If we study Dr William Boericke's English translation of Hahnemann's Organon of medicine, 6 th edition (Published by the Boericke and Tafel of Philadelphia, USA,1952) we found it comprises of:

• Prefaces to the various Editions of Organon
• An Introduction
• The table of contents or the Index
• Text: Consisting of different aphorisms and their foot-notes to explain Hahnemann's teachings of Homeopathy.
• Appendix: It traces the evolution of Organon through its various phases of development. Compiled by R. E. Dudgeon and Richard Hughes.

PREFACE: Author's preliminary introduction of every edition of Organon setting forth its purpose with brief introduction to new subject.

Preface comprise of-

• Translator's preface by Dr. William Boericke
• Preface of different Editions of Organon (First to Fifth)
• An Introduction to Dr. William Boericke's English translation of 6 th edition of Hahnemann's Organon of medicine by Dr. James Krauss.
• Hahnemann's preface to the sixth edition of his Organon of medicine.

COTENTS:

The table of contents or an index gives in a nutshell, the subject matter of various aphorisms and some brief explanation of certain terms used by Hahnemann

INTRODUCTION: Appeared for the first time in 4 th edition based on an essay entitled 'Indication of Homeopathic Employment of Medicines in Ordinary Practice' published at Torgau in 1807.

The actual text or the main body of the Organon is preceded by a long Introduction by Hahnemann. The introduction explores basically three aspects of medicine viz.

1. Review of the therapeutics, being followed so far by the old school of medicine namely, the allopathic and palliative treatment.
2. Instances of stray cures by the Law of Similar' in the past.
3. The healing art- the new school of medicine- namely homeopathy

The Text or the main body of the work (§1 - 291)

• The main body of the Organon or the text, as stated, comprises of 291 aphorisms in all and around 170 footnotes. These footnotes are spread over the entire text, appended to some of these aphorisms. These footnotes wherever they appear, from an integral part of these aphorisms, and, therefore, make complete and comprehensive reading of the respective aphorisms.

• For the sake or convenience, the main text is divided into two parts:
• Theoretical part.
• Practical part.

I. The Principles of Medicine ( § 1-70 )

The first part of the Organon or the text comprises of 70 aphorisms in all and is called as theoretical part. It deals with the principles of medicine. This part covers the following areas:

• Physician's Mission or Objective (§ 1)
• Criteria for Cure (§ 2)
• Physician's Areas of Knowledge (§ 3-4)
• Knowledge of Disease (§ 5-18)
  • Manifestations - Cause, Suppression (§ 6-7)
  • Restoration of Health (§ 8)
  • Vital Force in Health and Disease (§ 9-17)
  • Symptomatology (§ 18)
• Knowledge of Medicines ( §19-24 )
  • Experimental Human Pharmacology
• Derivation of Law of Similars
  • Application of Knowledge of Medicine to the knowledge of Disease ( § 22-69 )
  • Principles of Homoeopathy ( § 25-27 )
• Inferences or the Summary (§ 70)

II. The Practice of Medicine ( § 71 - 291 )

The second part of the Organon or the text comprising of aphorisms 71 onwards along with their respective footnotes is known as practical part. It deals with the practice of medicine. These aphorisms cover the following areas:

• Practical Application of Inferences (§ 71)
• Acquiring knowledge to Cure Diseases (§ 72-140)
  • Classification of Diseases (§-77)
  • Individualization (§ 82)
  • Case Taking ( § 83-104
• Acquiring Knowledge of Medicines ( § 105-145 )
  • Experimental Human Pharmacology (Provings)
• Judicious Employment of medicines (§ 146-244 )
  • Method of Selection ( § 146-154 )
  • Dose (§ 155-160 )
  • Remedy Response ( § 161-184 )
  • Local Application in Chronic Diseases ( § 185-209 )
  • Mental Diseases ( § 210-224 )
  • Psychosomatic Illnesses ( § 225 )
  • Psychotherapy ( § 226-227 )
  • General Management of Patients with Mental Diseases ( § 228- 230 )
  • Intermittent and Alternating Disease ( § 231-244 )
• Homoeopathic Posology ( § 245-258 )
• Diet and Regimen ( § 259-263 )
• Pharmacy ( § 264-272 )
• Administration of the Remedy
  1. Single Remedy ( § 273-274 )
  2. Dose ( § 275-283 )
  3. Route of Administration ( § 284-285 )
• Ancillary Measures ( § 286-291 )
  1. Magnets
  2. Mesmerism
  3. Massage
  4. Baths

Going through Organon we find immense knowledge and experience displayed by Dr. Hahnemann in his aphoristic style of writing. The pattern or arrangement of the aphorisms is done in such a way that the reader finds himself at ease slowly unfurling the concept of Homeopathy. For e.g. the practical part which is in general an explanation of theoretical part follows it in the book. The above ground plan is given to explain to the reader an idea about the "Where's What" in the book. Keeping the headings in mind the reader can remember which aphorisms are to be seen if at all a particular subject is to be studied.

Reference:

1. A Study of Hahnemann's Organon of Medicine by Dr M.P.Arya
2. Miasmatic Taint or Block Removers and Bond Breakers or Resolvers by Dr R.P.Patel
3. Organon of Medicine Sixth edition Traslated by Boericke William. Boericke & Tafel 1952