Using Provings in Homeopathy

From the Book

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROVING THE TOXICOLOGY

The most basic form of proving is a report of the toxicology of a substance. This was the starting point of homoeopathy and it was only the later development of the potentization of remedies that opened up the possibility of deeper provings.

Reports on the toxicological effects of substances have been published in medical journals and compendiums for several hundred years. Descriptions of the effects of poisons can be found more generally in works dating back to the beginning of written history, whether they be works of natural history, of medicine or other recorded observations of poisonings. Plato's description of the death of Socrates after he had been given Hemlock is a toxicological report and stands as an excellent proving of Conium maculatum. In spite of the fact that it is two and a half thousand years old it describes very well many of the symptoms of Conium.

There are advantages to using toxicology reports to build up a picture of the remedy. The most important of these is that the information is available and a matter of record.

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Details

If we truly wish to understand our materia medica, we homeopaths must understand the proving process and the translation that goes on between proving, compiling and recording symptoms.

Understanding the mechanics of proving, and reading the Provings behind our materia medica deepens our understanding of remedy pictures and how they match disease processes.

The Using Maps and Systems in Homeopathy series includes Using Realms in Homeopathy, Using Philosophy in Homeopathy, Using Correspondences in Homeopathy, Using Miasms in Homeopathy, Using Provings in Homeopathy and Using Mappa Mundi in Homeopathy.

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Author

Peter Fraser

Peter Fraser was a bookseller and publisher before discovering Homeopathy. His work on many provings of new remedies led to an interest in contemporary disease which resulted in his book The AIDS Miasm.

Having taught in many parts of the world, he realized there was a need for basic instructions to many of the concepts used in homeopathy, which this series aims to fill.

Peter is the Director of the Institute of Homeopathy and practices in Bristol and London.

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Reviews

"Here is a beautiful book written by an author who lives and breathes the subject – this knowledge permeates the writing making it a useful work-book for the committed student."
— Misha Norland

"Peter has quite brilliantly drawn together the threads of the higher realms of human experience and brought them down to earth to be immense practical use in our everyday practices. "
— Janet Snowdon

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Contents

About the Author -- i
Using Maps and Systems in Homoeopathy -- vi
Introduction -- 1

What is a Proving? -- 3
Why are Provings Important? -- 6
The Different Types of Proving -- 11
Clinical Confirmation -- 22
How to Read a Proving -- 26
How to Conduct a Proving -- 33
How to Publish a Proving – 46

Appendix I Notes for Provers -- 53
Appendix II Notes for Supervisors -- 57
Appendix III Preparing the Proving Diary -- 59
Appendix IV Notes for Provers who are not Homoeopaths or Students -- 61
Appendix V Notes for the Supervisors of Provers who are not Homoeopaths or Students -- 65

References -- 68
Index -- 69

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