Vol.XIV #4 - The Centesimal And Lm Potencies

Simillimum - Winter 2001

A Comparison from the 5th and 6th Editions of The Organon
By David Little

A homeopath should be well acquainted with Hahnemann's references to potency in the 4th and 5th editions of 7he Organon in order to understand the Homeopathy of the 1840s, which is found in the 6th edition (1842). Homeopathy as commonly practiced today is based on the single dry dose, wait and watch method of Hahnemann's first Chronic Diseases (1828) and the 4th Organon (1829). In this method, a single pellet dose of the centesimal potency is used as long as the patient is improving in even the slightest manner. Many of the great 19th century homeopaths like James Kent were masters of this method. The dry dose may only be repeated when there is a definite relapse of the old symptoms calling for repetition. Hahnemann was not completely comfortable with this method in cases that only slowly improved over a longer period of time.

For this reason, in the 5th Organon (1833) Hahnemann introduced olfaction and the oral medicinal solution as new delivery systems for homeopathic remedies. The change from a dry static pellet dose to a dynamic medicinal solution succussed prior to administration had an immediate impact on his posology and case management strategies. In the 5th Organon, he suggested that “any striking progressive improvement” precludes the repetition of the remedy, because the cure is already taking place at the fastest possible rate.

At the same time, he taught that the single dose was not sufficient for those cases that slowly improve over a period of weeks to months. For these cases the Founder recommended administering the remedy in medicinal solution or olfaction at “suitable intervals to speed the cure.” Hahnemann called this his new “middle path,” as it stands between the single dose wait and watch and the mechanical repetition of remedies. This is a truly artistic method that demands individualization of the case management procedure.