The basic sensation in a mineral state has to do with structure...[it] is fundamental and vital.

A mineral patient feels something lacking in him or something will be lost from him, that in his structure there is something missing, or it is complete and something is ... going to be lost. A mineral person thus sees a problem 'within' himself; either a lack or a fear of loss of something within. For example, 'I may lose my voice'; this would be a typical mineral complaint. Or 'I may be paralysed' or 'My back is very weak. I need support on my back': these are typical mineral expressions. Everywhere in the case the problem has to be the same:'I lack or I will lose.' So the problem is 'within' me - this is mineral.

And this is known only when you reach the core of the case.

Minerals also have the theme of ... how developed or undeveloped they are. The development of matter through the various rows and columns [of the periodic table] mimics the development of a human being. Persons needing mineral remedies feel stuck in a particular stage of development.