Use of Boenninghausen’s Repertory

Boennighausen has the credit for producing the first usable

repertory in 1832. Its preface was written by Hahnemann and he used this repertory in his practice. His later repertory known as the Therapeutic Pocket Book, was published in 1846.This became the standard reference work used by most American homoeopaths including Stuart Close, Caroll Dunham, H.N. Guernsey And T.F. Allen.

Dr. CM Boger who was familiar with both Kent’s method and Boenninghausen’s method of repertorizing preferred Boenninghausen’s work on  repertory and improved this to include more rubrics and remedies. This was published as Boger-Boenninghausen’s Characteristics and Repertory [BBCR] in 1905. Dr Boger continued to improve this till his death in 1935 and the 2^nd edition of this great work was published in 1937.

Referring to his earlier repertory the Therapeutic Pocket book, Elizabeth Wright Hubbard writes “In Boenninghausen’s 482 small pages are 335 rubrics which are not to be found in Kent’s 1423 large pages . She further states :

“The Kent’s Repertory claims to be based on Generals yet it is a maze of particulars” .

Boeninghausen is most focused and classified .

Boenninghausen’s method of repertorisation shines in the following cases :

·       Without many mental symptoms.

·       Without rare, strange and peculiar symptoms .

·       With few particulars .

·       In cases where modalities predominate and     concomitants are marked

·       Cases showing pathological symptoms and objective symptoms

Thus the scope of using Boenninghausen’s repertory is immense, as in our general practice we have a majority of cases of the above variety. We can come to a remedy even on the basis of one complete symptom. A complete symptom has four components namely Location ,Sensation, Modality and Concomitant.

At the time of case taking we have to keep in mind these four components and try to get as accurate information as possible. Repertorisation on Boenninghausen’s repertory was time consuming  when it was done manually, but not now, as computer software is available both for the Therapeutic Pocket book and Boger Boenninghausen Characteristics and Repertory [BBCR]

Here are some cases worked out on Boger Boenninghausen’s Characteristics and Repertory [BBCR].

1. Mr. AP aged 20yrs, a medical student approached for homeopathic treatment after exhausting all options of conventional medicine. As he was a medical student at the medical college, the best of care was paid to his case.

He complained of shooting pain in the left hip radiating down the back of the knee.

< least touch, jar

< early morning

< external pressure, even slight pressure over the soles leads to excruciating type of pain

< mental exertion/ tension

< winter

< physical exertion / bending forwards.

> lying down on the back

Backache = lumbo sacral region , sacro ileitis

Stiffness is very much marked.

Neuralgic type of pain is present

< morning

< cold weather

< bending forwards

> hot fomentations

> lying on the back

Burning sensation in epigastria, water brash

< fried food

< mental tension

Flatulence + tenesmus

Thirst increased

Appetite normal

Stools- habitual loose stools

Urine  normal

Desires cold drinks, sweets, sour and spicy.

Chilly patient

Temperament

Anxiety, tense by nature.

Irritable, does not express his feelings.

Desires company.

Craves sympathy

Fastidious

The case was on BBCR.repertorized

The case was given Ars alb 0/1 4 times daily on 28/4/1994 for 2 weeks. On 11/1/95 the medicine was repeated for 2 weeks in 0/2. On 30/1/95 patient reported 90% improvement. He was given Ars alb 0/3 followed by 0/4 after 2weeks. The reports were most encouraging and last time he took medicine was on 9/8/95. Ars alb alone.

2. A case of mucus colitis

•    A 26 yrs old pilot trainee consulted me for his complaints related to mucus colitis . He complained of passing mucus with stools 3-4 times daily. He developed lot of weakness and gets tired easily. He has been under stress during studies. Due to the problem he avoids fruits and ghee.  He desires salt and is often thirsty taking one glass of water at one time.

Verat album, Nit acid ,and Causticum came up in repertorisation. However because of the higher rank Verat album 0/1 was given and he responded beautifully.

•    He has completed his training and is flying now.

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D P Rastogi