Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book (BTPB)
Author: Dr. Clemens Maria Von Boenninghausen
Full Name: Therapeutic Pocket Book for Homoeopathic Physicians
Editions & Translations
- First published — 1846 (German)
- Allen’s English Translation — Added ~220 remedies → Total 342 remedies
- Dr. H.A. Roberts — Elaborate introduction, minor changes
Introduction & History
- 1828 → Pulmonary TB → cured with Pulsatilla → converted to Homoeopathy
- 1832 → Repertory of Antipsoric Medicines
- 1835 → Repertory of Non-Antipsoric Medicines
- 1836 → Attempt: “Relative Kinship of Homoeopathic Medicines”
- 1846 → BTPB published → rich clinical experience included
Philosophical Background
- Based on Inductive Logic
- Emphasis on Complete Symptom: Location + Sensation + Modality + Concomitant
- Doctrine of Analogy / Grand Generalisation: What is true for the part is true for the whole person
Fundamental Concepts (Doctrines)
- Doctrine of Analogy (Grand Generalisation)
- Local modalities & sensations applicable to whole person
- Doctrine of Concomitants
- PQRS symptoms crucial for individualisation
- Concomitant = Agg/Amel relation to single symptom
- Evaluation of Remedies (Grades)
- CAPITAL – 5 marks – 1st grade
- Bold – 4 marks – 2nd grade
- Italics – 3 marks – 3rd grade
- Roman – 2 marks – 4th grade
- Roman in parentheses – 1 mark – 5th grade
- Concordances (Relationships of Remedies)
- Shows harmony, inimical, complementary, antidotes etc.
- Useful for second prescription, analogues, study of relationships
Concept of Totality (Boenninghausen)
- Quis – Personality
- Quid – Nature of disease
- Ubi – Seat of disease
- Quibus Auxiliis – Accompanying symptoms
- Cur – Cause
- Quando – Agg/Amel / Time
Plan & Construction
- 7 Chapters:
I. Mind & Intellect
II. Parts of Body & Organs
III. Sensations & Complaints
IV. Sleep & Dreams
V. Fever
VI. Alterations of State of Health
VII. Relationship of Remedies (Concordances) - Components: Location, Sensation, Modalities, Aggravation, Concomitants
Special Features / Advantages
- Useful at bedside & MM study
- Complete symptom & grand generalisation → easy to find rubrics
- Sensation & Modality rubrics applicable to parts & whole
- 5-grade typography
- Mind rubrics in Mind & Modalities chapters
- Concordance chapter for relationships
- Foundational, reliable, close to Hahnemannian principles
Scope & Utility
- Ideal for:
- Characteristic concomitants or strong modalities
- Cases with incomplete symptoms
- Quick bedside repertorisation
- Maintaining Hahnemannian purity
Quick Comparison with Kent & Boger
| Point | BTPB (Boenninghausen) | Kent’s Repertory | BBCR (Boger) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Inductive, Grand Generalisation | Deductive, General → Particular | Inductive, Complete + Concomitants |
| Complete Symptom | Location + Sensation + Modality + Concomitant | Strong generals & mentals | High emphasis on concomitants |
| Concomitants | Moderate | Less | Very high |
| Grades | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Concordance | Present (unique) | Absent | Present (125 remedies) |
| Fever Chapter | Ordinary | Ordinary | Highly developed |
| Clinical Rubrics | Few | Many | Many |
| Best for | Incomplete symptoms, strong modalities/concomitants | Clear generals & mentals | Pathological cases, fever, concomitants |
| Total Remedies | 342 (Allen) | 648 | 464 |
Criticism / Disadvantages
- Limited medicines & rubrics
- Mental rubrics limited, poor concomitants
- Misplaced or repeated rubrics
- Indexing not complete
- Some chapters incomplete or asymmetric
- Lack of Sarcodes & Nosodes
Adaptability
- Cases with complete symptoms
- Prominent concomitants or location & sensation
- Paucity of symptoms or lacking generals