Repertory › Remedies in the repertory

Bryonia alba (Bry.)

Bryonia alba (Bry.) appears in the repertory in 1,074 rubrics. Of these, 54 are single-remedy rubrics in which only this remedy is listed, and 85 are small rubrics with at most two other remedies. The emphasis lies on Delirium, Delusions, the rubrics for Children, Fear, Speech and Dullness, as well as Irritability and Anger. The picture is that of a person who holds on to his situation, his work and his possessions, shuns every disturbance and every motion, and whose thoughts remain with the business of the day even in fever and in sleep.

King-pin symptoms: suffering and disturbance

The repertory names two king-pin symptoms. The first is the fear of suffering: "Fear, phobia – suffering, of". This means a state of burden and strain which the patient fears; the note on it urges careful questioning, because other rubrics often stand behind such statements. The second is the aversion to disturbance: the person wants to keep his present situation, position or status unchanged and rejects change. Both fit together into one picture: whoever fears every burden and every disturbance holds on and does not move. Single-remedy rubrics confirm it: the person chooses the lesser evil, fears being blocked or wedged in, feels blocked and encapsulated, and everything is kept. Small rubrics add that everything is hoarded and that there is a feeling of having to work.

Business and work

The thoughts circle around business. A single-remedy rubric records: "Work – thinks constantly of". The delirium is about business; at night the person talks of the business of the day, anxious about business. He talks in sleep and in delirium about business and wants to go home. At the same time the work cannot be completed: there is a feeling of being unable to finish it, and a delusion of the same content. Work is tenacious, and the answers are precise. This speaks for a sober, fact-oriented attitude. The person complains about trifles but shows no inner anger, as two single-remedy rubrics on anger suggest: anger within and no anger shown. The characterization as choleric, bilious, with dark hair, dark complexion and firm tissue is likewise a single-remedy rubric.

Delirium

Delirium is the largest specific group (55 rubrics). It is anxious about business and the future, raging, stormy, with attention at twilight and daybreak, worse or better at noon. It is worse in a warm room and from heat and better in the open air. It alternates with comatose sleep and also occurs with diarrhea. The hands pick at the air or wave. Talking in sleep remains confused and incoherent; on waking the speech is delirious or irrational, in the morning chattering or babbling.

Delusions

The delusions are in accord with the fear of change. The person fears being unable to get up again when stooping, that she would sink deep down in bed, that the surroundings would whirl around her, that the brain or head would turn in a circle, and that objects sway. Friends appear as strangers, and she is under the control of strangers. She is continually beaten, and soldiers would stab her down, which is relieved by cooling off. The delusion of having been drunk the night before and the delusion of becoming delirious recur.

Fear of motion and touch

Dread of motion belongs to the core. Children do not want to be lifted up but to lie still; the fear of being carried or lifted up stands as a small rubric alongside. Restlessness occurs on motion, dullness is worse standing and on motion, dancing is worse, jarring is unbearable. The fear is directed at motion and at speaking, for fear of provoking a cough; in whooping cough the children are irritable and morose and want to be alone. Sitting improves. Being spoken to is hated and makes the person dull. Keeping still is a basic need, also in chill, in heat and in headache.

Anger, irritability and dissatisfaction

Irritability and Anger each count around thirty rubrics. They arise on waking, from coughing, from conversation and in fever and chill; anger occurs when she is asked something. Dissatisfaction occurs with headaches. Catalepsy after anger is also listed. Despair refers to one's own recovery, and a desire for suicide can arise with stomach complaints.

Children and sleep

Among the children are the "Ars. state" with roaming about and soiling of everything; infants cry after nursing, and there is an aversion to being nursed that improves by moistening the mouth. Yawning improves mental symptoms. Starting in bed while lying awake belongs here as well as sighing at night and weeping after midnight.

Summary

In the repertory, Bry. shows a person who keeps, hoards and holds on to everything and therefore experiences every motion, touch, address and change as a disturbance. The thoughts remain with work and business, even in delirium and in sleep. The two king-pin symptoms, fear of suffering and aversion to disturbance, sum up the attitude: whoever shuns burden seeks rest, holds his position and, if need be, chooses the lesser evil. Inner anger, irritability and wrath show the price of this rigidity.

A reference work for professionals; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.