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Homeopathy 4 Everyone - Editorial |
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| November, 2008 | ||||
A Personal Decision- Alan V. Schmukler |
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| The question of whether to vaccinate is a personal and often difficult decision. One has to weigh the danger of the disease and the chance of contracting it, against the dangers of the vaccine. Neither side in the debate can guarantee 100% protection. On the one hand, a vaccine might protect you from a disease you were going to get and maybe die of. Benjamin Franklin opposed variolation (smallpox vaccination) and his unvaccinated son died of smallpox. He subsequently changed his mind and expressed regret for his former position. On the other hand, vaccines have been associated with everything from autism, retardation and immune suppression to death. In the U.S., the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (U.S.) has paid out over a billion dollars to parents of children injured by vaccines. Vaccine manufacturers, while insisting on the safety of their product, have steadfastly demanded immunity from lawsuit. So how does one make this decision? The answer is, by becoming knowledgeable about all aspects of this debate, including alternatives to vaccination. Homeopathy has for many years been used to prevent illness (homeoprophylaxis). Hahnemann used Belladonna successfully to prevent scarlet fever. During a smallpox outbreak in Iowa, 1902, the homeopathic remedy Variolinum proved 97% effective in preventing the disease. Thousands of people in Buenos Aires received the remedy Lathyrus sativa during a 1957 polio outbreak. Not a single case of polio developed in those so treated. In 1974, 18,640 children in Brazil were given Meningococcinum to prevent meningococcal meningitis. The protection rate was 97 %. Homeopath and researcher Isaac Golden has developed protocols for preventing illness with homeopathy (see interview in this edition and links to previous articles). While there is some debate about the mechanism of homeoprophylaxis, it clearly works. Homeopaths also use constitutional treatment as an effective alternative to vaccination. Aside from prevention, childhood diseases like measles can be treated easily and safely with homeopathy, which also helps prevent the sequelae. Having said all this, there are still many people who don’t know about homeopathy or have any practical access to homeopathic treatment. The first vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner (1796) who used cowpox to prevent smallpox. Pasteur developed a post- bite inoculation for rabies in 1885. While these first vaccines were rather simple, today’s vaccines contain many excipients that are highly toxic and can cause more harm than the diseases they are intended to prevent. These ingredients include Mercury, Aluminum, Formaldehyde, Phenol, MSG, Monkey kidney tissue, Chick embryonic fibroblasts etc. (see this month’s cartoon) The production of vaccines is a multibillion dollar business, where the bottom line of profits often conflicts with the desire to do good. Consider the issue of Thimerosal, the mercury added to preserve shelf life. In the U.S., government hearings determined that it was harmful and forbid it to be added to any future vaccines (after years of doing damage ). However they permitted vaccine manufacturers to continue selling their stockpiled Thimerosal laden vaccines, a supply which some estimate will last over a decade. In the end, you must make your own informed decision. We hope this month’s commentary and resources will help you do that. In this issue: Dr. Richard Moskowitz, homeopath and expert on vaccination discusses vaccination in an interview and article (Hidden in Plain Sight). Dr. Isaac Golden- foremost expert on Homeoprophylaxis, is interviewed by Gina Tyler. Elaine Lewis CHom – “Vaccinations: Just Say No!” A must read expose of the connection between vaccines and other diseases. Amy Lansky PhD - discusses her son’s descent into autism and his remarkable recovery with homeopathy. Fran Sheffield discusses the homeopathic treatment of Autism and provides compelling case histories (Reversing Autism: Homeopathy and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders) Dr. Subrata J. Banerjea discusses vaccination and its effects. Drs. Rebello and Chaterjee discuss vaccine dangers We spotlight Gina Tyler, our own globetrotting homeopath, who carried her knowledge and remedies to Indonesia after the Tsunami. And much, much more…. We want to acknowledge Gina Tyler, Hpathy team member, who helped produced this special issue on vaccination. With a passion for this topic, born of years of experience, she collected articles, did interviews and located numerous resources. See “Spotlight on Gina Tyler” in the “New Papers” section below. As always, we delight in having you share your thoughts with us. What has been your experience with vaccines? Send your comments and feedback to editor@hpathy.com Alan V. Schmukler |
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