the same medicine in a more diluted form and some provings are stopped by taking
the antidote to the symptom of the medicine being proven.
Allopathy is the traditional form of medicine that has its advantages. This
type of allopathic treatment is appropriate for many life-threatening symptoms. For
acute and chronic problems, such as, an infection or broken bones, allopathic
treatments are of much value. Allopathic medications kill bacteria rapidly (Berkow
1831-1844).
There are many people who question the value of homeopathic medicine.
Dr.Guy Sugino is a family practitioner and does not believe that homeopathic
medicine works. Sugino states why he believes allopathy is better than
homeopathy:
The homeopathic medicines are diluted so much that it is just like you
are taking only water. It doesn t work. Allopathic medicine gives
rapid relief and the symptoms seem to deviate quickly. It also kills the
bacteria right then and there.
Despite some doctors criticism about homeopathy, Dr. Alan Hartwell
indicates that homeopathy is a alternative medical approach that will lead a person
to obtain excellent results if using the right remedy, also known as medication:
Homeopathic medicine is good if you use the right remedy. It is not
too easy to find it though. It is really safe. Both allopathic and
homeopathic medicines are needed at different times. I feel that
homeopathic medicine should be used first, and if it doesn t work, then
allopathic medicine should be used. But allopathic medication should
not be used if it is not needed.
He also described a few examples of patients he has treated and results that
indicates homeopathy really works. According to Hartwell, a little six-year-old girl
experienced hives all over her body. Her parents took her to an allopathic doctor
and the doctor gave her medication for allergies. The medication did not work, so
her parents took her to Hartwell. The doctor found out that she had an emotional
problem so he gave her some homeopathic medication to cure her. Within one hour,
all of her hives had disappeared.
In another example, Hartwell reported a patient who was treated for a
parasite in his body:
A man had an itch from a parasite for three years. He went to an
allopathic doctor and was given some medication. The medication
didn t work, and he came to me for help. I gave him a homeopathic
remedy called sulfur, and it all went away within a day. It never came
back ever since.
There is a place for both allopathy and homeopathy in the world. Both of
these forms of medicines are of use at different times. Appropriate choices must be
made when choosing which treatments are best for each person. Each individual
has different lifestyles and beliefs. Some people believe that allopathic medication
is the only source of relief, while others believe that homeopathy is the only type of
treatment to be used.
Medicine is used very often and is very expensive. Allopathic medical
treatments are covered by insurance companies, but homeopathic treatments are not.
Thus, many people may feel that the cost of homeopathy is too expensive. Another
reason that homeopathy is so expensive is because the right remedy is needed for
positive results to occur. Because it is not certain that the right medicine will be the
first one you buy, many could be used before finding the right one. Even though
allopathic medicine is also expensive, insurance pays for most of the costs.
Methods used by allopathic doctors should sometimes be avoided, especially
when they deal with suppressing, controlling, or managing symptoms because these
therapies do not allow the body to defend and heal itself. These types of treatments
also have many side effects that are often worse than the problem itself.
Homeopathic medicines, on the other hand, are prescribed to help the body s
immune and defense systems heal themselves. This form of healing respects the
body s wisdom to heal itself. These medicines are not antibacterial or antiviral, but
strengthen the person s immune system for these types of infections (Ullman
Online). Homeopathic medicines strengthen the individual so that he or she is more
capable of defending his or herself, without producing the side effects commonly
experienced when taking antibiotics. This form of alternative medicine helps a
person return to homeostasis when it is needed.
Because many allopathic doctors induce diseases from the medicines they
use, homeopathy seems to be the best alternative form of medicine. Although
homeopathy has no side effects and usually has many effective results, there are
certain precautions that must be taken. If patients lack a thorough understanding of
homeopathy, they will be taking many risks and death could occur. This would be
something that could occur when the person does not know when other potentially
effective medical treatment is needed. Homeopathy may help, but under certain
conditions, allopathic treatment may be needed. Thus, it is important to know that
allopathic treatment may be needed when emergencies are involved. Homeopathy
could sometimes be the difference between whether or not a person will live or die.
It could also prevent people from dying from some doctor-induced disease, where
a person could contract a more serious illness than the original one.
Though my childhood experience was a very embarrasing moment for me, I
also profited from it. If I never experienced the side effects of an allopathic
medication, I probably would not have had the pleasure of learning about
homeopathy. I also might have contracted an even more serious side effect later in
my life if I didn t learn about allopathic medicines. I have learned that there is a
place for both allopathic and homeopathic medicines in a person s life. Both of
these types of medications do not cure all, so people just need to now which type of
medicine is needed at each specific time.
Works Cited
Berkow, Robert, M.D. The Mercks Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Rahway,
N.J.: Merck & Co., Inc., 1977.
Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook: a guide to everyday health
care. New York: St. Martin s Press, 1990.
Cook, Robin, M.D. The Year of the Intern. New York: Penguin Books Ltd., 1972.
Cummings, Stephen and Ullman, Dana. Everybody s Guide to Homeopathic
Medicine. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., 1984.
Facklam, Howard. Alternative Medicine: cures or myths?. New York:
Twenty-First Century Books, 1996.
Gibson, D.M. First Aid Homeopathy: in accidents and ailments. New York: The
British Homeopathic Association – Tenth Edition, 1983.
Hartwell, Alan Dr. Personal interview. 14 May 1999.
Olsen, Kristin Gottschalk The Encyclopedia of Alternative Health Care. New
York: Pocket Books 1989.
Stehlin, Isadora. What s Behind Homeopathic Care? . Consumers Research.
Jan. 1997: 22-24.
Sugino, Guy Dr. Personal interview. 6 May 1999.
Ullman, Dana. Discovering Homeopathy: medicine for the 21st century. New
York: North Atlantic Books 1991.
—. Homeopathic Educational Services
Online. Internet.12 May 1999.
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