We are all acquainted with the prevalent mode of treatment today ALLOPATHY. In the treatment of acute distressing conditions and in emergencies allopathic drugs are of considerable value. These drugs can instantly relieve acute pain and distress. Moreover, with the great strides made in the field of surgery many valuable lives have been saved, thus reducing the mortality rate. But the treatment of chronic diseases with drugs of the orthodox system poses a grave problem. Allopathic drugs are, fundamentally, palliative.

Moreover, their long term use is often associated with the risk of side-effects. Thus in relieving a diseased condition, other abnormal physiological and pathological conditions may develop. In other words a drug-induced disease is produced. Such diseases are called Iatrogenic Disease ("Iatrogenic" meaning "Physician-Induced"), which are far more difficult to treat than natural diseases.

In the year 1964-1965 the drug THALIDOMIDE entered the market. It was hailed as the safest of all tranquilizers and was prescribed freely, even to the pregnant woman. And then, in the 1966, it was discovered that women who had taken this drug during pregnancy gave birth to babies that were deformed, babies that had just stumps for arms and legs. The West German health authorities alone reported 10,000 cases of birth deformities due to THALIDOMIDE. That was truly the saddest period in medical history.

When the CORTICOSTEROIDS were introduced into the market they were called the "Wonder-Drugs". Arthritics found a miraculous relief in their agonizing pains, and the inflammatory condition of the affected joints was greatly reduced. But, alas ! the relief was short-lived. As soon as the drug was stopped the symptoms came back, and with a vengeance. Moreover, the long-term use of CORTISONES had serious side-effects. Kidney dysfunction, diabetes, peptic ulcers were aggravated ; some patients developed cataract and some women developed an unwarranted growth of facial hair.

One of the greatest Homœopaths of our present time, Dr. George Vithoulkas said in his interview of 20th July, 2000 to Dr. Peter Morell as under :
What I am saying is that the overuse of chemical prescription drugs is producing such devastating side-effects that rapid changes in the over all health status of the Western population will be apparent within the next few generations (two or three). We will witness outrageous consequences. I am not saying this for the American people only, but for the entire civilized world that is over-using conventional therapeutics (prescription drugs and vaccinations). The American people are using such drugs excessively and therefore they will be the first to manifest lasting health consequences.

It is scary to see the explosion in the form of epidemics of chronic conditions like Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes, Asthma, Neuromuscular Diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Connective Tissue Diseases, Allergic Conditions, Panic Attacks, Anxiety States, Phobic States, Insanity, etc.
In addressing a meeting of the AIH in Washington DC on 21st June, 2000, Dr. George Vithoulkas said : "Classical Homœopathy is the most powerful healing technique existing in the world". "I see the health of people in general so degraded, with no hope of regeneration. And Homœopathy holds the hope of regeneration".
"With the massive way Antibiotics are being prescribed they are going to destroy the immune system. It is going to be open to new diseases, that are going to be incurable".
In Paragraph 53 of the Organon, Dr. S. Hahnemann says that "The pure homœopathic method of healing is the only correct one, the only possible to human art ; it is the most direct one, just as certainly as there is but one possible straight line between two given points."

The following are some of the Adverse Reactions of Allopathic Drugs :

ANTIBIOTICS :
" Causing fœtal abnormalities.
" Following antibiotic therapy in influenza, neurological complications may develop.
" Increased bacterial mutations are caused by antibiotics, thereby increasing the problem of infections.
" Dermatitis due to penicillin following the external application of it in the treatment of skin disease is becoming increasingly common.
" Streptomycin can cause more skin trouble than either Penicillin or the Sulphonamides.
" Antibiotics produce bone marrow depression.
" Chloramphenicol may cause contact dermatitis and urticaria.
" Some widely used Antibiotics are :
Ampicillin, Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin, Dicloxacillin, Doxycycline, Fluconazole, Gentamicin, Neomycin, Penicillin G, Rifampin, Streptomycin, Vancomycin.

SULPHA GROUP OF DRUGS :
" Sulphonamides may cause Erythema Nodosum and Exfoliative Dermatitis.
" Cyanosis due to abuse of Sulpha Compounds.
" Blocking of renal tubules by Sulpha Crystals may bring on suppression of urine production and auria results.
" Sulpha drugs can produce fever if given in increased doses.
" Sulphonamides may cause Diarrhœa.
" Fixed Eruptions, Morbilliform Rash, Urticaria.
" Aplastic Anæmia and Hæmolytic Anæmia.
" Myocarditis, Cholangitis and Hepatitis.

CORTICOSTEROID THERAPY :
Long administration produces irreversible changes.
Corticosteroid Therapy may lead to Cataract formation.
A moderate or high dose of Corticosteroid Therapy over a prolonged time may cause posterior subcapsular lens opacities.

SEDATIVES, NARCOTICS, TRANQUILISERS :
" Hypotension is the most serious feature of Meprobamate over dosage.
" Eczematous itching, Rashes, Urticaria and Purpura.
" Agitation, Depression, Insomnia, Nightmares, Fainting Spell and Parkinsonism.
" Jaundice occurs in 1 - 3% after the first administration of Chlorpromazine.
" Agranulocytosis may also occur.

COLTAR DERIVATIVES :
" Massive gastrointestinal bleeding could be related to Aspirin consumption.
" Aspirin weakens the heart.
" Aspirin causes Duodenal Ulcer.
" Acetyl Salicylic Acid or Aspirin causes Bronchial Asthma.
" Allergy to Aspirin causes Urticaria, Localised Œdema, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Gastric Bleeding.

OTHER DRUGS :
" Excessive amounts of Vitamin 'D' taken by expectant mothers may cause Cardiac Malformalities.
" Excess of Vitamin 'D' causes hypercalcæmia and hypercalcæmic children have a high Degree of Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis.
" The side effects of Quinindine therapy known as Cinchonism are common and cause Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhœa, Tinnitus and Temporary Deafness and Fever.
" Asthma and Contact Eczema have been the ill-effects of the Antihistaminic Agents.
The treatment of chronic diseases with modern drugs poses a grave problem. Commenting on the therapeutic value of allopathic drugs, Sir Anthony Carlisle had once said :
"In your ideas of the powers of remedies do not be too sanguine for you are liable to continuous disappointment."
Consequently, many patients are now turning to the unorthodox system of treatment. And, in India especially, there are many who are now going in for Homœopathy.
Medicines of systems like Homœopathy, for example, have a firm scientific foundation. Homœopathy is based on the Law of Similars "Similia Similibus Curantur" (let likes be cured by likes). The homœopathic medicines used in the times of Dr. S. Hahnemann are used even today because of their efficacy. But how many allopathic drugs of yesterday can be found on the chemists' shelves today ? They have all had their day, and their alluring names have faded into oblivion, only to be replaced by newer drugs. We must not forget that a system that continuously needs revision and renewal just cannot be considered quite a reliable one.