Modalities and its importance in remedy selection

Modalities in homoeopathy

Modalities (modifiers of sickness) may be defined as the modifying and qualifying factors that aggravate or improve symptoms which makes a person better (ameliorated) or worse (aggravated) are essential in case taking. ¹ It is closely related to the conditions, times, causation, sensation, temperature, open air, being alone, motion, sleep, eating , drinking, touch, pressure, discharges, localities etc. In homeopathy the modalities considered as important parts in the choice of the remedy.

In aphorism one of Organon of medicine master Hahnemann says that “The Physician's high and only mission is to restore the sick to health, to cure as it is termed.”³  So physician first and foremost target is to cure the patient for that it is more important to selection proper medicine. And to select proper medicine one has to need proper knowledge about modality because modalities are one of the important factors to select a remedy in homoeopathy. The prominent person of homoeopathy has given great attention in modality. In Boger's concept of totality he gives 1st importance to modalities. Boger Says in BBCR- all experienced homoeopaths pay great attention to modality. According to him, modalities are the most decisive modifiers of the characteristics, so much so that a remedy indicated by all other symptoms, but which does not agree with the modalities should be discarded. He also says that general or special modalities to the time of day or much greater importance. ⁴ According to M.L.Dhawale amongst the modalities causative factors, predisposing as well as precipitating rank first.⁵ Modalities, or conditions of aggravation and amelioration applying to the case as a whole, or the patient himself, are generals of high rank." (Kent.) .By these lines the authors try to convince us about the importance of modalities.

They individualize the most suitable medicine cannot be chosen while they remain unknown. Every complete symptom has three essential elements:-Location, Sensation and Modality.⁷ The modalities apply to the patient as a whole and, as such, play a very important role in the choice of the remedy. Modalities helps in case-taking and consequently in repertorisation and selection of the correct remedy. In diphtheria, the pain constriction and soreness should be on the left side and aggravated by hot drinks under lachesis, while the same sensations should be on the right side and aggravated by cold water under lycopodium. In homoeopathy aggravation and amelioration are important parts of modality but often the element of amelioration is generally not available.

Truly to say modality plays an important role to prescribe a remedy scientifically. So to give proper treatment one should know modality by great importance. If that happens then it is possible cure absolutely. For above things the modality is so important in remedy selection.

Source:

• The Study of Materia Medica and Taking the case (bg10) by BOGER C. M.
• Organon of medicine by Samuel Hahnemann(page -92 6^th edition)
• A Synoptic Key to the Materia Medica- C.M.Boger
• Boenninghausen's Characteristic Materia Medica and Repertory- C.M.Boger.
• Principles and Practice of Homoeopathy- Dr.M.L.Dhawale.
• Homoeopathic Bibliography of the United States (bft1) by BRADFORD Thomas Lindsley
• The Genius of Homoeopathy; Lectures and Essays on Homoeopathic Philosophy (cls1) by CLOSE Stuart M.
• American Institute of Homoeopathy (Am_Inst_Hom)1880 29th Session Volume II Part I