A great deal of mysticism prevails in connection with the potency of homoeopathic dilution. Existence of drug substances in the higher homoeopathic dilutions has been not only under continuous challenge, but also the observation that, higher the homoeopathic dilution stronger the medicine, is found to be scientifically inconceivable. Notwithstanding, repeated provings of several potentized homoeopathic remedies by Hahnemann and his disciples,experimenting both on healthy, as well as diseased human beings, no bridge could be established, so far, between the homoeopathic system of medicine and the modern science.

Homoeopathic System of Dilution

Hahnemann, the propounder of the theory of similia similibus curantur ( likes are cured by likes ) developed concurrently a special system of dilution, for use in homeopathy, with a view to minimize the toxic effects of the drug substances.

This was known to be effected by mechanical action upon the smallest particles of the drug substances, by means of rubbing and or shaking, through the addition of an indifferent ( non-medicinal ) substance, powder or liquid, e.g., sugar of milk or alcohol, and by separating from each other. The process was thus known as dynamizing or potentizing and the products were called 'dynamization' or potencies in different degrees.

Detailed method of preparation is as follows : One drop of the drug substance is put in a vial i.e., small cylindrical glass vessel. To this are added ninety-nine drops of pure alcohol, when the vial used is two-third filled. Stoppered with a velvet cork, one hundred violent shakings ( succussions ) are then given to the vial, against a hard but elastic body, with hand or by machine. Thus hornoeopathic remedy of first degree of dynamization or one centesimal 1c) potency is prepared. One drop of this 1c potency is then taken into a fresh vial, mixed with fresh ninety-nine drops of alcohol and fresh hundred succussion strokes are given, when 2c potency is said to be produced. Thus the process is repeated until 3c. 6c. 30c. 200c. or still higher potencies are obtained.

Alternatively, the medicines are also known to be prepared by rubbing ( trituratirrg ) rather strongly and in a specific manner, one part of the drug substance mixed with nine parts of sugar of milk using a mortar-pestle and a spatula, each made of porcelain. The degree of potentization, thus obtained, is said to be in the decimal level and are marked as 1x, 2x, 6x, etc.

Homoeopathic system of dilution is popularly known to develop for its special use, the inner medicinal powers of the crude substances, to a hitherto unheard of degree, by means of a process peculiar to it, which has hitherto never been tried arid whereby the substances are said to become immeasurably and penetratingly efficacious and remedial . The effects of higher hornoeopathic dilutions have also been verified on plants, animals and micro-organisms through different experiments. Paradoxically, however, all attempts made so far to trace rnaterial existence of drug substances in higher homoeopathic dilutions, by various physical or chemical methods, have failed. Howeverer, as per Avogadro's number, a gram molecule of a substance is known to contain 6.023 x 1023 number of molecules, This on projection, leads to a theoretical conclusion that, once the twelfth centesimal ( 12c ) or the twenty-fourth decimal ( 24x ) dilution is surpassed, the original substance is diluted beyond the negative exponent of Avogadro's number and consequently there cannot exist any molecule of the original drug substance. Even on probability consideration, it becomes difficult to conceive scientifically the presence of any original molecule or atom. The preparations are, therefore, thought to be simple alcohol or water and hence devoid of any therapeutic value.

Propositions in favour of Scientific Basis of Homoeopathic Dilution

Confronted with this fallacy, various attempts were known to be made at different times to interpret homoeopathic system of dilution, in corroboration with modern scientific concepts. Hahnemann himself in this connection, observed that several changes are known to be brought about in different natural substances by means of friction, such as, development of heat, development of odor in odorless bodies, magnetization of steel bar, and so forth. A steel bar is unable to draw magnetically or held on either end, even finest particles of iron. But when dynamized by rubbing it with a magnetic bar in one direction, it soon becomes a true active powerful magnet, able to attract iron and steel to itself and impart to another bar of steel the magnetic power and this in a higher degree, the more it has been rubbed. In the same way, triturating a medicinal substance and shaking of its solution, develops the medicinal powers hidden within and manifest them more and more .

In recent times, however, more plausible explanations have been put forward as it became evident that atoms and molecules, the ultimate units of transaction in chemistry, meet quickly the Avogadrian impass, in the process of serial dilution and succussion (potentisation). A physical factor of unknown nature was, therefore, apprehended which was thought to be responsible for the dilution's activity. Earlier it was thought that the added kinetic energy in the process of succussion, is retained in the vehicle, thereby causing the molecules to be more potent or energetic. But soon it was realized that the kinetic/mechanical energy will be fairly rapidly converted to thermal energy and consequently the energetic state of molecules will be short-lived and the normal molecular modes will be restored as the heat energy is decayed.

!t was, therefore, proposed that, the potency phenomenon should better be viewed entropically rather than energetically. Entropy is said to be a measure of the heat t hat flows during a thermo-dynamic process or of the information that is transmitted during a communicating process ?. Change of entropy is known to indicate changes of unavailable energy in a system that rnay generally occur by addition or substraction of heat or by frictional processes in the system. During frictionless process with no heat added or abstracted the entropy is said to be zero. In this perspective, therefore, it was proposed that the change of entropy through the succussive process, involved in the homoeopathic system of dilution, is responsible for the specific information transmission.

Further, the cybernetic (communication) models were also put forward, for the process of serial dilution and succussion. Cybernetics is known to be the science of control and communication in all of its various manifestations in machines, animals and organisations. The term was first introduced by the mathematician Norbert Wiener, in a book called 'Cybernetics', published in 1948. Contrary to most other sciences, the transfer of energy is of little consequence and the transfer of information is said to be vital in cyberneticsr The cybernetic models for homoeopathic dilution, however, failed to explain the significance of the term 'dynamization' or 'potentisation' and hence these were proposed to be dropped and replaced by the words 'succussed dilution', as nothing was believed to be made more powerful in the process.

Further, in homoeopathic system of dilution, as the vehicle ,(ethanol) constitutes the only continuum between the low and the high dilutions, it was proposed that the therapeutic activity of homoeopathic dilutions !ie in the structure itself of the vehicle, in the form of specific arrangement of the ethanol molecules between thernselves. The admission of a fresh supply of air, and therefore nun-polar oxygen molecules at each stage, in the dilution of the fluid phase, followed by impacted succussions, was further proposed to serve to transmit the ' informational Templates ' of the original molecules of the solute, from low to high dilution. The over-simplified model was, however, not only unacceptable due to various points of disagreement but also it opened up fresh problems such as, the actual role of oxygen in the course of succussions or the specific interactions between the liquid structures and the respective biological systems. Hence, the suggestions, so far, put forward to interpret the scientific basis of higher homoeopathic dilutions were not only found to be based on speculative theories but also were lacking in substantiation by experimental factors and universally acceptable data.

To elaborate, it may be mentioned that molecule is a unit of matter, the smallest portion of an element or compound, that retains chemical identity with the substance in mass. It consists of a group of atoms, ranging from one in inert gases, to very large numbers in organic chain molecules. Atoms are, however, largely empty, consisting of a small solid core, the 'nucleus', which is surrounded by a nurnber of negatively charged particles, 'electrons'. The electrons circulate around the nucleus in separate orbits, while nucleus is a composite structure consisting of several sub - units, 'protons' and 'neutrons', held firmly together, The simplified picture of the atom, therefore, involves three particles- the 'neutron' with unit mass and zero charge. 'proton' with unit mass and unit positive charge and the electrons with infinitesimal mass and unit negative charge..

Positron ( positive electron ) is the unit of elementary positive charge having the same mass, spin, magnitude of charge and magnetic moment, as that of electron, but is extremely unstable in the presence of electrons. It is a comparatively rare particle and is observed principally in cosmic radiation and also in the emission of some artificial radioactive (unstable) isotopes. In the vicinity of an electron, a positron is known to be annihilated, giving rise to one or more quanta of gamma radiation, with a characteristic total energy of 1.0216 MeV, the sum of the rest masses of the two particles.

Certain characteristics of the process is, however, known to be influenced if the particles meet in an atomic environment In many cases, especially in gases, the annihilation is known to take place not in a free collision but after formation of an intermediary system called Positronium, where the ' electron ' and the ' positron ' are bound to each ( e + e - ) by the electromagnetic force. Apart from its short life, the mass and charge centers in the alliance are known to be coincident. In most gases, in some liquids and also in some insulating solids . About one third of the positrons coming to rest, are said to form positronium. Positronium is further known to be analogous to a hydrogen atom and the gross structure of its energy levels is like that of hydrogen, the fine structure being rather different . In hydrogen atom, the simplest form of all the atoms of chemical elements, one electron revolves about a single proton, whereas in ' positronium ' the part of the proton is played by a positron . In fact , positronium is said to behave as a very light isotope of hydrogen . Apart from its stability, the properties of positronium are found to be similar to that of hydrogen molecules . As with hydrogen molecules, two species, 'orthopositronium' and 'parapositronium' have been identified . Optical emission spectrum of positronium is also expected to be qualitatively similar to that of atomic hydrogen, but observation became difficult due to low concentration of positronium available and also due to considerable Doppler broadening caused by the relatively high velocities of atoms of such small mass at thermal energies.

Existence of positronium complexes, such as, two electrons plus a positron, two positrons plus an electron, a proton plus an electron plus a positron and the like have been theoretically supported and in some gases, formation of positronium compounds have also been suggested". Moreover during its brief lifetime, positronium is said to be capable of entering into chemical reactions, reacting especially readily with chemical compounds which have free valence bonds left . Formation of positronium, elsewhere than in rare gases is, however, said to be more complicated and not yet fully understood.

Stability of positronium is further known to depend markedly on the chemical composition of the surrounding medium and also on the structure of the molecules, the electron-positron pair gets into. Formation of positronium is also known to be promoted by application of an electric field . In sorne gases, the production of positronium is said to be enhanced to almost hundred percent by applying electric fields..

A substance, thus having on its surface more electrons than proton, is said to be negatively charged, while the one having more protons than electrons is positively charged. Thus, electrostatic charge or static electricity is found to develop in many non - metallic substances such as, glass, resins, plastics, etc. The excess type of charge, commonly associated with resins was, however, originally termed as, 'resinous electricity' and the deficiency type characteristic; of glass was called, vitreous electricity. A piece of amber (natural resin), as big as the end segment of a man's finger is said to acquire and hold as many as 100,000,000 excess electrons in less than a second . As rubbing or friction, further increases the charge, due to intensive contact between the surfaces of the two bodies, it is also called frictionless electricity. As continued friction causes addition of more and more of electrons to a substance,so in the process, high voltages can be developed due to high potential differences. Static electricity is ,thus, said to be of high voltage although of low-current type. Not only an insulating or insulated solid body acquires frictionless electricity by rubbing it with other bodies, whether insulating or conducting, but also charges are known to be generated when a liquid flows over a solid surface, one or both of which may be an insulator. Large charges are also known to be produced by blowing powders against a solid surface. Only good insulators are, however, known to show a net charge after rubbing, because electric conduction permits neutralization of the charge very rapidly in other materials.

The very specific and important role played glass vessels, commonly used in preparing hornoeopathic dilulions, was never before seriously considered. From the earlier discussions it may be easily observed that in the process of succussion, intimate contact between the alcohol molecules and the glass surface takes place and thus frictional electricity is produced. Alcohol, due to stronger electron affinity, acquires excess electrons and gets negatively charged while. the glass surface due to deficiency in electrons becomes positivery charged.The charges so developed is, however, not neutralized by conducting through human body or machine, because the glasses , especially the commercial glasses, are known to be highly resistive to electricity which is said to be extremely high, particularly in room temperature. Velvet corks used in stoppering the vials are also known to be highly resistive to electricity.

To substantiate, it may be mentioned here a recent observation that microscopic particles in suitable environment act as mini magnets..The peoperties of such mini magnets, their strength and orientation and ability to change either, are believed to depend crucially on the characteristics of the host, in the vicinity of the atom or ion. The polarity has also been recognized as an important factor in determining the effects of specific interactions and orientation of the different kinds of molecules. Polar solvents are not only known to induce moments in non-polar solute molecules, but also such a polar molecule if placed in an electric field, is expected to become oriented in that field just as a bar magnet placed in a magnetic field becomes aligned with the magnetic field. Further, positronium or electron-positron pairs are said to be capable of interacting with other particles to form positronium complexes or compounds. Hence, their interaction with 'neutrinos', to form infinitesimal atoms and molecules cannot also be ruled out. Neutrino, the baby neutron is an elementary particle, with no electrical charge and is of infinitely small mass and its existence has been confirmed by indirect evidences, through some delicate experiments. Creation of 'neutrino' is said to require negligible energy, since its rest mass is close to zero. A further curiosity is that nature seems to be making `xerox copies' of the basic pattern shown by the up and down quarks, together with the electronic neutrino and the electron. The xerox copies seem to differ just in their mass and the copy number, that is electronic, muonic or tauonic. The copy number is also referred to as 'generation'. The old question, `who ordered the muon?' thus becomes more acute and may possibly get solved in near future. Positronium is also of particular interest because it is the two-body system to which quantum electrodynamic is applicable, and its study has served as an important confirmation of the theory of quantum electrodynamics. Although no states of positronium other than the ground state have yet been found, yet studies of positron anihilation in solids and liquids indicate that a perturbed form of positronium exists under certain conditions .Preparation of homoeopathic potencies in the method of trituration also comes under the same purview. Firstly, because electrostatic charges are produceabte by rubbing a powder against a solid body, secondly, the porcelain made mortar-pestle and spatula used in the process are also incidentally resistive to electricity and thirdly, although the vehicle used, i.e.sugar of milk is electrically non-conductive, the conductivity may increase to some extent due to absorption of atmospheric moisture with other impurities such as C02. But as in the process the same mortar pestle is used although, so it may so find a limitation and after certain degree of dynamization, there may not be any further development of medicinal power. This may, however, be re-established as soon as the porcelain is allowed to regain the lost electrons from the environment.

Further, the structure of substances on the molecular scale is said to be determined by a balance between the ordering influence of intermolecular forces and the disordering influence of thermal motion . Hence the comparatively weak electro-magnetic force binding together the positronium units are expected to be easily destroyed by heat.. This corroborates with the observation made by Hahnemann and others that the high homoeopathic potencies must be protected against sunlight and heat. This is said to be best preserved, when the liquid medicine is absorbed in sugar pills,dried and then packed in glass vessels stoppered with velvet cork and finally kept closed in wooden chests, specially prepared for the purpose. A dose of potentized homoeopathic remedy, in its paper envelope in the desk, is also said to retain its medicinal virtue for years. Incidentally, it is to be noted, that sugar, glass, velvet cork, paper and wood, all are very bad conductors of heat, Homoeopathic potencies therefore, may be further protected from body heat, as if generally directed, it is administered in small pieces of dry paper instead of directly by hand.