Oftentimes in a case half reported the very symptoms that are most important, so far as the selection of the remedy is concerned, are left out. This is especially true with the homeopathic system of prescribing. There is of course, only one proper answer to such a question, from a homeopathic standpoint, viz, the indicated one. The name of a disease may be helpful so far as calling to mind a class of remedies that have been found curative, but the symptomatology of the case in its entirety, and especially in those symptoms which are peculiar and characteristic, in correspondence with the remedy which in its pathogenesis has the same, must decide which ONE of the class is the true similimum. But some one will object, I cannot wait to hunt down a case like that.
Life is too short.
Then if Similia Similibus Curanter is true, the taking of case in the entire range of its symptoms is of first importance. It may be headache, vertigo or an eruption. In all such cases the patient will locate the pain, or other suffering, and we must if possible interpret in the light of our knowledge as physicians, and at the same time bear in mind the remedies known to produce similar pain and suffering, in the same localities. Or, if not borne in mind, all that remains for us to do is to hunt them up in our repertories, or Materia Medica. Belladonna, Sanguinaria, Calcarea ostearum, etc.