A hypothesis on the nature of homœopathic potencies

Abstract

In this paper, it is argued that a homœopathic potency is an arrangement, in a certain order, of electric dipolar molecules of the solvent, induced by the drug during the process of dynamization. (Note that the solvents used in the preparation of homœopathic potencies, viz. water, alcohol and sugar of milk, all have molecules which exhibit electrical dipole moments.) The nature and extent of this arrangement of dipoles depends on the starting drug (Mother Tincture) and the degree of dilution. As a consequence of this hypothesis the dielectric constant and surface tension of the homœopathic potency are expected to be different from those of the solvent. The surface tension of potencies of Natrum muriaticum (NaCl) up to the 30th prepared in 91 per cent. alcohol were measured and were found to vary from one potency to another, thus lending support to the hypothesis.