Homeopathy & adverse vaccine reaction - letters to ed.
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 1:41 pm
Homeopathy is worse than witchcraft - and the NHS must stop paying for it
By KATE MAXWELL - More by this author » Last updated at 09:57am on 1st May
2007
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... tml?in_art
icle_id=451908&in_page_id=1774
LETTERS in response to above article
THIS ONE SEEMS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED
LETTERS - Daily Mail - 3rd May, 2007.
Homeopathy saved my son
I HOPE medical expert Michael Baum or someone close to him
never becomes ill with a disease that, at best, can only be eased by
conventional medicine.
After having his DTP vaccinations as a baby, my son, who is
now six, was hospitalised several times with respiratory and skin
infections which threatened his life.
The medical answer? Sedate him day and night to prevent him
from scratching, cover him in steriod cream and fill him with
antibiotics.
Deeply upset at having to give our beautiful baby a
never-ending regimen of drugs, I eventually turned to homeopathy
three years later. We saw one practitioner who asked lots of
questions and gave us time to talk about our child and the difficulties
that he faced.
He then prescribed one tiny pill, and within a month, the
eczema which had covered my son from head to toe healed without
leaving a scar. We haven't looked back since.
I didn't tell my son that the pill would make him better - I
was sceptical myself - so there was no placebo effect occurring
here. Homeopathy works. It saved our sanity and our child from
potentially enduring a lifetime of pain and medication.
What is Michael Baum so scared of? If a treatment alleviates
suffering, it has to be a good thing. I urge people to make up
their own minds after researching the history of homeopathy and
asking people who have had treatment whether it worked for them.
The facts speak for themselves.
CATHY EDEN, Norwich.
********
Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view all to
read all comments that readers have sent in.
Prof Baum makes a number of valid points when commenting on funding within
the NHS but the concept of evidence based medicine being the only medicne
allowed funding within the NHS well what exactly would be funded? We can
all recall the odd patient or rogue doctor who take health related matters
to the extreme - no right minded person would think about treating cancer
with homeopathy only and there is no such thing as a homeopathic
prophylactic for malaria. So should we ban treatments because they are used
incorrectly? The professor is being a little disingenuous when he states
that all 'scientific'trials are published regardless of outcome - since
most scientific trials and 80% of postgraduate medical courses are funded
by the pharmaceutical industry does he really believe we are getting
evidence based medicine? As for evidence for homeopathy what about Dr
D.Reilly's HIT trials published in the BMJ and Lancet? What about the
outcomes data gathered at the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital?
- Dr.William Ralph, Wexford ,Ireland
For those readers who are not convinced by Professor Baum's reductionist
view of health and cure, do look at the Society of Homeopaths' website at
an article which overviews Positive Homeopathy Research and Surveys.
- Judith Mistral, Frome, Somerset
Many London GPs refer patients to the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
with good results and a reduction of expenditure on prescription drugs. In
time science will be able to explain why homeopathy works as we understand
more about quantum physics. In the meantime, it should be acknowledged that
homeopathy has a role to play within our health system.
- Heather, London, UK
Outcome studies repeatedly show that patients feel better using homeopathic
medecine. I practice homeopathy and have a medical qualification; therefore
safety issues are the equivalent. Patients come to homeopathy out of free
choice and often because they do not get better with a conventional medical
approach. Homeopaths registered with the Faculty of Homeopathy are
registered health proffesionals and only treat a patient with homeopathy
when it is appropriate. The article mixes many issues and is negative
towards homeopathy. More discussion within the medical fraternity and
public as well as properly conducted research are welcomed.
- Roger Neville-Smith, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
I find this article disturbing. Dr Baum obviously feels threatened by
Homeopathy. In Scotland nearly every GP practice has a doctor prescribing
homeopathy, are they all barmy, are they all witches? I don't think so.
Years ago my son was cured of his asthma with homeopathy after conventional
medicine didn't help. If more money was put into homeopathy rather than
conventional medicine I am certain the whole health industry would benefit.
Dr Baum seems to be protecting his pocket rather than looking with an open
mind to other types of medicines that have great benefit to people. I
suggest he embark on a treatment of homeopathy himself or take part in a
homeopathic proving and then make comment. I find it hard to take that a
man like this who has no in depth knowlege of the subject can make so
damning comments. It is shocking. If all our Doctors had such a narrow mind
as his life indeed would be scary.
- Elaine Cairney, Arbroath Scotland
It's a shame that the medical profession cannot be broadminded enough to
take a closer look at homeopathy instead of being closed and threatened by
its growing popularity with the public. If patients were happy with their
medical treatment surely they wouldn't be seeking help and support elsewhere.
- Debbie, Richmond, UK
The Arnica trial was published in the Journal of the Royal Society of
Medicine. It was ill conceived in that Arnica is usually insufficient as a
remedy for post-hystectomy, homeopathically speaking. There is a problem in
the design of clinical trials for homeopathy as I'm sure the author is
aware if she was invited to design a trial. I consider it bad faith to
ignore this problem and accuse homeopathy of failing to provide evidence.
- Sarah Cowell, Tisbury
Prof Michael Baum's article on homoeopathy is as outrageous as it is
flawed. It is always good to have an opinion, but surely it should be based
on facts and experience. Homoeopaths do not treat the symptoms instead of
the disease, they take the symptoms into account when treating the whole
person, hence holistic medicine. Homoeopathy has never caused anyone
serious harm, it is safe and gentle and can be used by pregnant women. Its
appeal is in its safety, gentleness and lack of side effects. I became a
homoeopath because of the wonderful treatment I had over the years with
this wonderful benign treatment. As a sufferer of bronchitis for many
years, and a regular user of antibiotics which was all that was on offer, I
turned to homoeopathy. That was in 1989 and I have not suffered with it
since. No homoeopath would never, ever persuade a patient not to have
orthodox medicine if a patient was chronically ill, sometimes a patient
chooses not travel the orthodox route.
- Gillian Mccreadie, Dartford, UK
I decided to train in homeopathy after it completely cured me of ME 12
years ago. This was after my GP had told me it was incurable and that I
should resign from my job. Today, as a trainee homeopath practising under
supervision, I am in the privileged position of being able to help to
effect such cures. The training, over 4 years, is exacting and much
detailed case evidence has to be submitted in order to qualify. Professor
Baum is entitled to his views -but why the hysteria? Let's look at the
evidence instead - there is plenty of it!
- J. Brettingham, Bournemouth, Dorset
Though my comment will only be recorded as anecdotal, it is a fact!.
My Mother was diagnosed with a heart problem and she was told that she
would need to have a heart bypass. Because of her age, I asked her
consultant if we could try Homeopathy as a first measure. The consultant
agreed and my mother was monitored over a six week period. Much to the
consultants surprise and interest, at the end of this period the bypass
operation was no longer required.
The list of remedies given , was asked for by the consultant as he wished
to make further investigations into using Homeopathy in other similar
cases.My mother made a full recovery and lived for a number of years with
no re-occurence of any heart condition.
So far from being crackpot ideas, Homeopathy has a firm place in the
current culture, where GP's over-prescribe drugs and take little notice of
the numerous side effects that these drugs cause.
- Chris, London
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath
Well Within & Earth Mysteries & Sacred Site Tours (worldwide)
Vaccination Information & Choice Network
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/homeo.htm
homeopathycures@tesco.net
ONLINE Introduction to Homeopathy Classes - next one May 9, 2007
ONLINE Introduction to Vaccine Dangers Classes - next ones fall 2007
ONLINE Intro to Diseases - Risk, Reality & Alternative Treatment next ones
fall 2007
Voicemail US 530-740-0561 UK phone from US 011-44-1874-624-936
By KATE MAXWELL - More by this author » Last updated at 09:57am on 1st May
2007
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... tml?in_art
icle_id=451908&in_page_id=1774
LETTERS in response to above article
THIS ONE SEEMS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED
LETTERS - Daily Mail - 3rd May, 2007.
Homeopathy saved my son
I HOPE medical expert Michael Baum or someone close to him
never becomes ill with a disease that, at best, can only be eased by
conventional medicine.
After having his DTP vaccinations as a baby, my son, who is
now six, was hospitalised several times with respiratory and skin
infections which threatened his life.
The medical answer? Sedate him day and night to prevent him
from scratching, cover him in steriod cream and fill him with
antibiotics.
Deeply upset at having to give our beautiful baby a
never-ending regimen of drugs, I eventually turned to homeopathy
three years later. We saw one practitioner who asked lots of
questions and gave us time to talk about our child and the difficulties
that he faced.
He then prescribed one tiny pill, and within a month, the
eczema which had covered my son from head to toe healed without
leaving a scar. We haven't looked back since.
I didn't tell my son that the pill would make him better - I
was sceptical myself - so there was no placebo effect occurring
here. Homeopathy works. It saved our sanity and our child from
potentially enduring a lifetime of pain and medication.
What is Michael Baum so scared of? If a treatment alleviates
suffering, it has to be a good thing. I urge people to make up
their own minds after researching the history of homeopathy and
asking people who have had treatment whether it worked for them.
The facts speak for themselves.
CATHY EDEN, Norwich.
********
Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view all to
read all comments that readers have sent in.
Prof Baum makes a number of valid points when commenting on funding within
the NHS but the concept of evidence based medicine being the only medicne
allowed funding within the NHS well what exactly would be funded? We can
all recall the odd patient or rogue doctor who take health related matters
to the extreme - no right minded person would think about treating cancer
with homeopathy only and there is no such thing as a homeopathic
prophylactic for malaria. So should we ban treatments because they are used
incorrectly? The professor is being a little disingenuous when he states
that all 'scientific'trials are published regardless of outcome - since
most scientific trials and 80% of postgraduate medical courses are funded
by the pharmaceutical industry does he really believe we are getting
evidence based medicine? As for evidence for homeopathy what about Dr
D.Reilly's HIT trials published in the BMJ and Lancet? What about the
outcomes data gathered at the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital?
- Dr.William Ralph, Wexford ,Ireland
For those readers who are not convinced by Professor Baum's reductionist
view of health and cure, do look at the Society of Homeopaths' website at
an article which overviews Positive Homeopathy Research and Surveys.
- Judith Mistral, Frome, Somerset
Many London GPs refer patients to the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
with good results and a reduction of expenditure on prescription drugs. In
time science will be able to explain why homeopathy works as we understand
more about quantum physics. In the meantime, it should be acknowledged that
homeopathy has a role to play within our health system.
- Heather, London, UK
Outcome studies repeatedly show that patients feel better using homeopathic
medecine. I practice homeopathy and have a medical qualification; therefore
safety issues are the equivalent. Patients come to homeopathy out of free
choice and often because they do not get better with a conventional medical
approach. Homeopaths registered with the Faculty of Homeopathy are
registered health proffesionals and only treat a patient with homeopathy
when it is appropriate. The article mixes many issues and is negative
towards homeopathy. More discussion within the medical fraternity and
public as well as properly conducted research are welcomed.
- Roger Neville-Smith, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
I find this article disturbing. Dr Baum obviously feels threatened by
Homeopathy. In Scotland nearly every GP practice has a doctor prescribing
homeopathy, are they all barmy, are they all witches? I don't think so.
Years ago my son was cured of his asthma with homeopathy after conventional
medicine didn't help. If more money was put into homeopathy rather than
conventional medicine I am certain the whole health industry would benefit.
Dr Baum seems to be protecting his pocket rather than looking with an open
mind to other types of medicines that have great benefit to people. I
suggest he embark on a treatment of homeopathy himself or take part in a
homeopathic proving and then make comment. I find it hard to take that a
man like this who has no in depth knowlege of the subject can make so
damning comments. It is shocking. If all our Doctors had such a narrow mind
as his life indeed would be scary.
- Elaine Cairney, Arbroath Scotland
It's a shame that the medical profession cannot be broadminded enough to
take a closer look at homeopathy instead of being closed and threatened by
its growing popularity with the public. If patients were happy with their
medical treatment surely they wouldn't be seeking help and support elsewhere.
- Debbie, Richmond, UK
The Arnica trial was published in the Journal of the Royal Society of
Medicine. It was ill conceived in that Arnica is usually insufficient as a
remedy for post-hystectomy, homeopathically speaking. There is a problem in
the design of clinical trials for homeopathy as I'm sure the author is
aware if she was invited to design a trial. I consider it bad faith to
ignore this problem and accuse homeopathy of failing to provide evidence.
- Sarah Cowell, Tisbury
Prof Michael Baum's article on homoeopathy is as outrageous as it is
flawed. It is always good to have an opinion, but surely it should be based
on facts and experience. Homoeopaths do not treat the symptoms instead of
the disease, they take the symptoms into account when treating the whole
person, hence holistic medicine. Homoeopathy has never caused anyone
serious harm, it is safe and gentle and can be used by pregnant women. Its
appeal is in its safety, gentleness and lack of side effects. I became a
homoeopath because of the wonderful treatment I had over the years with
this wonderful benign treatment. As a sufferer of bronchitis for many
years, and a regular user of antibiotics which was all that was on offer, I
turned to homoeopathy. That was in 1989 and I have not suffered with it
since. No homoeopath would never, ever persuade a patient not to have
orthodox medicine if a patient was chronically ill, sometimes a patient
chooses not travel the orthodox route.
- Gillian Mccreadie, Dartford, UK
I decided to train in homeopathy after it completely cured me of ME 12
years ago. This was after my GP had told me it was incurable and that I
should resign from my job. Today, as a trainee homeopath practising under
supervision, I am in the privileged position of being able to help to
effect such cures. The training, over 4 years, is exacting and much
detailed case evidence has to be submitted in order to qualify. Professor
Baum is entitled to his views -but why the hysteria? Let's look at the
evidence instead - there is plenty of it!
- J. Brettingham, Bournemouth, Dorset
Though my comment will only be recorded as anecdotal, it is a fact!.
My Mother was diagnosed with a heart problem and she was told that she
would need to have a heart bypass. Because of her age, I asked her
consultant if we could try Homeopathy as a first measure. The consultant
agreed and my mother was monitored over a six week period. Much to the
consultants surprise and interest, at the end of this period the bypass
operation was no longer required.
The list of remedies given , was asked for by the consultant as he wished
to make further investigations into using Homeopathy in other similar
cases.My mother made a full recovery and lived for a number of years with
no re-occurence of any heart condition.
So far from being crackpot ideas, Homeopathy has a firm place in the
current culture, where GP's over-prescribe drugs and take little notice of
the numerous side effects that these drugs cause.
- Chris, London
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath
Well Within & Earth Mysteries & Sacred Site Tours (worldwide)
Vaccination Information & Choice Network
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm
http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/homeo.htm
homeopathycures@tesco.net
ONLINE Introduction to Homeopathy Classes - next one May 9, 2007
ONLINE Introduction to Vaccine Dangers Classes - next ones fall 2007
ONLINE Intro to Diseases - Risk, Reality & Alternative Treatment next ones
fall 2007
Voicemail US 530-740-0561 UK phone from US 011-44-1874-624-936