of a working man.
Present complaints: Has suffered from dyspepsia for the past many years, gradually getting
worse. For two hours after eating spits up food but it is not acid. He is hungry, but a few
mouthfuls of food seem to fill him to the throat. He drinks two cups of coffee during each
meal.
Much flatulence and rumbling in the abdomen. Belching of gas immediately, after meals
which relieves the distention, temporarily. Food comes up with the eructations. Thirst for cold
water to wash his throat, but it causes pain in the stomach.
He complains of forgetfulness; uses wrong words in speaking. (He did so in addressing the
doctor.)
He is fidgety and keeps moving or walking about to quiet his nerves.
On coming home from work he has his wife rub his right shoulder and back to relieve the
burning pains which come on in the late afternoon.
Due to his habits he is constipated. He frequently has ineffectual urging to stool.
He perspires normally while working. The urine is sometimes highly coloured and burns
slightly on voiding.
On rising from the supper table he notices pains in his right wrist and right hip, especially if
the room is cold.
He is inclined to irritability and is depressed over his inability to do work as well as formerly.
He has no sexual or family incompatibilities.
The physical examination and laboratory findings, which are omitted, were in complete
accord with the symptoms elicited.
These symptoms were evaluated and repertorized as follows: (Numbers refer to pages in
Kent's Repertory).
Being a mental symptom, "Mistakes in speaking" (p. 66) was taken first.
Being a peculiar symptom although a particular next was "Stomach pain, cold drinks, after"
(p. 499).
When combined, we get,
= Arg-n., Calc., Calc-p,., Carb-s, Caus., Graph., Kali-c, Lyc., Nux-v, Sil., Sul-ac

Another peculiar particular was taken next.

+ Stomach, Fullness, eating ever so little, after: (p. 699) = Kali-c, Lyc., Nux-v, Sil.
Now a general symptom was added.
+ Generalities, side, right (p. 1400) (because so many symptoms were rt. sided) = Lyc., Nuxv, Sil.
Other particulars were added.
+ Stomach, Eructations, food (p. 494) = Lyc., Nux-v
+ Back pain, burning, dorsal region, scapula, right (p. 920) = Lyc.
Lyc. seems to be the remedy as it covers the remaining symptoms also such as evening agg.,
pain in rt. wrist, irritability, depression, ineffectual urging for stool, etc.
The same case can be repertorized from Phatak's Repertory as follows (by generalising some
symptoms).
Food and drink cold agg. (p. 109) + Eating a little agg. (77) = Chin., Lyc., Nux-v
+ Direction side Right (p. 68) = Lyc., Nux-v
+ Mistakes of speech (p. 181) = Lyc., Nux-v
Now readers can compare these two drugs with the particular symptoms and select the
correct remedy which seems to be Lycopodium.
Anxiety neurosis
*Mr. Gershom Bradford seen in July 1926, a male, married, 50 years, tall, slender; worried
anxious look, dark complexion brought up by the sea; hard worker on ships; learned
navigation early.
Always nervous, apprehensive, imaginative. Not at ease in company; acute selfconsciousness.
Fear of confinement overpowering. Fear of high places.
Desperate if cannot get out; must have end seat or back-seat.
Must hover on edge of crowd so as to be able to get away.
Tendency to walk faster and faster when nervous.
Afraid something will happen on the street.
Worries in the night; "Will he be dead when he lies?"
If alone in the night, breaks out in perspiration. Cannot travel alone.
Likely to be chilly when nervous. Responsibility causes timidity.
Consequences of all this: chill, faintness; profuse cool perspiration, especially large quantity
of gas causing pressure in stomach amel. as soon as he eructates.

Tension; tingling. Dreams of the dead.

Exhaustion, mostly mental, amel. as soon as entire change in the mental and emotional
atmosphere.
Tired, sinking sensation suddenly. Weakness so much so he can hardly lift a finger.
Waves of nervousness wake him early in A.M. amel. after eructations.
Drowsiness marked after nervous spell.
The case was analysed and repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Through the case there is the prominent mental symptom of fear, fear especially of
something happening. So this was taken first.
Mind, Fear of evil (p. 44)
To this was added another prominent mental symptom.
Fear of high places (p. 45)
When these two rubrics were apposed, only the following drugs came through, viz. Arg-n,
Puls., Staph., Sulph.
Then, there is the prominent peculiar modality that eructations relieved the nervousness.
This was added next.
+ Stomach, Eructations, amel. (p. 490) = Arg-n, Sulph.
Then, there is another peculiar mental symptom.
+ Mind, Anxiety, walking, which makes him walk faster (p. 9) = Arg-n
Now a glance into the Materia Medica will show that Arg-n covers the rest of the symptoms
and therefore the whole case.
Hypothyroidism
*Mr. F.S. male, married, 32 years, tall, slender rather light complexion, looks older than his
age.
Silent, repressed, hard to get into conversation, takes long to feel acquainted with him.
Restless, active, cannot be still, though appears to casual acquaintance slow, aloof.
Lack of vital heat marked; woolen socks in summer.
Faintness easily; has fainted many times, agg. getting up from bed, sight of blood, any
ordeal.
Hands shake when excited.
Desires open air but agg. drafts.
Sleepiness very marked; can sleep any time, e.g. sitting in chair.
Thinks slowly; slow in reaching decisions.

Appetite good; desires sweet things.

Sleep restless; grinding teeth; many dreams.
Sneezing spells in A.M. may last until noon.
Tendency to vertigo.
Numbness feet if sits with legs crossed.
Amoeba found in stools in 1934, not since then.
Laughing loudly at something read to him which was really serious.
Queer dreams and thoughts; cannot describe them.
The case is worked out as follows on Kent's Repertory .
The peculiar mental symptom of laughing loudly at a serious matter was taken first.
Laughing, serious matters, over (p. 62) = Anac., Ap., Arg-n, Can-i, Cast-eq, Ign., Lil-t, Lyc.,
Nat-m, Nux-m, Plat., Sulph.
This was combined with another mental symptom, viz. Slowness.
+ Slowness (p. 81) = Anac., Ign., Nux-m
Now a general symptom was taken, viz. the tendency to faint from excitement.
+ Faintness, excitement on (p. 1360) = Ign., Nux-m
Without further repertorization, considering the sleepiness and chilliness of the patient, it is
evident that Nux-m is the correct remedy because it covers most of the remaining symptoms.
Just for curiosity we looked into the repertory and found Nux-m under the following rubrics
also, viz., "Talk, indisposed to" (p. 86); "Restlessness" (p. 72); "Heat, vital, lack of " (p. 1366);
"Air, draft agg."(p. 1344); "Sleep, restless" (p. 1247), etc.
Dr. Green reported that Nux-m 10M was administered and produced a prolonged and very
satisfactory improvement.
Introduction to boger's synoptic key
I might as well begin by mentioning how I became familiar with this book.
When I started practising Homoeopathy I was financially not in a position to buy books. And
the only book which combined in itself both the repertory and Materia Medica and one which
was within my dream was Boger's Synoptic Key. So I bought it and used it. Later on, I wanted
to buy Kent's Repertory but even if I could then afford it, it was not available for many years
as it was out of print. Second-hand copies were selling at exorbitant prices, which amounts I
did not have the capacity or the heart to spend. And as I was using Boger's book and finding
myself quite successful with it, I stuck to it. In fact I found it more convenient and familiar
also.
I may also mention that in treating my very first case by the homoeopathic methods - a case
which is indelibly impressed in my mind - I took the help of this book. I have reported this case
in "My Conversion to Homoeopathy" but the case is worth recapitulating and I repeat it here
for the benefit of new readers and to show how this book helped me.

A close relative of mine was getting recurring attacks of intermittent high temperature which
used to last for two or three weeks at a time. It had been diagnosed as malignant tertian
malaria and had generally responded to quinine. At that time, quinine was the only certain
anti-malarial allopathic remedy. But this time there was a recurrence of the temperature for
the fifth or sixth time. The fever had lasted about a fortnight and quinine had produced no
effect whatsoever. So the relatives of the patient were very much perturbed and they
telephoned me. This was on 7th Nov. 1947. I responded to the call and went to see the
patient. The patient had a temperature of 107 oF, a temperature which I had never
encountered so far in my life. Naturally, I was extremely upset and in panic I ran to my
nearest physician-friend. However, this physician was not available and, therefore, I left word
that he should come at once, as soon as he returned to his clinic. Meanwhile we procured
some ice and rubbed it all over the head and body of the patient, but the temperature came
down only by 0.3 F and stayed at 106.8 oF. As quinine had already been tried without effect
and as no other measure was available except to take him to the hospital, I decided to try
Homoeopathy without however any hope that it would help. So I studied his symptoms in the
homoeopathic way and found the following points:
Temperature 106.8 oF, Pulse 112. Even with such high temperature the patient was conscious
and loquacious and was asking us why we were all looking so worried as, after all, nothing
was wrong except that he was having a little fever. He complained of great bodily soreness.
The history was that almost every time the fever came on, the temperature used to rise very
high but the patient would not feel it much. He was also listless.
I repertorized the case using Boger's book as follows:
Temperature, high (p. 46) and fever, hyperpyrexia (p. 379) = Bap., Chi-a, Iod., Phos., Pyro.,
Sulph., Ver-v
+ Pulse, temperature, discordant (p. 415) = Pyro.
+ Sore (pp. 45, 425) = Pyro.
+ Loquacity (pp. 52, 400) = Pyro.
A reference to the Materia Medica showed that Pyrogen also covered the symptom, "Feels
well in spite of high fever".
So I decided to try Pyrogen. Since I had not prescribed for a single case so far, I had no
homoeopathic remedy with me. So I procured the remedy in the 30th potency and
administered one drop of it at 6 p.m. Whereas I myself had very little confidence as to the
outcome, the relatives of the patient had no faith at all that one drop of medicine was going to
do anything, particularly as, as his aunt remarked, "it was not sufficient even to go down his
throat". However, the miracle happened! We were measuring his temperature every 15
minutes being apprehensive that it might rise further but luckily it dropped rapidly as follows:
6.00 p.m. : 106.8 oF 6.45 p.m. : 102.4 oF
6.15 p.m. : 104.6 oF 7.00 p.m. : 102.0 oF
6.30 p.m. : 103.0 oF 8.00 p.m. : 100.0 oF
He perspired so profusely that all his clothes were drenched, and when we changed his
clothes he fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up the next morning, he had no fever and felt
quite well; he said that for the first time in so many attacks of fever, he was feeling fit in spite

of the fact that he had suffered from fever for a fortnight. Since then, he has not had any
more such attacks in the last 23 years.
My own Pocket Repertory and the Card Repertory are modelled on Boger's method though I
have added many rubrics, many drugs, many punches and even made a few improvements.
Dr. Phatak tells me that in the last 25 years he has by constant use completely worn out at
least six copies of Boger's book.
Dr. Cyrus M. Boger, M.D. , was born in 1861 and lived till 1935. He practised in the U.S. A. He
was thus a contemporary as well as a follower of Kent * and he seems to have thoroughly
imbibed the methods of Kent, as well as those of Boenninghausen. In his book,
"Characteristics and Repertory", he seems to have attempted a synthesis of these two
methods, implanting Kent's rubrics into Boenninghausen's method, taking the latter as the
base. He seems to have been an extraordinary man, a seer and a sage, extremely industrious
and ingenious, brimming with confidence arising from knowledge and with full and complete
faith in the successful outcome of the application of homoeopathic principles, but a man of
few words. The few cases reported by him are outstanding ones and are specimens of brevity
and excellent remedy selection. In a discussion on typhoid, he reports that in the hundreds of
cases of typhoid treated by him successfully, he had always prescribed only a single dose of
medicine. There was never a need for a second dose nor for a second medicine. What
amazing accuracy and confidence!
He seems to have had rich experience with a large number of a wide variety of cases. He
gives lists of symptoms, personally verified by him as elicited on his patients and these are
indeed very formidable lists. His Additions to Kent's Repertory is a very comprehensive book.
Whether he writes about philosophy or about Materia Medica, Boger writes in his concise,
tense style. The concise style conceals a wealth of meaning and significance like the Sootras
or our ancient Rishis (Sages) *. He seems to be so miserly about space that even for the
abbreviations of drugs he makes use of very few letters, e.g. Cam. for Camph., Hyp. for
Hyper., Sul. instead of Sulph., Pul. for Puls., Ip. for Ipec., and so on, but of course always with
the meaning clear. **
Anyone who wishes to understand Boger's book must first of all read carefully and closely his
masterly foreword to this book as well as his excellent Preface to the book, "Boenninghausen's
Characteristics and Repertory", which has been edited by Boger. This preface is a marvellous
explanation of the homoeopathic technique. My respected teacher, the late Dr. L.D. Dhawale
used to say that the preface alone is worth the price of the book.
Construction of the book
I shall now discuss the construction of the book, first by taking up the repertory section.
Repertory section
Whereas Kent's Repertory and almost all other general repertories start with the chapter on
Mind, Boger starts with Modalities. This has much significance. In his method of repertory
study, the modalities carry much more weight, more than the mental symptoms. A little
thought will reveal that among all the symptoms given by the patient the modalities are
generally specific and precise - e.g. when a patient says pressure aggravates the pain, this is
generally a fact, not an opinion. If he says that he gets up with an asthmatic attack at a
particular time, say 3 a.m. , this fact can be verified. But if he says he is suspicious or afraid or
irritable, we have to make sure that this symptom is definitely there, that it is abnormal

enough to become a symptom, and that his circumstances do not justify such an attitude.
Boger here follows Boenninghausen's method and gives more value to the modalities than to
the mental symptoms. A proper evaluation of mental symptoms requires a very good idea of
the background of the patient, as also a keen insight into human psychology. Mental
symptoms are also more difficult to elicit.
It is my practice to give much more importance to the modalities, on this hint given by Boger.
In numerous cases I have worked out the remedy mainly, if not exclusively, through the
modalities and I have been quite successful.
Even among the modalities, Boger begins with the Time modalities and thus hints at their
greater value. Among all the modalities the influence of Time on the symptom in question is
the most peculiar and inexplicable. Therefore, Time can be taken as the most characteristic
modality and given prime importance. For example, in cases of malaria the time of occurrence
of the chill will be a good indication for the remedy. I have cured many cases with Chi-s
because the chill occurred at 10 p.m. Aggravation of all the symptoms at night is a wellknown indication for Syph. The late Dr. S.S. Banker had reported a case of headache which he
had cured with Tub-bov because the pain used to occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (See
Synoptic Key p. 18). I recall a case cured by my friend Dr. Bhanu Desai with Thuja because the
patient had an aggravation at 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. (vide p. 18 and 19).
The rubric headings, it seems, have been carefully selected. Certain rubrics found in this
book are not to be found in other common repertories. Examples are, "Associated effects" (p.
30), "Forced through narrow opening, as if" (p. 36), "Pompous" (p. 53), etc. Boger gives
certain special rubrics like "Pregnancy" (p. 42), "Children" (p. 32), etc. Rubrics like "Breakfast
agg." (p. 20), "Eating long after" (p. 22), "Dinner agg." (p. 22), etc., are not found in Kent.
Other such rubrics are "Females agg." (i.e. remedies applicable more to females) (p. 22),
Directions (of sensations, pains, spread of symptoms, etc.) (p. 34), "Here and there" (p.
38),"Ill or sick feeling" (p. 38), "Internal affections" (p. 39), "Irregular effects" (p. 39), "Loose,
as if" (p. 39), "Lumpy effects" (p. 39), "Medicine, sensitive to" (p. 40), "Opening and shutting"
(p. 41), "Reaction violent" (p. 42), "Rising, then falling sensation" (p. 43), "Sexual
disturbances" (p. 44), "Short, as if too" (p. 44), "Stretch, impulse to" (p. 46), "Thick,
discharges, etc." (p. 47), "Thinness, spare habit" (p. 47), "Valve" (p. 48), "Venosity" (p. 48),
"Vibration" (p. 48), "Violent effects" (p. 48), "Walk, impulse to" (p. 48), "Well, unusually, then
agg." (p. 48), "Absorbent action" (p. 355), "Acidosis" (p. 356), "Conical formations" (p. 367),
and so on.
In the repertory section, if we compare the rubrics with their corresponding rubrics in Kent's
Repertory, we find that Boger has taken drugs from Kent's but he seems to have picked and
chosen with some idea *. Often he takes all the bold type drugs, sometimes those in italics
and sometimes the ones in ordinary type. From some rubrics he has left out drugs and is
some he has added new ones. For example, in the Mind chapter, Kent has given two rubrics "Absent-minded" and "Abstracted" (p. 1). Under these two rubrics he has given the following
drugs in bold type, viz., Apis, Can-i, Caust., Cham., Hell., Lach., Mez., Nat-m, Nux-v, Phos.,
Plat., Puls., Sep., Ver. Boger combines these two rubrics into one and gives the following
remedies, viz., Aco., Ap., Asar., Caust., Cham., Laur., Old., Plat., Puls., Sep., Sulph., and adds
Calc-p (pp. 49, 355). In the rubric "Activity, fruitless" (p. 356), he gives Ap., Bor., Calc-c, Stan.,
Ther., whereas Kent gives only Stan. Under the rubric "Wild feeling" (p. 95) Kent gives Bapt.,
Lil-t, and Med., while Boger gives (p. 54) Amb., Cimi., and Lil-t. Under the rubric"Sighing" (p.
80), Kent has given Arg-n, in ordinary type and Calc-p in bold. Boger (pp. 53, 422) omits Calcp, and takes Arg-n and adds Apoc. Under "Forsaken feeling" Kent (p. 49) gives Aur., Psor. and
Puls. in big type and many others. But Boger does not mention them but gives (p. 51) Aur.,

Bar-c, Calc., Meny. and Plat. Similar comparisons between Boger's rubrics and Kent's
corresponding rubrics will show that there are many changes and additions. For instance,
under the rubric "Answers slowly", Kent (p. 3) gives Merc., Phos. and Phos-ac in bold type
whereas Boger (pp. 49, 357) gives Bapt., Gels., and Hyo., remedies not included in Kent's
Repertory, and omits Phos. Under the rubric "Descending agg." Boger adds Gels. and Phys.
but gives Stan. in bold type (pp. 21, 371) while Kent (p. 1356) gives it in ordinary type. Kent
does not give Cina and Nat-p under "Sweet agg." (p. 1364) which Boger does (pp. 23, 381).
Under "Fasting agg.", Kent (p. 1361) does not give Bry. Under "Moonlight agg." Kent (p. 1374)
gives only Ant-c, Bell., and Thu. But Boger adds Sep. and Sulph. (p. 25). Under "Old age"
Boger (pp. 41, 410) gives additional remedies such as Chin., Gins., Hyds., Lach., Phos., Sanic.,
Sars., Syph., Tub., and Ver-a. Under "Cautious" (p. 50), Boger omits all the four remedies given
by Kent, viz., Caust., Graph., Ip., Mag-arct (p. 10) and gives four other remedies, viz., Ign.,
Nux-v, Puls., Ver-a (p. 50). Under "Trifles seem important", Boger omits the two remedies
given by Kent, viz., Fer., and Ip. (p. 89) and gives ten other remedies, viz., Ars., Calc-c, Caust.,
Graph., Hep., Ign., Nat-m, Nux-v, Sil., (p. 54). Sometimes, he has changed the grading of the
drugs in Kent's rubrics. He joins together the rubrics like "Hurry" and "Impatient" (p. 51)
because Impatience is an attitude and Hurry is the external physical expression of it (p. 54).
Kent gives a rubric "Attitude bizarre" in the Mind chapter. Boger has transferred this to the
Generalities chapter so that it becomes both a mental as well as a physical symptom. Dr. S.R.
Phatak has described a case of abdominal pain in which the patient felt relief only by adopting
a strange (bizarre) attitude, viz. by sitting with one leg extended and one leg flexed. The
patient was relieved by Plb.
Boger gives rubrics like "Walk, impulse to", "Walk, must", etc., which are not found in Kent's.
"Active"; "Care and worry"; "Mean"; "Moral perversions"; "Noisy"; "Profanity"; "Praying";
"Sarcasm", etc.
Under Generalities, we find the following extra rubrics:
"Automatic acts"; "Chronicity"; "Deadness"; "Death, apparent"; "Delicate"; "Drugs, Abuse of" ,
etc.
Boger has also generalised many rubrics. For example, Kent gives rubrics such as "Discharge,
black"; "Skin, Discolouration, blackish" (p. 1305); "Skin, Ulcers, black" (p. 1333); "Skin Ulcers,
discharges, blackish" (p. 1334); "Genitalia, Female, Menses, black" (p. 724), etc. whereas
Boger gives them all in one rubric "Black" (p. 31). If a particular remedy does not have "Black"
as a general but has it as a particular he gives it in the particular rubric. For example, we find
under the rubric "Stool, black" (pp. 80, 427), Lept., Stram., and Thu. given. Remedies given
under the rubric "Offensiveness" (p. 41) can be expected to have offensiveness in general
including offensiveness of any discharge such as expectoration, leucorrhoea, menses, urine,
sweat, etc. But if a patient has offensive stool or urine it is better to look also under the rubric
"Stool, bad odour" (p. 80), "Urine odour foul" (p. 83), etc., for additional remedies covering
this particular symptom. There is a rubric "Greasy, oily, fatty" (p. 37), which can apply to
anything, e.g. the skin, any discharge, taste, etc.
Boger, it seems, started transferring the rubrics from the repertory section in the beginning
of his book to the section at the end (headed as "Supplementary reference table") changing
from the traditional scheme of Mind, Head, Eyes, etc., to a logical alphabetical arrangement
as is to be found in any dictionary. But as this transfer seems to be incomplete, readers should
refer to both the sections for remedies. This letter alphabetical arrangement is probably a
more convenient and logical one. This idea has been followed up and completed by Dr. S.R.

Phatak in his popular repertory, A Concise Alphabetical Repertory and I feel this kind of
arrangement makes for more convenient reference. *
The rubric headings given by Boger are chosen very carefully and have deep and wide
meanings. For instance, the rubric "Ascending agg." includes remedies which are worse by
ascending in the air as in flying, or ascending in a lift or ascending up the mountain or
ascending up the stairs. The rubric "Abortion" gives not only all the remedies indicated in
actual abortion but also those which cover the after-effects of abortion and tendency for
habitual abortions. The rubric "Forced through a narrow opening, as if" can apply to such
varied conditions as hernia, stricture, stenosis, feeling as if food is obstructed in the
oesophagus, cardiospasm, proptosis, etc.
Boger appreciated the fact that in modern times pathological and objective symptoms are
more prominent and predominent, and that such symptoms are sometimes more reliable than
symptoms given by the patient which may be in abundance and yet may not be entirely and
clearly dependable or useful. He, therefore, gives a number of such objective and pathological
symptoms, e.g. Calculi, atheroma, (p. 32), Fibrous tissue (p. 36), Streptococcus infection (p.
430), Uraemia (p. 439), etc.
He has also given some peculiar rubrics, e.g. "Pus tubes". There is a rubric "Menses,
alternate months agg.". I was able to cure with Bursa pastoris, a remedy given under this
rubric, a lady who had profuse menses every alternate month. I could not find the rubric in
Kent's Repertory. Recently, I myself developed a peculiar symptom, viz., whenever I talked I
used to feel that I was talking through a tube. (My own voice sounded in my ears as if it was
coming through a metallic tube.) I saw the rubric "Tube metallic" (p. 438) and found only
Merc-c. This remedy removed the symptom.
Materia medica section
In the Materia Medica section, Boger gives under each remedy clearly the locations,
sensations, modalities, mentals, generals and particulars. The locations are given at the top
on the left-hand side and the modalities on the right side before the text of symptoms. The
general symptoms and sensations are given in the first few lines and these are followed by a
number of dots. Next he gives the mental symptoms and these are followed by the particular
symptoms. In the particulars it is to be noted that only the peculiar symptoms are given. A
reference to any remedy will show that the symptoms are selectively given. He also gives
various pathological symptoms and objective data.
In the Materia Medica section every full stop, comma and semicolon has a meaning. For
instance, under Stan. he gives the symptom "Extreme weakness", which is a general and then
he goes on after a semicolon to say "aggravated in chest", semicolon "in throat", comma
"Upper arms and thighs", semicolon "drops into a chair", semicolon "trembling or moving". All
these aspects are related and are descriptive of the weakness.
The selection of words for the symptoms seems to have been done very carefully. On the
whole, the essence of the drug picture will be found given very concisely. Generally, it will be
found that what Kent describes in a paragraph, Boger condenses into one line, sometimes
even one word.
Boger seems even to have chosen the drugs listed in the book. For example, he has given the
remedy Zinc chromatum with more than a dozen lines of symptoms whereas this remedy is
not even found mentioned in Boericke's Materia Medica.

In the Materia Medica section, under each remedy the first one or two lines or sentences give
a concise general summary or essence of the whole remedial action. For example, under
Sepia he says, "Draggy, relaxed females - lithaemic, plethoric - subject to prolapses or easy
dislocations". Dr. Phatak explains that the word "draggy" applies to many aspects of the
Sepia patient - e.g. the organs drag down, the eyelids droop, the joint come loose, the
disease drags on, etc. Under Ignatia he writes "Erratic, contradictory or spasmodic effects".
Almost all the symptoms of Ignatia can be put under these headings. Under Lycopodium he
mentions "Thin, withered and full of gas". Under Natrum mur., he opens with "Thin, thirsty,
hopeless and poorly nourished". The case may be hopeless in the sense that the symptoms
are contradictory or make no sense, e.g. chilly but agg. in sun; the patient may be hopeless
or he or she may develop hopeless love for some married person or someone of greatly
unequal rank. * The serious student who will think deeply will see a depth of meaning and
application in these generalisations.
Method of working with boger's book
Though Kent's Repertory is so comprehensive, yet 80% to 90% of the same repertory work
can be done efficiently with the repertory section of Boger's Synoptic Key, provided the
person handling it knows how to manipulate it intelligently. It may be necessary to go into
Kent's Repertory only for specific or special, particular symptoms. Of course, as I have said,
much depends upon how well one has understood this book and how well he is able to use it. I
have elaborately worked out cases using Kent's Repertory, with many rubrics, spending half to
one hour for each case and have found to my surprise Dr. Phatak picking out the same
remedy quickly in a few minutes with the help of Boger's book. *
In working with Boger's Synoptic Key, we take the most prominent generals, mentals and
particulars, particularly the outstanding, characteristic or peculiar ones. Even among these I
generally select the peculiar general modalities first, then add the characteristic general
sensations and lastly, the general locations. Later, I add the outstanding particulars. This will
reduce the eligible drugs to a few. Out of these for the mentals and peculiar particulars,
sometimes it may be necessary to refer to Kent's Repertory, as well. Later I look up the
remedies in the Materia Medica to ensure that the matching of the drug and disease-pictures
are total and comprehensive, and not merely repertorial and mechanical.
In working with this book it is better to generalise the symptom. Supposing a patient has
itching in one part, it is better to see itching in general. If he has any offensive discharge, e.g.
stool, it is better to take the remedies with offensiveness in general along with the remedies
given under offensive stool.
One must look always first in the supplemental reference table at the end and add to it the
remedies given under the same rubric in the repertory section at the beginning.
I shall now work out a few cases as illustrations.
Illustrative cases
Hyperchlorhydria
The patient Mr. K.A. L., aged 35 years, an engineer by profession came to me with the
following complaint:
In Jan. 1954, while in the U.S. A., he had started vomiting at night. He was hospitalised and
investigated. B. meal X-rays showed N.A. D.; Gastric analysis revealed hyperchlorhydria. He
was treated for this both in the U.S. A. and in England, but with little relief.

At the moment he had heaviness in the stomach, with a dull pain starting half an hour after
food and lasting an hour; with the pain, he had a headache, and he became very irritable and
impatient. The pain was agg. by heavy food and starchy food, spices, tea and exertion and
was much relieved even by a very short nap. If the pain was very severe, he induced
vomiting, which ameliorated. The vomit was extremely sour. The pain was also amel. by
sweating and micturating. He preferred eggs, hot foods and drinks. Otherwise there was
nothing worth reporting.
The case was repertorized in Boger's Synoptic Key and the following rubrics were chosen
from it.
Sleep, amel. (p. 28) + Discharges, amel. (p. 21) = Ars., Nux-v, Puls., Sep., Zn.
+ Sourness (p. 45) = Nux-v, Puls., Sep.
+ Hurry, Impatience (p. 51) = Nux-v
+ Anger, Irritability (p. 49) = Nux-v
The only remedy that came through was Nux-v.
The whole case fitted in with Nux-v and so one dose of the remedy was prescribed in the 1M
potency.
There was an immediate and very gratifying response to the remedy, and the patient felt
completely well in a week's time. However, there were slight relapses, and the remedy had to
be repeated twice but with the last dose the whole condition cleared up completely.
Allergy
A baby, S., aged 10 months, was brought to me on 14th Sept. 1963 with the following history:
One month back she had Bronchitis. She was given Teramycin and got rashes all over the
body which persist. The rashes alternate with diarrhoea and cough. Now she has eruptions on
chest, face and back from which a thin fluid exudes on scratching. Itching is agg. after taking
milk. She passes urine 10 times at night. Prev. Hist.: She had measles at the age of 3 months
and immediately after that she got rashes on the cheeks. This was treated with homoeopathic
medicine. The rashes subsided and she got very severe diarrhoea and vomiting with
dehydration and had to be put under allopathic treatment. She was given a lot of antibiotics,
but without no effect. Then she was given Ver-a and the whole condition cleared up in 6 hours.
Her case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Alternating effects, states, sides, etc. (p. 30) + Food and drink, milk agg. (p. 23) = Phos.,
Puls., Sulph.
+ Drugs, abuse of (p. 35) = Puls., Sulph.
+ Micturition, frequent (p. 82) = Sulph.
Morbil. 200, 3 doses thrice in one day (to antidote the bad effects of measles) followed by
Sulph. 6, 8 doses, twice daily given.
19.09.63 : Eruptions agg. ; Urine frequency less. No medicine.
24.09.63 : General condition amel.; Has 3 to 4 stools per day.

Sulph. 6, 3 doses thrice in one day given.

She felt better but she had to be given Sulph. on and off as follows:
Sulph. 6. on 01.10.63, 08.10.63 and 19.10.63; Sulph. 30, 1 dose on 26.10.63; Sulph. 200 on
07.11.63, 19.11.63 and 30.11.63; Sulph. 1M on 06.12.63.
Then she needed the same remedy in 10M, 50M and CM potencies and long intervals.
After the last dose of Sulph. CM she became quite well by 29.06.64.
I last saw her in 1970 and she was thriving very well.
Sulphur
Shri K.R. M., aged 29 years, consulted me on 27th July, 1963 for the following complaints.
He gets pain in left lumbar region since 22.06.63 which is agg. while sitting, agg. while
standing, agg. lying on left side and agg. when hungry. It is amel. by lying down, specially with
legs flexed and amel. by applying heat. It extends to the umbilical region or right lumbar
region. Appetite, etc., are normal. No definite diagnosis was made. The case was repertorized
using Boger's Synoptic Key.
Position, sitting, agg. (p. 26)) + Position, standing, agg. (p. 27) = Cycl., Puls., Rhus-t, Sep.,
Sulph., Val.
+ Bending or doubling up, amel. (p. 19) = Puls., Rhus-t, Sep., Sulph.
+ Eating before, agg. (p. 22) = Sulph.
Sulph. 30 was given. He felt better after that but there was a relapse and so Sulph. 200, 3
doses were given in one day, 10.08.63. There was pain again and so three doses of Sulph. 1M
were given thrice in one day followed by placebo.
The doses of Sulph. 1M had to be repeated on 22.08.63 and 12.09.63 but thereafter, the pain
ceased completely and he remained well.
Staphysagria
Shri N.S. P., aged 30 years, consulted me on 10th July 1959 for the following:
10 years back he had red patches on body and he consulted a doctor who diagnosed it
wrongly as leprosy. Later on he was examined in the leprosy hospital and the possibility of the
disease was excluded. He was hypersexual but was getting quick ejaculation. His wife had an
aversion for sex, so she went away to her parents, and later committed suicide. This gave him
a shock and he also felt ashamed. Later on he developed a syphilitic ulcer which was treated
with allopathic medicines.
Now his body remains cold; he gets tingling in extremities. Feels numbness and weakness in
left leg. Feels as if bitten by mosquitoes and bugs. Gets burning, stitching, stinging, etc., in
the penis which spreads all over the body. Has great sexual desire but has to suppress it. Gets
throbbing in different places, here and there. Is sensitive to both heat and cold. The skin of
soles is thickened and gets cracked. Is very irritable and abusive; fights with and insults his
superiors. Cannot bear insults. Is fearsome; fears he may be knocked down by a cycle. Gets
startled by noises. Feels lonely. Has poor memory. Shivers during micturition and stool.

His case was repertorized in Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:

Here and there (p. 38) + Male organs (p. 84) = Aur., Graph., Lyc., Rhust-t, Staph., Sulph., Thu.
+ Anger (i.e. Quarrelsome) (p. 49) = Aur., Lyc., Staph., Sulph.
Considering that there was sexual excitement with suppressed sex desire, h/o grief,
quarrelsomeness, oversensitiveness, etc., I selected Staph. out of these remedies, and gave
Staph. 1M, 3 doses in one day and placebo.
16.09.59 : Reported that his condition was much better for 2 months. Most of his complaints
subsided completely and remained that way. But for the last fortnight or so, he feels the
recurrence of symptoms. Staph. 10M, 3 doses thrice in one day was given, followed by
placebo.
The patient reported some time later that he was feeling completely well.
Sepia
Mr. A.S. , aged 24 years, saw me on 13th July 1965 for the following complaints:
He has recurrent shooting pains in the abdomen for the last 21/2 years. He is not sure
whether it started due to lifting a weight or going in the sun. Pain appears suddenly and
disappears just as suddenly and is agg. by over-eating, fried food and while walking after
food. It is amel. by lying on abdomen or on left side and amel. by pressure. Pain precedes
every stool. He also gets stitching pain in left abdomen. Takes 4 to 5 glasses of water a day.
Has poor sleep. On exam., there is tenderness in epigastric region on deep palpation and
tremor of tongue. No diagnosis could be made. The case was repertorized in Boger's Synoptic
Key and Kent's Repertory as follows:
Shooting pains (B.S. K. p. 44)
+ Lying on abdomen, amel. (B.S. K. p. 23) = Bell., Colo., Nit-ac, Sep.
+ Food, fat agg. (p. 1363) = Bell., Nit-ac, Sep.
+ Eating to satiety agg. (K.p. 1357) = Sep.
Sep. 200, 6 doses thrice a day and placebo given. There was immediate relief followed by
further improvement but this was punctuated by interruptions and the medicine had to be
repeated as follows:
Sep. 200 on 20.07.65; Sep. 1M on 27.07.65, 03.08.65, 10.08.65, 18.08.65; Sep. 10M on
08.09.65, 16.09.65 and 07.10.65.
By 28.04.66, the patient was completely well without medicine for over six months.
Calcarea carbonica
Mrs. H.V. S., aged 28 years, consulted me on 26th July 1961, with the following history:
She has itching eruptions in the right cubital fossa and left popliteal fossa, and groins for last
four years. It is agg. before menses. She has scanty menses. Gets recurrent headaches which
are also agg. before menses. Prefers warm drink. Has aversion to milk. Gets cramps in calves
at night. Her nose gets blocked often at night. Gets sudden attack of chill at night. Prev. Hist.:
Tonsillectomy done.

Her case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key and Kent's Repertory as follows:
Menses, before, agg. (B.S. K. p. 25) + Skin, folds, flexures, etc. (B.S. K. p. 100) = Calc-c, Lyc.,
Nat-m, Puls., Sulph.
+ Side, crosswise, left lower and right upper (K.p. 1400) = Calc., Lyc.
Calc-c 30, 3 doses t.d. s. and placebo given.
11.08.61 : Headaches, cramps, blocking of nostrils, etc. amel. but skin condition agg..
Placebo.
15.08.61 : Skin amel.. Itching amel.: Placebo.
29.08.61 : Condition amel. but some eruptions are still there.
Calc-c VI (i.e. 6th potency of 50 millesimal scale), 1 dose.
26.09.61 : Was practically normal. Now slight relapse. Medicine repeated.
08.08.63 : Condition has been completely normal. Gets itching if emotionally upset. Calc-c
XXX (i.e. 30th potency of 50 millesimal scale), 2 doses b.d. and placebo given.
The itching subsided, she became well.
I was once called to see a child, Baba U., aged about 11 months. He had developed itching
eruptions all over the body. The father was very well-to-do and was impatient that his son
should be cured quickly.
The symptoms of the child besides the eruptions, were that he was obese and had whitish
stools. And the most peculiar symptom was that though he might be lively and playful the
whole day, as soon as he started feeling sleepy he would scream his head off.
I looked into Boger's book and took the following rubrics.
Sleep before, agg. (p. 28) + Stool white (p. 81) = Ars., Calc-c, Merc.,

Phos.

+ Children (p. 32) = Calc-c, Merc.

+ Obesity (p. 41) = Cal-c
Calc-c 1M gave immediate relief though he had relapses after some time and I had to give
the medicine repeatedly at intervals and I had to go up to Calc-c DMM to cure him
completely.
Peptic ulcer
Shri E.N. S., aged 39 years, came for consultation on 14.02.63 for a pain in the epigastrium of
two years' duration. The pain was agg. when hungry, amel. after eating, amel. by eructations,
amel. by pressure and amel. by bending forward. An X-ray which had been taken on 23.03.61
showed "chronic duodenal ulcer". No other symptoms of value could be elicited.
The case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key with the following symptoms:
Eating amel. (p. 22) = Con., Ign., Nat-c
+ Pressure amel. (pp. 27, 414) = Plb., Sep.

+ Bending or doubling up amel. (p. 19) = Sep.

Sep. 200, 3 doses in one day, the remedy selected was followed by placebo.
The patient started improving and was given Sepia in higher and higher potencies going upto
50M. But by 11.06.63, he stopped responding to this remedy. He was then given Dys. co. 12
again without improvement. Ultimately, on 25.12.63, as there was no further improvement,
Dr. S.R. Phatak was consulted. He prescribed Kali-bi on which patient felt much better and the
improvement persisted for about 3 months. Then, on 23.03.63, Dr. Phatak prescribed Sep.
200, and with this he was completely relieved of the pain by 13.04.63 and later, was cured of
the ulcer, as shown by a subsequent X-ray.
Pericarditis
A female patient H.S. , aged 27 was admitted to the hospital on 22.04.59 with a history of
pain in the left chest and pyrexia of four days' duration. On admission, her temperature was
99 oF; respiration 30 per minute and pulse 120 per minute. The pain was stitching, stabbing
and cutting in nature, was worse from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from coughing, and was
accompanied by profuse perspiration. It was relieved by warm applications. She could not lie
on her left side. There was dullness of the left base with diminution of breath sounds. A
provisional diagnosis of pleurisy with effusion was made.
The report of the X-ray taken later read as follows:
"Huge dilatation of the heart; pericarditis with effusion; also pleural effusion left base and
thickened pleura, left upper zone; congestive cardiac failure."
The blood, urine and stool reports showed N.A. D.
The remedy Kali-c was found to cover the following symptoms in Boger's Synoptic Key :
1. Morning and evening agg. (p. 17)
2. Stitches (p. 45)
3. Cough, painful (p. 63)
4. Dropsy (p. 89)
5. Cutting (p. 68)
6. Sweat, in general, easy tendency (p. 104)
A reference to the Materia Medica portion (p. 224) showed that the drug also covered the
symptoms, "Worse lying on painful side" and "Better warmth".
So she was given Kali-c 200, 6 hourly. There was an immediate improvement which continued
steadily. On the fourth day, the dosage was reduced to thrice a day and later to twice a day.
The temperature rose and fell intermittently upto until 01.05.59 and then came down and
stayed normal. Her pain lessened and disappeared. On the fourth day after admission, she
was able to lie on the left side with comfort.
The second X-ray taken on 15.05.59 showed, "Heart size markedly diminished; slight pleural
effusion still present".
The patient was discharged a week later and has remained well.

Comment: The aggravation time of the pains in this case was 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. instead of the
usual 2 to 4 a.m. of Kali-c. Such twelve hourly reversibility (day instead of night and vice
versa) of time modalities is met with in the homoeopathic Materia Medica. An Ars. patient
may be worse at 1 or 2 p.m. instead of 1 or 2 a.m. , Thuja at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m. , Chel. and Lyc.
at 4 a.m. or 4 p.m. , China at 5 a.m. or 5 p.m. , Nux-v at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. , Sepia at 7 a.m. or
7 p.m. and so on.
William Boericke in his Materia Medica writes that Kali salts should not be administered in
fever cases. I have used Kali salts in febrile cases many times with success.
Arthritis
Shri K.V. V., aged 50 years, came for consultation on 28th Sept. 1959 with the following
history:
11/2 years back, he, one day, experienced acute pain in the right sacro-iliac when he got up
from washing clothes. Later on, more joints were affected. He took Irgapyrin, Cortisone etc.
with no effect.
Now, he has pain in all joints. Pain is amel. by taking rest but after some time he likes a
change of position. The pain generally shifts from side to side and from joint to joint. The left
shoulder and right knee are affected more. The pain is agg. beginning motion agg. standing
and is amel. by continued motion, amel. by walking. In the past, he had suffered from
pneumonia in childhood, malaria and pleurisy at the age of 23 and rheumatism of knees and
ankles in 1942. He has no worries, and is quite happy. Fam. Hist.: nothing particular.
The case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Motion, beginning, agg. (p. 26) + Position, standing, agg. (p. 27) = Con., Puls., Rhust-t, Sel.
+ Wandering, shifting, pains (pp. 48, 434) = Puls., Rhust-t
+ Alternating effects, states, sides, etc. (p. 30) = Puls.
Puls. 30, 1 dose was given. There was no improvement and so he was given Puls. 200. After
this prescription, he started feeling better. Later on, he was given Puls. 200 again, then Puls.
1M and Puls. VI (i.e. 6th potency of LM scale) and then the XXX. There was very remarkable
improvement but on 09.08.60, he reported that pain is better but is agg. by continued motion
and that he feels better by taking rest.
Silicea 30, 8 doses were given, twice a day. He now improved steadily and recovered
completely.
Shri K.V. V., aged 50 years, came for consultation on 28th Sept. 1959 with the following
history:
11/2 years back, he, one day, experienced acute pain in the right sacro-iliac when he got up
from washing clothes. Later on, more joints were affected. He took Irgapyrin, Cortisone etc.
with no effect.
Now, he has pain in all joints. Pain is amel. by taking rest but after some time he likes a
change of position. The pain generally shifts from side to side and from joint to joint. The left
shoulder and right knee are affected more. The pain is agg. beginning motion agg. standing
and is amel. by continued motion, amel. by walking. In the past, he had suffered from

pneumonia in childhood, malaria and pleurisy at the age of 23 and rheumatism of knees and
ankles in 1942. He has no worries, and is quite happy. Fam. Hist.: nothing particular.
The case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Motion, beginning, agg. (p. 26) + Position, standing, agg. (p. 27) = Con., Puls., Rhust-t, Sel.
+ Wandering, shifting, pains (pp. 48, 434) = Puls., Rhust-t
+ Alternating effects, states, sides, etc. (p. 30) = Puls.
Puls. 30, 1 dose was given. There was no improvement and so he was given Puls. 200. After
this prescription, he started feeling better. Later on, he was given Puls. 200 again, then Puls.
1M and Puls. VI (i.e. 6th potency of LM scale) and then the XXX. There was very remarkable
improvement but on 09.08.60, he reported that pain is better but is agg. by continued motion
and that he feels better by taking rest.
Silicea 30, 8 doses were given, twice a day. He now improved steadily and recovered
completely.
Hernia
Master N.V. , aged 14 years, was brought to me for consultation on 19th Dec. 1959 with the
following history:
He had hurt himself in left inguinal region 2 months back and then has developed hernia
since. He feels pain around the umbilicus and in the left inguinal region. It is agg. after 3 a.m.
agg. in morning agg. beginning motion and is amel. by lying on his back. He had had a hernia
on the right side which had been operated 10 years back.
His case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Protrusion (p. 42) + Side, right to left (p. 44) = Aco., Bell., Lyc., Sul-ac + Motion, beginning
agg. (p. 26) = Lyc.
Lyc. 200, 3 doses, thrice in one day given.
26.12.59 : Pain was better only for a day. Now pain is agg. by sitting with legs hanging down,
agg. 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. and agg. beginning motion. He now says he is actually amel. by lying
on abdomen. The case was re-repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Side, right to left (p. 44) Motion, beginning, agg. (p. 26) = Amb., Lyc., Phos.
+ Lying on abdomen, amel. (p. 24) = Phos.
Phos. 200, 3 doses thrice in one day given.
02.01.60 : Pain is better but swelling is same. Placebo.
05.01.60 : Pain was much better but yesterday he got severe pain. Phos. VI (i.e. 6th
potency of 50 millesimal scale) two doses, twice in one day and placebo given.
13.01.60 : Feels 75% better; it does not descend now. Placebo.
29.01.60 : Condition is much better; Hernia descends sometimes in the morning. Placebo.
05.02.60 : No impulse on coughing but still the region is sore agg. manipulation. Placebo.

12.02.60 : Pain has relapsed. Phos. VI, 2 doses in one day and placebo.
11.03.60 : Condition is better but a bulging can be seen on coughing. I now decided to
antidote the old injury. Arnica 200, 7 doses given to be taken daily once.
11.10.62 : He has remained well.
Master N.V. , aged 14 years, was brought to me for consultation on 19th Dec. 1959 with the
following history:
He had hurt himself in left inguinal region 2 months back and then has developed hernia
since. He feels pain around the umbilicus and in the left inguinal region. It is agg. after 3 a.m.
agg. in morning agg. beginning motion and is amel. by lying on his back. He had had a hernia
on the right side which had been operated 10 years back.
His case was repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Protrusion (p. 42) + Side, right to left (p. 44) = Aco., Bell., Lyc., Sul-ac + Motion, beginning
agg. (p. 26) = Lyc.
Lyc. 200, 3 doses, thrice in one day given.
26.12.59 : Pain was better only for a day. Now pain is agg. by sitting with legs hanging down,
agg. 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. and agg. beginning motion. He now says he is actually amel. by lying
on abdomen. The case was re-repertorized using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Side, right to left (p. 44) Motion, beginning, agg. (p. 26) = Amb., Lyc., Phos.
+ Lying on abdomen, amel. (p. 24) = Phos.
Phos. 200, 3 doses thrice in one day given.
02.01.60 : Pain is better but swelling is same. Placebo.
05.01.60 : Pain was much better but yesterday he got severe pain. Phos. VI (i.e. 6th
potency of 50 millesimal scale) two doses, twice in one day and placebo given.
13.01.60 : Feels 75% better; it does not descend now. Placebo.
29.01.60 : Condition is much better; Hernia descends sometimes in the morning. Placebo.
05.02.60 : No impulse on coughing but still the region is sore agg. manipulation. Placebo.
12.02.60 : Pain has relapsed. Phos. VI, 2 doses in one day and placebo.
11.03.60 : Condition is better but a bulging can be seen on coughing. I now decided to
antidote the old injury. Arnica 200, 7 doses given to be taken daily once.
11.10.62 : He has remained well.
Opium
I was once called to see an infant, aged 14 days, who was in a cold, cyanosed and collapsed
state. The child had developed, soon after birth, rattling respiration and a little cyanosis. A
child specialist and later an eminent cardiologist had seen and diagnosed it as a case of
Fallot's tetralogy which is a congenital malformation in the heart and they had said that
nothing could be done. So the child was discharged home from the nursing home. When I saw

the child she was practically in a moribund state. She had very loud rattling respiration which
could be heard upto a distance of 20 ft. away. She was cyanosed and unconscious and I was
told that she had passed no stool for the last eight days. When I turned the child over to the
side in order to auscultate the back, I found that the rattling suddenly ceased and when the
child was again laid on the back, the loud rattling started again. I took the rubrics "Rattling"
(pp. 42, 415) "Agg. Lying on back" (p. 25, 401) and "Bluish" (pp. 31, 361) all in Boger's
Synoptic Key. The three drugs that came through were Cup., Op., Sulph. Out of these, I
preferred Opium because of the prolonged constipation. You can imagine my surprise and
happiness when after one dose of Opium 30, within ten minutes the blueness entirely
disappeared, the face became slowly red, rattling lessened and the child became conscious!
The child improved and became well and went on very happily, but used to get attacks of
cyanosis on exertion which always responded to Opium. I had repeatedly advised them to get
the child operated but they repeatedly postponed it. Ultimately one day while sitting on the
mother's lap, she laughed loudly and died.
Lachesis
Mrs. N.V. S., aged 34 years, came for consultation on 10th April 1963 with following history:
She has got itching around the neck for last 7 years. She has consulted several skin
specialists. Dr. R., a dermatologist, diagnosed it as allergy and advised her to take some
ayurvedic or homoeopathic medicine. She had no improvement with ayurvedic treatment for
2 years. Then she consulted Dr. M., a homoeopath, who treated her for 2 years without any
relief. It is agg. in winter agg. at night. It is agg. before and during menses. She has itching in
folds and flexures. Her skin becomes black, gets cracked and bleeds in winter. She desires
cold food. She used to get diarrhoea on eating leafy vegetables and before menses. She is
sleepless at night due to itching. She does not feel fresh in morning. Her menses are black
and clotted. She is agg. in sun. Cold bathing gives her a kind of shock. She is very loquacious.
She had become very suspicious, irritable and abusive especially towards her husband from
1946 to 1956. It is so even now. She feels guilty because she went through a D and C
operation to induce abortion in 1954. Since then she has palpitation agg. noise. Her teeth are
black and carious. She feels some sensation in nape on falling to sleep. She has one child who
was born defective.
Her case was repertorized using Kent's Repertory as follows:
Mind, Suspicious (p. 85) + skin, discolouration blackish (p. 1305) = Acon., Ant-c, Ars., Aur.,
Crot-h, Lach., Nit-ac, Plb., Sec.
+ Mind, Loquacity (p .63) = Acon., Ars., Aur., Crot-h, Lach., Plb., Sec.
+ Menses, black (p. 724) = Lach., Sec.
+ Menses, before (p. 1373) = Lach.
Lach. 30, 3 doses thrice a day and placebo given.
19.04.63 : Feels much worse, may be because her menstrual period is due. Placebo given.
26.04.63 : There was an aggravation for 8 days and then her itching is better. Her menses
were scanty, not black, sensation in nape on falling asleep stopped. Irritability is better. Now
cold baths do not aggravate her. Placebo given.

06.05.63 : Feels better. Itching continues but is less, otherwise she is much better. Lach. 30
was given on 4th and 5th, Lach. 200, 1 dose and placebo given.
16.05.63 : Finds much improvement but noise causes palpitation and vertigo. Skin condition
is much better. Passes stool consisting of undigested food; gets frequent urging for stool and
urine, placebo and Lach. 200, 1 dose in case of necessity given.
31.05.63 : Finds great improvement. Palpitation and vertigo nil. Frequent urging for stool and
urine nil. Skin condition is much better. Now perspiration has appeared in neck region, which
had disappeared.
The same case can be worked out using Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Menses, before agg. (Itching, diarrhoea, etc.) (p. 25)
+ Black dark, etc. (Teeth, menses, skin, etc.) (pp. 31, 360) = Lach., Ver.
+ Suspicious (pp. 53, 430) = Lach.
+ Loquacity (pp. 52 , 400) = Lach.
Anacardium
A recent experience of mine is worth recording.
Some days back I suddenly developed a severe itching sensation in the right palm due to
some allergy. The itching came on one night at 12.45, waking me from my sleep. I scratched
my palm for half an hour and then went back to sleep. The next day the itching occurred in
the palm of the left hand also. By evening I felt some crawling sensation on my chin and when
I rubbed my chin gently, I got a number of eruptions on the chin. Later on similar small
eruptions followed on the upper lip after gently stroking that part and then they occurred on
my forehead. I felt heat on the face and wanted to apply cold water. The eruptions felt very
sore to touch and also present was burning as is found in summer eruptions. That night again
I had severe itching in both the palms around 2 a.m. I looked in the book and took Rhus-t
which gave no relief. I then took Mez. because the eruptions had followed the itching but with
no result. But I noted that the itching in the palms was much relieved if I placed my hands in
very hot water so that they were nearly scalded. I then consulted Dr. Phatak who prescribed
Sepia because one part of the body (palm) was better by heat and another (face) by cold and
because the symptoms had gone up (palms, chin, lip, forehead). I felt slightly better with
Sepia which relief, however, did not last. The next night I got severe itching at 3.30 a.m. and
again in the afternoon at 3.15 p.m. I used to rub my palms together till they became very hot
and then there would be slight relief. But I also noticed that if I scratched the palms the
itching would increase. The itching became so bad that I was scratching myself in front of my
patients and even in front of my students. I consulted Dr. Phatak again and he prescribed for
me Anac. on the symptoms "Palms itch" (p. 411) and "Hot applications amel." (p. 24) both
from Boger's Synoptic Key. I took Anac. 200, one or two doses and got 75% relief. With two
more doses I became completely well.
The case presents some interesting points:
1. I have mentioned that the itching had gone from the right palm to the left palm. Neither
Kent nor Boger in their repertories have given Anac. under the rubric "Right to left". But when
we look into Allen's Keynotes he says that Anac. symptoms go from right to left like Lyc.

2. Even though the remedy comes out in the repertory section of Boger's Synoptic Key, it
does not come out in Kent's Repertory, though Kent gives Anac. under the rubric "Itching
palm, night" (p. 1023) and "Skin Itching, scratching agg." (p. 1328).
3. In my case, the symptom (itching) extended upwards though under "Direction,
Ascending" in Boger's Synoptic Key, (pp. 34, 371) Anac. is not given.
The pocket repertory
The pocket repertory went through five editions with reprints and served - as the original
subtitle indicated - also as index to the card repertory. Though the title may seem
inappropriate here, it has been retained to indicate the conciseness and sphere of utility of
the repertory.
- Editor
Introduction
In these modern times when speed has become an essential attribute of life, it becomes
necessary for medical men also to keep pace with this increasing tempo. In this respect, the
homoeopathic practitioner is somewhat handicapped, for the selection of the homoeopathic
remedy is often an arduous and time-consuming process. Therefore, the busy practitioner
would welcome any means which might help to save his time and energy expended in this
selection. The card repertories hold out such a promise and so no apology is needed for
adding the present Card Repertory * to those which already occupy the field.
Construction
This Card Repertory consists of 420 (four hundred and twenty) cards **, on each of which a
different symptom is printed. Each card carries the abbreviated names of 292 (two hundred
and ninety-two) homoeopathic remedies, which cover the majority of the cases met with in
ordinary practice. *** In each card, punches are made below those drugs which cover the
symptom printed in the top left-hand corner of that particular card.
Method
When working out a case, the characteristic symptoms of the case are selected, the
corresponding rubrics chosen with the help of the Index to this Card Repertory, (The Pocket
Repertory), which is provided, and the cards representing these rubrics are picked out and put
together. When the cards thus selected are put in apposition, only those drugs which cover all
the symptoms chosen will be found to show through in the Punched holes. It is usually from
among this particular group that the prescriber finds he has to choose the appropriate remedy
after consulting the Materia Medica and the bigger repertories for the finer symptoms not
covered by this Repertory.
Advantages
There is no doubt that the card repertory is a very great help to the busy homoeopath. It
serves as a most useful instrument to conserve his valuable time and energy by cutting down
the laborious task of referring to the big repertories and by reducing the amount of paper
work usually done on cases. As the prescriber gains a fuller knowledge of its applications and
limitations and as he gathers more experience of its construction and usage, he is able to
manipulate the card repertory to his complete advantage and satisfaction. Used not to replace
more traditional and exhaustive methods of repertorizing but to circumvent the preliminary

work and to quickly pinpoint the probable remedy or group of remedies, its scope and value
cannot be underestimated.
This Card Repertory incorporates many improvements over the other ones. There are more
remedies and more comprehensive rubrics, the remedies are better represented, and the
index provides numerous cross references, so that the prescriber is generally guided to the
proper rubric and the proper remedy.
Limitations
A word of caution, however, is worth uttering. It is impossible to depict the complete
characteristics of each drug by means of a few symptom-cards. Hence, after arriving at a
particular group of drugs by a process of elimination through the cards, the wise prescriber
would always choose the indicated drug (the similimum) after a reference to detailed
repertories, Materia Medica or records of provers, to satisfy himself that the matching
indicated by the cards is real and not superficial. It is obvious that if the handling of the card
repertory is to be rendered convenient, it should deal only with a limited number of remedies,
and so it may happen that in some cases the exact remedy for the patient is one not included
in this card repertory. In such cases the prescriber must select from without. For the same
reason, viz., to avoid making the card repertory unwieldy, the number of rubrics are limited.
This limitation has, however, been offset by combining several similar symptoms into general
symptom groups. The aim has been to achieve a broader basing rather than fineness or
particularness. As such, the prescriber seeking remedies for finer or more particular
symptoms, should also refer to the bigger repertories.
Some aspects
Some aspects of the selection of similimum through the card repertory and Pocket Repertory
need emphasizing. The prescriber, before repertorizing, would do well to make sure that the
case has been well taken, that all the facts have been completely and accurately recorded,
that the symptoms so recorded form a part of the disease picture and that they are
sufficiently marked in intensity. Otherwise, any defects in the case recording will be
transferred to the repertorization and the results vitiated.
A proper analysis and evaluation of the symptoms are also essential before any
repertorization is attempted; the more general the symptoms taken, the better the chances of
getting at the proper remedy. Among all the symptoms, the peculiar or characteristic
symptoms out-rank all the other symptoms; the more peculiar the symptom, i. e. the more
remote and unrelated the symptom is to the case and the more inexplicable it is especially
from the point of view of pathology, the higher its merit.
Where definitely available, the causation (emotional, physical, chemical, mechanical, etc.) or
origin of the disorder is taken to be of importance. Next in order come the general and the
mental symptoms. A general symptom refers to the person as a whole or to a particular
sensation or modality referable to different parts of the body.
The mental symptoms are important and rank very high if they are marked and strange.
Changes of the will and emotion come first, then the intellect and lastly the memory.
Among the components of the symptoms, the modality is of a higher rank than the sensation
and the sensation ranks higher than the location. Modalities include the reaction of the patient
or his parts to various influences such as weather, temperature, air, motion, position,

pressure, food and drink, company, etc. Sensations include all symptoms, felt or observed
locally or generally, such as burning, discolouration, swelling, etc.
The particular symptoms are important to the extent they are peculiar. Among the
particulars, the desires and aversions of the patient and in women symptoms of the menstrual
states have some precedence and rank with the generals.
A remedy which covers the outstanding characteristic features of a case, however few they
may be in number, is more likely to be the similimum than the remedy which merely covers
numerous common symptoms.
In choosing the cards or rubrics with headings corresponding to the symptoms or in
translating the symptoms into the language of the cards, a high degree of both care and
imagination are generally called for. The rubrics on the cards are so worded as to include a
variety of conditions, and to allow of a wide interpretation. For example:
The rubric "Abortion" would include remedies which are indicated not only during abortions
and miscarriages, but also those which cover habitual abortions as well as disorders
originating from abortions.
"Ascending, Agg." incorporates remedies which have aggravation from ascending the stairs,
ascending in a lift, going up a mountain or in the air.
The rubric "Coordination disturbed" would cover a wide range of effects such as ataxia,
stammering, strabismus, etc.
The rubric "Discharges, Amel." would include remedies which have relief from any kind of
discharge whatsoever (physiological or pathological) such as eructations, expectoration,
vomit, flatus, stool, urine, sweat, etc.
The rubric "Old age, Senility" lists not only the drugs specially applicable in the field of
geriatrics but also the drugs which cover premature senility, senile appearance, etc. Below
many rubrics, references are given to allied or somewhat similar rubrics under the heading
"Comp." (Compare).
For the beginner
In choosing the cards for repertorization, the beginner should always consult the Index first.
This point cannot be over-emphasized.
In repertorizing a case with the cards, it would be a good policy to take first the card
representing the most important characteristic symptom of the case under consideration and
then add one by one other cards representing the other symptoms in the descending order of
their importance, until a few remedies alone are found to show through covering all the
symptoms taken. No more cards are then to be added but further elimination of the remedies
is to be done by reference to the exhaustive repertories and the Materia Medica.
To some extent, the grading of the drugs indicated in the Index (The Pocket Repertory) by the
use of different types may also help in deciding. The grading is given as follows:
1st grade CAPITAL e.g. ACO.
2nd grade Bold e.g. Aco.
3rd grade Ordinary e.g. Aco.

Note
When a well-represented polycrest remedy, e.g. Merc-s, emerges after repertorization, it
would be worthwhile considering if any less represented satellite remedy (e.g. Merc-c, Mercd,) is possibly indicated instead.
In depicting the symptoms, technical terms such as asthenia bradycardia, insomnia, pyrexia,
etc., have been avoided in favour of such terms as weakness, slow pulse, sleeplessness,
fever, etc. as the homoeopathic Materia Medica and repertories are constructed in the
language of the provers which is generally non-technical.
Illustrations
The following cases worked out with the help of this repertory may serve to illustrate the
method:
Case no. 1
Mrs. S. S. Age: 27 Yrs.
Date: 9th June 1953.
Present History : In October 1952, one day she had sudden pain in both the iliac regions; she
was hospitalized and given penicillin, but a dull stitching pain in the regions continued for two
months and then subsided. It recurred in April 1953 and has persisted ever since.
At present : There is intermittent pain - as if sprained - located in the left ovarian region,
occurring frequently, almost every day the pain travels to the lateral three toes of the left foot
and here there is relief by applying pressure on the calf and by pulling the toes.
Appetite, thirst, stool, urine, sweat, etc., normal.
Is very sleepy in the afternoons.
Menses: The discharge is profuse and continues for fifteen days.
Has leucorrhoea which has set in along with the chief complaint.
Nowadays she feels chilly and is unable to bear the cold.
Gets stomatitis before the periods.
She is very irritable before the periods.
She gets pains and sprains in various parts of the body but they are invariably located on the
left side.
Physical exam : Tenderness in left iliac region on deep palpation.
Weight. : 110 lbs. B.P. 130/85.
Previous History : Malaria in 1931. Abortion in 1941
Family History : Father living: 68; healthy. Mother living: 60; healthy. One sister suffered from
Tuberculosis of the hip-joint and recovered.
Patient married in 1936: has two daughters: one had rheumatic fever.

Clinical Diagnosis : Chronic Oopheritis.

The symptoms that characterized the case were:
The agg. before the periods (irritability, stomatitis) - a general modality.
The feeling of chilliness - a general sensation.
The frequent sprains in different parts of the body - a general sensation.
The left-sided nature of the complaints (pains, sprains, etc.) - a general location.
The following cards representing these symptoms were chosen and put together.
Card No. 200 Menses, before, agg.
Card No. 43 Chilly, cold.
Card No. 320 Sprained, Dislocated, overlifting, etc., As if and agg. from.
Card No. 298 Side, left.
Three drugs Phos., Sep., and Sulph., are seen to cover these symptoms. Out of these, only
the drug Sepia is found under all the following rubrics in Kent's Repertoty (5th edition).
Irritability, menses, before (p. 59)
Pain, stitching, ovaries (p. 742)
Abdomen, pain, extending to lower limbs (p. 562)
Sleepiness, afternoon (p. 1249)
Consultation with the Materia Medica also confirmed the choice and so the prescription made
was:
10th June 1963, Sep. 30, 1 dose.
There was an immediate improvement in her condition.
Her menstrual period started on the 14th and ended by the 21st, with the discharge being
less profuse. The pain in the ovarian region recurred only once after the prescription. The
leucorrhoea ceased on the 16th.
She received no more medicine and was completely normal by the 10th July 1953 and has
remained well now for over ten years.
Case no. 2
Name: K. B. Age: 60 years. Sex. F.
Date of first observation: 12th March 1954.
Present Complaint : Has a pain in the left knee joint for the last 20 years. Sometimes the right
knee is also affected, cannot stand or walk.

She also has pains all over the body in various places esp. in the muscles and joints; and the
pains generally shift from place to place; they are aching in character and are agg. by cold
breeze and cold baths and amel. by warm applications.
Vertigo in the morning.
Oedema of both legs for the last 5 years, with pulling pain in the shins and knees, agg. in
evening.
Milk causes diarrhea.
Previous History : Menopause at the age of 40 since which date all her troubles have started.
Family History : Nothing particular.
The symptoms were evaluated and the case repertorized as follows:
The origin of her complaints from the menopause was given the highest importance, and the
first card chosen was Card No. 44 Climaxis Agg.
The peculiar shifting nature of the pains was considered next and the corresponding card
taken:
Card No. 379 Wandering, changeful, shifting, pains.
The aching nature of the pains being a general sensation came next and the card taken.
Card No. 4 Aching.
The only drug to come through covering these symptoms was Cimicifuga. This drug further
covered the pains in the joints, the cramps in the muscles, and the agg. by cold, and seemed
to fit the personality of the case. So she was given on 13.03.54, Cimi. 200, 1 dose.
There was a very good response and she felt considerably better in a week's time. The pains,
vertigo, oedema, etc., decreased and disappeared. There were relapses and the drug had to
be repeated thrice, the last time in the 1M potency on 11.10.54 but since then she remains
well till today (01.09.65).
Case no. 3
Mr. S. R. Age: 40 years.
Date of observation: 10th December 1953.
Present History : For the past two or three months, he feels weak and sluggish and whenever
he is tired he has a sensation of great weakness and emptiness in the whole chest, while the
back feels as if stuffed up. He has a burning sensation in the back, between the shoulderblades daily lasting from 1-30 or 2 p.m. till 7 or 8 p.m. which is agg. while sitting; amel. on
lying down and amel. after sleep.
His weakness is agg. while sitting, amel. on lying down and agg. when starting to move.
In cold weather, he gets pains in various parts of the chest and the back.
He has frequent involuntary seminal emissions, esp. during afternoon naps.
Physical Exam. : N. A. D.

Wt.: 97 lbs. B. P.: 100/70.

Family History : Father died at 65 of diabetes. Mother is 65 and healthy.
He is married and has three children all healthy.
In repertorizing this case, the following symptoms of the patient were selected as
characterising the case, and corresponding rubric-cards chosen as noted:
Agg. While sitting (weakness; burning):
Card No. 301 Sitting, Agg.
Agg. on starting to move (weakness):
Card No. 214 Motion, beginning, Agg.
Weakness and Emptiness (in chest):
Card No. 102 Empty, hollow, sinking, internal weakness, sense of, etc.
Chest (weakness and emptiness):
Card No. 39 Chest, internal.
Back, between shoulder-blades (Burning: Stuffed up):
Card No. 290 Shoulders and Scapulae, between
These cards when put together revealed the drugs Lyc., Phos., and Rhus-t, and of these drugs
only Phos. was found to cover the following rubric which came next, viz.:
Seminal emissions, afternoon, sleep during: (Kent's Repertory, p. 710).
Reference to other repertories and perusal of the Materia Medica made it apparent that Phos.
was the similimum for this patient as it alone covered the case fully. So, this patient received
one dose of Phos. 1M. The result was most gratifying.
All his symptoms subsided giving him marked relief and restoring him to complete normalcy
by the end of Jan. 1954 without further medication. Several years later, he still remains well.
Case no. 4
Dr. P.A. M., aged 86 years, came to me for consultation on 25th December 1970 with the
following symptoms.
He has got asthmatic cough for last 12 years. The cough is agg. Iying on right side. Cough
and dyspnoea are agg. smells. Sometimes he gets involuntary stool or urine on coughing.
Expectoration is thick and sticky. His skin is very dry and rough for the last few years.
The case was repertorized on the Cards as follows:
Card No. 193 Lying on side, Right, agg.
Card No. 60 Cough
Card No. 323 Sticky, stringy, etc.

Card No. 302 Skin

Card No. 274 Rough, Scratchy
Card No. 164 Incontinence, stool, urine, sexual, etc.
Card No. 64 Coughing, agg.
Card No. 234 Odours, Smells, etc., agg.
Card No. 236 Old age, Senility
The only remedy to come right through was Phos. Just for interest, the case was repertorized
in Kent's Repertory also as follows:
Cough, Lying agg, side, right (p. 797)
+ Expectoration, Viscid. (p. 820)
= Alum., Am-m, Kali-c, Lyc., Merc., Phos., Plb., Sil., Spong., Stan.
+ Skin, rough (p. 1330) = Merc., Phos., Plb.
+ Rectum, involuntary stool, coughing or sneezing on (p. 621) = Merc., Phos.
+ Urination, involuntary, cough during (p. 659) = Phos.
+ Cough, odours, strong (p. 798) = Phos.
Phos., first in the 6th potency and later in the 12th potency in infrequent doses, gave
considerable relief to the patient.
References
In the grouping of the symptoms, wording of the rubrics as well as the placing of the drugs,
Dr. Boger's unique and excellent arrangement as found in his Synoptic Key has been mainly
followed. This is supplemented from the excellent homoeopathic alphabetical Repertoty of Dr.
S. R. Phatak which I have found very useful in practice. For many additions made, Dr. Clarke's
Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica has been mainly consulted. Among the other books
drawn upon were Boericke's Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, BogerBoenninghausen's Characteristics and Repertory, Kent's Lectures on Materia Medica, and
Kent's Repertory.
Acknowledgment
It would be difficult for me to adequately express my deep indebtedness to the many friends
and colleagues who have encouraged me and so readily offered their guidance and help but
for which this task would have proved far more difficult if not impossible.
Prophylactics in homoeopathy
This chapter aims to give a list, pooled from various sources, of some of the known and
reliable prophylactic remedies in Homoeopathy for certain common diseases and conditions.
Though the efficacy of the Homoeopathic prophylactic remedies for various conditions has
not been proved by controlled studies and statistical records, yet generations of homoeopaths
have used these remedies to prevent these conditions and they claim to have done it

successfully. So their efficacy may be accepted on the basis of this experience even if it is not
proved.
Sutherland writes, "To the homoeopath trained in Hahnemannian thinking these arguments
are readily understood and appear in consequence to be both logical and acceptable. Yet it
must be admitted that, as far as the majority of the profession is concerned and to a great
extent as far as the public is concerned, these arguments seem to be based on very weak
premises. The one thing that is lacking is statistical studies which would serve to strengthen
the ground upon which we take our stand. If asked for proof of each of the contentions
mentioned above, we can adduce no statistical answer which would be convincing to the
intelligent public, both lay and professional, and therefore, our arguments are not acceptable.
We fail to realise that we live in a materialistic age and that our patients and colleagues are
more impressed with facts and figures than by philosophical considerations, no matter how
well-founded in truth the latter may be.
"If the homoeopathic school is to put up an effective opposition to the growing demand for
modern preventive medicine, it must be able to search for and present facts which will
constitute irrefutable proof of the arguments we present."
Jogi expresses his doubts as follows, "Some people claim that Mag-p is also a good preventive
for tetanus and some people advocate Tetanotoxin 1M should be given. Thus, there is no
unanimous opinion. Under such circumstances can we utilise our knowledge about prevention
on a mass scale for immunisation? Most probably the answer is "No". This is precisely why
some of the practitioners of Homoeopathy do not rely on Homoeopathy for prevention of
tetanus. So unless we can prove by facts and figures, we cannot rely on the preventive value
of these drugs."
Pai, who is perhaps the only homoeopath to carry out experiments in this field, also expresses
similar doubts about homoeopathic prophylaxis. He writes, "Homoeopathic remedies have
been used over years as prophylactic agents in many countries, but the potencies selected
and the manner of employment have never been uniform. Some prescribe a few doses of the
very high attenuations while some others prefer medium potencies and weekly repetition over
a few weeks and so on. In view of this varying procedure and because of the existence of
natural immunity in every one except only those belonging to the lowest socio-economic
group, it is difficult to assess the efficacy and value of Homoeopathic prophylaxis as practised
so far," and says, "Most of our patients have remained immune against epidemics probably
either because of their natural immunity or earlier vaccinations rather than as a result of our
prophylactic treatment." He then quotes cases which developed infective conditions in spite of
homoeopathic prophylaxis. He also records that children given Variol. before being vaccinated
still developed moderate or severe reactions. He concludes: "It is well-known fact that any
sort of prophylactic, potentized or crude, falling within the incubation period of any infection
often not only fails, but leads to virulent, even fatal aggravation."
Kanjilal is not impressed with these observations and considers our remedies still effective.
Regarding the medicine to be used, Stearn says, "There is no doubt about the antibody
formation induced by drugs. The drug that most closely simulates the disease in all its clinical
aspects is more likely to be a prophylactic than one less similar."
Kanjilal giving two alternatives says, "It goes without saying that, the best prophylactic
remedy is the constitutional similimum of the individual. It is proved by experience that
persons strictly following the homoeopathic line in their medical measures, rarely fall victims

to any epidemic disease. The next line of defence is the similimum of a particular epidemic the so-called Genus Epidemicus."
In case of epidemics, the best prophylactic will be the remedy (Genus Epidemicus) obtained
by examining typical symptoms from the accurate observation of the first few cases.
For all conditions sought to be prevented, any remedy known to produce an identical
condition suffices.
Paterson was very chary of using a prophylactic if the child had already been exposed to
infection. He regarded a prophylactic given after exposure, during the period of incubation, as
unwise; it suppressed the disease and he would rather it came out and was treated as the
disease itself.
As regards the potencies to be used, and the frequency of repetition, very little authoritative
information is available.
Gibson states: "There is no hard and fast method for the use of potencies in prevention and
the length of time protection may last is, of course, difficult to estimate. One plan is to give
three doses of a 30 C potency spread over a period of 24 hours. Repetition in the event of
continuing danger of infection should be under the guidance of a homoeopathic physician."
The potencies recommended by different authors are mentioned in the text of this booklet.
Wheeler and Kenyon write that a dose of the 30th potency of the prophylactic remedy will
protect at least for a fortnight. Others advise one dose of the 30th once a week or the 200th
once a fortnight till the epidemic passes.
Grimmer considers that one dose of the 10M potency affords protection throughout an
epidemic.
The higher potencies seems to afford protection for longer periods as evidenced by the
experiments of Dr. Paul Chavanon. (See footnote under Diphtheria).
Disease/Condition Preventive Medicine Authority
Abortion Alet., Cham., Croc., Op., Plb., Sabi., Vib-pr (Clarke)
From fright or excitement Aco.

(Pierce)

Due to over-exertion or irritating emotions Heln.

(Blackwood)

Habitual from uterine debility Caulo., Heln.., Puls., Sabi. (Boericke) 2nd month Kali-c 1M
(Neatby and 2nd and 3rd month Ap.
Stonham) 3rd month Sabi. 1M 7th month Sep.
(Schmidt) (see also Miscarriage)
Adhesions, tendency to
after operations Calc-f
African fever Tereb.

(Boericke)

(Allen)

Air sickness Belladonna, Borax (Boericke)

Alcohol, Craving for Quercus, Sterculia, Sul-ac (Boericke)
Anthrax Anthracinum

(Denman)

Anxiety before exams

and public engagements Arg-n, Gels. (Patrick)
Apoplexy Nux-v * (Denman) Arnica (Vingals)
Arteriosclerosis Nux-v * (Denman)
Bee sting, Pain and Swelling of Arnica

(Tyler)

(See also stings) Urt-u ext. and int. (Tyler)

Biliary Colic Chel., Chion. and Hydrastis, (Boericke G.W. ) 5-10 m, t.i. d.
Bites of animals,
ill-effects of Anagallis arvensis (Boericke)
Ledum

(Kent)

Boils Berberis, Silicea (Dewey)

Brain fag, before exams Aeth. (Foubister)
Calculi formation Fragaria-v

(Boericke)

China (Clarke)
Card-m (Karo)
Calculi (in bladder) Hydrang., Lyc. (Pierce)
Car-sickness Tabacum
Cocl. 30

(Boericke)

(Foubister)

Catheter fever Camphoric acid (Boericke)

Chicken pox Ant-c, Puls., Rhus-t (Mackenzie)
Chilblains Sulph. 10M or Tub-bov 1M (Schmidt)
Cholera Camph.

(Count Rubini) *

Ars., Alb., Cup-ac, Sulph. (Farrington)

Choleratoxin 900 (cahis) or
Camph. 200 or Lach. 200 or

Sulph. 200, 3 doses every day (Schmidt)

Camph., Cup., Ver-a (Hahnemann)

Camph., Cup-ac (Clarke **
Ruddock)
Ars., Cup-ac, Ver-a (Boericke)
Sulph.

(Hering) ***

Cup., Ver-a (Epp.) +

Coryza Nux-v

(Cartier)

Aco., Camph. (Mills)

Coryza Recurrent Bacill.
Croup (return) Phos.

(Boericke G.W. )

(Cowperthwaite,

Guernsey)
Dentition disorders Calc-p (Boericke G.W. )
Diarrhoea, Emotional Gels. 10M, or Arg-n 10M (Schmidt)
Bell. (Grimmer)
Diphtheria Ap. 30

(Denman)

Ap. 30, Diphth. 30 * (Boericke)

Merc-cy (Fergie Woods)
Diphth. 10M, or
Diphtherotoxin 1M ** (Schmidt)
Diphth.

(Allen)***

Lac-c, Diphth. (Tyler) +

Ac-ac (Grimmer)
Carb-ac (Dienst) ++
Diphtheria, Carriers Diphth.
Dysentery, Amoebic Ars.
Dysentery, Bacillary Merc-c
Engorgement of breasts
(in weaning) Bry. (Clarke)
Epilepsy (Chronic) Ign.

(Hahnemann)

Erysipelas Graph. 30 (Boericke)

Ac-ac (Grimmer)
Fatigue, Muscular (of Climbers) Coca (Farrington)
Fear before operations See operations
Felons Calc-s 12x (Leonard)
Flea bites Pulex irritans (Yingling)

Furuncles Calc-s 12x (Leonard)

Gall stones See Calculi
Gangrene following injuries Sul-ac

(Boericke)

Gas Gangrene Led., Crot-h (Borland) *

German Measles Puls.
Gnat bites, Pain and swelling Canth. 200 (Tyler)
Gout, Attacks of Fragaria-v (Boericke)
Haemorrhage,
Post-partum Mill.

(Allen)

Haemorrhage
during operation See operations
Haemorrhage
after tooth extraction Puls. (Cowperthwaite)
Arn., Phos. (Pierce)
Haemorrhage
at high altitude or rarefied air Coca

(Pierce)

Hay Fever Ars., Pso. (Boericke)

Kali-p (Phatak)
Heat exhaustion Nothing better than salt in
Heat-stroke Glon. 10M

material doses

(Schmidt)

Hernia Cocl. (Cowperthwaite)

Herpes Variol.

(Moore)

Herpes, Recurrent Hep. 10M (Schmidt)

Hydrocephalus Ap., Merc-s, Pod. (Cowperthwaite)
Calc-p, Sulph. (Pierce)
Sulph. 6 and Calc-p 6 (Von Grauvogl) *
Hydrophobia Bell., Canth., Hyos., Spir-ulm,
Lyssin, Stram. (Allen)
Hydrophob. (Hering)
Bell.

(Hahnemann)

Stram. (Boericke)

Industrial Poisons Same poison potentized 30 weekly (Livingstone) **

Influenza Ars. (Clarke) ***
Influenzinum-hispanicum 200
(3 doses, 8 hrs. apart)

(Schmidt)

Ars., Bry., Carb-v, Eup-pf, Gels., Lach., Phos.,

Rhus-t, Sep., Sulph. (Grimmer)
Nelson's Influenza
Vaccin., 30 + (Gutman)
Gels., Mucobacter (Fergie Woods)
Nux-v

(Younan) ++

Inoculation, Ill-effects of:

Dick serum Ail.

(Grimmer)

Diphtheria Merc-cy, Diph. (Grimmer)

Typhoid Bry.

(Grimmer)

Whooping cough Carb-v, Cup., Pertussin (Grimmer)

Pertussin 200 (Schmidt)
Puls.

(Pulford)

Dros., Vaccinum (Boericke)

Yellow fever Cimi. 1M

(Thomas)

Ars. (Grimmer)
Insulin, Ill-effects Insulin in potency
Intermittent fever See Malaria
Labour, difficult Caulo. (Tyler)
Cimi. 1x (Boericke) *
Caulo. 6 or 30 **
Malaria Nat-m, Ars., Chi-s (Grimmer) ***
Tereb. (Allen)
Eup-purp 200 or
Malaria off. 200 or (Schlegel)
Nat-m 200 (Schmidt)

Chi-s, Gels. (Denman)

Nat-m 30 or higher (Boericke) +
Ars., Chi., Sulph. (Hering)
Malaria
every spring or fall in
cold wet weather Aran. (Grimmer)
Marasmus Calc-p (Bell)
Masturbation Buf. (Kent)
Measles Bry., Aco., Ars., Puls. (Boericke,
Ruddock) ++
Morbill. (Allen, Schmidt)
Miscarriage Caulo., Vib-o (Hale)
(See also Abortion)
Morphia, Addiction to Avena sativa (Boericke)
Mosquito bite Staph. (Mosquitoes
will not bite) (Eisfelder)
Pulex irritans (Boger, Yingling) +++
Mumps See Parotitis
Neuralgia, Post-herpetic Variol. (Moore)
Operation
Pre-operative anxiety Phos. 200 or 1M (Foubister) *
Sickness from chloroform Phos. 30 (Patrick)
Post operative complications Arn. (Cade) **
Arn., Rhus-t (Patrick) ***
Mid-operative and
post-operative haemorrhage Arnica (Lange) +
Mid-operative haemorrhage Cean , 10-30 drops
for 2 days before (Boericke G.W. )
(To be continued after Foubister Time-table)
Foubister gives the following table and time-table for pre-and post-operative homoeopathic
treatment

Pre-operative Treatment
Evening Morning Immediately Post-operative Operation before of before Treatment
operation operation operation
Hysterectomy Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Caust. 30 for

3 days t.d. s.

Gynaecological Repairs Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 D and C Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Bell. 30, (III)

6 hourly.

Amputation of Breast Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Ham. 30, (III)

Varicose veins Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Led. 30, t.d. s.

4 hourly.

3 days. Ham. 30

Appendectomy Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Rhus-t 30, t.d. s.

for 3 days.

Partial Gastrectomy Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Raph. 30, t.d. s.

flatulence *

for 3 days and

Gall-bladder operations Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Lyc. 30, t.d. s.

Eye operations Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Led. 30, (III)
Tonsils and Adenoids Arn. 30

for 3 days or

s.o. s. for
s.o. s.

4 hourly.

- Rhus-t 30, (VI) 4 hrly.

4 hrly.

Orthopaedic operations Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30

Involving cartilage and periostem Ruta 30 Ruta 30 Ruta 30 Ruta 30, (VI)
Including spine Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Hyp. 30(VI),

4 hrly.

4 hrly.

Mastoidectomy Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30

Haemorrhoids Staph. 30, Staph. 30, Staph. 30, Staph. 30, 4 hrly 4 hrly. 4 hrly. 4 hrly. for
2 or 3 days.
Aesc. 30, Aesc. 30, Aesc. 30, Aesc. 30, 4 hrly 4 hrly, 4 hrly. 4 hrly. 2 or 3 days 2 or 3
days.
Circumcision Staph. 30, Staph. 30 Staph. 30 Staph. 30,Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30 Arn. 30
(VI), 4 hrly.
Disease/Condition Preventive Medicine Authority
Opium, Addiction to Berb-v

(Boericke)

Otitis media Bar-c (Blackwood)

Parotitis Trifolium repens (Boericke)
Parotid.

(Allen, Schmidt) *

Plague, Bubonic Cup., Merc-viv, Tarn. (Boericke)

Crot-h, Lach. (M.L. Sircar)
Poison ivy, Effects of

Tanac-vulg (Boericke)

Rhus-t 30, Anac. 6 * (G.W. Boericke)

Poison oak, Effects of Rhus-t 200

(Denman)

Poliomyelitis Prevailing epidemic remedy

such as Cocl., Cur., Gels.,
Lath. (Grimmer) **
Lath. (Bond) ***
Carbolic acid or Lath.
or Plb. 10M... or Physo. 1000 (Weir)
Bell., Gels., Physo. + (Taylor Smith)
Pulmonary form
with diaphragmatic paralysis. Cup. 200, Op., or Sil. 200 (Schmidt)
Pus formation See Suppuration
Quinsy Bar-c 30

(Boericke)

Bar-c, Hep. (Pierce)

Radiation sickness Phos. (Grimmer)
Radium burns Phos., Cad-i is the most
effective. (Grimmer)
Rarefied Air, Effects of Coca (Farrington)
Relapsing fever Camph., Nux-v (Ruddock)
Renal calculi formation Lyc. (See Calculi) (Blackwood)
Rheumatic fever or
Rheumatism, acute Aco., Dulc., Sulph. (Ruddock)
Scarlet fever Bell.

(Bayes,

Hahnemann,
Denman, Nichols,
Wilde *)
Smooth type Bell. 30, Eucal. (Boericke)
Coarse variety Bell. 1M, Scarlatinum 1M
Malignant type Phyt.., Rhus-t, Ail. **
Sepsis, Puerperal Arn.

(Foubister)

(Schmidt)

Sea-sickness Arn.
Cocl. and Apomorphia (Cash) ***
Cocl. or Petr. 6x t.i. d. (Boericke G.W. )
Tabacum (FergieWoods,

Kent)

Apomorphine 6 (Pierce)
Petr. (Blackwood)
Cocl., Jab. (Allen Nash,
Tab. 30 ++ (Henderson,
Smallpox Maland.

Sharp +)
Patrick)

(Chatterjee *,

Kanjilal **,
Moore ***, Rabe +,

Raue ++,

Schmidt +++)

Variol. (Allen , Boericke

Bonnel, )
Smallpox (contd.) Variol. (Knerr *,
Pulford **
Ruddock ***,
Vaccin.

Swan.)

(Allen +,

Blackwood,
Burnett ++,
Preston +++,
Ruddock)
Smallpox (contd.) Ant-t, Sarracenia, Sil., Thu. (Boenninghausen *,
Hands **)
Ant-t, Sulph., Thu.,
Tincture of Sulphur (Ruddock)
Ant-t, Sarracenia, Sil.,
Thu., Vaccin., Variol. (Grimmer) ***
Sarracenia (Cardozo +,
Clarke ++)
Stings of wasps, bees

and other insects Carb-ac

(Tyler)

Arn. locally and int. (Tyler)

Styes Puls., Staph. (Pierce)
Styes, recurrent Ap., Puls., Staph. (Boericke)
Sulph. 10M

(Kent)

Sun-burn Bell., Canth.

Sun-stroke Ilex paraguayensis, Glon. (Boericke)
Suppuration
(Septic conditions) Arn.
Arn., Pyro.

(Boericke)

(Allen)

Surgical Shock Arn. 30 or 200 (See Operations)

Calendula lotion ext. +++ (Henderson
Patrick)
Tartar on teeth Bacill., Calc. renalis (Blackwood)
Fragaria (Boericke)
Tetanus Led., or Thu., or Arn. 10M
or Tetano-toxin 1M (Schmidt)
Led. 30, a few doses (Henderson
Patrick)
Physo., Mag-p * (Grimmer)
Hyp.

(Boericke)

Tobacco, Craving for Calad. (Boericke)

Tonsillitis Bar-c (Blackwood)
Tuberculosis Tub-bov

(Burnett, Kent) **

Typhoid Bapt. *** (also for carriers) (Grimmer)

Typhus Bapt., Hyos. (Ruddock)
Vaccination,
Ill-effects Thu., Maland. (Grimmer)
Thu. (Boenninghausen)
Vomiting

from Chloroform Phos. (Kent)

Warts, Formation of Fl-ac (Kent)
Whooping Cough All-sat, Puls. (Lehman)
Coqueluchin (Clarke)
Dros., Vaccin. (Boericke)
Carb-v, Cup., Dros.
Pertussin (Grimmer) +
Worms, predisposition to Nat-m (Hering)
Yellow fever Ars., Crot-h, Phos. (Grimmer)
X-Rays, Ill-effects of

Fl-ac, Phos., Sil. (Grimmer)

X-Ray burns See Radium burns

Difficulties in practice
The potency problem
The selection of the potency in Homoeopathy is difficult and puzzling job to the
homoeopathic physician. He is either faced with a lack of definite guidance or where such
guidance is available, finds different and even conflicting opinions on the subject which tend
to confuse rather than enlighten him. It is therefore necessary to review this subject.
Before trying to frame any set of rules from available authoritative opinions and experience,
it would be worthwhile to know about the scales and range of potencies and to consider the
observations and conclusions of various well-known homoeopaths.
Scale of potencies
Homoeopathic potencies are prepared in three scales.
1. The Centesimal, evolved by Hahnemann, denoted by the numerical designation of the
potency or by the number followed by the suffix C, e.g. 200 or 200C.
2. The decimal, evolved by Hering and denoted by the suffix X, after the number, e.g. 200x.
3. The 50 Millesimal or LM scale - also known as Quinquagintamillesimal or Q potencies. This
was evolved by Hahnemann in the last years of his life and is described in the last edition of
the Organon.
In the following passages, reference is mostly made to centesimal potencies.
Range of potencies
Potencies may be broadly classified as low, medium and high. Low potency designates
anything from O to 12C, medium from 12C to 200C and high from 200C upwards to DM, MM
and DMM.

During Hahnemann's lifetime, he is known to have generally used only potencies upto 30C.
But Farrington quotes Madame Hahnemann as saying that he had used the 200th and the 1
000th when necessary. The 1 000th, however, he seems to have used only once.
Hochstetter describes the various methods in which potencies are actually made in different
countries.
Birnstill and Gersdorf say that the high potencies were first introduced before 1834 by a Mr.
Korsakoff, but received very little notice at the time, and were forgotten until 1844, when Mr.
Jenichen, in Mecklengburg, took them up, and proclaimed that he had discovered a new mode
of preparation of high potencies.
It is quite true that in various places at various times various physicians have used various
potencies and have claimed and reported success with them. Richard Hughes was a staunch
advocate of low potencies while Kent was a high potency prescriber. In France, high potencies
are now banned by law (because they do not contain any material substance in them). So,
naturally, present day medical experience in France is confined to low and medium potencies
(below 22C). It is perhaps only in the USA, UK, India and some South American countries that
high potencies are given freely though, here, low potency advocates are also available.
There is a tendency for the low potency prescriber to look aghast at the high potency
prescriber and for the high potency men to look down with contempt at the low potency men.
A perusal of the available literature shows that there is efficacy in both fields. Some of the
brilliant cures of very difficult cases (including cancer of the stomach) have been achieved by
that remarkable physician R.T. Cooper with single doses of one drop of the O and they
compare well with the equally dramatic results achieved by Kent with high potencies.
Therefore, it is rather difficult to draw a conclusion easily.
But Kent, though himself a high potency prescriber, has issued a grave warning against the
indiscriminate use of high potencies in the following words. "It is well for you to realise that
you are dealing with high potencies. I would rather be in a room with a dozen negroes
slashing with razors than in the hands of an ignorant prescriber of high potencies. They are
means of tremendous harm, as well as of tremendous good."
So, it would be advisable for beginners to gradually feel their way up and resort to high
potencies as they gain sufficient experience and confidence.
Now we shall summarize the experiences and opinions of homoeopaths as found in our
literature.
Experiences and opinions
Adams says, "The 6th and 30th potencies have been my main reliance; however, truth
compels one to say that the 200th and 1000th have often cured when the lower failed. It is
generally considered best for those of limited or no experience to begin with the lower
potencies, the 6th to 30th."
Agnes Moncrieff opines that in children and old people low potencies are safer. She always
used high potencies for robust patients whether acutely ill or not.
Allan advocates giving highest potencies in acute diseases and lower in chronic diseases.
All C. states that the carefully recorded results of 860 cases leave no doubt in his mind as to
the marked general superiority of the low potencies.

Allen H.C. speaking on the subject says we must be aware of giving high potencies to aged
patients and babies.
Alley James writes that though certain cases are more quickly relieved by medicines from the
30th to the 200th potencies, these cases are comparatively few. He says, "With all respect to
Hahnemann, and his talented followers, we must entirely dissent from accepting this doctrine.
Potentization and transmutation were the great mistakes of a great man." He thinks that in
nearly all acute cases, remedies should not be used higher than 6th or 12th. He further says,
"The subacute symptoms or those which are similar to the effects produced after Mercurius
has been taken for one or two weeks, are best treated by medium preparations; whilst the
actually chronic symptoms, or those which occur after a proving of several weeks are most
surely cured by high attenuations."
Anshutz generally prescribes low potencies, sometimes the 30th.
Athalye mentions that the choice of an appropriate potency, as it stands at present, is left
almost to the practitioner's own experience and recommends that research should be done on
this subject.
Bayes reports a case in which Bismuth 1 in the dose of 1/3 grain proved useless but given as
one grain proved curative. He also says that he has made an abstract of a series of forty
cases of pneumonia treated by Tessier, during his experimental enquiry into the
homoeopathic treatment.
Bell has had most satisfactory experience in the treatment of diarrhoeas with the 12th to
200th and higher potencies.
Bellows affirms that he developed so much confidence with 3rd and 6th potencies that he
used those almost wholly in this practice.
Beronville writes, "The laws regarding the dilutions are not yet accepted by all homoeopaths.
They should be considered with an open mind. However, most homoeopaths agree that the
lower dilutions act superficially and for short time; the high dilutions act slowly, deeply and for
a long time..."
"When you treat a patient with a high dilution the duration of its action is not very long. Take
for example: you administer Lachesis 200 to a patient who has never been treated or who is
having homoeopathic treatment for the first time. In such a case the duration will not be more
than 7 or 8 days. The negative phase is 24 hours; the positive phase begins on the 2nd day;
amelioration continues for 6 days and from the 6th day the amelioration begins to fall and the
patient feels less better. You repeat the dose and as gradually you go on repeating the dose
even in the same dilution, the duration of its action will increase. If instead of giving Lachesis
200, you apply 1 000, the duration of action will be 15 days of positive action and next you
will have one month with another dose of 1M and you will obtain a positive action for 2 or 3
months with Lachesis 10 000 (Korsakow)."
"The duration of action varies according as the patient has only begun the treatment or he is
having treatment for a long time. But, there are such frequent exceptions to this rule that in
reality it can only be learnt by individual practice."
"As regards the lower dilutions, they are to be applied rather in acute cases because they act
superficially and for a short period. On the other hand for the drainage of a chronic case we
must get a real hierarchy of actions by giving a high dilution which acts for a long time

followed by some functional remedies which are repeated every day or at an interval of two
days for the reason that their action is short-lasting."
"Very recently Cahis of Barcelona and Dr. Nebel have used mixtures of dilutions and it has
been seen that by mixing dilutions, action is obtained which is intermediary between a high
and a low dilution, acting at the same time very rapidly (because there is a lower dilution) and
that the duration of action is intermediary. The mixtures of dilutions act soon, deeply and their
duration is medium."
"In practice we have made some mixtures for some remedies. Dr. Nebel often used to mix 30,
200, 5 000 or 30, 200, 500, 1 000. Cahis tried to obtain a violent reaction of the patient with
these mixtures causing at the same time a fall of the potential. He used to give for example
Silicea 18, the next day a mixture of 300 dilutions from 4 700 to 5 000 of Silicea. He used to
give in this way 300 dilutions, simultaneously. This was a work of considerable patience. He
had thousands of phials and worked on Sundays to prepare the dilutions which he applied
during the following week. He obtained very interesting results by alternating one very low
dilution with a very high dilution. He did this for example with Thiosinamin."
"Nebel used mixtures of dilutions. I have also used them. The mixture of dilutions often
diminishes the chance of aggravation."
"(In my practice I have very often verified the rapid and sure action of a remedy by using two
of its dilutions alternately. In chronic cases, I generally use a remedy in the following manner:
6, 200; 200, 1M, 25M, etc. applying the high dilution first following it with its corresponding
lower one. The higher dilution is repeated in an interval more or less according as the dilution
is high or low.)"
"There is also another rule which has been equally formulated, but for which there are so
many exceptions. It should be followed with great produce."
"When it is necessary to act on very subtle symptoms as for example mental or sympathetic
or nervous, it is better to use high dilutions. When you descend to the materiality of morbid
symptoms apply medium doses in lower dilutions."
Berridge reports a series of cases cured with high potencies. He quotes the rule given by
Hahnemann that the more homoeopathic the remedy the higher the potency.
Black, while not denying the action of the higher dilutions, claims more generally efficacy for
the lower ones. He quotes Clotar Mullar as saying that Bryonia is more efficacious in the lower
dilutions.
Blackie reports that in cases of real organic change due to infective causes a high potency
might clear them up. She had cleared up cases of rheumatoid arthritis and sinusitis with the
30, 200 or 20M.
Boenninghausen was clearly in favour of high potencies. He wrote several papers in support
of high potencies and listed therein many advantages, viz., that:
1. The sphere of action continually enlarges with high potencies so that in chronic ailments
they hasten the cure,
2. In acute diseases, the effect appears quicker, and
3. They act in spite of indiscretions in diet.

Boericke uniformly suggests low potencies and sometimes the medium ones.
Boger seems to have utilised all potencies but was partial towards very high potencies. His
favourite prescription appears to have been a single dose of the DMM!
Borland says that in treating purely local conditions, remedies with affinity for the organ or
tissue may be used in low potencies, as also in advanced pathological conditions and
sensitive patients. When there is general similarity in addition to local indications, medium or
higher potencies may be preferred. He also says that the more acute the disease, the higher
the potency.
Boyd in his excellent book, "The Simple Principle in Medicine", has strongly criticised the idea
of high potencies. He writes: "Unless one chooses to disregard the divisibility of matter, the
entire knowledge of physical chemistry, the purity of vehicles, the problem of a perfect
container and other factors, there is no scientific evidence favouring the so-called high
potency, which can stand critical analysis. Many of the assumptions are entirely unwarranted,
for there is no proof that shattering of the atom is possible by homoeopathic pharmaceutic
technic."
Boyd, Hamish report a case of early Pneumonia were the remedy Phos. helped after an
intercurrent dose of Tub-bov 12.
Bradshaw with 40 years experience feels that experience alone must settle the question of
dose.
Brisely says the medicine should be repeated going from the lowest to the highest and then
in reverse.
Burnett thinks dropping back in potencies, e.g. from 50M to 40M may increase the patient's
reactability. But he often resorted to O and low potencies.
Cameron records a large number of cases treated successfully with low potencies.
Case, the master prescriber, discussing potencies says, "I would like to say a word as to the
value of different potencies. I prescribe a potency of a remedy that I know is indicated and get
unsatisfactory or no result; then I prescribe the same remedy in a lower or higher potency and
get immediate results; this experience repeated a number of times leads me to believe that
there is a homoeopathicity in the potency as well as in the remedy.
"Years ago, I went to see Dr. Wells in Brooklyn. I had a patient at the time that needed
Calcarea carb. I had used the 200th and the 1M with no results. I stated the symptoms to Dr.
Wells, who said to me: "Go over to Dr. Fincke and get his 40M." I did so and it cured the
patient rapidly. That case led me to the use of the 40M. I know that there is a difference in the
higher potencies."
"My rule is when a remedy holds only a short time, to give a higher potency and generally
with good results."
Throughout his book, "The Prescriber", Clarke recommends low potencies though in his
Dictionary he reports some cases cured by him with medium and high potencies. He also
reports a number of cases treated with low potencies like Nux vom. 1, Phos. 2, Ars. 3, etc. He
says that for ordinary practice, with acute illness, the lower dilutions from the 1C to 3C will be
most useful. For chronic diseases, the higher dilutions will be required.
Clifton considers that the lower dilutions are more efficacious in most cases.

Close, that great homoeopathic philosopher, writes that the subject gave rise to so much
misunderstanding and controversy that people got tired of it. He says that a well-selected
remedy may utterly fail or even do harm because of wrong dosage. He gives the
considerations which influence the choice of the dose.
1. The greater the characteristic symptoms of the drug in the case, the greater the
susceptibility to the remedy and the higher the potency required.
2. Age: medium and higher potencies for children.
3. Higher potency for sensitive, intelligent persons.
4. Higher potency for persons of intellectual or sedentary occupation and those exposed to
excitement or to the continual influence of drugs, e.g. , druggists.
5. In terminal conditions even the crude drugs may be required.
He also writes elsewhere, "What has been said of remedies and the method of using them is
in principle equally applicable to high potencies. No one is compelled to use them. But, there
is as great an advantage in having a large scale of potencies as there is in having a large
number of remedies. Different potencies, or developments of drug powers, act differently in
different cases and individuals at different times and under different conditions. All may be
needed. No one potency, high or low, will meet the requirements of all cases at all times. The
exclusive devotee of one or the other stamps himself as a narrow minded individual who
deprives himself and his patients of benefits which might accrue if he broadened his mind and
learned how and when to use the agents which he now neglects.
"Proof of the efficiency and sometimes superiority of high potencies, which our Swedish
friend asks for, exists in reams and volumes in homoeopathic literature, the accumulation of a
century and a quarter. Proof for the individual waits only upon his willingness to put a high
potency of an individual medicine to the test of experience. The next time, Dr. Ekholm meets
a case which indubitably calls for Aconite or Belladonna let him give a dose or two of the
200th or 1000th potency and watch the result. Unless he is like the Scotchman who was
"willing to be convinced, but where is the man who can convince me", he will not need many
such illustrations to bring him to a better mind on the subject of high potencies."
Coleman pleads for the use of all potencies. He says, "We have to begin somewhere; a good
rule is to start with 30th potency thus leaving room above and below to work as we consider
necessary."
Cooper describing a case of skin disease says that Calcarea 2x had a better effect than the
3x. But, he also reports a case of deafness cured with a high potency.
Copeland in a paper cautiously disagrees with Weisselhoeft (who advises only low potencies)
and Gatchell seconds him.
Cretin mentions that he has never obtained that effect with high potencies which he got with
the low esp. the unattenuated dose.
Curie opines that in an acute disease the low dilutions are to be preferred - they succeed
perfectly from the 3rd to 15th. But in chronic diseases, the high dilutions promise greater
success, the 30th being preferable to every other.
Dake, though he quotes two cases cured with high potencies, feels that there is no medicinal
power in the potencies above 30.

Dewey in a comprehensive article, considers that remedies should be prescribed in a

potency higher than those in which they have provoked symptoms in provings. He goes on to
mention that in his experience, certain potencies of certain remedies are found to act better
in certain conditions, e.g. Cham. in 12th; Gels. in 30th for migraine; Aco. in 30th for
neuralgias; Bry. in 3rd; Graph. in 12th for gastric complaints; Nux vom. in 200th for
constipation; Anac. in 12th; Can. sat. in 3rd for gonorrhoea and so on.
Dixon remarks that by using Apoc. can. in O much of its value is lost. He found better results
with the remedy in 200th and upwards.
Dryry had been early led to the use of the 30th dilution having found it successful.
Dudgeon defines that the dose should be always sub-physiological.
Dunham regards the question of the dose as an open one though he reports cases cured by
very low potencies. He then quotes Boenninghausen as saying that he does not hold himself
exclusively to the 200th or to the high potencies. He is of opinion that cases frequently occur
in which a remedy will act only in a certain potency, high or low. He quotes Chapman of
London, a very keen observer, making a similar remark, furnishing striking illustrations of it
from his own practice, and giving examples of an epidemic of dysentery in which Dr. Wells
found that Nux vomica, the genus epidemicus had no effect in the O, low or medium
potencies, but had immediate effect in the highest potencies, so that after this discovery a
single dose of the 400th sufficed for every case. This might explain the discrepancies of
testimony on the subject of Thuja in smallpox. Boenninghausen as well as Wilson in the
London Homoeopathic Hospital, Hering and Dunham had all used in many cases of smallpox,
Thuja 200, with remarkably good effect. But on the other hand Wurmb of the Vienna
Homoeopathic Hospital reported failures with Thuja 200 in 15 cases.
He further quotes Watzke as saying, that he himself, though so bitterly opposed to the
advocates of high potencies, is constrained to state, "I am, alas - I say, alas, for I would much
rather have upheld the larger doses which accord with current views - I am compelled to
declare myself for the higher dilutions."
He also mentions that in 1850 Wurmb and Caspar took charge of the Leopoldstadt Hospital in
Vienna. They were physicians of great scientific attainments and of great devotion; and
Wurmb at least had few superiors in an exact and thorough knowledge of the Materia Medica.
Their views on the subject of the dose were no secret - they had no faith whatever in the
higher potencies. Dunham says that during the ten years, from 1850 to 1859, all cases of
pneumonia in that hospital were treated for the first 3 years with the 30C dilution, for the next
3 years with the 6C, and for the last 4 years with 15C. Then the results were compared. In all,
107 cases of pneumonia were treated. Every care was taken to obviate every source of fallacy.
While the 30C was being used as the standard dilution, Wurmb frequently expressed his
expectation that statistics would decide in favour of the lower dilutions. But ultimately the
analysis revealed that in every point of view, the action of the 30C was more certain and more
rapid than the 15C and the 15C better than the 6C though the experimentors' prepossessions
were rather against the high potencies.
Edgar reports having treated cases successfully for twenty five years with the low dilutions
and Os.
Ellis Barker states that one must select not only the right remedy but also the right potency.
Then he gives a case in which Plumbum, the indicated remedy, given in the 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and

29th potencies failed. Only the 30th helped. He again tried higher and lower potencies but all
failed to help except the 30th.
Emil Schlegal recommended only low potencies - his highest seems to be the 30th.
Fincke narrates cases of hydroceles cured with Sil. 14M and says that this is a proof of the
efficacy of high potencies. But he pleads that tests should be made with various potencies. He
quotes Hahnemann as saying, "Man Kann sic fast nicht zuklein geben", (i.e. , one almost
cannot give them too fine) and gives a number of different cases to show the efficacy of high
potencies. He also further relates 2 or 3 cases which improved with very high potencies
including a case of orchitis cured by a single dose of Spongia 1500.
Gardner writing editorially remarks that he is uncommitted on the vexed question of the dose
and its repletion.
Gatchell, wherever he recommends homoeopathic medicines which is not always, suggests
very low potencies like 2x and 3x.
Gentry feels that in progressive diseases such as fevers and contagions, remedies must be
given in medium or low potencies.
Geo Foote records that while all credit is given to the low potencies, experience teaches that
the high give more satisfactory results.
George Lade and Dunn give a series of cases treated with the "lower" and "lowest" medicinal
attenuations.
Ghose, while stating that the question of potency can be decided only by experiment by
every homoeopath, mentions that he has always been using lower and medium potencies
successfully. He also mentions that M .L. Sircar, D.N. Roy, Salzer and others did the same as
also J.H. Clarke, Burford, Stonham, Fergie Woods, George Royal, T.F. Allen, William Boericke
and others.
Gilbert proposes the following law of dose, "Such an attenuation will induce action in an
opposite direction to that produced by the crude drug or the lower attenuations without
previous aggravation of existing symptoms, the attenuation to be ascertained by means of
provings."
Gillon describes a case in which the remedy Ars. given in various potencies from 3rd to
200th failed but in the 1st potency completely cured the patient.
Gladwin concludes that he gets better results with 10M and 50M than with the 200th.
Gordon's thesis is that there is no such thing as an optimum potency except in the sense that
a certain potency or drug may be the most similar to a diseased individual at a certain time.
He holds that, "A patient who needs a 50M will be unaffected by a 30 and one who needs 12
may be killed by a 1M." He believes that Disington's discovery of plus dosage, "has proved its
value beyond all question or cavil". He has long used the single dose and for the last two
years has been experimenting with double dosage: "This consists in giving, instead of the
familiar single dose, two doses of different potencies, 24 or 48 hours apart, e.g. Phos. 200(1)
followed in 24 hours' time by Phos. 1M (1). Thereafter, treatment proceeds exactly as for
single doses except that instead of Sac-l.(1) one gives two doses of Sac-l 24 hours apart."
Gordon holds that this method in his experience applies only to chronic diseases; that it is
particularly useful in cases in which the single dose has failed to give results, that these

double doses of the same remedy give results both deeper and quicker; that the average
duration of action is usually, but not always, shorter ranging from about six to eight weeks;
that is it is more profitable to repeat the double dosage in the same potencies at the second
prescription and go higher for the third and fourth, and higher again for the fifty and sixty;
that the lower potencies are more effective when the patient's vitality is low; that the double
dose calls for a harm instead of good in cases of deficient vitality. He believes with Dr. Blunt
that plus dosage is of little value for potencies above 30; also that when double dosage fails,
esp. among neurasthenics, triple dosage may be effective given as follows: Nit-ac 1M (1) then
48 hours later Nit-ac 10M (1) and again 48 hours later Nit-ac 45M (1).
Grauvogl enumerates some rules for the use of potencies. He writes, "(1) If we have to act on
single parts, against single qualitative cause we had better use low dilutions, as in
haemorrhage before or after child birth. (2) With high potencies, the symptoms pass away
quietly leaving no trace. (3) In dealing with a change of a process of reduction or of oxidation,
or vice-versa we must use the low dilutions. (4) But to dissolve processes of retention, high
potencies are indicated. (5) Nutritive remedies act best in low dilutions, functional remedies in
high dilutions. (6) A chronic disease, esp. when based upon retentions in a carbo-nitrogenoid
constitution, can be cured best by high potencies; in fact it can be rendered incurable by the
use of low potencies."
Grimmer writing about the question of potency says, "This bitter controversy divided the
American Institute of Homoeopathy into two antagonistic sections for over half a century. We
now know that both the low and high potencies are necessary in obtaining the best results in
homoeopathic prescribing. Any potency may be of use and needed..."
He also says in a discussion that from the O to the 20th is quite an effective range but he
adds that there is no need to be so rabid or so concerned about potency. He quotes Kent's
practice which was to start with a 10M in chronic cases. When he got the response, then he
would repeat the 10M and then go to 50M and CM. In some cases he went on to DM and MM.
Grimmer thinks you do need the potency so high in acute cases.
Guernsey seems to prefer high potencies.
Gutman reports give carefully treated and observed cases and says, "Such experiments as I
made in an unprejudiced way for many years convinced me - though I used to be a strict low
potency man - that the high potencies work and they often work surprisingly better than the
low potencies." But he also says that the has had some excellent results with the O.
Hawkes writes, "When such names as Hahnemann, Boenninghausen, Hering, Lippe, H.N.
Guernsey, Raue, Dunham and Allen can be quoted in favour of high potencies, and a host of
successful physicians in favour of the lower, he is a bold and unreasonable critic who, without
the knowledge, learning, experience and integrity of these men, presumes to rule either group
out of the homoeopathic ranks." Then quoting from his twenty years hospital work, he says he
has found both low and high potencies useful.
Hayes, that remarkable prescriber, records that he had found certain potencies of certain
makes very thorough in action, e.g. Jenichen's Manganum aceticum 3M, Tafel's Cistus
canadensis 200th, Tafel's Lachesis 30th, Skinner's Lycopodium 30th, Tafel's Ferrum met. 8th
and Nux vomica 30x and so on. He also says that high potencies followed by the lower ones
act especially well in young healthy adults.
Hayward and Wilcox speak in the same vein.

Houghton explains, "Being largely engaged in the treatment of chronic diseases, many of my
patients being at a distance and never personally seen, I use very low dilutions, Os, first
triturations, and even crude drugs, and have repeated these remedies more often than the
strict homoeopathic rules permit, without being disturbed by aggravations, and with a degree
of success, which leads me to think that some of our writers are far too timid and fastidious in
regard to doses and repetitions."
Hubbard the brilliant teacher, prescriber and editor, has formulated certain rules. She lays
down that for diseases of manifestly psychic origin the high potencies should be employed.
Functional diseases too with subjective symptoms respond well to high potencies. Acute
diseases even with pathological changes will also need high potencies while in acute crisis of
chronic diseases such as cardiac asthma, medium or low potencies would be preferable. In
chronic prescribing, it is safe to begin with 200C. She prefers high potencies in cases with
marked mental symptoms. She disagrees with Plumb Brown about blonds needing high
potencies because she had seen brunettes who did wonders on the 50M and extreme Nordics
who required a 12 or 30. She says that with some self-conscious sensitives we have to give
low and gradually increase.
Hutchinson formulates certain rules for selecting potencies. He says highest potencies should
not be prescribed in extremes when the power of reaction is low. In disorders outside mental
and nerve functions, low potencies cure speedily. The more the mental side and finer the
symptoms, higher the potency to be selected. If high potencies fail, he suggests we should try
low.
Jousset finds the choice of potencies still unsettled. He thinks it would depend upon the drug
and the disease but he generally recommends the low and sometimes the medium potencies.
Jugal Kishore says that with regard to the potency problem there is little teaching but many
opinions. The sensitiveness to potencies or susceptibility is highest in children and vigorous
persons and diminishes with age. He says further, "The third factor modifying the reaction to
potencies is constitution and temperament. The higher potencies are best indicated in
sensitive nervous people, intellectual, impulsive and jealous, but the lower potencies elicit
better response from persons of coarse fibre, sluggish, dull of comprehension, torpid and
phlegmatic individuals. The susceptibility seems to be increased by intellectual occupation, by
a life of excitement and sedentary occupation. It may be roughly proportionate inversely to
increase in pathology. Thus in a case, for example, of advanced tuberculosis, pathological
condition of the heart with congestive failure, advanced nephritis and in malignant growth,
the treatment should be started with low potencies. The injudicious use of high potencies
sometimes spells disaster. It is often observed that in such low grade conditions there are very
few characteristic symptoms and one has to fall back on the so-called organic remedies and
that in low potencies.
"Habit and environment also influence our reaction to potencies. More "civilised" countries
compared to primitive people require much greater potency range as well as drug range.
People drugged with crude medicines or low homoeopathic potencies may require high
potencies to initiate the curative reaction. People engaged in coarser occupations and manual
labour and living on coarse food are less susceptible. Idiots, imbeciles and the deaf and dumb
have low power or reaction to high potency energies.
"The character and localisation of disease also influence our choice of potency. In certain
malignant and rapidly fatal disease like cholera, we may require material doses of medicines

like spirit of camphor. Of course, the exceptions are there where high potencies have aborted
such diseases."
He further reports that in an advanced case of cerebral syphilis, Lycopodium 200 did not
make any impression but the 30th was always able to relieve. He also says that he got better
results with Senega in low than in high potencies and similarly with Kali-p 3x than with higher
attenuations.
Kennedy remarks that he is impressed with high potencies 1M, 10M and CM.
Kent was not only an exponent of medium and high potencies but was also the preceptor of a
generation of high potencists. It was because of his students that high potencies came into
vogue in England, wherein all along now potencies had been used under the influence of
Richard Hughes.
The later English school of homoeopaths including Sir John Weir and Margaret Tyler, following
the teachings of Kent, were prescribing high potencies.
Kidd thinks that each organ requires its own special dose, e.g. the brain and spine need
much smaller doses than the stomach, liver, kidney, etc.
Kitchen says that Boenninghausen was obtaining more and more success from the high
dilutions, than he formerly did with the 24th and 30th. He says the more acute the character
of the disease, the higher the dilutions called for, except in the most inveterate chronic cases.
He maintains that a single globule of the remedy in the highest power is enough to cure in the
majority cases.
Krichbaum mentions that he has never seen good results with high potencies (200 and up) in
organic heart disease with which statement Boger disagrees.
Kunkel of Kiel states, "Where I wish to act chiefly and primarily in a local manner, I give the
low potencies; where I wish to act in a more general and lasting manner, I give the high ones."
Lamb quotes several cases wherein a particular potency did not help whereas a higher or a
lower potency helped.
Laurie and McLatchie write that tinctures and low potencies, i.e. 1st to 3rd are better
adapted to acute disease.
Le Hunte Cooper got magnificent results with 3C but mostly palliative.
Leadam asks, "Why should we be tied down to the 1st and 3rd dilutions?"
Lutz considers that the initial dose should be a high potency and the later ones lower
potencies. His writing is worth quoting. He says, "Dr. Underhill tells us that the constitutional
remedy of a patient remains the same esp. after the 30th year of age, and recommends that
we begin the treatment with a lower potency and then give higher. So far as I know, this is the
course adopted by most homoeopaths and usually with results, and I myself followed this
method of prescribing until I saw in Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura that he advises us to
begin with the higher potencies and then follow with the lower. This advice caused me to think
and remember that in two or three instances the higher potency, following the low, seemed to
antidote the latter and in one instance at least to cause an actual aggravation, and I have
come to the following conclusion: that Hahnemann is right as usual. A sick person is more
susceptible to any and all influences, such as cold, heat and remedies, than a person in
normal health. The lower potencies of the homoeopathic remedy have produced on persons in

normal health, the very symptoms, the very disease we wish to cure; to give the lower
potencies while he is sick is apt to aggravate the condition of the patient. As he improves, he
can stand lower potencies better, should further repetition of the remedy still be needed.
People in good health, as a rule, have their vacations in the summer and in the country, roam
through the woods and are often poisoned by Rhus tox.: they then write for medicine,
generally give no symptoms and I have never failed to cure them with a high potency of Rhus
tox., usually the 195M. For these reasons, I now follow these with the lower, with good
results ."
McKillop in a discussion says that he himself used mostly high potencies but he had good
results with low in general practice and he was convinced that there is a field for them.
Madden describes some cases of acute rheumatism treated by Bryonia O.
McDonough says that high potencies act with the speed of lightning and with great power.
Mitchell quoting the observations of McCrae based on his work with the Emanometer
formulates the following rules: "In a case of chronic disease, if there has been no potency
treatment during the preceding year, the initial potency should be high. All succeeding
remedies should be given low. In other words, once a high potency has been given that
particular case must have no more high potencies until once more a year has passed since
that last potency of any sort was given."
Moore in a paper condemns high potencies because they contain no matter. In the
discussion, Price and Conrad Weisselhoeft support him. H.C. Allen and Custis, of course,
oppose them.
Morgan began with the smallest dose, a high potency, and as its effect wore off, went to the
next lower potency. He liked this method best. This was in keeping with the rules laid down in
allergy practice.
Nash was evidently strongly in favour of medium and high potencies. He describes a
remarkable case which converted him to the high potencies.
Neatby advises us to try using high potencies especially of nosodes and serums as local
applications.
Neidhard quotes several cases from his fifty years experience to demonstrate how low
potencies cured where high potencies had been ineffective. He then says that a homoeopath
will vary his dose from the lowest to the highest power. Depending on the patient's
constitution and temperament and nature of the disease. Those who use exclusively low or
high dilutions can never arrive at a certain conclusion about the dose.
Neville Wood bemoans that with regard to the potency question, there is no law or even rule
but we have to rely on routine, custom and caprice. Yet homoeopaths speak as if their own
experience and practice forbade all further discussion. He further adds that he believes in the
efficacy of high attenuations (from the 3rd to the 30th), in acute as well as in chronic
affections. He rarely prescribed tinctures, and seldom went below the 3C.
Ogden Jones reports cases cured with high potencies.
Patch, speaking about Radium says that he had used the 12th and 60th potency with
absolutely no results whereas he had remarkable results with the CM.
Patel mentions that he gets excellent results with the 50 Millesimal scale of potencies.

Paterson opines that mental cases should receive high potencies.

Payne Edwin regards the choice of the drug as more important than the potency.
Pearson regrets that the tendency to prescribe tinctures for every ailment, in two-drop or
two-spoonful doses, is bound to injure Homoeopathy wherever and whenever practised. Such
crude medicines, and such doses will rarely fail to aggravate existing maladies.
Pope believes that the size of the dose will be influenced by circumstances having reference
to the patient, to the disease, and to the medicine. The patient's temperament, sex and age,
climate, occupation, diet indulgence and the nature of disease will all go to decide the dose.
While agreeing that the crude substance or potencies below the 3C should be generally used,
he feels that occasionally higher dilutions may be more beneficial.
Pierce uniformly prefers the low potencies.
Plum Brown quotes H.C. Allen as saying that any potency would work if you had the
similimum. Regarding potencies he admits to confusion and much embarrassment. Then, he
says from his long experience and close observation that a blind patient will respond to high
potencies, and that brunettes and patients with thick lips respond better to low potencies.
Pratt reports a case of rheumatism in which Dulc. 3x aggravated but the 30th cured.
Price taking part in a discussion opines that potencies above 30C should not be used because
they have no drug content. He thinks Homoeopathy has suffered because of the claims of
cures made for high potencies.
Pulford A., that veteran homoeopath of USA, had, it seems, strong views on the potency
question. He wrote:
"To complete the true similimum the proper potency is an important part, if not the most
important part..." and "From close observation we find that, as we have said above, the
selection of proper potency is as necessary to complete the similimum as any or all of the
symptoms that go to make up the prescription for the case, if we are to get the very best
results without after-conditions arising."
He seems to have had a very strong preference for high potencies. He wrote further, "Lower
potencies simply allay the predisposition which amounts simply to suppression of the disease
and not to an eradication of the predisposition which is absolutely essential to a cure," and
"Close application has taught us that remedies for curative purposes below the 30x are
useless, but for palliation or temporary relief they are good and then better for pathogenetic
and physiological purposes. The low curative remedies range from the 30x to the CC (200th)
potencies, especially for the acute cases which do not rest on, nor are part of a deep chronic
malady. The medium curative remedies range from CC to 10M potencies in subacute cases all
of which rest on some deeper dyscrasia. The higher potencies range from the 10M up for the
chronic curable cases. In all incurable cases, the lower potencies should be used so as not to
create any dangerous reactions", and, "Those who believe that the low potencies only may
cure, have our sympathy, for the time was when we held tenaciously to the same belief."
Again, "Bell failed to prove the high potency men fools. Hering failed to prove Homoeopathy a
falsity and a delusion; ..." He also describes the following case to illustrate the effect of high
potency.

"A Mrs. B. was referred to us, having been a semi-invalid for some time and growing
gradually worse under allopathic treatment. Her symptoms were so clear that there could be
no doubt whatever of the correct remedy. Here is what we found: A lady, robust and fleshy, 49
years old. Mild, yielding, melancholy, tearful, changeable disposition. Palpitation when lying
on left side. Aggravation evening. Better in cold, open air; stiffness and lameness after sitting,
better rising and walking slowly about. Worse in warm close room or room full of people.
Aversion to and aggravation from fatty food. Little or no thirst... We, therefore, gave the lady
Pulsatilla 30x, four times daily for one week. At the expiration of that time, she returned very
much disappointed, there had been no change whatever. We waited five weeks so as to give
the remedy time to either act or to wear off. At the end of five weeks we gave the lady a
single dose of the 1M with prompt and continuous response, ending up by a rapid clearing up
of the entire train of symptoms. She said, "I have not felt so well in years as I do right now."
She can work harder, and walk fast, sight is better, and stiffness gone."
He then gives the following rules: "In making a prescription and selecting the potency, the
acuteness, the subsacuteness and the chronicity of the case to be prescribed for must be
considered. If acute, we must decide whether it rests upon a normal system alone, or if it
exists as an outburst of chronic active trouble; if the former it would require a lower potency,
if the latter a higher. If the case is subacute and the chronic malady on which it supervenes is
not active then the lower potencies of the medium range would be required, etc."
But Coleman making a strong plea for all potencies, replies to Pulford thus, "What have the
low potentits contributed ? Nothing according to Dr. Pulford, much according to me. Dr.
Timothy Field Allen gave us his gigantic works, the "Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica" and
the "Hand book"; Dr. Richard Hughes, "Pharmacodynamics and the Principles and the Practice
of Homoeopathy"; Dr. Jousset, Goodno and Bartlett fine works on practice and therapeutics;
Dr. Wilson and Dr. O'Connor, who prescribed both high and low, wrote excellent books on
nervous diseases. The late Dr. Henry M. Dearborn, whose knowledge of skin diseases was
second to none in any school, presented the homoeopathic profession with a grand work on
skin diseases, including Materia Medica. The Dictionary of Materia Medica by John H. Clarke is
a credit to our school and Dr. George Royal, himself, has written several excellent books. The
provings of Ichthyolum and Radium bromide made by Dr. W.H. Diffenback, a member of our
Society, certainly do not add strength to Dr. Pulford's assertion. I could add the names of other
authors and investigators, but enough is sufficient."
Puddhepatt writes, "You will always be safe to start low and go higher and if needs be higher
still, so long as the remedy is doing good." Low potencies like the 3rd and 12th can be
repeated two or three times a day. The higher you go the less often must the remedy be
given. If you have to go high or very high, then give the unit dose and wait. The unit dose high
or very high may work for 2, 3, 4 months and even longer. I have had a case where a dose of
Sepia 1M worked for nearly nine months."
Quinton says that he was interested to hear Vannier's views as to, "high potencies being
indicated when mental symptoms preponderated, medium for functional derangements and
low in lesional states". His own experiences did not bear this out, as every variety of case may
react to any potency, at one time or another and he failed to see why mental derangement
should be exclusively treated with high potencies. He was opposed to this, especially in the
initial stages. If very excitable mental symptoms are present, the giving of a high potency
may result in an explosion.
His own views regarding varying high potencies are that the lower are quite effective in acute
conditions, and that they are safer initially. When there is a possibility of aggravation, the

avoidance of latter has its advantages in that the patient may take alarm, under the mistaken
conception that his condition is very much worse. As to the 30s, which may be regarded as
"medium", these are of great use when appropriately prescribed, and may, in certain cases,
be repeated frequently, violent reactions with them being rare. He has reasons for believing
that "repetition" lessens the tendency to aggravation. He would select 30C as the best allround potency, outstanding indications for high potencies being mental symptoms.
Rabe remarks that the finest cures are made with single doses of the high and highest
potencies.
Raue thinks that the more accurately we individualise, the more we may become inclined to
choose the highest potencies, though he admits that there are undoubted facts which seem to
favour both sides.
Remington's experience is that the high potencies do aggravate, they are suited both to
acute and chronic diseases and that more care is necessary to guard against "all foreign
medicinal substances". He says that it is the duty of every homoeopath to try the high
potencies in his own practice.
Rice considers that both high and low potencies prove efficacious, depending on the case.
Ritter says that the high potencies have often damaged the reputation of Homoeopathy in
the medical world and that it has always been our vulnerable spot for the attacks of our
opponents.
Roberts advises that if the symptoms are very similar, we can go as high as we wish. The less
sure we are of our similarity, then the lower our potencies. As a rule, where there is pathology,
medium or high potencies may be dangerous. The similarity of the remedy to the case, as a
rule, is the basis for the potency.
Roger Schmidt has used all potencies with success but has a preference for higher potencies.
He thinks the high potencies fit better refined, sensitive patients as also women and children.
Rorke concludes that if a patient presents rich indications for the remedy and it is given in
low potency, he will have an aggravation.
Ryan, Pope and Nankivell suggest that experiments should be made by practising only with
1x to 3C dilutions.
Sankaran writes that he has found the LM scale of potencies more effective.
Pierre Schmidt reports resounding success with high potencies.
Shirtliff always uses the 30th potency.
Shuldham says that a spasm of the sphincter vesicae may disappear under Nux. 30 but a
paralysis of the same sphincter will need at least the 3x. A paraplegia from congestion of the
cord may give way to Strychnia 12 but a paraplegia from anaemia of the cord will require the
1C or even the 1x. This class of cases may come under the enantiopathic law as regards dose,
for it will be conceded that the 1C or 1x of Strychnine will not paralyse, but will excite.
Sloan refers to a case of injury in which Arnica 200 and CM did nothing but a few doses of the
O cleared it up.
Smith was able to succeed with doses between the 1x and 3x.

Stevens says that she has found the high potencies acting more quickly, their effects lasting
longer.
Templeton cites his experience that the result of repeated doses of low potency did not last
as long as the higher ones. High potencies in cases with structural change produced
aggravation. For ready results in acute cases, he thinks one must go high. In case of collapse,
when it is a question of life and death, high is needed. He reports better results with high
potencies and reports a case of warts in which Thuja 3x and 6x failed but the CM cured.
Teste records that he has experienced better results with the higher potencies.
Tuthill Massy used the potencies 60 to 2000 of Jenichens in various functional disturbances
and found quicker results than with our ordinary low potencies. He says the high potencies
should not be cast aside altogether.
Tyler mentions that a compress medicated with Calendula 200 cures ulcers far more rapidly
than one medicated with Calendula O.
Underhill Jr. recommends a method which he thinks a majority of the very best prescribers
and practitioners of Homoeopathy follow. He advises that a single dose of 200th potency
should be given in acute cases. In chronic cases, he says we can begin with the 30th. If three
doses of the same potency have been given as and when necessary, then the next higher
potency may be resorted to. He thinks that in prescribing for chronic cases the 30th or above
in the single doses gave a sharper reaction, one that is more easily recognised than when low
potencies are employed.
Ussher says that he does not often use high potencies because he gets on very well with the
lower ones but quotes a case to show how the high potency alone may help in some cases.
Waffensmith recounts that he had never, in any of his work out on the range, in the sheep
camps, out on the ranches, anywhere that he has practised, ever used less than the 200th. He
found those potencies did the work satisfactorily.
Ward writes, "In homoeopathic prescribing with different potencies, we are more easily able
to accomplish what we desire than with a single power. Any curable disease may be cured by
any power, if the indicated remedy is chosen."
Watson had observed that in skin diseases, large doses were required whereas, in nervous
diseases, higher attenuations were needed. He also reports a case of intermittent fever in
which Jousset, after trying various dilutions of Nux vom. without effect, finally cured it with
the 200th.
Watzke recommends high potencies. But he speaks against Jenichen's potencies: he says, "I
have myself experimented with the high potencies, (both Jenichen's and Petter's) upon my
own healthy body, and in more than fifty cases of sickness. The result was in every respect,
null."
Weisselhoft advises that only potencies below the 11th should be prescribed.
Wells P.P. relates a case of an elderly lady with chronic cough who was not amel. by Lachesis
200, but was speedily cured by Lachesis 2000. He also reports a case of scarlet fever, where
the remedy given in 30C and 200C failed but the five millionth cured quickly.
Sir John Weir quoting from 35 years experience says low potencies should be used for
physical illness, external conditions, skin conditions, etc. When mental symptoms are found,

high potencies are needed as they alone provoked such symptoms. He reports a case of
cataract which cleared up in 13 months after one dose of Phos. 30.
Wheeler writes, "It frequently happens that the high will relieve more effectively (otherwise
they would have never come into use), but it also happens now and then that low potencies
succeed when high have failed." He relies on the same rules to be quoted below but says
further, "Explain it how you may, there is much clinical evidence to suggest that the action of
the higher potencies is often (though by no means invariably) more profound than that of the
lower." He also says, "The more the end results, the lower the potency." There are many
exceptions to this rule and much depends on the sensitivity of the patient. He, at the same
time, acknowledges the efficacy of low potencies and quotes a case of acute arthritis cured by
Dr. Goldsborough with one or two doses of Puls. O.
Wilson G.L. says that he gets the best and speediest results with a high potency, esp. in
case of pain or haemorrhage.
Wilson T.P. records that remedies must be given in high potencies in intermittent fever.
Fergie Woods states that with sensitive patients, high potencies may aggravate. In cases
with organic changes, lower potency is preferred. Particularly in cases of Phos. and Lach., he
generally started with 12th only. He also mentions his opinion that the high potencies seem to
act for a longer period merely because we give high potencies when we are more sure of the
similimum.
Wyld much preferred the low dilutions, viz. the 1x and 3x.
Yeldham reports a series of cases treated successfully with low potencies, e.g. 1x and 1. He
also reports two series of cases, one treated with the 200th potency and another with low
dilutions.
Yingling, that remarkable homoeopathic obstetrician, is so gratified with the effect of higher
potencies in obstetric cases that he urges everyone to give them a fair trial. He reports that
he has seen the most profuse haemorrhage case and the most distressing pains change like
magic into regular labour pains after a single dose of high potency of the similimum.
Discussing potencies he writes, "There is no question but that the crude or very low potency
will cure when homoeopathic to the diseases condition. Experience teaches and proves this
beyond a doubt. But the experience as fully and completely proves and establishes the fact
that the high and higher potencies act more promptly and efficiently and will cure cases,
especially of chronic diseases, that the crude cannot touch. It is erroneous to suppose that the
high potencies excel in the treatment of chronic cases and are not efficient in the acute
stages of disease. My experience goes to prove that the high potencies are more reliable and
efficient in the acute cases and will abort sickness or restrict it to a few days, whereas the
crude would require many days or weeks to accomplish the same." He also reports his own
experience when he required Sulphur. He took it in 55M and CM potency with no relief but one
dose in the DM potency cured him.
Some tentative rules for potency selection
Even though it becomes a difficult task to frame definite rules yet some tentative guidelines
can be evolved from the experience and conclusions of the majority of the many veterans
quoted above.

1. When in a case, the symptoms of the patient are very well matched by the symptom
picture of the drug and especially if the mental symptoms are present and clearly marked,
then a high potency seems advisable.
2. (a) Where the symptom matching is poor due to paucity of symptoms or (b) when the
prescription covers only a superficial or local condition e.g. a skin condition such as a wart or
(c) where pathological symptoms predominate, e.g. as in cancer, congestive cardiac failure,
etc. or (d) where only a palliation is aimed at because the patient is incurable and has a very
low vitality, low potencies seem more advisable.
3. Certain medicines seem to act better in particular potencies. For instance, drugs like
Apocynum cannabinum, Sabal serrulata, Ornithogallum umbellatum, Hydrocotyle asiatica,
Passiflora incarnata, Crataegus oxycantha, Adonis vernalis, Strophanthus hispidias, Carduus
marianus, Blatta orientalis, etc., seem to act better in O.
4. Nosodes seem to act better in high potencies, e.g. 200 and above.
5. As regards bowel nosodes, certain rules apply. If the case is a new one and the patient has
not received any potencies so far, a medium or high potency can be given when the bowel
nosode is clearly indicated. If the patient has received any potency within the preceeding 3
months it is wise to give a low potency. John Paterson writes that where there is marked
pathological evidence, low potencies (below 6C) can be given and repeated daily. In acute
diseases, the single high dose is preferable. For acute phase of chronic disease, high
potencies can be given and repeated at intervals.
6. If the patient has already received a deep-acting constitutional drug in high potency and is
improving under the action of this, but has developed some superficial disturbing symptom, a
low potency of a complementary drug may be prescribed for the relief of the symptoms.
7. Children appear to tolerate high potencies well due to their vitality while old persons may
not tolerate high potencies so well.
8. When the patient is oversensitive to drugs, it is wise to use a low potency.
9. When the reaction is poor and a reaction remedy is prescribed to promote reaction, e.g.
Carbo veg., a high potency is to be preferred.
10. Probably intelligent and sensitive patients and those engaged in mental occupations
need higher potencies while the dull and the backward and those engaged in physical work
may need the lower ones. Extending this idea, it seems that the less highly evolved animals
may need lower potencies.
11. Certain potencies may produce certain effects, e.g. it is said that Silica given in low
potency promotes suppuration, whereas if given in high potencies it aborts suppuration.
12. High potencies of deep-acting medicines such as Silica, Phos., etc., are contraindicated in
advanced pathological states.
The repetition of doses
In homoeopathic practice, the selection of the proper remedy is probably the most essential
thing, but after the remedy has been selected and administered in the proper potency, the
homoeopathic physician should be able to watch out for, understand and interpret the remedy
reaction and should know the proper "period for repeating the dose". This is considered so

important that masters like Kent warn us that a case can be completely spoiled by improper
repetition of the dose.
Repetition in acute cases
In homoeopathic practice, in acute cases, the frequent repetition of doses, even of high
potencies, seems to be generally and universally approved. Borland, for example, used to give
in cases of pneumonia 1M or 10M every 2 hours. It is believed that in acute disease the pace
of the disease is such that the effect of the doses is quickly exhausted.
It must however be mentioned that there were masters like Boger who were prescribing
single doses even in acute cases. Dr. Boger mentions, for example, that he had never given
more than one dose of the remedy in the hundreds of cases of typhoid that he had treated.
But such prescribers are exceptional. I quote here some of my experiences in acute cases.
In the beginning, even in acute diseases I was taught not to repeat the dose until and unless
the action of the previous dose had been completely exhausted. I was instructed for instance,
that in a case of fever if the maximum temperature was 104 oF on the day I prescribed, I
should never repeat the remedy even if the patient continued to have fever until and unless
the temperature went up to 104 oF again. Even if the patient had continued or intermittent
fever for a month, if the subsequent highest level of temperature after the dose of medicine
was less than the original level, the remedy was not to be repeated because probably the
previous dose was still acting. In the initial stages, I obeyed this teaching implicitly like
Casabianca and possibly I lost many patients. But, gradually, I made one observation. In acute
cases, I used to give my patients a number of doses but I used to instruct them strictly that
the moment there was any evidence of improvement, e.g. in a case of fever as soon as the
temperature started coming down, the doses were to be immediately discontinued. Some
patients followed my advice to the letter but others did not. The latter who ignored my
instructions and repeated the doses in spite of the improvement would say that, even though
they felt much better or even though they became completely alright with the first few doses,
yet to be on the safe side they finished off all the remaining powders. To my surprise, I did
not find in these cases any dire consequences as I had been warned to expect. The acute
disease was not aggravated nor did the symptoms return if they had ceased and the patient
continued to remain well in spite of the doses having been thus repeated unnecessarily and
against my orders. In fact, these patients appeared to have recovered quicker! In not a single
case do I remember to have noted that the acute condition relapsed because the doses were
repeated when not needed. On the other hand, the other group of patients, in whom the
medicine was repeated only if and when absolutely necessary, i.e. only if and when they felt
worse, seemed to take a longer time to come round. These were the patients who followed my
instructions strictly and discontinued the doses, perhaps too soon. Thus I was gradually led to
the conclusion that acute disease at least require more repetition of doses and that, at least in
acute conditions, frequent repetition or repetition of doses, even when "not required", does
not do any harm.
Now, we come to the repetition of doses in chronic diseases.
Repetition in chronic cases
In chronic diseases, there are two standard procedures. In one, repeated doses of a low
potency of the remedy are given till the patient is cured. In the other, a single dose of high
potency is administered and then a wait follows till its action is over, Sac-l being given in the
meanwhile.

Repetition of low potencies

The frequent repetition of low potencies in chronic conditions seems to be generally
acceptable. For instance, for hard tumours, Calc-f 6x given two or three times a day for
several weeks or months is quite a common prescription though it must be mentioned that
people like R.T. Cooper were curing even chronic cases like peptic ulcers or even cancer with
single doses of the medicine.
The real difference of opinion and disagreement seem to rise only about the frequent
repetition of high potencies in chronic cases.
Repetition of high potencies
Going back to the teaching of Hahnemann, one is at first rather confused. Hahnemann in his
teaching, upto and including the fourth edition of the Organon, has strictly warned against
hasty repetition. We are advised not to repeat the dose until the effect of the previous dose is
exhausted. In the 5th edition, he emphasizes this but there is a hint of a change. He mentions
that "... this minutest yet powerful dose of the best selected medicine be repeated at suitable
intervals." Later, in the preface to the third part of the 2nd edition of the "Chronic Diseases",
he says: "... in chronic disease I have found it best to allow a dose (to wit, a spoonful) of such
a solution of the appropriate medicine to be taken no seldomer than every two days, but more
generally every day."
This teaching is finally incorporated in the 6th edition and he writes, "The same carefully
selected medicine may now be given daily for months..."
No doubt, Hahnemann's clear advice in the 5th edition, that a remedy should be repeated
only when the effect of the previous dose has been completely exhausted, was implicity
obeyed and the wisdom of this teaching repeatedly confirmed by his great followers like Allen,
Boger, Clarke, Dunham, Farrington, Kent, Lippe, and many others. But we must remember
that these masters did not have access to the later teachings of Hahnemann. They knew that
Hahnemann was making some radical changes in his methods but since the 6th edition of the
Organon was not published till as late as 1921 - thanks to the intransigence of Madame
Melanie Hahnemann - though it was ready as early as in 1842, these masters had no idea
about the new methods. They naturally faithfully followed and endorsed the original teachings
of Hahnemann proposed and practised by him earlier, so that the final teachings of
Hahnemann went unknown and therefore untested, unpractised and unendorsed.
During the 88 years that had lapsed between the publication of the 5th and 6th editions of
the Organon, the teachings of Hahnemann as found in the 5th edition held the field, and it
was natural that his great followers emphasized his teachings as contained in that edition. So
when the latest edition came out in 1921, these new teachings apparently went against the
weighty opinions of Kent and others and it was natural that no one seriously attempted to try
them out.
Here, it would be worthwhile to go over the opinions, impressions and experiences of various
well-known homoeopaths, as recorded in our literature.
Grisselich, after describing how Hahnemann had changed his idea about repetition in 1832
and had allowed earlier repetition, mentions that among his followers Aegidi was in favour of
more frequent repetition. Also Tricks, Wolf, Gross, Kretshmar, Rau, Koempfer and Attomyr
were all of similar opinion. Hering liked to repeat on the 2nd, 4th, 7th, 11th or 16th day, and
until reaction or new symptoms appeared.

Ad. von Lippe (as quoted by Yingling) advises, where no response has been obtained, to
repeat a lower potency in water every two hours till a good response is obtained, even if
several days are required, and then to wait on its action. The single dose is an ideal dose but
it is only applicable with the true similimum which is very difficult to get owing to the masked
symptoms through promiscuous drugging. The farther removed the remedy is from the
similimum, the greater must be the repetition to get necessary action upon which to wait for a
cure or a change.
Baker says that one powder dry on the tongue may be all that is necessary, but again it is
better to give three powders an hour apart or to dissolve a powder in six or ten teaspoonfuls
of water and give two teaspoonfuls every half hour. Sometimes he gives one power a day for
three days or a powder night and morning for three days. But he never used this last method
with potencies above the 200th.
Bellokossy considers that the wrong remedy has always some bad effect though only
temporary. The high potencies produce much worse effects than the low. He also thinks that
repetition of the dose will generally make the bad effects manifest. He further notes that he
began to prescribe MM and potencies much higher than MM repeated once or twice a day for
weeks and months. The results surpassed all expectations and produced infinitely better
results. He also mentions that in acute cases you have to repeat but it is not necessary to
plus. The same potency will be just as good.
Beronville says, "As a rule we must stop repeating as soon as we have effect from the
medicine applied", and then suggests a new method which he says he has found very useful
in his long experience. Repeat the dose, in however high dilution it may be, at short intervals
until its action becomes apparent or give a high dilution and interpolate it with a lower one
and stop the medicine as soon as its action is manifested and as long as it continues to act. If
the amelioration is not complete, repeat in the same way.
Berridge feels that some cases, chronic or acute, may be cured by a single dose; others will
require a repetition. The cases which need repetition are: (1) those to which no absolutely
perfect similimum can be found and (2) those in which external disturbing factors continue to
operate.
Blackley reports two cases of hydrocephalus treated with Hellebore 1x given persistently for
months.
Boger opines that the repetition of doses is one of the most difficult subjects that the
beginner can possibly handle. In case of a disease like malaria, a disease which inherently has
the habit of recurring, he has never cured it with a single dose, especially if it were chronic. In
such cases he gives a dose night and morning until he sees some effect, then stops and waits
to see how long that effect is going to last. He goes on say, "In the case of a disease where it
does not give an immediate effect, I am in favour of giving the highest potency in a single
dose and then waiting a long time, as in the case of a miasm although I would not give the
so-called anti-psorics for that purpose." Then he mentions that in slow, progressive diseases
like arthiritis deformans, it would be a mistake to prescribe a remedy and expect quick action
because these diseases have a tendency to repeat and reassert their symptoms. In
prescribing and administering the medicine, we have got to take into consideration the pace the natural pace of the disease. Then he further mentions that he has sometimes waited three
months for a reaction. But he notes that sometimes repetition is necessary particularly of the
newer remedies, e.g. Pyrogenum. He also says that an aggravation from a high potency can
be avoided by giving the remedy in three doses two hours apart.

Bradshaw thinks the failures to cure by high dilution are due to frequent repetition.
Buchmann says that he has often noticed aggravation from too frequent repetition and that
he has frequently injured his patients by such undue haste. He says also that many remedies,
e.g. Bryonia, Belladonna, etc., when properly selected, frequently show an improvement after
the first dose. On repeating the dose, after some hours, an aggravation ensues at once, which
increases more and more with every successive dose. So he never gives these remedies more
often than twice a day even in acute cases.
Pulford thinks one may have to repeat the dose until it starts acting.
Campbell reports a case of Bar. carb. in which the 200th potency was given but did not
relieve in a noticeably short time. Nevertheless, he persisted in giving it at four-hour-intervals
for a number of weeks and got results. He feels that in an aged person the vitality may need
many doses to gather sufficient momentum to carry the patient to a complete cure.
G.H. Clarke considers that Hahnemann's dictum must be observed, viz. that the dose should
not be repeated while the amelioration lasts.
Coleman says that the secret of Burnett's successes lay in the infrequent repetition of the
dose. This gave the body a chance to react. Infrequent repetition is the successful method of
treatment by isopathy or vaccine therapy, today.
Cooper strongly advises us to rely on a single and solitary dose, even if it is one drop of the
O. He quotes the case of deafness of four years cured by a single dose of Mez. given by
Dunham. He calls repetition "a barbarous habit". He also describes a case of skin disease in
which he prescribed Calc. carb. 3 x t.d. s. The patient reported after six months that he was
completely cured, not while taking the medicines, but three weeks after stopping it. So,
Cooper decided to rely hence forth more than ever upon the single dose, and to allow a
sufficient time to pass before repeating the dose. Since then, he says, his success proved to
be much greater.
Dhawale says, " In chronic cases, I generally use the single dose. In resistant cases , repeated
doses of the same potency or in the ascending potency scale are employed to the point of
reaction. In acute diseases, I repeat often till a definite response is obtained and then I cut
down progressively on the frequency as improvement sets in."
Dienst reports a case where he gave Carbol. acid 30, 4 hourly at least for 2 weeks.
Dixon is against repeating the dose too early.
Edward Philips considers that the rightly selected remedy will cure more effectively when
given at distant intervals.
Ewart writes, "High potencies are in some homoeopathic circles spoken of almost with bated
breath. I do not know whether this is due to the famous warning by Dr. Kent: "It is well to
realise that you are dealing with razors when dealing with the high potencies. I would rather
be in a room with a dozen negros slashing with razors than in the hands of an ignorant
prescriber of high potencies. They are the means of tremendous harm as well as of
tremendous good." (Kent's Lectures, p. 453). This warning is calculated to make the beginner
steer clear of high potencies for the rest of his life. It is however hardly couched in the cool
language of science and may have been due to an unfortunate experience of the doctor
giving a homoeopathic remedy to a moribund patient. When the lamp of life is burning low,
the exhibition of a homoeopathic remedy, high or low, is probably like a gust of wind. There is

a last flicker, then extinction. At all events, in most quarters, high potencies are usually given
at rare intervals. You can however find instances in homoeopathic books of cases where the
CM potency has been repeated daily. I have done so myself on suitable patients, and nothing
but good has resulted. Daily repetition in a sensitive patient should be avoided as it produces
on excited restless state.
"Although high potencies are used sparingly, most homoeopaths are more lavish with lower
potencies, even in chronic diseases. Common sense would seem to suggest that if the
frequent repetition of high potencies is dangerous, then the frequent use of lower potencies is
more dangerous since the lower potencies contain many million times the quantity compared
with the higher potencies. As lower potencies can apparently be repeated t.d. s. with
impunity, why cannot high potencies? I have made such experiments on myself with the CM
potency over the past few years with so far no untoward results, in fact with benefit. For
example, two hard tumours on the right side of my nasal septum, which practically blocked
the right nostril, have gradually reduced in size. They had been in existence some 20 years
before the homoeopathic treatment.
"The rule I have tentatively adopted in giving high potencies, which I find more curative than
low, is to dissolve the pilules in about 8 oz of water, and give a tablespoonful as a dose,
instructing the patient to wait 10 days or so for reaction; if no reaction to repeat daily until
reaction (aggravation or improvement) appears when the doses should be stopped, the dose
not to be repeated until improvement comes to an end."
Fraser Kerr reports a case where he gave Bry. 1 M in plussed doses daily for forty-nine
consecutive days.
Gagliardi mentions having prescribed Nat-m 30 seven doses, one dose every 3rd day for a
patient.
George Royal quotes several cases - one of a child with a tumour on the head half the size of
an egg for which he gave Calc-c 30 daily once for 2 weeks and than occasionally. For another
similar case, he gave Lapis alba 12, twice a day for 3 weeks and then intermittently.
Gordon believes that Dishington's discovery of plus dosage, "has proved its value beyond all
question or cavil". He has long used the single dose and for the last two years has been
experimenting with double dosage. "This consists in giving, instead of the familiar single dose,
two doses of different potencies, 24 hours or 48 hours apart, e.g. Phos. 200 (1) followed in 24
hours time by Phos. 1M (1). Thereafter, treatment proceeds exactly as for single doses except
that instead of Sac-l (1), one gives two doses Sac-l 24 hours apart." Gordon holds that this
method, in his experience, applies only to chronic diseases; that it is particularly useful in
cases in which the single dose has failed to give results both deeper and quicker; that the
average duration of action is usually, but not always shorter, ranging from about six to eight
weeks that it is more profitable to repeat the double dosage in the same potencies at the
second prescription and go higher for the third and fourth and higher again for the fifth and
sixth; that the lower potencies are more effective when the patients's vitality is low; that the
double dose causes harm instead of good in cases of deficient vitality. He believes, with
Blunt, that plus dosage is of little value for potencies above 30, also, that when double fails,
esp. among neurasthenics, triple dosage may be effectively given as follows: Nit-ac 1M, one
dose, then 48 hrs later Nit-ac 10M, one dose and again 48 hrs later Nit-ac 45 M, one dose.
Grimmer while discussing Hahnemann's "New and Improved Method of Repetition" says,
"Kent did say you could give in acute cases, the medicine in repeated doses, and he did it
especially in febrile cases."

Harish Chand quotes Kamfor who suggested the repetition of remedies in increasing amount.
Hayes thinks that there is one serious objection to giving repeated doses, and that is late
aggravation esp. in chronic cases. He had seen quite severe aggravation occur several weeks
- as many as twelve weeks - after good improvement.
Horace Reed endorses the method of infrequent repetition in chronic cases.
Houghton reports his method of repetition. He says that he has given nearly all the longacting remedies in several hundred cases, a single remedy at a time night and morning for
four days at a time followed by another similar remedy for 4 days or a week and so on for 3 to
6 months. Alternatively, he used to select four or five of the most strictly appropriate
remedies for a given case, each one covering as many symptoms as possible, and administer
one dose of each remedy during a day (that is four or five doses in all) for seven successive
days then to give single remedies, night and morning for four days and after a week, to
repeat the series of five medicines, daily for another week, and so on for a month or two *.
He further says, "For my own part, being largely engaged in the treatment of chronic
diseases, many of my patients being at a distance and never personally seen, I have indulged
in the use of very low dilutions, tinctures, first triturations, and even crude drugs, and have
repeated these remedies oftener than the strict homoeopathic rules permit, without being
disturbed by aggravations and with a degree of success, which leads me to think that some
writers are far too timid and fastidious in regard to doses and repetitions."
Hubbard describes how she repeated the dose in a case expecting the patient to be worse
but he got better , "I was giving it in one dose. It seemed to me he was not getting well on the
one dose. I am afraid I was just plain experimenting with that 30. I went to see him carefully.
After he had had the four doses, if he had been worse, I would have stopped it instantly. He
appeared to get better. I told his wife to stop it instantly if he appeared to get worse, at any
moment, but he fooled us and got gradually better, so I am afraid I have no reason for it
except God given despair." But she teaches generally a single dose. She quotes Borland's
claim that frequently he pulls through the pneumonias with a single dose. She further says, "I
knew Borland when I studied over there thirty years ago, and admired him immensely. I have
never seen any results from this so-called plussing, just a few shakes and pounds on your
hand. I never have liked that."
John Weir thinks the rate of repetition is dependent entirely on the response of the patient.
He quotes a case of Sulph. in which the patient was given a single dose to which he did not
respond for 3 weeks but responded very well to it in the 4th week.
Johnson considers the best thing to do is to wait.
Julian says that if experience shows that regular repetition is more beneficial we need not
blindly follow Hahnemann.
Writing on the subject of repetition, Kanjilal emphasizes giving a single dose and waiting until
the action of the single dose is definitely finished. He gives examples of cases spoiled by
undue repetition. He quotes a case in which Ars. alb. 6 x gave relief to the patient for six
months and another case where a dose of Sulph. 10M repeated to hasten the action of Sulph.
200 given earlier produced a fatal effect. He also describes another case in which a patient
given Lyc. 200 did not find any effect for three weeks but then started improving. But, by
mistake, he took a dose of Sulph. 200 and this made him worse and it took more than six
months to repair the damage. He says, "From the very beginning to the end we never
prescribe more than one or two doses of the indicated medicine and observe reaction for

weeks or sometimes months, never thinking of repetition or a second prescription so long as

there is the slightest trace of the continued action of the previous dose. It is an irrefutable fact
of experience of all, that as soon as there is any evidence of reaction of the previous dose or
doses, further medication must be stopped until the reaction is completely over." Commenting
on Maganlal Desai's, "adventurous" repetition of high potencies, he further says that he has
an open mind on the question and feels that this frequent repetition method cannot be
accepted until there is more strong objective evidence in its favour.
Kostenlitz is of the same opinion as Julian.
Le Hunte Cooper says that in his experience remedies in the 30th potency can be repeated
every 3rd day while 100C and 200C will act satisfactorily at intervals of a week though much
longer than this may, in special cases, be required for either. He personally had not found any
adverse effects from such frequent repetition.
Mahony writes that Calc-c can be repeated frequently in children but not in the adults or the
aged...
McLaren reports a case of rheumatic fever for which he gave Lachesis MM for five nights
successively with very rapid improvement. He also records that Terril used to give two or
three doses of the 200th potency everyday for a week or two with some wonderful results.
Mohan Singh strongly advises against indiscriminate repetition and quotes cases which were
harmed by such rapid repetition.
Phatak, the veteran homoeopath, says that in his experience, more frequent repetition of
doses seems to be needed nowadays than used to be needed some 20 or 30 years back.
Possibly patients are exposed to more stresses and strains and other morbid influences;
possibly they transgress the laws of nature more than before; perhaps foods are devitalised or
contaminated, perhaps the atmosphere is disturbed by industrial or radioactive material. But
whatever the reasons, the effect of the medicine seems to be less long-lasting. So there does
seem to be a case for more frequent repetition.
Pulford notes that he has seen excellent result with the single dose and thinks that the dose
should be repeated only if its action is interfered with by some other cause. He advises even
in acute cases such as pneumonia, a single dose of the 200th and cautions never to repeat
until one is absolutely sure that the previous dose has ceased to act. But he also thinks that
one may have to repeat the dose until it sticks, then any further dose will be superfluous.
Puddhepatt says that low potencies like the 3rd and 12th can be repeated two or three times
a day. The higher you go, the less often must the remedy be given.
Quinton records that, in cases of high B.P. , he might give remedies like Sulph., Bar-c, etc., 30,
daily. He further states that the average duration of action of 30th potency is a week or
fortnight and that the 200 could be repeated certainly after 20 days. He feels it worthwhile to
experiment and see if the patient would do better with the more frequent repetition of high
potency. He also feels there is a tendency to leave the repetition of the doses too long
whether they were light, medium or low potency.
Referring to Hahnemann's teaching not to repeat the dose often, Quinton says he would
disagree with him and no doubt many other homoeopaths would join him in disagreeing. He
writes, "If a statement is incorrect and can be shown to be incorrect by experiments, then it
really does not matter how great the man was who made the statement."

Rabe in his editorial notes describes a case of a woman who was suffering for 6 weeks from
tearing pain in back. He gave her Rhus-t 30 four times each day, for six days, at the end of
which she was decidedly better. So he then gave her Rhus-t 200, thrice a day for another six
days and then found that she improved further.
Reed thinks it is a fatal error to repeat the dose too soon either in acute or chronic cases.
Ross writes that at the opposite extreme we have recent syphilis which, as Hahnemann
pointed out, requires repetition of the homoeopathic remedy several times a day in
physiological dosage, gradually diminishing the crude amounts of drug with potentizing as
cure proceeds. In fact, he thinks that all illness due to continued active infection, with fever
and high E.S. R., require frequent repetition of the remedy in water with minor changes of
potency as advised in the 6th edition of the Organon until improvement is very obvious. He
further quotes a case of sciatica in the hospital in which he had to repeat Tuberculinum 4 or 5
times within a month.
Senseman says that when you want to prevent something, say a patient is under the
continuous possibility of exposure to a contagion - just one or two doses will not suffice. They
must be given for a lengthy period.
Shirtliff records that Holcombe prescribed for a case of suspected tuberculosis Calc-c 200,
daily one dose for 3 months.
Stewart mentions that Burnett used to repeat Bacillinum once a week.
Sutherland says that weeks and frequently months will lapse before it becomes necessary to
give a second dose of the chosen remedy. It is remarkable too, how well these cases get along
in the meanwhile.
Tomlinson writes that Lippe used to give one dose of high potency and would even wait for
six months before giving the second dose. He reports that in a very serious case seen in
consultation with Moore and H.N. Guernsey, he had selected the indicated remedy the giving
of which was followed by prompt improvement. Then turning to his conferrers he said,
"Gentlemen, whatever you do, do not give the patient another dose; if you do, she will die."
Some time after Lippe had gone, however, the temptation became too great to resist and they
did repeat the dose. The woman died promptly as prophesied.
Among the high potency prescribers also, Tyler was in the habit of giving 3 doses every 2
hours and then following it with Sac-l. She had the impression that such repetition at short
intervals cuts down the aggravation if any. S.R. Phatak, C.C. Desai and others like them
administer the dose 2 or 3 times a day till the effect becomes apparent and then they
withhold their hands as long as this improvement continues. This dose can be called the
single cumulative dose as against the single dose. The object is to get a single cumulative
effect.
Others also have experienced and noted the need for frequent repetition. Wilson writes,
"Repetition appears to me to be more often necessary than it used to be. Here, I am
generalising with other than skin troubles in mind." He quotes Borland as saying that in
modern life, we would need to repeat much more often.
Wilson describes a case of bronchitis where he had to repeat Tuberculinum every fortnight.
Woodbury records that in dropsies of general origin Arsen., Samb., or whatever remedy is
indicated will, if used in the 30th to the 200th potency and repeated frequently several days

and renewed when necessary, sweep out the fluid with great relief. He thinks that there might
be cases in which a single dose might not suffice and that several repetitions might be
needed.
Yingling says that it is thought dangerous to repeat Lachesis especially in high potencies, yet
Berridge of London, reports a case cured by the repetition of Lachesis MM, night and morning
for one whole week. He then quotes what Kent had written to him some years earlier, that in
low fevers it was usually necessary to repeat the dose even every two or three hours for days
before getting the required impression of the drug essential for a speedy and complete cure.
He writes, "These illustrations are made to prove that the crude drug will cure when selected
according to the law of cure. But it will be noticed that the drug is necessarily repeated most
frequently, even every fifteen to thirty minutes for day, then one or two hours for other days
bordering on weeks even when the patient is better and the drug's action has been quite
marked. While these cases were cured with the crude drug, they could have been cured more
promptly and with less suffering and expense by the use of a potency from the 200th
upward."
Apart from the fact that no new methods have been considered or tried out, no experiment
of any sort worth mentioning has been attempted. It must be admitted further with surprise
that even the teaching of Hahnemann as found in the 6th edition of the Organon which differs
materially from his original teachings as contained in the previous editions of the book have
not been put into practice. Homoeopaths in general have shown a great reluctance to try out
these methods. As an excuse for this hesistancy it has even been suggested by some that
these latest teachings are the outcome of a senile brain of the Master and therefore valueless.
These statements are not only unsubstantiated and unfair, but also unfortunate because
Hahnemann has always appealed that all his ideas should be put to the test of practice. It
would therefore be a pity if we, his followers, should condemn his teachings without testing, a
fault which we find with our allopathic colleagues with reference to Homoeopathy.
Hahnemann had evolved and practised this method of frequent repetition after he shifted to
Paris, and it gains still more respect because it was in Paris that he became most successful
and had the largest clientele. In fact his phenomenal success in Paris might have been due to
the developments and modifications of his original methods. He himself writes very
approvingly about these new methods.
Sankaran reports that, considering firstly that nothing should be condemned without test;
secondly that Hahnemann had clearly emphasized that his new method was born of further
experience and that it had proved to be superior; and thirdly that Kent and others had no
inkling at all that such a new method had been propounded by Hahnemann and therefore,
had no opportunity to try them out and compare the results, he decided to put this new
method to the test. Further, even though the 6th edition had not been published then at least
one homoeopath in the shape of George Royal had envisaged such a practice.
He wrote: "I should like to emphasize one point which I think is hardly appreciated by the
younger men. When I left college, I went out with the impression that the application of the
remedy should be more frequent in acute than in chronic diseases; that the acute disease was
like an enemy that must be overcome by many charges before he would take himself away.
The chronic disease on the other hand was supposed to be like an enemy entrenched but
asleep, where the attack need not be repeated to overcome him. My actual experience is to
the contrary and I believe that the remedy needs more frequent repetition in the chronic
disease."

In order to test the results of the frequent repetition of high potencies in chronic diseases, to
know whether they benefit or do harm, Sankaran conducted a number of experiments in the
Government Homoeopathic Hospital, Bombay. Whereas the original practice had been to stop
the medicine as soon as any effect became noticeable whether as a result of the single dose
or the collective dose - the single effect being the aim - he started very gradually and
cautiously repeating the medicine even when some improvement was evident as a result of
the previous dose. Having satisfied himself that such frequent repetition did not bring about
any untoward results, he slowly reached the stage of repeating the doses daily. A number of
cases were put under the new schedule of dosage, the potencies varying with each case
ranging from the 6th to the CM. He was carefully watching out for any unpleasant reactions
but he noted only three cases which showed such reactions and which had hitherto responded
very well to the unit dose.
To selected cases he administered the indicated medicine in high potencies repeatedly and
did not find any harmful effects. For instance, he reports that in a case of convulsions in which
the remedy indicated was Cup. met., the patient was given one dose of Cup. 200. There was
an immediate improvement which lasted 3 months. Then he had relapses at intervals and
every time he was given Cup. at intervals in single doses as follows: 1M after 10 days; 10M
after 63 days and 8 days; 50M after 55 days and 67 days; CM after 73 days and 35 days. He
showed improvement with every repetition. Then, from 01.12.58 onwards as an experiment
he was given Cup. met. 30, once daily for a week, then from 08.12.58, 200, once daily, from
06.01.59, 1M, daily once and from 27.07.59, CM, daily once upto 05.08.59. The effect of such
repetition was in no way deleterious and the patient became practically normal.
He then gives some more illustrative cases.
Cases
1. A patient Mr. P.N. , aged 30 years, was admitted to the hospital on June 11, 1957, with a
history of oedema of the lower limbs, puffiness of the face and oliguria of five years' duration,
with intermittent remissions and exacerbation. His case was taken thoroughly and all
investigations done and a diagnosis of hypoproteinemia was arrived at.
The symptoms indicated the probable similimum as China ars. Therefore, the patient was put
on Chi-a 200, t.d. s. whereupon his urine output which originally averaged 6 to 8 oz per day
gradually and steadily rose to 78 oz per day within a fortnight. The puffiness and oedema
considerably lessened. However, despite the steady rise in the urinary output and the
proportionate improvement in the general condition, the medicine was continuously repeated
and despite the repetition the improvement continued. Whenever the response to the drug
lessened the potency was merely changed, being usually raised or sometimes lowered,
whereupon the response increased. The patient was kept under observation for six months
and in all during this period he received doses of China ars. as mentioned below.
6th potency, 87 doses; 12th potency, 14 doses; 30th potency, 65 doses; 200th potency, 14
doses; 1000th potency, 25 doses.
On December 13, 1957, he was discharged as completely relieved.
2. Mrs. K.A. , aged 30, was admitted on September 28, 1957, for paraplegia of one year's
duration. She had incontinence of urine and stool and flaccid paralysis of the lower limbs. She
complained of heaviness of the body, stitching pains in all the joints, heaviness alternating
with tingling and burning of the lower limbs, burning of the soles, etc. She was brought into
the hospital on a stretcher.

Her case worked out to Causticum, and she was put on this remedy. There was an immediate
and remarkable improvement even with the first few doses but the administration of the
remedy was continued nevertheless. In all she stayed in the hospital for three months after
which time she walked out, completely relieved. During this period she received Causticum as
described below:
1M potency, 27 doses; 10M potency, 28 doses; CM potency, 15 doses.
No ill effect of any sort was noticed at any time.
Among the many subacute and chronic cases treated in this manner were cases of chronic
bronchitis, bronchial asthma, eczema, paralysis, pulmonary tuberculosis, nephritis,
papillomata, psoriasis, carbuncle, etc. Only in the three cases, as mentioned earlier some
aggravation was noticed that could be attributed to the repetition.
Of course, only about a hundred cases had been put on this schedule of dose during a period
of one year and so both the number of cases and the period of observation are insufficient to
come to any conclusion. But this much can be said that the original rule put forward by many
homoeopaths that repetition of the medicine done while the effect of the previous dose is still
evident will invariably do harm and that such repetition would retard the progress is perhaps
not justified in all cases as judged by the limited experience quoted above. If the rule holds
good at all, then it must be recorded that many exceptions were met with!
Incidentally, Hahnemann has clearly mentioned that only potencies of his new LM scale
should be repeated. So, Sankaran as also Ramanlal Patel have independently tried out
repetition of these potencies and found beneficial effects from such dosage.
According to the original methods of repetition of dosage taught by Hahnemann in the 5th
and previous editions of the Organon, we are to give infrequent doses of the appropriate
medicine in the appropriate potency. Each such dose is expected to produce a mild
imperceptible aggravation followed by an amelioration. The dose was to be repeated only
when the amelioration ceases.
As per the new teaching in the 6th edition of the Organon, we are allowed to give even daily
doses of the medicine in chronic disease, doses of the LM potencies, every subsequent dose
being a slightly higher potency than the previous dose. These doses are expected to produce
no aggravation, but only a continuous amelioration till cure is established. But when a cure is
established the further repetition of the doses produce a recurrence of symptoms or
aggravation. Then medication is stopped and the patient becomes normal.
The process of cure by these two methods can be represented graphically as follows:
New method of repetition - organon 6th edition
Further careful experimentation by other independent observers will, no doubt, confirm or
contradict these conclusions and will no doubt, reveal the fact whether repetition of the
medicine while the patient is improving is actually harmful, harmless or beneficial.
In recent times in our country, practitioners like Maganbhai Desai, Sarabhai Kapadia,
Kripalsingh Baxi and several others have reported various cases in which the indicated
remedy has been frequently repeated in high potencies with beneficial results. Particularly a
series of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, some even with cavities in the lungs, reported by
Maganbhai Desai is noteworthy.

Now let us look at another aspect of the picture.

First, it must be recorded that such rapid repetition of high potencies is not generally
practised by the homoeopathic profession at large. On the other hand, they are taught to
repeat only when the dose is absolutely needed again, if at all. So, notwithstanding the
reported experiences, illustrations and arguments, such frequent administration of high
potencies, e.g. the repeated administration of CM potencies, four times a day for four months
as was done in a chronic case *, is at first bound to evoke a feeling of misgiving, fear or even
alarm in the minds of orthodox homoeopathic practitioners. Homoeopathic practitioners, by
and large, follow the techniques and precepts of Kent and most of them usually adhere, in
chronic cases at least, to the method of giving a single dose of high potency of the
homoeopathic remedy and repeating it at long intervals as and when necessary. Alternatively
they administer low potencies more frequently. Almost all the galaxy of past masters from
Hahnemann downwards to Sir John Weir and Pierre Schmidt (including Allen, Boenninghausen,
Boger, Dunham, Farrigton, Kent, Lippe, etc.) have advised against frequent and unnecessary
repetition of high potencies. Some of them think it can actually obstruct the cure.
There is also the cardinal principle of Homoeopathy which expounds the use of minimum
doses. The homoeopath believes that the sick organism requires only the minimal stimulus to
overcome the illness and to return to its original normal state. Roberts says that the dose
should be diluted in time as well as in space, meaning thereby that the dose should not be
given frequently. He says further that the successful homoeopath knows how and when to
wait. He also mentions that to do this, i.e. to hold one's hand, is the hardest thing for a
physician to do and the really successful homoeopath will be the one who can do so. He, like
the obstetrician, must know the secret of "watchful expectancy and masterly inactivity".
Besides, if a minimum dose can cure why should we give the maximum number of doses?
Maximum doses and frequent repetition are more commonly associated with the allopathic
method of treatment. This is the view of most homoeopaths. Hahnemann himself has praised
the value of sugar of milk, calling it "a gift meaning", thereby that the judicious use of this
placebo instead of the medicine can be most beneficial.
In spite of this concept which we have inherited, imbibed and confirmed, and which to us
forms one of the pillars of Homoeopathy, we have to consider the experiences and claims of
Desai and others, and see if their method of prescribing is superior to or an advancement on
the single dose technique in anyway, for example, whether it hastens the cure of the patient.
Unfortunately sufficient objective statistical data are not available by which we can form valid
conclusions. No doubt the cases reported by these homoeopaths have been treated
successfully with such rapid repetition of high potencies. But there is no comparative
presentation and study of cases treated with infrequent repetition and similar ones treated by
frequent repetition of high potencies to prove that the latter method is indeed infinitely
superior and quicker in its action.
Now again, the question will arise whether such frequent repetition of high potencies is
harmful or not. There is the possibility that in sensitive patients, it may actually give rise to
more symptoms of the same remedy which the innocent or ignorant prescriber may consider
as clear indications for the further doses of the same drug. Sensitive patients may be
aggravated, sometimes even badly, by the repeated administration of high potencies. We
have known of cases in which the patients were violently upset by the repeated dose of even
moderate and low potencies. Again, we have to consider the possibility, however remote, that
some of the patients who took such treatment might have felt worse and therefore
discontinued the treatment without the physician being aware of these results. This possibility
must be considered since all the patients were not treated in an indoor hospital.

Therefore, it would seem rash to start prescribing CM potency three or four times a day in
chronic cases indiscriminately for every case! At best, such a practice can be followed, if at
all, only by an experienced prescriber and cautious physician who is completely aware of what
he is doing and who can carefully interpret and control the effects and if necessary neutralise
the ill-effects of such repetition. In the hands of the large majority of less experienced
homoeopathic practitioners, who may not be able to assess things so carefully, this method
can prove to be dangerous and the results absolutely disastrous for the patient and the
physician.
It may not be, therefore, advisable for the large majority of less experienced homoeopathic
practitioners to adopt this method straightway. It would be preferable to conduct carefully
controlled trials and note the advantages or disadvantages of this method before adopting it
universally.
The clinical relationship of homoeopathic remedies
Bowel nosodes
Remedy Related Remedies
Morgan (Bach)
A. Morgan Pure (Paterson) Alu., Bar-c, Calc-c, Calc-s, Carb-v, Dig.,
c, Nat-c, Petr., Sep., SULPH., Med., Pso., Tub.

Fer-c, Graph., Kali-c, Mag-

B. Morgan Gaertner (Paterson) Chel., Chen., Hell., Hep., Lach., LYC.,

Proteus (Bach) Am-m, Aur-m, Ap., Bar-m, Bor., Con., Cup.,
m, Mur-ac, NAT-M, Sec-c

Merc-s, Sang., Tarx.,

Calc-m, Fer-m, Ign., Kali-m, Mag-

Mutabile (Bach) Fer-p, Kali-s, PULS.

Bacillus No. 7 (Paterson) Ars., Bro., Calc-i, Fer-i, IOD., Kali-bi,
Merc-i, Nat-i
Gaertner (Bach) Calc-f, Calc-hyp, Calc-p, Calc-sil, Kali-p,
Phyt., Puls., SIL., Syph., Zn-p

Kali-br, KALI-C, Kali-i, Kali-n,

MERC-VIV, Nat-p, Nat-sil-fl, PHOS.,

Dysentery Co. (Bach) Anac., Arg-n, ARS., Cadm., Kalm., Ver-a,

Ver-v

Sycotic Co. (Paterson) Ant-t, Bacil., Calc-m, Fer., Nat-s, Nit-ac,

Rhus-t, Thu.

Dietetic restrictions in homoeopathic practice

Among the many problems faced by the average homoeopathic practitioner in his practice is
the problem of dietary restrictions. In this matter he is less fortunate than his allopathic
colleague. Whereas the latter is impelled to impose only such restrictions as the nature and
degree of the disease condition may require, the homoeopath is taught to enforce additional
restrictions demanded by the nature of the infinitesimal dose of the medicines administered.
Accordingly, the large majority of homoeopathic practitioners ensure and insist that their
patients observe these restrictions also. As a result, homoeopathic treatment has more or less
come to be identified with the prohibition of coffee, condiments, onions, etc. I know at least
one good homoeopath who was respected as much for his prescribing ability as for the severe
restrictions he used to lay down. If his patients took coffee once, he dismissed them for ever.

He would even forbid his Rhus-tox patients from taking bath for as many weeks as they were
under the action of Rhus-tox! However, the average modern patient, especially the citizen
used to uninhibited living, resents such prohibition and it does happen sometimes that
patients, afraid of these restrictions, or irked by these limitations, decline to take
homoeopathic treatment on this account. Homoeopaths coming across such patients are put
in a predicament. They are neither willing to relax the restrictions nor willing to lose the
patients. It would therefore be worthwhile to discuss this problem on the scientific place, short
of all its traditional accretions.
In the beginning of my homoeopathic practice, I, like my colleagues, took such instructions
seriously and was very strict in applying them. If a patient refused to abide by these
restraints, I would mercilessly refuse to treat him. But I once had an experience which
completely changed my views on this subject.
I was once consulted by a lady who was suffering from deep, painful, bleeding fissures in the
palms and soles recurring every winter for twenty two years. The symptom-totality of the case
clearly indicated Psorinum. She was a regular coffee addict and as Boericke mentions that the
Psorinum patient does not improve while using coffee, I told her that I would treat her only if
she would give up coffee. This she could not bring herself to do and so she went away without
medicine. That winter she had a rather bad time with the fissures and so she decided to take
the treatment after all. So she came back and I gave her one dose of Psorinum with the
instruction that she should strictly avoid coffee. The response to the remedy was very good
and the fissures disappeared within two months without any further dose of medicine. I
congratulated her on the recovery and commended her discipline in avoiding coffee as she
had been a very strong addict. But I was simply taken aback when she told me that she had
actually been taking coffee regularly all the time, but in deference to my orders, she had been
taking coffee only twice a day instead of her usual t.i. d.! And before she left, she did say that
I seemed to be ignorant of the power of my own medicine.
I had another experience when I was proving the drug Sepia on myself. By the seventh day
after taking one dose of the drug, I had developed many of the classical symptoms such as
"Emptiness in the lower abdomen with a sense of fullness in the stomach, hunger with
nausea, lassitude, all food and drink tasting salty, etc."As the symptoms persisted too long to
my discomfort, I decided to antidote the drug by taking coffee, twice a day. As I was not
addicted to coffee, I expected that it would immediately abrogate the effects of Sepia. But
the symptoms subsided only very gradually and took nearly twenty days to disappear. It
appeared to me that the symptoms came down by themselves rather than due to any effect
of the coffee.
These experiences made me pause and consider, and created some doubts in my mind about
these restrictions; so I decided to experiment in my practice. Whereas hitherto I had been
very stern and had forbidden the use of all medicinal substances in the diet such as coffee,
condiments, onions, etc, I now became liberal and allowed and even encouraged half my
patients to partake of these items. I wanted to see if such relaxation would at least cut down
the rate of improvement in such patients and I wanted to compare the rate of improvement in
this group with the improvement in the other group on whom I continued to impose the
original restrictions. If the relaxation of the diet restrictions (including the consumption of
coffee) were to impede the action of homoeopathic remedies, then this group which had been
given the freedom to have them should have shown much less improvement. But in actual
practice this did not prove to be so. Both the groups improved at the same rate and therefore
I allowed all my patients this freedom in diet. They seemed to improve as well as before if not
better. I became known as one of the rare homoeopaths to permit a liberal diet and the

number of my patients increased very considerably instead of decreasing, as it ought to have

done!
On finding that the control group given freedom in diet improved as well as the other group, I
permitted all my patients to have all these articles of diet which are usually forbidden by other
homoeopaths. While this made all my patients happy, I did not find any decrease in the
medicinal effects on account of this relaxation. If the inclusion in the diet of coffee, onions,
etc., had cut down the effect of the medicine as it should have done, at least in course of time
my results should have suffered and therefore my practice should have also come down.
However, on the other hand, my practice seems to have increased enormously.
These experiences gave me a jolt and so I went back to examine homoeopathic literature on
this point. Naturally, I looked to Hahnemann for guidance. Hahnemann gives instructions as
follows in the Organon:
Aphorism 259
"Considering the minuteness of the dose necessary and proper in homoeopathic treatment,
we can easily understand that during the treatment everything must be removed from the
diet and regimen which can have any medicinal action, in order that the small dose may not
be overwhelmed and extinguished or disturbed by any foreign medicinal irritant."
Aphorism 260
"Hence the careful investigation into such obstacles to cure is so much the more necessary in
the case of patients affected by chronic diseases, as their diseases are usually aggravated by
such noxious influences and other disease-causing errors in the diet and regimen, which often
pass unnoticed."
Aphorism 261
"The most appropriate regimen during the employment of medicine in chronic diseases
consists in the removal of such obstacles to recovery and in supplying where necessary the
reverse: innocent moral and intellectual recreation, active exercise in the open air in almost
all kinds of weather (daily walks, slight manual labour), suitable, nutritious, unmedicinal food
and drink, etc."
These aphorisms provide the basis of the widely held view that in order to achieve success by
homoeopathic medication it is essential for the practitioner to insist that the diet of the
patient should be as plain and non-medicinal as possible.
A closer examination of the aphorisms from Organon quoted above and a consideration of
the background may render to the liberal reader, an interpretation slightly different from the
popularly accepted one as we shall see.
Hahnemann himself must have been astounded by his incredible discovery of potentization
and must have found it at first hard to believe that however much the drug is diluted (and
succussed), it remains effective; nay, its effectivity seems to increase! Naturally, his
contemporaries would not believe this and so this aspect of Homoeopathy, viz. the
infinitesimal dilution drew their ridicule. As such, Hahnemann preferred to make sure that the
action of these infinitesimal doses was not interrupted by anything whatsoever. So, he
advised the prohibition from the diet of all articles having medicinal value. He was afraid that,
as "the dose of the medicine given is so minute", it might be easily inundated by other
medicinal or strong-smelling substances to which the patient may expose himself.

He wished to convince his colleagues, beyond any shadow of doubt that the drug is effective
even in such astronomic dilutions. A bland diet would therefore be ideal for this purpose. No
one could quarrel with this same advice. Further, a non-medicinal diet is certainly conducive
to a quicker recovery, whatever the disease or its treatment. Yet if the question is put whether
such restrictions are absolutely essential for a rapid recovery, one will hesitate before
answering.
Hahnemann could not have fully comprehended, as we ourselves are unable to do after so
many years, that homoeopathic potentization develops in the drug dilutions an extraordinary
amount of the specific drug-energy which is the real curative force. This energy is so allpervading and all-powerful that it not only seems to antidote all morbid influences, past and
present, but it restores the vitiated vital force to its normal equilibrium and removes all
evidence of sickness, at times even in the face of apparent obstacles to recovery. Of course,
if the energy content of homoeopathic potencies is forced to overcome other resistances the
process of recovery may not be so speedy, smooth or complete. But among the various
resistances, that offered by an unrestricted diet is so very minimal, that in practice it seems to
make little difference. In the face of the extraordinarily powerful homoeopathic potencies, the
retrograde effect of the crude medicinal items of the diet, if there be any, seems to be
insignificant.
There is also another aspect to this question. In laying down that all items of the diet having
any medicinal effect should be avoided, we actually make a differentiation only in degree. If
the question is raised, "What are non-medicinal substances?", we feel non-plussed, for
Hahnemann has himself demonstrated that every substance in this world has energy-content
which can be released and made available by certain processes. The very milk and salt that
we consider as innocuous are included in the homoeopathic Materia Medica. Should one avoid
them as medicinal? If so, where is the limit? Milton Powel and John Hutchinson record that
some fifty or more substances used as, or in connection with food, are already proved and go
on to quote cases cured by potentized tomato, pineapple, sugar, milk, etc. Normal dietary
elements in their crude state usually only have a constructive role and are not capable of
disturbing health markedly or permanently. Their deeper or disturbing effects can only be
developed by potentization. In their potentized state they seem to act in an entirely different
manner, on an entirely different place. To speak of or to compare the effect of the crude and
the potentized substances in the same breath is illogical. So also is it incongruous to think
that any component of our diet with medicinal properties is capable in its crude (or
underdeveloped) state of antidoting or markedly influencing the effect of potentized medicine.
Boenninghausen, whose masterly and practical interpretations of the homoeopathic
principles evoked the appreciation of Hahnemann himself also holds a liberal view. He
considers that it is not necessary to be extremely rigid on this subject.
To quote him: "And yet it is plain that every article of food ought to be free from medicinal
virtue, since this causes variations in his condition, and thus must make healthy men more or
less ill, even if this should be only transitory. Starting from this position, homoeopaths in their
dietetic directions would at first naturally forbid many things which later experience caused
them to see are less injurious. The long-continued use of many medicinal substances in many
cases dulls the susceptibility for them, so that the vital force eventually is no more affected
thereby. Even more important, in this direction is the observation frequently made that, as a
rule, only such medicinal substances act in a disturbing manner on substances given before
as have homoeopathic relation to it, i.e. which have the virtue and tendency of producing
similar effects on healthy persons. On this alone, the antidotal virtue rests, which a number of
medicines show, and by this may be explained how it comes that many an otherwise antidotal

substance passes by without causing any disturbance, if it only leaves untouched the present
morbidly excited parts of the organism on which the medicine is intended to act.
"Otherwise it has become known by many facts and observations that even the potencies
which are this day carried higher and which are the especial offence and object of ridicule of
the investigators, who merely speculate and have become alienated from quiet experiments,
have so much increased the intensity (doubtless immaterial) of the medicinal virtue that all
grossly material influences can affect it but little or not at all.
"All this is now, of course, taken into consideration in the diet to be observed, and
homoeopaths have on this account been able to yield a good deal of late, which they had to
forbid before, from fear of doing harm..."
Boenninghausen feels that an article of diet (or for that matter anything) ingested
continuously for a very long time may cease to exert any marked (medicinal) influence on the
body. It is well-known that when the body is exposed for a long time to any mild influence it
develops tolerance and immunity. Therefore, the feeling is strengthened that there is no need
to prohibit such articles.
Gallavardin who writes explicitly giving his experiences says, "Apprehending that the action
of medicines given in such minute doses might be diminished or even destroyed by certain
foods or drinks, they had come to prescribe a regime suitable, for the disease of the subject
treated, but for the medicine administered, in order that the latter might develop all its
curative properties. Thus we see in the writings of the earliest homoeopaths a list of foods and
drinks allowed or forbidden, and the practitioners used to give this list to their patients.
"The strictness of this list was founded on simple supposition and not on experiment. But the
latter, gaining power by degrees, has shown the uselessness of this regime prescribed in view
of the medicines, and the necessity of ordering another regime in view of the disease to be
cured."
"However, homoeopaths, when they had reached this double solution, still continued to
advise their patients to avoid medicinal influences (various perfumes, meddling with
camphorated ointments, the neighbourhood of all scents, etc.) as capable of antidoting the
action of the medicines administered. But these apprehensions, still founded on supposition,
have disappeared before a much more careful observation; this has shown in fact, that the
attenuated remedy will cure even when the patients live in the midst of these hostile
conditions.
There is another practice of homoeopathic doctors which is about to disappear thanks to the
researches of a chemist doctor. I mean the habit of our conferrers of directing their patients
to take their medicines at a certain distance from their meals. This practice, which may be
advantageous in certain cases to be defined hereafter, is not indispensable, as the following
facts go to prove."
He then describes how Dr. Lambert demonstrated by experiment that homoeopathic
medicines can be administered with effect even in undistilled water. He then logically
concludes that naturally they can be given in foods and drinks also.
"And as these patients would not have been willing to take the medicines dry, in globules or
in water, I was obliged to have them administered in their ordinary foods or drinks."
"With this object, I used to direct that six to eight globules should be allowed to dissolve in
three to four teaspoonfuls of fresh water, and then stirred briskly for mixing. Then the whole

was to be poured into the soup, milk, coffee, chocolate, tea, wine brandy or rum. These
aliments, or drinks, were to be taken at least ten minutes before or an hour after a meal, but
sometimes, not having understood, or not being able to follow my directions, the persons
charged with it administered the remedies in a cup of coffee taken immediately after a meal
or else in the wine drunk during the meal, or even in a glass of absinthe. And inspite of this,
the remedies produced the desired effect very well and in a very persistent manner. This has
been demonstrated to me by more than five thousand experiments made in my practice or in
psychical dispensary..."
"A professor has discovered a very ingenious mode of administration which can also be used
in like cases. He takes a ball of gum, makes a hole in it with a strong needle, and introduces
six or seven globules of a remedy, and then offers as a bonbon to each patient the ball of gum
containing the medicine appropriate to his state..."
"A lady asked me for a remedy for her uncle, a bachelor of 75 years, very mistrustful, as
people living alone frequently are. Not knowing how to administer the dose without his
knowing she took advantage of a two or three minutes' absence which he made during
dinner, and in this moment she put six to eight globules of Lycopodium 30 into his glassful of
wine and water, without having time to stir it. Nevertheless, the drug produced perfectly the
desired effect which lasted three months."
Apart from this, it is also well known that the sudden withdrawal of anything to which the
patient has been habituated or addicted is not only likely to render the patient uneasy, but
may also give rise to certain withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may induce excessive
suffering and complicate the symptom-picture during the treatment.
Considering all these aspects it would seem that there is a necessity for reorientation of the
question of dietetic restrictions, so that homoeopaths might continue to render the maximum
of help with the minimum of discomfort to the patient and make the system acceptable even
in these modern times. The modern patient, consciously and unconsciously, exposed himself
to umpteen avoidable and unavoidable morbid influences, and it is the experience of many
homoeopaths that the homoeopathic medicine successfully restores him to health though
these influences continue to operate. Therefore, there is sufficient reason for the readjustment
and reversal of the idea so that Homoeopathy can continue its good work and achieve
success and popularity.
We shall now examine what some eminent homoeopaths had to say on the subject:
Case remarks, "It is my rule to request patients coming under my care to stop drinking
coffee, especially when they are taking it to excess. In the cure of that patient, I do not know
how to measure the comparative effect of abstaining from coffee and taking the remedy.
However, that may be the patient was cured and that was the object sought."
The late Andrew Kellner who was an eminent cardiologist attached to the Royal London
Homoeopathic Hospital described to us an interesting experience.
A renowned actress used to be under his treatment. She would travel in Europe from place to
place and whenever and wherever she fell ill she would telephone to Kellner. He would give
his prescription over the phone and she would take the medicine from the stock of potencies
she always carried.
Once, back in London, she fell ill and Kellner was called to visit her. After he had examined
her, she produced her box of medicines for him to select. When he opened the box he found it

reeking with smell from the numerous phials of perfumes it contained. Amongst these phials
of strong perfumes lay the bottles of homoeopathic medicines always thus, and that in spite
of being thus exposed to the perfumes they had always acted on her promptly.
Writing under "Coffea Tosta", Clarke says:
"On account of its extensive antidotal properties, coffee has largely been condemned by
homoeopathic practitioners; but it should be remembered that it does not antidote all other
medicines, and it is questionable if it counteracts the effect of many of the above named
drugs when they are given in high potencies. In any case, it is desirable to forbid its use when
Bell., Cham., Colo., Ign., Lyc. and Nux are being given."
So it would seem that Clarke was particular of restricting coffee only for patients who
required these six drugs. *
Answering a question, he says, "... articles of food which are antidotal to special medicines
should be interdicted whenever these are being taken, e.g. coffee when Rhus or Lycopodium
are the remedies, but medicines will sometimes act under the most unfavourable conditions.
We have known Aesculus removes the constipation of opium when no diminution was made in
the daily dose of the drug. The higher the attenuation the less likely it will be to be affected by
chemical action."
One group of practitioners without imposing general blanket restrictions on all patients
selects the restrictions for each case. If a patient requires Lycopodium, then they prohibit such
items as onions, oysters, etc., i.e. such substances which we know may aggravate the
Lycopodium patient. If a patient needs Oxalic acid they restrict strawberries, and so on.
Eugene Underhill represents this opinion well. He writes:
"Many patients take too much coffee or too much tea and these may interfere with the action
of the remedy. In the average cases where the trouble does not centre in the digestive or
nervous spheres, you may allow one cup a day each of coffee and tea. It has often been
observed that the repetition of coffee one or more times a day has a detrimental effect. Cocoa
is no more desirable than coffee. It contains a high percentage of ash and is hard to digest."
"Do not force a patient to take any food to which he has an aversion."
"Do not encourage him to take any food which he has found upsets him."
"Foods known to be inimical to certain remedies should be carefully avoided. For example,
the Pulsatilla patient is often averse to fat and aggravated by it, even if this has not come out
after the remedy has been given. Therefore, caution the Pulsatilla patient against taking much
fat. If you are sure of your remedy you can say, 'Be very cautious about taking much fat and
avoid greasy foods for you have the kind of constitution that is easily disturbed by fats.' Many
times the patient will then tell you what was omitted or unnoted in taking the case. 'Why,
doctor, I can't bear fats, they always upset me.' If so, just look wise and say, 'Just as I would
suppose in your type of case.'"
But even this restricted restriction does not appeal to me very much. Although in the Materia
Medica and repertory Lycopodium is given under various food aggravation rubrics, such as
onions, oysters, etc, it is not every Lycopodium patient who is aggravated by such items
(onions, oysters, etc.). Therefore, even these restrictions I do not impose.
However, if a particular patient informs me that such and such item definitely disagrees with
him, then I advise him to avoid it for a while. But after he has undergone treatment for some

time, I advise him to try out these same items so that it enables me to know how far he has
improved.
In a discussion in which stalwarts like C.M. Boger, Stuart Close, H.C. Allen and others took
part, E.P. Hussey has remarked:
"I remember very well that in the early days, the older men were in the habit of enjoining
their patients from using certain things such as tea, coffee, tobacco and stimulants. Later,
experience has led me to adopt a middle course and not to forbid those habitual things, the
absence of which might put the patient into an abnormal condition of itself. Moreover it is my
experience that if a high potency is indicated beyond question, it will act in spite of a good
many discouraging circumstances. I have cured clerks in drug stores, men employed in
chemical works and opium users without stopping the use of opium and so on."
This coincides with one of my own experiences.
Some years back, I was called upon to treat an old lady suffering from osteoarthritis of
lumbar spine. Her son was an allopathic physician, the head of a hospital. She had developed
very severe pains and his prescriptions had made no difference. So one day he gave her an
injection of Pethidin and this gave her enormous relief. So he gave her the injections daily for
some more days, till one day he realised with a shock that she had developed a craving for
the drug. Try as he might he could not get her out of the addiction for even if he reduced the
dose by one tenth part she would at once know the difference. It was then that he wired to me
for help.
I went to his town and saw his mother. I took her case and found her remedy to be Sulphur.
However, before I could give her the medicine, the doctor warned me that whatever medicine
I may give, whatever restrictions I may impose, he would not withhold the Pethidin because
without that drug his mother suffered immensely and visibly he could not bear to see this. I
reluctantly accepted the condition though I was extremely doubtful if the minute
homoeopathic dose would act in the presence of this powerful drug addiction. I prescribed
Sulphur in potency and came back. A fortnight later, the doctor wrote to me the happy news
that not only his mother had improved clinically but he was also able to gradually and
completely withdraw the Pethidin.
Though this might be an extreme example, yet it serves to illustrate the enormous power of
the similimum to overcome many of the obstacles placed in its way.
Young reports a case of Chorea in which, in the midst of various allopathic medicines which
were not helping, Mygale in potency was given and relieved the patient.
King taking part in the discussion already referred to has said:
"When I was a student attending one of Dr. Hawkes' Clinics, I saw him put one dose of
Natrum muriaticum 200th, I believe, upon the tongue of a sailor that was absolutely covered
with tobacco, and yet, it worked just the same, curing the intermittent with which the sailor
was afflicted.
Stuart Close give his experience in treatment of dipsomaniacs. He says, "I recall one case in
which the mental characteristics of the patient were such that it was impossible to give him
any medicine; suspicion was the leading characteristic. He suspected his family of trying to
poison him, and he would not take anything like medicine if he knew it. What I prescribed for
him had to be given in various drinks such as milk, tea, coffee or whiskey; in the latter as
often as anything else.

"He would not see a physician and was virtually insane. He had been a prominent business
man, but he lost his business and became a useless member of society. He isolated himself in
his room and devoted himself to drinking. I made a study of his symptoms from what his wife
could tell me. The recovery was quite rapid, he lost his desire for drink and at the same time
the suspicious frame of mind disappeared. In two months he went away with his family to
Maine. It was not long before he was back in the world again. I used no potency lower than
the 200th. The remedies were Arsenic, Lachesis and Nux."
H.C. Allen remarked, "That case reminds me of the late Dr. Gallavardin. He published a book
on the treatment of this class of patients by giving them homoeopathic medicines without
their knowledge or consent in tea, coffee or whatever was the ordinary drink of the patients.
He brought marvellous cures in dipsomaniacs, kleptomaniacs, etc., irrespective of the habits
of the patients."
John Hutchinson has said, "I would like to relate a case that has been brought to my mind by
the paper and by Dr. Allen's remarks about Dr. Gallavardin. I have had a woman under my
care for some time; she has been a dipsomaniac for eighteen years. I had been assured by
some old practitioners that no woman could be cured of dipsomania, but feeling sure that the
remedy would plough its way through all things, I started in. The very first prescription had a
pronounced effect upon the patient. It was given her without her knowledge, but she noticed
the effect and evidently thought that something was being done for her; as a consequence
she drank more than usual. The nurse could not control her. My medicines had a decided
effect and in some instances I think did harm, for I got a number of provings. Some ten
remedies were used over a period of twenty weeks. During the treatment she had acute
nephritis and also gastritis. Finally, she gave up drinking entirely. For ten weeks she had drunk
nothing at all in the shape of stimulants. The case was managed with many mistakes I am
sure, but on the whole was successful."
Answering the question, "What is the effect of homoeopathic remedies on coffee, tobacco
and alcohol habits? Or Senna or Stramonium ?" F.E. Gladwin says, "Sometimes the remedy
will act in spite of such habits and sometimes it won't." Answering the same question, Eugene
Underhill Jr. says that coffee, tobacco, alcohol, etc., generally interfere with proper action of
the remedy and are better avoided.
In answer to the question, "What diet directions in connection with homoeopathic remedies
should the physician give?", Gladwin writes, "When it comes to the question of diet I feel like
quoting Ella Wheeler Wilcox, who said, "So many creeds, so many minds, so many paths that
wind and wind, when just the art of being kind is what this said world needs." I study the
chemistry of food to discover that in physiological laboratory there is something needed
besides chemistry in foods, then I study the calories in food to find that something besides
calories is needed, then I go for the vitamins one food for one kind of vitamin another for
another, and I study the different kinds of vitamin foods until I wring my hands in despair,
then I remember the last part of the verse and sternly forbid the patient to eat anything that
disagrees with him, never to force himself to eat the things he does not like, then I expect the
remedy to correct conditions so that he can eat anything in reason."
Das in an editorial says, " Withdrawal of all or many of the articles of diet is not rational, as
such an act of rigid restrictions will only weaken the patient...
"Homoeopaths often make homoeopathic treatment unpleasant to the patients by forcing
them to follow very rigid restrictions in matters of diet or in matters of personal habits and
customs. Chiefly because of unwise and needless restrictions many patients try to avoid

homoeopathic treatment. Imposition of restrictions, if not very necessary, is an unwise act

which brings in the minds of people suspicion about the truth of the new system of treatment
and tends to create in their hearts a natural aversion to Homoeopathy. Hence in our zeal to
cure we must not cause any serious difficulty to our patients in the matter of food or drink and
bar all chances of progress of Homoeopathy."
Answering a query as to the avoiding of tea or applying of vermilion (sindur) on the forehead
of ladies, Kanjilal writes, "We do not find any utility in disturbing the usual habit or practice of
the individual patient if not forced by the dictates of the factors as given just above. Any rash
interference in the habits and practices of the patient often causes unnecessary
complications."
Referring to addiction to tea, coffee, liquor, etc., he says, "In our practical experience we
never find these things standing in the way of the homoeopathic law or principles."
Grisselich quotes Hahnemann as saying that he has cured the most difficult chronic diseases
without any particular change in the diet. He concludes, "Notwithstanding the warnings of
Hahnemann, his dietetic directions were not infrequently put into very narrow limits, while
others again paid too little regard to diet, and in this the dietetics, especially for chronic
patients, can become either a matter of torment or ridicule, or of frivolous negligence."
Grace Stevens says, "Often I feel that both tobacco and coffee interfere with the remedy... I
think that the potentized remedy not infrequently can override the crude drug, whatever it is.
Sometimes even a patient will be under somebody else's care and is having digitalis in crude
form, and a potentized remedy will help tremendously. I believe, even though the patient is
having tobacco or coffee."
My preceptor S.R. Phatak is not very strict about such diet restrictions and I know well that
he gets excellent results. He writes as follows:
"In this connection, I wish to bring to notice a misbelief which is very much prevalent not only
among homoeopathic practitioners but among lay persons also. This misbelief is that when
homoeopathic medicines are being given, the patient should avoid coffee, onion, garlic, strong
smell of attar, etc. My own experience conclusively proves and I firmly believe that in spite of
these things homoeopathic remedies act, provided they are selected correctly. These
substances are very convenient excuses to cover our ignorance or incapacity to select the
correct remedy."
Koppikar gives his experiences as follows: "The great bugbear for a large number of
homoeopaths is the number of taboos in "Pure or Orthodox Homoeopathy". What would
happen if a patient took coffee or tea during treatment? Suppose he took an aspirin one day,
will all the good done to him so far by Homoeopathy vanish ? Will our remedies refuse to work
if given side by side with medicated oil-baths, ultra-violet rays, etc.? I have not been
prohibiting my patients from taking coffee, tea, etc., for more than 30 years. Neither am I nor
are they the worse for this."
Kumta reports that he divided 340 patients into two groups, put one on restricted diet and
the other on unrestricted diet and found no appreciable difference in the effects of
homoeopathic medicines on the patients in both the groups.
Pierre Schmidt, the renowned physician, says, "Patients were cured even without their
knowing that they are taking the remedy because the remedy was given in the wine, even in
the coffee and the milk and it worked beautifully. Of course we say coffee antidotes the

remedy but the coffee is in a crude state while the dynamised spiritualised state of the
remedy is something quite different. But it acts still, even with coffee."
Conclusion
The imposition of very strict dietetic restrictions in homoeopathic practice does not seem to
be absolutely necessary or justified by logic and experience. *
"when the indicated remedy fails..."
"When the indicated remedy has failed to act, that is when it has failed to produce any effect,
what is to be done?" This is a question that often faces the homoeopathic practitioner and we
have to find the answers to this question.
If the indicated remedy has failed to act, we have to first consider and verify whether the
remedy was really and correctly indicated at all. For this purpose we have to go back and
examine every step we have taken so far to ensure that the steps were correctly taken, since
any error at any stage will ultimately result in the selection of the wrong remedy.
Let us consider the various possibilities one by one.
Importance of getting correct and complete data
When we say that a particular remedy is "the indicated remedy" or the "similimum", this
often represents only our opinion, inference or conclusion based upon certain data. We have
taken the case, studied the symptoms, matched the symptoms of the case with the symptoms
in the Materia Medica (with or without the help of the repertory), and we have deduced
deduction that such and such is the indicated remedy. But however strongly, however certain
we may feel about it in our own mind, we have no positive proof to say that this indeed is the
indicated remedy beyond any shadow of doubt. At the most we could assert its correctness
because it would be backed by our study and clinical experience. Yet, in spite of the utmost
certainty in our minds we might still be wrong. Gladwin quotes Kent as saying that whenever
we say, "the indicated remedy did not act", we mean always "the seemingly indicated
remedy".
So, the first step when the indicated remedy fails is to assume that perhaps it was only
apparently indicated. Therefore, in order to make ourselves more certain, we shall have to
take the case again or go over the symptoms carefully a second time to make sure that we
have not missed, misunderstood, mistaken or misinterpreted any of the symptoms of the
patient. In my experience of many years of practice, I can say that very often the error is in
not getting the complete and accurate information. Very often the patient does not reveal to
us all details, considering some of them irrelevant or meaningless or of no significance. Or, he
may not be aware as to what type of information is particularly valuable to us for the purpose
of deciding the prescription. He may not know that the very symptoms which the orthodox
physicians ignore or laugh over may be the ones we need to know most. So, we may have to
take the case again more thoroughly.
It also happens that many of our patients are not as observant as we expect or hope they
would be. As a result, they might give us very few symptoms at the first or second interview,
or they might give us wrong information. I have had patients who mentioned to me at the first
interview that all their troubles were positively worse at a particular time or in a particular
position or under particular circumstances, but on subsequent careful and close enquiry the
fact turned out to be that they were actually worse at some other time or in some other
position or under an opposite set of circumstances. It would seem that as a result of our

questioning they started observing and noting their symptoms correctly. Or, some patients try
to conceal some facts out of a sense of shame or embarrassment. Such things like a personal
disgrace or a disappointment in love may required a deal of close, delicate and intelligent
questioning before they are revealed. Particularly, to obtain good mental symptoms, it may
take us two three or more interviews and we may have to develop a certain rapport with the
patient.
I shall quote an instance of how I had to fix the causative modality.
Once a Christian youth came to me for epilepsy. He had been suffering for seven years. When
I enquired into his symptoms he told me that the attacks invariably occurred whenever he
went for a dance. I could not decide if it was due to the dancing itself, or if it was due to the
concomitant features such as consumption of alcohol, late nights, excitement, etc., which
usually accompany dancing. So I asked him to try out separately, one by one the following,
viz., first dancing in daytime without alcohol, then merely taking alcohol, then keeping awake
at night, etc., to eliminate each factor. It then turned out that he got the attacks almost
always if he kept awake. It had actually nothing to do with dancing itself. Kent in his Repertory
gives only one remedy under the rubric "Convulsions from loss of sleep" and that is Cocculus.
Two or three doses of this remedy completely cured the young man.
Once a young man gave me the history that all his disorders had started after had been
rejected by a girl whom he loved. I took it as disappointment in love and prescribed but
failed. Later, on close questioning, he told me that the rejection did not cause disappointment,
but it hurt his ego as he was a wealthy person and the girl was very poor, still she rejected
him.
Eliciting the cause
In going over the case again carefully, apart from seeing to it that the symptoms have been
delineated correctly, viz. that the location, sensation, modalities, extension, etc., have been
depicted properly, we have to see if the cause origin or source of the whole disorder can be
discovered and pin-pointed. For instance, if the whole condition has originated after an injury
or a grief or a vexation, remedies suited to such cause, e.g. Arnica or Ignatia or Staphysagria,
may have to be considered. Failure to include such circumstances may have lead us away
from the real remedy. Sometimes the cause, if definitely known, may predominate the picture
and dictate the remedy. Farrington says that whatever the symptom-picture, if it has arisen
after an injury, Arnica should be seriously considered. Similarly, he says, for patients who are
not well after an operation, Staphysagria should always be considered. I know many cases of
patients who traced their troubles to a head injury being helped by Natrum sulph., and some
who suffered after an operation relieved by Staphysagria.
I should here like to describe a very interesting case treated by my teacher S.R. Phatak.
He was once consulted by a gentleman who was suffering from diarrhoea continuously for
over forty years. On enquiry the patient gave a history that the disorder had started during
his marriage. At that time, he had taken some strongly boiled milk and soon had an urge for
stool. Being in the midst of the marriage ceremony, he had controlled the urge. But from the
next day he had developed the diarrhoea which had persisted so long. Naturally, he had
consulted numerous physicians of two generations but had found no relief.
Phatak placed emphasis on the origin, viz. that it had started after taking boiled milk and
selected Sepia on this symptom. This remedy completely cured the patient.

I had at one time occasion to treat two sisters with unusual symptoms. They had great
weakness, recurrent headaches, vertigo, fears of all sorts, loss of appetite, a feeling as if the
breasts would fall off, etc. Both the sisters had suffered from Asian Influenza in 1956 and since
then had not been well. When they consulted me, they had already suffered for one year.
Their (orthodox) family physician suspected that they had become neurotic! Their symptompictures indicated some remedy which did not help but when I gave them Carbo veg. on the
indication that they were not well since an acute infectious disease, the entire symptompicture vanished and they felt very well. *
Another patient whom I treated recently had not been well since Influenza. His symptoms
were great weakness in the body, especially the legs; the legs felt unsteady and heavy;
confusion of mind, etc. All these symptoms had appeared since an attack of Influenza which
had occurred two years back. Cadm. met. completely cured him.
This indication has been given by William Gutman who has published the provings of
Cadmium metallicum.
Some years ago, I happened to treat a patient who was suffering from headaches with
vertigo and some other symptoms. I prescribed carefully with no result. Having failed to help
him, I enquired very closely as to the origin of his troubles. He could not recollect any
circumstance except that his headaches had begun after he had started practising
Shirshasan. ** Presuming that this might have caused an injury to the head, however, mild or
insignificant, I gave him some Natrum sulph., which completely relieved him of all his
symptoms.
Elimination of maintaining causes
Where the indicated remedy has been correctly chosen, we have to consider the possible
obstacles to cure which as Whitmont says maybe "living habits, drugs, irreversible or
mechanical pathology, psychological factors and the miasmatic background".
Where the cause of the illness is traceable, whether it is physical, chemical, mechanical,
dynamic, emotional or otherwise, and when such causes continue to operate, they should be
naturally removed wherever possible. There is no sense in treating a patient who has been
exposed to chemical fumes and thereby suffers, if he continues to expose himself to it. A
traffic policeman having varicose veins will improve little if he continues to stand the whole
day. If the patient is under the stress of some strong emotional factors, he must avoid such
situations which excite him, "Tolloe causum" (Remove the cause) is a fundamental principle
emphasized by Hahnemann himself.
However, it must be admitted that sometimes the maintaining causes cannot be removed.
They may continue to operate and disturb the patient and retard the improvement.
Sometimes this factor may have such an overwhelming effect that the patient may respond
feebly or not at all to the medicine, even though the correct remedy is usually able to
overcome this effect.
Value of previous history
It is also possible that there is in the previous history of the patient, an incident, accident or
illness which has either actually given rise to the present disturbance or the residual effects of
which may be presently interfering with the improvement of the patient. I have known
several patients who did not show any improvement with the indicated remedy, but who on
careful further enquiry revealed that they had earlier suffered from some illness such as

Smallpox, Diphtheria, Measles, etc., and only after the effects of these previous diseases had
been antidoted by suitable homoeopathic medicines such as Variolinum, Diphtherinum,
Morbillinum, etc., these patients had started improving. Patients suffering from various
diseases, who had failed to improve and who gave a history of repeated vaccination or of
having suffered from the ill-effects of vaccination in the past, needed doses of Thuja before
they started progressing.
Sometimes, there is a remote history of injury not directly related to the symptoms or related
in time to the onset of the disease, but which may have contributed to the illness.
Here, I would like to quote an unusual experience of mine:
Master P.B. , aged 14 years, a young boy, was brought to me for consultation with very
severe pain in the hamstring tendons of the right leg, of 15 days' duration. The pain was so
severe and was so much aggravated by stretching the leg, that the boy could not stand up or
walk. He had to be carried to the bathroom by his father whenever he had to attend nature's
calls.
His appetite, thirst, stool, sleep, etc., were normal but enquiry revealed that one month prior
to the consultation he had had an attack of measles.
Further, I learnt that seven years earlier, he had suffered from an attack of Diphtheria from
which he had recovered with the help of A.D. Serum but since then his health had not at all
been good. He used to suffer some disorder or other, throat pain or fever or abdominal pain or
vomiting and so on.
On examination, I found tenderness in the right popliteal fossa. The lateral tendon, which is
normally palpable on flexion, could not be felt or seen.
Though the boy had approached me only for the acute condition of the pain in the hamstring
tendons, I thought of treating the background first. After all, there was the possibility that he
was suffering from ill-effects or sequelae of Diphtheria, whether it was related to the present
illness or not. So thinking, I would clear up the background first, I gave him six doses of
Diphtherinum 1M to be taken t.d. s. I was planning to work out the remedy for his acute
condition, after two days.
Three days later, he returned to consult me and you can imagine my surprise when I found
that the severe pain and tenderness in the legs had completely disappeared! He could extend
his legs fully and was able to walk about normally. His mother reported that within the last two
days his general health had become much better. He has remained well without any further
medicine.
Dunham's famous case of deafness cured by Mezereum, wherein the prescription had been
based on the original skin symptoms which had been suppressed and had given rise to the
deafness, is also a case in point. Another brilliant example was the case of partial impotence
and infertility treated by Adolph von Lippe. Wesselhoeft had treated the patient for more than
eighteen months with little improvement. Lippe then saw him and gave him Lac caninum
because ten years earlier he had suffered from an attack of Diphtheria and the character of
the attack had been that it had gone from one side to the other and back again. The patient
was completely cured of the impotence and infertility. Weisselhoeft writes, "As far as we know,
Lac caninum has no sexual weakness. The fact disturbed Lippe very little in his selection. He
looked deeper and found the cause and the remedy. This is true homoeopathic pathology."

Sometimes the origin of the illness might be so remote in time or so early in childhood that it
might have been completely forgotten. Yet careful probing might elicit the real source.
Foubister in an article gives numerous cases to illustrate the value of past history in
prescribing. He quotes, for instance the case of a lady who had a ulcerative colitis and who
clearly needed Sepia. Sepia however failed to help her but when she received Hypericum
which was given because she had developed the condition after a fall on her back, she was
cured.
The family history
The family history may also give a clue to this lack of response. I remember numerous
patients showed no response to the remedy which was clearly indicated, but when after
careful enquiry, I had elicited a family history of tuberculosis or cancer in the parents or
ancestors, and on this basis I had given a dose of Tuberculinum or Carcinosin, as the case may
be, these very same patients showed remarkable improvement.
Wilbur K. Bond writes as follows:
"I have wasted much time trying to find the remedy in cases with tuberculosis in the family.
Now I give a dose of Tuberculinum and miracles happen. In cases of bronchitis and
tuberculosis, McAdam says when the indicated remedy fails, the "infallible remedy" is
Bacillinum.
Patients whose mothers or fathers have died of cancer of the liver or of any other organ just
don't do well until they have received a dose of Carcinosin 50M or Scirrhinum 50M."
Foubister deserves our gratitude for exposing to us the use of Carcinosin.
Here I may describe the case of a girl about whom her parents were greatly agitated.
I was consulted regarding this girl aged 14 years who was having nocturnal enuresis. Both
the parents of the girl were (allopathic) physicians and so they had tried and exhausted all
known and available medicines and methods without any benefit. They had become quite
depressed and desperate, ready to try anything, even Homoeopathy! The mother of the girl
was quite skeptical and even felt hopeless because as she said, her own mother had suffered
from nocturnal enuresis till the age of 20 years and that she herself (the doctor) had had it, till
the age of 25 years! She probably had concluded that the patient might continue to have the
trouble till the age of 30 years or so! They had consulted a good homoeopathic colleague of
mine and tried his medicines but they had failed. I compared notes with this colleague and
found that he had selected his medicines well. But there was a strong family history of Cancer
and he had done nothing about it. So I gave now a dose of Carcinosin and you can visualise
the mother's joy when she found that this completely cured the girl. I could assess their
delight from the way they tried to thank me.
I have noticed and also reported the fact that many patients with a family history of
tuberculosis have glossy or shining fingernails. I shall describe how I made use of this fact in
my practice.
There was a lady aged about 30 years who had an attack of acute rheumatic fever. She
presented the usual picture of this disease with swelling of joints, high temperature, etc. Her
remedy worked out clearly to Rhus tox. So, I put her on Rhus tox. 30, every 3 hours but with
no result. Being sure of the remedy, I raised the potency to 200 and then to 1M, all of which
produced not the least change in the condition of the patient. In the meantime, by the 5th or

6th day, her condition became very much worse and she also developed and presented signs
of a very severe form of conjunctivitis and keratitis. Her vision became blurred and she was
not able to see anything. The husband and relatives naturally became panicky and they
decided to change over to allopathic treatment. I then examined her closely and I noticed that
she had markedly glossy fingernails. They were shining as if nail polish had been applied.
Naturally, I enquired if there was any history of tuberculosis in the family. The answer was
negative. But I still gave her one dose of Tuberculinum 1M and then repeated the Rhus tox.
The response was dramatic. Within a few hours she became much more comfortable, the
pains and swelling in the joints and the temperature came down, the condition of the eye and
vision improved and she felt very much better. She improved steadily and she went on to an
uneventful recovery in a week's time. Now she has remained well for over two years.
About two weeks after she had recovered, she came and told me that she had thought over
my question about tuberculosis in the family and had written to her mother who was away.
The mother had replied that indeed she herself had suffered from tuberculosis in her younger
days, and my patient had not been aware of this.
Selecting the proper remedy by properly matching the disease and drug picture
We have to make certain that the matching of the disease picture with the drug effects is
accurately done. The symptoms may appear to match well but in reality it may be a
quantitative similarity, not a qualitative one - a similarity in form, not in spirit or substance.
For instance, both the Aconite and the Arsenic patients have restlessness, fear of death,
midnight aggravation, thirst for little quantities of water often, etc., but in actual practice the
Arsenic picture is as different from the Aconite one as chalk is from cheese.
Horace Reed mentions too much dependence on Keynote symptoms as one of the causes of
improper selection. In this respect, a careful repertorization and a reference to the Materia
Medica will obviate this.
It may sometimes happen that some striking feature of the patient or some aspect of his
behaviour or some peculiar symptoms described by the patient or the recollection of a very
similar case treated by us in the past puts into our mind some remedy and this notion may so
prejudice us, that we may either fail to go further into the case or only place emphasis on
those symptoms which fit in with the remedy in our mind. We should beware of this trend and
keep a clear mind till the case taking is completed.
I was once taking the case of a gentleman who was having some valvular heart lesion. His
symptoms were "Palpitation worse lying on left side, agg. from heat of the sun,
suspiciousness, envy, loquacity, etc.". It seemed like a good case of Lachesis and I had
practically decided to give this remedy. But I just asked a final question, "At what time do you
feel best or worst ?" To this he said that he always felt best in the morning. He further said
that he always felt very much better after sleep. So I studied his symptoms with the help of
the repertory and found that his real remedy was Natrum carb. This remedy gave him great
relief.
Proper potency
Another cause of the lack of improvement may be the use of incorrect potency. It is known
that certain remedies act better in certain potencies. Once there was a lady with renal failure
and generalised anasarca for whom we had selected and administered potencies of
Apocynum cannabinum with no response at all. She worsened gradually till she was on the
verge of death. But when we switched over to the mother tincture of Apocynum cannabinum

there was a sudden and dramatic response, and she recovered fully on this dose of this
medicine. Similarly, Sabal serrulata, Syzigium jambolanum, Hydrocotyle asiatica,
Ornithogalum, Blatta orientalis, etc., are all known to act well in mother tincture. Nosodes
seem to act better in high potencies.
The need for a nosode
If the remedy seemed clearly indicated and yet failed to act, a nosode may be needed. The
past or family history may give a clue as to which nosode is wanted. For instance, if there is a
history of many abortions, I give an intercurrent dose of Syphilinum. Many chronic skin
conditions start to improve well after a dose of Psorinum. Many patients who suffer from
recurrent attacks of cold feel better after a dose of Tuberculinum. A study of Robert's book will
show what miasms are operating in a particular patient and a suitable nosode may be
selected. Bowel nosodes have broad indications and a wide field of application. The
indications are to be found in the appropriate books.
Lehman praises the effect of Suprarenalin. He says, "As an intercurrent remedy it
(Suprarenalin) has remarkable power in 12x or higher to resensitize the tissues so that they
will react to present morbid conditions or to remedies which seemed formerly inert, and to
nutrition."
I may quote my own experience about bowel nosodes.
Some years ago, I suddenly developed a few warts on my face. Being on the face, they
attracted quite some attention. I had taken Thuja and Causticum with no effect and so I wrote
to London and ordered for some Sycotic Co. 6. Meanwhile, a surgeon friend with whom I was
practising, offered to cauterise them for me a week later and fixed an appointment, though I
declined to have them cauterised. The next day, the medicine arrived from London. I took two
or three doses a day and in three days the warts withered away. The kind surgeon who
wanted to help me against my wishes turned up next week with his cauterising instrument
and to his great surprise found no sign of the warts on my face.
Allowing sufficient time
Sometimes, the physician, who is impatient, anxious or over enthusiastic may, after giving
the correct remedy, change it without giving sufficient time to act. No doubt, our remedies act
rapidly in acute conditions and fairly quickly in chronic cases also, but sometimes they take
time to act and the physician should have the patience to wait. Boger gives an extreme
example that he sometimes found the remedy starting its action six weeks after the dose was
administered.
Poor reaction
Sometimes, it so happens that the reaction or resistance of the patient is so poor that no
remedy acts. In such cases one of the "reaction remedies" like Ambra grisea, Ammonium
carb., Capsicum, Carbo veg., Laurocerasus, Sulphur, etc., may be chosen. Their indications
are well described in Farrington's Materia Medica and other works.
Franklin Smith says , "Very frequently I came across a case which is perfectly plain; the
picture of the remedy is perfectly plain, and I give it in the attenuation that I consider best
with no effect whatever. I change the potency, but without result. This may continue for a
week or two. I then give a dose of Sulphur high every morning for three days, and then on
returning to the original remedy it works like magic."

Gregory remarks, "I remember a case of spinal meningitis that I prescribed for without good
results. I looked over Panelli on typhoid fever for some light, and found a short note added
from Hering, that if the apparently indicated remedy did not work give Opium in a single
dose. I did so, and then returned to the original prescription and it took hold."
Interference from diet and habits
Or it may be that the patient is knowingly or unknowingly doing, using, eating or drinking
something that is interfering with the action of the remedy. Taking excess of tea, coffee or
alcohol, smoking in excess, overexertion, ingestion of certain items of food like garlic, use of
strong perfumes, etc., may also be interfering factors.
Sir John Wier, in a discussion, answering a question on the subject quotes two cases in which
the correctly indicated remedy failed to act because the patient was exposed in one case to
camphor and in another to Sloan's liniment. He also mentions that he advises his patients to
avoid medicated tooth pastes and to keep away from strong smelling substances.
I may quote a recent case of mine.
A patient of mine was suffering from headaches agg. loss of sleep agg. exertion of eyes. She
was nicely improving on Natrum mur. but suddenly she became worse. On careful
interrogation, she revealed the fact that she had been keeping awake at nights and stitching
some clothes for her children because they were scheduled to put up a dance performance
shortly. No wonder her headaches were worse!
Roberts quotes a case of a persistent Coccus cacti cough which refused to yield to treatment,
until the physician ordered the patient, a young woman, to stop the use of her lipstick
whereupon the cough ceased promptly.
Drugs
And now we come to a major or serious interference with the natural process of cure and that
is drugging. Many modern drugs are very powerful, powerful enough to subvert the normal
harmonious functioning of the body. They may not only interfere with and prevent the action
of the carefully chosen remedy but they may even produce various side-effects which may be
toxic, allergic or of any other kind. A recent issue of the Practitioner of London had devoted
nearly a hundred and thirty six pages to the toxic manifestations of various modern drugs. A
separate group of diseases known as Iatrogenic diseases (i.e. disease caused by physicians
or medicines) is now recognised and described. Proctitis caused by the use of antibiotics and
liquid paraffin, the nerve deafness caused by Dihydrostreptomycin, various changes in the
body due to the prolonged use of Cortisone are some examples.
Many young women take contraceptive pills but may omit to mention this.
Writing under the title, "Hindrances to the Homoeopathic Prescription" in the Homoeopathic
Recorder, Grimmer the veteran homoeopath, has expressed very strong views on this subject:
"When the homoeopathic doctor has given much time and labour to taking the case history
which is the first great essential in every good prescription, and then devoted more time and
labour to repertory study and research through the Materia Medica, he cannot afford to have
such a prescription spoiled or interfered with by some foolish external action of the patient,
which may nullify the expected results of all the physician's painstaking efforts and leave both
physician and patient disappointed and discouraged. With these facts in mind, it behoves the

physician to instruct his patient emphatically that he must refrain from taking all other drugs
such as pain killers, cathartics, camphor or menthol in any form."
He also gives a long list of substances such as dentrifices, mouth washes, gargles, nose
drops, face creams, soaps, processed foods, chlorinated and flouridated water, etc., which can
interfere with the action of the homoeopathic remedy.
Turner says, "This use of sprays, applications, mouth washes and gargles may be the reason
why some cases fail to respond readily to what seems to be the indicated remedy."
Modern homoeopaths remark that after the patient has taken cortisone the homoeopathic
remedy does not act well.
Stokes says that habit-forming drugs also interfere with the action of our remedies.
Downer gives illustrative cases and says that first the road must be cleared of drugs that are
hindering the true line of cure and then the indicated remedy must be given.
That these drugs seriously interfere with and prevent a cure is known to the homoeopathic
physicians. But fortunately for us, the same drugs, in potency seem to have the power of
antidoting and nullifying the ill-effects of the massive drugging. Such treatment called
Tautopathy was mentioned by Dudley Everitt and later on described by Ramanlal Patel.
There is also a large amount of self-medication. People take all sorts of medicines that are
being advertised but do not care to inform the doctor about this.
Grimmer writes that the four best antidotes to the coal tar drugs like Aspirin are Arnica,
Carbo veg., Lachesis and Mag. phos. to be given according to the symptoms present in each
individual case.
Again as Foubister says, the use of an anaesthetic may subvert the harmonious functioning of
the organism. So he suggests that it is always wiser to enquire for a history of operations and
the undue after-effects of any anaesthetic applied therein. Where the anaesthetic is clearly
known, e.g. Chloroform or Ether, a potency of the same may clear up the ill-effects.
The use of vaccines and sera can seriously interfere with the action of the indicated
remedies.
Grimmer writes further, "One more important source of interference with the homoeopathic
remedy is the widespread use of sera and vaccines as protective agents against acute
disease. The reaction to these products of diseases is often lasting in its effect and leaves the
victims of this practice sick and suffering."
For after-effects of serum Boger recommends Anthracinum, Psorinum or Sulphur and Hayes
suggests Phos.
L3 Aluminium
The use of aluminium vessels for preparing and storing food can also be a source of illness as
well as source of interference with the action of indicated remedy. Grimmer, writing in an
Editorial, says, "Nothing has been said of the many food contaminations and even poisonings
brought about by the use of aluminium cooking utensils. Aluminium poisoning is seldom
diagnosed as such. It has been a universal infirmity. The use of vegetables and fruits which
have been sprayed with lead arsenate is another difficulty in keeping the homoeopathic
remedy free from interference."

He expresses himself strongly again on this point and writes, "... and most important of all he
(the patient) must refrain from food prepared and cooked in aluminium ware and its alloys. He
writes further, "The most pernicious of these interruptables is the aluminium toxin that enters
the human system by way of aluminium cooking utensils and by water polluted with
aluminium chloride which is used to soften hard water. This toxin acts much like one of the
miasms and it must be eradicated from the system before a cure of the patient is possible.
The most certain, rapid antidote for it is Cadmium oxide in potency, and of course the source
of intake of the toxin must be discontinued. After the poison is removed by the Cadmium
oxide, the remaining symptoms and conditions of the patient may be successfully attacked by
the remedy that is indicated by the totality of remaining symptoms."
He also says, "(when aluminium vessels have been used for cooking), many times even the
indicated remedies seemingly will not act until at least a single dose of Cadmium has been
given."
Le Hunte Cooper in a well-documented paper describes the wide variety of symptoms and
conditions that the use of aluminium cooking vessels can produce in sensitive people.
Genuineness of the medicines used
Lastly, one has to make sure that the medicines administered are genuine and most reliable.
The homoeopathic practitioner is solely and entirely dependent on the homoeopathic
pharmacists and chemists as he has no means of testing the genuineness or otherwise of the
medicines supplied. So he has to see that the medicines used are obtained from the most
reliable pharmacist.
Payne writes, "No matter how thoroughly our drugs are proven or how carefully we select the
remedy, if their preparation is carelessly undertaken, all our effort will be in vain and both we
ourselves as well as our patient will be disappointed and lose faith in Homoeopathy."
In this connection, the experience of the Berlin Homoeopathic Society in 1887 is interesting
to note. In trying to find out how many homoeopathic pharmacists of the city were really
honest and reliable, they cooked up a list of names of drugs, * some real and some purely
imaginary and absurd, (made up by combining some latin terms), and placed an order for this
list of medicines with eighty nine pharmacists in the city. To their utter surprise and
indignation, seventy seven of the pharmacists supplied all these medicines! The same
experiment produced the same results in several other German cities also. Pharmacists also
supplied Ant. crud. 3, Silicea 3, Alc. carb. 3 all in liquid form whereas these drugs cannot be
prepared in these potencies in liquid form!
Cases outside the scope of homoeopathic prescribing
We have also to ensure that the case really falls into the realm of the homoeopathic remedy.
If the patient is unable to breathe because of a mechanical obstruction in the larynx as by a
foreign body what the patient needs is a tracheostomy and not a dose of medicine. So, also
with cases of pyloric stenosis, intestinal obstruction, intussusption, etc. Such conditions may
require surgical intervention and not a homoeopathic remedy. Similarly a case may actually
fall into the field of hygiene, nutritional deficiencies, mechanical defects, etc., and not call for
homoeopathic treatment.
Tyler mentions that pains dependent on mechanical causes will not be relieved by medicines.
Whereas, inside the field of Medicine, the homoeopathic remedy is supreme and all powerful,
if it is applied outside this field where it is not indicated failure will follow.

The importance of etiology in homoeopathy

The approach towards disease and cure in Homoeopathy differs very much and in several
respects from the concepts of modern orthodox medicine and among these, one that strikes
our attention, is the recognition given to the enormous role of etiology in the production of
disease. In saying this we must make it clear that the concept of etiology in Homoeopathy is
vastly different from the concepts or connotations given to the term in other systems of
medicine. In ordinary medical practice under the heading of Etiology, the incidence of, and
gross factors and circumstances connected with the onset of the illnesses are generally
discussed. Beyond this, it does not take us very far in the understanding of diseases. But in
homoeopathic practice every little contributor or determining element, every little attendant
fact, incident, or accident connected with the origin of the illness is given its due
consideration and is properly assessed during the process of selecting the medicine. If the
patient says that all his troubles originated after a disappointment or a grief or after a
sunstroke or by getting wet, by lifting a weight or due to over-exertion, owing to overeating or
because of loss of sleep, etc., etc., or in any one of numerous other ways, each of these
factors gives us a clue as to the type of person involved and his susceptibilities and further
provides a clue to the selection of the remedy. We know of at least one eminent and
successful homoeopathic physician, who places great emphasis on this point of etiology and
selects his medicine for a good number of cases basing his prescription mainly on the
etiological or causative factor. One of the first questions he asks his patients is, "How did you
become ill ?" and the answer to this question provided by the patient, in case he has observed
and noted this point, considerably lightens the task of selecting the remedy. The concept,
therefore, of etiology in Homoeopathy is as broad as the world itself and is not confined to
merely factors like age, sex, religion and race. It may be a factor apparently too trivial or one
which is not ordinarily associated with any particular disease. It may be even unusual or
inexplicable and one that may look absurd in the eyes of the modern physician. But all the
same it may be important.
The etiological factor, gross or subtle, may serve to differentiate one case from another
similar case and may help us to individualize the patient. A patient who develops a stroke
after a long period of loss of sleep may need a different remedy from another with the same
condition but with a history of suppressed anger. The pathology may be the same; the
diagnosis or nosological label may be the same, but the etiology may make all the difference
to a homoeopathic drug diagnosis and point to an entirely different remedy. Most fortunately
we have in our armamentarium a variety of drugs to cover a variety of such etiological
factors.
A case of Dr. S.R. Pathak may serve to illustrate this point further.
He was once consulted by a gentleman who was suffering from diarrhoea continuously for
over forty years. He had tried a variety of doctors for all these years with no effect. On
enquiry, the patient gave a history that the disorder had started during his marriage. At that
time, he had taken some strongly boiled milk and soon had had an urge for stool. Being in the
midst of the marriage ceremony, he had controlled the urge. But from the next day he had
developed diarrhoea which continued so long.
Dr. Phatak placed emphasis on the origin, viz. that it had started after taking boiled milk.
Boger-Boenninghausen's Repertory gives only two remedies under the rubric, "Diarrhoea agg.,
boiled milk", viz. Nux mos. and Sepia. Out of these, he selected Sepia. This drug completely
cured the patient.

In this case, the disease had been diagnosed as chronic amoebic colitis. This may have no
relation to boiled milk in the eyes of the modern physician. All the same, the drug selected
mainly on the basis of etiology cured the patient.
We cannot better illustrate the importance of etiology than by quoting a few cases. We shall
give illustrations by grouping the etiological factors under various broad headings.
Physical factors
We have known of a case of a patient who had a variety of troubles and who, on casual
inquiry, revealed to us that all his troubles had originated after he had a very severe
sunstroke some years back. Since then, he was suffering in various ways and he could not go
in the sun even for a few minutes. If he exposed himself to the sun even for a very short time,
he would get severe giddiness and vomiting. Basing our prescription mainly on the origin after
the sunstroke, we gave him Nat. carb. which covered the rest of the symptoms also and this
remedy completely cured him.
Chemicals and drugs
We had a case of a girl who had several troubles and who told us that all the troubles had
started after she had been exposed to coal gas. When we gave her Bovista, she completely
recovered from her illness.
When we gave her Bovista, she completely recovered from her illness. Mr. S.R. P., aged 48
years, a lawyer from Solapur, consulted us on 28th April 1966, with the following complaint:
In August 1965, he had developed weakness of the right arm and leg and had speech
difficulty. He found difficulty in articulating. He gave us the history that in July 1965, he had
an attack of typhoid which was treated with Chloromycetin but just when he seemed to be all
right and when he was about to be discharged from the hospital, he became unconscious and
developed paralysis. Some homoeopath had prescribed for him Causticum 200 daily once,
which the lawyer had taken for forty days without any effect. When he came to us, we
prescribed for him Causticum 1000, which also brought about no improvement.
Now considering the fact that the whole trouble had started after the typhoid treated with
Chloromycetin, we put him on Chloromycetin 30, three doses a day for three days and later
on, on Causticum 1M. There was an immediate and very satisfactory improvement with the
result that within a month he was able to attend to his work and was arguing in the court as
well as before.
When we gave her Bovista, she completely recovered from her illness. Mr. S.R. P., aged 48
years, a lawyer from Solapur, consulted us on 28th April 1966, with the following complaint:
In August 1965, he had developed weakness of the right arm and leg and had speech
difficulty. He found difficulty in articulating. He gave us the history that in July 1965, he had
an attack of typhoid which was treated with Chloromycetin but just when he seemed to be all
right and when he was about to be discharged from the hospital, he became unconscious and
developed paralysis. Some homoeopath had prescribed for him Causticum 200 daily once,
which the lawyer had taken for forty days without any effect. When he came to us, we
prescribed for him Causticum 1000, which also brought about no improvement.
Now considering the fact that the whole trouble had started after the typhoid treated with
Chloromycetin, we put him on Chloromycetin 30, three doses a day for three days and later
on, on Causticum 1M. There was an immediate and very satisfactory improvement with the

result that within a month he was able to attend to his work and was arguing in the court as
well as before.
Mechanical factors
We have prescribed Rhus tox. and relieved many patients of a variety of troubles when they
have told us that they had developed the trouble after overexertion or overlifting. The
following case is impressed in our memory and so we shall repeat this case:
A sailor consulted us in the year 1954 with a complaint of pain in the chest and in the left
arm. It seems that about one year back while he was proceeding by ship to U.K. he had lifted
some heavy object with his left hand and immediately developed pain somewhere inside the
chest. Movement of his arms became severely restricted because the pain would increase if
he raised his hands. He did not find relief with the medicines prescribed by the ship's
physician. So he consulted eminent physicians in London but still found no relief. Then he
proceeded to the U.S. A. and consulted some specialists there as well as in every port touched
by the ship. Ultimately he returned to India and here also no physician was able to relieve this
pain especially as every type of investigation failed to clinch the diagnosis. At last, he came
to Homoeopathy. Without taking much trouble over the case, we prescribed for him three
doses of Rhus-t 30, to be taken at six hourly intervals. When we gave him the medicine, he
took one dose in our clinic and left. Ten minutes later, he phoned from the station mentioning
that the pain had already disappeared and asked if he was to continue the powders still. He
has remained well ever since.
Dynamic cases
Homoeopathy, like Ayurveda, recognises that diseases are dynamic disturbances and that
they can arise from dynamic causes also. Very often we hear a patient coming to us and
saying that he has suffered from an injury or from loss of blood and that even though
measures were taken to repair the injury and to replace the blood lost, the patient has not
been well since that episode. We, as homoeopaths, realise that loss of blood not only
produces a certain type of anaemia but it also produces dynamic changes which may not be
completely neutralised by replacement of the blood lost. We also have excellent remedies for
such conditions, viz. for the dynamic disturbances following various causes.
Emotional or psychic
This is perhaps one of the most important of the etiological factors which modern medicine is
just recognising. Homoeopathy places tremendous emphasis on the mind, mental symptoms
and emotional factors. The experienced homoeopath finds that case after case comes to him
giving the history of some emotional trauma and of having not been well since that traumatic
experience. We could fill up page after page with cases in which the patient has never been
well since an emotional experience. We may quote various diseases having an onset after the
emotional trauma. We could give a dozen cases of illness arising from disappointment in love
alone. The following cases may be illustrative.
One of our students developed a peculiar set of symptoms. She would suddenly feel
voraciously hungry and would actually ask for something to eat, but later would find that it
was not hunger, it was only a sensation of hunger or emptiness. All at once she would get
palpitation or vertigo. She had been suffering in this way for six months. We asked her how
this had started. But we remembered that six months earlier she had appeared in an
examination and when we enquired closely, we discovered that she had worked very hard and
had expected to come out first in the examination but unfortunately she has missed this rank

and this had been a terrible disappointment to her. The whole set of symptoms had originated
after this disappointment. A few doses of Ignatia cleared up everything.
We once had an opportunity to treat a very interesting case.
A young Parsee lady married and with a child had developed six months earlier very severe
burning in the tongue. She had consulted a renowned doctor who had diagnosed it as vitamin
deficiency but vitamins did not help. Antibiotics too were of no avail. Ultimately she came to
us. Under tactful questioning, she confessed that a few months earlier she had fallen in love
with another person. Every time she had tried to express her love to that person she had
bitten her tongue involuntarily and then had developed a burning sensation. She had even
considered taking a divorce and marrying the new person but did not do so because of the
child. She herself was sure that her whole suffering was due to the disappointment but as no
doctor had asked her, she had not disclosed this information. We took "Disappointment in
love" as the principal symptom and found her remedy to be Lachesis. This remedy completely
cured her.
Innumerable such case-illustrations can be given to demonstrate how the knowledge of the
origin, source or causative factor - be it an accident, illness or any other - contributes
enormously in selecting the proper drug. But sufficient has been said to draw attention to the
importance of such etiology.
The scope of homoeopathy
Pathology in homoeopathy
Introduction
Pathology is defined as that branch of biological science which deals with the nature of
disease, through a study of its causes and its effects, together with the associated alterations
of structure and function. It mainly concerns itself with the study of disordered function and
deranged structure in diseases and their correlation with the clinical picture. As Boyd states in
the introduction to his excellent Textbook of Pathology, the pathologist should endeavour not
merely to attach correct labels to the lesions he sees, "but to reconstruct the course of events
from the earliest inception of the disease to the final moment when we fall out of the splendid
procession of life".
Vital Force:
As we all know the living body is an extraordinary creation. Thousands of chemical reactions
take place inside the body to maintain the constancy of the body and life, and all these
chemical reactions are perfectly controlled to an extraordinary degree. Naturally, therefore,
there must be a force which we may call the life-force which keeps the organism in proper
control and in proper health and at times even repairs the damaged tissues by itself without
extraordinary medical care. It is to this vital element, the life-force, that Hahnemann gave the
name vital force or vital principle. If there was no such force or control, the different parts and
organs of the body would work in different ways in disharmony and create serious disorders.
This force is also responsible for reproduction because we see that generation after
generation is produced, which is possible only if there is a force or power behind it.
Hahnemann announced his new principle and system of medicine over 150 years ago. During
these 150 years, there have been tremendous advances in all sciences, including medicine
and medical sciences like pathology, bacteriology, etc. Boyd refers to the particularly
phenomenal advance in the science of pathology and says, "Explosive advances are

shattering the boundaries and frontiers of knowledge." Research and study have brought to
light a tremendous amount of facts. The facts discovered have been so diverse and the data
accumulated so massive that the pathologist and the physician among others are hard put to
explain, correlate and integrate them. Naturally the thoughtful homoeopath must examine all
these facts and consider how they fit in with and confirm his own concepts and experiences,
concepts which he is confident are comprehensive enough to include every type of factual
detail that may be discovered.
The homoeopathic student, like any other student, studies the science of pathology and tries
to interpret, correlate and integrate all the facts of science so as to harmonize these with his
homoeopathic concepts, so that he can get an insight into the real state of sickness. But there
is a snag because not all these facts fit in smoothly with his concepts and experiences. He is
thereupon either confused or is forced to choose between the alternatives - the set of facts
discovered by others on the one side, and his own verified experiences based on the findings
of Hahnemann and others on the other side.
Even though disordered functioning is known to precede derangement of structure and the
study of functional pathology is now generally recognised and considered more important
than structural pathology, and even though amazing facts concerning the biochemical nature
and responses of the body in health and in disease are being daily unravelled, we are still on
the frontiers of knowledge so far as biology and biochemistry are concerned.
We shall try to correlate, explain and even attempt to interpret some of our concepts in terms
of modern pathology.
Relationship between pathology and homoeopathy
The relationship between pathology and Homoeopathy has generally been either unrealised
or often even misunderstood by the homoeopath. He depends mainly on the totality of
symptoms and selects his remedy on the basis of this and often cures the patient. In this
picture of the totality, for the purpose of deciding the prescription, the pathological state and
symptoms arising from it rank quite low. Sometimes the pathology is even ignored. But in
spite of the pathological state being given lesser or no value, it is noted that with the
application of the similimum not only do the symptoms disappear, but simultaneously with it
the underlying pathological conditions get corrected leaving behind only a healthy state. So,
the homoeopath generally finds no need to consider or worry about the pathology. Dr.
Jaisoorya, the brilliant homoeopath, wrote a scathing article against pathology titled "Where is
pathology?" Diechmann writes, "Pathological investigations cannot help us for it is
unreasonable to ask death alone for an explanation of the secret of the phenomena of life."
But yet this neglect of the study and consideration of the pathology is not a satisfactory
approach as we shall see presently.
When a person is sick there is disturbed functioning and/or structure of tissues. The
functional disturbance predominates and gives rise to the totality of symptoms at least in the
early stages. It is only in the later stages that the alteration in structure becomes gross and
evident and may dominate the scene. This may be so to such an extent that in the last stages
of the disease, it may occupy the whole of the field and nothing else may be discernible
except the gross structural disturbance or symptoms arising from it. As a result, the
homoeopath may find it difficult even to get one good characteristic or individualizing
symptom, the type of symptom on which he prefers to base his prescription.
Now it must be understood that even though in the earlier stages structural changes are not
gross enough or clear enough, every symptom must have as its basis some change in the

stage of organs or tissues - some pathology, however minimal, however immeasurable or

undiscoverable. At least there must be some minute change of a biochemical nature in the
tissue fluids. Roberts mentions the observation of McCollum who found that the quantity of
manganese required in our diet is so minimal or infinitesimal that it is practically impossible to
prepare a diet free from manganese. Yet if such a diet is prepared and birds are fed on this
diet they lose their mother-love! This shows the effect of even infinitesimal quantities of the
substances in our diet.
Another consideration is that pathology was a practically undeveloped science in
Hahnemann's time. Whatever little of pathology was taught was full of conjecture and absurd
theories and beliefs. For instance, it was believed that the lump sensation felt in the throat by
hysterical ladies was caused by the uterus rising into the throat! Only around Hahnemann's
time and later on, some of the most important advances were made in pathology and
bacteriology. Under the circumstances, Hahnemann had very little solid, reliable pathological
data to go upon, and so his reliance on the totality of symptoms was not only a most logical
and sound step but also a measure of his practical genius. Dr. Gibson Miller writes,
"Hahnemann insisted that we must be guided in the choice of remedy almost exclusively by
the symptoms, to the practical exclusion of pathology but I think there is a good deal of
confusion with regard to this matter. So far as I can see Hahnemann did not object to the use
of pathological changes as guides for theoretical purposes, but for practical ones. He was
aware that pathology will remain imperfect and incomplete and therefore to rely entirely on it
for treatment would be unwise."
"It is true that to a limited extent it is practical to use pathology as our guide and we all do so
use it. Whenever we have to prescribe for eruptions or ulcers - which are after all pathological
changes - we do not hesitate to be governed by anything that is peculiar or characteristic
about them such as their colour, shape and position because by means of their peculiarities
we can differentiate. But, when we come to deal with gross pathological changes in the
deeper organs we meet with two difficulties. In the first place we are unable in the living
patient to determine those minute differences - though doubtless they do exist - which, if
discernible, would enable us to differentiate."
Carrol Dunham also reflects similar thoughts. He writes, "The grand old master reached at a
single bound the same conclusions to which the labours of a half-century of able pathologists
have at length, with infinite research, brought the medical profession."
He further says, "And those of our school who insist upon pathology as a basis of
therapeutics, who look only upon the single objective symptom and its nearest organic origin
as the subject for treatment, and who deride the notion of prescribing upon the totality of the
symptoms and claim to be more than mere symptoms-coverers, in that they discover and aim
to remove the cause of the disease - these colleagues are as false in their pathology
according to highest old school authority, as they are faithless as to the doctrines, and
impotent as to the success of the founder of the homoeopathic school."
But times have changed and pathology has become a well developed science. Detailed
studies have been made of the tissue changes in various diseases to such an extent that an
accurate diagnosis can be made from a small section of the tissue involved, e.g. in
carcinoma. Pathological studies fully supplement clinical studies and help us enormously in
diagnosing the case and assessing the prognosis. So wisdom dictates that we should utilise all
the developments of pathology and in fact all sciences for our own purpose to the fullest
extent possible, carefully interpreting them.

Further, we should carefully study the clinical picture and the pathological state in each case
and correlate the clinical symptoms with the pathological condition.
Dr. Gibson Miller continues:
"And in the second place, very few of our remedies have had their proving pushed far enough
to cause corresponding pathological changes. These, I take it, are the practical reasons that
led Hahnemann to ignore pathology, and though our knowledge of this subject has
enormously advanced since his day, his reasons still hold good. But we cannot, even in the
selection of the remedy - to say nothing of its absolute necessity in all question of diagnosis
and prognosis - ignore pathology, for without it we cannot understand the true course and
progress of disease. Only by means of it can we know the symptoms that are common to the
disease and hence those that are peculiar to the patient. We also thereby know at certain
stages of some disease, no matter how similar the symptoms produced by certain remedies
may appear to those of the patient yet that owing to the superficial character of their action,
it is not possible for them to prove curative."
Because of the second reason pointed out by Dr. Gibson Miller, viz. that our provings were
never pushed to such an extent as to produce pathological changes, it is no surprise that
there were and there still are and there probably will be less of pathological indications in our
literature to go upon.
Dr. Hubbard also writes, "It behoves us, therefore, even the strictest Hahnemannian among
us, to give the pathological symptom its due."
Foote mentions, "I have yet to see the physician of this class who does not acknowledge the
advantage of a thorough pathological education, and who does not avail himself of the
objective as well as of the subjective symptoms."
He also says that the pure Hahnemannian collects and groups the symptoms of his patient
both objective and subjective, which, with his knowledge of pathology, gives him a clear
picture of the case.
Campbell records, "If, when we speak of pathological conditions we refer only to internal
functional and structural abnormalities then pathology is neither more nor less serviceable to
therapeutics than what is loosely termed symptomatology. But if we take it as picturing the
totality of the symptoms - external and internal cause and course of disease - then pathology
is indispensable to therapeutics."
Dr. Grimmer, taking part in a discussion on a paper read by Dr. I.I. Farr says, "We study the
Organon and the writings of Hahnemann. We find that he stresses the totality of the
symptoms alone, he included every symptom that he could get. Hahnemann went over his
patients, he examined them. Everything that he could learn about his patients was recorded.
This formed his picture. And so it is with the use of pathology.
"Dr. Kent says it has a place, a relationship, it is in the schema; it has a valuable place
sometimes. As the doctor here just stated, sometimes there is nothing left for us. How many
unconscious cases of apoplexy are we called to prescribe for, often very successfully, only on
what we can see?"
This is why Dr. Dunham wrote clearly:
"Clearly, then, Physiology and Pathology are quite indispensable to the physician, and they
speak with little thought who affirm that these sciences are of no value to the Homoeopathist

and are disregarded by him. They are the sciences respectively of healthy and morbid
phenomena. He cannot take the first step in the study of disease or of Materia Medica save by
their aid. But he restricts them to their legitimate function. Pathology is for him not a guide in
therapeutics, but an instrument which he uses in studying those phenomena which are to be
respectively the subject and the agents of his therapeutic operation.
"Pathology, restricted to its proper sphere, is an indispensable auxiliary to the study of the
subject of therapeutics. It may be further subservient in enabling the physician to group the
symptoms of a case in such a way as more readily to marshal and retain them in memory.
Nor is generalisation of this kind at all repugnant to the letter or spirit of Hahnemann's
method of the homoeopathic science."
Dr. Farrington also emphasized this :
"We include all the symptoms that we can observe. Then what have we? A mass of symptoms
seeming to have no connection at all. They come from a human organism that is all order and
perfection, and all the parts of which work in perfect harmony. When even one of these parts
is out of order, there must be a certain clue to string these effects together and picture a form
of disease; and when you get this form of disease, what have you? A pathological state. I
hope that no diploma will be granted to any man in this class who does not study pathology.
When you have the changes in toto that these substances have made on the system, you
have the pathology of the case. You have the totality of the effects on the system."
So when definite pathology is known and is covered by a drug, there is no need to reject it
completely as having absolutely no value for the selection of our remedy. In the absence of
other symptoms, and to differentiate between drugs of identical action, pathological data can
be considered. Repeated experiences have shown the applicability of certain remedies in
certain specific pathological conditions. For instance, cases of mastoiditis often respond to
Capsicum, cancers to Cadmium compounds, splenomegaly to Ceanothus, uterine fibroids to
Aurum muriaticum natronatum, warts to Thuja and so on. So, pathological symptoms need
not be neglected when selecting the remedy.
It is certain that careful clinical and correlative studies will reveal to us about the relationship
between the symptoms and the pathological changes, and also between the pathological
changes and the indicated remedy.
Marsette writes, "In the second place, we must consider that with the use of only one drug
we sometimes achieve cures that are spectacular which is the case when the basic or
constitutional medicament coincides with the organic, symptomatic medicament. But when
there are degenerations, injuries, sclerosis, serious disorder of an organ or tissue, it is not the
same any more; in this case, the local trouble which is in many cases what brought the
patient to the consultory, deserves as much attention as the disturbance that has upset the
biological equilibrium, and which calls for the constitutional medicament. And although it is
true that the mental symptoms have, in general, much more importance than the organic
symptoms, for the selection of the basic treatment, it is not less true that the organic
disorders may cause the appearance of mental symptoms that disappear when the local
symptom improves."
Far from believing or behaving as if pathology and symptom-totality are unconnected and
poles apart, we should now apply our intelligent observation to elicit and study their
interrelationship for, in truth, symptom-totality is the super structure and the pathology the
foundation or at least, they are intimately associated like the two sides of a coin.

It is now necessary that we should not be satisfied with mere symptom-matching on the
clinical level, but should go further and by careful correlative studies and clinical observations
even try to fit our drug to the pathological condition. As we saw earlier, the science of
pathology was very rudimentary or practically undeveloped during Hahnemann's time and he
wisely based his therapeutic approach on the clinical level. But now that the science of
pathology is very much developed and also because we do now meet more and more with
purely pathological conditions or advanced stages of diseases in which the clinical symptoms
of homoeopathic significance are absent, we shall have to be prepared to meet such
conditions even on a pathological level. As Dr. B.K. Sarkar, who emphasizes the need for a
knowledge of physiology and pathology, says the homoeopathic approach is based on the
idea that the similar beginnings lead to similar endings. We are not able to match with our
remedies the endings of the diseases, i.e. the pathology, and so we match the beginnings of
diseases through characteristic symptoms, on the hypothesis that thereby the endings must
also match. But we must appreciate that this may not be always so, or may not be enough
and we must be able to match the disease and the drug pictures both in their beginnings and
endings, i.e. both symptomatically and (at the end) pathologically. Otherwise in this age when
pathology is so well-developed, when many disease conditions present themselves only
through their pathological symptoms, we shall be left behind with our imperfect methods and
instruments of cure.
It is however true that the characteristic symptoms of the disease indicate the proper remedy
and that this remedy which covers the totality of symptoms tends to cover the underlying
pathology also. To give an illustration, we have had three patients who complained of a pain in
the right hypochondrium which radiated to the back and was relieved by a warm drink. In all
the three cases the remedy needed was Chelidonium. Even though the prescribing symptomtotality was the same in all the three cases, investigation revealed that the first patient was
suffering from cholecystitis, the second from hepatitis, and the third from a duodenal ulcer.
But all the patients were relieved by the same remedy, viz. Chelidonium.
Clinical and pathological improvement
Notwithstanding the fact that the remedy which covers the clinical picture also corrects the
underlying pathology, it must be mentioned that in certain types of cases the homoeopathic
remedy is able to obliterate the clinical picture and give the patient a sense of relief and wellbeing very early but the associated pathology takes some time to clear up e.g. as in
pneumonia, pleurisy with effusion, etc. I may quote the case of a brain tumour in which the
patient was completely relieved of all his clinical symptoms within two days, though the
papilloedema (as revealed by fundoscopy) persisted very long. Only an ignorant optimist
would hope that the tumour had also disappeared so soon (i.e. within two days). It is my
experience in many cases, for instance in peptic ulcers, that almost the very next day after
the proper remedy has been given, the pain disappears and the patient is able to take now
without any difficulty all sorts of food such as spicy and acidic foods which had hitherto
severely aggravated the pain; but X-ray studies repeated after a short time may fail to show a
proportionately marked improvement in, or a disappearance of, the ulcer which may actually
take three to six months to heal completely.
Similarly, we have had other cases also, for instance, of biliary calculi, wherein all the
patients' symptoms disappeared under the appropriate homoeopathic remedy and the
patients felt very well. But the calculi disintegrated very slowly, after several months of
treatment sometimes they did not disintegrate at all. So also we have noted in cases of
pneumonia that the rapid improvement in the clinical condition of the patient is not reflected
in the proportionately slower improvement in the pneumonic consolidation as revealed by X-

rays. I have also reported a case of anemia when the indicated remedy removed all the
symptoms without altering the blood picture, and a case of ascariasis where all the symptoms
were erased after the homoeopathic remedy but the patient continued to harbour the
parasites. We are therefore led to conclude that in a few cases, symptomatic improvement
may not be accompanied by a simultaneous and corresponding improvement in the
pathological picture. Sometimes, the pathology may not clear up at all, e.g. large renal or
biliary calculi. So it seems we have to differentiate between clinical and pathological
improvement. Clinical amelioration may occur very early or even immediately after the
exhibition of the correct remedy whereas pathological and radiological improvement may
follow much later or occasionally not at all. Hence we should be very careful not to declare a
case as cured until and unless we have made sure the pathology has also cleared up.
Therefore, it seems necessary to assess the improvement of such cases under two separate
headings:
1. Clinical
2. Pathological (and radiological). *
How pathology is helpful to the homoeopath
I have mentioned about the widespread impression that a knowledge of pathology is not
helpful to the homoeopath and that it is even hindrance to his work. As such, it is also
believed that a homoeopath has no need to know or understand pathology.
Every clinical symptom reflects some underlying pathology which may serve as its cause,
explanation or concomitant. And a good physician - as after all every homoeopath should be a
complete physician as well - should know the type and extent of pathology. Our remedies,
even if they are indicated by the symptom-totality, have certain range, depth and pace of
action and cannot help in a case unless these aspects also match, e.g. Aconite is not useful in
typhoid because Aconite does not have that range or depth; in other words it is not able to
cover the pathology of typhoid. Further if two remedies seem equally indicated in a case on
the basis of the symptom-totality, a remedy which covers the pathology would be naturally
preferable.
Even the famous Dr. Kent who did not look upon pathology with much favour has given us
numerous pathological indications in his Materia Medica and Repertory. The following are a
few examples of pathological rubrics in his Repertory: Abscess, Astigmatism, Atrophy of optic
nerve, Cancer, Caries, Fistula, Hydrocephalus, Inflammation of brain, Polypus, Stricture,
Staphyloma, Tumour, etc. The value of such pathological symptoms is indirectly indicated by
the inclusion.
Very few homoeopaths seem to have realised this aspect. Among them must be counted
Dunham, Elizabeth Ens, Farrington, Hughes, and others. In recent years, Boger seems to have
considered this problem for he gives in his book so many pathological general symptoms.
The totality of symptoms
In modern medical practice all efforts are concentrated on making the diagnosis, i.e. in
discovering the organs or tissues involved, and the nature or type and extent of the lesion.
Once this diagnosis is made, the treatment is easily decided as the treatment of various
conditions are more or less standardised. The very approach implies that some tissues or
organs are affected and the disturbances of their function or structure gives rise to the
symptoms. Very often the treatment is aimed at the tissue involved and aims to eradicate the

local manifestation; for instance, if a patient has a wart the surgeon excises or cauterises it
and is quite satisfied with such removal. But the wart may grow again showing that it is the
result of a constitutional disorder.
It is forgotten that the whole patient is ill and that what we see is only the local manifestation
of the illness which again may be the ultimate result of some cause or combination or series
of causes affecting the individual. The manifestation may be localised, and the pathology may
show itself in particular organs or tissues or locations, but it is the whole patient who is ill.
Homoeopathy has on the other hand the proper approach. It believes that the organism as a
whole is ill and its functioning is disturbed and that this illness is represented by the totality of
the symptoms which constitutes the sole and complete guide for the treatment. Every
symptom that is met with is a manifestation of the total disturbance which has resulted in the
abnormality of function or structure of some tissues. Even if the sign or symptom is noticed in
a particular part, it necessarily means that the illness of the patient is manifested or reflected
in the part and never that the part affected is alone sick or damaged. The actual nature of the
lesion may not be evident, it may be a minute lesion in an obscure organ or it may be a very
fine disturbance of the biochemistry of the body fluids or tissues but the result is the symptom
which is an evidence. Since every symptom represents a disturbance, however unaware we
may be of its source or explanation, we have to take it into consideration when deciding the
prescription. And the totality of all these symptoms naturally represents and reflects the
totality of the disturbance and, if this totality of disturbance can be corrected, normal health is
automatically restored.
As we study the manifestations of various illnesses closely, we shall recognise the minute
differences between these - differences as exhibited in different patients and we shall also
realise that each of these individualising differences has its own significance.
One patient develops warts on the neck and another on the fingers. Why should the location
of the warts be different? One patient of appendicitis complains of stitching pain while another
patient of the same disease complains of burning pains. One may be aggravated by pressure
and other relieved. The pain in one case may radiate upwards and in another downwards.
Why are there these differences?
One patient of malaria says he has the chill coming on at 1 A.M. accompanied by thirst and
another suffering from the same disease has a chill coming on at 4 P.M. without thirst. We do
not know why these two cases should differ in this way. The chill represents the occurrence of
a particular cycle in the life of the malarial parasite but why should one particular cycle in one
patient differ from that of another patient? We do not know the answer to these questions.
But that does not alter the fact of such occurrence nor the fact that it must have its own
significance. Any therapy which ignores such a fact cannot hope to cure the patient.
To make diagnosis the basis of a prescription involves certain difficulties. Firstly, the diagnosis
may not be clear in spite of the most careful examination and investigation. Secondly, the
diagnosis may be wrong. It was mentioned by one of the physicians attached to a famous
hospital that the diagnosis even in that hospital with the best of staff and equipment was
wrong in 50% of cases as shown by the post-mortem studies. Thirdly, the diagnosis may take
some time, till which time the correct treatment cannot be instituted. Fourthly, a diagnosis is
necessarily based on symptoms and signs which can be explained, interpreted and correlated.
Here is the snag. Not all the signs and symptoms of a patient may be capable of such
explanation, interpretation or correlation. So, the physician is forced to pick and choose those
symptoms which fit into a particular pattern and omit the rest as irrelevant - not because they

are really irrelevant but because he is unable to comprehend their significance and fit them
into the pattern.
Therefore, it is clear that it is more rational to base the prescription on the totality of the
symptoms in which each and every symptom is assigned its own due place, i.e. the totality of
the disease manifestation which can be clearly recognised, as against the totality of the
underlying pathology, which will always be a matter for conjecture. It can be said that this
approach to disease of Hahnemann reflects his genius and can be called one of his greatest
contributions to the practice of medicine equalling his discovery of the potentized doses.
Let us take a hypothetical case. A patient comes and complaints of three or four symptoms.
He has increase of thirst and polyuria. He eats quite well but loses weight. He suddenly gets
giddiness with cold perspiration at 7 p.m. He has diarrhoea from milk and has dreams of
falling. He has also a shooting pain in the abdomen with dysuria and hematuria.
A modern physician would diagnose and then do the necessary investigation and might
confirm that this is a case of diabetes and may institute the necessary treatment. Out of the
total clinical picture he selects the majority of symptoms and sees with which diagnosis they
fit in. This diagnosis is confirmed by necessary laboratory investigations. The symptoms which
do not fit in with this diagnosis, he may discard as incidental or he may make up an additional
diagnosis. He may say this is a case of diabetes with a renal calculus.
The homoeopath does not proceed thus. He considered that every symptom has some
significance, having necessarily also a basis in the altered biochemistry of structure or
function of some organ or of the whole body. Why does this patient react to milk in this way ?
Why does he feel giddy and perspire at 7 p.m. ? These are questions which cannot be
answered in the present state of knowledge; yet the facts themselves cannot be ignored or
set aside.
Whereas the allopathic physician ignores these symptoms which he is unable to correlate or
interpret, the homoeopath considers that each symptom is significant and utilises each
symptom as an indication for the selection of the correct remedy though he himself may be
equally ignorant about its explanation, correlation or interpretation. This ignorance does not
prevent him from utilising it just as the ignorance of the internal mechanism or working of a
machine or instrument like the motor car, radio or watch does not deter us from using and
utilising them to our fullest advantage.
And there is always the possibility that with all the advances in science we may forever be
unable to explain certain phenomena and therefore shall ever be in doubt. Or it may happen
that our explanations are proved to be wrong.
Suppression
The concept of suppression is also rather peculiar to Homoeopathy.
It is a well-known fact that if a sub-lethal dose of any drug is injected into the body, almost all
of it is excreted through the various channels and thus eliminated. But for this, the body
would accumulate all the drugs taken by a person and this alone would kill him in course of
time. Similarly in various infectious diseases the body also throws out or excretes the various
bacteria and their toxins through the mucous membrances. In cholera, for example, the stools
contain the cholera vibrio and their toxins. This process of elimination appears to be a
curative process and it is because of this we survive and remain healthy.

Proper homoeopathic treatment aids and accelerates this process of elimination of toxins
leading to a cure. After taking the proper homoeopathic remedy, the patient may very often
develop an increase of natural elimination (physiological discharge such as stool or urine or
sweat) or an unnatural elimination (pathological discharge such as a leucorrhoea or a nasal
discharge, etc.) and the onset of these discharges may generally be accompanied by an
improvement in the clinical condition of the patient.
Prof. Augustus Bier, the celebrated German surgeon, has reported a remarkable experiment.
He had a patient who was suffering from furunculosis. He found the homoeopathic remedy for
the patient to be Sulphur. He prescribed Sulphur in homoeopathic doses and simultaneously
measured the excretion of sulphur of the patient. The patient, put on Sulphur 3x, was found
to excrete daily 576 mgm of sulphur, which is sixty times the normal rate. Even after the
doses of Sulphur was discontinued, he was found to excrete 117 mgm on the day after; he
then averaged 54 mgm for ten days and after thirty days he was still excreting about twice
the normal. The seborrhoea about which he had complained was markedly improved and his
general well-being decidedly better than before the experiment. The patient was located two
years later and agreed for the sake of experiment to make a retrial, although he considered
himself cured. When he now took Sulphur 6x for days hardly any extra excretion of sulphur
was found.
This experiment of Prof. Bier demonstrates how the body is able to excrete undesirable toxic
substances under the influence of the infinitesimal doses of homoeopathic remedies, so that
health is restored.
In other types of illness, the body may react in a different way and develop eruptions. For
example, in eruptive fevers like smallpox, the patient develops, after a period of pyrexia, the
eruptions on the skin. The eruptions represent the effort of the body to push the viruses and
their toxins to the periphery. By the time the eruptions appear, the body has already battled
with the invading agencies and if the body has been fairly successful the eruptions appear on
the surface. As the eruptions appear, the temperature drops and the general condition may
deteriorate and the patient might even develop convulsions which may indicate that the
viruses and their toxins are affecting the central nervous system.
It is now recognised that the skin is not merely a covering for the body but actually has
several other functions to perform, one of which is to produce antibodies. It is often able to fix
and neutralise or eliminate various toxins. This is why various diseases show skin
manifestations. In smallpox, for example, the virus that has entered into the body and has
multiplied a million times is driven to the surface of the body and here it shows itself in the
vesicles. When the vesicles dry up and the scales fall off, these scales are known to be very
highly infective.
The homoeopath unconsciously recognises this particular fact and allows the skin and the
mucous membranes (i.e. the internal skin) maximum play. When he comes across a skin
manifestation in any disease he takes care not to suppress it. When he encounters eruptions
or discharges appearing in any disease with consequent improvement in the general condition
of the patient, he lays his hands off and finds thus that the curative reaction is furthered.
The modern medical practitioners seem to be blissfully unaware of this phenomenon. Every
surface manifestation, be it a discharge or an eruption, is vigorously treated with local
measures particularly as the patient may find it inconvenient or troublesome and may
demand its removal. The local manifestation treated by local measures often disappears from
view to the detriment of the patient, but both the physician and the patient feel very happy.

Unfortunately nature is far from satisfied with such measures and sooner or later a deeper
manifestation arises in place of the superficial one that has been suppressed. Under the
proper homoeopathic treatment, the original suppressed manifestations almost invariably
reappear and then there is considerable relief to the patient with noticeable clinical
improvement. So when the old manifestations reappear the homoeopath greets them with joy
and looks forward to a cure. He then concludes that the prognosis is favourable.
I may illustrate with one of my own experiences.
Long ago, before I became a homoeopath, I had to treat my sister's son aged 3 years for a
very bad ulceration of the lips. It had been diagnosed as Cancrum oris. At that time, I did not
know of Homoeopathy. I prescribed for the boy sulphonamide ointment for external use. With
the use of the ointment, the ulcers healed but the lips became black. In about 2 or 3 months
the blackness also disappeared and the boy seemed to become quite well.
After 3 or 4 years I was consulted by my sister again for the same boy. She complained that
the boy had become extremely mischievous, ill tempered and capricious. He would harass his
parents for everything. For instance, he would ask for tea. When the tea was brought he
would want it in a cup and saucer, then cool it, then complain that it was too cold, then heat it
and ultimately he would not drink it. In fact, he had become a problem child. This change in
his mental state had come on after the ulcers had healed.
By this time I had learnt Homoeopathy and I prescribed for him a suitable homoeopathic
medicine. There was an immediate transformation in the personality of the boy but as he
improved the lips turned black. Later the lips became ulcerated and became as bad as they
had originally been many years ago. Now my sister brought the boy to me for the treatment
of the ulceration. As I was thinking what I should prescribe, she asked me if she could apply
the old sulphonamide ointment which was still with her and which had "cured" the ulcer. I told
her never to touch it. With the application of some bland ointment and a dose or two of the
appropriate homoeopathic remedy internally, the ulcers completely healed and the boy
remained well in mind as well as in the skin.
This case was a lesson to me and a demonstration of Hering's Law.
Even in modern medicine the laws formulated by Hughlings Jackson say that in destructive
lesions of the central nervous system the faculties which are acquired first are lost last. For
instance, speech is lost earlier than the power of gesture. Similarly, when the faculties are
restored they return in the reverse order.
Etiological factors
The alert homoeopath who takes his case carefully is able to note that many of the patients
who come to him for treatment are able to reveal either spontaneously or on careful
questioning the fact that most if not all of the symptoms had originated after some incident,
accident, illness or episode and are directly attributable to this cause. This cause, origin,
source or circumstance may be physical, chemical, mechanical, emotional, dynamic or one
which cannot be so classified. To give one instance, a patient of epilepsy may narrate that his
convulsions had started after a period of loss of sleep, anxiety, mortification or head injury.
Modern pathology may not be able to explain how any of these causes or originating
circumstances could give rise to epilepsy and so it may even refuse to accept any relationship
between the preceding factors mentioned and the epileptic seizures that followed. But the
fundamental principle in science is that when an explanation is not available for a fact, the
want or absence of suitable explanation cannot negate the fact. The fact of the cause or origin

of the disease is further confirmed when the homoeopath prescribes a suitable antidote for
the cause and finds that the whole of the effects are nullified. So, the wise prescriber takes
into account all these facts of causation and prescribes on that basis notwithstanding the fact
that neither he himself nor the others may be able to explain how the originating
circumstances have been able to give rise to the resulting disease or pathology.
Let us take three patients who have developed epilepsy. One of them states that the disease
had originated after a long period of loss of sleep. Another mentions that the condition has
originated after a head injury. The third tells us that it came on after suppressed anger. In the
case of the first patient what were the biochemical changes that took place in the body fluids
by a sustained loss of sleep? How did the nervous centres and other organs try to adjust to
these biochemical changes? Did any structural changes take place as a consequence? Did any
damage ensue to any of the tissues affected? If so, when, how, of what type and to what
degree? How did these biochemical or structural changes or organic damages differ in the
second and third case from the first? We do not know the answers to any of these questions.
But we do know that the three cases must be different from each other although the
diagnostic labels which recognise only the resulting manifestations may be same - different
because of the different circumstances and mode of onset. These differences are again
discernible to the discriminating homoeopathic physician who will perceive how these minute
individual differences in each case make up different totalities though the ordinary allopathic
practitioner may lump them all together because of the clinical similarity or because of the
similar E.E. G. patterns. It is certain that one day the advances in the science of pathology will
be able to explain these differences, but till then it may be necessary to at least recognise and
accept these individual differences and to make practical use of these in deciding the
prescription.
The clinico-pathological significance of peculiar symptoms
In homoeopathic practice, we prescribe on the totality of symptoms but within this totality we
give more emphasis or value to the peculiar individualising symptoms of the patient. The
more strange, rare or peculiar a symptom is, the more merit we attach to that symptom.
Sometimes some symptoms on which we prescribe seem so extremely strange that modern
physicians laugh at them. But every symptom is a manifestation of the disturbance and is,
therefore, of significance. It is possible that the basis of the symptoms is at present unknown
or unrecognised and the underlying pathology obscure, but that does not mean that the
symptom has no basis. The advance of modern medicine and pathology has, however,
opened our eyes to the fact that some of the so-called strange symptoms can be explained. I
shall give some examples.
A patient may complain that while drinking from a cup he feels that the cup is broken. In
paralysis of the mandibular branch of the 5th cranial nerve, the patient may not feel one side
of the cup and therefore, he may get this sensation.
Diarrhoea at night is said to be a common in diabetes. After head injury a change of position
may cause vertigo. (Con. *)
Headaches worse by coughing and sneezing (Bry.) is found in brain tumours. These
headaches are worse after sleep (Lach.). Amelioration in the knee-chest position is found in
patients of Bronchiectasis because this position helps postural drainage.
Orthopnoea is found in both cardiac and in bronchial asthma. It is said that the angle of the
patient bending forward is an indication of the degree of disorder in cardiac asthma. (Kali-c)

Cardiac asthma is said to be worse in the earlier part of the night (Ars.) and Bronchial asthma
in the later part. (Kali-c)
Pain in the chest better lying on the affected side is well-known symptom of pleurisy and
pleuro-pneumonia. (Bry.)
Pains in the anus lasting long after stool (Nit-ac) is generally found in fissure- in-ano.
Patient has impaired hearing but he is able to hear better in a noise. This is a symptom found
in Graph. This symptom is met with obstructive deafness.
The patient has difficulty in swallowing but he is able to swallow solids better than liquids.
This symptom is found in Oesophagospasm and Cardiospasm. (Lach.)
Pain in the lumbar back on coughing is found in root pains and prolapsed disc. (Am-c)
Loud eructations and eructations which give no relief are found in aerophagy. (Chi., Asaf.)
Pain relieved by pressure and aggravated by releasing the pressure (Bry.) is known as
rebound tenderness and is found in conditions like Appendicitis.
A disproportion between pulse and temperature is found in Typhoid. (Pyrogen) A fast thready
pulse is found in internal haemorrhage. (Ars.)
Unilateral sweating of the face and exophthalmos are found when there is pressure on the
cervical ganglion.
Pain agg. touch is found in Trigeminal neuralgia. (Spi., Nux-v)
Convulsions worse on seeing water are found in Hydrophobia. (Lyssin).
Vertigo or syncope after a hot bath is noted in low blood pressure.
Excessive ingestion of salt is known to produce retention of fluids and aggravate
hypertension. (Nat-m)
Walking on uneven pavements agg. (Con.) may be found in a case of slipped disc.
Loss of sleep causing weakness (Phos.) may occur in Myasthenia Gravis.
Stool difficult although soft (Nit-ac) may be noted in Fissure-in-ano.
Vertigo agg. closing eyes (Ther.) is a part of Romberg's sign found in Subacute combined
degeneration of spinal cord.
Eats well but emaciates (Iod., Nat-m) is noted in thyrotoxicosis and diabetes.
Cough agg. change of position (Kre.) - Bronchiectasis.
Pain abdomen agg. lying down (Puls.) - Hiatus Hernia.
Breathlessness amel. lying flat (Pso.) is noted in anaemia.
Painless ulcer (Lyc., Op., Phos-ac) and serpiginous ulcer (Merc., Nit-ac) may be syphilitic in
origin.
Leucorrhoea, acrid (Alum., Kre.,) is noted in Trichomonas infection.

Sensation as if walking on cotton wool (Alumina) is found in subacute combined degeneration

of spinal cord.
Electric shock like pains (Phyt.) are noted in Tabes dorsalis.
Vomiting without nausea (Fer.) is found in intracranial tumours.
Aggravation going in the sun (noted in Nat-c) is often found in Disseminated Lupus
Erythematosus.
A brown saddle across the nose (Sep.) is found in Lupus.
Agg. by beginning motion and better by continued motion (Rhus-t) is found in many cases of
arthritis.
Offensive odour from mouth on coughing (Caps.) may be found in lung abscess.
Blue spots on body from mildest injury or even from pressure (Arn.) can be seen in
Thrombocytopenic purpura.
Symptoms appear suddenly (Bell.) - an example is Embolism.
Symptoms appear slowly and progress - e.g. Benign Tumour.
Lump in throat (Ign.) is often found in Hysteria.
Hypertensive headaches are characteristically occipital and are noticed on waking in the
morning. (Lach.)
No doubt, the advance of science is able to explain and will continue to explain the
significance and basis of various such symptoms. Thus many other symptoms whose
significance was formerly unknown and which, therefore, were even considered irrelevant and
absurd are now understandable.
The advance of bioclimatology has revealed that various changes take place in the body as a
result of changes in temperatures, seasons, etc. Weather affects four major functions: blood
pressure, elasticity of vessels and peripheral resistance, autonomic nervous system and the
physiochemical state of the blood, e.g. blood viscosity, clotting time, fibrinogen content and
capillary fragility. Atmospheric cooling effects through the hypothalamic pituitary system on
autonomic nervous function, endocrine function, the composition and properties of the blood,
electrolyte balance and function of the liver. It also affects the production of antidiuretic
hormone giving rise to increase of urine output.
Solar radiations can seriously affect the physiological balance of the body particularly at high
altitudes. It lowers B.P. , increases Hb. and RBCs, increases the serum Ca, Mg, and phosphate
level and enhances protein metabolism. Continuous exposure to UV rays produces
hypertrophy of the hypothalamus and of the anterior lobe of the Pituitary. Over-exposure to
sunlight contributes to the production of skin cancer.
Above a height of 1.5 meters the following physiological changes take place, viz.: change in
composition and physiochemical properties of blood; increased pulse rate; stimulation of
adrenal gland; increase in peripheral blood, change in reactivity of autonomic nervous
system; improvement of thermoregulatory efficiency; changes in the secretion of gastric juice
and change in urine output.

At various times, during the day and night, various changes are constantly taking place in the
body. Dr. Karl Konig quotes Wachsmuth who has put together in his book the various
phenomena of daily periodicity in man and for the phase at 4 a.m. He says that at 4 a.m. ,
there is a Maximum of Glycogen assimilated in liver, of fat resorption in the intestinal wall, of
blood retention in the blood vessels, amount of melanophore hormone and of narrowing of the
lumen of the capillaries. So, also there is a Minimum of bile secretion; of elimination of water,
of pulse rate, blood pressure, of blood circulation, of venous return, and cardiac output, of
vital capacity of lungs, metabolism and body temperature - all at 4 a.m. A statistical study of
the mortality from coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction between 1935 and 1958 in
Netherlands shows that mortality was highest in January, February - the coldest months of
Netherlands and lowest in July and August; there was almost perfect inverse relationship for
all the months of year between the curves representing the average monthly temperature
and the mortality recorded from arteriosclerotic heart disease. This observation is supported
by similar studies in U.S. A. and by Paul Burch in New Orleans, who did experiments with
climate chambers.
Chronic diseases
Diseases can be broadly classified into the acute and the chronic ones depending upon the
mode of onset, pace of progress and tendency or otherwise to decline. Acute diseases have a
tendency to end in spontaneous recovery or in death. Chronic diseases show no tendency
towards recovery. It has been our experience that especially after the recent discovery of the
antibiotics, cortisone, etc., modern medicine is able to show fairly or even remarkably good
results in the treatment of acute diseases. It is able to quickly suppress or palliate the
symptoms. But it also happens that most of these conditions are converted into sub-acute or
chronic states, sometimes punctuated by recurrent acute attacks or exacerbations and here
modern medicine is not able to relieve or cure. Lang says, "The main weakness, to my mind,
is represented by the tendency of acute illness to recur, despite the use of the new drugs,
and the large field of chronic illness."
Hence all these types of cases come to the homoeopath. So, homoeopaths have a vital
interest in the understanding of chronic diseases.
Ever since the birth of scientific medicine - perhaps it takes origin from the time of
Hahnemann - it has been recognised that disease in its real sense is the result of two sets of
causes: one the internal or the constitutional (the hereditary) and the other the external or
provocative (environmental) which Hahnemann calls respectively the fundamental and the
exciting causes.
Of the two causes, it is being recently recognised that the hereditary factor is indeed the
more important or "fundamental" cause as Hahnemann had indicated.
Elaborating on the nature of the inherited defects, Sodeman and Sodeman write as follows:
"Although a biochemical defect is believed to underlie all hereditary conditions produced by a
gene mutation, the biochemical abnormality cannot always be demonstrated in our present
state of knowledge...
"Conditions such as albinism are readily recognised at birth. There are other diseases in
which an enzyme defect is present at birth put in which there would be no disturbance in the
individual if it were not for the effect of extrinsic factors which occur after birth...
"The severity of an infectious disease depends upon three factors :

1. The number of invading organisms

2. The virulence of the infectious agents, and
3. The resistance of the host.
Host resistance is a complex phenomenon governed by genes which control the body
chemistry so that there may be more resistance or less resistance to a particular infectious
agents. The mechanisms which operate to make one individual more susceptible than another
to infection are for the most part unknown..."
Stewart states, "Virus infection of the host may be transferred to the off-spring of the host
from generation to generation, a sort of vertical transference from one host to another host.
This is also of interest to homoeopaths because it suggests modern confirmation of
Hahnemann's idea that chronic disease may travel from parent to offspring through several
generations."
While it was formerly believed that hereditary factors play a role in the causation of only a
few congenital defects, it is now being increasingly recognised that they have an immense
role in the production of a large number of diseases.
The hereditary factor has been studied extensively by following the life history of uniovular or
identical twins - their behaviour, responses and pathological states. The study of such twins
show that their responses and reactions are often identical even in diseases.
Sinnot gives the following information:
"1) Concordance and Discordance: The simplest kind of data which studies on twins can yield
is qualitative comparison of various traits on pairs of identical and fraternal twins. When
members of a twin pair both show or fail to show the trait in question, they are called
concordant (symbols ++ or --). When only one of the twins shows the trait, they are called
discordant (Symbol +-). Obviously, identical twins are always concordant with respect to fully
penetrant hereditary characteristics, whereas fraternal twins are sometimes discordant with
respect to such characteristics. This fact is, as pointed out above, used to distinguish the
identical from the fraternal twins. If the variation in a trait is due entirely to the environment,
the frequency of concordance and discordance should be alike among identical and fraternal
twins, within the limits of statistical errors of observation. Table 22.1 shows a comparison of
various diseases as they appear in identical and fraternal twins.
"Measles, scarlet fever, and tuberculosis are infectious diseases that come from the
environment. Nevertheless, the proportion of twins concordant with respect to tuberculosis is
significantly greater among the identicals than it is among the fraternals. There is evidently a
genotypic predisposition to this disease; the carriers of some genotypes are more likely than
others to develop tuberculosis... and for measles the frequency of concordance is so high
both among the identicals and the fraternals that all or nearly all, genotypes in this sample
evidently make their carriers susceptible to infection with the virus that produces this
disease."
Table 22.1
Percentage of concordance (++) and discordance (+-) with respect of certain traits in pairs of
identical and fraternal twins, of which one member was affected.
Traits Twins pairs studied Identical Fraternal

Identical Fraternal + + + - + + + Measles 189 146 95 05 87 13

Scarlet fever

31 30 64 36 47 53

Tuberculosis 190 427 74 26 28 72

Tumours 62 27 61 39 44 56
Tumours (Specific kinds) 62 27 58 42 24 76
Diabetes mellitus 63 70 84 16 37 63
Feeble-mindedness 126 93 91 09 45 55
He continues further, "Several investigators in different countries have sought in prisons
those who were members of twin pairs. Anybody confined in a prison was considered to have
criminal record, irrespective of what law he had broken. The investigators then determined
whether the co-twin also had a criminal record of any kind at any time. If so, the twins were
scored as concordant; if not, they were entered as discordant. Identical and fraternal twins
were distinguished, using (as in all such studies) fraternal twins only of like sex. The results
are summarized in table 22.2. It is obvious that the proportions of concordant twin pairs is in
every case higher among the identicals than among the fraternals."
Table 22.2
Concordance (++) and discordance (+-) for criminality in twins.
Investigator and Country Identical Fraternal
+++-+++Lange (Germany) 10 03 02 15
Rosanoff et al (USA) 35 10 06 21
Legras (Holland) 04 00 00 05
Krans (Germany) 20 11 23 20
Stumpfl (Germany) 11 07 07 12
Total 80 31 38 73
Percentage 72 28 34 66
Julias Bauer in his excellent book, "Constitution and Disease" gives numerous examples to
substantiate the fact that heredity has a dominant role in the production of diseases.
He defines constitutions as "the sum total of an individual's characteristics as they are
potentially determined at the moment of fertilization..."
"The close similarity between identical twins furnishes evidence that nature (heredity) plays a
far more important role than nature (environment)...
"East considers the effect of any ordinary change of environment "negligible" as compared
with the influence of heredity..."

"'Heredity plays a part in the etiology...' This statement is to be found in all textbooks of
medicine in the discussion of the etiology of many diseases. It seems that certain inherited,
that is, constitutional traits are acting together to bring about the derangement of vital
processes characteristic of the disease under discussion. In other words, an individual
constitutional predisposition is a prerequisite to the development of such a disease. Diabetes,
obesity, gout, essential hypertension, peptic ulcer, cancer, neuroses and psychoses, many
infectious diseases such as acute rheumatic fever and tuberculosis - to enumerate but a few belong to this third group of diseases that cannot become manifest unless the intrinsic
constitutional factor plays its part..."
He describes the constitutional factors which play a role in the etiology of various diseases
and also constitutional factors which modify the clinical picture and course of disease and
factors which necessitate modification of routine treatment.
He gives various examples to show how constitutional or biological inferiority of organs and
tissues can be exhibited in the production of diseases of bones and joints, kidneys, heart and
blood vessels, respiratory tract, nervous system, eyes, ears, thyroid, digestive tract,
connective tissue, etc. He then gives some major diseases in which hereditary factors
constitute the etiology including diabetes mellitus, obesity, essential hypertension, anaemias,
Hodgkin's disease, haemorrhagic diathesis, peptic ulcer, cancer, etc.
The study of heredity shows thus that the pattern of response is practically set when the child
is born and all that happens only takes place within a certain field.
Taking the case of infectious diseases as an illustration, we can see that the bacilli cannot
cause disease unconditionally. A certain susceptibility on the part of the patient is also
essential.
Only very recently the emphasis is shifting from the guest to the host. Dr. Vannier states
quite clearly why he believes the study of typology to be a necessary part of the physician's
work. Man comes into the world endowed with certain potentialities. His human function is to
develop the latter to the greatest possible extent. But in order to do so, he must find out what
he is, and what he can be - otherwise he may leave rich sources untapped, or, alternatively,
strive uselessly after what can never be acquired. By studying his type, the physician hopes
to be able to give his patient this knowledge, and direct him into the best ways of fulfilling
himself - in this case by treatment with homoeopathic remedies. And in our own field John
Paterson, the well-known bacteriologist and homoeopath who has done over forty years'
research work on the bowel flora declares, "In the treatment of chronic disease - it is well nigh
impossible to get successful results without a full knowledge of the Hahnemannian doctrine of
the miasms."
Far from believing that the bacteria are responsible for diseases, John Paterson considers that
they are the concomitants of the diseases. But this research or careful study revealed to him
that a change in the bowel flora always followed a change in the clinical conditions of the
patient. Or, so to say that the bowel flora which was normally passive and harmless became
pathogenic only after the patient became sick clinically. Therefore, it appears that Kent's
statement that the bacteria are the results of the disease seems somewhat approximate to
the truth though it may seem rather absurd.
Discussing the question of Psora, Paterson illustrates the idea with the example of measles.
In measles, the person is infected but before he produces symptoms, there is an interval
which we call the incubation period. During the incubation period the body is not passive but
highly active. There is a struggle going on between the virus which is multiplying and

producing toxin and the body which is resisting. Ultimately when the toxin production gets the
upper hand, the body tries to produce antibodies to eliminate the virus and the toxin. In this
effort it makes use of the skin which itself possesses the power to produce a maximum degree
of antitoxin as compared with the blood plasma. We have noted clinically that when the
eruptions on the surface of the body are maximum in the patient, the toxic effect on the
patient is minimum and vice versa. So, the skin manifestation in measles is not an isolated
local phenomenon but is a localisation of the manifestation and a reflection of the defence in
which the whole body participates. It is quite possible that even in all the so-called chronic
skin disease the skin eruption is a result of a successful effort on the part of the body to get
rid of toxin or viruses.
Bodman claims that all illnesses, which show local skin manifestations are always present as
internal maladies before the eruption appears. The skin symptom may be cured or disappear
of itself, but the chronic disease persists.
He then describes some Russian experiments and concludes, "It can be taken then as firmly
established that a blow to the nervous system, at whatever site it is inflicted, is followed in
the majority of cases by a syndrome of widespread changes throughout the body..."
He quotes a further series of experiments which showed that the initial impulse was the
contact of tetanus toxin with nerve endings: if the nerve endings are anaesthetised, contact
with tetanus toxin does not produce tetanus, even though it was shown that the nerve trunk
connected to the endings contained lethal doses of tetanus toxin...
While these investigations confirmed previous researches showing that tetanus toxin spreads
along nerve trunks, they also proved that this diffusion does not play an essential role in the
pathogenesis of generalised tetanus. "This complex reaction we call tetanus is produced as
soon as the toxin encounters the peripheral nerve endings. But this has a familiar ring. Is this
not an echo of Hahnemann's doctrine that infection takes place without doubt in one single
moment, when the morbid fluid comes in contact with the exposed nerve which then
irrevocably, dynamically, communicates the disease to the whole nervous system...!"
If, therefore, skin conditions are part of the general reaction and have a protective role, it is a
natural corollary that this avenue of elimination should therefore be kept open and
encouraged, not suppressed. But modern medical practitioners many a time consider skin
eruptions and skin manifestations as purely local disorders and vigorously aim to treat them
as such with local and/or internal medicines. And we know very well how many of these cases
who get rid of the skin conditions return with deeper, more internal disorders like asthma,
bronchitis, etc. It is also our experience that as we treat them internally with proper
homoeopathic medicines, the original skin manifestation reappears to the great general relief
of the patient.
Hahnemann himself seems to have been greatly satisfied with the discovery of the chronic
disease theory. He wrote, "But how much more satisfied they would be now that I have
perfected the method which has actually allowed me to prescribe remedies even better
suited, the individual pharmacopraxy and pharmocotherapy of which I have described."
But Westlake regrets that even homoeopaths have not fully realised the significance of the
miasmatic influences. He says, "From reading homoeopathic literature I have the impression
that homoeopaths have never really understood Hahnemann's teaching on Miasms, these
potent and ever present causes of chronic disease."

Allen also writes, "Most of the homoeopathic treatment of today, like the regular school, is
palliative in nature even with the single remedy and the potency. One reason for this is a lack
of knowledge of the chronic miasm that lies behind the morbid phenomenon with which we
have to deal. Many a time even homoeopathic remedies only palliate esp. when the remedy is
not the real similimum. This should always be our guide. Remember that cure should always
be from within out, so that vital organs are always protected."
Paschero in an excellent paper gives an explanation of the miasms. He says, "By a " Miasm". I
think Hahnemann meant a non-physical entity, or as we would now say, an etheric entity,
which has the power or potency to produce aberrations or imbalances of the protein of the
body (See McDonagh's "Unity Theory of Disease")...
"One can, I think, say quite definitely that no chronic disease can be cured unless the
miasmic cause is ascertained and eliminated."
In the treatment of chronic disease which one meets with in practice, it is well nigh
impossible to get successful results without a full knowledge of the Hahnemannian doctrine of
the miasms, so that one may indeed choose "The most similar medicine possible".
Foubister summed up the idea admirably in one sentence when he said, "Hahnemann's
doctrine of chronic disease is essentially that all chronic ailments are secondary
manifestations of an infection or infections, at their inception acute, later lying dormant till
stimulated to flare up in the various guises of ill-health by adverse circumstances such as
prolonged anxiety, environment, or relatively trivial inadequacies of diet and so forth."
Wheeler's judgement still stands that behind virtually every manifestation of chronic disease
there is a deep miasm, as he called it - toxaemia, as we might say, and that effective
treatment must attack that more than anything else.
Paschero writes, "Every experienced homoeopath knows positively that unless he reaches the
dynamic, constitutional background of the patient, unless he had penetrated and understood
the psychological personality and the vicissitudes of adaptation of life which give the earlier
symptoms of neurovegetative dystoria determining the nature of his character and its
particular pathology, he will never be able to cure."
A new look at chronic diseases *
In medical practice, acute conditions often look more serious and dangerous but are actually
more easily amenable to treatment especially in Homoeopathy as the symptom-picture
thrown out is clearer making the selection of the remedy easier. Chronic diseases on the other
hand require much more attention, time and patience. They often have periods of
exacerbations and remissions, and the remissions can be deceptively lulling leading us to
believe that there is improvement. However, they show no tendency towards cure and may
steadily progress and incapacitate the patient even if they do not prove fatal. This is why
Hahnemann devoted so many years of his later life to the study of chronic diseases and
propounded the theory of chronic diseases after prolonged study and contemplation and
himself expressed great satisfaction over it.
Many homoeopaths aver that this is the most important discovery of Hahnemann. For
example, Pateron after over forty years of research work in the fields of bacteriology and
Homoeopathy says, "It is the chronic miasm which determines not only the symptom-picture
but also the type of micro-organism found in the disease." But others consider this theory as
superfluous if not actually irrelevant. Hering, for instance, in the introduction to the third

American edition of the Organon has remarked, "What influence can it have whether a
physician adopts or reject the psoric theory so long as he always selects the most similar
medicine possible." Hughes called it "an entire mistake" to call the psora-hypothesis the
homoeopathic doctrine of chronic disease and says that even if all Hahnemann's theories
were proved to be wrong and abandoned, still Homoeopathy would remain the same. In
1838, the Central Congress of Homoeopaths in Frankfurt went so far as to pass a resolution
condemning the doctrine! There are yet others who are completely unable to understand this
theory. Such is the position.
Every generation has tried to solve the mystery of chronic diseases and in our own
homoeopathic field various interpretations of the chronic disease theory have been given from
time to time. Recent homoeopaths who have attempted to explain it are, Bodman, Clignett,
Eardley, Gordon Ross, Ross, Twentyman, Zissu, and others. Pateron's exposition is one of the
best. Let us now consider a new explanation.
To appreciate this explanation one must be aware of the experiments of Lisa Wurmser. For
the benefit of those who may not be informed of it, I shall summarize it briefly here:
As is well-known to students of bio-chemistry, certain minerals when injected into "the body
are not completely eliminated, a certain amount being fixed and retained in the tissues. For
example, after the administration of a strong but non-lethal dose of arsenic, a rapid urinary
elimination is observed, about 35% of the arsenic being excreted in the urine during the first
ninety hours following the injection.
Thereafter, no further trace of arsenic is observed in the urine, the remaining arsenic
remaining fixed to the tissues.
Lisa Wurmser assisted by Mr. Ney and Madam Krautele working in the laboratory of Prof. Lapp
in Strasbourg carried out a series of very intricate and interesting experiments to see if the
infinitesimal dose of the same substance influences the elimination of the mineral previously
fixed to the tissues. Experimenting with the 4th, 5th and 7th potencies of arsenic and bismuth
in animals which had previously received large doses of the same substances, they found that
these potencies definitely increased the excretion of the drugs. For example, the potencies of
arsenic raised the initial elimination of arsenic from the normal 35% to 42%. Similarly, after
every test injection of the bismuth in potency, a further elimination of the bismuth originally
absorbed was observed.
Now I shall quote a case I had reported earlier which can be kept in opposition and studied.
Master P.B. , aged 14 years, an young boy, was brought to me for consultation on 28th Oct.
1963, with very severe pain in the hamstring tendons of the right leg of 15 days duration. The
pain was so severe and he was so much aggravated by stretching the leg, that the boy could
not stand up or walk. He had even to be carried to the bathroom by his father whenever he
wanted to attend nature's calls.
On examination, I found tenderness in the right popliteal fossa. The lateral tendon which is
normally palpable on flexion could not be felt or seen.
His appetite, thirst, stool, sleep, etc., were normal but enquiry revealed that one month
previously he had had an attack of measles.
Further, I learnt that in July 56, he had suffered from an attack of Diphtheria from which he
had recovered with the help of A.D. Serum but since then his health had not at all been good.

He used to suffer from some disorder or other, throat pain or fever or abdominal pain or
vomiting and so on.
Though the boy had approached me only for the acute condition of the pain in the hamstring
tendons, I thought of treating the background first. After all there was the possibility that he
was suffering from ill-effects or sequelae of Diphtheria, whether it was related to the present
illness or not. So, I gave him six doses of Diphtherinum 1M to be taken T.D. S, thinking I would
clear up the background first. I was planning to work out the remedy for his acute condition,
after two days.
On 31st Oct. 63, that is three days later, he returned to consult me and you can imagine my
surprise when I found that the severe pain and tenderness in the legs had completely
disappeared! He could extend his legs completely and was able to walk about normally. His
mother reported that within the last two days his general health had become much better.
I gave him no further medicine.
I saw him again on 11th Nov. 1963. His condition was normal. He got a slight pain in the leg
only if he walked very long distances.
Since then, he has remained normal.
Now, in Lisa Wurmser's experiments a dose of mineral was injected and it was observed that
a portion of this was retained in the body but was subsequently eliminated when the animal
was given a homoeopathic dose of the same mineral.
In the case of diphtheria cited where the boy recovered but not completely, the possible
reason could be that all the toxin produced during the infection was not completely
neutralised or eliminated. When the boy was later given the same toxin (Diphtherinum) in a
homoeopathic dose, the remaining toxin was probably eliminated leading to complete
recovery.
This is how when a patient says he is not well after any infectious disease, we administer a
dose of the potentized toxin (nosode) as a homoeopathic medicine. This probably helps to
eliminate the toxin that might have remained in the body.
But, since the concept of Homoeopathy is that the disease-energy and drug-energy are
interchangeable forces, we can either administer the attenuated disease toxin (the nosode),
or a drug most similar to the manifestation of the disease-toxin (the similimum), in order to
neutralise or eliminate the remaining toxin.
To illustrate, in a case of a patient who has not been well after an attack of Influenza, we may
give a dose of Influenzinum, the nosode, or alternately a dose of Cadmium met. as suggested
by William Gutman, here the disease effect of Influenzinum and drug effect of Cadmium met.
being extremely similar and therefore interchangeable.
This condition has been called chronic toxemia by Gordon Ross and intoxination by Vannier. If
it is very deep-seated, it can be called a miasm. Foubister mentions that Tyler herself
suggested the possibility that psora might consist of the aftermath of one or more of any
infections, acute or chronic.
That such toxemia or intoxination could be acquired or inherited, there is now increasing
evidence. It is also known that diseases are not merely caused by external factors. A certain
degree of inherent predisposition or susceptibility is essential which may be inborn. Boyd, the

pathologist, writes, "In the causation of disease, two great factors always demand
consideration; these are environment and heredity. So far, we have been concerned for the
most part with the environmental diseases, those caused by bacteria, animal parasites,
trauma, physical irritants, chemical poisons and so forth. For the past century or more,
medicine has concerned itself with these extrinsic agencies which are more readily studied
and for which more can be done than in the case of hereditary defects of the germ plasm" and
ends saying that these studies show that, "Men are not created free and equal but
handicapped from the beginning."
He then goes on to say that in inherited diseases if the gene is recessive it may remain
dormant for many generations (hundred of years) before it gets a chance to be free and show
its effects. Then he gives a long list of diseases of the blood, metabolism, skeletal defects,
neuromuscular disorders of skin, of eye, mind, etc., which are all hereditary. To show the
influence of heredity he also quotes many twins who developed identical disease around the
same age. It is therefore, evident that this inherent susceptibility is inborn.
Many times when there is a family history of tuberculosis and we give the patient a dose of
Tuberculinum, he feels better whatever may be his actual disease. Here the attenuated dose
of the disease product - the nosode - possibly helps in the excretion of the retained toxins or
neutralises the products of the toxins - in whatever form - and naturally this leads to an
improvement in the condition of the patient.
Modern medicine considers that only certain types of diseases or disease-effects can be
transferred to the next or succeeding generations. But we have strong reasons to think that
even the residual effect of various diseases can be transferred to the next generation. For
instance, Stewart mentions congenital deformities of babies caused by virus infection of the
mother during pregnancy and says that the placental barrier does not always protect the child
as German measles, smallpox, mumps and influenza have all produced abnormalities. The
effects of Thalidomide are well known. Dulbecco, Resident Fellow of the Salk Institute, San
Diego, mentions that viruses tend to be transmitted from one generation to another. Rose
quotes Griffith Evans from his book, "Latent Syphilis and the Autonomous Nervous System" to
say that the infection can be carried to the 3rd generation and says that latent syphilis can
cause thyroiditis and goitre, allergies, dyspepsias, abdominal pain, peritoneal adhesions,
chronic ulceration of mouth, pre-cancerous condition and even cancer. This is why Paterson,
the eminent Bacteriologist says, "Chronic diseases are due to an inherited miasm."
Hahnemann also says that miasms are present at birth. Unless these are neutralised the
patient may not improve.
With this idea in mind if we look at Hahnemann's theory of chronic diseases, we can see that
there was truth and wisdom in his theory.
Reversible and irreversible changes
Modern pathology classifies certain changes as irreversible and considers these conditions as
incurable. No doubt, there is a certain limit beyond which, if the pathology progresses, the
disease will be incurable. But we, the homoeopaths, have found that in our experience some
of these cases which are considered incurable by our allopathic colleagues, are amenable to
treatment. To take an extreme example Hughling's Jackson states that nerve cells once
destroyed can never regenerate. But we have seen at least three cases of optic atrophy
recover their vision after the patients had been examined and told by well-known
opthalmologists that the atrophy of the nerve is irreversible and that nothing can be done for
them.

Cases of gangrene have been treated by Homoeopathy and circulation restored when the
surgeons had declared after careful examination that amputation was essential. To illustrate I
would like to describe a remarkable case of gangrene that I had an occasion to see in 1964.
Some time in Oct. 1964, I was called to see a young girl of 15 years suffering from gangrene
of the left foot particularly affecting the toe, which had become black. She was having very
severe, unbearable pain in the limb, which was worse by putting down the foot. Originally she
had started getting the pain about the 7th of August and she noticed that there was also a
bluish discoloration of the foot which was gradually increasing. On raising up the limb, it
would become pale. She was admitted into a hospital and was examined by several
physicians and surgeons. It was first suspected as a case of Berger's disease. Aortography
was done and then it was discovered that the gangrene was due to an embolus in the femoral
artery. She was advised to have the leg amputated but the patient refused to undergo
amputation and her father was also unwilling. So they got the girl discharged from the
hospital. When the girl came out the physician in the hospital was kind enough to prepare and
give a complete report. As this report is very descriptive, I produce it in its entirety, omitting
only the names of the various doctors mentioned:
"Dept. of Cardiology, ... Hospital, Bombay.
Pt.'s Name : V.S. L. Sex : Female Age : 15 years
Date of admission : 17.08.1964 Date of discharge : 06.09.1964
Summary of the Case
This 15 years old school girl was admitted under us for: swelling and discolouration of the (L)
foot of ten days standing. History dates back to around three months when she had high fever
with rigors, intermittent, coming down after profuse sweating. With fever came up pain and
muscle aches in all four limbs, which gradually subsided on its own with fever but for the pain
(L) lower limb - associated with gradual wasting of the same limb.
Pain was more or less continuous varying in intensity, stitching in type, aggravated by
stretching the leg but relieved to an extent by massaging the same or by flexion at the knee.
"About ten days back she had injured herself on the left foot by Tarcol drum, following which
the pains have become more intense with burning sensation in the (L) foot, swelling of the
same having come up later followed five days later by bluish discoloration of the foot which
was gradually progressive.
"On admission she was found to be in severe agony more or less, massaging her foot
continuously. Radial pulse rate was 88/m. Upper and (R) lower limb pulsations were well felt
while (L) Femoral was weak and (L) Popliteal and (L) Post Tibial and (L) Doralis Pedis were
absent altogether with inability to record B.P. , in (L) lower limb. Remaining systemic
examination revealed mere wasting of (L) lower limb. Local examination showed that (L) foot
was swollen as a whole upto the ankle with bluish discoloration, skin over the foot was tense,
and shining with no line of demarcation, temp. over it being a little subnormal and sensation a
little blunted, while the movements of the great toe were greatly restricted owing to severe
pain. She had high arch of the foot.
"A provisional diagnosis of threatened gangrene was made and emergency surgical unit was
summoned for opinion. Dr. P., M. S, E.R. C.S. , Dr. G., M.S. , F.R. C.S. and Dr. D., M.S. , F.R. C.S.
examined her and the diagnosis was confirmed and advised to consult thoracic surgeons for
their opinion regarding putting in an immediate graft. On consultation of our thoracic

surgeons, Dr. M., Dr. S., and Dr. V.M. , we were advised to have an urgent Aortogram done on
her.
"Before undertaking her aortography, neuro-physician was called in who opined that
threatened gangrene is likely to be of vascular pathology and wasting of (L) LL can also be
explained on the similar basis.
"Aortogram was done on 24th Aug. 1964 under basal premedication - which revealed
narrowed arterial tree on (L) side with a small embolus sitting at the junction lower third and
fourth part of Femoral Artery.
"X-Ray foot showed generalised Osteoporosis of (L) foot.
"Routine blood count, urine examination, E.C. G. and X-Ray chest did not reveal any
abnormality.
"After joint consultation of our two chiefs, Dr. T. and Dr. S., we decided and put her on strict
bed rest with Inj. Priscol 0.01 g every four hourly later to every six hourly with Ledermycin 250
mg four times a day, anticoagulants and Tablet Pelonin one three times a day, with local
Nebausulph, sprinkling over the foot.
"In her stay with us for three weeks she made steady improvement for the first two weeks
and later remained static. Her swelling almost disappeared, bluishness was then restricted to
the great toe only, with development of Paronychia and an abscess under the great toe with
discharging sinus. Her pain as well as burning sensation improved considerably.
"Finally Orthopaedic Surgeon's opinion was asked for when amputation of the great toe was
contemplated. Our Hon. Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. J. examined her and opined that she was
having Infected Paronychia with threatened gangrene and advised the removal of the nail and
considered amputation at a later date once the infection subsides.
"On explaining the matter to pt.'s parents, it was ultimately concluded to let her go as per
request, as her father had an intention of consulting his own physician and surgeon before
finally submitting her for amputation."
After she was discharged, the patient approached a famous person in the film world who also
knows homoeopathic medicine. This gentleman took up the treatment of this patient and
prescribed certain homoeopathic medicines. As a result of these medicines, the girl found fast
improvement in the severe unbearable pain in the legs as also in the bluish discolouration of
the foot. When there was sufficient improvement, the parents took the girl back to the same
hospital and consulted the same surgeon who had examined her previously. The surgeon,
after examination, was very much surprised to find that the pulsation in the femoral artery
was normal and had also appeared in the Popliteal artery. But, the surgeons gave opinion that
amputation was still necessary. Again the parents refused to have the amputation and
continued the same homoeopathic treatment. After some weeks, they consulted the same
surgeon again and this time the surgeon was again surprised to note that the pulsation had
returned in the Dorsalis Pedis. Still, he (the surgeon) suggested the amputation. The parents
refused and the homoeopathic medicines were continued. It was at this stage that I was called
in for consultation. In view of the remarkable and amazing history and the vast improvement
that had already taken place, I gave my opinion that the same treatment was to be continued
and there was no need for me to interfere at all. Accordingly, the same treatment was
continued and in a few days time the gangrenous toe fell off by itself and the girl was quite
free. I heard that even after two years, the girl was keeping good health.

In my many years of experience I have seen many remarkable cases but I must say this was
one of the most remarkable ones and I must give credit to my friend, the lay homoeopath,
who could do so much for his case.
Even the scope of modern medicine is expanding and modern medical practitioners are now
able to treat cases successfully which formerly they would have considered incurable.
And it is our experience as homoeopaths that we get a larger share of these cases which
have had treatment from allopathic medicine which had failed to relieve or cure them or cases
which had been declared as incurable, or those which had been advised to undergo surgery.
And it is our experience also that such cases, at least quite a large proportion of them, do get
relieved and some even cured by our treatment. And, therefore, we are not able to accept
completely the prognosis given by the previous allopathic physicians. The prognosis given by
them is based on their experience of such cases and on the normal course of such diseases as
noted by them but as we had mentioned both the course and termination of such diseases are
considerably influenced and altered by homoeopathic treatment. Here again the prognosis
under homoeopathic treatment depends on whether we are able to select the proper
medicine and such selection again depends on whether we are able to get the proper
indications for such a medicine. If such indications or what we call characteristic or
individualising symptoms are absent then the prescription has to be based on the gross
disease symptoms or pathology present. And in such cases excellent results need not be
expected.
However I must mention that, even in such types of cases, Homoeopathy has been able to
cure. Burnett's famous cases of cataract, skin diseases, backward children, etc., come in this
category. I may also mention a case of cancer treated by an allopathic colleague.
This case was described to me in the following manner.
I was once presiding over the Hahnemann Day Celebrations in a prominent city in India, the
capital of a State. During the proceedings, a gentleman approached me, introduced himself as
a surgeon and as the head of the biggest local Govt. Hospital and asked my permission to
speak. I happily acceeded. Then he paid glowing tributes to Homoeopathy and described an
experience of his.
Some months earlier, a poor woman had been admitted into his hospital with a prominent,
painful, hard tumour in her abdomen. Being a surgeon he straight away opened the abdomen
but was horrified to see that it was a big and extensive inoperable carcinomatous growth of
the uterus. So he closed the abdomen and thought of irradiating the tumour. But the
radiologist advised against irradiation as it might only result in sloughing of the intestines and
a quicker end. So the surgeon called the patient's husband and gave out the bad prognosis
that she might live only a few days more. The patient's husband requested that she may be
kept in the hospital for a few days.
Since nothing else could be done, the surgeon thought of trying Homoeopathy. So, he
approached a renowned local homoeopath, and asked him to prescribe some medicine. But,
this homoeopath was himself seriously ill and so he gave this surgeon a copy of Boericke's
Materia Medica and asked him to select the remedy himself. The surgeon who had no idea of
homoeopathic selection naturally looked under the heading "Cancer of the uterus" and
selected one of the first remedies which was Aurum muriaticum natronatum. He went to the
shop, consulted the shopkeeper as to what potency should be used and bought the 6th
potency. This he gave three times a day to the patient. To his surprise and amazement, he
found that the pain gradually subsided and also that the size of the tumour slowly decreased.

There was such a steady and remarkable improvement that the surgeon kept the patient
under observation for three or four months and still the condition improved further and further
till she became apparently normal. The relatives were so pleased that they took discharge of
the patient and took her home though the surgeon would have liked to keep the patient under
observation for a much longer time. Since she lived far away from the city, the surgeon
requested the relative to apply to him immediately if there was the slightest sign of relapse of
the tumour or the pain but more than one year had passed and they had not applied to him.
So the surgeon presumed that the patient was still well.
This case had an interesting sequel. This case was shown to Dr. P.M. , head of the Ayurvedic
Research Hospital, Jamnanagar, who was so impressed that he suggested that it should be
brought to the notice of Dr. B., an eminent cancer specialist, who happened to be there at the
time. This good doctor, after examining the case, opined, "This could not have been a case of
cancer." But, when the slide taken originally (biopsy) before homoeopathic treatment was
shown to him, he had to agree that indeed it was a case of cancer. But not believing that the
result was due to homoeopathic treatment, he said, "This must be one of the rare cases of
spontaneous cure!"
Homoeopathy and surgery
"Do you as a Homoeopath believe in Surgery, Doctor?"
"Doctor, is not Homoeopathy against Surgery?"
These questions of believing or not believing in surgery arise because its methods are being
applied every day in certain types of conditions. So in posing these questions, what the
patient actually seeks to know is whether we as homoeopaths find the need for permitting
and utilising surgery or not.
It is necessary to answer this question because there is even in the minds of medical
practitioners, quite a deal of confusion and misconception about the relationship of
Homoeopathy to surgery. There are surgeons who believe that Homoeopathy is totally against
surgery just as there are homoeopaths who condemn surgery without realising what they say.
Firstly, it must be clearly understood that every fully trained medical man must necessarily
learn the disciplines of both medicine and surgery, and must be able to advise about the
application of the one or the other or both as would be in the best interests of the patient.
When a person falls ill, there are at first functional changes taking place in the body. The
body tries somehow to adjust itself successfully to the new internal or external environment. It
attempts to resist, neutralise and nullify the morbid influences, whether they be within the
body, e.g. in the form of bacteria and their toxins, or without as for example, a sudden
change of weather. If the body is able to successfully adjust itself, there is no disease and
therefore no symptoms. But if there is failure of such adjustment, in part or in full, disease
results and becomes evident by altered sensations and functions.
If this functional derangement is allowed to continue and progress, and the body is unable to
cope up with these changes, then the structural element of the body has to alter itself in a
further effort to adjust itself to the new circumstances. And so gradually structural changes
take place which we term as pathological changes. It is in this stage that we are able to
clearly see the signs of the disease and appreciate the disease objectively.
When the indicated homoeopathic remedy is administered, the whole process of evolution of
the disease is reversed and changes in the tissues recede and regress till the patient is cured,

i.e. till the organism re-attains its original state of healthy, harmonious functioning of all the
organs and tissues. But sometimes this process of reversal may not be complete and perfect,
or it may not be at all possible for various reasons.
Alternatively, the changes in the tissues may progress to such a stage or to such an extent
that they become frankly surgical conditions, in which no amount of accurate prescribing can
ever be done in the hope to correct them unaided by the scalpel. Third degree prolapses of
the uterus or rectum, advanced cataract, large calculi in the kidneys, urinary bladder or gall
bladder, large malignant growths, etc., are some instances. Of a different type but still
needing surgical aid are the many congenital developmental defects such as hare-lip, cleft
palate, oesophageal atresia, cardiac septal defects, etc. On the other hand it is equally true
that some surgeons tend to look at all cases from the surgical point of view and are often
devising surgical measures for conditions which are easily amenable to medication. Some
instances are enlarged tonsils, tubercular lymph nodes, peptic ulcers, papillomata, sinusitis,
chronic cholecystitis, and such other conditions. Between these two extremes, the frankly
surgical and the frankly medical, there is a very large field of diseases in which the surgeon
operates but in which it is found that careful prescribing by the physician, esp. the
homoeopathic prescriber, may eliminate the need for surgery.
We, as homoeopaths, consider that surgery is mostly needed only when medical therapy
fails, and that generally a call for surgery is an admission of failure of medicine. Even when
surgery is really needed, in most cases it is only able to remove the results of disease,
because pathological conditions like abscesses, tumours, calculi, haemorrhoids, etc., are all
only the ultimate manifestations of disease processes. They are not the diseases because
disease is actually a change in the internal organisation and functioning of the body and this,
surgery can never hope to correct. So even when surgery is needed, it should be preceded
and followed by appropriate medical treatment.
Stearns says, "There are many so-called surgical conditions which are really medical
conditions where surgery should be incidental." Then he gives many instances to support this.
He also quotes how Carleton had cured a case of tuberculosis of the knee and another of
aneurism, while in both cases amputation had been advised but as the patients had refused
operation, they had been treated with homoeopathic medicines and cured.
Pleading for medical and surgical cooperation, he says many so-called surgical conditions are
really medical conditions, e.g. some cases of varicose veins, boils and carbuncles, fistulae.
Mattern writes, "From a consideration of over 15 000 treatments given to ambulant surgical
cases in the dispensaries of the Hahnemann Hospital and St. Luke's and Children's
Homoeopathic Hospitals of Philadelphia, and in private practice, it is apparent that the
treatment is principally surgical. However, there are some cases where purely surgical
treatment is slow or ineffective that are decidedly aided by the application of the indicated
homoeopathic remedy. There are no absolute specifics in medicine, therefore a thorough
knowledge of homoeopathic Materia Medica is especially beneficial.
Long before the days of modern bronchoscopic removal of foreign bodies, before the days of
X-ray, homoeopaths of the old line were removing foreign bodies by the application of the
indicated remedy. The literature of yesterday abounds with cures that would be little short of
miraculous in these days of ultra-scientific practice. Case after case has been reported by the
old homoeopaths where the administration of Lobelia over a period of time has resulted in a
hemoptysis with the foreign body being ejected with the flow of blood - a tooth, a button, a
tack, etc. Citations of cases of this type are musing to many modern physicians. We may

doubt them yet how much better doctors we would be if we could couple their keen powers of
observation, their comprehensive knowledge of Homoeopathy with our modern diagnostic
aids."
He cites cases of varicose veins (cured with Carduus marianus and Calc-f 6x) and many other
apparently surgical cases cured with appropriate homoeopathic remedies.
Grimmer explains the situation clearly as follows:
"Surgery has to do with the things mechanical, with the end results of disease, or with injury
to the material body or its parts. And because Homoeopathy is basic in its curative processes,
if its aid can be invoked in time, surgical procedures will not be required, excepting such as
may be needed in cases of injury to the body machine or in other rare instances of congenital
physical defects. Much of surgery is but palliative at best, because it deals with the end
results of disease, without having the ability to expel chronic inherited toxemias that are
behind all disorderly life processes. Surgery, when indicated, is like the indicated remedy, a
great blessing, and often saves lives and relieves suffering. The evacuation of pus from deep
abscesses, and those hidden away in closed cavities of the body, the extraction of carious
teeth, the removal of obstructions and stenosed channels and ducts and even the excision of
benign growths pressing on important structures are some of many valuable things that
surgery best accomplishes. When these hindrances and obstructions are removed the life
force of the organism can better carry on its many and complex life functions even though
the morbific agent which caused those slow forming mechanical end results remains
unchanged..."
"As physicians whose sole duty is to heal the sick, we cannot afford to ignore intelligent help
from any source so long as the aid available is based on law and common sense. If we are
steeped in homoeopathic philosophy, we may employ surgery and mechanical measures with
tremendous good to our patients and with increased credit to the homoeopathic cause itself.
From this angle we see two distinct types of surgical procedure, namely, the constructive and
the destructive. The first type fits in perfectly with the doctrines of Homoeopathy because it
conserves organs and parts of the body organism and aids in the maintenance of the perfect
rhythm of the life force..."
Stuart Close that master, remarks, "...I cannot be charged with having any undue leaning
towards surgery; but there are times and places where good skillful surgery is an absolute
necessity...we must acknowledge that we are finite and that we have our limitations. There
are times when we cannot find the remedy; there are cases and states that mark a limit as far
as any doctor should go in his own judgement, with the internal remedy alone; you must
decide where it is a surgical case and call in a surgeon to help you. Do not ever allow a patient
to die on account of your inability to get the right remedy, but call in a surgeon to help you."
Then, describing a case of acute abdomen he says, "... other adhesions over the gall-bladder
were found and broken up and entire recovery followed. In the presence of such complications
we must not fall down; we must not let our devotion to the effect of the remedy and to the
cause of true therapeutic science allow us to expect effects in cases which belong to the
domain of surgery. That is to the detriment of the patient and of true science. On the other
hand, I do not doubt that all of you have been called to cases where surgery had done its
best, or where it was not indicated, and where the remedy was all that was needed to effect a
perfect cure."
Alfred Pulford writes very strongly to say that all surgeons must know Homoeopathy. To quote
him, "Just why should all surgeons be compelled to study the practice of Homoeopathy? Study

the following exhibits and answer the question yourselves! Do not get me wrongly, I am not
unalterably opposed to surgery. I am only opposed to unnecessary surgery! Surgery should
only come into play as a dernier resort; a resort to be avoided wherever possible. The human
body, more delicate than the most delicately constructed watch, once any of its parts are
either removed or changed, can never again operate with the accurate precision it did before
that removal. To remove parts without the most just cause to supposedly prevent their
supposed occurrence, is a method born of crass ignorance, and does not speak for the
intelligence of the operator. No sane man would think of snipping a cog from the wheel of his
watch because it did not keep proper time..." Then he goes on to quote a number of "surgical"
cases cured by homoeopathic medicines.
Plumb Brown reports several cases including one of intestinal obstruction cured with
medicines.
Farr says that the judicious use of surgery, esp. conservative surgical interference, will
considerably aid homoeopathic remedies. In the discussion, Underhill gives his opinion that
85% of surgery is unnecessary and Dienst quotes a surgeon as saying 73% was unnecessary.
Coleman states, "Edmund Carleton, Gilchrist and William Todd Helmuth were surgeons who
appreciated the value of homoeopathic prescribing, an art much neglected by the modern
operator. Many operations have been prevented by the timely administration of the
homoeopathically indicated remedy, and in those cases in which operations are necessary,
and it behoves us to recognise such, the pre- and post-operative conditions are bettered by
the proper use of drugs. The woeful lack of the employment of the similar and single remedy
by the surgical specialist indicates the necessity for reform in his important field.
Many times I have caused lumps in the breast, some of years' standing, to disappear under
the action of Conium, Phytolacca, Iodine, etc., after operations were advised. The exclusive
surgeon would say that they were only adenitis, with which diagnosis I fully agree, but why
operate for "only adenitis" when such can be cured medicinally? I have cured a number of
patients suffering from cervical adenitis with the indicated remedy. Operative measures were
strongly advocated in many of these cases. I have prevented most appendicitis patients from
going on the operating table, but not all. A few must be operated, and it is for the clinician to
decide. Deep ulcerations in which amputations were advised after the failure of all known
local treatment have healed rapidly under the beneficient action of the similia...
Carbuncles have been cured promptly by such remedies as Arsenicum and Anthracinum after
ordinary "up-to-date" surgical measures had failed.
Hayes also thinks that many of the superficial conditions such as abscesses, carbuncles, etc.,
classified as surgical are really medical.
Roberts sums up the position in an excellent manner. He writes, "The homoeopathic physician
is first of all a physician and yet there is that in each of our experiences that which compels us
to go beyond the real province of the physician and enter the domain of special branches of
the healing art. Surgery is one of these special fields that demands of each of us peculiar
faculties and definite training if we would be the means of conserving the work of the
physician in the world. This is especially true of homoeopathic physicians.
"Surgery is neither homoeopathic nor allopathic, but is surgery pure and simple. We are
liable to err and place Homoeopathy in an unfavourable position in the class of classes coming
under our care, that try the skill of the physician and surgeon alike to decide whether a given
case is surgical or medical. It is very essential that we should be trained thoroughly to

discover the line that demarcate the one from the other. It is just as blameworthy to decide
against surgery as in its favour unless we are correct in our judgement. It is ignorance here
that becomes a crime, just as truly as when Hahnemann declared ignorance of the healing art
a crime."
Sarat Chandra Ghosh records having cured with homoeopathic medicines several cases of
mammary tumours, five of abdomen and six cases of appendicitis. He then describes a case
in detail to prove that "surgical" cases are sometimes amenable to homoeopathic remedies.
Boger refers to careful homoeopathic prescribing and says, "I maintain, however, that under
such prescribing, the surgeon will have to be called in, in not more than one per cent of such
cases. The longer I practice medicine, the more confidence I have in my remedies and I would
call your attention to the fact that just that is one of the distinctive differences between
Allopathy and Homoeopathy. In the one, the longer the physician practices, the less use he
has for internal medicine, in the other the longer he practices the more success and the more
confidence he has in them. I wish everyone of you could get and read Boenninghausen's
Aphorisms of Hippocrates, it is most useful to homoeopaths and abounds in pearls and
diamonds from beginning to end. In treating this very subject, he comes to the same
conclusion by a different sort of reasoning."
"It is within the power of the indicated remedy, to convert noxious fluids in the shape of pus
or other poison into innocuous fluids. At least in some way they become harmless. The
pathologist will bear me out, in saying that exposure for a time to a harmful influence
increases the power of the system to overcome it. After a certain time if the system is not
overcome by it, pus may be allowed to remain in the body with perfect safety, in the same
way bullets and other foreign bodies may be allowed to remain, with safety."
Indications for surgery
It now seems appropriate, therefore, to consider and classify conditions where surgical
treatment may be clearly needed and may be expected to benefit more than medical
treatment. The following conditions and circumstances may be expected to indicate surgery.
1. There may be actual defects or deformities of the organs at birth congenitally. In such
cases, it is doubtful if these defects or deformities, at least many of them, can be corrected by
medicine, e.g. Patent Ductus, Atrial or ventricular septal defects, malformation of organs such
as cleft palate, hare lip, imperforate anus, oesophageal atresia, absent pinna of the ears, etc.
In such cases mechanical correction, repair of the defects or reconstruction of the part will be
necessary.
2. Sometimes the end-results or the pathological products of diseases themselves may be
causing excessive discomfort to, and preventing improvement or even threatening the life of
the patient. Examples are aneurisms of aorta, excessive ascitic fluid or pleural effusion,
retention of urine, etc. In these cases, mechanical intervention such as tapping,
catheterization, etc., may be required to relieve the patient and to promote a cure.
3. In some cases, while the disease may be corrected and even cured in the real sense, i.e.
the organism is restored to order, the end-products of the disease may remain behind, e.g. a
big calculus in the kidney or bladder may refuse to dissolve and these may have to be
removed surgically.

4. For conditions arising from external causes such as wounds, haemorrhages, etc., surgical
means may be needed. In fractures, setting of the broken bones and plaster application may
be necessary.
5. In cases like the Pott's disease, complete immobility is to be achieved by (surgical)
application of plaster.
6. In certain diseases for the purposes of diagnosis, surgical procedures may be needed, e.g.
lumbar puncture, bronchoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, biopsy, etc.
7. While a patient is under treatment, suddenly an acute emergency may arise requiring
surgical operation, e.g. perforation of peptic ulcer, or appendix, internal haemorrhage,
strangulation of a hernia, sudden obstruction in the larynx as in diphtheria requiring
immediate tracheostomy, etc.
8. In intractable lesions which refuse to clear up in spite of the most careful prescribing, e.g.
trigeminal neuralgia, third degree of prolapse of rectum or uterus, gangrene, etc., surgical
procedures may have to be adopted to give relief to and to save the life of the patient,
however regrettable the step may be, and though this would be an admission of failure on the
part of the physician. Here the ego of the physician should not interfere with the objective of
giving relief to and saving the life of the patient, by the use of surgical measures when
medical treatment has clearly failed.
Even when surgical procedures are decided upon, adequate preparation and pre- and postoperative medication (homoeopathic) will cut down the hazards of surgery, if any, and hasten
the recovery of the patient and his restoration to complete health.
Majumdar considers that the sick patient be treated with the indicated remedy and then only
should surgery be carried out so that the patient will respond much better to the surgery.
In adopting surgical procedures one has to consider carefully and make sure that such
procedures do not merely aim at the elimination or worse, suppression of a local pathology
but rather the product of a disease which is perhaps impeding or retarding the cure or putting
the life of the patient in risk.
When a surgical procedure is proposed, its pros and cons are to be carefully weighed and
then only should the matter be decided. Here the surgeon must work in close cooperation
with the homoeopathic physician and then he will find his work more successful and
rewarding.
Some "Surgical" Cases:
Of course, it is true that many of the conditions which from a surgeon's point of view would
definitely need to be operated upon have responded most surprisingly to the correct
homoeopathic prescription, defeating the worst fears of the surgeon. As a result many of the
patients who have been advised surgery as the only solution to their problems, have fled from
fear to the homoeopathic physician and have responded very well to the homoeopathic
medication, making surgery superfluous. A few illustrative cases from the author's own
experience are quoted here, though innumerable cases can be found recorded in the
homoeopathic literature.
Peri-tonsillar abscess

A boy of 18 years was seen with high temperature and a big painful swelling on the right side
of the neck. He could neither open his mouth, nor could he swallow even a teaspoonful of
water, nor could he even whisper. A junior homoeopath, who had seen him, had diagnosed it
as Diphtheria and had suggested that he should be shifted at once to the infectious disease
hospital. When his mouth was opened with some difficulty and the throat was examined a
huge, tender, fluctuating swelling was found over the right tonsil. It appeared to be a case of
peri-tonsillar abscess. He had excessive salivation, great difficulty in swallowing saliva, pain in
throat amel. by cold drinks and such other symptoms which indicated Merc-i-f. One was not
sure if the abscess should be incised and drained. So it was decided to consult a surgeon.
Meantime, Merc-i-f 1M, was given every 2 hours. By next morning, the temperature had
dropped to 99 oF, pain had decreased considerably and the boy was able to swallow and
speak. On looking into the throat, the swelling was actually found pointing. It was felt that
now at least a surgeon would have to be called in and the abscess incised but still as the
patient was clinically much improved, the medicine was continued four hourly and calling in
the surgeon was postponed. Next day, surprisingly the patient was quite all right; the
swelling, pain, etc., had all disappeared! There was no need to call in a surgeon after all!
Cervical rib syndrome
Once, a medical student, a young girl aged 18, was getting severe attacks of shooting pain in
the right arm. Examination revealed loss of power in the arm, wasting of the muscles of the
palm and local cyanosis also. The least exertion, even writing a few lines, aggravated the
pain. X-rays showed bilateral cervical ribs. She had consulted several doctors, physicians and
surgeons and everyone was of the opinion that she needed an operation to remove the
pressure on the nerve as it was a cervical rib syndrome. Three or four good homoeopathic
physicians had prescribed for her with no effect and they also concluded that surgery was
needed. As the most careful homoeopathic prescribing had no effect, it was decided that
surgery was probably indicated. For some reason, the girl decided to get herself operated a
month hence and so she wanted some temporary medicine merely for the relief of pain. So,
she was given a last prescription. It seems the correct remedy had been stumbled upon this
time - it was Kali-c - because she experienced profound relief from pain. Because of this the
operation was postponed further and she continued to take Kali-c as and when necessary.
Within two or three months she was completely free from pain and could undertake all normal
work.
Appendicitis
There was a girl aged 15 or so who developed pain and tenderness in right iliac fossa with
vomiting. It was diagnosed as appendicitis and an immediate operation was advised. The poor
mother became distraught with anxiety and brought the daughter at once several miles to the
homoeopathic hospital because she had great faith in Homoeopathy. In view of the opinion of
the previous doctor, we were cautious but we were aware that in appendicitis expectant
treatment is more favoured nowadays. So, we admitted her and gave her some medicine,
possibly we gave her Iris tenax. Next day, she was completely well. It is now 8 years and she
has never had any relapse of the pain. Of course the probability is there that the original
diagnosis had been wrong and possibly it was not actually appendicitis but merely
appendicular colic, but however a surgical intervention was averted.
Cholesteatoma
Once, there was a patient suffering from discharge of pus from the ear. He had gone to an
eminent E.N. T. surgeon who had diagnosed it as cholesteatoma, and had advised an

operation since there was no medical treatment for this condition. The patient refused the
operation and had come for Homoeopathy. Under a homoeopathic prescription in three weeks
his discharge stopped. Some time later the ear specialist saw him and asked him why he had
not turned up for the operation. The patient explained that he was normal. So, the ear
specialist examined his ear and remarked with surprise, "It looks so clean, as if someone has
operated on you!" When the patient told that he had taken homoeopathic medicine, the
specialist was pleasantly surprised and developed respect for Homoeopathy.
Sinusitis
Some time later, the wife of this same specialist applied for treatment. She had been
suffering from recurrent colds and headaches. It had been diagnosed as Sinusitis. The usual
treatment of the husband, the E.N. T. surgeon, had not helped. So he wanted to inject some
auto-blood into the nose. She had refused and had opted for homoeopathic treatment. Her
remedy was found to be Pulsatilla. This relieved her soon and she is now free for over one
year. She is very grateful to Homoeopathy.
Rhinosperdiosis
Then there was a patient aged 40 from Nasik. He was an employee in the Air Force. He was
having prolific cauliflower-like growths growing from inside the nose and hanging outside the
nostrils since the age of 17 or 18. He has been operated once a year eleven times but it had
recurred every time. It had been diagnosed as Rhinosperdiosis, which is a sort of fungoid
growth. He also gave the history that six of his brothers had the same disorder. When it
swelled up, it used to fill up the nose and block the throat also, causing dyspnoea. He used to
get epistaxis on blowing the nose. During every operation, it used to bleed a lot. He had also
cauliflower-like growth on the tongue, occiput and back, each the size of a gooseberry. The
Air Force surgeon had advised operation for the 12th time but the patient had refused and so
he was in danger of being dismissed from service or downgraded in rank.
His drug was found to be Thuja and this repeated at suitable intervals in various potencies
entirely removed the growth to the astonishment of the surgeon.
Gangrene
A girl aged 14 was admitted in the hospital with severe shooting pains in the left leg. On
raising the leg, the leg would become pale. It was suspected as Buerger's Disease
(Thromboangitis obliterans) by X-ray (Arteriogram) revealed the actual cause to be a
thrombus in the femoral artery. Since the toe had become gangrenous, the femoral pulsation
feeble and the popliteal absent, the surgeon decided to amputate the limb at the level of the
thigh. For some reason the girl obstinately refused and the parents also supported the
daughter. They had a friend who is a famous film actor but who also knows Homoeopathy. On
his advice the girl was shifted to the house. In a few days with his homoeopathic treatment,
the girl felt much relief from pain. The same surgeon in the hospital was again consulted. He
was a good man; he examined her and said that somehow pulsation had returned to the
popliteal artery. So now amputation was to be done only below the knee. This again they
refused and continued the homoeopathic medicine. After three or four weeks the same
surgeon examined her again and found that now pulsation was felt in the dorsalis pedis artery
also and so he opined that only the toe which was gangrenous needs to be amputated. It was
at this stage only that we were consulted.

On examination the toe was found to be gangrenous with a clear line of demarcation. In view
of the astonishing history, it was suggested that the same homoeopathic treatment be
continued. In a week or two the dead toe fell off by itself and the patient remained well.
Stricture of the urethra
A gentleman, aged 39 years, applied for treatment with a complaint of dysuria of three
months' duration. He had consulted an eminent urologist. The conditions had been diagnosed
as stricture urethra and the patient had been advised to undergo periodical dilatation of the
urethra. He had the following symptoms, viz. urinary stream double, urinary stream feeble,
bleeding from the gums on washing the face, and dark discolouration of the skin. All these
symptoms were found to be covered by Merc-s. This remedy in 1M and 10M potencies relieved
the patient completely in two months.
Duodenal ulcer
Mr. G., aged 39 years, turned up for treatment with the following complaints:
He gets periodical attacks of abdominal pain amel. by flatus, amel. fomentation, agg. if he
takes potatoes, onions, fruits, coconuts, rice or heavy food. Milk does not agree, it causes
diarrhoea. The pain is amel. by food; with the pain, he perspires. He had a desire for warm
food and drink. There was also lumbar pain on rising from bed.
X-ray after Ba. meal showed "ulcer niche in duodenum with pseudo-diverticulae due to
adhesions". The radiologist opined that it must be a chronic ulcer.
Almost all the symptoms were covered by Lyc. This drug in various potencies relieved him
completely and after six months the X-ray was repeated. The report of the radiologist was
"ulcer healing but very deep". He gave the opinion that it was still a case for surgery. This
opinion was endorsed by a surgeon.
But the homoeopathic treatment was continued and with occasional doses of Lyc. the patient
felt complete relief. He is now without medicine for last four years but completely normal and
on unrestricted diet.
Cardiospasm
Mr. P.P. T., aged 32 years, applied for treatment in January 1958 with the following history:
Nine years back he had pain in the chest as if an abscess was forming, which was amel. by
fomentation and hot drinks. Pain used to occur once in 10-15 days, at any time of the day and
would last for ten minutes. After six months he developed a feeling of food sticking in
oesophagus and had restrosternal pain felt only while swallowing food or drink. And if he lay
down after food, 3 to 4 hours later, the food and drink used to ooze out of the nose, first the
liquid element followed by the solid part, sometimes 3 to 4 cupfuls through the nostril of the
side on which he lies. This started recurring once in 2 or 3 months; he would also then vomit
everything for 3-4 days.
At present, he has pain, retrosternal on eating or drinking hurriedly. Appetite poor, likes
sweets but sweets cause baysea afterwards. He likes warm food and drinks. The sense of
obstruction is much less with warm food and drink. Has rattling in chest during sleep,
especially after 3 a.m. Dreams of business. Screening with Ba. swallow showed "Achalasia
Gastrica with oesophageal pouch".
He had consulted a physician and had been advised to undergo surgery.

Basing the prescription on the symptoms "Throat pain, swallowing warm drinks amel.",
"Throat, swallowing difficult, solids", "Throat, liquids taken are forced into nose" and "Desire
for warm food and drinks", Lyc. was picked out. This remedy in different potencies including
50 millisimal scale potencies was given during a two year period. The patient showed
considerable improvement and is now completely free from this trouble though he needs a
dose occasionally.
Some one year back, an eminent surgeon was consulted for an opinion. He expressed the
opinion that there was no doubt about the diagnosis and no doubt also that it was a clearly
surgical condition but since the patient had shown such remarkable improvement and was
practically free from the difficulty, surgery was inadvisable and homoeopathic medicine
should be given as and when necessary.
Biliary calculi
Mrs. S., aged 45 years, came with the following history and symptoms:
Has been having pain in epigastrium after fatty meals - last two years.
This had started two years back, when one day she had taken some fried fish and got pain in
liver area after some hours. Since then she had been having such pains every time she had
fried fish. There was pain in the right hypochondrium extending to the back, relieved by
fomentation.
Fasting used to aggravate her, causing vertigo;
Eating little would satiate;
There was no urge for stool;
She could not sleep on the back because it would cause palpitation, distension and heaviness
of abdomen;
Menses has ceased since 7 years, she could not remain alone; she felt better in company;
She had anxiety and palpitation, worse by noise, when awakened from sleep, or when her son
has returned late from work;
Anxiety caused trembling;
She was easily angered, worse by contradiction; could not sleep;
She had great fear of thunder storm.
Investigations done with X-ray of gall-bladder showed "multiple gallstones, concentration of
dye is poor; fat response is sluggish".
The case was studied with the following symptoms, viz.:
"Lying on back agg."; "Menopause agg."; "Fasting agg."; "Company desire for"; "Fat food
agg."; "Trembling from anxiety" and, "Fear of thunderstorms".
The only remedy that covered all the symptoms was Phos. She was put on Phos. and after
three months treatment, an X-ray of the gall-bladder was taken again. The radiologist gave
the opinion, "that the stones were about 60% in size less as compared with the previous X-

ray." The treatment was continued and the next X-ray showed "No Radio-opaque calculi in the
G.B. area".
Renal calculi
Mr. G., aged 40 years, got a sudden attack of pain in the left renal angle extending round the
abdomen to the pubis. Urine showed R.B. C., pus cells. It subsided but recurred again four
days later. An X-ray of the urinary tract showed, "Small radio-opaque opacities right renal
area; Calculi right lower calyx; Radio-opaque opacity in pelvis 3/4" medial to right ischial spine
and another large oval radio-opaque opacity on left side. Both lower uretetic calculi".
His symptoms were:
Very fond of eggs, sweets and potatoes; aversion to milk and cold food;
He could not fast and was irritable when hungry;
He desires company, is depressed when alone; fears ghosts and fears being alone at night,
there must be someone by his side; has great fear of thunderstorm.
Uncovers even in winter.
The agg. from eggs, milk, potatoes, etc., suggested Calc., but the fear of thunderstorm, great
desire for company and inability to stand hunger were covered by Phos. So, it was decided to
make a combination and give Calc-p.
So, three doses of Calc-p 1M were given.
Three days later he passed a spiky stone, 1/2" long, 1/4" thick, with no pain or bleeding and
got relief from pain.
Nine days later, a plain skiagram of the urinary tract was taken. The report of the radiologist
was, "No evidence of any radio-opaque calculi in whole of urinary tract".
The original X-ray had shown the presence of three stones out of which he had passed one
now. But the second X-ray revealed that the remaining two stones also had disappeared.
Summary
So it is that good homoeopathic prescribing cuts down the need for and risks from surgery.
But one has to discriminate carefully and take advantage of all the advances and
achievements of surgery whenever it can supplement, or even if necessary supplant the
usefulness of the homoeopathic remedy because ultimately it is the welfare of the patient
which should be the sole deciding factor and not any personal predilictions of the medical
man.
Limitations of homoeopathy
In dealing with this subject, viz. "The Limitations of Homoeopathy" I am aware of the
tremendous emotional feeling that may come up here. There are many homoeopathic
physicians who feel that Homoeopathy is absolutely sufficient to cure every type of disease
and that it does not require to be assisted, supplemented, complemented, or supplanted by
any other measures, methods or medicines. I fully understand and may add that my own
appreciation and respect for the logical principles of Homoeopathy and experience of the
tremendous capabilities of their application are in no way less profound. But our subject today

is not of the extraordinary efficacy of Homoeopathy in many cases but of its limitations, and
we shall discuss this subject unemotionally. Emotion generally tends to cloud reason and an
emotional approach is generally not an objective or a scientific approach. We shall consider
the subject in an objective and scientific way. No doubt the value of our discussion will be
limited by our limited knowledge and experience; yet it is the duty of every practical physician
to make public the knowledge and experience which he has acquired, no matter whether at
the present moment these should be regarded favourably or unfavourably, for frequently
their real value is finally settled in the future only.
We shall deal with this subject in a very broad sense. When we discuss the limitations of
Homoeopathy, we shall not merely discuss the limitations of the law but also the limitations
of the practitioners, the literature, application, medicines, etc., besides various other factors
like its speed of action, its easy applicability, etc., and also consider some of the reasons why
it has not spread further and faster.
Every honest homoeopath among us will have to admit that he meets with defeat now and
then at least sometimes if not often. In spite of the greatest care on his part and cooperation
on the part of the patient, failures do result. Naturally, it is puzzling to us because we know
that Homoeopathy is quite capable of curing such types of cases but just fails to click in
particular instances. We may rack our brains and try again but we may still fail. The causes of
such failures, as well as several other aspects of Homoeopathy, require dispassionate
investigation if we are to make further progress.
In taking up the subject of limitations of Homoeopathy we are no doubt treading on very
delicate ground. We have all seen some cases which we had at first considered very easy to
cure by homoeopathic treatment, but which later had actually proved to be extremely difficult
and refractory. At the same time, we can also remember or recall other cases, which we had
at first concluded as being incurable and beyond all human hope, but which had actually
responded promptly and surprisingly when treatment was instituted even without hope. Also
we have noted cases which had refused to yield to our most carefully made prescriptions, but
which had later responded very well and got cured by the prescriptions of some other
homoeopath. And in the same way we can recollect patients whom other capable
homoeopaths might have treated for long periods without any effect and who came to us
subsequently and got well under our treatment. This being so, we have to carefully
differentiate between the limitations of the homoeopathic practitioners on the other. This is an
extremely difficult and delicate task but since the efficacy of Homoeopathy itself cannot be
recognised and measured except through the effects of the medicines as prescribed by the
homoeopathic prescriber, we find ourselves in the very difficult situation of deciding how far
the limitations of the homoeopath reflect on Homoeopathy itself and convey an impression
that it by itself has many limitations. Lest this may become an academical discussion, we
shall have to go, for practical purposes, by what the homoeopaths in general are able to
accomplish and what they are unable to achieve, irrespective of how extraordinarily capable
Homoeopathy may be as a science and how ideal it may prove itself to be when handled by a
perfect prescriber. We shall now discuss various aspects of homoeopathic practice and the
limitations relating to each.
The principle
Applicability
The similia principle is clearly applicable to all conditions where the vital force is deranged. It
will not apply and will not be completely suitable to conditions and obstructions which are of a

mechanical nature, e.g. fracture, impacted foreign bodies, congenital absence or

malformations of organs or tissues, chemical poisonings, states where the vital force is
entirely suppressed (e.g. serious injuries with shock) and conditions which arise from hygenic
or dietetic factors, deficiencies and other environmental conditions. Dr. Dunham has defined
the field of applicability in a brilliant essay in his book, "A Text Book of Materia Medica".
To apply the principle in such inappropriate fields would be to court failure.
The symptom-totality approach
The basis of the homoeopathic prescription is the symptom-totality. The symptom-totality is,
as defined by Hahnemann, the deciding factor. The disease, he said, is reflected by the
symptoms and symptoms alone and where there are no symptoms it is expected that there is
no disease. But unfortunately we do come across conditions which are represented by no
symptoms, e.g. asymptomatic hypertension, or conditions represented by a single symptom,
e.g. a wart - the so-called one-sided diseases, manifesting themselves through a single
pathological disorder such as alopecia, corn, tumour, vitiligo, etc., apparently unaccompanied
by any general disturbance. We, ourselves, had one such patient who had a very high B.P.
but this was noticed only accidentally when he went for Life Insurance medical examination.
He had absolutely no other symptom and we did not know what to do.
Again, there is a rider that within the symptom totality it is the group of characteristic
symptoms which really decide the remedy selection and the prescriptions based on such
symptoms are far more successful. However there are many cases particularly cases with
advanced pathology, e.g. cancer, which present mostly the common symptoms. In such
cases we are forced to prescribe on the symptoms available, i.e. the common symptoms and
hope for the best. This is not a happy state of affairs. Of course, when the presenting picture
is poor or deficient one can go back into the history and take the past pictures or illnesses or
even the family history as the starting point and still achieve success but this would be a kind
of an alternative method.
Further even though all homoeopaths concur to prescribe on the symptom totality, this
"Symptom-Totality" itself turns out to be a somewhat elusive or illusive entity. The symptomtotality image of the same patient may appear different to different individual prescribers
depending upon the way in which each ingredient is given its place and value.
Our reference books
Materia medica
Our Materia Medica is full of symptoms of a highly subjective nature. Linn Boyd calls it a
"Hyper-subjective Materia Medica". And these subjective symptoms may not always be so
reliable as they depend very much upon the powers of observation and expression, care,
faithfulness, intelligence, etc., of the provers. Again, as many drugs have not been proved
thoroughly, nor their proving effects well-supplemented by clinical observations, these leave
many lacunae.
I may quote an instance. I was once consulted by an allopathic doctor for his daughter aged
about 8 years. She was abnormal in her behaviour. As soon as a visitor came to the house she
would abuse him, spit on him or do some such thing. Needless to say the doctor was much
distressed. I took her case, pitched upon Calc. carb. as the remedy and gave it in all the
potencies from the 6th upto the CM, without the least effect. I then sent her eye-secretion to
London and consulted Dr. W.R. McCrae who prescribed for her with the help of the

Emanometer - the remedy being Calc. ovi testae. This remedy completely cured her. When I
looked up Clarke's Dictionary I found none of her symptoms given under the drug!
I have also seen similar cures by other rare drugs, e.g. Linum usitassimum, Amni visnaga,
etc., based on symptoms about which our books on Materia Medica do not make much
mention.
So, we have on the one hand numerous drugs with numerous symptoms some of which are
unverified and on the other many drugs still to be proved or proved well.
The symptoms recorded originally were derived from provings made on healthy persons but
later on, it is known that even Hahnemann made some of his proving observations on his
patients and added these to the Materia Medica. This might have been due to the paucity of
provers or due to the fact the Hahnemann considerably broadened the scope of the term
"healthy prover" or because he had the insight to know which symptoms were due to the
drug.
Controversies have ranged about the value of these clinical symptoms. But it is a fact that
our Materia Medica, as it stands at present, has quite a large measure of these clinical
symptoms and many of these have been of immense value in practice, notwithstanding
whatever might be said against them on academic grounds. For instance, the symptom
"Vomiting of cold drinks, after they become warm in the stomach" discovered by Dr. Lippe at
the bedside is till considered one of the classical and valuable indications for Phosphorus.
So, as against the academical assumption that our Materia Medica is made up of symptoms
derived from provings made on healthy human beings, in actual fact it is a congregation of
symptoms derived from different sources. Not all of these, therefore, can be considered of
equal value.
Besides, every symptom, whatever its source, depends for its value upon the source and the
care with which it has been critically examined before being accepted. It is possible that some
of these symptoms have not been so carefully assessed before being included. Indeed it has
been suspected and questioned that some of the symptoms even of the provings, might turn
out to be the product of the circumstances of the provers. For instance, Dr. Hughes with his
monumental patience has carefully examined almost every symptom in the Materia Medica
Pura and Chronic Diseases with a critical eye and has concluded that even certain symptoms
recorded by Hahnemann should be rejected. He quotes the symptoms supplied to Hahnemann
by Nenning. "How does Nenning produce such a vast amount of sexual symptoms from almost
every drug he proved?", Dr. Hughes questions. In fact, Hahnemann himself had called
Nedding a "Symptom-Buyer".
In the circumstances, it seems that there are possibly as many defects on this side, i.e. the
remedy's side as on the other side of the equation i.e. the patient's side. Therefore, in
comparing the symptom picture of the patient with the symptoms and pictures of the drugs,
we are comparing and trying to match two entities each of which is imperfect and defective to
a certain extent.
If in spite of these circumstances and handicaps we are able to select the drugs accurately
and achieve success in practice, it is a credit to the immeasurable greatness of this science.
Our repertories

Our repertories, though they are extremely useful, are not complete or perfect and are full of
many gaps and pitfalls. Dr. Jugal Kishore and others have pointed out many of these in various
articles. Working with imperfect books puts the prescriber in a handicap.
We could also mention that, in certain cases, drugs which seem clearly indicated and act
favourably also, may not come out on repertorization. Therefore, the repertory should be only
taken as an aid or a guide and is not to be entirely depended upon to decide the remedy.
The physician
Though the principles of Homoeopathy seem easy to grasp and their application appears
simple, yet in actual practice the homoeopathic physician is called upon to use the greatest
alertness, care, industry, observation, patience, circumspection and intelligence both in taking
the case, in selecting the suitable symptoms and in matching the disease picture with the
drug-picture. Owing to our own inefficiency, lack of care or thoroughness we might have
missed some important point in the case and thus lost a most important link or clue. Though
numerous homoeopaths are practising Homoeopathy with varying degrees of success, yet
only a few are seen to be really or outstandingly successful, being able to use Homoeopathy
to full advantage. To put it in other words, probably the majority of homoeopathic prescribers
only hit the simile while only a minority are able to select the true similimum.
This very fact seems to be a limiting factor in that the average homoeopathic prescriber
cannot and does not attain much success. Homoeopathy has probably earned a name more
by the brilliant results of the brilliant few and not by the average good results of good number
as happens to be the case with allopathic practice.
The homoeopathic patient
The case taking in our system is so highly specialised and thorough that we wish to know the
most minute and intimate details of each patient. For this we have to rely too much on the
powers of observation, memory, intelligent expression and cooperation of the patient.
Unfortunately the patient may not be so infallible. He may not have noted or may not
remember or may not be able to express or explain clearly the causations, modalities,
extensions, etc., or he may be ignorant of some vital facts concerning his past or family
history. Particularly in this modern era, it would seem that the average man's attention is
diverted to or absorbed by numerous things, leaving him too little time to observe his own
bodily or mental functions. Due to such lack of observation on the part of the patient we may
secure only very few symptoms - and those too, such as may be of no significance to us.
To illustrate how unreliable a patient can be, I shall quote an extreme case. I was once called
upon to visit a lady of about 30 years who had arrived from Madras by train and had
developed a severe pain in the thigh. On an examination of the part, I felt sure it was a
fracture of the femur but she flatly denied any history of injury. While in the hospital, she was
visited by a fat boy who had travelled with her in the same compartment of the train from
Madras. When she complained to him that the doctors were repeatedly asking her if she had
received any hurt which she had not, the boy reminded her that he had accidentally fallen on
her from the upper berth in the train and that she had shouted with pain the whole night!
Sometimes the patients may hide some symptoms from a sense of embarrassment or shame
or omit them considering them to be quite irrelevant. Or, they may deliberately give us wrong
symptoms. Very often, practitioners of the other system ask them only to describe their gross
symptoms or sufferings, and so they do not realise the value of the finer or subtler symptoms,
esp. the various sensations and modifying influences. The approach of modern medicine is

such that it places more value on signs than symptoms and seems to call for less subjective
effort or cooperation on the part of the patient. To the average patient, words such as
distension, heaviness, fullness, etc., (of the abdomen) carry much the same meaning and
they may not be able to distinguish between and explain clearly the exact sensation and they
may not care to be precise in their expression. Also they come to believe that the physician
himself should be able to find out what is wrong by his own examination and investigation,
and therefore, they contribute less information on their part. This almost total dependence of
ours on our patients is not so commendable and is a source of great weakness.
Another difficulty is, as I have mentioned, that there are patients who present only the
common symptoms and are able to give us none of those symptoms - those characteristic or
individualising symptoms - on which we rely so much for giving a good prescription. In such
cases we are completely stumped. That this problem has been met with even in early days is
known from our literature. For instance, Dr. Farrington taking part in discussion says, "We
should everlastingly damn the doctrine of diagnosis as a guide to the selection of a remedy.
But as our president (Dr. Houghton) has said, we occasionally meet with cases when we get
nothing but common symptoms - symptoms that indicate only the name of the disease as for
instance "Sugar in the Urine". What are we going to do in such cases? It seems to me as
thinking men and women that we have a right to make use of any factor whatsoever, even
diagnosis, if this is all we can get from a careful examination."
It has also been sometimes our exasperating experience to find that the patient who had
been quite definite about some symptom at the initial interview, either so modifies or alters
his original statement at the next or later sitting that the whole picture becomes thoroughly
changed, or at times he may add some very valuable piece which had hitherto escaped our
most minute questioning, but which might completely change the complexion of the case.
Besides these, in accepting the description by the patient of his symptoms in toto, we tend
to attribute to and place on his observations, expressions or words, a certain degree of
infallibility which they may not always or entirely deserve. This may perhaps be one of
Homoeopathy's distinguishing characteristics and at the same time one of its greatest
weaknesses. When a patient, for instance, complains of tinnitus, the allopathic physician is
satisfied with the gross symptom whereas the homoeopathic physician wishes to ascertain
what is the exact nature of the sound. That the homoeopathic enquiry goes so deep and
realises the significance of such minutiae is a credit to the system. Yet from a purely practical
point of view we find that the average patient is not able to distinguish between buzzing and
whizzing, roaring and rushing. That the homoeopathic approach depends so much on the
subject of the suffering while he himself is so fallible becomes one of its weak points.
Yet again, in the interpretation of the symptoms, we may not be able to know, grasp or
understand the whole background of each symptom. For instance, the patient who has an
aggravation on chewing might tell us instead that he is aggravated by eating; another patient
may state that when he perspires he gets an attack of coryza, whereas in actuality it may be
that when he perspires and gets chilled thereafter, which is often natural he may be getting
the attack. It we fail to put these symptoms in their proper perspective, we are likely to err.
The methods
The time taken for case taking
It seems our methods can be improved and modernised. Lang writes, "Our method of
defining the constitutional remedy is the same method evolved and used in the eighteenth
century by Samuel Christian Hahnemann. In other words history taking and repertorization. I

certainly do not wish to disparage this, the classical method of finding the remedy, and I think
it will always constitute the main method. However, it does take time and experience to use
successfully, and I feel having to cope with the larger population of the twentieth century, we
must be prepared to utilise modern scientific advances when they become available, to take
some of the time-consuming effort out of symptom analysis."
The highly individualising nature of the examination of each patient and the laborious
matching of the symptoms may consume a lot of time and in this modern age of speed, some
speedier methods may have to be devised.
Reliance on the patient
I have already referred to our total reliance on the patient. We treat his expressions as
gospel. But in practice, as mentioned earlier, the patients are not found to be infallible. The
symptoms they give may not be the result of a careful and accurate observation and their
expression may also be wrong.
The interpretation of symptoms
Even though the patient may describe the history or express the symptoms easily and
correctly, sometimes the interpretation and assessment of the symptom may require
maximum understanding and ingenuity. Unless the symptom is understood in its correct
perspective, it may prove useless. I shall illustrate this by the following example.
I was once consulted by a lady who was suffering from repeated epileptiform convulsions for
over 18 years. She described that she had been living in Rangoon at the onset of World War II.
As soon as war was declared all Indian families in Rangoon were evacuated. She, with her
children, along went on board the ship bound for India. Suddenly, there was an air raid
warning and so the ship left the port in a hurry; as a result her husband was left behind. In the
harbour itself she saw numerous dead bodies floating, which produced a sense of disgust in
her mind. She was vomiting throughout the journey of fourteen days and took no food. As
soon as she reached India she got her first convulsion. And since that was the last ship to
leave Rangoon, her husband was able to join her only after several years, after the war was
over.
I tried to interpret the cause of the convulsion in various ways - as due to disgust, to
vomiting, to fasting, to grief, to anxiety over the husband's welfare, etc., but there was no
response to any remedy. Only when I took it as fright and gave Opium, there was a favourable
reaction and improvement.
Similarly, when there is a multiplicity of causes one is nonplussed as to which should be given
greater value.
Evaluation of symptoms
Even though in theory the totality of symptoms is said to indicate the remedy, yet in practice
all the symptoms need not be taken into account. The strange, rare or characteristic
symptoms are mainly to be considered. There are some rules as to how these strange, rare
symptoms are to be recognised, selected and evaluated, but here again there is great
flexibility. There are such wide variations in assessing the value of symptoms that a symptom
one homoeopath considers of great value, another may consider of little significance. Cases
are also on record where the remedy based on one part of the totality to the exclusion of
others has helped.

We know even of cases where the remedy selection has been based only on a single aspect
of the case, e.g. the cause and that has proved successful. For instance, the most diverse
conditions such as tumours, epilepsy, etc., have been cured by Arnica because they arose
after an injury; similarly different disorders such as diarrhoea, skin diseases, etc., have been
cured by Thuja because they originated after a vaccination. There are also records of cases in
which one particular symptom has been given great importance and the remedy based on
this symptom has been effective, e.g. a prominent aggravation at night, whatever the
condition whether a fever or a fear, etc., has indicated Syphilinum, which has proved
beneficial.
A beginner is likely to include all the symptoms of the patient under the "symptom-totality"
idea and is often likely to fail. I have known of beginners and even of very experienced
homoeopaths who take all the symptoms narrated by the patient, be they 20, 30 or 40 and
pass them mechanically through the Repertory spending two or three hours in the process.
They invariably land with Sulphur and usually fail to help the patient with the remedy because
Sulphur is not the remedy for all cases.
Under the circumstances, it seems necessary for us to standardise and simplify the method
of evaluating symptoms. We can lay down definite rules as to which symptoms should be
given the highest rank and which the lowest. Of course, the value of a symptom will depend
upon its background and circumstances in each case, e.g. a weeping tendency in a man is
more peculiar than in a woman, and more strange in an old woman than in a young girl - and
yet some standard formula for evaluation should be worked out and made available.
Objective Symptoms:
We have already mentioned that the subjective symptoms related by the patients are
sometimes few and even those not totally reliable. A wiser alternative seems to be that we
should study, in detail, the objective symptoms (including the pathological ones) so that when
and where subjective symptoms are very few or unreliable, the objective ones may
compensate for their deficiency. We have to "pick therefore, out and study" the objective
components of the similimum. As the presence of these objective symptoms (signs) can be
verified by us, they are quite reliable.
Unfortunately, the study of these objective symptoms seems to have been devalued and
discarded by some. Dr. Roberts writes, "Objective symptoms play but a small part in the
record for they are of little value as curative symptoms." Many homoeopaths may disagree
with this view, for in children, in the insane, in the mentally retarded, as well as in
unconscious patients and in animals, subjective sensations are not available or are not
reliable even when available, but objective symptoms are clearly perceptible and definite and
therefore more dependable. One such good objective symptom is better than three nondescript and unreliable subjective ones. To give only one example, the state of the pulse and
temperature are reliable objective symptoms. A disproportion between the pulse and
temperature is one of the most valuable indications for Pyrogen and this remedy prescribed
mainly on this indication has brought remarkable relief in numerous cases.
One of the great homoeopaths who had foreseen this difficulty was probably Dr. C.M. Boger,
for, in his book, "Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica", we find a multitude of objective (as also
pathological) symptoms emphasized. With such a Materia Medica and repertory, where
objective symptoms are given their true place, we would also be able to treat cases like
leucoderma, warts, premature grey hair, alopecia, numerous skin and other disorders, etc., in
all of which there generally appears little evidence of other associated symptoms on which

one could prescribe with confidence. Therefore, it seems we shall have to work out on these
lines and also record numerous objective symptoms met with in practice.
Objective method of remedy selection
Considering the fallibility and unreliability of the patient it seems necessary that we should
develop some method of drug selection or a method of confirmation of the remedy selected
by the orthodox methods which does not depend on his subjective descriptions. For the sake
of convenience, we shall call it an objective method of remedy selection.
Just as in disease the functioning of the tissues are disturbed giving rise to various
sensations, so also minute biochemical or biophysical changes are produced. Various persons
have attempted to record these changes in various ways. The following are some:
1. The Pulse Test
2. The Emanometer
3. Pfieffer's copper chloride crystallization test
4. The flocculation tests
5. George McKenzie's test.
The first four of these tests have been described in some detail elsewhere *. So I shall now
take leave only to briefly describe the fifth one.
The McKenzie Method:
George McKenzie described in 1941 a method of testing and administering the similimum. In
his method, the case is taken and studied and the probable remedies are selected among
which one might be the similimum. Potencies of these remedies mixed in distilled water are
injected intracutaneously, one by one, separately, at least 2" away from each other, in such a
way as to raise a small bleb. A reading is taken after 24 to 48 hours.
It is noted that the remedy which is indicated, i.e. the similimum, produces the most
prominent and lasting response. There is a local erythema at the site of the injection which
may persist even for several weeks or months.
Medicines
Reliability
In spite of the tremendous advances in physics and chemistry, we are yet not in a position to
assess or assay the available drug content or strength of our potencies. In fact we are not
even able to differentiate between plain alcohol and our high potencies! As a consequence we
rely heavily on the honesty of our pharmacists. This is not a very happy state because some
of the pharmacists, at least, are not so scrupulous and meticulous *. When our prescription
fails we can therefore never be absolutely certain whether our remedy selection itself was
wrong or the remedy supplied by the pharmacists was not the one prescribed by us.
The selection of the potency
Though in general the selection of the correct remedy seems to be much more important
than the selection of the correct potency, yet there are homoeopaths who assert that even
the correct remedy, if given in the wrong potency, will not relieve or cure. There are also

many cases reported in our literature wherein this idea is confirmed. Therefore, the selection
of the potency seems to be important.
Now, unfortunately, though for the selection of the optimum potency, some criteria are laid
down for our guidance from the experience of the masters, no definite rules are found
propounded. Everyone is forced to fall back upon his own experience. It is said that when the
famous Dr. Lippe was asked how he selected the correct potencies, after a long reflection he
said, "After a long experience you will be able to do it but you will not be able to tell how or
why."
The dose
The dose (quantity) of the homoeopathic medicine is so small that some patients are unable
to believe that it can have powerful effect. This psychological disbelief or resistance has to be
overcome.
Administration
The modern patient, even the villager, has come to believe that medicines given by injection
act quicker and better. The desire could have a psychological basis **, or may be the result of
propaganda. Invariably there is an unexpressed desire for injections.
Whatever may be the psychological aspects, it is a fact that we have to satisfy the patient
even as we cure him. With this objective in mind, if we consider the question of injections, we
can see that injection is only a method of administration of the medicine like ingestion,
inhalation, inunction, etc., where a particular route is employed and does not go against any
of the basic principles of Homoeopathy. So we must conduct scientific trials with an open mind
to see if the medicines when given by injection act as well as or better than they do when
given by the oral route, and if they do so we should have no serious objection to using this
route also. I may add that in certain specific conditions our colleagues in the West do
administer homoeopathic potentized medicines subcutaneously.
Duration of treatment
Usually, the homoeopath is called upon to treat more than his share of chronic diseases
because the allopath has little to offer in these cases. These chronic cases take a longer time
to be cured because the underlying deep-seated derangement has to be corrected. Therefore,
an impression has come about in the minds of many people that Homoeopathy is slow-acting.
In the modern days of supersonic speed, patients are averse and unwilling to undergo such
treatment for long periods. Every day of illness involves loss of many hours of work.
Therefore, we have to take measures to correct this impression. We have also to ensure that
the cure is speeded up as much as possible.
Economics
This is an age of vested economic interests which in the form of powerful cartels dominate
most fields. And the pharmaceutical field is no exception. The allopathic pharmaceutical firms
are mainly interested in selling more medicines and making more profits *. The homoeopathic
profession unknowingly strikes at the very root of their commercial interests. If, for example,
an average homoeopath treats 20 patients a day, the amount of money spent by the patients
on (the cost of) medicines (homoeopathic) alone per day might be Rs. 2, calculating the cost
of the medicine at the rate of 10 paise per day per head. But this single homoeopath may
deprive some allopathic pharmaceutical firm of Rs. 40 per day. Notwithstanding the fact that
he might have benefited the 20 patients by saving much of their expenses on medicine he

has made the commercial firms lose their revenue. At this rate, he will deprive the firms of a
revenue of Rs. 14 600, (i.e. Rs. 40 x 365) per year. If a thousand homoeopaths were to
practise thus, the total loss to the firms would be Rs. 14 600 000. No firm or industry would
like to lose such sizable amounts and naturally they would resist the spread of this system
tooth and nail, overtly or covertly, in order to survive.
Dr. Julian summarizes some of the limitations as follows:
"Here, the only valid reasons why no homoeopath should fail and they are in plenty. First,
every drug has not been proved and even all the drugs he knows have not as yet been fully
proven. But even at that he has infinitely more known drugs at his disposal than his allopathic
brother. Secondly, all homoeopaths have not access to all the same books as many of the
most valuable are out of print. Thirdly, the majority of homoeopaths fail to fully qualify
especially in what is known as taking the case. This taking of the case is equivalent to the
allopath's diagnosis. Fourth, the patient's inability to express himself properly so that the
doctor can get a proper understanding of his or her case. This part is of utmost importance.
And worst of all the system is so vast that no one mind can grasp it."
Clinical and pathological improvement
The Homoeopathic approach is a clinical approach and the treatment depends upon the
clinical symptom-totality rather than the pathological state or the results of pathological
investigation. When we prescribe on the clinical picture, we find the picture of disease
receding to be replaced by a picture of health. The pathological conditions seems to get
automatically corrected.
It was reported that when Nasser came to power in Egypt, he immediately appointed Govt.
auditors who were empowered to enter the pharmaceutical firms and assess the actual cost of
production of various medicines. On these actual costs the firms were allowed to add profit of
30. As a result of this action, the cost of various medicines suddenly dropped. A medicine
which was selling at Rs. 115 per gram came down to Rs. 11 per gram!
However, this assumption or impression may not be always correct.
Certain experiences of ours may be described to illustrate variations between clinical and
pathological improvement in some cases.
1. We had a patient, aged 22 years, who had all the classical symptoms of an intracranial
tumour. He had recurrent headaches, projectile vomiting, vertigo, diplopia, strabismus,
tremors, exaggerated jerks and asthenia. Fundoscopy revealed papilloedema with minute
haemorrhages in the retina in both eyes. He had already undergone all investigations which
included X-ray studies of the skull and the tumour having been located, he had been advised
to undergo surgical treatment. We were most reluctant to take up the case, but decided to
keep him under observation and treat him for a few days. He gave a very clear history that
three years back he had been involved in a minor train accident with consequent mild injury
to the head. He had then been unconscious only for a minute or rather felt dazed, but since
then he had lost interest in his studies and later had developed the whole symptom complex.
On the basis of the history and other symptoms present, we prescribed Nat-s 200, 3 doses,
two hourly. Imagine our surprise when within twenty four hours he responded very well and in
two or three days he felt perfectly well. All his symptoms disappeared, except the
papilloedema and retinal haemorrhages which conditions were found absolutely unchanged.
So, we carefully watched the case.

His symptoms relapsed three or four times at intervals of one or two months every time, but
every time he was restored (to all appearances) to a completely normal state by a few doses
of Nat. sulph. In between the relapses, no one would suspect that there was anything wrong
with his health. He used to travel a distance of 80 miles to attend the clinic every week. But
the unchanged papilloedema and the fact that at every relapse the symptoms seemed more
acute, suggested that appearances were deceptive, though the clinical improvement was
almost magical. Considering himself cured, he discontinued the treatment.
Ultimately after eight months the patient succumbed suddenly, after a short spell of
unconsciousness with convulsions.
2. We had a case of a lady, aged 28 years, with severe anaemia, who exhibited all the
symptoms associated with such a condition such as dyspnoea, pallor, amenorrhoea, anorexia,
etc. In addition, she had certain individualizing symptoms such as extreme dryness of the
vagina (the husband complained that the vagina had become too narrow), the amelioration by
motion (while travelling, she felt very uncomfortable whenever the vehicle halted), etc. Her
R.B. C. count was 1.2 million and haemoglobin was 25%. We gave her Fer. met., which
seemed well indicated. There was an immediate and gratifying improvement with the result
that all the symptoms, both the general and the individualizing ones, decreased and almost
disappeared. She felt completely well within a few days. However, the blood examination
repeatedly showed status quo. We gave her Fer. met. in varying potencies and intervals but
during the two month period of observation and treatment, the blood picture remained
absolutely unchanged. (Subsequently she left the hospital and continued the Fer. met., but in
addition took Folviron tablets which she had formerly taken without any effect. Now there was
a rapid rise in the haemoglobin and within one month it reached 97%.)
3. We have treated several cases of intestinal parasites, especially ascariasis, with
homoeopathic drugs which appeared well indicated. We have found that in the majority of
cases, all the symptoms generally attributed to the parasites, such as grinding of teeth,
enuresis, boring into the nose, bulimia, etc., disappeared but no worms were expelled.
Repeated stool examinations showed ova even after the patient was apparently normal. Later,
if some allopathic anthelmintic was given, many worms were expelled.
It will be noticed that in all the three instances, there were clear cut pictures and the selected
remedies appeared to have been the correct ones, as not only almost all the symptoms
abated but the sense of well-being was also restored to the patient. In fact, the patients
desired to know if it was necessary to continue the treatment since they felt quite well.
However, our own examination revealed (in the first case by ophthalmoscopy, in the second
by haemoglobin estimation, and in the third by stool examination) that the improvement was
only symptomatic and there had been no proportionate improvement in the pathological
picture. But since the patients felt so well, we naturally expected that improvement in the
pathology was certain to ensue. This expectation, however, was not fulfilled even after
allowing sufficient time. In the first case, the patient stopped the treatment and died, in the
second, the patient was restored to normal only after supplementation by other medicines
and in the third the parasites had to be expelled by other medicines.
Similarly, we have had other cases also, as for instance, of biliary calculi, wherein the
patients presented a number of symptoms such as anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, agg.
from fats, etc., all of which disappeared under the appropriate homoeopathic remedy and the
patients felt very well. But the calculi disintegrated very slowly, after several months of
treatment; sometimes they did not disintegrate at all. So also, we have seen cases of
pneumonia get rid of their pain, temperature, cough, etc., and feel very well within two or

three days but the pneumonic consolidation, as revealed by X-rays, was found to clear up
completely only two or three weeks after the patients had felt quite well. We have also noted
that patients of peptic ulcers with severe pain are immediately relieved of the pain by the
suitable remedy and the patients do not suffer from pain even if they take spicy or acidic
foods; but the ulcer itself, as seen by X-Rays takes several months to heal completely. From
these experiences we are forced to the conclusion that in every case, symptomatic
improvement may not be accompanied by simultaneous and corresponding improvement in
the pathological picture.
Therefore, it seems necessary to assess the improvement of such cases under two separate
headings: (1) Symptomatic and (2) Pathological (and radiological). It might be wrong to
assume that symptomatic and pathological improvement are synonymous or simultaneous, to
judge from the experiences quoted above. Very often the latter follows the former under
appropriate homoeopathic treatment. But it would be an error to certify a patient as
completely cured until they are normal under both headings, since it appears that our
remedies have the power to relieve sufferings even when they are unable to influence the
altered pathology. For instance, Dr. Franklin H. Cookinham, writing about the homoeopathic
treatment of cancer of the breast says, "I think very frequently that our remedies will often
relieve symptoms without affecting the pathological process underlying such symptoms."
We must remember that pathological investigations have entered the field only
comparatively recently, and before they were introduced, cases had been diagnosed and
treated and the progress and cure assessed solely on the basis of their clinical appearances.
Now that we have a deeper knowledge of the subject, we must make efforts to verify all
cases cured by us, applying stringent criteria.
Entire dependence on the remedy
In passing, we must also mention the tendency of homoeopaths, esp. in India, to place their
entire reliance on the action of the remedy selected, though this is more a weakness of the
homoeopaths concerned than of Homoeopathy itself. This arises from a few reasons. One is
the extraordinary efficacy of the remedy itself which in many cases seems to do everything
necessary, by itself, to relieve and cure. Secondly, the majority of homoeopaths in India are
either totally or partially uninformed of the role of medication in diseases and of the value of
auxiliary measures, diet and proper management. The homoeopath should learn and train
himself to be a physician rather than a mere prescriber and must be prepared to take all steps
to ensure that the selected remedy has not only every scope to act fully but also that its
action is helped in every way possible.
Auxiliary measures
While homoeopathic medicines can do everything that a medicine is capable of doing, yet we
must ensure that no obstruction is placed in its way of action. Besides removing such
obstructions and hindrances, we have to give every type of facility for the medicine to act
favourably. Here the role of auxiliary measures cannot be sufficiently emphasized. Many
homoeopathic practitioners who make brilliant prescriptions completely neglect to make use
of auxiliary measures either because they are ignorant of their value or they are no
conversant of the application of such measures or because of indifference or because their
faith on the supreme powers of homoeopathic medicine is very great.
Surgical conditions

We have already referred to the scope and field of homoeopathic medical treatment. It is true
that many of the conditions in which our allopathic colleagues would prescribe surgical
procedures are amenable to our homoeopathic medication. But it must be admitted also that
there are at least a few conditions and stages of a few more conditions in which surgery is
necessary and vital to save life. The homoeopathic physician must be always on the guard
and must relegate such cases to the surgeon at such a stage when surgery is much advanced
in modern times and the risks of operative procedures have been cut down considerably.
Incurable diseases
When all is said and done, even though our homoeopathic medicines are so extraordinarily
powerful as to bring back the worst suppressions and cure many of the seemingly incurable
cases, yet it will be accepted that there is after all a certain range or stage in diseases as, e.g.
advanced rheumatoid arthritis in which the best of medication may prove insufficient to cure the really incurable conditions. This incurability of certain conditions had been recognised by
Ayurveda also. This fact was brought to me in a rather forcible way in the following instances.
A young Indian boy had gone to the U.S. A. to study after he had been thoroughly examined
and found medically fit. In the U.S. A. however he developed an albuminuria and further
investigations showed that he was having nephrosis. He was asked to go back to India. On the
way, in London, his condition became rather serious. He consulted Sir John Weir who
prescribed some medicine and the boy improved considerably. But after reaching India his
condition again deteriorated and I was called to see him. I found in him the symptoms of Ars. I
gave Ars. alb. in low potency and sent a cable to Sir John Weir asking for guidance. Sir John
confirmed that his medicine was indeed Ars. but he added in the wire, "Prognosis bad. Make
patient comfortable". I learnt later on that the boy died within a few days though the Ars.
helped him.
I was once called upon to treat a lady of 50 years suffering from a cerebral tumour. She had
shown signs of a progressive space occupying lesion. The whole trouble had started after a
number of frights. Her son-in-law had been operated in Nagpur but there was no news about
his condition. Her daughter had become seriously upset after having delivered a third female
child though she had hoped for a boy and had, as a result, attempted suicide thrice, and was
still threatening to repeat the same. Slowly, this patient developed poor memory, poor
concentration, paralysis of speech, etc., and ultimately had developed one sided facial
paralysis. Her symptoms clearly indicated Opium and with Opium 1M the facial paralysis
cleared up within two minutes! Gradually, her speech and memory were restored but her
condition deteriorated again and again and ultimately she died of the same disease. Most
cases of cerebral tumours are malignant and are generally incurable.
Summary
In order to practise Homoeopathy successfully, besides knowing the principles and methods
of Homoeopathy we have also to be aware of the limitations of the system. Further, in the
light of various advances and differing circumstances we may have to reorient ourselves and
improve our methods without moving away from the basic homoeopathic principles.
Some recent research and advances in homoeopathy
There is, in some quarters, an unfortunate impression that the science of Homoeopathy is
static and that no research is being done or advance made. This is quite untrue, for the simple
reason that every science represents an eternal search for truth, and Homoeopathy is no
exception. While the basic concepts of Homoeopathy are the same as propounded by

Hahnemann in the beginning of the nineteenth century, further studies have suggested wider
fields of application, a newer understanding, new methods and newer approaches to the
subject. We shall now briefly deal with some of the research done and the advances made in
the last fifty years.
Activity of homoeopathic potencies
Research re the presence of matter in dilutions
For many decades, substances diluted as high as 1 x 10-1 000 000 have been found often to
have specific ability to relieve symptoms of illnesses. In spite of this clinical evidence, there
have been few investigations of high dilutions using standard laboratory techniques.
This lack of experimental investigation probably is because the action of substances in
dilutions beyond 1 x 10-24 violates two firmly-held principles of physical chemistry Avogadro's law, and the Doctrine of the non-specificity of sub-atomic particles. According to
Avogadro, the molecular weight of any material expressed in grams contains 6.12 x 1023
molecules. Theoretically, therefore, any substance diluted beyond 1 x 10-24 will contain no
molecules of the original material assuming a homogenous mixture at each stage of dilution.
Dilutions of this degree of fineness should then, contain nothing but the liquid vehicle in which
the substance was first diluted, and should act in no manner different from it. Nor can the
specific action of dilutions greater than 1 x 10-24 be attributed to electrons which became
separated from the diluted material and remained in solution, for the other principle already
mentioned, states that the electrons from one atom differ in no manner from those of any
other atom. Therefore all high dilutions of electrons would have a similar, or non-specific
action. Thus the apparently specific action of substances at dilutions greater than 10-24 has
not as yet been explained, although many theories have been advanced to account for it.
The question that has always puzzled medical men has been whether there is any matter at
all, in the dilute homoeopathic medicine. The first question to be considered is whether our
dilutions are just Aqua-Pura or whether they still contain some of the original substance from
which the dilutions are made. If they still hold traces of that substance it could be only within
the limits of Avogadro's number. If the dilutions are still active beyond, what is in these
dilutions? These are two kinds of questions for which investigators have tried to find solutions.
For this purpose chemical or physical methods can be used. Biological methods will be the
link between research and the presence of matter in dilutions and the activity of these
dilutions, since by reciprocity these methods enable one to detect the presence of a given
substance by the activity of the product under investigation.
From the scientific view point, first, the presence of matter in dilutions limited by Avogadro's
number has to be established or existence of a "physical factor" beyond. To prove that there
is something in a dilution is good: but it is not enough. This infinitesimal dose has to show a
definite activity. Therefore, the necessity of biological and pharmaceutical research to study
the action of infinitesimal doses. This study constitutes a new chapter of the science of
pharmacology which is now growing rapidly.
It has generally been found impossible to demonstrate physically or chemically the presence
of any element in the higher homoeopathic dilutions. First comes the theoretical research of
M. Berne which has deeply influenced the evolution of the scientific conception of dilutions.
His mathematical studies have brought to the attention of homoeopaths the notion of the limit
of divisibility of matter and the study of the dilutions phenomenon by washing (lavage) of
photographic plates, which enables him to calculate the real concentration of the obtained

dilutions and therefore to establish a table of correspondence between the Hahnemannian

and Korsakovian dilutions and showing thereby the difference between dilutions prepared by
various techniques. He is no doubt the first to demonstrate the absorption phenomena which
play such an important role in the amount of active principle of the Korsakovian dilutions.
James Stephenson has published a review of investigations into the action of substances in
dilutions greater that 10-24. Summarizing he says, "A review of the experimental literature
since 1881 revealed 25 investigations into the action of various substances at dilutions
greater than 10-24 (micro-dilutions).
1. W. Noyd, H. Junker and J. Pateron investigated the effect of microdilutions on the growth of
paramecia and the alteration of Schick test.
2. W. Boyd and W. Persson investigated the effects of microdilutions on various enzyme
systems.
3. P. Jousset, L. Kolisko, P. Narodetzki and J. Roy investigated the effect of microdilutions on
the rate of growth of Aspergillus niger and Sterigmatocystis nigra muceliumi, and on the rate
of germination of barley and wheat germ.
4. J. Boiron, A. Gay, P. Loch and L. Wurmser demonstrated the effect on light of a fixed
wavelength and that microdilutions have capacitances which vary from the diluting medium.
Boericke and Tafel took photographs with microdilutions of radium bromide.
5. B. Finke and G. Jaeger investigated the effect of microdilutions on the speed of nerve
impulses and on the electrical field of human beings.
6. G. Henshaw demonstrated the effect of microdilutions on the degree of flocculation of the
blood of rabbits; K. Konig and V. Vondracek on the growth of tadpoles; N. Krawkow on the
venous flow from the isolated ears of rabbits and on the skin pigmentation and the blood of
frogs; J. Roy on the development of tetanus and tuberculosis in guinea-pigs and G. Stearns
and M. Stark on the degree of inheritance of genetically determined tumours of the fruit fly."
The lower attenuations of homoeopathic drugs, called low potencies, can be shown to have in
their attenuation definite electro-physical properties, for example:
1. Arsenic in an attenuation of 1 x 10-7 is capable of showing distinctive response to ultraviolet radiation by fluorescence.
2. Tincture of gold prepared by the method laid down by Hahnemann, an apparently clear
transparent fluid, can be shown by spectroscopic method to be capable of modifying a beam
of ultra-violet light. The modification is distinctive for gold. This tincture is in an attenuation of
1 in 107, i.e. 1 part in 10 000 000.
3. China, the famous cinchona of Hahnemann's early experiments, can be shown capable of
physical action on ultra-violet light (selective absorption) in an attenuation of 1 x 10-7.
4. Nux-vomica can be shown to have a similar action in an attenuation 1 x 10-5.
5. Radium bromide can, by Geiger counter, be shown to have a radiation through air (having
ionizing properties) which can ultimately be visually recorded by the oscillograph in an
attenuation of 1 x 10-7 or 1 part in 10 000 000 and can be demonstrated by electroscope at
least to 1 x 10-10 or 1 part in 10 000 000 000.

The physical methods have deeply impressed the homoeopathic world. In 1993, Loch built at
the L.H. F. an apparatus named the Microlymeter for the demonstration of the presence of
matter in dilutions and to establish the curves of these dilutions. In 1935, at the L.H. I.
Congress in Budapest, Lisa Wurmser et al demonstrated the first results of their experiments.
The principle of the apparatus is very simple. A galvanometer sensitive enough to detect the
variations of light intensity of a ray hitting a photoelectric cell after going through a cell with
parallel walls, contained the solutions to be studied. With this instrument, they investigated
not only the deconcentration curves of dilutions obtained by the classical Hahnemannian
method but they were also able to compare dilutions prepared by different techniques
(Korsakoff's or Hahnemann's) and show the difference existing between dilutions obtained by
the one or the other technique.
Measurable changes were obtained for Quinine sulphate, Taraxacum dens leonis and
Aesculus hippocastanum at dilutions from 10-24 to 10-30.
W.E. Boyd, of Glasgow, published in 1936 the results of his research made with the
spectrograph. There again, the limit of sensitivity reach the 7x for Aurum, Arsenicum and
China. Other drugs gave interesting data but with stronger concentrations: Nux-vomica 5x
and Lycopodium 3x. Let it be mentioned to clarify that a 3x represents in current language a
solution of 1/1 000, which is in fact, a rather concentrated solution. With the arrival of artificial
radioactive elements, a new phase in research was entered. Evidently, the technique based
on the use of radioactive elements is not confined to Homoeopathy but the homoeopaths
have used them for other goal.
It is well known that the process of detection of radioactive isotopes is able to detect
infinitesimal quantities of material reaching in particularly favourable cases upto 10-16.
Daudel and Robilliart used the Geiger counter to measure the radioactivity of succeeding
dilutions of radioactive Kali-b. The radioactive Bromium can be detected upto the 15x, and by
extrapolation, the authors believe, justified the presence of substance active to the 18x or 9th
CH, which is the last dilution allowed to official homoeopathic preparations (in France).
Applied to Korsakovian dilutions, the reactions of the Geiger counter disclosed such
irregularities that the authors stopped the study of dilutions prepared by this method.
These Korsakovian dilutions, however, were studied by Bonet-Maury, Deysine and Voegeli
with the same method but using Radiophosphorus. Radioactive Phosphorus can be dosed upto
the 18x, widening the sensitivity limits of this method. The authors demonstrate that a 1000
Korsakovian still activates the Geiger counter, this proves that these dilutions still keep
radioactive particles. Therefore, the 1000 Korsakovian dilutions are not "immaterial" and
correspond approximately to the 18x. Besides, the authors studied with the same technique
the influence of the shape of the vial, of the glass texture, of the shape of the spout, etc., in
order to determine the norms of fabrication of the Korsakovian dilutions.
At about the same time, O. Leeser and K. Janner published their research with radioactive
Phosphorus. Their conclusions agree with those of the previous researchers. They find the
limit dosages at the 18x. They state that the Hahnemannian method is the only one valid for
obtaining regular results, for finding again the theoretical quantities; they confirm the
influence of the glass texture, the shape of the recipient and the time of contact of the
dilution with the vial. A process even more modern, the radio-activation of metals, changing
the existing metal into a radioactive element, can control the amount of substance of a
trituration and fix the limit of sensitivity, taking into account the inevitable impurities of the
material used. Pijck was the first to use this method to study homoeopathic preparations. F.
Dugain, in Analytical Chemistry, demonstrates the sensitivity of the technique and its

servitudes, the necessity of the proximity of an atomic pile is not to be forgotten. Besides, the
limit of sensitivity nears 1 pp billion, i.e. 10-9 and the exactness of the results can vary with
the elements under study and its location in the pile from 6% to 20%. This mighty display
of energy required for the functioning of the cyclotron is certainly disproportionate with the
results obtained. Indeed already from dilutions 10-7, results are difficult to interpret. The
metals studied by Pijck are Gold, Manganese, Zinc. Gold can be detected to 10-10.
Research of a "physical factor"
The advocates of high dilutions, whether Korasakovian or Hahnemannian higher than the 9th
CH (18th Dec.), thought that a substance diluted in a solvent was capable of modifying the
physical constitution of the solvent with thereby became active. They then tried to
demonstrate the existence of a "Physical factor" of an unknown nature which could explain
the activity of the dilutions. They also tried to show the importance of "Dynamization" in the
appearance of this unknown force. Working for the L. Boiron Laboratories at Lyon, Gay
tackled this job. He published his result to the Society Rhodanianne.
The title of his first communication is a program in itself, "Dynamization brings forth a
physical factor variable in all homoeopathic dilutions even beyond Avogadro's number". Then,
in 1951, 1952 and 1955, a series of studies were published either by Gay alone, or by Gay's
montage baptized the "Gayograph". The "Physical factor" is evidenced by measurements of
dielectrical capacity. Innumerable precautions were taken to avoid errors or possible
pollutions. However, one wonders if in these delicate measurements certain variations are not
produced by the glass solubility or by the use of corks. Wurmser remarks from personal
experience that resistivity measurements can vary considerably by just touching the rim of a
vial with fingers. The very complexity of these experiments have discouraged other
investigators from trying to confirm or disprove these results. In the conclusion the author
states surprisingly that the homoeopathic fact resides not in the dilution (whatever his reason)
but in the dynamization which is the essential factor in energizing the drug: that the
therapeutic properties are in the vehicle, and the presence or absence of these properties therefore, the inefficiency of the Avagardo's number. Elsewhere Gay states, "The place of the
Homoeopathic phenomenon can be but a perfect elastic medium: the ether, which places the
homoeopathic drug in the domain of the electronic physics."
We can recall here the research of Heinz on "the physical action of dilutions" presented by
the Com. Ristori at a C.H. F. Congress. The infra-red spectra were used to study these
dynamizations and the author insists on the specific value of succession. We find there again
the same stunning statement re "the importance of a perfect elastic medium (ether)". Finally,
the author states: "The infra-red spectrographic examination proves that the homoeopathic
dynamic phenomenon does not reside in the matter of the solvent since the same curve is
obtained whatever the solvent, neither is it in the solute since, when changing the active
substance, the results remain the same."
Like Gay, the author finds in the infra-red the rhythmicity which makes him say that there are
favourable points in the curves of dilutions, and the knowledge of these could help to choose
the most active dilutions, therapeutically. With ultra-violet rays Heinz obtained results upto
the 7x from which the author deduces that activity of the homoeopathic remedy is due
uniquely to a dynamic action and as such independent of ponderable laws and of those
regulating matter. Later Heinz changed his results and Gay wonders what external influences
pressed out this retraction from him.

Physical researches include also those of Sevaux et al, who checked the "unpublished"
experiments of Mrs. Vojna Radojicie re the impedance measurements of a Cum SO4 solution
from the 1x to the 20x. The investigators completed these measurements by those of the pH
and the rH2 obtained by the bioelectronometer of Vincent. They aver an identity of the given
result with those of Mrs. Vojan Radojicie (increase of impedence surpassing greatly the initial
values given by distilled water with wide oscillations between the 8x and 10x). Besides, they
are struck by the importance of these oscillations - a phenomenon which, to them, remains
"mysterious" - and ask for an explanation we cannot furnish at this stage. However, the
description of their technique leaves a doubt which could possibly be easily lifted. Indeed the
authors first state that their dilutions are made with the method of the sole vial, i.e. according
to the Korsakoff method (which by itself justifies the stated irregularities, since it is now
recognised that Korsakoff dilutions cannot be regular decreasing), then the authors give their
results starting with the most concentrated solution and going towards the least
concentrated, stating that it is useless to wash the vial between each experiment. On the
other hand, a "control" is effected with distilled water after two simple rinsings of the vials.
Then either the Korsakoff method is acceptable, and after N rinsings the solution still contains
something, and then what to say of these two simple rinsings, or two simple rinsings are
sufficient to erase all traces of substance and N such condition what to say of the dilutions
obtained in the same vial upto the 22x and beyond.
Brucato and Stephenson investigated the concentration of homoeopathic dilutions of
mercuric sulfide by photometric techniques and obtained positive results upto 10-6 grams per
litre.
P. Loch and Lisa Wurmser in 1948, and J. Boiron and A. Gay in 1951 demonstrated the effect
of microdilutions on light of fixed wave-length and showed that microdilutions have
capacitances which vary from the diluting medium.
In 1951, A. Gay demonstrated that microdilutions have dielectric indices which differ from
their liquid vehicles and are specific both for the substances in dilutions as well as for the
degree of dilution. His apparatus consisted of a "type of capacitance, a mercury armature and
a dielectric easily interchangeable... introduced in circuit with galvanometer".
The changes in capacitance of the various microdilutions were recorded as fluctuations of the
galvanometer from zero. He obtained sinusoidal curves for microdilutions ranging upto 10-60
of Strychnos nux-vomica, Pulsatilla nigricans, Lycopodium clavatum, Cinchona officinalis,
Ignatia amara, Castoreum, Moschus, Sodium chloride and Sepia.
In 1951, Gay extended his work in collaboration with J. Boiron. Using the same apparatus, in
100 out of 100 attempts they were able to distinguish a flask containing sodium chloride 1054 from six other identical flasks containing distilled water.
In 1952, Gay and Boiron reported the result of a series of exhaustive investigations into the
action of microdilutions. In a comparison between the capacitance of distilled water and
sodium chloride, carried through identical stages of dilution to 10-60, both dilutions gave
sinusoidal curves which approximated each other fairly closely except that at 10-26, 10-38
and 10-54 they were in direct opposition. In addition they found that, "Ohm's law is not
applicable for microdilutions... that the electrical resistance is not linear for frequencies
between 1.050 and 2.650 periods per second".
In 1906, a picture of a key was taken in the presence of the emanations of Radium bromide at
a dilution of 10-60 (60x) as reported by Boericke and Tafel. This 60x triturate of Radium
bromide was also found to cause fogging of photographic plate.

Homoeopathic medicine has been continuously faced with the problem of explaining the
succussed high dilution (beyond 10-24) called by some the microdose. Since, according to
Avogadro's law, any solute in a chemical dilution will disappear after 6.02 x10-23 dilution, or
approximately the 24th decimal dilution, all drugs above 24x would be therapeutically
useless. This premise is true if one thinks only of the solute as the therapeutic factor. Much, if
not all, of the data concerning high dilution action in the last forty or fifty years has been so
predicated. If on the other hand we are prepared to hold the premise that the solvent can be
the therapeutic factor, we begin to get a new view of successful high dilution action.
Richard and James Stephenson report a testing of radio-active potassium chloride in
homoeopathic dilution by a scintillation counter which showed no significant results beyond a
dilution of 1:108.
Smith and Boericke have reported work on the continued use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
and ultrasonics to study serial dilutions and succussions, and compare the resultant graphs to
unaltered normal dilutions of identical solvent. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrogram
showed a difference between succussed dilution and ordinary dilution.
Stephenson in a paper giving references says that research has demonstrated that succussed
high dilutions act in a particular manner, regardless of the testing method used. The presence
of an initial solute, and its dynamization by succussion, was found to be necessary for their
formation and boiling was found to destroy this action. These succussed high dilutions were
able to alter infra-red absorption and electrical conductivity and capacitance and the intensity
and wave length of a fixed light source.
Dielectric strength tests were conducted on dilutions (decimal potencies) of mercury. The
results were in voltages ranging from 2.40 to 6.05 kilovolts. A linear relationship prevailed
only upto the 10/6 dilution (or 6th decimal potency). Beyond this dilution the voltage varied in
a manner corresponding to the physical presence of solute far in excess of the known input,
even in dilutions well beyond the limits of Avogadro's number.
Nasiff quotes the work of a French engineer Monsieur Louis Tourrenna who, it appears, found
by means of Radiesthesia with an apparatus that the potencies have more power the higher
they are and by taking the length of the atomic power of Radium as standard he noticed that
a third potency gives a wave of atomic length of 0.30 cm; a 6th, 7 cm; a 30th, 1.05 cm; a
200th, 1.20 cm; a 1 000th, 1.30 cm; a 2M, 1.35 cm; a 5M, 1.55 cm; while 1 Radium gives
1.55 cm.
Chemical
Chemical methods have not proved very useful because their sensitivity is rather limited since the most refined techniques satisfy the analysis when 1 ppm (one part per million) can
be detected, i.e. 10-6 or the 3rd CH. In certain circumstances the 10-8 can be obtained, but
we are still very far from the Avogadro number. In chemistry, there is no special technique
related to Homoeopathy: only Microchemistry, Chromatography or even Capillary spectra can
reach the limits of the sensible always around 10-7 or 10-8. Hass and Neugebauer have
separately used methods to compare the techniques of manufacture and the influence of
solvents.
At the 1933 L.H. I. Congress in Madrid, Neugebauer gave the results obtained by capillary
spectra, the best ones from Berberis and Hydrastis whose fluorescent spectra are visible up to
the eight decimal potency.

The authors of The Loom of Creation (Dennis Milner and Edward Smart) write: "A few
experiments have been made with homoeopathic remedy Pulsatilla starting with dilution D4
and further diluting with water in a comparatively random manner. Pieces of filter paper were
moistened with the various dilutions and examined with colour film using the multiple pulse
technique. The filter paper which was wet with Pulsatilla in its initial dilutions registered bluegrey with a blue surround. With further dilution the filter paper registered red and there was
evidence of emanation from the blue surround. A change of this nature was reproducibly
obtained. However, on one occasion, with greater dilutions the red colouration was much
more intense and also spread throughout the surround and background. Much more precise
control of the experimental conditions is required to evaluate this phenomenon than was
obtainable with the electrostatic generator, multiple pulse technique. We think that dilutions
of the Pulsatilla, combined with the application of a suitable rate of pulsing the expanside,
dematerialising, light etheric force, has brought about a freeing of the etheric force associated
with the homoeopathic remedy, and this has affected the light etheric registration on the
colour film. It has been our experience that the rate of application of the light ether pulse to
substances markedly affects the etheric emanations that are obtained from them, and that in
some cases a particular result is quite critically dependent on this factor."
Kirlian Photography which photographs the corona discharges (or aura) surrounding living
matter may prove useful in detecting the effects of homoeopathic potencies, since there are
alterations in the state of the aura depending upto the condition of the person.
The French physicist Gustave de Bon demonstrated that sodium chloride in 1M potency
sprayed into a vacuum will show a sodium band in the spectrum.
W. Oswald demonstrated in 1923 that super-saturated solutions will crystallize out in the
presence of dilutions of the solute ranging upto 10.9 (9x). Stephenson and Brucato studied
the effect of sodium thiosulphate potencies in crystallizing supersaturated solution of sodium
thiosulphate.
Pfeiffer's copper chloride crystallization test
Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, a student of Rudolf Steiner (founder of Anthroposophy), working with
copper chloride solutions, discovered that the pattern of crystals of the copper chloride was
affected and altered by the addition of any extract of a plant or the serum of an animal or of a
human being. The alteration was so specific that if the serum of a patient was added to the
solution of copper chloride while it was crystallizing, it was possible by studying the resulting
crystal pattern to infer the nature and location of the patient's lesion. Thus even cases of
cancer could be diagnosed long before the lesion becomes evident by virtue of its gross
pathology.
He and Knaur reported that a 5% solution of sulphate of soda when placed under the
influence of the solar spectrum forms long and thick crystals in the red field and small and
thinner ones, in the blue field. In their experiments with plant juices and blood, solutions of
chloride of copper were found more suitable. They used solutions of 5, 10 or 20%. Ten cm3
of the solution are poured on a smooth glass plate which is covered by it to a depth not
exceeding half a millimeter. Care must be taken to shield it from variations in temperature,
from shaking (vibrations) and from currents of air. Crystallization commences about the end of
fourteen hours and is complete in sixteen hours, and is of a definite character and
appearance. If to this solution of chloride of copper, from one to three drops of an organic
liquid be added and it is allowed to crystallise as before, the appearance of the crystallization
will be altered. For instance the appearance of the crystallization, when a drop or two of the

juice of the water-lily or of the aloe has been added to the chloride of copper solution, will be
different from that of the unmixed solution and from that of each other. The same result
occurs when a drop of blood is added to the copper solution, a characteristic appearance of
the crystallization is seen. Further, the appearance of the crystallization when normal blood
has been added differs from that when blood from a diseased person has been added, and
this again differs according to the nature of the disease. In this way the appearance of the
crystallization of the chloride of copper solution when various diseased bloods have been first
added to it, enables the diagnosis of the disease to be made. By experimenting with various
plant juices, minerals, organic extracts (such as of the liver, heart, kidneys, endocrine glands,
etc.), they obtained characteristic crystalline appearances for each and found that when the
crystalline appearance caused by these substances was similar to that caused by the blood of
the diseased person, the medicinal administration of such substance will cure or ameliorate
the corresponding disease. They claim to have successfully treated cases of nervous and
mental diseases, asthma, cancer and other disorders by administering medicines selected in
this way. The article is illustrated by numerous plates showing crystallization in the above
different circumstances.
Pfeiffer also observed that if to the solution of copper chloride to which the patient's serum
had been added, the similimum in potency was also added, it tended to normalise the
(disease) pattern as reflected in the crystals.
Biological methods
The trials for the proof of action of infinitesimal doses have to be either biological, or
pharmacological, on isolated organs or on the entire animal. The oldest experiments are those
of Raubin, Charles Richet, Gabriel Bertrand and Javillier who demonstrated the role of
oligoelements, so-called biocatalysts on the growth of Aspergillus niger or on yeasts (Silver,
Zinc, Manganese) and on the lactase activity (Manganese). Of course these experiments are
not "homoeopathic" but they are often cited by homoeopaths to prove the reality of action of
infinitesimal doses. Jousset studied also the action of Silver Nitrate on the Aspergillus, and
noted effects upto 30th dilution. We find, in a very interesting brochure of Dejust, several
pertinent criticisms and a few references.
Marage summarizes experiments made on the Kefir fermentation with Sodium bicarbonate
diluted to the 12x. There is a constant increase of the activity but, "the results seem unrelated
to the degree of concentration of the solution used, i.e. there is no proportion between the
dilution and the action". We find again this same phenomenon in Pharmacology. This is one of
the most important questions in the problems of Homoeopathy.
Persson studied the influence of microdoses of various substances on the diastatic action of
amylase, trypsine, persins, urease and diastase. Started in 1929, these experiments have
been pursued through many years and presented at various Congresses of L.H. I. and
published in Homoeopathic Moderne. On trypsin he studied the action of Iris, Phosphoric acid,
Arsenic and Insulin. The dilutions of Iris have a maximum of specific action at the 10-10
dilution. With successive dilutions a sinusoidal curve is obtained with a tendency to fall, and
we notice in the second half of the curve a certain retardation in the reaction (corresponding
to dilutions 10-65 and 10-80). The curve reaches the line of abscissa at the 10-90 and 10-100
dilutions, with Phosphoric acid same sinusoidal reaction, but the curve reaches inactivity at
10-45. With Arsenic, the 10-9 dilution is very active, but the 15th is hindering. Finally, Insulin
has no action on trypsine but at 10-5 acts on lipase. On erepsine Arsenic acts upto the 10-20
dilutions; the Mercurius corrosivus 10-16; Tartarus emeticus is also active upto 10-15. As for
Ipecac, there is a zone of inactivity upto the 6x. Thereafter, it is active upto 10-20.

Podophyllum, Baptisia, Natrum sulf., produced no activity. As to the diastase of the frog
muscle, Persson studies its action on glycogen in the presence of various drugs. There again
we find the sinusoidal actions so characteristic of the study of successive dilutions. Arnica is
active only from the 6x to the 10x, Rhus tox. from the 30x to the 15x, Strychnine is inhibiting
at the 3x (toxic dose), then completely inactive thereafter, Merc-c in its sinusoidal activity
touches twice at the 10x and 20x, whereas the 6x and 15x are active, etc.
Taking again as material the Aspergillus niger (Sterigmatocystis nigra), P. Narodetzki
presented a pharmacy thesis, "On the creation of a technique for the study of Homoeopathic
dilution". The author studied Sodium borate and Merc-c, selecting for testing the weight of the
mycelium obtained in the cultures. With Borax he observes no action, inhibitive or favorizing
from the 1st CH to the 30th CH gives heavier cultues. The next dilutions upto the 30 CH are
inactive. The author describes also in the most minute details the precautions taken with
these infinitesimal dilusions in order to avoid the introduction of impurities. It is the more
deserving to constate that this "technique for the study of homoeopathic dilutions" is so
poorly efficient. One finds in this thesis excellent reference to the works of Raulin, Gabriel
Bertrand and Javillier, cited above. The author insists on a point which attracted mostly his
attention to this work, to wit: that whether with Manganese and Zinc it is possible to find
doses activating or inhibiting. With Silver on the other hand, he could not find any exciting
doses. Even at 1/10 000 000 (10-7), Silver remains toxic.
Prof. Janot gave a lecture at the Centre Homoeopathique de France with typical examples "of
the toxic action of mineral substances in infinitesimal doses and particularly Silver".
Yeasts are often used as material for study. Saller goes back to Arndt and Schulz's first
experience on yeasts from which these authors derived the law bearing their name of
inversion of action depending on doses. Saller also used yeasts to study the action of Merccor, Iodine, Bromium and Salicylic acid and shows that in the weak doses these substances
increase the multiplication of yeasts, yet strong doses kill them.
Nebel, from Lausanne, presented to the L.H. I. Congress in Paris 1932, an ensemble of essays
on the action of infinitesimal doses. For example, he reports an experiment on yeasts
intoxicated by Merc-c at 1/40 000. After rinsing, the yeasts are put in a nutritive medium and
contacted with the 30th, 200, M dilution of Merc-c. The intoxicated witness is then compared
with their fermenting power by measuring the CO2 output. One can observe a detoxication of
these yeasts by infinitesimal doses. We will see later that this phenomenon is recurring again
and again presenting therefore a special interest. The reports of these experiments are only a
reminder of the experiments made by Nebel in 1905, and published in Allgemeine Hom.
Zeitung of April 27, 1905.
More recently, Prof. Netien et al studied the action of infinitesimal dilution of Natrum
arsenicosum on the growth of yeasts in functions of these dilutions. The author then reviews
works made in the vegetable realm with "high dilutions". They aver that, "Unfortunately few
are the works related to Homoeopathy and, no doubt, many results deserve to be confirmed.
Therefore, it becomes difficult to demonstrate an activity of high dilutions with vegetable. On
the other hand, the experiments related either to the metallic oligo-elements or to vitaminic
oligo-elements or vegetable hormones are highly significant, unfortunately with relative low
dilutions, rarely used in Homoeopathy."
Microbial cultures are also good material. Lamasson studied the action of Korsakovian
dilutions upto the M on cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Sulphur, Calc-sulf., Hepar sulf. and
even Staphylococcin, the author noted that the 6th Korsakovian was inactive, as the M.

However, the 200th was definitely inhibitive. Lamasson takes great care to emphasize that
these experiments prove nothing re the action in vivo of these remedies in patients.
In a particular case, rather than for general purpose, the Staphylococcus served as material
study to verify the properties of Calendula officinalis. Daniaud and Tetau found in vitro neither
bacteriostatic nor antibiotic action. Daniaud also investigated whether remedies for diarrhoea
or congestion could be effective on colibaccillus cultures. There again, from the mother
tincture to various dilutions upto the 10th CH no action was elicited. However, these in vitro
trials cannot deny the efficacy in vivo of these remedies, because they can act on the terrain
(although this poorly defined term does not correspond to anything well-known) or even it
could be figured out that by analogy with certain drugs they act through transformation
products or on enzymatic elements.
Hinsdale has shown the inhibitive action of Calendula, on the Staphylococcus. He uses a
decoction of dry flowers of Calendula. The results depend on both the importance of the
seeding and on the concentration of the Calendula solute. But in general highly concentrated
Calendula solutions are necessary and the effect is weak. Again in vivo it is only with 100%
and 75% Calendula solutions added to a suspension of Staphylococci that a neutralization of
the latter can be observed and therefore the absence of lesions in the guinea pig sacrificed
four weeks later.
The study of dilution on the growth of young plants is to be found in the considerable work of
Mrs. Kolisko, the results of which were published in 1926. Lavezzari made a magistral
presentation of it at the 22nd Congress of C.H. F. (1963) in his presidential address. Mrs.
Kolisko demonstrates the action on the plant growth of dilution upto the 60x and even beyond
to the 200x. She also finds rhythmic and sinusoidal curve plus the influence of solar and lunar
cycles as well as horary variations (see also under "Botanical"). Recently, Prof. Netien, studied
the action of Cobalt in homoeopathic dilutions on the breathing of wheat coleoptyle. He shows
that Cobalt chloride inhibits this breathing with dilutions from the 2x to the 6x however
increases it from the 8x to the 18x. ic.
Checking these experiments with Natrum arsenicosum, M.J. Boiron and Miss Zervudacki
obtained variable results depending on the dilutions. Upto the 5x Nat-ars is toxic and inhibits
the breathing,. The 6x seems active, but the 7x is slightly stimulative. The 8x becomes again
fairly strongly inhibitive. Then follows a series of inactive dilutions. Finally, from the 16x and
the 18x, "the coleoptyle seem to regain a certain sensitivity independent of the concentration
itself, which seems as we noted already to be one of the characters of the activity of
infinitesimal dilutions".
Inquiry into the limits of biological effects of chemical compounds in tissue culture
Low dose effect of mercuric chloride
Van Mansvelt, and Amons from the Dept. of Anatomy and Embryology at the University of
Amsterdam have made a detailed investigation of the effect of Mercuric chloride, at dilutions
as low as 0.9 x 10-25 M on the proliferation of a mouse lymphoblastic cell strain. Growth
inhibition was detected down to a level of 0.9 x 10-17 M.
The mercuric chloride solution was prepared by first making a 10% (weight/volume) solution
of the substance: 100 ml of this solution was handshaked in a 200 ml flask for 4 min. Five ml
were then removed and added to 45 ml of water in a second 200 ml flask, to give a 10-2M
dilution. Successive 1:10 dilutions were made in exactly the same way; each pipette was
used only once and each flask was chosen at random. After each dilution the flask was shaken

in the same way as on the first occasion. Glassware was cleaned and sterilized as for tissue
culture, and the water used was double distilled and filtered through millipore filters.
To the dilutions so produced was added a tissue culture medium and the resultant mixture
was used in the incubation experiments. One ml of cell suspension, containing 2 000 cells per
ml was placed in each test tube and to this was added 1ml of mercuric chloride dilution. The
tubes were then incubated for 90 hours at 30.5 C after which the cells were counted with a
model F Coulter counter. Three statistical tests were used in evaluating the results and a
probability level of 0.05 was taken as the limit for accepting or rejecting the null hypothesis.
(For further details of the techniques and statistical method used, the original paper should be
consulted.)
Detailed statistical analysis of the results showed that mercuric chloride in concentrations of
0.9 x 10-5 and 0.9 x 10-6 M was definitely toxic, as expected. However, toxicity was found at
0.9 x10-16 and 0.9 x10-17 M. Discussing these results, the authors point out that prolonged
dilution of any substance would be expected ultimately to yield a flat dose-effect curve. The
present study, however, shows that this is not necessarily the case. External factors such as
variations in barometeric pressure, solar radiation, electro-magnetic wave pattern, and
seasonal influences, as well as endogenous fluctuation in cell growth and mean cell volume
can all, in the authors' opinion, be excluded.
The authors do not advance any hypothesis to explain their findings although they refer in
passing to the suggestion of G. Unger that modification in the structure of water might allow
information to be passed from one dilution to the next. They conclude that their results are
substantial indication towards "some as yet unconceived phenomenon (which) needs further
study".
The paper includes a useful brief review of the literature on the effect of high dilutions of
various substances on cell cultures. The authors point out that preconceived ideas about the
physiological effect of such very high dilution may lead to such effects, when observed, being
dismissed as experimental errors of no consequence, or to unwarranted extrapolations from
too few determined points.
Robert Seitschek reports a very interesting series of experiments in which he demonstrated
that definite qualitative change in the intensity of the oxydase reaction in the granulocytes of
the blood are produced after the administration of the homoeopathic high potency.
Among those who have tried to demonstrate such action through laboratory experiments was
again, W.E. Boyd. With the help of a new biological heart rate recorded, and using 367 frogs
for the experiments, he was able to record biologically the action of microdoses of
strophanthus sarmantosus of the range of 6x to 11x potency.
Jerricott in 1951 demonstrated that Veratrin sulfate in 60x potency decreased the contraction
rate of the isolated gastrocnemius muscle of Rana esculenta; and Iberis amara in 36x and
236x potency slowed the pulse of the isolated heart of a turtle.
It is well known that the ferment diastase produces hydrolysis of starch, converting it into
sugar. Dr. Boyd by a series of most scrupulously planned experiments was able to
demonstrate that the rate of activity of the diastase is changed by the addition to the ferment
of microdoses of mercuric chloride in various high potencies from 61x to 71x. He had actually
derived the clue from the earlier experiments of Arndt and Schultz, who had been able to
demonstrate that the same drug, which in material doses acts as toxic agent to the ferment,
merely inhibits its activity when diluted and actually acts as a stimulant when still further

diluted which had led to the enunciation of the famous Arndt-Schultz law. It took Boyd over
twenty years to bring his experiments to a conclusion but he was able to succeed just before
his death in demonstrating the activity of high potencies in the laboratory just as he had
demonstrated their activity in the biological sphere with the help of the Emanometer.
H. Boyd writes, "I would like to mention the biochemical experiments of the late W.E. Boyd,
using potencies of mercuric chloride in a 30c dilution (10-60) and showing clear evidence of
their action on the digestion of starch by diastase. Also the more recent work of Professor G.
Netien of Lyon. He was able to demonstrate that the germination and growth of seeds
obtained from plants treated with copper sulphate solution was increased when these seeds
were grown on a 15CH potentized copper sulphate dilution. Prof. Cier demonstrated that the
hypoglycaemic reaction produced in mice by an injection of Alloxan could be completely
inhibited by giving a 9C potency of Alloxan intraperitoneally prior to the crude dose, and also
that after a diabetogenic injection of Alloxan the blood sugar values returned to normal more
rapidly when a 9C potency of Alloxan was given."
Dr. stearn's experiments
In 1920, the Foundation of Homoeopathic Research was founded in the United States for the
purpose of investigating homoeopathic problems. Under the auspicis of this Foundation, two
sets of experiments were conducted at the New York Homoeopathic Medical College, under
the able direction of Dr. Guy Beckley Stearns.
Experiments with guinea pigs
Some experiments with guinea pigs were conducted to study the effect of potentized drugs
on normal animals. Experiments were conducted in two series during two years.
In these experiments two hundred and twelve animals were used, sixty-five being used as
controls and one hundred and forty-seven for the experiments. The substance used in all the
experiments was Natrum mur. in dilutions ranging from the 30th to the 2000th. These
dilutions were made in the college laboratory in accordance with the rules laid down in the
Homoeopathic Pharamacopoeia, with the exception that the dilutions were run up in distilled
water instead of in alcohol. This means that 2 000 vials were used to make the 2 000th
dilution.
The experiments were made with the groups of fifteen animals. The control-animals were in
separate pens, but all groups were cared for under identical conditions except that the
controls were given plain distilled water every time the proving-animals were given a dilution
of Natrum mur. Each proving group was given a certain dilution of Natrum mur. and the same
dilution was repeated daily until all symptoms that followed its administration had ceased;
then the animals were given a rest, after which another dilution of Natrum mur. was given.
This second dilution was continued in the same way as was the first. The change from one
dilution to another was always a wide jump; for instance, the 30th would be followed by the
200th, 200th by the 400th, the 1000th by the 1 200th. In every instance effects were
observed.
The history of a group of sixty provers with twenty controls illustrates the full extent of the
experiment. The groups were placed in five pens, the provers in four groups of fifteen each,
and the twenty control in a single pen. The arrangement of all the pens was as nearly as
possible identical. The experiment was begun by giving the first group the 30th dilution, the
second the 200th dilution, the third the 400th dilution and the fourth the 1 000th dilution,
three or four drops daily. The control-group was given three or four drops of distilled water

each morning. In every other way the controls and the provers were under the same care and
conditions.
The first signs of proving-effects were noticed on the fifth to the seventh day. The effects
began to wear off by twenty-second day and by the thirty-fourth day, all effects apparently
had ceased. The animals were then given a rest for ten days, when a new series of potencies
were given 200 dilutions higher. With the second series of dilutions, the first effect occurred
from the eleventh to the fifteenth day and it was not until the fifty-fifth day that all effects of
the proving seemed to have ceased. The third series began with two hundred dilutions higher
for each group. It was nineteen days before any affect was observed here and the gross
effects were not as marked as they had been in the first and second provings, although they
dragged out much longer. The most pronounced obvious effects appeared to result from the
cumulative effect of each succeeding dilution. The obvious effects were such as would be
observed by any animal-dealer. There was lessened appetite, relative loss of weight, less
alertness, diminished glossiness of hair, watery and lustreless eyes and a general appearance
of not being in good condition. The more far-reaching results had to do with the reproductive
function and progeny. The time between pregnancies was increased and there was a
corresponding lessening of the number of young. The average weight of the young was
markedly reduced while the mortality was increased. All of the progeny of both the controls
and provers were retained and kept in the pens in which they were born, excepting as the
increase necessitated new pens. At the end of six and one-half months the controls had
increased to seventy-six, while the provers had decreased to forty-four. This brought the
experiment into the summer vacation period but it was continued through the summer. Soon
after the close of the college, the college officials deemed it necessary to reduce the
experimental animals to the number necessary for clinical use in the hospital and through an
error, the seventy-six controls were all disposed of, so that the remainder of the experiment
was carried on without any controls. However, at the end of three and one-half months more,
the proving group was reduced to twenty five provers, ten males and twelve females with
three new-borns whose sex was not noted. No further experiments were conducted, but the
proving groups were retained for observation, for six and a half months more, at which time
there were seventeen remaining and towards the end of that time one more set of young was
born, consisting of twins. At this stage, the experiment was ended through a mistake - a new
janitor sending these observation-animals to the laboratory for clinical purposes.
The result of this experiment can be summed up as follows: Sixty guinea pigs living in family
groups of four females to one male, including all progeny born during a period of sixteen and
one half months, were reduced to seventeen by giving dilutions of Natrum mur. ranging from
the 30th to 2 000th dilution. * Twenty control-animals in seven months had increased to
seventy-six. This ended the most elaborate experiment ever conducted for the purpose of
ascertaining whether normal animals react to the highly diluted substances used in
Homoeopathy and there is conclusive proof that they do.
Experiments with fruit flies
This experiment had to do with a strain of fruit-flies. The experiment was not undertaken for
the purpose of determining if high dilutions would affect this insect, but to determine if an
effect could be produced by potentized drugs on a lethal hereditary characteristic. The strain
of fruit-flies used was the Drosophia melanogastor lethal No. 7. This strain is tumour-bearing,
the tumours occurring, in accordance with the Mendelian law, in every fourth fly. The males
are the only ones affected and those that bear the tumour die in the larval stage; thus only
one-half of the males survive. These tumours have the characteristics of cancer. Dr. Mary
Stark, a world-renowned genetist, who discovered the nature of the tumour which kills these

flies, did not claim that they are cancer-tumours but simply called attention to the fact that
they are composed of the same kind of cells that constitute cancer. It was because of this
cancer-characteristic and because of the inevitable death of all those that inherited the
growth, that the experiment was undertaken to determine if any change could be induced by
the administration of drugs known by homoeopathist is to have had a controlling influence in
cases of cancer. Dr. Mary Stark carried out the experiments herself and to her is due all the
credit for the labour involved. A mere recital of the result of the experiment would convey no
idea of the enormous amount of work entailed. To appreciate this, one must have visited her
laboratory and observed the hundreds of colonies, each colony consisting of about one
hundred and fifty adult flies occupying its own special glass fruit-jar. These flies had to be
counted and examined microscopically, individually so that each colony as it came out was
accurately tabulated. Each adult colony would have amounted to approximately two hundred
but for the fact that one-half of the males died in the larval stage.
In order that part of the experiment might parallel the prevalent vaccine-line of
experimenting, a trituration of the tumours themselves was made. The tumours were
triturated with sugar of milk upto the 6x and from this trituration, dilutions upto the 200th
were made. Among the remedies known to homoeopaths to have influenced cancer,
Arsenicum was selected and at the suggestion of Dr. Boger, Mercury Nitrate was selected as a
third drug. The potentized drugs were put in the agar-banana food supply that was placed in
the bottom of the jars. Special precautions were taken to prevent any possible contamination
of the cultures. Cultures of the flies were treated with 6x trituration of the tumours appearing
as before. Later generations were treated with the 30th and then with the 200th dilution. This
resulted in a culture where the tumours did not develop as formerly and subsequent cultures
from this showed only a few with tumours. This indicated that successive doses of the 6x,
30th and 200th had had a permanent effect upon the development of the tumours. In other
words, high dilutions of the tumour itself had in some way apparently modified the hereditary
factor which caused the tumours. Arsenicum 30th and 200th were given to other colonies.
With the 30th followed by the 200th in the third generation, a culture came through with the
tumour eliminated. This experiment with Arsenicum was repeated twice with the other
colonies, showing the same effect; one in the fourth generation and one in the sixth
generation escaping the tumour inheritance. Mercury nitrate in the 30th caused at first a
stimulation, for the colonies receiving it were abundant and vigorous, but no other effect was
caused. Altogether, in this set of experiments, two hundred and eighteen cultures were made.
This experiment is reported here because of the fact that the drugs used in the experiment
were all in high dilution and it proves that flies, as well as guinea pigs, are affected by high
dilutions. Another fact of even more important significance is that the effects are so profound
that hereditary characteristics are modified.
Both this and the guinea pig experiment also indicate that it may be necessary to give a
succession of dilutions in order to bring about the most profound effects.
Research in blood-groups
One of the latest items of research to be done in the homoeopathic biological field was by
Emile Florentin of Paris. It is common knowledge that the biological blood groups (A, B, AB
and O) are so basically constituted that they never vary during an individual's life. On the
other side, it is believed by some that the homoeopathic constitutional make-up of an
individual is also basic and rarely varies during his life time. If so, it might be interesting to
make a correlated study of the blood groups and homoeopathic types of individuals. With this
idea, Florentin examined hundreds of blood specimens in various groups, and studied also the

make-up of the individuals concerned and has published the results of his study which are
most interesting.
Electro-physical and bio-physical research
Ever since medicine became a science there has always been perpetual enquiry and
inference regarding the actual nature of the fundamental process of the living cell, both in
health and in disease. Various theories have been put forward from time to time only to be
demolished later on. Concentrating on this subject, William E. Boyd, an eminent physician and
scientist of Glasgow, after many years of patient research built up evidence to show that the
inner intricate process of the body and mind are accompanied by activities in the bio-physical
sphere, intracellular and inter-cellular, in which electrical activities, especially in relation to
the cell membrances, play an essential part.
Boyd also made the following observations basing them on some 10 000 Emanometer tests
with some 1969 cases. He writes, "Among these findings the weight of evidence suggested
some of the following points:
1. that an effect or radiation can be detected as proceeding from or related to, every object animal, vegetable or mineral, so far as tested, which is not an earthed conductor.
2. that all drugs register this effect; ordinary crude drugs with the least intensity, colloids with
greater, and homoeopathic drugs with the greatest of all.
3. that living objects register with greater intensity than inanimate substances, with the
exception of potentized substances.
4. that this effect or energy as recorded with specimens of human secretions can be analysed
into numerous component parts, by means of the abdominal reactions of the recording
subject taken together with instrumental readings.
5. that normally there should be balanced state among the component parts, with certain of
them showing high intensity and others low intensity.
6. that in disease certain of these component parts of the total energy of the specimen show
diminished intensity, others increased intensity.
7. that disease is therefore accompanied by, or is due to, a disturbance of this balance and
curative treatment should restore the balance.
8. that this disturbance of balance may take place long before there is any evidence of
pathological change.
9. that all methods of treatment which can provide the necessary energy for restoration of
this balance will benefit the patient, but for this to occur, apart from the inherent tendency of
the patient to regain balance, it is necessary that there be a specific selective relation
between the energy supplied and the patient."
Further steps in the recognition of the electrical nature and responses of the living organism
as well as the electro-physical nature of drugs in potentized form were gradually taken and
naturally attempts were made to define and measure this energy. These attempts have
gradually led to the demonstration of a form of disease-activity as well as drug-activity,
hitherto unknown, by certain methods involving body reflexes, though such work continues to
remain highly intricate and unorthodox in type.

The development of electro-physical instruments

The beginnings in this direction were first made in the earlier part of this century when Dr.
George Starr White of Los Angeles * discovered certain curious phenomena. He noticed that
in the human body there is an effect caused by the change of position in relation to the points
of the compass. For example, if a person slowly turns from the east-west to the north-south
direction and all the time his chest is continuously percussed, then there is an alteration
noticed in the percussion note during the change of position. The percussion note is of a
higher pitch when the subject is facing east-west than when he is facing north-south.
Abram's discoveries
Dr. Albert Abrams of San Francisco was one of the first physicians to turn his attention
towards these wireless waves which emanate from the human body. In the same indirect
manner as Roentgen had first obtained his X-ray effect while working at a different problem,
so Abrams noted these reactions whilst studying the spinal reflexes by means of percussion. It
was by chance that he found that all tubercular patients gave a dull note when tapped at
certain spots on their back and that this dullness was present in all cases of tuberculosis,
whether there was lung disease at that location or not. He further found that he only obtained
this dull note when the patient was facing west, and that it disappeared when he turned the
patients so as to face north or south. This fact suggested that there was a relation between
the electromagnetic field of the earth and that of the individual. He further found that if he
held a tubercular specimen, either a piece of tissue or a tube containing tubercle bacilli, over
the back of the neck of a healthy person, the same dullness was present on percussion. This
experiment certainly suggested that wireless waves from the specimen were received and
recorded by the body and that these waves altered the character of the healthy tissues.
His next experiment was to pass a wire from a patient to a healthy person, one end of the
wire being placed over the lesion on the patient and the other placed over the cervical
vertebra of the healthy subject. He found that on tapping the back and abdomen of the
healthy person he obtained the same dullness as when tapping the diseased person. This may
be regarded as an amplification of the earlier experiment and went to show that waves from
the diseased patient passed along the wire, altering temporarily the electro-magnetic
condition of the tissues of the healthy person, who was termed the subject.
At about this time, Dr. Abrams made yet another discovery. He was percussing a patient, and
found on the abdomen a dullness for which he could not account. On looking around he
noticed that there was a bottle containing a cancer growth on his table. He had it removed
and the dullness disappeared. The growth was brought back whereupon the dullness
reappeared. He had thus found two separate reflexes on different areas, one for tubercle and
another for cancer. This was surely an astonishing observation, and formed the basis of his
future work. These experiments were repeated again and again, and each one gave fresh
evidence of the passage of waves across space.
Experiments followed with other diseases. He found that syphilis caused a reflex on much the
same area as cancer. So area-reflex was not enough in itself. Further evidence was needed for
differentiation. A measure of wavelength was required. The plan he adopted was to interpose
a coiled wire resistance between the patient or the specimen and the subject. He had a coil
wound with resistances marked in ohms on it. He then found that diseases came through on
the human indicator or subject at certain points on the coil. He also found that the best place
for the reception of the waves from the patient was the forehead of the subject when he was
using the abdominal muscles of the subject as his indicator. The abdominal muscles of the

human being are peculiarly sensitive to the electro-magnetic condition of the organs and of
the body in general, and just as a banjo string can be stimulated to vibrate to waves of sound,
so also these muscles can be stimulated to reflex movements by changes in the electromagnetic field. When following this method of diagnosis through percussion, Abrams found
that in cases of malaria, dullness occurred with his rheostat set at 32 ohms; with tubercle at
42; with an infection due to bacillus coli at 44; with acquired syphilis at 55; with hereditary
syphilis at 57; with cancer at 50; with sarcoma at 58; with a streptococcal infection at 60, and
so on.
The apparatus which Abrams used for the diagnosis of disease consisted, in its simplest form,
of a round black wooden box containing metallic contact points from which ran grounding
wires. From the metallic top of this box passes a short insulating wire, having on its free end
an aluminium electrode which is applied to the forehead of the subject. This apparatus has
been modified and improved upon, but the above description is sufficient to show his system
of working at its simplest. His method of using the apparatus was as follows: A specimen of
the patient's blood was placed in the box and experimental percussion made on the abdomen
of the subject, the indicator being moved at each tapping from one ohm upwards. When a
dullness of sound was perceived, the reading on the rheostat was noted. And thus from
previous experiments and readings taken from diseases tissues, he found that the disease
could be identified.
His next step was to experiment with drugs and he was able to gradually work out the
readings for various drugs. For example, quinine gave a reaction when the rheostat was set at
a resistance of 32 ohms. For some time he continued to pick out the drugs and treat patients
with the help of this apparatus; but the results were not upto his expectations.
Not being satisfied with the opposition of "disease vibrations" by "drug vibrations". Dr.
Abrams built up a machine to generate suitable vibrations with which to cancel the disease
force. This machine which he called the Oscilloclast (wave-breaker) was his device for
destroying infections and malignancies through the application of measured vibrations. It
operated from a battery or from the main and delivered the proper electronic destructive
vibrations which were expected to break down the disease in the patient. This concept was
probably wrong, but he obtained good results. Waves from the Oscilloclast cannot kill microorganisms; if they give relief; it is by stimulation of the patient's cells and the production of
some protective energy.
Boyd's emanometer
Continuing the line of work before the stage of development of the Oscilloclast, Dr. Boyd of
Glasgow (1884-1954) considerably modified and improved Abram's box and succeeded in
1922 in constructing a more accurate apparatus called the Emanometer for detecting the
disease emanations and the corresponding drug radiations.
In this apparatus, a drop of some secretion of the patient, for example, the lacrymal, salivary,
etc., taken on a sterile blotter is placed in a compartment of the Emanometer. A healthy
person is made to stand naked inside a screening cage in the machine and he is exposed to
radiation from this secretion. It is ensured that the cage is quite intact and all parts of it have
metal to metal contact so that the subject inside is completely screened and protected from
all external electro-physical energies. The operator thrusts his arm through a panel for
percussing and two copper cloth sleeves fit in closely over his wrists. The subject is exposed
to the secretion of the patient and all the while his abdomen is continuously percussed. This
person is used as a medium or sensitive reactor.

When a change in the percussion note on the abdomen is noticed, the distance at which such
change is produced is noted and on the basis of this the patient is assigned to a particular
Emanometer group. Then those drugs from this group are selected which seem likely to cover
the symptomatology of the case and the potencies of these drugs are placed in the apparatus
so that the subject is exposed simultaneously both to the disease energy and drug energy.
When the change in the percussion note caused by exposure to the patient's secretion is
neutralised completely by simultaneous exposure to a drug in potency, then this drug is found
to be the similimum. Such an apparatus was being operated in London by Dr. W.R. McCrae,
who has been a fervent adept of Dr. Boyd's method.
Several years ago, the Royal Society of Medicine appointed a highly critical committee under
the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Horder, to investigate the nature and use of Abrams' coil as
well as allied phenomena. This committee carried on investigation for nearly two years. The
committee was critical of the claims made for Abrams' apparatus but they were satisfied with
the results of the Emanometer. Numerous tests were arranged to discover if the potency could
be identified by such a bio-physical method. During the series of tests, Dr. Boyd was not only
able to demonstrate a clear differentiation between Sulphur 10M and an inert sugar control
but he was also able to distinguish between different potencies of sodium chloride (Nat-m)
such as 30, 200 and CM. The Emanometer was also shown to be so adjustable that it could
definitely distinguish between various drugs such as Arsenic, Pulsatilla, Belladonna, Calcium
carbonate and Cocculus, all in high dilutions. The final crucial test consisted of eight
demonstrations. In this series, a high potency of Sulphur was used as test material and in
every test its presence was detected without error. The chances of accidental success ranged
from 1 in 6 in the simplest, to 1 in 331/2 million in the complex cases. Dr. Boyd was thus able
to completely satisfy this committee that the Emanometer is able to detect the activity of
homoeopathic potencies although these potencies on chemical analysis reveal absolutely no
drug content.
This work was based on the following facts: 1. any humoral secretion emits a certain number
of emanations; 2. these emanations are linked with the pathological status of the subject and
let one establish his "humoral status" rather his "toxic coefficient"; 3. the various drugs, at
the various dilutions, even very high (CM), emit emanations, so-called "drug emanations",
permitting their identification; 4. there are in the homoeopathic and allopathic
Pharmacopoeias drugs having an ensemble of emanations identical to those emitted by such
or such humoral tested specimens; 5. according to Hahnemann's law, any drug the
emanations of which are identical to these of tested blood (of the patient), annihilates
emanations of the disease. In such conditions, this drug is the remedy which should be
selected because it always improves the patient.
However this technique is extremely delicate and H.W. Boyd believes that the results
depended in a great part on the extraordinary sensitivity and skill of W.E. Boyd and of W.R.
McCrae.
To sum up, by means of this demonstration, Boyd was able to prove that there are some
energies of a very delicate character inherent in highly diluted and potentized substances and
that these energies evoke reactions on the human body that can be detected.
On the basis of the kind and intensity of the reaction which is provoked by each drug, the
various drugs have been classified into certain groups, twelve in number. It was also noted
that there is a specific relationship between these groups. Groups 1, 6 and 10 were found
related to each other as also groups 4, 5, 8 and 11. When a patient in a particular group fell ill
he always changed into a related group. Patients rarely changed from one group to a

neighbouring group e.g. 4 to 5 or 10 to 11. They may move indirectly into it, as e.g. a 5th
group patient may move into the 8th group and then to the 4th. It was also noted that, when
a medicine selected and administered to a patient is actually from a neighbouring group
instead of the patient's own group, he suffered an aggravation clinically.
Bodily effects of drugs
The experiments of Boyd were highly complex and required infinite patience and practice.
But a similar and much more simple experiment can be carried out by anyone. A normal
person is made to stand facing east or west. An observer percusses over his chest at the
border of the heart. A third person across the room picks up a homoeopathic potency in his
hand and approaches the subject while he is being continuously percussed. At some point
anywhere from across the room to three or four feet from the subject, the percussion note will
change. It will be found that different remedies cause this change at different distances
showing the varying susceptibility of the subject to different drugs. Even flowers and plants
evoke the same reaction. Even the energy from the third person who approaches this subject
will produce this reaction but at a much shorter distance of two or three feet.
Such effect caused by the radiation from drugs are not merely confined to this change in the
percussion note. Many other effects can be discerned simultaneously, particularly on a sick
person. If a drug related to the case (as for example, one chosen on homoeopathic principle)
is brought close to or into contact with the patient, a number of reflex changes are excited.
There is a dilatation of the pupil, changes in the character of the contraction of the heart,
changes in the capillary circulation shown by a slight variation in the colour of thin skin areas,
a slight momentary alteration in the colouring of the iris and a modification of the pulse as to
character and rate. Further, if a glass rod is drawn delicately over the skin, it will seem to cling
to the surface of the skin. From amongst all these reflex changes, the alteration in the nature
of the pulse has been studied more closely and described and it has been found also to be
helpful for the purpose of selecting the similimum. This is called the Pulse Test.
The pulse test
The Pulse Test is performed as follows. First of all twelve vials called Group-vial represents
one group of the Emanometer classification of drugs and is composed of a number of
representative drugs drawn from the list of drugs in that Emanometer group and mixed
together. For example, Group vial 1 is made up by mixing up a number of drugs of the same
potency, e.g. 200c from Emanometer group 1. Then these vials are placed on a table about
two feet away from the patient. The patient is seated comfortably and his pulse is felt till it
shows a steadiness in rate and rhythm. Its rate is then noted by counting for two or three
minutes. Now the Group-vials containing the potencies are brought either very close to the
patient or into contact with his arm quickly, one by one in succession. Even if the vials are
corked the potencies influence the patient while the vial is in contact with the patient. The
pulse is then counted for 15 seconds. Then this vial is put away and the next Group vial is
taken up. It is now best to "short" the patient by asking him to hold a metal bar with both his
hands so that a circuit is formed from one side of his body to the other. As each Group vial is
tested a note is made as to which Group-vial tends to normalise the pulse most - slowing it if it
is fast, accelerating it to the best effect, they can be retested, this time the pulse rate being
counted for 30 seconds. The vial exerting the strongest influence towards normalising the
pulse rate represents the patient's Emanometer drug group.
Now from among the remedies in this particular Group those drugs are selected which appear
to cover the symptomatology of the case in question and these drugs are tested individually

one by one exactly in the same way as the Group-vials were tested. If several drugs produce
an effect the first time, they are tested again and again until, by a process of elimination, one
drug is arrived at which clearly produces the greatest normalisation of the pulse. This best
single drug may sometimes alter the pulse by 8 to 10 beats a minute. A difference of at least
4 beats is necessary to indicate a good remedy.
The above test is most applicable to cases which show an abnormal pulse rate (for example,
febrile cases). But in cases where the pulse rate is normal, a change in the character of the
pulse is noticeable. The proper Group-vial and the proper remedy cause an instantaneous
hesitation of the pulse followed by stronger beating which usually lasts a few seconds.
It must be noted that the Group-vials can only be used for purposes of arriving at the correct
group. They should in no case whatever, be prescribed or administered to the patient.
The following precautions are necessary in doing the above test. The patient should be free
from excitement. The drug vials should be brought into contact with the patient by a quick
jerk without any fumbling. If the experimenter is observing the pulse with one hand and
picking up the vials with the other, this other hand should be kept away from the vial until the
right moment. If an assistant is available he can stand behind the patient so that the patient
may not see what is being done.
This test has been commended as being very practical and useful by some eminent
physicians. The changes in the pulse as well as in the other reflexes observed, no doubt,
result from the interaction of the disease and drug energies, this interaction being expressed
through the autonomic nervous system of the body. It may be said that so far these are
probably the only methods by which the drug energy and disease energy are easily
detectable and measurable.
Guyon Richards, preferring to follow the original methods of Abrams as against the technique
of Boyd, has developed another variety of tuning circuit which is operated within a cage of
perforated zinc. The patient sits in one compartment of the cage; the operator, his
instruments and the subject are in another. With the help of this apparatus, he has been able
to work out the figures of frequencies for various tissues and organs as well as for various
drugs. His research embraces the fields of Homoeopathy, radiaesthesia, physics and
metaphysics.
Gutman describes an instrument which is basically an untuned oscillator and an amplifier
which he has found very useful in selecting the proper remedy for the patient using only a
specimen of the patient's blood or saliva.
The knowledge which has come through electro-physical research makes it very apparent
that the possible duration of potency influence continues for very much longer periods than
has ever been suspected hitherto. In the treatment of minor everyday complaints, it has been
noted that the period of action will not be less than two months on average. Very often it will
last for three or four months.
If a patient who has previously been stabilized in good health by useful medicine returns with
a remnant of trouble, his response to further treatment will often show that potency influence
can be detected for as long as six, nine or twelve months from the administration of even a
single dose! This can happen even after a 6c potency.
Botanical

In 1932, J. Roy made dilutions of the stems of germinating barley ranging from 10-3 to 10-12.
He saturated barley grains with these various dilutions, planted them and weighed the
amount of barley produced. Of 69 experimental groups, only two used dilutions above 10-26.
Each of these two dilutions (10-60 and 10-12 ) differed from the control groups by 8 percent.
P. Jousset, in 1902, investigated the effect of silver nitrate on Asperigillus niger mycelium and
found it effective upto 50x dilution.
Madam Lilli Kolisko working at the Biological Institute Dornach, for several years was able to
show the effect on wheat seeds of various metallic solutions in the first to the sixtieth
potencies wherein results showed even stronger activity in dilutions where no chemical action
could be seen.
The scientist demonstrated through her experiments that the different dilutions of the metal
as far as the 60th potency have an effect on the living cell. Out of these experiments curves
of maximal and minimal activity characteristic of each metal could be obtained.
In 1923, she applied dilutions of iron sulfate, antimony trioxide and a copper salt upto 30x
dilution to germinating wheat seeds and then measured the average length and weight of the
leaves, stem and root comparing them with control plants. She found she achieved best
growth with dilutions 26x and 30x and worst with 15x and 21x.
H. Von Bonsart found that Chamomilla in a dilution of 11x increased the growth of bean
seeds.
P. Narodetzki in 1938 performed an exhaustive investigation of the effect of sodium borate
and mercuric chloride in dilutions upto 10-60 on cultures of Steringmotocystis nigra. In order
to avoid any possible oligodynamic effect, all the work was done in quartz, all glasses were
cleaned 3 times in Quadruple distilled water, all chemicals purified by repeated crystallization
and all dilutions were prepared by the poly-glass method. Six series of six trial blanks each
were run showing a maximum variation in all 36 of 6.1%. Controls were then run for each
series of materials tested.
Karola Otte in 1937 found by geigerhubar curve that a heteroauxin concentration D 10-544
increased the growth of corn roots (Zeamys) by 100%.
Anna Koffler has recently investigated the trace elements in various plants. She has also
through painstaking experiments demonstrated the effect of various potencies of sulfur on the
weight, growth and chemical composition of onions.
Pelikan and Unger report experiments to demonstrate the activity of potentized substances
on plant growth esp. Silver nitrate (from 6x to 19x).
Zoological
W.W. Young quotes some interesting experiments done by one Leroy Gardner of the Sarnac
Laboratory for the study of tuberculosis, New York. The experiments were conducted with a
variety of animals like cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, etc. A fragment of quartz
weighing 2.5 grams was imbedded in the tissues of a pig for one year and during all that time
led to the development of only a few nuclear cells along its borders. Smaller particles of the
same material measuring 10 - 12 microns in diameter excited merely a foreign body type of
reaction that progressed very little in a year or two, a reaction that exhibits no individuality is
definitely local and extremely mild. Yet particles of still smaller size, say 1-3 microns in
diameter, provoke rapidly progressive tissue changes. If one utilizes an even smaller particle

less than one micron, in a dose of 0.2 grams, there is an even more acute reaction with death
in from one to eight months. Gye and Purdy some years ago demonstrated that the use of still
smaller particles of silica was almost instantly fatal. Or, as Gardner puts it, "The rate of
reaction to quartz is inversely proportional to particle size."
Gardner has drawn the conclusion that the term drug-action is an antiquated and highly
misleading one and should be replaced by the term tissue or cellular response. To quote his
words:
"It has taken us many years to realize that drugs are essentially inert substances possessing
of themselves no histrionic ability. We are becoming more acutely aware of the fact that what
occurs when an essentially inert substance is brought into contact with living irritable cells
and tissues is determined by the reactive potentialities of the host and the characteristics of
that reaction will be determined by the interpretation that the host's organs and tissues give
to the reaction, and that, too, is conditioned by definite controllable factors. Among these are
the avenue of administration, chemical state of, particle size of, etc., of the irritant."
G.R. Henshaw (1932) demonstrated the effect of microdilutions on the degree of flocculation
of the blood of rabbits; K. Konig (1927) and V. Vondracek (1929) showed the effect of high
dilutions on the growth of tadpoles; N. Krawkow showed their effect on the venous flow from
the isolated ears of rabbits and on the skin pigmentation and the blood of frogs; J. Roy (1932)
showed their effect on the development of tetanus and tuberculosis in guinea pigs; and G.B.
Stearns and M. Mark (1925) on the inherited characteristics of fruit flies and on guinea pigs.
In 1932, J. Roy injected 1cc of an emulsion of earth into the right thigh of three pairs of male
and female guinea pigs. Eighteen hours later he injected 2 cc of physiological saline in one
pair; 2 cc of a 10-9 dilution of a young woman's blood serum into another pair; and 2 cc of a
10-80 dilution of the serum from the same woman into a third pair. The animals who received
the 10-9 dilution died within a few hours. The animals who received the physiological saline
died in a few days. The animals who received the 10-80 dilution did not die, nor did they
develop any abnormal symptoms.
Biochemical
W. Person in 1930 investigated the effect of dilutions upto 10-120 on the rate of fermentation
of starch by ptyalin and on lysis of fibrin by pepsin and trypsin. He used mercuric chloride for
the starch experiment and various drugs like Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Hydrocyanic acid,
Aluminium, etc., for the fibrin. He found that all these dilutions showed their influence.
Hepburn et al have published a laboratory study of twenty drugs, of their effect on blood
chemistry.
E.W. Hubbard working with E. Pfeiffer of the Biochemical Research Laboratory in New York
studied the changes in the amino-acid content of human urine before and after the
administration of the similimum and they noted that most of the cases showed improvement
towards normal in the amount of amino-acids.
As is well known to students of bio-chemistry, certain minerals when ingested into the body
are not completely eliminated, a certain amount being fixed and retained in the tissues. For
example, after the administration of a strong but non-toxic dose of arsenic, a rapid urinary
elimination is observed, about 35% of the arsenic being excreted in the urine during the first
ninety hours following the injection. Thereafter, not further trace of arsenic is observed in the
urine, the remaining arsenic remaining fixed to the tissues.

Lise Wurmser assisted by Mr. Ney and Kadam Krautele working in the laboratory of Prof. Lapp
in Strasbourg carried out a series of very intricate and interesting experiments to see if the
infinitesimal dose of the same substance influences the elimination of the mineral previously
fixed to the tissues. Experimenting with the 4th, 5th and 7th potencies of arsenic and bismuth
in animals which had previously received large doses of the same substances, they found that
these potencies definitely increased the excretion of the drugs. For example, the potencies of
arsenic raised the elimination of arsenic from the normal 35% to 42%. Similarly, after every
test injection of the bismuth in potency, a further elimination of the bismuth originally
absorbed was observed.
Earlier, Dr. Bier had performed similar experiments and had come to similar conclusions. One
patient, put on Sulphur 3x, was found to excrete daily 576 mg of sulphur, which is sixty times
the normal rate. Even after the Sulphur was discontinued he was found to excrete 117 mg the
day after; he then averaged 54 mg for ten days and after thirty days he was still excreting
about twice the normal. The seborrhoea about which he had complained was markedly
improved and his general well-being decidedly better than before the experiment. The patient
was located two years later and agreed for the sake of experiment to make a retrial, although
he considered himself cured. When he now took Sulphur 6x for 10 days, hardly any extra
excretion of sulphur was found.
In 1922, Krawkow demonstrated in his laboratory the pharmacological activity of adrenalin,
bichloride of mercury and copper sulphate in the 24x, and histamine and silver nitrate in the
32x potency.
In a study of 20 drugs at the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, the research
committee of the Homoeopathic Society of Pennsylvania found that Ant. crud. reduced the
blood sugar, 9.9 to 40.9 mg in 29 days. They also noted that Apis, Echinacea 2x, Pulsatilla
30x, Baryta carb. 30x, Coccul. ind. 3x and Iberis amara, all had a favourable effect and
reduced the blood sugar levels.
According to the report of the committee, the blood sugar was influenced by the following
drugs also: Ant-c 3x, Apis 1x, Bar-c 30x, Cactus 1x, Coccul. 3x, Cup-a 2x, Ip. 30x, Iris. 1x,
Merc. cor. sub. 200x, Myrica and Nux-v 30x.
Bacteriological
J. Paterson and William E. Boyd in 1931 showed that Alum. precipitated Diphtheria-toxoid in
30C and Diphtherinum in 201C potency, given orally each separately, changed the Schick test
from positive to negative in 20 out of 33 cases.
H. Junker, in 1928, added various substances in dilutions-up to 10-27 to cultures of
paramecia. The materials he used were atropine sulphate, caffeine, orange juice, lemon juice,
cocaine sulphate, a sodium salt, potassium oleate, octyl alcohol, oleic acid, hydrochloric acid,
acetic acid, uric acid, magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate, nonylic acid, sodium
desoxychloate and a rubio vitamin preparation.
Many sinusoidal curves were obtained, with rhythmic alteration of maximum and minimum.
Results were expressed as the sum of the daily changes in growth of each culture of
paramecia, at each particular dilution (expressed as percentages). They yielded significant
changes for orange juice 10-26, a sodium salt 10-26, octyl alcohol 10-24 and 10-25, atropine
sulphate 10-26, potassium oleate 10-26 and nonylic acid 10-24 and 10-27.
Pharmacological

Research of proofs of activity of infinitesimal doses

It is good to prove that homoeopathic dilutions are not just pure water and that either they
contain still some of the initial substance or they initiate an "unknown physical factor" which
can be detected with special apparatus. This is not sufficient. We have now to prove that
these infinitesimal doses can produce an action which can be objectivised and measured.
There is no doubt that the study of these infinitesimal doses presents arduous problems which
have not, as yet, even been considered by the officials. However, a Pharmacology of the
infinitesimal is now created which is due to grow and expand.
Pharmacological research is conducted either with isolated organs or the entire animals. Any
way, it is necessary to "prepare" the animal because generally, an infinitesimal dose is by
itself inactive and becomes active only under special conditions which have to be created. It
is in this research of "sensitization" of the animals that the success of the experiment
depends.
Experiments in vitro on isolated organs
Jarricot spent many years to achieve a proper technique to study homoeopathic dilutions.
Most of his studies have been gathered in the Documenta Homoeopatica. He studied the
action of Veratrine on the muscular contraction of the frog gastrocnemius and concludes that
a 30th Korsakovian favorizes the work of muscle. He then studied the action of Iberis amara
on the isolated heart of frog or tortoise. Strong concentrations of Iberis (1%) have a negative
chronotropic effect. This same effect can be observed with Korsakovian dilutions. Jarricot
attributes to Iberis an "eurythic" action. These experiments took place either on isolated
organs or perfused with the solutions to be studied, or on isolated heart injected beforehand
with the Iberis dilutions.
W.E. Boyd gave small doses of Crataegus, Digitalis and Strophanthus sarmentosus to the
heart in situ of killed frogs. He registered ECGs and cardiac beats and noted detectable action
upto the 10-11. The results are altogether different depending on the origin of the solutions,
distilled water or Ringer solution. The author emphasizes the enormous variations observed
on witnesses. Only 50 to 77% of the animals are sensitive. The percentage depends on the
drug used. The sensitivity difference of animals, even selected, creates a pharmacological
problem very difficult and is only too frequently encountered without finding a satisfactory
explanation for these differences.
Also J.R. Boissier noticed considerable differences in sensitivity in his experimental animals,
some reacting this exceptional sensitivity as "Paradoxical". In order to succeed with
experiments on infinitesimal doses, it would be desirable to select sensitive races, just as
cancerous or other races are selected.
Wurmser et al have used the isolated intestine to study: 1. the action of various doses of
substances such as Butelline and there have demonstrated the invertive action depending on
the dose, 2. the antagonism of Coffea Nux vomica, the drug used generally to palliate the
toxic effects of coffee.
Recently they have studied dilutions of Actea racemosa and found that they produce a
sensitization of the guinea pig uterus to the post-hypophysis which would confirm the use of
Actea rac. to ease deliveries. A non-homoeopathic experiment no doubt, yet it could be as it
comes within the frame of what we have defined as necessary conditions for the study of
infinitesimal doses, as that realised by R. Hazard, Savini and Ranier Cornec on the duodenum
of the rat. Atropine at a concentration of 2 x 9-10 lessens the acetycholinic contraction, at a

concentration of 1 x 10-25 it is inactive, but at 2 x 10-18 it reinforces the acetylcholinic

contraction. In dilutions between 10-15 and 10-20 the sensitivity to Acetylcholine is first
diminished for a few minutes then in spite of the continued presence of Atropine, the
contractions produced by Acetylcholine increase and equal the contraction of control. If at
that time, atropine administration is stopped and the preparation laved with pure tyrode, an
increase of sensitivity ensues...this increased sensitivity keeps at a plateau for 10-15
minutes... This sensitization phenomenon after-lavage is frequently encountered, and they
have undertaken experiments particularly difficult to achieve in order to find out if this
sensitization could not occur at once with even higher dilutions.
Experiment in vivo on the entire animal
Nebel related several experiments tried on the entire animal. He has been censured for
using too few animals... so his experiments have not been duplicated. However he tried
several approaches; a 30th or 200th of Malleine injected three weeks after injection of a live
culture in the ear of a rabbit produced in intense vaso-dilation of the peritumoral vessels while
the opposite ear intact does not react at all. A 12C of Tuberculin, every 8-10 days enables a
guinea pig to survive at least 10 months, Cobra-venom on the dose. Whereas the pigeoncontrol dies within 11/2 hours, the M dilution protects it completely.
Arthus studied the action of Calc-f in rickets, 1% of Calc-f in 3x prolongs the life of rats as
compared with controls submitted to the same rachitogenic diet. At autopsy, the lesions of
treated animals are more important than those of controls probably because they survived
longer. It would have been interesting to sacrifice the treated animals at the time of controls'
death in order to compare the status after the same number of days of rachitogenous diet.
Together with Miss Pazin, Wurmser studied the reciprocal action of different doses of the
same substance. Dilutions of Procaine from 10-6 to 10-10. diminish the sleeping time of
epinoches when they are dipped for 10 minutes in these dilutions before being immersed in
concentrated solution of Procaine (0.5 x 10-25). Hofmeister studies the action of Pulsatilla T.
M. and D.T. on the genital function of the white mice. He states that it is not comparable with
the action of hormones. Dr. Dejust cites a number of experiments made to confirm the simile
principle. Papaud of Libourne, found out whether the rabbit could be vaccinated against the
tetanus with Strychnine (1880-1890). The results are negative.
Other experiments carried out by an Academy of Medicine Commission composed of
Dujardine, Beaumetz, Gautier and Trasbot, on the Tansy, the essential oil of which is capable
of producing symptoms similar to rabies, showed it could cure this disease. This positive
experiment realised officially is of great interest.
Kisskalt and Kahnkoph tried to verify the claim of the law of similars and since atropine
produces symptoms remarkably identical to botulism, they tried experimentally if atropine in
the 4th dilution can diminish the mortality of mice poisoned with botulic toxin. Unfortunately
the results are negative. They also tried the action of Strychnine on the titanic toxin and
observed that strychnine accelerates the death of the animals.
Cantegrit tried to show the "euphylactic effects of a high dilution of Nux-vomica in guinea pig
intoxicated with Strychnine". He claims to have effectively protected the guinea pig 30
minutes prior to the lethal injection - with a 7th CM Nux-vomica. Unfortunately, these
experiments are not too conclusive because the guinea pig sensitivity to strychnine varies so
much that definite results could be achieved only by numerous series of animals, and the
results evaluated statistically. Martiny and Pretec studied anaphylactic phenomena. They
proposed the hypothesis that anaphylactic reactions were triggered by the dilution of the

allergen in the blood (since the reaction occurs only after a certain time during which the
greatest part of the allergen is eliminated). Consequently, if the preparing injection was made
with a sufficient dilution of the allergen, the triggering reaction would be almost immediate,
so it is with a preparing injection of a 10-12 Ovalbumine dilution, they get by an intracardiac
injection of 1/2 ml of Ovalubumine at 1% the anaphylactive reaction after one hour. Such a
phenomenon is never observed on new animals nor on animals prepared with 1% Ovalbunine
solution. With less diluted solution, 10-9 for example, the crisis takes 24 hours to occur. "In
short all these works allow us to conclude that the specific antibody gets its function not only
from the presence of action of the antigenic element in its constitutional complex but also
from the fact that this presence or action is linked to its infinitesimality."
Trying to demonstrate the desensitizing action of Apis-mel. Doneche uses the white rat
injected intra-peritoneally with 2ml of a 1/10th Pvalbumine solution. Apis 3rd CH or 5th CH
injected at the same time as the Pvalbumine and then every one half hour lessens
considerably the oedema. The frequency of the injection does not appear to influence the
lessening of the clinical manifestations, the 3rd CH and the 5th CH have displaced a similar
activity. Huguette Glay tried the action of a 9th CH dilution of B.K. on tuberculinized guinea
pigs. Two groups of experiments responded as follows:
1. Animals tuberculinized treated with dilutions of B.K. 10-18 7 to 8 weeks after
tuberculinization. The author estimates that the B.K. 9th CH protected the guinea pigs, giving
them a longer life. Whereas the controls died in average of 93 days, six out of eight of the
treated animals had a survival of 142 days. However, two treated animals died earlier.
2. Guinea pigs tuberculinized three months previously were particularly sensitive to B.K. 9th
CH and died a few days after taking the dilutions. Here again we find the sensitization
occurring from the time elapsed between the injection and the use of the homoeopathic
dilution. A kind of mobilisation of the toxins seems likely overcoming the animal defences. Let
us recall too that trials made to study the innocuousness of the B.C. G. in homoeopathic
dilutions proved that these dilutions could, in a measure, protect the guinea pig against the
tubercular infection. The most important experiments - since they took several years and
involved a thousand animals - were those made by Devraigne, Bagros and H. Boiron involving
not only animal experiments, but also clinical observations. These experiments have been
repeated by Beja in a medical thesis. The authors studied the action of Folliculine on the adult
rat, the castrated rat and the impubic mice. From the ensemble of these experiments, it can
be concluded that the 7th CH dilution of Folliculine delays the Oestrus provoked in the
castrated rat and, on the other hand, seems to stimulate the Oestrus in the impubic mice.
With the gonadotropic hormone, the results are more difficult to interpret. The 3rd CH
neutralizes weakly these doses in the rat and only partially in the mice. "It seems that
antagonistic action occurs when the animal is placed in physiological conditions closest to
normal, for example, ovarian stimulation of the adult rat with gonadotropic hormone. It seems
contrariwise that the synergic action occurs when the normal physiological conditions cannot
play their balancing role with gonadotropic hormone injection to the impubic mice whose
ovary is overwhelmed, so to say by the sudden gonadotropic stimulation." The investigators
studied also the 30th CH of Folliculine and found that this dilution upsets the inhibition of the
oestrus provoked by repeated estradiol injections. However, the maximum oestrus is finally
weaker than those of controls. The 5th CH demonstrated a very slight stimulation, the 9th CH
however a very strong stimulation. The authors conclude that the balancing action of
hormone dilutions and, also without any doubt, the 30th CH dilution of Folliculine, have
regularly produced on the animals in determined conditions an undeniable biological
response.

These first experiments, conducted in Strasbourg in Prof. Lapp's Laboratory opened the way
for a big series of research in Lyon by G. Mouriquand, A. Cier, J. Boiron et al on the elimination
of Arsenic and Bismuth in the pigeon and the influence of dilutions on the vestibular chronaxy
perturbed by the metal intoxication. The authors confirmed the results of Wurmser on
elimination and demonstrated that under the influence of infinitesimal doses of the metal, the
vestibular chronaxy was brought back to normal much faster. Mouriquand's studies on
vestibular chronaxy are particularly interesting because the lowering of the vestibular
chronaxy is the only sign of the hidden intoxication, as the authors demonstrated mostly in
cases of infra-clinical avitaminosis. The authors tried even the action of the 15th and 30th
dilutions. The 15th dilutions were found active, the action of 30th was less evident. The
authors rechecked the experiments of elimination provoked by tagged Antimony. Dilutions of
the Antimony stable in the 7th CH bring a definite increase of radioactivity detectable in the
excreta. It is, however, much weaker, than with Arsenic. New injections of emetic had no
action - in other words the action of the 7th CH in such experimental conditions are not
renewable. With the study of radioactive Antimony fixation on different organs, the authors
thought that "the homoeopathic injections are capable not only to provoke a partial
elimination of the toxic element fixed before-hand in the organism, but also its mobilization in
certain essential organs", which agrees perfectly with Prof. Lapp's conclusions.
A variation of these trials was realised by J. Boiron and A. Cier in "Experimental Research of
an Isopathic Activity". They use in order to mobilize Arsenic an isopathic of the rat's blood
taken three or four weeks after the massive injection of the toxin. The 7th CH, 9th CH and
15th CH dilutions of the isopathic have a positive action. The 30th CH was inactive. The
authors having tried the isopathic action from the rat's blood on another rat still obtained
positive, albeit weaker, results and conclude to the, "non-specificity" of these preparations.
Can we, however, really speak of isopathy in these cases, where it does not seem that Arsenic
combines with blood proteins? We should rather admit that a small quantity of circulating
Arsenic is left, of course, undosable and may be unverifiable and that these infinitesimal
doses have mobilized the Arsenic; this would lead us to admit that, in reality it is not a 15th
CH which has been injected but a more considerable dilution of Arsenic, hard indeed to
evaluate.
Experiments on animals were made by J. and M. Tetau on "Pharmacology and
Psychopharmocology of Thuja" and the "Psychopharmacology of Nepenthes". Operating on
conditioned animals, the authors find that important doses of Thuja disturb the psychic
balance of rats which lose their conditioning. These intoxicated animals see their troubles
disappear under the effects of one dose of Thuja 9th CH with reappearance of the
conditioning as regards Nepenthes. One cannot detect a stupefying effect but rather a trouble
in readaptation to the test used on rats previously trained. However, the tests are less
conclusive than with Thuja, because Nepenthes never produced a deconditioning intoxication
similar to that produced by Thuja.
Treatment of experimental disease
In order to study the action of remedy, allopathic or homoeopathic, we have to create in the
animal an experimental disease very close or similar to human disease. One is then
confronted with great difficulties due to the fact that the artificial disease created in the
animal is far from identical or even close to those observed in man. Therefrom, we see
techniques created such as the ulcer due to coercion, the edema of the rats' paw,
psychological troubles in animals trained to accomplish certain acts, experimental
atherosclerosis, etc. Is such an experiment possible in Homoeopathy? Up to now any
attempts made have been discouraging. For example, A. Cier et al tried homoeopathic

treatment of experimental hepatitis which in the conditions of the experiment remained

negative. More recently the same authors, viz. A. Cier, J. Boiron, Miller Vinget and Braise have
reported case of diabetes in mice induced by injection of Alloxan in crude doses being treated
successfully with Alloxan 7 CH.
Clinical veterinary experiments
Without mentioning here the veterinary therapy which is in fact, a true experiment per se, we
would like to report research re the therapy of certain disease more or less serious or
resistant. Chavannon and Bardoulat obtained immunization of chickens against diphtheria, socalled Aviaire variola, by dilutions of the diphtheritic toxin (Diphtherotoxin). This is not
isopathy since the aviare diphtheria has nothing in common with human diphtheria, but really
homoeopathic therapy, i.e. therapy by the simile. Preventive as well as curative actions are
obtained with the 7th CH. Vittoz demonstrates the remarkable action of Thuja 3rd CH on cattle
warts. Prof. Bordet extends the application of this treatment to buccopharyngeal papillomas of
the dog, and Mrs. Tegret presented a thesis on the treatment of warts on stallions. Generally,
the results are obtained by taking X drops, t.i. d. for five days. In 1950, Plantureux published
his results of personal experiments made several years earlier at the pasteur Institute of
Algiers. He studied the possibilities of treatment and prevention of rabies in experimentally
injected animals under the strict controlled conditions. No conclusive results in preventions,
but more interesting ones in treatment of established over rabies. Whereas rabies innoculated
in precisely controlled experiments in always lethal Plantureux achieved cures with various
remedies such as Belladonna, Rabies virus, Lachesis and Guaco in 4th CH and 5th CH. Later, a
control was carried by innoculating afresh the "cured" animal, which remained refractory to
the infection, proof that the cure achieved immunity. Other trials were attempted by
Plantureux on procine influenza successfully treated by Ferrum phos. Belarbre presented a
theses on Pyrogenium and its indication, and Belloir in 1958 studied with the help of rays the
action of a microdoses of Calcium in the treatment of non-suppurative osteitis of the horse.
These "microdoses" of Calcium were made with a mixture of three Calcareas (Phos., Fluor and
Carb.) in the 3x. Finally, urinary lithiasis treated by urinary isotherapy becomes, thanks to
Prof. Bordet, a real scientific experiment.
Pathogenetic experimentation on the animal
Is a pathogenetic experiment possible on the animal? For sure, one can not get from the
animal any subjective symptoms so precious for the remedy diagnosis, but we can obtain
indications on the sphere of action of the drug, on the elective fixation or biological
modifications which will justify the use of the drug in selected clinical cases. Amid these
works, we can mention the proving of Sepia on the female guinea pig by Roy and mostly
those of Hinsdale. According to this author, his goals in this research were,
1. to find a rational experimental basis for the Materia Medica,
2. to give the student the possibility to demonstrate the action of homoeopathic drugs in
general and their elective actions on certain lesions of the organism,
3. to determine the pathological and pharmacological action of these drugs which are not
studied in the Pharmacopoeia and,
4. to demonstrate scientifically the validity and truth of Homoeopathy and its therapy.
In fact, many of these experiments have no bearing on the action of homoeopathic drugs, but
are limited to the study of the symptoms of intoxication. It is in fact, toxicology with anatomo-

pathological tests, for demonstrating the affinity of the drug. The second part of his work is
devoted to pharmacology with ponderable doses, then to chemical dosages in the blood.
Along the line, one of the most peculiar experiments is about Diphtheritic toxin and Mercurius
cyanatus. Merc-cy increases the same elements of the blood as the toxin does, and
diminished the same elements in the same proportions. Injected together in the rabbits, they
neutralize themselves and no other modification is observed. Therefore, the author concludes
as to the Homoeopathy of these two substances.
Experiments have been conducted to study the protection obtained by the dilution of a
substance against the toxic action of the substance, provided the infinitesimal dose is given
during the period of intoxication and at different times (Experiment with Tuberculins of H.
Galy, of Nebel, of Miss Pazin on the putting to sleep of fishes, of Miss Vischniac on lead, etc.).
This protection is demonstrated by considerable and prolonged survival as compared with
untreated controls. Other experiments - non-homoeopathic - have also discovered this
protective power of small doses. S. Bonfils demonstrated that Phenylbutazone at 10 mg dose
per kilo can protect the animals against the ulcerating action of 100 mg/kg of the same drug.
Likewise, an American cancer specialist succeeded in protecting animals against cancer
provoked by Dimethylbenzanthracene by administering beforehand small doses of that same
substance. So, one wonders if we are not rediscovering an old and historically known
phenomenon under the name of "Mithridatisation".
The ignorance, however, of the mode of action never stopped the action of the remedy nor
its efficient use when well-indicated.
Effects of microdoses
Studies have been made of the effect of microdoses of various substances. They include:
1. Selenium, the element and its compounds. In a recent 400 page book, published in the
U.S. A. about this interesting mineral, it is mentioned that 2.5 ppm of Selenium in grains can
poison young rats, not old ones - or 0.7 ppm affects chick embryos. These dilutions are
equivalent to 5x-7x potencies.
2. Colchicum, which has had a reproving in 1964-65, has amongst its poisonous effects the
power to inhibit cell division. This it can do in dilutions of 1 ppm equivalent to a potency and
in 6x dilutions it can act more powerfully still on cell mitosis, altering the number of
chromosomes.
3. Tellurium can, like many rare minerals, produce poisoning in those working with it in
industry. This occurs usually, through inhalation of vapours containing minute amounts of
Tellurium, 1 micromole of Tellurium i.e. 0.000 1 g or 6x produces a garlic odour in the breath
*.
4. In the case of L.S. D., 0.000 002 g or 1/700 000 000 of body weight produces a "trip".
5. In allergic disease, we have also a minute dose producing a reaction out of proportion to
the size of the dose. This sometimes happens after a lapse of time in a way somewhat similar
to our prover's reactions.
6. In modern physiological research a 10-6 g solution is frequently employed and is usually
very potent. One ml. of a 10-6 g/ml solution (i.e. 10-6 g or 1 Ug) of acetylcholine, for
example, when passed through any frog heart will stop it altogether.

The subject of homoeopathic pharmacology offers infinite scope for fascinating research,
which opportunity has not been fully exploited. Among those working in this field must be
mentioned Dr. Willmar Schwabe's Laboratory of Germany which conducts experiments to
study the effects of various drugs in potency on the organism.
Beryllium: 0.0001%. Be in alloys of magnesium reduces inflammability to an extraordinary
degree. This is equal to 5x potency.
We should also mention the experiments done by Prof. William Burridge, former Professor of
Physiology and Dean of Faculty of Medicine at Lucknow, who proved that various drugs as,
e.g. Nicotine, which act toxically on the myocardium in certain doses, merely inhibit it in
smaller doses and actually stimulate it when highly diluted, thus confirming Arndt Schulz law.
Judd Lewis has published a chemical analysis of Pyrogen.
Elias reports a study of the effect of Corrosive sublimate and Arsenicum album upto dilution
10-10 on blood clotting "in vitro" and make a short comparison with certain thiols and Russel
Viper venom. It is found that in potencies above 10-6 (6x) both are able to produce an
opposite action, of which, the action of Merc-c is more prominent. It is also found that
Arsenicum album in about 8x potency could neutralize to a certain extent the Russel Viper
venom in vitro.
Hans Wolter reports a study of the effect of Flor di Piedra in homoeopathic doses on small
pigs by different experiments in which histological testing is done. It is found that the drug
has power to regenerate the liver cells after the secondary fatty degeneration occurring as a
result of strongyloids infection. Also it is proved that the drug has a great power to regulate
the liver function to normal even after pathological changes of the organ have occurred.
Deb et al have discovered that Conium has an effect on the ovaries of female rats.
Templeton has described the experiments conducted which proved that Mustard gas
administered in potency neutralized the poisonous effects of crude mustard gas.
Taufiq Khan has published a number of papers related to homoeopathic pharmacy.
K.P. Muzumdar, P.N. Varma and their colleagues have published a number of
pharmacological studies of various plants used in homoeopathic medicines.
Krishnamurthy reports about his research in cataract with Cineraria maritima and says that
the remedy gives 60% surety in arresting and curing cataract.
Clinical
Schick's reaction
Schick's reaction has been subjected to many investigations. Chavannon obtained
desensitizations with M, 4M and 8M dilutions of Diphtherotoxin. Therefrom, to prove the
vaccinating power of these dilutions is a short step. In 1939, to the International
Homoeopathic League, he presented his first results of animal experiments on animals
"vaccinated" with diluted diphtheritic toxin and concluded that everything seems to show that
hens intoxicated with Diphtherotoxin... were immunized against a dose paralytic to hen
controls... "Let us remember that homoeopathic vaccination has not been proven on man and
that this technique cannot be used to establish official vaccination certificates." Paterson and
Boyd obtained a certain percentage of negativation of Schick's reaction with the doses D 30
and D 200 of Diphtherinum.

Gay and Boiron studied the action of drugs on the Vittoz phenomenon. They observed
changes of tracings registered when the remedy indicated by the patient's condition is applied
- the reaction is practically instantaneous. The authors, after a long series of experiments and
reasoning, confirm their hypothesis on the "energetic" nature of the drug, the activity of which
is conditioned by intramolecular associations created by dynamization and the undulatory
characteristics of the body used as original starting point commanding its specificity.
Mattei, using his hemotests technique (hemolysis produced by titrated solutions of venoms
and ophidian lipids) controls the biological action of tuberculins and the action of blood
isotherapics in cancerous patients with regressive serology. He confirms dangers of
aggravation of cancer by isotherapy when a residual focus has been overlooked, whereby the
interest of checking the patient by hemotests before applying the isotherapic treatment. But
the palm goes to Sevaux who worked persistently in various domains on the biological action
in the patient of homoeopathic remedies. His first trials in collaborations with Emar studied
the variations of blood normal elements under the action of high dilutions of various drug
dosages which are recorded from the blood by spectrophotometry. Under the action of
Phosphorus, Cuprum, Kali carb., Natrum mur., Natrum sulf., Psorinum, a very rapid regulation
of the doses elements can be observed (Calcium, Phosphor, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium).
Likewise, Apis acts very rapidly on the albumin-globulin ratio.
Finally, Sevaux (a cardiologist) studied with Milovanovitch the changes of the
electrocardiograms and vectocardiograms. The variation of the electro-vectocardiograms
under the action of high dilutions of Biotherapics (nosodes) are so to say instantaneous (this
has been observed formerly by Gay in Vittoz's phenomenon), since they occur within 30
seconds to 5 minutes after absorbing a dose. There is no specificity to a given drug in the
variations since they occur as well with dilutions of tuberculines or streptococcin, provided
however that the drug is indicated. They express only, according to the authors, the stress
produced by the biotherapic absorption. The patients were also checked with biological tests
such as Vernes-resorcin and dosage of anti-streptolysins.
At the C.H. F. Congress in 1962, Sevaux used allergic tests in microbial desensitization. He
found that high dilutions of the alergens nullify the allergic tests. At the same time, Sevaux
studies the alterations of electrocardiograms and the antistreptolysins ratio. He mixes antiorgan-sera dilution with the allergens, always under the control of the electrocardiogram.
Max Tetau verifies the evolution of morbid alternations by the electrophoretic study of the
blood serum. He finds an increase of the gamma globulins which he attributes to a "state of
deep sensitisation expressed by anti-corps formation increasing gamma globulin of the
fraction of the serum". The augmentation of the gamma globulins would be characteristic of
alternating diseases and is not observed in non-alternating affections.
Seitscheck published at the L.H. I. Convention at Amsterdam 1961, then at the C.H. F.
Congress in 1962, his work on leucocyte reactions under the influence of homoeopathic
dilutions showing tinctorial changes in intraleucocytic granulations.
Frost studied the action of Apis on the ratio of anti-streptolysins in various affections.
Hochstetter worked on the action of Baptisia on the formulation by this drug of agglutinins
opposite Eberthinum and para A and B in healthy subjects. Baptisia in 1x or 1C produces, in
healthy subjects, agglutinins and brings at 6x a rapid defervescence in the patients.
Study of a few drugs

Placebo
We wish to emphasize the experiments with placebo, because we are so often accused of
prescribing only placebo for our patients. Daniaud took the lead in this research. 152 patients
received placebo: 80 reacted with improvement; 52 no change; 20 failed to come back.
Daniaud concludes, "... that there are no conclusions." Tests with placebo have been and still
are much in fashion. The test of a therapy by the "double blind method" was suggested and
seemed to give a maximum of security, but there is now a reaction against it. Indeed,
Peguignot writes, "It seems abusive and fraught with danger to attribute everything to
therapy, even more dangerous to attribute everything to the effect of suggestion, psychology
or psychophysiology of the placebo type of the drug used." That is why Kissel and Barrucand,
justly refused any value to the diagnostic (or prognostic) use of placebo. Coste says about
sciaticas:
"With placebos, one can observe: 54% of failures, but 29% of excellent results. With antiinflammatory drugs: 58% failures and 10% excellent results. With the traction treatment 22%
of good results. How difficult to have an opinion on the value of the therapy. One can
understand the perplexity of the physicians in his answers. Be it what it may. Each one should
participate in a joint efforts to a better knowledge of Homoeopathy and of its possibilities."
Homoeopathy in traumatic conditions
C.V. Pink, who has had thirty years' experience of obsterics considers that Arnica in injury is
well known to homoeopaths who have used it for this purpose for generations. Gross cerebral
haemorrhage kills, and minor shock requires no treatment, but there is a considerable margin
of cases in between, in which, to say the least, it is possible that the shock and after-effects of
injury can be minimised. Kennedy suggests research on the use of Arnica and also other injury
remedies. He has also published controlled studies on the use of Arnica in post-operative
complications.
Anthony Campbell has also carried out and published the results of two pilot controlled
studies of the effects of Arnica in injuries.
Gutman describes cases in which Sulphurous acid was used successfully in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease due to air pollution.
Sankaran describes the relationship observed by him between glossy fingernails and growth
of hair on the back of patients and a tubercular history in the family.
Pai mentions his experience in cases of nephrotic syndrome. He has also published his
experiences in the treatment of Hydrophobia treated with homoeopathic remedies and with
sedatives.
Maris G. describes his observation on the granulocyte reaction after the administration of
homoeopathic potencies.
Stewart narrates his experience of the effect of homoeopthic medicines in coronary heart
disease cases.
Krishnamurthi mentions his clinical observations with the use of the nosodes Cataractinums
prepared from Immature Cataract (M.C. ).

Trexler has made observations on the use and effect of homoeopathic remedies in Industrial
Medicine and believes that the employees were more comfortable and in many cases
returned to work sooner.
Hochstetter describes his research in the treatment of alveolitis with Borax.
Ronald Troup has published some observations on the use of respiratory vaccine. In a series
of 96 prescriptions he says: that 75.1% had protection full and complete against repeated
colds.
Prof. Augustus Bier, a celebrated surgeon and scientist of Berlin, experimenting with dilutions
of Sulphur in cases of furunculosis, found such excellent results that he became converted to
Homoeopathy which he had originally believed as "an unscientific humbug unfit to occupy the
attention of a regular physician".
Foubister has worked out clinically the indications for the nosode Carcinosin, which drug
seems to have a very wide and deep range of action. He also draws attention to the
constitutional effects of anaesthetics.
Paul Daynaz, a French homoeopath, has recently reported good results in the treatment of
endarteritis obliterans and coronary angina pectoris with weekly injections of Mercurius dulcis
in the 1st decimal potency.
Sankaran has published his observations on frequent repetition of remedies in chronic cases.
Mesa reports the indications for the remedy Yage (Banisteria malpiguceae).
Eikenberry refers to the McKenzie method of drug selection in which one minim of the
medicine in potency is injected intradermally and in 24 to 48 hours there is a subjective as
well as an objective finding of the results of the test.
Boman Behram reports the effects of Steroidal urinary extract in subacute and chronic
rheumatoid arthritis and says that it produced favourable results in fifteen out of seventeen
patients.
Shrivastava has published some studies of Ficus religiosa.
James Runcie has experimented with auto-therapy making homoeopathic potency out of one
of the patient's own secretions or excretion and helped some problem cases, apparently
incurable by other methods, e.g. a breast tumour, acrid perspiration and many others.
Flocculation test
Garth Boericke, Professor of therapeutics at the Hahnemann Medical College, Pa, and his
colleagues have developed a method for the selection of the homoeopathic remedy called the
Lipoid Flocculation test. This test is performed with a menstruum which is made by dissolving
lanolin in cold alcohol and dispersing this solution in cold distilled water in such proportion
that a 1% lipoid concentration results. This menstruum is called the colloid. It has been found
that one drop of the patient's blood-serum added to 3 cc of this colloid may result in
flocculation in certain toxic cases, the rapidity of the phenomenon being a rough guide to the
severity of the disease.
It occurred to Boericke and others that if the patient's serum or it dilute factor caused
flocculation, such flocculation may be considered as the resultant of the disease energy. To
observe the effect on this flocculation of the homoeopathic remedies, one selects on the basis

of the symptomatology a group of drugs which seems likely to be indicated. Out of this group
of drugs, tested one at a time, the drug that is able to completely prevent the flocculation is
the correct remedy or similimum; one that prevents flocculation partially indicated. For
purposes of the test, Boericke used the 6x potency of the drugs. Out of 680 cases tested only
2% of cases proved not amenable to the test. He also reports the results done on another
series of 1048 cases.
Evaluation of improvement
Bellokossy has described a new method of judging the improvement in chronic case within 2
or 3 days of the administration of the drug. If the drug is the similimum, it acts favourably and
normalises the temperature if it had been raised. The axillary temperature in the morning
comes down to 97.5 F and the diurnal variation does not exceed 0.2 F. Similarly the blood
pressure is also normalised, being lowered it was raised and being raised if it was lowered.
The partially similar drug does the opposite and even lowers an originally normal blood
pressure.
Treatment of diseases
Whilhelm Witzel of Wiesbaden, Germany, has described a new treatment for diabetes which
he has devised suiting all those cases in which with or without the use of Insulin a static
condition has been reached. In addition to the original management of the case, potentized
cane sugar solution can be used as follows:
1 cc of the 6 C potency of cane sugar (containing 45% alcohol) is mixed with 9 cc of
physiological saline solution. This solution is sterilised and injected, 2 cc subcutaneously or
intramuscularly. In serious cases, these injections are given thrice a day. When serious
symptoms subside, two injections a day suffice. Later, the frequency can be reduced to two or
three times a week.
Moger records that he has been able to bring down high blood sugar levels with Ant-c 3x,
Echinacea and Pulsatilla.
Studies of the homoeopathic treatment of cases of surgical Tuberculosis tested against
controls done by Ledermann revealed that these cases showed more marked improvement
that could only be attributed to the homoeopathic medicines.
Kohler discusses the time factor in diseases, the time modalities and their relationship to the
changing blood chemistry which changes with the hour.
An attempt has been to see if the effect of exhibition of a single homoeopathic remedy
chosen on the basis of "Similia Similibus Curentur" could be demonstrated by means of
changes in amino acid excretion pattern as determined chromatographically.
Prof. Hans Ritter discusses the limitations of Homoeopathy.
Pai has published a study of cases of tetanus in infants treated with Nux vomica, Stramonium
and Chloropromazine alone, in combination and in alternation.
Krynicki reports excellent results in a variety of cases with trace doses of sex hormones. He
also records several cases treated successfully with injection of the patient's own blood in
potentized doses.
Donald Gladish reports good response in hypertension with Eel's serum.

William Gutman has discovered that Cadmium metallicum is almost a specific for the aftereffects of Influenza. He also reports the impressive results of Influenzinum in preventing
Influenza.
Foubister reports good results in Mongolism with the use of Vit. A, Vit. E, Medorrhinum and
Nosode M *, used in a series in potencies.
Freeman describes the use of the pupillary reflex in the selection of the remedy.
Balachandran has reported clinical trials with Hyoscyamus and Stramonium in cases of
Schizophrenia.
Knerr has mentioned about a new nosode - the Quadruple Nosode.
Patel has published his observations of Luffa o. in Bronchial asthma.
N.R. Chakravarti gives clinical confirmation for Chloramphenicol.
Sankaran and Matani have tried out the effects of Tub-bov and Carcinosin on patients, with a
family history of tuberculosis and Cancer respectively, to see if there is any definite specific
effect.
Aluminium
Le Hunte Cooper after considerable research has traced the ill-effects of using aluminium
vessels for cooking or storing food. Grimmer has reported that such ill effects can be
antidoted by Cadmium oxide in potency.
Prophylaxis
Eisfelder has published a preliminary report on oral immunization of poliomyelitis with Lath.
sat. based on 10 000 cases (observations).
Treatment of cancer
All are aware that a great deal of attention of the whole of the medical profession is
concentrated on the problem of cancer. Homoeopaths have also been interested in cancer
especially as they have the advantage of viewing the affected organism as a whole. Some
research is also being carried on in the homoeopathic treatment of cancer. This is mainly
based on the ideas scattered by Rudolf Steiner, a world famous philosopher. Steiner was an
Austrian who had a deep insight into Indian philosophy and gave out ideas on various subjects
like education, health, etc. Basing the research on his teachings, several doctors in
Switzerland among whom is A. Leroi, have prepared an extract from a plant Viscum album
found growing on various trees. This extract called "Iscador", when injected in particular
potency, is found to have a specific effect on cancer, both in arresting and retarding its
growth, thereby prolonging life. This drug is regularly used along with the similimum given
orally, in cancer cases by L.R. Twentyman at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital with
good results. Due to many reasons, it has not yet been possible to make this treatment a
standard and universal one.
Alexander Leroi, Rita Leroi and their colleagues and collaborators have published a number of
papers on the successful use of Iscador in the treatment of malignant conditions affecting
various parts of the body.
Grimmer reports satisfactory results in cancer cases with the use of Cadmium compounds.

Other studies
Bhavanishankaran discusses the role of the simile principle in genetics.
E.A. A.A. D. De Ruyter gives a summary of his experience with the use of mini-computers. He
writes, "Repertory analysis of homoeopathic cases has always been very time-consuming; for
this reason homoeopathic doctors have often had to restrict themselves to searching for the
most likely remedies." He then describes the use of a relatively inexpensive minicomputer for
repertory selection from a total of 352 homoeopathic remedies on the 501 most common
symptoms from Boericke's Repertory. The procedure greatly reduces the time needed for and
improves the accuracy of repertory analysis.
Several attempts also have been made to use the computer. Pirtkien has given his
experiences. Arya has suggested a plan for feeding the computer.
Ramayya has published some research studies in which he has attempted to correlate the
immune types of persons with the homoeopathic drug constitutional types.
The bowel nosodes
In the early part of this century, a very young, highly qualified and energetic physician,
Edward Bach of England (1886-1936) had developed a theory that most chronic diseases were
the result of auto-intoxication from the bowels. Experimenting along with C.E. Wheeler,
another eminent homoeopath, Bach developed the idea of preparing an autogenous vaccine
from the stool of each patient and using it on the same orally. They had such excellence in
hundreds of chronic cases that there were demands for vaccine from all over the world.
Besides preparing such autogenous or polyvalent vaccines, and treating cases with them, Dr.
Bach was able to identify and classify these bowel organisms into seven major groups, viz.:
1. Proteus
2. Dysentery Co.
3. Morgan
4. Faecalis Alkaligenes
5. Mutabile
6. Gaertner
7. Bacillus No. 7
Dr. John Paterson of Glasgow (1890-1955) studied more deeply the characteristics of the
bowel flora and its behaviour in health, in disease and in drug provings. After doing patient
and laborious research for over twenty years he came to the following definite conclusions.
1. The non-lactose fermenting non-pathogenetic bowel flora (B. coli) undergoes definite
changes in disease conditions. While this alteration in the nature of the bowel flora might be a
mere concomitant to the disease condition there is reason to believe that the B. Coli actually
turns pathogenetic.
2. The balance of the bowel flora is disturbed in diseases.
3. Similar changes are also observed in drug provings.

He grouped and typed the flora and by continuous experiment and observation he was able
to detect a definite relationship between certain drugs and certain types of bowel flora. When
particular drugs were administered in potencies the bowel flora was altered in a particular
fashion. By clinical study he was also able to bring out more clearly the indications for each
type and develop further the technique of treating cases with the bowel nosodes.
Bach and Paterson have thus made invaluable additions to the armamentarium of
Homoeopathy.
Drug provings
Provings
Provings of a number of drugs have been carried out and reported. The Drug Proving and
Research Committee of the Faculty of Homoeopathy, London, conducted a number of provings
under the able and energetic guidance of W.L. Templeton. These include among others
Mustard gas, Quebracho, Alloxan, ACTH, Beryllium, Cadmium metallicum, Carcinosin,
Cortisone, Rauwolfia serpentina and Strophanthus sarmentosus.
Sutherland and Roberts carried out in 1940 a rigorous proving of Sulphanilamide on 200
provers.
K.P. Muzumdar and his colleagues have reported a reproving of Kali-m and Abroma augusta.
A proving of Pencillium galucum has been carried out by Whiting.
Subba Raju has reported a proving of Pencillium notatum.
Studler reports a proving of Sarothamnus scoparius.
An elaborate proving of Radium bromide was carried out by William H. Dieffenbach in 1911.
Fred Morgan gives records of provings of Lecithin done by J.C. Fahnestock and others of Ohio
in 1908.
Luna Castro quotes provings of Sulphanamido-christodine (Prontosil Rubrum) done by A.D.
Sutherland in 1940.
Royal E.S. Hayes describes a short proving in Iridium chloride done in 1904.
Peter Engel has published a proving of Nidus edulis.
Mezger reports provings of Araneus ixibolus, Aristolochia clematis, Hedera helix and
Mandragora officinalis.
Jacob Gringauz summarizes an experiment (proving) done with Histamine hydrochloride on
human beings.
Raeaside had published provings of Luffa operculata, Hirudo medicinalis, Hydrophis
cyanocinctus, Triosteum perfoliatum, Venus mercenaria, Flor di Piedra, Mimosa pudica.
Raul Horacio Massone of Argentina records proving of the vegetable drug Statica brasiliensis
bois.
Jugal Kishore has published a short proving of M and B 693, Abroma augusta, Tylophora
indica, Cynodon dactylon and Rauwolfia serpentina.

Donald McFarlan gives a detailed proving of Pencillin in the 200 C potency.

Lemus of El Salvador reports a proving of the centipede Virus scolopendra.
Miller reports a partical proving of Chromium sulfate.
William Griggs has proved Butyric acid, Glycerin, Hippuric acid, Indol, Menthol, Skatol,
Sarcolactic acid, Thymol and X-ray.
Herbert Unger has published a short proving of Peyote.
Fitz Stockbrand and Karl Anton Kass give a detailed proving symptomatology of the drug
Viscum album.
William Gutman has collected and presented provings of new remedies along with illustrative
cases. The drugs include Cadmium metallicum, Beryllium, Natrum fluoricum, Rauwolfia
serpentina, Aethiops antimonialis and Bothriocephalus latus.
Panon et al record a proving a Hirudin, Thallium and Thyroidinum and Tetanus toxoid.
P.N. Pai reports a proving of Chloropromazine.
Stephenson reports a proving of Lignum nephriticum done by J. Eggee.
P.E. Vannier has published an excellent proving (pathogenesis) of Phenobarbital (Gardenal)
and found interesting thereapeutic application in certain cases of pruritus.
Guermonprex achieved an elaborate study of Penicillium based on a pure Hahnemannian
experiment on accidental intoxications with strong doses and from the usual accidents
occurring after the therapeutic use of the drug, either on the sick or on those manipulating
the drug.
Dano on the "anaphylactic lung" published a pathogenesis of this remedy now distributed
under the name of "histaminated lungs".
In France, O.A. Julian has rejuvenated the pathogenetic experiments achieved with a crew of
collaborators. They included Chloramphenicol, Haloperidol, Rauwolfia, Cresol, Astragallus and
Nepenthes distillatoria and very recently a pathogenesis of B.C. G.
The results of recent trials of pathogenesis in the 30th CH are variable. For example, P.E.
Vannier who tried a new pathogenesis with Aconite 30th CH got no reaction. On the other
hand, F. Lamasson confirmed with a 30th CH the pathogenesis of Thymus serpyllym. He also
published those of Tribulus terrestris and of Ramalina evernoides.
Azam records a proving of Buthus australias.
Sankaran reports a proving of Aqua marina, Atrax robustus, Hirudo medicinalis. Mimosa
pudica, Adamas and Pituitary.
Verma has published a proving of Tribulus terrestris.
As is well known, fluoridation of the water supply in the cities of the United States is being
done in an effort to control the high incidence of dental decay in the population. With a view
to study and assess the effect on normal individuals of the continuous ingestion of the
substance in small quantities, William Gutman of New York has carried out and published
provings of Sodium fluoride.

Matani has published a clinical proving of Insulin 30.

Krishnamurti reports a proving of Osteo-arthritic nosode.
Reprovings
Many drugs have been reproved to verify and re-establish their original pathogenesis.
Following are some of the reprovings.
Agnus castus, Aurum met., Aconitum napellus, Calc-c, Colchicum, Crocus sativa, Lycopodium,
Penicillin, Rhus tox, Sulphur, Thuja, Thyroid gland, Viola odorata and Zincum met. by Donald
McFarlan.
Iberis amara by Garth Boericke.
Ferrum metallicum by Panon, Rogers and Stephenson.
Colchicum, Seleneum, Tellurium and Mandragora by Raeside.
Bellis perennis, Calc. fluorata, Chromium sulphate, Mag-s by Julius Mezger.
Taraxacum by Gutman.
Tellurium by Schmidt.
Toxicological and involuntary proving effects
The toxicological effects of several drugs have been gathered and reported.
Benjamin C. Woodbury gives a record of the pathogenetic effects of Sulfadiazine in 2 g doses
given to 245 000 men and women in the U.S. Army as a prophylactic against coccal
infections.
Eisfelder describes the toxicological and proving effects of Amidopyrine, Chloromycetin,
Pronestyl and Streptomycin. He also records involuntary provings of an alkaloid of Ergot,
Lysergic acid diethylamide (Hydergine) and describes its most bizarre mental effects.
R.S. Faris et al have collected the toxic effects of Butazolidin and Streptomycin.
Carl H. Enstam gives the toxicological effects, partial provings and clinical experiences with a
new remedy, Natrum pentachlorphenate.
Homoeopathic pharmacy
Hahnemann, in the sixth and last edition of the Organon, had envisaged a new scale of
potencies in which he had suggested a dilution of the drug substance in 50 000 parts of the
diluent instead of the original 99 parts. This scale is termed the Hahnemann's 50 000th scale
or 50 Millesimal scale or LM scale. These potencies are marked by roman numerals as I, II, III
and so on.
Dudley W. Everitt has calculated that these potencies can be compared or equated
theoretically on paper to the traditional potencies as shown in Table 25.1.
Table 25.1
New Scale Potency I - 16x

" II - between 20x and 21x ( i.e. 10c approx. )

" III - " 24x and 26x ( " 13c " )
" VIII - " 44x and 51x ( " 25c " )
" X - " 52x and 61x ( " 30c " )
" XII - " 60x and 71x ( " 35c " )
" XVIII - " 84x and 101x ( " 50c " )
" XXIV - " 108x and 131x ( " 65c " )
" XXX - " 132x and 161x ( " 80c " )
In practice, however, they seem to be far more powerful. *
For some obscure reason, these potencies have not been prepared or tried on any extensive
scale, so far. However, Dr. Charles Pahud of Lausanne had used these potencies on some of
his cases with success and has reported these results.
Sankaran and Patel have independently published their observations on the effects of these
potencies which seem to be satisfactory.
Ritchie McCrae describes the unusual nature of potency energy and mentions how easy it is
for homoeopathic potencies to be contaminated. He warns that the most careful precautions
are necessary, when handling homoeopathic medicines.
He has also discussed extensively the precautions to be taken in preparation, preservation
and handling of potentized medicines.
X-Rays Potentized
Anaya Rees describes how he potentized X-rays.
As a mortar he built a lead disc with ten equidistant holes and then solid spaces between
them. He says: "If this round plate makes some rotations in a second we alternately have ten
interferences and ten radiations each of them a tenth of second in duration. As a matter of
fact, one rotation in a second can be regarded as the first attenuation of X-rays. If we increase
the speed upto two rotations in a second, we have a second D. attenuation, and so on.
"I named this appliance Electronic Attenuator X.O. Rays and you can adjust it to a little Xrays set. It has a large clinical use. According to Arndt-Schulz law this form of electronic
energy can promote a gentle stimulation, paralyzing effect or accomplish a destructive
process."
From the technical pharmaceutical view point: Research re drug manufacture and the
justification of the methods used, old and new: research re the control of raw material and
finished products. This study has been presented by Mrs. Baronnet and Mr. Vischniac at the
23rd Congress of the Centre Homoeopathique de France (Mai 1964).
Statistical research
Statistical surveys which play such an important part in modern medicine, particularly in the
efforts to assess the value of each drug, have been sadly neglected in Homoeopathy. After the

cholera epidemics of the nineteenth century, no major statistical surveys are to be found in
the Homoeopathy literature.
Noel J. Pratt has turned his attention in this direction and with the help of the members of the
British Faculty, has collected and published valuable data on such points as,
1. the most reliable indications of Arsenium album, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Silicea and
Calcarea phos.,
2. whether in prescribing repertorization was always done,
3. how often the doses were repeated and
4. the effect ratio as well cure ratio in general practice with Homoeopathy.
He has also collected and analysed a number of cases treated by various homoeopathic
physicians. He has also analysed 100 consecutive homoeopathic prescriptions.
Fergus Stewart has published a statistical survey of forty patients of coronary artery disease,
treated at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital.
John English has published a work study analysis of the work of 38 homoeopathic physicians.
A one week work study was undertaken by thirty-eight homoeopathic doctors in which data
relating to age, sex, diagnosis, remedy and potency were collected and various comparisons
were made with approximate standard figures.
Recently a number of statistical surveys have been done mainly under the inspiration of
James Stephenson, setting out an analysis of the cases as regards the drugs, dosage,
duration, etc. These include a survey of 86 cases of eczema, 27 cases of cancer and 100
consecutives cases of arthralgia.
Stephenson has made a further detailed survey of ninety-five cases of cancer treated with
homoeopathic medicines and compared them. He summarizes as follows:
"Of the 95 cases, 26 that were treated only with homoeopathic medicines and had
unquestionable diagnosis of cancer, lost all signs of cancer for at least five years after the
commencement of homoeopathic treatment.
Only three of the 95 cases had died of cancer at the time they were reported and these died
painlessly.
X-ray and/or radiation treatment did not make future homoeopathic cure of cancer
impossible.
The majority of the cases reported either had metastasis or had been declared terminal by
their attending physicians before commencing homoeopathic treatment and nearly all of
these lost signs of cancer after homoeopathic treatment.
Patients treated with 30C dilutions and higher responded more favourably than those treated
with lower dilutions. This was in spite of those cases being mostly terminal.
The medicines most frequently used for all types of cancer were Phosphorus, Silica,
Arsenicum album, Sulphur, Conium maculatum, Radium bromide and Sepia officinalis in that
order of importance.

Asterias rubens, Kali thiocynate, Psorinum, Trigonocephalus lachesis and Phytolacca decandra
were found to be of great value in certain cases of breast cancer.
Uterine cancer responded in particular to Arsenicum album; bone sarcoma to Silica; stomach
and tongue cancer to Phosphorus.
Liver cancer responded dramatically, in certain individual cases, to Cholesterinum, Lecithin
and Butyric acid; intestinal cancer to Hydrastis canadensis and Hippozeaninum; colon cancers
to Magnesia muriaticum."
The longest series of cancer cases found in the homoeopathc literature was reported by W.E.
Jackson. He followed up almost 1 200 cases over a 12 years' period and found a recovery rate
of 92%. Most of them, according to Jackson, had been declared hopeless by their own
physicians.
The next longest series is described by A.H. Grimmer. He reported 225 cases treated from
1925 to 1929 with 50 deaths.
Stephenson, alone and with Hubard has published several statistical surveys such as of 33
consecutive cases of Sinusitis.
Pai has published an analysis of 260 cases of Tetanus in children treated with homoeopathic
remedies.
B.N. Chakravarti has published a statistical report on the effects of homoeopathic drugs in
Tonsillitis.
Kenyon has published an analysis of 100 consecutive cases.
Faris and Stephenson studied the effect of the homoeopathic medicine in 23 consecutive
cases.
Mead has published an analysis of 31 consecutive case-histories. Paterakis et al have
published statistical data on the aggravation after the similimum.
Stephenson has analysed 20 consecutive pediatric cases and 35 consecutive cases of
duodenal ulcer. He has also analysed 100 consecutive homoeopathic prescriptions.
Hochstetter reports having tried Merc-s on 42 patients with gingivitis gravidica and finding
good results as compared with controls. He also reports having treated 15 cases of alveolitis
after dental extraction with Arnica 6x and Borax 6x. He says Arnica showed no results. But
Borax produced excellent results.
Baker reports having tried Osteo-arthritic nosode in thirty cases and finding good results.
Cier A. Boiron, J. Miller Virgert and Braise have reported cases of diabetes in mice induced by
injection of Alloxan in crude doses being treated successfully with Alloxan 7 CH.
Survey
Melman and Stephenson have published a survey of the literature on the properties of high
dilutions in which they have quoted 106 references.
Young in a series of articles has formulated the homoeopathic trends in modern medical
thoughts, giving various quotations from current medical literature.

Conclusion
Homoeopathy is a most fascinating subject and a number of aspects of this science and art
await investigation and elucidation. A vast field lies ahead unexplored offering ample scope
and opportunities for research to the scientific-minded and enthusiastic homoeopath. Due to
various reasons, research and advances in our field have not been so intensive or extensive
as one would wish for; yet quite a good deal of work is being done. A very brief review of the
more important items of such work has been attempted in this booklet.
Collected writings
Is homoeopathy slow-acting?
1. I was consulted by a lady in 1954 with the following complaint:
Name : K.B. Age : 60 years, Sex : F.
Date of first observation : 13th March 1954.
Present complaint: Has a pain in the left knee joint for the last 20 years. Sometimes the right
knee is also affected; cannot stand or walk.
She also has pains all over the body in various places especially in the muscles and joints;
and the pains generally shift from place to place; they are aching in character and are
aggravated by cold breeze and cold baths and amel. by warm applications.
Vertigo in the morning.
Oedema of both legs for the last 5 years, with pulling pain in the shins and knees, agg. in
evening.
Milk causes diarrhoea.
Previous History: Menopause at the age of 40, since which date all her troubles have started.
Family History: Nothing particular.
The symptoms were evaluated and the case repertorized as follows, on my Card Repertory.
The origin of her complaints from the menopause was given the highest importance, and the
first card chosen was:
Card No. 44; Climaxis, Agg.
The peculiar shifting nature of the pains was considered next and the corresponding card
taken:
Card No. 379; Wandering, changing, shifting, pains.
The aching nature of the pains being a general sensation came next and the card taken:
Card No. 4; Aching.
The only remedy to come through covering these symptoms was Cimicifuga. This drug
further covered the pains in the joints, the cramps in the muscles, and the agg. by cold, and
seemed to fit the personality of the case. So she was given on 13.03.54 Cimi. 200, 1 dose.

There was a very good response and she felt considerably better in a week's time. The pains,
vertigo, oedema, etc., decreased and disappeared. There were relapses and the remedy had
to be repeated thrice, the last time in the 1M potency on 11.10.54, but since then she remains
well till today.
(Effect Ratio: 7,300:7; Cure Ratio: 7,300:210)
2. Mrs. B.V. , aged 33 years, consulted me for the following disorder.
She has recurrent headaches, attacks of vertigo, periodical oppression in chest and
wandering pains in the limbs. Her menses are irregular and the flow is generally very profuse
lasting for six or seven days. She has been suffering for the last six years.
The whole disorder originated after a period of intense worry, just after the birth of her last
child.
She had consulted numerous physicians and gynaecologists and has taken much treatment
without any benefit.
She had come for consultation late at night and so I had taken down these few symptoms just
to satisfy her. I called her back next week in order to complete her case; but in the meanwhile
I gave her one dose of Ignatia 30, more intending it as a placebo.
She returned after a week and gave me the surprising news that the second day after the
dose of medicine she had passed, per vaginum, a large black lump (clot of blood?) the size of
an orange and since then she is completely relieved of all her pains and troubles! She had
her period also immediately following and this time it was quite normal. She thanked me for
diagnosing her disease and curing it so easily. She has now remained well for over 6 years.
(Effect Ratio: 2 190:2; Cure Ratio: 2 190:2)
The cases quoted above are merely taken at random. It is quite probable that others might
be able to present even better cases. However, these will suffice to show how quickly the
homoeopathic medicine is able to act both in giving relief and in completely curing patient.
The fourth homoeopathic scientific seminar
First session discussion
Suppose a patient comes to us and says something, often what he says is something and
what he means is something else. Sometimes you say something to hide something else!
What you see or what you record apparently is not the full totality. As you practise more, you
will know that prescribing for an apparent totality is not a good idea. You have to go deeper.
So the totality has two aspects, one that you can see and one that you cannot see.
Sometimes the aspect that can see will be less and the thing that you cannot see will be
more. This is the one-sided case. So, we must try to find out what is this real totality of
symptoms.
Case
Mr. P., a muslim, aged 40, was seen with following symptoms:
Pain abdomen agg. by stooping. Pain lumbar agg. lying on back. Formication in the legs.
Sudden attacks of vertigo while lying with sensation as if he was floating.

The following rubrics in Kent's Repertory were consulted, viz. Vertigo, Floating as if (p. 99);
Vertigo, sudden (p. 105); Vertigo, Lying, while (p. 101); Back, Pain, lumbar, lying on back (p.
906); Abdomen, Pain, stooping (p. 561); all brought out only Sep. Sep. cured him.
The emotional readjustment of patients
In the early years of our life when we are young, enthusiastic and brave, with stars in our
eyes, when we take life as a challenge and we are ready even to challenge death, we set
before ourselves very high ideals. Sometimes the ideal may be so high that it may seem
impossible to achieve. The ideal may be personal or impersonal. Master A would like to
become a famous film actor, Miss B the best dancer, Mr. C a world famous sportsman and Mr.
D the President of his country. As we proceed in life we come across many difficulties. We
realise that our ideals or ambitions may not be fulfilled 100 percent. Then, we become more
practical and wise. We are forced to dilute our ideals a little, to make a compromise and
accept the best that life has to offer. For instance we would like to have a partner in life who
has all the most wonderful qualities that a woman can have. But when we actually marry, we
might be a little disillusioned to find that the partner is after all a human being with all the
good qualities, follies and foibles of a human being. In such a condition we are forced to make
a compromise and accept her as she is if we want to be happy. When a physician starts
practice, he would like to see that every patient is cured. But sooner or later he has to face
the reality of life and he will find that every patient cannot be cured however hard he may try.
If he persists in his original ambition and aim, he will only break his head and become
frustrated. So in life we have to combine a certain amount of satisfaction at what we have
achieved or what we are able to achieve and a certain amount of dissatisfaction at what we
have yet to achieve. And we must combine the correct degree of satisfaction and
dissatisfaction. Excess of satisfaction will make us complacent and lazy and excess of
dissatisfaction will lead to frustrations and defeat. So there has to be a combination of the
correct degree of both. Therefore, a person who wants to be happy has to make compromise.
He has to look at both sides of the picture, the various assets he has been endowed with and
achievements that he has been able to make and the various liabilities and difficulties he has
and the achievements he still has to make. Only if a person takes a balanced view and
continues to work for his aim to the best of his ability without disappointment or frustration
then alone he can lead a happy life.
I explain this to my patients. Some of them become frustrated because they feel they have
not made quicker progress in life as they wanted to. They develop various complexes or
actual disease conditions. Once this matter is explained to them and they are able to take a
balanced view, there is a considerable improvement in their condition.
Case - genista
M.K. N., aged 25 years, consulted me for a chronic headache which he was having since his
childhood. X-rays had been taken and it was diagnosed as sinusitis. The sinuses were
punctured but this gave only transient relief. The symptoms were:
Constant headache on lt. temple or frontal region agg. in sun agg. straining the eyes amel.
eating and agg. loss of sleep agg. after coming to Bombay, generally agg. once a week esp.
on Mondays.
App. thirst, stool, etc., normal.
Change of weather produces coryza.

Mentally he was normal.

Prev. Hist. and Family Hist. were non-contributory.
I repertorized his case with the following symptoms viz. "Head, Pain agg. sun", "Head, Pain,
eating after, amel.".
I got the following remedies, viz. Aru-t, Chi., Genist., Nux-v, Sulph.
Because of the agg. from loss of sleep, I gave him Nux-v in various potencies. This failed to
give relief. So, I looked up Allen's Encyclopedia and found that Genista fitted many of the
symptoms. So, I prescribed Genista.
With Genista 30, he got some relief. He required further doses of Genista 30 on and off and
got completely relieved of the headache.
Comment: With such rare remedies I do not expect a complete symptom-matching, simply
because they are not so well-proved.
Placebo
Winston Churchill, while sick in the nursing home with a fractured femur, had a nurse who
was a staunch laborite. They used to quarrel everyday on political issues and the woman had
the last word as usual.
One day Churchill saw this nurse carrying his bed-pan and he quipped in parliamentary
language, "I see for the first time that a motion passed by me is carried by the opposition."
What is a homoeopathic medicine?
It must be clearly understood that the term "homoeopathic medicine" really means any
medicine used in the homoeopathic manner on the basis of the similia principle.
Medicines do not become homoeopathic simply because they are mentioned in the
homoeopathic Materia Medica. For instance, Adrenaline and Emitine are mentioned in
Boericke's Materia Medica. It will be clear on reading the passages that their allopathic used
has been mainly described. So, any remedy in the homoeopathic Materia Medica can be used
in the allopathic way. As example, when Opium is used in crude doses to reduce pain, it is
used allopathically.
Similarly, any remedy in the Allopathic or Ayurvedic Materia Medica can be used in the
homoeopathic way, that is on the simile basis, esp. if the effects of the drug on healthy
persons are known.
When patients switch over from allopathic treatment to homoeopathic treatment, I have
noticed that if they suddenly discontinue certain allopathic palliatives, e.g. Cortisone, there is
a sudden rebound or aggravation of symptoms and the patient becomes nervous thinking that
his "aggravation" is due to the homoeopathic medicine. So, in order to prevent these
withdrawal symptoms I started advising the patients to cut down the number of doses of
allopathic medicines slowly and progressively. I though that at the most the homoeopathic
medicine will not start acting till the allopathic medicines are completely withdrawn. Never
mind. This is better than making the patient nervous. But I actually found that in many cases,
in spite of their using those medicines for some time, the homoeopathic medicine starts
acting and ultimately they are able to discard the allopathic medicine because they do not
find those medicines necessary at all.

I have also had experience of cases in which the effect of the homoeopathic medicine
sometimes seems to have been supplemented or complemented by some non-homoeopathic
medicines. I give two instances hereunder:
1. I have already reported the case of a lady aged 28 years who had severe anemia. Her R.B.
C. count was 1.2 million and Hgb. was 25 percent. She had certain individualising symptoms
indicating Fer. With Fer. there was an immediate and gratifying improvement with the result
that all the symptoms, both the general and the individualising ones, decreased and
disappeared. She felt completely well within a few days. However, the blood examination
repeatedly showed a status quo. We gave her Fer. in varying potencies and intervals but
during the two month period of observation and treatment, the blood picture remained
absolutely unchanged.
Subsequently, she continued the Fer. but in addition took Folviron tablets which she had
formerly taken without any effect. Now there was a rapid rise in the haemoglobin and within
one month it reached 97 percent.
2. I have treated several cases of intestinal parasites especially ascariasis, with
homoeopathic medicines which appeared well-indicated. I found that in the majority of cases,
all the symptoms generally attributed to the parasites such as grinding of teeth, enuresis,
boring into the nose, bulimia, etc., disappeared but no worms were expelled. Later, repeated
stool examination showed ova and with allopathic anthelmintics many worms were expelled.
It is very well known that Homoeopathy is extremely effective in a large number of different
types of cases especially in chronic cases. It is also known that some allopathic medicines,
e.g. the antibiotics, cortisone, etc., are effective in giving immediate relief in certain types of
acute cases. But there is a grey area between these two fields, viz. allopathic medicines afford
definite relief. I believe that with reference to this grey area a good deal of unprejudiced
research is needed.
Case
Miss S.P. , aged about 34, consulted me for the following:
She had been diagnosed as having an intracranical space-occupying lesion since last 8 years,
most probably a pituitary tumour. It had started with right-sided headaches with pain in the
shoulder, back hands and legs. Last 2 months she is unable to walk, and has numbness and
weakness of both lower limbs ascending from the feet upward esp. worse in rt. lumbar back
up to the right knee, wants support to walk, cannot stand or walk freely, cannot turn quickly
while walking. She has lachrymation with headache agg. after tonsillectomy. She has burning
in the rectum and bleeding after stools, the burning lasts for 15 minutes. Her face is eggshaped, jaw is broadened and hands are broadened like a spade. She is oversensitive to noise.
She has also burning in spots, wandering, and burning in the knee. Present Hist.: Had falls
twice in childhood. Tub. glands in neck for which she took injections at the age of 12 years.
Tonsillectomy done. Family Hist.: No h/o Tub. or diabetes. Father had Cancer. Appetite normal;
food tastes salty to her. Aversion to sour foods. Thirst variable. Stool hard, has piles. Sleep
better if pain is less. Sweat normal. Body becomes hot and cold alternately.
On exam. Plantar is extensor.
She was given a dose of Carcinosin 200 and the case was worked out in Kent's Repertory and
Phatak's Repertory with the following symptoms.
Taste, Saltish, food tastes (K.p. 425)

Weakness lower limbs (K.p. 1228)

Direction, Ascending (Ph.p. 67)
Numbness, lower limbs (K.p. 1040)
Lachrymation with headache (K.p. 246)
Puls. alone covered all these symptoms.
Puls. also covered other symptoms like "Rectum, pain, burning, after stool" (K.p. 626);
"Pains, wandering" (K.p. 1389); "Alternating effects" (Ph.p. 8).
She was given Puls. 30, Q.D. S. and she started improving. With further doses of Puls. going
upto Puls. 0/30; she went on improving and she is now able to walk freely and fast. Her face
and hands have also improved in appearance and are looking normal.
Miss S.P. , aged about 34, consulted me for the following:
She had been diagnosed as having an intracranical space-occupying lesion since last 8 years,
most probably a pituitary tumour. It had started with right-sided headaches with pain in the
shoulder, back hands and legs. Last 2 months she is unable to walk, and has numbness and
weakness of both lower limbs ascending from the feet upward esp. worse in rt. lumbar back
up to the right knee, wants support to walk, cannot stand or walk freely, cannot turn quickly
while walking. She has lachrymation with headache agg. after tonsillectomy. She has burning
in the rectum and bleeding after stools, the burning lasts for 15 minutes. Her face is eggshaped, jaw is broadened and hands are broadened like a spade. She is oversensitive to noise.
She has also burning in spots, wandering, and burning in the knee. Present Hist.: Had falls
twice in childhood. Tub. glands in neck for which she took injections at the age of 12 years.
Tonsillectomy done. Family Hist.: No h/o Tub. or diabetes. Father had Cancer. Appetite normal;
food tastes salty to her. Aversion to sour foods. Thirst variable. Stool hard, has piles. Sleep
better if pain is less. Sweat normal. Body becomes hot and cold alternately.
On exam. Plantar is extensor.
She was given a dose of Carcinosin 200 and the case was worked out in Kent's Repertory and
Phatak's Repertory with the following symptoms.
Taste, Saltish, food tastes (K.p. 425)
Weakness lower limbs (K.p. 1228)
Direction, Ascending (Ph.p. 67)
Numbness, lower limbs (K.p. 1040)
Lachrymation with headache (K.p. 246)
Puls. alone covered all these symptoms.
Puls. also covered other symptoms like "Rectum, pain, burning, after stool" (K.p. 626);
"Pains, wandering" (K.p. 1389); "Alternating effects" (Ph.p. 8).
She was given Puls. 30, Q.D. S. and she started improving. With further doses of Puls. going
upto Puls. 0/30; she went on improving and she is now able to walk freely and fast. Her face
and hands have also improved in appearance and are looking normal.

Repertory notes
The wording of the rubrics depends upon the way the symptoms were expressed by the
prover. The same symptom may be expressed in different ways, e.g. "Pain amel. lying on
painful side" and "Pain agg. lying on painless side", "Headache agg. fasting" and "Headache
amel. eating", "Disgusted of life" and "Wants to die".
So a lot of latitude must be given when considering the rubrics.
Study of the remedies through the repertory
We have thought of a new method of studying the homoeopathic Materia Medica through the
Repertory and that method promises to prove very interesting and novel. We took a remedy
and went through the rubrics in Kent's Repertory and noted down all the rubrics in which this
remedy is given. We took for example the remedies Tarentula and Tuberculinum and looked
them up in the Repertory. (For the sake of convenience, we only noted down the rubrics in
which that remedy has been given in big black type.) The result of our study is as follows:
Tarentula
Mind : Anger, when touched; Anger, violent; Contrary; Dancing; Dullness, sluggishness,
difficulty of thinking and comprehending; Eat, refuses to; Hurry; Hurry, everybody must hurry;
Hurry movement, in; Insanity, madness; Obstinate; Quarrelsome; Restlessness; Restlessness,
nervous; Restlessness, anxious; Restlessness, compelling rapid walking; Restlessness, tossing
about in; Sensitive, music, amel.; Threatening; Touched, aversion to being; Work desire, for
mental.
Head : Pain, morning, waking on.
Stomach : Anxiety, in; Desires sand; Eructations; Eructations, empty; Thirst; Thirst, burning,
vehement, vomiting, eating, after.
Abdomen : Flatulence; Flatulence, obstructed.
Rectum : Constipation, ineffectual urging and straining; Inactivity of rectum.
Bladder : Retention of urine.
Urine : Sediment, red; Sugar.
Genitalia, Female: Itching, Itching, menses after.
Respiration : Difficult, Difficult, heart complaints and ovarian troubles with.
Cough : Paroxysmal.
Extremities : Chorea; Formication; Motion, irregular, Restlessness; Restlessness music amel.;
Restlessness, hand; Restlessness, lower limbs; Restlessness, lower limbs, evening;
Restlessness, lower limbs, evening in bed; Restlessness, lower limbs, night; Restlessness,
lower limbs, night, in bed; Restlessness, lower limbs, motion amel.; Restlessness, leg;
Restlessness, leg, evening; Restlessness, leg, night in bed.
Fever : Intermittent, chronic.
Tuberculinum

Mind : Dullness, sluggishness, difficulty of thinking and comprehending.

Head : Bores head in pillow; Motion, rolling head.
Ear : Noises.
Eye : Pain, moving eye.
Nose : Discharge, crusts, scabs, inside; Discharge, offensive fetid, cheese-like; Discharge,
purulent; Discharge, thick; Discharge, yellow, Epistaxis.
Face : Discolouration, pale; Discolouration, red, afternoon; Discolouration, red, circumscribed;
Discolouration, sickly colour, Eruption, herpes, circinatus; Heat.
Mouth : Odour, offensive; Odour, putrid.
Throat, external: Induration of glands like knotted cords.
Stomach : Desires, delicacies, meat, smoked.
Rectum : Diarrhoea, painless.
Stool : Odour, putrid.
Genitalia, Female: Menses, absent amenorrheoea.
Respiration : Difficult while lying.
Cough : Cold, on becoming; Dry, hacking.
Expectoration: Thick, Yellow.
Chest : Phthisis, Pulmonalis.
Extremities : Pain, chill during; Pain lower limbs motion amel; Pain tearing; Pain, tearing fever,
during.
Chill : Chilliness, perspiration, with.
Fever : Intermittent, chronic, Perspiration, heat, with; Shivering, uncovering, from;
Uncovering, chilliness, from; Uncovering, aversion, to.
Perspiration : Midnight, after, Profuse.
Skin : Itching, heat of stove. amel.
Generalities : Cold tendency to take; Wet weather agg; Weakness, enervation; Weakness,
perspiration, from; Weakness, perspiration, at night; Weariness.
Our answers
For cases in which there is keloid after B.C. G. vaccination I combine the rubrics 1. "Keloid"
and 2. "Vaccination, effects of", and I find only one remedy coming through, that is Silica. I
must however admit that some cases take several months to be cured. This may be because
the Keloid reflects a constitutional tendency. In cases of B.C. G. vaccination, I also interpose a
dose of Tub-bov.
Can homoeopathic prescribing be made simpler?

When we compare the average homoeopathic practitioner with the average allopathic
practitioner we get the impression that the latter gets more success in his own way, than the
former. The reason seems to be that in allopathic medical practice the method of diagnosis
and remedy-selection are more standardised with specific remedies for specific conditions so
that the prescriber has his work made cut and dry whereas in our system the evaluation of
symptoms and remedy-diagnosis is highly individualistic and demands great discrimination.
Perhaps because of this state of affairs we find that the students passing out of
homoeopathic college feel diffident and discouraged even to attempt to prescribe
homoeopathic medicines and become ready to clutch at the so-called allopathic specifics. The
irony of this situation is that this is taking place even as many experienced allopathic
physicians are showing a preference to take or prescribe homoeopathic remedies themselves.
To remedy this situation, we must all put our heads together and see if we can simplify and
standardise homoeopathic prescribing in such a way that even the average homoeopath will
get somewhat good results, good enough to keep up his reputation and the reputation of
Homoeopathy. By saying this, I do not mean that we should attempt to find specifics like our
allopathic colleagues. Far from it. The very idea of specific remedies for specific diseases is
almost the opposite of our approach. But I feel that within the ambit of the principles of
Homoeopathy we can work out easier methods of remedy selection.
Though we do not believe in any specifics for disease-conditions, we do believe in specifics
for definite symptom-syndromes, e.g. the late Sir John Weir used to say that where ulcer
patients were relieved by eating warm food and drink and lying down, the remedy is Graph.
when a disease condition arises after injury one of the injury remedies will be useful, probably
Arnica. We have also different remedies for different types of injuries. We have Opium for
ailments from fright, Ign. for grief and so on.
We have also specific organ-remedies like Ceanothus for spleen, Card-m for the left lobe of
the liver and so on. We have also specific remedies for specific conditions like Iris tenax for
appendicitis, Ruta for ganglion and so on.
It is thus possible to select and develop these specific drugs for specific symptom-syndromes
and thus help to simplify homoeopathic prescribing. We will have to develop Homoeopathy
along these lines to make homoeopathic prescribing simpler and easier, esp. for the
beginners.
Case
Mrs. M.R. B., aged 22 years, came for consultation on 4th Jan. 69. She is getting attacks of
Epilepsy since the age of 9 years. The minimum interval between two attacks is 15 days and
the maximum 3 years. It started after some neighbour forcibly hit her on her head out of
malice. She got frightened too. She is impatient, suspicious, depressed, irritable, proud and
jealous. She has got a suicidal disposition. She tried to commit suicide twice. Once while in
school she swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills because she was not prepared for an exam.
She was then unconscious for one week. She is excitable and talkative. Her appetite, thirst,
etc., are normal. Her wounds bleed much, suppurate easily and heal slowly.
Past Hist: H/O Smallpox, mumps, pneumonia and nervous breakdown.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory with the following symptoms:
Suicidal, disposition (p. 85); Jealousy (p. 60); Suspicious (p. 85); Haughty (p. 51); Wounds
bleed freely (p. 1422).

Only Lachesis came through.

She was given Lach. 200. She got a few more attacks, generally mild, all in sleep, but slowly
she got out of them. She was given Lach. 1M and then she was relieved. She has remained
well for over six years.
Cataract
Very often patients with cataract approach homoeopaths for treatment because they do not
like to be operated. I have treated some cases of cataract. My experience is that the
homoeopathic medicines prevent further deterioration of vision but do not clear up the
cataract esp. senile cataract. The patients generally approach us with impaired vision.
Usually, they have been told by the eye specialist to come back for the operation some
months later when the cataract is mature. But if the homoeopathic remedy prevents further
maturation of the cataract and yet does not clear it up, I feel it will put the patient in an
awkward situation. The surgeon refuses to operate. Yet the patient does not get improvement
in his vision.
Our task
Homoeopathy cannot be advanced by mere sympathy of the people or support of the
Government, nor will it spread by our making vociferous demands or by arranging noisy
gatherings and by holding heated discussions. It will only advance when we make it
intrinsically strong, when we examine its concepts and methods closely and carefully and
endeavour to establish them on a more scientific basis on the foundation of all the additional
scientific data that have accumulated since the time of Dr. Hahnemann. And in so doing, we
must be aware that there is no place for any emotional considerations but only for a purely
intellectual and scientific approach.
Management of the case
In homoeopathic practice almost all the attention and energies of the homoeopathic
practitioners are concentrated on discovering the correct remedy i.e. the similimum. This is
true to such an extent that many practitioners even ignore other important aspects of the
case like diagnosis, pathology, etc., which they think do not directly contribute towards
finding similimum. Sometimes they fail to take into account the various causative and
contributory factors which have led to the disturbance, the elimination of which might even
suffice to correct the disorder. I may quote from my own experience four such cases.
1. A patient used to have recurrent headaches worse from eye-strain. Whereas I failed with
my medicines, prescription of proper glasses corrected the refractive error and removed the
headaches.
2. I once treated a child who had thick offensive discharge from one nostril. After I had
prescribed a remedy and failed I looked into the nostril and found that there was a long piece
of white paper which the child had rolled into a ball and had thrust into the nose. When I
removed this piece of paper, the discharge eased.
3. A young girl had a painful oedema of one foot with "Rhus-t symptoms" which did not
improve with Rhus-t. Later on, an X-ray showed that there was a fracture of the fibula.
4. I once had a patient who had a very severe shooting pain in the ear with impairment of
hearing. When the ear was syringed a big piece of wax came out and then the pain ceased
and the hearing improved.

After the correct medicine has been selected and prescribed, the homoeopathic practitioner
becomes completely relaxed, so to say, so that he does not even consider the need or
necessity for any other measures to relieve the patient. No doubt, the correct prescription
plays a tremendous role in relieving or curing the patient even without any accessory aids or
even sometimes in the face of various impediments. But this does not mean that the
practitioner should fail to take all other measures which may accelerate or accentuate the
action of the remedy. He must consider all the auxiliary measures that can be employed
usefully in each case. In fact, these measures must be also taught in all the homoeopathic
colleges as part of the curriculum. Textbooks on the practice of medicine describe the various
auxiliary measures that can be used in various disease conditions. Generally speaking, these
can be taken as guiding points. But it is not necessary that we should accept, adopt and apply
all these methods. We have to examine them carefully and employ only such of those which
will enhance the action of the homoeopathic remedy.
Whenever any accessory treatment can be adopted which does not go against the interest of
the homoeopathic treatment, I heartily recommend such measures *.
After the first prescription has been made, there is a reaction exhibited by the patient which
may be aggravations or ameliorations of various degrees and types. The textbooks of
Homoeopathy describe very nicely how these reactions are to be interpreted and how the
next prescription is to be made. So I shall not deal with this subject here.
After prescribing the remedy I think the most important step the physician should take is to
reassure the patient. Many patients have a lot of fear, most of them unfounded and baseless,
but nevertheless these fears have to be exposed and removed. The patient may ask for an
assurance or need an assurance that his condition is not very serious and that it is curable.
This assurance goes a long way towards helping the patients.
The second important step is the emotional readjustment of the patient, wherever this is
necessary. We find that many patients are not well adjusted to their environment and this
either contributes to the suffering or complicates it and retards the progress towards cure. If
we can analyse the patient's feelings and his emotional reactions and show him how he
should readjust himself emotionally this will help enormously. Since this is a very big subject, I
would like to deal with it in a separate paper.
Very often the patient enquires how long it will take for him to be cured. Only the
inexperienced physician will make a guess and predict the period. We all know that an
apparently trivial condition, e.g. a wart, may take a long time to be cured while at times a
chronic case may sometimes come round quickly. So it is always better to tell the patients
that he will soon be well rather than fix a definite period.
Sometimes the patient asks for some kind of guarantee. In such cases no guarantee should
be given. I tell the patient that I cannot guarantee my own life even though I am a healthy
person.
When a patient is being treated and he fails to respond, we have to take his case again and
study carefully, to see if we have missed some points. If, in spite of this retaking the case,
restudying the case and prescribing again we do not find any improvement, we can consult a
colleague, preferably a senior, more experienced colleague since experience makes a lot of
difference in practice. If a senior is not available, I consult someone of my own level because
a colleague is often able to take a different view of the case. He may discover a symptom or
aspect of the case which we had ignored or give a different evaluation and this may make a
great difference to the case.

Sometimes the patient may be irregular in taking the medicine or in his diet or he may fail to
follow the instructions given to him or do something which we had forbidden him to do. In all
these cases I do not take a very serious view, I tolerate the patient's defect and try to help
him. I do not criticise him severely or withhold treatment on this account unless he refuses to
obey some instruction which is really very important.
Sometimes the patient speaks or behaves in a childish fashion. This is quite natural because
many times during sickness, the patient regresses or goes into a childhood state. He wants a
lot of sympathy and encouragement. We should give him the necessary moral support and
sympathy.
When treating a patient the homoeopathic practitioner should not be satisfied by merely
finding a clinical improvement. No doubt, a clinical improvement is the most important thing
in a case, but the clinical improvement should be accompanied or followed by a
corresponding improvement in the disease-pathology also. For instance, all laboratory and
other investigations should also show or confirm a regression in the condition of the disease.
When a patient, in spite of being under treatment for a fairly long period does not show
appreciable improvement and when even treatment done after consultation with colleagues
and seniors has brought about no improvement, it is better to tell the patient the fact and
allow him to decide what he should do. I would then prefer that the patient be treated by
other systems of medicine. If it is a surgical condition say for example, Hernia, Hydrocele, etc.,
and very careful homoeopathic prescribing has brought about no improvement, he can be
advised to go for surgery.
After the patient is completely symptom-free, we should stop the medicine and keep him
under observation for a long period. Only when the patient is free for a long period even
without the medicine, we can call it a cure. For chronic cases, I think a period of observation of
three years is necessary.
During the course of treatment many difficulties may arise for the patient. His close relatives
and friends may advise him or insist upon him or force him to follow certain other treatments.
My procedure is to help or guide the patient to find a way out of his difficulties. In all these
cases I make it a point to look at the whole problem from the patient's point of view and try to
help him. I am not satisfied by telling the patient that this is his problem and he has to find a
way out himself.
Alternation of remedies
Alternation means prescription of two remedies in advance and in alternation. The prescriber
decides beforehand, before the remedy is given and the reaction is noted, that after the first
remedy is given after a certain interval the second remedy is to be given and again after a
certain period the first remedy is to be repeated. For example the most common alternation
known to us is Nux-v at night and Sulphur in the morning for piles. The doctor who prescribes
tells the patient to take Nux-v at night and Sulphur in the morning. He does not examine the
patient the next morning to see whether Nux-v has finished its action and whether the
Sulphur is indicated, nor does he examine the patient the next night to see if Sulphur has
finished its action and whether Nux-v is indicated then. If you are prescribing a different
remedy after noting the reaction of the first remedy and after considering the changed
picture, that is perfect Homoeopathy. But this is not what you do in alternation.
When you take a case and you find a certain drug picture you have got to prescribe the
indicated remedy. That is the rule in Homoeopathy. You cannot prescribe any other remedy.

And if after prescribing the indicated remedy you find a certain change in the symptoms of
the patient, you have to study the case again and prescribe the best indicated remedy. You
cannot anticipate in advance what will be the remedy. For instance, you may give Nux-v and
find later that the next remedy needed is Phos. and not Sulph. So to tell the patient in
advance to take medicine A in the morning and medicine B at night is unscientific.
There was one Dr. Banker. He was the C.M. O. in the Railway. He prescribed for a case where
the patient had one set of symptoms. After giving the remedy, after some time, another set of
symptoms came on and he prescribed another remedy. There upon the original set of
symptoms returned. He prescribed the original remedy and again the second picture returned.
So he could not cure the case. Then he asked me. While describing the case he gave me one
good symptom, viz. that the patient was always agg. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now for 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. aggravation there is only one remedy and that is Tub. Tub. also has alternation of
symptoms. So I suggested Tub. Later on he told me that he gave Tub. and the patient was
cured. So, it was not a question of two remedies in alternation but the third remedy which was
indicated which he did not recognise. I think when people alternate they are actually
searching for or missing a third remedy which they do not find. Because they do not recognise
that a third remedy is indicated they try to cover up with the two remedies which are both not
really indicated in my opinion. The remedy really indicated is not going to produce another
picture which, when prescribed for, will bring back the first picture. It will be a third picture
emerging if the remedy is correct. So, I have got very strong doubts about the justification of
alternation of remedies.
The homoeopathic physician who prescribes two remedies in alternation, usually prescribes
so because he is not able to fix one remedy. He may find two remedies seemingly indicated
almost equally. If one remedy had been clearly indicated he would not go for alternation. But
when two remedies seem to be indicated and both equally, and he is not able to decide
between them, he prescribes both of them alternately.
When you prescribe two remedies in advance and order them to be alternated at stated
intervals, which is also predetermined, you are not only deciding that after remedy No. 1, the
remedy No. 2 is going to be indicated but you are also deciding that each remedy is going to
act for a certain period. You know very well that our medicines can act for varying lengths of
time depending upon the nature of the patient, the nature of the disease and many other
circumstances. Therefore, when you prescribe in advance, you are deciding everything
arbitrarily. I have made very careful observations about this. For example, I have given Lyc. to
a patient. I have seen the first dose of the same potency, say the 200th, acting for one month,
the second dose acting for fifteen days and the third dose acting for two months. You cannot
be sure what will be the period of action of a remedy. But when you alternate a remedy you
are arbitrarily deciding its duration of action. When you are giving Bell. and Calc-c alternately,
what is the remedy indicated? Is it Bell. or is it Calc-c? Certainly it cannot be both.
When you are giving Bell., is the patient in an acute condition or in a chronic condition? If he
is in an acute condition and gives symptoms of Bell., certainly give him Bell. If he is relieved
and goes into a chronic condition and gives indications for Calc-c certainly you can give Cal-c.
But, then he may not go back into the acute condition and need Bell. again immediately
thereafter.
Actually speaking, there are no homoeopathic drugs and biochemic drugs. There are only
potentized drugs. You may classify and call them homoeopathic or biochemic as you like but it
makes no difference. When you say homoeopathic and biochemic remedies, you only make an
artificial distinction. Both are potentized remedies. So the question comes whether two

potentized remedies could be given at the same time to a patient. That is the question. I do
not think this should be done. Further, the symptom of pain has also to be individualised with
modalities and concomitant symptoms and prescribed for; the remedy may or may not be
Mag-p.
Case
Mercurius solubilis
I was consulted for Miss J.C. , aged 16 years. The girl was the daughter of a rich land-owner
and she had developed behavioural defects. At birth, she had had no hair on the body. She
had been treated with Thyroid and Durabolin and hair had grown. She was now stunted in
stature being only 4'2" tall. Her weight was 26.5 kg only. This had created a serious complex
in her mind. Her father was tall, so she believed that her short stature was due to her mother.
So she hated her mother. She had been mentally deranged for sometime. For the last few
months she had been depressed and had talked of death and expressed a desire for death.
She had changeable moods. Milk used to cause diarrhoea. Her elder brother aged 21 was
quite normal. Recently she had created a problem because she suddenly told her parents that
she wished to marry the son of their cook. She also announced this to all her schoolmates and
thus had become a laughing stock. She had been seen by a neurologist who had said that
pituitary dysfunction was the cause of her stunted growth. X-ray had shown fusion of the
epiphysis and so there was no possibility of increasing her height.
She was behaving like a child and would eat with both the hands. She would eat in a hurry.
She was shameless and foolish. She was very fond of sweets. She was very dirty by habit. She
would often talk of marriage. She was very sensitive to music. She was averse to consolation.
She had been treated by a homoeopath previously with Puls., Tub., Pso., etc., and had shown
some improvement on the medicines.
I repertorized her case with the following symptoms, viz., Dirty, Lascivious, Moods
changeable, Sensitive to music, Hurry, Consolation agg. and Dwarfish. I got Merc-s. I put her
on Merc-s starting from 1M going upto the CM with intercurrent doses of Syph. In the course of
2 years, her behaviour has become completely normal. Now, she has married some person of
her own status, to the satisfaction of her parents.
I was consulted for Miss J.C. , aged 16 years. The girl was the daughter of a rich land-owner
and she had developed behavioural defects. At birth, she had had no hair on the body. She
had been treated with Thyroid and Durabolin and hair had grown. She was now stunted in
stature being only 4'2" tall. Her weight was 26.5 kg only. This had created a serious complex
in her mind. Her father was tall, so she believed that her short stature was due to her mother.
So she hated her mother. She had been mentally deranged for sometime. For the last few
months she had been depressed and had talked of death and expressed a desire for death.
She had changeable moods. Milk used to cause diarrhoea. Her elder brother aged 21 was
quite normal. Recently she had created a problem because she suddenly told her parents that
she wished to marry the son of their cook. She also announced this to all her schoolmates and
thus had become a laughing stock. She had been seen by a neurologist who had said that
pituitary dysfunction was the cause of her stunted growth. X-ray had shown fusion of the
epiphysis and so there was no possibility of increasing her height.
She was behaving like a child and would eat with both the hands. She would eat in a hurry.
She was shameless and foolish. She was very fond of sweets. She was very dirty by habit. She
would often talk of marriage. She was very sensitive to music. She was averse to consolation.

She had been treated by a homoeopath previously with Puls., Tub., Pso., etc., and had shown
some improvement on the medicines.
I repertorized her case with the following symptoms, viz., Dirty, Lascivious, Moods
changeable, Sensitive to music, Hurry, Consolation agg. and Dwarfish. I got Merc-s. I put her
on Merc-s starting from 1M going upto the CM with intercurrent doses of Syph. In the course of
2 years, her behaviour has become completely normal. Now, she has married some person of
her own status, to the satisfaction of her parents.
Frankly speaking
I also find another set of patients who suffer from emotional disturbances, e.g. a father
comes to me and says, "Doctor, I made so much sacrifice for my son; I educated him and
looked after him but he is ungrateful to me and does not do anything for me." When I question
the father, "Why did you do all this for your son? Was it not because he was your son? Did it
not give you pleasure to do all this for your son, even to sacrifice for his sake? If so, why
should you complain? You did not make a contract with him that when he grows up, he will do
everything for you in return. You merely did this for your son because he was your son,
because it gave you satisfaction and pleasure, because he was a part of your ego. That is why
you did it. So when you did something for your son, which gave you satisfaction and pleasure,
in return how do you expect something more. No businessman expects or receive payment
twice for the same item. Then how do you expect payment again for the same action?" I find
this logic helps them to calm themselves and take on a more sober attitude.
Our answer
We have repeatedly emphasized that the symptoms of the patient must be present in the
remedy selected and not necessarily vice versa. We have seen numerous cases of Ars., e.g.
Coryza, who had no fear of death, many cases of Baryta carb. in which the IQ was not low.
Suppose a patient had the following symptoms, viz. "Diarrhoea with lumbar ache"; "Flabby
genitals"; "Erections when riding", these symptoms are covered by Baryta carb. The patient
can be given Baryta carb. even if his IQ is not low. The remedy must cover the available
disease picture and there should be no contraindications. For instance, a Lachesis patient
should not say, "I am much better after sleep".
The characteristic symptom-totality in practice
A characteristic symptom is defined as a symptom which is not characteristic of the disease
but of the individual patient. All symptoms, which are unusual and unexpected and do not fit
in or conform to the disease the patient is suffering from, or do not conform with the accepted
ideas and facts of pathology (disease-pattern), are considered as characteristic symptoms. For
the selection of the remedy, only the characteristic symptoms are considered as far as
possible. The totality of these characteristic symptoms is considered as the characteristic
symptom-totality.
So far, everything is smooth, and easy to follow. We have learnt these concepts as students
and we have taught them as teachers. However, after practising for many years and after
seeing a wide variety of cases and after seeing also the prescriptions of other eminent
homoeopaths who are practising successfully, we find that this concept of characteristic
symptom-totality is not as simple and as solid as it looks. Within this panorama of
"characteristic symptom-totality" there seems to be wide variations in actually selecting the
"characteristic symptoms". We have seen prescribers giving importance to or emphasizing
some characteristic symptoms over the others ignoring the other symptoms and yet

prescribing successfully. We have also done this in our practice often successfully. Sometimes
we have seen that within this characteristic symptom totality the characteristic symptoms to
which we had given great importance and prescribed have led to failures whereas some other
prescribers had given extra importance to some other symptoms or had interpreted the
symptoms differently and had then succeeded. The reverse has also been true where we had
succeeded when others had failed simply because to the symptoms that they considered of
less value within this symptom totality, we had given greater value. A few examples will
illustrate this point.
Mr. J.J. , aged 54, saw me on 14.10.74. He suffered from sleeplessness due to uncontrollable
rush of thoughts with throbbing in occiput. He consulted a psychiatrist and took some
tranquilisers and felt only marginal relief. On falling to sleep, he used to feel as if his
circulation stopped, so he lost his sleep.
The whole trouble had originated thus. He had gone out of Bombay and had then handed
over his work to his brother. When he returned he found his clients extremely satisfied and full
of praise for his younger brother who had managed the business so well. This caused a
feeling of intense jealousy. There was also the h/o tension, frustration and suppressed anger
over some court case.
I worked out his case with the following symptoms viz. Jealousy, Sleepless from rush of
thoughts, and Falling to sleep agg., and got the following remedies, viz., Cof., Ign., Lach., Nuxv, Puls., Staph.
A dear friend of mine, an excellent homoeopath, had already seen him and prescribed for him
Lach., Cina. and Puls. all without relief. I too gave him Lach. first and failed but later gave him
Staph. because of the h/o frustration, suppressed anger, etc., and he became completely well.
He reported on 14.05.76 that he was completely well without medicines for at least 6 months.
So, even though in theory and principle the totality of the characteristic symptoms is to be
considered, we do find that it is possible to have different valuations for different symptoms
within this totality. For instance, I have closely followed the prescriptions of my teacher, Dr.
S.R. Phatak. I have often found him ignoring symptoms like desires and aversions, thirst,
reaction to heat and cold, left-sidedness, right-sidedness, etc., and still his prescriptions are
very successful.
Therefore, this leads us to wonder what exactly is meant by the totality of the characteristic
symptoms if some symptoms can be omitted safely. We would like that clear guidelines be
laid down as to which symptoms can be omitted and which ones cannot be omitted. I would
also suggest that we should lay down standardised procedures for deciding what exactly is
meant by the characteristic symptom-totality. The selection of the medicine should not
entirely become a matter of individual opinion and experience. If this happens the whole
method can become unscientific.
Therefore, I would like to request my colleagues here to discuss this thoroughly and lay down
clear rules to decide which symptoms should be considered and which symptoms can be
ignored in making up the characteristic symptom-totality.
Emotional readjustment of patients
Many patients come to us with emotional disturbances. These cause or contribute to their
illness. We have to take cognizance of them and show the patient how to overcome them. It is
but natural that in our life we come across various situations. We face various problems and

we are often forced to take certain decisions, whether we like it or not. In such situations,
generally two alternatives appear before us. Either we may do something or we may not do it.
We can say "Yes" or we can say "No". We may accept or we may reject a particular course of
action.
When facing such a situation, it becomes necessary for us, as intelligent persons, to consider
carefully the pros and cons, all the points in favour and all points against a particular step or
course of action and then after having weighed carefully the consequences of taking any step,
we have to take a decision either for or against. When we take a decision we can only do it
with the best of intentions, with the best of our intelligence based on our experience and
knowledge. It is not possible or necessary that all our decisions will prove to be right. They
may sometimes prove to be wrong and even unwise. Whatever it is, we are to face the
consequences of our decision and face the situation that may arise. There is no use bathing
ourselves in tears of regret or self-pity.
As explained above, when we face a situation, we are forced to take a decision to accept or
reject. As soon as we take a decision, whatever the decision is, whether the decision is to
accept or to reject, our mind becomes free from tension. As soon as we accept, the tension
eases. As soon as we reject, the tension ceases. But if we neither accept nor reject and
remain in suspense there is a tension in the mind and this tension generally disturbs the
harmonious functioning of the body contributing to or resulting in disease. So it is better to
take a decision - to accept or reject. But while accepting we have to accept the situation
totally with full heart without any regret, and if we reject, then also we have to reject this
situation totally without any remorse.
Let us take the example of a person working in an office. Let us say his boss is very rude to
him or abuses him in the office. This person's ego is hurt and he has to consider carefully
what to do. If he feels that, even if his boss is abusive, because he wants the job badly, he
must stick on and get on somehow, then he must accept the situation with a full heart. If he
does so, he has no trouble in his mind. If however, he considers his self-respect greater and
thinks that whatever may be difficulty otherwise, he cannot work in this job under this boss,
he can resign the job. Either way, his mind will be free from tension. But if he does not accept
and does not reject but goes on working with suppressed anger, he is bound to suffer
emotionally. This is the same situation when a wife becomes dissatisfied with her husband
(e.g. if she finds him unfaithful) or if a person in business finds his partner dishonest. So I tell
my patients to face the situation intellectually, not emotionally, and to take a decision for or
against with a full heart and stick to the decision without any regret.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the great philosopher who was our National President, has given out a
great philosophy of living in the smallest number of words in a most excellent way. I quote
him: "Life is like a game of cards. We did not invent the game. We did not formulate the rules.
We did not manufacture the cards. And we have no power over its distribution. Yet, when we
get the cards, we can play the game wisely or we can play the game badly." If people think
over this statement carefully they will understand how to be happy in life. In life we are born
or endowed with some advantages and some handicaps. There is no use weeping over the
handicaps because they are bound to be there. There can never be a life full of advantages
alone. We have only to learn how to overcome and compensate for and how to live happily
and successfully in spite of these. Similarly, a number of difficulties are bound to arise in life.
We will have to face these difficulties and problems with fortitude and solve them or try to
solve them to the best of our ability. Some of them may not be solved, in which case we will
have to accept them and get along.

Placebo
Post hoc ergo propter hoc *
Recently we received a very unflattering letter from an admirer. He wrote, "Dear Dr., I am
glad to inform you that I have read all the booklets written by you. I am now suffering from
confusion. Can you please prescribe for me?" We wish that the writer of this letter had not put
in the first and second sentence in the same paragraph implying thereby a connection
between the two!
Obstacles in homoeopathic practice
When a patient undergoes homoeopathic treatment, the general impression of his relatives
and friends is that he is accepting some unusual if not sub-standard form of treatment and
therefore they are generally doubtful or pessimistic about the outcome. If the case takes
longer to be cured or takes an apparent turn for the worse, immediately these well-meaning
but ignorant and misguided friends and relatives start advising the patient and make him feel
that he has taken recourse to a wrong form of treatment. If, by chance the disease continues
to become apparently worse, immediately the best consultant in the allopathic side is called
in and the patient is admitted in an allopathic hospital and subjected to all forms of
investigations. In these circumstances, the homoeopath may find it difficult to keep up his
confidence, composure and courage.
In a particular case, if the patient develops some untoward symptoms and the homoeopath
finds it necessary to hospitalise him or to get expert opinion from some specialist, then he is
in trouble. The moment the homoeopath calls in a specialist to have expert opinion on any
particular aspect of the case, he finds that the case itself is taken out of his hands. Even
specialists who are sympathetic to the methods of Homoeopathy shake their heads wisely and
gravely and suggest alternate methods of treatment. Few of them have the courage to
encourage the homoeopathic treatment of the case.
If, however, the specialist seeing the case side by side is not sympathetic to Homoeopathy,
the result can be easily imagined. We remember many a case which was improving very
nicely as per the opinion of specialist himself who was seeing the patient. But when he came
to know that the improvement was due to the homoeopathic treatment that was being given,
the opinion was changed and the case was declared to be deteriorating.
With regard to surgical cases the position is still worse. The surgeon naturally feels that
surgery is the only resort and it is difficult for the homoeopath to insist that surgery is not at
all necessary. Naturally going against the weighty opinion of a surgeon and refusing to submit
the case to surgery puts a very heavy responsibility on the head of the homoeopath.
Then, there are some classes of patients particularly in the cities who get various
investigations done frequently and if by chance the results are slightly adverse, e.g. if the
urine should show a few more pus cells or if the blood urea goes up by one or two mgm the
patient loses courage and switches over to other methods of treatment.
Another problem arises in treating the middle class, upper middle class and upper class of
patients. If by chance they require hospitalisation, then we find ourselves in a corner because
we do not have homoeopathic private nursing homes with all the facilities available there and
with a resident homoeopathic physician in attendance 24 hours. Therefore, at some stage or
other these cases also invariably go out of our hands.

So it can be seen that the homoeopathic physician, even the expert, has to constantly battle
against heavy odds in the form of psychological and other difficulties to demonstrate the
superiority of Homoeopathy. The early establishment of suitable private nursing homes or
hospitals having consulting arrangements with homoeopathically oriented specialists seems
therefore called for.
Sepia
I think Sepia is a wonderful remedy to study and to use. Considering the fact that it affects
the sexual organs in women and considering that many of its aggravations are connected with
the sexual functions, e.g. with menses, coition, pregnancy, abortion, menopause, etc., it is an
excellent remedy for various complaints in women. If you add the fact that it also covers the
bad effects of anger, fright, grief, disappointment in love, etc., you can imagine its wide
range of action. Women are particularly emotional and sensitive and they live in a small
world. Therefore small things assume great significance for them. So when you combine this
mental state with the physical condition, you get a good picture of Sepia. Generally, we have
the impression that Sep. has great aversion for sex. But it also has got a symptom "Sexualminded". But though she may be sexual-minded she has great agg. from coition and so is
unable to enjoy it. This is why Boger describes the Sepia patient as "Miserable". I think it is
particularly needed for women who suffer more after an abortion than after a full pregnancy.
Abortion seems to produce a kind of serious disturbance in health. I also think that where
women terminate a pregnancy by inducing abortion, because they don't want children, it may
be producing some kind of guilt complex. Another peculiar symptom is that the patient feels
empty in the abdomen but if he eats he feels overfull and has even nausea. The nausea is
agg. by the sight, smell or thought of food. This symptom may be found in pregnancy. So even
with hunger, the patient cannot enjoy food which makes him miserable. I remember once I
was proving Sepia and I had the sensation as if there was a partition between the upper
abdomen and the lower abdomen, so that even when I felt hungry and empty, all the food I
would take would seem to remain in the upper abdomen causing overfulness and even
nausea. But at the same time there would be emptiness in the lower abdomen. These kinds of
contradictory sensations are found much in Sepia. These patients may have hot flushes but
they are very chilly and agg. by cold. Another symptom I have noted about Sep. is that the
patient may be agg. looking down from a height. This is not given in the repertory. Here it is
like Arg-n of which it is a complementary. Another peculiar combination is an aversion to
company yet has fear of solitude. One characteristic symptom is drooping or sagging feeling
of various organs. The patient may have drooping of eyelids producing a sleepy look, like
Gels., of which it is a complement. It has also got a bearing down or dragging down feeling so
that the patient feels that the internal parts may come out or contents of the internal part
may come out in pregnancy causing a tendency for an abortion. Incidentally, I may mention
that my teacher Dr. Templeton of London used to say that he generally thought of Sepia when
the patient mentioned that she felt like screaming or when she said, "I feel like running away
from it all." This kind of attitude is found in the Sepia patient. The Sepia patient of course has
a lot of love for her family, but she cannot express this love. That is why it has a symptom
"stifled affections". Of course, love is what we feel and affection is what we show. Love is of
course always there but she cannot show it. I said the discharges are milky. They can be also
fishy in odour. The Sepia patient has got some kind of venous stasis and she improves very
much by exertion esp. by violent motion such as dancing and here it is the opposite of Puls.
which wants gentle motion. It resembles Tarn. which also wants violent motion.
I have noted in three or four cases of Sepia agg. from brinjal (baigan). One lady had
gallstone colic agg. by brinjal. Another lady felt agg. even if she handled and cut a brinjal.

Sepia covers the effects of grief, though it is not given in the repertory for this.
My first case of Sepia was a Polish lady. She was interned during the war in Russia. She
herself, her two brothers, sister, father and mother all were put in a concentration camp and
in the night they tried to escape. All of them were shot dead except my patient who escaped,
came and settled down in Bombay. She had mental depression, h/o abortion, leucorrhoea,
brownish patch on face, etc. When I asked, "Since when are you worse?", she said, "Since my
own people were shot in front of my eyes".
A curious case
I was once consulted for a small child, aged 3 years, suffering from dropsy due to renal
failure. The child had been admitted in a leading Bombay hospital, but her condition became
worse. So she was discharged from the hospital and brought to me directly. I gave her some
medicines and she became all right.
About 8 years later, when she was aged about 11 years, there was a relapse of the dropsy. I
was consulted again and I have her Colchicum and some other remedies with some relief. But
one day her condition became serious and she developed swelling of the face, ascites and
general anasarca and her condition looked hopeless. I gave her Sulph. 1M b.d. as her
constitutional remedy and also Digitalis 3x t.i. d. for the dropsical condition. But I told the
parents that I had no hope. They gave these medicines for 3 days with no relief. But they
continued the same medicines and after 6 days she started passing more urine. In fact, she
started passing urine so profusely that every act of passing urine itself continued for nearly 5
minutes. They still continued the same medicines and after 15 days she became much better.
Rather, she began to look dehydrated; she became thin and her skin started hanging loose.
The medicine was then stopped.
After one month, there was a relapse but a repetition of the same medicines, in the same
doses cured her completely. She is now well for many years.
Lachesis
Once I was consulted for the father-in-law of Dr. B., an M.B. B.S. doctor.
This gentleman, aged 80 years, had been involved in an accident and had a serious head
injury. He became unconscious and was taken to the hospital. There he developed difficulty in
swallowing also. It was a case of compression and so they wanted to operate on him but did
not do so because of his old age and poor general condition. Mrs. Dr. B. came to me with this
report and I prescribed for her father Lachesis on the symptoms "Injury to head",
"Unconsciousness" and "Swallowing, difficult". They gave him Lach. 1M every hour. After the
second dose, he became conscious, could recognise people and could swallow but could not
talk. The same remedy was continued and he remained conscious for 3 days. After that he
lapsed into unconsciousness again. On the symptoms told to me I then prescribed Opium but
there was no improvement and he ultimately succumbed.
Calcarea carb.
Calc. has got a peculiar symptom, i.e. constipation amel. If you get this symptom, you are
lucky. One lady told me after I had treated her for some weeks, "Do not treat me for my
disease, Doctor. Please give medicine only to constipate me. If I remain constipated, I will be
all right." I did not know whether I should feel humiliated or happy. I gave her Merc-s and she
was cured. Calc-c, Merc-s, and Pso.; these three remedies cover this symptom.

Skin manifestations - eczema

The general principle of Homoeopathy is that the remedy should be selected on the totality of
the symptoms. This principle is applicable to all diseases. In fact, there is no disease to which
this principle is not applicable. In this totality of symptoms, we generally give greater
importance to the general symptoms than to the local ones. But it has been my experience
that particularly in skin conditions, the local symptoms are also important in selecting the
remedy. In fact, in many cases of skin diseases I have been led to the remedy by the local
symptoms. In some, I have selected the remedy only by the local symptoms and have
succeeded. Therefore, in cases of skin disease I insist on examining the patient. For example,
in a case of ulcer, the colour of the ulcer, the discharge, its nature, its border, whether there is
bleeding, etc., these points may help us in deciding the remedy.
In skin diseases we are generally very successful as compared with the poor results of
allopathy. Recently an eminent skin specialist came to me and said, "Dr. Sankaran, you have
been treating a number of my patients with your medicines but you did not know that they
were my patients. I was watching them and I must say your medicines are able to produce
wonderful results. So, I want to send you some more cases." I suggested to him that I would
rather give him the books so that he can study Homoeopathy and prescribe for the patients
himself, to which he said, "No! No! I don't want all this headache. I will send them all to you.
Please treat them yourself." This shows how Homoeopathy is effective even as noted by an
independent specialist who was observing the cases without our knowledge.
Generally, it is my experience that I find aggravation in some skin diseases so that when I
treat skin conditions, I am ready for an aggravation though I do not usually expect an
aggravation in other diseases. This aggravation of skin diseases is specially worse with the
use of high potency. But this aggravation may be necessary to cure the disease. Of course,
you will have to slowly prepare the patient for it.
An interesting case
A few months back, I was called to see Baby M. The mother of this child, a young lady of 25
years, was a diabetic. This was the first child. The second day after birth, the child had
developed convulsions. A child specialist was called in who diagnosed the condition as due to
hypoglycaemia resulting from the insulin injection given to the mother during labour.
Therefore, the child was treated with I.V. glucose. Perhaps a little glucose came out of the
vein, this resulted in a big swelling at the site of the injection. So the needle was transferred
to the other hand. But here also the same thing happened. Next day the child developed
ulcers on the spots where the I.V. injections had been given, with black pus. When the pus
was examined microscopically it was found to be due to the organism B. pyocyenus. For the
treatment of this infection some special injections were ordered from England and were given
to the child. But there was no improvement. On the other hand, the child developed
bronchopneumonia. Therefore, the child was given some antibiotic injections but again there
was not much improvement. The child used to cry at night and at this stage the lady doctor, a
well-qualified gynaecologist who was attending on the child night and day and had spent
many sleepless nights, consulted me. But two hours previously a child specialist had come
and examined the child and had told them that there was no hope and that it was a question
of a few hours. So it was in this atmosphere of gloom that I went and examined the child.
I found the following symptoms:
Ulcers, deep, black on both the wrists; pustular eruptions in both arms and legs, some
desquamating; abd. distended; forehead blackish; face becomes blue on crying; crying more

in evening and a night; trembling of hands. Auscultation revealed rales in both bases. I
encouraged the parents and dissipated the gloomy atmosphere.
On the symptoms I found, I gave the child Cup. 30, 3 doses and followed this with Ant-a 30.
In a few days, the child improved considerably. The deep ulcers healed completely leaving a
long but superficial scar. Now the child has grown very well and has no complaint except
occasional diarrhoea. Its general health and general condition are quite good, complexion has
improved and his health is much better. He has put on weight and remains well.
A few months back, I was called to see Baby M. The mother of this child, a young lady of 25
years, was a diabetic. This was the first child. The second day after birth, the child had
developed convulsions. A child specialist was called in who diagnosed the condition as due to
hypoglycaemia resulting from the insulin injection given to the mother during labour.
Therefore, the child was treated with I.V. glucose. Perhaps a little glucose came out of the
vein, this resulted in a big swelling at the site of the injection. So the needle was transferred
to the other hand. But here also the same thing happened. Next day the child developed
ulcers on the spots where the I.V. injections had been given, with black pus. When the pus
was examined microscopically it was found to be due to the organism B. pyocyenus. For the
treatment of this infection some special injections were ordered from England and were given
to the child. But there was no improvement. On the other hand, the child developed
bronchopneumonia. Therefore, the child was given some antibiotic injections but again there
was not much improvement. The child used to cry at night and at this stage the lady doctor, a
well-qualified gynaecologist who was attending on the child night and day and had spent
many sleepless nights, consulted me. But two hours previously a child specialist had come
and examined the child and had told them that there was no hope and that it was a question
of a few hours. So it was in this atmosphere of gloom that I went and examined the child.
I found the following symptoms:
Ulcers, deep, black on both the wrists; pustular eruptions in both arms and legs, some
desquamating; abd. distended; forehead blackish; face becomes blue on crying; crying more
in evening and a night; trembling of hands. Auscultation revealed rales in both bases. I
encouraged the parents and dissipated the gloomy atmosphere.
On the symptoms I found, I gave the child Cup. 30, 3 doses and followed this with Ant-a 30.
In a few days, the child improved considerably. The deep ulcers healed completely leaving a
long but superficial scar. Now the child has grown very well and has no complaint except
occasional diarrhoea. Its general health and general condition are quite good, complexion has
improved and his health is much better. He has put on weight and remains well.
Diabetes
I have treated some case of diabetes mellitus and my experience is good.
There was a professor from I.I. T. Kanpur. He was chronic diabetic and he was taking regularly
60 units of insulin every day. When he came here, I took his case and prescribed the
medicine. I remember his medicine was Arsenic. He went back to Kanpur and started taking
the medicine. On the next day he felt a little giddy and the doctor there said this was due to
hypoglycemia. So they reduced the dose of insulin to 40 units. The next day again he had
vertigo, again the insulin was reduced to 20 units. On the third day he still felt uneasy, so the
insulin was stopped. But yet the same process repeated and so they increased his quantum of
food, and then he felt better. This all happened within a week. They had to reduce the dose of
insulin daily. He was taking two or three doses of Arsenic 6 daily.

Another case of diabetes was on insulin. I put him on Phos-ac. With the help of this medicine,
he was able to get rid of the insulin. Now he is completely all right. So I have had this
experience in six or seven cases like that and I have found that if there are no clear
symptoms, Phos-ac is a good remedy. I give 6th potency twice a day. After we start the
medicine within two days the patients feel stronger and better.
I must mention my earliest experience of diabetes.
I had a relative of mine who was a severe diabetic with diabetic neuritis. This relative had illtreated very badly his wife, who was a girl from our family. So I did not have cordial feelings
for him. Once he consulted me casually while I was attending a marriage and equally casually
without taking his case, I prescribed for him Phos-ac 3, b.d. When I met him many years
later, I was surprised to know that with the help of this Phos-ac, he not only got rid of his
diabetic neuritis but even the diabetes itself so that he was enjoying every type of food
including sweets.
This case was a real eye-opener to me.
My general policy is to put the diabetic patients on homoeopathic medicines, and gradually
discontinue and stop the other medicines. Our medicines seem to act in spite of all those
drugs.
Arthritis
Shree E.H. A.P. , aged 67 years, turned up for consultation on 4th Aug. 1971. He has got pain
in knee joints, left leg, toes and shoulders. Pain in knees is agg. rising from a seat, agg.
ascending. He cannot squat. Pains are agg. in winter. Feels stiffness in joints on rising in
morning, amel. after movement. Stiffness in nape of neck, agg. turning the head. Feels mucus
in throat at night. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Past Hist.: 3 years back had sciatica on left
side for six months; used to get burning in calves. Had undergone mastoid operation in youth.
Fam. Hist.: Aunt and cousins had cancer. One cousin had tuberculosis.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Motion, beginning, agg. (Ph.p. 182) + Old age (Ph.p. 200) = Ambr., Con., Lyc., Phos., Syph.
+ Throat, mucus (K.p. 456) = Ambr., Con., Lyc., Phos.
+ Ascending agg. (Ph p. 15) = Phos.
Phos. 30, 14 doses b.d. given 21.08.71: Feels amel. after a severe agg. for one day. He had
diarrhoea but felt amel.. Placebo given.
04.09.71 : Feels amel. but gets pain and stiffness in morning. Shooting pain in left toes. Phos.
200, 3 doses, t.d. s. for one day and placebo given.
18.08.71 : Pain amel. last 2 days; pain in Poplitlal fossa. Pain nape and neck turning head.
Phos. VI (i.e. 6th potency of 50 millesimal scale) one dose.
21.09.71 : Knee joints are stiff and painful cracking in neck. Neck pain agg. moving head.
Severe pain in hollow of knee on rising from sitting.
Kent gives in his Repertory only one remedy under the rubric "Extremities, Pain, hollow of
knee, rising from a seat" and that remedy is Ars-h. So, the patient was given:

Ars-h 6, 24 doses b.d.

02.10.71 : Feels considerably better all round. Medicine repeated.
30.10.71 : Medicine was continued in the same way as he was feeling better and better
Carcin. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. were given in between when the improvement was not continuous.
He improved in all respect in all his symptoms and his last report was that he was feeling
"exceptionally well" in all ways.
Shree E.H. A.P. , aged 67 years, turned up for consultation on 4th Aug. 1971. He has got pain
in knee joints, left leg, toes and shoulders. Pain in knees is agg. rising from a seat, agg.
ascending. He cannot squat. Pains are agg. in winter. Feels stiffness in joints on rising in
morning, amel. after movement. Stiffness in nape of neck, agg. turning the head. Feels mucus
in throat at night. Appetite, thirst, etc., normal. Past Hist.: 3 years back had sciatica on left
side for six months; used to get burning in calves. Had undergone mastoid operation in youth.
Fam. Hist.: Aunt and cousins had cancer. One cousin had tuberculosis.
His case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory as follows:
Motion, beginning, agg. (Ph.p. 182) + Old age (Ph.p. 200) = Ambr., Con., Lyc., Phos., Syph.
+ Throat, mucus (K.p. 456) = Ambr., Con., Lyc., Phos.
+ Ascending agg. (Ph p. 15) = Phos.
Phos. 30, 14 doses b.d. given 21.08.71: Feels amel. after a severe agg. for one day. He had
diarrhoea but felt amel.. Placebo given.
04.09.71 : Feels amel. but gets pain and stiffness in morning. Shooting pain in left toes. Phos.
200, 3 doses, t.d. s. for one day and placebo given.
18.08.71 : Pain amel. last 2 days; pain in Poplitlal fossa. Pain nape and neck turning head.
Phos. VI (i.e. 6th potency of 50 millesimal scale) one dose.
21.09.71 : Knee joints are stiff and painful cracking in neck. Neck pain agg. moving head.
Severe pain in hollow of knee on rising from sitting.
Kent gives in his Repertory only one remedy under the rubric "Extremities, Pain, hollow of
knee, rising from a seat" and that remedy is Ars-h. So, the patient was given:
Ars-h 6, 24 doses b.d.
02.10.71 : Feels considerably better all round. Medicine repeated.
30.10.71 : Medicine was continued in the same way as he was feeling better and better
Carcin. 1M, 3 doses t.d. s. were given in between when the improvement was not continuous.
He improved in all respect in all his symptoms and his last report was that he was feeling
"exceptionally well" in all ways.
Your questions
Q. In Boger's Synoptic Key, in the repertory section, under Generalities there is a rubric
"Associated effects". Can you please explain what this means?
A. This question was referred to Dr. S.R. Phatak who is extremely well-versed with this book.
His answer is as follows. The rubric "Associated effects" should be taken and the drugs given

therein considered if the patient has two concomitant unrelated symptoms, appearing
simultaneously, where this combination of symptoms are not found in the repertory or Materia
Medica, e.g. if a patient has headache and urinary troubles coming on together. Where one
symptom precedes another and is not occurring together simultaneously, this rubric is not to
be considered.
Arthritis
What do you mean by cure? If cure means relief for very long periods without recurrence, I
think we can cure. If you mean by cure that there should be reversal of the pathological
changes seen by radiology, then we may not be able to cure. I have treated one patient from
Surat, aged 65 years, who was suffering from osteo-arthritis for over ten years. He is
completely free from discomfort for the last six years without any medicine. In a broad sense
this can be called a cure. Lyc. was the remedy.
The need for scientific work
Quality of work, whether of the individual or of the institution is extremely essential for the
growth and progress of any science. Hitherto we have been demanding various rights,
privileges, etc., from others but hereafter we should make demands on ourselves - to adopt a
proper attitude and to improve the quality of our work. Homoeopathy is of course an excellent
system of treatment but we have still to bring out in practical application its vast and fantastic
potentialities.
I am sad to confess that our general level of practice is still quite poor. In my estimate - I may
be wrong and I do hope I am wrong - in the whole of India among the hundreds of thousands
of homoeopaths, we may not have even a hundred persons who can be called excellent
homoeopaths. It is perhaps the greatness of the system that even our average and mediocre
practitioners are able to achieve some kind of good results which keeps up the name and
prestige of Homoeopathy. But if we are to really advance the science, we should avoid
irrelevant talk, useless show and disastrous fratricidal in-fighting and start working silently,
sincerely, steadily and scientifically. We shall then relieve and cure many cases and thus
demonstrate to the public unequivocally that Homoeopathy is indeed the real system of cure.
This will involve hard work, proper methods of keeping records, proper methods of
application, etc., for which we should prepare ourselves.
Now I shall discuss some specific points.
Though the principles of case taking and remedy selection have been laid down clearly by
Hahnemann and have been further elucidated by his great followers, some of the cases
reported in the Indian Homoeopathic journals are rather unsatisfactory. If they reflect the
general level of practice then the level of practice itself must be considered unsatisfactory.
Cases are described with insufficient data and random reasons are given for the remedy
selection. Often no reasons are given. Sometimes cases are reported in which several
remedies have been administered quickly one after the other or at times even together. The
reader can only become confused.
Naturally, one expects that the leading homoeopathic practitioners who have surely
assimilated the principles and methods of this system and who are certainly curing many
cases creditably would give a lead in this matter and come forward and report some of their
cases in our journals. Such reports can enthuse and encourage the other practitioners,
illustrate the efficacy of Homoeopathy and also prove to be models for others to know how
cases are to be recorded, treated and reported. But we find that the leaders of our profession

have failed to do this. Very rarely do we see them reporting their cases, experiences or
impressions. No doubt they are extremely busy but the reporting of cases successfully treated
by them is also part of their work. Surely, they are as much committed to science as to their
own practice. This astonishing apathy of our leaders contrasts strongly with the enormous
vitality, activity and service to their science rendered by the leaders of the allopathic
profession. Though they are also quite hard-worked, at the same time those leaders read a
lot, teach, write, report, do research, etc., and do it all most systematically in their own way.
I must also mention some case reports published in some of our journals in which extremely
unorthodox methods of practice are reported under the heading of research. Research does
not mean haphazard application of the principles and methods. It involves carefully conducted
experiments in which every step is meticulously planned and carried out, and every fact and
factor is taken into consideration in the final assessment so that very logical and
unquestionable conclusions can be drawn from the experiments. But in our field the
fundamental criteria of research are often ignored, incorrect data are mixed up and work is
done at random to reach doubtful or false conclusions.
We have to tackle and solve numerous problems in our field such as the nature of the
homoeopathic potency, the standardisation of homoeopathic potencies, the discovery of
specific rules for the selection of the proper potency and for the repetition of doses, the
delineation between medically curable conditions and those which require surgical means, the
discovery of a method by which the similimum can be selected with greatest surety, etc., etc.
For this purpose we shall have to pool all our scientific skills. But we have not, it seems, learnt
the art of collective observation and collective thinking. By contrast we find thousands of
scientific papers appearing in allopathic journals. Someone reports some experience or
treatment or puts up a hypothesis and within a short period many others make other
observations or trials to confirm or negate this hypothesis. Pooling of knowledge and
experience thus goes on and it helps to promote their science enormously. We should take a
lesson from them in this point, make consistent and persistent studies and combine the
results of our experiences to build up a sum-total of knowledge.
I have only touched on some points to indicate how far away we are from the scientific route
and how to move in the right direction.
Value of the nosodes
We have read in our books and we have seen in our practice that when a person has suffered
from some acute infectious disease or has a family history of an infectious disease, the
nosode of that particular disease is able to help. Dr. Foubister thinks that even if the patient
does not say definitely that he has not been well since that infectious disease, if he has
suffered from a severe attack of that disease, the patient benefits from the nosode. Further,
he says that if a patient reports of having had several different acute infections (say five or
more) in his childhood, then the remedy Carcinosin will be useful. Now, the question arises as
to how many doses of the nosode will be required to set right the condition. Supposing a
person has a family history of Tuberculosis, will one dose of Tub-bov suffice to remove the illeffects of that inheritance? Supposing he gives a history of having not been well since an
attack of mumps, will one dose of Parotidinum clear up his case? Or will it require several
doses? I am afraid that we will have to make a number of observations on patients before we
can arrive at any positive conclusion.

The second doubt I would like to raise is this. If a patient has a family history of tuberculosis
or cancer, is it necessary that he should receive the nosode of that disease before he will
improve on his remedy? This point also requires much study.
Mercury
I would like to report a recent case treated by me.
The patient was a boy aged 10 years. He was having nocturnal enuresis. He would pass urine
in bed but continue to sleep over it. The urine was generally offensive. Sometimes he would
pass urine involuntarily even in daytime and sometimes he was not even aware that he had
passed urine. I repertorized his case, taking the symptoms "Urination, involuntary, in bed",
"Urination unconscious", "Urine offensive", and found Merc-s alone coming through. Merc-s
put him all right.
Phimosis
Phimosis in children - should it be treated medically or surgically? I can tell you that originally
I was taught and so I used to believe that phimosis is a surgical condition. But I had chances
to treat three or four patients with phimosis. They had retention of urine, pain , etc. Even
though they were all relieved with homoeopathic medicine, I had advised the parents to have
the children operated. They, for various reasons, postponed the operation and went on giving
the medicine whenever there was trouble. The boys have grown up but they have no trouble
at all. Therefore, I am nowadays thinking seriously that phimosis is medically curable with
homoeopathic medicines.
Natrum muriaticum
Once I was treating a child for some complaints. As the improvement was slow I consulted
Dr. Phatak. The parents had given the history that when the child was born he had not cried
for a long time so much so that the doctor had been seriously worried. On this indication Dr.
Phatak prescribed Nat. mur. There was very good improvement in the child's health. I asked
him how this can be taken as an indication because the Nat. mur. patient is sad but cannot
cry. To this he replied that when the child was expected to cry, it did not cry. This is an
indication of Nat-m. Then he asked me jokingly, "How do you know the child was not sad?"
Perhaps it is so. I remembered that the child's first cry is said to be a cry of protest because it
is pushed out from a cushy warm environment into a cold cruel world.
In another case the symptoms were practically contradictory and hopelessly mixed up. Boger
gives an indication under Nat-m, "Thin, thirsty and hopeless". Giving a broad interpretation of
this word "hopeless", Dr. Phatak prescribed Nat-m which gave relief to the patient.
Materia medica
While going through Hering's Guiding Symptoms, I noted that Nat-m has got a crack on both
the upper and lower lips, whereas all the Materia Medica people only emphasize the crack in
the middle of the lower lip. I wonder why they have omitted the crack in the middle of the
upper lip. By the way, I also wonder how the various Materia Medica compilers pick out and
give some particular symptoms out of the large group of symptoms found in the provings. I
wonder what is their criteria of selection. Incidentally the biochemic practitioners, I think, use
Nat-m extensively. Biochemic people say that Nat-m is the remedy for disturbances of fluids,
either excessive fluidity or dryness, e.g. lachrymation, diarrhoea, constipation, etc. There is
lachrymation or weeping with laughter or laughter ending in weeping.

Homoeopathy in emergencies
I shall give you another case. There is a good friend of mine, a renowned E.N. T. surgeon. I
had treated his wife for sinusitis. She was completely cured.
One day his mother a gynaecologist, aged 72 years, became ill and gradually went into
uremic coma. Her blood urea went upto 120 mg. Her general condition was going down.
Several physicians had come and had said that nothing could be done. The lady suddenly
opened her eyes and said, "Call a homoeopath", and then, went back into coma. She had
great respect for Homoeopathy. So, I was called, I examined her pupils. They were pinpointed. They pin-pointed the remedy to me. I gave her Opium 1M. Within 10 minutes her
pulse improved and the B.P. improved. In one or two hours she passed urine and became
completely all right; 21/2 years later she died of something else.
This impressed that E.N. T. specialist so much that when his mother-in-law got a heart attack
in Bhavnagar he wanted me to go and prescribe for her. As we could not get seats in the
regular flight, he tried to charter a plane to take me there!
Importance of pathology
Pathology has become a highly developed science and we are now aware of many minute
tissue changes that occur in diseases. This knowledge can be utilised and integrated into our
system as far as possible to explain and illustrate our principles and approach. Again you will
notice that we get nowadays a number of cases where the pathological aspect predominates.
We cannot tell a patient, "Since you have only pathological symptoms, we can not treat you".
We must be prepared to treat the patient at any stage of the disease. This is why Boericke
and Boger, in their books on Materia Medica, have given a number of pathological indications
for various remedies. And Boger was not only one of the most successful homoeopaths of this
century but one who had assimilated the principles of Homoeopathy thoroughly. Therefore, I
think we must allow the pendulum to move to the other side and give importance to
pathology at least where other symptoms are not available. If characteristic symptoms are
available don't take pathological symptoms. But if they are not available, do consider the
pathological symptoms.
Hernia and hydrocele
In considering this subject I had three points in mind. One is to know 1. whether hernia and
hydrocele can be cured by Homoeopathic medicines, 2. and if so, can they be cured
unconditionally? - By unconditionally I mean whatever the age of the patient, the degree of
the lesion, etc. - 3. thirdly, if we are not sure about it but we think medical treatment should
be tried, how long shall we try it and when shall we say, "Now this case is not curable; it is
better to go for surgery"? I ask these questions because in many cases of hernia and
hydrocele I have taken the case most carefully but I could not find real symptoms to prescribe
upon. Is it worthwhile prescribing only for the hernia or hydrocele without any other symptom
or is it better to tell the patient, "I am sorry I don't find any symptoms. You better go for
surgery"? These are my doubts.
When I say hernia, I am mostly referring to inguinal hernia. I find very good results in hiatus
hernia. In many cases of strangulated hernia, I find quick and complete relief with
homoeopathic medicine. Formerly we were taught in the college that in strangulated hernia if
you do not operate immediately, the bowel will become gangrenous and that the patient may
die and so on. And so, initially, I was always afraid of handling these cases. But after reading

and hearing many reports of cures, I also treated many cases with extraordinarily good
results. So I have no fear nowadays.
About hydrocele, I want to mention a funny experience of mine. Many years back when I was
just starting my homoeopathic practice, I had been to South India to attend a marriage.
Someone casually consulted me in the marriage for his stomach trouble. He told me only that
he had much trouble of flatulence between 4 and 8 in the evening. I did not ask any question.
I merely prescribed Lyc. 30, 1 dose to be taken once a month. (In those days I was very
conservative about potency and repetition). He purchase the medicine and took one dose per
month for one year and became all right. It seems, he had previously taken treatment for four
years for suspected amoebic colitis and he said he had spent so far Rs. 800 (because he
could afford only Rs. 800!) without any relief but this medicine costing 4 annas completely
cured him! He wrote to me thanking me and mentioned with surprise that a very big
hydrocele that he had been having had also disappeared! His friends used to tease him saying
that wherever he goes as a clerk, he did not require a table - so big was the hydrocele. The
funny thing was that he had not mentioned to me about the hydrocele. If he had told me then
I might have asked him to get it operated.
Some cases
Herpes zoster
This happens to be my own case.
Early this year I was planning to go abroad.
While making preparations I got myself vaccinated to conform to the travel regulations.
Normally vaccination produces no effect on me but this time for some unknown reason, I got
inflammation and suppuration of the vaccinated spots. They formed ulcers and then they
healed very slowly taking in all about three weeks. One week after they had healed there was
itching in the spots followed by suppuration again which subsided only after I took one dose of
Thuja and one dose of Malandrinum. Even though the ulcers healed, they left behind
depressed discoloured scars but there was still itching sensation in these scars which
continued on and off.
A few days later, we left for the U.S. A. and after three weeks in the States we went on to
Europe. While in Paris I developed a slight swelling of the glands in the right side of the neck
with pain. I ignored this and went on to Switzerland and there I developed numerous small
painless eruptions on my chin. I did not take any medicine but the painless eruptions spread
slowly over the right side of the face affecting my forehead, head, ears, neck, etc. Still, I
ignored it and went on to Vienna to attend the International Homoeopathic Congress. But,
while I was proceeding by train from St. Gallen to Vienna, I started getting pains in all these
eruptions. These pains increased very rapidly and became extremely severe so that it made
me restless and sleepless in the train. By the time I reached Vienna, the pains had become
unbearable and I spent the day in Vienna in severe suffering. As it was a Sunday, I found all
the pharmacies closed. So I got the address of Dr. Dorsci, the General Secretary of the
Congress and reached his house. There, an important meeting of German homoeopaths was
going on but Dr. Dorsci was kind enough to meet me. But I was not in a state of mind to enjoy
anything. I requested him to give me some doses of Ran-b 200, which he was kind enough to
give me at once. But this medicine did not relieve me.

Next day I was glad to meet my friend Dr. Jugal Kishore from India who prescribed for me
Puls. on the basis of the symptoms I gave him but this remedy also did not give any relief probably I could not give him a clear picture. I could not get any homoeopathic reference
books in English nor any high potencies of homoeopathic medicines. For three days and three
nights, I suffered unbearable agony. Thereafter, I decided to leave Vienna. I flew to Split in
Yugoslavia where I joined my wife and son. Even here homoeopathic medicines were not
available. I was nearly mad with pain and so my kind and anxious friends there insisted on
calling a local doctor. This doctor prescribed for me some antibiotic. I took this for two days
and the pain became a little less but I completely lost my appetite and developed nausea. So,
I stopped the medicines. Then we came back to Bombay via London and New York. After
reaching Bombay I studied my symptoms which were as follows:
Big crusty painful eruptions all over the right side of the face and head with severe stitching
pains. The pains were as if a big brush made of red-hot needles was being thrust into my face
and head every second.
Severe shooting pain in the ear and on the face on the rt. side.
Severe itching and formication all over the rt. side of the face and head.
Severe burning pain in the face (right side) which was worse by warmth and covering, and
better by cold. Application of cold water relieved the burning pain but increased the stitching
pains. The burning would be worse by covering the face, while on uncovering the stitching
would be worse. All pains were worse by lying down and worse at night.
On the basis of the above symptoms, I selected for myself the remedy Mez. and I took Mez.
1M, four times a day. I felt 50% better in one day and 90% better in three days. I had to take
also three doses of Mez. 10M; then I felt 95% better. But there was slight residual pain for
about three days. Then, I consulted Dr. S.R. Phatak and he prescribed for me Variol. 200. This
completely removed all the remaining pain. The eruptions had left behind black scars on the
face, chin and cheeks but these also gradually disappeared.
I have the feeling that this attack could have been due to the vaccination which I had taken
before my departure and which had troubled me even before my departure. After the doses of
Mez. and Variol., not only the pains of herpes disappeared but also the itching in the
vaccination scars and the scars themselves which had been depressed became normal in
shape and their colour also became that of normal skin.
While making preparations I got myself vaccinated to conform to the travel regulations.
Normally vaccination produces no effect on me but this time for some unknown reason, I got
inflammation and suppuration of the vaccinated spots. They formed ulcers and then they
healed very slowly taking in all about three weeks. One week after they had healed there was
itching in the spots followed by suppuration again which subsided only after I took one dose of
Thuja and one dose of Malandrinum. Even though the ulcers healed, they left behind
depressed discoloured scars but there was still itching sensation in these scars which
continued on and off.
A few days later, we left for the U.S. A. and after three weeks in the States we went on to
Europe. While in Paris I developed a slight swelling of the glands in the right side of the neck
with pain. I ignored this and went on to Switzerland and there I developed numerous small
painless eruptions on my chin. I did not take any medicine but the painless eruptions spread
slowly over the right side of the face affecting my forehead, head, ears, neck, etc. Still, I
ignored it and went on to Vienna to attend the International Homoeopathic Congress. But,

while I was proceeding by train from St. Gallen to Vienna, I started getting pains in all these
eruptions. These pains increased very rapidly and became extremely severe so that it made
me restless and sleepless in the train. By the time I reached Vienna, the pains had become
unbearable and I spent the day in Vienna in severe suffering. As it was a Sunday, I found all
the pharmacies closed. So I got the address of Dr. Dorsci, the General Secretary of the
Congress and reached his house. There, an important meeting of German homoeopaths was
going on but Dr. Dorsci was kind enough to meet me. But I was not in a state of mind to enjoy
anything. I requested him to give me some doses of Ran-b 200, which he was kind enough to
give me at once. But this medicine did not relieve me.
Next day I was glad to meet my friend Dr. Jugal Kishore from India who prescribed for me
Puls. on the basis of the symptoms I gave him but this remedy also did not give any relief probably I could not give him a clear picture. I could not get any homoeopathic reference
books in English nor any high potencies of homoeopathic medicines. For three days and three
nights, I suffered unbearable agony. Thereafter, I decided to leave Vienna. I flew to Split in
Yugoslavia where I joined my wife and son. Even here homoeopathic medicines were not
available. I was nearly mad with pain and so my kind and anxious friends there insisted on
calling a local doctor. This doctor prescribed for me some antibiotic. I took this for two days
and the pain became a little less but I completely lost my appetite and developed nausea. So,
I stopped the medicines. Then we came back to Bombay via London and New York. After
reaching Bombay I studied my symptoms which were as follows:
Big crusty painful eruptions all over the right side of the face and head with severe stitching
pains. The pains were as if a big brush made of red-hot needles was being thrust into my face
and head every second.
Severe shooting pain in the ear and on the face on the rt. side.
Severe itching and formication all over the rt. side of the face and head.
Severe burning pain in the face (right side) which was worse by warmth and covering, and
better by cold. Application of cold water relieved the burning pain but increased the stitching
pains. The burning would be worse by covering the face, while on uncovering the stitching
would be worse. All pains were worse by lying down and worse at night.
On the basis of the above symptoms, I selected for myself the remedy Mez. and I took Mez.
1M, four times a day. I felt 50% better in one day and 90% better in three days. I had to take
also three doses of Mez. 10M; then I felt 95% better. But there was slight residual pain for
about three days. Then, I consulted Dr. S.R. Phatak and he prescribed for me Variol. 200. This
completely removed all the remaining pain. The eruptions had left behind black scars on the
face, chin and cheeks but these also gradually disappeared.
I have the feeling that this attack could have been due to the vaccination which I had taken
before my departure and which had troubled me even before my departure. After the doses of
Mez. and Variol., not only the pains of herpes disappeared but also the itching in the
vaccination scars and the scars themselves which had been depressed became normal in
shape and their colour also became that of normal skin.
Addiction to dexedrine
Mrs. M.S. turned up for consultation on 5th Jan. 1970 with the following complaints:
For last 20 years, she has been addicted to dexedrine and methedrine. Used to take 100
dexedrine tablets per day (as she and her husband told me). Got low blood pressure. When

these drugs were not available she became irritable, aggressive, restless, violent and felt like
killing somebody. When she became violent, she would resist with the strength 20 persons.
Was sleepless for a long time while she was taking the drug. Now, gets palpitation, sinking
feeling, restlessness and vomiting of bitter fluid. Feels that she will die. Palpitation is agg.
sitting, agg. walking agg. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on lying down; she cannot bear hunger, cries
when hungry; likes warm, spicy food, cold drinks and extra salt. Constipated. Feels drowsy all
the time. Menses regular. She is now married a second time. She was upset as her first
husband was giving her a lot of trouble and tried to make her insane. Was given electric
shocks when she was nervous. She is afraid of being alone, of ghosts, thunderstorm, earthquake, darkness, death and sudden noise. Twice she tried to commit suicide. Weeps easily,
contradiction makes her angry. She gets offended easily; emotional; jealous; puts on weight
easily. Fam. Hist.: Her mother had tuberculosis.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Fear, alone of being (p. 43) + Fear, ghosts, of (p. 45) = Ars., Bell., Brom., Dros., Kali-c, Lyc.,
Phos., Puls., Ran-b, Sep., Stram.
+ Fear, death of (p. 44) = Ars., Bell., Kali-c, Lyc., Phos., Sep., Stram.
+ Fear, thunderstorm, of (p. 47) = Phos., Sep.
+ Suicidal disposition (p. 85) = Phos., Sep.
+ Desires, salt things (p. 486) = Phos.
+ Fasting, while (p. 1365) = Phos.
Nux-v 1M, 8 doses were given to be taken every 4 hours to remove the effects of the
drugging. She felt slightly better. Then Phos. 1M, 8 doses given to be taken every 4 hours.
With these doses she felt amel.. Thereafter, Phos. 1M was given as and when necessary. She
went on feeling much better with Phos. and she was able to completely give up the addiction
of dexedrine tablets.
Mrs. M.S. turned up for consultation on 5th Jan. 1970 with the following complaints:
For last 20 years, she has been addicted to dexedrine and methedrine. Used to take 100
dexedrine tablets per day (as she and her husband told me). Got low blood pressure. When
these drugs were not available she became irritable, aggressive, restless, violent and felt like
killing somebody. When she became violent, she would resist with the strength 20 persons.
Was sleepless for a long time while she was taking the drug. Now, gets palpitation, sinking
feeling, restlessness and vomiting of bitter fluid. Feels that she will die. Palpitation is agg.
sitting, agg. walking agg. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on lying down; she cannot bear hunger, cries
when hungry; likes warm, spicy food, cold drinks and extra salt. Constipated. Feels drowsy all
the time. Menses regular. She is now married a second time. She was upset as her first
husband was giving her a lot of trouble and tried to make her insane. Was given electric
shocks when she was nervous. She is afraid of being alone, of ghosts, thunderstorm, earthquake, darkness, death and sudden noise. Twice she tried to commit suicide. Weeps easily,
contradiction makes her angry. She gets offended easily; emotional; jealous; puts on weight
easily. Fam. Hist.: Her mother had tuberculosis.
Her case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:

Fear, alone of being (p. 43) + Fear, ghosts, of (p. 45) = Ars., Bell., Brom., Dros., Kali-c, Lyc.,
Phos., Puls., Ran-b, Sep., Stram.
+ Fear, death of (p. 44) = Ars., Bell., Kali-c, Lyc., Phos., Sep., Stram.
+ Fear, thunderstorm, of (p. 47) = Phos., Sep.
+ Suicidal disposition (p. 85) = Phos., Sep.
+ Desires, salt things (p. 486) = Phos.
+ Fasting, while (p. 1365) = Phos.
Nux-v 1M, 8 doses were given to be taken every 4 hours to remove the effects of the
drugging. She felt slightly better. Then Phos. 1M, 8 doses given to be taken every 4 hours.
With these doses she felt amel.. Thereafter, Phos. 1M was given as and when necessary. She
went on feeling much better with Phos. and she was able to completely give up the addiction
of dexedrine tablets.
Some thoughts on research in homoeopathy
There is always scope for improving the practical application and methods of our science and,
for this purpose, research is constantly required.
Research is also required to illuminate certain aspects of our science and art which are still in
shadow areas. To mention a few: better and simpler ways of evaluating symptoms and
selecting the medicine, some tests to verify if the remedy selected is really the correct one,
rules for selection of the proper potency, rules for the repetition of the dose, the identity of
the nature of the homoeopathic potency, whether various items of diet interfere with the
action of the homoeopathic remedy, the value of homoeopathic prophylactics, the scope and
value of the remedy given by injection, the scope for alternating or combining remedies, etc.,
are only some of the points which require research before they can be correctly evaluated.
While the requirements of research are extremely rigid and strict and permit no compromise,
the facilities and funds available in India for research in our field are very limited. Besides, the
talent available is also limited. If real research is to be attempted, this will require
concentrated and full-time attention of the research worker who should be very learned,
conscientious, intelligent and industrious. Full-time availability of such workers is extremely
doubtful because the remuneration which we are able to afford to such workers is very low
and will not attract the persons of the proper caliber, to whom practice affords a much more
attractive alternative. Therefore, some institutions engage part-time research workers and
even then, some of these are even not well qualified and fitted for this difficult task. Such
part-time workers, unless they are extremely dedicated to their work, will naturally prefer to
pay more attention to their private practice and, therefore, the research work will suffer. The
results of such research work may then turn out to be haphazard, unreliable or useless.
Besides these factors, one will have also to take into account the attitude of the research
worker. A good research worker must be conscientious, truthful and objective. He has to
announce the results of his research as he finds them, irrespective of whether they confirm
his hypothesis or not. Human nature being what it is, unless a research worker is extremely
well-trained in this discipline, he may try to exaggerate or even falsify the records in order to
make his conclusion more acceptable. This, of course, will have the most damaging effect on
science. Therefore, before accepting the results of the research done, it will be necessary to
have an independent assessment of the work done by persons who are not affected by the

results of this assessment. I may suggest that, on the national level, the Government of India
must consider appointing an independent body to assess the research work done by various
persons or organisations, including the various units engaged in research under the auspices
of the Central Council of Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy.
Even the individual practitioner can contribute to the total quantum of knowledge if he is
observant and honest and reports his experience and results truthfully. Unfortunately, we do
not find even a good series of cases reported in our journals even though we proudly boast of
having thousands of practitioners in our country. I am afraid that even the leaders of our
profession are guilty of this neglect.
The subject of research is a gargantuan subject and it is difficult to deal with it in a detailed
way here. I have mentioned a few points that should be considered by every person who is
concerned with this subject.
Case
Teratoma
Master J.K. , aged 12 years, was brought to me for consultation on 13th Dec. 1969 with the
following history:
A lump was noted in the abdomen by the parents in June 1969. It was not given much
importance since the child never complained of it. Incidentally the child developed an abscess
in the ant. abdominal wall, which was incised and the wound healed within one week. Then,
the child started having fever and diarrhoea in Sept. 69 for which a physician was consulted
and this time a retroperitoneal fixed lump (more on right) was detected which was thought to
be a retroperitoneal teratoma. Urine and blood examination, plain X-ray, chest and the
abdomen were consistent with the diagnosis of R.P. teratoma. An exploratory laparotomy was
done by a transperitoneal approach and an attempt was made to remove the lump. But it
could not be done since it was adherent to the rt. border and the inferior vena cava. A piece
was taken for biopsy. Histological report showed it to be a Neuroblastoma.
His appetite, thirst, etc., were normal. Sour oranges and chocolates caused pain in stomach
and diarrhoea. When the tumour was growing he was very hungry, eating much but becoming
thin. Past Hist.: Had teething diarrhoea. Fam. Hist.: His maternal grandmother had cancer of
the breast.
He is dragging his left leg since the operation. On exam. a medium hard tumour occupying
the whole of the lower abdomen esp. the left iliac fossa and the hypogastrium was felt. His
weight is 29 lbs.
He has been given 3000 units of X-ray exposures.
Rad. 30, 14 doses b.d. were given to antidote the ill-effects of the X-ray exposures.
Thereafter, he was given Con. 30, 21 doses t.d. s. (Kent's Repertory gives under the rubric
"Abdomen, Tumour, hard" only Con.)
There was no improvement. So, on 09.01.70, Dr. S.R. Phatak was consulted and he
prescribed Ars. alb. as it covered the symptoms "Malignancy", "Hardness" and "Lump in
abdomen". Ars. 30 was given t.d. s.
By 15.01.70 his general condition was amel., but size and consistency of the tumour was
same. Under Dr. Phatak's advice the same medicine was continued but, till 26.02.70, there

was no improvement in the condition of the tumour. So the boy was given Calc-f 30, daily
once. In a fortnight there was some change. So the same medicine was continued with further
improvement.
In the meanwhile the parent consulted the physicians in the Cancer Hospital and on their
advice gave the boy another course of deep X-ray therapy. But the condition of the tumour
remained the same and so they came back for homoeopathic treatment.
Calc-f was given again first in the 30th and later in the 200th potency and by 10.07.71 the
condition was normal. The lump disappeared and the boy increased in weight and general
health. He continues to remain well 2 years later.
Master J.K. , aged 12 years, was brought to me for consultation on 13th Dec. 1969 with the
following history:
A lump was noted in the abdomen by the parents in June 1969. It was not given much
importance since the child never complained of it. Incidentally the child developed an abscess
in the ant. abdominal wall, which was incised and the wound healed within one week. Then,
the child started having fever and diarrhoea in Sept. 69 for which a physician was consulted
and this time a retroperitoneal fixed lump (more on right) was detected which was thought to
be a retroperitoneal teratoma. Urine and blood examination, plain X-ray, chest and the
abdomen were consistent with the diagnosis of R.P. teratoma. An exploratory laparotomy was
done by a transperitoneal approach and an attempt was made to remove the lump. But it
could not be done since it was adherent to the rt. border and the inferior vena cava. A piece
was taken for biopsy. Histological report showed it to be a Neuroblastoma.
His appetite, thirst, etc., were normal. Sour oranges and chocolates caused pain in stomach
and diarrhoea. When the tumour was growing he was very hungry, eating much but becoming
thin. Past Hist.: Had teething diarrhoea. Fam. Hist.: His maternal grandmother had cancer of
the breast.
He is dragging his left leg since the operation. On exam. a medium hard tumour occupying
the whole of the lower abdomen esp. the left iliac fossa and the hypogastrium was felt. His
weight is 29 lbs.
He has been given 3000 units of X-ray exposures.
Rad. 30, 14 doses b.d. were given to antidote the ill-effects of the X-ray exposures.
Thereafter, he was given Con. 30, 21 doses t.d. s. (Kent's Repertory gives under the rubric
"Abdomen, Tumour, hard" only Con.)
There was no improvement. So, on 09.01.70, Dr. S.R. Phatak was consulted and he
prescribed Ars. alb. as it covered the symptoms "Malignancy", "Hardness" and "Lump in
abdomen". Ars. 30 was given t.d. s.
By 15.01.70 his general condition was amel., but size and consistency of the tumour was
same. Under Dr. Phatak's advice the same medicine was continued but, till 26.02.70, there
was no improvement in the condition of the tumour. So the boy was given Calc-f 30, daily
once. In a fortnight there was some change. So the same medicine was continued with further
improvement.
In the meanwhile the parent consulted the physicians in the Cancer Hospital and on their
advice gave the boy another course of deep X-ray therapy. But the condition of the tumour
remained the same and so they came back for homoeopathic treatment.

Calc-f was given again first in the 30th and later in the 200th potency and by 10.07.71 the
condition was normal. The lump disappeared and the boy increased in weight and general
health. He continues to remain well 2 years later.
The case was directed by an allopathic physician who was observing the case throughout and
he expressed appreciation of the effect of Homoeopathy.
The repertory and repertorizing
Homoeopaths who don't use the repertory, prescribe only by virtue of their knowledge of
drug pictures. These drug-pictures are quite good to give an idea but they are dangerous if
you depend on them exclusively. They are typical drug-pictures with typical symptoms. But in
quite a large number of cases we come across non-typical symptoms - symptoms not so wellknown or publicised but still indicating the remedy. A drug-picture is not a permanent picture.
It can be a changing and variable picture. Suppose for instance somebody says about me, "Dr.
Sankaran is a most jovial person, always cheerful and happy." This may or may not be true.
Unless you see me closely and in all my moods you cannot have a complete picture of myself.
I may be also irritable; I may be angry with my assistants when they make mistakes. You may
not be aware of this. Similarly about drugs, if you say Puls. is always mild and gentle, you will
be wrong. I know Puls. patients who are irritable at times. Suppose a patient says, "I feel
better after sleep", you may say, "Lach. is out." It may not be "out". Lach. is also better after
sleep. You must know it. You say Lyc. is rt. sided but Lyc. affects the lt. leg. You say Lach. is lt.
sided but Lach. covers the rt. leg. In "Convulsions during menses", you may not think of Lach.
But it can be Lach. You may have a rigid idea about a drug but this may not be confirmed by
the repertory. The repertory gives a much better idea than the ordinary Materia Medica. If you
take an ordinary Materia Medica, say Allen or Boericke, you may find a number of symptoms
given under a remedy. But the remedy might have produced more than 1 000 symptoms. So,
what the Materia Medica writer has done is to select about a 100 symptoms or so and put
them in his book under the drug. So, it does not give you a complete idea of the drug. If you
read one hundred symptoms of Lach., you may think you know all about Lach., but you do
not, because it has produced 1 570 symptoms. You have to read the original provings in
Allen's Encyclopedia or Hering's Guiding Symptoms to know the full remedy. But since most
people do not have access to these books or the time to read them, they depend on the small
books.
Again, the repertory is not complete. Recently, I was reading Boericke's Materia Medica and I
found under Am-m that the patient is sad but does not weep. For this symptom, Kent has
given only two remedies, Gels. and Nat-m. So, you have to add Am-m. You will see numerous
such additions possible and necessary.
So you see that the repertory is imperfect; even Kent's Repertory is imperfect. That does not
mean that you should not use the repertory. Knowing the limitations and imperfections of the
repertory if you use it, it will give you marvellous help. I may say that 90% of my success is
due to the repertory. For me, this single volume (of Kent's Repertory) is worth its weight in
gold. Now I shall give you practical hints.
Before you touch the repertory, see that the case has been taken properly, because
otherwise the defects in the case taking will be all transferred to the repertory. If you wish to
build a good house you must buy good materials. If you bring half-baked bricks or adulterated
cement you will only have a rotten house. All the best masons cannot help if the materials are
bad. So make sure that the symptoms you have taken are correct and complete.

Be sure that what you are taking is a real symptom. Believe me, many homoeopaths come to
me with their patients and I find that many of the symptoms taken by them are wrong - all
because they failed to ask some more questions. The difference between a clever scientist
and an ordinary scientist is that the clever one asks one more question. When the apple fell
from the tree, Newton asked, "Why did it fall?" If you or I had been there, we would have
happily gobbled up the apple and left. Even after everyone is satisfied, the clever man asks
one more question. So check up and make sure of every symptom. Case taking is an art
which is not easy to master. I have been taking cases for 25 years and yet am not perfect in
it. Even after I finish taking the case, someone else is able to find out more symptoms.
After taking the case, you must evaluate. You must consider each symptom and see which is
the most important one, which is the next important one and so on, to ensure which
symptoms must be covered by the remedy. I give an example. Suppose you are a young man
who wants to marry. You wish to put in an advertisement for a suitable girl. What are the
qualities you will expect and describe? You may say, "I want a girl who is beautiful, rich,
educated, cultured and so on." Suppose you get applications in reply but no one fulfills all the
requirements - you know young people have wild imaginations, so no girl may meet all your
requirements - then you have to make a compromise. You have to decide. Therefore, you
arrange the requirements in a particular order putting the most important one at the top, say
"Beautiful", next the second important requirement say "Cultured", then the third important
requisite say "Education" and so on, and select or eliminate the applicants one by one seeing
which of them possess or does not possess each of these requirements beginning from the
top. But while selecting you must also make sure that nothing is contradictory. Suppose you
find a girl who fulfills all the requirements, but someone says that she has of course, all the
qualifications but she will not be faithful to her husband. You will say, "No, no, no. I don't want
her." This is a contraindication. So choose the remedy which covers the maximum number of
symptoms from the top with no contradictions. And in evaluating the symptoms choose the
most peculiar and give it the greatest importance. Now I will give you some examples.
I once saw girl from Gujarat. I asked her, "How much water do you take?" She said, "Seven or
eight glasses." I asked her, "How many times do you pass urine?" She said, "Once a day." I
asked her, "Do you pass a lot?" She said, "No, it is very scanty." So here was a beautiful
symptom. She took a lot of water but passed urine only once, that too scanty. And there was
no oedema. While travelling she does not pass urine at all, even if she travelled for 48 hours.
There is rubric "Urination, seldom" and another "Urine, scanty". Opium covers these two
rubrics. So, Opium was the remedy. She responded to Opium, though later she required Puls.
In this case, I would not have selected a remedy which did not cover the symptom "Urination,
seldom".
The third point is the conversion of the symptoms into rubrics. You know what you get from
the patient is the symptom and what is given in the repertory is the rubric. The symptom and
the rubric do not always tally exactly. So you should know how to convert the symptom into
the rubric. For example, a patient is unable to decide. You look under "Indecision". But there is
no such rubric. It is given as "Irresolution". This requires some understanding of and frequent
reference to the repertory.
The next step is to know where to find the rubric. You know that "Urination, seldom" is the
rubric you want but you may not know in which chapter it is given. For example, "Axilla" is
given under the chapter "Chest" and "Nape" under "Back".
If you know all these steps you will be able to use the repertory with good results.

I once asked a patient, "How much water do you take?" He said, "I don't take water." I asked,
"Even in summer?" He said, "Yes. Even in summer I don't drink water." I asked, "Do you not
feel thirsty?" He replied, "I feel thirst. But even then I do not take water." I thought to myself,
"What a beautiful symptom! Thirsty but does not drink water even in summer! Perhaps his
remedy is Puls." As I started repertorizing, taking this as the most important or eliminating
symptom, I got a little doubt and I asked him, "Why is it you do not take water when you are
thirsty?" He replied, "Because the tap water we get is usually contaminated, I always take
soda, about a dozen bottles a day." So what happens is that sometimes you think you have a
marvellous symptom and then it turns out to be worthless. It is actually beautiful symptom of
your stupidity. I should have simply asked him, "Do you take anything else?" Nowadays you
know there are some people who do not know water, they only know Coca Cola. I asked
another patient, "How much water do you take?" He said, "7 or 8 glasses per day." I asked
him, "Even in cold weather?" "Yes", he said, "even then." I thought I have got a nice symptom
- thirsty even in cold weather. Then I asked him, "So you are so thirsty?" He replied, "No, I am
not thirsty." I asked him, "What do you mean? You take 8 glasses of water per day." He said,
"Yes, but I do not feel thirsty. I just like to drink water." There is a rubric in Kent's Repertory
"Thirstless with desire to drink". What a fine rubric! I looked into the rubric and I found his
remedy to be Caladium. If I had not questioned him further I would have miserably failed
because under the rubric "Thirst" there is no Caladium.
A patient had severe pain in the back. It was a case of cervical spondylosis. I asked him,
"What gives you relief?" He said, "Doctor, if only I can move my neck always, I will have no
pain." Look into the repertory. For "Back, Pain, cervical region, better by motion"; only one
remedy is given, viz. Aur-m-n, which relieved him.
A patient came and vomited in my consulting room. I asked him, "What produces vomiting?"
He said, "When I get urge for urine and I control it, I get nausea and vomiting." I found a
rubric "Stomach, Nausea, urine, if retains", with Curare as the only remedy. Curare helped
him.
If you read the Materia Medica you may get the impression that Aur-m-n is only for uterine
fibroids and Curare for paralysis. This is where the repertory helps.
A patient had deep cough with involuntary urination during cough. If you combine these two
rubrics, you will get only one remedy, i.e. Verbascum. Verbascum relieved him.
In another case, a patient had pain in the lumbar back better by flatus. Kali-c cured him.
I have cured two or three cases of whooping cough, wherein the paroxysms of cough ended
in sneezing. The cases were cured by Agar. or by Bell.
I can quote lots of such cases but the idea is only to emphasize the value and use of the
repertory. The more you use the repertory the more you will gain success. This is an aid. In
our system we cannot afford to miss any aid. Some must take care to use every aid possible
and every aid is welcome. The more you use the repertory, the more you become a master.
By using the repertory, you come to know the Materia Medica better and by knowing the
Materia Medica better you can use the repertory better.
Now we come to the question of simplifying the use of the repertory. When I used it the first
time I found it very difficult and confusing just like when you enter a city for the first time you
are confused. All the streets, all the houses look similar. But as I went on using the repertory
more and more, I found it becoming easier and simpler to use. Therefore, to my mind the
best way to simplify the use of the repertory is to use it more and more.

Pulsatilla pratensis
A young girl, Miss D., aged 17 years, came to me from some town in Gujarat. She had
oliguria. Her peculiar symptom was that even though she would take water about 5-6 glasses
per day, she would pass urine only once in 24 hrs, and that also would be very scanty. This
was going on for last one year. If she travelled, urination become even less so that she would
not pass even once in 24 hrs. But in spite of this, she had no discomfort or pain or swelling
anywhere in the body. Her other symptoms were very scanty, black and offensive menses.
She was examined by several doctors and no one could make a diagnosis nor could anyone
relieve her. We worked out the case and came to kali-c and Puls. We gave her Puls. which did
not act first. But after some doses of Opium (as it covered the lack of reaction and infrequent
urination), when Puls. was repeated, it acted nicely. She required higher and higher potency
till we went up to Puls. 50M and then she was cured.
A young girl, Miss D., aged 17 years, came to me from some town in Gujarat. She had
oliguria. Her peculiar symptom was that even though she would take water about 5-6 glasses
per day, she would pass urine only once in 24 hrs, and that also would be very scanty. This
was going on for last one year. If she travelled, urination become even less so that she would
not pass even once in 24 hrs. But in spite of this, she had no discomfort or pain or swelling
anywhere in the body. Her other symptoms were very scanty, black and offensive menses.
She was examined by several doctors and no one could make a diagnosis nor could anyone
relieve her. We worked out the case and came to kali-c and Puls. We gave her Puls. which did
not act first. But after some doses of Opium (as it covered the lack of reaction and infrequent
urination), when Puls. was repeated, it acted nicely. She required higher and higher potency
till we went up to Puls. 50M and then she was cured.
According to the homoeopathic principle, any symptom that is caused is an indication. If Puls.
has produced one thousand symptoms, all these one thousand symptoms can be indications
for Puls. Whether Hahnemann has said this or not, this is so.
Suppose a remedy has produced one thousand symptoms and out of these one patient
exhibits three symptoms, e.g. Symptom No. 77, Symptom No. 93 and Symptom No. 140, and
if this combination of the three symptoms is found in only one remedy say Puls., then Puls. is
the remedy for this patient whether the picture of this patient corresponds to the picture of
the remedy as described in the books or the picture that you have in your mind. If these three
particular symptoms are covered only by Puls., whether the picture fits within your conception
of Puls. or my conception or Hahnemann's conception, Puls. is the remedy.
Two cases of malignancy
1. Dr. S., an Asst. Medical Officer in a railway hospital in a mofussil town about 200 miles
away from Bombay, suddenly developed severe headaches in Aug. 1973. He had a previous
history of having been diagnosed as having a malignancy in the brain for which he had been
operated and X-ray exposures had been given four years back. He was now probably having a
recurrence. Not finding relief with any medicines, he came to Bombay for a check-up. He was
admitted in the cancer hospital. He was operated but when they opened the skull they found
an extensive inoperable malignant growth and so they closed it up. The allopathic medicines
did not give him even relief from pain. Actually the attending doctors had told the relatives of
Dr. S. that he may not survive even for a few days. Dr. S. came to know of this and told them
he would take homoeopathic medicine and come back to them after a month. From there he
came to my room directly.

When he came to me he was having a large cold moist pad on his head since it gave him
relief. He could not open his eyes, his vision was blurred, his speech was slurred and his gait
was staggering. He told me that he was having very severe headache and wanted some relief.
His wife told me that after the paroxysmal headache had developed, he had become very
irritable. He loved his wife and children very much but he had become so irritable with the
pain that he would beat them. I looked into the rubric "Violent from pain" in Kent's Repertory
and found three remedies, viz. Aur., Cham. and Hep., all in bold type. I ruled out Hep. because
of the relief from cold application. In spite of the grave prognosis and severe pain, he did not
have any suicidal thoughts. So I ruled out Aur. I selected and gave him Cham. 200 to be taken
three times a day. He took the medicines and went away to his town. This was on 6th Aug.
1973.
I heard after a week that the headache had completely disappeared. His behaviour had
become normal and he was walking around the town easily. I continued the same medicines.
Later he went to Delhi and spent a week there as he had some work. He continued to improve
and remain well. One month later he came to Bombay and went to the Cancer Hospital and
told them he was free from pain and feeling well.
He continued to have improvement and remained well. But 6 months later he suddenly
developed a strangulated hernia for which an emergency operation had to be done. After this
operation, however his condition became worse. His headache increase and he developed
paresis of the limbs. He came to Bombay and was admitted in the hospital again. But he got
no relief. Again Cham. 1000 helped him. He is back in his town and reports that he is
improving.
2. Mr. H.P. , aged 51 years, consulted me on 14th Sept. 1973, for frequent urination, with
haematuria and pain at the end of urination. He had been operated four years earlier for a
tumour in the urinary bladder. He had now got a relapse for last 11/2 months. The frequency
of urination was there night and day. While he was consulting me, he continued to got to pass
urine every two minutes. He had also bleeding piles on and off. It had been diagnosed as a
case of cancer of the bladder and he had taken 34 X-ray exposures without any relief. He used
to bleed at the end of urination. Urinary frequency was worse by sour foods. X-ray on
04.09.71 had shown filling defect in the bladder. I first prescribed for him Ars. without any
effect. One week later he developed a symptom - burning in the rectum after passing urine. I
looked up the rubric in Kent's Repertory, viz. "Rectum, Pain, burning worse after urination". I
found only one remedy, i.e. Nit-ac. I prescribed Nit-ac 30 on which he showed immediate
improvement. From that time, he went on improving for a long time. When I told him to come
for a check-up he refused to come saying that he was all right. Actually, he wanted to stop the
medicines. Luckily, he wanted to go to Haj and for that he wanted my permission. I then
insisted that he should take an X-ray of the bladder. The X-ray of the bladder was taken and it
showed no filling defect. He is now perfectly all right.
The homoeopathic approach to cancer
The problem of Cancer proves as vexing to the homoeopath as it is to his allopathic
colleague. No doubt, a number of cases of cancer are found reported in the homoeopathic
literature as cured but these cases have to be viewed in a particular background.
1. In the 19th century, methods were not available to definitely establish the diagnosis of
cancer and the cases were classified and treated as cancer mostly clinically. So it is possible
that some of those cases were not really cancers.

2. Compared to the large number of different types of cases of other diseases treated by the
homoeopath, the number of cases of cancer alone proves to be quite low. Also the number of
cases of cancer treated by the homoeopath is again small as compared to the extent of
prevalence of this disease.
3. In quite a number of different cases, a long follow-up has not been done so that cases
which were relieved by homoeopathic medicine could have been taken as and reported as
cured.
However, the homoeopath suffers from a handicap, viz. the cases of cancer do not generally
come to him straight in the very beginning. Only after they had consulted the allopathic
physicians and have taken the usual treatment which may be either surgery, radiation or
chemotherapy, do they come to the homoeopath. Even if the patient comes at an early stage
and takes the treatment, well-meaning relatives and physicians frighten the patients to such
an extent that he prefers to take orthodox treatment even though he is afraid of operation,
radiation, etc. The homoeopath finds it difficult to treat these cases at this stage after they
have undergone such treatments. Some experienced homoeopaths say that after surgery and
radiation the response of the patient to the homoeopathic remedy becomes poor and this can
be one cause of failure.
Despite these considerations, there are many definite cases of cancer reported as cured and
this is an encouraging fact because it shows that cancer can be cured. Fortunately, in spite of
all these aggravating factors, the homoeopath does find that he is able to cure a few cases
and definitely palliate and relieve the suffering and prolong the life of the patient in a large
number of cases.
The approach of the homoeopath to cancer is actually the same as his approach to patients
suffering from any other disease. That is, he has to take the whole case into consideration and
find a remedy which covers the symptom-totality. This remedy helps the patient.
Frankly speaking
After visiting some homoeopathic hospitals or public dispensaries, one sometimes feels
depressed. In many of these institutions, one finds in the case records very little relevant
information recorded either as to the diagnosis of the condition treated or as to the indications
for the remedy prescribed. Sometimes one finds only the name of the remedy given, with no
other information whatsoever. At times, the patient is given a different remedy at every visit
without the reason for the change being recorded. As some of these institutions also serve as
teaching institutions, the students attending here can be expected to pick up only such
useless and unscientific methods. Is it any wonder if they become failures as homoeopathic
practitioners?
The management and the practising staff of these institutions are guilty of doing a great
disservice to Homoeopathy, however good their intentions may be.
In some such institutions the medical staff or the management sometimes proudly show that
so many hundred patients had been treated every day or in the course of a few hours. By a
simple calculation one can see that each patient could have received only one or two minutes.
Even in the most simple cases, it is doubtful if a proper prescription can be made within this
time. Only the most haphazard prescription can be made so that what the patient receives is
only homoeopathic treatment in name. Having worked in a hospital for several years we can
say that, in our experience, an acute case may require at least 5 to 10 minutes and a chronic
case from 20 to 45 minutes, if we are to make a proper homoeopathic prescription.

The Central Council of Homoeopathy should, in the interest of the science, ensure that proper
homoeopathic records are maintained at least in teaching institutions.
A case of injury
Dr. R.K. , aged 39 years, wife of a surgeon came on 16th Nov. 1974 for a pain in the rt. arm.
On 19th May 1974, she was travelling in a car which had a mild collision. She had a fright and
also got a jerk. Since then she has severe pain whole rt. upper limb. She has taken a lot of
analgesics with no relief. Now she has pain and swelling in rt. arm with some loss of power.
Pulling pain is agg. at night agg. pressing agg. cold agg. lifting a weight. Pain wakes her up.
There are localised areas of warmth in the limb. She gets cramps in left calf in sleep. All
investigations including blood sugar showed n.a. d. An injury to a nerve was suspected. I gave
her first Hypericum 30 with no benefit. Then, I studied her case and gave Phos. 30 TDS. Kent
gives in his Repertory only 2 remedies under the rubric "Injuries, Nerves, with great pain" (p.
1369), viz. Hyp. and Phos. Out of these two, Phos. is found under "Sleep, during agg." and
"Side, left lower and right upper" in Kent's, under "Spots" in Phatak's Repertory. With 3 doses
of Phos. 30 all her pains disappeared and she was able to do all her normal work for the last 2
months. She has not yet recovered full power but is feeling nearly normal.
The value and application of repertory
The value of the repertory
Since the homoeopathic Materia Medica has over 2 000 remedies, most of them with
hundreds and some with thousands of symptoms, it is clearly impossible for an average
practitioner to remember all the symptoms and prescribe only on the basis of this knowledge
and his memory. Therefore, the prescriber who does not want to fail will take the aid of the
repertory which is a most useful and comprehensive aid. The intelligent use of the repertory
can considerably lighten the work of the prescriber and also make prescribing more precise.
Some people may mention that Hahnemann himself was not using any repertory. But
Hahnemann had some distinct advantages. The number of proved remedies and their
symptoms was comparatively limited in his days. Further, Hahnemann had directly involved
himself in the provings and so he had an excellent first-hand idea of the symptoms. Besides,
he had a remarkable memory. But in spite of these advantages, later on, when the volume of
the homoeopathic Materia Medica became larger and unwieldy, he himself found it difficult to
practise only with the help of his memory without referring to the books. He himself was then
known to have welcome a repertory prepared during his life-time.
Some prescribers feel embarrassed to refer to the repertory in front of the patients. Possibly
they feel that this will lower their estimation in the eyes of the patients. But once the patients
realise that this helps the physician to make better prescriptions, they do not mind this.
Many great homoeopaths, for instance Margaret Tyler, Pierre Schmidt, Sir John Weir, Elizabeth
Wright Hubbard among others, were using the repertory very freely. I am told that some
leading homoeopaths in India, esp. in Calcutta, rely more upon their knowledge of the Materia
Medica rather than upon the repertory and that they get very good results. They are to be
congratulated and envied. I too am having some remarkable results in my practice,
comparable to these results of my colleagues, but my results have been mainly achieved with
the help of the repertory. I may quote two recent experiences.
1. A patient had most violent sneezing, so violent that it caused abdominal pain. I was able to
select the remedy Indium.

2. A patient with pain in the left calf muscle worse on standing or walking (with absent
pulsation of the arteries) was relieved by Arundo.
Therefore, I would recommend a free and liberal use of the repertory to all my colleagues.
Various repertories and their application
Among the repertories the most complete one and most used is Kent's Repertory. Once its
construction and method of use are grasped, it can be used very easily and to great
advantage. Bidwell's book is an excellent guide to the use of this repertory. John Weir and
Tyler have written a small useful booklet explaining its use, as also my learned friends Kanjilal
and Patel. I shall not enlarge upon them but I shall only explain my own approach.
My objective in using the repertory is to find the remedy. I do not want to miss the remedy
under any circumstance. So when I translate a symptom into a rubric and look into the
repertory, I do not confine myself to the particular rubric but I consult other rubrics also which
are similar or nearly similar. For example when I see a patient who looks prematurely old, I
see not only the general rubric "Old age, premature", but I also consult the rubric "Face,
expression, old looking". If I want to see "Head, Swollen" I also see "Head, Enlarged", "Head,
expanded", etc. Thus, I do not confine myself to the narrow walls of each rubric. Where there
are two or more similar rubrics, I consult or take all these rubrics. Kent himself has numerous
such references, e.g. "Mind, Fear, men, of" see "Fear, people, of" (p. 46), "Mind, Childish
behaviour" (p. 11), see also "Mind, Foolish behaviour" (p. 43). These are very near in meaning.
Other similar rubrics are "Eating, before, agg.", "Eating, after, amel." (p. 1357) and "Fasting,
while, agg." (p. 1361); "Motion, at beginning of agg." (p. 1374) and "Motion, continued, amel."
(p. 1375); "Lying, back, on agg." and "Lying, abdomen, on amel." (p. 1372); "Lying, side, on
painless, agg." and "Lying, side painful on amel." (p. 1373); "Food, vinegar, agg." and "Food,
sour, agg." (p. 1364). The repertory contains hundreds of such similar rubrics.
In using the repertory we may find that the symptom-headings given in the repertory (the
rubrics) do not exactly tally with the language of the patients. For example the patient says he
has a cold; the repertory gives it as "Nose, Coryza". So the repertory user has to learn how to
translate correctly the symptom into the rubric.
While repertorizing you may find often that a rubric that you expect and look for in a certain
place is actually located somewhere also. For example "Emaciation with increased appetite" is
not found under "Emaciation" in Generalities where you would expect to find it but is actually
found in the chapter Stomach as "Appetite, ravenous with Emaciation" (p. 479). In such cases
it is better for us to insert below the rubric "Emaciation" in the Generalities chapter a subrubric "Emaciation with increased appetite". By thus cross-indexing the repertory liberally, we
will find it possible to reach any rubric (symptom) we want easily. Cross-indexing of the
repertory should be done in such a way that all possible imaginary allied rubrics should point
out to where this particular rubric (symptom) - the one we are looking for - can be found. The
prescriber should be able to reach the correct rubric easily without any difficulty or loss of
time.
For example, a patient looks frightened. We look for "Mind, Frightened look". There is no such
rubric. But it can be found under "Face, Expression frightened" (p. 374). So we have to put in
a rubric under "Mind, Frightened look" and give a cross-reference as, see "Face, Expression,
frightened".

A patient has squint. We look for "Squint" in the chapter Eye. There is no such rubric. It is
given as "Strabismus". So we have to make a note in the Eye chapter as "Squint" and give a
cross-reference as, see "Strabismus".
The idea is to put in references everywhere, wherever you are likely to look for a rubric and
insert cross-references so that you will come to the correct place.
Now, the next point I wish to mention is that if you do not find a proper remedy under a
particular rubric; it is better to look into the general rubric also. For example, I saw recently a
lady suffering from itching of genitalia worse before and after the menses. If you combine the
rubric "Genitalia Female, Itching before menses" and "Genitalia Female, Itching after menses"
(p. 720), you get Graph., Kali-c, Sulph., Tarn., Zn. Now, we all know that Lach., Sep. and other
remedies also have "Agg. before menses" and "Agg. after menses" in general (pp. 1373,
1374). So, naturally these remedies should also be considered. Here by taking the general
rubric also, the chances of arriving at the correct remedy are greater.
If a patient has, for example, cough agg. from milk, fat food or sour food, I see not only under
the chapter Cough but I also take the general rubric "Food, milk, agg.", "Food, fat food, agg."
and "Food, sour, agg." to see if any of those remedies given in those rubrics will fit the
patient.
In repertorizing, I use and combine the rubrics with a great degree of latitude. For example,
suppose we have a patient who has pain in right iliac region after menses, we look into Kent's.
We do not find such a rubric. In such a case I take the rubric "Abdomen, Pain, Iliac region,
right" (p. 566) and combine it with the rubric "Abdomen, Pain, menses after agg." (p. 558), (or
even with the general symptom "Menses after agg." (p. 1374)), and if a remedy comes
through, e.g. Kali-c, I consider if Kali-c will fit the patient.
Boenninghausen's repertory edited by boger
Boenninghausen applied his knowledge of law and logic and enlarged the scope of the
homoeopathic Materia Medica. He split up each symptom into its three parts - the location,
the sensation and the modality, and classified these three parts under three major chapters,
viz. location, sensation and modalities. For example, if Sulphur produced "Burning of the soles
at night", he put down Sulph. under the location Soles, under the sensation Burning and
under the modality Worse at night. By splitting up all the symptoms in this manner and
arranging them in the three different major sections of the repertory, he enlarged
considerably the scope of the homoeopathic Materia Medica because instead of depending
only on the symptoms which had actually come out in the provings which were comparatively
limited in those olden days, he made it possible to synthesize and create new symptoms by
taking the different parts of the symptoms - any location, any sensation and any modality and
assembling them together. He argued that if Sulph. produced burning of the sole at night, it is
capable of affecting the sole, of producing burning and of getting agg. at night. This is very
much like the composing work of a printer who is able to create any number of words by
merely assembling and combining the various letters taken from different compartments.
Though Kent has criticised this idea whereby Boenninghausen made the symptoms flexible,
yet this method of working offers much more scope in the repertory work. I freely use this
method of Boenninghausen with Kent's Repertory and I have had very good results. I do not
confine myself rigidly to Kent's method.
This book also gives a variety of concomitant symptoms under each chapter, a feature which
we rarely find in Kent's. Boger who was an extremely successful homoeopath used to give
great value to concomitant symptoms.

Further, this book gives modalities for each symptom separately so that the remedy may be
selected even if the symptom is incomplete.
I do not want to give the impression that a practitioner can go on prescribing only with the
help of the repertory and without referring to the Materia Medica. The repertory presents the
image of the remedies only in a fragmented, disembowelled form and the picture that
emerges out of these fragments may not really tally with the actual picture of the remedy or
of the patient though technically it may be covering the symptoms. Therefore, even after
repertorization, we will have to study the Materia Medica to make sure that indeed the
matching of the picture is virtually correct and not only apparently so. I may mention that in
repertorizing I have sometimes found most of the symptoms covered by one remedy, e.g.
Lyc. or Phos. whereas the actual remedy for the patient as revealed by a matching of the total
picture by a study of the Materia Medica was something else e.g. Puls. or Caust. We all know
the contrasting points.
But it is my strong feeling that the person who has an excellent knowledge of Materia Medica
becomes a very good repertorian and one who makes good use of the repertory gathers an
excellent knowledge of the Materia Medica. In other words, a good knowledge of Materia
Medica helps us to repertorize better and the use of the repertory improves our knowledge of
the Materia Medica.
Just as a remedy may work out covering most of the symptoms but may not be the correct
remedy, so also a remedy may not technically cover the symptoms in the repertory but may
actually prove to be the correct remedy.
Lyc., as you all know, is a right-sided remedy and generally affects the whole of the right side.
But it is not found in a number of right-sided rubrics, e.g. "Perspiration, side right" (p. 1300)
(though it is given under "Perspiration, side, one side"); "Abdomen, pain, Iliac region, right" (p.
343), "Eye, pain, right" (p. 248), etc. Yet it should be considered in all these symptoms.
In repertorizing I freely interchange the general and particular rubrics. For example, if we take
the rubric "Head, Pain, side left then right" (p. 1401) and vice versa. But if I have a patient,
with this symptom I do look into the general rubric also and see if any of those remedies can
cover this patient.
I may say that by considering the generals also and by interchanging the locals and generals
I have found much more success. I believe that the general includes the particular.
Reading between the lines
Though the repertory does not give some remedies under some rubrics, I feel that logically
they should have come in there. For instance, under the general rubric "Side, Right then left"
(p. 1401), you find remedies like Ac-ac, Arg-n, Aspar., Spong. Now these remedies are not
given under the rubric "Side, right", I am unable to imagine how the symptoms could have
gone from the right to the left side without remaining on the right side first at some time even
if it was for a very short period or only for a fleeting moment. Therefore, when I have a rightsided case, I consider these remedies also. Similarly under the rubric "Side left, then right" (p.
1401), we find Calc-p, Elap., Kali-c, Nit-m-ac, Phyt. and Rhus-t. I think all these remedies
should have been included under the rubric "Side, left". In fact, I have treated many left-sided
complaints with Rhus-t. Similarly, under the rubric "Loss of sleep, agg.", there are many
remedies. I believe this rubric is synonymous with the rubric "Sleep after amel.". If I have a
patient who is agg. from loss of sleep and if I do not find the remedy in the former rubric, I
look into the latter. In fact I have cured many patients having this symptom with Phos., though

Phos. is not given to the former but only in the latter rubric. Similarly under the rubric "Pain,
appear gradually and disappear gradually", you find a number of remedies but under "Pain
appear gradually" only a few remedies. I think all the remedies in the former rubric should be
included in the latter rubric because irrespective of how the pain disappeared all these
remedies definitely had pain appearing gradually. It is also possible that some provers noted
only the gradual appearance and not the mode of disappearance.
I shall now refer to a serious lacuna that can mislead us much if we are not careful. You will
find throughout Kent's Repertory numerous rubrics followed by sub-rubrics wherein some of
the remedies found in the sub-rubrics are not to be found in the main rubric. For instance:
1. You find a rubric "Chest, Pain, mammae, nipple" (p. 846) and below this rubric some subrubrics, e.g. "Pain nipples, morning": Con.; under "Pain, nipples, evening":
Berb.; under
"Pain, nipples, menses, after": Nux-v and Phyt. under "Pain, nipples, nursing, while" and so on.
None of these remedies are found in the main rubric "Pain, nipples". Under whatever
particular circumstances, these remedies might have caused or cured pain in nipples, they all
caused or cured pain in the nipples - of this there can be no doubt! So I feel they should all
have been given in the main rubric "Pain, nipples" also.
I shall give a few more such examples.
2. The rubric "Pain, tearing, larynx" (p. 755) gives the remedies Anan., Bell., Bor., Ign., Lac-ac.
But in the sub-rubric "Pain tearing, larynx, coughing, on", you find All-c, Bell., Bor., Calc., Cist.,
Med., Phos., Staph. I feel these remedies in the sub-rubric should have been in the rubric also
because they all caused/cured tearing pain in the larynx.
3. "Nausea, throat, in" (p. 510) gives many remedies. This rubric has two sub-rubrics, one
giving Graph. and the other giving Lach. but both these remedies are not given in the main
rubric.
There are three rubrics "Nausea, food, on looking at", "Nausea, food, smell, of" and "Nausea,
food, thought of" (p. 507). I generally take these rubrics as one because the sight and smell of
food, generally go together. If the mere thought of food is going to aggravate the Ars. patient,
surely looking at it is also going to aggravate him, though Ars. is not given under the latter
rubric.
I can give you hundreds of such instances but I am only trying to draw your attention to the
possibility of reading between the lines in the repertory so that you can take a wider view and
make a broader interpretation. Personally, I use or manipulate the repertory in this broad
manner and have benefited by it.
Where I get particular (detailed) symptoms, I go for Kent's Repertory. Where I get very good
concomitant symptoms, I make use of Boger-Boenninghausen's Repertory. If I get only
generalities, I take the help of Phatak's Repertory. Where I get pathological symptoms, I seek
the aid of the repertory section in the Boericke's Materia Medica. In general these are the four
major repertories I consult. Other books I consult are Boger's "Times of Remedies",
Bharadwaj's "Causation", etc.
The limitations of the repertory
The fact must be accepted that no single repertory is complete and perfect, not even Kent's.
Kent's is the nearest to a perfect repertory but even Kent has mentioned that as there is
scope for many additions to be made, he had left spaces in his printed book for these
additions. After going through the homoeopathic literature in detail, I, like many of my friends,

find the need for making many additions to the repertory. And this, I think, we should make,
so that the future generations of homoeopaths will find the repertory more complete.
If we closely examine the Materia Medica, we shall see that some symptoms in the Materia
Medica are found missing in the repertory. To give an example, Boericke gives under Ammmur., in Mind, "Desire to cry, but cannot". In Kent's, under the rubric "Mind, Grief, cannot cry"
and "Mind, Grief, ailments from", we do not find Am-m, Ast-r, Lach., and Puls., all are better by
weeping but we find them missing in the rubric "Mind, Weeping. amel." (p. 93). Clarke and
Boericke mention Abies-n for bad effects of tea but Kent does not give it. Whatever the
reasons that prompted Kent to omit them, surely they are indications if they are found in the
Materia Medica. Many other such omissions are found in the repertory. Drugs proved in the
last fifty years are naturally also missing.
I believe that if our repertories can be made as complete and as perfect as humanly possible,
the chances of our failure will be considerably diminished. With this idea I have been making
additions in my own repertory from various authoritative books like Clarke's Dictionary, BogerBoenninghausen's Repertory, Boger's Synoptic Key, Allen's Keynotes, etc. However, I have
been making these additions only in a casual manner - not regularly or systematically. But still
numerous additions have gathered up and I have found these additions very useful. In fact, in
some cases I have been able to select the remedy only because of these additions. Therefore,
it occurred to me that I should publish these additions. So, I published some additions for the
Mind chapter in the Indian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine. But after publishing a few pages
we faced two facts.
1. The additions I had made were comparatively less as compared to the enormous number
of additions that are possible.
2. In my additions, I had not done the work systematically. For example, I had omitted to note
down for each entry the authority from which I had taken it. I could only say that they had
been taken from well-known authorities. My friend Dr. K.P. Mazumbdar, who was then the
Asst. Director (Hom.) of the CCRIMH, told me that it would be better if I could note down the
authorities also for each entry. So, I have been revising this work for the last two years or so. I
have also noted down the authorities and I hope we shall be able to publish them chapter by
chapter. Similarly, we hope to make additions to all chapters and to publish these additions.
Three cases
Abdominal colic
I was called to see Miss H., aged 20 years, on 26.06.74 for the following:
In the last one month she has had 4 to 5 attacks of severe abdominal pain with vomiting. All
kinds of conditions had been thought of, but as no definite diagnosis could be made, an
exploratory operation had been advised. I elicited the following symptoms.
Abd. pain starting in umbilical region ext. upwards, amel. bending double amel. lying on
abdomen. Pain is followed by fainting. Stools hard, once in 2 days. Face puffy and pale. Prev.
Hist.: Haematuria once. No H/o. fall or shock.
On looking into Kent's Repertory under the rubric "Faintness, pain in abdomen, from" (p.
1360), I found only Cocc. and Plb. Out of these, Plb. covered all the symptoms.
She was given Plb 30 t.d. s. The constipation improved. Pain did not recur. So, the dosage was
reduced and then stopped. She has had no attack of pain for the last one year now.

Headache
Mr. J.S. , aged 35 years, is suffering from headache since 1958. The headaches are almost
constant. It was diagnosed as sinusitis and he was operated upon but with no relief. The
headaches are better if there is a nasal discharge i.e. coryza. They are always right-sided and
they are worse in summer. He feels better with Cafergot. He feels chilly with headache but
also has much perspiration then. Headaches are worse on alternate days and on lying on
affected side. They start in the right shoulder region and extend to the nape and he feels as if
a nail is driven in, amel. by pressure. He has a previous history of fever suspected as malaria
and a history of epistaxis in summer.
I repertorized his symptoms with the following rubrics in Kent's Repertory and Phatak's
Repertory:
1. Chill with pain (K.p. 1269)
2. Perspiration during headache (K.p. 1297)
3. Head, pain coryza suppressed, from having a (K.p. 138)
4. Summer agg. (K.p. 1404)
5. Lying on painful side agg. (K.p. 1373)
6. Alternating effects (Ph.p. 8).
I came to two remedies, viz. Lyc. and Puls. Because he was mild by nature, I gave him Puls.
200, 3 times a day.
He had an agg. for 2 days and from the 3rd day the headaches disappeared completely. He
told me that in the last 16 years he had never been free from headaches like this and was
most grateful to Homoeopathy. He remains free of pain now for over six months without any
medicine.
L4 Gangrene
Mr. J.V. D., aged 62 years, came on 01.01.1974 for treatment of gangrene of the toes of the
left leg from which he has been suffering since 1970. He had been advised amputation which
he had refused.
History and symptoms: In 1970 one toe was crushed and had suppurated. It was operated
upon twice but did not heal and then gangrene had set in. Later, two more toes were affected;
then it was diagnosed as chronic vascular insufficiency due to atherosclerosis.
He had pain in the leg agg. 10 to 11 p.m. , amel. pressure, agg. letting the leg hang down,
agg. walking, agg. cold water application, agg. in sleep, even during afternoon sleep. He had a
suicidal disposition. Head heavy with vertigo and nausea sometimes. He also had twitching on
rt. side of the face and rt. side of the tongue with black patches on it. Lips black. Pain in soles
at night, wakes up 4-5 times due to pain. Cannot wait for food. Loquacious.
Prev. Hist.: Malaria in childhood. Used to smoke 50 cigarettes a day for 45 years.
High B.P. since 1947. Now B.P. 200/130. The affected toes are black and gangrenous with a
very offensive discharge.

I took the following rubrics in Kent's and Phatak's Repertory viz. Tobacco; agg. Injury;
Gangrene; Suicidal; agg. in sleep; Rt. side; Black. China alone came through.
He was given Chi. 30 and he started improving. With repeated doses of Chi. 200, he became
well. His B.P. became normal. The gangrenous toes healed. We stopped the treatment on
29.03.75.
Cardiospasm
Mrs. P.D. , aged 40 years, suffering from Cardiospasm came to me for consultation on 26th
Feb. 1965. Her history was as follows:
At the end of 1962, while lying down she noticed a gurgling sound in throat with regurgitation
of fluid. She then developed choking sensation while swallowing, accompanied by vomiting.
She experienced difficulty in swallowing esp. solids, and she could locate the obstruction in
the lower substernal region. She consulted an eminent E.N. T. surgeon. Ba. swallow N.A. D.
but an X-ray showed obstruction in the cardiac end of the stomach. The surgeon advised an
operation but another surgeon advised against it. The patient took homoeopathic treatment
from a colleague of mine and felt some relief. It was at this stage that I was consulted.
At present: She feels that the food is first obstructed in the cardiac end of stomach, but then
it drops into the stomach. She has choking and regurgitation, agg. lying on the left side or
back, if she lies down immediately after food. Choking is amel. lying on abdomen. She can
swallow better while sitting erect. Sour and spicy food, eggs and beer make her worse. She
has vague pains in the joints. There is pain in the teeth which feel loose. Appetite, etc.
normal. Sweat nil. Patient feels chilly even in warm weather. Nervous and shy.
Previous History: Bronchitis often. Malaria at 15 treated with Quinine.
Her case was studied as follows in Phatak's and Kent's Repertories. (Ph. = Phatak; K. = Kent)
Cold agg. (Ph.p. 46) + Lying on left side agg. (Ph.p. 171) = Am-c, Bar-c, Colch., Kali-c, Lyc.,
Phos., Sep., Sil., Sulph.
+ Lying on back agg. (Ph.p. 171) = Colch., Phos., Sep., Sil., Sulph.
+ Food, sour agg. (K.p. 1364) = Phos., Sep., Sulph.
+ Lying on abdomen amel. (Ph.p. 171) = Phos., Sep.
+ Constriction, cardiac orifice on swallowing (K.p. 483) = Phos.
+ Quinine, abuse, of (K.p. 1397) = Phos., Sep.
+ Food, spicy agg. (K.p. 1364) = Phos.
Patient was given Phos. 200, 1M and 10M and Tub-bov 1M at long intervals.
She felt much better in her condition but she developed some eruptions below and around
the right ear, itching and exuding thick fluid. But the prescription was not changed.
On 09.12.66, the report was that she has gone to New York. Has been taking Phos. 10M at
long intervals and feeling completely well. Skin condition better.
Mrs. P.D. , aged 40 years, suffering from Cardiospasm came to me for consultation on 26th
Feb. 1965. Her history was as follows:

At the end of 1962, while lying down she noticed a gurgling sound in throat with regurgitation
of fluid. She then developed choking sensation while swallowing, accompanied by vomiting.
She experienced difficulty in swallowing esp. solids, and she could locate the obstruction in
the lower substernal region. She consulted an eminent E.N. T. surgeon. Ba. swallow N.A. D.
but an X-ray showed obstruction in the cardiac end of the stomach. The surgeon advised an
operation but another surgeon advised against it. The patient took homoeopathic treatment
from a colleague of mine and felt some relief. It was at this stage that I was consulted.
At present: She feels that the food is first obstructed in the cardiac end of stomach, but then
it drops into the stomach. She has choking and regurgitation, agg. lying on the left side or
back, if she lies down immediately after food. Choking is amel. lying on abdomen. She can
swallow better while sitting erect. Sour and spicy food, eggs and beer make her worse. She
has vague pains in the joints. There is pain in the teeth which feel loose. Appetite, etc.
normal. Sweat nil. Patient feels chilly even in warm weather. Nervous and shy.
Previous History: Bronchitis often. Malaria at 15 treated with Quinine.
Her case was studied as follows in Phatak's and Kent's Repertories. (Ph. = Phatak; K. = Kent)
Cold agg. (Ph.p. 46) + Lying on left side agg. (Ph.p. 171) = Am-c, Bar-c, Colch., Kali-c, Lyc.,
Phos., Sep., Sil., Sulph.
+ Lying on back agg. (Ph.p. 171) = Colch., Phos., Sep., Sil., Sulph.
+ Food, sour agg. (K.p. 1364) = Phos., Sep., Sulph.
+ Lying on abdomen amel. (Ph.p. 171) = Phos., Sep.
+ Constriction, cardiac orifice on swallowing (K.p. 483) = Phos.
+ Quinine, abuse, of (K.p. 1397) = Phos., Sep.
+ Food, spicy agg. (K.p. 1364) = Phos.
Patient was given Phos. 200, 1M and 10M and Tub-bov 1M at long intervals.
She felt much better in her condition but she developed some eruptions below and around
the right ear, itching and exuding thick fluid. But the prescription was not changed.
On 09.12.66, the report was that she has gone to New York. Has been taking Phos. 10M at
long intervals and feeling completely well. Skin condition better.
The pooling of experience
The external exciting factor, whatever its nature or dimension, merely serves to activate the
internal miasm which is indeed the fundamental, or true cause of disease. But the type of
agent that is able to awaken or trigger the disturbance provides us with a reflection of the
nature of the constitutional susceptibility of the individual who suffers therefrom. And even
this reflection is able to provide us with a very valuable clue to the selection of the similimum.
So to say, it reveals one of the important modalities of the basic deviation of the constitution
on the one hand, and sometimes indicates the starting point of the action of some remedies
on the other.
In discussing the cause-and-effect phenomenon, however, we are of course treading on thin
ice. Even in cases where the disease occurs as a sudden explosion and becomes abruptly

apparent, the actual beginning may be remote in time and obscure in origin. It may be
insidious, both in its inception and in its progress. It might have behind it not only a
combination of causes operating simultaneously, but also a series of them coming one after
the other, each initiating one stage and each pushing the disturbance a little further until its
manifestations become very evident functionally and pathologically. It may be, therefore,
difficult for us to exactly pinpoint the origin of the disturbance or put our finger on a particular
factor and name with any certainty that as the one responsible. But, by and large, the first
event of circumstance (which actually may be the last of the chain), that has made the
disorder manifest, is taken as the important one and made use of in practice.
Osteoarthritis
Mr. T.A. K., aged 69 years, came from Surat on 26th July 1963, with the following complaints:
Has arthritis in knee joints, worse right knee, for last 10 years. Pain agg. rising from sitting,
agg. beginning motion, agg. descending steps.
Appetite : good; Urine: 3 times at night.
Sleep: Good.
Likes fan and cold air.
Weight is increasing.
O/E: No tenderness in knees.
Bilateral cataract.
Previous history: Had asthma 40 years back. Took homoeopathic treatment, but was not
relieved.
His case had been diagnosed as osteoarthritis.
I took the symptoms underlined as peculiar and worked out in Kent's Repertory first as
follows:
Pain knee, descending steps, when (p. 1072)
+ Obesity (p. 1376)
I got Merc., and Ver-a. These two drugs did not cover "old age". So, I now worked out again
taking "Descending agg." (p. 1356) as a general symptom. This was added to "Obesity". Then
I got Arg-m, Bar-c, Canth., Con., Lyc., Plb., Sil., Ver.
Now I added,
"Old people" (p. 1376) = Bar-c, Con., Lyc., Sulph.
Of these, I preferred Lyc., as it was right sided, had frequent micturition at night, etc. So I
gave him Lyc. 200, 3 doses in one day. He felt relief, but the medicine had to be repeated
about once a month in 1M, then 10M potencies.
On 2nd Jan. 1964, he reported that his pains were relieved but he was unable to walk much.
So, I now put him on daily doses of Lyc. 6th potency of the LM scale to be taken in water
succussed daily once.

On 17th February 1965, he reported that he was completely well; there was no pain in the
knee. The medicine was discontinued. He has remained well still.
Etiology
Master P.B. , aged 14 years, was brought to me for consultation on 28th Oct. 1963, with very
severe pain in the hamstring tendons of the right leg, of 15 days' duration. The pain was so
severe and he was so much aggravated by stretching the leg, that the boy could not stand up
or walk. He had even to be carried to the toilet by his father.
On examination, I found tenderness in the right popliteal fossa. The lateral tendon which is
normally palpable on flexion could not be felt or seen.
His appetite, thirst, stool, sleep, etc., were normal but enquiry revealed that one month
previously he had an attack of measles.
Further, I learnt that in July 56, he had suffered from an attack of Diphtheria from which he
had recovered with the help of A.D. Serum but since then his health had not at all been good.
He used to suffer some disorder or other, throat pain or fever or abdominal pain or vomiting
and so on.
Though the boy had approached me only for the acute condition of the pain in the hamstring
tendons, I thought of treating the background first. After all, there was the possibility that he
was suffering from ill-effects or sequelae of Diphtheria, whether it was related to the present
illness or not. So I gave him six doses of Diphtherinum 1M to be taken T.D. S., thinking I would
clear up the background first. I was planning to work out the remedy for his acute condition,
after two days.
On 31st Oct. 63, that is three days later, he returned to consult me and you can imagine my
surprise when I found that the severe pain and tenderness in the legs had completely,
disappeared! He could extend his legs completely and was able to walk about normally. His
mother reported that within the last two days his general health had become much better.
I gave him no further medicine.
I saw him again on 11th Nov. 1963. His condition was normal. He got slight pain in the leg
only if he walked very long distances.
Till 1st August 1966, he has remained normal.
Is homoeopathy scientific?
Mr. F.X. R., aged fifty-six, was seen by me on 17th September 1960 with the following history.
The notes were written out by his brother and I reproduce them verbatim in order to give a
better idea.
1. Born March 1904 and studied upto Metric. Third of a family of nine. No mental case in
family.
2. Joined father's business early in life. Business included bakery, building contracts, wood
and fuel depot, house agency, etc.
3. Married, has five sons and one daughter. Eldest son aged twenty-one, failed B. Sc. this
year, fourth and fifth sons failed in third and seventh standard school final exams.

4. Recently quarrelled with wife for giving a male servant too much liberty in day-to-day
bakery business. As a result of wife's rebuke, he used to leave the house in the morning and
subsisted on snacks for two or three days at friends' houses and returned home only at night.
Wife was accused of saying that she would not dismiss the erring servant and would prefer
that he (husband) should leave the house.
5. Talks too much and with confidence in his opinions, while formerly he was taciturn; says
he believes in nature cure and not in doctors. Does not talk nonsense but repeats incidents in
which he considers himself the central figure who can advise the local municipal members
and others how to run their business. Wants to help poor Christians to earn a living by taking
government contracts for fuel and charcoal and by giving charity.
6. Has spent over twenty thousand rupees to renovate the bakery and house. This included
provision of rolling shutters, tiles for flooring, furniture, fire bricks for the oven, etc.
7. Takes cold bath at 1 a.m. and then prays. He rests after this and then goes very early to
church, returning after four hours or so. This activity has started within the last month or so,
and appears to have commenced after the servant's incident. Has bath again once or twice on
the ground that he perspires too much.
8. Has developed a religious attitude and gives advice to all and sundry to attend church and
receive the sacraments daily. Says he has special mission in life to do good and help people to
live better. Wants to go out of his way to show sympathy to the less fortunate or to any person
who appears to be friendly and would hear him.
9. Since his returning to Bombay he has been spending freely in charity for candles and
small donations to the church, buying toys, etc., for children and in giving the nephews and
nieces a good time at the Bandra Fair, now in progress.
10. His wife arrived yesterday evening and insisted that he should visit a doctor as he was
"weak". He wanted to know whether she thought he was going mad and whether she wanted
to send him to a lunatic asylum.
11. Wife made some remark about the offending servant last night after dinner. This upset
him and both were shouting at each other at the top of their voices, until I intervened and told
him that the servant would be dismissed. This calmed him down. Wife cried in self-pity. This
morning she threatened to leave tomorrow without any apparent reason.
12. Wife is supposed to have confided to her youngest sister-in-law in Bombay that they
have had no sex life for two years. This is in the nature of a surmise as it was too delicate a
matter to be verified.
13. Feels that the sons also side with the mother and have aligned themselves against him,
agreeing with her that the offending servant cannot be dismissed as he is irreplaceable.
14. Wife works very hard in the bakery business, especially in the confectionery section, but
being full of self-pity is unable to show him the consideration needed in his state of health.
15. His financial position is fair and there appears to be no worries on his head, as far as I
can see. The business premises yield good returns, but there appears to be no unanimity
between husband and wife on the question of servants and how to run the business. He wants
extra servants to relieve her of her work. She protests that he will ruin the business in this
way.

16. Has had remorse of conscience on two occasions in the past with regard to money
belonging to joint family which wife had concealed from other members.
The symptoms of the patient were worked out under rubrics as follows (number refers to
pages in Kent's Repertory).
Remorseful (p. 71) and Loquacity (p. 63) = Ars., Aur., Bell., Caust., Chel., Cocl., Cof., Cup.,
Hyo., Lach., Nat-c, Nat-m, Nux-v, Sele., Stram., Sulph., Ver-a
+ Praying (p. 69) = Ars., Aur., Bell., Hyo., Stram., Ver-a
+ Religious (p. 71) = Ars., Aur., Bell., Hyo., Stram., Ver-a
Out of these, praying at night has only Stram.
So, I preferred Stram. as it seemed to cover his case better and gave him Stram. 200, 3
doses, six hourly on the 17th itself.
By the 20th, definite improvement could be seen in his case and in a week's time he became
completely normal. He came and thanked me personally and went back to his town. I have
information that he is well till now.
Before he saw me, this patient had already had several sedatives and hypnotics and they had
all failed. Therefore, it was seriously being considered that he should be given electric shock
therapy (E.S. T.) to restore him to sanity. Surely, Homoeopathy must take credit for restoring
him to health so easily, gently and quickly.
I once had a patient suffering from diarrhoea for several years who had taken lot of allopathic
treatment for many years with no result. He came to me and as I was taking his case he
mentioned a very peculiar symptom. He said that he had only one large watery stool in the
morning every day which was preceded by rumbling in the abdomen but the peculiarity of the
stool was that whatever the quantity of the stool, it would all drop out at one stroke. On this
symptom I gave Gambogia and I think with one or two doses he was completely cured.
I may again quote a case in which a girl used to get severe itching of the nose while
attempting to eat. The thing was so severe that she had to stop eating and so she used to
drink her meals. She consulted an E.N. T. specialist and then a skin specialist, both of them
could do nothing for her. With one dose of Lachesis selected from Kent's Repertory she was
completely all right. I had actually given her two doses but she needed to use only one. The
funny thing was that her sister also developed the same symptom a month later and this girl
gave her the remaining one dose and she was also cured.
Personal experiences of homoeopathy
I was once suffering from conjunctivitis. There was severe shooting pain in my eyes, first in
the left and then in the right. I had not taken any medicines but I started using dark glasses,
so that my eyes may be protected from the strong light. After starting to use the dark
glasses, I noticed that I had more pain while I was using the dark glasses! I also noticed that if
I closed my eyes and kept them closed, instead of getting relief as I should, I used to get more
pains and when I opened the eyes, there was at once a sharp stabbing pain but this was
followed by some relief as I continued to blink. Now I had no doubt about the medicine. I took
a few doses of Rhus-t which gave me prompt relief and cleared up the whole thing.
Urticaria

Recently some four months back on Holi day, I was consulted by a neighbour of mine, a lady
doctor, Dr. Mrs. P., M.D. , D.G. O., F.C. P.S. , for her son aged two years. The history was as
follows:
Exactly one year back, on previous Holi day, as is the practice among Hindus, some people
had been spraying coloured water on each other and some one had thrown this on this child
also. On the same day, the child had developed rashes on his body like urticaria, probably as
a result of allergy to the chemicals in the colours. Since then, every day without exception the
boy had been getting these urticarial rashes for the whole of last year. His mother had
naturally tried every type of anti-allergic medicines including cortisone but they would give
only transient relief and had to be given daily. She was afraid to drug the child with cortisone
continuously like this and so she had approached me.
On taking the boy's case, I got only two good symptoms besides the chief complaint
described above. One was that the boy had become allergic to eggs, which would produce
extra aggravation of the urticaria. Secondly, he had become very sensitive to mosquito bites.
Not only the bitten area would swell up but the bites would produce generalised disturbance.
I consulted Kent's Repertory and Phatak's Repertory and took two rubrics: "Eggs agg." and
"Skin, stings of insects". The drugs to come through were Ledum and Sulph. I chose Ledum
because the mosquito bites had produced constitutional effects. I gave the child one dose of
Ledum 30. Next day the mother reported that the allergic rash was much less. One more dose
was given and the rashes disappeared. Now, the child is completely all right for the last four
months. Further, eggs do not upset the child nor mosquito bites.
Not only is the doctor-mother very pleased, she has directed to me some more cases of
urticaria because she is sure that Homoeopathy is a specific system of treatment for urticaria!
Aconite
One night in Bombay, I was called upon to treat an elderly lady Mrs. X., aged about 60 years,
who had become extremely restless. I found her pacing about to and fro agitatedly. She had
been doing this for nearly twelve hours.
It appears that three days back her daughter had left Madras for Delhi, unescorted. After the
train had left Madras bound for Delhi, a telegram had been sent from Madras to the relatives
in Delhi. So, the relatives in Delhi duly went to the station to receive her but she was not
found in the train in which she should have arrived. So they grew anxious and made a trunk
call to Madras. This only made the relatives at Madras also anxious and they, in turn, made a
call to Bombay to see if by chance the lady had reached Bombay. (It turned out later on that
she had, on an impulse, got down at Nagpur on the insistance of some friend). So, when Mrs.
X. came to know that her daughter had left Madras but had not reached Delhi and so was
missing, she became extremely restless and agitated and terrified. She was pacing to and fro,
wringing her hands and moaning. She was saying, "Take me to Delhi or to Madras. Take me
somewhere!"
Her son wanted me to give her a sleeping dose. I agreed to do so. Considering that the
causative factor was fright and anxiety and the result extreme restless with anguish, I gave
her one dose of Aco. 1M. Next day her son turned up to thank me for the sleeping dose
because she had slept well and was normal!
Dysentery
Psorinum and cina

Master I.U. , aged 5 years, was brought to me for consultation on 14th May 1957 with the
following history:
When he was 21/2 years old, he had an attack of dysentery. He was treated with allopathic
medicines and felt better. This condition relapsed two or three times, and the child did not
improve in his health. He once also passed a tape worm. But even then, the attacks of
"dysentery" continued to recur and his general health did not improve. So Dr. T., a child
specialist, was consulted but his prescriptions also had no effect.
The child is sometimes well and sometimes falls ill. Sometimes he has ravenous hunger,
sometimes he loses his appetite. He grinds his teeth in sleep, bores into nose. He drinks one
or two glasses of water at night. He always sleeps on his abdomen. His stools are sometimes
very hard like balls, sometimes watery and offensive with blood. He is very keen on bath
particularly cold. Wants open air. He gets easily angered.
The case was repertorized with Boger's Synoptic Key and Kent's Repertory as follows:
Alternations (B.S. K., pp. 30, 356) = Pso., Puls.
+ Stools, bad odour (B.S. K., p. 80) = Sulph.
+ Reaction, poor (B.S. K., p. 42) = Pso., Sulph.
+ Cold, amel.; Uncovering, or cold bathing, or applications
Amel. (B.S. K., p. 20) = Pso., Sulph.
+ Nose, boring in, with fingers (K.p. 324) = Pso.
+ Teeth, grinding at night (K.p. 432) = Pso.
In my experience, generally, nosodes do not work out well through repertories and when they
do work out, I give them great preference.
He was given Psorinum 10M, 3 doses in one day. By 18.06.57, the condition was much better.
Stools normal. Only thing was child still looked emaciated.
The case was repertorized again with the symptoms that remained.
Stomach, appetite changeable (K.p. 476)
+ Teeth, grinding at night (K.p. 432) = Cina., Pod.
+ Nose, boring in with fingers (K.p. 324) = Cina.
Cina. 1M, 3 doses in one day were given.
05.07.57 : Child is improving very well. Stools are completely normal.
09.09.57 : Child is now perfectly normal.
Master I.U. , aged 5 years, was brought to me for consultation on 14th May 1957 with the
following history:
When he was 21/2 years old, he had an attack of dysentery. He was treated with allopathic
medicines and felt better. This condition relapsed two or three times, and the child did not
improve in his health. He once also passed a tape worm. But even then, the attacks of

"dysentery" continued to recur and his general health did not improve. So Dr. T., a child
specialist, was consulted but his prescriptions also had no effect.
The child is sometimes well and sometimes falls ill. Sometimes he has ravenous hunger,
sometimes he loses his appetite. He grinds his teeth in sleep, bores into nose. He drinks one
or two glasses of water at night. He always sleeps on his abdomen. His stools are sometimes
very hard like balls, sometimes watery and offensive with blood. He is very keen on bath
particularly cold. Wants open air. He gets easily angered.
The case was repertorized with Boger's Synoptic Key and Kent's Repertory as follows:
Alternations (B.S. K., pp. 30, 356) = Pso., Puls.
+ Stools, bad odour (B.S. K., p. 80) = Sulph.
+ Reaction, poor (B.S. K., p. 42) = Pso., Sulph.
+ Cold, amel.; Uncovering, or cold bathing, or applications
Amel. (B.S. K., p. 20) = Pso., Sulph.
+ Nose, boring in, with fingers (K.p. 324) = Pso.
+ Teeth, grinding at night (K.p. 432) = Pso.
In my experience, generally, nosodes do not work out well through repertories and when they
do work out, I give them great preference.
He was given Psorinum 10M, 3 doses in one day. By 18.06.57, the condition was much better.
Stools normal. Only thing was child still looked emaciated.
The case was repertorized again with the symptoms that remained.
Stomach, appetite changeable (K.p. 476)
+ Teeth, grinding at night (K.p. 432) = Cina., Pod.
+ Nose, boring in with fingers (K.p. 324) = Cina.
Cina. 1M, 3 doses in one day were given.
05.07.57 : Child is improving very well. Stools are completely normal.
09.09.57 : Child is now perfectly normal.
Sepia
Shree A.D. , aged 25 years, came to me for consultation to me on 1st May 1959 with the
following history:
2 months back he had an attack of dysentery. Consulted Dr. S.D. who is his uncle but did not
follow his treatment. He gets slight abdominal pain before passing stool. Has only one stool
per day. Pain is stitching and is shooting up. Pain is agg. by eating cauliflower, cabbage,
potatoes, rice, fried food, bread and by over-eating; is amel. by passing flatus, taking cold
drinks and butter milk, after stool. He dislikes hot drinks. He is irritable and gets tired by
speaking.

The case was repertorized with Kent's Repertory as follows:

Food, fat, agg. (p. 1376) + Food, cabbage, agg. (p. 1375) = Ars., Bry., Carb-v, Chi., Hell., Kalic, Mag-c, Nat-m, Puls., Sep., Sil., Ver-a
+ Eating, Satiety to (p. 137) = Carb-v, Nat-m, Puls., Sep., Sil.
+ Food, bread agg. (p. 1375) = Nat-m, Puls., Sep.
+ Food, potatoes, agg. (p. 1376) = Sep.
+ Food, cold drinks, agg. (p. 1375) = Sep.
Sepia 200, 3 doses in one day and placebo given.
16.05.59 : Pain was slightly better but has relapse. Sepia 1M, 3 doses in one day and placebo
given.
03.07.59 : Feels better but still he gets pain twice a week. Sep. 50M, 3 doses in one day.
21.07.59 : Again got pain. Sepia CM, 3 doses in one day given.
29.07.59 : Practically no pain: Sac-l
01.10.60 : Has remained well.
Phosphoric acid
Mr. A.R. T., aged 48 years, came for consultation on 29.03.65 with the following history:
In June 1947, he got paratyphoid and became very weak. In August 1947, he lost his father
which was a shock to him. Then one day while coming by train, he got a cramp in the
epigastrium, with shivering and sweat followed by a stool. This recurred again and then he
developed fear. After that he started passing mucus in stool. This was diagnosed as dysentery
and he took a lot of anti-dysenteric drugs. The stools are agg. by excitement. He has also
developed frequent desire for stool which was while riding a motorbike. He has a lot of mental
upsets and worries. He also gets shivering when he goes to the seashore. Weight has been
reduced from 160 lbs to 125 lbs. Married in 1945. Had electric shock in 1953. He had arsenic
poisoning due to inj. given for Eosinophilia in 1956. Now he has stopped eating non-veg. food
and since then has no mucus in stool. He had to suppress his sex desire often because his
wife was disinterested in sex.
Ign. 1M, 3 times a day for three days was given to him, because of the history of grief.
On 02.04.65, he reported that his condition was same.
The case was then repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Suppression of sex desire (p. 711) + Grief ailments from (p. 57) = Ap., Calc., Con., Ph-ac,
Plat., Puls., Staph.
+ Diarrhoea on excitement (p. 612) = Ph-ac
Ph-ac 1M, 3 times a day for days was given.
29.04.65 : Patient feels much amel.. Feels he will be cured.

Ph-ac 1M, 3 doses a day for two days was given.

27.09.65 : Feels amel. mentally. Fear nil.
Ph-ac 10M, 3 doses a day and placebo were given. Six months later, I heard that he remained
well.
Sulphur - a study
The Sanskrit word for Sulphur is (Sulphari) which means enemy of copper *. From this word,
the Latin word Sulphuricum is derived. Homer, the great Greek poet, refers to Sulphur as
Brimstone i.e. burning stone. (Since on burning it produces a strongly smelling gas, it is called
(Gandhak). **
Sulphur is mostly derived from the lava or the molten red-hot fiery liquid that erupts from the
bowels of the earth through the volcanoes. The character of the source can be seen reflected
in the centrifugal force of the drug which drives and throws out everything on to the surface,
bringing internal peace. The red-hot openings of the volcanoes have their counterparts in the
red-hot orifices, e.g. eyelids, lips, nostrils, meatus of the ears, anus, etc., through which the
red-hot burning discharges come out. Sulphur itself catches fire easily and because of this
quality it was used in the manufacture of gunpowder by the Chinese several centuries ago.
The (liquid) outpouring can be seen in the diarrhoea (Mag-s is a well-known purgative). Taken
in mass, sulphur is an inert powder and the greater part escapes unchanged with the stools,
but some of it forms sulphides, mostly sodium sulphide, in the alkaline fluids of the intestines
and these cause irritation of the mucous membranes, with consequent increased peristalsis
and mild purgation. In some instances, inflammation has been set up, with resultant pain and
mucus and bloody evacuations.
The skin is particularly vulnerable and exhibits various manifestations like eruptions, ulcers,
warts, etc. (The eruptions of the volcanoes are reflected in the eruptions on the skin.) This is
no surprise since the skin contains sulphur and has a particular affinity for sulphur. Ointments
containing sulphur are used as external applications for various skin conditions in Ayurvedic
and Allopathic medicine particularly for scabies, and Sulphur springs are very popular in
patients suffering from skin diseases. Hydrogen sulphide, H2S, is one of the most offensive
gases in the world and this can explain the extremely offensive discharges of the Sulphur
patients. Some of the sulphides are absorbed and destroyed in the organism with liberation of
sulphuretted hydrogen which escapes by the lungs and skin giving the characteristic odour of
rotten eggs to the breath and perspiration; others form sulphates and are excreted in the
urine. The patient himself is found to be offensive.
Water being the enemy of fire, the Sulphur patients are worse by washing and bathing.
Antimonium crudum which is a sulphur compound (Antimony sulphide) also has aversion to
and agg. from bath. The Sulphur patient also develops dirty habits. He is himself dirty and
offensive or is indifferent to dirty and offensive surroundings. The yellow colour of the element
is also seen in the yellow staining of the perspiration.
The depletion by perspiration or diarrhoea may account for excessive thirst and the craving
for salt. Insulin contains Sulphur and this may explain the craving for sweets and agg. from
sweets. The metabolism itself is disturbed and so the patient is always hungry; he eats well
but emaciates. He has also craving for fats. Of the 5 remedies in Kent's Repertory given for
desire for fats, viz., Ars., Hep., Nit-ac, Nux-v, and Sulph., Sulph. is the only one agg. by
warmth.

The experiment of Prof. Augustus Bier is very interesting and gives us some idea of the
nature of Sulph. He put a patient on Sulphur 3x and found that the patient started excreting
daily 576 mg of sulphur, which is sixty times the normal rate. Even after the Sulphur was
discontinued, he was found to excrete 117 mg. On the day after, he then averaged 54 mg for
ten days and after thirty days he was still excreting about twice the normal. The seborrhoea
about which he had complained was markedly improved and his general well-being decidedly
better than before the experiment. The patient was located two years later and agreed for the
sake of experiment to make a retrial although he considered himself cured. When he now took
Sulphur 6x for 10 days hardly any extra excretion of sulphur was found.
The relationship of Arsenic and Sulphur is interesting. Sulph. is a complementary which
follows Ars. well. But they are widely different remedies. Ars. is agg. by cold and Sulph. agg.
by warmth. Ars. is meticulous, wants everything in its place. Sulph. is indifferent, careless,
shoddy and even dirty. The excessive anxiety, hurry and restlessness of Ars. contrasts with
the euphoric, slow lazy state of Sulphur. Arsenic is in artist (The latin word for Arts is Ars.)
while Sulph. is a scientist. Sulph. has the abundant curiosity and inquisitiveness of a scientist
and goes on questioning about everything.
Sulph. is a good remedy to close the treatment of acute diseases and to begin the treatment
of chronic conditions.
Almost every rubric in our repertories contains Sulph. So the neophyte are likely to select
Sulph. for every patient. Only later on they will understand where Sulph. is really indicated
though of course it is needed in many cases.
Case
Lumbago
Mrs. M., wife of the a doctor, aged 68 years, consulted me on 8th June 1972 with the
following complaints:
She is suffering from lumbago for the last 20 years. Now, cannot get up from bed due to the
stiffness. Pain is agg. rising from sitting, agg. sitting long, agg. lying on back, agg. cold drinks,
agg. stooping, cannot squat. It is amel. pressure and amel. massage. Gets pain and heaviness
in thighs. She has become very obese. Her appetite, thirst, etc., are normal. She is amel. by
company. Very irritable.
Past. Hist.: She had thyrotoxicosis which was amel. with Neomercazol.
Was operated for prolapse of uterus one year back.
Fam. Hist.: Her sister had tuberculosis.
The case was repertorized in Kent's Repertory as follows:
Back pain, lying back, on (p. 896) + Back, pain, lumbar region, lying back on (p. 906) + Back,
pain, rising from sitting (p. 897) + Back, pain, lumbar region rising from a seat (p. 907)]= Amm, An., Ap., Berb., Bry., Carb., Lyc., Nat-m, Puls., Rhus-t, Sep., Staph., Tell., Zn.
+ Obesity (p. 1376) = Am-m, Bry., Lyc., Puls., Sep.
+ Prolapsus, uterus (p. 743) = Am-m, Bry., Lyc., Puls., Sep.
+ Cold drinks, agg. (p. 1363) = Lyc., Puls.

I preferred Lyc. because she was rather irritable. Lyc. 200, 3 doses in one day.
17.06.72 : Feels 25% amel. but still has pain. Lyc. 200, 7 doses, daily once given.
21.06.72 : Felt amel. Lyc. 200, 3 doses in one day, to be taken weekly.
18.07.72 : Condition relapsing. Lyc. 1M, 1 dose was given.
30.08.72 : Condition normal. Lyc. 1M to be taken once a month, if necessary.
The responsibility of clinical teachers
We have emphasized in the past the fact that in the medical curriculum, the most important
part is the practical training given to the students in the hospitals attached to the colleges. In
the absence of proper practical training in well-equipped institutions with suitable teachers,
mere theoretical teaching given in the colleges cannot be expected to prepare practitioners fit
to handle the cases met within medical practice. It is known that in the olden days medical
students did not have to study theory at all but they had to merely become apprenticed to
experienced doctors. Of course, they thus learnt how to practice but such practical training
without the infrastructure of the theory and the principles of approach cannot suffice because
the student cannot understand the why and wherefore of the practice. In the same way, good
theoretical teaching without proper practical training is also useless because the student is
bound to feel bewildered when he meets actual cases.
Therefore, the responsibility of those connected with the practical training of medical
students is very great. They have to see that the students are given maximum amount of
proper practical training in the out-patient and in-patient departments of the hospitals. The
principles of Homoeopathy have to be applied at the bedside in front of them so that it is
demonstrated to them that when the methods of Homoeopathy are scientifically applied, the
results are most satisfactory. Not only will this help to educate them but it will also serve to
impress upon them that Homoeopathy properly applied is as successful as, if not more than,
the other systems.
While ensuring such qualitative and quantitative practical training the clinical teachers at the
bedside have also to exercise caution to see that the basic principle of Homoeopathy are not
transgressed in an effort to devise short cuts. If the students are taught certain rules and
methods in the classrooms, and these principles and methods are infringed at the bedside in
the teaching institutions, nothing but confusion can arise in the tender minds of the learners.
The less the gap between the theory and the practice, the greater and better will be the
impression and impact on the minds of the students.
This is not to say that the physicians at the hospital have no right or scope to experiment
with different methods of application of Homoeopathy. Certainly they are free to experiment
since experiment is often a pre-requisite for progress. Within the basic and broad frame-work
of Homoeopathy they may try different methods of application, e.g. frequent and infrequent
repetition of the doses, use of high and low potencies, alternation of remedies, etc., if they
have a reasonable hypothesis or basis to proceed. But the cases treated by these methods,
which are purely experimental and not established, should not be placed before the students
who may not understand that these are only experiments and, therefore, may draw hasty
conclusions without sufficient grounds. If this care is taken, such experiments can be
conducted. But if the students are exposed to various methods, which are variations from
what is taught in the classrooms, there can be nothing but chaos. So the clinicians must take

care to see that they teach the students only traditional methods at the bedside and also
explain the rationality of every procedure adopted.
What homoeopathy needs
For the further progress of Homoeopathy a better method of drug selection seems called for,
whereby drugs can be selected more accurately and easily without resort to the hit-and-miss
and then-try-again method which many of us seem to be practising now. For this purpose it
may be necessary for us to develop some kind of method of drug selection which does not
exclusively depend upon the fallible observations, senses and intellect of the prescriber and
the patient.
Homoeopathy in general practice
We, who are practising as consultants, have certain advantages. The patients who come to us
are referred to us and come fully aware that we are homoeopaths. Probably many of them
have tried and exhausted all the usual avenues of treatment and come to us as a last resort.
So our work is cut and dried. There is not much need for us to convince our patients except by
good results. The position of the general practitioner however is otherwise. He has to compete
with his better equipped and more impressive allopathic neighbour.
The significance of symptoms
Medical progress will no doubt prove to the profession that every symptom has a significance
that cannot be ignored and unless each is given its due place and importance, it is doubtful if
the case will be treated fully and properly.
The homoeopath is not in a position to explain fully or even partly the deeper significance of
each symptom nor is he able to describe the mode of production of each symptom. Yet, by
giving each symptom its due place in the total picture, and allotting to it its proper value, he is
able to arrive at a much better prescription and tackle the disease in its entirety. In this
respect the reach of Homoeopathy is astounding. We shall consider one or two examples.
Let us take Epilepsy. The homoeopath first tries to trace the disease to its origin, source or
cause. If the epilepsy can be traced to have arisen after an injury to the head, or anger or
fright or suppression of emotions or exposure to heat or indiscretions in diet or mode of living
or to a hundred other causes, which are peculiarly significant to the homoeopath, he is able to
put his finger on groups of drugs each covering a particular origin or causation in addition to
the rest of the totality of symptoms. Again, the nature of the aura experienced by each of the
patients before the attack and the fact whether the attack starts from the feet, hands, face,
head, etc., each indicates different sets of remedies. The actual nature of the convulsion, and
the actual condition of the patient during the attack also indicate their own remedies.
From among the cases of epilepsies treated, we may quote two as examples to illustrate. A
patient reported a greater frequency of attacks in summer and got more attacks if he
consumed potatoes. The orthodox physician may reject these facts as of no consequence,
labelling them as incidental or accidental. But one or two doses of Alumina in potency, based
on these data, removed the illness entirely.
Another patient reported that the attacks were definitely precipitated by loss of sleep - again
a fact which the orthodox physicians in the present state of their knowledge may ignore or
discard as of no value; but based mostly on this modality a prescription of some doses of
Cocculus restored the patient to health.

A patient mentions to us that he is very much disturbed by eating onions. The smallest slice
of onion included, even inadvertently, in his diet, produces a severe diarrhoea. If this
symptom is placed before an orthodox allopathic physician, he would merely diagnose that
this patient is allergic to onions. Beyond advising the patient to avoid this offending item, the
allopathic physician gives no significance to this symptom. But to the homoeopathic
physician, this would be a most welcome and valuable clue to the selection of the proper
medicine and he is able to select his medicine from a small group of drugs given under the
rubric "Aggravation from onion". Many cases can be quoted in which, guided by this symptom,
a prescription of Lyc., Nux-v, Puls., or Thuja has cured patients suffering from different
conditions.
Every homoeopath can give numerous such examples from his records.
Let us take one more instance. A patient becomes psychopathic. He tries to commit suicide
by jumping from a height. Now in tracing the case history of this patient, the homoeopath
traces the disorder to the source or the exciting cause, and the various precipitating factors. It
might have originated from suppression of some emotion or from a sense of shame or a
feeling of guilt. Again, the actual symptoms also indicate different drugs, e.g. fear of
darkness, thunder or robber, desire to be alone, talking to oneself, irritability, etc., etc. Again
even when the patient has decided to commit suicide, the actual nature of the attempts by
which he tries to kill himself e.g. whether by drowning, shooting, or jumping from a height,
etc., also indicate different remedies. Which particular neurons or areas of the brain, or
pathways of the nervous system, or what particular background of the patient decide the
various impulses and the behaviour, i.e. the actual nature of the attempt, it is for
psychologists and scientists to work out. But for homoeopaths these simple facts have deep
significance and help in deciding the prescription.
What is curable ?
It has been my experience in homoeopathic practice that cases considered incurable by
general medicine often get surprisingly cured under homoeopathic medicine. Sometimes, it
also happens that cases which we are extremely confident of curing turn out to be incurable
in our hands. In modern medicine, some degree of prognosis can be safely given on the basis
of clinical and pathological findings. But in Homoeopathy it becomes very difficult. Even if the
therapeutic test is applied, i.e. if a drug has been given and the patient does not respond to
the drug, we cannot say that the case is incurable because we might have made a mistake in
the selection and given a drug which is not the similimum. Therefore, even if we are confident
in a case we might fail and it may so happen also that a case we consider incurable because
our prescription evoked no response might turn out to be curable in the hands of some other
physician. To illustrate my point, I shall give you a number of examples.
1. I have treated a case of Horner's Syndrome. The patient had unilateral anaesthesia of the
face with coldness, perspiration and enophthalmos. He had gone to a physician and then to a
surgeon and X-rays had shown that he had cervical ribs on both sides resulting in pressure on
the cervical ganglion on one side contributing to the clinical picture described above. When he
came to me I told him that in my opinion Homoeopathy could not help because it seemed to
be clearly a case of pressure on the ganglion, which must be relieved by a surgeon. Some
doctor had prescribed for him Carbo vegetabilis because he had symptoms of flatulence with
amel. by eructations, and with this drug he was feeling better. He wanted to know why I could
not give him better medicines. I took up his case and found that the whole trouble had
originated after he had had a shock of seeing a neighbouring shopkeeper being robbed in
front of him. The case worked out to Argentum nitricum, and when I gave this medicine,

within a few months the whole condition became normal. Now after three years the symptoms
have still not recurred.
2. Next I will described a case of Ovarian tumour. A lady came to me from Nadiad with a
massive ovarian tumour. Two years back she had begun to suffer. She had been operated
upon and the tumour removed. The tumour had weighed 44 lbs! Indeed, a record, I think! A
section was probably examined and found to be non-malignant. But unfortunately after one
and a half years the tumour recurred again. It had now grown again almost to the original size
and since the lady refused to have surgery again she came to me for medicine. I gave her
medicines with very little hope. But to my surprise the tumour rapidly decreased in size and
became almost half of its original size. Unfortunately, the lady went out of my care and I could
not follow up the case.
With all my experience in Homoeopathy, I have not been able to distinguish between or
decide the criteria which delineate a curable from a incurable case under homoeopathic
therapy.
Failures - homoeopathy's or homoeopath's?
Some one or two years back, I was called to see a young man suffering from general
anasarca. The history was that he had been to U.S. A. for some study and there on routine
examination of the urine, albumin had been detected. Further tests had revealed that the
kidneys were not functioning properly. It was diagnosed as a degenenative disease of the
kidneys (Nephrosis). So he was sent back to India. By the time he reached London en-route to
India, his condition became quite bad. He then consulted Dr. Sir John Weir. Sir John gave some
prescription and there was immediate and very satisfactory improvement. Then the boy came
to India and here there was relapse. It was then that I saw him. I took down his case and gave
him Ars. on his symptoms. But since Sir John Weir had already seen the patient and had
produced improvement, we sent a cable to him describing the condition of the boy and asking
for advice. The reply of Sir John Weir was, "Ars. alb. confirmed but prognosis hopeless. Make
patient happy." The patient died after sometime and this case was an eye-opener to me, in
this sense that even the correct prescription need not necessarily cure every case.
Retention of urine
Mrs. S. consulted me on 22.02.64 with the following history:
On 14.01.64, she developed fever with vomiting. This was first suspected as jaundice but
later treated as typhoid with chloromycetin. The temperature dropped to normal on 28.01.64
but on the same day she developed retention of urine. Not being relieved by any medicine,
she had to be catheterised four times a day. It was thought that gradually the retention would
disappear but it did not. So a neurologist was consulted who found nothing abnormal and
thought it must be due to some shock. No specific treatment was suggested and so the
patient continued to catheterise herself four times a day till the day I saw her.
When I saw her she had the following symptoms :
Has retention of urine. She gets fullness of the bladder and urge for urine every few hours but
no urine is passed even if she strains.
She had substernal pain if she walks fast.
She has nausea on and off, amel. hot drink agg. after food.

Talking much causes palpitation.

Appetite, thirst, stool, sleep, sweat, etc., are normal. Her previous and family history gave no
clues. She was happily married and had two healthy children. She had no worries of any sort.
There was no history of any fright or shock.
I took the following symptoms, viz:
Cold drinks agg.
Fast motion agg.
Speaking agg.
Retention of urine
and found Ars. and Sil. covering these symptoms. With Ars. and Sil. she got relief in the other
symptoms but not in retention of urine. Then I gave her Opium 1M because of the possibility
of some fright as the causation. But after the dose of Opium she developed shocks in the body
occurring every 1/2 an hour and so I antidoted the dose of Opium 1M with Op. 30.
Now, I consulted a senior physician, Dr. S.R. Phatak, M.B. B.S. He diagnosed the retention of
urine as hysterical and prescribed Zinc met. 200 (Refer Kent's Repertory: Retention of Urine, in
hysteria: Zn.)
With the second dose of Zinc met., she had a copious flow of urine without resorting to the
catheter and since then she is quite well now for over a month without the need for any more
medicine.
The need for sincerity
The saving of Life is the supreme consideration of every physician, be he a homoeopath or
anyone else. The homoeopath is physician first and then a homoeopath. The welfare of the
patient is the first and only consideration. Nothing should come before this objective. But this
should not be an excuse for a homoeopath to use allopathic medicines about which he is
entirely ignorant. The subject dealing with the indications, contraindications, dosage, mode of
administration, etc., of modern drugs is a very deep one. If the homoeopathic physician feels
that he has failed or is likely to fail in a particular case, he can direct such a patient to a more
competent homoeopath or even to an allopath. Many of our allopathic colleagues send us
cases when they have exhausted their therapeutic resources or feel that their system has
nothing to offer. We have to appreciate their honesty and sincerity. Surely we can develop the
same type of honest attitude. Our ego should not stand in the way of directing them to more
competent physicians of our own system or of some other system instead of monkeying with
drugs, the therapeutic use of which we are not quite familiar. Nor do we have any moral or
legal justification for using such drugs.
Cholelithiasis
Mrs. S.M. , aged 45 years, consulted me on 13.05.57 with the following history:
She has been having paroxysms of pain in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium on and
off for the last two years. These attacks are specially provoked by taking fried food. The last
attack had come on because of fried fish.

She had consulted her allopathic family physician and, on his advice, had investigations
done. Plain X-ray of the gall-bladder had shown multiple gallstones. Cholecystogram had
shown poor concentration of the dye.
The family physician had consulted a consultant and it was decided that her gall-bladder
must be removed. When this decision was conveyed to the patient, she did not welcome it.
She was averse to undergoing an operation and wanted to avoid it. She had heard that such
cases can be treated by homoeopathic medicines and so wanted permission to try
Homoeopathy. The family physician at first ridiculed the idea that gallstones could be treated
by medicines but gave permission for the trial ultimately.
But he gave her only three months time. So she came to consult me.
Her symptoms significant from the homoeopathic point of view were: Pain in G.B. area agg.
on taking fried food, extends to the back, and is amel. by fomentation. Feels as if something is
swollen and constricted as by a hand there. When pain occurs the area becomes very tender
and sensitive to touch; Pain is amel. by eructation or flatus; no vomiting. Other symptoms
were:
Fasting causes vertigo.
Easy satiety; Distension after food.
When disturbed from sleep, or on hearing sudden noises gets palpitation.
Last two years, cannot remain alone; must have company.
Late falling to sleep.
Last 2 years, lying on back causes palpitation.
Gets frightful dreams.
Easily angered by contradiction.
Full of anxiety; anxiety causes trembling; imagines the worst.
Great fear of thunderstorm.
Menopause 7 years back. Since then has anxiety and palpitation.
Previous History: Father died, cause unknown. Mother died at 60 of diarrhoea.
One brother died of diabetes.
Has 6 children all healthy.
The case was studied with the help of Boger's Synoptic Key and Kent's Repertory under the
following rubrics:
Liver and G.B. (B.S. K. p. 78)
Direction backward (B.S. K. p. 34)
Food, Fat agg. (Kent p. 1363)
Lying on back agg. (B.S. K. p. 25)

Fasting agg. (B.S. K. p. 22)

Company amel. (B.S. K. p. 21)
Eating a little, agg. (B.S. K. p. 22)
Sensitive to noise (Kent p. 79)
Fear of thunderstorm (Kent p. 47)
Menopause (Kent p. 724)
The only drug that covered all the symptoms was Phos. So, she was given on Phos. 30, one
dose.
29.05.57 : The response was immediate and very satisfactory.
All symptoms improved but the dose had to be repeated whenever there was relapse, as
follows:
29.05.57 : Phos. 30, 1 dose.
24.06.57 : Phos. 200.
01.08.57 and 28.08.57 : Phos. 1M.
Now, as the stipulated 3 months' period was over, the X-ray was repeated and it showed that
the stones were about 60% less in size as compared with previous plate.
The family physician was somewhat impressed and allowed the homoeopathic treatment to
continue.
The radiologist who took the plates (who incidentally was the head of the department in a big
allopathic hospital) was also much impressed. He came to meet me personally to express his
surprise and to know incidentally the name of the medicine which can dissolve gallstones!
The doses had to be repeated again on 28.09.57 (Phos. 1M), on 27.12.57 (Phos. 10M) and on
31.03.58 (Phos. 10M).
By April 1958, she was completely normal and could take any type of fried food without any
disturbance. So we stopped the medication. I now asked her to have the X-ray repeated but
she refused stubbornly saying that since she was quite normal she needed no plates. At last, I
could persuade her by the end of 1958 to have the X-ray which showed a perfectly normal
G.B. with no Calculi.
She remains well till the day of reporting (15.08.64).
(I may mention some points of interest. The family physician who had originally laughed at
the at the idea of homoeopathic treatment of gallstones later sent me several cases of
chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. This shows his understanding and professional
attitude.
The radiologist concerned asked my permission to demonstrate the X-rays in their
radiologists' meeting because they had never so far seen or heard of a case of gallstones
disappearing with medicine!)
Question and answer

When we discuss our cases with allopathic physicians, they are very much puzzled, and quite
often, we ourselves are not able to give any explanation. For example, I shall give you a case
which I had reported in the Brit. H.J. A young man received a very slight injury on the head
and immediately developed various neurological signs. He was examined by neurologists and
it was diagnosed as Cerebral Tumour. It was a full-blown picture which no one could miss. He
was advised operation which he refused. He came for Homoeopathy and one dose of Nat-s
completely removed all the symptoms. However, fundoscopy revealed that the papilloedema
was the same, and therefore, I presumed that the extent of the lesion was the same. But all
the symptoms had gone!
Now this case presents certain questions. There is no doubt that the tumour must have been
growing for some time, perhaps some weeks. But how is it that the symptoms had developed
after a slight head injury? No one believes that the dose of Natrum sulph. removed the
tumour overnight. But how did it remove all the symptoms of the tumour? Do you think it
reduced the size of the tumour within 24 hours? etc. Such questions arise. If it did not reduce
the size of the tumour but relieved the patient of all the symptoms, then does it show that the
homoeopathic medicine can bring symptomatic improvement without any improvement in the
underlying pathology? Similarly, we have treated two or three cases of anaemia in which even
though the hemoglobin was as low as 2 grams, the patient felt considerably better but the reestimation of the blood showed no change. How does this come about? These are very
important questions I think and it is necessary for us as scientific practitioners to understand
how our medicines act, and what is the relation of the homoeopathic medicine to the
pathology of the case. Otherwise, a critic may say that homoeopaths merely bring about an
improvement in the symptoms. In fact, some of them think that Homoeopathy treats the
symptoms and not the disease!
The secret of success
Once a patient approached me for treatment for recurrent colds of 7 years' duration. As I
was taking down her case she told me a remarkable fact: whenever there was coryza, if she
took a cold bath, the coryza immediately lessened and disappeared. When I searched in the
repertory under the rubric "Coryza better by cold bath", Calc-s alone was given and this drug
made her well.
Another lady, whom I was treating for some skin disease, told me that she had severe
palpitation after a bath. It was not due to the exertion of bathing because no other exertion
produced palpitation. It did not depend upon whether the bath water was cold or hot. The
only drug given in Kent's Repertory for "Palpitation after bath" is Am-c. This drug relieved her
completely of the skin condition and palpitation.
Another patient came to me and gave me the remarkable symptom that he felt a weakness
in the heart before, and during urination. The only drug that covered this symptom was Lith.
which made the patient better.
Eczema
Mr. T.R. , aged 45 years, consulted me on 14th December 1961 with the following history:
Since age of 19, i.e. from 1935, he has eczema on the legs. Has itching, and on scratching a
thin fluid exudes. The eruptions are black and are worse in summer.
Since 1951 he gets attacks of giddiness. This has started after his son-in-law, aged 35,
expired suddenly which was a great shock to him. He was greatly depressed for one year. The

giddiness is agg. after coffee and is amel. by vomiting. It is associated with throbbing in
temples. Heavy foods cause discomfort in abdomen between 1 and 2 a.m. Prefers hot food
and drinks and sweets. Gets tinnitus in ears on and off; started in the right ear, now in both;
amel. by fasting. Sometimes gets sprained pain in right scapular area, amel. by eructation.
Feels generally better in the cold season.
On examination I found N.A. D. except that he had external piles.
For the eczema he had taken X-ray exposures with no relief.
This case was repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Grief, ailments from (p. 451)
+ Diarrhoea after milk (p. 614) = Ars., Con., Lyc., Nit-ac
+ Food, heavy, agg. (p. 1363) = Lyc.
+ Food, coffee, agg. (p. 1362) = Lyc.
The remaining picture also fitted in with Lyc. I prescribed Lyc. 200, 3 doses six hourly to be
followed by Sac-l.
On 23.12.61, he reported that he had felt better for four days. I prescribed Lyc. 200 again. By
25.12.61, he felt better in all symptoms: eczema, the vertigo, the tinnitus, the abdominal
discomfort all improved. The drug had to be repeated again on 30.12.61 in the 1000th
potency, and this was followed by a dose of Carbo veg. 1M to keep up its action. Since then,
the patient has been quite all right till now (20th June 1965) without any need for any further
medication.
Mr. T.R. , aged 45 years, consulted me on 14th December 1961 with the following history:
Since age of 19, i.e. from 1935, he has eczema on the legs. Has itching, and on scratching a
thin fluid exudes. The eruptions are black and are worse in summer.
Since 1951 he gets attacks of giddiness. This has started after his son-in-law, aged 35,
expired suddenly which was a great shock to him. He was greatly depressed for one year. The
giddiness is agg. after coffee and is amel. by vomiting. It is associated with throbbing in
temples. Heavy foods cause discomfort in abdomen between 1 and 2 a.m. Prefers hot food
and drinks and sweets. Gets tinnitus in ears on and off; started in the right ear, now in both;
amel. by fasting. Sometimes gets sprained pain in right scapular area, amel. by eructation.
Feels generally better in the cold season.
On examination I found N.A. D. except that he had external piles.
For the eczema he had taken X-ray exposures with no relief.
This case was repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Grief, ailments from (p. 451)
+ Diarrhoea after milk (p. 614) = Ars., Con., Lyc., Nit-ac
+ Food, heavy, agg. (p. 1363) = Lyc.
+ Food, coffee, agg. (p. 1362) = Lyc.

The remaining picture also fitted in with Lyc. I prescribed Lyc. 200, 3 doses six hourly to be
followed by Sac-l.
On 23.12.61, he reported that he had felt better for four days. I prescribed Lyc. 200 again. By
25.12.61, he felt better in all symptoms: eczema, the vertigo, the tinnitus, the abdominal
discomfort all improved. The drug had to be repeated again on 30.12.61 in the 1000th
potency, and this was followed by a dose of Carbo veg. 1M to keep up its action. Since then,
the patient has been quite all right till now (20th June 1965) without any need for any further
medication.
The psycho-somatic approach of homoeopathy
I was once consulted by a lady, Mrs. B. who had developed severe itching in her neck. She
had been suffering thus for seven years. She had been scratching her neck, day in and day
out, till it bled profusely and had the appearance of raw beef. She had naturally gone to a skin
specialist who, having done his best and failed, had given up. She had then gone to a
psychiatrist but without any effect. When she applied to me for treatment, I naturally made
very close enquiry about the origin of the ailment and was rewarded by a very interesting
account. It seemed that one day her husband, Mr. B., had gone to his native town. It so
happened that Mr. B.'s boss's wife, Mrs. J., had also gone to the same city at the same time,
and so when Mr. B. was about to return, his boss sent him a letter and requested him to escort
Mrs. J. to Bombay. When they duly arrived, Mr. B. accompanied by Mrs. J., and disembarked
from the steamer, Mrs. B. was present at the pier to receive them. Just then, a friend of Mrs.
B. also present there whispered into her ears that surely Mr. B. and Mrs. J. must have travelled
in the same cabin, perhaps in intimate company. Thereupon, Mrs. B. got intensely suspicious
and jealous. The subsequent behaviour of Mr. B. seemed to confirm her worst fears. It was
during this period that she had developed the skin disorder. Later on, her husband had
convinced Mrs. B. by various acts that he was completely loyal to her and he had nothing to
do with Mrs. J. Mrs. B. appeared to be thoroughly convinced of his fidelity but it had made no
difference to her ailment. The itching continued and she continued to suffer.
It only required of me to put one or two questions to her to ascertain that her remedy was
indeed Lachesis. Two or three doses of this medicine sufficed to restore her completely to
normal health so that Homoeopathy earned her eternal gratitude.
In 1963, I was consulted for a lady, aged about 35, who was behaving in a funny manner. She
was happily married and had two children. About ten days earlier, her husband who was an
officer in a bank had left for another city about 800 km away by plane. He had gone to attend
a training course. It seems that after leaving Bombay he had not sent her any letter. On the
fifth day, the daily newspaper which was supplied to their house happened to carry a
photograph of a plane accident (in the U.S. A.). The absence of any letter from her husband
and the very sight of the photograph of a plane accident (she did not care to read the caption
below the photograph) seems to have combined to precipitate an attack. She became
mentally unsound and started singing, laughing and weeping by turns. Sometimes she would
suddenly leave the house and run away. Sometimes she would expose her person. A physician
had been called and he had prescribed some sedatives, but to no effect. She was utterly
sleepless and restless. When I visited her, she fell at my feet and prayed for help. When I
asked her to sit down, she attempted to sit on my lap; later she started removing her clothes.
I prescribed for her Hyoscyamus and in two or three days she became completely well. After
recovery when she heard from her friends how she had behaved, it made her very much
ashamed. She has remained well now for two years.

I was quite puzzled that such trifling circumstances should have precipitated such a major
attack. So, I made close enquiries. But neither the husband nor the wife could give me any
clue as to whether she had any background of mental tension or cause of such tension. It was
only after a year that I came to know that her husband had knocked down and killed a boy
while driving the car and that a law suit had been going on for nearly two years, creating
much tension in their minds around the period when she had the attack; this dispute was,
however, happily resolved some months later.
Some time back I was consulted regarding an old lady of seventy-one. For some unknown
reason, she had started behaving very oddly for the last 2 years. She was a widow and her
three daughters had sacrificed much in order to make her happy. Two of them had remained
single for her sake. But the mother had started abusing the daughters using bad language
and even obscene words. She would demand from them more and more money, fine clothes,
rich food, etc., things they could not afford to give. She would squander and waste money.
They had engaged a very good servant-maid but the old lady went after her blood. She would
tear away the servant's clothes. She would beat the poor girl and scream and when people
gathered, she would complain that the maid she herself had been the beater! After having
eaten well, she would go to her neighbour's house and say she was starving and would eat in
their house too! While taking food in her own house, she would pick up some item of food,
hide it, take it out and eat it surreptitiously. When her daughters were away at work, she
would sell away their furniture and household belongings for a song. She would put salt or
water in to the various dishes and spoil them so that no one could consume them. She would
beg, damage and destroy things. She would pass urine or stool in the room. She would collect
old and useless things and treasure them. In fact, she made life most miserable for her
daughters and neighbours. They had decided that they could endure this no more and were
actually going to put her in a asylum. It was then that they thought of trying Homoeopathy.
One dose of Tarantula made an amazing transformation in her personality. Within 24 hours,
she was utterly changed. She started behaving in a completely normal manner. I was myself
surprised, the daughters were delighted, the neighbours were astonished and everyone vastly
pleased and relieved.
Lumbago - phosphorus
Mrs. P., aged 34 years, turned up for consultation on 23rd Sept. 1959 for the following
complaints:
Backache, lumbosacral, which has started after a delivery 3 years back. The pain is agg.
sitting and by exertion, amel. sitting erect and by rest. Her menses are regular, but very
painful; pain is worse after the flow starts. She was given a pessary and was better for some
time, but is now worse again. Flow is changeable.
She has restlessness during M.P. Dreams of dead people. Has fears of robbers. She has
become very doubtful.
She gets headache worse seeing films and worse in the sun.
Prev. Hist.: She has had an attack of dysentery.
Family Hist.: N.A. D.
Her case was repertorized as follows on Kent's Repertory:
Restless during Menses (p. 75) = Ars., Bell., Ign., Mag-m, Merc.

+ Fear of Robbers (p. 47) = Nat-c, Phos., Sep., Sulph.

+ Suspicious (p. 85) = Ars., Bell., Nat-c, Phos., Sep., Sulph.
+ Dreams of the dead (p. 1237) = Ars., Phos., Sulph.
+ Back, pain, lumbar, agg. sitting bent (p. 907) = Phos.
Phos. covered the rest of the symptoms also. So on 3rd Oct., she was given Phos. 1M, 3 doses
in one day. Her response to this prescription was very satisfactory and she showed all round
improvement.
On 20th Oct., she reported that she had her menses. There was some pain and the flow was
scanty. So she was given Phos. 10M. This had to be repeated on 20.01.59.
On 21st Aug., she reported that she had been normal. There has been no more trouble
thereafter.
Nephritis
The patient, a female, aged 45 years, was admitted in the hospital on 04.12.58 with a history
of general anasarca, with ascites, dyspnoea and weakness of one and a half months' duration.
There was also puffiness of the face, cough with serous expectoration and insomnia.
Auscultation showed harsh breath sounds with rales all over the chest; screening showed
hydrothorax. There was oedema on the extremities extending up to the thighs, pitting deeply
on pressure.
The output of urine was only 8 to 10 oz per day. The urine was loaded with casts and
albumin.
The patient was thirsty and chilly. The dyspnoea was agg. at night, agg. lying down and also
by least exertion. She had a sinking feeling in the epigastrium.
She was put on Apocynum cannabinum, min. T.D. S, as all the symptoms were found under
the drug. The urine output started increasing at once and went upto 75 oz. a day, within a
fortnight, associated with general improvement. This improvement continued upto 18.01.58
but then the improvement receded and she started steadily growing worse. We tried Apoc.
can. 6 and 12, but to no effect. By 05.02.58, her condition became very critical and she was
put on oxygen. Meanwhile, we had tapped her once and removed 40 oz of ascitic fluid and
had tried various other drugs like Strychnine phos., Digitalis, Carbo veg., etc., as they seemed
indicated, but got no results. On 09.02.58, she had gone into a comatose state (uremic) and
her condition was grave. She had passed practically no urine for 24 hours. Ultimately, we put
her on Apoc. can. 30, 3 hourly. There was an immediate improvement. The secretion of urine
which had practically ceased was resumed again and the output slowly and steadily increased
and went upto 110 oz a day within 3 weeks. The same drug was now given diluted and
succussed every day and by 01.07.58, she was completely normal. There was no oedema
whatsoever, and repeated examination of the urine showed no albumin or casts for nearly 3
months and then she was discharged as relieved.
This case seems to confirm the view that the similimum is the correct drug in the correct
potency.
Objective method of drug selection

The subjective method of drug selection, which we all follow, is no doubt a very simple and
excellent one as far as it goes but we have to confess that there are certain cases wherein the
symptoms are all one-sided and there seems to be no general disturbance expressed by the
patient. One can quote several disorders of the skin such as eczemas, warts, psoriasis, corns,
leucoderma, etc., and other conditions like hydrocele, lipomata, alopecia, etc. There are also
some cases where the patient seems to be apparently quite well but examination and
investigation reveal some serious internal disturbance such as hypertension (asymptomatic),
infiltration (pulmonary), calculus, etc.
If our treatment is to embrace such conditions also, it is necessary that we develop more
objective methods of drug selection. At present, we depend too much on the patient, giving
importance to his every word. A lack of (or inaccurate) observation, deficiency of expression
or absence of cooperation on his part or a lack of understanding or interpretation on our part
can lead us far away from the correct drug. This is not a very happy state of affairs.
Further, as our treatment stands at present, there is no court of appeal if two or more
homoeopaths disagree on a particular case. Each homoeopath, depending on his training and
experience, tends to place a differing degree of emphasis on each symptom and so there is a
probability of difference in drug selection. When such difference arises, there is no criteria to
judge who is correct.
Drug addiction
In August 1959, I was consulted by Dr. S. He reported that he had taken morphia for 3 or 4
days for some pain and had then become addicted to it. He required a quarter grain of
morphia per dose, six or seven times a day. During the period of this addiction, in the last 3
or 4 months, he had lost 22 lbs in weight and had become careless about his profession. He
complained that if he did not take the morphia, he would feel some unbearable discomfort in
the abdomen and develop a diarrhoea with sudden and frequent urging for stool. The
discomfort and diarrhoea would cease as soon as he took the injection. When he consulted
me first, I just prescribed Nux-v 200, T.D. S., feeling that it would antidote the effects of the
narcotic drug. This gave him much relief. So, I continued the drug and in the course of a
fortnight, he was able to cut down his injection to 2 or 3 per day but he still could not give it
up.
I changed the prescription to Opium CM, T.D. S., and this gave him considerable relief and in
the course of another ten days he was able to give it up. Now, for the last one and a half
months he has not taken a single injection of morphia.
In August 1959, I was consulted by Dr. S. He reported that he had taken morphia for 3 or 4
days for some pain and had then become addicted to it. He required a quarter grain of
morphia per dose, six or seven times a day. During the period of this addiction, in the last 3
or 4 months, he had lost 22 lbs in weight and had become careless about his profession. He
complained that if he did not take the morphia, he would feel some unbearable discomfort in
the abdomen and develop a diarrhoea with sudden and frequent urging for stool. The
discomfort and diarrhoea would cease as soon as he took the injection. When he consulted
me first, I just prescribed Nux-v 200, T.D. S., feeling that it would antidote the effects of the
narcotic drug. This gave him much relief. So, I continued the drug and in the course of a
fortnight, he was able to cut down his injection to 2 or 3 per day but he still could not give it
up.

I changed the prescription to Opium CM, T.D. S., and this gave him considerable relief and in
the course of another ten days he was able to give it up. Now, for the last one and a half
months he has not taken a single injection of morphia.
Homoeopathic investigation
The theory and principles of Homoeopathy are unequivocal, logical and easy to understand.
But when attempt is made to apply them in practice, then we are assailed by a number of
unexpected doubts. "What exactly is meant by Symptom-totality?" "To what extent should the
drug be similar?" "How are we to select the optimum potency?" "How are we to ascertain that
the drug and the potency selected are correct?" Numerous such questions demand answers.
As a result, we find that what seemed to be a very simple and easy method turns out to be
somewhat complex and difficult in practice. No doubt the majority of homoeopaths are able to
achieve more or less satisfactory results without involving themselves in such intricacies. But
a closer examination reveals that they have often zig-zagged towards a cure. The selection of
the true similimum - the perfect prescription - which elicits a most happy response, is
probably not as common as we would like to assume. Luckily, however, the law of similars
seems to be so broad-based that even remedies selected of varying degrees of similarity
seem to give relief, compensating for the imperfections of the prescriber. But this thought
cannot give us adequate satisfaction.
Therefore, the first of our immediate objectives must be to so simplify the practice of
Homoeopathy so that even an average homoeopath will get better results. Homoeopathy's
popularity and progress should not depend upon the brilliant but sporadic results of some
good prescribers but rather upon the consistently excellent results of the majority of
practitioners.
Secondly, the means at our disposal have to be so shaped, and our methods so streamlined,
that all chances of failure due to defects and deficiencies on this account are eliminated. To
give but one instance, even the most exhaustive of our repertories are unfortunately
incomplete, and any prescriber depending upon anyone of them exclusively might be led to
fail. Many such examples can be quoted. Such defects must be removed so that the selection
of the correct remedy will become a matter of mathematical precision in practice allowing, of
course for vagaries arising from the biological nature of the subject. This objective can be
considered a part or an extension of the first.
Incidentally, most of the symptoms recorded in our Materia Medica are in the words of the
provers and similarly in selecting the remedies too, we depend almost entirely on the
expressions of the patients. Thus, knowingly or unknowingly, we attribute to their expressions
a degree of omnipotence and rely much on their words. But we must remember that the
patients are also fallible and that their thoughts and expressions are governed and modified
by numerous factors besides their state of illness. Many of them lack powers of keen
observation and intelligent, accurate expression. Moreover, language itself sometimes does
not serve as a perfect medium for accurate and full expression of one's feelings. Further, the
meaning intended may differ from what we understand of it. Therefore, taking all these facts
into consideration, there is a necessity to develop, apart from the present method of drug
selection (which we may call as "subjective" for the sake of convenience), an objective
method also - if not of actual drug selection, at least a method of checking and confirming the
correctness of the chosen remedy. Such methods have already been evolved to some extent
by Boyd, Grimmer, Henshaw, Stearns and others. We have now to take up and complete this
work.

If, by our efforts, we succeed in simplifying the practice of Homoeopathy and in making
prescribing less arduous and more accurate, and if we can also evolve methods of confirming
the correctness of the prescription, then we shall have achieved much.
The science of homoeopathy
Homoeopathy, which has evolved from the experiments of Hahnemann is, as it exists now,
one of the most scientific systems of medicine. Certain basic principles of therapeutics have
been laid down and the application of the principles brings about a high degree of success in
practice. However, this is not to deny that there is much scope for research and improvement
and further progress.
To take only one example, we indicate that our prescription is based on symptom-totality,
which means the summation of the characteristic symptoms. We then define the
characteristic symptom as one that characterises the particular patient. So far, we are all in
apparent agreement. But our concepts underlying this agreement are sometimes rather
vague in this respect that when it comes to practice, each physician tends to place varying
values on each symptom, building up his own characteristic totality from the symptoms of the
patient and then prescribing, each in his own way. Ultimately, therefore, Homoeopathy may
tend to become an individual affair, the physician becoming as much individualised as the
patient!
This is only one example. Many more such instances can be pointed out for consideration.
All thoughtful homoeopaths will agree that this is not a most satisfactory state of affairs. The
progress of the science requires that there be a greater degree of uniformity in our approach
and that there be the minimum of divergence between the theory and the practice.
Turning to physiology and pathology we have our difficulties too. Dr. Jaisoorya in his excellent
paper published elsewhere, questions the validity of the discoveries and assertions of these
sciences. It is too true that physiology and pathology, as taught at present, represent gross
studies, dealing more with tissue structure and tissue changes, being a study more of the
results than of the causes. To this extent it is defective as well as deceptive and any attempt
to base prescriptions on such incomplete and gross knowledge is bound to lead us towards
failure.
Yet, this would be a criticism based on a narrow outlook of the scope of physiology and
pathology. The latter should really include the study of the process of disease from the very
inception to its termination, including the functional, biochemic and other changes in the
organism. Viewed in this broad concept, none can deny that a medical student should be
equipped with a knowledge of the process of disease, its causes, its nature, type, degree,
extent, progress, etc. If such knowledge is sparse then it is our responsibility to spend our
energies towards building it up. It is in this context that Farrington has remarked, "I hope that
no diploma will be granted to any man in this class who does not study pathology." A total
condemnation of knowledge of physiology and pathology without realising the full scope and
functions of these sciences would be as bigoted as glorification of these sciences.
If on the one hand modern pathology, though exhaustive, has failed to tackle the study of
disease as it should then, on the other, we must confess that our own pathology is nebulous
and ethereal. The concept of Vital Force, the theory of replacement of natural disease by
drug-disease, etc., remain as Dr. Hahnemann propounded them, easy to believe but difficult
to demonstrate. Dr. Linn Boyd in his valuable book has pointed out the several lacunae in our
precepts and practice, which need to be worked by future generations.

Turning to homoeopathic pharmacology, we find still more difficulties. We can quote the
following incident as an instance to illustrate our problems. Once when Dr. Jaisoorya was
lecturing on Homoeopathy to the members of the Indian Medical Association (Allopathic) at
Hyderabad, a learned member from the audience asked him, "When you say that the amount
of drug-substance in the homoeopathic potencies is practically nil and that their blood level
concentration cannot be measured, how can you assert that they act at all?" This question, an
apparently logical one from the point of view of the questioner, spotlights the divergence of
approach between the orthodox and the homoeopathic physician. The concept of action of a
drug being determined merely by virtue of its blood-level concentration and the concept of
the infinitesimal doses of Homoeopathy are as apart from each other as the concept of the
atom in the Newtonian and the Einstein era. Yet, our explanation that the drug becomes
converted to energy looks like a metaphysical explanation in this scientific era. Even
accepting this, we have no idea at all how it becomes converted into energy. Further we do
not know what kind of energy our drug energy is. Besides, we have no inkling how the various
potencies differ from each other and how they act on the sick organism. Such and numerous
other questions remain to be answered.
Therefore, we appeal both to the teachers and the students of Homoeopathy to realise the
great responsibility that lies before us and to work for the solution of these questions with
speed and energy.

Repetition of doses
A patient, aged 42, turned up for consultation with the following symptoms. At the age of 10,
he had fallen down in church with giddiness. Since then, he has been getting electric shocklike sensations in the left arm passing up between the fingers and the shoulders. Whenever
this sensation extended above the shoulder to the head, he used to fall down unconscious.
The face then turned bluish or dark. These attacks came on more during sleep, in all 3 to 4
times a day, and were worse during moon phases. He was loquacious. He had been given
Lachesis with partial improvement.
His case repertorized as follows in Kent's Repertory:
Convulsions, during sleep (p. 1355)
Convulsions, left side of body (p. 1351)
Convulsions, begin in fingers and toes (p. 1353)
Face discoloured, dark (p. 359)
Loquacity (p. 63)
Further rubrics were referred to in Boger's Synoptic Key as follows:
Direction, ascending (p. 371)
Shocks (p. 44)
Moon phases, agg. (p. 25)

This brought out only Cup. He was given Cup. 200 on 24.09.57. There was immediate
improvement which lasted 3 months. Then, he had relapses at intervals and every time he
was given Cup. in single doses as follows:
02.01.58 : 1M
05.03.58 : 10M
14.03.58 : 10M
08.05.58 : 50M
15.07.58 : 50M
28.09.1958 : CM
03.11.1958 : CM
He showed improvement with every repetition. Then, from 01.02.58, as an experiment, he
was given Cup. 30, once daily for a week; from 08.12.58, 200, once daily; from 06.01.59, 1M,
once daily; from 04.02.59, 10M, once daily and from 27.02.59, CM, once daily upto 08.05.59.
The effect of such repetition was in no way detrimental and he became practically normal. He
still remains well.
I must make it clear that I am not advocating indiscriminate repetition in every case. I am
merely putting forward some observations and data I have gathered, though they are as yet
insufficient and not sufficiently long-lasting to allow any definite conclusions to be drawn.
The selection of the similimum and the management of the patient
There are several books and booklets in which the methods of case taking, analysis and
evaluation, and repertorizing have been explained. I shall now deal further with the subject of
selection of the similimum and the management of the case.
As I have mentioned elsewhere, the remedy selected must show a similarity to the disease on
the basis of the Materia Medica. A remedy should not be given simply because it comes out
through repertorization.
If no remedy is clearly indicated in the beginning I give a nosode so that some new
symptoms may be produced which will then indicate the remedy.
Once a remedy has been selected by the physician, the next problem he faces is the problem
of potency selection. Homoeopathic remedies are available from Mother tictures upto DMM
potencies out of which the physician has to select the one potency which is required. For this
purpose I have written a separate booklet called "Potency Problem" and therein I have given
certain criteria for the selection of the correct potency.
After the potency has been selected, the next question that arises is the one about
repetition.
In my practice, as I have mentioned, I try to select a remedy which fits in with and covers the
symptom-totality of the patient as well as the cause, but I take the cause as the starting point
as well as the most important symptom in the case. Then I take the case of patient in its
entirety with all the symptoms present with their modalities and concomitants and out of this
data I select such symptoms which seem to be strange, rare and peculiar, and try to find out

the one remedy which covers these symptoms. If such a remedy is found but it does not cover
the common symptoms or the pathological symptoms, I do not mind. I still consider this
remedy as indicated and I prescribe this remedy and I must say that in a large majority of
cases I have been successful by this method.
I have seen many of my juniors struggling with a number of common symptoms and trying to
find the remedy and invariably failing hopelessly. I commend to them this method of giving
importance to the strange, peculiar and rare symptoms as taught by Hahnemann in para 153
of the Organon.
As I have already stated, there are many books which explain the principles and practice of
Homoeopathy and which formulate various rules and lay down various procedures for the
taking of the case and evaluating the symptoms and the different methods of repertorization
and selection of the remedies. But in spite of all these teachings, ultimately the selection of
the similimum seems to be a work of art backed by some degree of experience, though no
doubt it is based on science. We shall now examine both the theoretical and practical aspects
of the matter.
Before we can talk about the selection of the similimum there are two important steps which
have to be taken. One is the case taking and the second is the evaluation of the symptoms.
Case taking itself seems to be an art. I have seen some homoeopaths taking the case in a
mechanical way, recording page after page of desultory information without getting any
useful symptoms. On the other hand, there are those who seem to be able to get the
minimum number of symptoms all with maximum value in the shortest amount of time with
the least effort. As regards the methods of questioning and eliciting symptoms, each
homoeopath seems to have his own technique. I shall refer to these later. I need to mention
here that any mistake that occurs in this step is bound to vitiate the ultimate step of remedy
selection. A correct conclusion or judgement cannot be reached on incomplete or incorrect
data.
Next to case taking and a step which is equally, if not more important, is the evaluation of
symptoms. It would seem that the most successful prescribers are those who know how to
correctly evaluate the symptoms. The great masters are known to quickly identify from the
mass of symptoms those specific symptoms and the underlying pattern which characterise
the remedy. In the matter of guidance concerning the evaluation of symptoms, we naturally
look to Hahnemann as the fountainhead of knowledge. And he, as usual, gives us clear
instructions about this matter. He says that in the totality of symptoms the rare, strange,
peculiar or characteristic symptoms will outweigh the other common symptoms in rank and
those will mainly, if not exclusively, decide the choice of the remedy. Many people consider
this as possibly the most important teaching of Hahnemann. In this matter, we differ widely
from the allopathic colleagues.
Having accepted this criterion of assessment, we have to decide what is strange, rare,
peculiar and characteristic within the symptom-totality of each case. In this matter one may
be guided by a knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical medicine, psychology
(human nature and behaviour), and above all common sense.
Having emphasized in aphorism 153 of the Organon the value of the characteristic
symptoms, Hahnemann says in aphorism 211 that in almost every disease, even in the socalled physical disease, a change in temperament of the patient will be found and this change
will often decide the remedy. He calls this change as "characteristic" thus correlating this
aphorism with aphorism 153. We understand, therefore, that Hahnemann wants to give in

every case predominance to the mental and emotional symptoms which he calls changes in
the temperament.
His great follower Kent, apparently taking the clue from this aphorism, has laid great
emphasis on the mental symptoms and has devoted 95 pages of his repertory to the
remarkable delineation of the various types and nuances of mental symptoms. In Kent's
method of case study and repertorization, great importance is given to these mental
symptoms and the case is worked out starting from the mental symptoms. Kent considered
that the mind is the centre of the whole functioning of the organism and that it is also the
focal point from which the disease process starts. This is quite true as our present knowledge
confirms that the mind has an extraordinary influence on bodily functions, in health and in
disease. This fact has been well-confirmed by recent advances in the field of psychology. And
research in the psychosomatic aspects of medicine has revealed that innumerable conditions,
formerly labelled and considered as purely physical, actually take their origin from mental and
emotional disturbances and are related to them. It is also well recognised that the mind and
the body constantly act and interact upon each other and that disease is rarely purely
physical or mental. Dunbar, Weiss and English, Walter Alvares, Julius Bauer and many others
have given in their books numerous cases to illustrate these facts.
It is the genius of Hahnemann that discovered this intimate inter-relationship between the
mind and body and their constant interaction which produces the various symptoms and also
the clinical significance of these symptoms. This is also noted by every homoeopath who
examines each patient carefully. He finds that several types of disorders originate after some
kind of emotional upset and that, even in the so-called purely physical disorders, there are
concomitant symptoms in the mental and emotional sphere. He also finds that giving due
consideration to these emotional causes and the mental symptoms of each patient in the
selection of the remedy leads to success. This predominant emphasis on the mental
symptoms for the selection of remedy is a feature of Kent's method. But now we shall
consider the other method which is lesser known, but is equally useful and important, and
that is the Boenninghausen's method.
Boenninghausen was, as is well-known, a lawyer and botanist who became seriously ill and
was miraculously cured by Dr. Weihe who prescribed homoeopathic medicine. Having been
thus saved from a disease which was considered incurable and fatal, Boenninghausen decided
to study the system which had saved him. At the age of 42, without even a basic knowledge
of the medical sciences, he started studying Homoeopathy and became in due course, such a
dedicated and devoted worker and later on such an acknowledged authority and contributor
on the subject that he earned the lavish praise of the Master Hahnemann himself. He had a
remarkable knowledge of law and logic and he applied this knowledge to the science of
Homoeopathy and thus evolved a new approach and method.
Boenninghausen also accepted and started from the idea that the strange, rare, peculiar and
characteristic symptoms were the most important symptoms in the totality and that they
often exclusively decided the remedy. But regarding the question as to which symptoms were
to be considered as strange, rare ones, he had his own ideas and drew his own conclusions as
described below.
The totality of symptoms is that which includes all the symptoms of the patient. In this
totality of symptoms, the most prominent symptom is the one which the patient complains of
and is called the chief complaint. This chief complaint, though very important from the
patients' point of view, need not necessarily carry the same value from point of view
prescribing, for the homoeopath. There are various other symptoms within the totality which

seem apparently unrelated and yet are coexistent with the main symptom in the same patient
often at the same time. Since these symptoms coexist in the same patient and since the
organism always reacts as a whole to any morbific agent, there must be some inner
inseparable inter-relationship between these symptoms even if this may not be so apparent
on the surface. The presence of these apparently unrelated symptoms is very puzzling and no
explanation is available as to their presence, in the present state of our knowledge. Therefore,
these symptoms are usually ignored or rejected by other schools, being considered
accidental, incidental, irrelevant, meaningless and therefore inconsequential. But the
homoeopath considers each of these symptoms to be a consequence and evidence of the
same underlying disturbance and to him these symptoms which are concomitant symptoms
reflect the individuality of the patient. For example, there is no apparent reason why one
patient with headache should develop a diarrhoea and another patient with headache should
develop a frequent urination. But actually these coexisting or concomitant symptoms reflect
the associated susceptibility of different organs of each patient and their simultaneous but
different reactions to the same disturbing factor. Whereas the allopathic physician ignores or
rejects them because these symptoms do not fit in into the disease pattern or inside the
frame work of the diagnosis he has in his mind or the one he had made, the homoeopath
gives to them added importance because they are not explainable by the available knowledge
and therefore they come under the category of strange, rare and peculiar symptoms. On
examining this fact a little further, we note that every disease-picture is composed of the
totality of symptoms and that each totality is indeed made up of a totality of concomitant
symptoms. As already explained these concomitants are always strange because they have
not relationship to the main symptom but appear along with it. Boenninghausen considered
that the selection of the remedy can be safely based on these coexisting symptoms. Boger
went a step further to say that these concomitant symptoms are even more important than
the chief complaint itself. For example, if a patient with uterine haemorrhage also has nausea
as an associated symptom, this nausea has no apparent direct relationship to the
haemorrhage and so this symptom, which is a concomitant symptom is a strange one. And
this suggests a remedy - Ipecac.
I shall again explain to you what is a concomitant symptom in any particular case. There are
number of symptoms out of which one is main or presenting symptom. A patient comes
complaining of headache. Headache will be the presenting symptom. As you go deeper into
the case you will find that he will give you a number of symptoms, some of them connected
with headache and some not connected at all with the headache, e.g. he may say the
headache is worse by fasting. This symptom forms part of the headache but he may also give
other symptoms, e.g. he may say that urination is retarded, or he may say that he gets
attacks of nausea if he takes a particular item of food. These secondary symptoms which are
not at all related to headache will be concomitant symptoms. So if the patient comes to you
and gives you 3 or 4 symptoms as follows:
Headache in the morning
Urination, retarded
Nausea form, sour foods and
Jealousy,
all the above symptoms form the total picture of the patient. In this picture the main,
prominent, presenting symptom was headache and the other three symptoms are
concomitant symptoms because they are not related to the headache but they are still

present in the patient. If the patient comes to you complaining of retardation of urination then
the headache and other symptoms become concomitant symptoms. So, you now see that the
totality of symptoms, is nothing but a totality of concomitant symptoms and since these
concomitant symptoms are present in the patient and are a part of the disease and yet are
not connected to each other, and since we have no explanation to give as to why these
symptoms are present simultaneously, these symptoms become strange, rare and peculiar
symptoms and therefore they must be given great importance. The concomitant symptom
distinguishes one patient from another patient. For example, if patient A has headache with
constipation and patient B has headache with diarrhoea, the constipation and diarrhoea which
are concomitant symptoms differentiate and individualise each of these patients. That is why
these concomitant symptoms have more value. The modality of each symptom distinguishes
the symptom within the symptom. Similarly the concomitants distinguish the totality of each
individual case.
In comparing the two methods of approach, that of Kent and that of Boenninghausen, we
notice that the following types of cases are more easily tackled through the Boenninghausen
method.
Cases with no mental symptoms
Though, theoretically, in every type of case there should be some symptoms on the mental
level, we do find in practice many patients who give no mental symptoms.
Mental symptoms with no value
Mental symptoms require a great deal of circumspection and tact to elicit and care to
evaluate. If they are vague or general in nature or are explainable by the circumstances it is
better to give them less or no value, e.g. a sense of depression is rather natural in a long
suffering patient who has taken much treatment with no relief and this symptom deserves no
value. Whereas, if a patient who, in spite of suffering from an ordinary disease, becomes
depressed and develops fear of death, this will be unusual. Such really strange mental
symptoms are difficult to obtain.
Incomplete symptoms
This method of giving value to concomitant symptoms also comes in handy when we have
incomplete symptoms. For instance, if a patient has headache for which the sensation or
modalities are not clearly available, but the patient has frequent urination with headache then
this concomitant symptom leads us to a small group of remedies, viz. Bell., Gels., Lac-d, Ver.,
and Vib.
I have studied the cases reported by some of the well-known master prescribers like Boger,
Burnett, Case, Farrington, Hayes, others. I have also watched the work of many successful
contemporary prescribers like Foubister, Hubbard, Jaisoorya, Phatak, Templeton and others.
Even though they may have been guided by the principles of Homoeopathy and even though
there is a fundamental uniformity or similarity in their approach, yet I have noted that in the
actual evaluation of symptoms and selection of remedies there are differences in techniques.
Paracelsus wrote, "That which is perceptible to the senses may be seen by everybody who is
not a physician but the physician should be able to see things that not everybody can see.
There are natural physicians and there are artificially made physicians. The former see things
which the latter cannot see, but the others dispute the existence of such things because they
cannot see them. They see the exterior of things, but the true physicians see the interior. The

inner man is the substantial reality while the outer one is only an apparition, and therefore the
true physician sees the real man and the quack sees only an illusion."
Clarke has stated that, "There are various avenues by which the same remedy may be found
by different men and different systems which is a saving clause in medical practice."
He writes further, " It is the glory of Homoeopathy that it permits every one to follow his own
genius in perfect freedom without fettering him to any man's dictum or authority, be it
Hippocrates, Hahnemann's, Gravogl's, Burnett's or Kent's. In the last resort every physician
must and does create his own system from his own experience, and from such experiences of
others as he is able to digest and make his own."
When Burnett was asked for the secret of his success he said, "I do not look where you look, I
let my imagination play about a case."
Some of the cases reported by Boger are rather unusual and his prescription is somewhat
difficult to comprehend. It seems he must have had a very deep understanding of and insight
into symptomatology of diseases and drugs. I have also watched Dr. S.R. Phatak prescribe
successfully in hundreds of cases. He has a peculiar knack of putting emphasis on certain
aspects of the cases and selecting a medicine on the basis of these symptoms. At first glance
it would appear to those who are uninitiated that the symptoms have been selected at
random, but deeper study and thought will enable us to accept the approach and evaluation.
Here again it would seem he has a grasp of the essential nature of the remedies. Therefore, it
will be seen that there are individual differences and shades of differences in the final steps
taken which spell the difference between success and failure.
In contrast, I must also mention one or two other masters in Homoeopathy whose working I
have watched. I have seen them proceeding in the most logical and scientific way possible,
working out every case like a mathematical problem but quite often ending in failure. There
are many reasons for this. The main reason is that though the homoeopathic method is
scientific and logical, yet considering various factors, particularly the human factor, there are
some imperfections. After all, the artistic element also enters into the prescribing. That is why
homoeopathic prescribing cannot be done purely or solely like working out a mathematical
problem, and experience compounded with a little flexibility of approach may make a great
deal of difference.
Blackie says homoeopathic prescribing is like bird watching. She wrote, "To begin with the
study the flight, the size, the colour, the markings and all the rest and then have to go to
some book, but when you have been at it some time, one glance, with scarcely a thought,
and you can name the bird. That does not come without much experience and study."
I shall now rapidly describe my own method of case taking, evaluation and selection of the
remedy about which I have given some hints in various papers and booklets.
While taking the case I invariably try to find out from a patient the cause, source or origin of
the illness or the circumstances in which it started. In the earlier years of my practice, when I
used to enquire about this, my patients used to generally reply either that they did not know
the reason or that the illness had started without any apparent exciting cause. And I used to
generally accept and be satisfied by this answer. But nowadays I find that by persistent
questioning about this point I am able to uncover and expose in about 75% of the cases a
definite cause, source, origin and/or circumstance from which the disease has taken shape.
Further, I usually give very great importance to this etiology. And generally try to select a
remedy which covers both the etiology and symptomatology. Sometimes, I have based my

prescription mainly or solely on this etiology and I have cured many cases this way. For
instance, if the sufferings started after an injury, I may consider Arnica; if after an operation or
mortification, Staphysagria; after getting wet, Rhus-t; after a suppressed skin condition,
Sulphur; after a suppressed discharge, Lachesis. If after suppressed sexual desire, Conium;
after a bad vaccination, Thuja; after wounded pride, Plat., and so on. Of course, I repeat that
invariably, I try to select a remedy which fits in with and covers the symptom-totality of the
patient as well as the cause but I take the cause as the starting point as well as the most
important symptom in the case.
Sometimes there is confusion in the minds of homoeopaths when they select a particular
remedy on the basis of available symptoms. They are puzzled if some of the peculiar
characteristic keynote symptoms of the remedy as known to them are not present in the
patient. They must understand that in any particular case the patient may have only one
throat symptom, two head symptoms and one symptom of the stomach from the remedy. I
give hereunder a diagramatical picture of the same.
These are the symptoms of the head, eye, ear, nose throat, and so on in each remedy. You
have all the symptoms in the drug. The symptomatology of the drug is a huge thing, a
panorama of symptoms out of this mass. But your patient will have only a few symptoms
compared to the vast range of the drug. So all the symptoms of the drug need not be or
cannot be present in one patient. But the patient's symptoms must be present in the drug.
You will see that the complete symptom-picture of the drug will be found in the patient
though its nature and features may be reflected. Even experienced homoeopaths sometimes
come and ask me, "You say this patient's remedy is Lachesis but he is not jealous." It is not
necessary that every patient of Lachesis should be jealous. Lachesis has many menstrual
symptoms. But if the patient is a male you do not expect any menstrual symptoms. So, please
remember, the symptoms of the patient must be in the drug, not vice versa. This is one of
the important things you should remember.
The second important thing you should remember is that no symptom should prove to be a
contraindication. Suppose you are going to give Lachesis and you ask the patient, "Mister,
how do you feel after sleep?" He says, "Oh, I feel quite well." You are not going to give
Lachesis. If you give, you are making a mistake. I once saw a patient. It was a case of mitral
incompetence. I asked him questions and he gave me various symptoms. He said, "I am
jealous. I cannot go in the sun. I am very loquacious", and so on, all symptoms of Lachesis. I
was just going to give him Lachesis and I asked him, "How do you feel after sleep?" and he
said, "Oh, I feel very much better. I feel best in the morning." So I stopped there and asked
him more questions. Then, I found that his remedy was actually Nat-m. Most of his symptoms
were such that the case looked like Lachesis but there was a strong contraindication, i.e. he
was better after sleep. So Lachesis was ruled out. Suppose the case looks like Pulsatilla but
the patient says, "I do not like sympathy at all." I am sorry you must hestitate and reconsider.
A student once asked me, "What is the harm, Sir, if one symptom is against prescription?" To
this I replied, "Nothing should be against the prescription. Suppose you pass out of this
college tomorrow. You are a good boy, you have studied well, you had a good rank, and you
apply for the post of a house physician. We are just going to select you for the post, then
somebody says, "Oh, once he has gone to jail for stealing." Naturally, we will drop you like a
hot potato. Only one thing was against you, is it not? But is it not enough? Suppose someone
wants to get his daughter married to you, then naturally they enquire about you. And
somebody says, "He is a very nice boy except when he is drunk." Do you think the man will

give his daughter to you because there is only one thing is against you? So you see, if there is
a strong contraindication, we would rather like to think of some other remedies."
However, as you become more experienced, you may ignore such a symptom of this case,
because the contraindication may be apparent and not real. I have prescribed Lachesis for
"Convulsions during menses". You know among the remedies which have great relief during
menses are Lach. and Zinc. So if a lady gets convulsions during the menses, you may think at
first that Lach. cannot be indicated. But if you look into the repertory you will find Lach.
included under this rubric. So, this is only an apparent contraindication. But if there is a real
contraindication, you must think thrice before you prescribe the remedy.
Now, as I told you, your cleverness in the selection of the remedy lies in the mass of the
symptoms that the patient comes to you with. He comes to you with a number of symptoms,
and at first you feel there is no head or tail to it, no clear indications for any single remedy.
But when you study the symptoms rather closely, you will see that the remedy is hidden in
the mass. It is like a jigsaw puzzle. You have all seen a jigsaw puzzle. They take a picture say
of a cow or an elephant and cut it into pieces and they will present the pieces separately. If
you place the pieces together in a particular way, in the proper way, in proper apposition, you
will get the whole picture. So also, the symptoms of the case may look like a jigsaw puzzle at
first. When you see first you may not make out anything. You will say, "What is this?" Then
when you see closely, carefully and intelligently, then you will say, "Ha, this looks like a leg,
this looks like an eye", and so on. Gradually, you will discover that it is a picture of an
elephant. I shall give another example. You might have all seen childrens' building blocks.
When you see the picture-blocks independently or separately, you may not be able to say
what it is. But if you study them for sometime you will see that one block gives a picture of a
leg, another of the horns and so on. Then you will be able to assemble them and find the total
picture. Out of these apparently dissociated symptoms, you will find a coherent picture. I shall
give another example also. Sometimes, you find a picture puzzle like the children's books in
which there are a series of dots or numbers. They say you connect all the dots or numbers in
their proper order and you will find an outline of some animal emerging, say a camel or an
elephant. Suppose you are quite clever you can make out the outline or picture without
connecting the dots or by connecting them in your mind. You can similarly identify the picture
of the remedy in the patient. You will say, "Oh, this is a case of 'Phosphorus'." Of course, as
you gain more experience, you will be able to do it more easily.
I was telling you that the totality of the patient's symptoms must be in the totality of the
remedy. And that is correct, but please remember whenever we use the word "totality" it
generally means the totality of characteristic symptoms, not of all the symptoms, not the
numerical totality. We call it the characteristic symptom-totality. What is a characteristic
symptom? A symptom which represents the patient and not the disease. How do you find out
which symptom represents the patients ? All those symptoms which do not form a part of the
disease-picture but which are still found in the patient? Now let us take a case. This morning,
there was a female patient who had a lump in the breast. It had been operated on twice but it
has come back for the third time. Now the lump in the breast this is the main thing she
presented with. But on taking her case you find that she likes extra salt in her food. This has
nothing to do with the lump, this liking for extra salt. It is not necessary that people with a
lump in the breast should have a liking for extra salt. So we take it. Then I asked, "What is
your age?" She said, "42 years." "Are you married?" "No. I am not married." That is an extra
symptom. All the symptoms which refer to the main disease, which form part of the diseasepicture, which form part of the pathology, to these we do not give great value. We just say
O.K. and leave them like that. But all the symptoms which do not form part of the disease-

picture but yet are found in the patient, we consider them as characteristic symptoms. We ask
the patient, "Does any item of food upset you ?" He says, "Yes, yes, if I take milk I get
diarrhoea. I get abdominal pain." That is an important symptom. We give great value to such
individualising symptoms and not to the symptoms which form a part of the disease-picture.
And these are also called rare, strange, peculiar symptoms. So if you want to evaluate - the
more strange the symptom, the more unusual it is, the more important it is and it must be
covered. Suppose a patient says, "Whenever I get high fever I do not feel thirsty, but when
there is no fever, I feel thirsty." This is a peculiar symptom. And so in every case you will find
certain symptoms which do not form a part of the disease-picture but which are peculiar and
belong to the patient. Those symptoms, you must take as very important. The more strange
the symptom, the more important it is and it must be covered. That remedy which covers
these symptoms is most probably the correct remedy.
Now there are certain symptoms called keynote symptoms. A keynote symptom is a
symptom which is peculiar to a particular remedy. Let us say, that a patient is thirstless even
though his mouth is dry. This is a keynote of Puls. Weeping easily from sympathy, as e.g. on
seeing sad scenes, this is a symptom of Causticum. Every remedy has got such keynote
symptoms, a number of keynote symptoms. Now, these keynote symptoms are not the
symptoms on which you should prescribe. Don't give Puls. simply because the patient is
thirstless with a dry mouth. Ant-c is also thirstless. Don't give Causticum merely because the
patient is sympathetic. Even Nat-m is sympathetic. So this keynote symptom should be taken
as sign which shows the direction of the remedy. If you see a symptom "Thirstless with heat",
think of Puls. Think of it, don't prescribe it straightaway. Think and see whether Puls. covers
the other symptoms of the patient. So, the keynote symptom should be taken as a guide-post
showing you the direction of the remedy, not the remedy itself. It shows you the direction, not
the exact location. So, do not give Puls. simply because the patient is thirstless. Aversion to
consolation does not mean that Nat-m is the remedy. A keynote should therefore, be taken not
as actually indicating the remedy, but as indicating the direction of the remedy.
Now, I shall discuss some aspects of remedy selection. In ordinary circumstances the totality
of presenting symptoms is quote O.K. But suppose there is no totality of the presenting
symptoms, no characteristic ones, suppose a patient comes to you completely bald and asks
you, "Have you got any medicine for baldness?" What to do in these cases with absence of
symptoms ? When there is an absence of symptoms there are some ways of managing it. In
the absence of characteristic symptoms, one thing you can do is to prescribe on the common
symptoms and take a chance. This is not a good method but sometimes it is successful.
Suppose a patient has warts, not other symptoms, try Thuja. They may fall away. There is a
50-50 chance. Or, alternately you can take the absence of the symptoms itself as a symptom.
If you open Kent's Repertory and see under "Mind" chapter there are rubrics like "Complains of
nothing" and "Says he is well when he is seriously ill", Bry., Op., Phos-ac and such remedies
are given in these rubrics. The patient may be serious with 104 oF temperature, no urine
passed but he won't call the doctor and say, "Give me medicines." He won't ask for anything:
"Asks for nothing", "Complains of nothing" - that is the symptom. Or very often, when we give
a nosode it may unlock the case, it may open out the case and bring out a number of
symptoms. Or, again in case there is a lack of characteristic symptoms, we can go back to the
history, to the past history or family history.
Therefore, in Homoeopathy it is not always necessary to cover all the presenting symptoms,
it is not necessary to cover the pathology. Suppose the patient comes to you with symptoms
of Lac-c and he has got mitral disease, you need not see whether Lac-c covers the mitral
disease. The pahology is given the least importance, last importance. If the pathology is not

covered by the remedy selected, never mind. But if the characteristic symptoms are covered,
the pathology is going to be covered and it will be removed. You can assure the patient so.
Suppose a patient says, "I got an injury, after that I have developed hydrocoele." Do not worry
whether Arnica covers the hydrocele or not. You need not bother. Give Arnica, and it will very
often remove the effect of injury. So go to the previous history. You may all remember the case
of impotency cured by Dr. Hering with Lac-c which was given because the patient had a
diphtheria ten years before, in which the pain alternated from side to side.
If the previous history gives no clue, go to the family history. If the patient says, "My father
had T.B. , my cousin had T.B. ", give Tuberculinum and see what happens.
In case these things give no clue, look for habits. Suppose there are no symptoms, ask the
patient, "Are you smoking?" He says, "Yes, I smoke 30 cigarettes a day." So there must be in
the body the bad effects of the smoking in some form, which must have produced the disease
or at least prepared the ground for the disease. So you can take that as a symptom. Or the
patient says, "I was taking a lot of alcohol." Or many times we find that the patients use
aluminium vessels for cooking and they suffer from various toxic effects of aluminium constipation, skin diseases, falling of hair, etc. So, ask him, "Do you use aluminium vessels in
the kitchen?" If he is using them, prohibit them and antidote its ill-effects. I have seen
particularly Muslims and Parsis using aluminium vessels and generally having constipation.
They generally take some laxative to relieve this constipation. You know Aluminium produces
paresis of the rectum.
Now, we come to children. How will you prescribe for children? Children don't give you the
symptoms. Yes, but we can observe many symptoms. Yesterday I saw a small child aged 2
months stretching the body all the time. What the child does is a symptom. So we have to go
by the behaviour. In children and animals their behaviour is very important. I have treated
many dogs and cats. Animals are natural in their behaviour and our medicines act better on
them. Once there was an elephant in the Vidharba forest. A big thorn went into his foot and he
started limping. In course of time his limp became so bad that he became more lame and
they decided to kill the elephant as he could not walk and he was useless. But some
homoeopath gave the elephant some doses of Ledum and he was completely cured and his
life was saved. So, Homoeopathy acts better on animals because the animals behave
naturally and live naturally. They eat the food given by nature to them, in a natural form. They
do not consume alcohol, they do not smoke.
In unconscious patients, we have to observe the signs, e.g. the condition of the pupil. Always
look at the pupil. The pupil can give you a lot of information, e.g. pin-point pupils or one pupil
big, the other pupil small, or pupils not reacting to light and so on. There was a case in our
hospital where the boy was unconscious but his eyeballs were moving to and for like a
pendulum behind the closed eyelids. This was an indication for Benzene nitricum. So, in
unconscious patients, you make out the case from the history and from the signs.
Coming back to the characteristic symptoms, I can tell you again that generally we consider
the cause as a very important symptom. If you know the cause give more value to it. Then
secondly, mentals. If there are really good mental symptoms give importance to them, but
peculiar mentals are the most important. In my own method I give grading as follows:
1. Peculiar mentals
2. Peculiar generals
3. Peculiar particulars

4. Common mentals
5. Common generals and
6. Common particulars.
You will generally hear that generals are more important than particulars. But I give more
value to a peculiar particular symptom than to a common general symptom. Among the parts
of the symptoms - location, sensation and modality - I give importance to the modality. Many
times I have succeeded in cases by only prescribing on the modalities. If you study the
Materia Medica very carefully you will find most of the drugs are able to affect many parts of
the body. They are also able to produce different sensations but as regards modality you will
find the modalities are always constant - a Bryonia patient is always worse by motion; a Rhust patient is also always worse by beginning motion and so on. Because the modalities of the
drug rarely change I give more importance to the modality.
During the treatment of an acute disease, the patient will have to be seen at short intervals,
say every day and the prescription decided upon every time. Dr. Boger writes that in the
hundreds of cases of typhoid fever that he had treated, he had really never been required to
give more than one medicine. Generally speaking this is also my experience in acute cases. If
this is taken as an index, it would seem that most acute conditions required only a single
remedy. So, if the single remedy is correctly chosen and repeated correctly, then the cases
can be cured even with this single remedy. Only in cases where some complications arise, the
remedy will have to be changed, in which case the new remedy required may be a
complementary remedy.
If in any case, acute or chronic the patient becomes progressively worse, if the internal
symptoms become aggravated, if the patient feels generally worse or if he feels weaker or if
the symptoms disappear in the wrong direction or order (as against the Law of Direction of
Cure), then this remedy will have to be antidoted. For this purpose that remedy will have to be
selected, which covers the totality of the symptoms present at the time when we wish to
antidote.
During the treatment of a chronic disease, there may be onset of acute troubles. If the acute
trouble is an acute exacerbation which comes recurrently in the case (i.e. acute attack of
tonsillitis, cold, headache, etc.) then the remedy for this acute condition may be one that is
complementary to the chronic remedy that has been given. If however the patient gets an
acute independent condition like influenza or diarrhoea then the picture of the acute condition
will have to be studied independently and the prescription decided. This prescription may
have no relation to the chronic remedy that has been given previously.
After Administration of the Remedy: After a case has been repertorized, if only one remedy is
indicated clearly and if this remedy can be confirmed by reference to the Materia Medica then
there is no problem. This remedy is to be prescribed. But if there are two or three remedies
coming though the repertorization, then it is necessary that we should look into the
homoeopathic Materia Medica to make sure which of these remedies really covers the
symptom-totality of the case. There are several remedies which produce identical symptoms
but they vary in other details especially in the concomitant symptoms. When the correct
medicine has been administered there is a response from the body which can be quickly
recognised by the alert and the observant physician. I have, myself, noticed the following
changes in many cases, after the administration of the correct remedy. I have noted these
changes within a day or sometimes within a few hours in acute diseases and generally within
a week in chronic diseases when the remedy administered has been correctly chosen.

1. There is an immediate change in the appearance of the patient especially on the face. The
appearance of sickness is replaced by an appearance of health. If the cheeks were pinched,
they fill up. If there were wrinkles, they seem to be less. There is a certain brightness and
cheerfulness on the face. I can express this better by saying that the face takes on a healthy
look. So much is this the case that at the second visit, from the very look of the patient,
before he has spoken a word, I am generally able to recognise that the patient has improved.
2. I have also noticed a change in the mental outlook. The patient who was pessimistic now
speaks or replies in an optimistic tone. He may now say that all his symptoms are there to the
same degree but he feels that he will improve or he may say that he feels more peaceful. This
immediate improvement in the mental state has been noted by Hahnemann himself in his
patients.
3. I have also noticed in some patients a change in the colour of the skin. I have found that
the patient, especially if he is dark-skinned, becomes a little fair. Some of the patients I have
treated, especially girls, who were quite dark have become fair though neither the patient had
mentioned it nor had I taken the darkness of skin as a symptom and nor had I expected any
change in the same. I have found this so to such an extent that I am forced to conclude that
many patients become dark during the illness, whatever the illness, otherwise why should
they become fair under homoeopathic medicine?
4. In many cases, especially where the patient is emaciated, there is an improvement in the
weight, sometimes even within the first week (in chronic cases). Further, the weight goes up
steadily thereafter. So often does this happen that some of my young female patients have
given up my treatment out of fear of increasing their weight too much though they had felt a
considerable relief in their symptoms!
Apart from these minor changes, the response of the patient to the similimum is such a total
phenomenon and is so refreshingly marked that with a little experience we can easily decide
whether the patient has received the similimum or not. With all other remedies - partial
similies - the response is generally partial. Some symptoms may improve but there is never
that total, immediate and remarkable improvement as is found under the similimum. No
doubt patients are cured through the application of partial similars also one after another, by
a kind of zig-zag method but the modus operandi of the similimum is vastly different and the
results very pleasant to watch.
To illustrate how quickly and how well the similimum can act, I shall quote an experience.
I once saw an extreme case of a patient who responded immediately to the medicine. He was
a patient of cholera. He had been vomiting and passing stools continuously for 24 hours and
was in a state of collapse, quite unconscious. As I was examining him his pulse stopped and I
feared that he was dying, if not dead. But with doses of Carb-v 30 dissolved in water and
given drop by drop every second, the pulse revived. He became conscious, the continuous
vomiting and purging stopped immediately, he recovered and became completely well within
24 hours.
After the remedy has acted and the patient has improved, if there is a relapse, the remedy
may be repeated as per the directions prescribed in the books or as guided by the experience
of the physician himself. But as a rule the prescriber should try not to easily change the
remedy which has acted very well. I can recall many chronic cases which have improved for
very long periods under the same remedy. I have noted this particularly when deep-acting
remedies like Lachesis, Lycopodium, Sulphur, Causticum, etc., happen to be the similimum. I
have found the patient responding repeatedly to doses of the same remedy for many years.

One homoeopath reports a case of a patient who came for medicine after 20 years and even
then he required the same remedy (Lyc.) under which he had originally improved 20 years
ago. Therefore, as one of my teachers used to say, changing of the remedy should require as
much deliberation as a surgical operation. One must consider for a long time before
prescribing a remedy but once the remedy has been selected and prescribed it should not be
changed easily. Kent advises that even when the symptoms change, one more dose of the
same previous remedy should be tried which has given the patient considerable benefit.
Again, when considering a change of prescription one should study the totality of (present)
symptoms of the case and treat it like a new case, though here a knowledge of the remedyrelationships is of great use. It is said that every time the patient came to him, Hahnemann
used to take the case anew. This method of the Master should be a lesson to us.
But if the symptoms change after the administration of the remedy, then the case should be
restudied with the new symptoms. Personally, when the symptoms change, I restudy the case
and select the next remedy which may be a complementary remedy or the one that follows
well. Usually, the complementary remedy can be selected from any book dealing with
Relationship of the Remedies. From the list of complementary remedies that remedy is
selected which covers the present symptomatology of the patient. If a patient fails to respond
to the indicated remedy which has been given and repeated also, then necessarily we have to
study the case again and search for the first prescription. The first prescription is the one
which acts. The second prescription is the one that follows the first prescription which has
acted. If the first prescription has not acted, that means that we are still searching for the
first prescription.
As I have mentioned earlier the second prescription can often come from the group of
complementary remedies and will be a remedy which covers the existing symptomatology.
And this remedy has to be given and repeated when necessary till its full action is manifested.
And if the symptoms change again, we can go to a third remedy which will be again
complementary to the second remedy. In my long experience of chronic cases I have
generally found that the similimum selected in the beginning if chosen from the group
correctly cures without any change of remedy. The more the number of remedies required, the
more zig-zag the cure.
It is our experience as homoeopaths that where the homoeopathic remedy has been correctly
chosen and administered, the reaction of the patient is often quick, sometimes immediate or
occasionally even instantaneous and the results most satisfying. To such an extent is this the
case that very often we are also able to decide from the promptness of the reaction and the
totality of improvement whether we have selected a remedy correctly or not. And this
selection of the similimum depends to a far greater extent upon the prescriber's ability to
correctly match the symptoms of the patient with the symptoms of the remedy rather than
upon his knowledge of diagnosis. Therefore, some homoeopathic practitioners are able to cure
cases solely by their ability to select and prescribe the correct remedy and achieve success
even though they may be ignorant of the basic medical sciences and handicapped by a lack
of knowledge of pathology and clinical medicine and/or the basic principles of medical
management. Therefore, the crux of the problem in homoeopathic practice seems to be the
choosing the correct remedy, i.e. the similimum.
The physician must understand and appreciate that in almost all diseases, the patient's
emotional element also plays a part and so even while prescribing the medicine, we must
reassure the patient and readjust him to his circumstances. We must also readjust his diet,
habits, etc., where necessary. In doing all this, psychologically we must be patient,

understanding, cheerful, honest, sincerely helpful, sympathetic and responsible. After all, in
the treatment of a patient the medicinal element alone does not play such a major role. The
relationship between the patient and the physician and various other factors also have their
effect. I have seen some patients who, having improved under my prescription, later failed to
improve under the same medicine prescribed now by my assistant and again started
improving under the same prescription when given by me.
One of the most difficult things in the field of medicine is to assess the effect of a medicine
because the prescription of a medicine has so many concomitant features. Earlier I had
referred to the fact that when the patient comes back to us we find in him a sense of
optimism and I have attributed this to the medicine but it could be equally due to the effect of
the physician's personality which cannot be ignored. Therefore, the physician who desires to
be successful must develop not only his medical knowledge and prescribing ability but also
improve his personality by developing the various positive qualities mentioned earlier and a
positive approach to the case.
An observant physician can note that when the patient comes to him for help, there is an
undercurrent of fear - fear that his disease may be serious, crippling, incurable or fatal. It is
the physician's duty to remove this fear and to assess the patient and even explain to him the
nature of the disease so that he can cooperate in the treatment. Such an assurance is most
important.
Auxiliary measures
The homoeopath, generally speaking, is almost exclusively absorbed in the selection of the
proper remedy which is both interesting and intriguing, and quite often even time-consuming.
His general experience is that once the remedy has been properly selected and administered,
the reaction is so satisfactory that the patient is often relieved and cured even if the
physician, out of ignorance or neglect, fails to pay enough attention to the other aspects of
the treatment such as the auxiliary measures, management, diet, regimen, etc. However, it is
necessary for us to take every advantage and make use of all available measures or auxiliary
methods for the quick restoration of the health of the patient. Even though the administration
of the proper homoeopathic remedy may be mostly sufficient or at times all that is necessary,
yet every other additional measure that can make the saving of the patient's life more certain
or can hasten the relief and cure of his condition should be availed of. In this respect the
homoeopaths generally are very deficient - either they do not have adequate knowledge of
the various auxiliary methods or even where they have such knowledge they usually tend to
neglect these because of their tremendous faith in and repeated experiences of the efficiency,
efficacy and sufficiency of the homoeopathic remedies. This, of course, is not a very
commendable attitude. The homoeopathic physician has all the responsibilities of
physicianship and a failure to learn and/or put to use all available measures which can help
the patient without interfering with the homoeopathic treatment would amount to a neglect of
duty. Therefore, we shall discuss the place of auxiliary methods in the treatment of diseases.
We shall first take as an illustration diarrhoea in infants. Infantile diarrhoea is quite a common
complaint in India particularly because of the poor nutrition, unhygienic methods of living and
consequent infections. Very often children come to us having diarrhoea passing 5-6 watery
stools a day which is sometimes associated with vomiting as in gastro-enteritis.
Now, the fluid loss may not be considerable from the ordinary point of view but it can have a
serious and even disastrous effect on the infant. It is said that if a child loses one tenth of its
weight through fluid loss, the outlook is serious. Considering that the infant has a small body

weight by itself, even a comparatively small fluid loss is likely to put the child in danger.
Therefore, having recognised this aspect now, physicians in general and pediatricians in
particular are very anxious to replace this fluid to compensate the loss and maintain the
electrolyte balance. In almost every case with marked loss of fluids, they hasten to replace
the fluid. It is said that mere replacement of fluid has cut down infant mortality from diarrhoea
considerably, as also mortality from cholera.
Since this is the experience of our colleagues, then the homoeopathic prescriber should
benefit from this experience and also resort to replacement of fluid wherever necessary in
cases of diarrhoea. Should the fluid given happen to be superfluous it can do no harm, while
on the other hand the depletion of fluid can have most unhappy results. Since such fluid
replacement increases the chances of survival of the patient, it must be resorted to. This
auxiliary measure is only given as an illustration.
Now, we shall consider the treatment of hypoglycemia. The average untrained homoeopath
may not be aware of the diagnosis or pathology and may go on giving the medicines which
seem indicated whereas all that is necessary would be to give the patient some glucose to
raise the blood-sugar level for immediate relief. I may quote a dramatic case I saw in the
Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital. A patient was wheeled in on a stretcher in a comatose
condition but within five minutes, after the administration of glucose intravenously, he was
sitting up in bed, smiling and thanking the doctors.
Similarly, in fractures and tuberculosis of the joints, immobilisation of the part with plaster
may do as much good as the homoeopathic remedy itself. In fact the homoeopathic remedy
alone, unaided by the joining and immobilisation of the fractured ends, may be unable to
cure. The same is the case with physiotherapy in paralytic conditions especially in lower
motor neuron lesions. Physiotherapy helps to keep the muscles alive and quite considerably
adds to the effect of the homoeopathic remedy. So also oxygen should be administered in
respiratory distress especially if associated with cyanosis due to pulmon ary causes. In
constipation, while the indicated remedy may suffice, a small enema may considerably relieve
the patient physically as well as psychologically. I have known many cases of fever in children
with constipation where the temperature came down after an ordinary enema. In retention of
urine, if the homoeopathic remedies fail, we must certainly catheterise and relieve the
distended and possibly painful bladder.
In case of ascites and pleurisy with effusion, where the accumulation of fluid becomes a
source of embarrassment to the respiration, removal of the fluid may help.
In hernias, even if the physician fails while treating the cases with medicine, a hernia belt
maybe of use. So also in certain lesions of the lumbar spine such as prolapse of the disc, a
lumbosacral belt may be very useful. Cases of pain in the heels due to calcaneal spur may
improve with a padded heel as much as they improve with our remedies. In cases of prolapse
of uterus, the use of a pessary may help the patient considerably till she is cured by medicine
or relieved by surgery. Some cases of hypertension and polycythemia vera get relief by letting
out the blood apart from the medical treatment that may be given.
Transfusion of blood (or plasma) can be an extraordinarily valuable and life-saving auxiliary
measure. The mortality in the last war would have been several times higher but for this
measure. Even in cases of a medical nature like leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, haemorrhagic
conditions, severe anemia, etc., blood transfusion can avert disaster.

In poisonous snake bites, application of a torniquet may spell the difference between life and
death. In modern times, freezing of the limb to prevent the circulation and dissemination of
the toxin is practised.
Application of cold (e.g. ice) in hyperpyrexia or heat stroke, and of heat (such as infra-red or
diathermy) in painful or inflammatory conditions, use of a hard bed in prolapse of the disc,
feeding by nasal catheter where oral feeding is not possible as in comatose conditions, I.V.
fluids and glucose in cases of persistent vomiting, and such other measures can be of
considerable help.
Diet
The diet of a patient is important in three respects:
1. It should be such as will not worsen the condition e.g. in diabetes, excess of sugar or high
caloric foods are harmful.
2. It should be nutritious and health-giving and preferably having a curative effect , e.g. in
avitaminosis the items of food which can supply the particular vitamin deficiency.
3. It should not interfere with the action of the remedy.
By virtue of knowledge and experience acquired over time, we have a fair idea as to which
types of foods can be harmful in certain diseases and therefore, common sense demands that
such items be avoided. For instance, sodium is said to lead to retention of fluid in the body
and so salt is to be cut down in oedematous conditions such as congestive heart failure,
hypertension, etc.: spicy foods can irritate and so they are to be avoided in peptic ulcers,
dysentery, typhoid, etc., high cholesterol foods are best avoided in obese patients; alcohol is
to be prohibited in cirrhosis of liver, gastritis, etc. Guidance about these points can be found in
any standard medical textbook.
It must be mentioned however that many homoeopaths who are completely ignorant about
such dietary factors which can disturb are nevertheless still curing cases, thanks to the
powerful role of the similimum which, it seems, is even able to overcome all these hindrances.
However, it is possible that the same medicines may act still more powerfully and quickly if
such hindrances are not placed in their way. So it seems advisable that such dietary
restrictions should be imposed on the patient as will help him to recover quicker, if not
throughout the course of treatment, at least in the beginning till the patient is well on the
road to cure.
4. There are certain conditions in which a proper and well-adjusted diet can play a positive
or constructive role in promoting health and in bringing about a recovery or cure. Deficiency
diseases such as Kwashiorkor syndrome, simple malnutrition due to insufficient food, anemia
due to iron deficiency, etc., all these conditions can be improved by supplementing the diet
with suitable items of food.
5. Practitioners of Nature Cure complain that the average person or patient does not show
any intelligent interest in the selection of the items of food he consumes or in their method of
preparation. With the result, they say, the average citizens' as well as the affluent people's
diet is mostly unbalanced, the methods of preparation robbing them of even the little
nutritious values. They state that faulty foods and faulty eating habits contribute to the
production and maintenance of ill-health. Further, in the preparation and preservation of foods
and drinks e.g. in various soft drinks, various chemicals, preservatives and colours are used
to improve their appearance which are positively harmful. There is no sense in taking

medicines to improve health if at the same time on the other side, we consume foods which
are deficient or harmful. Since the body can only be built up out of the food consumed by us,
it is necessary for us physicians to pay greater heed to the matter so that we can guide our
patients properly.
How to be a successful homoeopathic physician
Readers will note that the title of this paper is "How to be a successful homoeopathic
physician" and not "How to be a successful prescriber". I wish to emphasize that a physician is
much more than a prescriber. He has many more functions to perform than to merely
prescribe. I have known brilliant prescribers who were poor as physicians, and very capable
physicians who were not so good as prescribers. Prescribing the proper remedy is only a part
of a physician's function, a part of the treatment. He has to consider all aspects of the case.
He must know how to diagnose, how to prognosticate, how to readjust the patient physically,
mentally and spiritually, and how to promote and hasten a cure by all methods available,
physical, psychological, mechanical, nutritional, hygienic and so on. And he must know not
only how to guide the patient to recover his health but also how to maintain it. And all these
functions are complementary to becoming a good prescriber. Therefore, being a good
prescriber is not sufficient. But unfortunately many of our homoeopaths are and remain very
good prescribers only and do not mature into complete physicians as they ought to.
Qualities required
The physician in order to fulfill these functions successfully must develop various qualities. It
will be necessary for all physicians, whether they be homoeopaths or others, to develop and
possess these qualities but these traits are more particularly needed in good measure in the
homoeopathic physician because his understanding and ideal of a cure is much more
profound than that of the others.
Now the first attribute that is essential in a physician is Patience - unlimited patience. He
must, in fact, have inexhaustible patience in dealing with patients. Nothing that the patient
says or does should ever irritate, rile or shock him. Even apparently irrelevant words and acts
of patients should be looked upon merely as the results or signs of his disturbed state.
Patients can be careless, dishonest, foolish, idiotic, impatient, inconsistent, miserly, rude,
unobservant, untruthful, unpunctual, unreasonable, ungrateful or anything else. But none of
these defects or deficiencies in the patient should disturb the physician's equanimity. He
must not only put up with all these faults and failings in the patient but must also make up for
them by developing compensatory qualities like keen observation, kindness, diplomacy,
discretion, etc. For example, a patient may be garrulous and may go on talking about
irrelevant things but we must have the patience not only to listen but also to slowly guide him
to bring out the relevant points. Impatience in a physician is an unfortunate and inexcusable
defect and an impatient physician cannot be a successful one. One who is patient and tactful,
irrespective of what the patient may say or do or whatever he may be guilty of, has the
foundation for success.
Many times when a patient has found no relief or has a mild aggravation and gets upset and
speaks in a complaining or scolding way or talks direspectfully of Homoeopathy or makes
derogatory comments, I have felt annoyed and had been about to tell him that he was free to
leave any treatment but had controlled myself and have gained thereby. When the patient
improves, he regrets his previous words and feels grateful for what Homoeopathy has done
for him. In this way I have retained many cases which I should have lost had I been impatient.

The physician, particularly the homoeopath, has also to be Alert and Attentive because the
patient may express or exhibit his symptoms in any way at any time by any words or actions,
or by his posture, behaviour, speech or expressions or in any other way. Again he may give us
his most important symptom in a most casual way. So we should always be alert to note all
these things and to understand the significance and draw proper conclusions. We have to be
as alert as a hunter in a dense forest who is not sure from which direction the tiger may
spring, and as observant as a detective who may trace the criminal from the smallest clue,
even a speck of dust.
The physician should so develop his powers of Observation that they become very Keen and
enable him to note very minute symptoms, minute changes in the condition of the patient.
The homoeopathic physician takes into consideration far more minute details than his
allopathic friend, details which would be considered insignificant, irrelevant, useless or even
absurd by others. And to that extent he should develop his powers of observation. There are
many things to be noted by him without asking needless questions. For example, I was
recently taken for a visit. The gentleman who accompanied me to the patient took me in a car.
While travelling in the car with him I noticed that his left eye and left side of the face were
always twitching. I also noted that throughout the period of 45 minutes of our journey he was
speaking to me constantly and monopolised the conversation to such an extent that I was
hardly able to put in three or four words. At the end of the journey he told me that he himself
also wanted to consult me for a feeling of suffocation he was getting in sleep. Without any
additional data I could recognise that his remedy was Lachesis.
I have reported a case of a child who was suffering from congenital heart disease (Fallot's
Tetralogy) whom I saw in a moribund condition. The child was cold, collapsed and cyanosed
and was having loud, rattling respiration. When I turned the child over to the side in order to
auscultate the back, I noticed that the rattling suddenly ceased. This observation helped me
to prescribe Opium which relieved the child.
Dr. B.N. Chakravarthi has reported a case in which the alternate flushing and pallor of the
face helped him to choose the remedy. (I think it was Ferr. met.) Unusual wrinkling of the
forehead in Pneumonia has helped me often to choose Lyc.
I have also reported a case where a very anaemic lady suffering from colitis flushed intensely
whenever I looked at her or spoke to her and this helped me to select for her Ferrum met.,
which relieved her considerably.
Once I had to see a young girl suffering from retention of the urine with pain in the bladder
area. When I examined her I noticed that her whole body was warm except the area over the
bladder which was cold. On this symptom I was able to select the remedy Lyssin * which
relieved her very quickly.
The physician has also to be Sympathetic. The patient is after all sick and has come for help.
And being a sick man he needs, expects and deserves sympathy. So, we have to be more
sympathetic because the giving of sympathy itself will elicit more cooperation from the
patient, besides being in itself a part of the treatment.
We have also to be Sincere. Now, when I say sincere I mean truthful to oneself. We should
not see a patient or give advice half-heartedly. We should consider the patient as our own kith
and kin, and give the maximum attention possible. We should give him such treatment as we
ourselves would like to receive if we were sick. There cannot be one treatment for oneself and
another for others. Every action of the physician should be motivated by such noble and
sincere intentions.

We should do nothing that does not aim to calm, console, comfort or help the patient. We
should even be on the lookout to see in how many ways we can soothe and smoothen his
path of progress. As Osler said, "We should aim to cure sometimes, to relieve often, but to
comfort always."
Giving any medicine or adopting any procedure unnecessarily just to gain some money is
most reprehensible. The physician who never worries about money but only about his
patient's welfare will find himself amply rewarded sooner or later. If we work hard enough and
sincerely enough, in course of time our efforts will be well compensated. People will recognise
our sincerity and perhaps our merit and will come to us in such numbers that it may become
impossible for us to see all the patients who ask for attention. And financial returns will
naturally come to us, much more than what we had even hoped for or dreamt of. But if we run
after money, if we do anything for the sake of money, in course of time the patient will realise
that money is our main objective. This will bring us down in the eyes of our patients and will
seriously affect our future.
We have also to be Honest. Supposing we see a case in which the patient cannot be treated
by our method, we should honestly admit that we cannot do anything. Dishonesty and
insincerity will ultimately be discovered by the patient even though the patient has no means
of measuring these qualities in the physician.
We must also Study and Keep Up-to-Date not only in our own field, but also in the field of
general medicine and allied sciences. We must remember that the diploma or the degree that
is granted to us at the end of the medical course at graduation is not a seal to show that our
knowledge is complete but is only a certificate which shows that we have the minimum
equipment to practise and that we are fit to learn further. It is only a door opening towards
further knowledge. We must always be eager to learn more and keep up-to-date. It should not
happen that the patient should learn from the Readers Digest the latest development in the
field of medicine and find that we do not know it. This can have an adverse impression on the
patient's mind. Besides in the interest of the patient himself we should keep ourselves abreast
of the advances in the methods of diagnosis, treatment, management, diet, etc.
This particularly applies to homoeopaths because the understanding of drugs and their
therapeutic effects is much a vast subject that there can be no substitute for reading and rereading. As Dr. George Royal has said, "Observe, think and read. Read, observe and think."
Everytime we come across a patient with a particular set of symptoms or disease or
indications for a particular remedy, we should go through our literature again to refresh our
mind and know more about the subject and see the patient again to understand the practical
aspect of the matter. By seeing the patient and reading the book again and again we can
have a far better grasp of the disease picture and the remedy syndromes than by merely
reading about them or by merely seeing the patient. Dr. Tyler, one of the most successful
homoeopaths, has laid down that a homoeopath must read one drug every day and two on
Sundays.
Also we should always be able to Utilise Every Minute that is available. We must never waste
our time. After all, time is the only currency, the most precious currency, with which we enter
the world. We may wish to achieve something or many things in life - perhaps knowledge,
fame, wealth, position, power, others' esteem, satisfaction, etc. Any or all of these can be
achieved only by an expenditure of time. And unfortunately we have no idea how much time
we have before us to achieve all that we want. We are rather like passengers in a train who do
not know when and where they will be asked to alight. Therefore, we have to spend our time

most frugally, carefully and wisely, like a miser and ensure that every minute of our time is
occupied by something useful.
As a corollary to the idea of conserving and utilising time is the idea of Punctuality. I cannot
tell you what a good impression it creates when the doctor is punctual. I have somehow been
always punctual for my appointments, even though I do not carry a watch for the last 10
years. Now I shall describe an incident to illustrate the impression it creates. I was once called
for a visit. I had told the patient that I would visit him at 3 o'clock. It so happened that I
reached his house exactly at 3 p.m. Just as I was about to knock on the door the patient
opened the door and let me in and said, "I have heard that you are quite punctual. So as it
was 3 p.m. , I just opened the door and I find you outside." And then he added, "Doctor, if you
are so punctual in your work, you must be quite good in your prescribing also." The patient's
inference might not have been logical, but certainly my punctuality had created in him a
tremendous amount of faith.
The physician must also know that he should Never be in a Hurry either to diagnose or to
prescribe except in emergencies. In my earlier years, I have seen and diagnosed cases in a
great hurry because the picture seemed to be very clear, (and perhaps I wanted to quickly
demonstrate my diagnostic acumen!) only to be told that my diagnosis is wrong and that
somebody else has already ruled it out. I have in haste diagnosed a case as appendicitis for
example and found that the appendix had been removed long ago! Similarly, we should never
be in a hurry to prescribe. We can take all our time to prescribe especially in a chronic case. It
is said that even in acute cases it is better to observe and think carefully before prescribing. It
is when we prescribe precipitantly that we are often forced to change the prescription which
also we do in a hurry and in course of time we can make a complete mess of the case. Also it
should be noted that many times we prescribe the correct remedy but because we are in a
hurry we change the remedy before its beneficial action could be noted and so patients, even
though they have been given the correct prescription, fail to improve. Later on, some other
homoeopath may prescribe the same remedy but insist on waiting and cure the case.
Therefore, the time spent in assesssing the symptoms properly, making a proper diagnosis,
selecting the proper remedy and waiting for its action is never time wasted. On the contrary it
may facilitate quicker recovery and save the time of the physician in subsequent visits.
Further we must never Show any Hurry in our work. Even if there is insufficient time we must
not show it in our talk or actions. I have talked to the patient in a very leisurely manner even
when I had only five minutes left to leave the consulting room for catching a plane. We may
be in a desperate hurry but we do not want the patient to know or feel it. In this respect we
have to copy ducks who appear perfectly calm outside and glide softly and smoothly over the
surface of the water while they may be actually paddling like the devil below the water.
Now another important quality is Not to have a False Sense of Prestige. No doctor in the
world, not even the best, has ever cured every case that he has seen. Therefore, when we fail
in any case, there is no need for us to be ashamed about it. We have to feel ashamed only if
we have failed because of being careless or because we had been insincere or in a hurry or
had failed to put in the necessary effort. But if we have been free from these faults and if we
have tried our best and still failed, there is no need to feel shame. However, even after
reviewing the case carefully again and again, if we have failed, it is better that we consult
someone who has more experience than us. If such a person is not available, we can even
consult a colleague because a colleague may be able to look at the case in a fresh way, from
a different angle. And the patient (who incidentally pays for the consultation) always
appreciates it when we consult somebody else. And even if he is cured by the prescription of
our colleague, even then he will remain grateful to us and come to us for further treatment.

He notes the sincerity of the doctor who is all out to cure him by any and every means. Our
colleague, who is called in, also feels honoured.
The homoeopathic physician requires almost all the above qualities perhaps even in more
intense degree than the other physicians. But he has also to develop certain other special
qualities.
He has to be a very Good Listener because practically everything that the patient says has
some significance to the homoeopath and can be converted into a symptom. And those who
are impatient and cannot listen well cannot be good homoeopathic prescribers. Osler is
reported to have said, "Listen carefully to your patient because he is telling you the
diagnosis." I am tempted to say, "Listen very carefully to your patient because he is
describing his remedy." By listening closely and carefully, we can get in enormous number of
symptoms and at the same time give great satisfaction to the patient.
The patient by the very process of unburdening his troubles and expressing them to someone
who is listening sympathetically feels much relieved and comforted and becomes happy and
grateful. This is called, in psychology, "Ventilation".
The homoeopath has also to be very Intelligent - intelligent in taking the case, in
understanding the case, in affixing proper value to the symptoms, in putting together the
symptoms and in comparing this disease-picture with the drug-picture. And in all these a high
degree of intelligence is indeed needed. As William Gutman once said, "Homoeopathy can be
practised only on intelligent patients by intelligent physicians."
Now, in homoeopathic case taking, I have noted that many physicians, especially beginners
and students, complain that the patient does not give good symptoms. For example, a
student came and complained to me that he had gone to take the case of a patient but the
patient did not cooperate. He did not give any symptom but he merely abused the student,
spat on him and kicked him. To an intelligent physician all these three actions of the patient
become symptoms and the prescription can be made even on these three symptoms. For
instance, the repertory shows that the remedies Bell. and Stram. cover these three
symptoms. Anything can be a symptom - the way the patient walks, sits, stands, moves, his
facial expressions, his method of talking and even the tone (the tone can be crying or
lamenting, etc). The homoeopath who blames the patient will ever remain a poor
homoeopath.
The homoeopath has also to be very Industrious. And there is no substitute for hard work. It
is said that the secret of success is hard work; that success comes before Work only in the
dictionary; that genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration and so on. Even in my own case
when people appreciate my work I remember how I had kept awake far into the night for
many nights doing the work which has received this appreciation.
One more quality required of the physician is Thoroughness. The physician cannot afford to
be haphazard. In his work, if he is examining the patient, he must examine the patient
thoroughly and note the findings. I know at least two cases where the patients had big
swelling of the testes due to cancer and the two consultants who treated him never examined
the testes! Every scientist has to be thorough and the homoeopathic physician who is also a
scientist has to be thorough. Thoroughness in work, still greatly contributes to science.
A Sense of Humour can help enormously. It can put the patient at ease and destroy the wall
of reserve that exists between the physician and the patient. I have cracked jokes with many
a patient and this has relieved the tedium of the consultation.

Finally, the physician must always be Polite and Well-Mannered. One who is rude in speech or
rude in behaviour cannot bring solace to the patient or his family.
Method of practice
Now, I will take up the question how to practise. In every business, the client is the most
important person. To satisfy the client is the supreme aim of every businessman. The medical
profession is also, in one way, a kind of business and in this business or profession, the client
is the patient and we should aim to satisfy him. Curing the patient is of course the supreme
aim and duty of the physician but to satisfy him is also very essential. I do not mean that the
patient should be merely satisfied and not cured; I mean that curing and satisfying should go
side by side. Many excellent physicians neglect this aspect and the patient remains or goes
away unsatisfied even though the physician might have made a brilliant diagnosis or
prescription.
When I see a patient, I always greet him warmly with a broad cheerful smile. The patient is in
need of cheer and a cheerful smile will help him like a tonic. If we look serious, he may feel
that we are angry, indifferent or hopeless. A smile costs nothing but can have a very
beneficial effect.
I think, except in the very beginning when we have very few patients, it is better for us
always to see patients by appointment. This saves our time and the time of our patients. And
when we give an appointment we have to be there on time to see the patient and we have to
allot for him sufficient time. Fortunately, in acute cases the time required is much less. The
whole picture is very clear and can easily be described in a few words or perceived in a few
minutes and the prescription can be made in correspondingly quicker time. About fifteen to
twenty minutes may suffice. But in chronic cases as we have to go into the background of the
patient, personal and past history, family history, mental symptoms, etc., all in detail, it is
therefore better to allot as much time as possible. In my experience, a chronic case may
need at least one hour to take the case well. Perhaps with more and more experience, this
time can be brouhgt down, to say forty-five minutes but it is better always to allot more time.
In case one hour is not sufficient, as is found in some cases, it is better to call the patient a
second or even third time, till we understand the case well.
In the later years of one's practice, when one becomes very popular and there is a
continuous clamour from many patients for appointments, it will be tempting to oblige more
patients by giving more appointments allotting less time for each case, but I cannot think of a
more foolish way of practice. When we have come to that level, when our reputation is well
established, we have to maintain it. To the patient who comes, his health and life are most
important. To us, the physician, also the health and life of the patients are paramount
considerations but so also is our reputation and more so the reputation of Homoeopathy itself,
so that even if the patients are willing that they should be seen only for a few minutes, we
shall have to refuse because we do not want to spoil the case as also our reputation by
devoting insufficient time. Therefore, it is wiser to refuse to see more patients than we can do
justice to, because homoeopathic cases seen in great hurry will end in failure. Of course, I am
mainly referring to chronic cases here.
The next important thing is that we must keep complete and accurate records of all cases.
This is necessary for several reasons. The patient may come to us at a much later date and
his subsequent illness may be one that is related to this previous or present illness. And by
comparison of the condition as noted in our records, we can understand whether he is
improving or becoming worse. Also, in homoeopathic practice, we have noted that once we

have selected the constitutional remedy of a patient successfully, this remedy is able to help
him for a number of years. Cases are on record where patients came after twenty or thirty
years and still gave indications for and respond to the same original remedy. Therefore, if we
have worked out the case of a patient successfully, the subsequent work on this patient
becomes very much easy if we keep records. Further, the sequence of events is very
important in a case to know if a patient is being cured by a proper process of regression as
per Hering's "Law of Direction of Cure". Besides, sometimes the case itself in its totality can
be built up from the daily notes. The keeping of records is necessary for proper scientific
progress and makes also a very good impression on the patient.
In deciding the prescription also we should take a lot of time. We should never hurry. We
should consider all aspects of a case, think carefully and then prescribe. And once we have
prescribed, we should wait. We should not develop doubts and change the remedy in a hurry.
We can take as much time as needed before we make a prescription but once we make a
prescription, we should not change the remedy without proper justification. And then, we
should wait till the action of the remedy is completely clear or completely exhausted. In fact
the rule as Dr. Roberts says, is, "When in doubt, WAIT". My teacher used to say, "To change
the remedy requires as much reason as a surgeon requires to operate."
I have always found it very useful especially in dealing with intelligent patients to explain the
disease to them. The patients are eager to know what they are suffering from and by
explaining it to them we find that their cooperation is available to us in a greater measure. A
patient who understands can cooperate better. And as you explain to the patient what his
disease is, he feels greatly relieved because he understands what it is and has no doubts that
the disease is something else, perhaps something very serious as he might have imagined or
feared. After all, ignorance is a major cause of fear and it also magnifies the fear. And as this
explanation removes the ignorance, it can even help the patient to recover. It also helps him
to face his disease with more fortitude, courage and confidence. And explaining the disease
process also instills in him more faith in our ability.
In many cases there is a want of communication between the doctor and the patient. The
doctor often expects the patient to submit himself to treatment like an animal without
knowing what is wrong, what is being given and what will be the result. I think the emotions
and energies of the patient should also be utilised for a cure. In order to get the cooperation
of the patient, we should explain to the patient what is happening, why it is happening and
how it can be remedied. He then participates in the treatment, so to say, rather than submit
himself to it.
In all my dealings with my patients, I always try to be hopeful and encouraging. Every matter
has two aspects - a bright one and a dark one. And so also every case. And I like in every case
to throw maximum light on and emphasize the bright aspects and describe to the patients
what the hopeful signs are in his case. As even the most hopeless case has some bright
aspect, we can give the patient some encouragement. After all it must be accepted that
medicine alone by itself may not be enough to cure. The patient's faith, spirit and desire to
survive also help in the cure. There are some doctors who are pessimistic and emphasize the
dark aspects of the case. But I know even of cases which had been declared utterly hopeless
and have eventually survived without taking any treatment. I am reminded of two amusing
experiences. Once I was consulted by a lady for a large variety of complaints. I took her case
but could not decide the remedy because of the mass and jumble of symptoms. So I asked her
to come two days later for the medicine. But she insisted on getting some medicine then and
there. First, I decided to give her some placebo but then I gave her Ignatia because there was
a history of grief. Later, when I studied her whole case, I found that while Ignatia merely

covered one aspect, Calc-c seemed to cover all her symptoms. When she visited me again, I
was going to give her Calc-c but, strange to say, she reported that with the dose of Ignatia all
her symptoms had disappeared, totally and as it later proved, permanently also. In another
case, I had given the patient two packets of powders - the packet marked No. 1 being the real
medicine to be taken on the first day and the doses marked No. 2 being placebo to be taken
from the 2nd day onwards. At the end of the week, the patient came back and reported
considerable relief. But she mentioned that she had misplaced the No. 1 powder and so had
taken only the No. 2 doses! On the other hand, I know also of patients who developed anxiety
neurosis which lasted for many years if not throughout their life because some doctor had told
them that they were suffering from heart disease or cancer, or had declared in front of the
patient that it was incurable.
We should never destroy the hope of the patient even in serious cases such as advanced
cancer. There is no use telling the patient that his case is hopeless. It is the hope in the heart
of every patient which, to some extent, helps him to recover and to destroy, it is to kill the
patient. We may inform the relatives about the seriousness of the disease but never the
patient. Even when the patient says to you, "Doctor, tell me the truth", he does not want to
hear the truth that his is a serious case. He only wants to hear that it is curable. He wants to
hear from the physician soothing and encouraging words, words of cheer and hope. Even if he
is not able to cure, the physician should do no harm - "Primum non nocere" as Hahnemann
said. Even technically, it is not the patient who is hopeless, i.e. without hope. It is only the
physician who has no hope. So one who tells the patient that his case is hopeless is really
himself hopeless. Hence it is better to avoid giving a bad prognosis. If any such opinion is to
be given, it should be only given to the patient's relatives.
While we should be ready to explain to the patient about his disease so that he can try to
cooperate, we have also to be careful to see that we do not talk too much and unnecessarily.
The celebrated physician Sir William Osler has said that the words uttered by the physician in
the presence of the patient are like the copper coins given to a child. To the person who gives
these coins, they have no great value, but the child who receives them will turn them over
and over in his hand and wonder at them. Similarly, the patient will turn over and over again
in his mind the words of the physician and give new meanings and interpretations to the
words uttered by him. So we have to be very careful. Even if we say a particular word in a
particular context we cannot be sure what meanings the patient will attribute to it. I
remember that I once examined a patient and told her that she required no medicine as she
was perfectly well. She took it to mean that her case was so bad that it was useless for her to
take medicine!
One of the things the patient needs and expects from the physician is reassurance. It may be
necessary to reassure the patient repeatedly or constantly. This can help sometimes more
than the medicine and the physician should never feel tired of doing this. It is possible that
the patient is whimsical. In that case, we need not satisfy his every whim but we can try to do
so as far as possible. If, for instance, the patient wants to take medicine in the form of pills,
we can certainly give it in the form of pills instead of powder or liquid.
It is my policy never to criticise a patient. A patient may be full of faults and failings, he may
not even cooperate or he may fail to carry out our instructions but even then I do not criticise
him. The patient is like a child. In sickness he regresses to a childish state or behaviour and so
we have to handle him like a child, firmly but tactfully. Even if a patient comes to me after a
gap of many months or has taken medicine very irregularly his condition is worse. Sometimes
the patient may leave our treatment and go to some other doctor. This, I do not at all mind. If
I know in advance or if he tells me, I give a note to the new doctor providing him with all

useful data and the medicines so far administered. I do not wish that the new physician
should experiment with the same medicines that I might have tried out or make the same
mistakes that I might have made. And I do not consider the patient a piece of property and
expect that he should not go elsewhere. If a client can purchase his goods from any shop why
should not a patient go to any doctor he likes? If he leaves our treatment, it should be taken
rather as a reflection on ourselves than on the patient. If he comes back, I welcome him as
coolly as before. I stress this point because many doctors get flustered or annoyed if the
patient goes elsewhere. I have known of one or two physicians who have chastised or
threatened the patients for such behaviour.
If any patient expresses a desire about consulting some other physician, I immediately
endorse the idea and send him for a second opinion with a note from me. I see no harm in
having a second opinion. But on the other hand there may be a wrong impression in the
patient's mind if I refuse him permission to consult someone else.
In all cases, I try my utmost to understand the patient and his behaviour. It is my firm belief
that every person behaves in life as he impelled to behave, by his heredity and
circumstances. I also believe that if I were to be in the place and position of Mr. X., most
probably I would also behave in the same way as Mr. X. This understanding will enable us to
pardon the patient's faults and mistakes and tackle his case sympathetically.
We should create and maintain good will with other practitioners both homoeopathic and
those of other systems. Particularly with our colleagues, we should not give a chance to cause
any misunderstanding.
When a patient comes to me from another doctor it is my practice to give a summary of the
whole case and my opinion and suggestions to the doctor who had directed the case. I do not
like to see this patient again if he comes independently again without any note from his
doctor. I insist that every time he comes to me he should bring a note from his doctor.
Otherwise I refuse to see him. I think it is not proper for a consultant to take away a case from
any other doctor who may have directed the patient to him.
I try to provide the patient with some literature to educate him about Homoeopathy. If he
understands the principles and methods of Homoeopathy he can help us enormously. He is
able to describe his sufferings better and give us all those peculiar little symptoms that help
us so much to make a good prescription; and in case of any reaction, he does not become
panicky because he understands the concepts of Homoeopathy.
It is always better to read up the case in advance before the patient comes. When we
mention to the patient points from his case from our memory he feels immensely pleased.
Even the mention of his name and/or his address may give him a feeling that you are
thoroughly conversant with his case and that you are paying individual attention to him.
If possible, I study my cases and work on them in advance at home, behind the scenes so
that the limited time at my disposal in my consulting rooms is conserved. I may then find it
necessary to ask only two or three questions in order to decide the remedy. Also it leaves
plenty of time to talk to the patient to get his symptoms and to reassure him.
It is generally a good idea to make personal enquiries. For example, if the patient was
directed to us by another friend we may enquire about the friend. Enquiry about the family
set-up of the patient not only provides us with information which will be use to us in our own
work but also gives a sense of satisfaction to the patient.

Anything that we want to ask or tell the patient should be told in an acceptable way. If, for
example, I want to ask the patient whether he has suffered from syphilis, I always ask him
whether there was any chance of his getting the infection.
It is better to leave the money matters to the assistants. This gives us much more time to
concentrate on the case and also relieves tension from our minds. When we do not know
whether the patient is paying us or not, our attention to him is unprejudiced and will not be
disturbed. Sometimes the question of fees brings in some delicacy and if it is left to the
assistant, there is no embarrassment to the doctor or the patient.
But even though the actual details of money matters may be left to the assistant, yet we
must have some clear principles in our mind. I personally have a particular fixed fee for
consultation and for a visit. This is my standard fee. I do not charge more from anyone,
however affluent he may be because this is a fee for my services, not a tax on the patient's
income. Incidentally, I do not charge more fees for visiting a patient at night or on Sundays. I
feel that we should not penalise him for having fallen sick at an inconvenient hour. In case the
patient pleads his inability to afford or even if I have an indirect hint, I take half the fees or
even less. In case the patient is very poor, I charge no fee though I prefer to see such patients
in the hospital. I do not wish that anyone should be deprived of my advice because he cannot
afford it. I never argue about the fees. I may take what the patient pays. It is better to take
less fees and retain the good-will of the patient than to do otherwise. Every patient has a
circle of relatives and friends, bigger or smaller, knowing and watching his case and when you
cure him you have unknowingly impressed this circle of people. This circle will come and give
you enough fees. Even if a patient is relieved or cured and he does not pay us, we need not
mind it because we have only done good and the rewards of doing good will always come at
some time in some form; at least it will provide some satisfaction. Every case cured is like a
seed thrown in the soil. In course of time it may grow into a huge tree and yield many fruits.
It is my practice as a consulting homoeopath to charge my consulting fee and then supply
the medicine myself free. I charge for every consultation because every consultation involves
time and effort but I also provide the medicine. This saves the time of the patient in going to
the shop for medicine and secondly I know that the medicines I furnish are reliable.
Sometimes the patient asks for a prescription for drugs which are toxic and even lethal
beyond a certain dosage, I do not see any reason why we should not give open prescriptions
of harmless homoeopathic medicines. This will help the patient's future doctors also in case
he may consult someone else. Some patients doubt that homoeopaths keep their
prescriptions secret only for their own monetary benefit. Let us not strengthen this doubt.
Now I shall give examples of questions asked by the patient and also describe how we can
answer them cautiously and practically. Sometimes we see a very serious or a hopeless case
and the patient himself or his relatives want to know whether the case will be cured. Even if it
is a really hopeless case, I never tell the patient so. I never even give a hint to the patient but
I say, "Do not worry, you will be alright." But to the relatives, I describe the seriousness of the
case and the odds against us but I always end by saying, "Do not worry; God is great." I have
known some cases where they took this to mean that the patient will be cured. This is
because the patient is generally hopeful and wants a hopeful answer and the relatives too
hope against hope for a miracle to happen.
Sometimes the patients may ask, "Doctor, how long will it take me to become alright?" This is
really a difficult question for us to answer even in our own minds because we know that
different patients respond in different ways to the remedy. A case may respond very

remarkably and become cured with a single day's medicine whereas an exactly similar case of
another patient may require months of treatment. I have always found it very risky to tell the
patient that he will be cured in so many days or months because the stipulated days or
months pass by very quickly and the patient wants to know why our prophecy is not yet
fulfilled. If the patient asks me at the very first consultation how long it will take, I merely
postpone the answer by saying that I cannot say till I see his reaction to the medicine. Luckily,
many patients forget to repeat the question later on. In case they still ask and persist in
getting an answer, I tell them frankly that is very difficult to say because different patients
respond in different ways. But if they want a very rough answer I may say that for every year
of suffering in a chronic case it may require one month of treatment. And I add that this too is
an extremely rough estimate. It may be much less or it may take much longer. I have found
that once the patient starts responding favourably and feels better, he does not bother about
how long it may take. But it is also necessary for us to explain that the cure in Homoeopathy
consists not in treating a mere portion of the disease or part of the patient but is actually a
total removal of the disease stated and a total restoration to health and therefore this may be
a long process.
Sometimes the patients asks, "Doctor is it true that in Homoeopathy, the patient will become
worse after treatment and that the whole disease will erupt?" I say, "Yes, it is said that the
patient may feel a little worse in the beginning but in so many years of experience, I have not
found the patient becoming much worse. There may be only a very slight or imperceptible
aggravation of the symptoms. But even then the patient as a whole will feel better. This
aggravation may not be such as to trouble the patient." Generally this answer is enough to
satisfy the patient.
It is good idea to report successful cases as also our interesting experiences. Thus we shall
share our experiences with others and it may be that someone is benefitted by this. Besides,
we, the medical practitioners, have strictly no scope for any publicity. But a series of
successfully treated cases reported in the journals may be indirectly a source of publicity for
the good work we are doing besides providing publicity for Homoeopathy itself.
We must also take every opportunity to learn more by mutual discussions and by attending
meetings. Another valuable way of learning is through consultations. When we consult others
for our cases we learn new methods of looking at the cases and deciding the remedy. I have
myself benefitted immensely by consulting my senior homoeopathic colleagues.
To summarize, I may say that all our expressions and actions should always be guided by the
best of intentions. We must speak, act and do what is necessary and beneficial for the patient
and make it psychologically acceptable to him. This way lies the road to success.
Some dos and don'ts
I shall end by mentioning some simple Dos and Don'ts.
Do not offer advice or medicine unless you are asked. Do not offer free advice or medicines.
The value of anything that is given free is generally not well-realised.
Do not ring up and enquire about the patient. Let the patient and his relatives inform you
themselves.
Refrain from offering your patients any refreshments in your consulting rooms. Also avoid
accepting any food or drink in the patient's house when you have gone for professional work.

Do not tell lies to the patient. If he comes to know, he will never trust any word from your
mouth.
Do not criticise any other doctor. If the patient criticises any doctor, try to defend or at least
keep quiet. The patient who criticises someone else today will criticise you tomorrow.
If any other doctor has committed a mistake do not comment on it. We ourselves make many
mistakes unknowingly. If we could see or realise all our mistakes and defects, we would be
horrified.
Do not make any contract with the patient.
Do not give any guarantee to the patient because you cannot guarantee even your own life.
Do not boast. Let your actions speak.
Do not criticise hardly any other system of medicine.
Subscribe for good journals and read them. Good books are good investments.
Always have a receptive mind. Ever be ready to understand, appreciate and learn.
Learn from everyone, from everywhere, from every source, from every incident. Learn, apply
and utilise. Life is a glorious opportunity. Utilise this opportunity to the maximum so that we
can say at the end as Hahnemann said, "Non inutilis vixi." ( I did not live in vain.)
Notes by the editor
There are some difficult and controversial points in the text which need clarification. I append
my notes which will be helpful to the student while not interrupting the flow of the text. Editor
Alternation of drugs
Alternation of drugs is not advisable at any time. Even given a single drug, there is much
difficulty in assessing the progress in a case. If more than one drug is given (e.g. Calc-c in
the morning and Thuja - as intercurrent - at night), we cannot have an intelligent appreciation
of the progress in a case. Also, suppression by our drugs is always a possibility, and the
chances of a suppression are much greater when more than one drug is given - since both
cannot possibly be indicated at the same time. The chances of a suppression are much
greater if one of the drugs has a tissue-level, local affinity and is given repeatedly. Under such
circumstances, disappearance of symptoms may not be good sign.
When it is understood clearly that suppression by a homoeopathic medicine is possible, and
that only one remedy can be indicated at a time, alternation of remedies under any pretext
will cease.
Selection of drug potency
The selection of the potency depends, as Vithoulkas has stated, on the intensity, clarity and
spontaneity of the symptoms expressed - especially of the peculiar symptoms, which reflect
the individuality of the person. Consider the following:
A patient comes and says, "I don't know why but I often feel that I am poor, that I look like a
beggar and am wearing tattered clothes."

Here we have an intense, clear and spontaneous expression. In such a case, I would almost
invariably give a high potency (perhaps 10M); all other considerations, such as pathology,
etc., would be secondary.
I had a case recently where the patient presented a clear picture of Mag-c. The dreams were
especially vivid and clearly showed the Mag-c feeling. I had just written Mag-c, 10M on the
case paper when she told me that all these dreams were of long ago - she had not had a
single dreams in the past many years. I changed the potency to 200 C.
Of course, the potency also depends on the nearness (similarity) of the remedy to the case.
The patient may be clear about his symptom, express it with intensity and spontaneity, but
the remedy selected may not have that feeling as intensely or clearly. In such a case, the
potency will depend on the extent to which the drug selected expresses the feeling in the
patient. For instance, in a Sepia case, if you have selected Nat-m, your potency must reflect
the intensity of the Nat-m feeling in the case.
Repetition
There are some cases where frequent repetition may be useful but others where it can even
be detrimental and, moreover, confusing to follow the progress of the case.
If the patient presents a very clear mental and physical picture, and has no slow, progressive
pathology, there is hardly ever a need for frequent repetition - a single dose at rare intervals
should do. On the other hand, slow, progressive conditions like cancers, SLE, Diabetes and
Parkinson's disease often need frequent repetition.
If the mental and physical symptoms are not intense but are low-key, a single dose may not
really help - it may be necessary to repeat in a low/medium potency. Such a presentation,
however, is not common.
There are some cases in which the disease process seems very deep rooted. These cases
may need repetition often, but one has to proceed with caution: wait and see how long the
last dose has acted.
If there is maintaining factor which cannot be changed - e.g. discord in the family - frequent
repetition may be required. It must be realised that most people do have maintaining factors
of some kind or the other, but these are usually not so fixed and troublesome. It is in the few
that are really stuck that the above consideration is applicable.
Patients who take antibiotics or use skin ointments often antidote the remedy and need
repetition. I have found this especially with antibiotics - even despite steroids, the
homoeopathic medicine often continues to act, but antibiotics usually seem to interfere with
our treatment.
Usually, if you need to keep repeating frequently, it means that the "remedy" is not really the
right one. The only way to be sure in such cases is to carefully see if the remedy has really
caused a definite change in the mental and physical generals at the end of 6 months.
The main danger of frequent repetition is that if the medicine is wrong, there is a strong
likelihood of suppression. In other cases, there may first be temporary relief following each
repetition, and at the end of three years, the patient continues to have all the original
complaints in the same degree and extent. If the remedy is right, even frequent repetition in a
high potency may not harm or may even help but, as the final proof of a correct prescription is
long lasting improvement following a single dose, this practice may confuse.

In the context of repetition, the LM scale seems most logical to me.

How long to wait
This depends on how sure you are of the remedy. A good rule is never to prescribe till you are
quite sure, and then to wait for the remedy to act. In a chronic case, I would not even consider
changing the remedy for a month, unless there are some new, clear indications that do not fit
in. A lack of improvement may only be apparent and not real. Look carefully for changes in all
spheres including those other than the C/C. There may be a change in the sleep habits,
dreams, etc. Sometimes, the patient is unaware of any change but you can see it. For
instance, a spot on the face may not change in size or colour for some time, and the patient
feels things have not changed, but you notice that his or her attitude towards the spot has
changed. This could be an indication to assess the progress. Observe carefully.
Acute and constitutional medicine
There is no such thing as an acute or constitutional remedy. The only remedy is the indicated
remedy - that which is indicated on the basis of symptom similarity. If a person has symptoms
of Cham., even if the pathology is a cancer, we cannot give anything but Cham. The concept
of giving a non-indicated "deep-acting" constitutional remedy after the indicated remedy is
absurd. Usually, an acute condition only shows in bold relief the medicine that the person
always needed. An acute crisis represents, as Hahnemann said, an explosion of a deepseated chronic problem ("latent psora"). In some cases, the acute crisis goes beyond the
person's normal state and then a different remedy must be selected - because it is now
indicated. In 95% of the cases, however, the same remedy that has helped the patient in the
past is also found to be indicated during an acute episode.
When we consider the range of action of remedies, we see that they have an acute
counterpart as well, though this is usually not seen. For example, Sep. has the symptoms
"Shrieking, must hold on to something, or she will shriek". This is not the common
presentation of Sepia but in a very acute situation, the Sepia person can develop this feature.
Thus, an acute exacerbation is actually a pointer to the correct remedy (similimum).
In this connection, we cannot speak of an acute crisis while the patient is receiving and
improving well under the homoeopathic treatment. Often, after the right remedy, the patient
lands into a crisis - in the form of recurrence of old complaints, skin eruptions, high fever, etc.
If this is managed well, Sac-l or the same remedy, the patient is much better after the
episode. In such instances, giving a some "acute remedy" can prove a set-back to the whole
case.
Use of the repertory
The function of a repertory is merely to indicate a possible remedy or group of remedies. The
repertory is used to arrive at a single drug - to be considered, not given. If all the symptoms
are worked out in repertorial rubrics but the drug does not seem to fit the case, drop it. In
practice, I take a rubric that seems to be close to the patient's expression and study the drugs
given under it. If none of them fit the case, I drop that rubric and select another which
expresses the same feeling. The remedy which fits the case is often found in some related
rubric. We do not keep a remedy in mind and select rubrics in which it is present - what we do
is to discard a rubric when none of the drugs given under it fits the case, and select a
related rubric to see if any drug fits the case as a whole.
Use of nosodes

In my understanding, in order that a drug one considered homoeopathic to a case, it should

be based essentially on symptom-similarity. The idea that a nosode (including Bowel Nosodes)
may be given if you cannot decide between three or four similar drugs seems unscientific and
based on hearsay and some empirical observations rather than law and logic.
The homoeopathic medicine
A homoeopathic medicine is one that has produced or is capable of producing in a healthy
organism those symptoms and signs which are present in the patient. The similarity could be
at a dynamic level (Mind and Subconscious) or at a organic, tissue level. Most cases are not
at an organic level, i.e. the dynamic element is more prominent, even if there is some
structural (pathological) change in the tissues. A drug which is similar only at a specific tissue
level does not give lasting improvement. For example, Blatta Orientalis may help in attack of
asthma, but it will not alter the tendency to the attacks (unless it is indicated also by the
generals - mental and physical). This kind of treatment does not achieve the aim of a radical
cure.
In a few cases, however, the organic/structural element is so prominent that the similarity
must be at this level to effect a change. The case of Eel's serum is one such example. It must
be noted that there was no change in the mental state of the patient - his craving for alcohol
and attitude towards life remained the same.