Posology and Its Efficacy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The term posology originates from the Greek, posos meaning how much and logos meaning study or discourse.

Definition of Posology:

Posology means the doctrine of doses of medicine. The terminology of 'dose' derived from the word 'dosis' which means the quantity of a drug or other therapeutic agent to be taken or applied all at a time or in fractional amounts within a stated period. (Ref. Stedman's Medical Dictionary).

Definition of Homoeopathic Posology:

A homoeopathic 'dose' means the particular preparation of medicine used, the quantity and form of that preparation as well as the number of administration of the medicine. In short, homoeopathic 'dose' includes potency, quantity, form and number of administration of the medicine.

The study of the doctrine of these doses is known as 'Posology'.

Difference between Homoeopathic and Allopathic concept of Doses:

Allopathic concept of dose: In allopathy 'dose' means so many drops by measures or so many grains by weight  - enough to produce the direct, positive, or physiological effect and not enough to endanger the patient. Allopath relates the word 'dose' to the material quantity of the medicine used.

Example: In constipation recommended dose is 1 to 3 grains.

Homoeopathic concept of dose: In common speech a homoeopathic 'dose' of anything means an infinitesimal dose.

1. In the first place, the 'dose' related to the particular preparation of medicine used. E.g. In constipation opium mother tincture or the 6th, 12th or the 30th potency.
2. In the second place, the 'dose' related to the quantity of that preparation and the form of that preparation e.g. opium 30 was given. It may have been given the one drop liquid under the tongue, one or two globules, one drop liquid is dispensed with purified water or sugar of milk.
3. In the third place, the 'dose' related to the number of administration of the medicine - repetition. E.g. opium 30, it may be a single dose or may be repeated every 4 hourly or every week according to the condition of the patient.

Approximate dose of Homoeopathic Pharmacy:

Various kinds of doses: -

1. Maximum dose: It is the maximum or largest possible amount of medicine, which can be taken at a time by an adult, not harmful to human life.
2. Lethal or fatal dose: It is also known as toxicological or narcotic dose. It is such amount of dose, which can cause death of living being. The fatal dose of different substances may be different, which depend upon their toxicity.
3. Booster dose: A subsequent dose given to enhance the action of initial dose.
4. Fractional or refractive or divided dose: It is fraction of a full dose, which is to be taken at short intervals.
5. Physiological dose: Physiological doses are those which stimulates the normal physiology or functions of the different organs or systems of our body and hence the symptoms thus appearing are known as physiological symptoms.
6. Minimum dose: " It is that dose which is sufficient to overpower and annihilate the disease and capable of producing slight homoeopathic aggravation scarely observable after its ingestion." (Apho.280)

It is that amount of medicine, which is though smallest in quantity produces the least possible excitation of the vital force, and yet sufficient to effect the necessary changes in it (Apho.246).

Homoeopathic posology represents the accumulated clinical experiences and interpretation of all careful prescribers since the times of Hahnemann. A proper understanding of the dynamic concept of disease of susceptibility and of remedy reaction is essential for an intelligent grasp of this most important aspect of homoeopathic practice. The ever-changing kaleidoscopic picture presented by homeopathic posology contrast well with the firm application of the law of Similars. The latter represent s the fundamental unalterable principles i.e. the former the rules that have been evolved out of the accumulated clinical experience, ever subject to modification in the light of subsequence experience. A perusal of the organon through its additions enables one to understand how even Hahnemann was all the time modifying and changing his ideas of posology in the light of its clinical experience.

The old school believes in administration crude medicines, which do more harm than good. In an address, delivered by Sir Jagdish Bose FRS and published in British Homeopathic Journel of Oct 1926, the distinguished scientist says that India has a system of Medicine which is two or three thousand years old and that the modern followers of the ancient system believe that every poison has two opposite effect, a good and bad.

Two German scientists, Prof. Arndt an eminent biologist and Prof. Schulz, a leading pharmacologist, have studied the opposite effects of drugs and have laid down their finding in what is called Arndt- Schulz law of Pharmacological action. According that 'law'  " small stimuli encourage life activity, strong stimuli tend to impede it and very strong stimuli are apt to stop or destroy it."

The opposite action of drug s is well known to us. Our strongest poisons are Strychnine, Arsenic, Phosphorous etc. when given in large doses, but if given in small doses these are most valuable tonics. A very large no. Of our most valuable medicine are virulent poisons.

Dr. Hahnemann was originator of the science of Attenuation of drugs. After having learnt the effect of crude drugs described on irrational basis in the treatment of diseases, he found out the truth in medicine. His experiment with Peruvian bark led him to enunciate famous action, " Similia Similibus Curenter" He found that crude drug applied on the law of Similars resulted in violent reactions. His ever-searching mind thought that of reducing the drug substance. This gave him surprising result. Encouraged by this experiment, he established his theory of minimum dose and drug dynamisation.