Describe the general symptoms.

In Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica, General Symptoms (or “Generals”) are symptoms that relate to the patient as a whole rather than to a single organ or localized part.

Definition of General Symptoms
General symptoms express the overall reaction, constitution, temperament, and systemic modalities of the patient. They help reveal the individuality of the case and are considered highly important in classical homoeopathic prescribing.

According to James Tyler Kent and classical repertory philosophy:
“A symptom that affects the whole patient is more important than a symptom confined to a particular part.”

Types of General Symptoms in Repertory

1. Physical Generals
These concern the entire body and constitution.
Examples
Thermal state: hot patient / chilly patient
Thirst: thirstless or excessive thirst
Appetite changes
Food desires and aversions
Sleep patterns
Perspiration tendencies
Weakness and fatigue
Sensitivity to weather
Time modalities affecting whole body

Repertory Rubrics Examples
Generalities; heat; lack of vital heat
Generalities; cold; aggravates
Stomach; thirstlessness
Food and drinks; sweets; desire
Sleep; position; ameliorates

2. Mental Generals
These describe the patient’s emotional and intellectual constitution.
They are often considered the highest generals in repertorisation.
Examples: Anxiety, Fear, Irritability, Depression, Anger, Religious affections, Company desire or aversion
, Memory weakness

Repertory Section
Usually found in: Mind chapter
Example rubrics:
Mind; anxiety
Mind; fear; death, of
Mind; company; desire for

3. Modalities (General Modalities)
Conditions that aggravate or ameliorate the patient as a whole.
Examples
Worse from cold air
Better by heat
Worse at night
Better from motion
Worse before storm

These are highly valuable in repertorial analysis.
Example Rubrics
Generalities; motion; ameliorates
Generalities; cold air; aggravates
Generalities; night; aggravates

4. Particular vs General Symptoms
Particular Symptoms
Localized complaints.
Example:
Pain in right knee worse motion

General Symptoms
Whole-body tendencies.
Example:
Patient generally worse from motion
This distinction is fundamental in repertory analysis.

Importance of General Symptoms
General symptoms are crucial because they:
Reflect the constitution
Reveal susceptibility
Help individualize the patient
Differentiate similar remedies
Guide constitutional prescribing

In classical hierarchy:
1. Mental generals
2. Physical generals
3. Particular symptoms
4. Common symptoms

Examples in Clinical Practice
A patient may have:
Arthritis pain better by heat
Thirstlessness
Chilly constitution
Desire for sweets
Anxiety at night
These generals may point more strongly toward a remedy than the local joint pain itself.

General Symptoms in Different Repertories
Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Strong emphasis on generals and mental symptoms.

Boenninghausen’s Therapeutic Pocket Book
Uses modalities and concomitants extensively as generals.

Synthesis Repertory
Expanded general rubrics with clinical additions.

Complete Repertory
Comprehensive generals with extensive cross references.

Characteristics of a True General Symptom
A true general symptom usually:
Affects the whole person
Is marked or peculiar
Is repeatedly observed
Has strong intensity
Is characteristic of the patient

Examples of Strong General Symptoms

Symptom Importance
Thirstlessness during fever Strong physical general
Worse from cold air everywhere General modality
Fear of death Mental general
Profuse perspiration during sleep Physical general
Desire for salt General craving

Conclusion
In homoeopathic repertory, general symptoms are the constitutional and systemic expressions of the patient. They occupy the highest rank in case analysis because they individualize the patient and guide the selection of the simillimum more reliably than local symptoms alone.