Dear Sir,
I am writing in response to the article comparing allopathic and homeopathic treatments for atopic dermatitis (Can Vet J 2002;43:601–603). The scientific merit of the study is sadly lacking. Obviously, the authors are not schooled in homeopathy, nor did they consult with a classical homeopath.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that views disease as a process affecting the patient as a whole. Medicines are applied in small nontoxic doses to treat the patient instead of just treating the disease. Allopathic treatment for cases of dermatitis attempts to suppress the itching, redness, etc. — it does not attempt to cure the dogs.
The authors' choice for a homeopathic remedy consisted of an over-the-counter mix of various remedies. The proper homeopathic treatment would have been to individualize the remedy for each dog, taking into consideration the patient as a whole, not just the skin signs. Previous treatments with suppressive drugs need to be accounted for. Homeopathic remedies should be given only on an individual, not a group, basis. For example, arsenic is actually an antidote for graphites. The dose and frequency of remedies also need to be individualized. To use an over-the-counter product is like going to a feed dealership and using Dr. Smith's Itch Medicine as your allopathic choice.
Consideration of proper regimes of homeopathic treatment should include not only the improvement of the skin condition, but also an evaluation of the patient as a whole; for example, is the patient's well-being improved, are other signs of chronic disease improving, etc. Suppression of the clinical signs has nothing to do with curing the animal.
Hopefully, this brief response will, at least, inform readers that homeopathy is more detailed than the authors lead us to believe and, possibly, result in a classical homeopath, as well as credible allopaths, being involved in further studies.
Footnotes
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