The Homeopathic Therapeutic Subject Reference

From the Book

From the Introduction
The idea for this reference work developed over a long period of time. The result is a book that I wished I would have had in my possession many times throughout years of active practice.

It always bothered me that in any given case, when repertorizing, the polychrest and sub-polychrest remedies always seem to float to the top, and therefore often, when pressed, the temptation to simply choose the most closely matching polychrest is admittedly strong,

Do we always tend to dismiss the lower ranked remedies as unimportant? Dare we consider a 'small' remedy with few matching symptoms and no modalities, but which may be considered a 'specific' for the problem at hand by one or more esteemed homeopaths?

Dare we choose a remedy based on pathology or clinical therapeutics alone, even thought little else may appear to be in its favor?

In any process of repertorizing there are usually a number of small, type one remedies that we generally don't consider at all. These rarely used remedies are, as a rule unfamiliar to us, and therefore generally ignored.

However, how many times in a difficult, unresolved case, might the very remedy that we so desperately require be, in fact, hiding in a group of small, untapped, underused remedies that never really get the attention they so richly deserve? Furthermore, how do we find such gems when we need them the most?

What Makes This Reference Unique
By listing conditions clinically, pathologically and therapeutically, rather than exclusively by symptoms, as is done in most repertories, we have available to us a vast array of remedies, both the major ones, and especially those 'small' rarely used remedies that are generally overlooked.

Moreover, we are able to find rare remedies for clinical conditions that we never dreamed were dealt with in our various materia medica references. It is my wish that this book will serve you well, both as a quick ready reference, and as an extensive treasury of remarkable remedies.

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Details

This reference book is arranged alphabetically, and includes pathological/therapeutic terms with cross-references.

The sources include:

• Frank Bodman, Insights Into Homeopathy
• William and Oscar E. Boericke, Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica
• Margery Blackie, Classical Homeopathy
• W.A. Dewey, Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics
• E. A. Farrington, Therapeutic Pointers to Some Common Diseases
• Donald Foubister, Tutorials on Homeopathy
• Herbert A. Roberts, Principles and Art of Cure by Homeopathy
• Dorothy Shepherd, Magic of the Minimum Dose
• Elizabeth Wright Hubbard, Homeopathy as Art and Science
• The Central Council for Homeopathy Research of India

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Author

Sandra Perko

Sandra Perko has practiced classical homeopathy and clinical nutrition for more than 30 years.

She was the founder, director and senior staff instructor at the South Texas Center for Classical Homeopathy and Nutrition in San Antonio, Texas, where she taught homeopathic classes and weekend seminars series.

These included Introductory First Aid and Acute Care, as well as advanced seminars, comprised of:

• The Homeopathic Theory Series
• Women's Health Series
• Children's Health Series
• Gastrointestinal Health Series
• Dermatology Health Series
• Health After 50 - Geriatric Series

She retired from active practice in 1999 in order to devote her time to writing and publishing. She has contributed articles appearing in peer review homeopathic journals, including The Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy, Simillimum, Health and Homeopathy, and Homeopathy Today.

In addition to The Homeopathic Therapeutic Subject Reference, she is also the author of:

Homeopathy for the Modern Pregnant Woman and Her Infant
- A Therapeutic Practice Guidebook for Midwives, Physicians and Practitioners

The Homeopathic Treatment of Influenza
- Surviving Influenza Epidemics and Pandemics, Past, Present and Future with Homeopathy.

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Reviews

From
The Homeopath
Winter 2008

The Homeopathic Therapeutic Subject Reference, a paperback, just over A5 size, has 615 pages, printed on good quality paper. Perko says that this book has been developed over a long period of time, and is the one that she wished she could access whilst in practice.

For me the tension about when we use therapeutics in our practice is evident, and Perko acknowledges this when she quotes Elizabeth Wright Hubbard as stating:

"One fundamental principle drilled into every good Kentian homoeopathic student is that one must not prescribe pathologically ...

"We realize that pathology is an ultimate, exteriorization, a protective out-throwing, an excrescence, or discharge on the part of the organism.

"Our tendency is, then, to throw pathology overboard and to disregard all such symptoms and organic facts that we class under this heading.

"If we do not take great care we find we are not succeeding as we should, that we are giving remedies on functional symptoms only, and that these remedies do not have the power to produce, and so cure, the given pathology...

"So, little by little, our own experience, as well as that of many master prescribers, will bring it home to us that pathology is to be considered in prescribing - not as a sole basis, but as an important factor in the totality of symptoms."

Perko is also at pains to highlight how this book should be used, and more important how it should not be used. This element is important and this book is not simply a list of remedies for specific conditions but is to be used for guidance and to provide insight into the use of some of the smaller or less well-proven remedies.

The entries are referenced so it is possible to track down the source of the entries if further information is needed, although much of the information is from Boericke.

There are omissions however, and just because a remedy is not listed does not mean to say that it should not be considered.

One example of this is that neither Calcarea sulphurica nor Myristica are listed as remedies for abscess. This notwithstanding, some homeopaths may find the book a very useful resource to confirm remedies or to choose a remedy that they may otherwise have overlooked.

Reviewed by Jean Duckworth

Jean Duckworth RSHom studied homeopathy at the North West College of Homeopathy and practices in Lancashire. She teaches on the BSc (Hons) Homeopathic Medicine and MSc Homeopathy courses and is undertaking a PhD in Homeopathy.

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