Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology: Homeopathy, Technikon Natal, Durban, 1994. / The atm of this study was to determine if homeopathy has a role to play in the treatment of warts. This study focuses only on external warts (excluding genital warts). A sample of thirty patients was taken from the greater Durban area, and from this sample fifteen were treated with Homeopathic simillimum treatment and the remaining fifteen received placebo treatment. The study was conducted using the double blind protocol with all medications being prepared and dispensed by a neutral homeopathic pharmacist. Every twenty SIX days for the duration of the six month trial, patients' warts were photographed and questionnaires completed, regarding the patients' perception to the treatment. The study was divided into three sections viz. Subproblem one, two and three. Subproblem one was the objective analysis of the treatment by means of colour photography. Trace outlines of the warts from the photographs were scanned onto a computer which calculated the surface area of the warts. Each group (i.e. the control and treatment group) was then compared with themselves (i.e. before and after treatment) using the paired T-test, With the control group p= 0.670, indicating there was no statistically significant difference. With the treatment group p = 0.264, indicating there was no statistically significant difference. When comparing the surface area of the warts treated with homeopathy as opposed to those treated with placebo using the unpaired T-test no significant difference was found between the two groups (p= 0.947). Subproblem two was concerned with the subjective analysis of the treatment by measuring the patients perception to the treatment with a questionnaire. Each .group was then compared with themselves (i.e.before and after treatment) using the paired T-test. With the control group p = 0.623, indicating there was no statistically significant difference. With the treatment group p= 0.1002, indicating there was no statistically significant difference between the beginning and end of the treatment (although this value was closer to 0.05 than the Il value of the control group and thus more significant). When comparrug the patients perception to the treatment of those treated with homeopathy as opposed to those treated with placebo using the unpaired T-test p= 0.947, indicating there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Subproblem three was a comparative analysis of subproblem one and two. There was a positive correlation between the wart surface area and the patients perception to the treatment with those patients recervmg Homeopathic treatment (p= 0.0225, Jr= 0.8246). 60% of the treatment group patients improved, 20% worsened and there was no agreement between subproblem one and two with 20%. There was a poor correlation between the wart surface area and the patients perception to the treatment with those patients receiving Placebo treatment (p= 0.9957, r= 0.0025). 33.33% of the control group patients improved, 46.67% worsened and there was no agreement between subproblem one and two with 20%. It was thus concluded that although there was not a statistically significant difference between the control and treatment groups, there was a difference measured (as can be seen considering the frequency of occurrences) and therefore homeopathy does have a role to play in the treatment of warts. / M

M.Tech. / Verrucae vulgaris, commonly known as warts are benign growths due to infection with papillomaviruses, which occur mainly on the hands and feet (Gawkrodger, 2002). Verrucae are caused by a virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV) (Fitzpatrick and Aeling, 2001). Verrucae are a common skin problem, which account for approximately 5%-10% of the skin conditions seen in patients in many countries. The peak incidence ranging between the ages of 12 and 16, rarely being found in infants and the elderly (Gibbs and Degreef, 1997). Thuja occidentalis is a common homoeopathic remedy that has historically been used for the treatment of wart-like excrescences on cutaneous surfaces of the skin (Vermeulen, 1994). Based on homoeopathic principles, the toxicological symptoms of this remedy gives the therapeutic indications for which it is prescribed. Ricini oleum, commonly known as castor oil, for which there is an unknown mode of action, has been recommended for various cutaneous complaints, when applied externally (Grieves and Leyel, 1998). To date insufficient research has been conducted to confirm the effects of Thuja occidentalis and Ricini oleum on verrucae vulgaris. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of homoeopathically prepared, externally applied, Thuja occcidentalis 6cH and Ricini oleum 6cH, in the treatment of common warts, verrucae vulgaris. The study was a contextual, placebo controlled, double-blind research study. Forty-five participants ranging from 5 to 60 years old were recruited for this study. Participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected (Appendix A). Suitable participants completed a consent form, explaining all aspects of the study (Appendix B). Participants were required to complete a participant profile form, as well as an initial subjective questionnaire after which they were randomly placed into one of three treatment groups (Appendix C). Each participant was given a 25ml amber glass dropper bottle, which contained either Thuja occidentalis 6cH, Ricini oleum 6cH or the placebo. The placebo group was shared with another researcher conducting a similar study. The solutions were administered topically; two drops twice daily v and treatment lasted for ten days. A maximum of two verrucae were treated throughout the study and these lesions were kept covered at all times with a waterproof elastoplaster. Changes in symptoms were documented according to a questionnaire (Appendix D). The verrucae being treated were evaluated on three occasions; one day prior to commencement of the clinical trial, on day five of the trial, as well as on day ten. Each assessment involved photographs and physical measurements of the verrucae, as well as a subjective questionnaire, that the participant was requested to complete. The results were statistically analysed in terms of change in length, width and height of the verrucae. Results for the categorical responses were cross-tabulated with the respective treatments and chi-square tests were performed to compare efficacy of treatments. For the measured responses, the Friedman two-way analysis of verrucae was used to compare the responses to each treatment i.e. before, during and after each treatment. Based on the outcomes of this study, it was revealed that all three treatment groups responded with significant results, in terms of a decrease in overall size of the verrucae lesions. Two of the experimental groups, namely the Thuja occidentalis 6cH and the Ricini oleum 6cH groups, illustrated an overall decrease in size of verrucae from the start to the end of the clinical trial. The placebo group yielded the smallest decrease in overall size of verrucae, during this study. None of the participants noticed a change in their emotional status or physical status, while participating in the clinical trial. The duration of the trial was not sufficiently long enough. In addition, further research into this topic is required to assess whether the observations that were made in this study would result in eventual cure of the condition.