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11 Lexicon of Homeopathy
Like Cures Like Like cures like summarises the principle that Hahnemann believed to have discovered while self-medicating with Cinchona bark. It subsequently became the first and most important axiom of homeopathy. More details are provided in the first part of this book. Lincoln, Abraham In 1854, Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was given the task of preparing a state legislative proposal to charter a homeopathic medical college in Chicago. In view of the deep-seated animosity between orthodox medical practitioners and irregular healers, this was not an easy brief. Lincoln and other influential individuals in Illinois lobbied legislators and succeeded in securing the charter. The Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College accepted its first class in 1860, and remained in existence for almost 65 years. Loschmidt’s Number See Avogadro’s number. Low Potency A homeopathic remedy that has only been diluted and succussed a few times is called a low potency remedy. There is no defined numerical cut-off between low and high potency remedies. Yet most homeopaths would call remedies between 1 and 10C low potencies. While it is clear that these dilutions still contain molecules of the mother tincture, it is important to point out that, as a rough guide, 1C to about 5C would correspond to the concentration of active ingredients in a cup of tea. Depending on the nature of the stock, such a remedy can have active molecules in sufficient amounts to have pharmacological effects or side-effects. By contrast, potencies between 5C and 10C are likely to be too weak to have any pharmacological effects. In other words, even for many of the low potency remedies used in homeopathy, pharmacological effects would seem implausible. See also ultra-molecular dilution. Malaria Malaria is an infection caused by protozoa, usually transmitted via mosquito bites. It became important for homeopathy because it relates to Hahnemann’s quinine experiment which made him postulate his like cures like theory. Today, many experts assume that Hahnemann misinterpreted the results of this experience. Yet most homeopaths are still convinced that potentised Cinchona bark is an effective prophylaxis against malaria, and some homeopathic pharmacies still offer homeopathic immunisations against the infection. In several cases, people who believed themselves to be protected have fallen ill with the infection.