Book review by Dr Mansoor Ali
Full name of the Book : Homoeopathy and minerals
Author ; Jan Scholten
Fore word by : Rienk Stuunt
Published by Homoeopathic Medical publishers Santacruz . Mumbai
Soft bound
Rs. 250
This is a book for practicing Homoeopaths offering a new way to consider materi medica, particularly materai medica of lesser known remedies.
So much in formations are available about polychrests, on the other side there is a very large group of remedies, about which very little is known. It is this large group however which plays a large role in our practice.
The method “group analysis” was exemplified and is a way to study group of remedies which contain the same elements sulphur,natrums, ferrums etc. The elements are compared and the common symptoms are extracted. From such an analysis scholten propose the possibility of exploring unknown remedies.
In order to know more about the action of our remedies we do need to go the general psychological aspects of each case.
A very important and new step that is being described in this book is the way of bringing a system in to the study of remedies. We see not only the individual picture of remedies, but also the botanically or chemically related group of remedies.
The book is given an analysis of composites which are chemically related. If we know what the natrum part contribute to the natrum group composites, the study become easier.
For that the first step is to define the separate elements. Then try to understand the dynamic interaction of those elements with in their different composite states. Author correctly connected his information from different sources especially from his patients.
This knowledge is drawn from such teachers such as Vithoulkas,Sankaran,Geuken and of course from patients from his own practice.
This book can mark the beginning of a significant step in forwards in the practice of homoeopathy and in the knowledge of Homoeopathic remedies. He offers a fascinating way to view our materia medica.
The first chapter disease as creation offers a fascinating look at the way we view disease from Hahnemannian definition of derangement of vital force. He looked at disease as threat, a strategy,illusion,symbole, game etc.
In the second chapter group analysis is exemplified in detail
This book contain
Cations,carbonicum,muriaticum,sulphuricums,phosphoricums,barytas,the acids, ammonium, nitrates, fluorides, bromates, iodates, ferrates. In each group he brings out the main themes, their general characteristics and complaints.
Example..
In calcium group there is an insecurity expressed in the fear of what others think about them
Kalium – very family oriented
Carbonicum – concerned with dignity, self worth and shyness
Muriaticums – has care, self pity, attraction with mother role
Sulphuricums – based on delusion he is disgraced.
Content of The Book
1. Impart of knowledge of innumerable new remedies
2. Group analysis
An important aspect of this book is the study of group of remedies. Group of remedies which contain the same element will be compared and the common symptoms are extracted, Afterwards those symptoms will be used again to the various remedies that contain that elements. This method also used in ferrum group , a group of chemically related metals.
This is not an entirely new method but the way applied here is a different manner.
The group analysis as proven a powerful tool in the development of a remedy picture,
- The method has added to our insight of already ell known remedies
- Helped to develop a picture of several new remedies
- Helps to think about it on a metaphysical level
- Help us to predict the picture totally unknown remedies.
3. Abstraction
According to author it is the first book in which we looked at the remedies in a more abstract point of view than before. We are going deep in to the theme of remedies. This abstraction even make it possible to predict, to a certain extend the picture of unknown remedies.
4. Mind
While comparing and describing the new remedies, the author emphasis on mind picture. Group analysis give the best picture of mind. This is because the mind picture is always present in one form or another in a remedy, but the physical complaints may vary.
5. Aim
this book has been written for practicing Homoeopaths and not for the bingers. The polychrests not discussed in detail. New and rare remedies are explained in detail and compared them with known remedies. new aspects of old remedies will also be highlighted.
Structure of the book
- Disease as creation
- Group analysis
- 1st cations- ca, mg, kali, natr, & single elements
- Then carbons, carbonicums
- Muriates, sulphates & phosphates
- Lesser used groups – the Bariums, acidums, ammoniums, nitricums
- Lastly ferrum group
- As an extra he described Argentum metals and a search strategy that has proved to be very valuable. – time table.
The group analysis is given first and afterwards the result of analysis will be applied to the remedies belonging to that group.
The picture of the remedies are still tentative. The picture in this book are summaries which reflect the characteristics off the remedy.
Structure OF THE CHAPTERS
About groups
- The theme of the groups will be discussed one by one
- The general traits – the influence of the weather, time menses, sleep etc
- And the most important complaints
Of individual remedies
- Starts with short introduction
- Key concepts
- Look of the remedies according to group analysis
- Lesser known remedies illustrated with cases together with analysis & remedy reaction.
- The picture of the remedy
The lesser known remedies are discussed in greater length, illustrated with cases in the most complete and exact way as possible by the author.
Criteria for the selection of case are…
- To be illustrative
- A clear reaction & initial <
- A clear & lasting improvement, both physically & mentally
- Change, letting go of the problem
Notations
< – for aggravation
Ø – for ameioleration
<< – caused by
>> disappeared by
= is not influenced by (in Clarke = caused)
<- aversion
Time 24 hours
DD differential diagnosis
Disease will always be used for root disturbances, it does not means expression or the complaint
Chapter – 1 Disease as Creation
In this root cause of disease will be further explored. The different way to look at diseases will also be compared. The different views complement each other rather than exclude each other.
Desires as – wear & tear
As threat, as original state, as talent or strategy, as illusions
temptations, as protection, as symbols, as cultural phenomena, as myth or fairy tale, as creation or game.
Cations
The first discussed about cations –
first general group analysis
Example –
Central idea of calcium are continually worrying about what others will think about them
Very sensitive to be criticized in public
Having great fear
They withdraw and build up protective layer around themselves as oyster
Then general characteristics of cations are explained
Then common complaints(clinical ) of calcium
Time Table
He had created a time table, because the time of < can be very important indication towards the right remedy
There is a notable variation in the well known time < of many remedies
Example – Ars has < on 12,1 am ranging from 1-3 am. It is due to the fact that the time < mentioned in local times. The local time is dependent on the position of the sun at that where the time is measured. particular location of the place
This time table shows 12 <. Every remedy has been searched for its particular time of < ,which is rather reduced to 12 time groups. When a remedy has more than one aggravation of time, he reduced this to one particular time. Some remedies are mentioned under 2 different < of times.
Eg. Kali sulph 3 & 5 hrs
In that case it is presented as such.
It may be necessary to take the difference between local times and official times time into account, especially during summer, when the difference may be quite substantial.
Four grades
Plane type – possible time of <
Italics – probable time of <
Bold confirmed time of <
Bold underlined – confirmed & classic time of <
The number after the remedies indicates the sources. They are same as in complete repertory. 1 for kent,509 refers to Scholten’s own observations.
The time table is not the one and only means to solve a case , but it may help us to arrive at the correct remedy.
Conclusion
Even though it is not a complete work on minerals, this book can mark the beginning of a significant step forwards in the practice of homoeopathy.
A new way of learning materia medica especially of rare remedies, especially the general psychological aspects of the remedies.
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