Boger's Synoptic Repertory
Revision of Boger's Synoptic Key Repertory
Boger's Synoptic Key is one of the most reliable and most condensed homeopathic works. It contains only the most characteristic features of the remedies, as this is most important for prescribing correctly, according to § 153 of Hahnemann's Organon. It is a consistent continuation and development of Boenninghausen's approach, but still more condensed.
The Synoptic Key contains a short repertory, a materia medica part with the synopsis of the important and characteristic features of the most important remedies, and a supplemental reference table containing additional rubrics and remedy additions to rubrics of the repertory part.
The revision of the repertory is based on the fifth edition of the Synoptic Key, published posthumously in India, that was enhanced by the Indian publishers with Boger's handwritten additions.
The aim of this revision is to be very close to the original work, and on the other hand have a manageable computer repertory. That is why some compromises had to be made:
In order not to have too many chapters some of the original chapters became sub chapters, e. g. the chapters 'Appetite', 'Thirst', 'Aversions to food', 'Cravings & Desires' became sub chapters of 'Stomach', etc.
The sub chapters to 'Stomach and Abdomen' and 'External Abdomen' were not so easily allocated, because the differentiation of these chapters is not defined clearly in the original book. That's why 'Navel' is located in 'Stomach and Abdomen', because it is located here in the original book, and 'Groins' is added to 'External Abdomen'.
The Supplemental Reference Table (SRT) became incorporated into the repertory. In spite of a controversial discussion, about whether this was in accordance with the intentions of Boger, it was decided to include this for the computer repertory, but with caution.
Because some entries in the SRT can be added to different chapters or rubrics of the repertory, it was decided to add these to the most likely location, and to have cross references from there to other possible rubrics.
In cases where additional rubrics could not be added clearly to only one location, these were added to the 'Generalities' chapter. The additions are marked in two different ways: A new rubric to the repertory contains the label '(SRT)', a remedy addition is marked with Boger's author's number '111' (Bog). So any addition from the SRT can be recognized.
The chapters are arranged in a different order compared with other repertories; the most important chapters (according to Boger) come first, these are 'Conditions' (of time, aggravation and amelioration), 'Generalities' (drug affinities related to the whole organism); then follows the regional repertory with 'Mind' and the chapters in the common order from head to feet, etc..
Berlin, May 2009, Peter Neuhold
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How to use Boger's Synoptic Key repertory
Boger's Synoptic Key repertory (and Materia medica part) is a very useful and time saving tool for the homoeopatic work, when one understands how to use it. The following is a brief outline of Boger's approach.
In order to prescribe a most similar remedy, the symptoms of the patient should match the pathogenetic symptoms of the curative remedy as closely as possible.
According to Hahnemann's Organon (§ 153) "the more striking, singular, uncommon and peculiar (characteristic) signs and symptoms of the case of disease are chiefly and most solely to be kept in view“, to make an appropriate prescription.
Boger's Synoptic Key repertory is especially written to follow this guideline of Hahnemann closely. It is based on the work of Boenninghausen and contains in it's rubrics only the remedies, for which the symptom is most characteristic.
In order to work successfully with this repertory, it is of utmost importance to explore the most characteristic features of the case very carefully.
For Boger the most important guidelines are the influences, that modify the sickness of the patient, that are the modalities of time, temperature, motion, etc.. Next comes the mental state of the patient, and then his subjective sensations, followed by the objective aspects of the sickness. Lastly the affected parts, sides etc. are also of importance.
Regardless of this order, the most striking or peculiar symptoms are always the most important.
When following these lines, normally a few remedies can be found that match the case more or less. These should be differentiated by using the materia medica of Boger's Synoptic Key or a more comprehensive one, or by using a more comprehensive repertory.
The following small case by Hahnemann (from MMP) will illustrate this approach:
"Sch-, a washerwoman, somewhere about 40 years old, had been more than three weeks unable to earn her bread, when she consulted me on the 1st September, 1815.
- On any movement, especially at every step, and worst on making a false step, she has a shoot in the pit of the stomach, that comes, as she avers, every time from the left side.
- When she lies she feels quite well, then she has no pain anywhere, neither in the side nor in the pit of the stomach.
- She cannot sleep after three o'clock in the morning.
- She relishes her food, but when she has eaten a little she feels sick.
- Then the water collects in her mouth and runs out of it, like the water-brash.
- She has frequent empty eructations after every meal.
- Her temper is passionate, disposed to anger.
- When the pain is severe she is covered with perspiration.
The catamenia were quite regular a fortnight since. In other respects her health is good.“
Analysing the case we find the following characteristic conditions of aggravation, and a characteristic state of the mind:
- Motion agg.
- Eating agg.
- Eating, a little, agg.
- Anger, irritability, bad temper, vexation etc.
When doing a repertorisation with the Synoptic Key repertory using these rubrics, and limiting the result to the remedies that are in both of the first two rubrics, we have:
Only 9 remedies cover the first two rubrics, with the mind rubric only 5 remedies are left, and with the rubric 'eating, a little, agg.' only 3 remain: Nux-v, Sulph, Bry.
Comparison with the materia medica shows that Bry is the remedy that covers the case completely.
Here is Hahnemann's description, how he managed the case and found Bry to be the correct remedy:
Now, as regards Symptom 1, Belladonna, China, and Rhus toxicodendron cause shootings in the pit of the stomach, but none of them only on movement, as is the case here. Pulsatilla (see Symp. 387) certainly causes shooting in the pit of the stomach on making a false step, but only as a rare alternating action, and has neither the same digestive derangements as occur here at 4 compared with 5 and 6, nor the same state of the disposition.
Bryonia alone has among its chief alternating actions, as the whole list of its symptoms demonstrates, pain from movement and especially shooting pains, as also stitches beneath the sternum (in the pit of the stomach) on raising the arm (448), and on making a false step it occasions shooting in other parts (520, 600).
The negative Symptom 2 met with here answers especially to Bryonia (638); few medicines (with the exception, perhaps, of Nux vomica and Rhus toxicodendron in their alternating action - neither of which, however, is suitable for the other symptoms) show a complete relief to pains during rest and when lying; Bryonia does, however, in an especial manner (638, and many other Bryonia-symptoms).
Symptom 3 is met with in several medicines, and also in Bryonia (694).
Symptom 4 is certainly, as far as regards "sickness after eating," met with in several other medicines (Ignatia, Nux vomica, Mercurius, Ferrum, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Cantharis), but neither so constantly and usually, nor with relish for food, as in Bryonia (279).
As regards Symptom 5 several medicines certainly cause a flow of saliva like water-brash, just as well as Bryonia (282); the others, however, do not produce symptoms similar to the remaining ones. Hence Bryonia is to be preferred to them in this part of the ailment.
Empty eructation (of wind only) after eating (Symptom 6) is found in few medicines, and in none so constantly, so usually, and to such a great degree, as in Bryonia (253, 259).
To 7.-One of the chief symptoms in diseases (see Organon of Medicine. 213) is the "state of the disposition", and as Bryonia (772) causes this symptom also in an exactly similar manner - Bryonia is for all these reasons to be preferred in this case to all other medicines as the homoeopathic remedy.“
For a deeper understanding of Boger's approach, it would be helpful to read the foreword of the Synoptic Key carefully, and to study Boger's publications; many of them are edited by Robert Bannan in the book: C.M. Boger, Collected Writings, London 1994.
Some publications from this and other sources are also found on the following website:
http://www.link3.com
Berlin, May 2009, Peter Neuhold