Review of Fifty Millesimal Scale- Its History and Relevance in Present- Day Homoeopathic Practice

Abstract

Fifty millesimal scale, also known as LM Potency or Q Potency, was first introduced by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the sixth edition of Organon of medicine in the aphorism 270 as renewed dynamization. This article reviews the historical background of this scale and walks through the method of preparation and dispensing of this potency. It also talks about its various advantages and disadvantages. It is safe to conclude that LM Potency is quite a beneficial tool in treating all types of cases in all age groups and gender, especially chronic cases and in hypersensitive patients.

Keywords

LM Potency, Q Potency, Organon of Medicine, Homoeopathy, Dosage, Hypersensitive patients

Introduction

Fifty millesimal scale was first introduced by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the sixth edition of Organon of medicine in the aphorism 270 as renewed dynamization [1] It is also known as Q (quinquagintamillesimal) Potency or LM Potency, where L stands for 50 and M stands for millesimal. Dr. Pierre Schmidt coined this term, fifty millesimal because the medicine seems to be decreased by 50,000 times for each degree of dynamization. The potencies prepared are designated as 0/1, 0/2, 0/3 etc or LM/1, LM/2, LM/3 etc.

Historical Background-

During his last decade, Hahnemann pioneered the development of 50 millesimal (LM) potencies, seeking to mitigate the adverse reactions associated with centesimal potencies. This breakthrough approach enabled him to create remedies that were both more gentle and profoundly effective. [2] By February 1842, Hahnemann likely conceptualized the superiority of fifty-millesimal (LM or Q) potencies over centesimal potencies, having gathered significant evidence from 737 observations on their effectiveness. [3] Hahnemann prescribed a total of 1836 Q-potencies. Notably, 1001 of these prescriptions involved 34 different medicines, primarily in the first 10 degrees of potency. [3]

The 5th edition introduced a significant shift: aqueous dilutions in split doses. According to Aphorism 245, once a patient shows marked improvement, further medication should be withheld to allow the healing process to complete uninterrupted. [2] The sixth edition presents Hahnemann’s ‘most perfected method,’ outlined in paragraph 246 [4], designed to reduce side effects and accelerate healing. Key principles include administering the minimum therapeutic dose of a carefully selected remedy in liquid form, with succession before each dose and periodic potency changes. Dr. Pierre Schmidt and Dr. Charles Pahud helped popularize Hahnemann’s refined approach. Schmidt’s 1954 French translation of the Organon’s 6th edition, along with his articles in the British Homeopathic Journal, brought attention to Hahnemann’s later innovations, highlighting the ‘hidden treasures’ of the final edition. [5]

Preparation

All medicinal materials are triturated with sugar of milk upto the 3^rd centesimal scale. One grain of medicine with 1,000,000 grains of sugar of milk is triturated for 3 hours. The strength of this drug is now 1/1,000,000. One grain of this powder is dissolved in 500 drops (1 part alcohol & 4 parts distilled water). The strength of the drug is now 1/500,000,000. That’s how, Mother tincture of this scale is prepared.

One drop of this mother tincture is mixed with 100 drops of pure alcohol in a vial. 100 succussions are given to the vial. 500 poppy sized globules are moistened with this solution and dried quickly. This is the first LM potency, i.e., 0/1 or LM/1.

One globule from this is added to 100 drops of pure alcohol and given 100 sucussions, and we have next potency, i.e., 0/2 or LM/2.

Potencies upto 30^th can be prepared following this method. Each potency will have 1/50,000-part drug strength of the previous potency.

Dispensing of Fifty Millesimal Potency-

One globule of LM potency in a clean bottle with 20 drops of dispensing alcohol is added to distilled water, such that 3/4^th bottle is filled. 

It is advised to succuss this medicinal solution for 8-10 times (according to thesensitivity of patient), and then one spoon of this is mixed to around 4 oz water. From this mixture, 1 spoon is taken by the patient at once and rest is discarded.

Dosage of LM in the three different classifications of disease- [6]

1. In the very urgent cases, repeat every hour or more often
2. In general, acute cases every 2±6 hours
3. In chronic cases every day or less, as needed.

Advantages

LM potency is the most flexible of all methods of performing homeopathy and can be given repeatedly. We can easily adjust the dose so that the dosage and repetition is individual for the patient. It has minimum homoeopathic aggravation, and so can be given to hypersensitive patients.

It is suitable for chronic diseases, as concluded in research study- “50 Millesimal potencies have the potential to give significant improvement (P = 0.01) in the treatment of chronic diseases. There were no cases reported with aggravation. The action of LM potency is not influenced (P = 0.97) by previously used Centesimal potency. Constitutional prescription has proved to have significant (P = 0.01) association with treatment outcome with LM potency, whereas Sector prescription (P = 0.12) does not. Irrespective of age, gender, and duration of illness, 50 Millesimal potencies act advantageously.” [7]

Patients can actively participate in their healing process by adjusting their own dosages based on symptoms. It has a pleasant smell and taste; everyone likes to consume.

Disadvantage-

The process of dispensing is inconvenient.

Standard quality bottles and cork are necessary for long-term preservation of medicinal solution.

Conclusion

Hahnemann worked hard in his last years to discover this ‘renewed dynamization’. As his disciples, we all should follow our master and atleast try to incorporate this potency into our clinical practices. It has many advantages as discussed over centesimal scale and can help us treat many cases which are status quo. Experimentation was the force behind the discovery of homoeopathy. As said, it is an art as well as science. Let’s experiment with this science and become true artists of healing.

REFERENCES 

1. Hahnemann S. Organon of medicine 5th & 6^th edition combined, translated by R.E. Dudgeon & William Boericke. New Delhi: B jain publishers; 2014. P 270.
2. Schepper L. LM potencies: one of the hidden treasures of the sixth edition of the Organon. British Homeopathic Journal 1999; 88:128-134
3. Adler UC, Adler MS. Hahnemann’s experiments with 50 millesimal potencies: a further review of his casebooks. Homeopathy. 2006 Jul;95(3):171-81. doi: 10.1016/j.homp.2006.03.003. PMID: 16815521.
4. Hahnemann S. Organon of medicine 5th & 6^th edition combined, translated by R.E. Dudgeon & William Boericke. New Delhi: B jain publishers; 2014. P 246
5. Vishwanath S. Efficacy of LM Potency in Day Today Homoeopathic Practice. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. 2023 Jul; 4(7):742-747.
6. Hahnemann S. The chronic diseases: their peculiar nature and their homoeopathic cure. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1999. 
7. Abarna S, Venugopal J, Sivaranjani T, Poruthukaren K, Raj P, Suresh S. Evaluating the usefulness of 50 millesimal potencies in the treatment of chronic diseases – A retrospective study. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2015;9:96-101. doi: 10.4103/0974-7168.159535