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“ I believe there is no source of deception
in the investigation of nature which can compare with a fixed belief
that certain kinds of phenomena are impossible. ” William James
Essays and Articles
The essays and articles on this page are a selection of my published
work from homeopathic books and journals, explorations of individual remedies
from a perspective of having "proved" them (see Beginner's
Guide or the Provings section for an explanation
of this term), and a section mainly for students of homeopathy featuring some
of my college assignments.
Most are available as both web pages and as pdf files for download (see
panel left). The web pages are printable, but printing the pdf files is a more
economic use of paper and includes the information in the pop-up windows which
accompany some of the articles. Some articles are provided in professional translation
(see below). Only the web page versions are visible to the online translation
software used on this site. (See Home page.)
See the General Essays page for essays on
related subjects which are less specific to homeopathy.
Baron Clemens Maria Franz
von Bönninghausen (1785-1864)
Articles
Published Articles
"Bringing Back
the Baron"
UK Society of Homeopaths’ journal ‘The Homeopath’, April
2003, No. 89 (pp16-22).
Article on Baron Clemens Franz Maria von Bönninghausen, contemporary
and student of Hahnemann; the features, development and use of his method
of approaching case analysis and repertorisation; subsequent perceptions
of the principles informing Bönninghausen’s technique; the
restructuring of Roger van Zandvoort’s Repertorium Universale to
make the use of Bönninghausen’s techniques possible in a modern
repertory; interview with Roger van Zandvoort. (This article was written
when the project title for the new repertory was Repertorium Universalis,
rather than Repertorium Universale, so it’s referred to as that
throughout.)
Note:
In this article you'll find some references to Hahnemann working in close
colloboration with Bönninghausen in the development of the Therapeutic
Pocketbook. In particular, to Hahnemann testing a limited version of the
Therapeutic Pocketbook for a period of around 2 years before making his
comment about it being "excellent and eminently desirable".
At the time I wrote the article, this information was accepted in good
faith from one of my sources. Several people who have studied the original
correspondence between the two men, and Hahnemann's case books over that
period, subsequently questioned these assertions because they had found
no concrete evidence for them. The source of the information then confirmed
this was more a matter of personal opinion than established fact.
In summary, Hahnemann's opinion about the work
is a matter of record. His own personal testing of it, and the close collaboration
between the two men in its development, is speculation.
REPERTORIUM UNIVERSALE
– An Introduction and Guide The Introduction and Guide to Roger van Zandvoort's Repertorium
Universale. Co-written with Roger.
The structure of most modern repertories is based predominantly on the
work of J T Kent. The Repertorium Universale moves away from
Kent’s structure, so its Introduction and Guide goes back to the
foundations of repertory development to set the context for its evolution.
The in-depth guide explains:
The repertory. What is a repertory? History of repertory development.
Differences in approach.
The structure of the repertories. Kent. Bönninghausen. Complete
Repertory.
Where the changes have been made to create the Repertorium Universale.
Details of the new structure. Where to find rubrics. Cross-referencing.
Number of remedies and rubrics.
Repertory gradings. Revision of the grading system.
Rationale for the changes. In structure. In gradings.
Case examples. Demonstrating the logic of the Repertorium Universale.
Using Bönninghausen’s technique.
This Introduction and Guide, and much more besides, can be found on Roger
van Zandvoort's website.
"COMPLETELY UNIVERSAL
– An Introduction to the Repertorium Universale" Homœopathic Links, Winter 2004, Vol 17 (4) (pp222-223)
Article providing a considerably briefer and simpler introduction to
Roger van Zandvoort's new repertory, for those who prefer not to go into
quite as much detail as the full introduction above.
Click on the image to link to Homœopathic Links' website.
Proving Articles
Over the last few years I've taken part in several provings.
The following articles are based on these experiences.
"Through the Looking-Glass"
A symbolic perspective on the remedy Lilium tigrinum. This article describes
the patterns and meaning I perceived in the remedy by weaving together
the threads of the symptoms of the proving with the insights that prompted
me to make sense of it, existing materia medica, and similar understandings
I subsequently discovered elsewhere. It’s an interpretation of the
remedy, as well as an account of some of the symptoms it produced. It’s
assumed readers have some familiarity with Jung's concept of the individuation
process and his perspective on symbolism, as well as the energetic anatomy
of the body as described in Eastern traditions (kundalini and the chakras).
"Bulldosing the China Shop"
An exploration of the remedy China (Cinchona) officinalis and its role
in the birth of homeopathy. An examination of available evidence of Hahnemann's
general state and thought patterns around the time he first started to
lay the foundations of homeopathy in the context of the remedy. The implications
for some of the assumptions made about his genius, about genius in general,
and about Hahnemann's distinction between the "reason-gifted mind"
and the "unintelligent" vital force. An examination of the nature
of provings and how they can contribute to our understanding of the world.
"Tails from a Red Fish"
An account of the experience
of proving the little-known remedy Erythrinus, a primitve South American
freshwater fish of the family Erythrinidae, the principal characteristics of
its symptom picture, and a philosophical exploration of the questions and issues
it raised.
This is a selective and subjective study of the main fetaures of the proving
of Burnett's remedy Erythrinus from one prover's perspective. Download full details
of the proving, materia medica and repertory from Joy
Lucas, the proving coordinator.
This section is mainly for students. When I was
studying homeopathy at college (1994-1998) we were encouraged to exchange
returned assignments in order to benefit from each other's perspectives
on the subject. The following are offered in that spirit. They're essays
written for specific assignments and although there might be additional
insights I would add now, they're presented here as I wrote them originally.
All achieved a reasonable mark (A or higher).
Philosophy: Constitution Assignment: "We frequently speak of constitution and of
constitutional remedies. Yet, when we ask ourselves what constitution
actually is we find we are at a loss for an answer. A definition like
Bauer's 'the sum total of an individual's characteristics as they are
potentially determined at the moment of fertilisation' means really very
little because it means too much and is too general. If every characteristic
is looked upon as constitutional, we still lack a yardstick to measure
what represents the differentiating elements between constitutional and
non-constitutional factors." (Edward Whitmont)
In your reading of Hahnemann, Kent, Whitmont, Vithoulkas, Ortega, Sankaran
and any other homeopathic or non-homeopathic sources you consider to be
relevant, discuss the different ideas about 'Constitution' and arrive
at a well-argued conclusion which goes some way to provide the 'yardstick'
that Whitmont mourns the lack of. (June 1997) Webpage version download pdf (151kb)
Philosophy: Addiction Assignment: Describe the problems suffered by people with addictions,
and their treatment by the homeopath with reference to their susceptibility.
(March 1997) Webpage version download pdf (119kb)
Human Science: Candida albicans Assignment: Vaginal thrush is one of the most frequently encountered
problems involving the female reproductive tract. It is caused by the
yeast Candida albicans. Discuss the effects of Candida infection on the
human organism, why or whether it may be considered an aspect of sycotic
pathology, and suggest approaches for its control and eradication. (Dec
1997) Webpage version download pdf (140kb)
Human Science: Enuresis Assignment: Look at possible medical causes for enuresis and
know about investigations and possible orthodox treatment involved.
Look at 6-8 remedies with particular association with this condition.
(Nov 1997) Webpage version download pdf (162kb)
Repertory: Rubric differentiation Assignment: Differentiate between the rubrics 'Euphoria', 'Ecstasy'
and 'Exhilaration'. (April 1998) Webpage version download pdf (133kb)
Materia Medica: Remedy
differentiation Assignment: Differentiate between Aethusa, Carcinosin, Natrum
muriaticum and Phosphorus in the rubric MIND, Love, animals, for (Jan
1998) Webpage version download pdf (137kb)
smeddum.net – Homeopathy
and Homeopathic Treatment by homeopathic practitioner
Wendy Howard
Published articles
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