The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7241 p401
22 March 2003

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Letters to the Editor

Homoeopathy

A common misunderstanding

From Mr A. S. Pinkus, MRPharmS

May I congratulate Philip Bates for his balanced article on arnica (PJ, 8 March, p330). I would like to raise a salient point that seems to have escaped the attention of most critics and which has led them to make grossly distorted conclusions. Namely, that the guiding principle of homoeopathy has little to do with infinitesimal dose, despite common misunderstanding to the contrary. Even cursory reading of 'Organon of medicine', Hahnemann's original text, reveals that the most fundamental principal is the law of similars.

A homoeopath matches the patient's presenting symptoms with that of a simillimum. This was originally in material dose. The move toward dilution and infinitesimal dose was merely a refinement to remove toxic side effects.

Those who choose to confuse the two have seriously misunderstood the basis of homoeopathy.

Tony Pinkus
Chief Pharmacist
Ainsworths Homoeopathic Pharmacy

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