66 British Hom~eopathic Journal

Actualities in homGeopathy or hom~eopathy up to date D. BLET This article highlights certain shortcomings in hommopathic practice and the need to evolve beyond certain current doctrines.

Homveopathic methodology In applying the similia law, elements such as time modalities, study and reflection on the patho- genesis, clinical verification, depend on individ- ual subjective factors. A similimum can be chosen according to different criteria. Reper- tories need to be more accurate and a general body to collect all the experiences of hommo- pathic doctors needs to be set up.

Inclusion o f new criteria The purpose is not to use the similia principle in a stereotyped way, i.e. prescribing polychrests most of the time. E.g. Clarke used isopathic preparations for breast cancer therapy with suc- cess; the use of specific antibodies for RA. Opium used in distressed new-borns might be nothing less than a sort of isopathy with the endorphins produced during stress.

New data is needed to improve prescriptions and the follow-up of the patient. Certain ideas need to be expressed instead of leaving them in the shadow (in the Jungian sense), even if they do not fit current hom~eopathic thinking.

New techniques for analysing immunoglobu- lins offer a clearer idea of the immune capacity, pathological state and evolution of the disease. Very useful in cancer and auto-immune diseases.

New chronic diseases It is known by hommopaths that vaccinations can induce long term problems. In order of sev- erity regarding possible complications a)Live attenuated vaccines (B.C.G., yellow

fever, polio Sabin, smallpox, german measles, measles, mumps).

b) Killed virus vaccinations (injectable polio, typhoid, paratyphoid, whooping cough).

c) Antitoxins (tetanus, diphtheria). A more refined way of finding out possible

reactions to vaccinations now exists. Until two years, there is a lack of inter-leukin 2(IL2) and before four years IgA levels are low. H L A research has found that DR5 and CW3 groups are vulnerable in viral infections. DR3 group has a hyperimmune tendency and overreacts. Con- clusion: be careful with live-virus vaccinations in DR5 and CW3 groups. The DR3 group needs

weaker and less frequent vaccinations. Most of the children presenting a reaction against vac- cination had lower IgA levels and an increase in alpha2-macroglobulin.

Some common diseases are auto-immune. The author documents a few cases of R A after vaccinations. He has investigated the success rate of the treatment of autoimmune diseases over a two-year period and has found very few cures amongst his unicist classical colleagues. Only a Dr Roudier from Lyons using antibodies against ant i-HLA DR in dilutions between 1400 and 5000 seems to be successfully treating RA.

Cahiers du Groupement Hahnemannien P. Schmidt 1991: 65-70.

Hom~eopathy and premature labour C L A U D I N E WIPF This is one of those rare comparative studies between homeopathy and an allopathic drug. The study concerns 14 patients in a maternity ward. It compares homceopathy and salbutamol (a beta-adrenergic agonist).

Salbutamol is used for the treatment of pre- mature labour. It has side effects including tachycardia, nausea, hypertension, hypergly- caemia, hypokalaemia; other drugs may be required to counteract these side effects. The strategy of the study was to use cardiotoco- graphy to make the diagnosis and then treat the patient (pregnant 30-37 weeks) with either an individualised 'unicist' homoeopathic medicine or salbutamol (Ventolin | The choice of ther- apy was randomly determined. None of the patients presented any contra-indications for salbutamol. The hommopathic medicine was in a 7c t.d.s., salbutamol p.o. or i.v.

Example o f a homoeopathic case Mrs Y, 29 years, 32 weeks pregnant, severe con- tractions above pubis radiating towards sacrum, modification of cervix, > lying down, cries after being told she should rest, very nervous, child- hood eczema, right hand and right f oo t - - reappeared after first pregnancy in 1977. Genital herpes since 1988. Intermittent bleeding in first two months of pregnancy. Cries and irritated when even mildly criticized. Nocturnal cramps of right calf muscles and foot > putting feet on floor. Difficulty sleeping for which she blames her husband. Easy tooth decay.

Repertorization: (K = Kent) K p.93 Weeping from admonitions K p.728 Menses during pregnancy K p.717 Eruptions herpetic