Translated into the terminology of Homoeopathic potencies that would be equal to D21X D23X (in the decimal scale) or the 10th-12th potency in the centesimal scale. In this region then we should find ourselves confronted with the last molecule of the original substance which was subjected to attenuation on the centesimal or decimal scale of progression. So science supports a Homoeopath when he has at his disposal a range from the mother tincture or mother substance up to say 20x or 10c potencies.
But the problems starts when a Homoeopath uses potencies higher than 23x or 12c. There is not a single molecule in those solutions; and it may be said, in a way, that drug – matter does not exist in those preparations. Here the problem is to find an explanation or rationable of the modus operandi of these homoeopathic medicinal preparations which will be accepted by modern physical sciences.
Two explanations have been offered. None is quite satisfactory as each of them fails to meet all the facts. They are as follows:
(1) Dr. Otto Lessers theory.
He offers an explanation to the effect that if the vehicle itself were transformed in a way specific to the drug at certain stages, say when its molecules are torn asunder and separated by wide spaces of the medicine, the vehicle itself might assume new properties induced by the drug. Each part of the vehicle would then transmit the change, representing specific potential action, to the next stage. How could the drug impress its molecular activity on the vehicle? by induction of the specific rhythm of the drug – substance into the vehicle by radiation. In support of his theory he mentions several instances of physio – chemical transformation effected by radiation e.g. synthetic reactions effected by light – rays in molecular structures of plant cells or of ergosterol acquiring the properties of Vitamined D by radiation of certain wave – lengths; and that of radiation being produced by mechanical procedures e.g. certain substances have been seen to become luminiscent i.e. radiating light, under intense trituration, a phenomenon called “tribo – luminescence.” But there is no evidence, so far for the transmission of a complex rhythm of radiation specific for a substance. At this point there is not analogy with known facts of physics to go by.
(2) The theory of development of radio – active energy in the Homoeopathy potencies.
According to it Homoeopathy causes at a certain stage the development of a particular kind of physical force (i.e. radio – active energy) which can therefore be transmitted to succeeding potencies.
But Wheeler in his masterly work “An Introduction to the principles and practice of Homoeopathy” speaks of three great defects in this theory. These are, first: all the actions transmitted by radiation are seen so far to be non – specific for the emanating substance: whereas potencies of drugs have specific powers, differing for each drug, relating the same indications for use as the tinctures from which they are made.
Secondly clinical experiments suggest that some times at least the higher potencies are more powerful than the less high and this cannot be explained on the basis of any knowledge of physics, acquired as yet by scientists.
Thirdly unlike the experimental production of radio – activity the energy evolved in the successive potencies can be destroyed by heat though it cannot be washed out of a vessel.
Byods Researches.
Thus the whole subject remains obscure but is being patiently investigated. At this juncture Dr. Byods (of Glasgow, U.K.) researches in Emanometer workings has opened a new vista of approach to this mystery. The essence of the particular research of Dr. Byods lies in the demonstration of a hitherto unsuspected kind of electro – magnetic energy which radiates from all forms of matter.
The Emanometer not only detects this energy but also measures its intensity and demonstrates variations in its character or quality. The character of this energy varies according to the type of specimen from which it emanates so that each substance can be shown to radiate a particular quality particular to itself; it is relatively very much higher in tests taken from living things than in those from ordinary dead matter.
When a substance is potentized the intensity of this energy increases with each stage of potentization, till in the range known as “high potencies” it becomes comparable to that exhibited by the living subject. Byods Emanometer gives, for a the first time, a laboratory demonstration of the existence of medicine even in high potencies, which could not have been detected by any chemical or physical test known as yet and which was so long being scoffed at persistently by the school so – called Modern Scientific Medicine.
The basic phenomena in this connection were closely investigated and declared genuine by a non – homoeopathic committee of experts under the chairmanship of Lord – then Sir Thomas – Horder. Control experiments were performed and this committee confirmed that the emanometer detected in the Sulphur 10m phial energy which was not found in the one containing simple sugar of milk.
Homoeopaths have always been aware that the curative effect of their drugs must be due to something other than crude matter. Byods emanometer gives, for the first time, a laboratory demonstration of the existence of that something; and the progressive rise in energy intensity during the preparation of homoeopathic remedies reveals the prophetic intuition displayed by Hahnemann when he declared that potentising “releases the spirit of the drug.” So the dynamization theory of Homoeopathic potencies can there – fore be accepted as a proven scientific fact.
Conclusion.
Byods researches regarding electro – physical phenomena manifested by living organisms and potentised remedies are quite welcome and correctly scientific to the effect that they are the means of bringing facts and objects not seizable by our corporeal organs into the field of objectivity. But they cling to the same standard of reality, the objective physical reality; their test of the real is possibility of verification by positive reason and objective evidence.
Science attempts to bring down the phenomena of the supra – sensible worlds to the plane of sense – perceptible physical world and in so doing it at best, deals with symbols and abstractions of the factual reality. Mind and Life, in essence, will always elude the grasp of our senses and any attempt to bring them under the standard of the “balance and the measuring -rod” will always be attended with obvious limitations incidental thereto.
The art of symptom – matching between natural and artificial disease – conditions will always transcend (through not necessarily exclude) the limitations involved in the process of comparing the graphs of vibration – frequencies due to natural and experimental disease – conditions in the living human body. Symptoms – matching is a direct process while that of comparing electro – physical records is, at best, an indirect process and useful under limited conditions.
Human organism is a far more sensitive instrument than an Emanometer though the latter is certainly useful for mathematical precision and exactitude of knowledge that is scientific. We must accept Byods discoveries but with the proviso that because life – phenomena are associated with certain electro – physical disturbances in the body they are not to be construed as caused by the latter.
[ 2 ]
THE ALL INDIA MEDICAL CONFERENCE.
We feel surprised to go through some resolutions passed at the last Jaipur Session of the 32nd All India Medical Conference as published in the Hindusthan Standard of 29-12-55. It is a pity that such a gathering of noble medical profession has deliberately allowed itself to turn into a trade – guild betraying its characteristic dogmatic, sectarian and intolerant mental attitude by adopting a resolution which demanded from the Government of India abolition of existing Homoeopathic institutions all over the country.
This is with obvious purpose of adopting a uniform policy regarding medical education and recognising the modern (?) system of medicine as the accepted system in India. It is high time for any scientific man or a medical man, in particular, to realise that human being is a very, very complex organism and hence approached to its study are necessarily diverse and therapeutic systems based on such different viewpoints are necessarily more than one. No system holds the monopoly of all the knowledge in the field of medicine.
The day is still far distant when we hope to develop a synthetic and complete knowledge of Man in his normal and abnormal states of health. Under these circumstances any particular group of medical men clamouring to usurp the sole and dominant place in the field of medicine betrays an attitude which is utterly unscientific and abjectly unphilosophical.
We, further like to point out that their attempt at white washing this utterly unreasonable demand by incorporating in that resolution a recommendation “to make provisions, if necessary, for teaching Homoeopathy in modern medical colleges etc.” is very feeble as it betrays a sub – conscious approval, on their part, of the need of other systems of medicine in our country.
Calcutta