Changes

===Homoeopathy studies in the time of National Socialism===

===Homoeopathy studies in the time of National Socialism===

Further studies of homoeopathy took place in the times of National Socialism. The regime intended a reorientation of public health care, the "new German medicine". Additionally, National Socialist circles voiced increasing criticisms of what they perceived as "Jewish medicine". Drug studies were done at different homoeopathic hospitals by the state health office (Reichsgesundheitsamt - RGA) between 1936 and 1939, much of them placebo checked. They aimed at investigating the reliability of previous drug studies, and also the valence of "pharmacologic images" based on them. Members of this study group were homoeopath Hanns Rabe (1890-1959), internal specialist Werner Siebert (1897-1951), and professors of pharmacology Gustav Kuschinsky (1904-1992) and Richard Bonsmann.

Further studies of homoeopathy took place in the times of National Socialism. The regime intended a reorientation of public health care, the "new German medicine". Additionally, National Socialist circles voiced increasing criticisms of what they perceived as "Jewish medicine". Drug studies were done at different homoeopathic hospitals by the state health office (Reichsgesundheitsamt - RGA) between 1936 and 1939, much of them placebo checked. They aimed at investigating the reliability of previous drug studies, and also the valence of "pharmacologic images" based on them. Members of this study group were homoeopath Hanns Rabe (1890-1959), internal specialist Werner Siebert (1897-1951), and professors of pharmacology Gustav Kuschinsky (1904-1992) and Richard Bonsmann. Also significantly involved in these test was doctor and homoeopath Fritz Donner (1896-1979), then working in Berlin at the homoeopathic ward of Rudolf-Virchow-Hospital. Donner's voluminous records of RGA investigations became known as Donner Report on Homoeopathy, and the original copy is available at the "Homoeopathic Archives" of the Institute of Medical History of Robert Bosch Foundations in Stuttgart today.

Further significantly involved in these test was doctor and homoeopath Fritz Donner (1896-1979), then working in Berlin at the homoeopathic ward of Rudolf-Virchow-Hospital. Donner's voluminous records of RGA investigations became known as Donner Report on Homoeopathy, and the original copy is available at the "Homoeopathic Archives" of the Institute of Medical History of Robert Bosch Foundations in Stuttgart today.

But nothing positive for the homoeopathy came of the government-supported examinations. Double blinded experiments were carried out with Silicea C30, for example. The result: Verum and placebo caused equal much symptoms. It was not possible for the homoeopaths present to distinguish verum and placebo. In 1938/39 clinical attempts with homeopathics were also accomplished with negative results in the Robert Koch hospital in Berlin. The homoeopath Rabe reacted with the assumption that [...] homoeopathy is no pharmacotherapeutic method, as assumed till now, but a form of psychotherapy [...]. Fritz Donner in a memory protocol: Truthfully one would have to answer that during the medicine examination nothing came out and that a reaction speaking for a therapeutical effect of the used medicines never has occurred in the clinical tests with a patient. Nevertheless it was announced officially that certain difficulties would have manifested themselves so that one must start newly. The war prevented however further research. Donner expressed himself more considerably later within the 1960s: He called the examination a total fiasco for the homoeopathy.

These goverment-sponsored studies, however, had no positive results for homoeopathy. As one example, double-blinded experiments were carried out regarding Silicea C30. Their results: Verum and placebo caused exactly the same number of symptoms. The homoeopaths participating were not able to distinguish verum from placebo.

 

More clinical studies were effected in Robert-Koch-Hospital in Berlin in 1938/39, again presenting negative results. Rabe, a homoeopath, reacted to them assuming that [...] homoeopathy [is] no pharmaco-therapeutic method as has been contended as of yet, but a form of psychotherapy [...]. In a protocol, Fritz Donner wrote: One would have to reply truthfully that nothing came out of the drug studies, and that, during the clinical studies, there was no single case in which a patient showed a respective reaction whatsoever indicating a therapeutic effect of the remedies applied.  

 

 

Nevertheless, the official announcement disclosed that certain difficulties had manifested so that it was necessary to restart. Further research, however, was prevent by the war. Donner was far more outspoken later on during the 1960ies: He called the study a complete fiasco for homoeopathy.

{{OtherLang|ge=Homöopathie|nl=Homeopathie|en=Homoeopathy}}

{{OtherLang|ge=Homöopathie|nl=Homeopathie|en=Homoeopathy}}

[[category:Homoeopathy]]

[[category:Homoeopathy]]