Dr. Hahnemann in Aphorism 6 of organon of medicine explains “The unprejudiced observer”.

WORD MEANING OF PREJUDICE (Latin origin)

“Pre” means “before” and “Judicum” means “Judgement”.

PREJUDICE DEFINITION

Prejudice is an opinion or judgement that is not based on reason or actual experience (before knowing the facts).

OBSERVATION

Observation is the careful perception of events with the intention of identifying a fact.

OBSERVER

Observer is a person who sees, perceive and notice.

WHO IS AN UNPREJUDICED OBSERVER?

An unprejudiced observer understands the uselessness of theoretical guesswork and records only the signs and symptoms of the patient.

WHY THE PHYSICIAN SHOULD BE UNPREJUDICED?

Let me explain this with an example, imagine that we have a large dictionary that we consider to be an authority on the spelling of words.

If a group of 120 men buy this dictionary and acknowledge it as an authority of the spelling book.

There would no longer be a debate over spelling.

But if there were no standard of spelling, each man would spell differently.

Unfortunately, such is the state of medicine at the present day, there is no standard authority.

There is confusion because one school follows the authority of one book, while another school follows the authority of another book.

All physician has their own way of understanding homoeopathic philosophy, disease state, Materia medica etc.

WHAT MISTAKES CAN TAKE PLACE BY A PREJUDICED OBSERVER?

UNPREJUDICED-OBSERVER

There are two possibilities of misconception from a physician.

1. Non-observation

  • Here, observer has his own fixed ideas of the subject.
  • So, any fact that is opposite to his belief will be rejected by him.
  • This may cause him to miss the important facts.
  • This physician fails to observe the patient.

2. Mal-observation

  • Here, observer takes notes of everything that is important.
  • But he interprets the observed facts improperly (wrong way).
  • This happens due to lack of reasoning ability.

However, both type of observation leads to inaccurate homoeopathic prescription.

WHAT IS THE DUTY OF A PHYSICIAN?

Disease symptoms represent the presence of disorder.

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Type of disease symptoms shows only the nature of sickness.

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Sickness is nothing but the change in the state of health.

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A physician’s duty is to correct the disordered state.

Also read THE MISSION OF  PHYSICIAN according to Dr. Hahnemann.

HOW TO BECOME AN UNPREJUDICED OBSERVER?

  • Physicians can not overcome his prejudices until they accept and respect authority.
  • The laws and principles must be considered as authorities in homoeopathy.
  • Read the FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF HOMOEOPATHY in detail to have sound knowledge of homoeopathic laws and principles.
  • Observe for changes in the state of health in each individual patient.