Intensive
and thorough cases taking of the patient, with chronic
and recurrent complaints, are very important not only
for homoeopathic treatment but also for treatment of
any system of medicines. There are very good reasons
for this. A thorough case taking of the patient includes:
Psychological make up of the person·
Physical complaints in detail as to location, description
of disease, factors that can increase or decrease the
suffering (including time, season applications, postural
positions)·
Discharges -urine, stool, perspiration etc.
Sleep pattern, dreams.
Appetite, foods that they like dislike or disagree with
them.
Reactions of their body to environmental changes. |
In
Homoeopathy all patients are treated individually. Thus
the symptoms elicited from the patient are of paramount
importance. A patient must be truthful to the doctor
and reply to all questions correctly and without exaggeration.
The information gained from the patient is very important
in the selection of the right remedy. Whatever the homoeopath
asks about past history, family history, treatment history,
mental symptoms, desires and aversions are relevant
to the treatment and must be answered correctly. The
first sitting with a homoeopath is usually long, while
subsequent visits are much shorter. If the Homoeopathic
medicines are stored under the proper
conditions, i.e. a cool, dry place with temperature
below 25 degree C, away from fumes and strong odors,
the medicines will remain effective for years. This
applies to the liquid medicines only. Once dispensed
in globules they do not
remain effective for more than six months as the medicine
may evaporate or the globules may turn yellow. Before
prescribing a remedy, a homeopath would test it or perform
a proving. A proving is a monitored study of
people taking a remedy. The physical, mental, and emotions
symptoms the patients develop are recorded in Case
Study sheet. Homeopathy utilizes safe preparations
of natural substances, more than 60 percent of which
are derived from plants
like wild hops (Bryonia), marigold (Calendula), and
poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron). Other remedies come
from animals or animal products
like honeybee (Apis mellifica) and inky fluid from cuttlefish
(Sepia). Still other remedies come from minerals
and mineral ores like sodium chloride, flint,
and sulphur |
