Celebrating 175 years

The Faculty of Newsletter November 2019 Public pressure forces the publication of the ‘hidden’ Australian report ampaigners have succeeded Interestingly, she went on to issue a in forcing Australia’s leading clarification in relation to the second Cresearch organisation to publish review, stating that it “did not conclude a report on homeopathy that it had that homeopathy was ineffective”. This tried to suppress. Its publication has been raises the question as to why the NHMRC hailed as “a major win for transparency did not try to correct the damning and public accountability in research”. reports to the contrary that appeared The 300-page draft report was in the media and repeated by anti- the result of a study conducted in homeopathy campaigners. 2012 into the clinical effectiveness of Rachel Roberts, HRI chief homeopathy by Australia’s National executive, said: “For over three years Health and Medical Research Council the NHMRC have refused to release (NHMRC), but the research body their 2012 draft report on homeopathy, decided not to make its findings Rachel Roberts, HRI chief executive despite Freedom of Information public. Instead, it commissioned requests and even requests by members a second review that concluded campaign calling on the NHMRC to of the Australian Senate. To see this homeopathy had no therapeutic value publish the first report, which resulted document finally seeing the light of beyond placebo. On publication in in tens of thousands of people signing day is a major win for transparency 2015, the review’s findings were widely an online petition and questions being and public accountability in research.” reported in the media as the definitive asked in the Australian Senate. As Keeping up the pressure scientific judgement on homeopathy. the NHMRC is publicly funded, the Although this is a significant victory and This inevitably caused untold damage AHA and the HRI also made a formal the conclusions of the first report are to the reputation of the therapy and to complaint to the Commonwealth encouraging, it is important to remember those who practise it. Ombudsman, calling on it to investigate this was only for five conditions and But on closer analysis, researchers the irregularities they had uncovered. not irrefutable evidence homeopathy in homeopathy soon discovered In August, the NHMRC finally works. Homeopaths, therefore, should fundamental flaws in the second study gave in to public pressure and released be mindful not to overstate how and began to suspect its methodology the 2012 report, The Effectiveness of “positive” the first report is, as this could had been specifically designed to Homeopathy: an overview review of undermine the scientific credibility of produce a negative conclusion. On secondary evidence. As expected, its those working to gain wider acceptance learning of the existence of the earlier findings are in stark contrast to the of quality homeopathic research. review, the Australian Homeopathic later study and conclude that there is The AHA and HRI are continuing Association (AHA) made repeated “encouraging evidence” homeopathy to keep up the pressure by acquiring requests for it to be made public, but works for five medical conditions, legal advice, facts, evidence and scientific each time the NHMRC refused. This while the evidence for the other analysis to maximise this opportunity lack of transparency only served to conditions reviewed was mainly and make sure the challenge to the arouse suspicions further that the inconclusive. NHMRC and its 2015 report continues scientific community and the public On making the first report to move in the direction the homeopathic were being misled. available, NHMRC CEO Prof Anne community wishes it to go. Public and political pressure Kelso explained her decision by The Ombudsman’s verdict on the The AHA, supported by the Homeopathy acknowledging the “considerable complaint made by AHA and HRI is Research Institute (HRI), launched a interest” in the hitherto hidden report. expected shortly. Royal Patron HRH The Prince of Wales EDITORIAL

e all value enormously the Patricia Ridsdale The great homeopathic hospitals spirit and dedication of our are now all but gone. Is this a problem Wmembers in difficult times. or an opportunity? Going forward, One of our discussions at the summer how can we carve out a place for e-meeting of the members’ committee, homeopathy? Many ideas have been prompted by one of our longstanding put forward which, rather like Brexit, committee members, centred around has divided opinion. Although, unlike what we can all do to support Brexit, the division is not split into two homeopathy and our patients’ right to camps – leave or remain – but into choice in their healthcare. We know many, whose adherents have equally that homeopathy is a safe, economic polarised opinions about the future of and effective treatment choice across homeopathy. The therapy appears to many situations. be divided among supporters of many Many of us felt moved and seemingly conflicting approaches: motivated by the discussion to integrated, complementary, alternative, challenge our own views and classical, sensations, potency, polarity experience, and to perhaps move out of and many more. If we are to come our comfort zones to examine how we together, what needs to change and support our patients’ choice. how can we facilitate it? registration within their chosen We need spirit and daring to Do you have any thoughts on how professions. Some may feel this does challenge those who are not at the we can reach a consensus? What needs not matter, because at present one sharp end, who are not seeing and to happen? What can happen? How can be a homeopath without being can we practically achieve this? The caring for patients. This does not statutorily registered. However, a always mean speaking out publicly, but Faculty council wants to hear what you change in the Healthcare Act could have to say on this important issue, showing by example how healthcare alter that. Those who stay within the can be truly integrated. It is a privilege while remaining respectful of the structure of statutory registration are opinions of others even if you strongly to be a part of our patients’ lives, doing a valuable job, ensuring we have throughout their ups and downs, and disagree with them. representation and some support from Facing challenges in life can be to be trusted to offer help and advice inside these professional bodies. when needed. Randomised control uncomfortable but it’s not necessarily a Many of us need to maintain our bad thing, for without it change is well- trials may give a trend and provide registration to continue in the career evidence for the majority, but what nigh impossible. So let us meet the we love and the Faculty can help challenges we face head-on and move about the individual patient? facilitate this. A few years ago Dr An exercise was suggested: to on to an even better future. David Owen, Dr Sara Eames and the imagine and feel with all senses what then chief executive Cristal Sumner Dr Patricia Ridsdale homeopathy would look like in the put in many hours of hard work to Faculty vice-president ascendant. I found it partly freeing bring about Designated Body status Members’ committee convener and uplifting and partly depressing for the Faculty with the General and challenging. I think it helps to feel, Medical Council (GMC). This ensures taste, smell, hear etc. how things could that revalidation for GMC registered be, but the pathway and timeline to get doctors who practice homeopathy can there are certainly a challenge. be conducted by appraisers who have The Faculty is incorporated by Act knowledge and an understanding of Parliament to represent statutorily of the therapy. I know many of our registered healthcare professionals members value this. Editor: John Burry and we have been handed this legacy I’ve also been in contact with Consultant Editor: Sara Eames by the likes of Blackie, Twentyman, members who are in the Faculty’s new Weir, Foubister and the like. They, too, membership categories: doctors who CAN Mezzanine , 49-51 East Road fought hard to establish the Faculty London, N1 6AH have the MFHom but have dropped Tel: 020 3640 5903 and hand the torch on to future their licence to practise , and E: [email protected] generations. We need to take things those in the Affiliate category, medical W: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org forward and fight for homeopathy’s professionals from abroad eligible for All the material in this publication is copyright and may not place in healthcare as they did, but also statutory registration in their own be reproduced without permission. The publishers do not honour their legacy and not jeopardise jurisdictions who have completed a necessarily identify with or hold themselves responsible for contributors’, correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions. the basics. course of homeopathic study. They Those who want to continue to tell me they continue to feel valued and supported by the Faculty and Design, print and mail fulfilment by practise as doctors, vets and other HMCA Services Ltd. healthcare practitioners need to are still contributing their ideas and Tel: 01423 866985 maintain the qualifications and experience. Email: [email protected]

2 NEWS simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy Calls for a ban on German health insurance funding for CAM are ignored by health minister

German health minister Jens Spahn

German health minister Jens Spahn for homeopathic treatments by has said the country’s statutory health 2021, leaders of Germany’s Federal New law passed in insurance should continue to cover Association of Statutory Health Portugal to cover homeopathy. Insurance called for a ban Homeopathy and other on funds being used to pay for what it the practice of CAM complementary therapies, such as calls “useless pseudo pills”. osteopathy and acupuncture, is offered But Michaela Geiger, chair of At the beginning of September, the by almost 70% of statutory health the German Central Association of Portuguese National Assembly passed a new health law covering the practice insurers. Homeopathic Physicians, warned a of complementary and alternative Addressing a Berlin discussion ban would lead to a “monoculture,” (CAM). panel, Mr Spahn said there was and advocated a system similar to the Under the new legislation CAM little point in forcing Germany’s one in Switzerland where complementary must be part of an integrated approach health funds to drop homeopathy, as medicines and therapies have been with conventional medicine. This is reimbursements for complementary fully refunded since 2017. designed to ensure the public’s health, medicine total only €20 million a year The minister’s decision was quality of care and that treatment is compared with an annual cost of €40 welcomed by Germany’s Green based on the best scientific evidence. billion for conventional medicines. Party. Ms Kordula Schulz-Asche, The Ministry for Health will Referring to homeopathy’s current the party’s health expert, told a in future be responsible for the inclusion in statutory health insurance German news agency that everybody accreditation of CAM therapists and funds, Spahn concluded: “I have benefited from a varied health system. the supervision of the practice of these decided it is okay how it is.” “Complementary medicine is an therapies, according to the definition Following France’s decision important supplement to conventional approved by the World Health to stop health insurance funding medicine,” she said. Organization.

3 NEWS

Changes on the State government uses homeopathy Faculty council to fight dengue and other fevers The health department in the Indian the local population. The medicine state of Telangana is turning to is being sourced from a government homeopathic medicine to control an producer of homeopathic medicines in outbreak of dengue and other fevers in Hyderabad, which has enough stocks the region. A local doctor says Arsenic to supply other districts if necessary. album 200C increases an individual’s Dr N Lingaraju, principal of the immunity thus providing protection government homeopathy college in from these diseases. Ramanthapur, eastern Hyderabad, Around 70,000 homeopathic pill said that this medicine increases the bottles (each bottle containing enough immunity system in an individual so medicine for six persons) are being as to shield him or her from various despatched from the state capital forms of fevers including the dengue. Hyderabad and will be given to people The state health department, which of all ages including schoolchildren. constantly monitors fevers in the region, Dr Julie Geraghty Each person will have to take three and officials from AYUSH are organising doses of the medicine for three a mass public health programme to The Faculty’s long-standing medical continuous days, with each dose combat the debilitating mosquito-borne dean Dr Julie Geraghty has stood comprising six pills. disease. It began with health minister down from her academic role and her The health department and Eatala Rajender administering pills to position on the council. Ayush officials are organising locals and schoolchildren at a medicine President Dr Gary Smyth thanked medicine distribution camps where distribution camp on the outskirts of Dr Geraghty for her many years of the remedy will be administered to Hyderabad. hard work. “She has made a significant contribution to a wide range of academic issues, all of which are Faculty pharmacist wins national award important as we move forward,” he A pharmacy owned by Faculty 1993. The business has grown steadily said member Eoghan O’Brien has won the ever since. He says he loves the strong “Julie has been a member of the 2019 Pharmacy Business of the Year connection the pharmacy allows him Faculty council for a long time and has Award. to have with his local community. occupied a number of key roles other Located in Portglenone, County Describing his approach to than medical dean. I wish her the best Antrim, Northern Ireland, the running Bannside Pharmacy, he said: of luck for all her future endeavours Bannside Pharmacy has become “I just concentrate on doing the best and also hope that she will be able to a health and well-being hub for I can do. I am always focused on – contribute to the work of the council in the local community. It thrives on here’s what we have achieved, how the future.” helping people make a difference do we make that better, how do we Joining the Faculty’s council as to their quality of life and offers a improve, how do we actually make the British Homeopathic Association wide range of clinical and enhanced people feel better? That’s why I became (BHA) and patient representative is Liz services, including homeopathic and a pharmacist.” Tucker. Ms Tucker has an impressive herbal medicines, alongside other In September, Mr O’Brien attended background in business. She is an complementary therapies. a ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel, enthusiastic supporter of homeopathy Mr O’Brien says he always wanted London, where he was presented with and has served as a trustee of the BHA to be a pharmacist since his early the prestigious business award by for several years. teens and took over the running of minister of state for health Edward Welcoming Ms Tucker to the the pharmacy from his late father in Argar MP. Faculty’s executive, Dr Smyth said: “I am delighted Liz is joining the Faculty council and I look forward to working with her in the future. Her appointment offers an improved link with our friends in the British Homeopathic Association, plus a much needed patient voice on council. I trust that she will enjoy her new role and that her input will bring mutual benefits, both for the Faculty, the BHA Eoghan O’Brien with his award (third from right) and for patients.” 4 NEWS simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy

The Peter Fisher Homeopathy Development Fund

The Faculty has announced the launch and developing greater international of the Peter Fisher Homeopathy collaboration through the Faculty of Development Fund, which will Homeopathy. be used to support homeopathic The fund is hosted by the charity research, education and international the British Homeopathic Association collaboration. (BHA) and will be allocated to suitable The fund has been set up in projects agreed by the BHA’s trustees memory of the internationally and the Faculty of Homeopathy. renowned homeopathic To make a donation visit www. and researcher Dr Peter Fisher, who uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ tragically died in a road accident in SomeoneSpecial/PeterFisher9 August last year. For further information or if At the time of his death he was Dr Peter Fisher you would like to contribute in a consultant at the Royal London another way, please contact donate@ Hospital for Integrated Medicine, worldwide and he left an indelible britishhomeopathic.org quoting “Peter editor-in-chief of the research journal impression upon all who knew him. Fisher Fund”. Homeopathy and president of the The fund has been established To help promote the Homeopathy Faculty of Homeopathy. He was also a in order to continue and support Development Fund and enable the physician to her Majesty the Queen. the work to which he dedicated continuation of Dr Fisher’s important Throughout a long career, Dr much of his professional life: the work, members are requested to share Fisher made an enormous contribution promotion of homeopathic research, this information on their websites and to the advancement of homeopathy improving education in homeopathy through their social media channels. MP calls on parliament to look to India for creating a new model of healthcare

Homeopathy’s most vocal supporter in the cause of homeopathy and other the British parliament has called for a forms of complementary medicine, “new health paradigm”. inside and outside of parliament, for Speaking during October’s Queen’s three decades. Speech debate, David Tredinnick He continued: “I would personally MP called on the House to look at like to thank David on behalf of the the ecological disaster that was being Faculty and the wider homeopathic highlighted by David Attenborough community for his support and hard and others, and to see that “what work over many years. I wish him we really need now is a sustainable every success with all his future healthcare policy...” endeavours away from the House of He went on to describe a recent Commons.” visit to India where he met Shripad David Tredinnick MP Naik, minister of state for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and , Bosworth since 1987, but has Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy). He decided not to seek re-election then called on everyone to examine the when the country goes to the polls evidence in India and learn from what on 12 December. His commitment is going on there. to complementary medicine has He said: “How can we possibly seen him serve as chairman of the accept that there is no evidence when, All-Party Group for Integrated The Faculty’s Twitter in the whole of India, homeopathy Healthcare (PGIH) since 2002. Based account has has 300,000 practitioners, 250,000 of at Westminster, the PGIH works to 6,919 followers whom are doctors, treating an average bring together the best of orthodox of 20,000 patients a day?” and complementary healthcare for the Keep up with the conversations Mr Tredinnick has been the benefit of patients. Log on to http//twitter.com/ member of parliament for the Dr Gary Smyth, Faculty president, fohhomeopathy Leicestershire constituency of said Mr Tredinnick has championed 5 NEWS Stuart Marston 1948 – 2019 It is with great sadness that we Stuart was a family man. His love Stuart Marston report the sudden death of one of the and respect for his wife, his children Faculty’s most stalwart veterinary and his grandchildren was clearly members, Stuart Marston. Veterinary obvious in conversation. He had a homeopath Chris Day recalls his great sense of right and wrong, and a friend and colleague who died of a passion for putting things right. stroke on 9 September. Most of all, I suspect, it will be Stuart was a long standing his impish humour and storytelling veterinary member of the Faculty and that will spring first to people’s minds for several years the secretary of the when talking about him. Here was British Association of Homeopathic a man who would always make you Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVS). His feel respected and important. He was enthusiasm and humour has sustained dutiful right up to his tragic illness and us all during the difficult times seismic changes, not all of which he will be a guiding light for so many veterinary homeopathy has faced over would have been embraced by Stuart. of us for many years to come. the last few years and we will miss him As a veterinary surgeon I would I am honoured to have known him hugely. describe him as having traditional and proud to have had him as a In 2007, Stuart became the standards of service, professionalism homeopathic veterinary colleague, honorary secretary of the BAHVS, and patient care. fellow BAHVS officer and deeply taking on the role during the presidency His career as a vet did not have the respected personal friend. Homeopathy, of Jack Hoare. Over the ensuing years, most auspicious of starts. He studied at veterinary homeopathy, the veterinary I don’t think anyone can dispute that the Royal Veterinary College, London, profession, his family and his friends he did an exemplary job, with humour, but spectacularly failed his finals in have all been richer for rubbing with cheerfulness, with strength and 1971, after walking out of his viva shoulders with him and are so much example. He has helped us through because he disagreed with the professor. poorer for his passing. some very difficult times and has been He eventually qualified a year later Stuart’s funeral was held on a staunch friend to everyone in the and went on to found two veterinary 30 September at the East Riding group and a real personal friend and practices, one in Bedworth in 1974 and Crematorium in Yorkshire. His family support to many, including myself. the other in Hinckley in 1989. and friends were joined by members of The many messages of condolence He had a strong interest in the local bikers club and members of the from his colleagues in the BAHVS are homeopathy and after studying BAHVS and the Faculty. They included testimony to their feelings for him. with a training group for healthcare BAHVS vice-president Ilse Pedler, Faculty To say that Stuart will be sorely professionals in Oxfordshire, went on veterinary members’ representative missed is both hopelessly short of the to gain the Faculty of Homeopathy Barbara Jones and veterinary dean mark and a massive understatement. qualification VetMFHom in 2004. Peter Gregory. Our thoughts are with His contributions and achievements Never one to rest on his laurels, he Stuart’s wife and all the family. within the BAHVS alone will be long- did service as secretary, treasurer Stu, you were one of the very best. remembered and his passing much- and then chairman of the Midlands’ Fly free and safely in your journey. mourned. Region BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary practice is undergoing Veterinary Association). Chris Day

Former minister attends Midlands’ group meeting A former government health minister ill relative. He continues to support the which it can cause sufferers. has attended a meeting of the Faculty’s therapy but said there was a need for She went on to highlight a number Midlands’ group. Michael O’Brien more research evidence to be published. of homeopathic medicines which she became minister of state for health Mr O’Brien joined members of the finds useful in treating this condition, in June 2009 and gave evidence in group to hear Dr Sujata Naik discuss including Actera spicata and Kalmia. support of homeopathy to the now the use of homeopathy in the treatment To view the slides presented at this infamous Science and Technology of musculoskeletal disorders, with a meeting, please login to the Members’ Committee evidence check in 2010. focus on cervical spondylosis. Dr Naik Area on the Faculty website and look Although a QC not a doctor, reminded her audience of how many for the title, “Update from the recent Mr O’Brien has supported homeopathy days from work are lost from this Midlands Group Meeting – September since witnessing its positive effects on an condition, as well as the chronic pain 2019 – Coventry, UK”. 6 NEWS simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy

President issues a reminder of the The Royal College of GPs calls for Faculty’s vaccinations policy better access to Following a front-page report in the Dr Smyth or Dr Sara Eames to seek alternative therapies Daily Mail linking homeopathy to a guidance on whether to accept. Their fall in the uptake of vaccinations for contact details are on the back cover. A report by Public Health England childhood diseases and to the so- on the overprescribing of medicines called anti-vaxx movement, president has seen the Royal College of General Dr Gary Smyth is keen to remind all Practitioners (RCGP) call for more members of the Faculty’s policy on access to alternatives to drug therapies. vaccinations. While acknowledging that most When there is no medical drugs are prescribed appropriately and contraindication, the Faculty of for a short period of time, Prof Helen Homeopathy recommends that Stokes-Lampard, chair of the RCGP, immunisation should be carried out said the report highlights “the severe according to the current protocol using lack of alternatives to drug therapies for approved vaccines. many conditions”. She added that where Dr Smyth said: “As has happened there are effective alternatives, access to too many times in the past, we are them across the country is inadequate. being tarred with the same brush as Focussing on opioids and anti- some other practitioners who take depressants, Prof Stokes-Lampard said an anti-vaccination stance, so it’s prescriptions for these drugs should important that we make it clear that we always be based on clinical guidelines are certainly not anti-vaccination. It is and the physical, psychological and frustrating that our detractors know social factors affecting a patient’s exactly the right buttons to press to health. She said when prescribing generate division among homeopaths potentially addictive drugs the mantra and also to get front-page headlines.” for prescribers should always be Members are also reminded that if “prescribe the lowest possible dose for they are invited by the media to give the shortest possible time – and to offer a statement on the vaccination issue regular medication reviews”. or any other, they should first contact Concerns about overprescribing of antibiotics, anti-depressants and painkillers have risen in recent years, particularly since the scale of The Faculty promotes its dependency on prescription drugs in America has come to light. To avoid a similar situation happening in the UK, work at the LMHI conference Prof Stokes-Lampard said prescribing At the end of September, conference which attracts delegates trends need to be reversed and GPs representatives from the Faculty from all over world. need better access to alternative of Homeopathy attended the Dr Sara Eames, the Faculty’s therapies in the community. Liga Medicorum Homeopathica operations manager, said it was This approach will be very familiar Internationalis (LMHI) Congress in wonderful to see so many homeopaths to all homeopaths, as they’ve been Sorrento, Italy. from every corner of the earth co- advocating it for many years. They will Founded in Rotterdam in 1925, operating so well together. During the argue that if the RCGP is serious about the LMHI has grown from its original four-day event she gave a presentation reducing the growing dependency 14 members from nine countries into on the Faculty’s past, present and on prescription drugs, the medical a global organisation representing future, to raise interest in the work the profession will have to change its medical associations from more than Faculty is doing both in the UK and attitude towards complementary 80 countries. abroad. therapies in general and to homeopathy The principal aim of the LMHI Also attending the event were the in particular. is to promote the international British Homeopathic Association Nevertheless, the RCGP’s development of homeopathy by and the Hahnemann House Trust. acceptance of the need for GPs to creating a link among medically The Faculty would like to express its prescribe, when clinically appropriate, licensed homeopaths and the gratitude to the Hahnemann House alternatives to conventional drugs may associations that represent them. Trust who sponsored the stall where indicate that complementary medicine This international society of medical all three organisations were able to could have a larger part to play in the homeopaths hosts an annual promote their work. health service of the future. 7

FEATURE simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy 175 years old and still going strong As the Faculty celebrates a milestone anniversary, John Burry looks back over its illustrious history. his year the Faculty of Homeopathy celebrates its T175th anniversary. It was on the evening of 10 April 1844 that a small group of medical homeopaths met at the London home of Dr Frederic Hervey Foster Quin for the inaugural meeting of the British Homeopathic Society (BHS), the name under which the Faculty operated for one hundred years. Quin was a leading homeopath of the day, with a successful practice in the capital and a determination to promote and advance homeopathy within the medical profession. This was his second attempt at founding a professional body for medical homeopaths, having seven years earlier, in 1837, formed a society that lasted less than a year. reflected in his style of presidency in Dr Frederic Hervey Foster Quin When eight men gathered at the way he was intolerant of the views Quin’s house in Arlington Street on of those who disagreed with him. Sammuel Hahnemann’s birthday in The new society was open only to 1844, the prospect of longevity for medical homeopaths and its main aim the organisation they were founding was to convert other doctors to the seemed no brighter than its short-lived healing art. Five years later, the BHS predecessor. Not only were they few in still only had forty-four members. number, the early months were taken Nevertheless, Quin remained president up with endless arguments about the for thirty-four years until just before rules of the new society, not least of his death 1878, by which time the which was Quin’s insistence that all membership had risen to almost three members had to attend every meeting. hundred. Quin was the BHS’s first president. Dr Frederic Quin was the first Portraits of him show an imposing of numerous eminent homeopaths figure with a high domed forehead, who would serve the organisation as a chiselled nose, a broad chin and president, far too many to mention hollow cheeks framed by mutton them all here. But there are a few chop whiskers. He is said to have had whose contribution and influence has an aristocratic bearing, which was been so immense that they deserve

9 to be highlighted in any article by many homeopaths today. commemorating the Faculty’s long Dr Weir was knighted by King history. in 1932. He worked at the Dr Richard Hughes LHH for sixty years and taught many Dr Richard Hughes (1836-1902) is leading medical homeopaths, who remembered as a great writer and went on to make their own important scholar whose contribution played contributions to homeopathy and an important part in homeopathy’s healing the sick. development. He was widely respected Sir never veered from both in Britain and abroad and his belief that the therapy to which became known as the “grand old he dedicated his professional life man of homeopathy”. In 1876 he was had genuine therapeutic benefits. appointed the permanent secretary of “Homeopathy,” he said, “is no the Organisation of the International religion, no sect, no fad, no humbug Congress of Homeopathy Physicians. … remedies do not act directly on Dr Hughes was present in Paris disease; they merely stimulate the vital when the body of reactions of the patient, and this causes was disinterred and reburied at the him to cure himself.” city’s famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery Dr Margery Blackie under a memorial in keeping with the travelled to America to study for six Another illustrious former member founder of homeopathy’s contribution months under Dr of the Faculty is Dr Margery Blackie to medicine. Despite the reverence at the Hering Homeopathic College (1898–1981). Her uncle was none other Hughes clearly had for Hahnemann, in . He returned to the UK than Dr James Compton Burnett, one he was not afraid to be critical of some convinced that Kent was the greatest of the most renowned homeopaths of the great man’s ideas, particularly in exponent of homeopathy of the day of the time. And although the young regard to high potencies and the Vital and set about putting into practice Margery never knew him personally, Force. what he had learned at what was then she was greatly influenced by what he Homeopathy, Hughes believed, was the London Homeopathic Hospital achieved, so much so that at an early a developing science and for it to be (LHH). age she announced that she too wanted taken seriously by the wider medical Weir actively promoted Kent’s to become a doctor. profession it had to abandon the approach of prescribing single dose In 1923, she realised this ambition mysticism that had become associated remedies of high potency. This after studying at the London School of with it. He therefore set out to “purify” was contrary to how most medical Medicine for Women. The following Hahnemann’s Materia Medica of homeopaths practised at the time year she joined the staff at the London the “fancies and follies” that he felt and attracted strong opposition from Homeopathic Hospital in Great were undermining homeopathy’s within the profession. Although a Ormond Street. Working at the LHH scientific credentials. The result was relative novice in homeopathy, he she was able to see how conventional his four-volume Cyclopedia of Drug persevered as instructed by Tyler Kent medicine compared with the Pathogenesy, co-authored with Dr and gradually developed a reputation homeopathic approach, and became Timothy Field and published between for being an excellent doctor and convinced that homeopathy had 1886 and 1891. homeopath that brought him to the therapeutic benefits that quite often To many homeopaths this approach attention of the Royal Family. modern medicine could not provide. was tantamount to the gravest apostasy Dr Weir became Physician Royal Dr Blackie had a prodigious work and Hughes was accused of trying to and went on to serve four British ethic. As well as her everyday clinical placate orthodox physicians. This was monarchs, including Queen Elizabeth II, duties at the LHH, she had her own not far from the truth, as he believed and also the King of Sweden. Even private practice and also took on the that homeopathy needed the resources, so, he continued working at the LHH additional responsibility of helping to expertise and intellect of conventional where his clinical success brought run an out-patient clinic for mentally medical doctors to put it on a sound more converts to high potency disabled children. scientific footing. prescribing. Her clinical expertise, along with her Dr Richard Hughes’s efforts to Although at opposite ends of forthright views and determination, promote homeopathy as a medical the potency spectrum, Weir shared were now also attracting attention science is commemorated by the Dr Richard Hughes’s aspiration for from the wider homeopathic profession, Faculty with an annual lecture that homeopathy to be fully recognised by and in 1949 she was elected president bears his name. the medical profession. Addressing a of the Faculty of Homeopathy, thus Sir John Weir conference in 1950, he lamented the becoming the first woman to lead the It was soon after graduating in “accursed spirit which makes medical organisation. Dr Blackie was to become medicine from Glasgow University in men antagonistic towards anything an influential member of the Faculty for 1902 that Dr John Weir (1879–1971) new”, a sentiment that will be endorsed many decades.

10 simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy

She was re-elected twice to the presidency, served on its council, was editor of its journal and, for fifteen years, held the post of dean where she revised courses for medical graduates and general practitioners. Witnessing the rise in antagonism from the medical profession towards homeopathy, Dr Blackie was quick to see that the lack of scientific evidence to support homeopathy’s efficacy was a major obstacle to its wider acceptance. And although she believed the evidence from the observations and experiences of homeopathic physicians was infinitely superior to that of scientific studies, she did recognise a The Faculty’s journal Homeopathy greater scientific understanding of the regulations over the years therapy was needed and became active have extended the Faculty’s role to in raising funds so more research include other statutorily registered could be carried out. healthcare professionals, such as Although a committed homeopath, nurses, pharmacists and vets. Dr Blackie never abandoned her More recently, in 2013, the Faculty training in conventional medicine achieved designated body status and acknowledged there were from the General Medical Council cases when modern treatments Dr Margery Blackie for the revalidation of doctors. This could be used in combination with means that the annual appraisal of homeopathy. Nor was she opposed homeopathic physicians in the UK, from self-appointed “champions” to other complementary approaches who wish to continue to practise, can of science and rationalism. But and sometimes even recommended now be conducted by appraisers who throughout its long history the Faculty osteopathy and acupuncture, thus have an understanding of homeopathy has had many triumphs too. revealing her to be a pioneering and its use in clinical practice. Soon after changing its name advocate of integrative medicine. But the Faculty’s most important from the British Homeopathic Society By the late 1960s her reputation achievement over its 175-year history to the Faculty of Homeopathy in as a brilliant homeopathic doctor is its success in educating countless 1944, it campaigned successfully for was secure, so much so that in 1969 doctors and other healthcare homeopathy to be included in the new there was a notable addition to her professionals in the practice of National Health Service which was already long list of patients when she homeopathy. The education and launched in 1948. was appointed physician to Queen training they received enabled them The Faculty played a significant Elizabeth II, the first woman to hold to successfully treat many thousands role in the success of the homeopathic this prestigious post. of patients, relieving suffering and hospitals, where over the years many Although she received many restoring health for many people who of its members worked and built their honours and was held in the highest had failed to respond to conventional careers. regard by the homeopathic profession, medicine. Since 1911 it has published a Margery Blackie was first and In 2019, the Faculty of Homeopathy medical journal to improve the foremost a doctor and her patients is an international organisation with understanding and clinical practice were always her number one priority. members and teaching centres abroad. of the therapy. Today the journal is Her achievements and her name Dr Frederic Quin’s original aim in called Homeopathy and it continues remain an inspiration to all healthcare to publish articles and quality peer- forming the organisation remains professionals who have chosen the reviewed research, which is helping central to the work that the Faculty homeopathic path. raise the standard of scientific and does today; promoting homeopathy to Challenges and triumphs clinical research in homeopathy the medical professions and delivering The Faculty’s rancorous beginning around the world. quality educational courses to ensure in 1844 in many ways reflects its In 1950, the Faculty was patients can, when it’s appropriate, opt turbulent history since. Over the incorporated by an Act of Parliament for homeopathic care. decades the Faculty has frequently in recognition of its role in regulating And may that continue for many had to defend itself and its members the education, training and practise of years to come. against bitter attacks from the medical homeopathy by the medical profession. John Burry profession and in more recent times Amendments to the byelaws and Editor of simile

1115 CASE STUDIES

Dr Mollie Hunton offers two short The healing case studies that highlight the scope of art in practice homeopathy treatment.

Child with a cough rise in asthma in the population. Coughs are relatively easy to treat with It is a concept first described by homeopathy and in general practice, Dr Edward Bach, a bacteriologist the diagnosis is usually straight at the Royal London Homeopathic forward – colds and asthma. The Hospital in the 1920s. It was further diagnosis in this case, however, was investigated in the 1960s by Dr John never made by a GP or paediatrician. Patterson in Glasgow, who found that I met a woman at a funeral and she the bacteria in the bowel were restored asked me if I would see her daughter to normal balance and the patient and grandson as he was now 18 restored to health after receiving months old and the doctors had been homeopathic treatment. unable to cure his cough. I thought that the steroid injections The next day the daughter told had affected his immune system and me that the cough had been present consequently, when his mother had from birth. He was under the care had the DPT injection, it caused the of paediatricians and GPs, seeing a Drosera rotundifolia cough because his immune system different one each time he attended a was unable to cope. A baby trying consultation. He had been hospitalised I don’t know if the GPs and to get out of a stressful situation (his three times for pneumonia and paediatricians had ever seen a case mother’s stressful job) is already bronchitis. He’d had X-rays and scans of whooping cough, but no diagnosis compromised. No one seemed to of his lungs and tests for cystic fibrosis, was made. The description of the connect the events and no one but nothing had shown up. No one had cough told me what the problem was recognised whooping cough, because diagnosed the problem by listening to as I had seen many cases. I gave him obviously, if you inject the mother with the cough. Drosera and Pertussin to take and two DPT you are providing protection not I asked her to describe the cough. days later she put a note through my causing a problem. Why they thought She said that the minute he was born door saying she had now had the first a baby needed protection from tetanus and drew breath he started coughing. full night’s sleep since he was born. and diphtheria is a mystery to me, as She had not had a night’s sleep since, Drosera is the commonest remedy these diseases are extremely rare in as she was up so many times to him. used for whooping cough. the UK. He coughed so strongly that he could The night time cough never The interesting thing is that no not get his breath and then was sick at returned, but as he was still coughing GP or paediatrician ever asked about the end of the bout. That was a perfect by day his mother took him off the baby’s progress when he stopped description of a cough that needed the dairy products and his cough went attending because he was better. remedy Drosera. completely. She worked out that the Combating antibiotic resistance But there was a lot more. His antibiotics he had taken through The patient was an 18-year-old man. mother was a busy lawyer and had her having the DPT vaccination had He was one of my babies from GP a stressful job. At 34 weeks of her wrecked his biome and caused the practice and I had known the family pregnancy, she had started labour lactose problem. The biome is the gut for a long time, as his older brother was pains and gone to the hospital. They lining that has good and bad bacteria. in the same class at school as my son. gave her an injection of steroids and Antibiotics alter this bacterial balance I was walking down into the town the labour settled down. However, the thus affecting the immune system, to go shopping when I met his mother. pains started again at 36 weeks and making it more liable for people to She was very distressed and agitated this time, despite two steroid injections suffer from disease and obesity. The and told me that her younger son had she continued in labour. She was state of having abnormal bacteria been out running, had tripped and then told that the baby was going to in the gut is called dysbiosis . The fractured his ankle. He was in the local be premature and needed protection altered biome also affects the lining hospital and needed open reduction from , so they gave her a DPT of the bowel and causes the leaky and pins and plates inserted. He had vaccination (diphtheria, whooping gut syndrome, which means you are been on an antibiotic drip for three cough and tetanus). Ten hours later more likely to develop allergies. This, I weeks after developing an MRSA the baby was born coughing. believe, is the cause of the considerable osteitis. Even so, he was still running

12 simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy a fever. She was very worried about him as he was not eating and had lost a lot of weight. The consultant was suggesting that he might need an amputation if the infection could not be controlled. His mother was afraid he was going to die. She asked me if I could help. We went back to my house and I gave her three tiny bottles of homeopathic remedies. One of Arnica 200C, one of MRSA 200C and one of Symphytum 200C, and asked her to tell him to suck one tablet of each three times a day. We had a discussion about whether MRSA to tell the consultant that she wanted to give her son the medication. She came from Pakistan, so he knew about Two days later he went home. He knew that it would not interfere with homeopathy and his family used it at took the homeopathic treatment for the antibiotics in his drip, as she had home. only a week and by then he was able to had homeopathic medication from The patient sucked two doses of weight bear. He had no more problems me before. When she arrived at the each tablet that evening and another and the fracture healed. Eventually he hospital that day to visit her son she the next morning. He started to feel started running again and some years asked to speak to the consultant. He better and asked for something to later he had to have the plates removed shrugged his shoulders and said that eat and drink. By that evening his as they were causing pain. He now as he had run out of options she might fever had gone and the next day they walks normally. as well give the homeopathic remedies took his drip down and gave him oral to him. The consultant originally antibiotics instead. Dr Mollie Hunton

Applications are considered twice a year, with deadlines on 1 March and 1 October

13 EVENT HRI London conference celebrates ten years of supporting inspiring and exceptional research Dr Christine authors had manipulated the data until in homeopathic treatment compared they had got the results they wanted. with placebo. Other possible methods Suppelt reports on “To conclude that homeopathy of research were also discussed. the Homeopathy lacks clinical effect,” he said, “scientists Dr Clare Relton, senior lecturer must overlook more than 90% of the at Queen Mary University, London, Research Institute’s available clinical trials. Alternatively, asked whether we can design trials fourth international flawed statistical methods must be that will help patients, clinicians and applied.” homeopaths make the best decisions. conference. This point was reinforced by Rachel Her presentation illuminated the modern “scientific” tool that is the n June, the very latest work in Roberts, HRI’s chief executive, who RCT, along with the economic, the field of homeopathic research spoke about the infamously flawed political and cultural forces that and practice was presented at the Shang report (2005), the negative I conclusions of the UK parliament’s continue to shape trials. She Homeopathic Research Institute’s concluded by offering suggestions (HRI) fourth international conference. evidence check in homeopathy, and the for homeopathy trials in the future. London’s Tower Bridge was the iconic shocking academic misreporting in the “ A similar theme was explored by backdrop for this biennial event, studies conducted by the Australian NHMRC (2015) and the European Dr Michael Teut, a medical researcher which attracted 350 delegates from from Berlin, when he suggested that a 38 countries. They heard from over Academies’ Scientific Advisory Council (2017). Despite being heavily new approach to homeopathic research 70 researchers who delivered a varied methodology based on comparative academic programme that covered the flawed these reports have become enormously influential documents. effectiveness was needed. physical foundations of homeopathy, Other presentations covered the cell and plant research, and trials in Strategies on how to challenge these misrepresentations were discussed. use of homeopathy in treating a wide the use of homeopathy in veterinary range of medical conditions. These and human medicine and agriculture. Inspiring research included Dr Elio Rossi’s research in Following the opening address The quality of research was exceptional the homeopathic treatment of atopic by David Tredinnick MP, a long- and inspiring. A systematic review disease; a study by Dr Gualberto standing and enthusiastic supporter of physiochemical properties of Diaz-Saez that showed homeopathy of homeopathy, the first session homeopathic preparations and test ameliorating upper respiratory tract explored whether homeopathy gets a techniques was presented by Dr Alex in COPD patients; and fair hearing in the leading medical and Tournier, HRI’s executive director. Dr Yakov Feed’s work looking at the scientific journals. Dr Elizabeth Thompson talked use of homeopathy to improve fatigue Prof Robert Hahn, a medical about an integrative medicine model and attentional deterioration in breast scientist from Sweden, showed how incorporating conventional and cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. data is being distorted by sceptic holistic medicine, along with lifestyle The conference also heard from researchers to confirm the widely changes. This removes the patient from Prof Leoni Bonamin. He highlighted accepted hypothesis that homeopathy being caught in the crossfire of having how homeopathy is growing in areas cannot work owing to its perceived to choose between conventional or beyond human medicine because of its implausibility. This was particularly complementary medicine, by creating capacity to act on all living systems. In interesting as Prof Hahn is not a a mode of treatment that incorporates agriculture and cattle farms, especially homeopath, but had started looking both. those using organic production into the subject to see how valid the Dr Robert Mathie looked at methods, homeopathy has been a very sceptics’ claims are. Highlighting randomised controlled trials (RCTs) useful tool and works in harmony with several meta-analyses that concluded of homeopathic treatment. He found the concept of sustainability, including homeopathic treatment was no more there are five high-quality trials its application in biodynamic agriculture than placebo, he showed how the containing evidence of a distinct effect and agro-forestry.

14 simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy

In Brazil more than 15 companies their research published, it did seem are manufacturing homeopathic as if we are on the brink of change, products for animal and vegetal use. where high quality research can’t be Dr Elio Rossi Homeopathy is also being used in ignored and the misrepresentation zoos and by protective organisations of homeopathy’s effectiveness will for wild animals, mainly in epidemic no longer be possible. The quality of situations. Prof Bonamin concluded the research presented at the HRI that this points towards an ecological conference and the commitment of role for homeopathy. researchers to continue their work Ten years supporting research reinforced that encouraging and The conference coincided with reassuring prospect. the HRI’s 10th anniversary. Dr Christine Suppelt After announcing this milestone, Dr Tournier and Ms Roberts received a standing ovation from the delegates in appreciation of their efforts over the years in bringing together the leading researchers in homeopathy, as well as challenging scientifically flawed reports. To mark the anniversary a cake was baked that took the form of a stack of notable research books. As a registered charity the HRI’s work is funded by generous donations from supporters. The level of financial support the HRI receives was highlighted when Dr Tournier and Ms Roberts took the opportunity The Hong Kong delegation to thank the Hong Kong delegation for an earlier donation of £10,000. The head of the delegation made a speech A busy programme in Cantonese (translated into English) and then to everyone’s amazement announced they were making a further donation of £35,000 to the HRI. There were a number of social events to help the delegates relax and unwind after a busy day in the conference hall. There was a dinner cruise on the River Thames and a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a gala dinner in the Tower of London, including a private tour of the 11th century castle conducted by a yeoman of the guard. These events were completely sold out and were a huge success, giving delegates the opportunity to form new friendships and discuss the possibility of future research collaborations, while also enjoying some of London’s most historic sites. Being part of such a large gathering of homeopaths and researchers from all over the world defied the marginalisation and isolation homeopaths can sometimes feel. HRI birthday cake Although many presenters spoke about the difficulties they faced in getting

15 TRIBUTE A good man in homeopathy Louise Hall is the homeopathic world. that eventually became attached His time was different from ours. to his name, the awards and the granddaughter of Born into a world shattered by the royal accolades, and the innovative John Ainsworth horrors of the Great War, the fragility pharmacy that he founded, but of his childhood was catalysed by remember the flesh and blood behind who founded the death of his mother just months these things. Let us remember the the homeopathic after his birth. He was brought up by man. an aunt and uncle in strict Victorian The soldier pharmacy that still fashion, before being thrust into the Tall, slim, sporty and devilishly bears his name. She horrors of yet another world war. handsome, John was caught in the Many such men were carved from maelstrom of the 1930s and ‘40s and, recalls her grandfather’s this dark material. These days they just eight days before his twentieth life and work to would have access to counsellors, birthday, he enlisted in the army. psychiatrists and therapists of one kind After extensive training in the South celebrate the 100th or another. But his generation was Staffordshire regiment, the newly anniversary of his birth. different. They “got on with it”, holding commissioned Lieutenant Ainsworth on to memories best not shared or travelled to Tunisia in 1943 to join he past is a foreign country; talked about. Returning from the his new regiment the Queen’s 1/7th “ they do things differently there”, battlefields to promises of “Homes for Armoured Division, otherwise known Twrote the novelist L P Hartley. Heroes”, most simply wanted a job. as the famous “Desert Rats”. At the We are all echoes of that past, and This would be good enough for most time, John was an Intelligence Officer, with this in mind I would like to pay men, but not for all. a role he regarded as “highly amusing”. tribute to John Ainsworth, both the One such man was John Ainsworth. Later, when asked by his children man and the gift he passed on to the For the moment let us forget the letters what he did during the war, he would

John Ainsworth being presented to the Queen Mother.

16 simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy

Vice-captain of Caterham School Cricket Team, 1938. (Front row 2nd from right) reply: “Not a lot. I just followed that plagued him for the rest of his life On his first days at the pharmacy along behind it all.” This mastery of (incidentally, finally cured by larval he was given the responsibility of understatement was symptomatic of therapy three years before his death). making the tea at the appropriate time. that generation. After action in Italy, This was the melting pot that formed “One spoon of tea for each and one for his company landed on Gold Beach the man who became passionate about the pot,” he was told. Even with ten or in Normandy, three days after D-Day, homeopathy and healing the sick. more working at the shop, he would and became immediately involved The caring man duly put ten spoons of tea into the in the relief of Caen that saw fierce Post war he completed his BSc in standard size teapot plus one for fighting and heavy loss of life. John’s chemistry at King’s College London the pot. war, and almost his life, eventually and at Bristol, and was keen to find Whereas for us the past may ended when he led an attack to secure a career where he could use his be a foreign country, for men like the lock gates on Panheel canal in knowledge of science. His wife, Peggy, John Ainsworth it was the present Holland. It was a miserable, cold, wet whom he had married in 1942, had that seemed so far away. For his day in October 1944 when the order a family connection with one of the generation, liberation meant the end to attack was given. After 45 minutes directors of Homeopathic of tyranny, concentration camps and only one officer of the “Rats” was left Pharmacy in Duke Street, London. mass murder. In the rebellious hands alive. The now field-promoted Major John joined the company and his long of teenagers in the 1960s it meant John Ainsworth lay in a ditch badly association with homeopathy began. contempt for authority, free love and wounded. An HQ runner fortunately He soon found that homeopathy music with tunes you couldn’t whistle saw a glimmer of life and returned had no resemblance to classical to. John Ainsworth once told Sir Paul with stretcher-bearers, who received chemistry or science, but was McCartney that he was responsible John’s curses and cries of pain as they fascinated nonetheless by the duality for “a great deal of family unrest in carried him off the battlefield. of action of potent substances like the 1960s with his long hair and loud For many decades after, the arsenic or strychnine. With the aid of music”; though the remark was made two would write to each other – a government grant for interrupted in affectionate jest. This was, after recognition of the warm bond and studies, he took a two-year pharmacy all, the man who rushed out to buy gratitude woven between them. John course and joined the Register in 1949. Chubby Checker’s Let’s Twist Again finally left the army with his de-mob John stayed with Nelsons for many and repeatedly tried out the dance papers and severe wounds to his legs years, eventually becoming a director. moves on his kitchen floor.

17 He could be grumpy and irritable, des Pharmaciens (CIPH) Scientific but my enduring memory of him Commission, where he contributed is encapsulated in a photograph, to early work on the European the camera’s lens momentarily Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. capturing in his eyes a sharp wit, In 1978, he opened mischievousness, generosity and Homeopathic Pharmacy on New kindness. Here was the man who Cavendish Street, London, employing would playfully stick his finger up a staff of six. Just 12 months later, at his own son as he overtook him Ainsworths Pharmacy was granted in a faster car. His dark humour was the royal warrants of HM The Queen evident during the so-called Mad Cow and HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen disease crisis. “A slice of BSE anyone?” Mother. It also later gained the royal he would ask as he ceremoniously warrant of HRH The Prince of Wales. carved the Sunday roast that had been From 1978 to 1989 the pharmacy lovingly prepared by his wife. continued to prosper and its staff All his three children have fond increased to 56. It enjoyed considerable memories of their father’s reassuring professional and public support, and presence, arriving by their bedside served three royal physicians: when they were sick, often in the Dr Marjorie Blackie, Dr Charles Elliott middle of the night, with a torch, and Dr Ronald Davey, along with a boxes of pills and a very well-thumbed host of other influential clients. Materia Medica. He caused a minor After almost 40 years’ service with rebellion among his children by the British Homeopathic Association, permanently replacing the sandwiches John and wife Peggy with in 1992 John was elected life president. of white bread and butter in their the family dog, Pip. That same year he received further packed lunch with solid brown rye and accolades for his important contribution low fat margarine. to homeopathic pharmacy, receiving For his employees, the bustling hours with little time off for holidays. a fellowship from the Royal pharmacy took on a warm family Pharmaceutical Society and an Even the two statutory days for atmosphere whenever he (and honorary fellowship from the Faculty Christmas were once interrupted often Peggy) was around. If it was of Homeopathy, where he was the first on Boxing Day by an urgent call somebody’s birthday, work would pharmacist to be honoured in this way. requesting him to deliver a remedy to briefly come to a halt to pop a cork Despite the trauma of his early a member of the Royal Family. It was of champagne. Here was a man who years, his time in the war and the leg snowing at the time, but undaunted couldn’t sit still at a jazz concert, wounds that led to a degenerative he and Peggy dutifully set out, with who would shake the whole row of disability, John’s life was long, wellington boots and shovel in the seats as he bounced to the rhythm. healthy and active. His passion for boot of the car, for the long return trip A man deeply moved by classical homeopathy was palpable and he to London. music, once saying to his daughter: fought for its deserved recognition at During the big freeze of 1963, when “Beethoven makes me feel complete, every opportunity. He died in 2007, roads were impassable, he set off on but Stravinsky leaves me all in pieces.” nine days before his 88th birthday, foot (despite his leg problems) to walk Here was a man who cared, which was from nothing more complicated than the one-and-a-half miles to Caterham reflected in his long commitment to old age and a longing to once again station to get to work. His son can still homeopathy. be with his beloved wife, Peggy. His picture him knocking the snow off the legacy continues to prosper, with The homeopathic pharmacist tree branches with his walking stick as Ainsworths pharmacy thriving in In 1955, John joined the British he went. Five years later, John played London’s West End and still holding Homeopathic Association’s (BHA) a major role in getting homeopathic two royal warrants. council where he served as treasurer remedies registered as medicines On 9 September 2019, John for many years. He organised courses under the Medicines Act. Ainsworth would have celebrated for pharmacists through the BHA The next two decades were years his centenary. This article is to and encouraged the over-the-counter of remarkable professional success commemorate his life and his supply of homeopathic medicines. and recognition. In 1972 he was contribution to homeopathy, but most John and Peggy contributed to BHA appointed managing director of important of all to remember a good man. roadshows around the country, and Nelsons Pharmacy. Four years later he travelled all over the world attending became president of the International Louise Hall and Mike Bridger homeopathic and pharmaceutical Homeopathy Pharmacists Committee, With special thanks to John’s three conferences. a post he held for three years; and children, Philip, Hilary and Vivienne, Throughout his homeopathic in that same year he became a UK for their insights, anecdotes and fact career, John Ainsworth worked long member of the Comite International verifications.

18 WHAT’S ON simile • November 2019 • The Faculty of Homeopathy

Regular meetings W Surrey & W Sussex Manchester-Liverpool Northern Ireland Homeopathic Group Homeopathic Group Homeopathic Group Meetings take place for CPD, discussion Event Time: 20:00 until 22:00 Meetings for discussing homeopathic of clinical cases, and other matters related The Scarlett Arms, Walliswood, Ockley, cases and other matters relevant to to Homeopathic practice. Open to all Surrey, RH5 5RD. homeopathy. Open to doctors, vets, Faculty affiliated healthcare professionals, nurses, pharmacists of all levels. regardless of experience. Location varies. For more information, please contact: Members include doctors, vets, dentists, Location varies, so contact in advance and pharmacists. The aim of the group Mrs Anne Smyth at anne.smyth100@ for details: Dr Eftihia Metallidou on 0161 gmail.com or call 07734 053780. is to act as a forum for ongoing learning 4747301 weekdays 12-4.00 pm or email: The SW Scotland Homeopathic Group and support, covering all aspects of [email protected] homeopathy and medical practice. The group usually meets the first London Homeopathic Group Wednesday of the month in October, For dates please contact Charles Forsyth For further information contact November, December and also February, 01737 226338 (office) 01737 248605 (home) Dr Susanne Dreher-Brogan at March, April, May and June. 07802 293006 (mobile) [email protected] Meetings are held from 7.30-9pm in the Leeds Homeopathic Group Irish Homeopathic Group NHS Centre for Integrative Care at the Regular meetings at the Ramada Jarvis Regular meetings take place in Gartnavel Campus, 1053 Great Western Hotel, Adel, north Leeds Trim, Co. Meath. For further Road, Glasgow. For more information Jutta Prekow on 0113 203 7329 or at information contact contact Stephen Caulfield at Stephen. [email protected] Dr Jaume Costa at [email protected] [email protected]

Open Clinical Day – Inflammation: cetaceans, crustaceans, corals, fish and The Swiss Society for Pediatrics is Unlocking Chronic and Autoimmune molluscs. organising the first congress about Disease 7 February 2020 Sunday – Safe or Vulnerable: Many ediatric Integrative Medicine. The Engineers House, The Promenade, patients present with the sensation of pioneering congress is the first time that a Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3NB. vulnerable, no boundaries, naked and conventional medical society organises an Cost: £50 (half-day) £100 (full-day) £80 unprotected, or the compensation of event about integrative medicine. (early-bird). strong, safe, guarded and protector. A The programme will include contributions number of remedies and remedy families Inflammation: Unlocking Chronic of renowned international speakers on share these themes and making the and Autoimmune Disease is a one- most of the important topics in pediatrics. differentiation can be difficult. We will day training event for healthcare There will be contributions in English, explore this state through cured cases. professionals, CAM practitioners, and for presentations in other languages students and researchers. We will look Cost: £120 for the week-end (includes simultaneous translation into English will in detail at this increasingly important lunch). For more detail email be available. [email protected] or call 0117 973 issue of how inflammation can underpin For more details visit www.bbscongress. many of the chronic conditions we see 8035. ch/2020/sgp-2020/ in daily practice – from diabetes to heart Glasgow Masterclass – Making sense Additional information will be gradually health, from auto-immune conditions to of the Yakir Plant Family Structure in uploaded. We would be very happy to alzheimer’s – inflammation seems to be Chronic Pain and Cancer welcome colleagues from Britain. fundamentally important. 26 – 26 April 2020 Organised by the National Centre for Speaker: Dr Elizabeth Thompson Integrative Medicine. For more details email [email protected] or visit CPD masterclass seminars open to Faculty of Homeopathy www.ncim.org.uk or call 0117 973 8035. qualified homeopaths and students Dr Elizabeth Thompson will present Congress 2020 Glasgow Masterclass – Sea Creatures cases inspired by learning from a range of and their themes/Safe or Vulnerable homeopathic experts and will focus on the 15 – 16 February 2020 new work of Yakir which is illuminating Save the Date CPD masterclass seminars open to her clinical practice. qualified homeopaths and students 8 – 11 October 2020 Cost: £120 for the week-end (includes NHS Centre for Integrative Care, 1053 lunch). For more details contact the Join us in Bournemouth for Great Western Road, Glasgow. National Centre for Integrative Medicine the most intellectually and Speaker: Geoff Johnson at email [email protected] or call socially stimulating event in the Saturday – Sea Creatures and their 0117 973 8035. homeopathic calendar. themes: All remedies deriving from More information will be sea animals share similar themes and Swiss Congress for Integrative words. They are further sub-divided by Pediatrics 2020 appearing on the website soon their family traits. Illustrated by cured 4 – 5 June 2020 www.facultyofhomeopathy.org cases we will explore the world of the City of Fribourg, Switzerland

19 CONTACTS

Who to contact at the Faculty

••• FACULTY COUNCIL

• Gary Smyth, President • Tony Pinkus, Pharmacy Dean [email protected] [email protected]

• Patricia Ridsdale, Vice-President • Jonathan Hardy, Independent Practice Members’ Committee Convener Representative [email protected] [email protected] Gabriella Day, NHS Primary Helen Beaumont, Immediate • • Care Representative Past-President [email protected] [email protected] • Barbara Jones, Veterinary • Jacqueline Mardon, NHS Secondary Care Representative Representative [email protected] [email protected] • Liz Tucker, BHA and • Peter Gregory, Veterinary Dean Patient Representative [email protected] [email protected]

••• STAFF

• Sara Eames, Operations Manager [email protected] Faculty of Homeopathy • Lisa Peacock – Membership and Education Officer/Quality Officer CAN Mezzanine, [email protected] 49-51 East Road 020 3640 5903 – Ext. 1003 London, N1 6AH • Alison Davies Tel: 020 3640 5903 Digital Communications Officer Email: [email protected] [email protected] www.facultyofhomeopathy.org • John Burry, Editor of simile [email protected]

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