| The following is translated from the introduction
to the *‘Repertoire de themes et de matière médicale
dynamique’, a repertory compiled by Dr. Guy Loutan from the
work of a number of groups using the method of Dr. Masi to study
the materia medica. It also proposes conclusions about a large number
of remedies that have been studied and is to be used as a work document.
The study of the materia medica using pathogenesis and
cured cases.
The materia medica can be studied in an objective way, using the
symptoms in the books as they stand. In that case, when a patient
gives us a symptom that is not present in the books, we cannot use
it.
We can also approach the objective data base, which is the materia
medica, and try to extract a more profound sense or meaning. This
offers an advantage: the sense we perceive behind a patient's words
or symptoms can also be perceived behind the symptoms in the materia
medica.
When Hahnemann said in the 3rd aphorism that the doctor must "einsehen"
examine, comprehend, perceive what needs to be cured",
the word "perceive" indicated
that the symptoms of the patient should not be taken on first impression,
but that we have to extract a deeper sense and comprehend the symptoms.
The symptoms to which we find a precise equivalent are insufficient
to achieve a lasting cure, even when this technique offers us some
very good improvements.
Dr. Thomas Pasquero wrote in his book Homeopatia (2nd ed., 1983,
ed. El Ateneo p53) "..it is because the purpose
of the doctor is to cure the patient that Hahnemann indicates this
very precisely in the 3rd aphorism. It is essential that the doctor
knows precisely what needs to be cured in the patient. To find out
what needs to be cured, it is necessary to explain the symptoms,
to understand the genesis of the psychological, physiological and
pathological signs that are presented to us and study the etiology
of the actual process." "In
this sense, the simple application of the law of similars is not
sufficient to choose a remedy."
We have to always ask ourselves, what does the patient want to
say, what is the significance of what the patient says? What makes
the patient tell us all these symptoms, what makes the patient suffer
as a unique individual, who cannot be divided into his different
organs, symptoms or diagnosis? What sensation, what suffering, can
I sense based on what I have heard?
It is the profound sense of the unity of message-patient, and what
we can call the minimum symptom of maximum value. This is the only
point which can assure a prescription for cure.
Using the materia medica, repertories and cured cases which have
confirmed our understanding of remedies, we can suggest syntheses
of remedies and themes of sensation, suffering and types of problems
offered by the "remedy-patients".
These syntheses are modifiable and temporarily help to achieve an
opening and stimulate reflection and analysis, but are not recipes
for quick prescriptions.
Local and mental symptoms.
Even though it may be interesting to practise this ultra-unicist
homeopathy based on the mental symptoms, which can be understood
without interpretation, it is indispensable to remember that a precise,
personal, local or general symptom with good modalities is often
more reliable in making a good prescription than the impression
by the practitioner of the patient's problem
and its remedy equivalent. The symptom is indisputable whereas the
problem of the patient and the remedy equivalent are presumed and
based on the education of the practitioner.
The experience of studying the dynamic miasms of the materia medica
shows us more and more the importance of symptoms and physical modalities,
which often are symbolic in synergy with the problems of the patient
(i.e. the confusion of Verat alb ameliorated bending forward and
it's problem of receiving the power from a superior,
or Phos acid who can hear his watch better from a distance when
it's problem is about accepting that man cannot
find enjoyment in immediate knowledge.)
The work towards a profound comprehension of the patient is necessary
to find remedies for patients who express symptoms that are not
present in the books. In any case, not all symptoms of a remedy
are expressed in a patient and, in addition, not all symptoms possible
to be expressed by a patient are present in the materia medica.
We need the dynamic miasmatic approach to help find remedies for
patients where a repertorisation will not be helpful but a clear
theme is present which points to a particular remedy.
Cure-suppression.
This vision of the materia medica should allow us to reduce the
cases where a remedy that corresponded to a superficial problem
in the patient caused a suppression of the natural disease, because
it did not correspond to the profound suffering of the patient.
These cases are still all too common, where patients have been "cured"
over the years of many problems using different remedies while they
slowly evolved to more serious disease. Such cases confirm our conventional
colleagues" belief, that homeopathy can only
cure things that go away by themselves.
Our work as homeopaths is only starting, because over the last
few generations due to a lack of clear useful doctrinal vision,
we were not able to cure what was "worthy to cure"
in our patients.
Even when the homeopathic help was mild and slowed down the aggravations
of cases, real cures were still rare and misunderstood, thus difficult
to reproduce. This new view on our art should re-launch the interest
which homeopathy deserves, mostly through the spectacular, long
term improvements obtained, which we can call real cures.
The referrals to God.
The use of God in the work of Dr. Masi should not make one believe
that the dynamic miasm is only for religious people. God is used
as the reference which is closest to our Western culture, to study
the metaphysical problems of humanity. All mythologies, medical
or political doctrines make a reference somewhere to the mystery
of origin, loss of paradise, culpability, perfection, security,
love, injustice. It is of course possible if the practitioner refuses
the endogen origin of natural disease, this unicist approach will
be difficult to apply, and his/her practice will be more peripheral.
Thomism.
Recently there have been more references to the work of Thomas
d'Aquinas. This is because his work proposes many answers to human
problems, the relation between our different components and between
man and divinity. This anthropology is very useful in helping to
focus the fundamental problem of each remedy in its possible metaphysical
origin. Any other philosophic or anthropologic reference useful
to increase or universalize our understanding is of course most
welcome.
The symbolism of any mythology or civilisation should be able to
be used to discover the sense of such and such a strangeness in
the materia medica. For instance, the Mosaic law or the tradition
of Iwa Pele an help us understand the dream of bats in Hamamellis.
Of course in the studies of remedies, "he" and 'she"
are interchangeable.
---------------------------------
Dr. Guy Loutan
Switzerland
*The repertory is edited by: Editions Liegoise d"Homeopathie,
1 rue Vignoble, 4130 Esneux, Belgium, fax ++ 3243801780 |