Title: Decoding Mental Rubrics
Authors: Dr.Gaurang Gaikwad and Dr. Rameez Chougle
Publisher: Dr.Gaurang Gaikwad
Year: 2019 (Latest reprint: 2022)
Dr.Gaurang Gaikwad is a popular homeopath from Mumbai with a busy practice. This book, co-authored with his Late brother Dr.Rameez Chougle, is a compilation of many important mental rubrics that appear in different repertories and reference books, along with a fairly detailed explanation of each rubric. This is not the first book on mental rubrics. I have two other books, by David Sault[1] and Luis Detinis[2] respectively. What makes this book somewhat special is that it contains interesting examples for many of the rubrics along with remedy comparison where appropriate. This greatly helps in understanding the finer shades of the rubrics.
As a good illustration, the explanation for the rubric “MIND; ANGER, irascibility; general” runs to 9 pages! The differentiation of remedies in this case teaches us how one should study each rubric carefully in conjunction with its sub rubrics.
The overall coverage of mental rubrics is quite comprehensive and almost all the commonly encountered main rubrics are included in the book.
Since the rubrics are arranged in alphabetical order, it is easy to search for a specific rubric.
I definitely enjoyed going through the book (it is more of a reference than a text book), but I would like to offer a couple of suggestions:
1) It would be nice if the author includes miasmatic information for each of the rubrics discussed. I have RadarOpus with Ortega Miasmatic Module included as an optional add-on. When I choose “Ortega Miasmatic analysis” as the “Default Analysis” method in RadarOpus, the rubrics added to the clipboards are automatically classified (where possible) into “Psoric”, “Sycosis” or “Syphilis” types to aid further analysis.
For example:
“MIND; ABSENT-MINDEDNESS” => Sycosis
“MIND; DESPAIR” => Syphilis
“MIND; FASTIDIOUS” => Sycosis
Tagging different rubrics with the associated miasm(s) like the above will definitely add value.
2) I feel it would have helped if the author mentioned the source of each rubric – which repertory or reference it is taken from. The way rubrics are presented can differ slightly across repertories and hence knowing the exact source will help. In addition, since most doctors use computerised repertories these days, mentioning the source will allow them to go through the corresponding repertory or reference for more details, if necessary. As far as I could check, most of the rubrics are present in the most recent “Synthesis Adonis” repertory by Dr.Frederick Schroyens.
3) The contents of the book can be added, perhaps in an abridged form, to homeopathic software as an optional plug-in. Since the author is an ardent follower of Dr.Rajan Sankaran, the software published by his group, Synergy Homeopathic Software (SHS) is a natural choice for this enhancement. Although in my opinion (as a software developer) SHS has some serious limitations, add-on features such as this book will increase its value. It would make it considerably easy for users of the software to get explanation of Mind rubrics, where needed.
The possible improvements aside, the book as it is, with information packed into 380 pages is a wonderful addition to the existing literature on Homeopathy! Given Dr.Gaurang’s enviable background, especially his grooming under several illustrious homeopaths in India, this book will appeal to homeopaths at various levels of experience.
Have a great weekend!
Additional Reading
1) A Modern Guide and Index to the Mental Rubrics of Kent’s Repertory, David Sault, Emryss bv Publishers, 1990.
2) Mental Symptoms in Homeopathy, Luis Detinis, Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd., 1994.
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