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By Dr. Lollah G.K.Murthy
Homeopathy is a simple and rational system of medicine with a sound
philosophy to backup its concept and practice. While modern medicine
exclusively depends on the primary action of medical substances on the
living organisms, Homeopathy takes advantage of the secondary
action for radical curative process.
The greatest advantage in a country like India
with a massive population, a large percentage of which is below
the poverty line, is that the system is extremely cheap and relatively
harmless. Modern medicine depends entirely
on pathological changes, Homeopathy almost exclusively
needs subjective changes in terms of well evaluated
symptom-totality to effect the process of cure. These medicines are
harmless in principle. Slight misuse wears off while exhibiting
tentative proving on the metabolism.
Also ,since the symptom picture emanates from the provers, no
heavy jargon is used in the books of homeopathy such as
the Materia
Medica or even the books on Therapeutics.
Subject to the above conditions , it can
serve the purpose of family practice without misuse. This
can cater to a large reduction in the
expenditure of the nation in terms of the infrastructure needs
for the pathological examination required by the
modern medical system.
One would like to observe the genesis of the development of Homeopathy
in this country. Many devoted practitioners of the art of healing, in
their zeal to serve humanity without
prejudice , converted to homeopathy to overcome
the limitations of their systems in understanding and dealing
with radical cure of chronic diseases. But it is largely the body
of dedicated people who did not possess conventional medical
qualifications who took up the study and practice of homeopathy. They
served society with unhindered zeal and devotion. They never let
the motivation of greed and money- making to overcome their
judgment and service. But for their devotion
the science of homeopathy would never have attained
the position , the prevalence and acceptance which is in India today.
Naturally, the question of
misuse and quackery was intermingled in the process of unbridled
development. It is but true that a few odd successes in terms of acute
conditions emboldened semi ignorant people to claim knowledge
of homeopathy and convert such half knowledge
for profiteering.
Such misuse inevitably caused pain to the concept of the professional
and the devoted to the
study of homeopathy. A need
was felt to rationalize and
institutionalize homeopathic education and practice such that it gains
the stamp of approval of the government and also recognition as a well
established science. A wonderful motivation indeed.
If we look at the present state of
the profession , institutionalization has totally turned the
table. and created a situation which is highly undesirable.
None of the state or the central governments
have left any avenue
through which enthusiastic students can stand the test of professional
knowledge and claim recognition for
practice. The only way is to spend four or five years in college
and make homeopathy a career. Conversion of the motto to a career only
is in-built with exploitation and greed which
ultimately creates a HOLY COW attitude in the careerist.
It undermines service . A constant comparison with the parallel
professions in modern medicine excites
inferiority, which human tendency tries to correct by amassing wealth as
a measure to claim equality.
The holistic concept of homeopathy abhors spare parts specialization
which is so prevalent in the other systems. But , alas! We see a
tendency among the homeopaths to lay claims as heart specialists, brain
specialists etc. there are
also odd practitioners who,
to cover their individual
inadequacies, open such thoughts as ‘ in case of acute conditions such
as typhoid, the temperature can be brought down by administration of
antibiotics and the
homeopathic treatment can be continued further.’
While this may be good for the purse of the practitioner, it is a
total debasement of the glorious principles of homeopathy. There is also
a tendency to refer the patients to various polyclinics for unnecessary
pathological examinations to give it a semblance of equality to
allopathy.
Such decadence in the
practice of homeopathy has
percolated because
of the privileged position and insulation guaranteed to the
institutionally trained practitioners. It is pathetic that the
fundamental advantage of easy reach and cheapness
of medicine and accessibility to all
are undermined for professional greed.
It
is time that people who are interested in Service To Humanity and
the cause of
homeopathy raise their voice against such malpractices. It can easily be
said that one can serve humanity without any professional recognition
and dispense medicines. This is but a hollow argument and will
eventually lead to irresponsible quackery and unethical practices.
Every profession recognizes and
encourages people to train to professionalism within their standards and
permitted curriculum. The accountants have their
Chartered Accountants body.
The works and cost accountants
have the institute to induct people into their group. Even the engineers
have their aim to qualify and recognize engineers as full
professionals
Why should homeopathy deny this for sincere and devoted aspirants.
Why not the national body conduct rigid
professional tests and examinations to enable people
to qualify and claim to turn
homeopaths , justify their acceptance and canalize their zeal in
the service of humanity. There is a crying need to enlarge
such activity for the benefit of the country.
Particularly, in the
rural and the suburban areas, the need is NOW.
Let us voice the demand .
I would gratefully acknowledge suggestions, help and support in this
task.
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