Homoeopathic Queries & Solutions
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1993 Jul / Aug Vol II No 4.
Prof Dr Kasim Chimthanawala.
1. Respected sir, do you agree that Homoeopathy always cures all diseases? Is it possible? Please give your
unbiased views.
Dr. P.C. Gupta Chandigarh
I think it is worthwhile to know that all diseases are curable only until a certain stage and not in all stage. But the patients who come to our clinics are in different stages of their respective diseases. It is unfortunate that a majority of them opt for homoeopathic treatment either after they have passed the stage of reversibility and have been declared incurable by allopathy or when the medicines failed to yield expected results or when the pathology has increased so much that a surgical intervention is the only way out. It is in this stage that the homoeopath is asked to help. To claim that homoeopathy can cure all diseases is a tall one and one should always keep in mind the scope and limitations of homoeopathy.
2. Many physicians use so-called homoeopathic tonics, combinations and patents. Are they doing Hahnemannian
homoeopathy on true homoeopathic principles?
Dr. Pran Choudhry Nadia
In Hahnemannian homoeopathy, there is no place for mixtures of medicines or tonics. It is solely based on the Law of Single and Minimum. However, there exist vested interest in every field and our system is no exception. Such people in order to make easy money and also to shield the ignorance of under-developed graduates, bring out such allopathic type products. It is my sincere advice to all those who wish to enjoy the fruits of this rational science, never fall a prey to such acts. Stick to single medicine. In the initial practice, one may find a difficulty in selection of the similimum but as your knowledge of case taking, repertory and materia medica improves one can easily manage most cases.
3. Respected sir, I remember that some of my teachers said that Nat-mur when given to pregnant ladies
causes abortion. Since then I am afraid to use Nat-mur in pregnant ladies. What is your
opinion and experience on this statement?
Dr. Vilas Gajpure Brahamapuri
It is very unfortunate to hear such hypothetical, baseless and unconfirmed statements at times from the mouths of senior homoeopaths. I believed that they must be having their own convictions, obtained from a few casual cases or a form of delusion derived from some unauthenticated source. I strongly feel that it is wrong to stamp Nat-mur as an abortifacient. If symptoms agree, do not hesitate to prescribe Nat-mur even in pregnant ladies.
4. Is it harmful to use hair dyes? If yes, what are the side effects and which homoeopathic drugs should be
taken to antidote them?
Dr. (Mrs). A.K. Buche Panaji, Goa
Factually speaking, I have no first hand experience of tackling such a case. However I am of the opinion that if an appropriate similimum is selected on the basis of the manifestation (symptom totality), then there is no doubt that the side-effects would disappear. One however has also to stop using the alleged dye for ever.
5. Respected sir, Is it always essential to use placebo in homoeopathic treatment? Can we not do without it?
Dr. Kanjilal sparingly uses it. Please opine.
Dr. Sanjay Tambe
The use of placebos depends on a number of factors. The important ones being competency, confidence and conviction of the physician treating the case. It also depends on the artistic skills that one has in managing a case. Placebos are required to tackle the psychic component usually associated with the chief complaint. It can also be used to introduce a form of strict discipline during the period of treatment. If a physician feels that he can achieve both of these objectives simply by convincing the patient, then a placebo may not be required.
6. Sir, which homoeopathic magazine or journal is worth reading? So many new journals are being
published and everybody claims theirs to be most standard and informative. We, at the
receiving end, are confused. Kindly opine frankly.
Dr. Zuber Mamji Savli, Gujarat
I fully agree with you that during the past few years there is a sudden upsurge of homoeopathic periodicals in the field. This is a welcome situation and the reason is a development of an interest in the members of this field. Note that a majority of these are published from three sources viz -
- Pharmaceuticals industry or commercial institutions.
- Registered homoeopathic organizations, institutions, etc.
- Individuals.
The question remains as to which out of the whole list is the best. This is a very relative and a highly individualistic question. The taste and demand of all homoeopaths is not the same. A journal may be useful to one but useless to the other. In my opinion if a periodical sticks to the principles of Hahnemannian homoeopathy as described in the Organon and contains educative and original work, views, reports of research along with adequate and reliable information, then such a periodical must be read and recommended. So, I advise you to go through all the available journals and periodicals and find out which the best for you.
In my personal opinion, I would recommend you the NJH and the Vital Informer.
(Editor : I hope this is not a biased view! Readers, do reed all Journals. Write back your choice even if it not NJH).