Repertory of Antipsoric remedies

A Systematic Alphabetical Repertory of Antipsoric Homoeopathic remedies

 

By Clemen Maria Franz Von Boenninghausen

 

HISTORY

After Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura was written, it became more and more apparent that some method should be used that would make it possible to find the similimum more easily and quickly. Records of symptoms developed through proving reached so bulky proportions that medicines were prescribed after referring pages and pages of Materia Medica. Even Hahnemann who conducted many provings prescribed medicines after much reference to the Materia Medica. This was a stupendous task even to Hahnemann and he compelled a short repertory of leading symptoms which were printed in Latin. Later he developed the repertory idea still further but these later repertories are still in the manuscript form.

 

After recovering from purulent tuberculosis In 1828 Boenninghausen developed a firm belief in homoeopathy. He started working on the new healing art and came in contact with several physicians and tried to know more and more about Homoeopathy. Soon he came in contact with Hahnemann in 1830. At that time repertory was a new adventure in the Homoeopathic literature developing under pressure of necessity in indexing many provings that had accumulated or to Index the ever enlarging Materia Medica.

 

The first repertory from a non-medical person was the culmination of the diligent and laborious work done by Boenninghausen. He undertook the task of compiling a repertory. He meticulously went through the reports of original provings and compared them with reports of clinical verifications.

 

It was with the encouragement of Hahnemann, that Boenninghausen developed his first repertory: Repertory of Antipsorics in 1832.

1st edition: 1832

2nd edition: 1833

Boger’s Translation: 1899

 

Hahnemann, in footnote to Aphorism 153, says – “Dr. von Boenninghausen, by the publication of the characteristic symptoms of homoeopathic medicines and his repertory has rendered a great service to homoeopathy…”

 

 

HAHNEMANN’S INTRODUCTION

Hahnemann writes about – ‘On the Repetition of the Homoeopathic Remedy’. In mild cases, single small dose is enough to get a cure, especially in cases of small children or delicate or susceptible adults. But in chronic and advanced cases, spoilt by previous treatment with unsuitable remedies and also in grave acute diseases, a single smallest dose of similar drug is not adequate to produce the curative effects as ordinarily expected from the medicine and hence repetition is required. Action of medicine through inhalation is equal to that of the medicine taken orally and at the same time repetition in the sense, more time he can inhale than the dose taken though orally.

 

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF DRUGS

52 drugs: 50 Antipsoric + THUJA [Antisycotic] + Mercurius vivus [Antisyphilitic]

 

 

GRADATION

1st EDITION

Italics (spaced) - 1st grade

Italics - 2nd grade

Roman (spaced) - 3rd grade

Roman - 4th grade

Roman in parenthesis - 5th grade

 

2nd EDITION

Capital Bold - 1st grade

Roman Bold           - 2nd grade

Italics - 3rd grade

Roman - 4th grade

Roman in parenthesis - 5th grade

 

 

PLAN AND CONSTRUCTION

The book comprises of the following chapters

  1. Mind
  2. Vertigo
  3. Head Internal
  4. Head External
  5. Eyes
  6. Ear
  7. Nose
  8. Face
  9. Teeth and Gums
  10. Mouth
  11. Taste
  12. Appetite
  13. Thirst
  14. Eructation
  15. Water brash and Heartburn
  16. Hiccough
  17. Nausea and Vomiting
  18. Hypochondria
  19. Abdomen
  20. External Abdomen
  21. Inguinal and Pubic region
  22. Flatus
  23. Stool, evacuation
  24. Anus and Rectum
  25. Perineum
  26. Urine
  27. Urinary organs
  28. Genitalia
  29. Coryza
  30. Respiration
  31. Cough
  32. Larynx
  33. External neck
  34. Chest
  35. Back
  36. Upper extremities
  37. Lower extremities
  38. Bones and Glands
  39. Skin
  40. Sleep
  41. Dreams
  42. Fever
  43. Compound fevers
  44. Generalities

 

 

ARRANGEMENT OF RUBRICS

-          Location

-          Sensation

-          Time

-          Aggravation

-          Amelioration

-          Concomitant

 

Main rubric – written in Bold

Sub rubric – written in italic after a space

Antisycotic and antisyphilitic drugs given at end of remedies in each rubric after a hyphen

 

 

FEATURES

 

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER BOOKS

It was with the encouragement of Hahnemann, that Boenninghausen developed his first repertory: Repertory of Antipsorics in 1832.

In 1835 he published Repertory of medicines which are not Antipsoric.

In 1836 - Attempt at showing the relative kinship of Homeopathic medicines

And in 1846 he published, Therapeutic manual for Homoeopathic physicians. BTP is a combination of all these four books.

 

DR. SUMIT GOEL M.D. (Hom)

www.homeopathyspace.com