The case of the boy in the gold shirt

The Clues in Plain Sight: The Power of Observation in Case-Taking

When it comes to homeopathy, the case doesn’t begin with the first question.
It begins the moment the patient walks in — or logs on.

The Case of the Boy in the Gold Shirt

In my second or third year of homeopathy school, during student clinic, a 12-year-old boy came in who was meticulous about money. He negotiated pocket money with his parents and sister, tracked his earnings, and even ran a small online business. Beneath that confidence, though, was a quiet sadness - low mood, diminished appetite, and the weight of responsibility beyond his years.

After repertorizing and analyzing the case in the student clinic, the remedy we arrived at was Aurum metallicum - gold.

It’s a remedy often overlooked in children’s cases, but one that can be so helpful for young people, particularly where there are high ideals, during a vulnerable time in their life, or a strong sense of responsibility - the gold-star standard.

In a twist of synchronicity, one of the students pointed out that the boy was wearing a gold shirt during his consultation.

That moment stuck with me as, honestly, I had not paid attention to it. Of course it wasn't the shirt that made the prescription, but it was the first time it had properly sunk in that we have information available to us before a word is spoken. The body movements, the clothes, the way someone enters the room or starts the consultation, what is going on in the background etc. Then when the consultation starts we have the tone of voice, the tempo of speech, the emotional reactions that come up. And we have rubrics that can capture these observations:

MIND - HURRY - time, for the appointed, to arrive (those who are never late for their appointments)

MIND - LAUGHING - serious matters, over (those who laugh at unexpected times)

EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper Limbs (I once had a client who couldn't keep his arms still throughout most of the consultation)

MIND - SIGHING (and they may not even be aware of it)

Since that day, I’ve noticed similar patterns. Observation helps us see what’s most individual, what feels out of place or inconsistent. And particularly for those cases where verbal communication is challenging, or with pets and babies, observation is key.

A Practice for the Week

Before your next case, pause.
Observe.

What do you notice about your client before they speak?
Then, when you open your repertory, see if there’s a rubric for what you noticed.

Sometimes the smallest visual detail is the most revealing. That’s the art of homeopathy.