British Homoeopathic Journal October 1987. Vol. 76. pp. 188-189

The evolving scene in homoeopathy Some thoughts

L. G. C. MARTIN, FRCP, FFHOM

There have been some enormous changes in the practice of medicine, and these include the atti- tude to and practice of homoeopathic medicine. In the last five years the increasing demand for homceopathic knowledge came first from patients. It is now obvious that GPs are taking a more sane and unbiased attitude to homoeo- pathy. This is particularly so among the younger members of the profession.

Council have been quick to respond to this. First by their methodological attitude to edu- cation and latterly by the consideration given to the role of research. More recently, I have had time to reflect on these and other developments in homeeopathy and f propose to say a few words on my thoughts on this.

Thepract ice of medicine has changed con- siderably since [ entered Guy's Hospital in 1937. At that time great stress was placed on physical diagnosis, the place of medical therapy was very small. Looking back one sees that the doctor's position was that of support in the trials and tribulations of a seriously ill patient. Today the role has substantially changed.

Increasingly, complicated superb technology is used in diagnosis. The value is at times less than the experts and laity believe. One great loss which must almost inevitably ensue is that little time is left for that human contact which is at the point of healing. The avoidance if possible of visits to the home--or the modern replacement by practice nurses, can and does lead to a per- sonal lack of knowledge of the family situation which can be so valuable.

Teaching Council has taken a constructive step in the appointment of an Executive Dean, Dr Rose. He is establishing a uniform common stand in homceopathic philosophy and practice which is so necessary for beginners to hom0eopathy. Variations can be added later.

A paper read to the British Homceopathic Congress in Liver- pool on 9 July 1987

The necessary emphasis at present is on the need to train adequate numbers of family doc- tors able to prescribe primary care using homceopathic therapy within their practice.

The time is fast approaching when Council will have to give consideration to the next step forward.

At present, whilst some patients are referred for detailed diagnosis requiring all the resources of modern hospitals, the majority are still referred to outpatients for primary homoeo- pathic treatment. Every consultant must have received a letter: 'This patient is suffering from asthma and requests homoeopathic treatment'. When the situation of adequately and suffi- ciently homoeopathically trained family doctors arrives, the number of hospital referrals and reviews should diminish, but the cases will be more taxing.

There will be a need for more highly trained conventional consultants who will need wide clinical knowledge as well as possessing higher homoeopathic qualifications and experience.

With regard to advanced level teaching, I sug- gest that this has a more limited role, a great deal of it should be recognized as nothing less than learning by rote, but group study of the reper- tory is certainly valuable.

The Faculty examination of candidates for the Diploma of Homceopathic Medicine is now first class, and has been one of the great successes of Council in recent years. It is to be hoped that in time conventional teaching authorities will recognize that we aim to be equally professional in our approach and that our standards can bear their scrutiny.

Black spots A difficult aspect of homceopathic medicine in the British Isles is the patchy distribution of reg- istered medical practitioners who use homoeo- pathy in their work--preferably within the National Health Service. Council should take more active steps to seek out, in badly served

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Volurne 76, Number 4, October 1987

areas, doctors sensible and sane enough to con- sider the prospect of studying homoeopathy.

Lay practice This is currently under the active consideration of Council and I limit my remarks to saying that when there is an adequate supply of National Health Doctors and registered practitioners in the private and clinic fields, the need for a patient to look for lay homceopathic advice should rapidly decrease, much to the patient's advantage.

Research I see a tendency to bypass some of the awkward problems which present, when an attempt is made to put homceopathy in a so-called 'scien- tific' context. The reasons behind the avoidance must be realistically faced.

One result has been an upsurge in research into effects of potentization, instead of attempt- ing the much more difficult proof of the real basis of homoeopathic medicine, the Law of Similars. Unlike many I do not believe in the metaphysical unlocking of energy. My own experiments do not indicate that a particular potency of a remedy is of especial value. For instance, I have repeatedly substituted a different potency when a patient has reached a plateau after taking a successful remedy. The different potency has given a similar clinical response. In the same case, when I have substituted a placebo, no response has been obtained.

I find the relevance of research on potentized remedies on non human or more correctly non- mammalian material (such as plants and their growth rate) very hard to understand in the prac-

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tice of medicine. Possibly it may be of biological significance; but proof of the Law of Similars is of more practical value.

I was led to my iconoclastic view towards potency by finding that I could find no significant difference in my results when the main homceopathic manufacturers changed from dec- imal orientated to centesimal. The amazing cha- risma of that wonderful teacher Dr Margery Blackie has bewildered most if not all physicians into believing that virtually only M and upper potencies can cure, which is absurd and does nothing to improve her reputation, or that of her disciples.

I wish I could feel entirely happy about the recent work with computers. Studies of homoeopathic doctors and practice need more thought and a much more informed statistical approach. To me the use of computers in finding a remedy has inherent dangers. Whilst the more advanced programs allow for a degree of evlaua- tion of a symptom, with the best will in the world a busy physician could omit the 'fine tuning' so necessary in an accurate similimum.

The same danger in a very real senseapplies to the use of patient-completed preparatory ques- tionnaires. In a busy clinic of fifty or more patients I would place very much more reliance on a personal assessment of the importance, never mind the value, of a symptom. Patients just cannot be relied upon to take over at least half of a physician's main task.

Conclusion The widespread and increasing acceptance of homceopathic medicine needs careful response from the homceopathic establishment.

Address for correspondence Dr L. G. C. Martin St John 's Cottage St John's Street Chester CH1 1RE