The Posology and Doses of Remedies Used by Hahnemann in His Provings

Abstract

Background Nowadays, conducting valid provings is one of the most important research topics in homeopathy. Consequently, many proving methodologies are continually being proposed.

Objective This study aimed to investigate Hahnemann's posology on provings.

Design A review of Hahnemann's posology on provings.

Results In Hahnemann's provings several symptoms were included, deriving from material doses, such as grain doses, scruple doses, tinctures, the seeds or the root of the plant and from potentised doses, such as the 1st trituration, 9th dilution, 30th dilution, 3rd trituration and the 18th dilution. According to aphorism §128, Hahnemann states that it is best in provings to give to the experimenter from four to six very small globules of the 30th potency of the substance we prove for several days on a daily basis. Also, in §129 and 132, he recommends repeating the medicine daily, for several days increasing the dose per day. Yet in §131, he warns that in such provings the subsequent dose often curatively removes some of the symptoms caused by the previous dose, or develops in its stead an opposite state. Thus, we don't know whether such symptoms are the reaction of the organism and hence secondary action, or an alternating action of this medicine. Hence, in §130, Hahnemann says that if the dose is sufficiently strong (depending on the sensitivity of the prover) and if no other dose is needed to produce symptoms, the advantage of learning the order of symptoms' succession is gained. In this case the genius of the symptoms can be seen due to the clear distinction between the primary effects (those most important) and the after-effects (secondary).

Conclusion Hahnemann, in his conclusion, experimented using varying amounts in his provings. Following his recommendations, learning the order of symptoms' succession is very useful, because then the order of the primary actions, as also that of the alternating actions, is observed (§130). To gain this advantage, either the first dose administered should be sufficiently strong, or the experimenter must be endowed with adequate delicate sensitiveness (§130). Vithoulkas and Herscu propose a novel approach to proving's posology according to Hahnemann's concept of the prover's individual predisposition-idiosyncrasy-sensitivity. This is a preselection methodology of the most sensitive provers.

Keywords

proving - posology - idiosyncrasy - sensitivity

• References

• 1 Dantas F, Fisher P, Walach H , et al. A systematic review of the quality of homeopathic pathogenetic trials published from 1945 to 1995. Homeopathy 2007; 96 (1) 4-16
• 2 Herscu P. Provings Volume I: How Understanding Provings Offers an Essential Foundation to Successful Patient Care—With a Proving of Alcoholus. Amherst, MA: The New England School of Homeopathy Press; 2002: 65-83
• 3 Vithoulkas G. Is Hahnemannian Homeopathy Doomed to Go into Oblivion Again?. 2006 http://www.vithoulkas.com/is-hahnemannian-homeopathy-doomed-to-go-into-oblivion-again/ . Accessed on 30 June 2015
• 4 Vithoulkas G. British media attacks on homeopathy: are they justified?. Homeopathy 2008; 97 (2) 103-106
• 5 Signorini A. We need repetition of HPTs. Homeopathy 2007; 96 (4) 277
• 6 ECH Provings Subcommittee. Homeopathic Drug Proving Guidelines. Bruxelles, Brussels: ECH; 2004
• 7 Hahnemann S. Materia Medica Pura. 1st ed. New Delhi, India: B. Jain Publishers; 2004
• 8 Hahnemann S. The Chronic Diseases: Their Specific Nature and Homeopathic Treatment. Whitefish (Montana): Kessinger Publishing, LLC; 2008
• 9 Henry W. The Elements of Experimental Chemistry. Vol. II, 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Baldwin, Cradock and Joy; 1831: 493
• 10 Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. New Delhi, India; B. Jain Publishers; 1970
• 11 Herscu P. Provings Volume II: An annotated selection of historic and contemporary writings. Amherst, MA: The New England School of Homeopathy Press; 2002: 299
• 12 Kent JT. Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy, Lecture XXVIII, The study of provings. Seaside (Oregon): Watchmaker Publishing; 2009: 182-190
• 13 Demarque D. The development of proving methods since Hahnemann. Br Homeopath J 1987; 76: 71-75
• 14 Herscu P. Provings Volume II: An Annotated Selection of Historic and Contemporary Writings. Amherst, MA: The New England School of Homeopathy Press; 2002: 60
• 15 Dunham C. The Science of Therapeutics. New York, NY: Francis Hart and Co; 1877: 136-140
• 16 Herscu P. Provings Volume I: How Understanding Provings Offers an Essential Foundation to Successful Patient Care—With a Proving of Alcoholus. Amherst, MA: The New England School of Homeopathy Press; 2002: 85-106
• 17 Vithoulkas G. The questions of provings in Homeopathy. UK: FACT-Exeter Univ; 2000
• 18 Vithoulkas G. The Science of Homeopathy. New Delhi, India: B. Jain Publishers; 2002: 138-150
• 19 Shang A, Huwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L , et al. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy. Lancet 2005; 366 (9487) 726-732