Erik van Woensel: “Classical Homeopathy Evidence Based Medicine. Vol. 2: Case Studies, Long Term Treatment, Theory”

This is Volume 2 of Dutch homeopath Erik van Woenselʼs book of fifty cases treated in the classical manner. Mr. van Woensel has been in homeopathic practice since 1982 and, since 1990, has become increasingly involved with instruction, dissemination and the preservation of homeopathic knowledge, i.e., see his site http://archiveforhomeopathy.com/index.html. Currently he teaches at the International Academy for Classical Homoeopathy in Alonissos (Greece) and, with colleague George Vithoulkas, has written “Levels of Health” (2010), which is considered a follow-up to Vithoulkasʼ seminal 1980 treatise, “The Science of Homeopathy”.

This work is divided into three sections: theoretical part, case studies and analysis of the cases. This work could be considered number two in a series, so the author decided to continue the pagination where the first left off. Thus, Volume I is numbered 1–378 and Volume II, 379 to 740.

Part I (10 pp) serves as an introduction, e.g., all repertorisations are made using Radar 10.0 with the “Vithoulkas view 2006” filter and one is advised to use the book “Essential Synthesis” if a computer is not available. Van Woensel discusses prognosis, anamnesis, lifestyle issues, symptom evaluation, general strategies, etc., for finding the remedy. What precedes this section is the authorʼs Foreword and a brief general discussion of the cases, repertory and potency selection. In Volume I, this section is nearly four times as large as it contains his thoughts and methodology in detail. This is a disadvantage if one only has this book (Vol. 2), so, if you really want to penetrate van Woenselʼs approach, youʼll need that extra material. Having said that, much can still be learned from this work.

Part II (50 pp) presents a very short synopsis of each case. In this brief description, many one or two paragraphs, some one to two pages, the essential details are presented. There is no mention of a remedy and thus this treatise could ably serve as an exercise book.

Part III (300 pp) takes up these instructive cases in detail. Each includes a repertorisation cross-table and author commentary. It is like standing over a mastersʼ shoulder, enjoying commentary and counsel at every step. Remedy differentials are included, of course.

Some titles of cases include hay fever, climacteric complaints, pain in the shoulder, inner restlessness, sleeplessness from fears, multiple sclerosis, eczema, influenza, mastopathy, recurrent pneumonia, epilepsy in a dog, etc.

This well-produced book is sewn and wrapped for durability, printed on buff-coloured paper and presented in a sans-serif font. This is unfortunate because, for most, a non-serif font causes the eyes to easily tire. A thirteen-page index is included. The authorʼs command of the English language is excellent.

Van Woenselʼs book harkens back to E. E. Caseʼs “Some Clinical Experiences of E. E. Case” (1916; reprinted by Van Hoy Publishers, 1991), which, to this day, remains equally worthwhile and instructive.

If your preference is to sit with a master of classical homeopathy, van Woenselʼs writings should be included in your library.