Homeopathic and Non Homeopathic Palliative Therapeutics

As all of us are aware that in certain acute conditions, we have to take recourse to palliative therapeutics. Also it is true that non-homeopathic methods of therapeutics are easier to practice, as it requires much less exercise to select the medicine, because for a given diagnosis, it has a set number of medicines readily available. That is one of the reasons that some of us may be tempted to adopt such short cuts. But, unfortunately, these non-homoeopathic palliations almost invariably disturb the vital force, pushing the prospects of real cure still further.

Physiological doses of such drugs, may eliminate the troublesome symptoms, but ultimately works in the direction of enhancing and prolonging the same symptoms. Purgatives aggravate the constipation, antacids aggravate the acidity of the gastric juices, soporifics aggravate insomnia and so on.

These palliatives take into consideration, one or two distressing symptoms or organ, and medicine is selected on the basis of such symptoms, in order to eliminate the symptoms or to modify the function of that organ. The prolonged use of anti-malarials damage the kidney, analgesics and sedatives depress the nervous system and such complications vary with different formulations. Therefore palliation with non-homoeopathic drugs are more harmful and the suppurations caused by them, may lead to more chronic manifestations.

On the contrary homeopathic palliative therapeutics, are far less harmful and if the remedy is selected correctly may provide an immediate relief to the patient. Practically, if the doses are controlled, it can't cause any harm to the patient and there are no side effects. General conditions of the patient as a rule remains unaffected--rather often get improved.

Sometimes such palliative treatment clears up the picture of the case and many spurious and confusing symptoms are cleared, thus enabling the physician to make the selection of a truly curative remedy. Occasionally, even the palliative remedy may prove to be real curative remedy, giving permanent relief to the patient.

Homoeopathic therapeutics as such, has one difficulty and sometimes that difficulty becomes insuperable--that is finding out the similar drug, without which homoeopathy is absolutely useless. This difficulty in turn give rise to over drugged, incurable cases, and it is very difficult to get true drug picture of the patient who moves from one homoeopathic doctor to another. Fortunately not all incurable cases are of this type and it is our responsibility to tackle all such cases in the best possible manner.

Looking to the above it is certainly preferable to lay emphasis on the selection of curative remedies, unless and until we are forced to take recourse to the homeopathic way of palliation, in the cases, which requires a palliative remedy, as in cases of cancer, acute pains, acute emergencies, and some of the other conditions.

Non Homeopathic palliative methods may be avoided, as far as possible.