Silvia Waisse

Epidermolysis bullosa: report of three cases treated with homeopathy

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by recurrent blistering as a result of even minor traction of epithelial lined tissues, most remarkably the skin. Associated morbidity is serious for all patients affected due to the presence of large areas of denudated skin thus susceptible to infection. There is currently no available treatment in conventional medicine. This article reports the case of 3 children successfully treated with individualized homeopathic medicines.

Blisters and homeopathy: case reports and differential diagnosis

Blisters are skin lesions characterized by accumulation of fluid between the layers of the skin. Their severity varies from the common blisters caused by friction to severe autoimmune and congenital bullous disorders, some of them currently without treatment in conventional medicine or requiring drugs with potentially severe side-effects. This article reports cases of blistering diseases successfully treated with homeopathic medicines, which represent an alternative for the treatment of such disorders.

The science of high dilutions in historical context

This paper begins from a discussion of the terms currently applied to the preparations used in homeopathic practice and relates them to the names given to them by Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. The latter were directly related to the notion of matter Hahnemann held, this is discussed as it evolved from the earliest sources to the sixth and final edition of the Organon of Medicine, through all the editions of this work as well as many other hitherto rarely explored sources. This review shows that Hahnemann moved conceptually within the field of concepts of late 18th- early 19th century science. This is only natural, and, a legitimate object for studies of the history of science and medicine.

Raízes do vitalismo francês: Bordeu e Barthez, entre Paris e Montpellier

This article analyzes several French eighteenth century physiological theories that later on were classified as vitalist. The overall background is set by the tradition of Montpellier medical school, in particular by the physiological and medical ideas of Theophile de Bordeu. Paul-Joseph Barthez was initially trained in this setting, however, his conception of the autonomy of life was also heavily influenced by the circle of Paris encyclopedists. For this reason, Barthezs elaboration shows elements of continuity and discontinuity regarding both the notion of human being as represented in the classification of sciences of the Encyclopedie, and the typical Montpellier.

A clinical history of Zincum metallicum: homeopathic pathogenetic trials and case reports

In the present study, we investigated the experimental basis for the indications of homeopathic drug Zincum metallicum. The current body of knowledge about Zinc met has a core composed of pathogenetic and clinical data collected in the 19th century surrounded by layers of clinical observations reported over time. In the description, we prioritized poorly known sources, especially the ones that were never translated from the original German. We also performed quantitative and statistical analysis of repertory data. Through a literature survey and a call to practicing homeopathic doctors from many countries, we were able to put together a relevant case-series that represents homeopathic indications of Zinc.

What do homeopathic doctors think of vaccines? An international online survey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Parental refusal to vaccinate is a cause of serious concern. Use of homeopathy is believed to be a relevant reason for parents to refuse to vaccinate. However, vaccination is one of the main gaps dividing between medically qualified or not homeopathic practitioners. The present study sought to investigate the attitude of homeopathic doctors towards vaccination and associated variables. METHODS An international online survey was conducted with homeopathic doctors by means of an anonymous self-reported questionnaire in Portuguese or Spanish. Questions investigated sociodemographic and professional characteristics, overall opinion on vaccination and on some specific vaccines. RESULTS A total of 512 responses were obtained, 77.5% of respondents were from Latin American countries, 16.8% from Spain, with small numbers from several other countries. About 75.6% of the respondents considered vaccination safe, effective and necessary, while 12.5% stated they would not recommend vaccination under any circumstance. The variables significantly correlated with positive attitude towards vaccination were: working in the public health system (p=0.04) and homeopathy not the main medical activity (p=0.005). Homeopaths from Brazil, where homeopathy is officially accredited, were more favorable to vaccination compared to respondents from countries where homeopathy has inferior status (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The results show that there is no contradiction between homeopathy and primary prevention by means of vaccination.

Novas evidências documentais para a história da homeopatia na América Latina: um estudo de caso sobre os vínculos entre Rio de Janeiro e Buenos Aires

Homeopathy began to spread soon after it was formulated by Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800s, reaching the Southern Cone in the 1830s. In processes of this kind, one figure is often cited as being responsible for introducing it, often attaining quasi-mythical status. Little is known, however, about how homeopathy reached Argentina at that time. Through archival research, we discovered that medical and lay homeopaths circulated between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Given the well-known proselytizing of the circles gravitating around lay homeopaths B. Mure and J.V. Martins in Rio de Janeiro, the documents indicate that this movement actually went as far as Argentina, which had not been confirmed until now.Homeopathy began to spread soon after it was formulated by Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800s, reaching the Southern Cone in the 1830s. In processes of this kind, one figure is often cited as being responsible for introducing it, often attaining quasi-mythical status. Little is known, however, about how homeopathy reached Argentina at that time. Through archival research, we discovered that medical and lay homeopaths circulated between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Given the well-known proselytizing of the circles gravitating around lay homeopaths B. Mure and J.V. Martins in Rio de Janeiro, the documents indicate that this movement actually went as far as Argentina, which had not been confirmed until now.

From Shelves to Cyberspace: Organization of Knowledge and the Complex Identity of History of Science

History of science as a formal and autonomous field of research crosses over disciplinary boundaries. For this reason, both its production and its working materials are difficult to classify and catalog according to discipline-based systems of organization of knowledge. Three main problems might be pointed out in this regard: the disciplines themselves are subject to a historical process of transformation; some objects of scientific inquiry resist constraint within rigid disciplinary grids but, rather, extend across several disciplinary boundaries; and the so-called digital revolution has replaced spatial with temporal display sequences and shifted the traditional emphasis on knowledge to user-oriented approaches. The first part of this essay is devoted to a conceptual analysis of the various approaches to the organization of knowledge formulated over time, whereas the second considers the new possibilities afforded by a faceted model of knowledge organization compatible with user-oriented relational databases to the research materials and production of history of science.

Private and institutionalised patients' use of homeopathy in the early nineteenth century

Please cit context, H Medicine underwent amajor crisis in the 18th century and several approaches, including homeopathy, were formulated to fill the void left by the fall of traditional Galenic medicine. While most of the literature deals with the reasons doctors had to shift to homeopathy, the patients’ views became the focus of increasing scholarly attention along the past 20 years. In this article I present and discuss the current knowledge about the socio-demographic characteristics and medical complaints of patients who sought homeopathic care in the early 19th century in both private and institutional settings. The results show that not only patients from the higher and more educated classes sought homeopathic care, but a considerable number of individuals from the middle and lower strata did so too, even though they also had access to conventional hospitals. As to the clinical complaints, the reasons to seek homeopathic care were the typical ones for any general practice or hospital in the period considered. Homeopathy (2017) -, 1e10.

Viscum album (L.) in experimental animal tumors: A meta-analysis

Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) has been used as complementary anticancer treatment for ~100 years. Although the clinical efficacy of mistletoe in cancer and associated survival benefits remain contested, several studies point to its effectiveness and others have reported antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. In the present review, a search was conducted for original articles reporting the outcomes of treatments for experimental animal tumors with mistletoe. The inclusion criteria were: Publication in English, from 1996 onwards and in peer-reviewed journals included in the database PubMed. The parameters analyzed were: Provenance and time of publication, rationale, methods (animal species used, mistletoe preparation, treatment protocol, tumor lineage, blinding, randomization, controls and concomitant treatments), outcomes and investigated mechanisms of action. A total of 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was adequate in the terms of sample size and use of controls, and the only animal species employed were mice and rats. However, few studies reported having performed random allocation and none reported blinding. There was wide variation in the type and preparation of mistletoe used, route of administration, regimen, tumor type and the mechanism of action assessed. A temporal trend was identified; earlier studies sought to establish the antitumor effect of mistletoe and its possible mechanisms, cytotoxicity and immunomodulation in particular, whereas the later ones tended to focus more on biologically active principles, genomics and oxidative stress. A total of 32/37 studies reported an antitumor effect, 3 of which had mixed results. A total of 2 studies did not detect any antitumor effect and a further 2 found stimulation of tumor growth in the treated groups. One study did not assess antitumor effects, investigating immunomodulation action instead. The quality of the studies was satisfactory and the majority reported positive outcomes. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of methodological heterogeneity among the studies, which precludes conclusive comparisons. Based on these results, the present authors strongly suggest developing guidelines for reporting in vivo mistletoe cancer treatment experiments.