Cuban experiences an annual endemic-epidemic of leptospirosis, a bacterial infection brought on usually through poor sanitation after natural disasters, such as hurricanes and flooding experienced in the area.

A homoeopathic remedy (specifically a homeoprophylaxis) was used and endorsed by the Finlay Institute, which is part of the Ministry of Public Health in Cuba.  They administered repeat doses to an estimated 2.5 million people at a cost of $200,000 (as opposed to the usual pharmaceutical drug cost of $3M).

Here is the article.

The AMA - American Medical Association (not to be confused with the Australian AMA), was formed in the late 1840’s with 250 doctors. It netted $24.4m last year, being the largest membership organisation for physicians in America, with an approximate total membership of 240,000. (Source: 2007 Annual Report, AMA)

How did they achieve such success and what is the future of the organisation? Natural News.com sheds some light on the leadership of George H. Simmons, head of the AMA for 25 years from the late 1890’s and who pioneered the way for revenue increases through a ’seal of approval’ process from pharmacos. After much scandal, he was forced to stand down and was replaced by Morris Fishbein, who practised the same kind of conduct, eventually leading to food and cigarette companies being a major driver for advertising revenue increases.

Although the AMA was not formed as part of the Government, its influence in history as authoritative in law making is astounding. A member of the AMA’s Council on Medical Education was involved with the evaluation of medical schools, after the release of the infamous Flexner Report. This Report criticised various forms of medicine (ie herbalists, homoeopathy etc) not deemed to be of medical standard; to alarming consequence.

A great overview of the history of herbal medicine and homoeopathy, as well as the rising influence of ‘conventional medicine’ (as it is now called), can be found in the great book that is Green Pharmacy.

Ever had a brain snap? Y’know, when your brain tells you ‘time out’? That’s exactly what happened to me last week with study. Being unaware of limitations and only seeing how much I have to complete; finally something had to give.
Now today, I am back into it; feeling calm and deep in preparing for more exams (huge time wasters). The most disappointing thing I have learnt about exams is that by addressing all the learning outcomes in studying, the exam only covers around 20-30% of what you learn in total - then there’s that 20% that you didn’t study for!!!!.  The good news is; I have discovered 2 subjects I need to do without the needless pain & suffering of an exam.

Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in study and there is no end in sight. And then I realised a little while ago that there will never be an end; if I want to keep on the journey.

Of course, the intense foundational study will cease but there will always be new signposts to discover along the way. For what point is there to start a journey in learning and abruptly stop once you are working? I’m not talking about postgrad studies (heck, I’m not even at uni!) - I mean picking up a respectable journal or attending a seminar on a specific modality, or even an industry wide information workshop so you can keep your eyes open on what’s happening in the big picture.

I take inspiration from a practitioner I know, who is always so excited when he comes back from a workshop to learn more about an aspect of his modality; he tells me it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been working in a particular field, there’s always more to learn and apply for the benefit of your patients. Can’t argue with that!

Lately I find myself getting wrapped up in a lot of Latin terms and meanings, thanks to my studies in Homoeopathy. Sometimes I wonder how our doggerel English language got to be so wishy washy and lacking in succinctness! I think we would definitely be under our daily word count if we spoke a language like Latin. Allow me to indulge in my latest find: ‘audere sapere’ (dare to know, dare to be wise)

There appears to be a dominant mentality regarding learning which is not classroom based. Call it what you like; by correspondence, distance education, self-directed, e-learning. All are valid and practical ways of learning. But in the mind of many colleges and institutions, they are substitutes for classroom based learning. They are for people who cannot attend classes because they live remotely or are immobilised. Why is this? Surely aural and visual learning are not the best forms of learning for everyone? I personally find classroom learning unappealing and extremely difficult to comprehend and/or retain facts. I do however thoroughly enjoy the flexibility and freedom of distance education. I can spend as long as I wish on a particular paragraph, get sidetracked thinking how what I’m reading corresponds with what I read last month, or choose to study outside for a change.

I have asked various people what their preferred learning style is and there were several who preferred classroom because of the following reasons:

- social interaction

- professional input from lecturer

- learn quicker

- ability to ask questions and receive an answer on the spot

Then there were the people who disliked the classroom for the following reasons:

- too afraid to ask questions

- too much information at once

- slow at group interaction

- felt rushed with comprehending new concepts

- you are reading my study guide to me, I could read it myself at home

The above people didn’t think they would have the discipline to study by distance education because of needing someone to motivate them and also, not knowing how to fit work and study in a schedule successfully.

Of the people I spoke to who were studying by distance education, one had no choice because their course was only offered that way, another said it gave them the flexibility of studying when they wanted and another said it saved them travel time and was a more safety-conscious decision at night.

Then there’s me… my college offers around 4 different delivery modes; I chose the flexible delivery option - the ability to choose which subjects I study in class and the ones I study at my own pace. My reasoning for not just choosing distance education is because I would like the flexibility to choose to study the practical and professional development based subjects in class.

Having said all that, I believe there needs to be empowerment to all modes of learning. All modes have positive benefits and individuals need to be told (from an early age!) that classroom is not the only way.

Has anyone ever noticed that elevators in the CBD offices tend to have a ‘force close’ button AND a ‘force open’ button, whereas suburban lifts tend to only have a ‘force open’ button? Does this say something about our social psyche in the city? Are they specially designed for us time poor individuals who don’t want to let in that slow PA with the high clicky heels, who we know has just got their skinny cap (and is running late for work, just like us)!

I have been thinking of how important it is for natural (traditional) medicine professionals to understand allopathic (conventional) medicine. Which of course, brings up the subject of complementary medicine. Complementary medicine should utilise the best of both medicines together, for the good of the patient and no other reason. It should not be for the image enhancement of the drug or vitamin company, the modality, or prestige of the practitioner.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both medicines can breed respect and a tolerance, which cannot be achieved through eyes which only see there is one way. For how can you be convincing that one is better if you don’t know anything about the other?

The argument is much like spirituality. Someone of a particular spiritual persuasion may seek to understand another belief system because their friend says it’s beneficial. The knowledge gained by exploration of another belief helps you connect with a person of that belief. For those with aspirations of ‘converting’ people to their own spirituality, the skill of understanding who you’re ‘preaching’ to really matters. I believe there would be benefit in spirituality taking the same approach of natural medicine; healing wholistically and treating the individual, not the symptoms.

It’s great when you can lift yourself out of a pile of study mud and actually do a lesson which makes sense! The 4 subjects I’m currently doing are all to varying degrees, hard. But the spooky thing is, they are all interrelating. No, this isn’t the college curriculum; this is my chosen schedule as I’m mainly doing it by distance ed.
The lesson I’ve just completed is on the Integumentary System (skin, hair, nails etc), which I find highly practical compared to learning about the Periodic Table. But alas, one has to learn the fundamentals; what’s underneath everything before understanding how to really see the big picture.

How do you avoid becoming a Metagenics Naturopath?

This question and many more are circulating, as I study my way through a qualification to become a Naturopath. At the end of what is probably going to be a challenging and rewarding journey (both mentally and financially!), I sincerely hope my direction is clear and I know the answers to support my ethos. And - how to avoid becoming a Metagenics, or indeed any other ‘brand name’ Naturopath.

My study journey has not started in the last five minutes but my blog journey has - so thank you for coming by.

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