The British Homo~opathic Journal April 1987. Vol. 76. pp. 95-96

International press abstracts

Colour preferences to aid drug diagnosis H. V. Mueller

Following a report in the 1970s that South American doctors had established a link between colour preferences and certain homoeo- pathic drugs, relating blue to psoric, yellow to sycotic and red to syphilitic drugs, Professor Mueller did his own investigations but was unable to confirm the above.

The case of a young man who wanted every- thing in black and responded instantly to Con- ium prescribed on the mind symptom 'shuns light' did however suggest that colour prefer- ences might have profound significance. Further investigations showed that a preference for ultramarine narrowed the choice to Palladium, Natrium sulphuricum and Lyssinum. The nuance of a colour proved more important than the colour itself, e.g. lemon yellow versus golden yellow etc.

Colour preferences rapidly narrow down the field in drug diagnosis. Cinnabar red for instance relates to only three drugs. The method has proved particularly useful in the treatment of psychotic and neurotic conditions, where it is essential to find the similimum rather than a simile.

The method consists in presenting patients with a colour chart of at least sixty colours. Chil- dren are very quick and definite in their prefer- ences, women tend to be influenced by fashion trends and it may take three or four con- sultations before a clear preference emerges.

Zeitschrifi fiir klassische Homdopathie 1986; 30:224-7

It is interesting that the subject of colour pref- erences has been taken up at more or less the same time by hom0eopathic physicians in the Federal Republic of Germany and in India (see Dr Vakil's paper on the subject in the last issue of this journal). The idea of synchronicity pres- ents itself.

Homoeopathy taught in medical schools in Germany A positive view is taken in the January 1987

Editorial of the Allgemeine HomOopath&che Zeitung with the statement that homoeopathy continues to be on the up and up. German uni- versities are becoming more open-minded and three teaching appointments have now been made. An Institute of Homoeopathy recently established at Celle is receiving government sup- port, and the dialogue with the Federal Govern- ment and German health authorities is free and open. A major reason for this is that homoeo- paths have settled their internal differences and now present a united front. A plea is however made for greater tolerfince, as zealousness in the cause of 'classical' homceopathy can lead to dogmatism.

Allgemeine homOopathische Zeitung 1987; 232:1-2

Homoeopathy in the Soviet Union An interview by L. Ivtchensko in the Soviet paper Isvestia reports that the Moscow hommo- pathic outpatient clinic has moved from the first floor of a private house to occupy five floors in a modern block. A hospital is under construction. The clinic is visited by 170,000 patients per annum; the new facilities will make it possible to increase that figure to 250,000. Oddly enough a rule was issued by the medical establishment in Moscow some time ago according to which the clinic is not allowed to treat children. The department of Health basically has nothing against children receiving homoeopathic treat- ment, but they have not yet got round to making this official.

The average age of homoeopathic physicians is high, as it is difficult to train a new generation of doctors. Forty doctors attended courses held in Moscow in the 1960s. Almost 25 years passed before courses could be held again recently, in connection with the new outpatient clinic and the hospital now being built. There are several hundred doctors practising hommopathy in the USSR, but they lack central coordination, specialist literature and international contacts.

Drugs are another problem. About a hundred plants listed in the pharmacopoeia do not grow in the USSR and imports have been stopped since 1963. Supplies of native plants are also

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