Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

Abstract

Encyclopaedia Homeopathica (EN) is the latest computer software from the RADAR group, providing an extensive collection of materia medica. It is the equivalent of the Great Library of Alexandria for the homeopathic world. This is the most reliable, quick, responsive and flexible program I have ever had the pleasure to use. Software designers please take note! EN comes in a variety of packages. Although not cheap, the cost is considerably less than the price of the individual books, not to mention the saving in bookshelf space! Some of the books included are long out of print and unavailable on any other software package. Installation is quick and simple. Running the program is a dream. It has been called ‘intuitive’, which is a very apt description. One does not need any knowledge of computers to make full use of the program. Archibel have achieved the seemingly impossible — a scientific=left brain program that unleashes the artistic=creative right brain in each and every homeopath. There is an extensive ‘help’ section, which answers every question one might have. A far cry from other ‘help’ programs which leave one more baffled than before. The guided tour explains everything clearly and demonstrates each process. There is also the option of online assistance. The range of the materia medica and homeopathic philosophy is comprehensive. From A (Allen) to Z (Zaren), classical to contemporary, books to journals, seminar transcripts to lectures. Whatever your heart desires . . . and more, much more! I was captivated by the immense amount of knowledge contained on one little CD. For those who detest reading from the screen and prefer to curl up with a good book there is the option of printing unlimited amounts of text. It is wonderful to access such a breadth of wisdom easily and with such speed. One can glean immense amounts of information about the least known remedies. You can satisfy your curiosity about all those obscure remedies that you hear about, like Maiasaura lapidea (Dinosaur) and Falcon, or deepen one’s knowledge of any remedy you care to mention. I had no idea there were so many remedies available. As seminar transcripts and journals are included, the information is totally up to date. As well as learning from the Masters of the past, one can glean pearls of knowledge from Contemporary Masters. Homeopathy is evolving rapidly and it is difficult to keep up to date with developments. Not everyone will use the Bird remedies, but we can all learn from Bill Gray and Amanda Zaren about Thuja occidentalis. For those interested in the newer remedies there are a wealth of provings from Rajan Sankaran, Misha Norland, Jeremy Sherr and Nancy Herrick to mention just a few. Jan Scholten’s innovative work on the elements and minerals is available within seconds, as is George Vithoulkas’ Materia Medica Viva, Esalen Conferences and even ‘Stolen Essences’. The fabulous Bill Gray and Jonathan Shore Glasgow seminars are transcribed in full. The search facilities are simple to use, quick and accurate. One is able to perform a huge variety of searches — remedies, families of remedies, cured cases, pathologies, word and phrases, authors and combinations of these. There is a direct link with the Winchip and RADAR programs, so one can easily move between all the modules. When a patient mentions a symptom, one can rapidly find the appropriate rubric, run a literature search, analyze the case by means of family, Vithoulkas Expert System and Herscu Module and still have not exhausted all the possibilities. This is the program that allows you to do those seven impossible things before breakfast! The only impossible thing is for me to describe every permutation available! Archibel are to be congratulated on producing the quintessential set of homeopathic programs RADAR, Winchip and EN. They are fully integrated, working well together as well as independently. They are totally crash proof, even in my hands! EH is a solid investment and excellent value for money. It is suitable for every student, practitioner, and even Master of Homeopathy. One can always learn more. As far as materia medica is concerned, it doesn’t come any better than this.