Homeopathy (homeopathic pharmacies, unlike ordinary)

HOMEOPATHY, homeopathic pharmacies, unlike ordinary pharmacies, did not have the right to dispense medications not prepared according to homeopathic pharmacopoeia, to dispense medications by 'manual sale,' or to use the state emblem. The decree on the nationalization of pharmacy (1918) did not affect homeopathic pharmacies, and they remained in private hands, apparently because the state could not take under its jurisdiction institutions to which it was fundamentally opposed. In response to a question posed by the Pharmaceutical Department about the elimination of homeopathic pharmacies, the Scientific Medical Council gave the following conclusion: 'Homeopathic pharmacies should not have a place in the country's medical-sanitary system, and therefore are not subject to nationalization, and state institutions have no basis to support them or subsidize them in any way. However, without sharing the doctrine of homeopaths, the Scientific Medical Council does not assume the right to prohibit at least an unshared trend of thought, and therefore does not consider it possible to speak out for the closure of homeopathic pharmacies.' On this basis, a circular was issued by the People's Commissariat of Health (1/II-1920, No. 24), which proposed: 'Henceforth, stop supplying homeopathic pharmacies with medications, alcohol and other items, as well as appointing qualified pharmacy workers to these pharmacies. The premises and equipment of these pharmacies can be used by health departments as needed.' By Circular No. 24 of 16/IX-1919, homeopathic pharmacies were prohibited from dispensing ordinary pharmaceutical preparations by manual sale. At present, there are 9 private homeopathic pharmacies functioning in the USSR. After the elimination of homeopathic pharmacies in Ukraine, the Ukrainian People's Commissariat of Health opened one state homeopathic pharmacy in Kharkov. Homeopathic pharmacies are served by pharmaceutical personnel, like other pharmacies. According to the principles of homeopathy, each medication can consist of only one active principle. There are three medicinal forms: 'tinctures' (essences), 'triturations,' and 'dilutions.' In recent times, tablets from triturations have also come into use. There is no uniform method for preparing medications. In Germany alone, there are up to ten homeopathic pharmacopoeias. Tinctures are prepared from fresh plants and then diluted to the required strength. Triturations are prepared by mixing the medicinal substance with milk sugar, with grinding continuing for approximately 1 hour per 10 g of powder. According to some pharmacopoeias, grinding should continue until all particles of the substance under the microscope show a diameter of 0.001 mm (1 μ). Dilutions, also called 'degrees' or 'potencies,' are prepared 1:10 (decimal) or 1:100 (centesimal). 'First potencies' by dilution with alcohol or milk sugar are transformed into 'second potencies,' second into third, etc. Belladonna °4 means dilution of tincture from belladonna 1:10,000; Bismut °°2 means dilution of bismuth nitrate with milk sugar 1:10,000. It is very common to dispense medications in the form of granules, which are prepared from sugar and moistened with the medicinal substance of the corresponding dilution. Abroad, special factories exist for the manufacture of homeopathic medications. A homeopathic pharmacy must have the following premises: a dispensing room, laboratory, washing room, crushing room, and material rooms (one general and one for odorous and generally volatile substances). Furniture and boxes must be of wood without its own smell and dry. All containers must be opaque, and glassware must be stored in a closed cabinet. All mortars, jars, sieves, bowls for impregnation, and plates are used only for one type of remedy. Glass vessels for liquids must be of non-alkaline glass. The dispensing of remedies must be done exclusively in glass. Non-homeopathic medicinal forms (ointments, suppositories, powders, etc.) from homeopathic materials and remedies must be prepared according to general pharmaceutical rules.