A characteristic totality is a distinct pattern of information. It is the symptoms and order of symptoms that help point to a remedy. In self limiting diseases they are generally the rare and peculiar symptoms (keynotes),combinations of symptoms, or modalities such as time of day, aggravations, ameliorations and order of expressions. These help to distinguish the variable remedy that must restore balance. In protracted diseases, because they are not as intense and can be hidden, many common symptoms or all the possible tonic symptoms that can point to a chronic disease or miasm are integrated. Even the smallest detail can be helpful. The common alterations that are of little value in pathic diseases are noted in order to find a specific tonic remedy.