Homeopathy Flashcards
Define homeopathy
- system of medicine
- very different philosophy to orthodox medicine
- ‘A therapeutic method using preparations of substances whose effects, when administered to healthy subjects correspond to the manifestations of the disorder (symptoms, CS, pathological states) in the individual patient’
What is meant by potentiasation?
use of toxic medicines in the sick frequently caused worsening of the patient’s condition before the therapeutic effect appeared.
What is meant by totality?
that the disease is set in an holistic framework, tx must be targeted to the complete symptomatology of the patient, not just the main presenting signs. Analyse symptoms:
- local
- concomitant
- general
- mental
What is corollary?
the concept of individualisation, the patient can be further individualised by taking note of modalities: factors which alter the symptoms (time of day, heat/cold, weather, food desires/ aversions, strange/rare / peculiar symptoms
What is constitution?
- a post-hahnemannian concept
- implies tha thte patients characteristics when well can helpt to determine the remedies they may ned when well. Determined by their physical appearance, general characteristics and mental state when well.
What are general reactions to remedy?
- general feeling of wellbeing
- initial aggravation of symptoms (especially chronic disease)
What is Hering’s law?
- cure proceeds:
- from above down
- from within out
- from the most important to the least important organs
- in reverse order of appearance of symptoms
Uses - homeopathy
- first aid (presecriptionbased on pathological keynotes)
- acute (prescription based on totality)
- ## chronic (prescription based on totality and constitution)
Define nosode
(in homeopathy) a preparation of substances secreted in the course of a disease, used in the tx of that dz.
Use - arnica
- INJURY:
- brusing
- accidental (RTA)
- sx
Use - nux vomica
- keynote = hangover
- vomiting
- headache
- constipation
- photopobia
- irritability
Use - arsenicum album
Diarrhoea + vomiting Acute gastroenteritis Thirst for small quantities frequently Chilly Restless
Use - Apis mellifica
Keynote: Oedema Swelling round the eyes Better Cold bathing Insect bites/stings Ascites
Use - Calendula officinalis (Marigold)
Wound healing Applied topically; lotion/cream Dehisced surgical wounds Haemostatic after dental extractions Contaminated wounds
What are other names for the ‘dynamis’
‘vital energy’ or ‘vital force’. can be unbalanced by mental and emotional shock, physcial shock and environmental effects –> symptoms of disease
Define PNEI
Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune axis
What is the Arndt Schulz law?
- weak stimuli accelerate physiological activity
- medium stimuli inhibit
- strong stimuli halt activity
Define organ affinities
the action of certain homeopathic remedies on specific organs
Name 2 advantages of homeopathy in farm animals
- no residues in animal products
- no generation of resistant micro-organisms
What can affect teh efficacy of homeopathic medicines?
- age of patient
- long-term drug therapy
- severity of pathology
- in some such cases, palliation rather than cure is the best that is possible.
- however it may be possible to maintain the patient on natural therapies for some time thus ‘staving off’ the need for orthodox therapy
Is homeopathy compatible with most forms of orthodox therapy?
- yes with most
- at times synergistic (response to AB enhanced, dose of anticonvulsants can be reduced)
- however corticosteroids and NSAIDs seem to reduce its effectiveness
How do horses respond to homeopathy?
- particularly well
- allergic skin dz
- head shaking
- navicular disease
- above conditions are frequently referred for homeopathic tx
