Burnett Rediscovered. Dion Tabrett

      Introduction

      Welcome to the world of James Compton Burnett. He was a very successful homoeopath and author of many books on homoeopathic medicine. Lots of cured cases of tumours, tuberculosis and vaccinosis. Lots of nosode prescriptions and organ remedies. And an ever-widening, expanding definition of the Law of Similars. What’s not to like about Burnett?

      This book is for undergraduate students of homoeopathy as well as for postgraduates. For undergraduates it is best read after one year of study and after the basic principles of homoeopathic philosophy, materia medica, miasm theory and anatomy and physiology have been covered. An understanding of classical homoeopathic methodology is assumed. Postgraduates and practicing homoeopaths can refresh their studies of Burnett, or, if new to Burnett then this book may be used as a navigation tool through his works. Note: This book will be a companion text to students who study the Orion postgraduate course.

      Burnett wrote for the prescriber more so than for the student, so have a comprehensive materia medica close to hand and a medical dictionary.

      Chitkaras’ work, Best of Burnett, is strongly recommended but, as Chitkaras writes in his introduction, it does not replace Burnett’s original works. Best of Burnett can be considered “The Greatest Hits” compilation double LP. But, as every music aficionado knows, you have to listen to the original albums to get the true understanding. This book has no intention of replacing his original works but hopes to stimulate interest and reading (and indeed re-reading) of Burnett’s work.

      Burnett loved philology: the science of language and the love of learning and literature. This is probably why he used interchangeable terms and invented new terms to serve his ideas. His knowledge of French, German, Greek and Latin also contributed to his approach. It can make studying his writings somewhat tricky. Therefore, to help navigate through the original books I have used many of Burnett’s terms (printed in Bold type) and included a glossary, defining each one. The glossary also contains general homoeopathic terminology for students.

      Burnett has been my reliable “Clinical Compass” for the last 24 years. In an attempt to understand Burnett’s work in relation to case analysis I have found that he took a broad and deep approach, pulling in different disciplines as needed and creating new ones where none existed. He was a therapeutic trailblazer, who, despite his fantastic clinical work and results, was heavily criticised.

      Burnett rarely looked to cover an entire case with one remedy. And the more complex or hybrid the case the more remedies he was likely to use. It is strongly evident throughout his work that he cast his inquiring mind broadly over each case, searching for organ remedies, symptomatic similar remedies and symptom patterns for nosodes, vaccinosis and aetiologies — similar to the astronomer who searches the night sky for familiar stars and constellations. At times we may recognise particular stars and patterns such as Ursa Major but at other times we are lost until we recognise a sequence and are guided to our goal. Therefore, I have introduced a new term, “Constellation of Symptoms”, which I hope will convey the meaning of looking for and recognising distinct and different symptom patterns that are indicative of distinct and different remedies in an individual’s case history. Just like stars in the night sky that form constellations so too symptoms and remedies make up case histories.

      This book is divided into three main parts:

      Organopathic Medicine

      Symptom Similarity (Hahnemann’s Homoeopathy)

      Medical Doctrines (Miasms/Nosodes, Vaccinosis, Aetiologies)

      We start with the discipline of organ remedies and then progress to the increasingly more complex ideas of The Law of Similars and finally to the Medical Doctrines. At the end of the book there is an A to Z Therapeutic List based upon Burnett’s clinical work.

      There are two people whom I must thank in the writing of this book. Both are fine homoeopaths (and both also fine chess players). Firstly, Lynn Forte who introduced me to homoeopathy quite a few years ago. A great prescriber with a profound knowledge of materia medica. Lynn is a reliable friend that I frequently talk to regarding ideas and thoughts about homeopathic medicine.

      Secondly, Mike Bridger, to whom I remain in debt for the generous sharing of his ideas on remedy relationships, triads, case mapping and constellations of remedies. Mike is the only other homoeopath I know who prescribes and teaches in a truly Burnettian style with the addition of a strong understanding of Kent’s clinical cases and materia medica.

      In 1994, I gave my first lecture to students at The London College of Homoeopathy at Regents Park College. That lecture was “James Compton Burnett” where I described his approach to practice. Now, 20 years have raced by and I still give a similar, but much updated version of that lecture.

      It has been very enjoyable researching and preparing this book and each time I re-read one of Burnett’s books I learn something new. But I must make it very clear that to attempt to take all his books and distil them and concentrate the best parts into this book cannot be done. I cannot take a large quantity and pour it into a small vessel, be it beer glass or a book about Burnett.

      Dion Tabrett