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Coffee and antidotes
102 strongly in this amusing sketch. I particularly liked a telephone consultation: 'Tell the patient to cough down the phone', a relative was instructed. A report of an ensuing discussion on the paper is also included. Cough and company Advent of Horn 1993; 10 (1): 27-40. Coffee and antidotes K. D A M Reference is made to a thesis by 2 students of homceopathy who interviewed 26 Dutch classical hom~opaths about antidotal factors. 75% of the group stated that according to their experience antidoting did not occur even if coffee or allopathic drugs were being taken during treatment, and indeed trials and research have confirmed this. However, there are a lot of cases in the literature in which a cup of coffee has apparently caused a relapse. Is this more due to a lack of remedy than a surfeit of coffee? An interesting thought. Simillima 1993; 1 (4): 29-34. (Dutch) A proving model Dbto de Farmacologia de la AMHB, Barcelona The re-proving of some of our most popular medicines is an urgent requirement, given the conflicting drug pictures in the many materia medicas that are available. It is not immediately obvious who in Spain is carrying out the provings, nor which medicines are involved. A number of useful references, mainly from the British Homoeopathic Journal, are cited and a general protocol presented. A model for proving Acta Clin Scient 1993; 3 (1): 31-35. Veterinary cases G. B H A K T A A summary of homoeopathic applications in treating mainly dairy cattle (and buffaloes) in India is provided in I of 3 veterinary papers in this edition of Homoeopathic Heritage. Medicines to treat behavioural abnormalities, general disabilities and specific diseases are reviewed briefly by Dr Bhakta. Initially, most potencies used are 200c, with M to complete the cure. Polychrests are advocated in the treatment of injuries. Hom~eopathy in veterinary practice Horn Heritage 1993; 19: 77-80.
British HomceopathicJournal Placebo effect--a positive view R. G. A P P E L L In his editorial, Dr Appell feels that some homoeopathic physicians seek to gain recognition and acceptance among the 'scientific community' by acccepting criteria which in fact have become obsolete. Concerning the placebo effect in double-blind studies, it would be worth while to consider the significance and relevance of Sheldrake's morphogenetic fields. This would also apply to homoeopathic drug tests. The placebo argument, reiterated ad nauseam, may be seen as tiresome, or as recognition of an approach worthy of respect. Allg HomOop Ztg 1993; 238: 133-4. Time as an aspect of the placebo effect WALACH Follow-up studies to assess the stability of placebo effects are few and far between. In many instances the frequency of placebo effects given in earlier studies needs to be revised downwards when clinically relevant criteria for improvement are applied and studies are properly controlled (Table 1). Recent researches have shown that the placebo effect must be taken seriously. It tends to decrease in time, especially in patients with serious conditions and diseases of some duration. A small proportion of patients appear to gain more long-term benefit from the placebo effect. The paper is intended merely to introduce the subject. A more detailed study of the literature is urgently required. According to the investigations done so far, it is doubtful if the placebo effect alone provides an adequate explanation for the majority of long-term positive results. Allg HomOop Ztg 1993; 238:135-8 and 203209. Placebo effect in clinical trials H. K I E N E Compensatory placebo effects can systematically produce false negative results in double blind trials, as the psychogenic component of treatment (-- placebo effect) may not always be the same in all groups. The value of blinding is thus in doubt. It will be necessary to distinguish between a) neutralized (-- equal) placebo effects between groups, b) compensatory placebo effects in the control group, and c) mixed types of placebo effect. Further investigation is essential. Allg HomOop Ztg 1993; 238: 139-46.
British HomceopathicJournal Placebo effect--a positive view R. G. A P P E L L In his editorial, Dr Appell feels that some homoeopathic physicians seek to gain recognition and acceptance among the 'scientific community' by acccepting criteria which in fact have become obsolete. Concerning the placebo effect in double-blind studies, it would be worth while to consider the significance and relevance of Sheldrake's morphogenetic fields. This would also apply to homoeopathic drug tests. The placebo argument, reiterated ad nauseam, may be seen as tiresome, or as recognition of an approach worthy of respect. Allg HomOop Ztg 1993; 238: 133-4. Time as an aspect of the placebo effect WALACH Follow-up studies to assess the stability of placebo effects are few and far between. In many instances the frequency of placebo effects given in earlier studies needs to be revised downwards when clinically relevant criteria for improvement are applied and studies are properly controlled (Table 1). Recent researches have shown that the placebo effect must be taken seriously. It tends to decrease in time, especially in patients with serious conditions and diseases of some duration. A small proportion of patients appear to gain more long-term benefit from the placebo effect. The paper is intended merely to introduce the subject. A more detailed study of the literature is urgently required. According to the investigations done so far, it is doubtful if the placebo effect alone provides an adequate explanation for the majority of long-term positive results. Allg HomOop Ztg 1993; 238:135-8 and 203209. Placebo effect in clinical trials H. K I E N E Compensatory placebo effects can systematically produce false negative results in double blind trials, as the psychogenic component of treatment (-- placebo effect) may not always be the same in all groups. The value of blinding is thus in doubt. It will be necessary to distinguish between a) neutralized (-- equal) placebo effects between groups, b) compensatory placebo effects in the control group, and c) mixed types of placebo effect. Further investigation is essential. Allg HomOop Ztg 1993; 238: 139-46.