s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter July 2014

This year’s Homeopathy AwarenessWeek (14-21 June) saw the launch ofthree short animated films promotinghomeopathy. The films feature theSnooks, a group of cartoon charactersthat deliver simple but importantmessages about homeopathy in a light-hearted and engaging manner.

The animations are aimed at provid ing the general public with basicinformation about homeopathy, but arealso colourful and fun to watch. Thekey messages communicated in theanimations are: • Homeopathy is about treating theindividual

• Homeopathy works• Millions of people successfully usehomeopathy.

Commissioned by the 4Homeopathygroup, the animated films were producedby graphic designer and animator SamNorland and include commentaries froma professional voice-over artist, whodonated her time for the project. Severalversions of the Snooks were created, butit was decided the rudimentary humanoidform in which they appear in the films bestrepresented how homeopathy can benefitboth sexes and all ages.

Cristal Sumner, chief executive ofthe Faculty of Homeopathy, said:“4Homeopathy wanted to come upwith an idea that would deliver concisemessages about homeopathy that wouldappeal to the social media generation andtherefore have the potential of reachinga huge audience.

“Although the films are very short,planning and producing them has takena great deal of time and hard work. Theresulting animations are very appealing,with sweet characters, catchy music

and simple but powerful messages.” Members and supporters of all the

stakeholder organisations that make up the 4Homeopathy group are beingencouraged to link to and share theanimated films via their websites andsocial networking sites.

The animated films can be viewedon both the Faculty’s and the BritishHomeopathic Association’s websites.So why not take a look and then sendthe link to your friends. With your helpthe Snooks may even end up going viral!

A new series of short films featuringFaculty members talking about why theyuse homeopathy in medical practice willbe launched over the coming weeks.The films will appear on the Faculty’s andthe British Homeopathic Association’swebsites, as well on social media andYouTube.

Shot in the autumn of last year at afilm studio in central London, the Faculty’slatest venture into the world of cinema features Dr Sara Eames, Dr Brian Kaplan,Dr Elizabeth Thompson, Dr Tim Robinson,Dr Christine Suppelt, Dr Peter Fisher,

Dr Julie Geraghty and Dr David Owen.A similar project was completed in

2011 and to date over 27,000 peoplehave viewed this first collection of filmson the Faculty’s YouTube channel. Withthe Faculty and other homeopathicorganisations now having much greateronline support both here in the UK andabroad, it is hoped the new films willsoon attract an audience of thousands.

The first film to be premiered starsDr Sara Eames and it can be viewed onthe home page of the Faculty’s websitewww.facultyofhomeopathy.org

The Snooks have arrived!

IN THIS ISSUE:News 1, 3Editorial 2

Research update 7New media revolution 8

Case study 10Book review 17What’s on 19

Lights, camera, action!

2

•• editorial

Welcome to this my first editorial forsimile – but I’m sure it won’t be my last!

I’m delighted to introduce myself asthe new president of the Faculty. As youare probably aware from the last editionof simile, I became president in Marchafter a closely contested election. It wasfantastic that so many of you took thetime to vote, as it reflects the vibrancyof our organisation and the keen interestthat members have in its future. I wouldlike to thank my election opponentMoira McGuigan for her participation andI look forward to working closely withher for the Faculty in the future. I wouldalso like to give a big thank you to ourchief executive, Cristal Sumner, and allthe Faculty Staff for running the wholeelection process – it was almost asexciting as the American Primaries!

Furthermore, I would again like puton record my gratitude and that of theFaculty for the hard work of mypredecessor Sara Eames, who did awonderful job during her six successfulyears as president. I only hope I canhand the Faculty over in such a goodstate after my period of office.

As I contemplate what the nextfew years will bring, I think one of thebiggest challenges the Faculty faces isrecruitment and training of youngerhealthcare professionals, particularlydoctors and vets. Though the Faculty’smembership remains relatively stable,if you look closely at the demographicsof the membership it is clear we needto find our successors for hospital

posts as well as in general practice. At the moment general practicepresents so many challenges for bothpartners and salaried doctors, thereseems to be very little time left forstudying homeopathy – or is there?Could this problem be over come if wewere to offer homeo pathic training in a different format?

My vision over the next few years isto work closely with Russell Malcolm,Dean of the Faculty, to develop onlinetraining which I feel is the best way toincrease the number of people study -ing and training in homeopathy. If anymembers have experience of settingup online academic programmes andwho would be interested in gettinginvolved with this project or could offeradvice, please get in touch.

Since becoming president I havebeen bowled over by how much hardwork is going on to promote homeo -pathy. The campaign to promote theFind a Homeopath website – the onlinedirectory of practitioners – has had anoticeable impact. I certainly have seenmy private practice grow significantlyover this last year after experiencing a few quieter years.

I think the way the homeopathiccommunity as a whole has pulledtogether, as demonstrated by thecollaborative work being done by the4Homeopathy group, is definitely theway forward and sends a clear messageto friends and foes: United we stand!The public want homeopathy becausethey know it works, so we must

A voice from the Faculty Council

Dr Helen Beaumont

continue to invest time and effort tomake sure people know that we arehere to help them. And in time forHomeopathy Awareness Week (14-21June) members should have received aselection of promotional material alongwith a crib sheet of prepared answers to journalists’ questions for those ofyou who engage with the media.

The Faculty and the British Homeo -

pathic Association (BHA) are workingvery hard promoting homeopathythrough social networking sites, wherethe latest news, opinions, events andideas relating to homeopathy frequentlyappear. So, if you’re not already involvedin this exciting online dialogue, have alook at the Faculty’s and the BHA’sFacebook and Twitter pages and seejust what you’ve been missing.

During my first month as president,I attended the European Council ofHomeopathy politics meeting whichhelped me understand the challengesfacing colleagues in Europe, but alsomade me aware of the sterling workwe have done in the UK to safeguardour future.

I am very proud to be leading sucha vibrant and committed organisationthat plays a leading role in supportinghomeopathy locally, nationally andinternationally. But it is individualmembers who are the Faculty’s lifebloodand for whom the Faculty works; so I would encourage you all to supportyour local group, where you will findyour local representative working closelywith Patricia Ridsdale, the Members’Committee Convener, to ensure yourviews are represented at councilmeetings.

I look forward to representing eachand every one of you over the next fewyears and please contact me if there issomething you wish to discuss.

Dr Helen BeaumontFaculty President

Editor: John BurryConsultant Editor: Cristal Sumner

Faculty of HomeopathyHahnemann House29 Park Street WestLuton LU1 3BE

Tel: 01582 408680Fax: 01582 723032Email: simile@facultyofhomeopathy.orgWeb: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

All the material in this publication is copyrightand may not be reproduced without permission.The publishers do not necessarily identify withor hold themselves responsible for contributors’,correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions.

Design: Wildcat Designwildcat1@ntlworld.com

Printing: Henry Ling Limited

s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy

Newsletter

“I am very proud to be leading such a vibrant and committed organisation that plays

a leading role in supporting homeopathylocally, nationally and internationally”

•• news

3

treated at the NHS Homeo -pathy Clinic in Dundee; andyet another congress favourite,Dr Jonathan Hardy, willdiscuss “Stage Three of thePeriodic Table – Sustaininghomeopathy beyond the first steps”.

Veterinary members ChrisDay and Geoff Johnson willdeliver presentations on anti-microbial resistance andconstitutional sarcodes

respect ively. And Ben Gadd, a popular speaker from the2012 congress, returns toask: “Is homeopathysustainable?”

Once again congress is welcoming a number ofspeakers from other parts ofthe world including Dr RonkoItamura from Japan who isoffering a “Three-step strategyof recovery from schizophreniathrough homeopathy”; andAlastair Gray from Australiawill explore the subject“Sustainable healthcare –sustainable profession”.

The congress organis ingcommittee is also delightedat the number of membersmaking their speak ing debutsat this year’s event, and aprize is to be awarded to thebest newcomer.

These are just a few ofthe speakers who will bedelivering a packed programmeof presentations, seminarsand workshops over the two-day event. The provisionalprogramme has been dispatch -ed with the July issue ofHomeopathy and can alsobe viewed on the Faculty’swebsite.

The 2014 British Homeo -pathic Congress takes placefrom 13 to 15 November atGlasgow’s four-star GrandCentral Hotel. For furtherdetails and to book your placevisit www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

Congress speakers confirmed

the issues of polypharmacy,antimicrobial resistance andmulti-morbidity.

Other confirmed speakersinclude Dr Elizabeth Thompsonand Dr Julie Geraghty fromthe NHS Bristol HomeopathicHospital who each plan tohighlight a case of severeheadache, migraine or facialpain. Dr Russell Malcolm isgoing to present an eight-year review of patients

The 2014 British HomeopathicCongress looks set to be oneof the most intellectuallystimulating events of the year.Already many leading homeo -paths from the UK and beyondhave confirmed they will bespeaking at the biennial eventand a provisional programmeis now available.

The theme for this year’scongress is “Homeopathy:sustainable healthcare”, andthis topic has certainly chimedwith many Faculty members,with the call for abstractsattracting a large number ofresponses. Abstracts werereceived on a wide range ofsubjects related to homeo -pathic practice, medicinesand science, and their widerimplications in regards tosustainable healthcare.

“We were delighted withthe response,” said LiliaRussell, congress organiser.“Consequently, the 2014programme offers morepresentations covering a widervariety of subjects than inprevious years.”

Among those givingpresentations is Dr DavidLilley, one of the world’sforemost speakers on homeo -pathy, who will deliver hisinspirational talk “The Gardenof Eden”. Dr Peter Fisher,clinical director at the RoyalLondon Hospital of IntegratedMedicine, will focus on the roleof homeopathy in relation to

Dr David Lilley Dr Peter Fisher

Dr Robert Mathie

Dr Elizabeth Thompson Geoff Johnson

Dr Robert Mathie, researchdevelopment adviser for the British Homeopathic Associa tion, has establishedcollaboration with Dr JeremyHowick at the Centre forEvidence-Based Medicine,Department of Primary CareHealth Sciences, Universityof Oxford.

Established in 1995, theCentre for Evidence-BasedMedicine promotes evidence-based healthcare to all thoseinvolved in offering effective

and up-to-date decision-makingin matters relating to health -care around the world. Thisprestigious centre hasrecently been in the news forits updated Cochrane reviewon Tamiflu for influenza.

The new collaborativework is a systematic reviewand meta-analysis of clinicaltrials of homeopathy forallergic rhinitis, and is beingfirst-authored by a researchstudent in New Delhi, DrKushal Banerjee. The study

protocol is complete, andpractical work on the reviewitself begins in the summer.

New research collaborationThe Faculty’sTwitter

account now has

1616followers.

To keep up to date withthe very latest news and

views abouthomeopathy...

...log on tohttp://twitter.com/fohhomeopathy

4

A leading homeopathyorganisation in America haswon a major award for itsrebranding initiatives. TheNational Centre for Homeo -pathy (NCH) received a GoldCircle Award from the AmericanSociety for AssociationExecutives (ASAE) for therebranding work it completedin 2013 on its logo, website,monthly e-newsletter, socialmedia pages and other formsof communication.

The NCH carried out thework to improve its presentat -ion and promote the organisat -ion as vibrant, thriving andmodern, and as a trustedsource of reliable and accurateinformation about homeopathy.

Alison Teitelbaum, NCH’s

executive director, waspresented with the award atthe ASAE’s Gold Circle Awards’ceremony in Washington.

“NCH unveiled its rebrand -ed logo, website, and othermaterials in September 2013.Since then, NCH has hadtremendous positive feedbackfrom their board of directors,members, and long-timesupporters about the updatedlook and feel, and we continueto make tweaks to the site toensure it is meeting the needsof the entire NCH community,”said Ms Teitelbaum. “We arethrilled that our efforts havealso been recognised by ASAE,which is a distinguishedorganisation in the non-profitassociation field.”

The ASAE has a member -ship of 21,000 associationexecutives and industrypartners representing 10,000organisations, including lead -ing trade associations, individualmembership societies andvoluntary organisations acrossthe United States and in nearly50 countries around the world.

The association’s GoldCircle Awards recogniseexcellence, innovation andachievement in marketingand communic ations in thenon-profit sector.

Founded in 1974, theNCH is dedicated to advanc -ing the use and practice ofhomeopathy, promotingeducation and increasingaccess to the therapy.

•• news

Over £1 million raised for vital researchA fundraising appeal launchedin 2011 by the HomeopathyResearch Institute (HRI) toraise £2 million has nowreached in excess of £1.1million (including pledgeddonations until 2016). Themoney is being used to fundhigh-quality research projectsin homeopathy.

Rachel Roberts, HRI’schief executive, said: “We aredelighted to have raised morethan half our target amountsince launching the appeal atthe House of Commons inMay 2011, but we still have along way to go to reach ourgoal. Two million pounds is alarge amount in absolute terms,but a necessity if we are tobe able to conduct break -through research in this field.”

The HRI’s fundraisingefforts are targeted at support -ing general ongoing activitiessuch as responding to homeo -pathy research-related issuesin the media (e.g. the recentAustralian NHMRC report);providing research informationboth as formal documents andfor public access via YouTube;and organising the 2015 Inter -national Homeopathy ResearchConference in Rome.

In addition there arecurrently five active projectsthat are in need of financialsupport. These cover a numberof areas, from looking into how homeopathic medicineswork, what they can treat and increas ing access to theexisting research.

An investigation of thephysico-chemical propertiesof high dilutions will look atwhat changes in the solutionare caused by succussion andhow this enables homeopathicmedicines to be biologicallyactive.

The Water Research Lab -oratory is to investigate newlyidentified water structureswhich, in theory, have thenecessary characteristics to explain the mechanism of action of homeopathicmedicines. The initial phaseof this project will focus on

reproducing and building uponprevious research by Nobelprize-winner Professor LucMontagnier.

The role of homeopathy in the treatment of depressionis also being explored. Multipleresearch methods are beingcombined to evaluate theimpact of providing homeo -pathic treatment in addition to usual care for patients withself-reported depression.

Another project seekingfunding is a one-year IrritableBowel Syndrome (IBS) serviceevaluation, which would trackthe progress of patients beinggiven individualised treatmentfor IBS by a professionalhomeo path at Barnsleyhospital.

An ongoing project incollaboration with the Carstens Fundation inGermany is CORE-Hom. This is a new world-classdatabase which has beenseveral years in the makingand currently consists of1,015 clinical trials onhomeopathy.

The database will becontinuously updated as newstudies are published and willbecome an indispens able

resource for all those workingin homeopathic research.

The HRI’s collaborationwith the British HomeopathicAssociation and Facultyextends formally to twoprojects: (1) mutual updatesfor the research sections onthe three respective websites;(2) systematic review on clinicaltrials of upper respiratory

tract infections and allergies.Informal communicationamong the three organisationsincludes mutual peer-review of research papers, reports and presentat ions.

For more informationabout how to donate, pleasevisit the “Support Us” pageon the HRI website:www.homeoinst.org

Marketing award for US homeopathy body

Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

5

patients and supporters.It’s not too late to show your support for

Katalin’s splendid efforts and donations can stillbe made online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/KatalinBorbely

In April’s simile we reportedthat Australia’s National Healthand Medical Research Council(NHMRC), the country’s lead -ing medical research body,was conducting systematicreviews of existing systematicreviews to formulate formalposition statements on theefficacy, cost-effectiveness,safety and quality of comple -mentary therapies, includinghomeopathy.

In our report we includedthe misgivings that Dr RobertMathie, Research DevelopmentAdviser for the British Homeo -pathic Association (BHA), hadin relation to the methodologyused by the NHMRC.

“A review that relies solelyon the evidence contained inpublished systematic reviewsis wholly dependent on thescope, focus and quality ofthose published reviews”, he

Australian study criticised

Dr Katalin Borbely has successfully completeda marathon walk to raise funds for the BritishHomeopathic Association (BHA).

It was in March that Katalin set off fromthe Spanish city of León to follow the historicalpilgrimage route to the reputed burial place ofSt James at Santiago de Compostela cathedral,a distance of 240miles. It took her 11 days tocomplete the gruelling trek but at the end ofit she had raised almost £650 for the BHA.

Summing up her journey, Katalin said: “Thetime I spent away was brilliant, beautiful,amazing, mystical and very spiritual.”

The first three days took Katalin through amountainous region where she had to endureblizzard conditions and freezing temperatures,but after that the weather improved and shecompleted the rest of her epic walk either inwarm sunshine or in rain more reminiscent of the British climate. Even so, walkingbetween 11 and 22 miles a day, depending on the terrain, the physical effort of coveringsuch distances inevitably took its toll.

“Each night my feet were so sore I haddifficulty putting my shoes back on and mylegs ached terribly, so much so that I oftenthought I wouldn’t be able to continue,” saidKatalin. “But the following morning I would feelbetter and was eager to get started again.”

As well as being a GP, Katalin runs theBHA’s homeopathy clinic in Norwich which isfunded entirely by charitable donations from

Foot weary GP boosts BHA funds

said. “Given that a review ofreviews is two stages removedfrom the original clinical trialevidence, it has the potentialto misrepresent the totality ofthe relevant research.”

With a draft of theNHMRC’s report now in thepublic domain, Dr Mathie’sconcerns have proved to bewell founded. The report’soverarching conclusion stated:

There is a paucity of good-quality studies of sufficient sizethat examine the effectivenessof homeopathy as a treatmentfor any clinical condition inhumans. The available evidenceis not compelling and fails todemonstrate that homeopathyis an effective treatment forany of the reported clinicalconditions in humans.

In Dr Mathie’s view, theNHMRC report does notadequately reflect the original

research, its intrinsic quality,its context or the type ofhomeopathy studied.

“Moreover,” he said, “theabsence of meta-analysis onthe original studies means thatthe magnitude and significanceof treatment effect is notaddressed.

“The currently availableevidence may not be compell -ing overall, but it does not failto demonstrate that homeo -pathy is an effective treatment:it indicates a positive balanceof evidence in a number ofmedical conditions, andequivocal or negativeconclusions in others.”

In order to clarify matters,including the impact of trialquality on results, the BHA is currently conducting itsown systematic reviews ofrandomised controlled trials in homeopathy.

Homeopathy’sRoyal DecreeHomeopathy is now legallyrecognised as a medicaltherapy in Belgium followingthe publishing of a RoyalDecree in Staatsblad, theBelgian government’s officialnewsletter.

This means that onlymedical doctors, dentistsand midwives with theappropriate homeopathictraining can practise thetherapy, although nurses and others with a Batchelordegree in healthcare who havebeen using homeopathy cancontinue practising under atemporary measure.

In July last year Belgium’sCouncil of Ministers decidedhomeopathy was a medical act and should only be practisedby qualified healthcareprofessionals. The RoyalDecree formally ratifies thisdecision. This developmenthas inevitably angered non-medically qualifiedhomeopaths and manypatients, as they feel itrestricts the practice ofhomeopathy in Belgium.

The European CentralCouncil of Homeopaths(ECCH) has called the newlaw a “reactionary piece oflegislation” and vowed tofight to have it overturned.

A statement published onthe ECCH website said thatthe Royal Decree “completelydenies the autonomy of theprofession of the homeopathand deprives Belgian patientsof their freedom of choice tohave homeopathic treatmentnow and into the future”.

However, supporters ofthe new legislation claim itwill result in higher standardsof homeopathic practice.

Dr Leon Schepers of theUnio Homeopathica Belgicasaid: “This is a very importantstep and it can only be to thebenefit of the patients’ safety.Patients will know whetheror not they are dealing withsomeone who correctlyapplies homeopathicmedicine.”

Photo: yearofthedragon/wikimedia

Santiago de Compostela cathedral

6

•• news

Photo: Barry Wright Photography

One of homeopathy’s mostwell-known and respectedfigures has been honoured inhis native country. Jan Scholtenhas been decorated as a Knightin the Dutch Order of OrangeNassau by the mayor ofUtrecht. The Order is a chival -ric order founded in 1892 and conferred on those whodeserve appreciation andrecognition from society forthe special way in which theyhave carried out their activities.

Jan Scholten’s candidacyfor knighthood was supportedby homeopaths around theworld who wrote letters attest -ing to the importance of hiswork and to his humanitarianqualities.

Born in 1951, Jan Scholtenmajored in medicine at theUniversity of Utrecht, wherehe also studied chemistry andphilosophy. In 1987, alongwith a few colleagues, he setup the Homeopathic Centrefor Doctors in Utrecht wheretoday eight homeopathicdoctors work.

For the past 20 years hehas worked tirelessly in thedevelopment of homeopathyand to advance its healthbenefits throughout the world.As a researcher he has beenresponsible for many provings,opening up numerous newpossibilities for cure andcontributing to a greaterunderstanding of homeopathicmedicines.

Jan Scholten will alwaysbe associated with his ground-breaking work on theapplication of the periodictable in homeopathy, whichhas enabled homeopaths tomake use of all the elementsand their salts. His main areaof interest in homeopathy,however, has always beenthe Plant Kingdom and lastyear he published a majorwork on this subject.

Doctor, scientist, homeo -path, researcher, writer andteacher, Jan Scholten clearlydeserves to be a recipient ofone of The Netherlands’ mostprestigious decorations.

A competition for the bestblog post written by a studentstudying homeopathy at oneof the Faculty’s accreditedteaching centres has beenwon by James McMurray, apharmacist from Lisburn,Northern Ireland.

The competition wassponsored by Weleda, one ofthe UK’s leading homeopathicpharmacies, and involvedwriting a 300 to 500-word blogpost on the subject “Homeo -pathy – the natural careerchoice”.

On hearing he had writtenthe winning entry, Jamessaid: “I’m delighted to havebeen chosen as winner and Ihope that my story inspiresother healthcare professionalsto discover homeopathy as acomplement to their practice.”

James wins a two-partprize worth £1,000. In Junehe will be spending the day at Weleda’s growing andmanufacturing sites in Derby -shire. He will visit Weleda’s15-acre Demeter certifiedherb gardens to learn aboutbiodynamic agriculture andtincture production, beforemoving on to the company’s

production suite and pharmacyto witness the homeopathicmanufacturing process.

The second part of theprize will see James going toGlasgow for the BritishHomeopathic Congress,where he will be able toattend the full programme oftalks and seminars, as well asthe Gala dinner and othersocial events.

To read James’s winningblog visit www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-blog

The Heel Group – a leadingGerman manufacturer ofhomeopathic medicines – hasannounced it will cease itsbusiness activities in the UnitedStates and Canada from 31August 2014.

In the USA and Canada,manufacturers of over-the-counter homeopathic medicinalproducts have been confrontedwith class action lawsuits filedby sceptic groups. In recentmonths Heel Incorporated,the Heel Group’s American-based subsidiary, was forcedto defend two such legalchallenges. The company saysthat both cases have now beensettled without conceding the

allegations. Nevertheless, thefinancial burden on Heel Inc.was substantial.

In a subsequent risk-benefitanalysis of its global activities,the Heel Group has decidedto focus on strengthening itsexcellent position in SouthAmerica, Central Europe andEastern Europe, and to with -draw from business activitiesin North America for the timebeing.

Ralph Schmidt, CEO of theHeel Group, said: “As a globalplayer we are continuouslyreviewing our portfolio. Thismeans that we are sometimesrequired to focus on specificregions at the expense of

others in order to efficientlycarry out our ambitiousexpansion plans. I would notexclude the possibility of re-entering the markets in theUSA and Canada with a newbusiness concept.”

Negotiations are close tocompletion that will see theHeel Group transfer its stockin Heel Inc. to MediNaturaIncorporated, a corporationbased in Delaware. However,the transaction does not includeany of Heel’s leading globalbrands such as Traumeel,Neurexan, Zeel, Oculoheel,Luffeel, Sinusin, Vinceel,Nectadyn, Adrisin, Viburcol,Vertigoheel, Spascupreel,

Gripp-Heel and Engystol.Nevertheless, simile has

learned that many of thesepopular homeopathic medicineswill again be available in theUS from January 2015 throughMediNatura, although they willbe manufactured in Americaand marketed under differentnames.

The Heel Group employs1,400 people and theirmedicines are available throughsubsidiaries and distributionpartners in 50 countries aroundthe world. In 2013, thecompany reported an annualturnover of 207 million euroswith 65 per cent of it comingfrom outside of Germany.

Heel pulls out of North American market

Jan Scholten knightedStudent blog competitionwinner announced

James McMurray

Tell us your news...Do you have a news story of interest to other Facultymembers? If so, we’d like to hear from you. ContactJohn Burry at: jburry@facultyofhomeopathy.org

•• research

7

reported the least positive results forhomeopathy. The combined odds ratiofor the five studies entered into themeta-analysis was 1.26 (95%confidence interval, 0.56 to 2.83;P=0.577), showing a statistically non-significant difference in favour of homeopathy. Publication bias wasnon-significant.

The authors concluded thathomeopathy had an advantage overcontrol in treatment of RA; however,statistical significance could not beestablished. The evidence was notconvincing because of methodologicalinconsistencies that prohibited theformation of a definite conclusion.Further replications are warranted,provided the trials are methodologicallyconsistent, rigorous and systematic.

ReferenceSaha S, Koley M, Medhurst R. A meta-analysisof the randomized controlled trials ofindividualized homeopathy in rheumatoidarthritis. World Journal of Pharmacy andPharmaceutical Sciences 2013; 2: 2097–2117.

This review aimed to summarise andcompare treatment effects of homeo -pathy with control in rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Relevant studies were identifiedby a comprehensive literature search in electronic databases, reference listsof relevant papers, and contacts withexperts. Clinical trials comparingindividualised homeopathic treatmentwith control were eligible. Information on patients, interventions and comparators,outcomes, and study design wasextracted in a standardised mannerand quality was assessed using Jadadscoring and Cochrane bias minimisationcriteria. Trials providing sufficient datawere pooled in a meta-analysis: anodds ratio greater than 1 indicatedbenefit. Bias effects were examinedusing funnel plots.

A total of eleven controlled clinicaltrials was identified; six used “combin -ation formulae” and were excluded; theother five used individualised homeo -pathy, and were included in the analysis.Methodological quality of the trials wasvariable. The highest-quality trials

Cough associated with upperrespiratory tract infections (URTIs) isself-limiting but it might deeply affectthe quality of life. Homeopathicproducts are often employed bypatients to treat cough, but theevidence on their efficacy is scarce.Thus, the authors tested the efficacy ofa homeopathic syrup in treating cougharising from URTIs with a randomized,double blind, placebo-controlled clinicaltrial. Patients were treated with eitherthe homeopathic syrup or a placebo fora week, and recorded cough severity ina diary by means of a verbal category-descriptive score for two weeks. Sputumviscosity was assessed with a viscosi -meter before and after four days oftreat ment; patients were also asked toprovide a subjective evaluation ofviscosity.

Eighty patients were randomized toreceive placebo (n = 40) or the homeo -pathic syrup (n = 40). All patientscompleted the study. In each groupcough scores decreased over time;however, cough severity wassignificantly lower in the homeopathygroup than in the placebo group after 4and 7 days of treatment (p < 0.001 andp = 0.023, respectively). Sputum wascollected from 53 patients: in bothgroups viscosity decreased significantlyafter four days of treatment (p < 0.001);however, viscosity was significantly lower

in the homeopathy group (p = 0.018).The subjective evaluation did notsignificantly differ between the twogroups (p = 0.059). No adverse eventsrelated to any treatment were reported.The authors concluded that the homeo -pathic syrup employed in the studyeffectively reduced cough severity andsputum viscosity, thereby representinga valid remedy for the management ofacute cough induced by URTIs.

ReferenceZanasi A, Mazzolini M, Tursi F, Morselli-Labate AM, Paccapelo A, Lecchi M.Homeopathic medicine for acute cough inupper respiratory tract infections and acutebronchitis: A randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled trial. PulmonaryPharmacology and Therapeutics; Epub 25

The paper that reports our

systematic review and meta-

analysis of 32 placebo-controlled

trials of individualised homeo -

pathic treatment is now almost

ready for submission to a leading

biomedical journal; a connected

paper on model validity of the

same 32 trials has been submitted

for publication elsewhere. We

await a veterinary journal’s final

peer-review comments on our

corresponding review of clinical

trials in veterinary homeopathy.

Robert Mathie,

Research Development Adviser,

British Homeopathic Association

BHA research

Homeopathic syrup iseffective for cough

Reviewer fails to show that individualisedhomeopathy is effective for rhumatoid arthritis

•• research updateFrom the journals

Acute cough from URTIs

Photo: Im

agePointFr/S

hutterstock.com

Embracing the new media revolutionThe Faculty’s digital marketing officer, Mohammed Saqib Ali,

explains the importance of social media.

8

•• feature

underline the need for the Faculty andits members to fully embrace the newmedia revolution.

Social media platformsAlthough both Facebook and Twitterintrinsically provide the same thing – theinstant dissemination of information –there are differences between the twoplatforms. In many ways Facebook hasretained the characteristics of the socialnetworking site that it was originallydesigned to be: a means of staying intouch with friends and making newfriends with people who share similarinterests. It has, however, developedover the years and is now used as aneffective marketing tool.

On the Faculty’s Facebook page wepost news of forthcoming events andcampaigns, reports from the media,promotional films and links to articlesand research papers, plus much, muchmore. Visitors can show their supportfor a particular item by clicking on the“Like” icon, sharing it with their ownFacebook friends or leaving a comment.Also, by “liking” a particular item youwill then receive updates of all the latestactivity from that page.

Twitter, on the other hand, is a micro-blogging site that enables users to postshort messages (often only one sentence)along with pictures and links to othersources of online information relevant tothe posted message. On the face of itTwitter is peculiar as it limits eachmessage (tweet) to 140 characters. Butthis format has proved popular, and inrelation to controversial topics, such ashomeopathy, Twitter has become anopen forum for discussion, where

The way people find out what’s goingon in the world has changed. Televisionand radio news programmes have seenviewing figures tumble and newspapercirculations have fallen dramatically asmore and more people choose to goonline to keep up to date with local,national and world events. All the majornews outlets have websites deliveringreports from around the world as eventsunfold and support these services withregular bulletins posted on social media.

Social media has become an essentialmeans of communication for anyonewho wants their message to be heard.It delivers news, views, observationsand analysis in an instant to potentially a worldwide audience of hundreds ofmillions. Not surprisingly it has beenadopted by business, political parties,lobbyists, marketing companies andindividuals as one of their prime meansof communication. Easily accessiblethrough PCs, laptops, tablets and smart -phones, social media is now part ofeveryday life.

In recent years, the Faculty of Homeo -pathy has been developing its own socialmedia strategy and is keen to reinforceits presence in this rapidly expandingarea of online communication. There aremany social media or networking sites,but the two most popular are Facebookand Twitter, and these are the twoplatforms used by the Faculty.

Market analysis has shown that Face -book has 24 million daily active users inthe UK and 31 million unique users inthe UK who log into their accountsevery month, whereas Twitter has 15million active UK users. These figuresmake for compelling reading and

supporters and opponents state theircase.

If someone is regularly postingmessages that you find interesting orentertaining you can follow them, sothat each time they post a message itwill immediately appear in your timeline.Likewise, you can attract followers whoare interested in what you have to say.Using these simple devices vibrant virtualcommunities can develop that inform,amuse and instruct. Furthermore, Twitteruses the hashtag symbol (#) to categorizemessages, whereby a hashtag is attachedto the beginning of a word or topic tomakes it easier for users to search forthe messages that interest them.

TrollsTwitter’s default setting highlights themost talked about topics and lists themas worldwide or national trends. Forexample, the American presidentialelection will be of global interest,whereas in the UK stories about theNHS are frequently “trending”. Userscan immediately see if there is a topicthey are interested in, go directly to it,read the comments and, if they wish,make their views known too. Twitteralso identifies the subjects that yousearch for and automatically suggeststopics that may interest you, along withother Twitter accounts that you mightlike to follow.

Social media is an open forum andthis has been abused by some who,because of the rude and aggressivemessages they post, have been labelledtrolls. A recent example of this behaviourwas widely reported when the feministactivist Caroline Criado-Perez success -

Social media glossary

Twitter Tweet – posting a message which islimited to 140 characters.Retweet/RT – forwarding another user’stweet to all of your followers.Twitter handle – username.Follow – to follow another Twitteraccount’s updates.Follower – another Twitter user whohas chosen to follow you.

Hashtag (#) – used to mark keywordswithin a tweet. Words with a hashtagoften become “Trending” topics.Trending – reveals the most populartopics and “hashtags” which arecurrently being talked about.Timeline – a stream of tweets from theusers you follow on Twitter.Mention – highlighting another user inyour tweet by including the @ sign alongwith their username.Direct Message/DM – private messagebetween two Twitter users.

Favourite – to highlight a tweet byclicking the yellow star next to the message

Facebook

FB – abbreviation for Facebook.Like – giving positive feedback to an item or page you like.Friend – people you connect with. Tagging – links a person, page or placeto the status update/picture or video you post.

9

and paradoxically provide an unexpectedbenefit.

Growing presenceIt cannot be denied that the homeopathiccommunity has been slow to adopt socialmedia, but this is rapidly changing. TheFaculty publishes daily messages onFacebook and Twitter and to date itsFacebook page has attracted over 700“Likes”, while its Twitter account hasalmost 1,500 followers. These figuresrepresent impressive increases over 12months of 75% and 109% respectively.

Other organisations have also beenusing social media to promote positivemessages about homeopathy. Forexample, the Homeopathy Worked forMe Facebook page encourages peopleto post their own personal stories abouthow they or their family have benefitedfrom the therapy. Since it was set up thispage has received over 58,000 “Likes”,and continues to attract these online

fully campaigned to have Jane Austenrepresented on one of the new designsof British banknotes. After appearing inthe media to promote her campaign, MsCriado-Perez was subjected to a torrent ofsickening online abuse from misogynistsfrom both here in the UK and abroad.

Sadly, among the opponents ofhomeo pathy there are people who willsink to this level in an attempt to silencethose who promote the therapy.Although distasteful, the prospect ofbeing targeted by a troll should not putpeople off from using social media, astrolls are fundamentally cowards whohide behind an anonymous Twitter handle(username) to vent their ignorant views.Messages from these people can beeasily blocked and those who use socialmedia to issue threats of violence, ashappened in the case of Ms Criado-Perez,can be located by the police andprosecuted. And, as we will see, trollactivity can backfire on the perpetrators

endorsements at an approximate rate of one thousand a week.

Another development has been the launch of the #homeopathyhour on Twitter where practitioners andsupporters are invited to join the onlinediscussions every Monday between 8-9pm, simply by searching for#homeopathyhour. This weekly forumallows homeopaths to promoteconferences, recommend books andwebsites, share blogs and news, anddevelop their own virtual community.

On its launch #homeopathyhour wastargeted by trolls bent on disruptingdiscussions between homeopaths andclosing the forum down. But their verypresence boosted the number of peopleconnecting to the discussion whichresulted in #homeopathyhour trending inthe UK. This attracted more people whowere curious to find out what it was allabout, thus bringing the more intelligentmessages posted by supporters ofhomeopathy to an even wider audience.

These are just a few examples ofhomeopathy’s growing social mediapresence. For individual practitionerssocial media enables you to stay inregular contact with friends andcolleagues; it can create networkingopportunities that facilitate newcollaborations; is effective in deliveringpositive messages about homeopathy toa wide audience; and keeps you updatedwith the latest news and developmentsin real time.

Seize the initiativeThe importance of social media cannotbe underestimated. Those who are adeptat this form of communication can shapethe agenda and seize the initiative fromopponents. Already there are a numberof Faculty members who frequently postmessages on Facebook and/or Twitter,so if you’re thinking of taking the plungeyou will almost certainly come acrosspeople who you know and with whomyou share an interest in seeing homeo -pathy gain wider acceptance. Socialmedia is quick to set up and simple touse; it is also fun, and once you getstarted I’m confident you will find it anindispensable part of being a homeopathin the 21st century.

If you need any help or advice onsetting up a social media account,please don’t hesitate to contact me atsali@facultyofhomeopathy.org or call01582 408680.

Mohammed Saqib AliDigital Marketing Officer

10

•• case study

also provided some short-term reductionin her local swelling and a general,although modest, improvement in hermobility. Unfortunately, at this time, wedon’t know what those remedies were.

Nadine has multiple-morbidity with atleast three chronic relapsing problems:hyperosteosis, chronic relapsing ENT andupper respiratory infection, and migraine.She attends regularly for acupunctureand has managed to reduce herorthodox analgesics. (She experiencesonly short-term relief from Non-SteroidalAnti-Inflammatory drugs and finds thatCodeine gives rise to muscle cramps.)

Currently her main musculo-skeletalsymptoms are:

■ Bone pain and muscle pain in theRight Hip.

■ Severe pain in the Right Kneeparticularly localised to the Tibialtable laterally.

■ Bony lumps, which are palpablesubcutaneously and which have a“candle drip” appearance on X-ray.These are locally sensitive topressure. Her discomfort is greatlyincreased when the conditionextends to a new area.

■ The affected areas feel bruised andshe feels that the muscles lateralto the right knee have “completelysolidified”. Sporadic aggravationsof the condition produce a hard -ness that lasts for months.

When a new clinical journal article dropson my desk, perhaps with a polite requestfor peer review, I often feel a strangecombination of hope and trepidation. I suspect that these feelings might bequite common within our homeopathiccommunity.

Hope stems from the possibility that Imight encounter a useful methodological“nugget”. This might take the form of apointer for use as an “intelligent supporttool”, preferably one that is well awayfrom the drawing board and has beenproperly evaluated in clinical practice(hurrah!).

When they turn up, these nuggetsprovide us with something that makes thetreatment minefield that little bit easier tonegotiate. For me, this is certainly some -thing to be aspired to, both for the sakeof my own sanity and the future well-being of my most difficult, multi-morbid,serially over-treated NHS patients.

The trepidation comes from thepossibility that this latest article mightmerely present me with another “post-Kentian” remedy “essence” to add tothe cornucopia of “themes”, “SRPs”(strange, rare, peculiar), “states” and“signatures” that already spill from thesulphurous filing cabinets of my brain.

The case I’d like to present is one inwhich I used a couple of recently acquired“nuggets” – which I feel have beenreally helpful to the early identification of a suitable and effective treatment, inwhat might otherwise have been afrustratingly difficult case.

The caseNadine was referred to my NHS homeo -pathy clinic at her own request via herGP. Nadine is 32 and works as a medicallaboratory assistant. She is married to anNHS software developer. They have twochildren. At her first homeopathic consult -ation she opened with a well-rehearsedaccount of her bone condition. “I havehyperosteosis of the long bones withcalcification of the tendons and softtissues. This results in problems withmobility and pain.”

When she last visited relatives abroadshe received homeopathic treatmentand she felt the remedies helped withher sleep. She also experienced somealleviation of her leg cramps. The remedies

■ Cold damp weather aggravatesher musculo-skeletal symptoms:her bone pains become particularlymarked. Physical contact/touchalso aggravates her pain, even herclothes rubbing on the area causespain. When living abroad in hotclimates her bone pains are betterand she copes well with heat.

■ Her bone pain is experienced mostlyas a “general dull ache” but duringan exacerbation there is a “suddenangry pain as though hit with ahammer”.

■ The muscles cramp up and don’tlet go.

Her current homeopathic treatmentincludes Arnica montana 30c which sheuses when the pain is severe. This helpsthe muscle pain as a first-aid measure.She says “without Arnica the musclescan feel like wood”. She found thattaking Symphytum in the past made hersleepy.

Her past medical history includesrecurrent ENT infections. She has recentlycompleted a course of antibiotics forpharyngitis/laryngitis following hospital -isation for acute breathing and swallowingdifficulties (Epiglottitis?). This follows along history of ENT problems. Treatmenthas included several ear operationsfollowing myringitis with rupture of theleft tympanic membrane. This has lefther with distorted hearing in the left ear

In praise of “Nuggets”A case from Dr Russell Malcolm

Photo: O

ptimarc/Shutterstock.com

11

■ Characteristically her head feelsheavy and she becomes nauseouswhich progresses to retching andvomiting.

■ She feels low in mood and energyfor some weeks after an acute.

■ She has noticed that dehydration,strong scents, or lack of sleep cantrigger a migraine attack.

She used to have four or five attacks ina month, but now has that number in ayear. Nadine’s mother also suffers frommigraine and ENT problems. Nadine’spast history includes asthma, which hasnot been troublesome recently. There isa history of asthma in her mother’s ante -cedents and her great-grandfather diedof tuberculosis. Nadine has “contact”dermatitis on her right hand of variableseverity. In the past there was fissuringof the skin. The skin hasn’t been brokensince she last received homeopathictreatment. The affected areas remainquite itchy at times.

Nadine describes herself as enthus -iastic, not depressive, and positive in herattitude.

She says she is always helpful toothers and enjoys challenges. She getsbored with mundane routines at work.She looks after her husband well, whichincludes the ability to sense when hisdiabetic control is off-track. She smilesfrequently throughout the interview andholds good eye contact.

Modelling the caseFaced with a multi-morbid case, withseveral loci of pathology and complexsymptomatology, homeopathic practit -ioners often start by considering howthey are going to model the case, beforemoving on to undertake an analysis orrepertorisation. In order to clarify andstructure the information and discernwhat is analysable, different practitionershave evolved different approaches. I havetried to quickly paraphrase the mostwidely used concepts and have tentativelyadded a couple of my own to the listbelow:

■ Perceive what must be treated(Hahnemann).

■ Ask yourself where is the “centreof gravity” in the case? (Shore)

■ Consider how to ascertain and priori -tise the illness layers. (Vithoulkas)

■ Perceive the constitutional imagewithin the totality of symptoms.(Kent)

■ Seek “synergy” between thesensation, the “miasmatic category”and the remedy grouping.(Sankharan)

and she says that it sounds “as thoughshe were underwater”. There have beenrecurrent infections ever since her surgeryand she subsequently underwent tonsill -ectomy and adenoidectomy in an attemptto reduce the frequency of infection.

Currently:■ Nadine is catarrhal and suffers froma persistent bitter taste in the mouth.

■ Recently she has had a lot of mouthulcers.

■ She feels choked especially in themorning and there is a “suffocat -ing” sensation of heaviness inher chest at that time of day.

■ She is generally slow to waken andher eyes feel dry in the morning.

■ Her catarrh is “thick and heavy andhard to move”.

■ Normally it is coloured betweenwhite and yellow and wheninfected it turns green or darkbrown. Her current course ofantibiotics was due to concludethree days after this first homeo -pathic consultation.

Other recurrent problems include migraineheadaches. When these arise they are:

■ Debilitating to the extent that shecannot walk during acutes.

■ Often heralded by an aura withflashing lights and a distortion ofher vision “like waves” or “old-fashioned TV interference”.

■ Note what is fully characterised inthe patient’s symptoms andmodalities i.e. location, modality,sensation, concomitants.(Boenninghausen)

■ Ascertain the overall “polar skew” ofthe patient’s modal symptoms andselect a remedy whose “genius” ispolarity-skewed in the samedirection throughout. (Malcolm,after Heiner Frei)

■ Consider a) whether the caserepresents a single dominantaetiology, or whether he/she is illdue to the convergence of multipleaetiologies; b) whether there aresingle or multiple strands to theircase in terms of perpetuatingcauses and c) whether he/she isblocked to cure by single ormultiple factors. (Malcolm)

Modelling Nadine’s case: aetiologiesThe illness model for Nadine’s musculo -skeletal symptomatology seems to bealmost exclusively pathological.

Melorheostosis is a medical develop -mental disorder and mesenchymaldysplasia in which the bony cortex widensand becomes hyper-dense in a sclerotomaldistribution.

Melorheostosis is thought to becaused by a mutation of the LEMD3gene. The disorder can be detected byradiograph due to thickening of bonycortex resembling “dripping candle wax”.It is included on the spectrum of develop -mental bone dysplasias. The disordertends to be unilateral and mono-ostotic,with only one limb typically involved.Melorheostosis can be associated withpain, physical deformity, skin and circulat -ion problems, contractures, and functionallimitation. It is also associated with abenign inner ear dysplasia known asosteosclerosis.

The illness model for her ENTproblems is less clear. They may havestarted due to mild dysplasia (seeabove), then complicated by surgeryand cycles of infection with antibioticuse. Nadine’s ENT problems are nowchronic, probably due mainly to airwaysdysbiosis and the existence of multi-resistant strains.

The illness model for her asthmaseems to be limited to its diagnosticsignificance. Asthma appears to havebeen inherent in her family. However, in the light of her ongoing dermatitis,Nadine’s asthma has probably been part of a wider atopic tendency.

Fortunately there has been an overallimprovement in her asthma over the

12

•• case study

The “Post-Hahnemannian” miasm (asdescribed by Elizabeth Paterson)

■ Later 19th century clinicians wouldprobably have characterisedNadine’s illness as a Tuberculartrait (Family history of TB andasthma; past medical history ofasthma with tonsillar enlargementand recurrent infection, and ageneral liking for travel and variety.)

The modern miasms (Sankharan) mightinvolve any of these interpretat ions:

■ Typhoid (sub-acutes with suddenexacerbations)

■ Psora (continuous struggle, muco-cutaneous and skin symptoms)

■ Sycosis (fixed weak spots whichneed to be covered up and livedwith)

■ Malaria (sudden acute manifest -ations alternating with relativequiescence)

Treatment – recognising blocks to cureIn my experience it is important to keepin mind what is current and which factorscould potentially represent a block to cure.A prescription which fails because thecase is blocked, might never be re-issued,particularly if the treatment failure ismisinterpreted as resulting from thewrong remedy.

Many chronic cases therefore becomemired in increasingly unfocussed anddesperate prescribing, because the mostcarefully worked out treatments in the

course of her adult life. If allergy happenedto be a perpetuating factor in her casenow, it might represent a significant blockto cure, even if our treatment wasprimarily directed at the symptoms of hermelorheostosis. Compartmentalisation isthe curse of holistic practice. The use ofsteroids and other symptomatic drugs,given (in good faith) in treatment (i.e. suppression) of allergy-mediatedsymptoms, might be sufficient to under mine her homeopathic responseto well selected remedies, whetherprescribed on the basis of the totality,or locally for her ENT or musculo-skeletalproblems.

The illness model for Nadine’smigraine is not clear. It is perhaps anacquired functional problem, possiblyarising as a result of chronic analgesic/sympathomimetic use. It might be worthnoting past “experimental” treatmentwith growth hormone, which causedsevere side-effects including headache.The significance of her mother’s tendencyto headaches is not clear.

My assessment is that the currentpresentation represents a combinationof several inherited and acquiredaetiologies. The case is likely to compriseseveral “strands” with both local andfundamental perpetuating causes,including Nadine’s bacterial flora,medication and genotype.

Modelling the case: blocks to cureHer ENT/respiratory dysbiosis is potent -ially an important block to cure and mightimpair her response to a well selectedsystems-stimulus. Other potential blocksto cure include conditional use of othermedications (orthodox and homeopathic).There is no evidence of bowel dysbiosis,allergy, organ failure or any other systemicblock to cure.

Modelling the case: the current stateNadine has recently incurred a florid ENTinfection. This has partially resolved backto the previous sub-acute state, underthe influence of antibiotic treatment. Shecurrently suffers from a moderate levelof pain (6/10) and her disability is partiallymanaged with walking aids, insoles andanalgesia.

Modelling the case: the miasmThe traditional Hahnemannian miasm –physically Nadine represents acombination of:

■ Psoricmiasm (Dermatitis/ Asthma),■ Sycotic miasm (Chronic catarrhal/infective state) and

■ Syphilitic miasm (bonydestruction)

early consultations were actually blockedto cure, rather than being intrinsically“wrong”.

There is an immunological dimensionto Nadine’s current state, characterisedby active mucosal inflammation andpurulent nasopharyngeal catarrh. Theredoes not seem to be an allergic compon -ent, but if her asthma had been activeand the symptom picture suggested aconstant allergic challenge, this mightneed to be addressed early in thetreatment process.

Treatment – building the argumentA greenish discharge, bad taste, togetherwith chronic mucosal inflammationsuggests the presence of mixedanaerobic flora – although not exclusively.The respiratory nosode most associatedwith gram negative, anaerobic infectionis Bacillinum. Note also the family historyof TB, which often supports the use ofthis nosode in sub-acute and chronicairways infection. It has traditionally beenused predominantly for bronchial infection,but I have found it of immense value inchronic relapsing sinusitis where thereis a history of primary TB, or evidence ofa tubercular miasm.

■ The proving of Clarke includesknee pain and headache.

■ The proving of Boocock includesmorning aggravations and head -ache.

■ The proving of Sankharan includesan oppressive sensation.

Nadine’s Modalities and Polar Symptoms extracted from the Chronic Musculo-skeletal questionnaire (adapted from Frei)

Cold weather: worse +

Wet weather: worse ++

Dry weather: better ++

When getting cold: worse ++

Warm room: better +

Becoming warm in bed: better ++

Wet compresses: worse +

Getting wet: worse ++

Draught / wind: worse ++

If getting hot wants to stay covered up

Leaning against something: worse +

Muscles: flabby / tense ++

Continued movement: better +

Bending or turning affected parts: worse +

Raising affected limb: worse ++

Walking: worse+

Stepping hard: worse+

Walking up stairs: +

Walking down stairs: worse++

Resting: better+

Bending over: worse ++

Sitting down: better+

While/after getting up from seat: worse+

Starting to move: worse+

After lying down: better +

During sleep: better+

While waking up: worse++

While/after getting up: better+

Leg: right +++

Touch: worse +++

External pressure: worse+

Rubbing: worse +

13

parting moments of her second consult -ation. She feels that this symptom hasbeen more noticeable since the moreacute infective symptoms in her nosehave settled down.

The first “nugget”: in his mostrecent evaluation of Polarity Analysis inmulti-morbid cases, Heiner Frei and hiscolleagues restricted their analysis topolarity symptoms, rather than attempt -ing to enter a huge number of completesymptoms (in the clusters required by aBoenninghausen style of repertorisationfor uncomplicated cases).

Using a questionnaire adapted fromthe English versions of Heiner Frei’squestionnaires, I identified the modalitiesin Nadine’s case as detailled in the chartopposite. I confirmed each feature inthe clinic, at her second consultation, bygoing through them systematically withher. She left me to complete thecomputerised analysis and forward herprescription by post afterwards.

Additional Information from the history

■ Falls are associated with bruisingand Nadine often has bruised painin the absence of injury.

■ When bending, she can experiencea sudden “rush” with fainting.

■ The veins in the affected areas arenoticeable –they look like rupturedthread veins with mixed varicosities

■ The proving of Swan includesheadache, lameness, leg crampsand skin eruptions (excluding faceand hands), yellow/green expector -ation and morning aggravations.

First treatment: Bacillinum 30c, 3 statdoses, four-hourly in one day.

First review – after 4 weeksThere has been a noticeable improvementfrom Bacilinum. Nadine’s phlegm is muchbetter and her husband says that she hasmuch less snoring at night. There is stillsome clear mucoid discharge, but thismoves more easily and she no longerfeels suffocated and heavy in the morn ing.

Her bone pains are worse. Theweather has been cold and wet and she has had a few falls.

She has taken some analgesics whichhave caused swelling in her hands andfeet. She feels her sleep and concentra -tion have deteriorated since her pain levelincreased.

During a flare-up, when her leg painbecomes acutely worse, Nadine simult -aneously experiences oral dryness andlocalised facial pain. This is located at themedial ends of both eyebrows. Nadineplaces two fingers about one centimetreapart above the root of the nose toindicate the location of this symptom.This symptom was mentioned in the

(see clinical description of melorhe -ostosis).

■ On bad days, the muscles hurt onmovement but the joints feelmarginally relieved by movementbecause they don’t lock. She feelsshe has to shift position when sit t -ing down. Stretching can aggravateor ameliorate greatly depending onthe phase she is in.

■ Yoga and swimming can be mildlyameliorating.

The Analysis[see grid overleaf]

Discussion of the analysisThe polarity analysis was carried out usinga computerised version of Boenning -haus en’s Therapeutic Pocketbook (TPB)which incorporates a polarity analysismodule.

You will notice that several remediesare greyed-out. This is because one ormore of the “genius symptoms” in theseremedies runs counter to the modalityexpressed by the patient. Even thoughthe greyed-out remedies “cover the case”in terms of their totality, one or more ofthe “dynamic properties” (characteristicin the materia medica of each of thesegreyed-out remedies), is opposite to thephysiological response found in thepatient. If one or more of the “geniussymptoms” is contradictory betweenthe case and the remedy, that medicineis contra-indicated.

Deliberating the analysis resultsThe contra-indicated remedies: notableamong the contraindicated remedies areRhus toxicodendron, which is oftenindicated in painful musculoskeletalconditions characterised by aggravationin cold wet conditions; ameliorated bycontinued movement and known to beassociated with one of Nadine’s twoStrange, Rare and Peculiar (SRP)symptoms “as if legs were made ofwood”. (See H.A Roberts and others.Another of the excluded remedies isConium maculatum, which is stronglyassociated with sclerotic pathology, butwhich is not compatible with two keymodalities in the case and is thereforealso greyed-out.

The high-hitters: analysis by “numberof hits” brings out: Phos, Kali-c, Canth,China, Staph, Nat-c. Of these Chinaofficinalis is most strongly linked torelapsing states and chronic analgesicuse, and Kali carbonica is the closestmatch to the constitutional essence of thecase (stoic; hardworking; dutiful to family;

Solanum dulcamara

Photo: A

iwok/W

ikimedia.com

14

•• case study

consistent with Nadine’s presentat ionare shown in bold:

Clinical Indications: Adenitis, Anginafaucium, Aphonia, Bladder/affections of,Blepharophthalmia, Catarrh, Cholera,Crustea lactea, Diarrhoea, Dropsy,Dysentery, Emaciation, Exostoses,Haemorrhage, Haemorrhoids, Hay fever,Headache, Herpes, Influenza, Irritation,Lichen, Lumbago, Measles, Meningitis,Myalgia, Myelitis, Nettle rash, Neuralgia,Ophthalmia, Paralyses, Pemphigus,Rheumatism, Scarletina, Scrofula,Stammering, Stiff neck, Thirst, Tibiae –pains in, Tongue/affections of,Tonsillitis, Tumours, Typhoid, Urinedifficulty in passing/incontinence of,Warts, Whooping cough.

And confirmatory symptoms extractedfrom Clarke’s systematic descriptionsinclude:

■ Rheumatic paralyses■ One-sided spasms■ Catarrhal troubles, dryness ofmucous membranes stronglyindicate it

■ Bruised feeling

catarrhal; stiff; tired; sensitive to draftsand aggravated in cold environments).

The high-scorers: analysis by “sum ofgrades” brings out the same remediesin a different order, along with Strontiumcarb, Antimonium crudum, Arnicamontana and Aurum met. Of these, we already know that she has a usefulresponse to Arnica. The compositaefeatures in her symptomatology include:bruised pain, aggravation from touch andpressure, post-surgical and post-injurysequelae, and the sense of having been beaten.

Cross-matching these compositaethemes with Sankaran’s malaria miasmyields Eupatorium perfoliatum, which ofcourse is strongly associated with bonepain. The polarity score of Eup-per wouldneed to be worked out by hand, since itis not included in Boenninghausen’s TPB.

Aurum met, which also appearsamong the high-scorers, has well-knownassociations with chronic periostealinflammation too.

Polarity: analysis by “polarity score” yieldsmost of the remedies already discussedand is headed up by Dulcamara. The listalso includes Rhododendron, which is along-established rheumatological remedy,with known aggravations during lowpressure weather systems (rain, thunderetc.) and worth passing consideration.

I had, up to this point, not remotelyconsidered Dulcamara – not until thepolarity analysis pointed the remedy upfor me. It is a remedy well known for itsaffinities to hollow organs that are linedwith mucus membranes and whichbecome acutely inflamed with changesof weather. Its locus is ostensibly thefrontal sinuses and/or urinary bladder.

Although Dulcamara is also knownto most of us as a respiratory andrheumato logical remedy, in practice it is often over looked in the treatment oflower respiratory and rheumatologicalcomplaints because it belongs to theSolanaceae plant family, whose sudden -ness, explosiveness, fears and vasomotorphenomena are very influential in theirselection.

Sankharan places Solanum dulcamarain his ringworm miasm. The “discomfort”and cycle of “acceptance-trying-givingup” of his grouping doesn’t seem to meto be particularly compatible, either withthe general impression we get fromDulcamara as a remedy or from Nadinein terms of her nature and personality.Yet, when we examine Clarke’s materiamedica we find the following headlineindications for Dulcamara. Those that are

■ As if arms were of wood (This SRPwas expressed in Nadia’s leg – atthe site of her pathology –however, melorheostosis canaffect any of the long bones andwe would need to research deeplyto ascertain whether the originalsource of this SRP came from acase that was somehowcomparable to hers.)

■ < stooping■ < cold air; cold change of weather;damp weather; getting wet; usingwater

■ Better on getting up■ Stupefying headache■ Confused sight, as from incipientamaurosis

■ Pressive pain above the nose –coryza; dry with stoppage of thenose < cold air

■ Ulcers in the mouth■ Oppressed breathing … fromaccumulation of mucus

■ Oppression of the chest■ Tettery eruption on the hands

A short list of the key indicationsCrucially, Dulcamara is linked to exostoses;

Symptoms 19

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book V2.6.6 – red (from a screen-grab)

15

present treatment and review in afurther six weeks.

Concluding notes As we know, the remedy image is neverexpressed in its entirety in any one patientor proving subject. The acute, sub-acute,chronic and constitutional dimensions of aremedy are also seen to differing degreesin each new presentation. Acutes maydisplay almost no constitutional, mind orpathological features of the indicatedremedy. Alternatively, acute presentationsmay point up a single mind keynote in“high relief”, depending on the natureof the state.

Some patients may express only thefunctional aspects of a remedy, whileothers display only its regional or patho-physiological properties. It would there -fore require direct experience of manypatients – more than any one practitionerwill ever see in the course of their life’swork – in order to get a fully roundedconcept of more than just a handful ofremedies. For this reason we consistentlyneed to tap into our therapeutic heritage,in order to build up the argument for eachtreatment anew and check it against the

inflammatory respiratory/ENT pathology;fundamental aggravations from cold anddamp; acute sinus pain which is in keep -ing with her second SRP symptom (i.e.the concomitant frontal sinus painexperienced during aggravations of herbone pain). Dulcamara also has an explicitregional association with tibial pain andcontains a reference to her other mainSRP: a “wooden sensation”.

Treatment 2: Dulcamara LM2 oncedaily

A second “nugget”: Heiner Frei usesQ potencies (LM) in those multimorbidpatients who are maintained on sympto -matic drugs.

Second Review – after a further five weeksThe patient is feeling better. Her leg painsare 50% improved. Fewer severeaggravations.

Moving more easily – the musclesseem freer. No headaches. Longesttrouble free phase from ENT infectionfor years. Mouth ulcers have gone, butdermatitis on her hands is more activeat the present time.

I advise the patient to continue

experience of our predecessors. One final “nugget”: when we are

engaging with the materia medica,particularly at the final stages of confirm -ation following a classical repertorisation,we should try to consult a text thatprovides us with unfiltered data. In theideal world, this data would be derivedexclusively from reliable primary sources and written out for us by an“unprejudiced” editorial mind.

In the absence of the ideal, I personallyplace a high value on texts that have notbeen excessively reduced, paraphrased,interpreted, screened, simplified ormethodologically skewed – according tofamilies, remedy relationships or themes.I feel this is particularly important whenwe are scanning the materia medica forconfirmatory features in conclusion tothe kind of analysis I have just described.For this reason, I keep the materiamedicas of Neatby and Stonham,Cowperthwaite, Clarke or Hering closeto hand.

The most trustworthy information inhomeopathy is probably also the leastinterpretational; and the least interpretat -ional information of all is to be found inwell-confirmed modalities, polarsymptoms, regional affinities andsensations. If we keep this in mind, wemay just be able to glimpse thesimiliumum through the myriad subtle“creative interpretations” that havecrept like contagious mists into some ofour latter-day texts, and which can teaseand distract us from the true nuts andbolts of our knowledge base.

Dr Russell MalcolmDean of Faculty

ReferencesClarke J.H., Dictionary of Practical MateriaMedica 3rd edition – publ. HomeopathicBook Service

Cowperthwaite A.C. A Text Book of MateriaMedica and Therapeutics publ. Boericke &Tafel 1940

Frei H., Polarity Analysis, a Precise Path tothe Similimum (Narayana Publishers, 2013)

Hering C. Condensed Materia Medicarevised by Farrington publ. Sarkar 1933

Julian O.A., Materia Medica of the Nosodes& Repertory Trans. Mukherji – First IndianEdition publ B Jain 1980

Sankharan R. Schema 2005 reprint 2011,Publ. Parkson’s reprints

Sankharan R., The Synergy In Homeopathy –First edition 2012 publ. HomeopathicMedical Publishers, Mumbai

Vermeulen F., Monera – Kingdom Bacteria &Viruses, Spectrum Materia Medica Vol 1.Publ. Emryss

16

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•• book review

17

than when the first edition appeared in 1998. Jeremy Swayne does notsummarise or justify a research evidencebase in homeopathy, and so his profoundclinical experience prevails: “proof of theactivity of homeopathic medicines is notessential to the validity of the clinicalobservations that have been described.”Readers who are not homeopathicpractitioners might find their own attitudeof implausibility toward homeopathy’shighly diluted medicines overrides anyappreciation they might have of the

individualised healing approach thathomeopathy espouses. I hope that thebook does not lose such readers, whowould thus deprive themselves of theopportunity to consider homeopathy’scontribution within the broader contextof clinical practice.

And so to key issues that concernmedical science: “Is [clinical] changeeffected by placebo, by psychotherapy,by the homeopathic medicine or by all ofthem?” Understanding the componentsof this “therapeutic black box” is indeeda conceptual and research challenge,though we are encouraged by theauthor’s comment that “the processand outcome of homeopathic inter -ventions provide a superb opportunity

“The challenge and fascination ofhomeopathy is to find the appropriateresponse to the different dynamics ofindividual illness”

This book is as unique as the individualityof patients its topic aims to treat. Fordoctors who include homeopathy in theirclinical practice, this publication offersnew and insightful perspectives; forthose whose first reaction to homeopathyis disdain, it will prove thought-provoking,maybe surprising. For both groups, it

offers important reminders that the artof good medical care lies in achieving a clear and deep understanding of aperson’s lived experience of illness. The point is made as early as page five:“It is all too easy to treat a patienteffectively … but to care for them badly.”Whatever one’s view of homeopathy –and this text outlines the homeopathicmethod with great clarity – the book isfounded on the pursuit of clinicallyeffective and individual caring. It isintelligently written and intellectuallycompelling.

The publication of this second editionoccurs at a time when homeopathy isunder attack perhaps more than at anytime in its history, and certainly more

for the study of the role of specific and non-specific factors in treatment”. I also appreciated: “Ten patients with the same disorder may experience tendifferent symptom patterns. Why isthis, and what does this difference, thisindividuality mean?” It is in perusingresponses to these issues especially that readers of this book are brought to see homeopathy in a fresh andsignificant light.

Robert T Mathie, PhDResearch Development AdviserBritish Homeopathic Association

practice to provide 15 minute routineappointments to allow a fuller appraisalof the patients’ problems. Dr Swaynehas a longstanding interest in mentalhealth problems and learningdifficulties.

In 1978 he integrated homeopathyinto his practice. From 1983 he beganto use homeopathy increasingly as avehicle for the practice of wholeperson medicine. As an ordained

About the authorJeremy Swayne is a retired homeo -pathic physician with over 40 years’experience of clinical practice. Hegained a degree in physiology beforequalifying in medicine at Oxford and St George’s hospital, London. Heentered general practice from theWessex Vocational Training scheme in 1969 and first practised in Yeovil,Somerset. He then moved to the Forest of Dean where he set up a

minister in the Church of England hehas a particular interest in therelationship between medicine andhealing, and science and theology.

Since retiring from medical practiceDr Swayne has written several booksincluding Remodelling Medicine(published by Saltire Books) and hewas the chief author and editor ofChurchill Davidson’s InternationalDictionary of Homeopathy.

Homeopathic Method: Implications for Clinical Practice andMedical Science (second edition)by Jeremy Swayne

Publishers: Saltire Books • Pages: 254 • ISBN: 978-1-90812-704-4Price: £29.99 (UK orders inc p&p) from Saltire Books. www.saltirebooks.com

“For doctors who include homeopathy intheir clinical practice, this publication

offers new and insightful perspectives”

Join us in Scotland for the British Homeopathic Congress, GlasgowThursday 13 – Saturday 15 November 2014

Register online at www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

Homeopathy:sustainable

healthcareSpeakers include:Dr David LilleyDr Peter FisherDr Elizabeth ThompsonDr Julie GeraghtyDr Jonathan HardyMr Geoff JohnsonDr Russell MalcolmDr Sara EamesPlus many more…

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•• events

•• what’s on

West country meetingDate: 9 July 2014 at 6:30pm.A small informal meeting for homeopaths topresent successful cases and discuss remedies,technique and other homeopathy topics.There is no fee to attend the meeting. • Venue: the house of Helen Bragg, SilverBirches, Clevedon Road, Weston inGordano, BS20 8PU.

• For more information: Edward de Beukelaerat edward@debeukelaer.fslife.co.uk

69th Congress of Liga MedicorumHomoeopathic InternationalisDate: 16 and 19 July 2014Homeopathy on the move: strategies,healing, simillimum, simile.• Venue: Palais des Congres – Paris, France.• For more information: www.lmhi2014.org

Welsh Conference of HomoeopathyDate: 6 and 7 September 2014The Theme of the 2014 Conference is Legacy.

Great opportunities to learn, socialise withcolleagues, and tick your CPD box. This yearthe speakers are: Dr Isaac Golden, fromAustralia, well-known for his work withhomeopathic prophylactics in Cuba with theleptospirosis. It will be a world first as DrGolden is coming direct from Cuba to theconference to give details of the results ofhis recent research work. Geoff Johnson, awell-known homeopath, teacher and vet.Hedydd B Spencer, a physiotherapist whocame to homeopathy through her work onthe miasmic cause of food intolerance.Two days: £200 (£180 if paid before July31st), loyalty discount £160, students £150.£100 for a single day.• Venue: Belle Vue Royal Hotel, Marine • Terrace, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 2BA• For more information: Mervyn Evans, tel:01686 671085, email: enquiries@welshconferenceofhomoeopathy.com, website:www.welshconferenceofhomoeopathy.com

2014 IN-CAM Research SymposiumDate: 6, 7 and 8 November 2014. The theme of the Symposium is: The NextWave of Complementary and IntegrativeMedicine Research. The Symposium hasbecome established as the primary researchmeeting in Canada in the field of CAM andintegrative medicine. The event hosts theHomeopathy Research Forum on 6 November.This is Canada's premiere gathering ofhomeopathy researchers and will showcasecutting-edge homeopathic research inCanada and around the world.

• Venue: Marriott Hotel, Calgary, Alberta(Symposium venue)

• For information: www.incamresearch.ca

2014 British Homeopathic Congress inGlasgowDate: 13 to 15 November 2014Homeopathy: sustainable healthcareThe British Homeopathic Congress inrecognised as one of the most intellectuallyand socially stimulating events in thehomeopathic calendar. Presentations,seminars and workshops will be delivered bysome of the UK’s leading homeopaths,including Dr Elizabeth Thompson, Dr RussellMalcolm and Dr Jonathan Hardy. To register visit www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

• Venue: The Grand Central Hotel, 99Gordon Street, Glasgow. G1 3SF.

• For more information: 01582 408680 oremailcongress2014@facultyofhomeopathy.org

2nd Homeopathy Research InstituteInternational Conference 2015Date: 5 to 7 June 2015.The conference will present the very latestin cutting-edge research in homeopathy,covering areas such as: clinical research, lab-based and fundamental research,epidemiological and preventive research,patient-centred research/qualitative studies,research on animals and plants, and researchmethods.

• Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome, Italy.• For more information:www.hribarcelona2013.org/hri-2015

Regular meetingsW Surrey & W Sussex Homeopathic Group15 July, 19 August, 16 September and 21 October – Event Time: 20:00 until 22:00Members include doctors, vets, dentists and pharmacists. The aim of the group is to actas a forum for ongoing learning and support, covering all aspects of homeopathy andmedical practice.The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill, nr Ockley, Surrey RH5 5PU.• Charles Forsyth on 01737 226338 (office), 01737 248605 (home), 07802 293006 (mobile)or charles@dr-forsyth.com

Leeds Homeopathic GroupRegular meetings in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Adel, north Leeds.• Jutta Prekow on 0113 203 7329 or at jutta.prekow@bradford.nhs.uk

Manchester-Liverpool Homeopathic GroupMeetings for discussing homeopathic cases and other matters relevant to homeopathy.Open to doctors, vets, nurses, pharmacists of all levels. Location varies, so contact in advance for details:

• Dr Eftihia Metallidou on 0161 4747301 weekdays 12 - 4.00pm or email: eftmet@gmail.com

London Homeopathic GroupRegular meetings take place in Wimbledon or in Harley Street.• For further information contact Dr Ralf Schmalhorst at londonralf@aol.com

•• examinations calendar 2014EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

MEMBERSHIP EXAM – OPEN TO NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCEMFHom / MFHom (Nurse) TBA TBA 19 September 2014

SPECIALIST REGISTRATION – OPEN TO DOCTORS WHO HAVE GAINED THE MFHomAssessment 10 October 2014 Glasgow 8 August 2014Assessment 16 October 2014 Luton 15 August 2014

Other exams not currently noted on the calendar will be arranged as required.

l Helen Beaumont, President:drhbeaumont@hotmail.com

l Liz Thompson, Vice-President:Elizabeth.Thompson@ubht.swest.nhs.uk

l Christopher Day, Veterinary Dean:cd@alternativevet.org

l Patricia Donnachie, Nursing Dean:patriciadonnachie@blueyonder.co.uk

l Jonathan Hardy, Independent PracticeRepresentative:drjonathanhardy@havant-homeopathic.co.uk

l Lee Kayne, Pharmacy Dean:lee.kayne@nhs.net

l Tariq Khan, Podiatry Dean: tariq.khan@uclh.nhs.uk

l Russell Malcolm, Dean:russellmalcolm@hotmail.co.uk

l Patricia Ridsdale, Members’ Committee Convener:trish@lastmango.co.uk

l Helmut Roniger, NHS Secondary CareRepresentative:helmut.roniger@uclh.nhs.uk

l Sara Eames, Immediate Past-President: sara.eames@uclh.nhs.uk

l Ralf Schmalhorst, NHS Primary CareRepresentative:londonralf@aol.com

l Andrea Wiessner, Treasurer:andrea.wiessner@uclh.nhs.uk

l Cristal Sumner – Chief Executive:csumner@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408674

l John Burry – Communications Officer:jburry@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408682

l Robert Mathie – Research Development Adviser:rmathie@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408683

l Nilesh Mulji – Financial Controller (part-time):nmulji@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408678

l Tracey Rignall – Membership Officer:trignall@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408681

l Lilia Russell – Executive Assistant to ChiefExecutive:lrussell@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408676

l Mohammed Saqib Ali – Digital Marketing Officer:sali@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408680

l Education:education@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408680

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