50 Millesimal Potencies: Scope and Utility

50 Millesimal Potencies: Scope and Utility

Abstract

Dr. Samuel Hahnemann’s experiment right from Cinchona bark test to his discovery of Pharmacodynamic properties of Drug substances, from this there is discovery of New altered but perfect method[1]. The 50 Millesimal scale was introduced by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the 6th edition of Organon of Medicine in aphorism 270 which was published 78 years after the death of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann [2]. The manuscript of the sixth German edition of Organon was completed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1842 after 18 months of work, but Dr. Samuel Hahnemann died on 2nd July 1843. Later it was published in 1921 by William Boericke[3].

In Samuel Hahnemann words,’ the method of Dynamization was produced after many laborious experiments and counter experiments, to be the most powerful and at the same time mildest in action, the material part of medicine is lessened with each degree of dynamization 50,000 times, yet incredibly increase in power[4].

Keywords – 50 Millesimal potency, doses, constitution, aggravation, pathology, dynamization, vehicle.

Introduction 

This scale was introduced in the 6th edition of Organon Of Medicine by Dr. Hahnemann in aphorism 270, published 78 years after his death.

Dr. Hahnemann’s highest ideal of cure was rapid, gentle and permanent. The reason why Dr. Hahnemann arrived and invented 50 millesimal scale[4] 

1. Dr. Hahnemann was not satisfied with the centesimal potencies especially in weak, sensitive constitution with chronic miasmatic cases because treatment with low potencies cannot stimulate and treatment with higher potencies produces serious aggravation[4]. 
2. Potencies prepared by Dr. Jenichen and other followers are all above 1M potencies but according to Dr. Hahnemann they were not suitable in weak cases with some tissue pathology[1].
3. Dr. Hahnemann’s aim was to cure the patient with the least possible disburbances[1].
4. The drug ratio is 1: 50,000, in which is 1 part is drug substance and 50,000 part of vehicle[1].
5. 50 Millesimal potency is also known as LM potency in where, L stands for 50 and M for Millesimal. These potencies are denoted by LM/1, LM/2, LM/3, etc in Bangladesh. Dr. Hahnemann himself and in India it is denoted as 0/1,0/2,0/3, etc.[1]
6. According to aphorism 270 in the 6th edition of Organon, Dr. Hahnemann recommends potencies from 0/1 to 0/30 only[3]. 
7. Before taking the medicine each time 8/10/12 downward succussions are given, according to the susceptibility of the patient- 10 for less sensitive patients, and 12 for the least excited and sensitive patients[2]. 
8. Use highly potentized medicines. Dissolve the medicine in water. Give the smallest possible dose. The subsequent dose should be higher than the previous one[3].

Procedure[2] –

• 1 grain drug substance with 100 grain sac lac and 60 minutes of trituration gives 1C
• 1 grain 1C with 100 grain sac lac and 60 minutes of trituration gives 2C
• 1 grain 2C with 100 grain sac lac and 60 minutes of trituration gives 3C
• 1 grain 3C is dissolved in 500 parts where 400 part is purified water and 100 part is alcohol, the mother solution is prepared.
• Then 1 drop of mother solution + 100 drops of alcohol and 100 strokes are given with uniform jerks, LM/1 is prepared.
• Conversion in globules from small poppy sized globules moisten with LM/1 potency and spread on the filter paper for drying. After drying, transfer it into another clean glass phial with proper labelling.
• Then a single globule of 1st potency is taken in clean glass phial and 1 drop of purified water, dissolve globules then add 100 drops of alcohol and give 100 downward strokes.
• Further potencies are prepared by taking a single globule of LM/1 potency with 1 drop of purified water and 100 drops of alcohol and then 100 downward strokes are given.

It is obvious that the full utility of such an advanced and preferable potency is not done in our day to day practice. When compared to the other potencies, 50 Millesimal potency has got great advantages like, possibility of frequent repetition, least aggravation which could be very much admissible for hypersensitive persons, least quantity of material doses which is basic for prescriptions and above all it helps to hasten  the cure. The occurrence of aggravation in the treatment with 50 Millesimal potencies is associated with better outcome[4]. There is permanent restoration health can be maintained by the administration of medicine in 50 Millesimal potency.[2]

Scope and Utility[1][2][3]

1. In acute cases repetition every hour or 2 hours.
2. In chronic cases repetition daily or alternate day.
3. By olfaction method acute and chronic diseases are cured.
4. For palliative and curative purposes, it can be used for both purposes palliative and curative medicines are the same. 
5. Very useful in Mental diseases with least aggravation.
6. The medicines can be used on and off when necessary. In case of wrong selection of medicine, new well- selected medicine can be used without antidoting previous medicine.
7. Medicine of this new method must be administered in liquid form, only to establish the highest ideal of cure.
8. The correctness of the selected medicine can be judged within a few days ( in acute cases within a few hours) by the use of this potency.
9. 50 Millesimal potency produces the minimum aggravation hence it can be safely used without any fear of aggravation
10. It can be repeated frequently (every hour) as and when necessary. Even drugs having long continued action Sulphur, Thuja can be administered frequently for long duration in the 50 Millesimal potency safely.
11.  The second prescription of the medicine (50 Millesimal) has no objection to being administered in dry, as it is expected that symptoms will remain stationary and doses will exhaust all their action.
12.  For patients who are taking Homoeopathy for the first time it is very well endured, furthermore, it is necessary to give the medicine for several consecutive days, 7 or 14 days and call back for a new appointment.
13. The ‘plus’ doses, those diluted in water and where the prescribed teaspoonful is replaced, have no doctrinal support. Nowhere in the Organon, Chronic Diseases or Lesser Writings has Hahnemann spoken about replacing what is taken out[5].
14. No violent reaction is produced by Vital Force following the administration of Medicine[6].
15. Limited medicines are readily available in 50 Millesimal potencies[6].
16. The potencies were given from lowest potencies to highest potencies[7]

Conclusion – 

From above study we can conclude that the LM potency offers several advantages & it is more efficacious. 

The aggravation can be reduced by administering medicine in a more dilute form, that is, from the first, second, third or fourth glass of medicinal solution.

 And when symptoms of the disease aggravate during this period even during the more moderate use of the medicine, then medicine should be stopped for one or two weeks & wait for considerable improvement.

 It is effective both in acute and chronic cases. All age groups and in both Male and Female patients 50 Millesimal (LM) Potencies have great advantage for all patients, not just those who are hypersensitive because of their great power to heal without major aggravations. 

That’s Why Dr Hahnemann called it New, Altered But Perfect Method- 50 Millesimal Scale

With its mild, understated, and efficient method of therapy, the 50 millesimal potency is a useful addition to the homeopathic toolbox. Despite its drawbacks and restrictions, the advantages of LM potency make it a desirable choice for both patients and practitioners.

Correctness of the appropriate medicines can be judged by 50-Millesimal Potencies.

References:

1. Dr.Sumit Goel, Art and Sciences of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, First Edition Leo Enterprises, Ahmedabad, 2002pg no. 228, 229
2. Dr.Mandal and Mandal, A Textbook of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, 3rd Edition, New Central Book Agency (P), Kolkata, pg no. 143, 179, 180
3. Dr. D. D. Banerjee, Augmented Textbook of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, Second Edition, B. J. Publisher Pvt. Limited, New Delhi, 2006, pg. no. 327, 330

4.Dr. S. Abarna, Jaykrishnan V. T. Sivaranjani, Kurian J.P., Sucharitha S., Evaluating the usefulness of 50 Millesimal potencies in the treatment of chronic diseases – A retrospective study, Indian Journal of Research In Homoeopathy, Vol. 9, issue 2 April – June 2015

6. 50-Millesimal Potencies: An Overview, An Overview Of Hahnemann’s Experiments with 50 Millesimal Potencies, Homoeopathy -360 team
7. Dr. Fernando Flores Villalva, LM Scale 50 Millesimal Potencies, Reprinted Edition,2007, B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd., 64

1. Dr. Sejal V. Mali, Associate Professor & HOD, Department of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, Gulabrao Patil Homoeopathic Medical College, Miraj.
2. Dr. Bhagyashree G. Shinge, Assistant Professor, Department of Homoeopathic Pharmacy, Gulabrao Patil Homoeopathic Medical College, Miraj.
3. Dr. Sukhada V. Jadhav, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Gulabrao Patil Homoeopathic Medical College, Miraj.