Families in Homeopathy
Melanie J. Grimes, R.S. Homeopathic (NA), CCH

With the increase in the number of homeopathy remedies, from the 100 or so in Hahnemann’s time to the many thousands today, different systems have evolved to track, compile, reference and eventually prescribe the simillimum.

Computers have greatly enhanced our search abilities, enabling a much more specific exploration. With this renewed ability, comes elevated responsibilities, as is true in all areas of life.

The responsibility we now face is to accurately conduct provings, to accurately extract the data, to accurately add data to the repertories. People of integrity are now charged with organizing repertories and applying standards, as the gatekeepers of this accuracy.

The bottom line is the patient. Can we more accurately and specifically prescribe for each individual. And do the ends justify the means? Most important to consider is ease of use, speed, i.e. time needed to find a correct prescription, and short training period to learn.

When I began studying homeopathy in 1972, repertization was done by hand on paper. Daily, I am grateful to the computer programmers who spared me and us all from this tedium. In fact, I do not think homeopathy would have had the revival it now enjoys were it not for the computerization of the repertory and materia medica databases.

This brings us to the subject of families.

Each remedy is a unique entity, as each individual is a unique entity. That being said, there is something to be gained by grouping like with like. A creature that lays eggs and flies is more similar to another egg-laying flyer than to, say, a fur bearing, four legged live bearing creature, which eats egg-layers for breakfast.

What constitutes family? What parameters are needed to include a remedy in a family? Can you group animal, vegetable, mineral remedies in one family? Do we need families?

My opinion is that organization is the keynote of science and society, and any system that seeks to organize itself is a sign of intelligent design.

Rather than bicker over whose organizational system is right, I say, the proof is in the pudding. Or it will be, when an increasing number of cured cases raises homeopathy to greater visibility as a curative healing modality. Or not. The truth will out.

Families of plants have, even in recent times, been classed by the color of their flowers. This is a simple classification; easy for even a child to do and most useful if you are arranging flowers on the dinner table. A classification of plants by flower color is not the best for homeopathic similitude, because the ability to produce a red or white or yellow flower doesn’t indicate a particular characteristic commonality, as say,the ability to produce fever. What is useful to homeopathy is a classification that allows a list, or rubric if you prefer, with any remedy that might treat a specific system. The current use of “families” is sometimes useful in this regard, and sometimes not. Again, time will tell.

One thing all homeopaths agree on is that the words of the patient, or perceiving the words and actions of the patient, leads to finding the remedy, if not the cure. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if somehow the patient’s words could be used to search for a remedy, without the cumbersome step of translating into 19th century language? (How do you find “fear of flying” in Kent’s Repertory?) Or remembering where you last saw the rubric, “generals, worse heat, worse waking, left side, pain in spots”, or was it “left side, pain in spots, heat agg.? The new computerised word-search databases have been a mighty asset in these situations.

Miccant’s new software, Families, is another leap forward in this regard. It gathers every word in the case and analyses its probability. I think this is a brilliant use of our modern technology, and provides a way into a case without repertization.

What? No repertory? Homeopaths will scream. But your complaints fall on deaf ears, as I remember the day when those same individuals complained about losing paper and pencil repertorization.

The bottom line is this. Great skill must still be taken in case taking, as garbage in = garbage out.

The case will be found in listening, perceiving what needs to be cured in the case. If a practitioner can do his/her part of the work, it, the Families software, will greatly aid in the rest.

Melanie Grimes
Award-winning Screenwriter
Professional Homeopath
Adjunct Faculty Bastyr University
Author and Medical Editor
Journal Editor: The American Homeopath
Board Member: Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association

Melanie Grimes has been a writer since the age of seven. Her published works include books, journals, articles, essays, screenplays, teleplays, and librettos.

Melanie began studying homeopathy in 1972 and has been a registered member of the Society of Homeopaths (NASH) since 1992. She is the editor of The American Homeopath, and lectures internationally.

http://www.melaniegrimes.com/

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New USA Patient Survey

Dear David

Thank you for your help and support of the recent US national homeopathic survey (in previous copies of the Homeopathic Informer).

The results are now available in PDF Format in the research section of our website at www.AMCofH.org and the specific page is http://www.amcofh.org/Students/Research.html.

We are doing another similar study, this time focused on patients (National Homeopathic Patient Survey). The survey can be reached on-line at

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=902693334313.

This will again be an on-line survey and run for about six months. It will be open from May 1st, 2008-October 1st, 2008. It will take 10 minutes to complete. The survey is open now for participants. Results and analysis will be published nationally in leading homeopathic and alternative medicine journals on completion.

The purpose of this study is as follows:

1. To better understand the demographics of homeopathic patients in the United States.
2. To better understand what types of patients are typically attracted to homeopathic practice.
3. To explore variables that affect patient outcome in homeopathic practice.
4. To find ways to optimize patient selection for homeopathic practice.
5. To explore the cost effectiveness of homeopathic treatment.

Our hope is that you would be willing to send out an email letter to your membership asking if they would be willing to distribute a letter inviting their patients to participate in the survey.

Please ask any interested persons to contact me to obtain the invitation letter at: info@AMCofH.org

Warmly,
Todd Rowe MD, MD(H), CCH, DHt

Boger's General Analysis - A New Analytical Repertory

H. A. ROBERTS, M. D
1868-1950

This repertory is constructed on the assumption that the character of the pain (using pain as an illustration) is more important whenever it is associated with its concomitance and when the pain has not been located primarily with the Organs or part affected, considering the concomitance to be of more value than the location, as a symptom.

This is a very practical Analysis, quickly mastered, and we have only to use our judgement and discretion in interpreting symptoms into their 'least common denominator', as it were, and into the language of the repertory.

The two cases cited here illustrate the working out of the system.

Case 1

A man sixty-nine years of age came to me complaining of asthmatic attacks. He gave the following symptoms:

Respiration asthmatic, < by dust; < going into cold air; < by any change of temperature; < 4 a. m. Before the attack comes on he suffers from flushes of heat to the face and head.

Upon asking further about his general condition, he volunteered the information that he was troubled by pain in a small spot back of the metatarsal bone of the great toe, which was < on walking.

lnquiry about his earlier history elicited the following: Eruptions two years ago on the lower leg, associated with varicose veins; there was oozing, they be-came moist, itched intensely and became very red; there was burning heat. These symptoms were > by cold water. The legs would swell badly. This eruption disappeared and the asthma, which he had had as a boy, returned. As a boy he suffered from incontinence of urine until he was quite well grown.

This worked out very quickly with the cards, which were found by referring to the General Analysis which accompanies the repertory. The cards were selected as follows:

Respiration.
Waves, flushes, etc.
Dust, feathers, etc.
Frost, frosty air, etc. <
Change of temperature, etc. <
Time, 4 a.m.
Spots, pain in, etc.
Motion <

These symptoms were used as the first group, covering the present conditions.

Following the thread of the symptoms back into the earlier history, I selected the following cards:

Eruptions
Moistness, fluidity etc.
ltching.
Heat, burning, etc.
Congestion
Bathing, cold applications, etc., >
Swelling.

To these I added the still earlier symptoms of incontinence, stool, urine, etc.

The only remedy coming through all of these symptoms was Sulphur, which proved to be his remedy.

Case 2

A young woman twenty-four years of age came to me complaining of headaches, which were < on waking, with shooting, stabbing pains, and accompanied by faintness and nausea, < on waking, < stooping, < moving about.

Further investigation revealed that she was annoyed by a foot sweat, which was odorless, < from warmth; there was oozing between the toes which crusted over forming scabs; her feet were cold; there was a cream colored leucorrhoea. The case repertorized as follows:

Head. Shooting, darting, like lightning, etc.
Sleep, waking from, after, <
Stooping <
Faint, faints easily, etc.
Sweat, partial.
Crusts, scabs, etc.
Coldness, partial.
Discharges, vicarious.
Mucous secretions altered.

This case also repertorized to Sulphur.

lt is well to reiterate that in the case of this card system repertory, as in all repertories, the final decision of the analysis rests upon the reference to the materia medica; the repertory cannot do more than indicate the remedies which are among those we must consider as being more or less homoeopathic to the case.

This system is much simplified and much more quickly worked out than any of the card types of repertories heretofore in existence.

This system depends largely upon the relation of these concomitant symptoms, and the number of symptoms has been reduced to the least number that has seemed convenient to work with.

The rubrics which Dr. Boger finds necessary and which have not already appeared in the repertory as it was published are sent to the subscribers as the additions are brought out, so that there will eventually be more rubrics than there are now.

(Those of you that have the ISIS Vision software should explore and use this valuable little repertory - remember - this was given to you as a free gift with release 15 of ISIS Vision - David)

Encyclopedia of Repertory

Last time we mentioned this marvellous book we were inundated with enquiries and orders. So we decided to mention it again!

The Encyclopedia of Repertory is a hardback back printed in full-colour that explains all of the physical terms used in the repertory. It includes colour photographs of medical conditions and cliparts to illustrate other points.

Highly recommended! For more details click here

Miccant has negotiated a specially reduced price with the publishers for all Informer readers and we are pleased to offer secure, convenient ordering of this book using your credit or debit card. Click here to order. The book itself will be shipped directly to you by the publishers in India.

“Why I created the Families software”
David Witko, RSHom (Hon), DiHom, FBIH

I have been developing homeopathic software for nearly 30 years and while I have received wonderful feedback telling me how my work has aided practitioners I am always striving to do better.

As I travelled the world listening to many teachers explaining their systems and methods, something has become very apparent to me: they all achieve good results!

This suggests to me that many different approaches to case analysis work and while some practitioners get good results focusing on one method or system only, there are also practitioners who use a variety of different methods (depending on the case) who also get good results (so there’s room for versatility)

Who I created Families for

When I developed the Families software I kept in mind two distinct groups of homeopaths:

Those who like to work primarily with a families approach to case analysis – these types of practitioners would want to see the themes of the case pointing to the Ranunculacea family before giving Pulsatilla, for example. Or they may decide a patient needs a mineral rx, want to see the themes of the Kalis in the case before prescribing Kali-s (a similar rx to Pulsatilla)

The second group are what I would call the ‘more traditional’ homeopaths. Much of the time they will break up the words of the patient into specific rubrics and repertorise their cases.

This group might use the families approach as a supplement to more traditional methods (and homeopathic software) rather than using the families approach exclusively. This group would see the families approach as ‘another string to their bow’ as it were.

In other words when the more traditional approach either doesn’t lead to a remedy that seems to fit well, or when a remedy prescribed in the more traditional way doesn’t bring good results – other approaches are then considered.

Certainly one of the problems with repertorisation is that the polycrests will always dominate the smaller remedies. The following quotation from David Mundy (an eminent homeopath in the UK) explains this well:

“Rather than jumping to specific symptoms I first decide the Kingdom, Sub-kingdom and Miasm of the case . This can be done by looking at the themes and language of the patient. This is where the ‘Families software’ helps.

Then I repertorise and only consider remedies within the group/family that I had narrowed the patient down to. The problem with repertorisation is that polycrests always come up high - the more symptoms you put in the more likely Sulphur, Lycopodium, Calc etc come up. And if you pick the wrong rubrics you get the wrong remedies coming up.

However, I (do) always place the greatest importance on symptoms with definite Modalities, and that includes physical symptoms. These can and should be repertorised.

I think that these days, where much of the case history is emotional suffering, it's a minefield and it's easy to get confused. But…. Headache relieved by urination….. that’s a great symptom! "

When Families might be used

The following scenario shows why being versatile could be very useful!

Just imagine….a client walks through your door. He is 6 feet tall and heavily muscled – it is obvious he works hard in the gym!

A few minutes into the case you have quickly found that he has come for help with his asthma. You find out that he has a thick yellow nasal discharge, he is made much worse working outside in the sun but that he also prefers open (fresh) air. He also tells you that he drinks very little.

Now, what are you thinking?

Like me you might quickly say – this has all the classic keynotes of a Pulsatilla case.

Some practitioners would prescribe Pulsatilla. Others would say - I need to take more of the case. Let me find out what kind of person he is…..how does this illness make him feel,,,is he weepy and tearful and mild.....and so on

Further conversation reveals that he is actually a very angry person with history of repeated violence. Although he has a very successful regular job he chooses to work 3 nights a night as a bouncer of a local nightclub. His is racist, sexist and every other ‘ist’ you can imagine. He curses and swears all the time when talking to you. He is openly motivated only by money and sex – which he pursues all the time. He tells you that 'everything is about money and how to get it - at least I am open about it - most people just lie and hide'. You feel uncomfortable with him as you sense the violence is ‘real’.

Now what? Would you still give Pulsatilla?

As a homeopath I would expect that you don’t prescribe rx (like Pulsatilla) simply on a few keynotes no matter how ‘obvious’ they seem. If you possess computer software no doubt you would repertorise the case (see ISIS rep chart below) – which would lead you to Pulsatilla and hopefully some other ‘Pulsatilla-like’ remedies for you to consider.

As you know however there are many situations when the patient may return (if you are lucky) after a month to report no improvement from the Pulsatilla you gave. What do you do then?

Many homeopaths are now realising the value of using different case analysis approaches. The Families software allows you to view your cases through the prism of a families based analysis.

How does Families work?

One very important thing to understand is that the Families software needs the words of the patient or the themes running though the case in order to suggest kingdom, families and miasms to you. It is unwise to use only physical rubrics like Lack of Vital Heat with Families.

In our example, using Open Air amel, Bland nasal discharge, Asthma, agg from heat will not give satisfactory results with Families

Rather – themes like: Violence. Money, Sex. Anger, Cursing. Amoral is the stuff that Families thrives on!

And using our example above would lead you quickly to the chart below which shows the Fluorine and Reptile families as the ones to consider.

Using Families will certainly make your case analysis more versatile and will hopefully improve your results.

This may require you to record your cases in a different way to the way you are used to, ensuring you record the expressions of the client not simply their complaints and rubrics. If you do then Families will richly reward your efforts!

How I created Families

Over the years I have been collecting many of the various themes and expressions that homeopaths have observed as related to certain families.

The pioneering work of Jan Scholten and also Rajan Sankaran has widened our understanding tremendously. As more and more new remedies have been proven and themes of more and more families understood our collective knowledge has grown.

I believe homeopathy is indebted to the work of Scholten and Sankaran – without these brave pioneers our work would be poorer. Where Scholten unlocked the elements and minerals for us, Sankaran opened up the plants and animals! By utilising the knowledge of both of these masters the Families software allows you to easily analyse your cases across all the kingdoms.

More recently, these and several other authors have published amazing and informative works that explain the themes of the various families.

I created a large database of words, themes and expressions of all the families – drawing on the findings of many modern day masters. And then I created the Families software to examine the words of the patient and match them to the words to the families!

The result is a tool you can use alongside your favourite repertory software if you traditionally repertorise your cases or you can use it as a primary tool to help get you quickly into the ‘right area’.

Families will allow you to work with the Lanthanides as easily as the Solanacea and the Snakes as easily as the Kalis!

David

ISIS Vision
The future of homeopathic software

We continue to receive wonderful feedback from people using ISIS Vision ~ below are more happy users!

Thanks I've gone through all of the tutorials and I'm really enjoying using ISIS. Julia Linfoot (UK practitioner) July 2007

I received the ISIS Vision this morning and am well impressed with the things it can do. I am not that computer literate but the tutorials are excellent and easy to understand. Evelyn Poar (British School of Homeopathy student) June 2007

Just to say love the new Vision software. It’s streets ahead of competitors such as ***** in usability and style. Well done. Carolyn Walker (New Zealand) May 2007

ISIS Vision is a truly amazing piece of software. I am still getting used to all the wonderful things I can achieve with it, and, in a fraction of the time! Maria Stevens (Ireland) March 2007

I am delighted with how quick ISIS Vision is and I am sorry I didn't get it sooner. Theresa Clarke (Ireland) March 2007

To watch videos, see screen shots and discover ISIS Vision please click here.

To learn more about ISIS Vision please contact your Miccant representative. Click here for a worldwide list of contacts. Please ask your local representative for pricing and release dates where you are.

OBEDIENCE
Dr Pravin Jain

Obedience means doing, or being willing to do, what you have been told to do by someone in authority. It is often associated with submissiveness. Every parent wants their child to be obedient, and hence they are always seen instructing their child. Obedient children will often comply with the orders of the parents. They are afraid of being rejected or abandoned, that is why they put aside their own wishes and needs, while doing what others want.

Expressions of obedience

1. Infants when told ‘no’ will stop doing what they are doing.
2. Toddlers will roam in the clinic but only close to their mother.
3. Toddlers will put toys back in place.
4. Preschool and school children will not talk much and will sit quietly in the waiting room. If offered chocolates they will look at their mother and only then accept.
5. Well behaved children.

Obedient Remedies:

alum, bar-m, calc, calc-sil, cocc, CARC, croc, ferr, ferr-i, ign, lyc, nat-m, ph-ac, PHOS, puls, sep, sil, STAPH, thuj,

These can be further classified according to the reasons why they are obedient.

1. Forced by parents
2. Timid
3. Dutiful
4. Diligent
5. Indifferent
6. Sensitive

Forced by parents
Due to pressure from parents who are always seen instructing the child to do this and not to do that, the child is then pressurized and develops the state of Alumina or Carcinosin.

The main difference between both is that Alumina becomes confused and looses his identity. He fails intellectually and does not score good marks. He is not good at calculations and weak in mathematics. On the other hand Carcinosin, because of parental pressure, adopts an adult like attitude, they become mature early, becoming precocious. They become fastidious, perfectionists, emotionally are very sensitive and intellectually very sharp and studious.

Alumina
Alumina is a ductile and malleable metal and can be easily rolled into thin sheets or thin wires. Similarly alumina children can be easily moulded by their parents.

Alumina is a child who loses his identity due to parental pressure. He is basically a left handed child who has been forced to be right handed. Hence he loses his identity. Whatever the child does, the parents try to correct him and in the bargain the child loses his identity.

Dhwani, a 7 yr old child, came to my clinic and was sitting next to her mother. Though there were many toys in the waiting room, she sat close to her mother. When we invited her to play with the toys, she started by removing one toy, played with it and then put it back. Then she went on to play with the second toy. The mother said that Dhwani is very fastidious and she would also clean her study table. If she spills water while eating, she will clean it immediately.

However on interrogation it was found that Dhwani’s mother was a perfectionist, and would want Dhwani to abide by table manners while eating. She would scold her if, while eating, she would spill food on the table. So Dhwani developed an attitude of fastidiousness but in the true sense she was not fastidious as her books in the school bag were never kept properly. Dhwani’s mother complained that she takes a lot time to eat her food and is very slow in activities. In school Dhwani was an average child, and was very weak in Maths.

Drawings of Dhwani

1. No clear ideas. When asked to draw, she asked for a book to draw from and she copied whatever she drew from other book. (there was a book for kids explaining f- fish, i – ice, c- carot, h- house)
2. Drawings were very small
3. Mistakes (She drew 3 houses which were wrong and then finally one which was correct)

Calcarea comes very close to alumina when you see a child who is slow in doing their work and for whom mathematics is the most difficult subject. But Alumina has dry skin and no perspiration whereas Calcarea has profuse perspiration.

Other characteristics of Alumina

Withdrawing + Hyperactive
Mathematics inept for
Mistakes in writing and speaking
Weak will
Confusion of mind
Thermals – Chiily
Thirst – Thirsty
Constipation with soft stools

Carcinosin

Carcinosin parents are very demanding and they want the best performance from their child in academics, sports and extra curricular activities. They are told to behave nicely in front of others and hence they finally break down and become precocious (mature too early) and take up early responsibilities.

They are like ‘Bonsais’ where their own individuality in not allowed to express. They behave nicely and in an obedient manner. Never express their desires. Their school bag will always be in perfect order, their books kept properly, and they always score good marks in exams. If they fail they feel very bad.

Carcinosin is very sentimental, sensitive to music, sensitive to reprimands. With an artistic aptitude. They are very sympathetic and concerned about others. They are perfectionists, will keep all their things, toys etc very nicely. It’s worthwhile to check the school bag of a Carcinosin child. All the books and their covers will be in good condition and nicely kept. They are very precocious and will behave too mature for their age. They are perfectionists and hence even the slightest of criticism of their work will hurt them the most. They will immediately start weeping and their weeping is ‘non-expressive’ meaning inward weeping.

Other characteristics of Carcinosin

- Sensitive to reprimands
- Ailments from domination of others, a long history of
- Affection, children, craving for
- Ailments from too early responsibility
- Responsibility strong in children
- Fastidious
- Artistic Aptitude
- Sensitive to arts, drawing, literature
- Precocity

Drawings of Carcinosin

1. Nature
2. While colouring, the colors will not go outside of the objects drawn

Obedience because of Timidity

These are not truly obedient children but because of their timid and fearful nature they will not go out to disturb the harmony of the clinic. They fear that the doctor might scold them so they will behave nicely. But whenever they get a chance they will behave in rude manner. When given a toy to play with, they might refuse it at first, but once they are reassured by parents, they will take the toy, and you can invariably see that they are not careful with the toy, and will not put it back in place.

Pulsatilla

Pulsatilla children are very sweet looking (esp. females), and attract a lot of affection towards them. You feel like touching them but the moment you approach they will start weeping loudly. In the waiting room the child will be constantly playing, talking loudly to self / mother but moving ONLY around the mother. She will not leave the mother even for a second, and if forced will start weeping loudly.

They always want to please others hence appear to be obedient and fastidious. But it is more for getting attention. If there is another child in the clinic, and if he tries to snatch a toy from Pulsatilla child, the child will refuse and will cry loudly. The mother then has to talk sweetly to the child, and convince her or flatter her and only then will the Pulsatilla child part with her toys. Otherwise they are very selfish and will want all toys in the clinic for themselves, not allowing others to take them.

In short, the Pulsatilla obedience is more of a mildness but not a diligence. By diligence we mean sincere and hardworking

Pulsatillas are very manipulative to gain attention. Thye will weep very easily when shouted at or reprimanded. However the weeping of Pulsatilla is very superficial. If you console the child, he will immediately become quiet. If you try to make eye contact with Pulsatilla they will usually avoid eye contact and appear bashful. They will typically move and twist their body with both hands clenched tightly together. If you try to examine the child, they will not allow you to examine them and will immediately cry. They will sit in the mothers lap, but their with face facing towards the mothers chest, avoiding any eye contact with you. At the same time they are very sweet, and affectionate, but this affection is out of selfishness and they expect affection in return. A Pulsatilla child will be very clinging to their mother, and will definitely ask the mother at least once a day whether she loves him or not (easy tendency to feel loneliness and forsaken). Will hug and kiss their mother for no reason.

Pulsatilla Infant
The infant is withdrawing. Weeping baby. Cries loudly in crowd or gathering. The infant when taken to a party will cry loudly and not be consoled by their mother. The mother will have to take the baby outside.

Hey always want to be carried, but want to be carried slowly because it wants the touch of the mother more. They don’t want to be rocked. The moment the mother puts the child down he starts crying, and the mother needs to pick him up again. He seems close to Chamomilla, but the Cham. crying, demands and irritates the mother whereas the Puls. crying evokes sympathy. (Kent says Pulsatilla has a ‘pitiful’ cry and Cham has a ‘snarling’ cry, you will want to caress the one and spank the other)

Infants feel better when they are taken to the garden or in open air. They like caressing and fondling, and will always be happy with kisses and cuddles.

Pulsatilla Toddler
The Pulsatilla toddler will remain clinging to the mother. They will be mama’s baby, following the mother everywhere. In the clinic the child will sit in the mothers lap. They want the safety and security of the mother. They will resort to thumb sucking to overcome their insecurity. They fear being left alone. Also have a fear of dark.

They want attention. If they are hurt slightly they will weep loudly and will show their injury (which is just a scratch) to everyone in the house to get their sympathy. If anything happens to the child they weep loudly to get attention.

They fear separation from parents and so they will not let the mother away from their sight.

Pulsatilla Child at School
The schooling child appears to be bashful and will not answer any of your questions. Instead he will communicate all the things to the parents who will then communicate to you. They will speak in a soft tone (whispering) which is often difficult for you to hear. They make good eye contact with the doctor but from the mothers lap.

Wants the attention and affection of all the family members. Can be manipulative to get affection and attention. Even though they grow older, they will want to sleep with the mother.

The Pulsatilla child is very easily bullied by her friends and will often come home weeping and complaining that she has been hit by them. (Often complain that they have been hit by younger children also)

Entry points:

Child lies with hands above head
Sweats on one side of body

Ruleout:

If they avoid (don’t like) hugs and kisses

Calcarea Carb

Like Pulsatilla, Calcarea will be playing around the mother, but it is not for love and affection from the mother but more for security. They avoid going into unfamiliar surroundings, places which are new to them and hence will not venture out in the clinic to explore the toys. At home the parents say that he will listen to us and will not go outdoors to play. However the reason is that they don’t want to go out to play sports like football which is an aggressive sport. They will prefer indoor games where there is less of risk involved. They would rather prefer to watch other children playing from the balcony of the house.

The Calcarea child is very much dependent on their parents, and in the clinic will not answer all the questions directly to the doctor but will whisper the answer to the parents. They are very well behaved in the clinic. Their voice is too soft to be heard. They are not aggressive, and when another child snatches a toy from their hand, they will not resist but will go and pick up another toy.

Academically they are average but slow. They are weak in mathematics. They cannot handle too many things at a time. If you give them 3 tasks to complete they will do them one by one. They will complete one task and then only shift to second task. They will take their own time to complete homework.

Very sensitive and timid children with a lot of fears. They have lots of anxieties in them. They are very sensitive and cannot bear to see any cruelties, horror movies, and get easily affected by them. If you shout at them they will immediately start weeping (like Puls). They cannot see fighting movies, or cartoons like Pokemon. But would rather prefer Disney style cartoons.

Calcarea Infant
Will have an anxious look when lifted from cradle
Scratches his head when aroused in morning
Profuse sweat – will wet the whole pillow
Will play alone only if someone is around. Gets scared if mother is not there in the room
Will not sleep in dark

Calcarea toddler
Difficult dentition
Timid, they will avoid a risky, bullish game. Instead will sit in the corner and watch.
Will sprain ankle easily
Contented – will sit around and do nothing.
Cannot watch fighting in movies, Cannot watch horror movies
Sensitive to rudeness and criticism
Craving eggs
Biting nails with forsaken feeling.
Big – bellied child with emaciated limbs and emaciated neck.

Calcarea (Schooling)
Withdrawing
Fear they will be laughed at
Even when the know the answer, they will not answer in class, for fear of being laughed.
Wants to read Bible all day.
Curious – asks questions about metaphysical things in order to relieve his fears of life and death.

Physical Characteristics

Thermals: Chilly
Thirst: Thirsty
Desires icy cold things
Aversion to hot foods
Coarse and curly hair
Soft hands
Aggravation from any type of exertion

Aurum

Aurum is a very well behaved and responsible child. In the clinic it will be seen that they are usually taking care of other children playing. They will play very cautiously and will never break any toy. After finishing playing they will put the toy back from where they took it. They will even instruct others to do the same.

The obedience of Aurum comes from his strong sense of duty. They will sit quietly in the waiting room, preferring to read a book rather than play. At home they will do all their work on their own and will never trouble parents to do their work.

The other theme of Aurum is “Guilt”. They always feel that it was their mistake and that they are at fault. (In reality this might not be the case).

Abhiram’s father, when Abhiram was 1 ½ yrs old, had an injury on his chest, and had a few stitches. When his father used to carry him, he and the wife used to caution Abhiram not to swing the legs as this might hurt his father. Now although Abhiram is 3 yrs old, he feels that because of him the father got hurt and he feels bad about it (but this was not the case. the parents only cautioned him not to swing his legs).

Schooling children are less talkative, more responsible. When a teacher assigns them a duty, they make a point of doing it. They are usually made monitors in the class. And if work is assigned to them, they will become very serious and make every effort to do it. They will not take it lightly.

Aurums are sensitive about their duties and responsibilities, and are always on guard if they are failing in their duties. Reaction to this sensitivity is self condemnation, self reproach and self criticism. Feels he has done wrong, thinsk he has neglected his duties.

Rule out Aurum if

Child is talkative in school
Child expresses anger towards others.
Non diligent

Ignatia

Ignatias are usually good and obedient children. When they come in, they will avoid any confrontation and will sit nicely on the chair. They will be quiet (non communicative), but very attentive, listening to everything the mother is saying. They don’t laugh much and appear serious.

If you try to shout at them, they will feel hurt easily, but will not express their sadness by crying. (Puls. will weep loudly). You can see a small drop of tear in their eyes (like Nat-m. and Staph.).

They might show a hysterical reaction like deep involuntary sighing. Staph. will have the feeling of anger within, and feel that when they have not done anything wrong, why are they being blamed? Staph. will clench their fists in anger. Ign. will try to hide their feelings as far as possible.

Ignatia schooling child will be very studious. They are hardworking, honest and good at studies. Will never cheat when they play games. After coming home from school, they will first complete their homework and then only watch TV. They like family oriented dramas and movies and are easily moved to tears, but the tears never come out.

Ignatias usually fall ill after results, when they get less marks than expected in the exams. They get upset because though they studied well they secured less marks than expected. They are upset with the result, but don’t show their emotions to parents. Parents will only realize that they are upset when they develop fever or another acute complaint.

Ignatias are very sensitive. Sensitive to reprimands, criticism, reproaches. Easily hurt but will never express their feelings. Silently broods. Ign child has much sobbing, sighing and crying. Sobbing and sighing continues long after crying has ceased.

Natrum

The Natrum child is well behaved and often mature beyond his years “like a little adult”. Nat-m is very similar to Ignatia, but the main feeling of Nat-m. is that they feel they are being ridiculed by others.

In the clinic they will appear very obedient and well behaved, but do not like being talked about, and if the mother criticizes them, they feel very bad and hurt. Very sensitive emotionally. If you shout at a Nat-m. child, he will feel very bad, but will not express his sadness. (nat-m. is less emotional than ign) Inside he feels that he deserves to be shouted at. He is not worthy. And later when you try to console him, they will go into aggravation and feel sadder and will start weeping (but not loudly like pulsatilla). They are typically loners, will not mix easily with other children. They love indoor games and will usually love to play alone.

Nat-m will have one to one relationship. They will be attached to one of their parents.

Natrum Schooling Child
The Natrum schooling child appears to be very obedient. In the waiting room he will not be roaming but will be obediently sitting at one place. Inside the clinic, he will be standing very close to his mother, looking down. If asked any question, he will look at his mother and then reply. His answers are short and abrupt.

As an exampe consider that Nat-m, Puls and Lyc children are all taking part in a dance show. And somehow they don’t perform well and fall down while performing. All 3 will react differently.

Puls. will immediately start crying, and will cry so loudly that the first reaction of the parent will be offer her consolation. Mother says “no problem child, don’t worry, its ok, you can perform better next time, don’t cry ……” and so on. After some time the Puls. child feels better.

Lyc will immediately stand up again and show off as if nothing has happened. He will say that it was not his fault. He will use some excuse like ‘actually the ground was slippery and he fell down. It was not my mistake. I’m a good dancer but the auditorium is not good. So I fell down’

Nat-m will get up and will not talk to anyone and go back stage and weep. He will blame himself and feel that if only he had worked harder this would not have happened. It is his mistake and his carelessness that he fell down and spoilt the name of the whole school.

Staphysagria

The main theme of Staph. is to maintain dignity.

Withdrawing with anger suppressed. Staph. also has a ‘good boy’ image Very well behaved in the clinic. But they are not assertive. They feel it’s useless to show their anger. If they are shouted at, they will not express their displeasure, but will suppress it. It will be very obvious that they are angry, but will not express. They will close their fists tightly, but will not react.

Falak a 9 yr old schooling child was very obedient in the clinic. When his father was asked to describe his behaviour he said “he behaves like a Britisher” by which he meant that he would not mix easily with others and would not indulge in trash talk. He would speak to the point and say what is relevant to the topic. Doesn’t show his emotions easily. Controlled Emotions. Doesn’t show affection. Feels it but holds back. Tolerance level too high. Pent-up anger. If the barrier of his anger breaks, his reaction will be very lethal.

Staph. is very sensitive and touchy. When you shout at Staphysagrias, they become very angry, but will never express their anger.

Crocus

Crocus is very similar to Lachesis. But the maliciousness and deceitfulness of Lachesis is lacking. Whereas in Crocus the sensitivity to music is more marked than Lachesis. They like to dance tomusic. Involuntary singing on hearing a single note sung.

Loquacity is similar to Lachesis and also jesting.

Hysterical remedy. Many alternating symptoms are present. At one time angry and then suddenly become cheerful. One time sad then they become cheerful and start dancing.

Likes to kiss and hug.

Lycopodium

Cover-up is the theme of Lycopodium. Always trying to show what he is not. Basically he is very timid and has lack of confidence. But he tries to cover-up this by boasting, making big stories and showing that he is the best. “Hard to inferiors and soft to superiors”. A Lycopodium child is obstinate and dominating at home, but has a different image – as an obedient boy in the school.

There are 2 images for Lycopodium. If he is dominating, then he is selfish, If he is dominated he is diligent.

Hence in the clinic you see a Lyc child as an obedient child. He will look very serious and not smile. But this is only in front of you and in your room. But outside in the waiting room, the child will be hyperactive and mischievous. If there are younger childrens in the clinic then he will dominate them. If there are elders in the clinic then he will sit quietly near the mother.

Lyco Infants
Lyco infants are withdrawing and have a fear of strangers. They want their mother to be around and want to sleep in the parents lap. The child sleeps all day and cries all night. Laughs or weeps in their sleep. Child wakes up in morning with sadness.

Lyco toddlers
When you try to examine him, he will cry loudly and will not allow himself to be examined. He will turn his anger onto his mother by hitting her or kicking her in the abdomen when he is carried.

Lyc schooling
Lyco does not want to be reprimanded by the teacher. So they will always do their homework as soon as they arrive home. If their homework is not completed then they refuse to go to school and will feign some sickness esp abdominal pain. Lyco will avoid rough and physical games like bikes, slides or swimming. He will turn his energies to intellectual pursuits such as reading, hobbies or computers.

The Lycopodium child wants to dominate others. He will bring his toys to play (so that he can dominate others). He will always instruct others on how to play, and if someone doesn’t listen to him, he will threaten to take his toys away and go home.

Rule out

If the child fights with older children

Ferrum

Withdrawing + Hyperactive + anemic (Red cheeks = false plethora)
Chilly + Thirsty
Authority + Contradiction intolerant + Hypersensitivity to noise + Easily fatigued + gentle motion amelioration.

The main theme of ferrum is ‘Firmness”. They are authoritarian
.
Cyrus – 3 yr old child once told his maid to prepare a drink of Bournvita for him. The maid was busy and hence she said that she would prepare it later. Cyrus very coolly said “I want Bournvita now – which means I want it now”. The maid had to give him Bournvita.

This is the authoritarian behaviour of Ferrums, which is quite distinct from obstinacy. Here the anger part is missing when they demand things. Whatever they say (instruction) has to be followed immediately.

Schooling children are very firm in their opinions. Once they are convinced about an idea, it is very difficult to change it, and they always feel they are right. They cannot stand the slightest contradiction. They love challenges and are positive and strong willed in execution of their duties. They are dominating and dictatorial.

Toddlers do not like much physical activity. They get fatigued very easily.

Infants – Ferrum infants are very sensitive to the slightest noise. (like Asar, Bor, Kali-c). They do not like solid food, and want all the food to be mashed and pureed. They cannot bite food. When their mother tries to force them to eat, they become red very easily. They do not like to be rocked but are better by gentle motion.

Withdrawing
Irritable.
The slightest contradiction aggravates. If anything does not happen as per their wish, they become irritable and angry. They cannot take no.
Nervous.

Hyperactive
Sensitive to least noise. Slightest noise is intolerable. (crackling of paper, pressure cooker etc)
Hyperactivity - but more at the mental level. Physically he is indolent (gets fatigued easily), but mentally easily excited.

Reaction
Anger – inhibited, anger intrapunitive.
Does not want to talk, does not want to work. Does not want anyone to talk to him. Does not want the company of even his best friends. Misanthropy.

Mind
Slightest contradiction aggravates.

Generals
Aversion to solid foods and dry foods.
Tough and thick hair.

The child wants a cradle to sleep in.
The child eats solid foods.
The child sleeps in a noisy environment

Phosphorus

Will be a very approaching child making a good eye to eye contact, but there is always the fear element involved. If you shout at them loudly, they will immediately start crying.

They will have fear of the soft toys of big animals kept in the clinic (like tub.). Fear of dark. They are very affectionate, will talk sweetly to you, and if anyone in the family is ill, they will take good care of them. They are well mannered children, who will behave very nicely in the clinic. They are affectionate because they want affection back.

They like to be praised and if you praise them they feel very happy. Even nat-m., ign. and staph. will be well mannered in the clinic, but Phosphorus is ‘approaching’ and will like to share his feelings with you, and will express his symptoms but others like nat-m., ign., and staph. will not want to express their symptoms.

Tuberculinum will also be very similar to Phosphorus, but the speed of the Tuberculinum patient will be very fast. Tub. likes fast things, likes fast cars and they have a lot of fascination for cars.

Pulsatilla also comes close to Phosphorus: they both likes consolation, but Pulsatilla is selfish. The disposition of Pulsatilla is weeping and they will avoid eye contact and are bashful. Both like kissing and hugging, but Phos. will like it from everyone, whereas Puls. will kiss and hug only mother.

- Fear of Ghosts
- Affectionate
- Magnetized desire to be, and amel
- Sympathetic

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