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| Exam oriented Materia Medica |
Exam oriented Overview
Studying Materia Medica is a big task because it has a lot of information to understand. It's almost impossible to memorize all the symptoms, which are in the millions. To make it easier, it's important to study Materia Medica in a systematic way. Different doctors have their own methods of studying it because homeopathy is a very individualistic field.
Here are some common methods people use to study Materia Medica:
- Lecture Method: Listening to experienced teachers explain the characteristics of remedies in lectures. This is good for beginners to learn about different remedies and can also be used as a reference later on.
- Study by Classes: Organizing remedies into groups based on their chemical groups, botanical families, nosodes groups, or remedies derived from reptiles and insects. This helps in comparing similar remedies and choosing the right one for a specific case.
- Proving Comparison: Analyzing the general symptoms of a remedy by studying different accounts from people who have conducted provings. This gives a deeper understanding of the remedy's characteristics and helps remember the general symptoms better.
- Repertory Usage: Using a repertory, which is a helpful tool that indexes symptoms and provides references to remedies. It's a good way to find additional information and connections between symptoms and remedies.
Some methods are as follows –
1. Anatomical study
2. Physiological
3. Pathological
4. Comparative study
5. Therapeutic study
6. Reportorial study
7. Combine study
8. Remedy relationship study
9. Group study
10. Study of Materia Medica at bedside
11. Monogram study
12. Typological study
13. Schematic study
14. Synthetic study
15. Analytical study
Anatomical Study
First time in Homoeopathy Dr. Hahnemann has studied Homoeopathic drugs in this way.
After proving, he collected and arranged all symptoms organ wise from head to foot. This is called Anatomical Schematic Presentation.
It is a very systematic way of studying Materia Medica from which we can understand the whole remedy in a very simple manner.
Here each drug is studied organ wise. This method is later followed by Dr. William Boericke. E.g:
- Materia Medica Pura — Dr Hahnemann
- Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica — Dr T. F. Allen
- The Dictionary of PracticalMateria Medica- Dr J. H. Clarke.
- Textbook of Materia Medica — Dr Lippe
- The Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica — Dr C.Hering
- Hand book of Materia Medica and Homoeopathic Therapeutics — Dr T. F. Allen
- Textbook of Materia Medica — Dr Cowperthweite
- Materia Media and Special Therapeutics — Edwin Hale
- Manual of Materia Medica — Dr W. Boericke
Physiological Method
Physiological effects as developed through proving and being recorded in Homoeopathic Materia Medica make the study of the drug easier to understand.
Dr. W. H. Burt’s physiological Materia Medica is based on this method.
This method has a limited scope and is mainly for the diseases-oriented prescription. E. g.:
- Physiological Materia Medica — Dr W. H. Burt
- A Manual of Pharmacodynamics — Dr Hughes
- Characteristic Materia Medica — Dr Das Gupta
- Botanical Materia Medica and Pharmacology- Dr S. H. Aurand
- Materia Medica and Therapeutic — Dr C. J. Hempel
- Materia Medica of Therapeutics and Pharmacology — Dr Blackwood
- Materia Medica and Pharmacology— Dr Culbreth
- Materia Medica and Therapeutics — Dr Shoemaker
- Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Toxicology — Dr H. C. Wood
Pathological Method
Homoeopathic drug proving has no records of the pathological changes. Most of the pathological records are from clinical proving and also from records of poisoning. The Homoeopathic Materia Medica contains pathological symptoms that are more of general character and are not very characteristic. When the qualified mental, physical, generals are lacking, one has to go by the pathological method. Sometimes if the same pathology is present in two or more than two organs, one can upgrade its value as a pathological general.
Comparative Study
In this type of study we can compare different remedies with their similar and dissimilar symptoms. We have to distinguish one drug from another drug by studying their points of difference and points of similarity, this can only be done by repeated comparative study of different drug and repeated comparative study of single drug by different authors and repeated comparative study of a particular disease or disorder of different drugs by their characteristic symptoms or distinguished symptoms. This method was adopted by Dr. Farrington, Dr. Kent, Dr. Nash.
Comparing and contrasting are two methods necessary for deciding an appropriate remedy.
The comparative study can also be done at different levels viz.
a) Symptom level – general or particular. Common or uncommon.
b) Organ level – Many remedies have action over the same organ;
E.g. Bryonia, Chelidonium and Lycopodium have their action on liver.
c) Disease level – While applying the drugs therapeutically, the disease condition becomes a source of comparison.
d) Action level – Many times symptoms are the same but the remedial action is different. Or action of remedies is almost the same but symptoms have different modalities.
E.g. Ambra grisea is an depressing irritant as from tobacco. Gelsemium has paralytic catarrhal congestion like Am-c or Zinc.
e) Typological level – Here the comparison is made at the constitutional level.
E.g. Lean, thin constitution of Calc – c, Phos or Sil.
Therapeutic Method of study
There is propensity of some drugs in terms of their action to wards some specific organs as well as some specific diseases. For example, a continuous fever such as in enteric fever is covered by Bryonia, Baptisia etc. hence they are popular as Typhoid remedies. This made this method popular.
In this method a collective portrait is not given importance. Disease Pathognomonic symptoms are held in high rank rather than individualizing characters. If only this method is followed, the practice becomes a routine work.
The success rate with this method is not high as homoeopathic prescribing is based on host-oriented not disease-oriented.
Reportorial Method
Homoeopathic Materia Medica is a vast subject it is impossible to memorize all the symptoms, drugs, characteristics and their gradations as recorded in encyclopedias and various text books.
a) Repertory is a valuable help as it is an index, a catalogue of the symptoms of the Materia Medica, neatly arranged in a practical form and also indicating the relative gradation of drugs.
b) Repertory is an aid to Materia Medica. The comparison of many remedies can be done with this method.
c) We can know one drug from another by studying their points of difference.
d) Drugs impinge in their resemblance and separate in their difference.
e) Drugs, which produce similar symptoms or affect similar organs and tissues of the body, are similar to one another.
f) They can only be differentiated by the study of their mental and modalities of the drug.
g) One can develop the personality profile of drugs through the study of rubrics.
However, for such a study the author picks up only those rubrics that fit into his limited scope. The Repertorial method provides an easy and simple way of studying, comparing, differentiating and memorizing the homoeopathic Materia Medica.
Method of combine study
In this type we can study a particular drug from various angle at a time
👉Anatomical schematic presentation
👉Therapeutic aspect
👉Physiological action
👉Comparison of symptoms
👉Key note symptoms
Picture type of method
(a) Picture type of Method – In this type of method one can understand and grasp the knowledge about drug very easily because drug symptoms are presented through the picture, by this Materia Medica becomes very much comprehensive and easy to study. It has very great scope in the field of Materia Medica.
b) Physiological type of Method – In this type we can study the drug by observing physiological actions of a particular drug on healthy human being. This type of study makes the drug very easy to understand. This is very basic and helps to understand any remedy in a very simple manner.
(c) Keynote type of Method – In this type of study one can understand the characteristic symptoms of each drug. In this method we can study peculiar striking and very much important symptoms.
Remedy relationship study
👉Study of Materia Media increases our knowledge of drug relationship depending upon the totality of symptoms we prescribe first prescription then if we have deep knowledge of our Materia Medica it will help us and guide us to select the complementary or the follow well remedy and complete the case, secondly it helps us in preserving the case and completing the case, as some remedies hold inimical to each other though they resemble satisfactorily to each other they do not follow well of each other.
e.g. Silica and Mercurius,China and Psorinum, Apis and Rhus Tox
So the study of Materia Medica with drug relationship is not only necessary, but it gives the satisfaction of practice when patients comes back with relief of his complaints. E.g:
•
Lectures on Materia Medica — Dr J. T. Kent
•
Homoeopathic Drug Pictures — Dr M. L. Tyler
•
A Textbook ofMateria Medica — Dr N. M. Choudhary
•
Leaders in Therapeutics — Dr E.B. Nash
•
Homoeopathic Materia Medica
of Graphical Drug Picture
— Dr Pulford
Group study
a) When a group belongs to same family they hold certain similar character as they have similarity in their origin.
Ex: Ophidians it is difficult to tell difference between Lachesis, Elaps, Crotalus except for few symptoms though they belong to same origin they do not follow well each other.
E.g. Though Nux Vomica and Ignatia come from same order of plant loganiaceas having botanical similarity but they differ from each other symptomatically and they do not follow well each other and they do not antidote each other.
b) There are also drugs which present marked similarity in action though dissimilar in origin which are said to be concordant like Puls. and Silicea.
Study of Materia Medica at the bedside
👉Study of Materia Medica by observations behavioural assessment were application of Materia Medica can be demonstrated during case taking in OPD wards and Bedside i.e. in IPD wards, this can be done when we go through large Materia Medica like Hering Guiding symptoms were Apis mel has covered 64 pages and Sulphur is covering 99 pages in Allen Encyclopaedia.
👉Attitude of the patient and body language of the patient, behaviour assessment of the patient these depends completely upon the prescriber’s observations.
Examples:
a) Phosphorus patient shakes his hands while entering and leaving the clinic, specially while leaving he often clasps both his hands between yours conveying his warmth and regard for you.
b) Zinc. Met patient who keeps on moving his legs beneath the table. Which clearly shows the fact that the system of Homoeopathy is intensely individualistic.
Monogram study
It is one of the best ways of understanding the nucleus of the remedies. With the different words, a student is able to decipher the inner most character or the essence of the drug. However, the meaning of the word must be adequately understood. One can understand the drug well with the concept of monogram.
Typological study
Our Materia Medica contains innumerable, typological, physiognomic, psychological and other types. They are helpful to some extent in selection of an appropriate remedy. When the case is one-sided, these types can be of considerable help. They also help a physician for clinical correlation and for linking symptoms at the level of constitution. To illustrate Arg Nit has makeup of white red, dried up, old looking type. It has problem both at nutrition and absorption level.
This could explain the typology of Arg Nit.
Schematic study
It means study of a medicine in relation o the reflection of the character of the constituent of that particular medicine.
E.g. the ink of cuttle fish is essentially melanine.
Melanine has very high content of Sulphur and Calcium salt. We can find many symptoms of sepia similar to Sulphur symptoms. Nash says there is no other remedy which comes closer to sepia than Sulphur.
Analytical Study
It means the study of symptoms of a medicine from the character, behaviour and appearance of its source.
For Example: The dark cloud of ink of cuttle fish resembles with the mood of sepia, its irritability, depression and indifference.
The indifference and its shameful negligence to her own young ones, resembles to the indifference of sepia to the near and dear ones.
From the time of discovery of Homoeopathy, till today Homoeopathic Materia Medica has been viewed and represented by various scholars in different ways. In view of increasing number of proved drugs and clinical symptoms, various types of Materia Medica have emerged. Each type has its own utility in day to day practice. “The fact is, we need any and every way of finding the right remedy, the simple simile, the simple symptomatic similimum & the farthest reach of all the pathological similimum & I maintain that we are still well with in the lines of Homoepathy that is expansive, progressive, science fostered &science fostering” – J.C.BURNETT. Various types of Materia Medica, as per the mode of presentation are :-
1.Unmodified Materia Medica
The one in which the symptoms are represented directly in the form & order as expressed by the prover.
Ex :- Cyclopedia of drug pathogenesis. –R.HUGHES & J.P.DAKE.
2. Modified Materia Medica :
A) Schematic Materia Medica :
The symptoms obtained during proving are arranged as per the anatomical schema (Head to Foot) – 1st introduced by Dr. Hahnemann in his “Materia Medica Pura” ((1811-1821) with 64 drugs)
Eg :- of schematic materia medica are :-
i) Materia Medica Pura – Dr. S.Hahnemann.
ii) Chronic diseases – their peculiar nature & their Homoeopathic cure – Hahnemann.
iii) The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica – T.F.Allen.
iv) The guiding symptoms of our Materia Medica –Hering.
Hahnemann represented each drug under 57 chapters from Head to Foot.
👉Merits :-
i) Easy reference of symptoms of particular parts of the body can be done.
ii) The task of memorizing a large amount of data becomes easier due to its division into various chapters.
👉Disadvantages :-
i) Determination of value of symptoms becomes difficult when they are represented fragmentally under various chapters.
Ex :- chilly patient but desires cold drinks when mentioned under different chapters, evaluation becomes difficult.
R Hughes criticizes this arrangement by quoting “An artist painting a family painting keeping all eyes of all the members of family in one part of the picture, all the nose in one another & so on”.
B) Keynote Materia Medica :-
It was introduced & the word “Key Note” was coined by Dr. Guernsey. Hahnemann described key note symptoms as “striking, singular, uncommon & peculiar symptoms” in his Organon of Medicine (aphorism – 153).
A key note may be :-
👉 A precise locality
👉A peculiar sensation, course & direction of pain.
👉 Alternative symptoms
👉Concomitants (mental with bodily disease etc.)
👉 Modalities.
Few examples of keynote materia medica are :-
➡Primer of materia medica – T.F.Allen.
➡Keynotes on leading remedies of materia medica – H.C.Allen.
➡A synoptic key to materia medica – C.M.Boger.
➡Characteristic materia medica –W.H.Burt.
“The object of this work is to aid the learner to master that which is characteristic & guiding in the individuality of each remedy and thus utilize more readily the symptomatology of Homoeopathic Materia medica”. –H.C.Allen. (Keynotes to leading remedies)
👉Merits:-
i) Selection of similimum can be done more precisely & quickly, if one is familiar with the keynotes .
Ex-
a) Thirst for small quantities of cold water at frequent intervals – Ars Alb.
b) Intense thirst with moist tongue & profuse salivation – Merc sol.
c) Must be covered in every stage of fever – Nux vomica
d) Thick, milky white coating on the tongue – Antim crudum.
But prescription based on keynote alone, with out considering the generalities may not yield good results always.
C) Materia Medica of Pharmacodynamics :–
The “SPHERE OF ACTION” of each drug is emphasized.
Ex:-
i) The new comprehensive system of materia medica & therapeutics – Dr. Hempel.
ii) A manual of pharmacodynamics – R.Hughes
👉MERITS:- By knowing the seat of action of each drug, the understanding, remembrance & application of a drug becomes easy.
D) Materia Medica of Physiological Action:–
Is based upon mode of action of the drugs upon various tissues of the body.
Ex:-
i) physiological materia medica – W.H.Burt.
ii) Characteristic materia medica – D.C. Das Gupta.
👉MERITS:- Knowledge of the seat & mode of action of each drug gives indications of its curative action.
Ex:- Apis venom causes irritation & inflammation every where, which is reflected even in its dynamic action.
E) Clinical materia medica :-
This type of materia medica, includes therapeutic utility of drugs in various clinical syndromes, along with the symptoms of proving.
Ex:-
i) clinical materia medica – E.A.Farrington.
ii) pocket manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory – W .Boericke.
👉MERITS:- The clinical suggestions & the therapeutics indices of this type of materia medica, aid the beginner to reach the indicated remedy.
F) Therapeutic materia medica:–
The drug indications are given under the headings of different diseases. Ex:- ( Vertigo, Diabetes etc) Few Examples for therapeutic type of materia medica are:-
i) Practical Homoeopathic therapeutics – W.A.Dewey.
ii) Select your remedy – R.B.Bishamber das.
iii) Pointers to homoeopathic therapeutics – M.L. Tyler.
iv) Loelienthal – Therapeutics.
👉MERITS:- Quick selection of a remedy for a given case.
👉DEMERITS:- No comprehensive drug picture.
G) Picture type/method of Materia Medica:-
The individual picture of each drug is represented in an artistic & comprehensive manner.
First substantial work of this kind was “Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica” by J.T.Kent, based on the lectures given by him at Hering Homoeopathic medical college.
In this work kent followed a definite schema while representing each drug as follows:-
Mental symptoms – with will, understanding & memory Strange, rare & peculiar symptoms – Among mentals, generals and particulars. Physical symptoms – desires & aversions, sexual perversions etc.
Physical generals – reaction to heat & cold, character of discharges.
Particulars.
👉MERITS:- Picture type of Materia Medica gives a comprehensive picture of the sick individual, rather than enumerating the vast number of symptoms, which makes the study of Materia Medica more interesting.
H) Comparative Materia Medica:-
Represents the comparative study of drugs having similar pathogenensis. As per the field of comparison, this type includes 3 sub types.
✒At symptomatic level:- comparison based upon signs and symptoms produced by a drug.
Ex:-
➡i) Comparative materia medica – E.A.Farrington
➡ii) comparative materia medica – Gross
✒At organ level:- drugs are compared with their indications at a particular organ.
Ex:-
➡ i) Therapeutics by K.C.Bhanja
✒At drug level:- drugs with much resemblance to each other are compared.
Ex:- children types – Douglas
👉MERITS :- help to differentiate between seemingly similar remedies & to reach a Similimum.
I) Psycho analysis type:–
In this type, the psychological aspect of each polychrest is analysed through various phases of development of symptoms.
Ex:-
i) Essence of materia medica – G.Vithoulkas
ii) Homoeopathic psychology – Philip.A.Bailey.
iv) Portraits of homoeopathic materia medica –C.Coulter.
v) Soul of remedies – Rajan Shankaran.
👉MERITS: Understanding the core/ essence of a remedy and applying it at emotional, mental and physical levels, not only gives a complete picture, but also makes the study of materia medica more enlightening.
Ex:-
i) Delayed action i.e., slowness of function and paralysis (at mental and physical level) – Alumina
ii) Blandness – Physical – thick skinned, calloused, lack of sensitivity to any stimulus.
iii) Emotional – irresolution Mind- memory weak, especially for short term and recent events –graphites. As this type of materia medica describes the state of mind in health as well as in disease, it helps to select a constitutional remedy, which may help to prevent the future acute / chronic illnesses.
J) Group study of Materia Medica:
In this type of Materia Medica,the drugs are grouped together based on certain criteria like the family of origin,the position of a mineral in the periodic table & their common as well as differentiating features are described.
1) Approach through periodic table-J.Scholten.
2) Clinical Materia Medica by E.A.Farrington.
3) Universal Mineral Materia Medica –Dr.Ramesh D.Jain.
👉MERITS: Systematisation of data into groups lessens the task of memory. Knowing the common features of a particular group narrows down the the field of selection in a given case.
Ex:
1.Haemorrhages of dark decomposed blood,
2.Foetid discharges,
3.Increased excitability of nervous system etc.
References:
i) Materia Medica Pura – Dr. S.Hahnemann. ii) Chronic diseases – their peculiar nature & their Homoeopathic cure – Hahnemann.
iii) The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica – T.F.Allen.
iv) The guiding symptoms of our Materia Medica –Hering.
vi) Homoeopathic psychology – Philip.A.Bailey.
vii) Portraits of homoeopathic materia medica –C.Coulter.
viii) Soul of remedies – Rajan Shankaran.
ix) Clinical materia medica – E.A.Farrington.
x) Pocket manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory – W .Boericke.
x) Pocket manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory – W .Boericke.
