Saturday, January 16, 2010

The similarity

Homeopathy is based on the principle of similarity formalized by Hahnemann after only observing the effect of cinchona bark: malaria causes fever and cinchona bark quinine in large doses causes intoxication also accompanied fever, Hahnemann was assumed that it activated a defense mechanism against fever, whatever its cause.



It was during the generalization of his theory to other diseases that have caused adverse effects forced to lower doses practicing dilutions. To his great regret, the classical dilution, if it diminished the toxic effects, also erased the pharmacological effects. He discovered the method of stimulation, which, surprisingly, in his own words, preserved and altered the pharmacological effects of the substance.

The case of Oscillococcinum, Boiron Laboratories, is more complex. The drug was designed by Joseph Roberts on the principles of homeopathy, by stimulation of oscillocoques, microbe imaginary claimed that Roy discovered in various infections, particularly in cases of influenza. The existence of the oscillocoque has never been confirmed and the observations of Roy never been reproduced. Thus, Oscillococcinum is simply a preparation of filtered autolysate of liver and heart of Anas barbariae (Muscovy) invigorated the 200th K, for which there is no complete pathogenesis. Some homeopaths, Oscillococcinum is therefore generally not prescribed homeopathic way. Its manufacturing process is similar however to that of other homeopathic remedies and has generally, in countries where it is marketed, the official status of homeopathic medicine.