Objective behaviors and milestones are crucial when the patient cannot articulate symptoms.
Milestones & Physical Generals
NormalLate (after 18mo)Clumsy / falls often
NormalLateStammering
NormalLate / slowDifficult / painfulDiarrhoea with teething
Physical observations
Fontanelle open lateHead sweats during sleepSour smellingEnuresis (Bedwetting) ?Involuntary urination while asleepWorms suspectedGrinds teeth at night
Behavioral Profile
Clings to parentShy / hides behind parentTantrums / violentStrikes or bitesRestless / hyperactiveNight terrorsObstinate / stubborn ?Stubborn or unyieldingAsks for things then rejects themPica (eats dirt, chalk) ?Craving for non-food items
Prenatal & Gestation History
Grade 1 & 2 — Female Sphere
Female Reproductive
The menstrual, obstetric, and sexual history provide high-grade physical generals and miasmatic clues.
Bright redDark / BlackishClotted (Large lumps)Pale / WateryStringy / RopyOffensive odorExcoriating (makes parts sore)Changeable (stops and starts)
Menstrual Concomitants Crucial Modalities
BEFORE Menses (PMS)
Irritability / AngerSadness / WeepingBreast swelling / tendernessHeadache before mensesLeucorrhoea before menses
DURING Menses
Dysmenorrhea (Severe cramps) ?Painful menstruation with severe crampingPain radiates to thighsNausea / VomitingDiarrhoea during mensesFaintingMentally better when flow starts
AFTER Menses
Great exhaustion / weaknessHeadache after mensesLeucorrhoea worse after
Bland (non-irritating)Excoriating / Burning / ItchingYellow / GreenishMilky whiteThick / CurdyWateryRopy / StringyOffensiveDiscuss in person
Obstetrics (Pregnancy & Post-partum)
Agalactia (No milk)MastitisPain when nursing
Ailments during/after pregnancy
Severe morning sicknessPica (abnormal cravings)Post-partum depressionHair fall post-partumBackache since epidural/delivery
Menopause, Pathology & Sexual Sphere
Pre-menopausePeri-menopausalPost-menopausal
NormalAversion / Loss of desireIncreased desireDyspareunia (Painful coition) ?Painful sexual intercourseDiscuss in person
Pathological diagnosis / Structural
PCOS / PCODEndometriosisUterine FibroidsOvarian Cyst (Right)Ovarian Cyst (Left)Prolapse of UterusBearing down sensation (Must cross legs)Hot flushes (Menopause)Vaginal dryness
Grade 1 & 2 — Male Sphere
Male Genito-Urinary
The prostate, sexual vitality, and miasmatic history (suppressions) are profound physical generals in men.
Urinary & Prostate (Sycotic Miasm Focus)
Urinary Flow & Sensations
Hesitancy (must wait for urine to start)Slow / Weak streamDribbling after urinationSensation of retained urineFrequent night urination (BPH)Involuntary urination during sleep
Prostate & History
Enlarged Prostate (Diagnosed)Prostatic fluid discharge during stoolHistory of suppressed gonorrhea / dischargeUrethral stricture
Sexual Sphere & Vitality
NormalAbsent / Complete lossIncreased / SatiriasisStrong desire but physically impotent
Hahnemann's first-grade symptoms. Will (impulses, responses) and Intellect (memory, concentration). Record patient's EXACT words.
General disposition Will
Select all that describe this patient
Mild / yieldingObstinate / rigidIrritableImpatientHurried / rushedFastidious / orderlyChaotic / disorganisedCheerfulMelancholicOverwhelmed / Mentally exhaustedReserved / secretiveTalkative / openSuspicious / mistrustfulJealousyEnvyProud / haughtyDictatorial / DomineeringHumbleSympathetic to othersIndifferent to othersAversion to family membersConscientious / overscrupulousAmbitious / drivenSensitive to criticismCensorious / Critical of othersReligious / devoutSuperstitiousClairvoyant / IntuitiveMalicious / VindictiveMischievousAvarice / GreedCowardice / TimidityFrivolous / FoolishQuerulous / Complaining
Unusual impulses Handle sensitively
Impulse to jump from heightsImpulse to jump before vehiclesImpulse to harm selfImpulse to harm others / killCompulsive counting / checkingCompulsive hand-washingPersistent unwanted thoughtsImpulse to swear / curseImpulse to steal (Kleptomania)Impulse to set fire (Pyromania)Impulse to touch everythingBite / Strike / SpitImpulse to escape / run awayPull one's own hairNone
Response to contradiction
Response to contradiction
Takes offence immediatelySilent broodingViolent outburstWeeps when contradictedTrembles with suppressed angerArgues logicallySubmits / withdrawsIndifferent
Response to consolation
Much better from consolationWorse from consolationIndifferentRejects consolation irritablyCraves sympathy
Memory & Intellect Intellect
Type of defect / mistakes
Forgets names of peopleForgets words mid-sentenceForgets recent eventsForgets what has been readForgets where things are placedForgets obligations / appointmentsForgets to purchase thingsMistakes in spelling / writingMistakes in speaking (uses wrong words)Mistakes in time / locationsAbsent-minded generallyNo memory defect
Concentration difficulty
Cannot read — words blurLoses thread of thoughtCannot do mental arithmeticMind goes blank when questionedDistracted by every soundDifficulty starting tasksNo difficulty
Delusions / fixed ideas
Record without judgement. Strange, rare, peculiar (SRP) delusions carry the highest prescribing weight.
Being followed / watchedBeing poisonedCommitted a crime / sinGoing to die soonSeriously ill (when not)Hears voicesSees things / visionsFeels unreal / detachedBelieves world is unrealGrandiose — great person / powersReligious delusion (saved / damned)Delusion of being pregnantDelusion of animals/insectsDelusion body is brittle / glassDelusion of poverty / starvingDelusion bed is sinkingNone
Suicidal ideation Sensitive
None presentPassive — weary of lifeActive thoughts of self-harmSpecific plan in mind
Method thought of (if any)
Jumping from heightsDrowningPoisoning / medicationCuttingHangingShootingNot applicable
Grade 1 — Highest weight
Emotional Profile
Fears, anxieties, grief, anger. The Mind chapter — heaviest chapter in Kent's repertory.
Fears Grade 1 — highly individualising
Specific fears are among the most reliable individualising symptoms.
Morning on wakingForenoonTwilight / duskEveningNight / before sleepAnticipation of eventsClosing eyesOn hearing bad newsConstant / backgroundPanic attacks
Suppresses completelyViolent — shouts, breaks thingsThrows thingsCurses / SwearsStrikes othersSilent brooding — holds grudgeWeeps with angerTrembles with angerOutburst then immediate regretSlow to anger
After-effect of anger on health
Illness followsChilliness after angerHeadache after angerDigestive upsetAsthma / Cough followsWeakness / ProstrationRelief after expressingNo after-effect
Weeping / sadness
Weeps easily, at triflesWeeps when telling symptomsWeeps in companyWeeps only in privateCannot weep (dry grief)Weeps from musicWeeps from tender storiesAlternates weeping and laughingWeeping brings reliefWeeping makes worse / headachesWeeping in sleepSighing frequently
Social disposition
Desires company stronglyDesires solitude stronglyBetter in companyBetter aloneDesires company but feels worse with peopleIndifferent
Grade 2 — Objective
Observation
What the practitioner sees objectively. Cross-verifies patient's report. Record during and after the consultation.
These are practitioner-recorded symptoms — not what the patient says. A patient who says "I am calm" but enters wringing their hands = Arsenicum.
General symptoms affect the patient as a whole. They outrank particular symptoms.
Side affinity & time
Predominant side of complaints
No clear sideRight-sidedLeft-sidedRight to left (Lyc)Left to right (Lach)Alternating sidesDiagonal (R upper, L lower)
Time of general aggravation
No specific timeMorning on wakingMorning after risingForenoon 9–11amNoonAfternoon4–8 PM (Lyc)Evening / sunsetNightMidnightAfter midnight (1–3am)3 AM exactly (Kali carb)Exactly same time dailyPeriodically (every 7 or 14 days)
Perspiration — generals
Profuse / excessiveNormalScanty / absent
Hot sweatCold sweatOily / stickyBloody sweatStaining yellowStaining red
Normal / absentOffensiveSourSweetGarlic/Onion-likeUrine-likePutrid
Location of unusual sweat
GeneralisedForeheadPalmsSolesAxillaeChestBackOne-sidedHead of child (Calc)Upper half of bodyLower half of bodyCovered parts onlyUncovered parts only
Relationship to sleep
No relationshipNight sweats onlySweat on wakingSweats during sleepSweat when awake only
Appetite
Appetite level
NormalIncreasedRavenous hungerCanine hunger even after eatingEasy satiety (feels full quickly)DecreasedComplete lossVariable
Hunger timing
Hungry at 11am (Sulphur)Hungry at nightWakes at night to eatMust eat every 2 hoursFaints if meal delayedBetter when fasting
After eating
Better after eatingWorse after eatingSleepy after eatingExhausted after eatingImmediately bloatedHeartburn / refluxNausea after eatingCough after eating
The master general. Divides the materia medica in two. This single answer eliminates half of all remedies immediately.
Ask: "Are you a warm or a cold person?" — Verify against: winter preference, bed covering, window habits, bathing preference.
Primary thermal classification Master general
Chilly — always cold, hates cold, needs warmthHot — always warm, wants cool air, kicks off coversAmbithermal — neither extremeVariable — depends on seasonLack of vital heat — profoundly chilly, no reactionCold but desires to be uncovered (Secale, Med)
Detailed thermal profile
Room temperature preference
Warm rooms alwaysCool / cold roomsOpen windows alwaysSuffocates in warm room (Puls, Apis)Hates drafts even if warm (Hepar, Sil)
Covering in bed
Heavy covering alwaysCovers head completely (Sil, Psor)Light coveringKicks off all coversFeet out of covers (Sulph)Cannot bear covers on neck (Lach)
Bathing preference
Loves hot bathsLoves cold bathsBetter after hot bathBetter washing in cold water (Apis)Worse after hot bathAversion to bathing (Ant-c)
Sun / heat effect
Better in heatWorse in heatWorse from radiant heat / fire (Ant-c)Worse ironing (Sepia)Faints in sunSun causes headache (Glon)Sun causes rash (Nat-m)
Cold air effect
Better in cold airWorse in coldExtreme sensitivity to cold wind (Acon, Hep)Chilled very easilyCold causes instant catarrhBetter walking in open airAversion to open air
Best season
SummerWinterDry seasonMonsoon
Worst season
SummerWinterMonsoon / wetChange of season
Thunderstorm
Worse before stormBetter after storm breaksFear of stormNo effect
Damp / wet weather
Much worse in dampBetter in wet weatherJoints worse in dampNo effect
Grade 2 — Key Generals
Thirst & Sleep
Thirst quantity and temperature are major differentiators (Bryonia: large cold draughts vs Arsenicum: small frequent sips). Sleep position and dreams have dedicated repertory rubrics.
Thirst Key general
Thirst level
ThirstlessMildly thirstyVery thirstyUnquenchable thirstThirstless with dry mouth
Quantity per drink
Large draughts, long intervals (Bry)Small sips, very frequently (Ars)Much and often (Nat-m)Gulps water hastily (Bell)Cannot drink large amounts
Temperature preferred
Iced / very coldCraves ice (Med)Cold waterRoom temperatureWarm / hot drinks onlyVomits cold water as it warms (Phos)
Thirst timing
ConstantNight thirst onlyMorningDuring feverThirstless during feverThirst before chill (Eup-per)Thirst during chill (Ign)Thirst during sweat (China)
Sleep Key general
Sleep quality
Good / restfulLight / disturbedUnrefreshingInterruptedInsomniaSomnolence / always sleepySleeps into an aggravation (Lach)
Sleep onset
Falls asleep easilyActive mind / thoughtsAnxiety on lying downRestless legsStartles on falling asleepOnly after midnightCannot sleep until 3am (Am-c)
Waking time
Does not wakeWakes at first sleep (Lach)Wakes at midnightWakes 1–2amWakes 3–4am (Nux-v)Wakes at dawnCannot return to sleep
Required position
No preferenceRight sideLeft sideBackAbdomenKnee-chest (Med)Cannot lie on leftHands over head (Puls)Legs drawn upLimbs crossed (Sepia)Head elevated
Unusual behaviours
Talks in sleepWalks in sleepGrinds teethScreams / criesWeeping in sleep (Spong)Starts / jerks awakeSnoresEyes half openChewing motion
Effect of sleep
Rested / betterWorse after sleep (Lach)Wakes with headacheWakes frightened (Stram)Long to feel normal
Dreams
Recurring or striking dream themes — select all
Animals attackingDead people / CorpsesGhosts / SpectersSnakes (Lach)FallingFlyingBeing chasedAccidents / disastersFireFlooding / drowningWater (general)Violence / murderRobbers / ThievesGetting lostExertion / hard workTeeth falling outUrinatingRecurring identical dreamProphetic / came trueSexual dreamsBusiness / daily tasksSpiritual / religiousNightmares causing wakingNo dreams recalledDiscuss in person
Grade 2 — Physical Generals
Skin & Perspiration
The skin is a primary organ for miasmatic expression (Psora, Sycosis, Syphilis) and the direction of cure.
Perspiration (Sweat)
Amount
ProfuseScantyAbsent / Dry skinSweat on slight exertion (Calc)Sweats during sleep (Tub)No relief from sweat (Merc)Easily exhausted by sweating
Location
Head / Scalp (Calc)Nape of neck (Sil)Palms / SolesChestAxillaeGenitals (Thuja)One-sided sweatCovered parts (Bell)Uncovered parts (Thuja)Discuss in person
Odor
SourOffensive / FetidOnion-likeGarlic odorSweetishUrine-likeMustyDiscuss in person
Itching worse undressing (Rumx)Itching worse in bed / heat (Sulph)Worse from washing/water (Sulph)Burning like fire (Ars)Burning after scratching (Ars)Bleeds after scratching (Merc)Better from scratching (Calc)Itching changes place (Staph)Voluptuous itchingFormication (ants crawling)Coldness of skin (Camph, Verat)
Grade 2 — Generals
Modalities — General
What makes the WHOLE PATIENT better or worse — not a single symptom. These are the highest-grade modalities.
"I am worse in the morning" (general) vs "my headache is worse in the morning" (particular). General modalities go here. Particular modalities are recorded with each symptom in the next section.
General ameliorations — whole patient is BETTER from... Better
Open fresh airWarm roomCold airRest / lying stillMotion / walkingContinued / prolonged motionHard pressureLight pressureBending doubleLying on painful sideLying on painless sideEatingFastingCompany of othersSolitudeWarm food / drinksCold food / drinksUncoveringTight bandagingDark roomSea airRiding in carriageAppearance of dischargesAfter stoolAfter urinationAfter sweatingAfter mensesMusicOccupation / distractionConsolationWeeping
General aggravations — whole patient is WORSE from... Worse
Cold dry airCold wet weatherChange of weatherDraft of airGetting wetBefore thunderstormMorning on wakingEveningNightAfter midnight (1-3 AM)StandingAscending stairsTouch / contactNoiseBright lightStrong odoursMental exertionPhysical exertionTight clothingAfter eatingBefore mensesDuring mensesLoss of vital fluidsSexual excessesGrief / SorrowAngerFrightSuppressed eruptionsBathingAfter sleepConsolation (aggravation)AlcoholCoffeeDuring full moonPeriodically (every 7 / 14 days)
Grade 3 — Particulars
Current Symptoms — LSMC
Each complaint explored with Location, Sensation, Modality (particular), and Concomitant. These rank below generals.
For each symptom: Where exactly? What is the sensation (patient's own words)? What makes THIS symptom better/worse? What comes along with it?
Food aversions — click all that apply Tap twice = cannot tolerate at all
MilkMeatEggsFatSweetSaltSour / acidsBreadCoffeeAlcoholTobaccoFishVegetablesPotatoesCheeseFavourite food now dislikedWarm foodBoiled foodSmell of food causes nauseaGarlicOnions
Stool & urine
Hard / constipatedSoft / normalLoose / diarrhoeaAlternates C and DMucus in stoolBlood in stoolOffensive odourRequires strainingIncomplete feelingDiscuss in person
NormalFrequent / urgencyBurning on urinationScantyProfuseNocturnal (night)Dark colouredOffensiveDiscuss in person
Grade 2 — Miasmatic
Family History
Three-generation miasmatic mapping. Inherited disease patterns are obstacles to cure.
TB, cancer, syphilis, gonorrhoea, mental illness in the family = deep miasmatic inheritance. Document in all three generations.
Patients or practitioners can log day-to-day symptoms and changes here. Entries can only be deleted on the same day they are created.
Follow-up
Treatment Progress
Monitor Hering's Law of Cure — mental improves first, then generals, then particulars. Symptoms disappear in reverse order of appearance.
True cure: mental/emotional state improves first → general energy → sleep → particular symptoms last. If only particular symptoms improve but mental state worsens = palliation, not cure.
0% — no change25% — slightly better50% — moderately better75% — much better90%+ — nearly well
Mental / emotional changes — CHECK FIRST
Calmer / less anxiousLess fearfulMental clarity improvedMemory improvedMore motivated / energeticBetter mood generallyLess irritableEmotionally more balancedClairvoyance / hallucinations reducedNo mental changeMental state worsened (note below)
General changes
More energy generallyAppetite improvedThirst normalisedSleep deeperBowel movements improvedThermal sensitivity reducedOld symptoms returning brieflySkin eruption appeared (good sign)Discharge increased then resolved
Direction of cure (Hering's Law)
Correct — centre to peripheryCorrect — above downwardCorrect — more to less important organsCorrect — reverse order of appearanceUnclear / mixedIncorrect — deepening inward
Next prescription decision
Wait — do not interfereGive Placebo / RubrumRepeat same remedy, same potencyRepeat, higher potencyChange to complementary remedyChange to acute remedyInter-current nosodeGive antidote