Hahnemann's Organon: Explanation of Aphorism 6-10

        It is essential to understand the Organon of the Art of Healing written by Dr. Hahnemann beore understanding and practicing homeopathy. It is the constitution of the art of homeopathic practice. It brings this art of healing as close to the patient as possible. It does not rely on Anatomy and it does not depend on physiology as many people think. By the way Anatomy and Physiology are independent sciences nor related to Allopathy or Homeopathy. Though, for the sake of its necessity to perform violent surgical interventions called operations, allopathy makes sole claims to these two sciences, but homeopathy has little association with them. 

    It shows that claiming to know anatomy and physiology does not add to homeopathic skill and proficiency. Though a homeopath can not ignore to know where are kidneys and where is the thyoroid gland but what goes in to them is not a knowledge on which homeopathy is based. Homeopaths know what is hypochondrium but call it as the upper part of the abdomen or the abdomen below the ribs. Homeopaths know what is hemicrania but call it pain of the left or right side of the head. In case of a stone in kidney or any  malfunction of the kidney the homeopath does not go and actually locate the kidney, or ascertain it is surely the kidney that is painful. He listens to the patient to point to the left or the right kidney region. Mere pointing to the region, the nature of the pain and its modalities, and, of course, paying attention to the other leading symptoms of the patient, if any, to visualize the totality, is all that is sufficient for prescribing a homeopathic remedy.         Some modern homeopaths present a distorted picture of this art so that they could play with the pockets of the gullible patients. Homeopathy is a healing system of the common man often labelled a a laymen and works without snobbery on the part of the homeopath and the patients. The patients is encouraged to narrate their problem in plain language they speak at home and the homeopaths are supposed to listen to them as they speak. Even the homeopathic materia medica is written in a plain layman's language. Remember the prominant Carbo Vegetabilis symptom, "Fan me". "Fan me"!  

As a next step to know more in this direction, the next five Aphorisms of this manual are explained below.

Aphorism 6

The unprejudiced observer – well aware of the futility of transcendental speculations which can receive no confirmation from experience – be his powers of penetration ever so great, takes note of nothing in every individual disease, except the changes in the health of the body and of the mind (morbid phenomena, accidents, symptoms), which can be perceived externally by means of the senses; that is to say, he notices only the deviations from the former healthy state of the now diseased individual, which are felt by the patient himself, remarked by those around him and observed by the physician. All these perceptible signs represent the disease in its whole extent, that is, together they form the true and only conceivable portrait of the disease.

Explanation: Hahnemann emphasizes the importance of observation and experience in understanding disease. The physician must focus on observable symptoms and signs, both physical and mental, rather than abstract speculations. The sum of these perceptible signs forms the complete picture of the disease, which guides the treatment process.

Aphorism 7

In these investigations, the ascertainable physical constitution of the patient (especially when the disease is chronic), his moral and intellectual character, his occupation, mode of living and habits, his social and domestic relations, his age, sexual function, etc., are to be taken into consideration.

Explanation: The physician should consider the patient's overall constitution and lifestyle factors when evaluating chronic diseases. This holistic approach includes the patient's physical constitution, mental and emotional characteristics, habits, occupation, social environment, and other relevant factors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the patient.

Aphorism 8

The totality of these symptoms, this outwardly reflected picture of the inner wesen (essence) of the disease, that is, of the suffering vital force, is the principal, or the sole means whereby the disease can make known what remedy it requires; the only thing that can determine the choice of the most appropriate curative agent, and thus, in a word, the totality of the symptoms must be the principal, indeed the only thing, the physician has to take note of in every case of disease, and to remove by means of his art, in order that it shall be cured and converted into health.

Explanation: Hahnemann introduces the concept of the "totality of symptoms" as the key to understanding and treating a disease. This totality represents the disease's essence and is the primary guide for selecting the appropriate remedy. The physician's task is to recognize and address this totality to achieve a cure.

Aphorism 9

In the healthy condition of man, the spiritual vital force (autocracy), the dynamis that animates the material body (organism), rules with unbounded sway, and retains all the parts of the organism in admirable, harmonious, vital operation, as regards both sensations and functions, so that our indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ this living, healthy instrument for the higher purposes of our existence.

Explanation: Hahnemann describes the vital force as a spiritual dynamis that governs and harmonizes the functions and sensations of the body. In health, this vital force operates freely and maintains the body's balance, enabling the mind to fulfill its higher purposes. This concept underscores the holistic nature of health in homeopathy.

Aphorism 10

The material organism, without the vital force, is capable of no sensation, no function, no self-preservation; it derives all sensations and performs all the functions of life solely by means of the immaterial being (the vital force) which animates the material organism in health and disease.

Explanation: This aphorism further elaborates on the vital force, stating that the material body cannot function without it. All sensations and functions are made possible by the vital force, which animates the body in both health and disease. This highlights the importance of addressing the vital force in homeopathic treatment.

Hahnemann's Organon of the Art of Healing- Article-wise Abstract

Samuel Hahnemann's "Organon of the Art of Healing" is a foundational text in homeopathy. Here's a brief summary of the first five articles:

                                             Art. 1-5

  1. Article 1: The Physician's High and Only Mission
    The physician's highest and only calling is to make the sick healthy, to cure, as it is termed.

  2. Article 2: The Highest Ideal of Cure
    The highest ideal of a cure is rapid, gentle, and permanent restoration of health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles.

  3. Article 3: Knowledge of the Physician
    To achieve this, the physician must understand the disease in its entirety and be knowledgeable about the medical substances and their effects on humans. The physician must match these substances to the disease for an effective cure.

  4. Article 4: Knowledge of Disease
    Knowledge of disease consists in knowing what is to be cured in diseases, i.e., in knowing the signs and symptoms. This is understood through the totality of the symptoms that the disease presents.

  5. Article 5: Knowledge of Medical Powers
    To cure, the physician must understand the curative powers of medicines, which are discovered through experience and observation of their effects on healthy individuals. This knowledge helps in selecting the correct remedy for each disease.

These articles lay the groundwork for the principles of homeopathy, emphasizing the importance of understanding both the disease and the remedies used to treat it.

HOME

 Welcome to the Home Page

 The contents of this homeopathic blog have been divided into the following four categories for the ease of navigation. Please make a choice and click on them according to it.


2. BACH FLOWER REMEDIES 

3. BACH FLOWER THERAPY - A LEARNING COURSE