ptygmit, there is no science supporting the mechanics of gravity either. We know a lot about gravity. We know it's effects, how we can use it, and have developed laws of gravitation through observation, as adapted by new theories such as relativity: which explained discrepancies in the earlier laws such as Mercury's orbit.
Just over 200 years ago, Hahnemann, after much observation, and in a healthy state, started taking large doses of quinine. In accordance with his expectations, he developed the symptoms of malaria. Thus began a whole series of "provings" with friends and colleagues of many substances to determine what symptoms these substances could cause in healthy people: and therefore, according to the law of homoeopathy, could be used to cure the same set of symptoms in sick people. The way in which he came across dilutions is another story, but the crux of the matter is that he was successful. In fact, too successful. The apothecaries in his town, dismayed at the loss of income because of Hahnemann's new system (in which the remedies were very cheap and, in any case, he wouldn't trust them to make them for him properly) got him exiled. He eventually ended up in Paris.
In the early 19th century, the AMA was set up to combat the rise of homoeopathy in America funded, of course, by the pharmaceutical industry because there is no money to be made out of homoeopathic remedies. Precious little in research grants either!! At one point, about 25% of all doctors in America were homoeopaths.
Homoeopathy also has stunning success in acute diseases too. In the 1830's questions were asked in the House of Commons as to why the statistics of cholera treatment omitted data from the homoeopathic hospitals- the response - the 100% cure rate of cholera by homoeopathy would compromise the quality of the data. As recorded in Hansard at the time. Fast forward to Haiti .......
Google homeopathy spanish flu if you want a grim laugh. I particularly love the story of the two US troop ships who had homeopaths on board who were transferring all their coffins to other ships while crossing the Atlantic.
So we have our science, and our successes, and far more successes than failures, but there is no money in it for big pharma for two reasons: a) the remedies cost next to nothing (two hundred pilules, $8); and b) these pesky remedies actually cure people, so that you don't have repeat prescriptions unto death. THAT is why no big money research is being conducted. Who would fund it when there is a guarantee of no return? It would be nice to find out how it works, but that might not be possible anyway. If we did know, it would probably lead to easier and more accurate remedy selection - of those pesky non-money making remedies again.
Thanks to you too - it has been interesting, if not as fruitful as I might have hoped!
