Case Analysis and Prescribing Techniques Book Reviewed by Dr. Pratibha Pathak

Content of the book- Case Analysis and Prescribing Techniques

As the title suggests this book is all about clinical utility; author gives a wonderful insight as how physician can enhance prescribing skills as a homoeopath. This book covers clinical part from every subject, starting from The Organon, Materia Medica, and Repertory. Explanation of Vital force with respect to conscious/ unconscious and central and autonomic nervous system is brilliant work, “ontology recapitulates phylogeny”: a nice scientific description is worth reading. Concept of Entropy is intelligent way to explain disease mechanism perfectly. Author raises his concern over fix ideas in practicing homoeopathy. He guides about interpretation of Materia Medica and approach to patient, and how vitality defines improvement in patients. Author has also given nice description of certain worth mentioning books with Highlights, plus and minus of books, anyone can get inspired to read those books as well.

One of the chapters of this book is Etiologies, which is explained under several categories like emotional shock, physical trauma, deprivation, infectious diseases, environment, our perceptions of the world, genetic factors etc. each category is further explained with certain rubrics helping in case analysis and putting forth his philosophy. In his words case analysis is that we are analysing case before we find remedy and Case evaluation is when we are evaluating what the remedy has done. Further, few cases discussions to explain layer by layer prescription makes the whole thing more interesting. He asserts to analyse case by perceiving a state in case and sort out by uncovering layers of suppression.  Similimum prescription layer wise is what he promoted in this book. This book gets more interesting as he touches other relevant topics, further he discusses about few AIDS remedies and how to handle AIDS cases with utmost sensibility. Also, he guides about treating and managing drug addicts. Author also discusses about reaction of treatments, which is integral part of practice and very useful. Can be said as extended practical explanation of Kent’s Twelve Observation. Every homoeopathic physician is well aware of individualised remedy but few must be knowing about the Individualised potency, which is so nicely described here in this book. Dr. Murphy explains suppression in the light of symptoms and signs changing various levels. 

Author lays significant stress on betterment of patients and same being the main goal of a doctor, even if, The Hering’s laws are not somehow in sync with the kind of betterment patient is appreciating. In his words “you have no reason getting complicated with philosophy and intellectualizing a case and what it means, even if it’s Hering’s law- it does’nt matter. They (patients) are better. That’s all that matter”. He further adds that he may not be able to explain it, but they (patients) don’t care. It went in opposite direction and they got better. That’s our only goal. Dr. Murphy was one of the veterans and intellectual, his comprehension of homoeopathic Principles is amazing; but somehow the above lines seem like weakness of this book, with no offence to followers and immense respect for the stalwart. He also states “Don’t change what you’re doing if they are getting better.” So, at places he also guides us to follow homoeopathic principles.

Author has given good insight about intercurrent prescribing, which is very important as far as hurdles or obstacles are concerned while treating any case. Further he writes about Isopathic prescribing citing certain very interesting examples. He mentions about Dolisos pharmacy which is the only pharmacy perhaps having sarcodes for every organ and part. Sarcodes interestingly can prove to be very good intercurrent remedies if there is organ specific problem or complaints. Then tautopathic prescribing is also briefly described and he recommends as it is one of the etiology. Prophylactic prescribing is ignored he feels in our homoeopathic literature. As per him best preventive against all disease is to take your general homoeopathic remedy. Potency selection is something which still puts physician in confusion while prescribing. He discussed most popular way of high potency single dose and repetition as per need. And another being the low potency and frequent repetitions he refers to this approach as Hahnemannian. LM potency he found as superior, gentle and deeper and he explains it good including preparation. He suggests to use even simple potencies as well diluted in water as it enhances the action of medicine. And even number of pellets being given at a time matters as it is quantity of energy.

Author in this book points out common mistakes that student and practitioner makes in course of case taking and prescription. This book is highly recommended to all the learners. And learners are not only students but every homoeopath as we understand learning is an endless process.

About the author-

Dr. Robin murphy was born on August 15, 1950 in Grand rapids, Michigan. He carried out his studies in Michigan State University. His two repertories, and lotus Materia Medica have been big success and extensive work that enhanced homoeopathy. He was one of the shining gems in the crown of Homoeopathy, his works will always guide and inspire to heal mankind.