This text aims to present the elements of homoeopathic case analysis with discussion of theory and case examples. It starts with the very basics and ranges into more complex case management, studying family pattern of miasms and different types of acutes with their relationship to the constitution .
Various techniques are demonstrated with plenty of exercises to help the student practice skills. It is a practical book that would claim to dot the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s to remove the mystique of prescribing.
At the end of each lesson a section on basic skills can be used as a refresher course, or to break down and teach the basic skills used in case taking and analysis. This section draws on Margaret Roy’s skills as a teacher and psychotherapist in regard to observation, assessment of language used by the patient and the therapeutic relationship.
Additional features include a bibliography that links to develop further skills.
- Author: Margaret Roy
- ISBN: 9780955041518
- 184 pages
- Paperback
- Printed in United Kingdom
Reprinted with the permission of The ARH, from 'Homeopathy in Practice', Winter 2008 edition. Reviewed by June Sayer.
Given the 16 years I have been in practice, I am always fascinated by case analysis and was pleased to be able to review this book, with the view that it could be a useful tool for my college students.
Leafing through the pages I can see that a considerable effort has been put into producing an interesting book, full of case examples and their interpretation along references to the Organon. Margaret goes into detail of how symptoms arise and how they relate to the total symptom picture including seeking the essence of remedies
I found the first chapters a little confusing since no reference was made to the fact that Kent's Repertory was required as an accompaniment for a number of the exercises that need to be undertaken as you progress through the book. Each chapter ends with a study of the Organon reminding us just how important the philosophical text is for determining and analysing cases.
It is a shame that there are a number of typographical errors, and I found the repeated references to the Appendix both irritating and unclear.
On the plus side, I found this book more interesting as I went along. The reader is taken through the case from the early stages of determining the symptoms, seeking out the essence of the case, exploring how miasms manifest and change throughout a lifetime, to choosing n expropriate potency and assessing the remedy's action.
Margaret examines repertorisation analysis and sometimes argues that although the numerical value may indicate a particular remedy, once its essence is thoroughly understood, it is possible that a remedy with a lesser value may be just the one to solve the case.
There are interesting activity exercises throughout the book, encouraging you to enhance your skills, along with the opportunity to reflect upon aspects of case-taking in relation to words used by the patient and the subsequent homeopathic interpretation.
Having overcome the difficulties at the beginning of the book, I decided that I would feel comfortable using some of the case examples and guiding my students through it.
