The term patient implies someone in distress and agony or someone who is suffering and is under medical treatment. Every physician from any medical discipline has the same aim i.e. to cure, but the approach differs. Dr. Hahnemann the founder of Homoeopathy was a graduate of the allopathic school of medicine but was not satisfied with the modes of treatment prevalent at that time. Methods like bloodletting, leeching, venesection and many such were resorted to but these led to no positive results; rather they made the suffering even more acute.
Dr. Hahnemann being a linguist supplemented his living by translating books. One day while translating CULLEN’S MATERIA MEDICA he came across the “CINCHONA EXPERIMENT” which led him to discover “HOMOEOPATHY”, the great healing science of today. Homoeopathy being a “SCIENCE OF INDIVIDUALIZATION” is based strongly on the premise that no two humans are alike. Doesn’t it catch your attention that not everyone has diarrheoa on drinking milk; nor is everyone sensitive to pollens; two brothers have same eating habits but one is fat and the other thin; one child on being reprimanded goes into convulsions while the other becomes quiet or weeps; someone sweats more on the head while someone on palms or soles.The examples are endless but the essence is the same i.e. each individual is a separate entity altogether. We all are made of the same flesh and blood but have different sensitivities, different tendencies and accordingly we react to the situations.
For a Homoeopathic Physician case taking begins as soon as he sees the patient for the first time. The patients build, gait, manner of dressing, posture, the way he talks, facial expressions etc. all convey significant information about the individuals unique character and constitution, which are important for remedial diagnosis. The appearance of the patient can say a great deal. A thin delicate woman with black hair is not likely to need Calcarea Carb.Those patients who come in visibly irritated by being kept waiting for ten minutes are likely to be Arsenic, Natrum Muriaticum, Mercurius or Nux Vomica. . A person who sits as far back as he can, or who chooses a chair more distant than the one meant for him is likely to be one of the cautious types. Similarly someone who leans forward in the chair, or even moves it forward, probably belongs to one of the enthusiastic types, esp. Phosphorous. A flamboyantly dressed patient is likely to need Argentum, Medorrhinum, Phosphorous or Sulphur. Certain types are more likely to wear black, particularly Ignatia, Natrum Muriaticum and Sepia. The emotional types respond to Phosphorous, Pulsatilla and Graphites and they often wear pink (especially females). Slovenly dirty or untidy dress sense indicates need for Baryta, Mercurius and Sulphur. A woman who wears a rather manly suit can be classified as Ignatia, Natrum Muriaticum or Nux. Some patients are very precise in listing their symptoms (Arsenic, Calcarea, Kalis, Phosphorous, Natrum mur.), while some are hypochondriac and tend to exaggerate their symptoms (Ignatia, Sulphur, Phosphorous). The kind of situations that provoke anger help to differentiate between the types: – Arsenicum is angered by untidiness; while Ignatia by rejection or criticism and will react angrily as a defense. Nux and Sulphur, the natural leaders are angered by anyone who comes in the way of their plans. Sepia is resentful towards men who try to give her orders, or neglect her; Tuberculinum and Lachesis both love freedom and will not take kindly to being restricted in any way. Theprofession that a person chooses also tends to reveal a great deal. Nux and Sulphur are unlikely to be in a subordinate position for a long time and would be self- employed. Arsenic and Natrum Muriaticum have good organizational skills and are likely to be found in administrative positions. Counselors and therapists are often Natrums, being very good at listening to others, but not so keen to talk about themselves. Lycopodiums are often to be found in scientific and computing positions, in salesman’s jobs and also in businesses of their own. They are also common in teaching professions.
