Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Dr.Vithal Hattiangadi visits Mysore



Dr.Vithal A. Hattiangadi [born 1927] visits World Teacher Trust, Mysore on 22.7.2007, gives his lectures and answers questions from the audience. He is a renown homoeopath having a vast experience of about 40+ years. Worked as a textile engineer. Has his clinic in 9th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore. He has authored a fine, handy, reference book in Kannada "Homoeo Nidhi". He was very kind to come down to Mysore and share his experiences on that day.

Dr.Hattiangadi, Sriyuths Ganesh and Prasad Sastry - before the programme.

Dr.Hattiangadi lights the lamp to mark the beginning of the programme.



The 'talk' just over.

A section of the audience listening to the talk.

Dr.Hattiangadi was honoured by Sri Ganesh on behalf of the World Teacher Trust, Mysore.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Homoeopathy: WTT's free first-aid course


18th August, 2007
Master Rama Prasad Joshi in his usual lively speech enlightened the students about the link between spirituality and homoeopathy [top picture]. In the above picture Sri Ganesh is making the introduction.





[Picture above is of the Inauguration of the 12th Free First-aid Course in Homoeopathy, Guru Poornima Day, July 2007, under the auspices of the World Teacher Trust, Mysore Branch. Sri Ganesh lights the lamp to mark the occasion.]







[Sri Achyutha making his introductory speech, as Sriyuths Ganesh, Balakrishnamurthy and Prathap look on]







[Sri Balakrishna Murthy introduces about Master CVV, Master EK and Master MN]





[A section of the audience in the "side wing", listening to Sri Murthy!]





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The World Teacher Trust as part of its various activities in numerous centres around the globe, it conducts free first-aid courses to create awareness about Homoeopathy to the general public. It was through Master Rama Prasad Joshi that it arrived to Mysore when he was posted to Mysore / Pandavapura for his employment, in 1995-96. The first batch of the course was inaugurated in 1996 with a handful of 'students' at Master Joshi's residence. The second batch got shifted to to the residence of one of the students and since then, hundreds of families have had the benefit of learning this great science and also become 'self-reliant'.



The Homeopathic knowledge as given in a most simple way by Master Ekkirala Krishmamacharya is shared by other 'senior students' during the courses. His maxim was "Teach one, treat one".



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Monday, May 21, 2007

Hahnemann's Homoeopathy

[This picture of Hahnemann was painted by his wife Melanie when he was 83. The original painting is hanging at the Bosch Institute in Stuttgart, Germany]


Hahnemann's homoeopathy

DISturbance of EASE is disease. Hurry, worry and curry often causes a disturbance and results in illness. We often come across patients who have nothing wrong with them and are yet ill, even after being mollified by clinical procedures, investigations, et al, and no proper diagnosis. This is where Homoeopathy has often arrived like an angel to record its glorious triumphs and revived such desperate people. Owe they must, for the relief of their sufferings to one great man who founded this system of medicine called Homoeopathy. That man was Dr. Christian Freidrich Samuel Hahnemann, who had entered this world on April 10, 1755.

Hahnemann was a genius, skilled in many fields. He was a master pharmacist, a skilled linguist and a translator with a fluency in 14 languages. He could also be called as the first psychiatrist because he was the first person in modern times to promote the humane treatment of the mentally ill as well as curing them with remedies coupled with gentleness and compassion instead of the prevalent coercive methods. Much before Koch and Pasteur, he understood the deadly epidemics which ravaged Europe in the first half of the 19th century were caused by tiny organisms. He was a pioneer of modern public health and sanitation measures. He was perhaps one of the early persons to have advocated the consumption of as little meat as possible and encouraging goat or sheep's milk rather than cow's milk.

His greatest contribution and accomplishment, in fact, is the founding of homoeopathy, a system of rational healing which some knowledgeable sources consider it as a link between orthodox medicine and holistic approach. He was the only person to have envisioned an entire system of medicine and then fully developed it with a powerful tool within his own lifetime. His was an unparalled effort by any means.

Hahnemann was born in Meissen, Saxony (in Germany) in a poor family of many children. His father was a porcelain painter and the income from it was too insubstantial to meet the education of his children and young Hahnemann had to be frequently taken out of school. But he helped pay for his education starting at the age of 12 by tutoring his fellow students in Latin and Greek. Since the boy was a brilliant student, his professors later on allowed him to study for free.

Original thinking was Hahnemann's forte. It was Hahnemann Senior father who cultivated this in him from the time he was young. He would often shut him up in a room giving him a knotty question to ponder, before going to work. "Prove all things, hold fast to what is good, dare to be wise, never be a passive listener or learner, be honest in behaviour" were his maxims which were to have a great impact in his later years.

After his schooling, in 1775, with very little money, he left to study medicine at Leipzig. He supported himself by giving private lessons in French and German as well as translating treatises on medicine, botany and chemistry, a work he would continue for the next 20 years. He received his degree in MD in 1779 and started practicing medicine. Within five years, he being humane and a man of great integrity, got frustrated with the ineffective methods of treatment to cure the unwell. The methods included the use of leeches, blood-letting, sweating and salivation, purging and emetics, use of combined decoctions of over 50 different drugs, burning and searing with hot iron and the use of irritants to evoke suppuration and discharges. He gave away his medical practice candidly admitting that his patients would do better without his help and denouncing himself as a 'murderer'. In the meantime, he was married in 1782 to Kuchler (they eventually had 11 children before she died in 1830). He made a living by translating scientific works into German and other languages since he was a fantastic polyglot.

Hahnemann's works provided only a meager income to support his growing family and often lacking the bare necessities for survival. Sometimes he had to scrub the family's laundry with raw potatoes because soap was not affordable. Such was the poverty.

Discoveries are, more often than not, by-products of accidents. Hahnemann's homeopathy was no exception. A passage from William Cullen's lectures on the materia medica, a standard work of that age, was to Hahnemann what the cover-drive was to Walter Hammond. While translating the Scottish physician's treatise in 1790, he came across a passage which stated that Cinchona (quinine) bark possessed specific febrifugal action, because it was both the most aromatic and bitter substance known. Hahnemann was not convinced, trained by his father who had impressed upon his brilliant son not to accept anything without examining it. Hahnemann thought that there were more barks and substances having bitter and aromatic properties which did not have the power to cure fevers. He decided to find out the why and how of it.

He prepared a decoction of cinchona bark and took it for the first time in medical history 2000 years after the law of similars was touched upon, in passing, by Hippocrates in 400 BC. And presto, he developed the symptoms of malaria in himself. Based on numerous other clinical experiments, without the help of a clinical thermometer which was unknown at that time, Hahnemann concluded that, a drug that is capable of producing a set of its own peculiar and characteristic symptoms when given in the proper form to the healthy, sensitive individual, can cure harmlessly, quickly and permanently a patient with disease exhibiting a similar set of symptoms. The cinchona assay was thus a case in point and the touchstone for the development of Hahnemann's novel discovery which led to the first law of homoeopathy : "Similia similibus curenter" or "like cures like". He himself coined the word Homoeopathy (homoios-similar, pathos-sickness).

In 1810, he published the "Organon of the Healing Art", his most important work which was to become the bible of homoeopathy. In 1828, having understood the mind-body connection by this time, he published his discovery on chronic diseases.

In his lifetime, he 'proved' nearly a hundred drugs on himself as well on his followers and carefully recorded the symptoms. Eventually, this became the materia medica.

The journals of his time printed scathing critiques. The jealous and annoyed allopathic doctors ridiculed, harassed, attacked and persecuted him because Hahnemann and his new doctrine was gathering momentum and his treatments were getting successful. They even prevented him from dispensing his own medicines. But he endured and continued his research and practice. Many letters found after his death revealed how much turmoil he had undergone.

In 1820, the scarlet fever epidemic gave him the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system where he used a diluted Belladonna. By then, he had discovered accidentally that by administering tiny amounts of the drug gave fantastic results. He had noticed that the 'power' of the drug had increased when it was vigorously shaken (succussion) and diluted - 'potentization' as it is known.

The first time Homeopathy was used widely was in 1831 to control cholera in Germany. Its cure rate was 96% as compared to allopathy's 41%. Earlier in 1813, Napoleon's typhus-affected soldiers were treated after their invasion of Russia.

In 1828, a homoeopathic society had been formed and in 1832, the homoeopathic hospital and medical school was created in Leipzig. Later homoeopathy spread to other parts of the world. It came to India as early as 1810 with the German physicians and missionaries who visited Bengal. In 1835, Hahnemann's disciple, Hoeniberger visited Lahore and treated Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

In 1835, Hahnemann, now 80, married for the second time, to a lady by name Melanie from Paris, 45 years younger than him. She took him to France and they prospered well there, as did homoeopathy. Hahnemann died in 1843, leaving behind the wonderful legacy called homoeopathy, which he had believed to be a complete system of medicine. The inscription on his tomb says "I have not lived in vain".

Hahnemann was a TRUE physician, a preserver of health. The first of 291 aphorisms of his "Organon" - "The physician's high and only mission is to restore the sick to health, to cure, as it is termed" is ample testimony to his concern for mankind. Yet, he was humble, as he once wrote to Dr.Stopf: "Be as sparing as possible with your praises, I do not like them, I feel that I am only an honest, straightforward man who does no more than his duty". In another famous letter to Hufeland he wrote: "If experience should show you that my method is the best, then make use of it for the benefit of humanity and give God glory!" This quality in him was with him even till his last breath. While on his death-bed, his wife said to him, "As you in your laborious life had alleviated the sufferings of so many, and have yourself endured so much, surely Providence owes you a remission of all your sufferings." To which the dying Hahnemann replied, "My! And why me! Man here below works according to the gifts and strength Providence has given him, and it is only before the fallible tribunal of man that degrees of merit are acknowledged, not to before that of God: God owes me nothing, but Him much - yes, everything," and they were his last words.

Homoeopathy is an art as well as a science, based on natural laws. It is for that reason it has triumphed. But for Hahnemann's 'divine discovery', mankind, doubtless would have missed the benefits of its wonderful curative powers. Those medicated sweet little pills that a homeopath gives are as powerful as the cartoon character, "Atom Ant".
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Myths and Benefits of Homeopathy

MYTHS OF HOMOEOPATHY

Myth 1. Homeopathy is an unproved science.

Fact: Homeopathy is based on experimental pharmacological and clinical data. Over the years, homeopathic medicines have been extensively studied for their efficacy in a variety of indications. Clinical studies have been conducted in Indiaas well as other countries. The physical basis of the homeopathic medicines is still not clear but there is enough clinical data to prove its efficacy. All the principles of homeopathy are based on sound logic and experimental data.

Myth 2. Homeopathic medicines are only sugar pills which act more as placebos and have no medicinal value as such.

Fact: Yes, the white sugar pills, as such do not have any medicinal value. But these act as vehicles or carriers for the medicines, which are alcohol based. Otherwise the medicine can be taken directly or dissolved in water. Homeopathic medicines have been scientifically studied the world over and found to be effective in a wide range of diseases. Thus they are not placebos.

Myth 3. Homeopathy is slow acting and cannot be used in acute cases of diarrhea, fever, cough, cold, etc.

Fact: Homeopathy is fast acting in acute cases and can be effectively used in treating infections, fever, cold etc. Unfortunately, people tend to go to a homeopath only when the acute problem becomes chronic. Naturally, these cases take longer to treat. Also, most people take recourse in homeopathy in cases of arthritis, allergic asthma or skin conditions etc., which take a longer time to treat with any other medicines.

Myth 4. Homeopathy is a 'magic remedy' that can treat any disorder.

Fact: Homeopathy like any other field of medicine, has its limitations. For example, it cannot treat cases where surgery is unavoidable, many dental cases, etc.

Myth 5. Homeopathic doctors are quacks who do not have formal training in the field of Medicine.

Fact: Qualified doctors practice Homeopathy, in most parts of the world. In India, there are over 200 homeopathy medical colleges and world over the number is close to 500, which offer degree and post -graduate studies in Homeopathy. At present, there are over 1,50,000 trained homeopaths in India and at least half a million across the globe.

Myth 6. One has to follow strict dietary I restrictions while on homeopathic treatment.

Fact: Some patients are asked to abstain from onions, garlic, coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol etc. as these substances interfere with the action of certain homeopathic medicines. But then, restricting alcohol and tobacco is also safe and healthy.

Myth 7. Homeopathy is only useful in chronic cases.

Fact: Very often it is - where everything else has failed! But the true reason for this perception is because people turn to homeopathy so late when everything else has failed! After years of allopathic treatment often an illness becomes chronic, the treatment will now naturally take longer than in case of using homeopathy right from the beginning, the recovery period is very less. Homeopathy medicines are very effective in acute ailments also.

Myth 8. Homeopathy cannot be used in diabetic patients.

Fact: It can be used! The minute amount of sugar globules (the little round pills) taken daily does not matter. Sugar intake in the daily diet is significantly higher than that taken by a few globules. In very severe cases, the dilution may be taken as drops in water or over lactose.

Myth 9. The homeopath gives the same white pills for all types of illnesses. How can they be really effective?

Fact: Depending on the illness, homeopaths medicate with different medicines. The sugar pills serve only as a vehicle for transfer of the medicine. The selected medicine, out of a range of more than 3000 different dilutions, is targeted to the individual problems.

Myth 10. Are there really no side effects of homeopathic medicine.

Fact: Generally there are no side effects of homeopathic medicine if prescribed in potencies of 3CH and above. However, some tinctures and triturates in very low potencies like Ix, 2x have some side effects of minor nature. Sometimes, homeopathic medicines in higher dilutions may also elicit drug-proving in sensitive individuals. But just like any other medicine, homeopathy medicines should be used with caution and in chronic ailments, they should not be taken without consultation with a qualified homeopath.

[Source:
www.hpathy.com]



BENEFITS OF HOMOEOPATHY

Homeopathy is safe. Unlike other medicines, homeopathic medicines usually do not have any side effects. Their ability to cause structural damage is Nil. The reason for this is that homeopathic medicines act by stimulating the body's own defense mechanism and healing powers. They do not have any chemical action, so they do not have the potential to cause any sustained damage. The doses are given in sub-physiological quantities. So they can be given to children and adults alike without worrying about the dosage. Safe for every one.

Homeopathic medicines are very effective - in both acute and chronic conditions. Homeopathy in fact, is the only system of medicine which offers curative treatment (not palliative) to a large number of chronic ailments which have been labeled as 'incurable' by other schools of medicine. In acute ailments also, homeopathic medicines, if selected properly, give results faster then any other systems of medicine.

Homeopathic medicines are easy to administer. Homeopathic medicines are usually dispensed as sweet sugar pills, which are very easy to take. Due to this
reason, children readily agree to take homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic treatment is cheap. Homeopathic medicines are usually much cheaper than comparable allopathic and ayurvedic drugs. And also there is little stress on costly diagnostic procedures as homeopaths rely on the symptoms to find the right medicine for a person. So the overall cost of treatment is very little. Still this may not appear so to many people in western countries as homeopathic treatment is usually not covered by insurance companies. But that's myopic vision. One has to think of long-term gains. Under proper homeopathic treatment not only the person's immediate complaints improve, but also his/her susceptibility to disease decreases as there is a general improvement in health. So in the long run, there is better health,less medical consultations and the cumulative cost is very low. Even otherwise, hasn't some wise man said .."Health is the real Wealth"?

Homeopathy considers the complaints of a patient in totality. It views a person as a whole, as an integrated entity, and not as a mere collection of body parts. So it treats the person as a whole too. Thus one does not have to visit ten different 'specialists' for his/her ten different body parts. After all, our body is more than a collection of parts! Homeopathy saves your time, money and health at the same time.

Source:
www.hpathy.com

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Homoeopathy

HOMOEOPATHY [This the original spelling] IS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES BASED ON NATURAL LAWS. Homoeopathic remedies have been proved on healthy humans and not on rats or monkeys. The mind is of prime importance in selecting the right remedy to a problem of a particular 'suffering' person. If that is not done. then the administered drug will have no response on the individual and so the symptoms will show no improvement. Accurate prescribing is necessary. Since it has no side-effects [provided, taken minimally] self-medication has prospered successfully. Side-effects set in only if someone takes any of the 'drugs' on a continuous basis for months together and these are difficult to eradicate from the constitution. Usually, just a few doses of those little pills or even in diluted form taken in water will help. Since this is in a 'dynamic' state, certain diet restrictions are advised to aid proper action of the drug on the individual {esp. in chronic problems).

Homoeopathy WORKS on little babies, even animals. It is the safest form of getting back to health. Bad reports are from those who have abused the drugs. There are different potencies available and certain potencies suit certain conditions. If the potency does not match with the condition, symptoms remain unchanged! And no side-effects. This makes people believe that homoeopathy does not work! Actually, it is the Homoeopath that fails and NOT Homoeopathy!!! Side-effects [in the form of 'drug-picture'] do appear only if a person takes the lower potencies, unguided by the practitioner, for a long time, continuously. That is one of the reasons why the name of the 'remedy' is not let known to the patient.

If someone wants to get convinced, let him/her injure the fingers with a hammer and start taking a remedy called Arnica - a few doses will do! immediately after the injury and see how pain subsides, and that no blueness occurs!

Try this experiment on yourself and then open your mouth on such a deep subject. Dedicated persons -- they were all allopaths! -- who sacrificed their lives to homoeopathy have helped mankind immensely. The founder, Dr.Samuel Hahnemann tested on himself [often risking his own life] nearly 95 drugs to prove their efficacy. Likewise, many doctors have done so and listed what is called the Materia Medica.

Commenting without knowing its true depth or virtue is easy. Why not first read about it, try it with an open mind and then offer comments?

Homoeopathy has survived two centuries and will survive.