A case well taken is a case half cured!

For successful homoeopathic treatment, case taking is the most important element. It is defined as an ability of the prescriber to obtain a complete and accurate history of their patients, personal and family; together with all the symptoms present in the case.

The symptoms of the case are divided into:

• Subjective Symptoms are recognizable only by the patient and present no external indications such as pain, itching or a feeling of chilliness etc.
•  Objective Symptoms can be detected by observer e.g. abdominal enlargement or dullness on percussion.

PURPOSE OF CASE TAKING

1. Framing The Totality of Symptoms

To bring out the symptoms of the patient in such a way, as to permit the comparison with the symptoms of the Materia Medica for the purpose of selecting Homoeopathic remedy.

2. To Perceive the True Picture

Understanding the mode of development of disease, chronological sequence with observed changes.

3. For Accurate Diagnosis

• A. Nosological Diagnosis : By a proper case taking we can able to separate the symptoms of the patient from the symptoms of the disease.
• B. Etiological diagnosis : If the cause is removed, effect go off by themselves. Proper case taking help to prescribe on aetiology, exciting, maintaining or precipitating cause of disease.
• C. Miasmatic Diagnosis : Helps to understand the fundamental causes of disease condition specially chronic & polymorphic manifestation.
• D. Personality Diagnosis : To understand the peculiar constitution, temperament & mental behavioural attitude.
• E. Therapeutic Diagnosis : Individualization from the totality of symptoms. 

4. To Check the Prognosis of the Case

After giving the medicine, it is easy to maintain the record of the symptoms which are disappeared or appeared during the course of the treatment. Thus helping in checking the prognosis of the case.

In homoeopathic case taking procedures, the importance is given to the symptoms which are characteristic to the patient .It is the collection of all the facts pertaining to the patient, their innermost fears, will and intellect with their likes and dislikes, all the aggravating and ameliorating factors which help the prescriber in reaching to the totality of the patient to individualise the case and thereby helping in finding the correct similimum.

Thus to select the right remedy for the individual in disease, case taking is the first step towards permanent cure.