Comments on: Homeopaths Attempt to Rubbish Ernst and Singh with Dismal Critique http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html Experiments and Thoughts on Quackery, Health Beliefs and Pseudoscience Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:47:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: The Advertising Regulator Struggles with Homeopaths | The Quackometer http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-15977 The Advertising Regulator Struggles with Homeopaths | The Quackometer Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:01:21 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-15977 [...] the amount of material thrown at the ASA must have been huge. I have written about some of the peurile and voluminous material used against Ernst and Singh by a central member of this lobby [...] [...] the amount of material thrown at the ASA must have been huge. I have written about some of the peurile and voluminous material used against Ernst and Singh by a central member of this lobby [...]

]]> By: Homeopaths are getting desperate before tomorrows Evidence Check « gimpy’s blog http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-10078 Homeopaths are getting desperate before tomorrows Evidence Check « gimpy’s blog Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:50:05 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-10078 [...] letter to MPs (at the foot of this post), written by William Alderson, plugs his rather odd diatribe against Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh, Halloween Science, suggests that evidence based medicine is a flawed method of assessing [...] [...] letter to MPs (at the foot of this post), written by William Alderson, plugs his rather odd diatribe against Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh, Halloween Science, suggests that evidence based medicine is a flawed method of assessing [...]

]]> By: Homeopaths huddle as Evidence Check looms « gimpy’s blog http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-10061 Homeopaths huddle as Evidence Check looms « gimpy’s blog Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:40:40 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-10061 [...] supporters but they are not a particularly resepctable organisation themselves. They have published scurrilous and inaccurate allegations against Professor Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh and count Jeremy Sherr, the homeopath who helped inspire the succesful campaign to get the World [...] [...] supporters but they are not a particularly resepctable organisation themselves. They have published scurrilous and inaccurate allegations against Professor Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh and count Jeremy Sherr, the homeopath who helped inspire the succesful campaign to get the World [...]

]]> By: BadlyShavedMonkey http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-8634 BadlyShavedMonkey Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:50:01 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-8634 Alderson has appeared here;<br /><br />http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/339/jul08_4/b2783#217596<br /><br />Beware! Reading his letter may cause permanent brain damage. Alderson has appeared here;

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/339/jul08_4/b2783#217596

Beware! Reading his letter may cause permanent brain damage.

]]> By: Twaza http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-8085 Twaza Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:30:05 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-8085 I was impressed by William Alderson's approach to nutrient deficiency diseases: to remove the intervention that results in the deprivation of the nutrient. So, as a bit of displacement activity I have been checking up on how homeopaths treat scurvy.<br /><br />Muriaticum Acidum is used by at least some homeopaths to treat scurvy --- see http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Mur-ac/mouth<br /><br />So, I wonder what version of homeopathy William Alderson is defending?<br /><br />My curiosity pricked, I googled "homeopathic anaemia" and found a "plethora" of eyebrow-raising articles.<br /><br />Here are two typical examples of bizarre bogosity.<br /><br />First: from the chapter on anaemia in http://www.vithoulkas.com/content/view/1245/lang,en/<br /><br />------------------------<br />Ferrum phos<br />Follows Calcarea phos. as soon as improvement of the general health sets in. There is a want of red blood in the system. This remedy, by its power of attracting oxygen, colors the new blood-cells red and enriches them after they have been supplied by Calcarea phos. Schussler in a recent letter says: "Iron, which enters into the formation of young blood-cells, is never absent in the blood-stream of chlorotics. Therefore I .have lately abandoned iron, which I recommended in the first editions of my Therapeutics for chlorosis and other anaemic conditions."<br />------------------------<br /><br />I have been wondering for some time what homeopaths regard as progress. Is this it?<br /><br /><br /><br />Second: from the article on Homeopathic Medicines for Brain Affections. This caught my eye because it discusses treatments for a disease I have previously been ignorant of: brain anaemia. I shall quote one of eight treatments. If you want to see the others, go to http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/brain-symptoms-treatment-cure.asp<br /><br />I am thinking of trying Zincum metallicum myself because it is useful for people who have a "swashing sensation in the head", a problem I tend to suffer from when trying to understand homeopathy. <br /><br />I would also recommend it to homeopaths when they suffer from "cerebral softening".<br /><br /><br />------------------------<br />#Zincum metallicum <br />A useful remedy in old chronic cases of cerebral anaemia, especially if brought about by the excessive use of the bromide of potassium. It is also a useful remedy for brain affection in the course of scarlet fever or summer complaints. Paralytic condition from cerebral softening may need Zincum. Rhus corresponds to senile changes in the brain. There is a swashing sensation in the brain when moving the head. It also suits paralytic troubles from brain diseases.<br />------------------------ I was impressed by William Alderson's approach to nutrient deficiency diseases: to remove the intervention that results in the deprivation of the nutrient. So, as a bit of displacement activity I have been checking up on how homeopaths treat scurvy.

Muriaticum Acidum is used by at least some homeopaths to treat scurvy — see http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Mur-ac/mouth

So, I wonder what version of homeopathy William Alderson is defending?

My curiosity pricked, I googled "homeopathic anaemia" and found a "plethora" of eyebrow-raising articles.

Here are two typical examples of bizarre bogosity.

First: from the chapter on anaemia in http://www.vithoulkas.com/content/view/1245/lang,en/

————————
Ferrum phos
Follows Calcarea phos. as soon as improvement of the general health sets in. There is a want of red blood in the system. This remedy, by its power of attracting oxygen, colors the new blood-cells red and enriches them after they have been supplied by Calcarea phos. Schussler in a recent letter says: "Iron, which enters into the formation of young blood-cells, is never absent in the blood-stream of chlorotics. Therefore I .have lately abandoned iron, which I recommended in the first editions of my Therapeutics for chlorosis and other anaemic conditions."
————————

I have been wondering for some time what homeopaths regard as progress. Is this it?

Second: from the article on Homeopathic Medicines for Brain Affections. This caught my eye because it discusses treatments for a disease I have previously been ignorant of: brain anaemia. I shall quote one of eight treatments. If you want to see the others, go to http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/brain-symptoms-treatment-cure.asp

I am thinking of trying Zincum metallicum myself because it is useful for people who have a "swashing sensation in the head", a problem I tend to suffer from when trying to understand homeopathy.

I would also recommend it to homeopaths when they suffer from "cerebral softening".

————————
#Zincum metallicum
A useful remedy in old chronic cases of cerebral anaemia, especially if brought about by the excessive use of the bromide of potassium. It is also a useful remedy for brain affection in the course of scarlet fever or summer complaints. Paralytic condition from cerebral softening may need Zincum. Rhus corresponds to senile changes in the brain. There is a swashing sensation in the brain when moving the head. It also suits paralytic troubles from brain diseases.
————————

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-7957 Anonymous Sun, 10 May 2009 01:11:00 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-7957 "Arnica is useless for burns - sticking the burn under a cold tap works just fine."<br /><br />Some homoeopaths advise sticking your burnt hand in hot water. Like cures like and all that. I'm not joking. And they swear it works for them. <br /><br />(Annoyingly, when I told my wife that, she replied that she always treats her sunburn with a hot shower and it feels much better)<br /><br />BillyJoe “Arnica is useless for burns – sticking the burn under a cold tap works just fine.”

Some homoeopaths advise sticking your burnt hand in hot water. Like cures like and all that. I’m not joking. And they swear it works for them.

(Annoyingly, when I told my wife that, she replied that she always treats her sunburn with a hot shower and it feels much better)

BillyJoe

]]> By: Vagina Dentata http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-7916 Vagina Dentata Sun, 03 May 2009 23:57:00 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-7916 I think I might add: 'never trust a man in a cotton poloneck' to my other rule for life: 'never trust a man in a bow-tie'.<br /><br />On the 'confusing different types of intervention' (which I had to read repeatedly because I had no idea what they were saying until I realised they were morons). Given that deprivation of vitamin C is seen by them as a 'intervention' this then implies that without this 'intervention' most normal diets provide adequate vitamin C. So they wouldn't support their nutritionist brothers and sisters in their brand of quackery? I think I might add: ‘never trust a man in a cotton poloneck’ to my other rule for life: ‘never trust a man in a bow-tie’.

On the ‘confusing different types of intervention’ (which I had to read repeatedly because I had no idea what they were saying until I realised they were morons). Given that deprivation of vitamin C is seen by them as a ‘intervention’ this then implies that without this ‘intervention’ most normal diets provide adequate vitamin C. So they wouldn’t support their nutritionist brothers and sisters in their brand of quackery?

]]> By: BadlyShavedMonkey http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-7901 BadlyShavedMonkey Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:23:00 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-7901 Just noticed the photo at the top of the page. Other than Steve Jobs, are SCAMmers the only people in the world who wear polonecks?<br /><br />Maybe that's too sweeping, are SCAMmers the only people in the world who wear a poloneck <i>and</i> a simpering expression? Just noticed the photo at the top of the page. Other than Steve Jobs, are SCAMmers the only people in the world who wear polonecks?

Maybe that’s too sweeping, are SCAMmers the only people in the world who wear a poloneck and a simpering expression?

]]> By: John H http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-7886 John H Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:56:00 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-7886 What a crap "survey" that is.<br /><br />No opportunity to say that my several open minded stabs at a sugar pill cure were worse than useless. Ultradilute beeshit does not cure allergic reactions - Zirtek does. Arnica is useless for burns - sticking the burn under a cold tap works just fine. That cold remedy thing with loads of o's, c's and s's in it is rubbish (I cannot be arsed looking it up as it is meaningless).<br /> <br />Call me cynical but I reckon anyone who answers that will be inundated with quack mailshots, having already demonstrated that they are gullible twats who can be parted from their readies.<br /><br />I would like to fisk that paper but:<br />a) life is too short<br />b) it is copyright so the IPR remains with the wooster<br /><br />And that will be one of the few instances of the word "intellectual" used in the context of HY that you will ever see. What a crap “survey” that is.

No opportunity to say that my several open minded stabs at a sugar pill cure were worse than useless. Ultradilute beeshit does not cure allergic reactions – Zirtek does. Arnica is useless for burns – sticking the burn under a cold tap works just fine. That cold remedy thing with loads of o’s, c’s and s’s in it is rubbish (I cannot be arsed looking it up as it is meaningless).

Call me cynical but I reckon anyone who answers that will be inundated with quack mailshots, having already demonstrated that they are gullible twats who can be parted from their readies.

I would like to fisk that paper but:
a) life is too short
b) it is copyright so the IPR remains with the wooster

And that will be one of the few instances of the word “intellectual” used in the context of HY that you will ever see.

]]> By: pvandck http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and.html#comment-7836 pvandck Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:31:00 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/04/homeopaths-attempt-to-rubbish-ernst-and-singh-with-dismal-critique.html#comment-7836 Can I remind everyone that many of the votes on the HWFM survey were mine - and I lied every time. When I was younger and even more stupid I did try a course homeopathic remedies, twice. I have to report that twice nothing is still nothing. I was not so stupid as to be deluded on those occasions.<br />Re William Alderson and his book as summarised here, several individual words come to mind. For example "thick", "ignorant", "deluded". And this assumes he actually believes what he writes, which so just not science. As I said, assuming he believes what he writes, otherwise a few other individual, less than flattering words come to mind.<br />Seriously, I'm waiting for the book that provides the one incontrovertible, fully documented and referenced case... out of the millions that must exist in their 200 years worth of meticulously kept records. Can I remind everyone that many of the votes on the HWFM survey were mine – and I lied every time. When I was younger and even more stupid I did try a course homeopathic remedies, twice. I have to report that twice nothing is still nothing. I was not so stupid as to be deluded on those occasions.
Re William Alderson and his book as summarised here, several individual words come to mind. For example “thick”, “ignorant”, “deluded”. And this assumes he actually believes what he writes, which so just not science. As I said, assuming he believes what he writes, otherwise a few other individual, less than flattering words come to mind.
Seriously, I’m waiting for the book that provides the one incontrovertible, fully documented and referenced case… out of the millions that must exist in their 200 years worth of meticulously kept records.

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