Fortschr Med. 1981 Nov; 99(42): 1759-63.

[Do we need an "alternative medicine?"]

Oepen I.

After an enumeration of synonyms of "alternative medicine" the term "natural healing methods" is defined. As it transpires, not all methods so earmarked are "according to nature". Therefore, permission to doctors to assign this "specialism" to their qualifications as a supplementary faculty seems no longer justified. Some methods of so-called alternative medicine (e.g.acupuncture, and homoeopathy) are critically discussed. As a conclusion, the question wether an "alternative medicine" is required, can only be answered in the negative, because only one medicine employing serious methods and taking no undue risks, is needed.