(Read at the June, 1922, Meeting of the International. Hahnemannian Association.).
In presenting this brief outline of what suggests itself as possibly a simplified arrangement of symptomatology, I am not unaware of the fact that it will probably not be considered a new idea; and may not in any sense supplant the recognized methods of studying the Materia Medica.
It is merely intended as an outline of the subjoined remedies, arranged after the method of Kent–from generals to particulars.
It does not differ in this respect from other outlines, with the possible exception that the terminology–the exact language of the repertory is used, thereby giving the rubrics their actual repertorial values. The schema here used might possibly give promise for the arrangement of other remedies for repertorial analysis.
The general plan may be outlined as follows:.
The name of the remedy is placed at the top of the schema, with or without its chemical or botanical equivalent. The symptoms ar then listen from generals, which are placed in two parallel columns, to particulars, which are arranged alphabetically across the page; the whole being supplemented by the general relationship of the remedy. First in importance are the mental generals, which are followed by the physical generals, arranged according to their relative importance. It will be noted that next in order after the physical generals come the cravings and aversions, and menstrual state.
This is in conformity with the following plan which has been somewhat simplified from the outline given by Dr. Margaret Tyler, of London (The Homoeopathician, Vol. II, No. I, July, 1912, pp. 21-33).
ORDER OF SYMPTOM VALUES Simplified from Dr. Margaret Tylers Papers on Repertorizing.
(a) Generals.
(Those general to the patient as a whole.).
(1) Mental Symptoms (if very definite and well marked).
Reactions to mental environment.
(2) Physical Generals.
Reactions as a whole to bodily environment, e. g., to. time and seasons, heat and cold, damp and dry, storm and tempest, position, pressure, motion, jar, touch, etc.
(3) Cravings and aversions, not mere likes and dislikes, but longings and loathings.
(4) Menstrual state (in women).
General aggravation before, during and after the menses.
Of lower rank:
Early, late and excessive,
(Only where there is nothing such as polypus, fibroid or menopause to account for it.).
(b) Particulars.
(Those particular, not to the patient as a whole, but to some part of him.).
First Grade
Symptoms which are peculiar, unusual, unexpected, unaccountable.
Common Symptoms.
Reference may likewise be made to an excellent series of papers on “The General Symptoms of the Materia Medica,” by Dr. Harvey Farrington, of Chicago, this years President of our Society. These papers were published in the Journal of Homoeopathics, Vols. V-VII.
For a comprehensive schema for case-taking reference may be made to an excellent paper by Dr. Guy Beckley Stearns, of New York (Case-Taking, Trans. I. H. A., 38th Annual Session, 1917, pp. 288-306).
In the study of the following remedies, the generals and particulars, according to their relative value in the different rubrics have been taken direct from Kents Repertory (second edition). The relationships have been adapted from the arrangement of the late Dr. R. Gibson Miller, of Glasgow.
The first step in prescribing is the proper taking of the case. For details of this method the “Organon” should not only be consulted (Sec. 83-105), but the careful directions therein given should be made ones own.
It will be noted that in some respects this outline bears a resemblance to the arrangement of Dr. C. M. Bogers “Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica,” a work which readily commends itself to every advanced student of the Materia Medica; yet it will likewise be observed that in the following schema, not only the actual terminology of the Materia Medica–repertory is made use of, but also the symptoms are reproduced in their actual rubrical values; hence may be made use of in repertorial checking.
In compiling such an outline, it will readily be seen that there is but one way to accomplish this; viz., a careful and painstaking survey must be made of the entire repertory, and the rubrics faithfully copied alphabetically in their relative value.
The following remedies will illustrate the arrangement: ABROTANUM It will be observed that in a remedy of the limited scope of Abrotanum, the generals are, with a few exceptions, of relative unimportance, whereas the unusual, “strange, rare and peculiar” characteristics would seem of greater significance in prescribing.
GENERALS.
Anxiety Amel. open air.
Cheerful, gay Agg. cold air.
Delusions Constriction externally.
Brain, has softening EMACIATION.
Hears voices Children (marasmus).
Dullness Upwards.
Excitement, excitable Motion.
Exertion, from mental Of affected parts amel.
Forgetful Agg.
Hysteria Numbness externally
Indolence, aversion to work Pain.
Irritability Pressing externally.
In children Stitching externally.
Loquacity Internally.
Malicious METASTASIS.
Memory Mumps to ovaries.
Weakness of To testes.
Mood agreeable Prickling.
Penetrating mind Internally.
Restlessness, nervousness Trembling externally.
Night Weakness, enervation.
Sadness, mental depression Weather.
Starting Weather, change of.
From sleep Desires.
Talk, indisposed to Bread.
Violent, vehement Boiled milk.
Agg. night Menses.
Agg. morning Painful.
Agg. evening Suppressed
PARTICULARS.
Head: Coldness, chilliness. Comedones. Old-looking. Epistaxis (boys). Appetite: Excessive; with emaciation; with marasmus. Abdomen: Distention. Constipation: Alternating with diarrhea. Hemorrhoids: External; after rheumatism abates. Stomach: Relaxed; Pain: Burning, cutting; night. umbilicus, discharge from. Hydrocele: Of boys; after suppressed eruptions. Respiration difficult; rheumatism of heart. Endocarditis; pleurisy. Extremities: Chilblains; pain, rheumatic; checked diarrhea; suppressed hemorrhoids. Arthritic nodosities, numbness. Emaciation: Lower limbs; legs; flabbiness. Paralysis, sensation of Hectic fever. Intense heat. Perspiration profuse. Boils.
RELATIONS.
After Acon. and Bry. in pleurisy; after Hep. in furuncle. Compare Agar. and nux v. in chilblains.
APIS
In deep-acting polycrests of the nature of Apis, the majority of symptoms, both general and particular, or of first rubrical value–to list the whole array of symptoms would not only be too extended, but entirely unnecessary, as a sufficiently exhaustive sketch of a remedy of this scope is seen in the more general outline.
GENERALS
ABSENT-MINDED PULSE frequent.
DEATH, presentiment of SIDE, right.
DELIRIUM Sleep agg. after.
During SLEEP SWELLING in general.
Insanity PUFFY.
BUSY Sycosis.
EROTIC TOUCH agg.
IRRITABILITY WARM.
SHRIEKING BED agg.
BRAIN cry ROOM agg.
STUPEFACTION WRAPS agg.
Unconsciousness WEAKNESS, enervation.
During FEVER Wounds.
WEEPING, tearful mood Wounds PENETRATING.
CAUSELESS Aversion.
Agg. 3 P. M. To drinks.
Cancerous affections To food.
Clothing, intolerance of Desires.
Cold bathing amel. Milk.
DROPSY, externally Sour acids.
HEAT, sensation of Vinegar.
INFLAMMATION Menses.
SEROUS membranes Absent, amenorrhea.
IRRITABILITY, excessive physical As it would appear.
Clotted.
LYING agg. Irregular.
PAIN, BURNING externally Late.
LOAD, as from Scanty.
PRESSURE agg. One day only.
Psora Suppressed
PARTICULARS.
VERTIGO; during HEADACHE. BORES head into PILLOW. CONGESTION; amel. In OPEN AIR; MENSES, before, after; in a WARM ROOM. CONSTRICTION. ERYSIPELAS. FULNESS HEAT; amel. In OPEN AIR; agg. while in ROOM; in HOT; FOREHEAD; amel. COOL AIR. HEAVINESS; amel. in OPEN AIR; agg. in WARM ROOM. HYDROCEPHALUS. PAIN; during the HEAT; agg. in a WARM ROOM; in VERTEX; FOREHEAD; TEMPLES. SWOLLEN, distended feeling. EYES: CHEMOSIS. INFLAMMATION; ACUTE; ERYSIPELATOUS; agg. HEAT, in INFANTS; CONJUNCTIVA; PUSTULAR; LIDS. Pain, BURNING, smarting, biting; STITCHING. REDNESS; LIDS. STRABISMUS. SWOLLEN LIDS; EDEMATOUS UNDER the lids;
UPPER lids. Ulceration, CORNEA. Vision weak. Agg. USING. EARS, discoloration REDNESS; SWELLING; pain on SWALLOWING; SWELLING. Nose, discoloration ; ERYSIPELATOUS; EDEMA. Pain, STITCHING; SWELLING. Face: Discoloration, RED. Eruptions, URTICARIA; ERYSIPELAS; EDEMATOUS, PERIODIC, RECURRENT; AROUND THE EYE. EVERTED lips. Pain STINGING, SHINY. SWELLING, EDEMATOUS; SCARLET FEVER; around the EYES; UNDER. LIPS, UPPER; WAXY. MOUTH: Discoloration RED; tongue RED; DRYNESS; INFLAMMATION. Swelling, TONGUE. Vesicles, STINGING; stitches TONGUE; BURNING. WATERY looking gums. GRINDING teeth. Throat: Glazed appearance: Inflammation, ERYSIPELATOUS; UVULA; MEMBRANE, exudation, diphtheria. Pain, STINGING; swallowing, WHEN NOT; STITCHING, on SWALLOWING. Swelling, UVULA;
EDEMATOUS. ULCERS. THIRSTLESS; during HEAT. VOMITING. DROPSY, ascites. INFLAMMATION (peritonitis, enteritis); TYPHLITIS. Pain SORE, bruised, tenderness ; HYPOCHONDRIA; ILEOCECAL region. CONSTIPATION; during MENSES. DIARRHEA, SORENESS, rectum; after STOOL; STINGING. TENESMUS. During DYSENTERY. PROLAPSUS. RELAXED anus. WATERY stools. Bladder: INFLAMMATION. Pain; PRESSING. RETENTION; in CHILDREN. URGING, CONSTANT; FREQUENT. Urination INVOLUNTARY; NIGHT; during COUGH. INFLAMMATION kidneys; acute PARENCHYMATOUS. SUPPRESSION of urine. INFLAMMATION prostate gland. Urine ALBUMINOUS; PREGNANCY; SCARLET FEVER; BLOODY; BURNING;
Benjamin Collins Woodbury was born August 13, 1882, at Patten, Maine. He was the son of Dr. Benjamin Collins, a homeopathic physician, and Matidle Albina (Knowles). He attended Patten Academy and received his M.D. from Boston University Medical School in 1906. Following graduation Dr. Woodbury began his practice in Lewiston and Winthrop, Maine, and in 1907 moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he practiced for the next nine years. Dr. Woodbury married Miss Gertrude Fancis O'Neill of Boston at Eliot, Maine on June 18, 1915.
In March, 1919, Dr. Woodbury left the Islands and located in San Francisco where he practiced for two years and then returned to the East and established a practice in Boston. He was a trustee and a member of the staff of the Hahnemann Hospital, Boston, and in 1947 was elected president if the International Hahnemann Institute, Washington, D.C. He also gave many lectures on homeopathy at Boston University and at postgraduate sessions of the American foundation of Homeopathy.
Dr. Woodbury died on January 22, 1948, in Boston at the age of 65.
The doctor was the author of "Materia Medica for Nurses", published in 1922 and of many articles in medical journals in England, India, and the United States. Dr. Woodbury was also a writer of plays and poetry.