what is materia medica

7/30/2019 What is Materia Medica

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WHAT IS MATERIA MEDICA?

Materia Medica is a study of symptoms of a drug in a systemic manner. It is the

pharmacopia of the Homoeopathic drugs.Dr. Hahnemann, in the late 18th century,introduced Homoeopathy for the benefit of mankind. He arrived at the homoeopathic

principle through a series of experiments where he found that, a substance capable ofproducing certain set of symptoms of an illness in a healthy human being could be

successfully used to treat a disease when similar set of symptoms are observed in anailing individual. This substance is termed as a REMEDY. Every naturally occurring

substance has some potential curative properties. One such source material is collected

and potentised which eventually is used as a remedy. This substance is proved on healthyhuman beings and the symptoms experienced by them are carefully recorded.This

compilation of the symptoms of a substance in a systemic manner is called as Materia

Medica. Dr. Hahnemann had proved various remedies, which he compiled in his book'Materia Medica Pura'.The other prominent Homoeopaths who made invaluable

contributions to Dr. Hahnemann's work were Dr. T.F. Allen, Dr. Nash, Dr. Boericke, Dr.

Boenninghausen, Dr. Hering and Dr. Kent. They carried out rigorous provings of manyunproved substances and added to the existing Materia Medica, which are referred till

date as main reference books by doctors all over the world. Today, Homoeopaths have

more than about 3000 remedies available in various potencies and many newer remedies

are being added to the existing materia medica even now.

Top SOURCES OF MATERIA MEDICA

1. DRUG PROVING:

This is a process where a drug is administered to a group of healthy individuals and the

symptoms expressed by them are noted systematically in the Materia Medica. Dr.Hahnemann, Dr. Hering and others proved various medicines in this manner.

(A) CLINICAL PROVING:

This is a coincidental proving when a remedy clinically administered to a sick person for

certain complaint, cures some other symptoms too (that were not recorded during a

proving) , which were not considered while giving the remedy. When this identicalphenomena is reconfirmed a number of times, it is termed as a clinical proving.

For e.g.

Bryonia was administered to a sick person for some gastric symptoms and during thetreatment some of the following chest symptoms he had were cured simultaneously:

Sharp stitching pain in the right side of chest, < deep breathing and coughing Cough excited by coming into a warm room

Pleurisy
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This was seen to happen in a number of cases where Bryonia, when given for some other

complaints, also cured the chest symptoms. This is how it was confirmed that Bryonia is

a good remedy for sharp stitching pains in pleurisy. These symptoms were not recordedby any prover in the drug proving but were confirmed when clinically administered to the

sick.

(B) ACCIDENTAL PROVING:

This is a proving which occurs due to an accidental or chance consumption of asubstance.

For e.g.

Physostigma plant has poisonous beans. A group of children in Liver pool happened to

these beans, which they found among the sweepings of a ship from Africa. These beansproduced loss of muscular power, prostration and feeble slow pulse in 46 children who

had to be hospitalized, and produced cold and diarrhea in one third of them. These

symptoms were later considered as curative symptoms of the drug.

2. DOCTRINE OF SIGNATURE:

Doctrine of signature is founded on the belief that a substance carried within itself

likeness to some organ or part of the human economy and hence the physical character,

appearance or some other characteristics of the drug substance can suggest its use.

E.g. Elaterium

Its common name is 'Squirting Cucumber'. It is a creeper that grows in dry, rocky soil;

and has a weak stem with lot of tendrils, which bears walnut-sized, rough, yellow-green

fruit. This fruit opens up at the least disturbance and sprays its brownish black seeds,mixed with mucous through a small opening at the top to a distance of 4 meters.The drugwhen proved has characteristic profuse watery stools, coming out with a gush, which is

plainly typified in the explosion by means of which the ripe fruit scatters its seeds.

E.g. Hypericum Perforatum

The leaves of this plant have multiple perforations, which can be seen when the leaf is

held in front of the sun.Hence the drug proved to be of great use in perforating injuries.

E.g. Euphrasia

The petals of its flower have a black spot on them, which bears a lot of resemblance to

the human pupil.Hence Euphrasia is thought to be a good drug for eye complaints.

3. BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

Acids have a corrosive, violent action on any tissue and leads to burning, inflammation,

ulceration, excoriation with fetidness and putrefaction.

For e.g. Carbolic acid


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Profound prostration, collapse; surface pale and bathed in cold sweat

Pains are terrible; come suddenly, last a short time, disappear suddenly

The above symptoms depict the violent action of the remedy.

Malignant and septic conditions e.g. lupus, carbuncles, cancerous sores, sloughingwounds, and chronic ulcers

Cancer of the stomach

Gangrene

Burns tend to ulceration and ichorous discharge

These symptoms suggest the corrosive and ulcerative properties of the remedy.

Pricking, burning sensation

Putrid, offensive discharges

These highlight the fetidness and putrefaction that is common to all acids.

Top HOW TO STUDY MATERIA MEDICA

There are more than 3000 well-proved remedies listed in various Materia medicas. In

order to ease the study of this vast data every remedy in the Materia Medica is listed in a

certain format as follows:

Common Name

Family/Class

Source

Physiological Action Generalities

Ailments From (A/F)

Modalities - Aggravating or Ameliorating factors like time, temperature, open air,

posture, motion, sleep, discharges, eating, drinking, touch, pressure etc.

Mind - Description of emotions, feelings, thoughts, intellect, fears, dreams etc.

Physical Particulars - Affection of particular parts/organs/systems of the body.

Remedy Relationship - Remedies that are related and compatible orcomplementary to it and also those that can antidote its action or follow well after

it.

Let us take one example to understand this format.

GELSEMIUMCommon Name

Yellow Jasmine

Family/Class

LoganiaceaeSource


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Prepared from roots and bark

Physiological Action

It acts upon the muscles and motor nerves producing complete relaxation and prostration.In muscles, it causes overpowering aching; tiredness; heaviness; weakness and soreness.

It affects the motor nerves producing functional paralysis; tremors or twitching and inco-

ordination of muscles.Generalities

Suited to young people and women of nervous, hysterical temperament.

General prostration.Dizziness, drowsiness, dullness and trembling

Ailments From (A/F)

Fright, Fear, exciting news, sudden emotions, unpleasant surprise

ModalitiesAggravation(): profuse urination; sweating

MindNervous, excitable

Anticipatory anxiety from an unusual ordealStage fright

Nervous dread of appearing in public

Children fear of falling and grasp the crib or nurseFear, that unless on move heart will cease beating

Grief, cannot cry; broods over her loss

Physical Particulars

Vertigo with visual symptomsSensation of band around the head

Headache preceded by blindness

Great heaviness of eyelids, cannot keep them openDiplopia

Usually thirstless

Diarrhoea from bad newsLameness in single parts

Muscles do not obey the will inco-ordination

Fever - Chill running up and down the spine; heat with absence of thirst

Remedy RelationshipCompatible: Baptisia (in typhoid, influenza), Ipecac (in ague)

Compare: Con., Curare (paralysis)

Antidoted by: Atrop, Chin, CoffComplementary: Arg-n, Sep

Top UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF A REMEDY

The natural history of the drug substance and its chemical analysis also aid us in

comprehending its symptoms.E.g.- Minerals, plants, animal products, human tissues and discharges, radioactive metals

etc


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Introduction

This section includes the history of the drug substance, its common name, the sphere of

action and its pathogenesis. It also mentions whether the remedy is acute or chronic andwhether its action is superficial or deep. Let us understand this with few examples.

A. Hyoscyamus - Common name of Hyoscyamus is ' Henbane' because it is fatal to

fowls. It was used in the seventeenth century as a medicine but was rejected then,

because it was considered it to be highly poisonous. It was again reintroduced as amedicine by the old school in 1872, as a sedative and anti-spasmodic; and even as

a hypnotic in cases where opium would be used. It acts on the nervous system

causing hysteria, convulsions, twitching and trembling of muscles.B. Merc-sol - It is a mercurial preparation prepared by Dr. Hahnemann as a

substitute for the corrosive mercurial salts in use at that time. It was prepared by

precipitating Mercury from its solution in nitric acid by means of caustic

ammonia.It is a deep acting, syphilitic remedy that affects more or less every

organ and tissue of the body causing glandular enlargements and ulceration of thetissues

C. Lachesis - Native American name of this snake is surukuku (Bushmaster). Thepoison of this snake was first proved by Dr. Hering. Like other snake poisons, it

decomposes blood, affects the heart and circulation. It also affects the nerves,

especially the cutaneous and vasomotor, which become very sensitive.

Constitution And Temperament

Constitution:

Physical Constitution:It is the physical make up and appearance of a person. In our Materia Medica there are

specific remedies, which correspond to a particular constitution, and hence knowing thephysical constitution of the patient can be very useful in selecting a remedy.

For e.g.:

Calc carb:

Suited to people with blond hair, light complexion, blue eyes, fair skin and having atendency towards obesity. It is also suited to fat children with red face, flabby muscles;

who sweat easily and take cold easily

Lachesis:

Better adapted to thin and emaciated than to fleshy persons, with dark eyes, red hair andfreckles. Suited to women of choleric temperament or to persons of a less melancholic

temperament with a disposition to low spirits and indolence. Also adapted to women who

have not recovered from the change of life "have never felt well since that time."

Belladonna:

Adapted to bilious, lymphatic, plethoric constitutions; persons who are lively and

entertaining when well, but violent and often delirious when sick. Also suited to


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sensitive, nervous women and children, with light hair, blue eyes, fine complexion and

delicate skin.

Temperament:It indicates an individual's character, disposition and tendencies as revealed in his

reactions; it also denotes the characteristic way in which an individual behaves especiallytowards others.

TYPES:1. CHOLERIC: It is an irritable personality, easily inclined to anger

For e.g. Chamomilla, Hyoscyamus, Bryonia

2.MELANCHOLIC: It is a sad, thoughtful hypochondrial state of mind where a person is

inclined to depression and irrational fearsFor e.g. Aurum metallicum, Ignatia

3.NERVOUS: It is a worried, high-strung, apprehensive and excitable state of mind. Aperson reacts to any situation in a quick and excited manner.

For e.g. Lycopodium, Arsenic, Anacardium

4.PHLEGMATIC: It is an indolent, slow, sluggish, torpid personality

For e.g. Calcarea carb, Pulsatilla

5.SANGUINE: It is a cheerful, optimistic confident personality with hemorrhagic

tendency.For e.g. Phosphorus, Ferrum

Sphere of ActionNote : An affinity or predominant effect (What the drug produces) of the drug on body

systems/organs

For E.g.

1. Apis Mel

Especially acts on cellular tissue esp. of eyes, throat, face, ovaries and neck of the urinary

bladder causing edema of skin and mucus membranes.It also acts on serous membranes

of heart, brain, pleura etc producing inflammation with effusion.Sphere of Action

Pathogenesis Skin and Mucus membrane Inflammation, Oedema, Stinging pain SerousMembranes Inflammation resulting in dropsical effusion.

Sphere of Action PathogenesisSkin and Mucus

membraneInflammation, Oedema, Stinging pain

Serous Membranes Inflammation resulting in dropsical effusion

2. Hamamelis

The principle action of this drug is on the veins esp. of rectum; genitals, limbs and throat;

producing venous congestion; varicose veins, haemorrhoids and venous haemorrhagesfrom every orifice of the body; nose, bowels, uterus and bladder Sphere of Action


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Pathogenesis Veins Venous congestion and inflammation causing phlebitis, varicose

veins, ulcers and hemorrhoids.

Sphere of Action Pathogenesis

VeinsVenous congestion and inflammation causing phlebitis,varicose veins, ulcers and hemorrhoids.

Causation And ModalitiesCausation:

Causation is the origin of the symptoms. Often patients can trace the commencement oftheir illness to certain causes, which could be either physical or mental. These are listed

in materia medica as 'AILMENTS FROM' (A/F)

For e.g.

1. Aconite has A/F: fright; that produces agonizing fear, anxiety and restlessness. The

person is very nervous, anticipates death and is terror-stricken. The person is impatient,besides himself and frantic with fear.

2. Rhus-tox has A/F from spraining or straining a single part, muscle or tendon, over

lifting, too much summer bathing in lake or river, getting wet in rainCausative factors are grouped under:

Predisposing factors These are conditions that render a subject liable to a particular

disease

Precipitating factors These are conditions that trigger a disease

Maintaining factors These are conditions that sustain the disease

E.g. Essential hypertension

Predisposing factors include:

- Hereditary predisposition

- Obesity

Precipitating factor could be:

- Shock due to sudden business loss

- Any anxious or stressful condition

Maintaining cause could be:- Daily rich diet and excessive salt intake

- Constant high pressure at job

Precipitating factors are important in acute prescriptions, while predisposing and

maintaining causes help in the prescription of constitutional remedy in chronic cases.

MODALITIES:

Circumstances or conditions that modify the intensity of the symptom are termed as

Modalities.

An increase in the intensity of symptoms is known as an aggravation and is denoted bythe sign(


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A decrease in the intensity of symptoms is known as an amelioration and is denoted by

the sign(>)

Some of the most important modalities that affect a symptom are Time, Temperature,Open air, Posture, Being alone, Motion, Sleep, Eating and Drinking, Touch, Pressure,

Discharges, Food etc.Conditions that modify the symptoms of a patient are veryimportant and are termed as characteristic symptoms for that patient.

For e.g.The patient's pain in the abdomen is

> Lying on the painful side < Eating fried food

> Drinking cold waterThese modalities help us to come to an accurate prescription for the patient, as they are

peculiar to that patient.

Physical Generals/Leading/Guiding Symptoms

1. Appetite:

It is the physical desire especially for food. In the altered state, it may be increased ordecreased.

For e.g.

Easy satiety - It is a state of being easily satisfied with small quantity of food.

E.g. Lycopodium and PlatinaRavenous hunger - It is a tremendously increased appetite

E.g. Iodum has ravenous appetite but yet there is emaciation

2. Cravings & Aversion:

Craving:It is an intense desire for certain types of foodFor e.g.

Desire for eggs in Calcarea carbDesire sweets in Lycopodium, Argentum nitricumDesire for salt in Natrum MurDesire for cold drinks in PhosphorusAversion:It is an intense dislike for certain types of foodFor e.g.

Aversion to warm drinks in Phosphorus, Pulsatilla

Aversion to meat in Calcarea, Pulsatilla, SepiaAversion sweets in Phosphorus, Graphites, Causticum

Cravings and Aversions are important physical generals that need to be considered while

selecting the remedy

3. Discharges:These include:

Normal excretions from the body like urine, stool, sweat etc and Abnormal secretions in

certain diseased conditionsFor e.g.

Coryza- it is a discharge from nose due to an allergy or an infection

Following details should be considered while studying the discharges:


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a) The character of the discharge - The discharges can be acrid or bland, thick or thin,

watery, stringy, sticky, tenacious or viscid.

For e.g.Acrid discharges ofAllium cepaSticky, stringy discharges ofKali bich

Bland discharges ofPulsatilla

b) Color of the discharge - Colour of the discharge varies with the disease and it alsovaries in different individuals.

For e.g.

Yellowish-greenish discharge ofPulsatillaGolden yellow discharges ofNatrum phosMilky white discharges ofSepia

c) Odour of the discharge -It can be offensive or fetid or may have some specific smell

For e.g.

Kreosote has fetid discharges from all the mucous membranesMedorrhinum has oozing of moisture at the anus, smelling like

fishbrine

Arsenic alb has discharges with a cadaverous Odour

d) Quantity of the discharge -It can be profuse (copious) or scanty

For e.g.

Merc sol has profuse discharges like profuse salivation, profuseurination

Sepia has scanty menses

e) Staining property of the discharge - Discharges can leave stains that are delible orindelible.Indelible - the stains of the discharges cannot be washed easily

For e.g.

Kreosote has indelible stainsDelible - the stains of the discharges can be washed easily

For e.g.

Belladonna has perspiration leaving dark stains on the linen

4. Pain :It is an abnormal sensation experienced especially during illness at the affected site. It is

described in following manner:

a) Description of the character of pain: drawing, pressing, sharp, shooting, shifting,pulsating, burning, wandering, shifting, labor-like, stinging, stitching, tearing, flying,

electric shock like

For e.g.Burning, stinging pains ofApis melificastitching pains ofBryonia, Kali carbShifting, wandering pains ofPulsatilla, Kali sulph


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b) Intensity: It is the severity of pain felt by the patient

For e.g.

Agonizing pain in abdomen in Colocynth

c) Onset and Decline:

For e.g.Pains may come and go suddenly as in Belladona, Kali phos

Pains appear and disappear gradually as in Stannum metPains appears suddenly, remain for a short while and disappear

gradually as in Pulsatilla

d) Radiation:Sometimes the sensation of pain shifts and radiates to other body parts from its site of

origin.

For e.g.

Pains shoot backwards or in all directions in Chelidonium

Pains alternate sides in Lac canPains rapidly shifting from one part to another in Pulsatilla

5. Menses (Menstrual cycle) :

The periodic sequence of hormonal changes in a sexually mature, nonpregnant woman at'monthly' intervals is called as the menstrual cycle.

The following factors make it characteristic.

a) Color of mensesFor e.g.

Bright red menses as in Phosphorus, MillefoliumBrown menses as in Secale cor

Dark menses as in Crocus sativa

b) Odour of menses

For e.g.

Kreosote has offensive menses.

Lac caninum has menses smelling like ammonia.

c) Character of the flow

Copious (profuse)- Increased flow of blood

For e.g.Profuse menses ofMurex, SepiaScanty menses - Decreased flow of the blood

For e.g.

Alumina has flow only for a day

Euphrasia has flow only for an hour

Clotted menses

For e.g.

Sabina has menstrual flow of bright red blood mixed with dark clots


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d) Staining due to menses - The flow sometimes leaves the stains, which can either be

delible or may be indelible (difficult to wash)

For e.g.

Kreosote has menses staining the linen yellow

Mag. Carb has menses leaving stains that are difficult to wash off

e) Mental symptoms associated with menses

For e.g.

Natrum Mur has irritability before the menses

Pulsatilla has weeping before and during the menses

Calc. Carb has menses from slightest emotional excitement

Following examples of remedies that have very characteristic menses:

Kreosote

Menses - too early, prolonged, profuse, lumpy and foul smelling. Menstrual flow

intermits; ceases on sitting or walking; reappears on lying down

Before menses - severe headacheDuring menses - severe headache; difficult hearing; buzzing and roaring

After menses - eruptionsMenstrual pain-During menses but much worse after menses

- Relieved by cold drinks

Bovista

Menses too early and too profuse, or too late, too scanty, too shortMenses every two weeks; flow is dark, clotted, with bearing down feeling

Menstrual flow only at night, not in the daytime, less while moving.

Before menses - Diarrhea

During menses - Diarrhea; excoriation in the inguinal foldAfter menses - Leucorrhoea

In between menses - Occasional show of flow

6. Sleep :It is a periodic state of physiological rest during which consciousness is suspended and

metabolic rate of the body is decreased.

Various factors regarding sleep need to be studied:- Posture of the body during sleep ntensity of the sleep

- Dreams etc

For e.g.

Medorrhinum sleeps in a knee-elbow position

Nux-m has excessive drowsiness and sleepiness

Stramonium has frightful dreams; awakes in fear or screaming

7. Perspiration :It is a normal excretion by the sweat glands of skin that helps to maintain the body

temperature.

Physical characteristics of perspiration like quantity, Odour and its staining property areimportant features to be considered


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a) Quantity: It may be profuse or scanty

Profuse perspiration as in Silica, Lycopodium

Scanty perspiration as in Cina, Eup-per

b) Odour: Normal perspiration is Odourless but some individuals can have offensive,

putrid, sour, fetid, sweetish, and cadaverous Odour to their perspirationFor e.g.

Perspiration smelling like urine in Cantharis, Nitric acidOffensive sweat in Graphites, Lycopodium, SilicaSweetish perspiration in Caladium

c) Staining: The stains left by the perspiration can be delible or indelible. The color of thestains also makes it a characteristic feature.

For e.g.

Perspiration stains red in Lachesis, Nux-m

Perspiration leaves green stains in Cuprum

Perspiration stains are difficult to wash in Mag - carb,Merc-sol,Medorrhinum

Perspiration leaves white salty deposits in Natrum Mur

d) Parts of the body: Each individual has perspiration on some particular parts of thebody like scalp, palms, soles, upper parts of the body etc.

For e.g.

Perspiration on the scalp - Calc carb, RheumPerspiration on palms - Silica, SulphurPerspiration one sided- Bry, China

8. Thermal State Of The Patient :Thermal state shows the adaptation and reaction of the person to different kinds oftemperatures which can be determined by asking the patient regarding his reaction to sun,

fan, open air, season, covering, bathing, and change of weather. The patient can be chilly,

hot or ambithermal.

If the patient says I do not require fan in any season, I take a hot water bath through outthe year and need to cover myself completely in open air especially in winter, the patient

is considered to be CHILLY.

E.g. Calc Carb, Causticum, and Kali carb are chilly patients.

If the person cannot tolerate exposure to sun, needs to have fan constantly, does not needcovering even in winter, perspires a lot and is very comfortable in winter, the person is

termed to be HOT.

E.g. Natrum Mur, Sulphur, Iodium and Bryonia are hot patients.

If the person is not affected by extremes of heat or cold, then the person is termed as

being AMBITHERMAL.

E.g. Natrum Sulph, Amm. Mur are ambithermal patients.


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9. Sexual Symptoms :

Here the symptoms regarding the sexual preferences, coition and the difficulties in sexual

performance, etc of the patient are noted.For e.g.

Violent sexual passion in Picric acid

Suppressed sexual desire in Conium, StaphysagriaIncreased sexual desire but no ability to perform in LycopodiumPriapism that makes the sexual act difficult in ThymolIncreased sexual desire but is physically impotent.Erection is slow, insufficient, weak and has involuntary seminal

emissions as in Selenium10. Diathesis :

It is the hereditary or acquired susceptibility of the body to one or more diseases.a. Hemorrhagic: It is a tendency to bleed profusely.

E.g. Phosphorus, Lachesis

b. Rheumatic: Here the patient has tendency towards affection of joints.

E.g. Rhus tox, Bryoniac. Gouty: It is a tendency towards diseases where uric acid synthesis is affected and

causes its excess accumulation in blood stream and jointsE.g. Colchicum, Lycopodium, Urtica urens, Ledum pald. Tubercular:

E.g. Silicea, Tuberculinum, Phosphorus, Kali Carbe. Scrofulous: It is a tendency to glandular enlargements.

E.g. Calc-phos, Calc-carb, Carbo-an, Iodium11. Periodicity :

When the same set of symptoms occurs at certain regular interval, it is known as itsperiodicity.

Time Periodicity

For e.g.

Lycopodium has < 4.00-8.00 pm

Ars alb has < 11am to 1.00 pm

Kali carb has < 3.00-4.00 amSunrise to sunset aggravation

For e.g.

Natrum Mur

Sunset to sunrise aggravationFor e.g.

Merc sol, Syphilinum

Clock like periodicityFor e.g.

Same hour Cedron, SabadillaDaily Neuralgia of Kali bichEvery other day Ipecac, ChinaWeekly Amm carb, ChinaFortnightly Ars alb, Lachesis

Annually Ars alb, Cenchris


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Moon phase aggravations and ameliorations

For e.g.

< In the New moon phase - Silica< In the Full moon phase - Ant Crud12. Alternations :

Sometimes in patients, symptoms belonging to different organs manifest themselvesalternately with each other; these symptoms are known as alternating symptoms.

For e.g.

Kali bich - Rheumatism alternating with gastric complaints

Sulphur- Skin eruptions alternate with gastric complaints

Collinsonia - Haemorrhoids alternating with cardiac symptoms

Abrotanum - Rheumatism alternating with haemorrhoids

Ignatia, Graph- Weeping alternating with cheerfulness.

Mind

Disease is the disturbance of the whole organism and not just one organ or system. So to

understand the individual as a whole, understanding the mind is very essential. It is the

major part of the individualization of the case.In aphorism 211, Hahnemann states, The state of the disposition of the patient chiefly

determines the selection of the homoeopathic remedy.

This includes the temperament or personality of the person, his emotional/intellectual

state, his life situation/ experiences, any stress that he undergoes athome/work/elsewhere, his interpersonal relationships, influence of environmental factors

and related social factors. Understand what hobbies he pursues and why he has chosen

them? It is also important to explore if there have been any major incidences which had

an impact on him or anything/any situation that he fears. How does he react to the mentaltensions or in fearful situations? Ask about the dreams he gets and the feelings in the

dream.

Symptoms of the Mind

Direct expressions to the situation - These are the symptoms expressed by an individual

in a situation, which are more or less appropriate to the situation.

E.g. Sadness at the death of near and dear ones

Indirect expression to the situation - The original emotions to the situation produce a

feeling of guilt or an embarrassment or the person might want to cry etc, and so to prevent

this direct expression, the individual takes on an opposite attitude in order to escape from

the consequences of the direct expressionE.g. Cheerful when sad

Anger with bursts of laughing

Symptoms of intellect - They give perception of the surroundings, formulation of ideasand ability to memorize.

E.g. Weakness of memory

Dreams - They denote the subconscious mind.

E.g. Dreams of dead peopleDreams of teeth falling

Mental emotional symptoms are graded the highest among the other mind symptoms.

Physical Particulars


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These are the symptoms related to different organs and systems that are listed from the

proving in a particular order, which is as follows:Head, eyes, ears, nose, face, mouth,throat, stomach, abdomen, urinary system, male and female reproductive system,

respiratory system, heart, neck and back, extremities, sleep, fever and skin.

Symptoms pertaining to parts gain importance in acute cases especially if they are

peculiar, queer, rare and characteristic. Usually strong general symptoms over rule anynumber of particular symptoms but a strong particular will assert itself if the general

symptom is weak.

While studying a symptom, the following characteristics of it should be considered:1. LOCATION - The site at which the symptom is felt is noted. It includes the side that is

affected, the extension of the site affected and the radiation of the symptom to other body

parts.

In the proving of a certain drug, a specific affinity for a particular side is noted; this isconsidered to be a characteristic physical location, specific for this remedy. This side

affection is graded higher than a weak, non-characteristic physical general.

For e.g.

Lachesis - Symptoms appears predominantly on the left sidePathology of the disease affects some organ or system and homoeopathic remedies have

specific affinity for certain organ/system.

For e.g.

Chelidonium - It is predominantly a right-sided remedy and acts very specifically upon

the liver and the portal system. It has tenderness over the liver and liver pains that go

backward or remain fixed at angle of right scapula.The above e.g. illustrates:-Side affection

-System affection

-Organ affection-Radiation of the pain

2. SENSATION - Qualify the sensations experienced by an individual in a particularorgan. There are varied sensations like burning, pricking, poking, pulling, electric shock

like, cramp like, coldness, numbness etc. Allow the person to express the sensation on hisown and not by asking leading questions.A particular type of sensation felt at a site could

sometimes be seen at the general level/mental state of the individual.

For e.g.

Croton Tig

It has a peculiar sensation as if the 'skin were hide-bound', locally at the level of skin. The

Croton tig patient also feels mentally hide-bound. This sensation is felt at the level of themind as 'can't think outside of himself''. Hence 'sensation as if hide-bound' becomes an

important particular symptom.

Nitric acid has splinter like sensation in the throatArnica has a sore, bruised sensation at the site of affection

3. MODALITY - These are the conditions, which aggravate and ameliorate a particular

symptom. The symptom becomes characteristic when important modalities are also

considered while evaluating.For e.g.

Bryonia has all the complaints < slightest motion and > absolute rest


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Often, the modalities do not have any pathological relation to the symptom; hence making

them characteristic.For e.g.

Chelidonium has jaundice; with much nausea, > drinking milk

4. CONCOMITANT - Physical or mental symptoms experienced by the patient along

with the chief complaints are known as concomitant symptoms. They only have a timerelation with the main complaint, in the sense, they occur along with the main complaint

only. These symptoms cannot be explained by the diagnosis of the disease and so become

characteristic.For e.g.

Iodum has an increased appetite that accompanies all the complaints

Lac defloratum has profuse urination with headache

Following examples gives the description of the physical particular in a remedy.

HEADACHE OF BRYONIA ALBA

Bryonia is a good remedy for gastric and nervous headaches of sedentary people

A/F

Exposure to draught of cold airConstipation

Ironing (warmth)

Mortification and chagrinToo much of summer bathing

LOCATION

SITE-foreheadSIDE-Right

SENSATION

As if the brain would burst through the forehead or the skull would split open. There is

also fullness and heaviness in the head.BEFORE HEADACHE

Heaviness and fullness of the forehead

DURING HEADACHEBursting sensation in the skull

Cannot keep eyes open

AFTER HEADACHETired

MODALITIES

< From slightest motion***

< Morning, on first opening the eyes< Stooping

< Coughing

< Ironing> By pressure**

> By bandages**

> Lying on painful side> Complete rest***

CONCOMITANT


17/17

Dry, white coated tongue

Great thirst for large quantity of cold water at long intervalsEpistaxis

Constipation

COUGH OF SPONGIA

Spongia is a good remedy for dry, croupy cough. It is mostly adapted to children.A/F

Exposure to cold

Mental excitement

LOCATIONUpper respiratory passage and lungs

SENSATION

Suffocation as if had to breathe through a spongeBEFORE COUGH

Great dryness of the mucous membranes of the throat, larynx and trachea

DURING COUGH

Chest weak; can scarcely talkClothes feel uncomfortable

AFTER COUGH

Burning in chest and throatExhaustion

Muscular pain in chest, head and abdomen

COUGHDry, like a saw driven through a pine board

Dry, hollow, barking, crowing, or sawing cough

Rasping, ringing, wheezing, whistling cough

MODALITIES< Sweets

< Cold drinks

< Smoking< Lying

< Before midnight

< Singing, talking< Head low

< Dry cold winds

> Eating, drinking warm

CONCOMITANTViolent painful palpitations

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