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The popularity of homeopathy has been increasing dramatically both in America and worldwide. Annual world sales of homeopathic remedies are approaching two billion dollars. In this thorough examination of homeopathy, physicist Jay W. Shelton analyzes the history, the remedies, the logical inconsistencies, and the effectiveness of this popular alternative medicine.
Invented by German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), homeopathy is based on two key principles: (1) the law of similars—symptoms induced in healthy volunteers after ingestion of a substance are the same symptoms in sick people that this substance will cure; and (2) the concept of "potentization"—the most diluted remedies have the greatest curative power. Shelton clearly shows that although these principles may have had the ring of science in the early 19th century, they are not well supported by today's science.
And yet, most patients who visit homeopaths are better afterwards. Homeopaths assume the remedies are the cause. Shelton finds explanations based on known science to be better supported by the evidence. Unassisted natural healing, changes in lifestyle urged by the homeopath, the placebo effect, and cessation of harmful treatments are more probable causes of improved health.
This being the case, he pursues the question why so many people continue to believe that the remedies themselves are responsible. Among the contributing factors Shelton notes: the plausible-sounding explanations of homeopathic theory, a fundamental misunderstanding among homeopaths of science and its methods, and, ultimately, the poor quality of education in critical thinking and science.
This reasoned, balanced, and in-depth assessment will interest both homeopaths and conventional medical practitioners, as well as consumers curious about a well-known and much-publicized alternative medicine.
| Acknowledgments | 7 | |
| Introduction | 9 | |
| 1 | Introduction to Classical Homeopathy | 13 |
| 2 | Types of Homeopathy: Commonalities and Contradictions | 43 |
| 3 | Remedy Potency | 57 |
| 4 | Provings | 73 |
| 5 | Selecting the Remedy | 105 |
| 6 | Administering the Remedy | 115 |
| 7 | Following the Patient's Progress | 133 |
| 8 | Nonremedy Healing Mechanisms | 155 |
| 9 | The Essentials of Good Theories | 169 |
| 10 | Cured Cases: Reliable Data? | 187 |
| 11 | Clinical Effectiveness Testing: The Bottom Line | 197 |
| 12 | Animals, Babies, Epidemics, and Vaccinations | 217 |
| 13 | The Homeopathic Fringe or the Leading Edge? | 225 |
| 14 | The Mechanisms of Misperception | 245 |
| App. 1 | Some Remedy Preparation Details | 267 |
| App. 2 | Molecules Remaining in Dilute Remedies | 271 |
| App. 3 | Water Clusters | 275 |
| App. 4 | Purity and Contamination | 279 |
| App. 5 | The Multitude of Procedures for Selecting the Remedy | 283 |
| App. 6 | Clinical Trial Replications | 297 |
| Glossary | 303 | |
| Index | 315 |
Anonymous
Posted February 16, 2004
A really smart, well-trained scientist takes a look at a really puzzling question. How does Homeopathy work? On a variety of controversial topics, many book reviews say something like `this book tells it like it is¿; but this actually means that the book says what the reviewer already believes. Shelton¿s book is not about homeopaths offering testimonials to their work, nor is it about physicians¿ putting-down this field. Instead, it is a clear description of the way a clear-headed, unbiased thinker examines a subject. Shelton¿s book is engaging to read and easy to use. Each chapter is divided into sections. Central ideas are highlighted and bulleted. I especially liked the ¿dialogues¿ between homeopaths and skeptics that brings to life their different viewpoints. It's to the point and straightforward about homeopathy in specific and scientific theories in general. Finally, the book includes an easy-to-use glossary of common homeopathy terms. This book is a must read for anyone that uses or considers using homeopathic remedies. It is also an eye opener for any healer or any doctor willing to take the time to examine what their treatments really offer to their patients. Most important, it is a real help to all of us, who at one time or another, for some reason or another, become patients ourselves. What kind of treatment would you want? Here's a book that gives us a way to answer that question. Whether you are the kind of person that loved science in school, or found that it left you cold, you will enjoy the way a genuine scientist and teacher like Shelton examines a complex subject. He looks at the evidence. He stays both open and skeptical. He offers alternative explanations to what he discovers. He concludes by saying that if new evidence proves him wrong in the future, he would be ¿delighted,¿ because that is how science makes progress. After reading Shelton¿s book, you know that it what he really believes.
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Overview
The popularity of homeopathy has been increasing dramatically both in America and worldwide. Annual world sales of homeopathic remedies are approaching two billion dollars. In this thorough examination of homeopathy, physicist Jay W. Shelton analyzes the history, the remedies, the logical inconsistencies, and the effectiveness of this popular alternative medicine.
Invented by German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), homeopathy is based on two key principles: (1) the law of...