Title: Materia Medica of Nosodes and Sarcodes
Author: Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad
Published By: Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad, India. Paperback, 242 Pages
Year of publication: 2019
Reviewer: Vatsala Sperling
Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad’s book, Materia medica of nosodes and sarcodes, reminded me of tiny boats that move with great speed and efficiency and deliver on target. When you want a quick grasp on nosodes and sarcodes, you have to reach out for this book because it has information on the subject extracted from many sources, gathered from many teachers, and based on extensive experience….all presented for you in a brief and direct manner.
Both Dr. Ashok Borkar and Dr. Surimal Sarkar have given glowing compliments to their stellar student, Dr. Gaikwad, and it is very reassuring to see that as a homeopath belonging to the younger generation, Dr Gaikwad has taken it upon himself to carry forward the teachings of his mentors and gurus, including Dr Rajan Sankaran.
The table of contents shows a list of twenty sarcodes and thirty-four nosodes and includes ones known from past century (eg. Tuberculinum) and something as new as AIDS nosode from recent times.
Indications for use of sarcodes made from healthy human and animal tissue is simple:
Go for it when there is lack of reaction, and any particular organ, enzyme, hormone, or sphere of action needs to be stimulated; go for it when mind and physical symptoms alternate; go for it when there is lack of or exaggerated function of any particular organ / system or you are dealing with metabolic and hormonal disorders and need an intercurrent remedy. For each sarcode, you can read about what function it serves normally, what effect it has on the body, and clinical disease for which it is useful. This information is followed by extracts from various well known materia medica sources.
Nosodes are classified into five categories: basic, exanthem, isopathic, autogenous, and intestinal nosodes. Indications for use of nosodes are situations like NBWS, lack of reaction to indicated remedy, paucity of symptoms, hereditary illnesses, history of recurrent illness, constitutional remedy only partially covers the case or the person is in need of homeopathic prophylaxis (a taboo word in the times of the pandemic!)
For well-known old time nosodes, for example, Bacillinum Burnett, and Carcinosin, Dr Gaikwad has given rubrics that point you toward the nosode.
Instead of creating a section for endnotes, the author has chosen to give relevant and brief extracts from various authorities, for example, Burnett, Foubister, Clarke, Morrison, Boger, Digby, Hering, Allen, Kent, Swan, Tyler, and Blackwood.
There is even a poetry on Tuberculinum by Gay Wilson. The benefit of this approach is that you get to read the exact experience or point of view of these authorities on the topic where they are quoted and you do not have to go back and forth between the superscript and endnotes section every time you want to know about the source of particular information.
At the end, there is a very useful section on the therapeutic index of sarcodes and nosodes. And, do not miss the page which contains a list of other books written by Dr. Gaurang Gaikwad. Though only seven books are listed, it is my hope that Dr Gaikwad will write many more enchanting books on subjects that are of day-to-day and practical importance in our practice of homeopathy.
Another strong feature of this book is – cases chosen from either the classic texts by authors mentioned above, or from contemporary teachers like Ghosh, Sankaran, and also a few from the author’s own practice. What I love about these cases are that they are truly illustrative, brief, and picturesque like picture postcards that people sent each other before WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook and Pinterest became a part of our daily experience.
You read a case and you can get a very clear idea about why, when and how you can choose a nosode or a sarcode, and that is possible because the author has chosen to focus on the core of the nosodes and sarcodes and do away with all other verbose embellishments. Well done, Dr Gaikwad.
