Repertory Expert: A New Experience on Understanding Repertories- Book review

 

Repertory Expert: A New Experience on Understanding Repertories- Book review

Reviewed by: Dr. INDU O

Book Title:     Repertory Expert-  A New Experience on Understanding Repertories

Authors:

• SHANU SALIM M.D (Hom.)
• Assistant Professor, Department of Repertory, ALVA’s Homoeopathic Medical College & hospital, Manglore, Karnataka.
• Chief Consultant, Dr. Salim’s Center for Homoeopathic Healing, Kozhikode, Kerala.
• GINU. D. MOHAN M.D (Hom.)
• Associate Professor, Department of Repertory, Maria Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu.
• GENESIS. D M.D (Hom.)
• Associate Professor, Department of Repertory, R.V.S Homoeopathic Medical College & hospital, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu.

Edited By:      Dr. V. SATHISH KUMAR M.D (Hom.)

Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Repertory, Sarada Krishna Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu

ISBN: 978-93-5407-323-6

Published By: Dr. Salim’s Center for Homoeopathic Healing, Kozhikode, Kerala

 No. of Pages: 1000 Pages

Price: Rs.950/ Copy

Edition: First Edition

Year: 2020

A Note of Appreciation by: Dr. MANSOOR ALI K. R, Professor, Department of Repertory, Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College, Calicut

Foreword by: Prof (Dr). ESWARA DAS MD (Hom.), PhD, MBA (Health Care), Project Coordinator, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health and Former Director, National Institute of Homeopathy, Government of India

Repertory Expert is a comprehensive guide that delves deep into the intricacies of Homoeopathic repertory and case taking, designed to serve as a detailed reference for both students and seasoned practitioners. Authored with an academic rigor that honors the classical traditions of homoeopathy, this text is structured into multiple sections that meticulously cover all aspects of repertory work, from its history to practical techniques in case taking.

Part 1: Introduction
The book begins with an exploration of foundational concepts, defining what a repertory is and discussing its best practices. The section, “Hahnemann in Relation with Repertory,” skillfully traces Samuel Hahnemann’s contributions to this field, setting the stage for understanding the evolution of repertories. Topics like the “Scope and Limitations of repertory” are thoroughly explained, equipping readers with an appreciation of both the strengths and challenges inherent in repertorization.

The inclusion of detailed methods and steps of repertorization reflects a methodical approach that allows the user to grasp how rubrics are selected and how cross-repertorization and cross-referencing are employed. This part also introduces important historical figures in repertory, such as Boenninghausen, Kent, and Boger, giving insights into their unique contributions to the evolution of repertories. It has some salient features like details of case taking in other systems of medicine, symptomatology ,body language and how the interpretation of the same helps in Homoeopathic prescription and special mention about the new emerging Veterinary Homoeopathy.

Part 2: Repertory
This section serves as the heart of the book, focusing on the major repertories, including Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book, Kent’s Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica, and Boger’s work. Each repertory is discussed in detail, with the author providing a chronology of their development, usage, and specific features. What stands out here is the comparison between repertories, guiding the reader on how to select the most appropriate tool for different cases. It contains review of more than 84 repertories and more than 13 computer repertories. A uniform schema is followed here which makes the approach easy.

The detailed descriptions of repertories used in various clinical settings make this part highly practical in use. For instance, specialized repertories related to specific diseases or conditions, such as fevers, headaches, and rheumatism, are thoroughly reviewed, showing their relevance in everyday clinical practice. It also explains card repertories, computer repertories and some less known repertories authored by Schussler, S. F. Shannon,  C. K. Shreedharan, Murray Feldman, H. K. Dey, Dr. V. Polaraju etc.

Part 3: Miscellaneous
The third part of the book dives into specialized topics such as Anamnesis, Constitutions, Miasms, and the Need for diagnosis in Homoeopathy. The discussions on miasms, in particular, add a layer of understanding about chronic diseases that is essential for any Homoeopath.

A special feature” Repertories at a glance” depicts the preliminary data of all the repertories in a table that helps a reader to glance through the details.

The inclusion of a word-index and bibliography at the end ensures that the book is not only a source of immediate reference but also a starting point for further research.

Critical Review
The strength of Repertory Expert lies in its comprehensive nature and verified data. The book presents a fusion of classical Homoeopathic knowledge with practical modern-day applications. The depth of topics covered—ranging from Samuel Hahnemann’s early work to modern repertories like Synthesis and Complete Repertory—offers an all-encompassing view of the repertory landscape.

The historical evolution of repertories is particularly well handled, offering readers context and a clear understanding of how different repertories came to be. Moreover, the practical sections on case taking and analysis of symptoms bring theoretical knowledge into a clinical setting, making this book invaluable for anyone who wishes to refine their case-taking skills.

However, due to its exhaustive nature, readers may find the content overwhelming at times. Those new to the subject might need to revisit certain chapters to fully grasp the details.

Conclusion
Repertory Expert is an indispensable resource for Homoeopaths at any stage of their career. It blends the historical evolution of repertories with practical guidance on repertorization and case taking, making it an authoritative text for anyone seeking mastery in Homoeopathic repertory. The book serves as both a reference and a learning guide, ensuring that its readers gain both depth and breadth of knowledge in the subject. It is a testament to the authors’ commitment to enhance the understanding of repertories in Homoeopathy and advancing clinical skills through structured case-taking techniques.

On behalf of my reading experience I recommend this book to all UG students, PG scholars and teachers expecting ‘Repertory Expert’ to be an asset to nurture your knowledge regarding the subject, ‘Case Taking and Repertory’.

Get your copies at:

Link: https://qrgo.page.link/qBWG9

E-Mail: orderrepertoryexpert@gmail.com

Also available at: Amazon.in

Reviewed by: Dr. INDU O. S, MD (Homoeopathic Repertory),
Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology,
Alva’s Homoeopathic Medical College & hospital, Manglore, Karnataka.