20 years ago: The British Homoeopathic Journal, January 1990

Homeostasis in the vascular system

This is Part 2 of a paper by T P Crotty “Homoeopathy and homeostasis in the vascular system”. Part 1 was covered in the July issue (Vol. 98, p. 181). It described a homeostatic mechanism which enables drugs to cause dual effects in the lateral saphenous vein of the dog. It described experiments which provided ‘prima-facie’ evidence that noradrenaline, and then acetylcholine and isoprenaline could cause these effects; one when they stimulate it through its inner surface (the lumen), and an opposite effect through its outer surface (the vasa vasorum, the network of small blood vessels on its surface). It dealt in detail with the significance of the vasa in achieving homeostasis, and proposed a mechanism whereby homeopathic drugs could operate in this balance between the two surfaces; providing both a rationale for the Law of Similars and for the use of low-dosage.

Part 2 has 16 pages and is considerably more complicated. Six pages provide evidence that this homeostatic mechanism operates in other tissues. They describe the dual effect of isoprenaline in the cardiovascular system, and the dual effect of acetylcholine in the coronary artery (the vasa vasorum of the heart). A complex section describes the dual effect of prostaglandin E₁ in the kidney, involving diuresis and anti diuresis (it possesses a peripherally located vascular plexus in its capsule). The central nervous system is another tissue in which there is evidence that drugs cause dual effects and one that has a peripherally located vascular plexus; but the experimental data is considered difficult to interpret in such a complex structure. The author proposes that any tissue with an equivalent structure should be viewed as potentially subject to the same Law of Similars. In the large remaining section, the author examines the rationale of the major principles of homeopathy; of the Law of Similars; of using a low-dose drug; and of using a single drug. He stated “The Law of Similars operates successfully because a drug diluted below a threshold concentration level undergoes a reversal of its standard effect. It is evident from this that the need for a low dose homoeopathic drug is tightly coupled to the Law of Similars”.[ ¹ ]

• References

• 1 Crotty T.P. Homoeopathy and homeostasis in the vascular system – part 2. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 19-35.
• 2 Koopman G., Arwert F., Eriksson A.W., Bart J., Kipp A., Van Kruining H. In vitro effects of Viscum album preparations on human fibroblasts and tumour cell lines. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 12-18.
• 3 Barbancey J. Staphysagria in psychiatry. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 36-38.
• 4 Bodman F. Background to the plant drugs in children's diseases. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 47-52.
• 5 Bodman F.H. Biographical sketch. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 52-54.
• 6 Cook T.M. Book review: homeopathy today. A modern course of study. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 60-61.