20 years ago: The British Homoeopathic Journal, July 1990

The future

In this guest editorial by the President of the Faculty, Amitav Ghosh commented “An optimist sees the glorious events to follow, whereas a pessimist dreads the darkness ahead”. A realist works for the future. In his section ‘The present leading to the future’, he considered the new contract for doctors would produce more awareness of the cost of drugs and the advantages of homoeopathic prescribing; the increase in visitors from the European Economic Community would increase demand, encouraging more doctors to attend courses in homoeopathy; and the publicity for the work of Jacques Benveniste would draw many homoeopaths to the forefront. The impressive work of Peter Fisher and his colleagues from St Bartholomews might be the beginning of a larger number of similar projects; while Charles Kennedy’s election to Presidency of the International Homoeopathic Medical League, with his years of experience in homoeopathy and wide international contacts, should help us to play an effective role in the EEC.

In his larger section, ‘The future’, the author discussed the three fundamentals; public relations, research and education. The recent opening ceremony of ‘Logo’ at the Royal Society of Medicine by the Duke of Gloucester had been a success. Frequent news, reviews, advertisements of books and distributors of homoeopathic medicines in newspapers and popular journals would enhance awareness of homoeopathy. The author stated “When a substantial number of patients seek homoeopathic treatment, medical authorities will be obliged to offer better facilities for this form of treatment and the medical schools to teach homoeopathy!” Professors of General Practice should be invited to one-day seminars; and seminars arranged for Consultants and Senior Registrars. These should also be organized for undergraduates, preferably in their medical schools. The Faculty should approach the British Medical Association and suggest that in all Career Fairs in medical schools there be a stand for homoeopathic medicine. Professors of Nursing should be approached, and the Nursing Mirror and Nursing Times should be targeted.

The author concluded “All patients should be able to receive the suitable form of treatment - homoeopathic, conventional or both. To achieve this, we need more homoeopaths, and homoeopathic units in a hospital in every region. We shall all work for it and the day will come when we have achieved our goal!” (In the editorial, optimism is largely to the fore; but, for the moment, and from the perspective of ‘the future’, realism seems to have won the day).[ ¹ ]

• References

• 1 Ghosh A. The future: guest editorial. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 129-131.
• 2 Leeser O. The molluscs: Murex and Sepia. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 138-147.
• 3 Mackie W.L., Williamson A.V., Crawford W.J., Rennie B. A study model with initial findings using Sepia 200c given prophylactically to prevent anoestrus in the dairy cow. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 132-134.
• 4 Gnaiger J. Allergic asthma: aetiological aspects in two cases treated with Sepia. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 135-137.
• 5 Vozianov A.F., Simeonova N.K. Homoeopathic treatment of patients with adenomas of the prostate. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 148-151.
• 6 Boyd H. Introduction to homoeopathic medicine: book review. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 186.
• 7 Wright Hubbard E. Homoeopathy as art and science. Br Hom J 1990; 79: 189-190.