AN OVERVIEW OF AN OVERVIEW OF TEMPERAMENTSTEMPERAMENTS

ByByDr. Puneet S. Vikram Dr. Puneet S. Vikram BHMS MD (Hom)BHMS MD (Hom)

Lecturer, Department of RepertoryLecturer, Department of RepertorySri Ganganagar Homeopathic Medical College, Sri Ganganagar Homeopathic Medical College,

Ganganagar, Rajasthan, INDIAGanganagar, Rajasthan, INDIA

TEMPERAMENTSTEMPERAMENTSTemperament is the Temperament is the

characteristic combination of characteristic combination of

bodily, mental and moral qualities bodily, mental and moral qualities

which together constitute which together constitute

the character and disposition of the character and disposition of

an individual an individual and predispose him to act and behave and predispose him to act and behave

in a particular manner.in a particular manner.

EVOLUTION OF EVOLUTION OF

TEMPERAMENTSTEMPERAMENTS

HIPPOCRATES’ HUMORISMHIPPOCRATES’ HUMORISM

Hippocrates (400 B.C.) Hippocrates (400 B.C.) believed that body is believed that body is composed of Four Humors composed of Four Humors viz Blood, Phlegm, Yellow viz Blood, Phlegm, Yellow bile and Black bile. bile and Black bile.

The Imbalance of Humors, The Imbalance of Humors, or or DyscrasiaDyscrasia was thought was thought to be the Cause of all to be the Cause of all Diseases.Diseases.

GALEN’S TEMPERAMENTGALEN’S TEMPERAMENT

Galen (130-200 AD)

used the term to refer to

Bodily dispositions, which

determined a person’s

susceptibility to particular

diseases as well as

behavioral and emotional

inclinations.

While the Humors literally represented fluids

thought to circulate in the body, metaphorically

each became associated with a prevailing

emotion:

• Blood with joy, called the Sanguine

temperament

• Phlegm with worry and contemplative calm,

the Phlegmatic temperament.

• Yellow bile with anger, called the Choleric

temperament.

• Black bile with sadness, called the

Melancholic temperament

““Fashions have no reasons. After Galen had become the sole Fashions have no reasons. After Galen had become the sole

ruler during the downfall of the sciences, his four temperaments ruler during the downfall of the sciences, his four temperaments

were generally adopted and the Arabians adorned them with were generally adopted and the Arabians adorned them with

their astrological nonsense. After the awful crush by their astrological nonsense. After the awful crush by

Hohenheim of the worshipped system and after the arabesques Hohenheim of the worshipped system and after the arabesques

of astrology had been demolished by Copernicus, the four of astrology had been demolished by Copernicus, the four

temperaments were kept up like the four seasons, and used as temperaments were kept up like the four seasons, and used as

very convenient boxes, around which some writers made pigeon-very convenient boxes, around which some writers made pigeon-

holes. In this way the classification is kept up and highly holes. In this way the classification is kept up and highly

esteemed by non-observers”esteemed by non-observers”

Dr. Constantine HeringDr. Constantine Hering

MODERN THEORIESMODERN THEORIES

KEIRSEY’S THEORYKEIRSEY’S THEORY

THE GRAND FOURTHE GRAND FOUR

SANGUINE TEMPERAMENTSANGUINE TEMPERAMENT

Happy-go-lucky typesHappy-go-lucky types Social ButterfliesSocial Butterflies Optimistic, Confident, Optimistic, Confident,

SpontaneousSpontaneous Day-dreaming Day-dreaming ExtrovertExtrovert Enjoying lifeEnjoying life

Vanity and Vanity and

self-complacencyself-complacency

ImpulsiveImpulsive

SuperficialitySuperficiality

InstabilityInstability

Inclination to flirtation, Inclination to flirtation,

envy and jealousy envy and jealousy

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES

CHOLERIC TEMPERAMENTCHOLERIC TEMPERAMENT

World “My Way”World “My Way” To be or not To BeTo be or not To Be Born LeadersBorn Leaders DecisiveDecisive Strong WilledStrong Willed ConfidentConfident FastidiousFastidious

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES

Anger proneAnger prone Superiority complexSuperiority complex Cannot bear Cannot bear

ContradictionContradiction Deceit, Disguise and Deceit, Disguise and

HypocrisyHypocrisy Lacks SympathyLacks Sympathy UnemotionalUnemotional

MELANCHOLIC TEMPERAMENTMELANCHOLIC TEMPERAMENT

WEEPING OF THE HEARTWEEPING OF THE HEART

TALENTED, HIGHLY CREATIVETALENTED, HIGHLY CREATIVE

SENSITIVE, DREAMERSSENSITIVE, DREAMERS

RESERVED, THOUGHTFULRESERVED, THOUGHTFUL

SELF SACRIFICINGSELF SACRIFICING

RESPONSIBLE, TRUSTWORTHYRESPONSIBLE, TRUSTWORTHY

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES Brooders, DepressiveBrooders, Depressive

Under-Utilized TalentUnder-Utilized Talent

Lack of AssertivenessLack of Assertiveness

UnforgivingUnforgiving

Oversensitive Oversensitive

PHLEGMATIC TEMPERAMENTPHLEGMATIC TEMPERAMENT

NOTHING RUFFLES THEIR FEATHERSNOTHING RUFFLES THEIR FEATHERS

WELL BALANCEDWELL BALANCED

CONSISTENT WITH LIFECONSISTENT WITH LIFE

DEPENDABLE, EASY GOINGDEPENDABLE, EASY GOING

COMPOSED AND THOUGHTFULCOMPOSED AND THOUGHTFUL

CONTENT, PATIENTCONTENT, PATIENT

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES

Couch PotatoesCouch Potatoes Lazy, IndolentLazy, Indolent Neglect their DutiesNeglect their Duties Indecisive, Indecisive,

ProcrastinatorProcrastinator No Ambition: Does not No Ambition: Does not

AspireAspire Tend to be ObserverTend to be Observer

RECOGNITION TRIORECOGNITION TRIO

SANGUINESANGUINE: : Extrovert, Extrovert, Optimistic, Optimistic, Talker Talker

CHOLERICCHOLERIC: : Extrovert, Extrovert, Optimistic, Optimistic, Doer Doer

MELANCHOLICMELANCHOLIC: : Introvert, Introvert, Pessimist, ThinkerPessimist, Thinker

PHLEGMATICPHLEGMATIC: : Introvert, Introvert, Pessimist, Watcher Pessimist, Watcher

TEMPERAMENT BLENDSTEMPERAMENT BLENDS

ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL

TYPES OF TYPES OF

TEMPERAMENTSTEMPERAMENTS(Specific to Homeopathic Literatures)(Specific to Homeopathic Literatures)

NERVOUS TEMPERAMENTNERVOUS TEMPERAMENT

Excitable, ApprehensiveExcitable, Apprehensive

Studious, Inventive, SubtleStudious, Inventive, Subtle

Great Susceptibility of Great Susceptibility of

Mental ImpressionsMental Impressions

Bipolar MoodsBipolar Moods

Jittery, Starts easilyJittery, Starts easily

LYMPHATIC TEMPERAMENTLYMPHATIC TEMPERAMENT

Characterized by Sluggishness in Characterized by Sluggishness in vital processes and functionsvital processes and functions

Sluggish and PhlegmaticSluggish and Phlegmatic Used by Hippocrates in “Used by Hippocrates in “On Air, On Air,

Water and Places”.Water and Places”. Used for Bapt-tincUsed for Bapt-tinc

BILIOUS TEMPERAMENTBILIOUS TEMPERAMENT Bitter, Ill-HumoredBitter, Ill-Humored

ResentfulResentful

DiscontentedDiscontented

Pertaining to Bile, or Pertaining to Bile, or

Disorders arising from Disorders arising from

excess of Bileexcess of Bile

Used to describe Used to describe

temperament of Nux-temperament of Nux-

vomica vomica

No temperament type is good or bad. No temperament type is good or bad.

Each temperament has its own Each temperament has its own

Strengths and Weaknesses.Strengths and Weaknesses.

With the prescription of the Similimum the With the prescription of the Similimum the weaknesses can be diminished.weaknesses can be diminished.

The Red strand is that Temperament The Red strand is that Temperament

is the Inner Core of the Man.is the Inner Core of the Man.

By knowing the temperament of a person we By knowing the temperament of a person we can consider the Man as a Whole. can consider the Man as a Whole.

TEMPERAMENT & TEMPERAMENT & PERSONALITYPERSONALITY

The temperament is the “REAL ME”, given to us at The temperament is the “REAL ME”, given to us at

conception and remaining constant throughout our conception and remaining constant throughout our

life, whereas life, whereas

Personality is something which can be changed, Personality is something which can be changed,

developed or enhanced. developed or enhanced.

It is the aspect of Personality concerned with It is the aspect of Personality concerned with

emotional dispositions and Reactionsemotional dispositions and Reactions..

TEMPERAMENTSTEMPERAMENTS

ANDAND

HOMEOPATHYHOMEOPATHY

TEMPERAMENTS IN HOMEOPATHYTEMPERAMENTS IN HOMEOPATHY

The dynamic view of Mind/Body constitutionThe dynamic view of Mind/Body constitutionhas its has its

roots in roots in PythagorasPythagoras, , its trunk in its trunk in HippocratesHippocrates, ,

its branches in its branches in Paracelsus,Paracelsus, and and its fruit in its fruit in HahnemannHahnemann..

Hahnemann Hahnemann integrated theintegrated theHippocratic temperaments and humors into Hippocratic temperaments and humors into

the Classical Materia Medica because it the Classical Materia Medica because it helps us to understand helps us to understand

‘‘Who’ we are treating, as well asWho’ we are treating, as well as ‘ ‘What’ they suffer from. What’ they suffer from.

§ 211. This is true to such an extent, that the state § 211. This is true to such an extent, that the state

of patient’s Mind and Temperament of patient’s Mind and Temperament

(Gemuethszustand) is often of most decisive (Gemuethszustand) is often of most decisive

importance in the Homoeopathic selection of a importance in the Homoeopathic selection of a

remedy, since it is a sign possessing a distinct remedy, since it is a sign possessing a distinct

peculiarity, that should least of all escape the peculiarity, that should least of all escape the

accurate observation of the physician.accurate observation of the physician.

CONSTITUTION, DIATHESIS & CONSTITUTION, DIATHESIS & TEMPERAMENTTEMPERAMENT

Constitution is a broader term composed of Constitution is a broader term composed of the physical and mental spheres, while the physical and mental spheres, while Temperament can be considered as an Temperament can be considered as an important aspect of constitution, precisely important aspect of constitution, precisely denoting the “emotional climate”. denoting the “emotional climate”.

Diathesis: Diathesis: Natural Predisposition to Disease. Natural Predisposition to Disease. Combination of attributes in an individual Combination of attributes in an individual causing susceptibility to diseasecausing susceptibility to disease

CONSTITUTION

Mentals Physical

Temperament Generals(Mental Generals) (Craving, aversion,

thermals etc.)

Personality Diathesis (Rheumatic,Haemorrhagic,

Tubercular, Scrofulous, Lymphatic, Gouty, bilious etc.)

TOWARDS TOWARDS

COMPLETE COMPLETE

CURECURE

UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENT OF

DISEASEDISEASE

UNDERSTANDING MEDICINAL PORTRAITUNDERSTANDING MEDICINAL PORTRAIT

ESTABLISHING TOTALITY OF SYMPTOMSESTABLISHING TOTALITY OF SYMPTOMS

IN REPERTORISATIONIN REPERTORISATION

PRESCRIBING SIMILIMUMPRESCRIBING SIMILIMUM

DEVELOPMENT OF DISEASEDEVELOPMENT OF DISEASE

Dr. H. Roberts: Temperaments are to a very large extent Dr. H. Roberts: Temperaments are to a very large extent

physiological but besides the stature of the patient the physiological but besides the stature of the patient the

matter of temperaments implies at the same time mental matter of temperaments implies at the same time mental

and emotional tendencies in reaction to environment and and emotional tendencies in reaction to environment and

circumstance. circumstance.

Dr. J. H. Allen: ADr. J. H. Allen: As we study temperament closely we see s we study temperament closely we see

that peculiar temperament is predisposed to certain forms that peculiar temperament is predisposed to certain forms

of disease. In this we see a fixed law or principle involved.of disease. In this we see a fixed law or principle involved.

SANGUINE: (Liver) Febrile inflammations, SANGUINE: (Liver) Febrile inflammations, Diarrhea, Tachycardia, Lassitude.Diarrhea, Tachycardia, Lassitude.

CHOLERIC: (Gall bladder) Insomnia, CHOLERIC: (Gall bladder) Insomnia, Burning at cardia, Hyper-esthetic.Burning at cardia, Hyper-esthetic.

MELANCHOLIC: (Spleen) Insomnia, MELANCHOLIC: (Spleen) Insomnia, DepressiveDepressive

PHLEGMATIC: (Brain/Lungs) Rheumatism, PHLEGMATIC: (Brain/Lungs) Rheumatism, Constipation, Sleepiness, AnaestheticConstipation, Sleepiness, Anaesthetic

MEDICINAL PORTRAITSMEDICINAL PORTRAITS SANGUINE: SANGUINE: Phosphorus, PlatinaPhosphorus, Platina

CHOLERIC: CHOLERIC: Lachesis, BryoniaLachesis, Bryonia

MELANCHOLIC: Murex, MELANCHOLIC: Murex,

PHLEGMATIC: PHLEGMATIC: Pulsatilla, CapsicumPulsatilla, Capsicum

NERVOUS: NERVOUS: Ignatia, Nux-moscIgnatia, Nux-mosc

BILIOUS: Nux-vom, PodoBILIOUS: Nux-vom, Podo

LYMPHATIC: LYMPHATIC: Baptisia, Hepar-sBaptisia, Hepar-s

CONSTRUCTING TOTALITYCONSTRUCTING TOTALITY

Hahnemann’s Hahnemann’s GemuethszustandGemuethszustand

Boenninghausen’s Boenninghausen’s Quis: Quis: As a matter of course the As a matter of course the

personality, the individuality of the patient must personality, the individuality of the patient must

stand at the head of the image of the disease, for stand at the head of the image of the disease, for

the natural disposition rests on it.the natural disposition rests on it.

To this belongs first of all the sex and the age; To this belongs first of all the sex and the age; then the bodily constitution and the temperamentthen the bodily constitution and the temperament

IN REPERTORISINGIN REPERTORISING

Dr. AllenDr. Allen in his Keynotes under the title in his Keynotes under the title ““Adapted toAdapted to” included rubrics ” included rubrics temperaments, miasmatic tendencies, temperaments, miasmatic tendencies, diathetic constitutions and symptoms. diathetic constitutions and symptoms. These are all constitutional general rubrics These are all constitutional general rubrics

Dr. C.M. BogerDr. C.M. Boger considered that assessment considered that assessment of temperaments is of highest priority in of temperaments is of highest priority in the choice of similimumthe choice of similimum

Dr. JahrDr. Jahr did the pioneering work of including references of did the pioneering work of including references of temperament in his temperament in his Comparative Materia MedicaComparative Materia Medica. He included the . He included the lymphatic, phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine, nervous and melancholic lymphatic, phlegmatic, choleric, sanguine, nervous and melancholic temperaments. temperaments.

Dr. Constantine HeringDr. Constantine Hering in his in his Analytical Repertory of Mind Analytical Repertory of Mind gave a gave a separate section of temperaments. The choice of rubrics was confusing, separate section of temperaments. The choice of rubrics was confusing, mixed form of temperaments (sanguine-choleric, melancholic-nervous) mixed form of temperaments (sanguine-choleric, melancholic-nervous) was used and the number of medicines for each rubric was limited. was used and the number of medicines for each rubric was limited.

Dr. Calvin KnerrDr. Calvin Knerr in his repertory, in his repertory, The Repertory to Hering’s Guiding The Repertory to Hering’s Guiding SymptomsSymptoms gave the Rubric gave the Rubric Temperament Temperament wherein he increased the wherein he increased the number of medicines and the choice of rubrics was precise.number of medicines and the choice of rubrics was precise.

Rubrics related to temperament are found throughout the mental Rubrics related to temperament are found throughout the mental sections of most homoeopathic repertories. sections of most homoeopathic repertories. but they could not provide but they could not provide due recognition to the subject.due recognition to the subject.

TEMPERAMENTS IN TEMPERAMENTS IN REPERTORYREPERTORY

Mind Complete Repertory

Constitution Murphy’s Repertory

Repertory of Temperaments Clinical Repertory/ Clarke

Mind and Disposition Lippe’s Repertory

Chapter Stages of Life and Constitution,

Knerr’s Repertory

Stages of life: Constitution and Temperaments

Analytical Repertory/ C. Hering

Comparative Materia Medica/ Jahr, Gross

ChapterBook/ Author

The Complete Repertory by The Complete Repertory by Roger van ZandvoortRoger van Zandvoort includes the rubric includes the rubric

“Temperaments” under the Mind section. “Temperaments” under the Mind section. It gives the subrubrics for 7 It gives the subrubrics for 7

distinct temperaments, including those mentioned in ancient literatures along distinct temperaments, including those mentioned in ancient literatures along

with their medicines.with their medicines.

It includes the subrubrics It includes the subrubrics

Bilious - 27 drugs, Bilious - 27 drugs,

Choleric - 24 drugs, Choleric - 24 drugs,

Melancholic (hypochondriasis) - 136 drugs, Melancholic (hypochondriasis) - 136 drugs,

Mild (mildness) - 85 drugs, Mild (mildness) - 85 drugs,

Nervous (restlessness), Nervous (restlessness),

Phlegmatic (with leucophlegmatic as sub-subrubric) - 72 drugs and Phlegmatic (with leucophlegmatic as sub-subrubric) - 72 drugs and

Sanguine-20 drugs. Sanguine-20 drugs.

It is the only recent repertory which contains a detailed reference to the It is the only recent repertory which contains a detailed reference to the

rubric “Temperament”. rubric “Temperament”.

PRESCRIBING ON PRESCRIBING ON TEMPERAMENTTEMPERAMENT

The morbific influences that are attracted to The morbific influences that are attracted to temperamental tendencies are amenable to treatment temperamental tendencies are amenable to treatment and can be removed by the homoeopathic remedyand can be removed by the homoeopathic remedy

Prescribing on types, or temperaments, is at best a slack Prescribing on types, or temperaments, is at best a slack method of using the blessings of homeopathy. It is really method of using the blessings of homeopathy. It is really key-note prescribing, and then not on any morbific key-note prescribing, and then not on any morbific symptoms, but on a general stature that is present from symptoms, but on a general stature that is present from birth.birth.

Dr. H. RobertsDr. H. Roberts

POTENCY SELECTIONPOTENCY SELECTION

The Higher potencies are best adapted to sensitive persons The Higher potencies are best adapted to sensitive persons

of the Nervous, Sanguine or Choleric temperament; to of the Nervous, Sanguine or Choleric temperament; to

intelligent, intellectual persons, quick to act and react; to intelligent, intellectual persons, quick to act and react; to

zealous and impulsive persons. zealous and impulsive persons.

Lower potencies and larger and more frequent doses Lower potencies and larger and more frequent doses

correspond better to torpid and Phlegmatic individuals, correspond better to torpid and Phlegmatic individuals,

dull of comprehension and slow to act; to coarse fibered, dull of comprehension and slow to act; to coarse fibered,

sluggish individuals of gross habits. sluggish individuals of gross habits.

Dr. Stuart CloseDr. Stuart Close

MEDICINE RESPONSEMEDICINE RESPONSE

Sanguine: Quick, Short lived. Sanguine: Quick, Short lived.

Choleric: Quick, Short but Sustained.Choleric: Quick, Short but Sustained.

Melancholic: Long and Sustained.Melancholic: Long and Sustained.

Phlegmatic: Delayed and Short lived Phlegmatic: Delayed and Short lived

OPPOSITIONOPPOSITION

““Temperaments are not caused by provings and are Temperaments are not caused by provings and are

not changed in any manner by our remedies, however not changed in any manner by our remedies, however

well indicated by symptoms found in persons of marked well indicated by symptoms found in persons of marked

temperamental make up”temperamental make up”

Dr. J. T. KentDr. J. T. Kent

Yet, the Unanimous belief was that being the Yet, the Unanimous belief was that being the

Chief Characteristic of an Individual, Chief Characteristic of an Individual,

assessment of Temperaments is of highest assessment of Temperaments is of highest

priority in the choice of Similimum.priority in the choice of Similimum.

It is this concept which helps in forming the It is this concept which helps in forming the

totality of individual, henceforth helping in totality of individual, henceforth helping in

establishing Complete Cure.establishing Complete Cure.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

The Knowledge of Temperaments is vital for:The Knowledge of Temperaments is vital for: Understanding Patient and Medicine Understanding Patient and Medicine

portraitportrait Constructing Totality Constructing Totality Selecting SimilimumSelecting Similimum Deciding Course of ActionDeciding Course of Action Establishing Complete CureEstablishing Complete Cure

The Homoeopath is expected to be The Homoeopath is expected to be

Phlegmatic in receiving the case, Sanguine Phlegmatic in receiving the case, Sanguine

in his approach to the patient, Melancholic in his approach to the patient, Melancholic

in analyzing it, Choleric in the final in analyzing it, Choleric in the final

prescription and at no stage is he expected to prescription and at no stage is he expected to

be Nervous.be Nervous.

Dr. P. HumranwalaDr. P. Humranwala