Disease & the Vital Force · Vital Force Defined
Organon Aphorism §9
In the healthy condition of man, the spiritual vital force (autocracy), the dynamis that animates the material body (organism), rules with unbounded sway, and retains all the parts of the organism in admirable, harmonious, vital operation, as regards both sensations and functions, so that our indwelling, reason-gifted mind can freely employ this living, healthy instrument for the higher purpose of our existence.
Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, 6th edition (Boericke translation, public domain).
Explanation
The vital force — an immaterial, spirit-like energy — governs all physiological and psychological functions. In health, it maintains perfect harmony between body and mind.
Clinical Interpretation
Constitutional treatment aims to strengthen and harmonize the vital force. When the vital force is strong, the organism resists disease. Symptoms are merely the vital force's expression of its struggle.
Modern Context
Parallel to concepts of homeostasis, self-regulatory networks, and the psychoneuroimmunological axis in modern systems biology.
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