Interactive Poll - May 2006
People are always asking me what is homoeopathy and how can they learn more about it. However, their first stumbling block comes along almost immediately when they try to spell it. Is it homoeopathy or homeopathy? If you were to spell as you pronounced it, then homeopathy would be the most likely outcome. This is a subject so close to my heart that I devoted an entire page to it.
Originally, Dr Samuel Hahnemann (a German doctor 1755-1843), the first true practitioner and founding father of homoeopathy decided to name this art of medicine after its premise. 'Similia Similibus Curantur' means like cures like: i.e. a diluted substance stimulates the body and mind to heal from a condition that is similar to the condition that this substance would produce in a healthy individual. Hence, Hahnemann came up with a Greek based word derived from the following:
- "homoios" in Greek means similar
- "pathos" in Greek means suffering
- Hahnemann came up with homœopathy, meaning similar suffering.
- The Latin for similar is "homoeo." Hence, the root of homoeopathy is obvious and this spelling remains true to the original meaning.
Nowadays pathos means feelings of sympathy or arousing feelings of pity or sorrow. -pathy indicates a method of treating in this context. Other contexts include feelings/sensitivity (telepathy) or disease indication. So, the 'pathy' of homoeopathy/homeopathy that Hahnemann coined remains true even in the language of today.
With time, the spelling of words does change, especially if there are influences from the USA. Nowadays, homoeopathy is spelt more commonly as homeopathy. If I were to be pedantic, then I would say homeopathy means home-suffering or the suffering produced by hom, a sacred plant from ancient Persia. Am I being plain old-fashioned about this?
I know that at my alma mater, The College of Practical Homeopathy, they are very modern thinking and always looking at methods and ways to keep up with our changing health. They regard the spelling of homoeopathy as old-fashioned and behind the times.
A browse through my books reveal that homoeopathy is usually spelt homoeopathy by non-English speaking countries or practitioners whose first language is not English, even in present times. However, where the English speaking countries and practitioners are concerned, homeopathy appears to be the more commonly used version. Older English books are all spelt reverently as homoeopathy, but nowadays, homeopathy is far more prevalent.
Searches online, using different search engines, for homeopathy and homoeopathy bring different websites completely. Novices may be missing out of information by only knowing one way to spell it. On one search engine, typing in homoeopathy brings up a message asking if I meant homeopathy.
My personal opinion is that homoeopathy is the correct spelling, hence my logo and my correspondence always contains this spelling. But, should I just relax and go with the flow and adopt homeopathy, the more prevalent spelling? I practise in the most modern ways possible, so should I change to homeopathy? I have given it a go with my May article of the month, though the purist in me objected.
What do you think? Do you prefer homoeopathy or homeopathy? Do you even care? Why not vote today, I would certainly appreciate the feedback.
