I Will Not Live In Vain
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1999 Nov / Dec VOL VIII NO 6.
Dr Kishore Mehta
'Calc-iod

A successful practice is possible only when the Homoeopath has fully comprehended the philosophy and principles of practice. The in-depth understanding of Hahnemann's definition of cure as depicted in Organon, is further expanded in "Life and Work of Hahnemann" by Richard Heahl part II, chapters 19-22.

The definition of cure, as stated in 2nd Aph of Organon, as rapid, gentle and permanent, gives only partial understanding of cure. But if the same is understood in relation to Aph-9 (".... so that our indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ this living, healthy instrument for the higher purpose of existence") and read in context with chapters 19-22 of "Life and Work of Hahnemann", it becomes very clear what level of cure Hahnemann desires to bring about in human being.

Eradication of disease is related, not only to physical and mental part of human life, but also includes spiritual, cultural, values, religion, social and economical axis of life. This means that the disease lies right at the incept of human life which requires to be eradicated in every individual.

What a gigantic responsibility for a Homoeopath! It then becomes a Real Herculean task. As Hahnemann said in organon, the physician must have sound senses, attention in observing and fidelity in tracing the picture of the disease (Aph 83). Over and above this, the most important thing is freedom from prejudice. In other words, the physician himself will have to rise much above the level of an average human being, so that he is able to perceive the root cause(s). He is required to have a circumspective view in every patient.

Hahnemann talks of this Aph #5 where he advises the physician to investigate the patients in entirety - moral, intellectual, occupation, mode of living, habits, social and domestic relations and sexual functions.

Dr Hahnemann in "Lesser Writing" further details the qualities of a physician in chapter on Choice of family physician. Showmanship, hypocrisy, lack of competence, money valued practice, irresponsibility and negligence are the qualities Hahnemann has severely criticized and discarded. When is all this is possible? The answer to that is given in Aph#1 "The high and only mission.... "Hahnemann has, very wisely, asked Homoeopaths to first make a commitment that they will live to render services without any expectations/reward-thereby making it a mission as it is termed. He has been allotted the duty of serving humanity to make them free from any sensations of pain/pleasure. This does not relate only to clinical service but also raise himself as friend, philosopher and guide, to make total change in the mode of living of every individual. It is only at this time that the patient gets rid of pain and pleasure and harmony is maintained between mind and body. This in turn leads to higher purpose of existence ie to achieve eternal peace, happiness and oneness with god. This is exactly what he means by permanent cure. Thus the level of cure isn't limited to only biological functions of man but also includes mental and spiritual health. He himself was an example of the physician he depicted in his writings. Therefore he only has right to say "I HAVE NOT LIVED IN VAIN'.

The question is, how to translate this philosophy into actual practice? The answer to this is very simple.

The education and training of every student must be aimed at evolving him so as to bring out his pure inner self. Hahnemann's Aph # 1 is like a passport. Unless this Aph is accepted by any student, one need not proceed further to read organon or to learn homoeopathy. Homoeopathic practice of any other order than the one depicted in Aph # 1 is most detrimental to human race.

The second factor in education is to train every student to be unprejudiced observer of self and others. This training requires proper guidelines, which cannot be detailed in this write-up. Education and training further must evolve sensitivity and discrimination of every student.

Training also demands right perception of the patient as a whole, which includes: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, psychiatry, psychosomatic dynamics and spiritual aspects of life.

Besides this training should also include understanding of socio-economic, political, religious, caste, occupation, values, culture (sanskar) and heredity. In short "TOTAL HUMAN EXPERIENCE' must be taught during the clinical training. In doing so, physician himself evolves and achieves his purpose of existence. Finally physician must learn how to be aware of his own disposition and live with the attitude which keeps him balanced under any circumstances. And this is the physician who alone can perceive patient's dispositions and problems so that he can guide his patients and make them aware of their problems. Cure is thus equated.

To Illustrate A Case:
Name: Mrs X 35 yrs Gujrati Vaishnav
Married: One female child - 3 years
C/o: headache since 5-6 years
Headache < going out in sun
> in AC ++, winter, vomiting++.
Headache started since school days but has < a lot for the past 5-6 years
Headache < sun3, empty stomach, passes motion before headache
Periodicity: 4 times a week
Appetite: Good (cannot remain hungry), DIET: Veg
Thirst: increased
Perspiration: increased more on head
Sleep: normal
Dreams: scary, does not remember
Thermals: luke warm water
> open air,
< warm room ++
Menstruation: Menarche at 13 years
regular sometimes 3-4 days early
app: increased before menses
P/H and F/H: not contributory

Life Space: Education: B.Com
Scholastic performance: above average.
Patient never had any anxiety before exams. She can't mix easily with people and even her friend circle was very small. She also has problems of adjustment to new situations and new people.

She described her IPR with her husband as OK. She feels she cannot change for his sake. He wants her to speak in English, go out and do something on her own. She feels she just cannot do it.

Therefore he isn't happy with me and I feel I am not fit for him. She keeps everything in mind and then throws it out after a long time. She also thinks she just can't do anything, doesn't feel confident and afraid when she is alone.

Patient also attempted suicide two years after marriage -took overdose of sleeping pills. Even now she lives just for the sake of living and does her household chores out of compulsion. In patient's words "kam karna hai is liye karte hoon, itcha nahin karne ke, main jeena nahin chahti, marjana chahti hoon". Right from her beginning she always wanted people to relate to her as she wished, because she just can't change for anybody.

This lady was made aware of her sluggish system although desirous to change, but she cannot cope up of in-coordination of will, thought and action. Thus creating problems for others. This lady was given Calc-iod 1M- l dose only. Till today there is not a single attack of migraine.

This means it is not only medicine which cures patient but proper education and training by defining his problem and making him aware, this in turn brings about resolution by change in his attitude towards life.

Conclusion: from all the above we understand

1. Hahnemannian homoeopathic practice demands total acceptance of Aph 1 of Organon i.e. mission.
2. Hahnemannian level of cure is at all levels of life. ie physical, emotional, intellectual, conscious and spiritual.
3. Hahnemannian permanent cure is in relation to peace and happiness of human being.
4. Hahnemannian homoeopathic demands the quality of physician depicted in Aph # 83.
5. Homoeopathic student must be educated and trained in the direction of being unprejudiced observer of self and others besides clinical training.