Homeopathy - The Undiluted Facts

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. The Facts of the Matter

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Introduction

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 3-5

   3. Definition and Main Principles of Homeopathy

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 7-12

   4. Myths About Homeopathy

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 13-15

   5. Current Popularity, Acceptance, and Regulation of Homeopathy

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 17-20

   6. History of Homeopathy

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 21-34

   7. Different Types of Homeopathy and Homeopaths

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 35-38

   8. The Patients of Homeopaths

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 39-42

   9. Homeopathy as a Criticism of Conventional Medicine

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 43-46

   10. Scientific Evidence

       • Edzard Ernst

       Pages 47-53

   11. Spurious Arguments for and Counter-Arguments Against Homeopathy

       • Edzard Ernst

       Pages 55-63

3. Lexicon of Homeopathy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 65-65

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   2. Lexicon of Homeopathy

      • Edzard Ernst

      Pages 67-145

4. Back Matter

   Pages 147-151

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This book traces the genesis, principles and practice of homeopathy, and discusses the reasons for its enduring popularity. Two hundred years ago, medicine had little to offer except blood letting and the administration of violent purgatives – practices which shortened the course of illness by hastening the death of the patient. Largely in reaction to what he correctly saw as the brutality and ineffectiveness of the medicine of his day, the eighteenth century German physician Samuel Hahnemann developed a system of therapeutics that he termed homeopathy. Ironically, while modern medicine has changed beyond recognition, homeopathy, with its roots in alchemy and metaphysics, continues to be practiced precisely as it was in Hahnemann’s day. Readers of this book will enjoy the story of homeopathy and its almost magical attraction, whilst learning much from the authors' rational and scientific discussion of the biological, chemical and psychological questions that this treatment raises.

• Alternative Medicine
• Complementary Medicine
• History of Medicine
• Homeopathic Medicine
• Homeopathic Treatment
• Medical Evidence Homeopathy
• Placebo Effect
• Pseudoscience and Quackery
• Samuel Hahneman

“It properly defines homeopathy (and notes how widely its definition can be stretched), narrates the story of its eccentric but brilliant founder Christian Hahnemann, runs through the scientific arguments for and against Hahnemann’s ideas and, as if that is not enough, it provides a comprehensive lexicon which will become the classic first-choice reference on the subject.” (Nick Ross, healthwatch.uk.org, Issue 104, February, 2017)

“For doctors, scientists, educated laymen, and for anyone seeking a more complete story, Ernst’s book is unbeatable. It should be the last word on homeopathy.” (Harriet Hall, Science-Based Medicine, sciencebasedmedicine.org, November, 2016)

• Orford, United Kingdom

  Edzard Ernst

Edzard Ernst is a professor emeritus who has for 20 years researched all areas of alternative medicine. As the world's first professor of complementary medicine (at the University of Exeter) Ernst performed numerous scientific studies of complementary medicine with an emphasis on efficacy and safety. He has published more than 1000 articles in the peer-reviewed literature and several books, including the best-selling "Trick or Treatment" co-authored by Simon Singh. Edzard Ernst is joint recipient of the 2015 John Maddox Prize for Standing Up for Science. 

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