Principles and practice of homoeopathy part 2: Advancing frontiers – A book review

CONTENT

Generations of learners of homoeopathy have been benefited by Dr. M. L. Dhawale’s Principles and Practice of Homoeopathy and it has impacted them deeply. On repeated reading, it never fails to provide us new insights into various aspects of Homoeopathic Philosophy, Principles and application of Repertorisation. Rarely has anyone before him been able to integrate so seamlessly the two subjects, providing us a thorough grounding of the common philosophical base which is the Organon of Medicine.

Dr. Dhawale’s subsequent writings have been voluminous and have broken new ground in all aspects of Homoeopathic practice, education and research. The Standardised Case Record, a 100-page case recording and processing instrument, has been in use for the past 60 years. The 47 papers in the Symposium Volume, his various writings which had been compiled in ‘Perceiving 1’, the extraordinary philosophical and poetical ‘Life and Living’ - all of these leave a lasting impression, while pointing to the depth of insights Dr. Dhawale had developed in the 60 years that he was with us. All these writings embody what has been widely known as the ‘ICR System’ and have been based on unique educational and scientific principles; it has acquired a formidable reputation even during the time of Dr. Dhawale and continues to guide the functioning of the Dr. M. L. Dhawale Memorial Homoeopathic Institute today.

The current publication has been the long-promised Part 2 of ‘Principles and Practice of Homoeopathy’ and goes by the title ‘Advancing Frontiers’. It is worth recalling that Dr. Dhawale himself had announced this work in 1986. It has now finally seen the light of the day. What led to this long gestation period?

Dr. Kumar Dhawale is a co-author of this volume and has given a coherent account of the various issues and activities that he and his talented team of contributors have taken to bring this work out. I learnt from the engaging preface of the nature of the original manuscript and how and why it went through a recasting and expansion, growing from 100 odd pages to the current 440. It was reassuring to note the pains that the team has taken to adhere to the original intent of the late author while making appropriate changes to make the work accessible to the student of today. The changes in the style and language as well as the addition of appropriate case material have been very useful and I truly appreciate the pains that have gone into bringing out this work in the present form.

What immediately strikes the reviewer is the distinct change in the structure and intent of Part 1 and Part 2. Early in the second chapter, Dr. Dhawale acknowledges that the classical pedagogic approach adopted by the Part 1 did not achieve the desired results. It holds value as a very sound and easy exposition of the scientific basis of Homoeopathy. However, as he engaged with his students, he realised that the operational aspects of homoeopathic practice demanded a very different approach. In 1978, Dr. Dhawale coined the term ‘Standardisation of Individualisation’ to signify the basic principles that ought to underlie the training of a Homoeopathic physician. Twenty years of long and patient work in formal and informal education and training provided Dr. Dhawale with adequate material to produce the ‘Advancing Frontiers’. It is indeed rare for such a successful author of a work to declare that he has fallen short and his readiness to forge a new path! What is new in Part 2?

Even a cursory glance at the Contents section of the book will convince anyone of the tremendous operational value of the work. There are a total of six chapters. The first deals with the now vanishing art and science of classical case taking. Moreover, it illustrates tried and tested tools which not only allow the clinician to approach the patient with a broad, organised clinical, psychological and homoeopathic base but also illustrates the methods which would eventually enable the physician to become aware of her strengths and weaknesses through an interactive process. Training of the clinical observer is the bedrock of the ICR method of training.

The second chapter clearly defines and scientifically lays down the process which eventually leads to the formation of totality, the very basis of therapeutic action. It is one of the most illuminating chapters and plumbs astonishing depths by integrating various strands of thought-philosophy (Vedantic enunciated in the Bhagavat Geeta, Natural and Homoeopathic), psychology and modern clinical science. One can only marvel at the ‘n’ number of possibilities projected by Dr. Dhawale which only hints at the manner in which he would have been practising and teaching homoeopathy.

Susceptibility assessment has always been a difficult task for all clinicians. The subsequent three chapters give a lucid view of how the assessment of susceptibility (and sensitivity as Dr. Dhawale took pains to draw a distinction between the two) plays a crucial part in planning and programming homoeopathic treatment. This is an attempt to place posology on a scientific pedestal. Paying attention will fetch rich rewards for the clinician. The chapter gives us the wherewithal to develop this faculty. Moreover, the series of chapters systematically guide us in the direction of ‘Operation Cure’ and also what to do when this end eludes us. How do we take stock of reality and review our actions so that we can change for the better of the patient and of ourselves?

The sixth chapter encapsulates the heart of the ICR Philosophy of education. It begins by underlining the sensitivity training, an aspect which we have seen in Chapter 1. It then draws our attention to the vital importance of developing sound reasoning for our actions. And finally, it moves on to help the clinician reflect on his actions, explore the concepts used by him, persuade her to integrate these and then demonstrate how all these hold together in a whole. A thorough grasp of these methods enables the clinician to be thoughtful one. It is only a thoughtful clinician who will in turn be able to guide the training of other similar thinking and reflecting ones. Truly, this is profoundly a service which Dr. Dhawale has given us and we are ever grateful to him.

The epilogue is deeply moving. It is a personal statement of a clinician who has conducted his life selflessly hitched to the Hahnemannian ideal of cure. He pours out his wisdom and challenges all of us to question ourselves and the manner in which we have led our lives in the service of Homoeopathy.

Dr. M. L. Dhawale had realised the need of including cases to demonstrate the actual application of integrated approach and concepts. All the credit goes to the team lead by Dr. Kumar Dhawale to internalise the concepts and select appropriate cases, in appropriate chapters to profusely illustrate the rich concepts. The way that the cases have been illustrated has proved the supremacy of the ICR training in Homoeopathic Education.

Dr. Kumar has not made any compromise to reduce or dilute the essential elements required to be published this book. His conscious mind did not permit him to become victim of ‘short cut business’ as demanded in today’s time. This book has undergone rigorous and critical analysis to confirm authenticity, scientific and linguistic standards.

‘Advancing Frontiers’ is the amrit (nectar ) churned out of years of cumulative experiences and it is my earnest request to readers of this book to be prepared to study the previous publications of Dr. Dhawale to understand this book. The editors have very kindly provided the references at the appropriate places to guide us in undertaking the journey at depth. This book defines and resolves the problems of fresh and senior practitioners in homoeopathy who are struggling to be a competent physician.

What does this book offer to us and what is expected out of us? Dr. Kumar has humbly put at the end of Preface:

‘Towards the end of the Bhagwad Geeta, Shri Krishna concludes his lengthy discourse thus:

‘Thus, the ‘Wisdom’ which is a greater secret than all secrets, has been declared to you by Me; having reflected upon it fully, you now act as you choose’

It is up to us how we assimilate this knowledge in our practice’.

This book actually reviewed my own capacity to reason and my state and level of competency in Homeopathic practice. Every chapter, case and every concept of this book inspired me to evolve. It was like refilling fuel in a discarded old car to rejuvenate it. Reading and practicing on the basis of this book is the true and only tribute to the Dhawale duo gurus and our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kumar and his complete team to make this possible.