Textbook of Repertory Language

INTRODUCTION

This Textbook of Repertory Language is the successor to the Blueprint for a New Repertory. The Blueprint, as the name indicated, was a plan of action explaining the development of Synthesis. Successive versions accompanied all editions of Synthesis until version 8.

In each of those Blueprint versions, the first line read: "This concept is a proposal." Over the years and in through the course of many different versions, Synthesis has evolved into an accepted proposal.

In many schools all over the world Synthesis is the preferred Repertory. It has been translated into many languages and has been reprinted more often than any other contemporary repertory (see the Printing History of Synthesis in the Appendix of the "Rules of Repertory Language").

As a result, Synthesis is probably the most widely used repertory. Much feedback has been integrated; a lot of brilliant thinking by many homeopaths has led Synthesis to where it stands now.

Even though the development of Synthesis will continue, the time is ripe to present to the homeopathic community the thought processes that went into its creation. This is the goal of the Textbook.

Here is some specific information about different parts of this Textbook.

• Rules of Repertory Language
  Explains how the language of the patient, the Materia Medica and other repertories has been translated and standardized into Repertory Language. This part has been written in collaboration with Peter Vint (Germany), who has been the major advisor in realizing this version of Synthesis.
   
• Explanation of Key Symptoms
  More than 1,150 symptoms are explained as to their meaning, how the wording has changed over time, etc.
   
• Catalogue of remedies
  The abbreviations are followed by the Synthesis name of the remedy. Synonyms (if applicable) follow between brackets.
   
• Catalogue of authors
  A full bibliographical reference of the homeopathic source material, including succinct biographic information about the major authors, is presented.
   
• Families of remedies
  Based on the Families' Repertory 2.1, which was released together with Synthesis 9. Each family starts with the full hierarchical path so that it is easier to understand the relationship of different families to each other.
  Example: Bungarinae: KINGDOMS - ANIMALIA - Chordata - Reptilia - Ophidia - Xenophidia (= Caenophidia / Culubroidea) - Elapidae - Bungarinae : bung-fa., dendr-pol., NAJA
   
• Relationships of remedies
  The relationships of remedies depend on the way that the previous remedy administered to the patient has acted.
  
  - If the previous remedy did not act, then select another remedy, which now may act (a similar remedy).
  
  - If the previous remedy acted well, but now does not act any more, then select another remedy which will make the case progress again (a complementary remedy). The complementarity can be defined in two ways:
     -- A given remedy is followed well by ...
     -- A given remedy follows well after ...
  
  - If the previous remedy acted well, but now does not act any more, then do not select another remedy which then may deteriorate the case (an inimical).
  
  - If the previous remedy acted wrongly, then select an antidote (the previous remedy is antidoted by).
  
  For each remedy you will see all known relationships. Degrees indicate how strong the relationship is (blue italics = 2nd degree; red capitals = 3rd degree; red capitals underlined = 4th degree).
   
• Information about new remedies
  For a number of new remedies we have indicated, to the best of our ability, their original manufacturer. This list was compiled in collaboration with the proving directors and after requesting feedback from the manufacturing companies. It may well be that any of the mentioned remedies are also manufactured by other companies.
  This information is changeable and will be updated regularly on our website.
   
• Collaborators list
  Mentions all who have contributed to the Synthesis project.
   
• Profile of Synthesis 9.1
  Quantifying statistics are given in comparison to Kent, Synthesis 8.1 and Synthesis 9.0.

May this textbook help fulfill our task described so perfectly by Hahnemann in his first aphorism:

"The physician's high and only mission is to
restore the sick to health, to cure, as it is termed."

Dr. Frederik Schroyens
Peter Vint
Gent, July 7, 2004