Homeopathic Book Allens Key – Notes Rearranged & Classified (10Th Edition) of H C Allen Reviewed by Dr Yogesh D Niturkar

Allen’s keynotes rearranged and classified with leading remedies of the materia medica and bowel nosodes including repertorial index is written by H C Allen. The book is the result of Allen’s study of materia medica as a student, practitioner and teacher. This book is the first step in the study of Homoeopathic therapeutics. The current book is the 10th edition and 20th impression of H C Allen. This book is a favorite choice of students, teachers and practitioners due to its precise, concise and comprehensive structure. The objectives of the book are: (a) To aid the student in mastering guiding and characteristic symptoms of each remedy, (b) To evolve individuality of each remedy so that the student can utilize more readily the symptomatology of the materia medica, (c) To perceive individuality of each remedy in the most comprehensible and practical way for the sake of cure of the sick.

The underlying concept that revolves in the making of this book is that materia medica needs a constant revision that demands comparison and differentiation between remedies. The student, teacher and practitioner must compare the pathogenesis of a remedy with the totality of the sick individual. Then he must differentiate the apparently similar symptoms of two or more remedies for the selection of the similimum. This exercise can be properly executed if the student or practitioner is having basic knowledge of the individuality of the remedy i.e. peculiar, uncommon or characteristic in the confirmed pathogenesis of a remedy that can be used as a pivotal point of comparison that can be a so called keynote, a characteristic, the red strand of the rope and central modality.

The book is divided into four parts viz. (a) common remedies, (b) leading/important remedies, (c) bowel nosodes, and (d) repertorial index. The book covers 187 commonly used remedies written under the following headings viz. name of the remedy, common name, family or chemical formula, constitution, mental generals, physical generals, particulars and remedy relationship. The materia medica of some important remedies covers 16 remedies under the headings of source, chemical formula, introduction, mental and physical generals and particulars. Under remedy cholesterinum 2 cases are given and remedy relationship is given under ustilago maydis and proving’s of the x-ray. There is spelling mistake in the remedy thyroidinum (thyreodinum).

The next section consists of bowel nosodes written by John Peterson. There is introductory part, materia medica of 8 nosodes and indications for the use of the bowel nosodes in diseases. At the end of the section there is amended list of the bowel nosodes and its related remedies.

The last section is having repertory part that covers rubrics and medicines that are given in Kent’s repertory with the information available in Allen’s keynotes. The chapters are arranged as per the structure of Kent’s repertory. This work further adds value to Allen’s keynotes and helps the student, teacher and practitioner to narrow down the search for the similimum through keynotes.

Before the chapter on bowel nosodes and repertory, there should be a title page with index and chapter no for ease in reference.

Every Homoeopath must be having Allen’s Keynotes in his/her library as it aids access to the keynotes of leading remedies of materia medica. It is the best companion for revising individuality of each remedy. Though many stalwarts had criticised keynote practice still the work of Allen stands prominent in its application and successful demonstration of positive results.

The book is available in english, hindi, oriya, spanish, gujrati and urdu language.