The Source of Crude Substance and its Influence on Proving Symptoms

Summary

The influence of the origin of a crude substance on its resultant proving symptomatology was determined by comparing the proving of Loxodonta africana (ivory of a wild, male African elephant) and that of Lac loxodonta africana (milk of a female African elephant in captivity). The distinctive set of symptoms common to both provings can be argued as representing the materia medica emanating from the essence of the species of animal. In contrast, certain of the unique symptoms (unshared) were clearly attributable to what is known of the individual circumstances of the animals from which the samples were sourced.

Key words

Proving - Lac loxodonta africana - Loxodonta africana - African elephant

References

• 1 Ross A H A. The Evolution of an African Materia Medica – a methodological Overview of fifteen Provings. In: 64th Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis World Congress, Poland; 2009
• 2 Herrick N. Animal Mind, Human Voices: Provings of eight new Animal Remedies. Nevada City: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing; 1998: 407
• 3 Forbes B A. Homoeopathic Drug Proving of Ivory from the male African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) with a subsequent Comparison to Lac loxodonta africana. Durban: Department of Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology; 2008: 205
• 4 Speckmeier C T. A Homoeopathic Drug Proving of the Ivory of the male African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) with a subsequent Comparison to the Doctrine of Signatures. Durban: Department of Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology; 2008: 222
• 5 Dam K. The Lacs: a group analytical and signature Review. In: Hiwat C, van der Zee H, eds. The Materia Medica of Milk: a Collection of Articles from Homoeopathic Links. Haren: Homeolinks Publishers; 2002: 8-22
• 6 Koehl D. Elephants encyclopedia – facts and information about elephants since 1995 – elephant database (April 20, 2007). http://www.elephant.se/database2.php?elephant_id=2576 [accessed February 12, 2010]
• 7 Driehsen W. German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers; 2003: 1772
• 8 Sherr J. The Dynamics and Methodology of Homoeopathic Provings. West Malvern: Dynamis Books; 1994
• 9 Schroyens F ed.. Synthesis: Repertorium Homeopathicum Syntheticum. 8.1 ed. London: Homoeopathic Book Publishers; 2004
• 10 Skinner J D, Smithers R H N. The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion. Pretoria: University of Pretoria; 1990: 771
• 11 Frandsen R. Southern African Mammals. Fourways: Fandsen Publishers; 1992: 238
• 12 Apps P. Wild Ways. Cape Town: Southern Book Publishers; 1992: 197
• 13 O'Connell C. The Elephant's Secret Sense: The Hidden Life of the Wild Heards Of Africa. New York: Free Press; 2007
• 14 IFAW .Kruger national park: elephant cull or killing fields?. http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_southern_africa/join_campaigns/national_regional_efforts/the_debate_on_elephant_culling_in_south_africa/index.php [accessed February 2, 2010]
• 15 IFAW .Elephant culling's cruel and gory past. http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_southern_africa/join_campaigns/national_regional_efforts/the_debate_on_elephant_culling_in_south_africa/shortcut_of_elephant_culling%25238217%253Bs_cruel_and_gory_past.php [accessed February 2, 2010]
• 16 Sherr J Y. Dynamic Provings Volume One. Malvern: Dynamis Books; 1997: 442