Allen's Keynotes and Characteristics - with Comparisons of Some of the Leading Remedies of the Materia Medica with Bowel Nosodes

What applied to the former editions applies to this. The fact that a tenth edition is demanded is convincing proof that Dr. Allen left an indestructible monument of homeopathic materia medica, one that is true to Homeopathy and immensely helpful to every physician who consults it.

Why is there a need to study Allen`s Keynote book? - Studying keynote symptoms not only conveys the “fundamental or central idea” of the drug but also helps in making quick, confident, effective and most practical prescriptions. This book will assist students to understand and apply Materia Medica efficiently. The book aims to present enough of the outline and the leading characteristics of the drugs which will guide the students in the proper direction of the remedy while prescribing for the sick. The life-work of the student of the homoeopathic materia medica is one of constant comparison and differentiation and to be able to do so, the students and practitioners must have knowledge of the individuality of the remedy; something that is peculiar, uncommon or characteristic; this book provides all. It is a very basic and useful material medica handbook to excel in various competitive exams.

Interesting Fact- Allen’s keynotes book is entirely based on Hering`s Guiding Symptoms. For each drug, Allen selected some of the symptoms from "Guiding Symptoms'' according to his sense of priority and his own personal experience. The remedy relationships in Allen's "Keynotes' ' are also based entirely on Hering's Guiding symptoms.

The term `keynote` was coined by Dr. Guernsey.

The real “Keynote system” is strictly Hahnemannian.                               

Also, section on the indications of Bowel nosodes medicines by John Paterson are mentioned at the end of the book.