Desires and Aversions in Homeopathy- William Jeffrson Guernsey

Book Review by Dr Sunila  

WILLIAM. JEFFERSON GUERNSEY, Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was born in that city in 1854 as son of William Fuller Guernsey, M. D., and Adilene R. Eastman, his wife. In 1875 he graduated M. D. from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, and is a conscientious practitioner of homœopathy in its purity, adhering strictly to the principles as enunciated by Hahnemann. Dr. Guernsey married, in 1878,Marion M. Morgan, by whom he has two daughters, Grace K. and Helen R. Guernsey.

Contributions:

  • In 1876 the little “Traveler’s Medical Repertory,” intended for the laity.
  • 1877, a “Repertory on Menstruation”.
  • 1882, a repertory under the title of “The Homœopathic-Therapeutics of Hæmorrhoids ;”
  • 1883, “Repertory of Desires and Aversions “.
  • 1889, “Guernsey’s Bœnninghausen,” a reproduction of the famous “Bœnninghausen’ Repertory,” in the form of adjustable slips, which was sold only on subscription.
  • In 1890, “Repertory on Location and Direction of Pains in the Head”.
  • In 1892, “Repertory on Diphtheria”.
  • In 1892, “The Homœopathic Therapeutics of Hæmorrhoids” (repertory) revised and enlarged, second edition.
  • For fifteen years he has been at work at intervals upon a repertory on skin diseases, to which he has given particular study, but which is not yet ready for publication.
  • In 1897 he conceived the idea of combining predigested meat with concentrated malt as a food for invalids and infants, and placed upon the market, in a small way, a preparation containing both the best peptones and malt then obtainable.
  • In 1900 much better malt was prepared and the designation of “Stronger” was added to the name of “Perfect Liquid Food,” which is now in demand all over the country and is endorsed by hundreds of leading physicians.

Repertory of Desires and Aversions was published by W. J. Guernsey in 1883. 

Indian edition was published by:
Indian books & periodicals syndicate
B-5/62 dev nagar, karol bagh,NEW DELHI-5. 

Price: RS. 7.00/-

In the choice of a remedy, Hahnemann teaches us that it is not only the prominent symptoms or those most complained of, which should be noted, but also the uncommon & peculiar characteristic features of the case (Organon section.153) , which in particular should bear the closest similitude to the symptoms of the desired medicine. General symptoms are common to every disease & almost every drug. The uncommon sensations & pains, likes & dislikes are simply the guiding symptoms to the choice of remedy that will often found to cover the totality of symptoms in the case.

Before starting the Repertory part, there has been given “list of remedies” with its abbreviated names & full names.

There are 2 sections in this book:

  • DESIRE FOR (first part)
  • AVERSION TO

In this Repertory Rubrics are numbered. Total number of rubrics in this repertory is 190. 132 rubrics are for “desire for” & rest of the rubrics (58 rubrics) is for “aversion to”.

There are 4 grading in this Repertory:

  • BOLD CAPITAL
  • Italics
  • Roman
  • (Roman)

In Synthesis Repertory, rubrics DESIRE & AVERSION come under the chapter Generals.

In Kent’s Repertory, rubrics DESIRE & AVERSION come under the chapter STOMACH.

In Murphy’s Repertory, rubrics DESIRE & AVERSION come under the chapter FOOD.

In Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book, rubrics Desire & Aversion come under the chapter Hunger & Thirst.

In Boger Boenninghausen’s Repertory, rubrics Desire & Aversion come under the chapter APPETITE.

Before starting the Repertory Section, Guernsey had given list of remedies with its abbreviated names & full names.

Some Important Rubrics in This Repertory 

A.    DESIRE FOR 

  • ACIDS: VER.AL 
  • ALCOHOLIC DRINKS: LAC CN 
  • ALMONDS: CUBEBA
  • APPLES: Ant-ta, Aloe s.
  • BEER: NUX VM 
  • BISCUIT: Plumbum
  • BRANDY: OPIUM 
  • BREAD: Plumbum 
  • BREAD, Buttered: ME. SOL. 
  • CAKE: Plumbum
  • COFFEE: ANGUST 
  • COLD FOOD: Ver. Al 
  • CUCUMBERS: Ant. Cr 
  • EAT, CANNOT, WHAT HE: Bryoni.
  • EGGS, FRIED: Na. pho. 
  • EGGS, SOFT BOILED: Cal.cb, Oleum.
  • EVERYTHING: Santon.
  • FISH: (Na.mur)
  • FOOD, SATIETY, SUDDEN ON EATING: LYCOPO
  • FRIED FOOD: Plumbum.
  • FRUIT: VER. AL 
  • HONEY: Sabadl
  • ICE-CREAM: Eup. per.
  • INDIGESTIBLE THINGS: Alumin, Bryoni.
  • JUICY FRUITS: Sarasap.
  • LEMONS: Ars.al 
  • LIME, SLATE PENSILS, EARTH, CHALK OR CLAY: Nit. Ac, Nux.vm, Alumin, Cicu.v.
  • MEAT: Mag.cb, Mangan. 
  • MEAT, SMOKED: Caustic.
  • NARCOTICS: Tabacm.
  • NUMEROUS: CINA 
  • ONIONS: Cubeba.
  • POTATOES: Oleum.
  • RICE: Terebi.
  • SALTS: Cal.cb, Cautic., Conium, Nit-ac, Ver.al., Na.mur.
  • SARDINES: Ver. Al.
  • SMOKED THINGS: Caustic. 
  • VEGETABLES: Alumin, Mag.cb. 
  • WARM FOOD: Lycopo, Fer.met. 
  • WHISKEY: LAC.CN. 

B.     AVERSION TO: 

  • BANANAS: Elap. c
  • BREAD: NA. MUR.
  • COFFEE: NUX VM. 
  • EGGS: Fer.met.
  • FAT FOOD (RICH FOOD): PETROL., PTEL.T. 
  • FISH: Grattio, Na.mur., Zn.met. 
  • GARLIC: Sabadl. 
  • MEAT: MUR. AC, PETROL., SILICIA, SULPHU. 
  • MILK, MOTHER’S (nursing): Silicea. 
  • PICKLE: Ab.Can 
  • SWEETS: Ars.al, Caustic,Graph, Me.viv, Phos, Sulphu.
  • TOBACCO: Cal.cb, Ignati. 

As the uncommon sensations & pains, desires & aversions are simply the guiding symptoms to the choice of remedy; the Repertory of desires & aversions” are very useful in finding out a homoeopathic similimum. 

Reference:  

  • Homoeopathic medical Repertory by Robin Murphy
  • Synthesis Repertory by Fredericke Schroyens
  • Repertory of Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J T Kent
  • Boger Boenninghausen’s Repertory
  • Boennibnghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book.
  • www.google.com.
  • www.hpathy.com.

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