Page 11 - Autumn 24

To the “danger” of mis-prescribing
An opinion piece by Mark Carpenter
I am writing this fresh from listening to George Vithoulkas’ talk to the Faculty/BAHVS conference earlier this morning (23/11/2024), which was also available for free viewing on Zoom. Old scars in me came to the fore as his words were
thrust upon the audience via video call from Alonissos, the remote and impersonal connection precluding from any interaction with the members present in the hall, as well as those listening on Zoom. I felt the need to offer a reply before others were wounded by the remarks, as I so nearly fatally was many years ago.
Firstly, I must make it quite clear that there is no doubt Professor Vithoulkas has made a notable contribution to homeopathy, and his expertise is to be honoured. He has always had considerable drive and passion, which was still evident, at the ripe old age of 92, during his discourse this morning. I remember reading his book, The Science of Homeopathy, as a homeopathic student in the 1990’s, and the impression it made on me at the time was enormous. I hold him, his opinions, and his vast experience (way exceeding my own) in great regard – yet with some reservations.
I must also say that I will be forever grateful to him for providing me with one of the most memorable trips I have had in my lifetime, one which provided some formal teaching, much socialising, and memorable lifetime bonding. I refer, of course, to a trip to his Classical
Homeopathy School in Alonissos, which a group of us from the HPTG (Homeopathic Physicians Teaching Group) did in 1997. I remember some of the teaching, but the most treasured memories are of the truly incredible discussions we had as a group of young, aspiring veterinary homeopaths, which took place outside of the formal lessons,. They were heady days, and we formed strong bonds during this time which largely remain to this day; I am sure all those who were there for this remarkable journey will recall it with great fondness also.
These extraordinary, informal brain-storming sessions is where the touch-paper for the fire of my yearning to truly understand homeopathy was lit. The fire was later notably fortified during our equally remarkable week-long, small group seminar with Rajan Sankaran in Goa, India, 2000, also linked with the HPTG (and particularly due to the efforts of the much-loved, and sadly long departed, Dave Curtin, who was a friend of Rajan’s). We were truly blessed to have such unique opportunities so early in our homeopathic development.
So what has moved me to write a response to the opinions voiced by George Vithoulkas today? How can I possibly say anything which challenges the views of one of the most knowledgeable and experienced homeopaths of modern times? What was said that reminded me of the damage he nearly did to my homeopathic journey, and the scar which took a while to heal?
The whole presentation was regarding the fallacy, in his opinion, that homeopathic remedies can do no harm. He said that the idea that they cannot harm because “they are only water” is completely wrong, and endangers the whole credibility of homeopathy within the scientific community, and thus is also an existential threat to its
George Vithoulkas
continuation. This mirrors comments he made in 1997, when I remember very clearly him warning in no uncertain terms that the wrong prescription can ruin a case for life, making healing less likely to occur. In this seminar, as was the case yesterday, there followed an extended explanation of everything his school offered, and why it was, in his opinion, superior to other schools, many of which should not be teaching homeopathy.
As a student homeopath, one who had entered the study by accident, had taken some persuading to start using homeopathy in practice, and who was yet to pass the
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