#143 The Organon

"If we have thus tested on the healthy individual a considerable number of simple medicines and carefully and faithfully registered all the disease elements and symptoms they are capable of developing as artificial disease-producers, then only have we a true materia medica - a collection of real, pure, reliable modes of action of simple medicinal substances... "

Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine paras: 105-145

INTRODUCTION

The process of curing and the process of proving are alike, but they are the inverse of each other. A healthy person who takes a "medicine" (potentised agent) in the process of a proving will come up with symptoms determined by their susceptibility to it. A sick person who takes a remedy prescribed according to the law of similars, will experience restoration of his health.

During the past few decades, the world has been through experiences which did not exist in the times of Hahnemann: radio-active radiation, petrochemical and industrial pollution on a global scale and horrific agitations such as world wars and holocausts. At the same time, the number and severity of auto-immune diseases have considerably risen. Following Hahnemann's philosophy there could be a homeopathic solution to all diseases. Therefore as homeopaths engaged in curing the sick, we should devote our efforts to finding via the process of proving new remedy sources, answers to the challenges of our time. By a process of careful reflection and selection we can decide to prove those substances which will be most useful to us. It is also important to effectively prove those many tried and tested remedies, particularly those known as 'small remedies' of which we only have a partial picture of their full therapeutic potential.

In the past 10 years provings have been carried out by numerous groups of people throughout the world. However, close examination of these provings reveals great differences in approach and in the standards of material derived. Some have followed proper Hahnemannian routines but others are more 'casual' experiments carried out in a partial manner. Some of these approaches are 'seminar provings', 'dream provings', 'meditation' provings, 'personal' provings etc. Many lack the fine and close observation required throughout the process of a proper Hahnemannian proving, and many fail when it comes to the lengthy and laborious stage of extraction and collation.

In this document we are stressing the need for every remedy partially proved or unproved to be assessed for its potential by at least one good standard Hahnemannian proving. From here on the phrase 'standard proving' will mean a full Hahnemannian proving.

One of ECCH aims and objects is: "To agree on, set and monitor the highest standards of practice of classical homeopathy throughout the world". In our efforts to encourage and support a process by which the highest standards of proving are adopted by the largest possible circles of homeopaths in the World the ICCH have established the following recommended guidelines for carrying out a good proving.

These guidelines are not intended to replace in any way a thorough study aimed at a deep understanding of the philosophy and methodology of provings. The Guidelines should be regarded more as a "check list" - of principles and practices not to be missed. Before anyone carries out a homeopathic proving it is essential to study carefully Hahnemann's Organon of Medicine paras: 105 - 145. In addition we recommend a thorough study of the references listed at the end of this document.

SAFETY AND ETHICS

'But of all the provings of the pure effects of simple medicines in altering human health and of the artificial disease conditions and symptoms that they can produce in the healthy, the best will always be those which the healthy, unprejudiced, conscientious, sensitive physician undertakes on himself with all the precautions and care that I have taught him here'

Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine para 141

An organised experiment involving the admitting of any potentised agent or crude material implies important ethical and safety issues. Proving exposes the people involved to influences that may have profound and long-term effects on their physical and psychological well being. All potential provers should be made fully aware of that possibility. Provers that are not under appropriate supervision may not be receiving the full or sufficient support and guidance necessary to protect their safety.

Any form of proving other than a full Hahnemannian proving carried out to a clear protocol, should only be undertaken with this understanding. Participants in less supervised more 'casual' proving experiments such as those referred to above need to be clearly advised beforehand as to what they are entering into. Such proving experiments are unlikely to be able to offer the support, guidance and safety provisions provided by the standard method. From an ethical position participants in seminars should be clearly advised in advance of the seminar if the holders are planning to run such an experiment so that they are not confronted with having to make a choice to participate or not 'on the spot'. Those organising such group experiments should be prepared to make provision for sufficient post proving support and supervision for any participants who may need it

The balance of time, energy, potential discomfort, safety and well-being of the participants involved in any proving needs to be carefully considered against the potential for any effectively extracted, valid and useful information from it that will truly enrich the homeopathic materia medica and eventually be published to improve the therapeutic capacity of all homeopaths.

SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE

ECCH constitution states one of its principal aims is "to encourage unity and harmony within the classical homeopathic profession through mutual co-operation and the exchange of knowledge, experience and resources". The process of proving provides an essential source of knowledge and understanding for homeopaths which can be used to enhance the future practice of homeopathy. However, unless this knowledge is extracted, recorded, organised and published this important and unique knowledge is withheld from the wider homeopathic community. Until recently few provings were published to enable this knowledge to reach the wider homeopathic profession. Publication of a full, thorough provings has 'proved' too be an expensive and laborious task.

ECCH is committed to encouraging and supporting endeavours which contribute to developing and sharing this valuable knowledge with all members of the homeopathic community.

EDUCATION

ECCH have already delved deeply into the subject of education and published "The Guidelines for Homeopathic Education". Through the 'Guidelines' and other ways ECCH wish to encourage higher standards of teaching and education, particularly in the area of proving philosophy and methodology. Studying the subject of provings during school years will raise standards amongst the growing numbers of homeopaths.

One of the best ways to deepen the student homeopath's understanding of health & disease and the homeopathic approach to these subjects is through active participation in a full Hahnemannian proving. Participation in a well organised standard proving should ideally be an essential part of each school's curriculum. Students (volunteers), as well as members of the general public, may be encouraged to be the provers. Other students could act as supervisors and carry out the extraction and collation. In this way a generation of homeopaths with experience in high standards of proving will graduate from schools. As in all areas of academic training the proving master in such provings should be someone who is qualified and experienced in standard proving philosophy and methodology.

THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Homeopathic associations and societies should consider they have a duty to monitor, support and advise those within their sphere of influence who are engaging in provings. They are also encouraged to create "proving funds" which will support and encourage full Hahnemannian provings. In our efforts to raise the standards of proving, to promote the collection and sharing of the knowledge and to deepen the subject of proving in educating future homeopaths, the members of ECCH call for unity and support between as many bodies and individuals engaged in the process of proving, throughout the world.

PROVING GUIDELINES: A CHECKLIST FOR GOOD PROVINGS 

THE PROVERS

Health

• no drugs (medical or "pleasure", birth control pills, HRT etc.),
• no mental pathology (including long past pathological mental conditions,
• no chronic physical pathology (check for suppressions)
• provers must be at least 3 months clear of any previous homeopathic remedy.

Prior case taking

• the prover's case should be taken by their supervisor including all past physical and mental symptoms and states.

Age

• over 18 years old. Otherwise, with specific parents' consent.

Excluded from provings:

• women during pregnancy or during breast feeding.

The Group

many provers groups consist of either homeopaths or homeopathy students. It is a highly educational experience for the homeopath or homeopath to be. However, it is recommended that a well balanced proving group should also include provers with no homeopathic background.

Group size

• ideal group size is 10-20 provers.

THE PROVING SUBSTANCE

Sourcing the substance

• all substances should be as natural and free from pollution as possible.
• careful, precise records of details of the original substance should be taken, including when, where and how it was obtained, name, species, gender, family, and any other pertinent data so it can be accurately sourced again if needed.

Naming the remedy

• the Latin name(s) of the source substance should be used where possible.
• the name should be unique to the substance proved, so that it can be accurately identified, i.e. provings from similar sources should be differentiated by a unique name specifying sub-species, geography, or some other individual characteristic.
• homeopathic pharmacists should be consulted on this matter, and they should consult with each other, in order to agree and maintain consistency in remedy names, their abbreviations, and in order to prevent duplication.

Preparation

• exact description of the pharmaceutical preparation procedure (mode of dilution or trituration)

Pharmacy

• details of the pharmacy or persons(s) which produced the remedy,

Potency

• it is recommended to prove using 2-3 potencies to ensure that as many and as much of the more subtle aspects of the remedy can be explored

Placebo

use of placebo serves as a means to increase provers attention, it increases reliability and enables clearer deduction of symptoms when set against those arising spontaneously in the general population. It is recommended that 10-30% of the provers receive non medicated globules.

THE MASTER PROVER

The Master Prover or Coordinator is responsible for the entire process of proving from start to end.

• the Master Prover should be an experienced homeopath and well acquainted with the philosophy and methodology of proving. He/she should have some practical experience in the process of proving (via actively participating in a completed previous proving).
• the Master Prover is responsible for the safety of provers, the quality of work of supervisors, the extraction, collation and editing of the symptoms. He/she should be closely familiar with all the details (of each one of the provers and supervisors) as well as have an over view of the entire project.
• In order to ensure freedom from prejudice, the Master-Prover should be blinded to the remedy that is being proved.

SUPERVISION

Good attentive supervision is one of the key factors in ensuring successful and fruitful proving.

• supervisors should be experienced homeopaths.
• supervisors should supervise only one prover at a time unless considerably experienced.
• supervisors take the prover's case before the proving including all past physical and mental symptoms and other states.
• Supervisors should keep in close contact with the prover from the moment of the first dose and has to be available for eliciting symptoms thereafter.
• supervisors should pay the utmost attention to any change in the state of the prover and make sure that it is recorded in the prover's notebook as well as in his/her own notebook.
• supervisors have a duty to notify the co-ordinator of any changes in the state of the prover which might potentially affect the safety of the provers

THE COMMITTEE

A committee of 2-5 homeopaths is best for the ideal provers group size of 10-20.

The committee's tasks are:

• to choose remedy, to choose potencies, choose and liaise with pharmacy
• ensure the double blind principle all along the proving
• keep the records of remedy codes and which prover got which remedy
• distribute the remedies and the notebooks
• organise the typing and the publication of the proving
• keep a clear account of the proving protocol

MORE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES

Orientation meeting

• the aim of the meeting is to explain the process in detail, to the provers and supervisors and to stress to all participants the depths of observation needed.

Notebooks

• two kinds of notebooks have to be prepared: one for each prover and the other for each supervisor, one per prover

Case taking

• supervisor takes prover's case (see "The Provers")

Notes prior to proving

• provers should begin to take notes 7 days prior to taking the remedy

Instruction letter

• each prover and each supervisor should be given a thorough written briefing in the form of an "instruction letter". They should study it carefully and familiarise themselves with the details.

(Note: Good sample letters of "instructions to provers" and a letter of "instructions to supervisors" are to be found in the book "The Dynamics and Methodology of Homeopathic Provings" by Jeremy Sherr. We highly recommend using this sample letter which is exempted from copyright.

THE PROVING

Precise instructions to provers and supervisors are contained in 'The Dynamics and Methodology of Homeopathic Provings" P 91-98 Only main points are listed below:

Provers day to day

• provers should stick to their normal habits and way of life
• they should avoid all potential antidoting factors such as coffee, recreational drugs, camphor , eucalyptus menthol and mint during the duration of the proving. Any usage of these substances should be stopped 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the proving.

Remedy taking

• dose repetition - up to 6 doses (3 a day).

Proving notes

• provers must carefully write down all symptoms, modalities, time of occurrence and concomitants.
• it is of utmost importance that symptoms are noted down while still fresh in the mind.

Prover-supervisor

• daily contact has to be maintained as long as symptoms continue to appear.
• at the end of each day, symptoms have to be reviewed by prover and supervisor, investigated, clarified and recorded in detail. Supervisor should always seek to elicit any feelings and modalities that have been overlooked.

Duration of supervision

• the duration of supervision, particularly for those who clearly respond, should last a minimum of three months. They should also have a six month follow-up

Confidentiality

• provers and supervisors should refrain from discussing symptoms or experiences they are going through with other provers or supervisors during the entire duration of the proving.

Group discussions

• any group discussions about the proving should only be conducted after notebooks have been handed to the co-ordinator.

EXTRACTION

This important phase of the process involves converting written diaries into the format of the materia medica and the extracting of valid symptoms

The team

prover + supervisor + another homeopath

• prover and supervisor compare notes and clarify each symptom

The proving meeting

• takes place when most of the provers' symptoms have subsided, normally approximately 2 -3 months after starting the proving.
• in this meeting the extraction work is started under the guidance of the proving coordinator and assistance is given to those that have difficulties or a large volume of material to extract.

Text format

• a new page is started for every section (Mind, Generals etc.)
• details are recorded at the head of each page: body part, prover code, remedy code and page number.
• the left hand column of the page is kept for recording the time when symptoms first occurred (time passed since beginning the proving.)

Language

• simple language and the prover's own words should be retained.
• accounts should be written in the first person.

Criteria for including symptoms:

• new symptoms, unfamiliar to the prover.
• usual or current symptoms which are intensified to a marked degree
• current symptoms that had been modified or altered (with clear description of current and modified components)
• old symptoms that have not occurred for at least one year (note time of last appearance).
• present symptoms that have disappeared during the proving (cure).
• time of day: time of day at which the symptom occurred should be included only if there is repetition of such times in one or more provers
• if a symptom is in doubt, include it in brackets. If another prover experienced the same symptom it could be valid. If not, it is excluded.
• a symptom which may have been produced by a change in life or exciting cause, should be excluded.
• symptoms arising from casual provings should be published or included in repertories only in accordance with the strictest inclusion criteria.

COLLATING, EDITING AND REPERTORISING

Collating, editing and repertorising are the more laborious, painstaking and time-consuming stages of carrying out a proving. An appreciation of the work involved in this part of the work should be carefully considered before embarking on a proving. It is recommended that proving groups should seek advice from more experienced provers and study closely the few good examples that have already been published. A well balanced group for this task should be a mixture of experienced homeopaths, who are well acquainted with the different repertories and repertory language and the Master Prover who has an overview of the whole process from start to end. A good working knowledge of the native language of the provers is also required.

COLLATING

the aim of the collating stage is to synthesise the proving from many separate accounts into an "as if one person" composition.

• all prover's separate sheets (as if accounts from different parts of one body) are put together.
• symptoms with a common denominator are grouped together under each section.

REPERTORISING

the aim of the repertorising stage is to accurately and truthfully interpret the proving information into repertory language.

• each symptom has to be accurately analysed and translated into a rubric
• if necessary, clear symptoms which do not appear in existing rubrics may necessitate creating new rubrics.
• each rubric should be recorded along with the symptom and prover number.

PROTOCOL

A detailed protocol of all information concerning the proving (including comments, difficulties, "short cuts" and any considerations that guided decision making during the proving etc.) should be kept as a permanent record.

NON HAHNEMANNIAN PROVINGS

Any information collected from any other form of proving other than a full and well carried out Hahnemannian ('standard') proving should only be considered validated and useful when confirmed by comparison with the material from a good standard Hahnemannian proving. Such material should be clearly recorded as 'additional interesting information' and its source and nature clearly recorded in any resulting materia medica.

SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Samuel Hahnemann Organon of Medicine
J. T. Kent Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy
Jeremy Sherr The Dynamics and Methodology of Homeopathic Provings
George Vithoulkas The Science of Homeopathy

This document is the property of ECCH but is made available to the world-wide homeopathic community as a public service and a service to homeopathy. It is a document that can evolve and be amended in the effort to perfect it. Constructive feedback on its contents will be given sincere consideration by the ECCH Provings Group and Councils. Comments and suggested amendments can be returned written on a photocopy of this document or on a separate sheet and returned to the Secretariat at the address on the first page.

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