11-14 OCTOBER 2006 SWITZERLAND- HIGHLIGHTS
Dr.G.Srinivasulu
Lecturer, J.S.P.S. Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College, Ramanthapur
Hyderabad – 500 013, A.P., INDIA
E-mail: drsrinivasulu_g@indiatimes.com/yahoo.com
The 61st International Homoeopathic Congress of Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis (L.M.H.I.) was held at KKL LuCerne, Switzerland from 11-14 October 2006. The L.M.H.I., Swiss Association of Homoeopathic doctors and International Association of Veterinary Homoeopathy organized the Congress. This event coincided with the 150th anniversary of the Swiss Association of Homoeopathic doctors.
Opening ceremony:
The historic and beautiful city of Lucerne in Switzerland had hosted this congress after a gap of nearly half a century. The history of Homoeopathy dates back to 1827, Josef Siegrist in Basel was probably the first doctor in Switzerland to study homoeopathy and started the Homoeopathic practice. In 1829, Swiss Homoeopaths celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Dr.Hahnemann’s practice of Homoeopathy. The practice of Homoeopathy flourished in Swiss and in 1856, the Swiss Association of Homoeopathic Physicians (SAHOP) was founded under the presidentship of Karl Krieger. Hitherto the Liga held it’s Congress in 1931at Geneva, 1939 Lucerne, 1951 Lausanne, and 1960 Montreux and now at Lucerne after a gap 45 years.Dr. Bruno Ferroni, President of SAHOP recalled the contributions of earlier presidents of the AHOP and the Swiss homoeopathic icons viz., Antoine Nebel, Pierre Schmidt, Jost Kunzli and Adolf Voegeli
At the outset Clemens Dietrich, Congress President welcomed all the participants to the congress and stated, “It gives me great pleasure to invite you all to this congress in Lucerne. Your interest and participation have turned this dream into reality. Living Experience, the motto and content of our congress, provides the impetus for questions. Our knowledge can only grow if we ask questions: questions that relate to living experience that is the root of all being, yet is at the same time manifested by concrete experience. I wish us all such encounters with each other, with Living Experience! ”
Corrado Bruno, LMHI President stated, “On behalf of all members I would like to welcome all the participants of the 61st Congress of the Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis in Lucerne. We are glad to hold our Congress once gain in Lucerne which is notable for being the venue in 1939 for the last Liga Congress before World War II. This year our congress framework brings along with workshops and conferences an innovation, OpenSpace©. It is a new way of information exchange in which the participants take on their discussions beyond formal congress boundary. The OpenSpace© led to the creation of Open Liga Forum (OLF), where the homoeopathic work chain is represented in all its diversity. The process is guided by facilitators and documented at the end of each encounter, publicized to the participants and available to the worldwide medical community”
Patrick, K. Mayyar, Manging Partner Interface Marketing AG, Switzerland in his inaugural speech stated that, Homoeopathic progress and research work is a teamwork and appealed to all concerned to work together to realize the objectives. He emphasized the management principles behind every success and narrated the success of Alinghi team and their vision and mission of winning the American Cup. He had shown a documentary on the team spirit of Alinghi team and appealed to every one to cultivate the habit of Team spirit and oneness to achieve the objectives in their respective fields. He further stated that one has to introspect whether they are “ON A MISSION OR JUST A JOB? He quoted Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who stated that « You only get to know what you truly love and the more profound the knowledge should become, the deeper the love, the passion has to be. » He emphasized the need for team work and elaborated the ingredients of it as Together, Everybody, Achieves, More (T.E.A.M.)
Bruno Ferroni, President SVHA stated, “The main aim of the congress is to provide a forum for the exchange of experiences and research findings between hundreds of homoeopathic doctors from all corners of the globe. This congress will most assuredly prove to be of great value to all participants, both from a scientific standpoint as well as in terms of personal contacts. It will contribute to ongoing advances in homoeopathy and, in so doing, benefit our patients above all. I wish you a pleasant and successful congress! ”
Jacques de Haller, FMH President in his address stated, “The core focus of medical treatment is the health and the welfare of our patients. In addition, there appear to be various ways of achieving this. One of these is homoeopathy. This option must be regularly discussed and analyzed – and improved on. A congress such as this offers the ideal opportunity. Let us take full advantage of it! ”
In a message sent to the Organizers Maria Rauch-Kallat Federal Minister of Health and Women, Austria, said “As Federal Minister of Health and Women and not least on account of many years of personal experience, I take a highly positive view of homoeopathy as a system of treatment, and advocate it as a regulation method wherever processes can be manipulated i.e. regulated. Homoeopathy cannot replace what is missing or destroyed. However, missing and destroyed structures always entail defective systems of regulation, which can be influenced homeopathically. ”
In another message Adolf Muschg, Writer stated, “The facility with which the art of Homoeopathy can reach body and soul – or the balance between these two, which we call ‘health’, has always made perfect sense and never ceased to amaze me.”
Sandra M. Chase, LMHI Secretary for the Newsletter stated, “The Organizers have added to the customary structured presentations and selected workshop topics an Open Liga Forum. The latter will offer an Open Space for the exchange of ideas, the addressing of controversy, and, ultimately, the advancement of our beloved medical science. Let us meet, greet, learn, share, and benefit both homoeopathy and ourselves thereby.”
The first day of the event started with registration of delegates followed by the Opening ceremony and traditional welcome of a music concert by Joseph Haydn, Anne, Manuel Oswald, Sylvia Zucker and Ueli Witteler.
Scientific sessions
The scientific sessions witnessed the participation of nearly 900 delegates from 50 countries, 7 keynote presentations, 26 lectures and 45 presentations in the unique Open Liga Forum (OLF) by way of posters, working groups and one-to-one interactions.
The giants in Homoeopathic research viz., Dr.Michel van Wassenhoven, Miek C.Jong, Claudia M. Witt, Klaus von Ammon Andre Thurneysen had done wonderful work in disproving Lancet’s paper. It was quite refreshing to listen to their dedicated research work in safeguarding homoeopathy.
Dario Spinedi, Urs Steiner, Frank Nager, Torres Rene, Claudio, Fernando, Hansjorg, Stefan, Servais, Nicolas, Dietmar, Mattman, Monique, Petrucci, Antonella, Peter Kohl, Zafiriou, Hedwig Potters, Ilya, Szabo, Barben and Julia Dionova’s Lectures and Key notes were enlightening and gave a big intellectual feast to all the serious minded participants of the congress.
Indian Speakers & Papers:
Dr. Yogesh Sehgal, Sanjay Sehgal, Dr.N.Srinivasa Rao, Dr.G.Srinivasulu, Dr. Sunit Shangloo Dr.Nagendran and Biradar presented papers on Sehgals method of prescription, Dr.Kent’s Correspondence of organs, Evidence Based Medicine-Cases of Children Diseases, Uterine Fibroids, Homoeo Bio Puncture and Hepatitis-C respectively, as keynote papers, lectures and Open Liga Forum.
Topics & Themes:
The broad areas of discussion in the scientific session were on the three elements – Case Taking, Selection of Remedy and observation of its effects. For the first time in Liga congress history, an innovative concept of Open Liga Forum was introduced for effective interaction among the speakers and participants. Many participants appreciated this unique OLF. It was indeed a great experience for participants to attend this event and interact with several experts in various fields. The highlights include various scientific papers on efficacy and effectiveness of homoeopathy in diverse clinical conditions, Post-Lancet debates and rejoinders to Prof. Egger’s controversial research paper on metaanalysis of Homoeopathy.
11 October 2006: Wednesday:
After the ceremonial inauguration, the scientific sessions commenced. Dr.Clemens Dietrich, Congress president informed the participants about the objectives of the congress the various areas viz.: Key notes, Lectures and Open Liga Forum. He stated that the Open Liga Forum is unique of its kind and for the first time in the international congress it has been introduced for better participation, interaction and outcome.
He has highlighted the objectives of OLF and its principles by stating, “The most important often happens during the break! – I am drinking coffee next to a colleague from Berlin, who is talking about a case of renal congestion and an idea of his that ultimately led to the right prescription… I have a similar case right now. According to the guidelines, OLF groups were formed with facilitators.
The first day of scientific sessions focused on Data Collection, Examination of the patient and the Remedy, Pathogenesis, Case Taking and Open Liga Forum.
The first key note lecture was given by Dario Spinedi, Senior Consultant in the Department of Homoeopathy of the Clinica Santa Croce, Orselina. In his paper on “The anamnesis- the most important steps:” he emphasized the following thematic areas: the aim and the extent of the anamnesis, an overview of the most important steps in the technique of obtaining the anamnesis (observations and the importance of the objective signs, spontaneous report, Kent questionnaire), questioning technique and particular points in the history of tumor patients. He stated that the totality of the symptoms must be the principle, indeed the only thing, the healer has to take note of in every case of disease and one that he has to remove in order that the disease is healed and transformed into health.
Sanjay Sehgal and Yogesh Sehgal spoke on the “Sehgal Method”. The speakers stated, “Homeopathy is a widely accepted system of medicine in India. Every day millions of patients are being treated by it. Late Dr. M.L. Sehgal was a passionate Homoeopath who was not satisfied with the methods of prescribing being employed in India. After intensive research on the mind section of Kent’s Repertory, he discovered a novel way of prescribing only based on the mental state of the patient and named it as “Revolutionized Homoeopathy” which is popularly known as Sehgal’s Method in Europe and other countries. ” In this method common, most ordinary and casual symptoms related to the patient’s mind are only considered for prescribing, out of these the present, predominating, and persisting (P.P.P) symptoms of mind related with sickness are given importance.
Torres, Rene (Mexico) in his paper on “Hahnemann, Proceso Sanchez Ortega and 153 aphorism” discussed influence of Hahnemann’s miasmatic concept on Ortega. He concluded that, Hahnemann and Proceso Sánchez Ortega are inseparable complementaries in their contributions to Homeopathy where the science and the art to cure prevail. The dynamic is what makes the difference in getting ill. The acute and the chronic are only to complementary states, and each one has a definite specific function. The miasmatic comes to be the encounter point between the patient, the pathology worthy to be cured, and an unbeatable therapeutic possibility. Paragraph 153 defines the intense, the conducting thread to enter into the profound. Paragraph 153 unties the physician from being judge, and turns him in an Orchestra conductor where the most amazing possibilities of cure are unraveled. Homeopathy with dynamism as foundation, analogy as keystone, and the miasmatic with paragraph 153 make of Homeopathy a sublime medical symphony in the art to cure and man’s medicine by excellence.
Claudio C.Arajo (Brasil) presented a paper on “The Homoeopathic Consultation and its main purposes: What are we looking for, what is our major Aim, Who is in front of us?” He stated that, the Simillimum of the patient should be able to cure any particular pathology that this patient may present. In addition, from the constitutional point of view, the right remedy should prevent any future chronic pathology that his patient may be subject of. He presented few cases treated with Stramonium Datura and the methodology applied.
Fernando Dominguez (Mexico) in his paper on “The importance of the Relation: Physician-Patient in the curative process” stated, “The received influence by the patient related to the doctor, is a fact that invariably determines the curative process. Every link between a healer and a sick person, in any medical orientation, generates a process from the unconscious of the patient and the doctor’s that will favour or hinder the cure.The homeopath physician, since the nature of the clinical history that is made, since the questions that makes to the patient, is a generator of a movement to curation. The homeopath does not need to plan a psychotherpic position because its questioning is itself cathartic and mobilizes a process of conscience that helps the sick person. This position is present in the bad focused questionings or with inadequate attitudes of the doctor, which generate blockades in the link, interferences in the process of consciousness of the patient that compromises in the curative process. ”
Hansjorg Hee (Switzerland) in his paper on “The anamnesis with adolescents” stated, “The occupation with adolescent topics ekes out a meagre existence in the homeopathic discourse. A study recently accomplished in Germany shows that young people – contrary to children and adults – could hardly profit from a long term homeopathic treatment. The aim of the lecture is to draw attention to distinctions occurring on the anamnesis among young people, and – as a result – find solutions to arrange the setting. Usually young people do not like to identify themselves as patients. They are not capable of describing main symptoms because they might not know at all what is truly critical. The homeopath will then most likely feel some uncertainty as well as his role of the patient observer begins to waver. It is about finding a way together which makes it possible to seek the most appropriate kind of medication.”
Dr.Srinivasulu Gadugu (India) in his paper (Group Drosera – Open Liga Forum) on “Evidence Based Homoeopathy- Cases of Children Diseases” stated that Evidence based medicine is the need of the hour. He said a systematic video documentation of various phases of the disease before and after administration of the drug has to be done in order to create a data base. While demonstrating such a case he had shown the progress in a case of terminally ill case of a brain disorder subsequent to a viral infection. He said “ A right remedy, right potency with right indications will set right the malady, irrespective of the underlying pathology. That is the beauty of homoeopathy.” This paper fulfilled the criteria of Evidence Based Medicine in general and Model of Documentation of Efficacy of homoeopathy drugs in particular. It further demonstrated the positive and specific effect of homoeopathic drugs on the lines of Dr.J.T.Kent’s Correspondence of organs and Direction of Cure.
Frederik Schroyens and Klaus von Amman, the moderators for the OLF said this is unique of its kind and several participants took part in these fruitful interactive sessions.
12 October 2006 Thursday:
The second day of the congress focussed broadly on Data processing, Strategies of prescription, Drug Pictures, Posology and the Open Liga Forum
Urs Steiner (Switzerland) in his key note paper on “ Dr.Boenninghausen’s Method of Prescription ” stated that “ The genius of the remedy must reappear in the entity of the disease. The main points from the lecture by Dr. med. Urs Steiner concern the following themes: the systematic reporting and the hierarchy of the symptoms, reporting the contraindications and balancing the disease picture with the genius (after von Boenninghausen) of a remedy. The basis of what Hahnemann named as the Dynamis is, according to Bönninghausen, the inseparable interlinking of all its symptoms. The presentation of a disease is modified individually, for instance by”modalities the symptoms are investigated systematically (by means of a hexameter).Attention is drawn to the recording of the complete symptomatology; here the most recent symptoms are of greater importance, but the modalities carry the most weight. Medicines have bipolar signs and modalities that contain contraindications that must be taken into account in excluding or confirming the choice of a medicine. Every medicine has its genius, its core character that is reflected in the totality of its signs and modalities.”
Jan Scholten (Netherlands) in his key note address on “Themes, Groups and Families in Concepts of Remedies” stated that “The objective of analysis is simple: match the picture of a patient with one of the pictures in the Materia Medica. When the pictures would be perfect, the problem of homeopathy would not be that big. However, the pictures are often far from perfect.
Regarding aspects of essences he said “An essence has several aspects:
Unique. An essence is unique, belonging to only one remedy.
Precise. An essence is so precise that it cannot be confused with other essences. It is like a keynote, but then fully unique.
Mind. The essence has a mind nature. It is outside the scope of this article to elaborate on this. Sometimes essences are described in other terms, processes or sensations. However, they can be derived as being expressions of mind states. The predominance of the mind can be derived from the laws of Hering, where the mind, the most inner part of beings is healing first. It is also known from Hawaii in Kahuna healing where the source of disease is seen as “belief systems”.
Always present. An essence is always present. This is due the fact that it is the source of the picture, from which everything else is an expression. When this essence is gone the picture will disappear.
Reliable. The fact that the essence is always present makes it utterly valuable in matching: once the essence has been found in the patient one can be sure that the remedy picture can be found when the essence of it is known too. It makes matching a more reliable process.”
Phillip Servais( France) in his paper on “ Depression & Sterility – Cases ” stated that “ By presenting these two clinical cases (a case of sterility and a case of serious chronic depression), my intention is to render comprehensible to you more in-depth two remedies ( Palladium and Adamas little used, especially as “true simillimum”) and which have, seemingly, much common points. In these two remedies, one finds inter alia the topics of the lack of autonomy, the dependence to the others to exist, the feeling of absence of personal value. These two clinical cases illustrate, not only until where homeopathy can go in the resolution of certain difficult cases but also how much, according to a thesis which I develop since of the years, the biography, the story of life of the patient is registered itself, independently of the symptoms, in the major nature of its remedy simillimum. ”
Dietmar Payrhuber (Austria) in his paper on “Reading the hidden message of Pathology” stated that “The law of similarity offers a holistic point of view: the disturbed mind of the boy and the genius of the simple lettuce are similar. The state of mind of both entities is associated with the feeling of being victimized. Contemporary homoeopathy requires a Materia Medica representing a hierarchy preformed in nature: We must be able to classify and compare remedies by group analysis (C. HERING). In this way, finding the central conflict, the mysterious symptoms of a patient can then be associated with the appropriate remedy (Law of Similarities) We frequently need to find the central conflict, the theme of the patient, and to associate strange and peculiar symptoms of a patient with the appropriate remedy (Law of Similarities). He narrated a case of sensitive boy from SriLanka, who is chilly, pale and sometimes cross. His father holds a superior position in the boy’s boarding school. Stomatitis, eruptions, otitis, belly pain, constipation, cough and bronchitis, headache and fever, hay fever, pains in the joints. Desire for bread and butter, milk, meat, fish, sour, vinegar, spicy food, aversion fat. Desire for small quantities of cold drinks. After Lactuca virosa 200 fever, cough, epistaxis, skin eruptions and Sleeplessness vanish within days. 2nd dose after a week. 6 weeks later: Lactuca MK results in profound improvement of his mental state: no more interest in the aquarium. During further doses of Lactuca MK in intervals of several weeks (given after 4 weeks and then 18 weeks later) Now he sells his fish, integrates into the community, and establishes good relations. He is now interested in common activities.”
Monique Altenbach (Switzerland) in his paper on “Experience with Cantharis or Variability in Homeopathy” stated, “It surprises again and again, in how many different situations a homeopathic remedy can be used with good result. The same remedy can be a simile in a chronic case (with several “medical diagnoses”) and also in an acute case or in a case of injury.” His experiences with Cantharis in Chronic Insomnia, Chronic Bronchitis, ADHS, Otitis media were quite interesting.
Roberto Petrucci (Italy) in his lecture on “Children Concepts” stated that the study of homeopathy has remarkably changed lately thanks to the analysis of the Materia medica by themes, with great advantage in the understanding of the case, while the repertory structure has substantially remained unchanged. Considering the difficulties we find when visiting little children, the repertory “Children concepts” has been created by grouping the symptoms by themes, which is composed of twenty sections with a completely different structure from the Kent structure.
He further stated that concepts are fabulous tool to more easily find symptoms in Synthesis. Four new concept chapters bring thousand of new concepts and a greater ability to find physical, mental, pediatric and latent psora symptoms. Roberto Petrucci (Italy) listed more than 2.900 children’s symptoms in meaningful categories. This includes groups such as ‘dentition’, ‘infectious diseases’ and ‘development’. Other concepts come straight out the practice of Roberto and make many unknown repertory symptoms easily visible: ‘attitude towards animals’, ‘attitude towards family’, ‘observations during the night’, ‘non verbal symptoms – observed by parents’, etc.”
Antonella Ronchi (Italy) presented a paper on Flexibility on Posology. Managing a chronic case, an indicated remedy sometimes fails to act. It is often sufficient to prescribe a higher potency, but, if that is not available, in order to relieve patient’s distress, we are forced to use symptomatological treatments, spoiling the case. In my experience a different modality of administration of the same remedy is the key to overcome the problem. During the treatment of a chronic case, an indicated remedy sometimes fails to act: but the change in the modality of administration is often the key to overcome the problem. This report will show a case of recurrent borderline tumor of right ovary cured with Palladium from MK to CM, sometimes used in ascending potencies administered every five minutes.
Peter Kohl (Switzerland) in his paper on “Homoeopathy, Intrinsicality and Truthfulness”stated “It is pointed out, that homeopathic reality and efficacy occurs, when a medicine makes essentially and veraciously his appearance inductively and veraciously his appearance inductively out of the ground of life and not deductively out of an imagined reality. It has been attempted to make clear, that homeopathical reality is growing, when the essential is coming up from secrecy to veracity. The instrument of connection between ground of life, elements of views and reality of life can be deepend through philosophic historical considerations, so that a strict reduction of the phenomenons (in the sense of E. Husserl) makes the choice of the medicine easier.
Eric Asher presented a paper in OLF on “Objective Sign for Active Syphilitic Miasm?” and observed that Homocysteine might be a marker for syphilis and neurovascular risk and further stated that the therapy includes Vit.B-complexe, Betaine-HCl (Trimethylglycine).
Smits Tinus (Netherlands) presented a paper in the OLF on “Non Toxic Tumour- Therapy in Cancer – a proposition of a doctors group.” Wherein it was discussed that Dr.AU Ramakrishnan’s method of treating cancers gave gratifying results in the practice of the speaker and it is worthwhile trying.
Dr. Farokh J. Master (Mumbai) had shown some “Acute cases “and demonstrated how to how to find the right remedy in an acute case by standard Repertorisation followed by Case discussion. He stated that, observation, chief complaints, background information are vital in succeeding such cases. He further stated that the classical Hahnemannian method only is the solution in such cases!
Prof. Dr. S. Nagendran( Thanjavur), Dr. H.G. Biradar ( Goa),Dr. R. Carouthajagane ( Puducherry) in their paper on “Bio-Puncture & Homeo-Puncture” & “ The War against Hepatitis – C” in the OLF, had demonstrated that this technique has shown wonderful results in their practice and proved that it is faster than Homeopathic way of administration.
13 October 2006 Friday:
On the third of the Congress the speakers presented papers mainly on Evaluation, Criteria of Action and Cure and Research of Efficacy. The scientific sessions started with a key note presentation by Frank Nager (Switzerland). In his paper on “ Intuition in Medicine’’, he emphasised t he importance of intuition as a bridge between healing technique and the art of healing Holistic medicine requires a harmonic interplay between the four psychological functions (according to C.G. Jung): Thinking, Feeling, Sensation and Intuition. A balanced synthesis of discursive thinking and intuition bridges the gap between the healing technique and the art of healing.
He stated that, almost everyone believes to know – “intuitively”, as it were, – what intuition is. Questioned about its character and nature, however, we are in difficulties. An attempt will be made to clarify this concept, starting from the opinions of B. Pascal, J.W. Goethe and C.G. Jung.
He further stated that, the four facets of Intuition in medicine will be outlined as follows: the intuitive discoveries of brilliant researchers; the intuitive ability to make correct medical decisions in spite of inadequate information; the “clinical eye”; and the intuitive-empathic understanding of the individuality and condition of the patient. The area of tension “academic medicine – complementary medicine“ will be examined, whether the former is hostile of intuition and the latter hostile to intellect, and which deserves the honorary title “holistic medicine “ . The importance of intuition as a bridge between the technique and the art of healing will be explained.
Michel van Wassenhoven (Belgium) in his key note address discussed “Evidence Based Homoeopathy”. He stated the following points on the present position of Homoeopathic research and practice in the world:
I. Homeopathy is Ethical Medicine.
II. Reached Levels of Evidence are already sufficient to allow promotion of Homeopathy for public health.
III. More research is (always) needed.
IV. Internal Evidence would be promoted to improve Homeopathy.
He stated that the veterinarians’ studies show the clinical efficiency of homeopathy. The human research reveals an important clinical improvement on 70% of the patients (yet more on the children): the homeopathic effects cannot be only due to placebo effect and for some conditions, effectiveness of homeopathy get a high ratio of statistical signification.
He further stated that, by the basic research made to date, we may conclude that the very high homeopathic dilutions have a biological activity and that a « print » of the original substance can be detected in the high diluted homeopathic remedies. To stimulate the research process in homeopathy, one must admit there is a new paradigm for the medical sciences explaining the observed phenomenon. Modern medicine is using new statistical approaches in order to observe the treatment effects in current practice, these techniques are particularly good adapted to evaluation of homeopathy.
Sunit Shangloo (India) presented a paper on “Homoeopathic Cure to Uterine Fibroid”. He stated that “The well-proven Homeopathic medicines were selected on the basis of principles of homeopathy to the patients of uterine fibroid and ovarian cyst during the period of 1996 to 2004. The patients were assessed on the basic changes in the symptoms during the period of 3-4 months and Ultrasound done after that to asses the size of fibroid. He further stated that the results were as follows:
Statistical Data of patients cured by us:1996-2005,
No. Of Patients entered- 123,
No. Of patients who followed the protocol-100,
No. Of patients which improved-85,
No. Of patients with complete removal of fibroid 48,
NO. Of patients whose size reduced but no complete removal-20,
Success rate Cure-48%,
Rate of Response to Homoeopathy- 85%.
He concluded that homeopathy is becoming increasingly popular in whole of the world. Now it is time to prove to the world what homeopathy can offer in surgical diseases. Homeopathic medicines cannot take the place of surgery but can be of great help to the patients, which do not want to go for surgery or cannot be operated upon due to various medical reasons. It is also ideal for underdeveloped and developing countries where financial factor play a major role in deciding the options for treatment.
Vangelis Zafiriou( Greece) delivered a lecture on “ New Indicators of the Correct Remedy choice and Curative action, at one month evaluation ’’. The stated that from the very beginning of my homeopathic practice, in March `83, I recorded an interesting phenomenon that escaped the proper attention of the homeopathic community. It is the phenomenon of sleepiness, weakness, increased appetite, diminished sexuality and diminished blood of menses, that appears in the first month after the administration of the correct homeopathic remedy-the simillimum. Patients have reported five transient “symptoms” soon after the administration of the correct homeopathic remedy: sleepiness, weakness, increased appetite, diminished sexuality, and diminished blood of menses. Those mechanisms increase the energy input and decrease the organism’s energy expenses. They can be used as indicators of the remedy’s curative action, sometimes before any apparent improvement, and in research protocols.
Nyapathi Srinivasa Rao( India) presented a paper on “ a Clinical verification of J.T.Kent’s Correspondence of Organs and Direction of Cure’’. He stated that, Dr JT Kent’s article on the correspondence of organs and direction of cure [perhaps, the basis of his Twelve Observations] clearly implies his knowledge on the concept of a relationship of the ‘internal’ man to specific physical organs. Conventional medical science has acknowledged the mind–body relationship of psychosomatic diseases, with increasing scientific evidence from physiological and biochemical studies on humans and animals.
The present study attempts not only to verify the above concept of Dr Kent, but also to find such relationship concepts in other, popular alternative (complementary or traditional) systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Acupuncture, Kinesiology, Rhythmic massage, etc.
Twenty-three clinical cases were studied using key tools from the psychological methods in order to verify that physical symptoms/organopathy is an indication of a mental state/emotional thought pattern (Clinical verification of Dr JT Kent’s correspondence of organs and direction of cure). In the majority of cases, the correspondence was direct and evident. Similar relationships exist in other, popular and traditional CAM, notably acupuncture, where the symptoms noticed on a certain organ eventually link to the pressure points on another organ which are located on the same meridian. The possibility of locating the root cause in the mental sphere permits faster holistic diagnosis.
Panel discussion:
There was a very lively discussion on the Topic: Homoeopathy – 200 years of placebo? Homoeopathic research between evidence and effectiveness”
Part 1: Problems, Strategies and methods in the research of Homoeopathy
Part 2: Results and discussion
Part-3 Future research and assessment of Homoeopathy
Participants:
1. Miek C.Jong ( Alkmaar NL) IIPCOS-2 :
2. Claudia M. Witt ( Berlin) Integrative Primary care outcomes study
3. Peter Mattman, PEK Project Evaluation
4. Marco Righetti, Health Technology Assessment HTA and ISPM/Lancet studies
5. Klaus von Ammon, PEK Project Evaluation
6. Michel van Wassenhoven, Evidence Based Homoeopathy
Moderator: Andre Thurneysen, KIKOM University, Berne
Miek C. Jong, David Riley and Max from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and Integrative Medicine Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Homeopathy, Graz, Austria presented their findings of research on Acute Respiratory Disorders in children.
The Objective of this research was to o evaluate the outcome and compare practice patterns of primary care physicians providing homeopathic or conventional treatment for acute respiratory and ear complaints.
The adopted a design of International, multi-centre, prospective outcome study on the outcome of homeopathic treatment compared to conventional medicine.
The setting includes: 43 primary care practices in Austria (8), Germany (8), The Netherlands (7), Russia (6), Ukraine (4) and the United Kingdom (10).
Patients:2.055 patients were recruited and given either homeopathic treatment (n = 1220) or conventional treatment (n = 829) for a chief complaint of acute (£ 7 days) runny nose, sore throat, ear pain, sinus pain or cough.
Results:
2.055 patients were included of which 1.577 were evaluable: 857 patients in the homeopathic and 720 in the conventional group. Except for age, the demographic data of both groups were highly comparable. Cough (35 %) and sore throat (30 %) were the most frequent complaints in both treatment groups. For the majority of the patients (87%), no differences were observed between homeopathic and conventional treatment with respect to the outcome, defined as complete recovery or major improvement after 14 days of treatment. Furthermore, a high percentage of patients in both groups were satisfied with their treatment (89.2% and 90.6% for homeopathy and conventional, respectively).
Most patients were recruited at primary care practices in Russia (400), followed by Germany (278), Austria (271), United Kingdom (243), Netherlands (205) and the Ukraine (180). In most countries, predominantly women were treated (60-70% of the total patients), with the exception of Austria and the Ukraine were the percentage of women and man was equally distributed (50% women, 50% men). The average age of the patients in the different participating countries was within the same range (26 ± 19 years). Further country-specific results with respect e.g. to remedies prescribed, length of consultation, confidence and reason for prescription and payment will be presented.
Claudia M.Witt (Berlin) stated that, Clinical and epidemiological research in homeopathy is necessary to close the gap between the high frequency of usage by patients and the lack of available scientific information.
Witt further stated that the research in homeopathy, to date, there is an obvious discrepancy between the most frequent diagnoses in classical homeopathic treatment and those being researched in clinical trials. For example, atopic eczema in children (one of the most frequent diagnoses in children treated by homeopathy) has never been investigated in a clinical trial.
More studies on efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of homeopathy should be performed. To match the respective research question, various study designs like outcome studies or randomised controlled trials are available.
Outcome studies evaluate the complex system of homeopathy as a whole, whereas randomised controlled trials often focus on the drug specific effect. Both study designs have advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed together with several examples.
The strongest limitation of outcome studies is the impossibility to attribute observed effects solely to homeopathic treatment. This is, however, not the aim of such studies, their design provides systematic and detailed information about routine medical care under real-world conditions, and assesses the value of homeopathy as a whole.
Results from randomised placebo controlled trials on the other hand allow conclusions with respect to drug specificity, but cannot represent the global system of homeopathic treatment. Patients in these studies are selected and results are often not transferable to routine medical care. ”
Marco Righetti (Zurich, Swiss) presented a research paper on “The PEK (Programm Evaluation Komplementärmedizin). In his paper, he stated that the biggest obstacles for the acceptance of homoeopathy are high potencies beyond the molecular limit and the unknown mode of action. From its beginning, homoeopathy is based on empirical research, but conventional research is demanded to decide whether it works. Homoeopathy is an individual method and cannot be pressed in standardized research patterns. Almost all homoeopathic studies disregard these basic rules, are lacking in practical relevance and external validity.
While discussing the results he stated that, despite these problems among the experimental studies basophil degranulation tests and animal intoxication studies demonstrate the best evidence. The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the PEK examined clinical studies: 20 of 22 Systematic Reviews showed positive results, among them all the large rigorous meta-analyses. This result is supported by other large surveys not evaluated in the HTA. In the domain of „Upper Respiratory Tract Infections/ Allergies“24 of 29 studies were positive.
In their “ Lancet-study“ Egger and the ISPM Berne found positive results in both groups, 110 homoeopathic and 110 matched conventional studies (funnel plot analysis). Only after a doubtful restriction and extrapolation from eight homoeopathic and six conventional studies, the result becomes negative for homoeopathy.
The “Lancet-study“is not representative and intransparent, the study selection inadequate and further shortcomings are discussed. A more appropriate approach is large outcome studies with long-term observation under real practice conditions. They show a substantial practical effectivity and utility of homoeopathy. Finally, the article provides an outlook and propositions for future research and evaluation of homoeopathy.
Klaus von Ammon (Switzerland) presented a paper on “Results of Swiss PEK (Program Evaluation of Complementary Medicine) concerning demand, safety and cost-effectiveness of homeopathy due to the PEK-HTA”. He stated that, approximately 10 to 15% of the Swiss or German population use certified homeopathy. Worldwide, the lifetime use varies between 1 and 63%, mean 49±22%. Users are more frequent female, younger and well educated, approx. 25% are children.
14 October 2006 Saturday:
Ilya Tiraspolskiy (Russia) presented a paper on “The algorithm of Modern Scientific conception used in hierarchy of symptoms in classical homoeopathy” The speaker said, “The aim of this work is to construct algorithm of case analysis and ranking of symptoms, based on synthesis of modern scientific and classical homeopathic approaches. The theory of four models of medicine of Vladimir Dilman in my modification for classical homeopathy was taken as an example of modern scientific conception. The algorithm consists of two main steps. The first step is choice of a model of pathology genesis (among four basic models), which is more suitable for concrete patient, and creation of basic group with symptoms and characteristics, which are more important according to chosen model.”The speaker further said,” Every model (genetic, ontogenetic, ecologic and accumulative) has its own indications for use and its own criteria of symptoms significance. E.g., genetic model has prevalence when patient’s disease has hereditary cause. The main role in such cases plays symptoms and sings which are present in-patient and his relatives with the same disease. These symptoms should be included into basic group.
The ontogenetic model is used when manifestation of disease take place in connection with periods of aged-specific and physiological reorganization (dentition, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, climaxes etc.). There are normal and pathological variants of ontogenesis. Normal ontogenesis passes without pathological symptoms, pathological has such symptoms. If patient’s disease is a result of pathological ontogenesis, symptoms of deviation from normal ontogenesis during all patients’ life (dentition, puberty, etc.) should be included into basic group. The second step of algorithm has aim to make hierarchy of symptoms according well-known homeopathic criteria (peculiar, general, local symptoms etc). The speaker opined that two-stepped algorithm unites modern scientific and classical homeopathic approaches to ranking of symptoms and thus allows receiving more successive results.
Liliana Szabo (Argentina) presented a paper on “About our limits and possibilities in Homoeopathic treatment of Children “. The speaker said, “Along 18 years of pediatric practice I have found obstacles to healing such as physical unremovable impediments, family problems, doctor’s ignorance, family habits, etcetera. In addition, I have been surprised by unexpected improvements in very severe patients. Some cases illustrate these observations. It is very important to be aware of our limits and to be able to see a possibility even in difficult cases.” The speaker further said that, the word “limit” closes doors, and induces us to make only a small effort in pursuing an unreachable goal. However, I do accept there are real limits in our practice, which we must be aware of, even when some of them may change with circumstances. The word “possibility” opens us a completely unknown landscape to work upon. I never give parents any definite prognosis. My task is to invite them to work together in order to help their child as much as possible, to begin the journey without an ultimate harbor to reach.
Hedwig Potters (Germany), Gabriella Barben (Switzerland) Julia Dionova (Switzerland) presented papers on Strategies of prescription, Drug pictures and posology.
Cost effectiveness of Homoeopathy – Scientific Basis: Homoeopathy saves 60 million francs per year according the PEK study, which was conducted in a scientifically correct manner in Switzerland. Peter Mattman-Allamand, Bruno Ferroni who was part of this PEK study revealed these facts in a paper “Optimizing medicine-integrating homoeopathy” in the scientific sessions. It was clearly shown in the PEK study that primary care practices with integrated homoeopathic treatment cost 50 per cent less per year than conventional practices. However, the relevant factor in the cost calculation is not so much the costs per physician paid by the health insurance, but rather the costs per patient including indirect costs. According to conservative calculations, these costs result in saving of at least 60 million Swiss francs per year when homoeopathy is used. The analyses of the PEK study show that primary care practices with homoeopathic treatment cause less additional costs in the long-term than conventional primary care practices. Above all, these savings are attributable to the reduced number of days spent in hospital and to avoidable future expenses such as less incapacity to work, fewer referrals to specialists, fewer tests and a lower rate of side effects. Therefore, the PEK study proves that primary care medicine with integrated homoeopathy is more cost effective than conventional primary care medicine.
The four days of scientific sessions witnessed the participation of nearly 900 delegates from 50 countries, 7 keynote presentations, 26 lectures and 45 presentations in the unique Open Liga Forum (OLF) by way of posters, working groups and one-to-one interactions.
INDIAN TEAM: Representatives & Participants
Dr.Diwan Vijay Chand, National Vice–President, LMHI, India, Dr.D.P. Rastogi, Former Director, CCRH, Dr.P.S.Krishna Murthy (Hyderabad) Dr.R.S.Pareek( Agra), Mr.Nishanth Jain
(New Delhi), Dr.Faokh J.Master( Mumbai),Dr.Jawahar Shah, ( Mumbai)Dr.Mrs. Madhu ( Kolkata) Dr.Isaac Mathai (Bangalore),Dr.Gurmej Singh Padda (Dhilwan, Punjab),Dr.Rajesh Gupta, & Dr.Sapna Gupta( Gwalior), Dr.H.G.Biradar (Goa), Dr.Babar (Hyderabad),Dr.S.Nagendran ( Thanjavur)Dr.Carouthajagane (Pondicheryrry), Mr.Jain, IBPS, were among the participants from India in this international meet. The Indian team visited Dr. B.K.Bose Memorial and SHI Homoeopathic Medical College established by Dr.Mohinder Singh Jus in Switzerland.
Dr. Yogesh Sehgal, Sanjay Sehgal, Dr.N.Srinivasa Rao, Dr.G.Srinivasulu, Dr. Sunit Shangloo Dr.Nagendran and Biradar presented papers on Sehgals method of prescription, Dr.Kent’s Correspondence of organs, Evidence Based Medicine-Cases of Children Diseases, Uterine Fibroids, Homoeo Bio Puncture and Hepatitis-C respectively, as keynote papers, lectures and open Liga forum
Sidelights of the Congress:
The Swiss Television interviewed Dr.D.P.Rastogi, former Director of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Govt. of India. In his interview he said, homoeopathy was effective both in prevention and in treatment of many diseases, which comes under the domain of Similia principle. The Govt. of India was committed for the development of Homoeopathy in view of its cost effectiveness and accessibility to common person. The television crew interacted with Indian delegates. The delegates expressed their satisfaction over the scientific deliberations of the Congress.
Exhibition:
In a befitting manner of Swiss culture and flair for perfection, the homeopathic industry and allied organization put up their stalls and displayed wide-ranging products. The stalls were very attractive and informative too. Haug, Omida, Elmex, Spagyros, Boiron, Herbamed, B.Jain Group , Indian Books and Periodical Syndicate( IBPS), Hompath, Verlagg, SHI, Reckweg, Heel, Gudjsons, LMHI, Radar,Sonntau, Hippokrates, Homoeopathic Links were some among the prominent stalls in the exhibition. B. Jain Publishers re published the transactions under the title” Actes du Congres Homeopathique International De Geneve (Rapports et Discussions) (French) of the 1931 Congress of Liga held at Geneva under the Presidentship of Pierre Schmidt. The author of the report received one complimentary copy from Dr.Clemens, President of the Congress as a part of the reminiscences. Kudos to B.Jain for their global contributions in the field of publications of past, present and future.
Next Congress: Mexico – 2007:
The 62th Congress of the Liga will be held at Puebla, Mexico. Dr.Fernando.Francois-Flores in his presentation of the Congress-2007 siad, “ A country which transcended in history of homoeopathic medicine due to the fact that it is the first country in the world to give homoeoathya the category of medical science, since the presidential decree of General Profirio Diaz, in August 10th, 1895, in which it was acknowledged the homoeopathic National Hospital and the National School of Homoeopathic medicine, as the first authorized institutions in the world.” The topics of the congress are: The essential of Hahnemann and his works for Homoeopathy, Experimental condition of Homoeopathic medicine of yesterday,today and tomorrow, The genuine and complete clinical work remains within the homoeopathic medicine, showing its supreme quality and Free topics. Visit www.lmhi2007.com for further details.
The History of Homoeopathy in Switzerland:
A commemorative volume on the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Swiss Association of Homoeopathic Physicians, SAHOP (1856-2006) was released on this occasion. The publishers recalled that Karl Krieger a d was elected as the founder president of the Association founded SAHOP in 1856. The Assoication paid rich tributes to Antoine Nebel (1870-1954), Pierre Schmidt (1894-1987) Jost Kunzli (1915-1992) and Adolf Voegeli (1888-1993). Dr.med.Jacques de Haller, President of the Swiss Medical Association and Dr.Bruno Ferroni, President SAHOP conveyed their good wishes to all the patrticipatns of the congress.
SHI Homoeopathic College, Switzerland:
In 1993, Dr.Jus established the SHI Homoeopathic College in Zug, Switzerland. Today the college is well known throughout Swiss and in neighbouring countriesThe, training course offered by the SHI is a full time course of four years and four months duration The founder Dr.Mohinder Singh Jus was born in New Delhi in 1947 and studied under Dr.B.K. Bose, then the last living student of Dr.J.T.Kent. In 1985, he went to Switzerland with the objective of spreading homoeopathy, which he had learnt from Dr.B.K.Bose (The Indian Kent). In 1993, he established the Dr.B.K. Bose foundation and the SHI Homoeopathic college.For further details visit www.shi.ch . The author along with some Indian delegates visited his institute. It was a pleasant visit seeing Indian homoeopathy flourishing in Swiss. The BK Bose memorial established by his student is indeed a wonder of wonders. The memorial of BK Bose was an embodiment of the sacred relationship between a student and This rare quality of respect and regard were reflected in that museum wherein Dr.Bose’s walking stick, spectacles, coat, wall clock and several other items were preserved in pristine purity with utmost dedication and devotion towards a teacher.
Reckeweg-Journal:
Dr. Reckeweg & Co. released the first issue of the first annual volume of the Journal. Otto Weingartner, Editor stated that ht journal would focuss on current research and bring this information neared to practitioners. Michasel Rekeweg, Managing Director stated that, one of the goals of thisjournal was toacquaint the practitioners with the ongoing research activities of the the compny. Otto Weingartner, Editor of the journal discussed various aspects of research in a lead article published in the journal. For further details visit www.reckeweg.de
SPAGY News:
the editor of Spagy News said that Spagyros inc. is a young, innovative company, which is a highly successful producing complementary remedy. It was founded in Switzerland in 1985. The company had developed a new potentising machine based on the Skinner potentising machine. For further details visit www.spagyrios.ch
Farewell: Valedictory Function
The LMHI President Corrado Bruno, Clemens Dietrich, Congress President and other important dignitaries of the LMHI & SAHOP, SVHA, SSMH, SSMO, all were on hand to thank the many people involved in the tremendous workof making this Congress a reality. Special thanks were given to the local organizing committee and the scientific committee.
The organizing committee profusely thanked the OLF team:Samuel Bichsel,Verena Cucci,Edourad Fekkari,Franz Lottenbach,Florica Marian,Daniela Mathis,Annemarie Plüss,Gabriele Rotach,Fréderic Schroyens,Beat Spring,Riana Spring,Klaus von Ammon,HANS-EGGENBERGER Stiftung, Zurich.
This indeed was a colorful, enthusiastic, warm hearted and highly professional congress. The Swiss culture, hospitality, precision, perfection and professionalism were seen in all the congress arrangements. The participants were recharged and rejuvenated with the enlightenment from the congress and enticing Swiss natural surroundings. The friendliness and cheerful nature of Swiss people and all the participants in the Congress was heartfelt and inspiring. It was a beautiful, happy and warm-hearted finale. Hats off to the LMHI and Swiss Organizing committee for holding this memorable congress .Participants bid farewell to each other and looked forward to meet next year in Mexico. So, thus came to a close a great Congress and a great event, in Switzerland.
The four-day congress concluded with a warm farewell from the President of the Congress Dr.Clemens Dietrich and invitation from the Organizing committee to the 62nd Congress to be held at Mexico in 2007.
Some of the excerpts of transactions of Swiss congress are available at www.lmhi-congress-2006.ch Details of the 62nd Congress of Liga to be held from August 7-11, 2007 are available at www.lmhi2007.com.
Thanks for this inspirational article.