Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1997. / The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of Homoeopathic Simillimum treatment in Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers i.nterms of patient response to treatment. It was hypothesized that the homoeopathic simillimum treatment would result in a substantial improvement in all the clinical aspects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers, and that it could be used as an alternative to 'conventional' treatment in many cases. The study was a clinical trial, in which a placebo control group was compared with an experimental group. Convenience sampling was used to draw patients into the trial. Volunteers responded to advertisements that had been placed in various advertising media. A minimum of 30 participants was assessed and if they complied vvith the diagnostic- and Manning criteria they were accepted into the study. The participants were randomly divided into a double - blind study that lasted 3 months. During this period half of the patients received placebo treatment while the other half received homoeopathic simillimum treatment. Neither the researcher nor the participants knew what type of treatment they received until the end of the research. The participants that fell into the placebo group was given the opportunity after the study was over to be treated with homoeopathic simillimum treatment. All the data obtained hy the researcher through the questionnaires was interpreted by. / M

A dissertation in partial compliance with the Master's Diploma in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1995. / The aim of this study was to establish the effect of cotrimoxazole prepared in conventional form , homoeopathic form and a mixture of both forms, on E. coli and S. aureus in terms of maximum specific growth rate, time taken to reach maximum specific growth rate, maximum cell population and metabolic activity for the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of cotrimoxazole when used in a homoeopathic form. Co-trimoxazole used conventionally, homoeopathically (9CH or 15CH) and a mixture containing the conventional and homoeopathic (9CH or 15CH) forms were compared. The growth of E. coli and aureus in the presence of these medications (added separately) was monitored. Enumeration of colony forming units was conducted at 0 i 6 i 12 i 24 and 48 hours , by the serial dilution - spread plate procedure. This was conducted in triplicate. Enzyme activity was used as an indicator of metabolic activity and was done at times 0 i 12 i 24 and 48 hours. The maximum specific growth rate (MSGR) , time taken to reach maximum specific growth rate were calculated and compared for the various preparations. Enzyme reactions were semiquantitively assessed. The conventional antibiotic decreased cell growth of both E. coli and S. aureus when compared to the control. Inhibition of coli growth was most pronounced after 6 hours and that of S.aureus after times 6 and 48 hours. The MSGR for E. coli showed / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The aim of this analytical study was to determine the effects of the thirtieth centesimal (30CH) potency of the bark of Erythrina Lysistemon on healthy individuals with the subsequent analysis of the proving data obtained according to Sankaran's model! theory of vital sensations and miasms, so that it may be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathic science. Thirty-two healthy volunteers who met all the inclusion criteria participated in this study (Appendix A - Suitability for Inclusion). All volunteers were required to sign a consent form (Appendix B). Forty (40) percent (12 of the 32) of the subjects received placebo in a randomised fashion. This was a triple-blind, placebo controlled study where neither the researchers nor the individuals participating in the study knew who received placebo or verum. The provers were unaware of the nature of the substance they were taking and the researchers were unaware of the nature of the substance that they were administrating. The provers recorded their state prior to the administration of the proving substance to establish a baseline from which their state after taking the proving substance was compared (Appendix D - Instructions to Provers). Data collection took the format of a diary or journal in which the provers recorded their symptoms daily and from which the data was later extracted. Data from / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1995. / The purpose of this double-blind study was to assess the efficacy of homoeopathic treatment of cellulite in conjunction with massage as opposed to massage alone. Of the patients responding to the advertising done by the Department of Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 20 eligible patients were accepted into the study and were randomly assigned to two equal groups. The first group received homoeopathic Natrum sulphuricum 9 Cll, twice daily, in conjunction with twice weekly massages. The second group were given placebo pills and also had massages twice weekly. The participants were assessed four times: initially, after eight massages (one month of treatment), sixteen massages (two months of treatment) and after twenty-four massages (three months). The assessment consisted of: percentage body fat (assessed by measuring skin folds on predesignated locations using callipers), body mass index (calculated using the height and weight of the participants) as well as girth measurements (taken at the waist, the hips, the buttocks as well as both thighs). The data was then tabulated and analysed using SGPLUS computer-aided data analysis. Non-parametric tests were used to establish statistical significance. However no statistical differences were found between the two groups or within the groups. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology of Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1998. / The purpose of this study was to administer a Homoeopathic nosode in conjunction with penicillin, to a penicillin resistant bacterial strain. It was hypothesized that the Homoeopathic nosode, derived from penicillin resistant bacteria that secrete B-Iactamase which is used to prevent the actions of penicillin on the bacteria, will either increase or decrease the secretion of B-Iactamase produced by these bacteria. The method used, was the Test Tube Serial Dilution method (HIC). The test tubes were then plated out (HBC) and a colony count counted. The research was carried out in two ways: (1) the administration of a B-Iactamase nosode to a penicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain, 24 hours prior to the administration of a penicillin; (2) the administering. of B-lactamase nosode & penicillin simultaneously to a penicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain. The control group was compared to the experimental group with regards to the number of clear test tubes to turbid test tubes, and to the colony counts. The test tube results (HIC) will be further tabulated, compared, and statistically analyzed, using the Mann-Whitney unpaired test. The results from methods (1) & (2) were compared to see which one / M

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1997. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the administration of homoeopathic dilutions of phosphocreatine and glycogen on the anaerobic work capacity of humanthigh muscle. It was hypothesized that there would be an increase in the anaerobic work capacity after one week, and that this effect would persist for a further four weeks. The experimentwas performed according to the protocol of a double - blind clinical trial. The subjects were male caucasians between 17 and 23 years of age, all in good health for the duration of the test period. Sixteen subjects took doses of Phosphocreatine 4 CH and Glycogen 4 CH three times daily for 7 days (the experimental group). Twenty one different subjects took a placebo preparation at a similar dosage. The placebo preparation was 20 % ethanol in water, making it impossible to distinguish it by taste from the experimental preparation. Tests were performed on the Akron isokinetic tester. TIrree tests were performed by each subject: an initial test, and follow - up tests on days 7 and 35. The tests were in the form of explosive flexion and extension of the leg, with a maximum displacement of 195 degrees per second, for 30 seconds. The accumulated work done in flexion and extension was calculated. The subjects were instructed to continue in their normal lifestyle for the duration of the test period. Statistical analysiswas carried out, using the Wilcoxon signed - rank test to test for intra - group variation, and the Mann - Whitney U test to test for inter - group variation. Intra - group analysis of the variance revealed statistically significant increases in work done in the first and second follow - up tests for both the experimental and placebo groups. Inter - group analysis revealed that the groups were not statistically different in any of the parameters tested. Because the anaerobic work capacity increased in both the experimental and placebo groups, we conclude that the preparation was not the cause of the increase. We speculate that the increase could be due to psychological factors, such as differingresponses to motivation, and familiarity with the procedure in the follow - up tests, and physiological factors such as meals eaten or missed before the tests were performed. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy in the Faculty of Health at Technikon Natal. / The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of a homoeopathic flu complex consisting of Arsenicum album, Gelsemium sempervirens, Eupertorium perfoliatum and Ferrum phosphoricum in the treatment of influenza type syndrome in terms of the patient's response to the treatment and the patient's oral temperature. It was hypothesised that the flu complex would reduce the severity and duration of symptoms in patients suffering from influenza type syndrome in terms of the patient's response to the treatment and the patient's temperature. This complex was formulated in the 30th potency by Dr Bloch and Dr Lewis of Cape Town, who have had much success using it in the treatment of influenza type syndrome, especially where no clear symptoms were present on which to prescribe. The remedies in the complex are often individually used to treat 'flu' ,with good results. This study was a double blind randomised, placebo-controlled investigation. Convenience sampling was used to select 30 patients of both sex and between the ages of 18 and 60 years, from the greater Johannesburg-Pretoria area. Patients had to have an oral temperature of 37.8\xB0C greater and had to experience influenza like symptoms of s 24 hour duration. 111ou / M

A dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The aim of this study was to establish the effect of Echinacea angustifolia prepared in 30% ethanol and 62% ethanol in comparison to a 30% ethanol and 62% ethanol control respectively upon Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in terms of the Kirby-Bauer Antimicrobial Sensitivity Test. The diameters of the zones of inhibition of the bacteria growth around the test and control substances were measured. The Echinacea angustifolia tincture prepared in 30% ethanol and the 30% ethanol control yielded no effect upon the bacteria tested. However, the Echinacea angustifolia tincture prepared in 62% ethanol and the 62% ethanol control both had an antimicrobial effect upon the bacteria. However, the Echinacea angustifolia tincture in 62% ethanol only produced a significant difference in comparison to the 62% ethanol control upon certain organisms, viz. Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1998. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Homoeopathic complex (ChamomilIa 30 CH, Belladonna 30 CH and Scutellaria Lateriflora D6) in the treatment of problematic primary dental eruption. The study was a double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical investigation. The thirty patients involved were between seven and thirty four months of age, and were all in the process of erupting a tooth, or teeth, during the study. The criteria for the study required that the patient be experiencing signs and symptoms relating to problematic dental eruption. These included the general symptoms of irritability and sleep disturbances, and the local signs and symptoms of painfully inflamed gums. The efficacy of the treatment was measured by using a questionnaire before and after the treatment. The follow-up consultation was conducted two to three days after the initial consultation due to the acute nature of the condition. The statistical tests used were non-parametric due to the small sample size. The Mann- Whitney test was used to compare the experiment and the control group, and / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1995. / The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of Colibacillinum and co-trimoxazole in terms of it's effect on the growth rate and cellular morphology of E. coli in order to contribute towards the understanding of the use of Colibacillinum in E. coli infections. The strain of E. coli used in this study was isolated from a patient with cystitis. The experiment consisted of 2 trials. During the first trial, E.coli was tested for sensitivity to co-trimoxazole. The method of choice was the serial-dilution-agar-plating procedure. Samples were removed Oh, 6h, 12h, 24h and 48h after inoculation, serially diluted' and incubated for 24h. During the second trial, E. coli was tested for sensitivity to Colibacillinum 5CH, 7CH, 9CH, 12CH and 15CH by employing the method stated above. From the data obtained the growth rate, specific growth rate, maximum cell population reached and lag phase were computed. Colibacillinum 7CH proved to be the most effective potency, of the various potencies tested. Colibacillinum 7CH reduced the maximum population by 41.5% and cotrimoxazole reduced the maximum population by 97% relative to the maximum population of the control. The maximum specific growth rate of the E.coli treated with Colibacillinum 7CH increased by 0.609% and that treated with co-trimoxazole decreased by 67.33% when compared to the maximum specific growth rate of the control. The in vitro results indicate that co-trimoxazole is a far superior bacteriostatic chemotherapeutic agent than Colibacillinum. This is further supported by the changes in cellular morphology observed during scanning electron microscopy. The E. coli treated with co-trimoxazole was found to be shorter in length and irregular when compared to E. coli treated with Colibacillinum 7CH. Definitive conclusions could not be drawn from the results therefore Colibacillinum cannot be recommended as a front line agent in the treatment of cystitis. It's use in the treatment of E. coli infections, in conjunction with other forms of treatment, either homoeopathic or allopathic, may only be recommended once further studies have been conducted. / M