Salient features of Allopathy and Homeopathy as system of medicine. Module 1

Allopathy is a term coined in the early 19th century by , Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, as a synonym for mainstream medicine. It was used by homeopaths to highlight the difference they perceived between homeopathy and conventional medicine, and its use remains common among homeopaths. The term derives from the Greek , állos, other, different + , páthos, suffering. The distinction comes from the use in homeopathy of substances that cause similar effects as the symptoms of a disease to treat patients (homeo - meaning similar). The term allopathy was meant to contrast the homeopathic approach with those conventional medical treatments that are different from or which directly counter a patient's symptoms; hence the terms allopathic and antipathic. Homeopaths saw such symptomatic treatments as "opposites treating opposites". However, many conventional medical treatments do not fit this definition of allopathy, as they seek to prevent illness, or remove the cause of an illness by acting on theetiology of disease.

As used by homeopaths, the term allopathy has always referred to the principle of curing disease by administering substances that produce other symptoms (when given to a healthy human) than the symptoms produced by a disease. For example, part of an allopathic treatment for fever may include the use of a drug which reduces the fever, while also including a drug (such as an antibiotic) that attacks the cause of the fever (such as a bacterial infection). A homeopathic treatment for fever, by contrast, is one that uses a diluted and succussed dosage of a substance that in an undiluted and unsuccussed form would induce fever in a healthy person. Hahnemann used this term to distinguish medicine as practiced in his time from his use of infinitesimally small doses of substances to treat the spiritual causes of illness.

Maharasthra is the only state in India which allows homeopaths to presecribe allopathic medicines. Chief Minister Narayan Rane said there was a long pending demand in this regard from the medical fraternity and government took the decision after giving a detailed thought. ``Homeopaths who completed their degree/diploma after taking admissions to the medical colleges before or during the period 1992-93 would have to undergo a special 6-month long course to learn necessary allopathic techniques. They will be allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines after succeeding in the course,'' said Rane.

Stating that there were about 29,000 homeopaths in the State, the CM said that the government's decision would not violate a Supreme Court judgement preventing homeopahts from practising allopathy.

Homeopathy is form of alternative medicine formulated by Samuel Hahnemann by which a disease is treated by prescribing the lowest possible dose which causes symptoms similar to disease.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Allopathy and Homeopathy

	Homeopathy	Allopathy
Strengths	It is useful for chronic diseases which have no cure Negligible costs, fast acting, best for viral infections, most potent in long-term use, suited for chronic diseases, tones up the immune and the nervous systems when used judiciously, attempts to cure rather than control.	It is very useful for acute condition and surgical problems Fast acting. Best for any crisis situation. Surgery is a major plus and has made impressive advances. Ease of diagnosis and medicine-selection. Highly trained and qualified doctors; especially effective in the short run for bacterial infections. Allopathy is well-supported by scientific research
Weaknesses	Homeopathy is unsupported by modern scientific research Very difficult medicine-selection, can have a lot of side-effects if the correct medicine/ potency/dose-frequency is not chosen, poor quality of doctors who attempt to use short-cuts with damaging consequences, hardest to master and administer among all therapies.	The most ‘unnatural’ of all therapies. Depresses the immune system. Full of side-effects. Emphasis on short-term symptomatic relief rather than on permanent cure. Highly expensive, system-invasive drugs and procedures.