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The Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter April 2010 Flawed report misrepresents homeopathy The Faculty of Homeopathy, along with the British Homeopathic Association has responded in detail to the recommendations in the recently published House of Commons Science and Technology Report which calls for the withdrawal of NHS funding for homeopathy.

The two organisations are currently t d i

formalising a complaint to Parliament m h c S and have approached key MPs s i r including Secretary of State for Health h C / m

Andy Burnham (pictured). They will o c . o

argue that the Department of Health t o h

which is responding on behalf of p k c o

government should note that the t s i

:

Report was flawed and that there is o t o h

research evidence that demonstrates P homeopathy to be effective. The BHA and the Faculty will point opposite by restricting the investigation in the report, one of whom dissented out that it is unfair and undemocratic to the narrow remit of Randomised on the recommendations was Ian for the Science and Technology Controlled Trials. Stewart. In addition, of the three that Committee to put forward Cristal Sumner, chief executive of voted in favour one is long term recommendations that misrepresented Faculty of Homeopathy, said: “The detractor Evan Harris and another MP scientific evidence to the detriment committee did not entertain evidence was brought on to the committee in of homeopathy especially as Phil Wills, of effectiveness, which is actually what January after the hearings. chair of the committee, went on record patients care most about. Patient Sara Eames, President of the last year to say that the review was reported outcome studies from NHS Faculty of Homeopathy, said the not an investigation into whether hospitals have been positive towards Faculty and the British Homeopathic homeopathy worked or not. But in homeopathy. In a study of 6,500 Association would continue to fight to the recent report he did the exact patients at Bristol Homeopathic retain NHS funding of homeopathy and Hospital more than 70% recorded for funding for more research to be clinical improvement following conducted in this area of medical homeopathic treatment.” intervention. “I understand the NHS She added: “One might think from has to look at how it spends its the recommendations that everything resources. By treating the patients we in medicine has solid evidence besides see –with half a dozen conditions and homeopathy. However, according to list of investigations and drugs as long the British Medical Journal, only 40% as your arm – we probably save the of conventional treatments are NHS money.” evidence based and 12% are The European Committee for potentially harmful. In actuality Homeopathy concurred with the BHA homeopathy has a firmer base of and the Faculty that the conclusions evidence than other interventions and and the recommendations of the costs very little.” Science and Technology Committee IN THIS ISSUE: The BHA and Faculty will be also were completely unfounded and not News 1 -4 questioning the government on reflective of current EU or global Research update 6 whether it is fair for a minority of MPS practice. It said: “We fully endorse the International focus 8 -9 to make a decision that will impact the robust and comprehensive response by Case studies 10-15 health and welfare of thousands of the British Homeopathic Association.” Events 17 -19 patients. Only four out of 14 members For more log onto: of the Select Committee were involved www.facultyofhomeopathy.org •• editorial

We lead this issue on the House of Commons Science and Technology Report that calls for the withdrawal of NHS funding for homeopathy. smle

The scientific community’s continued services (including dental and optical) reliance on randomised clinical trials as are fully or partly funded by the patient. The Faculty of Homeopathy the gold standard for evidence-based Could this offer a way forward for Newsletter medicine (not only for complementary homeopathy? If one wants to upgrade medicine but also inappropriately for walking aids or spectacles, one certain interventions used in orthodox contributes. There is already a charge Editor: Steven Kayne medicine) is most unsatisfactory. The per item for homeopathic and other Assistant Editor: Keren Sall robust nature of the Faculty and BHA medicines supplied on prescription in response to the flawed conclusions is England and, for a little while longer, to be applauded. We provide guidance Scotland, although many people qualify Faculty of Homeopathy on how you can support the fight (see for exemption. I can already hear some Hahnemann House page 5). As might be expected there of you reaching for your keyboard to 29 Park Street West has been a flurry of media interest take issue with this suggestion! Our Luton LU1 3BE mostly negative – even the Royal letter pages await your contribution. Pharmaceutical Society got in on the And while you are in the writing mode, Tel: 01582 408680 act. However, I did catch sight of a we could do with some more case Fax: 01582 723032 more supportive article in Bella studies. magazine. I should make it clear that I thought the Faculty AGM was well Email: [email protected] this was a chance encounter in the attended this year. Colleagues seemed Web: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org dental surgery waiting room – I do not to like the venue. In the Richard read this publication on a regular basis. Hughes Memorial Lecture, ECH All the material in this publication is It is pleasing to see the research President Dr Ton Nicolai suggested that copyright and may not be reproduced successes (see page 3). The Veterinary homeopathy could profit by ‘jumping on without permission. The publishers do Record has published the Faculty the bandwagon of CAM and Integrative not necessarily identify with or hold findings of an equine data collection Medicine.’ and concluded that although themselves responsible for contributors’, correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions. study Encouraging results also from homeopathy was still scientifically Sao Paulo on the treatment of mild controversial, its future was ‘bright’ to moderate depression with (see report on pages 7 and 12). I am Design: Wildcat Design individualised LM (Q) potencies. sure that is true, although for a variety [email protected] As well as the positive therapeutic of reasons the situation here is rather Printing: Burlington Press, Cambridge outcome, the study illustrated the different to that in the rest of Europe. methodological feasibility of carrying There is no doubt in my mind that to out randomised controlled double-blind progress further the homeopathic trials of homeopathy in depression, community needs statutory recognition One of my second year under- and we should continue to work graduate students told me last week. towards this goal. homeopathy. Reading Valeri’s article ‘I don’t understand this opposition to The recently published WHO reminded me of attending a conference homeopathy. If patients say it helps document entitled ‘Safety issues in the in Moscow in the early 90s – my fellow them, why should it not be made preparation of homeopathic medicines’ presenters included Jacques available?’ I was at a bit of a loss to has been a long time in the making. Bennveniste who was still involved in answer a question that some of my Interestingly, WHO considers the major international controversy orthodox colleagues might consider homeopathy to be Traditional Medicine following publication of his paper in to be naïve and based on a lack of and has produced the document in Nature. This described the action of knowledge of the principles of social support of a resolution adopted in 2009. very high dilutions of anti-IgE antibody medicine. I found it refreshingly honest! This urged Member States to on the degranulation of human The student was relieved to hear that “formulate national policies, regulations basophils, findings that appeared to the debate was not about whether and standards, as part of provide a mechanism for homeopathy. homeopathy should be banned in the comprehensive national health On one memorable night he and I, UK, but about whether it should systems, to promote appropriate, safe together with some Russian male continue to be available under the and effective use of traditional colleagues, ended up in a sauna in the National Health Service. I have heard medicine”. This resolution would also middle of a forest drinking non- others express this misconception. seem to be relevant to the argument homeopathic amounts of vodka and I explained that in some areas it was about the availability of homeopathy whisky. It is probably advisable not to alive and kicking – in Scotland for under the UK NHS discussed above. pursue this account any further in order example, the Government has Our international feature focuses on to preserve any professional credibility reaffirmed its support for homeopathy. Russia (see pages 8 and 9). I was that I may still enjoy. There are potentially other models fascinated to learn that the for the supply of homeopathic services; disintegration of the Soviet Union Steven Kayne for example some existing NHS stimulated the development of [email protected]

2 •• news

A Congress like no other to unite us in challenging times Dutch homeopathy author Frans Vermuelen and American homeopath Linda Johnston will present a paper entitled “Plant families and their use to improve homeopathic prescribing”. The Congress will not just be an educational y r

a gathering, it is an ideal r b i L

opportunity for networking y t l

u and exchanging ideas with c a F

like-minded individuals. : o t

o On the Friday night h P delegates can punt on the The practice of homeopathy A study of the Dr Jeremy Swayne will river with mulled wine and has come under fierce Papavaraceae (poppy family) discuss how he believes the then take part in a University scrutiny in the past year as will be given by trio Drs Julie homeopathy community can Challenge Question quiz at never before and left some Geraghty, Jonathan Hardy earn greater interest and Homerton College. On the practitioners feeling under and Trevor Thompson. They respect from the medical and Saturday night there will siege and even a bit will illustrate how the miasm scientific community, and as be a Gala dinner followed despondent about the future. of the remedy influences its a result increased acceptance by music from the Emerald All is not lost and there is picture and the way in which of its therapeutic importance. Thieves Band. much to take pride in and be the patient experiences the Speakers from across To register please call the hopeful about. This year’s themes and sensations all disciplines will discuss Faculty of Homeopathy on Congress will be a focal point differently according to frontline experiences of +44 (0) 1582 408680, email for the community and will their miasmatic state. The homeopathy. Presentations [email protected] show that while homeopathy presentation will cover cases, will be given by Jane or download the form from faces unique challenges as well as other remedies Greenwood, Lee Kayne and the Faculty website www. there are equally great in the group. John Saxton. facultyofhomeopathy.org opportunities. Aptly entitled ‘Changing Perceptions: an integrative approach to serious illness’ WHO releases – Safety issues in the this year’s British Homeopathic Congress preparation of homeopathic medicines should not be missed. It takes place from 11-14 November in The World Health Organization from country to country. The the historic city of Cambridge. has just published “Safety document aims to provide Several distinguished issues in the preparation of guidance to Member States speakers are included in this homeopathic medicines”. on technical aspects of the year’s programme. The technical document production and manufacture They include Dr Raymond was produced as a response of homeopathic medicines Sevar, the dean of the Faculty, to requests and that potentially have who will present a case report recommendations made by implications for their safety. on Squamous carcinoma relevant World Health It states that this is of bronchus and how a 58 year Assembly resolutions, by relevance for establishing old female benefited from Member States, as well as national quality standards the integrative approach international conferences of and specifications for which incorporated drug regulatory authorities, homeopathic medicines, as homeopathy into the overall and is a part of the well as for controlling their treatment package. implementation of the WHO quality. The document does Dr David Reilly will Traditional Medicine Strategy not address issues of efficacy examine the gap between and the WHO Medicines or clinical utilization. 101 countries contributed those calling for evidence- Strategy. Financial support for the their input to the report, based care and those taking WHO states that development and publication including Steven Kayne. a more holistic and homeopathy is used of the document was provided The document can integrative approach. He worldwide, but that the by the Regional Government be downloaded from the will explore this topic and national regulatory of Lombardy. Around 400 WHO website. www.who.int/ ask what opportunities and framework and the place of reviewers from more than medicines/areas/traditional/ challenges this brings to the homeopathy within the 105 countries and national prephomeopathic/en/index. homeopathic community. health care system differ regulatory authorities in over html

3 •• news

Photography contest Fancy yourself a bit over £750 worth of prizes! of a photographer?

Do you like to take pictures of: Plants? People? Objects?

Would you like to win a prize for your talent and at the same time help us promote homeopathy? The Faculty, Society of Homeopaths and Nelsons are looking for digital photos for promotional use as we have a shortage of new and original photos for leaflets, magazines and other important promotional needs. Nelsons has kindly agreed to provide prizes for the best photos in three categories: • Patients and practitioners • Original remedy sources • The remedy making process (patients, practitioners, students, (animal, mineral, plant) (pills, bottles etc) the consultation room) THE PRIZES Overall prize: The overall prize is a £130 Nelsons Homeopathic Pharmacy voucher. Prizes for each category: 1st prize is an £80 Nelsons Homeopathic Pharmacy voucher, 2nd prize is a £50 Nelsons Homeopathic Pharmacy voucher and 3rd is a £30 Nelsons Homeopathic Pharmacy voucher Runners up: There are also six goody bags of health and beauty products, worth £26 , available for the runners up Please note that for regulatory reasons Nelsons are not able to redeem vouchers against medicinal products

The deadline for the contest will be 30 June 2010. If you would like to find out more, go to the members only part of the website today to get details and the entry form. Alternatively contact Lisa at [email protected]

Homeopathy may be equivalent to conventional medicine in childhood eczema A recent study has shown and disease-related costs. The adjusted mean SCORAD homeopathy to be effective in showed no significant differences between the groups at treating childhood eczema. both 6 months (homeopathy 22.4 vs. conventional 18.2; Using a comparative, non- p = 0.290) and 12 months (17.4 vs. 17.2; p = 0.974). randomised, multi-centre, study Adjusted costs were higher in the homeopathic than in design, it examined the effective- the conventional group: for the first 6 months 935 euros ness, safety and costs of homeo- vs. 514 euros (p = 0.026), and for 12 months 1,524 euros pathic versus conventional treat- vs. 721 euros (p = 0.001). ment of childhood eczema in usual Quality of life was not significantly different between care. 135 children (homeo pathy n the groups. The authors conclude, “homeopathic = 48 vs. conventional n = 87) with treatment was not superior to conventional treatment for mild to moderate atopic eczema children with mild to moderate atopic eczema ”. Nor was were included. homeopathy inferior to conventional medication. The primary outcome was the SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Reference: Dermatitis) at six months. Further outcomes at months Witt CM, Brinkhaus B, Pach D, et al. Homoeopathic versus and 12 months included quality of life of parents and conventional therapy for atopic eczema in children: medical and children, use of conventional medicine, treatment safety economic results. Dermatology 2009; 219 : 329–340.

4 •• comment

The fight goes on…

Accusing homeopathy professionals of deceiving their patients by prescribing homeopathic medicines is not a clever move especially when those professionals have spent years qualifying to provide conventional medical treatment, as well as homeopathy. Homepathy sceptics care little about this. What they are proposing is no more than a paternalistic approach to healthcare patients offering only one choice – conventional medicine. includes complementary or alternative is more than a placebo. This is what the recent report treatments such as homeopathy.” Finally it must be noted that Ian published by the Science and Media reports also omitted to Stewart’s call for an amendment not Technology Committee intends to do. mention none of the members of the to ratify the report as it stood but to It recommends that the government committee have any expertise or call upon government to fund a cease NHS funding of homeopathy understanding of homeopathy. It rigorous research programme into and that further research is not seemed blatantly to be biased against homeopathy was not passed. So the needed. Additionally it concludes that this branch of medicine. Evan Harris, report was ratified by just three MPs, the Medical and Healthcare despite being a medical doctor, seems Harris, Cawsey and Naysmith, as Regulatory Agency (MHRA) should no to have complete disregard for any Tim Boswell chose to abstain. longer license homeopathic medicine. evidence in favour of homeopathy. The report ignores large areas of Naturally, the report put homeopathy He has stridently campaigned against evidence which were mentioned in under the media spotlight. National homeopathy and continued to do so written submissions and oral evidence media – TV, radio and print all had even in the period between the such as systematic reviews and meta- something to say about the Science hearings and the publication of the analyses of randomised controlled and Technology Report. However, report. Graham Stringer is an analytic trials of homeopathy for specific while some coverage was balanced, chemist. Brian Iddon, professor of conditions and group of conditions, other reports inaccurately stated that chemistry, and Tim Boswell a farmer. as well as systematic reviews of a decision had already been made to It must also be pointed out that biological models of homeopathic cease NHS funding of homeopathy. the chair of the Science and responses. This in fact is not true. No decision Technology Committee was Phil With the general election on the has been taken by the government Willis, a former history teacher who, cards soon, now is the time for you to and in fact the Department of Health has gone as far as urging Primary Care get involved. said the Government welcomed the Trusts to abandon NHS funding of • Ask your MP to sign EDM 908. Just publication of the report and will give it, homeopathy and offering them help log onto the Faculty website to do and any recommendations made, full to do this. this in a few clicks. consideration over the coming weeks. Willis seemed to have forgotten • Invite patients to spread this A spokesman for the Department said: the pains he had gone to last year to message by talking to the media “we would reiterate that we during oral testimony to say that the about their case. appreciate the strength of feeling both evidence check was not to be an for and against the provision of investigation into whether homeopathy • Write to your MP or candidate homeopathy on the National Health worked or not. He has done precisely voicing your concern and asking for Service. Our view is that the local the opposite. He chaired a committee their position on this election issue. NHS and clinicians, rather than which restricted the investigation to • If you are a BMA member you can Whitehall, are best placed to make the narrowest of remits and bounded exert pressure to ensure that decisions on what treatment is to illogical conclusions, one of which homeopathy is portrayed fairly and appropriate for their patients – this is there is no evidence that homeopathy accurately within medicine. Media coverage Comparing numbers • Charlotte Mendes de Costa appeared on Sky News and • Annual NHS budget – £100 billion was also filmed with homeopathy sceptic David • Annual bill for homeopathy – approximately Colquhoun on BBC News 24. £4 million • Sara Eames featured on all TV channels. • Annual bill for management consultants – £300 million • Brian Kaplan appeared on Radio Live 5 and Sky Evening News . • Annual bill for NHS drugs – £11 billion • Annual bill for inpatients with adverse reactions • Cristal Sumner was on Three Counties Radio and to drugs – £446 million quoted in the broad sheets. Reference: www.britishhomeopathic.org

5 •• news

•• research update Homeopathy as effective as Prozac in treatment of depression P h

A study by the University of o (homeopathy-fluoxetine) t o : Sao Paulo has shown that were 3.04 (95% CI -6.95, g e t t

homeopathy is as effective y 0.86) and -2.4 (95% CI -6.05, i m

as fluoxetine in treating a 0.77) at the 4th and 8th g e

sufferers of moderate to s week respectively. There . c o

severe depression. m were no significant The Brazilian research differences between the project investigated the non- side effects rates, although inferiority and tolerability of a higher percentage of individualised homeopathic patients treated with medicines (Q-potencies) in fluoxetine reported acute depression, using troublesome side effects. fluoxetine as active control. This study indicates that 91 outpatients with individualised homeopathic moderate to severe Q-potencies are not inferior to depression were assigned fluoxetine in acute treatment to receive an individualised of outpatients with moderate homeopathic medicine or to severe depression. fluoxetine 20 mg per day in a randomised, double-blind, Reference: single-centre trial. Adler UC, Paiva NM, Cesar AT, The primary efficacy MADRS scores differences because the upper limit of et al . Homeopathic individualized measure was the analysis were not significant at the the confidence interval (CI) Q-potencies versus fluoxetine for of the mean change in the 4th and 8th weeks of for mean difference in moderate to severe depression: double-blind, randomized non- Montgomery & Asberg treatment. MADRS change was less inferiority trial. Evid Based Depression Rating Scale Non-inferiority of than the non-inferiority Complement Alternat Med 2009; (MADRS) scores. Mean homeopathy was indicated margin: mean differences Aug 17 [Epub ahead of print].

Faculty research Review concludes homeopathy for fibromyalgia “remains unproven”

Clinical data collection in homeopathic This paper by Exeter University unproven”. In the text of veterinary medicine published is a critical evaluation of review, the authors The Faculty findings of published randomised questioned the biological equine data collection study controlled trials (RCTs) of plausibility of homeopathy were published on 20 homeopathy as a treatment and thus, by extension, the February in The Veterinary for fibromyalgia. implications of associated Record . It is the second time The literature search research evidence that is in less than 12 months that identified 4 RCTs, which positive. the Faculty has succeeded included 2 feasibility studies. Nevertheless, they also in publishing its work in this Three studies were placebo- commended the research prestigious veterinary controlled; the fourth study methods of one of the RCTs, journal. A paper reporting compared the homeopathic which found an important the data from cats and dogs package of care with usual difference in EEG patterns in Photo: photos.com has been submitted to a care. Invariably, the RCT patients who received a different journal, and the Faculty is currently awaiting the results suggested that homeopathic remedy assessments of the peer-reviewers. homeopathy was better than compared with those who the control intervention in received a placebo pill. The Clinical data collection in homeopathic alleviating the symptoms need for more work in this podiatry and dentistry of fibromyalgia. area is obvious. None of the RCTs was The Faculty is continuing the analysis and interpretation found to be without serious of results from the data collection survey in periodontal flaws, and so the review Reference: homeopathy. The ongoing project in homeopathic concluded, “the effectiveness Perry R, Terry R, Ernst E. A systematic review of homoeopathy podiatry remains on schedule for completion at the end of homoepathy as a for the treatment of fibromyalgia. of June this year. symptomatic treatment for Clin Rheumatol 2010; Jan 23 fibromyalgia remains [Epub ahead of print].

6 ••••ecanvseenw tsss tudies

REPORT: The Richard Hughes Memorial Lecture: Is there a future for Homeopathy?

Dr Ton Nicolai, President of the European Committee for Homeopathy

It was an inspired choice to ask Dr Ton processes to suppress disease costs and too much emphasis on Nicolai to give this year’s AGM lecture. symptoms. This was very successful in science and technology while As the president of the European short term acute diseases. Potentially devaluating the doctor patient Committee for Homeopathy he has an harmful long term effects of these encounter. There is a growing international perspective and offered a therapies on the individual were largely awareness that this is not sustainable surprisingly optimistic outlook in his ignored. The WHO recognises and more emphasis needs to go to talk provocatively titled: Is there a “medicine morbidity” as one of the prevention. The focus needs to shift to future for Homeopathy? major health problems. Up to 200,000 better understand why some people There have been two dominant Europeans die of drug adverse effects are more resilient and suffer less in traditions in western medical history in hospitals every year. More and more spite of all the endemic pathogens.

since Hippocrates: The Empirical P h o t

School that relies on accumulated o :

R

experience of empirical physicians o g e

while the Rationalist School uses r

N e

formal logic and analysis as a source v i l l e

of knowledge. S m i t h The two schools Empiricists see the organism as an adaptable, flexible, living system in a dynamic equilibrium; disease as disturbed life process with a failure in the individual’s natural restorative power and causes of disease as multiple, interacting causes, conditions and correspondences. The holistic understanding of the individual is essential to suggest therapies which promote health and resilience. Faculty members discuss the day’s proceedings at the AGM reception at the Royal College of Physicians Rationalists separate the mind from a body which is a complex machine prescription drugs are withdrawn from Aaron Antonovsky coined the term that functions as a result of the market because of adverse effects. “salutogenesis” and focused on physiological laws. Disease is like a While antibiotic resistance is rising, people’s resources and capacity to generic entity, extraneous to the pharmaceutical companies lose interest create health. This concept is physiology of the organism and needs to a rather small, specialised and increasingly gaining a more central to be defeated; the individual as a therefore unprofitable antibiotic market; position in public health. whole is largely ignored. the rising awareness of the limitations Complexity science, system biology Rationalists like Robert Koch and of drug therapy and its potential long and psychoneuro-immunology are Louise Pasteur put the emphasis on term harmful effects have driven up emerging more holistic trends in eradication of disease causing micro- the development costs to astronomical science which seem better equipped to organisms. Empiricists like Claude levels. The hype for human gene understand chronic diseases. Bernard saw disease only taking hold therapy has cost billions of research The soaring popularity of Comple- if the terrain is ready to receive it. dollars without any significant mentary and Alternative Medicine Max Josef von Pettenkofer drank a therapeutic development so far. (CAM) is a historically specific and large amount of a culture from a fatal unprecedented social phenomenon! case of cholera without falling ill to Chronic diseases on the up Professor David Eisenberg’s two US prove this point. The prevalence of chronic diseases has surveys exposed a very significant use doubled between 1985 and 2005 while of CAM by the public which shocked Dominant rationalism view the proportion of patients with four or the medical community and The dominant rationalistic view has more chronic diseases increased by government agencies. It concluded that produced an arsenal of drugs which are 300% in this period! The Rationalistic federal agencies, private corporations, largely eradicating alien pathogenic view seems poorly equipped to deal foundations, and academic institutions bacteria and other microbes or with these challenges. The healthcare should adopt a more proactive posture interfering with pathophysiological system is dysfunctional with spiraling concerning CAM in 1998! In Europe up

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 >

7 •• news

•• international focus: RUSSIA

•• P h o t o :

i s t o c k p h o t o . c o m / G u n a y

M u t l u

Homeopathy in Russia – yesterday, today, tomorrow…

Valeri Dmitriev, director general of Homeopathic Medicine International Teaching Centre in Moscow, gives a short retrospective view of classical homeopathy in Russia

In the last 10-15 years we have seen surprised. The thing is that in contrast old! It started at the beginning of the the growth of interest in homeopathy to homeopathy, acupuncture and 90s rather rapidly. Many training and complementary medicine all over manual therapy have been used in our courses in homeopathy sprang up; a the world. This pattern has also been country for a rather long time and homeopathic pharmacy opened and observed in Russia. Public opinion polls tens of thousands of specialists have attacks on homeopathy from the in 2004 in the four big cities of the beened trained. The situation with medical establishment stopped. In country (Moscow, St. Petersburg, homeopathy is quite different. 1995 a special order was issued by the Nizhni Novgorod and Rostov-on-the Homeopathy has been known in Ministry of Health that gave Don) showed that about half of the Russia for a long time – about two homeopathy rights comparable with interviewees believe in the centuries. It always had its followers the official medicine. Doctors who effectiveness of homeopathy. Around among doctors and patients in spite of graduated from the therapeutic, 46% of the interviewees said they the pressure from the authorities and paediatric or stomatological believed in the therapeutic effect of accusations of it being an alien ideology departments of medical schools were acupuncture, 45.6% – of manual and unscientific. The Homeopathic allowed to practice homeopathy after therapy and 43.6% – of homeopathy. Centre has been working in Moscow having taken the basic training courses Reasons for the growing popularity for several decades now and in homeopathy (216 hours of training) of alternative therapeutic methods in homeopathy is widely used in the Ukraine and having got the standard state our country are the same as the world thanks to the efforts of Demijan Popov. certificate. Such doctors gained the over. These include availability, right to license their practice as effectiveness, cheapness, as well as Homeopathy takes off homeopathic doctors after they had the safety record of complementary The disintegration of the Soviet Union submitted to the License Commission medicine. When some years ago stimulated the development of their certificate of a specialist in their I familiarised myself with the given homeopathy. So the new history of main medical specialty (therapy, results of the poll I was very much homeopathy in Russia is only 20 years surgery, neurology, etc.). It was a great

8 •• cnaeswes studies

stride toward the legitimation of the It was clear that we had to begin Rieberer, and Geraghty. Each seminar homeopathic method after many years with publishing work. In the last 15 years contributed much to our knowledge of its half- legal existence when it was we translated and published books by and made us feel more and more neither forbidden nor allowed. classical authors such as Hahnemann, convinced in choosing homeopathy. But the permission to license Kent, E B Nash, Lippe, Boerike, Tyler, Some years after beginning the homeopathic practice did not mean Clarke, as well as works by modern educational process it became clear appearance of homeopathy on the list homeopaths – Vithoulkas, Vermeulen, what we had to make our programme of medical specialties. That is a doctor Bailey and Bentley, Vijayakar, and others. more informative and widely available. who got training in homeopathy can The catalogue of our publishing company Now we are working on modules for practice in the field of his medical includes about 100 books now. distant learning which Dr Russell specialty and use homeopathic Malcolm is helping to develop. remedies in his clinic work. It is better Faculty help We have to mention one other than nothing but the lack of specialty It was at the beginning of our activities important Russian education “homeopathy” closed access to its that we thought about solving our other programme – it is the Branch of the learning in medical schools and its key problem which was arranging International Academy of Homeopathy wide use in practice. In the 90s the educational work. In 2001 we made created by George Vithoulkas. Well- solution to this problem was not in contact with the London Faculty of qualified teachers who were once homeopathy’s favour but in 2006 the Homeopathy and concluded an Vithoulkas’s students are helping to Ministry of Health asked the Federal Agreement with it to arrange a series make this programme a success. Centre of traditional methods of of lectures in Russia by its teachers. In spite of the progress of Russian diagnostics and treatment to arrange a The ex-president of the Faculty Dr Bob homeopathy in the last ten years we working group to prepare Leckridge did a great job developing a still have many unresolved problems. substantiation to include “traditional PHCE syllabus and also a block of medicine” (with homeopathy as a part accessory materials for us. Since the The main ones are as follows: of it) in the list of medical specialties. syllabus included also part of the MFHom • The 216 legal hours required for We all were happy but on 27 course it turned to be of interest not studying homeopathy are not enough. December last year this Centre was only to the beginners, but also to We need longer lasting programmes. broken up! Russian homeopathic advanced homeopaths. The work was • We have plenty of home-bred, community is deep in thought now – methodically adjusted and focused on primitive programmes whose ideas what can it mean? main things. He along with Dr Anton often do not reflect the basic van Rhijn and Dr Jon Allan provided us principles of homeopathy. Education with our first series of lectures. • In some programmes of classic Despite the fact that interest in We used our first intake not only to homeopathy a great emphasis is homeopathy in Russia has never abated teach students, but also to train our given to Sankaran’s concepts so the in the last 200 years we can’t declare own teachers. In year four our teachers students may never learn adequately the existence of a single homeopathic were successful in sitting the MFHom the core principles of homeopathy. school in the country now. The first exam. This main programme is still • The tuition of some courses of “classic serious books on homeopathy of both being realised in Moscow; we are homeopathy” is devoted only to the foreign and native authors came to the enrolling students for the 9th intake learning of composite remedies. Russian market only in 1994. It took now. We are also arranging a series of • We still don’t have a system of time to translate these into Russian. lectures in the three big Russian cities qualification levels. The length of We can’t have school without books, of Cheljabinsk, Ekaterinburg and work in homeopathy is an indirect methodology of training and qualified Novosibirsk). index and it often does not relate to specialist who can teach young people. We arranged about 40 International the level of a doctor’s knowledge. We had been isolated from the world seminars in recent years. Many of us of homeopathy for 70 years so we have fond memories of excellent The history of development of started from nothing! seminars given by Drs Sevar, Malcolm, homeopathy in Russia does not look P

h very optimistic, but we don’t want to o t o

: be overly pessimistic as we have

V a l

e managed to take the first steps on the r i

D way to method development without m r i t any government support. Our task is to i e v join the efforts of the homeopathic community and solve our problems. Only in such a way can we meet the future of Russian homeopathy.

Valeri Dmitriev is the director general of Homeopathic Medicine publishing company and International Teaching Centre of classical homeopathy in Moscow.

9 •• case studies Measuring success

Jane Greenwood looks at a podiatry intervention with surprising results

This case report presents an outcome the most beneficial option was to which at first glance to the healthcare complete a full homeopathic professional appears unfavourable, consultation to elicit a constitutional however to the patient who initiated homeopathic remedy, alongside the the intervention it demonstrates a topical use of Marigold Therapy. favourable outcome. It offers an interesting topic of discussion around Treatment plan measuring the success of an • Patient pre homeopathic consultation intervention especially when research diary. often expresses the need to identify an • Full homeopathic consultation, individual remedy to treat a particular including video. condition. • Digital images of the VPs. • Consent for publication of case Background history. A 27 year old female healthcare • Outcomes tool – Measure Yourself professional was referred by a podiatry Medical Outcomes Profile (MYMOP). 1 colleague for homeopathic treatment of • Filing the lesions with an emery stubborn, painful verrucae (VPs) on board, followed by the application of both feet. This referral followed an tincture and oil from the anti-viral adverse reaction to salicylic acid range of Marigold Therapy products. previously used. However, the main • Return follow-up visits approx. 2-3 reason for pursuing this particular months, to a maximum of 12 months. treatment was that the patient ‘just wanted rid of the verrucae’ as one was Observation extremely painful when applying the The patient was very loquacious, with a foot to the accelerator pedal whilst happy, bright demeanour. She had red driving, plus she had heard that hair, with pale skin and freckles. homeopathy was a safe, and effective treatment for VPs. Some of patients’ narrative; and fear. She enjoyed close contact ‘The verruca is very painful when I’m with family, and loved interaction with Initial consultation driving, I have to take the car out of patients at work, and seeing them The medical history revealed gear to prevent the pushing pain, and it improve. There was a mention of hypotension, irritable bowel syndrome feels like it’s too big for my shoe. My feeling fat and wanting to diet. (IBS), occasional hay fever symptoms, IBS is worse when I’m stressed, after and dry eyes. Circulatory, neurological, alcohol, time of the month, and after Initial MYMOP2 scores and musculoskeletal assessments of processed foods. The only way I can Symptom 1 ‘verruca on big toe’ 4 the foot and lower limb were fall asleep is with a DVD. I hate the Symptom 2 ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome uneventful. Dermatological enquires cold and the heat, and when it’s breezy. (IBS)’ 3 revealed a pigmented macular, papular I love chicken, fizzy drinks and will Activity ‘Badminton’ 4 area on the left upper arm. A skin tag crunch ice cubes. I have lots of friends. Wellbeing 3 was awaiting removal from the left I love fireworks, things make me jump. Had symptom 1 for ‘1 – 5 years’ upper eyelid. On the left lower leg a I’ve had ‘out of body’ spells. I am Medication for problem ‘no’ and ‘very dermatofibroma was apparent. The VPs generally better at night, and find it important to avoid taking medication’ were situated on the plantar metatarsal difficult getting up in the morning.’ area of both feet; with a large solitary Remedy prescribed myrmecia type sited on the plantar Patients Diary 200C Phosphorus split single dose, aspect of the left great toe. Her diary revealed stress at work, taken over 12 hours. Treatment options were discussed sadness about the loss of a 15ml spray bottle tincture anti-viral and in consultation it was agreed that grandparent, elements of excitement Marigold Therapy tincture

10 •• case studies P h

o Activity ‘Swimming/badminton’ (patient t o :

i reported unable to attend either due to s t o

c bad weather) k p h

o Wellbeing 1 t o . c o m

/ A joint decision was made to discharge e f e

n the patient at this point. z i Conclusion This case is a useful discussion point around measuring success for healthcare interventions. If you asked the healthcare professional was the intervention successful; then as far as the resolution of the VPs go, no it wasn’t. If you asked the patient; then as there was a marked improvement of the chosen symptoms, yes it was. Albeit, the full treatment plan timing was cut short. The point had been reached whereby the patient was happy to move on. Therein lays the problem with trying to fit this particular approach into the conventional system. Trying to make it fit the formula; remedy x for situation y results in outcome z. Maybe, if a more local, symptomatic remedy had been chosen, or indeed polypharmacy had been used then there may have been a speedier regression of the VPs which would fit the formula better, hence the conventional system. Who knows? Ultimately, the practitioner was happy that the patient was happy, and the patient did promise to send an image of the foot when the VPs had resolved.

Reference: 1. Patterson, C (1998) MYMOP2 Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile. Available from; [Accessed 23rd February 2010] http://sites.pcmd.ac.uk/mymop/files/ MYMOP_administration_&_scoring.pdf

15ml spray bottle tincture anti-viral Decision made to watch and wait, as Marigold Therapy oil direction of cure correct. Successful cases? First follow-up appointment Second follow-up appointment The BHA would like (two months later) (three months later) Patient’s narrative; Patients’ narrative; to hear about them ‘I feel much better, and I’ve lost a few ‘IBS completely cleared. VPs are Do you have satisfied patients that pounds. I’m taking on less work. The still there, but not painful at all now. are happy to talk to the media rash has gone from my arm, but I had a I don’t need to file or use the oil about how homeopathy rash appear on my feet. My verruca is and tincture. Completely forgotten has helped them? still painful.’ about them, but I’m sure they’ll Good case studies are a vital go soon.’ part of getting positive media Digital images revealed no changes in VPs. coverage. A simple case study Digital images showed a slight information sheet can be obtained MYMOP2 flattening of the main lesion as by emailing Keren at: Symptom 1 ‘verruca on big toe’ 3 compared to the initial digital image. [email protected] Symptom 2 ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome Please use it to tell us about your (IBS)’ 4 MYMOP2 homeopathic successes, Activity ‘Swimming’ (patient changed Symptom 1 ‘verruca on big toe’ 1 and help the BHA to promote activity as no longer played badminton) 1 Symptom 2 ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome homeopathy more effectively. Wellbeing 1 (IBS)’ 0

11 •• events

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

to 70% of the population has used Active patient participation diversity of therapeutic systems.” some form of CAM; up to 60% in the Integrative Medicine is not synonymous In Europe centers for Complementary last year, up to 20% have seen a CAM with CAM, but has a far larger meaning and Integrative Medicine are being practitioner. A declining faith that and mission in that it calls for founded at some hospitals and potentially toxic new drugs would help restoration of the focus of medicine universities. The third European to deal with the rising chronic diseases on health and healing, emphasizing Congress for Integrative Medicine will drives this process. People want to feel the centrality of the doctor-patient take place in November in Berlin. in control and have an increased relationship. It makes use of all interest in wellness and personal appropriate (conventional and CAM) The future is bright spirituality. The core values of the more therapeutic approaches, healthcare Because homeopathy is still scientifically holistic CAM therapies including professionals, and disciplines to achieve controversial, it can profit by jumping homeopathy embody this trend: optimal health and healing. Patients are on the bandwagon of CAM and healing originates within the patient active participants in their healthcare Integrative Medicine. Collaboration with the physician being a guide, while the physician is more in the role with other CAM organizations is teacher or coach. The aim is to of a mentor or even role model. It effective at attaining political goals. optimize homeostasis without doing approaches illness first by trying to After intense lobbying by the CAM harm emphasizing individuality while support and induce the self healing community, CAM was included into the reducing therapeutic dependency. process before opting for more high- Seventh Framework Program of the In 1997 the European Parliament impact, high-cost biomedical interventions; European Community for research, acknowledged the upsurge of CAM a synthesis of the best of the empirical technological development and and took the position that policies and and rational medical tradition. demonstration activities. The European regulations on CAM should be Integrative Medicine is rapidly gaining Commission has selected a pan-European formulated and implemented. In 2003 support internationally. Large managed consortium of researchers at European the WHO urged Member States to care organizations like Kaiser Permanent universities to carry out the CAMbrella formulate and implement national have accepted CAM with open arms. project (2010-2012), which aims policies and regulations on CAM and its Any therapy, either conventional or • to develop a network of research integration into national healthcare complementary, when shown to be a institutes in CAM systems. To date 16 European safe and effective method of care, is • to develop terminology of CAM countries have legislated on CAM, 15 integrated into their total medical care interventions have a statutory registration of program. Proof of its efficacy is less of • to review the current legal status and homeopathy. Professorial chairs of an issue because such trials are often policies governing CAM provision in CAM including homeopathy have been too artificial to translate into cost the EU installed in Germany, Hungary, Italy and savings under real conditions. Less • to explore the needs, beliefs and Switzerland. needless medications and medical attitudes of the EU citizens with Homeopathy as a part of procedures and more prevention and respect to CAM familiarization courses on CAM are personal lifestyle changes can add up • to create a prioritized EU research provided in the medical undergraduate to big financial savings and big roadmap for CAM. curriculum at several universities in improvements in quality of life. France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the The Consortium of Academic It consists of 16 top institutions out Netherlands, Romania, Spain and the Health Centers for Integrative Medicine of 12 member states. The second UK; as a separate subject at some (CAHCIM) includes 44 academic Public Health Program (2008-2013) universities in Belgium, Bulgaria, medical centers in the USA, including includes the following phrase: Germany and Romania. Postgraduate Stanford University, Yale University, “The program should recognize the training courses in homeopathy for Johns Hopkins University, Harvard importance of a holistic approach to doctors are provided at universities in University, Mayo Clinic, etc. CAHCIM public health and take into account, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, aims to “help transform medicine and where appropriate and where there is Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and healthcare through rigorous scientific scientific or clinical evidence about its Spain. Approximately 45,000 medical studies, new models of clinical care, efficacy, complementary and doctors in the EU have taken training and innovative educational programs alternative medicine in its actions.” and education in homeopathy and 99% that integrate biomedicine, the In spring 2011 a conference on the of them practice on the continent. This complexity of human beings, the added value of CAM and Integrated compares to 25,000 eye specialists. intrinsic nature of healing and the rich Healthcare for the EU Public Health Agenda will be held, supported by the European Commission. Clinical legitimacy has proven to be more important than scientific legitimacy: principally a Left to right political decision, rather than solely Lynne Fish and Helen Idle based on scientific evidence. who were awarded their Homeopathy is likely to benefit MFHom(Nurse) certificates from that situation, its future is bright! at the AGM from Faculty president Sara Eames. Report from Helmut Roniger, FFHom

For more on the Richard Hughes Memorial Lecture log onto the Members area of the Faculty website.

12 •• case studies P h o t o :

w i l d l i f e n o

Crotalus r t h a m e r i c a . c o Horridus m – a cure for myopia?

Bastiaan van Eynatten from Cork shares a Crotalus Horridus case

I read Raymond Sevar’s article on Rubrics 20’s. I notice she is quite Crotalus Horridus in the October 2009 The rubrics from the synthesis confrontational and easily angered. She issue of Simile with interest. He repertory I looked at were: gets uncomfortable when talking about describes a phenomenological EYE - BLEEDING from eyes - Retinal emotional issues. This makes me approach in which observations to his hemorrhage aware that there may possibly be some own reactions become part of the arn. Bell. both. Crot-h. glon. ham. painful feelings and makes me ask analysis for remedy selection: “He LACH. led. Merc-c. Phos. Prun. sal-ac. about her childhood. That is difficult as pinned me – a preditor”. In the case sul-ac. sulfa. Sulph. she gets quite defensive and I sense presented the transference is less EYE - INFLAMMATION - Retina - anger is not far away. She says: dramatic but still suggests a snake hemorrhagic “I suppose bringing yourself up remedy. It was (also) the observations arn. BELL. CROT-H. DUB. LACH. makes you quite reactionary, not having on how I felt with this patient that MERC-C. PHOS. the support and protection and the kind helped me select the following remedy. of care that I need around me. I had to My case shows Crotalus Horridus in a As one can see from the rubrics there be strong and perhaps defensive. different light. are several possible remedies. I choose Relationships, communications Crotalus horridus. between my own siblings is very Case The initial dose was crot-h M . This difficult, I would love for us to A 47-year-old female came to see me was repeated weekly for a month. communicate but it won’t happen. My about problems with her eyes. She parents died quite young and we have was very anxious, talking at quite a Remedy never been together since, no sense of rapid rate, changing subject repeatedly. The remedy was primarily prescribed family. I find that very hard. She was fearful that she might lose her on the physical pathology of the case. “When my father died 20 years ago eyesight. I was familiar with this Crot-h has as its main characteristic: they forgot to invite me to the funeral, patient and in the past I always felt she haemorrhages slow, with oozing of that is how bad it was. They just did had a seductive manner ( coquettish ?). dark thin blood, not clots (phatak). not want me there. I still can’t believe I consider her attractive, intelligent, As well as the main pathology the it. As a child I felt different to my engaging and lively. She is lean, patient was in a regressed mental family. I look different, I feel different, I average height and usually wears (flight and fright) state, which she never felt I belonged.” fashionable colourful clothes. described as feeling “isolated” and “My parents separated when I was An ophthalmologist had seen her a “falling apart”. She had severe 7. Once dad came into the house and few days prior with a posterior vitreous anxieties and fears. She also had quite attacked my mum with a knife. There detachment in her left eye (due to a speedy, accelerated mental pattern, was blood everywhere. I was terrified myopia), which resulted in a secondary was excitable, loquacious and changed and conscious of protecting my siblings para-macular haemorrhage. This had from one subject to another. This from seeing this.” developed rapidly and her eyesight had made me lean more towards the She suffers from stress headaches deteriorated with blurring of vision, snake remedies. and bad PMT. floaters and “streaks of light”. The danger now was for the development Follow up Further discussion of a spontaneous retinal tear or the The patient did quite well and she Snake remedies are often described in formation of a choroidal neovascular describes the remedy as having a dramatic pictures by contemporary membrane. Needless to say this is calming effect. The fears subsided, she homeopaths. Not all cases are as where she anticipated that homeopathy feels more laid back and confident in explicit and presentations may be might help for her. herself. subtler. On closer inspection many of She suffers from a familial myopic Further case taking revealed the the symptoms presented in the above condition (-15). The contraction of her following story. The patient is an artist scenario may be within the realms of eyeballs as a result puts excessive and is currently studying to be an art snake remedies. strain on the inner layers of her eye therapist. She is divorced and lives with According to Massimo Mangialavori chamber. her two sons who are in their early Crotalus-horridus is the only snake that

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 >

13 •• book review Sea Remedies Evolution of the Senses Author: Jo Evans • Publishers: Emryss Publishers • Price: £58 • ISBN: 978-90-76189-23-9

This book is a real delight both to the confronted with the enormity of zoological classification, details of the senses and to the intellect. Jo Evans learning our diverse and complex proving, remedy relationships, then a manages to balance philosophy, art and materia medica. Mythology can also aid clear materia medica including clinical science to bring clarity and a deeper the deeper understanding of the human guides. In addition clinical data, medical understanding to the sea remedies. psyche, as demonstrated by Jung. uses both historical and modern, marine This was the goal of Hahnemann in the Homeopathy strives to bring about biology, evolution, and research are last edition of The Organon and likewise balance in the individual, in mind and detailed, all alongside stunning requires “subtle, unprejudiced reading”. body. In order to achieve this goal the illustrations. There are extensive Given the outstanding beauty of the practitioner must combine art and references for further reading. photographs and the luxurious texture science, thus balancing their own right In total twenty three remedies are of the book, this is not a difficult task. and left brain thinking. This book will covered in detail, from the familiar The book is divided into several appeal to polymaths as it intertwines so Sepia and Calcarea Carbonica to the sections. The principle of correspond- many different threads of knowledge newer remedies such as Acanthaster ences is introduced. Most readers will into a comprehensive theme. planci (Crown of Thorns Starfish) and be more familiar with the Doctrine of Each sense is then examined in Onychoteuthis banksii (Clubhook Signatures as expounded by Paracelsus. detail, both in evolutionary terms as Squid). There is much to learn from this Emmanuel Swedenborg, who heavily well as its psychological, emotional and book even about the polycrests. One influenced Kent and his followers, spiritual meaning. Jo Evans alludes to can glean a far deeper understanding of coined the phrase “correspondences” Proust’s “Remembrance of Times well known and relatively unknown to describe the link between the natural Past” to demonstrate the emotive remedies. As the preceding chapters world and its spiritual meaning. strength of smells, and the recall of detailed the evolution of marine life, it is Although ridiculed by many scientists as memories. She is then able to clearly far easier to differentiate and fully mere superstition, it is, at the very explain the neuro-anatomical pathways appreciate the innate differences least, a helpful aide memoir when that allow for this to occur. This is one between the sponges and the molluscs, P

h of the book’s greatest strengths, the the cephalopods and the marine o t o

s ability to blend scientific facts and arthropods, as well as their :

E

m theories and more philosophical relationships to land animals. r y s

s concepts. Mythology lies comfortably Following the materia medica section,

P

u alongside cutting edge research into there is a further section on philosophy b l i s

h marine toxicology. blended with evolutionary science to e r s The book abounds with illustrative further elaborate on the aforementioned quotes from the worlds of philosophy, concepts and remedy profiles. A very literature and science. It comes as no extensive bibliography is included and surprise that many quoted followed the the book concludes with an immensely philosophical teachings of Swedenborg. useful thematic repertory and index. The book is thoroughly researched With the current conflict between and well presented. It requires slow the proponents of scientific medicine reading as it is so thought provoking. It and holistic medicine it may be needs to be savoured, considered opportune to reflect on the words of carefully and fully assimilated. There is Niels Bohr: “There are two kinds of much to appeal to the scientists and truth, small truth and great truth. You equally to the philosophers and artists can recognize a small truth because its in our midst. opposite is a falsehood. The opposite of The materia medica is divided a great truth is another truth.” according to Linnean classification of Homeopathy is enriched by the marine life. Polar opposites in their view philosophy, mythology and art within it. of the world, Linnaeus and Swedenborg It was derived from a quest for were indeed cousins, one following the scientific knowledge, a rational method school of Aristotle, the other of Plato. of treating the sick. Art and science are Both have greatly influenced modern not mutually exclusive. They are both thinking. Jo Evans has taken the theme truths as reflected in homoeopathic of duality to its ultimate conclusion by practice. The deep truth is that they uniting these apparent divergent can, and should, co-exist in a cohesive schools of thought to enrich our unified form as exemplified by Jo understanding of marine life. Evan’s excellent work. The remedies are described fully, using the familiar format with extremely Sea Remedies was reviewed by helpful additions. Each remedy has a Marysia Kratimenos summary of salient points, then a MB BS FRCS(Ed) FFHom

14 •• case studies

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 P h o t o :

i s

Reptile-like themes t o c

– Massimo Mangialavori k p h o t • Seductive o . c o • Forsaken m / T o b i

• Duality – one sided a s

O t

• Constriction and congestion t • Thermal regulation

lives in large groups. They have the feeling they have to support every one in the family. They are sympathetic and dictatorial: you must be helped by me. They are dutiful in this respect and perhaps even forceful and obsessive. Superficially crot-h may be confused with phosphorus : sympathetic and communicative. Certainly the above patient had strong phosphorus characteristics. One of the patient’s biggest wishes is for her siblings to start communicating again. She has made many attempts for this to happen but is left with rejection and isolation. We can see the forsaken feeling in this and rejection of her wish to support her family. I think snake remedies are related to the more primitive (fright and flight) structures of our brains. Early childhood trauma is probably quite common in snake remedy pictures and may have repercussions on these brain structures developmentally. Survival was probably dependent on this. In this case we also see glimpses of early childhood trauma (in witnessing the violent father) and also the need to rely on her own resources from an early age. (These themes may be confirmed in the literature). Snake poisons may have different effects on the physiology. Typical for the Crotalidea poisons is the production of local tissue damage, blood cell changes, coagulation defects, blood vessel injury, changes in vascular resistance and neurological defects. Bites are typically marked by swelling and oedema.

More follow up About five months later a similar incident happened with this patient’s Conclusion She did develop a second vitreous right eye. She developed blurring of Although perhaps more subtle than detachment of her right eye five months vision and floaters and went to the what is popularly expected from snake after having received the remedy, but emergency department of the hospital remedies this patient does display I think this was inevitable considering where an emergent acute posterior many of the snake characteristics. her myopic condition that puts extreme vitreous detachment was diagnosed. This includes attractiveness, seduction, strain on the eyeball. crot-h 10m was started this time. The vivacity, forsaken feeling, early condition stabilised without any further childhood (flight, fright) trauma, retinal Bastiaan van Eynatten mishaps. Again she feels the remedy haemorrhage, retinal oedema, and Cork worked well for her. constriction of the eyeball. [email protected]

15 •• book review The Cult of Statistical Significance: How the Standard Error Costs Us Jobs, Justice, and Lives By Stephen T. Ziliak and Deirdre N. McCloskey • Publishers: University of Michigan Press 352pp • Price: £48.95 and £16.50 • ISBN: 9780472070077 and 050079

this has deeply affected economics, the authors’ terms). He corresponded a with most of the papers in top lot with Fisher. Gosset was apparently economic journals in the last 30 extremely unassuming and good years being entirely to do with the natured, so when asked, he calculated ‘significance’ of results. They also his test tables and sent them to Fisher. show how psychology has based its It would seem that Fisher then claims to be ‘scientific’ to a very large copyrighted them for himself, applied degree on the testing of ‘significance’ his own standards to Gosset’s of experimental results, using statistical methods and ended up Fisher’s procedure of assuming that lauding sampling precision only and so an observation is untrue (the Null leading to the cult of statistical hypothesis) unless it achieves a significance which took over science in ‘significance level’ usually set at 5% the 20th century. (p < 0.05). This stance takes no account The authors have a lot of time for of how big the effect is or how much statistics based on Bayes theorem, does the effect matter and clinically, which invokes prior probabilities and how relevant is this effect to an looks at the likelihood of something individual sufferer. The authors dub happening, given a human experience this attitude ‘the sizeless stare of that it happened before. statistical significance’. What is special Some may find the accumulation of If you want to put argumentative meat about 5% probability? It turns out that details and examples of just how much on the bones of your visceral, though this is a piece off guesswork from this ‘significance thinking’ has been unreasoned uncertainty about Fisher. The authors do take you on a allowed to permeate our lives all a bit ‘statistical significance’ in medicine as welcome tour of areas in the history too much to take, or even embarrassing the one true guide toward treatment and philosophy of science and of – how can we all have been taken in for – truth? This is the book for you. statistics and I learned a lot. so long? There are major signs of hope The authors are academic They contrast this ‘stare’ with in medicine though, with some journals economists, which would be a major statistics derived from William Sealy looking for effect size as well as ‘p’ turn-off if they didn’t write with such Gosset (1876 – 1937). We all know him. values as a prerequisite for publication passion and verve and didn’t include in His pen – name was ‘Student’ and in and the chair of NICE embracing their many examples a lot of medical two articles in 1908, he invented and Bayesian statistics (a bit). In this book, trials. But they do, so I was riveted. introduced a statistical test which bears Fisher is cast as an ‘evil genius’ The authors oppose two extremes his name. He was a Brewer for opposing the mild reasonableness of of 20th century statistical thinking and Guinness in London and Dublin, latterly Gosset. It is certainly a most enjoyable show us that ‘statistical significance’ head-brewer and designed the test in and revelatory read and I strongly as promulgated by R.A.Fisher (1890 the context of field-trials of Barley on an recommend it. – 1962), has taken over most areas of economic need-to-know basis. He human activity which purport to be consistently emphasised the question Tom Whitmarsh, MA, MBBS, FRCP, ‘sciences’. They (of course) show how of ‘how big is the effect? (‘Oomph’ in FFHom Faculty Specialist Register

Homeopathic doctor needed for practice in Jersey

A homeopathic doctor is now required to continue a very busy private practice on the outskirts of St Helier in Jersey. The practice currently runs four days a month, from Tuesday to Saturday. There are regular 35 minute flights to Jersey from Gatwick, Exeter, Bristol and Birmingham. Free parking on site. If you are interested in continuing this practice, please get in touch with Max Deacon on 0207 6021 006 for further information.

16 •• events

REPORT: Silicon’s struggle for identity Andrew Morrice reports on the Silicon Series Masterclass with Julie Geraghty

The Bristol Masterclass meetings are and said “my whole life had been a emerging as a remarkably accessable, struggle for my own identity … I had high quality resource for homeopathic no identity apart from my sisters … prescribers wishing to augment their mother didn’t know which child was traditional homeopathic case taking and which … my whole childhood was case analysis skills. The teaching whilst spent attempting to figure out who I based in traditional homeopathy draws was … I had to work 10 time harder extensively on the understandings of than every one else and do 10 times modern teachers such as Massimo more to prove myself worthy”. Mangiolavori, Jan Scholten, Rajan When Elizabeth was given her own Sankaran and other leaders of the doll after she was severely ill with “Bombay group”. One of the great pneumonia, and because the doll was strengths of this format is that it never black it was clearly distinguishable from looses sight of real cases, which are her sister’s white dolls. It allowed her presented often extensively through to feel special and different and video or paper records. As usual the recognised as such. meeting was at Penny Brohn Cancer Care on the outskirts of Bristol. The surroundings here are beautiful and calm, and the food extremely healthy. “my whole childhood was spent attempting Mineral kingdom Julie Geraghty has led several of these to figure out who I was days, and overall in the last two years ” the series has covered vast areas of the mineral kingdom, with days on the Carbon series, on the Hydrocarbon The deep issues lying at the centre of remedies, on the Silver and Ferrum the case of patients who respond series also. This day on the Silicon curatively to these silicon series series (elements from Sodium through remedies are: the need for individual to Neon) covered ions and elements attention, nuture, care, warmth, love, central to homeopathy: the natrums, understanding, recognition, and choice. especially the natrum salts of other row The difference between the need for three elements such as phosphorous care and nurture expressed by these sulphur and chlorine, the magnesiums, patients differs from those needing aluminums, and Silicon itself. Those carbon series remedies in that the who had attended the carbon and latter need something more to do with hydrocarbon days in preceding months the body: simple nourishment, physical were able to contextualise their contact, containment as in the knowledge and clarify points of potential situations of gestation and early confusion between these elements. mothering. Silicon series patients need Julie manages to convey the special this to be about their own identity, as nature of each remedy and each distinct from others. The care and element as well as the themes of the nurture is less primal and has to be Photo: Faculty library series overall without loosing sight of tailored to the individual. the subtlety, and elusiveness of the disgraceful ebullience of sulphur and picture that emerges in real Newer understanding the bitterness of chlorum were all consultations, and without over As the day progressed we had the beautifully situated within the theme of emphasising either the similarities or pleasure of seeing how traditional developing identity. I certainly came differences. materia medica teaching closely away feeling much more confident in meshes with (historically of course it clarifying the differences between Elizabeth Kubler Ross has given rise to) the newer these remedy states which can be She started the day with a quote from understandings of these elements. tricky when the picture is not the “text Elizabeth Kubler Ross which conveyed Thus the desperate isolation of natrum, book” one or where an unusual salt is many of the issues faced by a normal the fear of collapse of support and called for. child in development as an individual, recognition of magnesium, the and with which patients needing Silicon confusion of aluminium, the brittle The masterclass series continues this series remedies continue to struggle. clarity of silicon, the sensitivity and year with Geoff Johnson leading a Elizabeth was one of identical triplets outgoingness of phosphorous, the day on Sea Creatures on 8 May.

17 •• events

•• examinations calendar 2010 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE EXAM EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS PHCE/PCVH 21 May Bristol 23 April 17 September London 20 August

PODIATRY DIPLOMA – OPEN TO PODIATRISTS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCE EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS DFHom (Pod) 17 September Luton/London 16 July

VETERINARY LICENCIATE EXAM – OPEN TO VETS WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRODUCTORY TRAINING EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS LFHom Vet 10 September Leeds 9 July

MEMBERSHIP EXAM – OPEN TO DOCTORS, NURSES, DENTISTS & PODIATRISTS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCE EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS MFHom 26 November Glasgow 24 September 3 December Bristol 24 September MFHom (Pod) 17 September Luton/London 16 July MFHom (Nurse) 22 October Luton/Glasgow 20 August

VETERINARY MEMBERSHIP EXAM – OPEN TO VETS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PCVH EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS VetMFHom TBA November TBA 10 September

SPECIALIST REGISTRATION – OPEN TO DOCTORS WHO HAVE GAINED THE MFHOM EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS Assessment 11 October Glasgow 13 August (cases and dissertation) 18 October Luton 13 August (cases and dissertation)

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18 •• ecavseen tss tudies

•• what’s on April – November 2010

Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June Regular meetings BAHVS conference – Animal Energy 2010 The application of the ‘new methods’ Leeds Homeopathic Group in homeopathy in veterinary medicine, Regular meetings in Morley, Leeds. particularly the work of the Bombay Group and Jan Scholten Pauline Price on 0113 252 8849 or at [email protected] • Halsway Manor, Quantock Hills, Somerset W Surrey & W Sussex Homeopathic Group Speakers to include Geoff Johnson, Stefan Meetings on the third Tuesday of each month, 8.00-10.00pm. Group members include Kohlrausch, Marc Brunsen, Mark Elliot, Pierre doctors, vets, dentists and pharmacists. The aim of the group is to act as a forum for Fromente, Liesbeth Ellinger • Geoff Johnson at somersetvet@ yahoo.com ongoing learning and support, covering all aspects of homeopathy and medical practice. The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill, nr Ockley, Surrey RH5 5PU Wednesday 15 September Charles Forsyth on 01737 226338 (office), 01737 248605 (home), 07802 293006 • Wessex Homeopathic Medical Group (mobile) or [email protected] Postgraduate Education Centre, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Saturday 21 April Tuesday 25 May Romsey Road, Winchester Wessex Homeopathic Medical Group Tayside Homeopathic Group 7.30-9.30pm Postgraduate Education Centre, Royal Plant Families • Dr Jonathan Hardy on 02392 471757 or: Hampshire County Hospital, Romsey Road, Homeopathic Clinic ,Victoria Hospital, drjonathanhardy@havant-homeopathic. Winchester Jedburgh Road, Dundee DD2 1SP co.uk 7.30-9.30pm 7.30 pm • Dr Jonathan Hardy on 02392 471757 or: • Norma Ross phone 01382 540202 or at [email protected] [email protected] And looking further ahead: Friday 23 April Friday 11 June Bristol Advanced Study Group Bristol Advanced Study Group Saturday 30 October Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre, Pill Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre, Pill BHDA Symposium 9.15am-4.30pm 9.15am-4.30pm Biological Dentistry for the 21st Century Renata Sopiarz at renata.sopiarz@ Renata Sopiarz at renata.sopiarz@ • • Birmingham Medical Institute, 36 Harborne uhbristol.nhs.uk or on 0117 9466087 uhbristol.nhs.uk or on 0117 9466087 Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3AF • Brian Teall on 01675 481535 or at Saturday 24 April Saturday 12 June [email protected] London Homeopathic Group Liverpool Homeopathic Group Rosaceae family of remedies – Annual Symposium on Homeopathic Dr Charlotte Mendes da Costa. Medicine – Masterclass on the treatment of Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 November 1 Upper Wimpole Street, London, W1 difficult cases by Dr Pawan Pareek British Homeopathic Congress, 10.15am-12.30pm 9am to 5pm Cambridge £8.00 to cover refreshments and • Dr E Metallidou or Anne Bainbridge See enclosed brochure for more details administration. phone 0151 285 3707 and to book. • Anita Davies at anita.e.davies@btconnect. com or Rosie Coles on 020 7935 4271 Monday 21 June Bristol Clinical Meeting Tuesday 27 April Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, Tayside Homeopathic Group Claire Stanford. Free listings Plant Families 8.15-9.45pm Homeopathic Clinic ,Victoria Hospital, • Renata Sopiarz at renata.sopiarz@ Jedburgh Road, Dundee DD2 1SP uhbristol.nhs.uk or on 0117 9466087 7.30 pm • Norma Ross phone 01382 540202 or at Tuesday 22 June [email protected] Wessex Homeopathic Medical Group If you are organising an Time: 7.30-9.30pm Saturday 8 May Postgraduate Education Centre, Royal event and would like it Bristol Masterclass Hampshire County Hospital, Romsey Road, Geoff Johnson: Creatures of the Sea Winchester to be included in future Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre, Pill. • Dr Jonathan Hardy on 02392 471757 or: 10.00am-4.00pm drjonathanhardy@havant-homeopathic. listings, please contact • Renata Sopiarz at renata.sopiarz@ co.uk Keren Sall at uhbristol.nhs.uk or on 0117 9466087 Tuesday 22 June ksall@facultyof Monday 17 May Tayside Homeopathic Group Bristol Clinical Meeting Allergies Homeopathic Clinic ,Victoria homeopathy.org Julie Geraghty. Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, Hospital, Jedburgh Road, Dundee DD2 1SP 8.15-9.45pm 7.30 pm • Renata Sopiarz at renata.sopiarz@ • Norma Ross phone 01382 540202 or at uhbristol.nhs.uk or on 0117 9466087 [email protected]

19 •• contacts

Who to contact at the Faculty

•• staff

● Cristal Sumner – Chief Executive: ● Catherine Saunders – Education Manager [email protected] (part-time): 01582 408674 [email protected] 01582 408677 ● Keren Sall – Communications Officer (part-time): ● Margaret White – Financial Controller (part-time): [email protected] [email protected] 01582 408682 01582 408678

● Robert Mathie – Research Development Adviser: ● Jacqui Woolsey – Receptionist/ [email protected] Information Assistant: 01582 408683 [email protected] 01582 408680 ● Lisa Peacock – Education and Web Administration Officer: [email protected] Faculty of Homeopathy, Hahnemann House 01582 29 Park Street West, Luton LU1 3BE Tel: 01582 408680 • Fax: 01582 723032 Email: [email protected] ● Tracey Rignall – Membership Officer: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org trignall @facultyofhomeopathy.org 01582 408670

•• faculty council

● Sara Eames, President: ● Lee Kayne, Pharmacy Dean: [email protected] [email protected]

● Julie Geraghty, Vice-President: ● Tariq Khan, Podiatry Dean: [email protected] [email protected]

● ● Peter Darby, Dental Dean: Promotion Committee Convener (vacant) [email protected] ● Tim Robinson, Members’ Committee Convener: [email protected] ● Christopher Day, Veterinary Dean: [email protected] ● Helmut Roniger, NHS Secondary Care Representative: ● Patricia Donnachie, Nursing Dean: [email protected] [email protected] ● John Saxton, Immediate Past-President: ● Jonathan Hardy, Independent Practice [email protected] Representative: [email protected] ● Raymond Sevar, Dean: [email protected] ● Graham Jagger, NHS Primary Care Representative: ● Andrew Sikorski, Treasurer: [email protected] [email protected]

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