Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Department of Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Homoeopathy has advanced as an empirical art and has become a modern age science backed by the kind of massive research data and critical reviews that helps scientific knowledge become acceptable within the global knowledge space. Two centuries ago, the practice of homoeopathy was possible with a few hundred proven remedies of that time but as this science developed through both research and collection of empirical data the number of remedies available increased exponentially. As both the study of remedies and the remedy selection process became more challenging, group analysis by famous homoeopaths such as Farrington (1992), Sankaran (2003), Scholten (1993), Mangliavori (in Vidal 2005) emerged. Currently, with a database of over 3000 remedies available for prescription, group analysis, though a contested approach has proven to be an adequate tool that helps consolidate mass homoeopathic data into meaningful groupings that makes both the study of remedies and their application in practice easier. Classifying homoeopathic remedies into groups by means of group analysis and allowing such methods and results thereof to go through rigorous critiquing refines homoeopathic knowledge and improves its ability to sustain itself as a competent science. Homoeopathy has emerged as a technologically inclined science, utilising various software programs enabling more thorough correlation of symptoms and remedies and so improving the prescription process. Software programs have proven to be very useful tools for the development of group analysis. The aim of this study was to extract the common characteristic symptomatology of five selected homoeopathic remedies belonging to the acidum family as represented in the known materia medica and repertory. The acidum remedies appearing in Radar® 10 repertory (Archibel 2008) were analysed in terms of rubric representation (frequency) and the top five were selected for inclusion in the study. The top five remedies were: Nitricum acidum, Phosphoricum acidum, Muriatic acidum, Sulphuricum acidum and Fluoricum acidum. All rubrics in which the selected remedies appeared were extracted using the homoeopathic software package Radar® 10 (Archibel, 2008) and analysed for sensations and active, passive and compensation reactions of the selected remedies, as per Sankaran (2002). The common primary sensations identified were, burning, sore, swelling, pressing, cramping, dryness, weakness, tearing, and coldness. There were also sensations of anxiety, restlessness, delirium, delusions, dullness, sadness and cheerfulness. Active reactions identified were: hot, heat, inflammation and sensitivity. Passive reactions identified were: coldness, numbness and weakness. Compensation reactions identified were: restlessness, hurriedness, intense reaction and passion. Miasmatic keywords as per Sankaran (2002) were used to determine the miasmatic tendencies of the selected top five acidum remedies. In general all acidum remedies appeared to have a dominant syphilitic miasmatic tendency but acidums were present through all the miasms. Their miasmatic tendencies are easily recognised when viewed in the light of their pathophysiological processes. The pathological tendencies of acidum remedies examined in this study include: haemorrhoids, general haemorrhage, syphilis, warts, neoplastic and non-plastic tumours, irritable bowel syndrome (reflux, colic, constipation), rheumatism, muco-cutaneous ulcerations (STIs, Xerostomia, diabetic ulcers) and bone diseases (osteoporosis, osteitis, and peri-osteitis). The results of this research were compared to the findings of Scholten (1993) and Mangialavori and Marotta (2005). It is the researcher’s view that Sankaran’s methodology of group analysis which he used to explore biological groups of remedies (plants and animals) is adequate for use with non-biological groups of remedies such as mineral acidums. The researcher found group analysis methodology worthy as a tool for classifying the mass data of acidum remedies into orderly sets of meaningful data. Group analysis is consistent with the laws and principles of homoeopathy and encourages the use of materia medica and repertory which are fundamental to the study and application of homoeopathic knowledge. / M

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The proving substance Hemachatus haemachatus commonly known as the Rinkhals belongs to the family of Elapidae. This spitting-cobra is a local snake found only in Southern Africa. This proving tested the effects of the thirtieth centesimal (30CH) potency of venom from Hemachatus haemachatus on healthy provers. OBJECTIVES It was hypothesised that Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers, and that the comparison of Hemachatus haemachatus to those yielding the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms would highlight differences and similarities between the remedy symptoms so that confusion as to the indication is eliminated. It was hypothesised that a fuller understanding of Hemachatus haemachatus and its relationship to other remedies would be gained following this comparison. METHODOLOGY A double blind, placebo controlled proving of Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH was conducted on thirty healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria. Six of these thirty provers randomly received placebo, with neither prover nor researcher knowing whom received placebo. Provers had a homoeopathic case history taken and a physical examination performed on them prior to commencement of the proving. The provers recorded their signs and symptoms 6 by means of a journal before, during and after administration of the remedy. On completion of the proving, the information obtained was correlated and assessed by the two researchers, De la Rouviere and Cahill. The symptoms elicited during the proving were translated into materia medica and repertory language, and a homoeopathic picture of the remedy was subsequently formulated. Data from the case histories, physical examinations and group discussions were also considered in the assessment. RESULTS During the period of investigation, provers experienced a variety of symptoms on the mental, emotional and physical spheres. On the mental emotional sphere there was a marked degree of irritability and changeability in moods as is commonly seen in many of the snake remedies. Along with this, it was noted that there were feelings of anxiety for reasons unknown, a sense of having lost something or someone close, and a desire to be left alone. There were also a great number of feelings regarding the home, where there were feelings of the home being a place of safety and wanting order in the home. On a physical level, many of the provers noted varying degrees of abdominal discomfort and headaches. Along with anxiety, provers experienced palpitations and sensations of chest restriction or constriction with shortness of breath. There were a variety of musculoskeletal symptoms ranging from painful joints in the fingers to stiffness and tightness in the neck and back. Provers noted flushes of heat and alterations of their internal thermostat. Provers experienced marked dryness of the mucus membranes and the skin, and there was also a general feeling of weakness and heaviness as well as a marked aggravation in the mornings on waking. 7 CONCLUSIONS Symptoms obtained from the proving of Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH were studied and evaluated. Those symptoms that appeared to represent the remedy picture of Hemachatus haemachatus most accurately in the researchers‟ opinion were used in the repertorisation of the remedy. The investigation supported the hypothesis that Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers. The subsequent comparison of the proving symptoms of Hemachatus haemachatus to Lycopodium (Club moss), Sulphur, Alumina (Aluminium oxide), Sepia (Cuttle fish) and Calcarea carbonica (Carbonate of Lime) highlighted differences and similarities between these remedies and Hemachatus haemachatus. The further comparison of remedies that came up on repertorisation restricted to the plant, mineral and animal kingdoms respectively provided a further comparison of remedies, which aimed at enhancing the differentiation of Hemachatus haemachatus to other similar remedies. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy in the Department of Homoeopathy at the Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Gymnura natalensis 30CH on healthy volunteers, and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed to those requiring it according to the Law of Similars. The other aims of this study were to compare the proving symptoms of Gymnura natalensis 30CH to the toxicology of stingray venom and to analyze the remedy picture in terms of the Doctrine of Signatures. It was hypothesised that the thirtieth centesimal potency of the remedy would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy volunteers (provers). It was further hypothesised that the above signs and symptoms would show a correlation to the toxicology of stingray venom and to the Doctrine of Signatures. The homoeopathic proving of Gymnura natalensis took the form a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The selected proving potency was the thirtieth centesimal potency. A total population of 30 suitable and consenting volunteers participated in this trial. Twenty percent of this population was randomly administered a placebo-control substance. The collection of data from the provers took the form of a journal which was kept by each prover in which their proving signs and symptoms were recorded over a period of five weeks after the administration of the remedy or placebo. On completion of the proving, each journal was assessed by the researcher to determine the suitability of the recorded symptoms for inclusion in the materia medica of Gymnura natalensis. These symptoms were then translated into the language of the materia medica and repertory and a remedy picture was then formulated. Data from case histories, physical examinations (Appendix D) and group discussions were also taken into account during the analysis of the proving the symptoms. A concurrent proving study of Gymnura natalensis, conducted by Naidoo (2008), focused on comparing the symptoms of this remedy to those of other existing remedies that were derived from the sea. A variety of mental, emotional and physical symptoms were extracted from the proving study of Gymnura natalensis. The main mental and emotional symptoms of the remedy included anxiety, irritability, depression, a feeling of disconnection, spaciness of the mind and dreams of events and incidents of the past. The characteristic physical symptoms obtained from the proving included headaches, a reduction of pre-menstrual symptoms, heart palpitations, skin eruptions on the back, low energy levels, tiredness and sleep abnormalities. Symptoms that showed a correlation to the toxicological symptoms of stingray envenomation included frequent urination, muscular cramps, heart palpitations, laboured breathing, fever and copious night sweats. The symptoms that characterised the remedy in terms of the Doctrine of Signatures included anxiety, instinctive behaviour, the desire to be alone, feelings of disconnection, detachment and isolation and skin eruptions on the back. The investigation confirmed the hypothesis that Gymnura natalensis would produce clearly observable sings and symptoms in healthy volunteers. The correlation of the proving symptoms to the toxicology of stingray venom and the Doctrine of Signatures provided a clarification of the remedy picture to assist in the understanding and prescription of this remedy. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. / The first objective was to investigate the effect of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH on healthy provers and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it could be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. The second objective was to analyze the symptoms obtained from this proving according to the doctrine of signatures. It was hypothesized that Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH would produce observable signs and symptoms in healthy volunteers which would correlate to a doctrine of signatures analysis of the plant. A double blind proving of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH was conducted. 24 provers were selected and randomly divided into two groups, the first consisted of 18 provers who received medicated powders and the second consisted of the remaining six who received placebo. The subjects were unaware of the nature of the substance that they took nor the potency thereof as an added control measure. Provers were examined and kept journals before, during and after administration of the remedy so as to serve as their own control. This information, along with data collected by the researchers from case histories and physical examination, was then assessed on completion of the proving. The researchers then translated the symptoms elicited into Materia Medica and repertory language and formulated a homoeopathic picture of this remedy. Data was analyzed by qualitative methods, as the data was not amenable to standard / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2007. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of an indigenous South African substance and the traditional uses of that crude substance. The substance under evaluation was Erythrina lysistemon which was prepared homoeopathically to the thirtieth centesimal (30CH) potency. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. / The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH on healthy provers, and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed according to the Law of Similars. A further aim of the investigation was to compare those remedies yielding the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms to Sutherlandia frutescens. It was hypothesised that the 30CH potency of Sutherlandia frutescens would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers, and that the comparison of Sutherlandia frutescens to those remedies yielding the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms would highlight differences and similarities between the remedy symptoms so that confusion as to indication is erased. It was hypothesised that a fuller understanding of Sutherlandia frutescens and its relationship to other remedies would be gained following this comparison. III A double blind, placebo controlled proving of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH was conducted on twenty-four healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria. Six of the twenty-four provers randomly received placebo, with neither prover nor researcher knowing who was on placebo. Provers had a homoeopathic case history taken and physical examination performed on them before commencement of the proving. The provers recorded their signs and symptoms before, during and after administration of the remedy, by means of a journal. On completion of the proving, the information was correlated and assessed by the four researchers, the symptoms elicited translated into Materia Medica and Repertory language, and a homoeopathic picture of the remedy formulated. Data from the case histories, physical examinations and group discussion were also considered. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. / The first objective was to investigate the effect of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH on healthy provers and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it could be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. The second objective was to analyze the symptoms obtained from this proving in a direct comparison to the effects of the major pharmacologically active compounds present in Sutherlandia frutescens. A double blind proving of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH was conducted. Twenty-four provers were selected and randomly divided into two groups, those receiving medicated powders (18 subjects) and those receiving the placebo powders (6 subjects). As an added control measure, the subjects were also ignorant to both the nature of the proving substance and the administered potency. Prior to taking the remedy, each patient provided their own case history and received a physical examination so as to establish each individual's baseline. Each prover was then required to keep a daily journal, in which all symptoms were recorded in accordance with a suggested guide. The researchers then collated the data and translated the symptoms produced into Materia Medica and repertory language. Finally a homoeopathic picture of the remedy emerged in which marked themes exist. These themes and central characteristics of the remedy were then compared to the toxicology of the major chemical constituents of Sutherlandia frutescens. Data was analyzed by / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, Durban, 2002. / The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Sutherlandiafrutescens 30 CH on healthy individuals so that it may be prescribed according to the law of similars. It was also the purpose of this study to compare all existing indications of use of Sutherlandia frutescens to the proving symptomatology. This would allow a greater understanding of the plants spheres of action and would contribute to the formation of a comprehensive remedy picture by highlighting similarities and differences between the homoeopathic and traditional indications of use. The comparison also served to investigate whether Sutherlandia frutescens acts, in accordance with the fundamental law of homoeopathy, the law of similars, in traditional application. It was the intention of the study to shed light on the possible 'homoeopathicity', or not, of current traditional use of Sutherlandia frutescens, as opposed to overt pharmacology of phytochemicals. It was hypothesized that Sutherlandiafrutescens 30CH would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers. The second hypothesis was that the proving symptomatology of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH would be similar to the existing indications of use. The homoeopathic proving was a double blind placebo controlled study conducted by four Master's in Technology: Homoeopathy students. A total of 24 subjects formed the proving group, 25% of whom (6 of the 24) were randomly assigned to the placebo group. The subjects were unaware of the substance they were proving and the potency of the substance to be proven. The provers also served as intra-individual controls by recording their state prior to the administration of the remedy, to provide a baseline for comparison after the administration of the remedy. Provers took one powder three times daily until proving symptoms appeared, but for no longer than 2 days i.e.: a maximum of 6 doses. Provers recorded their symptoms daily in a journal and were in / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis on healthy volunteers (provers), and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed to those suffering from similar symptoms as determined by the Law of Similars. A further aim of the investigation was to compare the materia medica of Chamaleo dilepis dilepis as determined by proving symptoms to those remedies yielding the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms of Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / This study was conducted by administering Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis 30CH to healthy individuals with the aim of eliciting and documenting the resulting mental, emotional and physical symptomology. Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis was chosen as a substance based on it being indigenous to South Africa and as no other members of the Chamaeleonidae species have been proven / M