Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

232 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
pursuit. Differential materia medica, in which remedies that are similar
to each other are studied together, further helps the prescriber make the
appropriate prescription. Authors are known based on their style of prose
or on their practical experience.
The practice of homeopathy includes ongoing study of case-analysis
techniques, with a focus on the long-term follow-up of patients. The goal
is to treat a patient through his or her life, through the acute and chronic
illnesses that may arise. Assessing efficacy and deciding the course of
treatment requires a strong philosophical understanding of the homeopathic
healing process and the nature of the person and his or her pathology.
It is not uncommon to revisit the homeopathic philosophy books,
particularly when faced with a complicated patient. The rich literature of
this profession was recently highlighted in a book by Julian Winston
entitled, The Heritage of Homeopathic Literature: An Abbreviated Bibliography
and Commentary (44).
To help facilitate recall of the approx 2000 remedies in use, many
homeopaths study and then refer to repertories, which are books that list
all the symptoms known and the homeopathic remedies that have helped
to treat those specific symptoms. Repertories are organized by parts of
the body. The mind section, so essential in our assessment, is followed
by the head, eyes, ears, nose, face, mouth, teeth, throat, stomach, abdomen,
rectum, stool, bladder, kidneys, prostate, urethra, urine, male genitalia,
female genitalia, larynx and trachea, respiration, cough, chest
(where we would find many of the cardiac symptoms), back, extremities,
sleep, dreams, chill, fever, perspiration, skin, and generalities. These
volumes are also available for use on a computer.
“Repertorization” of a patient’s case can be done in a timely fashion
after a full homeopathic interview, helping guide the homeopathic physician
to a group of the most likely remedies to be considered for a
particular patient. One still needs to perceive the correct symptomatology;
to understand the patient in all aspects of his or her health, as even
the best computer program would be of little use if the incorrect information
is considered. Then, the prescribing homeopath must choose the
correct remedy from a group of those suggested. Computers have made
this analysis work less cumbersome and certainly less time-consuming.
Additionally, computer technology allows the qualified homeopath to
be flexible regarding various analysis techniques.
It should be added that homeopaths prescribe just as often by “pattern
recognition.” After one has treated 15 or 20 patients who responded well
to the remedy Nux vomica, for instance, it is not difficult to recognize that
pattern in the next patient who presents and needs the remedy. Therefore,
even though a complete case is taken, by the end of the office visit the