Tomorrow is my Homoeopathic Pharmacy viva would you plz help me
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Homoeopathic Pharmacy BHMS viva questions important topics potentisation pharmacopoeia
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1st BHMS Homoeopathic Pharmacy viva questions potentisation vehicles pharmacopoeia drug sources
Great, 1st BHMS! Here is a complete viva preparation guide covering all the key topics your examiner is most likely to ask. Study this well tonight!
🎓 1st BHMS Homoeopathic Pharmacy - Viva Preparation Guide
1. PHARMACOPOEIA
Q: What is a Pharmacopoeia?
A book of standards for medicines - it contains descriptions, methods of preparation, and quality standards for drugs.
Q: What is the first Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia?
- The first Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the USA (HPUS) was published in 1897 by the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
Q: What is HPI?
- Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India (HPI) - published by the Govt. of India.
- First volume published in 1971.
- Currently has 8 volumes.
- Source books of HPI: Materia Medica Pura, Chronic Diseases, TF Allen's Encyclopedia, Hering's Guiding Symptoms.
Q: What is the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP)?
- Published in Germany; used as a reference for European standards.
2. SOURCES OF HOMOEOPATHIC DRUGS
| Source | Examples |
|---|---|
| Vegetable Kingdom | Aconite, Belladonna, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, Allium Cepa |
| Animal Kingdom | Apis Mel (honeybee), Lachesis (viper venom), Sepia (cuttlefish ink), Cantharis (Spanish fly) |
| Mineral Kingdom | Sulphur, Natrum Mur (NaCl), Aurum Met (Gold), Calcarea Carb |
| Nosodes (diseased products) | Tuberculinum, Psorinum, Medorrhinum, Syphilinum |
| Sarcodes (healthy secretions) | Thyroidinum, Adrenalin, Insulinum |
| Imponderabilia | X-ray, Sol (sunlight), Luna (moonlight), Magnetis |
Q: What are Nosodes?
Medicines prepared from diseased products - either from a patient or from cultures of disease-causing organisms.
- From plant diseased products: Secale Cor, Ustilago (smut of corn)
Q: What are Sarcodes?
Medicines prepared from healthy animal secretions/organs (e.g., glands, hormones).
3. MOTHER TINCTURE (Ø)
Q: What is a Mother Tincture?
The first preparation made from the crude drug in alcohol; it is the starting material for all potencies. Denoted by the symbol "Ø" (phi).
Q: What are the classes of Mother Tincture (OLD METHOD)?
| Class | Drug Type | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Juicy plants | Drug powder : Alcohol = 1:2 |
| Class II | Non-juicy plants | Drug powder : Alcohol = 1:10 |
| Class III | Dried plants | Drug powder : Alcohol = 1:10 |
| Class IV | Gummy/resinous plants | Drug powder : Alcohol = 1:10 |
Q: What are the two methods of MT preparation (NEW METHOD)?
- Maceration - soaking the drug in alcohol for a set period
- Percolation - alcohol is passed slowly through the drug material (gives faster, more uniform extraction)
Q: How is Mother Tincture preserved?
- In well-stoppered, dark/amber-coloured glass bottles
- Away from light, heat, moisture, and strong-smelling substances
- Label clearly with name, date, potency
4. POTENTISATION / DYNAMISATION
Q: What is Potentisation?
The process of preparing Homoeopathic medicines by serial dilution + succussion (for liquids) or serial dilution + trituration (for insoluble substances), which increases the therapeutic power while reducing crude drug quantity.
Q: What is Succussion?
Striking the vial sharply against a hard but elastic surface (like a leather-bound book) during liquid potency preparation.
Q: What is Trituration?
Grinding insoluble substances with Sugar of Milk (Saccharum Lactis / Lactose) in a mortar and pestle.
5. SCALES OF POTENCY
| Scale | Symbol | Ratio per step | Invented by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | x or D | 1:10 | Hering (USA) |
| Centesimal | c or CH | 1:100 | Hahnemann |
| 50 Millisimal (LM/Q) | LM or Q | 1:50,000 | Hahnemann (last scale, in 6th edition of Organon) |
Q: Explain Centesimal Scale preparation of 1c:
1 part of Ø + 99 parts of alcohol → succuss 10 times = 1c
1 part of 1c + 99 parts of alcohol → succuss = 2c ... and so on.
Q: What is Jumping Potency?
Skipping intermediate potencies during preparation (e.g., going from 30c directly to 200c without making 31c, 32c... step by step). It is not recommended as it may affect drug quality.
Q: What is the 50 Millisimal Scale?
Introduced in the 6th edition of Organon of Medicine.
- Dilution ratio: 1:50,000 per step
- Produces medicines that are gentler, rapid-acting, with fewer aggravations
- Administered in liquid form, taken daily
6. VEHICLES (Carriers)
Q: What is a Vehicle?
A substance used to carry/administer the Homoeopathic drug to the patient. It should be inert, non-reactive, and compatible.
Q: Classify Vehicles:
- Solid vehicles: Sugar of Milk (Saccharum Lactis), Cane Sugar (Sucrose - globules/tablets)
- Liquid vehicles: Rectified Spirit (90% alcohol), Distilled Water, Glycerine
- Semi-solid vehicles: Vaseline (petroleum jelly), Lanolin (for ointments)
Q: What is Sugar of Milk (Saccharum Lactis)?
- Lactose (milk sugar)
- Chemical formula: C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ · H₂O
- Used for trituration of insoluble drugs and as a solid vehicle
- 2 uses: carrier for trituration, base for globules/tablets
Q: What is Glycerine?
- Chemical formula: C₃H₈O₃, Molecular weight: 92
- Sweet, viscous liquid
- Used as a preservative, solvent, and vehicle in external preparations
Q: What is Distilled Water?
- Purified water from which all impurities are removed by distillation
- Used as a liquid vehicle, for dilutions, and for preparation of LM potencies
7. PHARMACEUTICAL INSTRUMENTS
| Instrument | Use |
|---|---|
| Mortar & Pestle (glass, porcelain, agate, iron) | Trituration of drugs |
| Hydrometer | Measures specific gravity of liquids (esp. alcohol strength) |
| Spatula (metal, porcelain) | Mixing, scraping; wooden spatulas are NOT used |
| Thermometer | Temperature measurement during preparation |
| Water Bath | Gentle, uniform heating without direct flame |
| Filter paper/Funnel | Filtration - separating solid from liquid |
| Percolator | Percolation method of MT preparation |
Q: How do you clean wooden instruments?
Wooden instruments are not used in Homoeopathic Pharmacy as they absorb drug substances and cannot be properly cleaned.
Q: How do you clean glass bottles?
- Wash with warm water + soap
- Rinse with dilute acid or alkali (as appropriate)
- Final rinse with distilled water
- Dry in a hot air oven
8. DRUG COLLECTION & STANDARDISATION
Q: When are flowers collected?
During dry weather, in the morning after dew has dried, when they are in full bloom.
Q: When are roots collected?
- Annuals and biennials: at the end of the growing season, before flowering
- Perennials: in autumn or spring, when the plant is dormant
Q: What is Standardisation?
Process of ensuring a drug meets defined standards of quality, purity, and strength.
Methods:
- Physical - colour, odour, taste, specific gravity
- Chemical - ash value, moisture content, extractive value
- Microscopic - microscopical evaluation of plant tissues
- Biological - bioassay (for potent drugs like Digitalis)
9. POSOLOGY
Q: What is Posology?
The science and study of drug doses - from Greek: posos (how much) + logos (study).
Q: What are the types of doses?
- Minimum dose - smallest amount producing a therapeutic effect
- Maximum dose - largest safe dose
- Lethal dose - dose causing death
- Prophylactic dose - dose used for prevention
- Therapeutic dose - dose used for treatment
Q: What are factors affecting selection of potency?
- Susceptibility of the patient
- Age (children and elderly - lower potencies)
- Vitality and strength
- Nature of disease (acute vs. chronic)
- Nature of the remedy (deep-acting vs. superficial)
- Organ sensitivity
10. PRESCRIPTION WRITING
Q: What is a Prescription?
A written order from a registered medical practitioner to a pharmacist for preparation and dispensing of medicine.
Q: What are the parts of a Prescription?
- Superscription - Name, age, address of patient; date; Rx symbol
- Inscription - Name and quantity of drug (main body)
- Subscription - Directions to the pharmacist (how to prepare)
- Signatura - Directions to the patient (how to take)
- Signature - Doctor's name, registration number, signature
11. PHARMACOGNOSY BASICS
Q: What is Pharmacognosy?
The branch of pharmacy dealing with the study of crude drugs from natural sources - their origin, identification, collection, and uses.
Q: What is Pharmacodynamics?
The study of the action/effects of drugs on the body (mechanism of drug action).
Q: What is the Doctrine of Signature?
The old belief that a plant's appearance (shape, colour) indicates its medicinal use - e.g., walnut (looks like a brain) → used for brain ailments. Hahnemann discarded this in favour of drug provings.
12. IMPORTANT SHORT-NOTE TOPICS
- Nosodes and their classification (according to HPI)
- Imponderabilia - medicines prepared from natural forces (Sol, Luna, X-ray, Magnet)
- Medication of globules - how sugar globules are medicated with potentized medicine
- Lotion preparation - external application in liquid form
- Ointment preparation - semi-solid external application (base: vaseline or lanolin)
- Sublimation - converting a solid directly to vapour without passing through liquid state (e.g., preparation of Sulphur)
- Decantation - gently pouring off liquid from sediment without disturbing it
- Polycrest remedy - a remedy with a wide range of action covering many symptoms (e.g., Sulphur, Natrum Mur, Lycopodium)
Quick-Recall Flash Facts
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Symbol for Mother Tincture | Ø (phi) |
| First Hom. Pharmacopoeia | HPUS, 1897 |
| First volume of HPI | 1971 |
| No. of HPI volumes | 8 |
| Ratio in Decimal scale | 1:10 |
| Ratio in Centesimal scale | 1:100 |
| Ratio in LM scale | 1:50,000 |
| LM scale introduced in | 6th edition of Organon |
| LM scale introduced by | Hahnemann |
| Decimal scale introduced by | Constantine Hering |
| Chemical formula of Glycerine | C₃H₈O₃ (MW = 92) |
| Sugar of milk formula | C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁·H₂O |
| Vehicle for trituration | Sugar of Milk |
| Process for liquid potency | Succussion |
| Process for insoluble drugs | Trituration |
Last-Night Tips
- Be confident with definitions - Pharmacopoeia, Potentisation, Vehicle, Nosode, Sarcode, Mother Tincture, Posology.
- Know your scales - Decimal (1:10), Centesimal (1:100), LM (1:50,000) and who introduced each.
- Drug sources - keep at least 2-3 examples ready for each kingdom.
- Classes of Mother Tincture (old method, Class I-IV) are very commonly asked.
- Parts of a prescription - superscription, inscription, subscription, signatura, signature.
- Stay calm, speak clearly, and if unsure - say what you know confidently!
Best of luck for your viva tomorrow! 🌿
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