Comparative Materia Medica Integrating

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Richard Pitt
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·•

COMPARATIVE
MA . RIA MEDICA
INTEGRATING NEW
AND OLD REMEDIES

RICHARD PITT
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Medicine, like every other science, is subject to continuous development. Research and clinical experience broaden
our knowledge, particularly as far as treatment and medical therapy are concerned. Whenever there are therapeutic
recommendations mentioned in this book, the reader may rest assured that the author, editor and publishers have
taken great care to ensure that the information given represents the standard of knowledge at the time of comple-
tion of this book.

The information in this book reflects the experience and study of the author and the information on all the
remedies mentioned is widely available in standard homeopathic medical texts and other literature. However, the
accuracy and effectiveness of any of the recommendations made in the book cannot be guaranteed and this book
is not intended to replace professional medical advice in situations where that is required. The book is designed to
be used as a guide for homeopathic students and practitioners, not the general public and is not designed to be the
only source of information about the given subject matter..'Therefore, the authors, editors and publishers cannot
make any promise of the effectiveness of any of the treatments and remedies mentioned.

The author and publisher cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage caused by the content of this book and
make no warranties about the effectiveness of any suggested treatment. However, it is hoped that the information
is of practical use to all who read the book.

Protected trade names (trademarks) are not marked in any special way. Therefore, it should not be assumed from
the lack of such a mark that the trade name is free.

All rights to this book including all or any of its parts are reserved. Any use of this manual or parts thereof outside
the narrow confines of the copyright law without prior permission of the publishers is prohibited and will be pros-
ecuted. This applies in particular to photocopies, translations, microfilms and storage and processing in electronic
systems.

Title Comparative Materia Medica, Integrating New and Old Remedies

www.comparativemateriamedica.com
Author Richard Pitt
ISBN 978-0-976091-81-3
Edition 1st Edition
Cover design 132 Studio San Francisco, California
Art work/ 132 Studio San Francisco, California
Layout
Editor Jenni Tree
Publisher Lalibela Publishing
San Francisco, California
Printer CreateS pace

Copyright ©2015 Lalibela Publishing All rights reserved.

,;,: \.
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'

.~.:t~:·.

RICHARD PITT
Contents

..
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PREFACE
VII
IX
INTRODUCTION XI
Chapter 1 Aconite ................................................................................................................................. 1
Chapter 2 Agaricus ..............................................................................................................................9
Chapter 3 Apis ......................................................................................................................................21
Chapter 4 Argentum nitricum ....................................................................................................35
Chapter 5 Arnica ..................................................................................................................................47
Chapter 6 Arsenicum album ......................................................,................................................. 57
Chapter 7 Aurum metallicum .....................................................................................................67
Chapter 8 Baryta carbonica .........................................................................................................81
Chapter 9 Calcarea carbonica .....................................................................................................89
Chapter 10 Carcinosin ..................................................................................................................... 109
Chapter 11 Causticum ..................................................................................................................... 119
Chapter 12 Ferrum metallicum .................................................................................................. 127
Chapter 13 Graphites ........................................................................................................................ 135
Chapter 14 Ignatia .............................................................................................................................. 145
Chapter 15 Kali carbonicum ....................,................................................................................... 153
Chapter 16 Lac caninum ................................................................................................................. 167
Chapter 17 Lachesis .......................................................................................................................... 181
Chapter 18 Lycopodium ................................................................................................................. 197
Chapter 19 Medorrhinum ............................................................................................................. 205
Chapter 20 Mercurius solubulis ................................................................................................ 215
Chapter 21 Natrum muriaticum ............................................................................................... 229
Chapter 22 Nux vomica .................................................................................................................. 247
Chapter 23 Opium ............................................................................................................................. 259

CONTENTS V
 Chapter 24 Phosphorus .................................................................................................................. 271
Chapter 25 Platinum ......................................................................................................................... 291
Chapter 26 Psorinum ........................................................................................................................ 307
Chapter 27 Pulsatilla .......................................................:................................................................. 315
Chapter 28 Sepia ................................................................................................................................. 327
Chapter 29 Silicea ........................................................:...................................................................... 349
Chapter 30 Staphysagria ............................................................................................................... 359
Chapter 31 Stramonium ................................................................................................................. 367
Chapter 32 Sulphur .... :....................................................................................................................... 379
Chapter 33 Tarentula hispanica ................................................................................................. 391
Chapter 34 Thuja ................................................................................................................................ 405
Chapter 35 Tuberculinum .............................................................................................................. 419
Chapter 36 Zingiber .......................................................................................................................... 433
lndex·1 Remedy Listing .......................................................................................................... 471
Index 2 Chapter Themes ........................................................................................................ 481
Index 3 Therapeutic Index ..................................................................................................... 513

I I
I I

vi COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OlD REMEDIES

r·
'

Acknowledgements

Homeopathic Materia Medica is like sculpturing a massive rock into a shape that reflects our human
design. For two hundred years, many thousands of homeopaths have chiseled away at the rock, slowly
but surely helping create its form. Everyone has done their bit, chipping away here and there. Over
time, the contribution of so many people has created something much greater than any one individual
or group of people could have achieved. Now, in the 21st century, we have a monumental amount of
knowledge and information on many hundreds (thousands!!) of homeopathic remedies and their use in
clinical practice. This book is but one more contribution to this work, an attempt to see the connections
that may exist between many remedies and to integrate the ideas, experience and knowledge of many
homeopaths into one book. Ideally it will make the job of finding a good homeopathic remedy a little
easier. I have used many sources in this book to help me bring this book into fruition. In particular
I would like to acknowledge the excellent research and scholarship of Frans Vermeulen and Peter
Fraser, whose work I frequently refer to in the book. I also want to acknowledge the creative ideas and
writings ofRajan Sankaran, Jan Scholten, Philip Robbins, PeterTumminello, George Vithoulkas, Robin
Murphy, and Roger Morrison, whose work is referenced in the book and many others too numerous
to mention; the provings of Misha Norland/Peter Fraser of the UK, Alastair Gray of Australia, Anne
Schadde of Germany, Jeremy Sherr of the UK, Todd Rowe of the USA, Nancy I-ierrick of the USA
and many other great provings mentioned. Finally, my appreciation goes to the extraordinary work
done by our homeopathic brethren in the past, who have produced such. masterworks such as Alien's
Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica, Hering's Guiding Symptoms, Clarke's Dictionary of Practical
Materia Medica, Kent's Lectures in Materia Medica, Boericke's Materia Medica and Phatak's Materia
Medica of Homeopathic Medicines.

All books of this nature tend to have some innaccuracies and one of the challenges in producing materia
medica books is to understand the source of the information and its validity, including spellings of
remedies! I want to thank all my friends and colleagues who have given time to give comments and to
my editor Jenni Tree for her effort here. I also want to thank my colleague in the field Harry van der Zee
for his support and companionship and to John Morgan of Helios Pharmacy for his ongoing friendship
and support in so many ways.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vii
r
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Preface

..
The goal of this book is to help students and practitioners with their study of materia medica and
cases. One important way of doing this is to study the comparisons between remedies, to explore the
simUarities and differences that allow us to make the finer distinctions in our prescribing. This book
is therefore written from the point of view of the relationship between remedies and not so much the
unique image of each remedy. It does not attempt to give an exhaustive picture of remedy pictures but
to function as a supplement to the more in-depth materia medicas already avaUable. Therefore, its main
goal is to complement other textbooks on the subject and to attempt to weave a holistic view of our
materia medica. There is no need to repeat information regarding the groupings of remedies and other
methods of comparison that have been explored in detaU in other books. However the interconnections
between remedies can be seen from many angles and this book hopefully explores some of these in an
interesting way.

This book is not adhering to any one methodology of system thinking or theory, whether kingdom,
miasm, botanical classification, periodic table etc. Sometimes, classifications are used e.g., botanical
families as a means of ordering remedies and/or for mnemonic purposes. Of course some classifications
are more clinically appropriate for comparison than others. The focus is whether it is clinically relevant
and practical as a tool of comparison. Any theory or model is only useful if it makes our job easier and
more practical and serves to clarify. The proof of any theory is in its application.

The book is designed to reflect the process of learning materia medica, moving from the larger, more
well-known remedies to lesser used remedies, without ideally over-focusing on any one group. I have
also listed certain rubrics for each remedy to allow people to study the rubrics and remedies further.
The rubrics chosen either reflect key aspects of a remedy or that are not found easily in the repertory.
I have not listed many obvious rubrics and I have not listed all the remedies in certain rubrics. The
information already exists in the repertory and materia medicas but it is important to understand the
relationship between the language of the repertory with the overall picture of a remedy and how that
may be revealed in a homeopathic case. A rubric is simply a specific extraction of a symptom that is
given as part of a whole story. The goal is to understand the rubric in relation to the whole case and
also to be familiar with important rubrics for each remedy as well as to point out important rubrics
used in daily practice.

PREFACE ix
 i:

The choice of remedies for each chapter may seem random but they were chosen to reflect their impor-
tance in daily prescribing and their function as a useful comparative device for many other remedies.
The attempt was to create a representative group of remedies from the many possibilities within our
materia medica. Of course, different homeopaths would choose different remedies based on their own
experience but hopefully in the end, enough remedies are covered to allow a broad study of most
important remedies.

An attempt has been made to balance the information given in each remedy, from the constitutional,
psycho-dynamic images of remedies to specific keynotes and objective information that has been well
verified in clinical practice. I have tried to avoid certain presumptive descriptions of remedy personality
types unless they have been well documented. I have also avoided mentioning remedies whose provings or
clinical data are still rather subjective although for the sake of inclusiveness, some lesser known remedies
are mentioned. We have many remedies already and although there are some fascinating new and unusual
remedies, I prefer to restrict the references to those remedies with which I've had experience or that have
some solid documentation behind them. Again, this is a somewhat subjective choice but hopefully a
balance is achieved between the better-known and the lesser-known remedies.

There has been a number of comparative materia medica books published before, from Farrington's
classic text in the 19th century to more recent additions. Hopefully this book will complement these and
add a modern interpretation to the relationship between homeopathic remedies.

,,i,
ji
11
11

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i
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I
I

X COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

Introduction

'Ihe study of materia medica is a fascinating and~ absorbing part of homeopathy. However, there is a
daunting amount of information and an endless list of possible remedies, some of which are rarely
used while others are used all the time. There is also a constant supply of new remedies demanding our
attention, some more obscure and esoteric than others. An ongoing challenge for homeopaths is to be
open to new information while not excluding the old. The tried and true remedies of our materia medica
continue to work and still tend to dominate our prescribing. This is partly because the old homeopaths
chose the most important substances to prove and use. Although there are plenty of gaps, the consistent
use and verification of many remedies has proven their value. There are therefore legitimate questions as
to how many more remedies we need but also valid questions regarding the accuracy and relevance of
some of the old information. Prejudices and inaccuracies a:re passed down through the generations and
therefore there is an ongoing need to reevaluate the old remedy pictures and update them, as well as to
look for newer remedies that may fit conditions of today. As with any living system, homeopathy is in
a constant state of flux.

One of the most challenging aspects of materia medica study is in the comparison and differentiation of
remedies. There are books, old and newer, written on the subject but they often seem redundant through
age or are rather limited in scope. This is understandable given the breadth of the study. Given that the
goal of the homeopath is to find the most similar remedy, with the assumption that there is ONE most
similar remedy, studying materia medica from the perspective of comparison is done less than the study
of the unique attributes of each remedy. Although there has been more recent work on remedy groupings
and systems to help classify homeopathic remedies, there is not so much time spent in exploring the
similarities between remedies based on clinical experience. There are lists given of rehired remedies but
not so much discussion.

One way oflooking at the materia medica is like that oflooking at the night sky. There are many planets
and stars, some larger and brighter than others. The ones we know well are those that are closest to
us. This is similar to the polychrest remedies, widely used and broad acting remedies that have been
applied since Hahnemann's time. However there are many other stars that are much larger but farther
away and only become better known through study. These planets or stars (or remedies) then become
more familiar and open up new possibilities. Most important though is the understanding that they are
all connected and in patterns like a constellation. They are part of the same solar system or galaxy and

INTRODUCTION xi
 influence one another. Similarly, one can look at the whole materia medica as one remedy, one source, in
which everything is connected to everything else. Therefore ALL homeopathic remedies are connected
and share certain qualities. Certain remedies are closer than others and share more qualities - symptoms,
sensations etc., and these remedies need to be studied and differentiated. These similarities may be based
on a natural connection to their source - e.g., similar mineral components, botanical similarities, or
animal source such as snake venom, or they may connect on a purely symptomatic relationship, based
on clinical experience. This is when one can see real clinical similarities with very different substances.

However, clinical experience forces us to make subtle differentiations between many remedies. It is often
said that it is easy to analyze down to three to four remedies but harder to make the final differentiation.
There is truth in this. One can use the metaphor of a city map, where one has to find a certain house.
One can be in the right district and even the right street, but exactly which house is it? There are lists
of related remedies in various books that are a series of groupings based on how remedies are related
-whether one antidotes another or is a collateral remedy, a related remedy and whether one follows
another or is inimical etc. No doubt there is good information here representing an accumulation of
many peoples' experience. However, not all of it is accurate . . for example the whole concept of inimical
remedies is questionable .... and there is often little context to explain the relationship of certain remedies.

The focus of this book is simply on the clinical relationship of remedies. There are thirty-six remedy
chapters, each one headed by a well-known remedy and this is used as a basis to study other remedies
that are similar. It begins with a comparison of the major "polychrest" remedies and then includes
smaller remedies as is appropriate.

Stages of Remedy Pictures

An attempt is made in the book to compare remedies based on the stage of the remedy picture being
presented. The concept of remedy stages is clarified here to help understand the breadth and depth of
action of a remedy and to see how remedies can be differentiated based on which stage of the remedy
picture is being described. Each remedy therefore is described as having 'three stages of development; the
Intrinsic stage, which correlates to the main constitutional and fixed qualities of a person needing a remedy;
the Compensated stage, which reflects the development of functional and structural symptoms as the
imbalance gets worse; and the Decompensated stage which reveals the pathological extremes of a remedy.
Each stage can be attributed to a miasm- Intrinsic,to the psoric miasm, Compensated ~o the sycotic miasm
and Decompensated to the syphilitic miasm. These dis~nctions can be helpful in knowing how to differ-
entiate•between remedies that may look alike on the surface but that have very different levels of intensity
or ultimate pathological expressions as well as understanding more intimately the connection between the
stages of a remedy picture. The stages model is described further in the introduction, and in each remedy
picture the stages model is used to give order to and classify the complexity of symptoms for each remedy.

The reason for choosing major remedies to head the chapters is that much is already known about them .
. They are well used and have been verified for a long time. However, the point is not to over-emphasize
! ,, them, but to understand their limitations, particularly if they have been prescribed and not acted, and,
by relationship, to open the door to other remedies.

xii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

11
The book is designed to complement other materia medicas. Often it is merely to give hints to remedies
so that more comprehensive materia medicas can be studied. Also, any book of this nat11re is inherently
limited in its perspective. It reflects one person's experience. It cannot hope to be a complete s.tudy as
that is an impossible task. It merely seeks to add to existing knowledge by helping to connect the dots
between remedies and to help homeopaths navigate materia medica.

The first part of the book is an attempt to give some context to the study of materia medica. It explores
some major thoughts and philosophy of materia medica study and of clinical practice and gives a
foundation for the rest of the book.

Ways of Seeing: The Art of Prescribing and Study of Materia Medica

In Aphorism 3 of the Organon ofMedicine, Hahnemann states that in order to cure disease, we must
know what is to be cured in disease, what is curative in medicines and how to adapt the medicine to
the person who has the disease. It sounds simple enough and yet this proves to be challenging for all
homeopaths. Let us initially look at the first part of this aphorism, that is, what is to be cured in disease.

What is to be cured in disease is a big question for homeopaths, as it not only means the most apparent
symptoms of disease but also requires a detailed and in-depth analysis of the whole person. As any
disease does not exist separate from the person experiencing it, the homeopath is forced to undertake
a comprehensive review of the whole person in order to not only get to the fundamental cause of a
condition but simply to get the information needed to find the correct remedy.

Homeopathic prescribing requires many skills and the utilization of information from many sources.
Some prescriptions are given based on one keynote, others on unusual dreams or on strange food desires.
Some are based mostly on the emotional and mental disposition of the patient and some are based on
observation of the body typology and basic demeanor of the person. Experienced homeopaths tune into
the person intuitively, picking up the more ephemeral qualities of the patient and integrating this into
the total symptom picture. Part of what a homeopathic teacher does is to explore this "demeanor" of a
patient with students- to reveal the smell, taste and nuances ofbehavior that characterize the person and
the remedy image. This is the artistic expression of the homeopath, a journey into the subjective synapses
of consciousness, tapping into reservoirs of knowledge and understanding that are h~d to rationalize but
which synthesize the art and science of homeopathy.

What is being revealed in the homeopathic interview is the nature of a person, aspects that express their
most basic peni.nality qualities and the issues that stem from this which we classify as homeopathic
symptoms. The l;>meopath is attempting to put the specific condition and symptoms of a person into a
holistic context and in so doing getting to the roots of the situation. It is not e~ough to simply prescribe
on the immediate symptom picture most of the time, although there is nothing wrong with prescribing
on a couple of keynotes. But a thorough analysis of the person, including their health and personal
history usually needs to be achieved, if only to give a context to the homeopathic case.

INTRODUCTION xiii
One question that can often be asked in case taking is: what changes in a person and what remains the
same? One q.nnot change the basic temperament and physical attributes of a person (although knowing
what is normal and what can change is not always obvious) but a homeopathic remedy can change any
imbalance or what is stuck in a person, both in physical and psychological patterning that limits health.
Sometimes as homeopaths we can get this mixed up, thinking we can change things we cannot.

Homeopathy has taken the art of the mind-body connection to a fine level. This term is commonly used
in holistic circles to explain the fact that the mind and body are interconnected and one cannot treat one
without taking into consideration the other, at least most of the time. This is a central tenet in holistic
medicine and very much with homeopathy.

In modern classical homeopathy there has been an increased focus on and treatment· of significant
mental/ emotional symptoms/states in prescribing and less treatment of overt physical pathology or focus
on physical keynotes. As stated by Hahnemann in Aphorism 211 and further reiterated by Kent when
he states, "every government is from the center to the circumference", the predominant mental and
emotional qualities of a person can most clearly reveal the central aspects of a person's identiry and
therefore symptom picture. This perspective has encouraged a focus on mental/emotional symptoms to
determine the remedy, and while this makes sense in many cases, it can obscf(e the fact that the body
can equally express the central state or constitution, especially when basic functions have deviated from
the norm, producing symptoms and sensations on the physical level; for example, the condition of nails,
skin, hair and functional symptoms such as menses, time modalities, food preferences, sleep patterns and
position, etc. The most confident prescriptions are mostly made when a combination of mental/emotional
and corresponding physical symptoms are included, especially when treating at a root or constitutional/eve/.
All symptoms are part of the whole. An undue focus on either dimension tends to create an imbalanced
analysis. The whole is seen in each of the parts if we can only identify it. Also, the body doesn't lie so
easily. Mental symptoms can be fraught with subjective interpretation from both client and practitioner.
Therefore, in both case taking and study of materia medica, it is important that all characteristics of a
patient are looked at, and not to focus too much on any one area.

A discussion is given in this book to the term constitution and what it means in homeopathic prescribing.
It is important to know at what level one is prescribing and whether the given remedy is based on a
constitutional analysis or not. This will help in the choice of symptoms taken in the case, the most
important task of the homeopath after "Taking the Case". Also, the terms "essence", "core delusion" and
more recently "vital sensation" and "source" have been used to describe a process of gelting to the deepest
possible understanding of a case and this approach can be said to be an extension of Kent's approach of
seeing all important expressions of a case stemming from a central idea or theme.

Which Case-taking Route to Follow?

While not wanting to debate the merits of any one method, it is an example of the challenges we face as
homeopaths as there are many ways to get to the remedy image. In our attempt to simply find the "right
remedy"' we have to explore many areas, and the information we may need can be found in any area of
the body or mind and on any level. One of the things to be constantly aware of in case taking is not

xiv COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 to get stuck in any one methodology. Case taking is a ddicate dance between client and homeopath, a
·<balance between the subjective experiences of both and the objective rationalization needed to find the
cbrrect remedy. We need to be able to find our own way and to be able to move with the patient, while
... staying true to our goal of finding the image and information necessary to make a remedy choice_ As
· .•. . ·mentioned, one small keynote may do it, while in other cases, leading patients to a deep "unconscious"
expression of their state may reveal the picture of the disease.

1here are times in which the patient is lead to even describe the remedy; the "source" of the substance they
·.need as a homeopathic remedy, whether it is a mineral, animal or vegetable. Some of these examples can
•· be impressive in being able to express what the patient needs by letting the patient state it by bypassing
· · ilie conscious mind. This may be easier to do with some people than others and also depending on the
remedy they may need. It may be harder if a patient needs something that no-one has ever heard of than
say a substance/thing that is more commonly known. It may also be easier if the remedy needed is from
the animal world, which at least shares a basic self awareness o~ consciousness that the inanimate world
of elements does not and the vegetable world has less o£ This method of getting to the source is also
fraught with potential error and misinterpretation and yet at times it may lead to a remedy than cannot
be seen in any other way and by conventional analysis.

Characteristic Symptoms and Qualities

What is more important in analysis is not in always finding the so-called central theme or essence but in
identifying what are the most characteristic symptoms or qualities in the case. It is this and the unique
combination of key characteristics in any given case that leads to the remedy. The key characteristics may
or may not be what is most limiting to a person or the most intense symptoms. While mental/emotional
symptoms can often give vital information, they need to be strong to be useful or the homeopath needs
to know how the unique combination of physical and psychological observations, and mental/emotional
symptoms fits into the overall case. An overemphasis on· mental/emotional symptoms can lead to the
avoidance of more important physical characteristics. It has been demonstrated by many approaches
that the core of a case can be found through exploring the deepest experience of a physical symptom,
looking at the language and experience of the whole person through a specific physical symptom. If we
approach each symptom as if it were part of a hologram, then we can still look for the most complete
comprehension of a symptom and how it is connected to the whole. ,

Seeing the Pattern

However, often the most important key in finding a remedy is in recognizing a pattern in the selected
totality of characteristic symptoms chosen- a fear here, a dream there, an etiology perhaps and suddenly
a remedy picture emerges. This ability to select and then recognize a pattern in symptoms is often the
key to finding the right remedy.

When taking a case, we explore issues that reveal the most important dimensions of a patient's life,
questions pertaining to one's purpose in life, what gives meaning and value and what obstacles may be in
the way. By understanding the basic nature of a person - their template - one can gain an understanding

INTRODUCTION XV
 of the health issues and struggles they may face as they are usually intimately connected. However, one
must generally avoid prescribing on a vague concept of personality characteristics only. It is only in the
qualitative totality, the unique relationship of both mental and physical symptoms that gives us the
necessary confidence in prescribing. Some of the most important qualities can be seen in the body type,
the areas of the body involved and other more objective characteristics of the person's basic character.
Less analytical and simpler observations by experienced practitioners can sometimes lead to the correct
remedy in a direct and simple way. For example, the qualities described in a Sulphur-type person, or
Calcarea carbonica or Phosphorus have been verified thousands of times by homeopaths throughout the
world. This knowledge of polychrest remedies is tried and true and a good homeopath knows how to
make distinctions between these remedies and can identify the need for these remedies very simply. This
is why, at times, one can see a remedy for a person merely by looking at them and perhaps speaking for
a few minutes. The truth is the truth. This knowledge and experience can also help in seeing when a less
common remedy is indicated through a process of remedy elimination.

However, there are cases in which the mental or physical etiology of the case is the most important
information needed and one ignores the basic story and personality of the person, and other constitutional
physical attributes. Every case demands its own analysis and approach. 1he goal of the homeopath is to
recognize this and know which symptoms are important for each case.

One of the goals of this book is to attempt to distinguish when a polychrest remedy is needed, based on
traditional information, and when a less well-known or new remedy may be indicated. This knowledge
most often comes with experience and a homeopath of many years will be able to make that distinction.
However, given the increasing number of remedies and methods of exploring possible remedy pictures,
it is worth further study of our remedies to see where we are going.

Knowledge of Medicines
1he second part of Aphorism 3 states that we must know what is curative in medicine. Traditionally,
this knowledge has come from homeopathic provings and been corroborated in clinical practice. The
combination of knowledge from these two areas has formed the backbone of our materia medica,
from Alien's Encyclopedia, which focused on proving symptoms, to Hering's Guiding Symptoms, which
incorporated more clinical data. However, we are also aware of the limits of this information. Many
provings are incomplete and inaccurate and also clinical data is not always true unless it has been
corroborated by others. There have been systems of thinking that have sought to a~ to our knowledge
base of medicines; systems of classification such as the periodic table and botanical classifications and
also direct study of the nature of the substance itself. These systems incorporate some of the basic
knowledge of a substance but there are other ways in which knowledge of a substance can be obtained.
While the use of the Doctrine of Signatures is often criticized, if the study into the nature of a substance
is comprehensive it goes much further than this doctrine, which historically has been a very loose basis
for obtaining knowledge. The shape of a plant does not necessarily tell us very much indeed about its
possible medicinal use (although it may be enough for basic categorization), yet the detailed study of
a plants' biological and chemical behavior can give valuable information about its nature and possible
homeopathic use. This is even more the case in studying animal behavior as in the complexity of animal

xvi COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

11':
I::
life it is easier to see parallels in human conditioning e.g., milk remedies, as well as the physiological
study of the animal part used, such as snake venom that may give us valuable information about its use
as a hom~opathic remedy. This information cannot be ignored and by studying deeply the source of
a substance as a remedy, be it mineral, animal or vegetable, it can add greatly to our knowledge of its
possible use as a remedy. However, it is finally only in clinical practice that the validity of any of this
information is confirmed.

As we gain a more comprehensive idea of the knowledge of medicines found in nature, it can give
us a deeper understanding of the human condition and to perceive what is be cured, conforming to
Hahnemann's declaration in Aphorism 3, needing a knowledge of both disea.Se and of medicines. The
two criteria stated by Hahnemann are therefore inextricably linked. The language in our materia medica
allows us to tra.Rslate the language of the patient more clearly. In theory, one doesn't need any knowledge
of materia medica to take a good case, but in practice, this knowledge acts as a map for homeopaths,
as long as we can be objective in our experience and not project our knowledge onto the client's story.
This is the delicate dance involved in homeopathic case taking but in our attempt to truly understand
the human condition and to find remedies to suit, developing our knowledge of materia medica gives
us a clearer map.

New Thinking and New Remedies

Some of the newer remedies being explored are not based on any provings at all, and also have incom-
plete clinical confirmation at this point. For example, there is little known about remedies within the
Lanthanides and Actinides group and what information we have is achieved through a system based
analysis, which while fascinating, tends to be somewhat generalized and archetypal in nature. There are
few traditional homeopathic symptom pictures and keynotes etc., requiring a shift in one's methodology
and analysis. While it may allow insight into cases that wouldn't have happened without this knowledge,
it can also lead to justification for these remedies based on a rather vague and metaphorical analysis.
These remedies may be very useful in prescribing, but it is not possible to use them according to tradi-
tional methodology and is open to projection and speculative theories about their suitability in cases.
Also, given the lack of proving for these remedies, accumulative clinical data from many practitioners
becomes even more important.

However, to be able to see the possibility of prescribing these remedies, or for that matter, other remedies
such as gems or some bird remedies we do have to be able to use a different ~ought process and analysis.
Instead of simply focusing on specific symptoms, we have to stand back a bit and look at a broader
theme or template of a person, seeing in a general way the challenges and limits to their life. While this
can seem like falling into the simplistic over-generalized approach discussed earlier, if applied according
to a more systematic analysis and seeing a characteristic theme in a story, it m~y help us see a pattern in
the case. Any physical symptoms are mainly used to support the broad theme or situation of a person's
life. If one doesn't do that, then it is more difficult to identify one of these remedies.

Another way of putting it is that it is not possible to see anything new unless we leave room for it. If
we interpret every case only based on what we already know then we can only give known remedies.

INTRODUCTION xvii
!.j'
'i

1~ However, that forces us to be as honest as possible about our own process and not to make subjective
projections onto a person based on what we want to see. That is easy enough to do even if we know
remedies well. It is even easier if we are not sure of what we are doing.

Therefore in this book we are taking our study of materia medica from the known and verified remedies
and including possibilities of other remedies so that the process of analysis and comparison can be made
as systematic as possible. We have 200 years of experience with some remedies and less than one year
with others. We don't want to leave anything out, but we don't want to discard what we already know.

In order to clarify the process of analysis in homeopathic cases including the classification of symptoms
and the broader study of. materia medica, it is first of all important to define and understand certain
concepts. These include ideas of constitution, miasms and the use of nosodes, layers in prescribing, the
role of etiology, relationship of remedies, symptom'patterns and the use of various systems of thinking
in helping us find appropriate remedies.

Defining Constitution
The term constitution is used a lot in homeopathy to describe much of our prescribing. Often it can be
used interchangeably with the word chronic; that is any case in which the situation is not acute, (and even
here, most acutes are really of a chronic nature- as Hahnemann described). The interchangeability of these
terms can lead to some confusion. Constitution is generally used to describe the intrinsic susceptibility
of a person, but in practice, knowing whether a prescription is given for the constitution or whether for a
basic chronic condition is not always clear. In some ways, it may be easier not to use the word constitution
at all, just acute or chronic, as then the distinction may not need to be made. One just treats what one
sees, period. However, given its daily use in homeopathic language, it is useful to clarify this term.

When the phrase constitutional treatment is used, it usually means that the reason for the prescription is
based on both the presenting symptoms and on basic characteristics of a person that are intrinsic to that
·person, that do not change, even with the correct remedy. It is taking into consideration "that which is",
not that which changes as a result of treatment. It pertains to the basic temperament of a person but is
stlll more than the temperament. The qualities of constitution includes such characteristics as body type,
facial characteristics, skin tone, nail quality, basic personality characteristics, food and weather prefer-
ences, menstrual history etc, functions and expressions of the individual that define both personality
and physical patterns. •
When we prescribe a remedy, we often take into consideration some of these characteristics to aid our
remedy choice, even if the symptoms to be cured have nothing to do with these factors. However, often
there can be an imbalance in some of these basic qualities - extreme food cravings, a strong reaction
to the weather, menstrual. problems, increased anxiety, worry or another emotional condition - all
expressing an imbalance or compensation of this basic state. This is when the correct "constitutional"
. remedy can quickly restore balance to the person. By treating this way, there is the presumption that this
is also the root or foundation remedy for this person. We have reached the basic core level.

xviii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

Oversimplification of Constitutional Images
However, there has been a tendency to relate the idea of constitution to personality (temperament)
characteristics that become more like simplistic astrological types, generalizations of character-type in
which definitive descriptions are made of the personality of a remedy. Often, certain observational truths
about a remedy are codified in absolute terms and rigid behavioral classifications that can lead students
to relate to remedies psychologically and in a generalized way: "A Graphites person is always timid and
fat or a Calcarea carbonica person is always anxious," etc. The relevance of personality characteristics has
to be seen in context to the whole case, including generalities and keynote characteristics of the whole
body/mind. Also, focusing on the "intrinsic" behavioral qualities of a remedy only has real meaning
when the limitations of that behavior are expressed in the form of symptoms, which is after all, what we
prescribe on. This needs to be re-emphasized. If the basis of a prescription is predominantly on a general-
ized fixed im3.8C of a major remedy, and not also including very specific symptoms, then the choice of
remedy is often very superficial unless very clear and unique attributes of the constitution are revealed.
New homeopaths often tend to over rely on these generalizations.

When treating a person at the constitutional level there is therefore an awareness that what is being
treated are issues and conditions of the most basic qualities of the person, fundamental characteristics
that most often require only one remedy. There is also an understanding that what is being considered is
the basic template of a person's situation in life, issues that concern their meaning, identity and purpose
in life. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that the physical characteristics of the body can
also represent the constitution of a person. This is often seen in children, when looking at their body
types to help distinguish remedies. Also, in adults, the bone structure, facial characteristics, muscle and
fat qualities give some basic information of the possible constitutional type. This can often seem very
simplistic yet it can be an aid in prescribing, especially when considering major polychrests and also the
predominant miasm in a case.

The Importance of Etiology and Layers

There are times when what is being treated is a specific condition in which the constitutional factors are
not so important to consider, or that are not revealed in the case taking. Perhaps a person's traumatic
experiences have been so intense that they obscure the basic questions of existence and purpose; the
person may be stuck in a reactive mode to a particular trauma experienced early on in life. In these
situations, one must pay more attention to the sensation, qualities and modalities of the particular
condition and situation and identify the correct remedy image. One must he able to identify the specific
pattern of symptoms that are superimposed onto the constitutional state. In these types of cases, the
skill lies as much in what to exclude from the picture as to what to include. For example, in a case with a
clear emotional etiological symptom picture, the patient's food desires may hav~ no relevance at all. They
have nothing to do with this situation. It can be stated that the stronger the etiology is in a case, the less
significant may be the normal constitutional characteristics of a person's mental and physical character.

This may seem an artificial separation in that the reaction to any stressful experience does reveal the
nature of the person and constitutional qualities, and therefore the correct remedy. However, in many
situations, clinical experience shows us that a strong emotional experience may deeply change a person

INTRODUCTION xix
'tl
·~

but has little to do with other aspects such as what weather the person likes or which sleep position
is adopted, or the quality of dreams. The essence of prescribing is in identifying a select pattern of
symptoms and knowing what to include and what not to include. Therefore, identifying what may be
constitutional symptoms in a person and what may be more superimposed qualities requiring a specific
remedy can be important.

The Importance of Seeing the Pattern

It is interesting how in some cases it seems easy to identify the constitutional type, while in others it can
be difficult. In many of our old materia medica, for example Alien's Keynotes, there are descriptions of the
typology of the person, including the body type and facial characteristics. Is this information useful and
true or does it represent a simplistic generalization; not relevant to the level of individualism needed in
homeopathic prescribing? The answer may be that i~ depends on the situation of the case. The important
thing is to know how to categorize symptoms together, to see the unique configuration of symptoms that
creates a remedy picture. That is not merely the quantitative totality but a select number of symptoms
that reflects the necessary level of individuation in the case. Every case is different and there are no easy
maps or systems that can be universally applied. However, knowledge of materia medica, combined with
knowledge of miasms and recognition of constitutional patterns of a person can help us in choosing what
to include and what to exclude. Often the decision what to include is made for us in our understanding
of materia medica and simply looking for the most distinctive information and symptoms to determine
the remedy is enough. However, knowing the type ofinformation we are choosing to include and whether
that information belongs to the fundamental aspects of the typology or constitution of the person can be
helpful in simplifying the seeming complexity of information presented.

A Thematic Stage of Remedy Picture Development

Every remedy has a sphere of action, revealing its breadth and depth of action. This is revealed in both
physical and mental symptomatology. Some remedies are known much better than others and especially
with the polychrest remedies, it can be said that we know virtually everything that there is to know about
their action. One way to understand the development of the image of a remedy and the depth of its
action is to categorize symptoms according to different levels of expression. Every remedy has a sphere
of action that determines the quality and intensity of its symptoms. Understanding this can be very
important in distinguishing between remedies. In studying the pathologic affinity o'remedies, one can
understand how different remedies work in different types of physical conditions and how deep they go
in affecting organs and systems.

One way to recognize the depth of action of a remedy is to use the three basic miasms as develop-
mental structures or themes. If we use the three miasms more as metaphorical concepts rather than
merely connected to the traditional disease states, then many remedies can be said to have three levels of
expression, which I have classified as the following: Intrinsic, Compensated and Decompensated states,
which matches the miasmatic categorizations of Psora, Sycosis and Syphilis. The idea of remedies having
different stages of action is not new and has been described by other homeopaths. The purpose here is to
connect it to the idea of constitution and also to use it as a means to help differentiate remedies.

XX COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 ome of the older textbooks tended to focus on the decompensated levels of the remedy, whereas this
7nformation has since been complemented with a wider comprehension of the developments that lea~
. ~p to this. For example, reading Causticum, Staphysagria and Nitric acid in Kent's Le~tures 0~ Materta
Medica, one gets very specific ideas of each remedy, but these flCe not always seen tn ~racttce: some
. · eo le needing these remedies will not show that level of symptoms and pathology. Thts has been an
im~rtant development in our recognition of the levels of pathology within our materia medica.
'!he following descriptions develop this idea and give an analysis of our materia medica based on three
d~velopmental stages and phases of action of a remedy.

I~;RINSIC LEVEL: (PSORA)

The intrinsic level belongs to what is often termed the "constitutional" state. The term constitution is
used in different ways, as has been mentioned, but the way it's being used here is to describe intrinsic,
fundamental or basic states of the person that don't necessarily change. In many of the images of well-
known remedies, aspects of the "personality" of the remedy are described in terms that describe the basic
nature, the soil or the essence of a person, and information of this sort includes basic personality qualities
_ loves, hates, inspirations, work choices, temperamental qualities, even basic fears and anxieties. It
also includes basic sleep and dream patterns, food desires and aversions, weather likes and dislikes and
basic physiological qualities such as skin, hair and nails and characteristic eruptions, stool, urination,
perspiration etc. Even though these things are basic to the person and may not change, we often use
fl.: some of this information to help us find the remedy. Also, when using this information to choose a
l·

' remedy one can often presume that the remedy chosen is the constitutional "soil" remedy for the person,
and not a "layer" or more superficial remedy. It is addressing the basic biological function and purpose
of the person. In this way, the intrinsic layer can be identified with the psoric miasm.

The issues of the psoric miasm are those concerning the basic identity and purpose of the person and
address the core ideas and motivations of a person's life. We have the most information of this sort
with polychrest remedies, and especially the mineral remedies which are often connected to the psoric
miasm. The most psoric remedies are those minerals found as part of basic biological functioning such as
Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Sodium, Ferrum, Iodine, Phosphorus, Silicea and Sulphur.
The other element that most dearly is seen as part of the psoric dynamic is Carbon' and its connection
to many of our remedies, e.g., Calcarea carbonica, Graphites, Kali carbonicum etc. This is discussed
later in the Constitution, Miasms and Typology section. The psoric mineral remedies are predominantly
found in the lighter elements in the periodic table - even though other minerals and metals do play a
significant physiological role in the body and many of the remedies in the mineral and metal kingdom
address fundamental constitutional issues. However, those elements found closer to the surface level of
the earth's crust were integrated into the food cycle by plants and animals over millions of years and
then into the evolution of human biology. With these remedies and others, we have a dear idea of the
personality types that often need these remedies and a dear idea of their biological function, which
allows us to understand their sphere of action as remedies. With many of these remedies we also have a
dear idea of their compensated (sycotic) and decompensated (syphilitic states). This knowledge comes
from provings, (including accidental or deliberate overdosing or poisoning), which gives information as

INTRODUCTION xxi
 !I r

to the depth of physiological action of any substance. Just as importantly it comes from clinical experi-
ence, where the physiological and psychological expressions of a remedy action are revealed.

As the elements become heavier, their basic function in normal physiology becomes less. We still have a
clear picture of their homeopathic image but the issues they address tend to be less about basic identity
and purpose and are focused more intensely on certain psychological and physical areas. There is a more
extreme expression in life and in the disease symptoms. Their relationship to others becomes more
intense and driven or more removed. Their needs seem greater. As such they address both the sycotic and
syphilitic miasms, which are identified with the compensated and decompensated levels, respectively.
The remedy Mercurius is an example of this. We have a clear understanding of its homeopathic action,
including a personality type for the person, but its predominant syphilitic action means that a large
portion ofits mental and physical picture is in the decompensated or syphilitic stage. That is in contrast
to remedies like Calcarea carbonica or Sulphur, that most generally express most of their symptoms in
the intrinsic or compensated stages.

It can be considered that everybody might need a mineral remedy at some point, that there is a basic
constitutional affinity for a mineral remedy to address basic issues. As our body is formed from mineral
constituents and we are of the earth and will return to the earth, it makes sense that we can all potentially
need a remedy from the mineral kingdom. That doesn't mean that we should always start a case with a
mineral remedy, a "deep acting anti-psoric" as the books describe. Giving a deep acting mineral/metal
remedy too early in a case when there are other issues going on can be a big mistake and Hahnemann
was clear in his ideas of giving remedies to cover the sycotic and syphilitic miasms first. As a rule of
thumb, the deeper the pathology is, the further it is away from the constitution and the more it has to
be considered as a unique image riding on top of the constitutional picture.

COMPENSATED LEVEL: (SYCOSIS)

The compensated level is often seen as an exaggeration of what is natural, a distortion of the basic state. It
is seen in both physical and mental symptomatology. Most information for giving a remedy is taken from
information in the compensated state. It is, after all, what motivates most people to see a homeopath.
However, when giving psoric-based polychrest remedies, information from the intrinsic level is often
used to help justify the remedy. What was the person like before the current situation arose? What is the
overall context of a person's life? What has happened to them in their life; what dynamic influences have
w·
they been exposed to or been influenced by? Therefore, in chronic prescribing, most prescriptions are
made using a combination of the intrinsic and compensated states, the deviations from the norm giving
the context for the type of prescription made. However, in more sycotic states, there is less information
given of the basic state, most of the energy is given to the aberration from health. It feels more like a fixed
state of being, an identity with what is wrong and that which is different from the basic state.

In most of the large polychrest remedies, one mostly gets a clear mixture of constitutional information
that relates to the intrinsic and compensated state. In remedies already mentioned, such as Natrums,
Calciums, Magnesiums, Kalis, Silicea, Phosphorus and Sulphur one can use information taken from both
levels. However, in other well-known remedies such as Argentums, Platinum, Aurum etc, the information

I
xxii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

1!::, I
 given is often more weighted to the compensated and decompensated state; not in every case but that is
the pattern. Also, as symptoms move toward a compensated state, there is more of an external focus on
how the person is dealing with situations in the world and how they are seen in the world. It is more egoic
a,nd less to do with basic issues of survival, food, work, job, identity etc. There is more exteriorization.

Ma,ny plant remedies present symptoms in the compensated or sycotic state. They are stuck in a strategic
reactionary pose to some idea or fault they perceive they have experienced or that is in their nature.
There is often a clear emotional state given in plant remedies, one that is not necessarily connected to
any other situation. It is not referenced to anything else in life, but is experienced directly whereas in
. mineral remedies, an emotional state is often related to some other aspect of their life - work, relation-
ships, ego issues etc. There is a larger context in which the emotional state is referenced to, although of
course, many.G~motional states are expressed in context to another person or situation. The difference is
that in plants, the emotion is primary, whereas in minerals, the relationship to other things in their life
takes equal importance.

Also, there can often be a distinct etiology indicating a plant remedy, whether it's shock, fright, fear
or grie£ If one sees a clear etiology and then a clear emotional image as a result, especially if there are
no physical concomitants, then one is often looking at a plant remedy. The term fixed is often used to
describe the sycotic miasm, characterized most clearly in the remedy Thuja, the king of the sycotic miasm
remedies. Thuja is seen as having fixed ideas, a rigidity and fixedness of thinking. However, many plant
remedies have a similar expression. It is not so much fixed ideas as seen expressed in Thuja but more of a
fixed emotional/mental pattern that dominates their consciousness. Also, individual plants cannot move.
They are more fixed in place so their consciousness and reality reflects a fixed attitude. Their strategies
are consequently restricted. Therefore, most plant remedies express themselves in a compensated state.
Attention is not given to their basic identity and function in life. Even Nux vomica is mostly caught up
in its emotional state. They are more concerned with their feelings, their anger and frustration than what
their work will do for their basic ego. Their reference points are their feelings or their stomach or sleep and
not to do with what people will think of them or where they belong in life. If they do make reference to
these things, it is still secondary to their feelings, their fixed emotional state. This can help in differentiating
remedies, for example, between Nux vomica and Sulphur. The latter is also not so concerned with what
others think of them, but is concerned about their basic ego identity.ln some cases, both remedies may be
needed in the same person, but it's important to know the most important symptoms to prescribe on at
the beginning and to see which symptoms belong to which remedy.

In some cases, there may already be two remedy images being revealed, one for the intrinsic symptom
picture and the other for the compensated state. These may often be complementary remedies, such as
Nux vomica and Sulphur, Pulsatilla and Graphites, Belladonna and Sulphur or Calcarea carbonica etc.
Often it may be seen that one complementary remedy is a mineral while the other is a plant.

However, as stated, the information found in the compensated state is often the most important
information we prescribe on, and we may or may not use information from the intrinsic state to
confirm the prescription.

INTRODUCTION xxiii

'
·./
 DECOMPENSATED LEVEL: (SYPHILIS)
This level reveals the more broken down and pathological states within a remedy. It shows the depth
of action a remedy can go to. In some remedies this is the majority of information given. The heavy
metals in our materia medica are an example of this. However, even with the more psoric remedies in the
materia medica, there exists the pathological limits of how far the remedy can go. The difference is that
a larger part of the complete symptom picture does not involve significant mental or physical pathology.
As is well known, the mental state in the syphilitic condition is much more dark and desperate than is
seen in the psoric or syc'otic states.

The decompensated states are revealed in some of the old materia medica where the conditions being
treated were often extreme. As mentioned, Kent's Lectures on Materia Medica has many descriptions
of these states. Descriptions of more advanced physi,cal pathology and general degenerative conditions
are mostly described, which are now seldom seen by many homeopaths. These states tended to be seen
more in the 19th century and in developing countries today and it is a reflection of the changes in
homeopathic understanding of our materia medica that we have broadened our knowledge especially
in the psychological and dynamic areas of a remedy picture and the issues for which people consult
homeopaths today. In general our current culture is more psychologically oriented than in past centuries.

However, understanding the depth of action of a remedy is important in recognizing the key themes of
a remedy and also how that may help in identifying the remedy when a person is expressing a much less
intense picture. It can be a good way to analyze a remedy, by looking at its extremes or polarities as a way
of understanding its essential themes.

Some plant remedies express a clear decompensated or syphilitic state. There are more destructive
,,
physical and mental qualities in their picture. Therefore, the emphasis in the case will be even further
from the basic, intrinsic level and will generally be within the compensated and decompensated levels.
Plant remedies that express more syphilitic or decompensated levels include Stramonium, Hyoscyamus,
Belladonna, Opium, Cannabis indica, Conium, Nux vomica and Aconite. In fact, most of the plant
remedies that have toxic qualities to them will be found in the decompensated or syphilitic state where
what is found is a combination of physical or mental intensity and destructive processes. Some plant
remedies are given more intrinsic, constitutional images, e.g., Pulsatilla and Lycopodium, but it is some-
what questionable that all the characteristics given to them are actually accurate. These two examples
especially seem to have courted favor with homeopaths of old, making one wonder if their reputation
'h.
perpetuated their ubiquity more than anything fundamental about their healing actio Therefore, with
most plant remedies, the predominance of symptoms will not have to do with issues of basic identity and
position in life. Non-toxic plants tend not to have such deep-seated symptoms, physically or psychologi-
cally, although any correctly indicated remedy in a case will naturally work in a deep way.

Animal remedies also tend to predominate in the compensated or decompensated states. Their concern,
depending on the remedy, is much more concerned with survival, life and death, competition, sexuality,
violence, extremely negative self-image, activity and movement, and physically there are often distinct
functional and structural pathologies that are seen along with mental states. It is not always easy to

il
Li xxiv COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

I
 distinguish between plant and animal remedies, e.g., Hyoscyamus and Lachesis and sometimes between
animal and mineral remedies, e.g., Phosphorus and Crotalus horridus, Lachesis and Platina etc. As with
any remedy distinction, the whole case has to be taken into account before concluding which family the
case belongs to. Animal remedies that have venom tend to have strong destructive qualities to them, e.g.~
snakes, spiders and some insects, and therefore are often useful in destructive physical conditions with
more advanced pathologies. A study of the snake remedies, for example, with their respective venom
action reveals much important information of the conditions they will treat - predominantly blood,
heart and nerve related pathologies, all expressing to a great extent decompensated physical states.

When a person needs an animal remedy, especially from the poisonous realms, it is possible they had an
experience that mimics the experience of the animal they need, especially if there is dear mental picture.
This may be an ifl.herited memory or acquired sometime in early life but some kind of intense experi-
ence has happened. With snake, spider and insect remedies the time of susceptibility is often when very
young, when an upset in the normal mammalian development has occurred. Perhaps there was an abrupt
or continued conflict with the relationship with the mother, often accompanied by acute danger and
l:j threat. This latter quality is often seen in insect and spider remedies more than snake remedies. In the
snake remedies, the general character and personality of the person tends to be more evolved, mature and
integrated. In spider and insect remedies, there is often an immaturity and lack of emotional integration.
This is because the consciousness of the person needing these remedies has had to focus on survival and the •. :1

immediate needs of life. They have not had time to think. They are always needing to react, and therefore
express in the compensated and decompensated states. In these cases, there is not so much concern with
issues identified with the intrinsic stage - one's meaning, identity and purpose in life. Much more energy
goes to the reactive impulses of an often-unconscious pattern of ideas. A person may not be aware of these
ideas yet acts out of them nevertheless. They may be able to manifest in the world successfully but there
is an impulsive aspect to their behavior, a strong compensatory reaction to an internal wound. In home-
opathy, it is this reactive behavior that gives us key information for a remedy choice. In these examples, it
also indicates why many animal remedies express symptoms in the compensated and decompensated states;
'
they are further away from the intrinsic nature of human consciousness, although one could argue that the
intrinsic nature of a mineral is far away ftom human consciousness!

Creating a dear delineation ofintrinsic, compensated and decompensated layers is therefore much clearer
for polychrest mineral remedies than for less well-known remedies and for animal and plant remedies,
which as mentioned relate more to the compensated and decompensated realms. In the following chapters
of remedies, this classification is done partly to reveal the breadth and depth of action of remedies and
partly to allow a more complete comparison of remedies at each stage of expression. Certain remedies
will be compared with one another only at the intrinsic expression of their expression, whereas some
will be compared more in ,the decompensated stage. Also, categorizing symptoms according to these
three stages helps clarify the fact that any person will only present with a limited number of symptoms
of a remedy, often predominantly in one stage or another. One of the biggest mistakes that beginning
homeopaths make is eliminating a possible remedy based on what is not there in the case, what they
expect to always find in a remedy, not understanding that at different stages only a portion of the totality
will ever be present. This is important in being able to identify a remedy based on only a select portion
of symptoms in any case.

INTRODUCTION XXV
Tf

Plant, Mineral and Animal Consciousness

Much has been spoken about identifying a person according to the source of a substance, whether plant,
animal or mineral. In some cases, this can be a very important distinction, while in others it doesn't seem
to even be a consideration, similar to the consideration of miasms. It is challenging and easy to make a
mistake if one always begins the analysis process by deciding which family the patient seems to belong
to. It may be better to use it as one more tool and perhaps at the end of the analysis to consider it as a
means to aid differentiation. Some homeopaths like to use this distinction as the first line of differentia-
tion. However, this is not always easy and especially for less experienced homeopaths can tend to lead
to oversimplified conclusions. It is generally best to stay with recognizing the key characteristics and
keynotes of a case before making absolute differentiations based on source in every case.

At the beginning of case taking, it is best to simply .take the case without any agenda. Just listen to the
patient, write the symptoms down and see where it goes. If there is some anticipation of following any
particular track or strategy, soon the homeopath is leading the way and not the other way around. As
much as possible, we should be following the patient.

However, it is worth considering a few themes that may help indicate whether a person needs a remedy
from an animal, plant or mineral source and how this fits into what has already been described in the
developmental stages of remedies. Much has also been written on this subject by other homeopaths.

From the perspective of ego consciousness, the "I" of the ego, we can make a comparison. In mineral
remedies, there can be a focus on what separates one person from another. This perspective states, "where
do I fit in and how can I achieve this?" But this is not done essentially in order to form a relationship but
to create a strategy for identity and purpose. It is a hierarchical comparison with others. In plants the "I"
is about its essential connection to others, it is a lateral relationship, not so much a vertical one. There
is more concern with communication and connection or the lack o£ In animals, the "I" is about direct
competition: how a person looks and what strategies can be employed to be seen or to win. An animal
remedy is normally more proactive than a plant remedy. A plant remedy often is passive and can feel a
victim to circumstances. They will react from that place, whereas in an animal remedy there is more of
a proactive response to how the ego feels challenged.

In minerals, the focus is on what they do, the connection and relationship they have with their circum-
stances. The concern is mostly about what they are achieving in all aspects of their life and the struggles
they are having. Therefore, the concern is more about their position and function."'Even in the midst
of expressing feelings, they tend to give some context to it, a relation to how it affects their role in life.
It is not just about the feelings. In plants, the focus is more on the actual state they feel; it is more of a
fixed position (the compensated/sycotic approach) in response to a particular experience. As has been
described by Sankaran and others, descriptions often begin with "I feel". Those needing plant remedies
often reveal clear emotional etiologies. This is important in differentiating remedies. The etiology in
plants often is a dominant factor in the case, a "never been well since" a certain event. Their relation-
. ship to life is seen through the prism of one or more specific feelings: grief, shock, loss, pain, torture,
a
sadness, forsakenness, etc. As already mentioned it seems as if it is fixed emotional state that is being
expressed. In minerals, if there is a clear emotional etiology its importance is seen in relation to other

xxvi COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

things, to how it affects their function. It has to some extent been absorbed into the overall structure of
the person's life, including their body. It has a reference to something else, whereas with plants, it is just
the state, it stands alone. In studying plant remedies one often sees clear emotional/mental pictures in
the materia medica. Therefore, a plant remedy may often be needed if the emotional state is all there is
in the case, whereas in mineral and somewhat with animal remedies, the emotional/mental state can be
seen along with concomitant physical symptoms. Mental and physical symptoms in plant remedies often
present in an acute, intense way, a fixed feeling or situation in their experience. Of course, in mineral and
animal remedies, symptoms may present similarly, especially remedies such as Phosphorus and snake and
spider remedies, but it is worth looking at the dynamic of remedies from their source as a means to help
differentiation. For example, Phosphorus can express himself or herself intensely and effusively but lack

..
the basic aggression or defensiveness of a snake remedy. They are essentially more vulnerable.

Intensity of Symptoms
It is often helpful in differentiating materia medica to recognize the intensity of symptoms. Symptoms
can sound and look very similar if one just accepts them at face value without recognizing the depth
and intensity of the symptom picture. In other words, if the symptoms are put into a more generalized
context, revealing the intensity of the expression or strategy used can help differentiate ftom which
family the person needs a remedy. Knowing that one substance comes from the venom of a snake and
another from the leaves of a plant creates a different impact regarding their expression in a human being.

In comparing a particular mental state between the families we can take the symptom haughtiness as
an example. In a mineral/metal remedy, haughtiness is seen as an aloof quality; a certain distance and
the classic feeling of being above others as in, for example, Platina. In animal remedies, haughtiness is
more of a competitive dynamic, e.g., Lachesis, and in plants, there is a defensive posture, a feeling that
something is going to be taken away, as in Veratrum album or Pulsatilla etc. With minerals it is an
active posture, an ascendance to rise above others, as a quest to define the self and the identity of the
person. The same differentiation can be made using the rubric, Mind, Forsaken. Platina feels separate
from others as they feel above them; they are different in some way, separate from other people. It is as if
they were born that way. With Lachesis, they feel they have been actively isolated by others. Something
has been taken away and they feel mistrustful of others and lack trust in their intention. As a result they
feel isolated, forsaken, as if they don't belong, even being disconnected from God. But they don't simply
accept this but create a reactive, strong response. 'They often fight back. In plant remedies like Pulsatilla,
the forsaken feeling is to do with the idea that feelings are being withdrawn, that recognition and love
are being denied. The simple recognition and consideration they crave is being denied or taken away.
They are not aggressive or so intense in their desire for recognition. They are more the victim. It may feel
as desperate as that of Lachesis but in fact they feel much more helpless than the state of Lachesis which
deals with this basic feeling with much more intensity than seen in a plant re~edy.

Animal remedies vary in their expression, depending much on the animal and where the remedy comes
from. It is hard to generalize with these remedies. Milk remedies reflect both the issues of milk and the
animal it is derived from. Snake, spider, bird, sea and insect remedies obviously reflect the consciousness
of their species, although it is harder to identify the themes of the insects and sea remedies as they vary

INTRODUCTION xxvii
widely in behavior and function. In many ways, animal remedies seem to exist between plant and mineral
remedies, having the emotional sensitivity of plants and some of the concerns about relationship, role
and function of minerals. They also reveal chronic physical pathologies similar to mineral remedies,
though their expression is often more violent. One must be careful when thinking to prescribe an animal
remedy based on dreams of connections to particular animals. The connection is often metaphorical, not
literal, and loose analyses of animal-human connections are not often accurate. Remedies from the sea
are particularly difficult and do not necessarily express any connection to the sea at all. Snake and spider
remedies can sometimes be identified more by the physical appearance of the person. Snake remedies
can often express concern over their appearance and they use their personality and sexuality to appeal
to others. Spider remedies often present similarly to some snake remedies and many snake remedies
have been given when a spider remedy was indicated. Also, differentiating between various spiders and
snake remedies is one of the most challenging comparisons to make. Physical keyn.otes can be useful to
distinguish between many of the animal remedies of the same species.

One other common assumption is that a person needs a remedy from only one source - animal, mineral
or plant. This partly ties into the idea of only one remedy being needed, and when differentiating a
case based on the source of a remedy, one can easily conclude that this is the case. However, given the
descriptions of the dynamics of each remedy source, it makes sense that many people will vibrate within
the potentiality of at least two sources- mainly mineral and plant or mineral and animal. This is seen on
the premise that the latter sources represent more reactive states of the organism, dependent on certain
experiences, whereas a mineral remedy is identified more with the fundamental building blocks of the
i
t
tt
body/mind, the intrinsic, constitutional factors described earlier. -~

I
Constitution, Miasms and Typology -~
The defining of constitutional types has been connected in homeopathy to a particular school of thought, 1_: _
prevalent in France and explored most clearly in the writings of Leon Vannier in his book Typology in '
Homeopathy. A summary of his work and other forms of classifications can be found in the book by Or -~
R.K. Mukerji, Constitution and Temperament. ~

One of the most common constitutional classifications has been into the three categories of the Carbonic, ;-
Phosphoric and Fluoric types, with similar qualities to the three main miasms of Hahnemann - Psora,
Sycosis and Syphilis. The phosphoric type is the least consistent in relation to the W.cotic type but in
the descriptions by Vannier, it does share some similarities and it also shows how Phosphorus has strong
qualities of all the miasms, including of course, the tubercular one.

While many homeopaths don't pay any attention to these classifications and may not even be aware of them,
some of this information has become part of our general understanding of constitutional remedy images,
including anatomical and physiological descriptions of remedies. The carbonic type is described thus: "... rigid
and straight having a stiff gait because of the closeness of his articulatory ligaments. He is sober and has clear
-gestures. The rigidity is the characteristic in every field of his life. He is patient and tenacious, never breaks
down face to face with an obstruction. He is clear and precise and likes order and method in his works .. ..
His whole body is well proportioned. He has square hands with short, thick, square and inflexible fingers .. .

xxviii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 :··.

·· 'Jhe forearm and the upper arm form an obtuse angle inwardly which is the result of the inflexibility of the.
', Ugaments of the joints and of the muscles ....Their life is slow but regular... He continues steadily withoza:
·stop until it is finished ....Their intelligence is not very sharp, it is slow... he has endurance... he knows how
···to become orderly and to make himself disciplined... He proceeds toward his aim with the tenacity o[the
bulldog, and with security.... He likes established social, political and religious order." (Mukerji)

·:·.
.·. Some of these themes have found themselves expressed in the work of Jan Scholten when describing
;
: aspects of the carbon element - "Giving meaning, Stating values, Self worth, Dignity, Shyness, Worker,
.~ .
···;
··.. Father." However, what is clearly seen in the description is the physical expression and mental patteming
',( . as expressed in the remedy Calcarea carbonica. Following on from this, the remedies Calcarea phos-
·~ · phorica and Calcarea fluorica are good examples of the latter two other categories highlighted by
;.:. , · Vannier, althoQgh any remedy with the phosphoric or fluoric aspects will also be indicated. This relates to
the method of synthetic prescribing, most recently elucidated by Jan Scholten but with many examples
~~ throughout homeopathic literature.
f!t
·;~

:~t~
;~ Another development in understanding the influence of carbon elements in our materia medica is a
,,,,:; book called Carbon: Organ and Hydrocarbon Remedies in Homeopathy by Roger Morrison. This is an
~:! extremely detailed analysis of the biochemistry of carbon based remedies and their relationship to clinical
homeopathy. Given the number of carbon based remedies in our materia medica it is worth gaining an
understanding of the ideas behind this book. However, many of the remedies mentioned aren't imme-
diately identified as a carbon remedy. They may have carbon molecules in them e.g., some acid remedies
but which one wouldn't immediately identify them as a carbon remedy. Many remedies have carbon and
then other molecules too so identifyi~g the carbon influence isn't necessarily easy. Morrison attempts to
do this and he has identified some key themes as consistent with carbon based remedies. The themes he
identifies are listed in the Calcarea carboni~a chapter under the heading Burnt Out Carbon.

Mukerji describes the phosphoric type as follows: "The phosphoric type is described as essentially an imagi-
native and emotive type. He has a poetic or chimeric mind and a tendency to invest fabulous things. The
phosphoric type is weak, lean and tall. The gait is elegant with graceful gestures. His attitude is expressive,
which always reflects his sentiments. He is exalted, sensitive, and delicate. He becomes easily enthusiastic
and depressed ... Generally tall and elated, the Phosphoric type has not the harmony of the Carbonic. His
extremities are long-lean with a long body. The thorax is narrow. He has not a stable ·static nature. He is
nonchalant. He changes with the sentiments that.agitate him. The child grows very rapidly with frequent
attacks of fever. These children are generally born of tubercular parents ... The forearm is straight with
the upper arm and does not form an obtuse angle with the upper arm like that of the Carbonic ... The
phosphoric type has a state which is expressive and variable ... Regularity is painful to him. He is excep-
tionally impressive. This type is fragile; less resistant to fatigue, to pathological or medicinal shocks ... If
the elasticity is the characteristic of the static of the phosphoric, elegance is the dominant characteristic
of his movements ... Proud and graceful .... Light and flexible gait, with a certain carefreeness of his whole
being... His sensitiveness helps him to perceive the least shades. His extreme impressiveness helps to enjoy
and also to suffer numerous pains. Turn by turn he is enthusiastic and depressive. Practical life gives him
pain; he cannot defend against it and naturally has very bitter experiences of a practical life. He always
dashes himself against the reality because he lives in illusion ... Everything is ephemeral and brisk in him:
enthusiasm, depression, joy and sorrow. Imagination dominates him; he avoids reality."(Mukerji)
INTRODUCTION xxix
 Here, we are seeing a description of the tubercular typology, and perhaps some sycotic mental traits,
characteristic most clearly of the remedy Phosphorus, and of course Calcarea phosphorica, but also any
remedy in which Phosphorus is a part. One does not have to take all of the above to accept its similarity
to the much written about remedy Phosphorus.

This typological description is a long step removed from Hahnemann's original miasmatic classification,
which was much more disease-centered, being traced to an actual contagious factor- whether skin erup-
tions such as herpes, or the venereal miasms of Sycosis and Syphilis. However, the miasmatic overlap
exists in the descriptions of physical and mental characteristics commonly found in remedies bdonging
to one or more of these miasms. This is where Hahnemann's original miasmatic classification has been
developed from his pathological classification to more phenomenological and physiological data.

The jluoric type shows characteristics most clearly similar to the syphilitic miasm and is described as
follows ... "The jluoric type is essentially unstable and has an irregular build. He wants balance. In his
posture, in his .gestures, in his talks, everything in his life is irregular, without coordination. Sometimes
he attracts, sometimes he repels. Sometimes he is brilliant, sometimes he is vulgar. He is physically and
mentally unstable. The Jluoric type can never take a correct posture because of his deformed bones and
laxity of ligaments and muscles ... The forearm forms always with the upper arm an exterior obtuse angle.
The dental arches are irregular; the setting of the teeth irregular ... The upper jaw projects forward. The
teeth seem grey, never white .... The movement of thejluoric i~ never supple and graceful ... A person
walks quickly in jerking steps ... The gestures of the fluoric are exaggerated and disproportionate with
his sentiments. The gestures are usdess and clumsy. The jluoric worker understands his work quickly,
quickly sets to work, with various and useless and clumsy gestures, but always complicates his work
and finally the work is irregular and disorderly finished. His adaptability is great but because of his
inconstancy and irregularity, he fails to become an accomplished man. Because of his instability, the
fluoric has always the tendency to abandon himself to others. He "requires guidance and orientation. He
I! is essentially unstable, physically and mentally."

"The natural flexibility, the extraordinary laxity 9f his ligaments makes him a born acrobat. The physical
aptitude of the jluoric is great, if he is guided. Exercise is extremely necessary for him; unfortunately, the
fluoric has always a dislike of muscular effort. Short distance races are suitable for him. Psychically, he il
capricious, undecided, irregular and versatile. Very often, he desires to confuse others by his gestures. He
has fits of fear without reason. He is intuitive, a good assimilator. He has a depressing tendency. He i:
irresolute, takes decisions suddenly. He never thinks before any decision. He is ~telligent but commit
error after error, errors of speech, of movements ....The hands of the jluoric is especially marked with th•
laxity of his ligaments, for which there is an exaggerated suppleness. A remarkable elasticity, especial!:
of the thumb, which can be moved with extreme facility. The veins of the hands are apparent."(Mukerji

. :.
This description fits some of the basic threads of the syphilitic miasm and equally are qualities seen i:
·' the remedies Fluoric acid and Calcarea jluorica. One of the key aspects of the jluoric theme is instabilit:
I I
unpredictability and breaking away, characteristic of all the halogens to varying degrees. There is
feding of threat and aneed to escape this threat, seen most strongly in Iodine, while in Fluorine, 011
sees the general instability and lack of predictability. The mental picture of Fluoric acid reveals th
picture clearly. However, the physical characteristics seen in the jluoric type can help reveal remedio
XXX COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDI
 that have the jluoric influence. A very good example of the jluoric type is the rock singer Iggy Pop,
..· with his sinewy, supple yet irregular body, with highly pronounced veins on his body. The body type is
·. 0 ften thin, but with clearly accentuated muscles and ligaments. The bones are affected, similar to other

.syphilitic remedies and also the skin (naevi, keloids), nails, teeth, veins, leading to destruction of tissues.
Consistent with one aspect of the syphilitic type, the jluoric effect is to maintain a hard fa~de on the
surface, while decay occurs on the inside. Similar to the effect of fluoride in water and toothpaste, it
· maintains hardness on the surface, but actually weakens the teeth on the inside. It can be said we live in
aftuoric era, a culture with a smooth surface, where image is everything, a nice, shiny hard surface but
where social decay rots from underneath. In this respect the jluoric compound of many remedies should
be considered much more than it currendy is .

. 1hese physical.mological characteristics can definitely be seen in some cases and can be helpful in
prescribing. However, many people are not so easy to identify within these themes and seem to show
qualities of more than one typology. This is why information needs to be gleaned from as many levels
as possible. In the case-taking of children, looking at body typology can often be useful, and these
categorizations can help in identifying the indicated remedies. Also, in recognizing basic typologies and
miasmatic influences, one can predict how the various external influences of life may affect a person,
potential susceptibilities that can help in the prognosis in any case.

Also, these descriptions are by definition very generalized. They give a flavor of the terrain of the person,
similar to miasmatic descriptions, but the specific symptoms and characteristics for each person need
to be found for accurate prescribing. However, it is consistent within homeopathic thinking, moving
from the general to the particular, bringing together the disparate themes of a case into a cohesive whole.

The description of the carbonic type clearly fits many of the anti-psoric remedies, and given the number
of remedies that have a carbon component to them, certain physiological and psychological characteris-
tics are shared amongst many remedies. Consistent to both carbon and psoric dynamics in a person, the
main qualities often seen pertain to the quest for meaning, value and identity in life. "Who am I, where
am I going and how do I get there?" It's about the bricks and mortar of life and not so focused on the
external image or the more desperate need to present themselves in a certain way. In these latter states,
there is more ambition, competitiveness and concern about how orie is seen, themes seen more in sycotic
and syphilitic remedies and seen more in the phosphoric and jluoric typologies. The classic carbonlpsoric
remedies are Calcarea carbonica, Carboneum sulphuratum, Graphites, Sulphur, Petroleum, Hepar sulph,
Silicea etc., (though the latter remedy has some jluoric similarities and is often connected to the tuber-
cular miasm), and other carbon compounds such as Kali carbonicum, Magnesium carbonicum, Natrum
carbonicum, Strontium carbonicum, Baryta carbonica etc. Carbo vegetabilis is also a carbon-dominated
remedy, but it's not as easy to identify as a constitutional remedy as the others for it's a product of
"imperfect oxidation", a destructive process. Therefore it is prescribed more for the result of destructive
situations than as a basic constitutional dynamic.

In the phosphoric type, the remedy Calcarea phosphorica most clearly relates to the description and is
most usefUl to compare with Calcarea carbonica. In childhood, both remedies are equally needed and
share many similarities such as "faulty assimilation", developmental issues such as late development of
walking, talking, teething, open fontanelles, digestive assimilation problems, emaciation etc. In early
INTRODUCTION xxxi

.......................................
.,F''"i'1-··
.

childhood it is not easy to differentiate these remedies based on body type. However, the personality of
Calcarea phosphorica is more volatile and tubercular in nature than that of Calcarea carbonica. It should
be noted though that any remedy may be susceptible to a miasmatic influence that can inflect itself
onto the constitutional type: for example, a syphilitic or tubercular influence in a Calcarea carbonica
constitution, maybe requiring Syphilinum and then Calcarea carbonica, as opposed to just giving
Calcarea fluorica.

The true Calcarea phosphorica influence is seen during teenage years when a child suddenly shoots up
in height, moving away from the calcium influence into the phosphoric influence. This is classically
described in the growing pains of Calcarea phosphorica and its affinity for headaches in school children,
the phosphoric dynamic reacting to the pressure of the constrained environment of school. This is also
the time when the emotional picture of Calcarea phosphorica is revealed, the tedium and restriction of
school and home producing the dissatisfaction and ennui seen in this remedy. Here we see the dynamic
between constitution and susceptibility, the soil and the circumstances of life, some of which cannot
be avoided and therefore are reacted to according to inbuilt constitutional and miasmatic patterns.
Symptoms and states are revealed under times of stress and remedy images become clearer during such
times. It is important to analyze the circumstances in which symptoms appear as it reveals things about
the constitution and temperament of an individual and also the miasmatic predispositions.

Other remedies that can be classified in the phosphoric camp include Ferrum, Ferrum phosphoricum,
Phosphorus, Natrum muriaticum, Stannum, Kali phosphoricum, Natrum phosphoricum, Magnesium
phosphoricum etc. If one reads Mukerji's book, one can take exception to some of the classifications of
remedies and even descriptive justifications, which differ from mainstream classical homeopathy. Some
of what is written seems arcane and of questionable relevance to us today. Also, some of the remedies
listed could obviously belong to more than one classification, similar to their being identified to more
than one miasm. A miasmatic influence may affect the image of any remedy, irrespective of its apparent l
miasmatic identification. That is why, in some cases, the remedy image and the miasmatic influence .j
have to be identified as separate states, requiring different remedies, especially a nosode, along with a i~
constitutional/chronic remedy. d

As with the description of the time of life that Calcarea phosphorica and the tubercular miasm may be
seen, the sycotic and syphilitic miasms often become more apparent in teenage and young adulthood
and not only because there is more possibility of sexual activity. As the personality of a person becomes
more defined and "individualized", the ego becomes more developed and behavidf correspondingly
changes, revealing inherent patterns of conditioning and miasmatic influence. Susceptibility to the pres-
I
~·
sures of life are revealed and may be seen in behavior such as addictions, anorexia/bulimia, idleness,
suspiciousness, violence etc., the whole spectrum of human consciousness. Naturally, not everybody
goes to these depths and the question is, therefore, why? It must have to do with the basic susceptibility
of a person and also the circumstances of life, an interlocking web of cause and effect, the dynamic
interplay of internal and external relationship.

In the jluoric classification, the remedy Calcarea jluorica is the archetype. In many ways, in comparison
to Calcarea carbonica and Calcarea phosphorica, it has never enjoyed the same respect and popularity
as a constitutional-based remedy, even though there has been much written about it. Perhaps the more

xxxii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 influence of the fluoricum element prevents it forming deeper relationships with the rest
medica! However, its depth of action is equal to the other remedies, and due to the
influence is seen in more destructive processes of the bones and glands than is found in the
. . . . D •• n.ru Calcareas. The area of affinity is similar, but the nature of the symptoms is different. It has

.... ore:.•·-·----- of glands, more hard growths, more ulceration and suppuration, more affinity for the
of teeth and for structural changes in tissue, especially varicose veins. Mukerji states "There
~re'·suu..... types of Calcarea jluorica whose forms do not show any sign of the jluoric type, but their
~i:dloiclin~ttio•n of nerves and the condition of the mind are the characteristics .. .It is difficult to know
iitrt~I>UJ'- birth whether a child is a jluoric type. Characteristics of this type appear only gradually with
•i,:J:ii" ev'oiutuou of the child. However, a close examination will reveal some abnormalities of the skeleton,
e~"·-~·-.., of the upper jaw which is protruding. The skin is abnormally transparent through which the
,p ... ~.a., ... clearly seen ... .In young boys the laxity of the ligaments is the first thing that attracts the eye.
. extraordinary suppleness of the whole body, which makes him the perfect acrobat. The mental
; ·characteristics are important: unstable, paradoxical. There is no harmony in their gestures ... They are
~6od students but difficult because they are unstable and superficial and cannot adapt themselves to their
·• tasks· They have a weak character, egoistic ... In young individuals, there is always decalcification and
loss of silicum continually and constitutionally... In adults rapid calcification is seen or bad assimilation
and distribution of calcium salts: hyper-calcification of arteries, of some bones, of ligaments, rheumatism
and osteophytis because of calcium deposits ....They suffer from hard lymphatic ganglions, glandular
and ganglionar indurations of Iodum type evolving toward Conium. They may have fibromas like those
of Lapis alba which is a compound of Calcarea jluoricum and Silicea ... The mental characteristic of
the adult is like that of a ruined businessman who wants to commit suicide. Calcarea jluorica, being a
heredo-syphilitic has a genius for business, but he suffers much for loss of money. He is always afraid
of losing money and may develop a tendency to suicide like that of Aurum ... Young women may suffer
from varicose veins. Such women are of a Sepia type having a bearing down and real uterine prolapses ...
Young women can be impatient, talkative, unstable, and coquettish in their dress. They cannot keep
anything in their mind; whatever they want to say must be said."

This description is clearly revealing syphilitic characteristics that are commonly seen in some of the most
well-known remedies of the syphilitic miasm, such as Aurum metallicum, Mercurius, Nitric Acid, Baryta
carbonica, Iodum and other compounds of fluorine. Interestingly; in the description of the physical
symptoms of Calcarea jluorica, we see the affinity for the bones, common to all Calcareas but with
more destructive and earlier degeneration of tis~ue. One of the main characteristics that indicates the
syphilitic influence, as well as the sycotic, tubercular and cancer miasms is the abnormally early onset
of inflammatory and destructive changes in the body, whereas in the pure psoric carbonic influence,
one doesn't see such destruction so early on in age. The gradual wearing down of the system over years
eventually leads to change on the structural level but it takes time. With the other four miasmatic influ-
ences, one often sees either violent inflammations from an early age, for example, fevers for no reason
(cancer), recurrent and violent inflammation of ears, nose and throat (tubercular, sycotic, cancer and
syphilitic- approximately in that order), of the bladder and kidneys (sycotic, syphilitic, tubercular and
cancer), chest- asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia (sycotic, tubercular, cancer), joints (sycotic, tubercular,
cancer), skin - eczema, psoriasis, herpes (equally psoric, tubercular and sycotic, and then cancer and
syphilitic); or one sees abnormal expressions in the psyche, leading to all forms ofbehavior challenges-
e violence, disobedience, mania etc., in children, and addictions, violence, extremes of moods - brilliance,
s INTRODUCTION xxxiii
passion, exuberance on one level or deep depression, introversion and sensitivity on the other level. If the
miasmatic energy goes more for the body, then there often tends to be less in the mind, and vice versa.

The value oflooking at the fluoric type in this way is that it gives another perspective on the relationship
of symptom states, of understanding normal and abnormal physiological function and of mental
patterning; and of seeing the relationship between the jluoric constitution, the syphilitic miasm and
other remedies that share such characteristics.

Another common form of classification, spoken about since the time of Galen in about 150AD, is the use
of the terms Sanguine, Bilious (Choleric), Phlegmatic (Lymphatic) and Nervous (Melancholic). These types
can have a broad identification with both the miasms and Calcic types already described, although as with
all classifications there are overlaps and inconsistencies in comparison. However, one can say the Sanguine
is a tubercular, sycotic type; Bilious is a sycotic, tubercular type, Lymphatic a psoric, sycotic type and
Nervous a syphilitic, psoric type. In relation to the biochemic constitutions of the oxygenoid, hydrogenoid
and carbo-nitrogenoid types, the oxygenoid connects mainly with the tubercular type, the hydrogenoid to
the sycotic and the carbo-nitrogenoid the psoric. Any one person may have characteristics of more than one
type but ideally one predominates. Also the relationship between the miasms and other typologies are only
thematic categorizations and as such there can be some debate when in making comparisons.

Miasms, Classifications, Symptoms

Miasms are a form of classification, a method of categorization to help bring order to a seemingly chaotic
number of symptoms as well as a way to understand the origins of a disease process. Medicine has always
sought to find forms of categorization in helping to define and measure disease, and miasms are an
important and unique method of classification in homeopathy.

Modern miasmatic classification has taken a different road to Hahnemann's original ideas, which basi-
cally addressed the fact that disease patterns were passed on through contagious means - even if not ~.'.li
clearly understood in his time, yet very prescient given current knowledge- and which as a result of the .
;
suppression of their primary expression leads to secondary and deeper manifestations of disease. Modern •
homeopathic thinking has focused on the overall pattern of susceptibility created by the miasm, at times
termed diathesis, which denotes the influence on the individual by the particular miasm, particularly
in inherited influences, whereas Hahnemann was more concerned with the contagious dynamic and its ~
•
impact on health, preventing cure with remedies chosen only on the uppermost (superficial) symptom
picture. This was particularly so for the sycotic and syphilitic miasm, where Hahnemann was only
concerned with its impact in the individual who had had the disease, and not in following generations.
Only psora had a powerful inherited influence in Hahnemann's understanding.

It should be noted that even if one doesn't fully embrace miasmatic theory- Hahnemann's or later vari-
ants - most thorough practitioners go into cases more deeply than Hahnemann did in his time and as a
result are able to perceive the core of the case and find a remedy to cover the depth as well as the breadth
of the case. Therefore, miasmatic thinking is included in the case taking and analysis process without
even calling it such. There has been much debate in recent years regarding the idea of new miasms and

xxxiv COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 are used in analysis and understanding of cases. In this context, I am more interested only in
·rht~.l.L,,...-·- application of nosodes, the relationship between specific diseases, e.g., gonorrhea and a wider
.,...111101a .... of conditions, and what that may mean to our understanding of the causes and roots of disease.

; .~~question of susceptibility in relation to miasms is interesting. Even if one focuses on the contagious
· . ··us'ative factors of miasms as Hahnemann did, the question of why some people are more susceptible
. ·ea
:· ·tdl.d:rtain diseases than others and why they react a certain way does lead to further reflection on the
.y~ ~tute of the diathesis of a person and how miasmatic influence affects both susceptibility to disease as
n .
.
~~iw~I·~. basic constitutional outlook and even body type. George Dimitriadis in his book "The Theory of
:ffchronic Disease According to Hahnemann" discusses this, attempting to clarify Hahnemann's original
.{Aient in defining a miasm, stating that Hahnemann saw miasm as an infectious agent, and NOT a
··;:&~thesis, evenJf modern thinking has since incorporated it. However, most homeopathic thinkers have
··a~cepted the diathesis model of miasms, most clearly elucidated in the book Notes on Miasms by Ortega.
' · ·• Also, Hahnemann only attributed Ysth of all disease to the miasms of sycosis and syphilis and he did not
use the remedies Medorrhinum or Syphilinum. Therefore his understanding of the miasmatic influences
of gonorrhea and syphilis was limited to symptoms that patients had which were direct consequences of
these infections and not as a broadly inherited susceptibility through infection by previous generations.

One major factor in using miasms as an aid in analysis of the depth and complexity of a case relates
once more to the notion of constitution, by which we mean the treatment of the bedrock foundations
of a person. Hahnemann states in The Chronic Diseases that the uppermost miasm should be treated
first, and that in complex miasmatic cases in which more than one miasm is active, a remedy must be
chosen to address the most intense symptoms, followed by another remedy to address the next level of
symptoms and then after that, perhaps another remedy to address the underlying psoric predisposition.
The rationalization in treating the psoric state is both to cure remaining symptoms and also to help
prevent further deterioration of health later on. One disputed interpretation of miasmatic theory is that
one cannot catch sycosis or syphilis without already having psora, that psora is at the root of all disease.
Although Hahnemann referred to Psora as the "hydra headed" monster, it was really Kent who described
Psora in this way. Dimitriadis states that Hahnemann didn't mean what Kent states, and that Psora is
but one contagious disease state, being merely more prolific and easily catchable than the other miasms.
Psora is not a moral affliction, a biblical taint that we all have by simply being alive, but merely the huge,
amorphous mass of non-venereal disease that is originally connected to some primary expression on the
skin with eruptions of various kinds. Whether scabies is the root of the skin conditions is also debatable.
1
It is more likely to have been forms of herpetic eruptions, with scabies being the clearest expression of
the broader psoric predicament. See Psorinum chapter.

Therefore, instead of seeing miasms as a vertical column, beginning with psora, which then leads to
sycosis and syphilis and then to tubercular and cancer miasms, one can also see them as interrelated but
yet distinct influences, not necessarily building on one another but being connected to their own unique
(infectious) source and with their own pattern which is past on through generations.
a
1
Clinically speaking, it can be said that a miasmatic understanding of disease does allow a more layered
:f approach to cure to take place and that it helps to simplifY case analysis. Instead of trying to fit all the
symptoms into one remedy state, one can see that different remedies may fit different miasmatic states
s INTRODUCTION XXXV
in the case and that the uppermost miasm must be addressed first. Also, miasmatic thinking allows us to
understand why certain people get sicker early in life. If the vital force is at all times maintaining optimal
function, then a deeply compromised system indicates more miasmatic compromise, predominantly
with the sycotic, syphilitic, tubercular or cancer miasms. Remedies have to be given that address these
influences. Ideally it can be one remedy that covers everything, but in some cases, it is just not the case
and one remedy will be followed by another. This is especially the case in more serious physical patholo-
gies that develop early on in life. Following Hahnemann's own advice, an anti-psoric remedy will follow
an anti-sycotic or anti-sj"philitic remedy.

It is seen in prescribing that even "well-prescribed" deep acting remedies do not always cure and even
in our own profession, homeopaths becoming sick and dying prematurely, in spite of homeopathic
prescribing. It begs the question as to the limits of homeopathy perhaps and not just because the wrong
remedy has been given. Also when dealing with psoric'issues- the fundamental terrain -lifestyle patterns,
including especially food habits have to be considered as both maintaining causes and etilogy for many
diseases in the modern era and which homeopathic remedies will not necessarily combat. A large part
of the naturopathic profession is dealing with basic psoric issues of the environmental circumstances of
people's lives which are essential factors, but as we know with homeopathy, our remedies can ideally go
deeper into miasmatic dynamics of disease. However, both the more internal (sycotic and syphilitic) and
external (psoric) causes of disease need to be addressed.

One other assumption commonly made is to identifY certain remedies with a particular miasm and
nosode. While there is truth in this alignment, for example, 1huja and Medorrhinum, one has to be
careful not to accept this too rigidly. Any of the major polychrest remedies may need a complementary
nosode from any of the major miasms. There may be a Calcarea carbonica case that needs Syphilinum
or Tuberculinum for example. One other common assumption is that once a nosode has been given, it
should not be repeated or another remedy should be given to follow. As with all rules, nothing is really
fixed and like any other remedy, a nosode can be repeated until its work is done. One dose of a nosode
may not be enough to address the miasmatic "load" in a case and may need to be repeated in various I!
potencies over time. Similarly, one nosode may need to be complemented with another one, each rep re- ~
senting a certain symptom picture at a given time. Psorinum can often be considered with Syphilinum or n
with Tubmulinum, l= often M,J,ffl,inum with Tubm>dinum. But my oombin•tion ;, p=iblo. '

The Use of Nosodes and their Relation to Constitution i

The situation of defining what we are attempting to treat can arise when prescribing a nosode. A nosode ;':
is made from diseased material and therefore represents a specific, often superimposed influence on the
constitution of a person. Therefore, once the nosode has done its work, another remedy that addresses
the constitution - the basic nature of the person -should be given, partly as a prophylactic and perhaps
to address any remaining constitutional issues. If we understand the constitution to be that which
addresses the basic nature and the issues that stem from this, then by definition a nosode cannot be a
constitutional remedy. Coming from a diseased source, it doesn't reflect the basic nature but an imposed
miasmatic influence, whether inherited or acquired. However, in some cases, one can see that once the ··
nosode is given, no other remedy seems indicated. It has done its work and the person seems healed.

xxxvi COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 If one can see a constitutional remedy based on characteristic qualities of the person, one can give the
remedy, even if there is nothing particular to treat and not much may change. Its effect will be mainly
that of prevention. However, if one can't see that remedy, then there is nothing to prescribe on, but
knowing that the nosode is not fundamentally constitutional can be helpful in understanding what one
is' addressing in a case.

Anosode derived from one of the five big miasms (Psora, Sycosis, Syphilis, Tuberculosis, Cancer) also
··influences a case in a unique way. The effect of the miasm can influence the intensity of expression of
a constitutional state. One doesn't necessarily have to have a comprehensive picture of the nosode in
order to justify it, although that greatly helps. It may be enough to identify just a couple of unique
features. For example, the case may seem like a Phosphorus case constitutionally, yet the intensity of the
expression, wiU! a depth of despair may reveal a syphilitic influence, perhaps requiring Syphilinum. Or
of course, Tuberculinum may also be indicated if Phosphorus does not fully cure yet still seems indicated.
Identifying the intensity as well as the specific symptom state can help clarify a case and simplify a situ-
ation that can seem rather complex.

The miasmatic influence in justifying the use of a nosode works often in a more generalized way. Whereas
the constitutional remedy is very much geared toward the individual characteristics in a person, the
miasm is a superimposed general influence. The miasm's influence is more generic, more specific to
the miasm and it imposes itself in a broad way and not as much as part of the individual story and
picture of a person. It is like a veil that affects the quality and intensity of the symptom expression, not
the symptom itself. This is perhaps similar to Ortega's ideas of giving a color to each miasm; yellow to
psora, blue to sycosis and red to syphilis. Its effect is to influence the quality of the expression of the
constitutional state, not necessarily to produce its own unique symptom picture. Therefore, that is why
it is often stated that a nosode can help open or dear the case, when other remedies have not worked.
The correct nosode can help lift the miasmatic lid off the case, facilitating the use of other remedies. It
is also why it can be that a nosode is indicated when more than one remedy picture is being seen or that
there is generalized confusion in the case. It helps to restore order and cohesion.

The Rationale for Giving Nosodes

Prescribing a nosode can require a unique analysis of symptoms. Often, a nosode is given on the same basis
as any other remedy. However, at times it is giveh on the basis of only a few characteristics, including a
family history of an illness connected to the miasm or behavioral/social dynamics that reflect that miasm.
It can also be given based on one or more very important qualities that are indicative of the miasm and the
nosode, e.g. warts for Sycosis and Medorrhinum, recurrent fevers and morbid introversion for Cancer and
Carcinosin, recurrent bronchitic coughs and restlessness for Tuberculosis and Tuberculinum etc. Often,
in giving a nosode from the major five miasms, one only sees a selective "sliver" ·of the miasm, which may
only manifest occasionally, but which nonetheless indicates a miasmatic influence and requires a nosode.
Other reasons for giving a nosode include the famous saying- "When the well indicated remedy fails to
act or only acts superficially and/ or suddenly ceases after a good beginning". Also, a person who has never
been well since a particular disease can require a nosode from that disease. Sometimes however, the well
indicated remedy is not really well indicated and simply requires a better remedy. In these cases, nos

INTRODUCTION
can be too casually given. One ideally needs some other indication that a nosode may~be indicated,
whether from family history, a keynote or a recogHition of a miasmatic theme to the whole case.

One key idea regarding the prescribing of a nosode is that they often unravel a specific dynamic in a case
which is connected to an inherited tendency and which only the nosode will unravel. No other remedy
can do it, which is why nosodes are often considered when supposedly well-indicated remedies fail to
act. The assumption, correctly or not, is that the cause in the case is traced to a specific miasmatic influ-
ence that only the specific nosode can unlock. This is without a doubt true. in many cases, perhaps most
clearly seen in prescribing for children, when an apparently good constitutional remedy does not prevent
recurrent attacks of certain diseases, the susceptibility still very much intact until the appropriate nosode
is given. This tends to give· nosodes a unique role in pediatric prescribing and confirms again the general
correctness of Hahnemann's hypothesis regarding the underlying causes of chronic disease, even if he
did apportion too much to the psoric miasm and not enough to the sycotic and syphilitic miasms, or for
that matter, the tubercular and cancer miasms. It should be remembered that although the cancer miasm
and Carcinosin conform to most of the qualifications that define a miasm, of the five main miasms, it is
the only one that is not passed on through a contagious process, a key aspect of Hahnemann's original
definition of a miasm.

One other classification for looking at miasms is in describing whether they are exposed, active,
dormant, acquired or inherited. (This analysis was outlined by Francisco Eizayaga in his book A Treatise
on Homeopathic Medicine). There are also acute and chronic miasms, the latter being traditionally Psora,
Sycosis and Syphilis, according to Hahnemann. Acute miasms relate to diseases such as measles, mumps
and chickenpox. An exposed miasm is when there are actual symptoms indicating the nosode e.g. the
craving for cold milk in Tuberculinum. An active miasm describes when the miasmatic influence is
impacting the case, even if there are no exposed symptoms e.g. the general tendency to colds in the
winter which Phosphorus doesn't totally clear, requiring Tuberculinum. A dormant miasm is where the ~
family history of TB or even the sunken tubercular chest indicating the miasmatic tendency has no ·~
perceived impact in the person's health. An acquired miasm is one which has been "caught" in the ~
midst of life, e.g. having caught T.B., Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Measles, Mumps etc. and having some j
symptoms as a consequence. Inherited miasms relate to conditions which have been inherited from .~
previous generations. An example might be where the child, who is totally wild, restless and dissatisfied, !if
needs Tuberculinum as his father had the disease as a young boy. I
The following list is a summary of the indications for prescribing a nosode: et·
I
1. Classic symptom picture, usually the main Jive nosodes. (Exposed, active, acquired or
inherited). In this example, the remedy is given based on the qualitative totality of symptoms,
no different than for any other remedy. Ideally there should be clear symptoms and keynotes
on both the psychological and physical level. There does not have to be a particular family
history of any illness, and as with any analysis, not ALL the characteristic symptoms of a
remedy need to be present to justify it. Only some of the characteristic symptoms are enough.
2. When the indicated remedy doesn't work. (Active (but not exposed), inherited or acquired).
In this example, one has to study the case and see if there are any miasmatic influences in the
case. This may come from family history, one or more characteristic keynotes of a miasm/
xxxviii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES
 or a general flavor of a particular miasm. It may also mean that a certain past illness is-
.... . the cure, requiring a nosode to antidote the impact of the disease. This is not always-
.. · ··~toidentify and one has to be sure that the so-called well-indicated remedy is exacdy that.
·~asy history ofan illness. (Active, inherited). This is fairly self-explanatory. However, to.
;·•·;~liil.:tt-:::--',:;,''::··· ·important, one ideally needs to find a history on both sides of the family and for these
.•.......· .. ·... ·;diseases to have manifested fairly early on in life. Having four members of the family all
.·.. .·~· :""':,,• die from cancer in their nineties is less important than if they were in their fifties. It should
•· ,(\,I,;t}1;~;}.zbe·noted that a strong family history ofT. B. could also indicate the cancer miasm, so one
··B:.::i't:~3:· ,should be careful not to be too literal in identifying the miasm indicated. In most cases, the
''.<-~~~.~.,,-.- .. ~ . .,

..:~·~~~}.),j.•;,i±o family history is also confirmed with some expressions in the case. To prescribe purely on
j\~:;~::./.r•family history is not so obvious unless the history is extremely dear. Congenital and genetic
;'::'\<< . defolmities can be important in identifying a miasmatic influence and at times it can be due
to more than one miasm. It is not always easy to distinguish which miasm it may be, the
tSm. · sycotic, cancer and tubercular miasms often being confused.
it is· Never Been Well Since. (Active, acquired). This can be important and in fact was how
inal Hahnemann first identified all his three miasms, especially the more intense expressions of
the sycotic and syphilitic miasm. However, this will also include any disease in which the
person has not recovered and can involve the use of nosodes from these diseases, for example,
ive,·· measles, mumps, chickenpox, malaria, cholera, typhoid, pneumonia, mononucleosis, venereal
:tise diseases including chlamydia, whooping cough, staphylococcus infections, vaccines. In this
lra, example, nosodes from these diseases can be given to complement more specific remedies or
nps when deeper constitutional remedies have not fully cured the case. See Zingiber chapter.
the 5. As a complementary intercurrent to another remedy that is only working partially. (Active,
e is · inherited or acquired but not exposed). This may be similar to examples three and four above.
the ' Often it is seen when a constitutional remedy has been given but where it doesn't address all the
the·: issues at hand. This most often requires one of the big five nosodes and which can be given as a
no .:1 single dose and wait, often followed by the first remedy even if nothing apparendy happens; or
the 11 it can be given more routinely in-between doses of the first remedy, as a classic "intercurrent"
prescription. Practitioners work in different ways in how they approach this issue.
om' 6. To help clear up a case that has been taken only so for. This can be in both chronic and acute
[ed,: cases. (Active, acquired or inherited.) The main distinction between this option and the
one above is that the nosode is given to help finish off the case. Perhaps one has identified a
miasmatic influence through certain inherited patterns, psychological or general miasmatic
themes, or keynotes of a nosode and at the same time, the case seems to have reached a
certain impasse. Perhaps only one or two symptoms are remaining but they are important
enough to prescribe on and indicate that, in spite of the fact that the remedy has worked very
ms, well, not everything has been resolved. At time'&, a nosode can help finish the case off. Mosdy
:es it's one of the big five nosodes but it could be another nosode if there is a particular history of
a disease in the case.
7. To begin a case, perhaps when no clearer remedy is being seen. (Active, acquired or inherited,
tgh. exposed) This is an important criterion for justifying a nosode, but it depends on the ability
to truly identify that there is no single indicated remedy. As mentioned, the miasmatic influ-
Le ence sometimes creates confusion in a case, it's as if it distorts the normal expression of a
case, producing a contradictory or complex picture, or when it seems more than one remedy
JIES INTRODUCTION xxxix
 is indicated. It can also occur where two remedies seem equally indicated, often the nosode
with another remedy. For example, Cannabis indica and Medorrhinum. Here one may want
to begin with Medorrhinum and then perhaps follow with Cannabis indica if still needed.
In this situation, it can be important to identify which remedies are related to which nosode
and miasm.
8. Prophylaxis against a specific disease e.g., whooping cough, measles, influenza etc. (none of the
classifications are indicated). Many homeopaths prefer giving a regular remedy or the genus
epidemicus. The evidence of the efficacy for giving nosodes prophylactically is disputed and
one cannot have total confidence in this approach to preventing disease. However, the fact of
homeopathic prophylaxis is well documented, and if not totally preventing a disease, then at
least in inhibiting its more violent expression. This was seen in the use of Variolinum to both
treat and prevent smallpox, as well as Hahnemann's use of Belladonna in the treatment of
scarlet fever. Other diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, whooping cough, influenza etc. can
be approached this way, either with just a nosode or in conjunction with other remedies that
may treat the genus epidemicus of a particular condition or which have a specific affinity to a
specific disease, e.g. Drosera for who~ ping cough.
9. To treat a specific disease ofa similar nature or the same origin (Active, acquired or inherited,
exposed), e.g., Pertussinum for whooping cough and also general spasmodic cough, Carcinosin
in cancer cases of many kinds, Medorrhinum in pelvic' inflammation and sepsis, etc. Some
homeopaths have written that the nosode should not be used in the active expression of the
same disease. The use of Carcinosin in cancer is the most well stated example of this, the theory
being that the nosode is too close to the disease state when the disease is in process, which
may lead to prolonged aggravations of the disease. However, many homeopaths do practice
this way, giving nosodes in conjunction with other remedies when addressing particular
pathologies, which seems to help in complex cases. In these cases, the nosode is addressing the
miasmatic history and roots in the case, while the other remedies are addressing the disease,
both specifically and more constitutionally. The nosodes used in these circumstances may be
the big five as well as more specific ones for various infectious disease states.

External and Internal Factors and the Concept of Layers

One of the most important issues to address when deciding whether a prescription is constitutional or
not is to look at the influence of external and internal factors. External factors can be influences such
as ailments from shock, fright, and exposure to weather, grief, loss, physical injur;r and other trauma.
Internal factors relate to what have already been described - physical characteristicS, inherited physical
and emotional qualities and susceptibilities that stem from this. One could make the argument that
the susceptibility to external factors is predicated on intrinsic internal factors. One is a reflection of the
other. Therefore, in analyzing a case, one considers both external and internal factors to help determine . ·
the remedy needed and a well indicated remedy often does exactly that. However, there are times when ·
the influence of the external factor is so strong that it superimposes itself onto the constitution, over-
whelming it with its dynamic influence and creating a layer or superimposed image onto the constitution.
In these situations, the nature of the etiology and the reactive mechanism of the individual will determine·
the remedy choice. This is where remedies such as Aconite, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Arnica, Staphysagria, .·
Stramonium etc. can often be needed. These situations may not be acute but chronic states, the person ,

xl COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

 under the influences of whatever single or accumulated trauma has occurred and which has now
part of their basic state. However, it needs to be seen that it is still an imposed influence and the
needed will address both the etiology and the reaction to that state. However, the constitution has
""'"'"~~·~ .., been addressed. The most common example could be when a person who needs Natrum
goes into an Ignatia state when an acute grief is experienced. Homeopathic books are full
examples of remedy relationships, when another remedy is needed to address a more intense or
state. In such situations, one must always distinguish whether the indicated remedy does seem
the most basic qualities of the person or merely the layer most visibly expressed.

equation can be stated as following: the more intense and strong the imposed state is (the etiology),
important is the susceptibility of the basic constitution. We know that remedies such as Arnica,
and Stram:nium can be needed in a person, even an adult, when the trauma stems from the birth
In these cases, this is still an imposed layer of trauma that has been carried ever since.

obviously the case that the dynamic interaction between the external condition and internal
>, ~ 115 ce:pt!Oillty
is important in considering the totality ofany case. Even with intense external circumstances,
people react differently, conditioned by the inherent susceptibUity in each individual. However, the
same rule applies and a person has the potential to move into different energy states depending on the
intensity of the external stimuli.

In identifying these distinctions, some homeopaths have defined these layers as follows (See A Treatise on
Homeopathic Medicine by Francisco Eizayaga): The Constitution is the basic level, the Fundamental level
represents symptoms and states that are a deviation from the constitutional and may require the same or
a different remedy and the Lesionallevel which relates to specific pathologies and conditions which are
superimposed onto the constitution. These mostly require a more specific remedy to address the condi-
tion, which should then be followed up by the constitutional remedy and perhaps a miasmatic remedy if
indicated. There is also the Morbid Terrain level that describes the miasmatic terrain in which the other
levels are expressed. Ideally there is one remedy that would address all these situations and layers that arise,
and this is the default position taken by most classical homeopaths. The idea is that as there is only one
person, and as all things are connected, the remedy has to be given to address the whole person. Therefore
the deepest remedy should be found that addresses both the presenting symptoms, even in more complex
physical pathology, as well as the characteristics of the basic nature of the person. If this solution can be
found, then most would agree that the confidence of the prescription is higher. However, in practice,
there are many situations in which certain symptoms seem to demand more attention, especially in more
advanced physical and mental pathologies and these symptoms wUI determine the prescription. In such
circumstances, it can be a mistake to take into consideration other more background data such as food
desires, weather preferences and personality characteristics. The question, as always with homeopathic
prescribing, is which symptoms should be focused on and which should be ignored.

The One Remedy

There is a tendency today in modern classical thinking to focus on finding just one remedy that will do it all,
that will cover the complexity and depth of a case and anything less is seen as a meandering cure or even a

INTRODUCTION xli
 suppressive affect. While the ideal of one remedy is good to strive for, the reality is that it is not always possib
to find and mistakes are made in striving after this ideal. Some cases require more than one remedy to cure.

For example, if a nosode is given (for the morbid terrain), especially one of the big five, one shoul
always look for a complementary remedy to follow on, to address the basic constitutional state. 11
same applies when a remedy is needed to address a true acute state or a strong physicallesional cond
tion (Lesionallevel). Once completed, a deeper acting remedy should be given if there is a need ar
a picture is clear. Another common statement is that there is no such thing as an acute disease; all a
expressions of a chronic condition. Treating such states as acutes will be suppressive, leading to furth.
internalization of disease. It is a mistake to take this too literally. While Hahnemann states that mo
acute diseases are expressions of a chronic miasm, there are true acutes, and this is mostly found in bact
rial or viral infections (not including external traum~), which can be part of an epidemic or sporad
infectious disease state. However, even in cases where the acute state is a direct expression of a chron
miasm, it can still require a specific remedy to address the immediate condition, if the picture is de:
If it is not, then the chronic, constitutional remedy should be given. The focus on suppression is mo
theory than reality and while no doubt there are examples of homeopathic suppression, it is often us•
more as a philosophical position than is found in reality. If the remedy given for an acute state {or acu
expression of a chronic condition} cannot address the root of the condition, then generally it will on
work superficially and the symptoms will return, unless the wrong remedy has been given far too ofte

However, in the treatment of children, there can often be confusion between acute and chror
conditions, leading to superficial prescribing on presenting symptoms and not addressing the underlyi
state, especially in seeing the miasmatic influence in the case. While young, a child often attempts
throw off miasmatic influence, producing conditions such as repeated e~ infections, sinusitis, asthn
eczema, behavioral states etc. While any appropriate chronic remedy can cure, a nosode is often need
to fully resolve the case. Elizabeth Wright-Hubbard's writings are useful to study in this regard, as :
Donald Foubister's. Remedies may still be needed to address acute exacerbations but things will r
change dramatically until a chronic remedy or nosode is given.

fu a rule of thumb, it can be assumed that each person can potentially vibrate within the range o
certain number of remedies. The idea that they will only vibrate to one remedy or only need one reme
for life is not revealed in clinical practice. The energy of any remedy clearly overlaps with other remedi
Also, a person who may need a certain remedy for their 'constitutional' susceptibility may move ir
the sphere of another remedy depending on circumstances. Within the terfi.peramental dynamics
each person, the basic constitutional qualities predominate, yet as temperament is adaptable to circu
stances, other remedies may be required at times. This is not indicative of a meandering route to c1
with various partial similars but the fact that different remedies are needed to take the person all the v.
It is too simplistic to assume that the complexity of a human being can be totally encompassed wicl
the vibration of one remedy. Also, the stronger the external forces that influence a person, the furt
I,I
I,
'I
away from constitutional influences the situation develops, leading to the use of remedies that add1
the specific situation and not the constitutional dynamics in a case.

xlii COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEI

 rhe 2nd Prescription·
i:
'Ihe challenge of finding the most exact remedy{ies) in a case leads to a situation where one remedy leads ' il
.,,
. to another and maybe another based on a less than perfect simillimum found. There is nothing wrong
I
with this and it needs to be understood that unless the remedy is repeated much too frequently, confu-
sion or even damage to the patient will not occur. The remedy will work to the level of susceptibility it i
.J,,,
·has in the case, eliminating some symptoms and leaving others untouched. The remaining symptoms
and any new symptoms will generally become the new case to prescribe on, unless the other symptoms
from the original case taking. At times, if there is confusion in a case, going back to the original case is
agood idea, even if the picture has changed since.

. Any strong new symptoms that appear after a remedy, if they stay and do not disappear as part of the
remedy reaction ·l!lften become the most important symptoms to consider for the second remedy. This
information, plus an understanding of related remedies and miasmatic considerations can help one
choose another remedy. Even one strong keynote can be enough. Do not look for a complete new image
of a remedy. Often it is only a sliver of the remedy image that is seen.

1he following model is a suggestion of how to analyze the relationship of remedies and when one needs
to consider more than one remedy to fit a particular case.

• Strong emotional picture A top layer where the emotional/mental picture of a remedy is
strong with or without physical symptoms. An underlying constitutional remedy may be
needed to follow if there are symptoms indicating this. Often the top remedy may be a plant
or animal remedy and there may be a clear etiology in the case. In these cases, much of the
energy is given to the response to a particular situation.

• A nosode is needed A top layer where a nosode is needed based on the predominant symptom
picture and/or a clear family history. This often would need to be complemented with a
constitutional remedy, often related to the nosode given. In other cases, the constitutional
remedy may be given first, followed by the nosode at a later date if indicated and/or if the
first remedy does not complete the case. In these cases, an understanding of broad miasmatic
qualities needs to be identified, along with confirmatory keynotes of a particular nosode.

• Incomplete cure If a constitutional remedy has been given, and works well, it can occur
that it doesn't address all the symptoms in a case, leaving one or more chronic conditions
untouched. However, the remedy has worked very well; it is not just a partial simillimum.
In these cases, a complementary remedy may be needed, which can come from a similar or
different family or which may also be a nosode. In these cases, one needs to understand when
the limits of one remedy have been reached and another one is needed. This is very delicate.
In some cases, one needs to wait many months before thinking to change the remedy. It can
even extend to years. In other cases, after three months, if a certain chronic, often long-term
symptom has not changed, then another remedy should be considered. The key consideration
is really the clarity of the case for the prescriber and whether he/she can perceive another
indicated remedy. In these cases, a recognition of key 'constitutional' characteristics can be

INTRODUCTION xliii
 helpful in knowing which other remedy may be indicated. It can also be that what one has
considered to be a constitutional remedy is in fact a more superficial remedy for the person
and another deeper remedy is needed.

• A specific etiology A remedy can be needed to begin the case based on a clear etiology
that has to be addressed first. This could include shock, fright, grief, and other emotional
dynamics, or it could be due to toxic effects e.g. drugs, vaccines, environmental exposure,
diseases such as malaria, STDs, tropical diseases in general, other inflammatory diseases such
as meningitis etc. In these cases, a remedy may be needed based on the symptom picture
of the original condition, plus what is remaining as part of the current picture. Once this
remedy is given, a complementary constitutional remedy can be followed. In these cases,
the underlying constitutional remedy may or may not be seen right away. If all one sees
is the Stramonium picture, for example, then perhaps that is all that is needed. However,
an awareness of underlying constitutional factors should be kept in mind when looking at
the symptom totality. This level of causation can often be missed in case taking, at times
because the patient has forgotten, but it can be vital in opening up cases. Trauma of all sorts
(emotional or physical) frequently leaves a powerful and often unconscious imprint on the
body/mind and can affect both long-term physical well-being and psychological outlook.
This always needs careful analysis by the homeopath.

• A new picture emerges Another remedy can be needed when the first remedy brings up
a clearer remedy picture. New symptoms may appear or old symptoms reappear which
do not disappear naturally, revealing a new image. In this case, the first remedy may or
may not be the simillimum and/or the deepest possible remedy but functioned to reveal a
clearer picture of the disease. In the somewhat messy world of clinical practice this happens
and we need to see when we have to change the remedy. Hanging onto the same remedy
from the beginning based on the idea of the "one" remedy is a mistake here. The skill of
the homeopath in identifying the new remedy image is key in determining the next remedy
and when to give it.

Remedy Differentiation
The ability to identify and differentiate remedies is based on many factors. Every case demands a unique
identification process. No single method of analysis works in all cases. Whatevc;; the innovation of
analysis methods, strategies and classifications used, they will only work some of the time. A competent
homeopath needs to be flexible in their analysis. The following criteria need to be considered:

• Knowledge of each remedy from a detailed understanding of the essence or central

themes of each remedy and its sphere of action. One needs to be able to identify a remedy
from a certain sliver of information given in any case. For example, the ability to know that
a case has to he Nux vomica from only the quality of reflexive impatience and anger (the
central theme) along with one or two physical keynotes. This quality of 'seeing' is part of the
daily practice of experienced homeopaths, where the overall gestalt of the case is seen and
I i confirmed with one or more keynotes. Each remedy has its own unique pattern, with one or
i ]

xliv COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

'·
'I
I.

'"
 more central qualities that often define its specific image. A knowledge of these qualities of
the polychrest remedies needs to be achieved for consistent practice.
• Knowledge of the physical symptomatology and pathological limits of each remedy. Study
of materia medica has to include these features. Every remedy has a potential sphere of
action, on all levels. One must recognize this unique pattern in a representative selection of
important symptoms in a case, whether psychological or physical. This can especially be the
case when considering 'constitutional' qualities of a remedy, including physical characteristics
that clearly lead to certain remedies e.g. keloid scars in Graphites, Silicea, Fluoric acid and
others. This knowledge can be helpful when deciding whether a plant or mineral remedy may
be needed. Mostly, chronic physical problems with structural compromise need a mineral
remedy. Acute inflammatory conditions often need a plant remedy. ·i
·• !.\
• The ability to see the unique pattern of the 'qualitative' symptoms of each case. Often,
the uniqueness is not in the numeric totality of characteristic symptoms but the overall
uniqueness that the specific combination of symptoms gives. For example, knowing that the
remedy indicated is Phosphorus based on the body type with long fine features, a history of
pneumonia, a fear of the dark and a sympathetic nature. Unless there are some other totally
important aspects of a case, it has to be Phosphorus. This is an example of what can be called :,
a 'default' analysis. This means that UIJless there are some qualifying factors in the case, the .I
information listed naturally leads to Phosphorus. In many cases, with seemingly limited
data, a good choice can be made by identifying a few characteristic symptoms, keynotes and
qualities of the person. Again, the ability to identify the key characteristics in the case, and
identify them with the essential qualities of the remedy is the key to successful prescribing.

• The ability to identify the specilic relationship between mental/emotional and physical
symptoms. The most confidence in a case often comes from identifying characteristic symp-
toms in both mind and body. Most mistakes are made in misinterpreting and misidentifying
mental/emotional characteristics. Much more projection happens in this area and therefore
greater accuracy is achieved when physical and general characteristics that have an objective
quality to them are included in the analysis. Also, the unique combination of mental and
physical characteristics gives a greater perspective on many cases, balancing the analysis based
on the most holistic view. If possible, all repertorizations should attempt to include both
mental and physical symptoms. Howeverl it is understood that this is not always possible and
only mental symptoms may be chosen at times or only physical characteristic symptoms.

• The ability to identify and differentiate 'objective' symptoms of the mind with 'subjective'
symptoms, the latter requiring more interpretation and analysis by the homeopath. Objective
symptoms are ones that are possible to see merely by the words the pa,tient uses or by the
direct observations of the homeopath. They often include qualities such as haughtiness,
reserve, mildness, timidity, impatience, sadness, cheerfulness, wit, loquacity, anxiety, fears,
etc. Subjective symptoms require more interpretation based on what the patient tells us. Is
this grief or mortification, indignation or suppressed anger, forsakenness or mere loneliness
etc. Also, the ability to recognize the significance of any mental symptom is very important.
The tendency to give vague mental symptoms too much significance can often lead to
INTRODUCTION xlv
I''• fll'l

l
\

confusion and mistakes. Mental symptoms need, ideally, to be strong and it should be under-
stood whether these symptoms are qualities that are intrinsic to the individual's constitution
or states of mind which reflect a deviation from the normal state of the person. Even though
the latter state may be just another reflection of the constitutional disposition, its significance
is greater when it's seen that this is not the normal mental state of the person. However, when
it's understood that the prescription is addressing the basic constitutional root of the person,
then identifying key intrinsic qualities of the personality can be very useful in confirming
a remedy choice; in other words, knowing how to distinguish between the complexity of
symptoms and allowing one to see possible layers of remedy images in a case.

• The ability to recognize characteristic physical symptoms and to differentiate with

common physical symptoms. Characteristic physical symptoms can relate to the
following: •
Anatomical and physiological function e.g. quality of nails and skin -warts, eczema,
scarring.
Body typology- head size, obesity, emaciation, narrow chest etc.
Specific sensations which are both characteristic and often of a general nature of the whole
case, e.g. burning, splitting, stitching, needle-like pains, etc.
Symptoms with clear modalities that often relate to a general state of the whole person, e.g.
worse or better for motion, heat or cold, pressure, time of day, etc.
Knowledge of pathology can be important in distinguishing common from characteristic
symptoms. The importance of qualitative physical symptoms should not be underestimated.
The tendency to over focus on mental/emotional symptoms at the expense of identifying
characteristic physical symptoms is a common mistake. This leads to the overuse of common
polychrest remedies that are easy to give on generalized patterns, or obscure little-known
remedies based on a few thematic qualities identified with the remedy. Both tendencies tend
to be based on projection, rather than the facts of a case.

• The ability to understand the significance of one keynote in a case. This can be in any
area, whether a modality, sensation, focal point of pathology, one key mental symptom or a
general quality. The importance of this keynote often depends on its intensity, its repetition
in different parts of the case, both mental and physical, its unique SRP quality and its equal
importance in the remedy being studied. This can often be seen when the remedy is found
to be the only remedy in bold type in a rubric or the only remedy at all.-m a rubric. If the
remedy is a well-known remedy or a so-c3lled small remedy and is the only remedy found in
a rubric or has a specific affinity for a particular pathology, then this symptom can have much
importance in the case.

xlvi COMPARATIVE MATERIA MEDICA INTEGRATING NEW & OLD REMEDIES

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Title: Stepping stones to manhood

A book of inspiration for boys and young men

Author: William Peter Pearce

Release date: December 24, 2023 [eBook #72500]

Language: English

Original publication: Philadelphia: Harper & Brothers Company,

1903

Credits: Richard Tonsing, Donald Cummings, and the Online

Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STEPPING

STONES TO MANHOOD ***
Transcriber’s Note:
New original cover art included with this eBook is
granted to the public domain.
Stepping Stones to Manhood
 STEPPING STONES TO

MANHOOD

A BOOK of INSPIRATION
for BOYS and YOUNG MEN

By WILLIAM P. PEARCE
AUTHOR OF “THE MASTER’S GREATEST MONOSYLLABLES,” “THE
TABERNACLE,” “THE MASTER’S LOVE,” ETC., ETC.

PHILADELPHIA:
HARPER & BROTHER COMPANY
1903
 COPYRIGHT, 1903,
BY
HARPER & BROTHER COMPANY.

Linotyped and Printed by

Harper & Brother Company

TO

WESLEY P. PEARCE

MY SON

WHO AFFORDS ME MUCH COMFORT IN THESE HIS BOYHOOD

DAYS

AND TO THE

BOYS OF THIS GREAT NATION

THIS WORK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED.

CONTENTS.
 Part I.—Relation to Self.
CHAPTER. PAGE.
1. Be Neat. 15
2. Be Polite. 23
3. Be Truthful. 33
4. Be Choice of Language. 45
5. Be Ambitious. 55
6. Be Industrious. 67
7. Be Studious. 79
8. Be Temperate. 93
9. Be Free of the Weed. 103
10. Be Persevering. 115

Part II.—Relation to Others.

CHAPTER. PAGE.
11. Be Dutiful. 131
12. Be Honest. 141
13. Be Just. 151
14. Be Kind. 159
15. Be Generous. 171
16. Be Careful of Your Company. 181
17. Be Cautious of Baneful Amusements. 191
18. Be Chary of Bad Books. 201
19. Be Attentive to Details. 213
20. Be Patriotic. 225

Part III.—Relation to God.

CHAPTER. PAGE.
21. Be a Christian. 239
22. Be Prayerful. 249
23. Be a Bible Student. 261
24. Be a Sabbath Observer. 275
25. Be a Church member. 287
26. Be a Worker for Jesus. 299
27. Be a Witness for Jesus. 309
28. Be Loving. 319
29. Be Hopeful. 329
30. Be Faithful. 339
 LIST OF THOSE WHO HAVE WRITTEN
INTRODUCTIONS TO CHAPTERS.

CHAPTER.
1. Robert J. Burdette. One of America’s moral humorists.
2. Adolph Sutro. Former mayor of San Francisco.
3. Joshua Levering. A noted Christian business man.
4. O. O. Howard. General during the Civil War.
5. Booker T. Washington. The foremost colored educator and
orator of the day.
6. J. T. Rich. A beloved Governor of Michigan.
7. George S. Cull. The author’s instructor during boyhood.
8. George W. Bain. Colonel in the Civil War, and a temperance
orator.
9. Asa Clark, M. D. Supt. State Insane Asylum, Stockton,
California.
10. Marshall Field. One of Chicago’s most honored and
prosperous business men.
11. T. T. Geer. Governor of Oregon.
12. F. W. Warren. Member of the United States Senate.
13. Aaron S. Zook. A widely known lawyer and lecturer.
14. George T. Angell. President and founder of the American
Humane Educational Society.
15. Thomas J. Morgan. General in Civil War, Commissioner of
Indian affairs under President Harrison.
16. Neal Dow. Former Governor of Maine. The “Grand Old Man”
of temperance.
17. H. H. Hadley. Colonel in Civil War. General of the Inter-State
Blue Ribbon Army.
18. Anthony Comstock. Secretary of the New York Society for the
Suppression of Vice.
19. Lyman J. Gage. A prominent banker and a member of
President McKinley’s cabinet.
20. John Clark Ridpath. Historian of the United States.
21. Samuel Fallows. Bishop Reformed Episcopal Church.
22. George C. Lorimer. Minister, author and lecturer.
23. James H. Brookes. An able Bible expositor and writer.
24. Wilbur F. Crafts. A noted defender of the Lord’s Day.
25. Wayland Hoyt. A writer and preacher of prominence.
26. C. C. McCabe. Bishop of the M. E. Church.
27. H. H. Warren. An eminent clergyman.
28. Warren Randolph. A minister of prominence.
29. H. L. Hastings. Editor and preacher.
30. Opie Rodway. Evangelist to whom the author owes much.
 PREFACE.

Boyhood is one of the happiest periods of life. “Ye little know,” said
Robert Burns, “the ill ye court when manhood is your wish.” Taking a
look backward Lord Byron cried, “Ah, happy years once more, who
would not be a boy?” Thomas Moore says, in his beautiful poem: “Oft
in the Stilly Night:”
“The smiles, the tears of boyhood’s years,
The words of love then spoken;
The eyes that shone now dimmed and gone,
The cheerful hearts now broken!

“Thus in the stilly night

Ere slumber’s chain has bound me,
Sad mem’ry brings the light
Of other days around me.”

“There is no boy so poor,” said Phillips Brooks, “so ignorant, so

outcast, that I do not stand in awe before him.” “I feel a profounder
reverence for a boy than a man,” said President Garfield. “I never
meet a ragged boy on the street without feeling that I owe him a
salute, for I know not what possibilities may be buttoned up under
his coat.” “Why, bless me! Is that the boy who did so gallantly in
those two battles?” asked President Lincoln as a lad from the
gunboat Ottawa was introduced to him. “Why, I feel as though I
should take off my hat to him, and not he to me.”
“Get out of my way! What are you good for anyhow?” asked a cross
man to a lad who happened to be standing in his way. The boy
replied, “They make men out of such things as I am.” How true. That
dirty boy taken by a philanthropist in New Orleans, only for the
reason that he was an orphan, became Sir Henry M. Stanley, who
found Livingstone and opened Africa. About fifty years ago, when
New York City sought to aid her homeless children, an agent called
on Judge John Green, of Tixston, Indiana, to inquire if he would take
a boy. Mr. Green said, “I will, if you will bring me the raggedest,
dirtiest and ugliest one of the lot.” A boy by the name of John Brady
more than filled the bill. He was accepted, educated and became a
missionary to Alaska. So suitable a man was he for commissioner of
that unexplored land of wealth, that President Harrison appointed
him governor.
Who can value the worth of a boy? Like Moses, Luther, or Lincoln,
he might rise to bless a nation. Boyhood is the blossom that ripens
into manhood. It is the formative period of one’s character. Said Lord
Collingwood to a young friend, “You must establish a character
before you are twenty-five that will serve you all life.” The building of
such is the greatest earthly task, and he is the greatest man “who
chooses right with the most invincible resolution, who resists the
sorest temptation from within and without, who is most fearless
under menaces and frowns, whose reliance on truth, on virtue, and
on God, is most unfaltering.”
To aid in the growth of such is this work written. It is hoped that it
will be transformed into an epitome, a registry of the reader’s own
life—a compilation and condensation of the best things he shall
finally leave to those who survive him. For it should
—“to one of these four ends conduce,
For wisdom, piety, delight or use.”

Incorporated herein are the best things of many books; the

thoughts of noble men which by the power of a just appreciation and
of a retentive memory may be made one’s own. Of those who have
written introductions to this work, some have since retired from
their official positions, and some are dead. The stories gathered from
many sources illustrate great principles, which, if carefully heeded
will conduce to a happy and manly life; for
—“He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.”
 Success Maxims

1. Have a definite aim.

2. Go straight for it.
3. Master all details.
4. Always know more than you are expected to know.
5. Remember that difficulties are only made to be overcome.
6. Treat failures as stepping stones to further effort.
7. Never put your hand out farther than you can draw it back.
8. At times be bold; always be prudent.
9. The minority often beats the majority in the end.
10. Make good use of other men’s brains.
11. Listen well, answer cautiously, decide promptly.
12. Preserve, by all means in your power, “a sound mind in a
sound body.”
 PART I
Relation to Self
 CHAPTER I
Be Neat

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER I

By Robert J. Burdette
You can make yourself look an inch taller by neat, well-fitting dress.
You can actually make yourself taller by an erect, manly carriage.
Slovenliness is contagious. It communicates itself from the dress to
the character. The boy who slouches and slumps in figure and gait, is
dangerously apt to slump morally. The dust and grime on your
clothes is liable to get into your brain. The dirt under your finger-
nails is likely to work into your thoughts. Grease spots down the
front of your coat will destroy self-respect almost as quickly as a
habit of lying. Tidiness is one of the cheapest luxuries in the world. It
is also one of the most comfortable. When you know, when you are
“dead sure” that you are just right—“perfectly correct”—from hat to
shoe-tie, the King of England couldn’t stare you out of countenance;
he couldn’t embarrass you, and, he wouldn’t if he could.
 CHAPTER I
Be Neat

A high column was to be built. The workmen were engaged, and all
went to work with a will. In laying a corner, one brick was set a trifle
out of line. This was unnoticed, and as each course of bricks was kept
in line with those already laid, the tower was not built exactly erect.
After being carried up about fifty feet, there was a tremendous crash.
The building had fallen, burying the men in the ruins. All the
previous work was now lost, the material wasted, and several
valuable lives sacrificed, all through the misplacement of one brick at
the start. The workman at fault little thought what mischief he was
making for the future. It is so with the boy, building character. He
must be careful in laying the foundation. Just so far as he governs,
guards and trains himself, just so far will he succeed or fail in the
estimation of others. Tennyson wisely wrote:
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power.”

AMERICAN BOYS.

Never in the history of any people did boys have so much in their
favor to assist them in reaching the pinnacle of success as American
boys. Back of them is an ancestry of the best blood of the leading
nations of the world, an ancestry noted for persistence, reverence,
piety and patriotism.
The educational institutions of the land have “turned out”
thousands of young men who have beaten their pathway upward in
spite of adverse circumstances, all of which seems to say to the boy
to-day, “There’s room at the top in whatever profession you may
follow.” A good beginning is the most necessary thing, for “it is half
the battle.” In any race a man can well afford to miss applause at the
starting-line, if he gets it at the goal. A slow but determined start is
not incompatible with a swift conclusion. Experienced mountain-
climbers seem almost lazy, so calmly do they put one foot in front of