Study of a Problem Case
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1998 Nov / Dec VOL VII NO 6.
Dr V Sundaram
'Lyco

Dr Guernsey coined the word 'key note'. He states that 'there is only one important note to any piece of music- however complicated. And that note governs all the others, no matter how many variations, trills & accompaniments.

The word keynote indicates that certain peculiar symptoms provide the key, which points straight to a remedy. Prior to the invention of well-developed repertories, our master prescribers used keynotes to help in the proper study of remedies similar to the case. No individuals are exact replicas of another, mentally, physically or as to manner, disposition, speech, action or physical make- up. Each gets sick in his own way and for cure, remedies have to be selected which will be appropriate to that case.

A truly scientific procedure for the selection of proper remedy was laid down by Hahnemann in aphorism 152 of the ORGANON. In this he gives explicit directions for choosing drugs. In aphorism 153, he elucidates further, stating that comparison of the collective symptoms of the natural disease with the list of symptoms of known medicines is to be done to find among the artificial morbific agent corresponding by similarity to the disease to be cured. The more striking, singular, uncommon and peculiar [characteristic] signs and symptoms of the case of disease are chiefly to be kept in view; for it is more particularly to these, that very similar ones in the list of symptoms of the selected medicine must correspond to, in order to constitute it as most suitable for effecting cure.

John Henry Clarke in his master piece 'A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica' states that in a large proportion of cases, there will be present, some symptoms, which are peculiarly characteristic of the remedy, constituting what are called keynotes. Further he categorically expressed his opinion that practice on keynote symptoms alone is an absurdity, but the right use of keynotes, is immensely labour saving.

H C Allen, in his monumental contribution: 'Keynotes of leading remedies' expresses his view that the differences by which one remedy is distinguished from another are the 'key notes'. Keynote is simply the predominating symptom or feature which directs one's attention to the totality of symptoms through which an individual case is expressed. So its function is merely suggestive. Keynote prescribing is a short cut and a time-saving device, but is often misused. On the one hand, it tries to narrow down the number of likely similar remedies and tries to make a quick job; on the other hand, it is also liable to misfire as it ranks one or two symptoms very high and practically ignores others. We court failure if keynotes are taken as final and generals do not confirm. That's why Dr Taylor, aptly remarked that keynotes are invaluable to give the casting vote.

Dr Harvey Farrington in his book "Homoeopathy and Homoeopathic Prescribing', has, on page 246, presented a problem case, an exercise for repertorisation. This repertorisation has been done with reference to "Synthesis Repertory' edited by Dr Frederick Schroyens and coordinated with Dr John Henry Clarke's 'Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica'.

The ultimate remedy, most suited to this case, is Lycopodium. The various headings, as furnished in the Clarke's dictionary namely Mind [2,I, b]Head [1], throat [2,g] appetite [2,c] stomach [2,a b, g, h] abdomen [2,c,e], stool and anus [2, 1] upper extremities [2,j, k ,o]. lower extremities [2,j, o], urinary organs [2,n], fever [2,m,] characteristics [1,2,c, a,] matches the symptoms accurately. Hence, the most suitable choice for this case is Lycopodium only. Lycopodium keynotes are very pronounced.

·         AGG from 4 to 8 p.m.

·         burning pains in the late after noon [2,k]

·         [R] sided medicine

·         in direction right to left

·         affection of right shoulder and back [2,k]

·         pains in right wrist and right hip [2,o]

·         AGG from cold food and drink

·         thirst for cold water to wash his throat

·         but it causes much pain in stomach

·         frequent and painful eructation, sour eructation

·         Primary action on digestive organs and adjoining glands, on liver and large intestines.

·         Is in the front rank among flatulent remedies.

·         Suffered from dyspepsia for last year [2,a]

·         For two years after eating, spits up food.

·         Hungry, but a few mouthfuls of food seems to fill him up to the throat

·         Much flatulence and rumbling in abdomen [2,e]

·         Belching of gas, immediately after Meals which relieves the distention temporarily [2,b]

·         Food comes up with eructation [2,g]

Therefore as John Henry Clarke has aptly stated, Lycopodium will cure any case in which the totality of symptoms correspond with the symptoms of the remedy.

2 - Present complaints: a] has suffered from dyspepsia for the past year. Gradually getting worse.b] For two years, after eating, spits up food but its not acid. 661676702667 StomachDyspepsia, indigestionStomach spitting up food [see eructation, vomiting]eructation: food eating two hours after 341341 StomachStomach Slow digestion