Synthesis Repertorium Homeopathicum Syntheticum (Edition-8.1)

In the 15 years that I have known Frederik Schroyens, I have been increasingly impressed by his integrity and conscientiousness. He is suited to the work of creating a modern repertory as few others. In large part our confidence in any repertory extends only as far as our confidence in its author. It is a very secure feeling indeed to use a repertory of which Frederik Schroyens has said, "This book is as accurate as I can make it."In each of the earlier versions of Synthesis we have seen the same dedication to verification and exactness. For example, as the Synthesis team added rubrics from my own book, Desktop Guide, I nearly was driven to distraction by assistants who wrote for clarifications on the symptoms I listed. If I listed a remedy as having an "aggravation fromCold", I was barraged by questions about what sort of cold I meant (Cold wind? Cold air? Cold bathing?). I felt almost like our patients must feel when we try to pin them down as to their exact symptoms.In short, I Became really annoyed until I reflected upon the fact that this same inquisition was being made of all other authors! Thus I have experienced firsthand the care and thoroughness which have gone into the current Synthesis. I can say that this exactness is what all of us in the homeopathic world have come to expect of the Synthesis.What is delightful and new in the 8th edition is that Dr. Schroyens has gone beyond his usual bounds. Rather than limiting himself to highly confirmed sources, he has branched out into homeopathic literature which is speculative or "cutting edge." The new version includes modern proving and current many authors' ideas and visions. There will be many who disagree with Dr. Schroyens decision to include anything but old authorities and proving — those who feel that the older information is more than sufficient. But for those who believe it valid to 8' edition will be a also utilize new remedies, ideas and insights, the happy change.And both groups will appreciate the clever compromise that Dr, Schroyens has invented — that is, he has carefully delineated the new from the old, the proven from the experimental. This innovation puts the responsibility back upon the individual prescriber to determine which authors he believes and which information he is willing to include. Unfortunately, many prescribers do not have the information to make such decisions. Thus it may be helpful in the future to have a guide to the various authors, their training, philosophy and years of practice. At the very least, Dr. Schroyens has given us the possibility to decide for ourselves. I unreservedly recommend the Synthesis to my students and colleagues. (By doing so I do not wish to slight the Complete Repertory of Roger van Zandvoort. We can only thank both authors for spurring each other to such constant improvement.) I have always kept a copy of the Synthesis at my desk, now I am excited to have an even better tool. The 8th edition of Synthesis is one of the finest achievements of modern homeopathy.Roger Morrison, M.D. (Port Richmond)