Unlocking the Boger synoptic key part 01: A book review

BACKGROUND OF THE BOOK

The author has expressed her need and importance of referring the sourcebooks over other commentaries in Homoeopathic Materia Medica (HMM); in clinical practice, under the guidance of her mentor, the author has chosen to study ‘Boger’s Synoptic Key to the HMM’ in-depth and make it simple for the students and early practitioners so that they can utilise the book in their clinical practice.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOOK

To simplify, the author has chosen 10 polychrest remedies from Boger’s Synoptic Key. Each remedy begins with the text from the Synoptic Key, followed by the explanation. The text mainly focuses on sections such as Region, Modalities, and Generality sections. The explanation and the elaboration are done with the help of text from the other books, which are mentioned in the preface. The author has done hard work, in the process of simplifying Boger’s Synoptic Key and has done a diligent study in referring the various HMM books for the same.

HMM is, essentially, a collection of various symptoms obtained during the drug proving and from other sources as well. Every HMM book which has been published is based on the clinical experience of the author, analysed based on the philosophy and concepts evolved by them, and perceived through the source books available in their era.

Any expansion or commentary on the book must have similar concepts and philosophical applications while expanding it. Importing only facts from other books without using the essence and philosophy of the author defeats the purpose. The book does carry the stamp of Boger’s Synoptic Key but, at times, falls short of rising to the level of Boger’s Concepts and Philosophy. Any expansion or explanation must carry clinical verification based on the author’s philosophy in practice to give it value and make it available for practice for others. Boger did his work and verified frequently through his practice, any expansion on Boger’s work must have clinical referencing. The study of HMM cannot be done in isolation, it must have an integration with the philosophy and the repertory. The book does a wonderful job of simplifying the Materia medica part but lacks integration at the level of Boger’s philosophy, concepts, and clinical application.

All the works on Boger must refer to the ‘Collected Writing of Dr. C. M. Boger’ by Robert Bannan, ‘General Analysis’ – Introduction by Dr. L. D. Dhawale,’ ‘Introduction to Boger’s Synoptic Key’ by Dr P. Sankaran’ and the papers by Dr. M. L. Dhawale and Dr. K. N. Kasad on Homoeopathic Philosophical approaches in the Area D of ICR Symposium Volumes on Hahnemannian Totality. These are seminal works on Boger’s philosophy and practice. Hope that the author refers to these for the subsequent studies of the other remedies in the future.

Overall, the book is one of its kind, and the author must be acknowledged for the scholarly work in the study of HMM.