Monatsschr Kinderheilkd. 1993 Mar; 141(3): 241-7.

[Is homeopathy a false doctrine?]

Hopff WH.

Pharmakologisches Institut, Universit�t Z�rich.

We realize that it is virtually impossible to persuade the convinced practitioners of any of the pseudo-scientific beliefs. Therefore, it is our aim to support those fellow workers and interested laymen, intimidated by the contentions of homeopaths by providing them with relevant facts to counter the mostly absurd claims put forward by practitioners of alternative medicine. 1. The rule of "similarity" is based on incorrect assumptions. 2. Dilution = Dilution A dilution is neither a "potentization" nor a "dynamization" nor an "energyzation". All these expressions are not based on carefully defined notions or concepts but are merely literal creations of homeopaths. It is well known that the "Urtinktur" in addition to producing desired effects possesses a substantial number of undesired side effects. The reader might wonder why only the beneficial effects would be amplified ("potentiated") while all other side effects would happen to be attenuated ("diluted"). 3. The only evidence all practitioners of pseudo-medicine can muster to prove the efficacy of their methods are occasional healings following pseudo-medical treatment.