Book Review of Synoptic Memorizer of Materia Medica by Dr Pratibha Pathak

My Perspective on the Book

Students, new doctors or experienced doctors, all want to get a good understanding and knowledge of Materia medica to fetch good marks in exams or make an efficient and successful  prescription; Materia medica is tool of homoeopathic practitioner and sound knowledge of materia medica is required for its proper utility. When I came across and read this book authored by Dr. Subrata K. Banerjea and Dr Saptarshi Banerjea, I was very impressed by the style of presentation of this book. 

This book is a work of pure diligence and intelligence put together to bring forth Materia Medica in a new light for the students of homoeopathic institutions and practitioners. It also gives repertorial references and comparative Materia Medica, which is helpful and essential for prescribing. I have heard materia  medica  lectures by Dr Subrata k. Banerjea, he delivers his vast knowledge of Medicines in the most comprehensible manner that it stays in mind and is engraved as a picture. 

I would like to add a few words for Dr Subrata K. Banerjea- he is an internationally respected homoeopath both as a teacher and clinician. He has penned a number of books like “Clinical and Comparative Materia Medica”, “Classical Homoeopathy for Impatient World” and many more. Dr. Saptarshi Banerjea is fifth generation of a reputed homoeopathic family; his materia medica lectures show the magnificent grasp that he has, over the subject. Note that the title of the book is ‘memorizer’; the book is designed keeping in mind that it should be easy to comprehend and retain in the memory. Every remedy, especially those that are polychrests, are explained under headings of the history of medicine which includes the doctrine of signature, common name, family and the prover of the medicine. After this Drug totality is given and it has mnemonics added which make it easy to remember and can help students in preparing for their examinations, then it is followed by Aetiology, Constitution, Mental symptoms, Characteristic symptom, theme etc. Essence of medicine is described on emotional plane, modalities etc. At the end of every medicine a self assessment questionnaire is given for revising the medicine and for preparation for MCQs. Each medicine is very interesting to read, reading does not bring ennui at all. Golden feature of this book is that Mnemonic of medicines is made after the names of medicines which make it easy to remember and recall especially for students. Theme and essence is the USP of this book which is given in the form of flowchart.  Medicine symptoms are written wonderfully quoting the, ‘author of Materia Medica book’  from where they are compiled, hence proving the authenticity as well as bringing a single medicine penned by different authors at a single platform, so students need not to turn pages of different books esp. during examination time.  Characteristic symptoms are marked for the miasmatic preponderance wherever required as we know Dr Subrata K. Banerjea’s miasmatic understanding is very good. While describing symptoms of medicine comparison is also given along with other medicines. Relationships of medicine are explained briefly after modalities.  

There are a total of 127 medicines, all from BHMS curriculum  which are well described. Theme of each medicine is very nicely brought forth through flowcharts alongside text which makes the picture very clear. Understanding remedies in light of clinical aetiology and symptoms increases its practical implication which I feel is a new concept and very important in present time when the approach is integrated under the new CBDC; Competency Based Dynamic Curriculum designed by NCH. From the different headings provided students can segregate must know and desirable to know from their exam and assessment point of view. So, in a way it’s a modernised approach to study materia medica, without changing the essence of it; it is as per the CBDC curriculum revised by NCH recently. I appreciate the vision of authors both at academic level and for the skill of prescription. Going through this book will make the prescriptions better and students will find it helpful in memorising and getting the complete insight on the subject Materia Medica. 

If I say this book can help teachers in making the assessment questions for the monthly assessments as proposed in CBDC then it would not be wrong as far as I can understand.  In this book the author has given details as per different headings to formulate questions, MCQs, long question type, and short question type under the need to know, desirable to know categories. So, in a nutshell this book helps in structuring the lesson plan for CBDC. The foresightedness of the author is commendable as I can see it in synchrony with the CBDC, the advanced way of learning Materia Medica. Stalwarts have left no stone unturned and this is recommendable to every undergraduate and postgraduate student for better understanding. In future if more editions are published I would request to incorporate differentiating features between remedies of single family, mineral group and animal kingdom; I suggest as I am quite assured the way Dr. Banerjea will do, it will be easy to grasp and learn while comparing remedies of one group. With this I will conclude and say that Dr Subrata k. Banerjea and Dr Saptarshi Banerjea are the shining Jewels in the crown of Homoeopathy and I am looking forward to a new publication from them soon.