W6 LO1 Historical context of homeopathy (1).pdf

HOMEOPATHY NMT 100 LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR TODAY 1. Examine the historical and cultural context of homeopathy and its underlying theories and principles. 2. Examine the history of homeopathy, its principles and philosophy (using The Organon and other resources). 3. Explain the methodology and purpose...

HOMEOPATHY NMT 100 LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR TODAY 1. Examine the historical and cultural context of homeopathy and its underlying theories and principles. 2. Examine the history of homeopathy, its principles and philosophy (using The Organon and other resources). 3. Explain the methodology and purpose of homeopathic provings (homeopathic pathogenetic trials (HPTs)). 4. Critique key pieces of research concerning phenomena relevant to the mechanism of action of homeopathic remedies and clinical efficacy of individualized homeopathic treatment. Questions for reflexion 1) What was the climate of society and medicine in Samuel Hahnemann’s time? 2) What lead to the decline in popularity of homeopathy in the early 20th century? 3) Are vaccines a form of homeopathy? Is immunization similar to the principles advanced by homeopathy? THE BIRTH OF HOMEOPATHY Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) "An Essay on a New Principle to Ascertain the Curative Powers of Drugs" in 1796. From the start, homeopathy attracted a lot of positive and a lot of negative attention from the medical world... doutorlucashomeopatia.com.br THE CONTEXT OF 18TH-CENTURY MEDICINE Hippocrates (c460 - c375 BCE) Rejected that gods cause diseases Promoted the use of healthy food, etc. Vis medicatrix naturae Balance the four humours The Hippocratic Oath “By the similars we prescribe, the ill do their good health find anew. Thus, whatever causes little urine to pass removes that which has already caused little urine to pass” worldhistoryedu.com THE CONTEXT OF 18TH- CENTURY MEDICINE Galen (Galenus (129-c216), a Greek physician, was still an influence into the late 18th century (bloodletting...) The 4 humours / temperaments: blood: sanguine (extroverted, social, impulsive) black bile: melancholic (creative, kind, introverted) yellow bile: choleric (passionate, charismatic, bossy) phlegm: phlegmatic (dependable, affectionate, slow/lazy) Britannica.com THE CONTEXT OF 18TH- CENTURY MEDICINE Ibn Sina (Avicenna) A Persian physician (980-1037), the "father of early modern medicine", he influenced medieval medicine in Europe until the mid-18th century. Natural causes to disease Promoted holistic medicine: address physical and psychological factors, environment, diet... wikipedia THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT... IN MEDICINE? Scotland became a center of medical advancements and controversy... John Brown was teaching that there were only two diseases, sthenic (strong) and asthenic (weak), and two treatments, stimulant and sedative (he used alcohol and opium to treat patients). William Cullen was more orthodox and opposed his views. (adapted from Britannica.com) Common treatments included: Polypharmacy (herbs, metals, toxic compounds), ingested, injected, topical... Bloodletting Emetics, purgatives, blistering agents... Cauterization, amputation, surgery (no antiseptics, anesthetics) MEDICAL TIMELINE Edward Jenner, English physician, develops the smallpox vaccine (cowpox vaccine) Laennec, French doctor, invents the stethoscope 1814 1796 (Death of Hahnemann) 1818 1816 1st use of antiseptics 1846 1843 1856 1847 collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk 1st modern plastic surgery 1st blood transfusion 1st use of anesthesia Pasteurization (germ theory: Pasteur, Lister, Koch) HAHNE MANN' S I NF LU E NC E "At the opposite end of the scale, at least in regard to dosage, was Samuel Hahnemann, of Leipzig, the originator of homeopathy, a system of treatment involving the administration of minute doses of drugs whose effects resemble the effects of the disease being treated. His ideas had a salutary effect upon medical thought at a time when prescriptions were lengthy and doses were large, and his system has had many followers." (from Britannica.com) COMPARING TWO MEDICAL SCHOOLS... RATIONALIST SCHOOL Mechanistic (machine), materialistic view of the body and its functions Reductionist and Grouping of diseases “Heroical” (even dangerous) theories and heroic treatments EMPIRICAL SCHOOL Dynamic (body is more than the sum : adaptive) Holistic and Individualistic (disease class) Test and observe phenomena, don’t theorize; use “natural”, gentle measures Can do better than nature, better than Vis medicatrix naturae, eliminate the symptoms Vis medicatrix naturae - follow nature, the symptoms, don’t suppress them Most important are the common symptoms Most important are the peculiar symptoms Review questions Who was the founder of homeopathic medicine? A – Hippocrates B – Galen (Galenus) C – Avicenna (Ibn Sina) D – Samuel Hahnemann Answer on next slide Answer: D - Hahnemann was the founder, though he is not the discoverer of the Law of Similars; that was Hippocrates. Hahnemann decided the Law of Similars should be applied to guide how we prescribe our remedies and medical treatments. Question: The smallpox vaccine is a good example of A – Variolation (use of variola virus to prevent small pox) B – Isopathy / Isotherapy (same cures same) C – Homeopathy (like cures like) D – Homeopathic prophylaxy (like prevents like) Answer: D – The smallpox vaccine is a good example of homeopathic prophylaxy (prevention) because they used the cow pox / horse pox virus (vaccinia virus) to prevent a similar disease (variola) which was much more dangerous to human beings. Last question: True or False? Vis Medicatrix Naturae, one of the six basic principles of naturopathic medicine, is an example of the influence of the rationalist school of thought on naturopathy. Answer False. The rationalist school believes we can do better than nature, if we get the right technology, medical advancements, etc. The empirical school believes we should work with the forces and wisdom of nature. --> The body is a complex adaptive system, not a simple machine.