After communication with the Nuclear Physicist, it seems unlikely that any kind of Nuclear Effect could be occurring during the grinding of powders at room temperature. Since the investigation is still at an early stage, and its mechanism enigmatic, a nuclear effect cannot be discounted completely, but will be set aside for the time being.

This allows us to move on to more likely mechanisms for Homeopathy at the chemical level (though this may include physical properties too). The search begins with the Grinding or Trituration process.

There appear to be two alternatives; that the process of trituration is either PASSIVE, where the medicine molecules become very evenly dispersed in the lactose powder, and separate over the three hour process of grinding or,

ACTIVE, where the lactose is participating in some way by interacting with the medicine molecules.

Close attention will be paid to Hahnemann's preparation procedure (Organon 6th Edition). After each hour of grinding, the powders must be kept in tightly-closed glass vials, and out of the light. This suggests instability, usually weak bonding. It is difficult to know whether this supports more an Active or a Passive role of the Lactose.

The end result of the 3-hour Trituration is a 1:1000000 attenuation in powder, and from this just 0.06g is dissolved in 500 drops of an ethanol/distilled water mixture, representing a further 1:50000 dilution. Then, one drop of this solution becomes the starting point for the many dilution/succussion steps in 95% ethanol. At the end of EACH OF THESE STEPS the solution is dripped onto tiny sugar globules, and just one of these globules dissolved in a drop of water is used in the next potentisation step, placed in an empty glass vial and 100 drops of 95% ethanol added. This dilution/succussion process is repeated up to 30 times. The Homeopathic signal is moving between alcohol and sucrose at each step.

Note that Hahnemann specified sucrose not lactose in the potentisation procedure. This meant he had to go to the trouble of having these globules specially made, by a confectioner. This may indicate the need for a property in sucrose, which lactose does not have. On the other hand, it is possible that the only reason sucrose is used because Hahnemann wanted globules of a specific size, and the confectioner can prepare these.

In other words, the sucrose may play a PASSIVE role (like the lactose), i.e., after each potentisation step, the ethanol just settles in, or on, the sucrose - no kind of "effect" transfer between the ethanol and sucrose globules. Sucrose, being an asymmetrical molecule, has some interesting properties, but it seems unlikely that these properties could express themselves if these molecules are not significantly dissolving in the ethanol. Hahnemann may have used Sucrose globules as an intermediary at the end of each step only because, by starting with just one of these globules in the next potentisation step, the ratio of "effect" in sucrose to 100 drops of ethanol was much higher than 1:100.

The "effect" (energy state) carrying the Homeopathic signal therefore settles on sugar tablets and remain there indefinitely (away from heat and light) only to be re-activated when dissolved in water or saliva on the tongue.

If we assume the roles of lactose and sucrose in the preparation to be just PASSIVE, then we should focus on the Ethanol solution, and how the "effect" increases during dilution/succussion.

(But, later, not forgetting the chemical and physical properties of the substances involved in the preparation process : 1. Lactose, 2. Ethanol solution, 3. Sucrose globules, 4. Water)

Regarding the "effect" of Homeopathy, from a logical perspective, it seems that living tissue reserves certain "energy ranges" for higher levels of communication and control (e.g., High level Homeostasis, Perception, Thought, Symptom generation).

Nothing consumed by us for nourishment is ever supposed to be within this reserved "energy range". Any substances that DO operate within that range we call medicines or poisons. The ability to interfere with this high-level communication and control system of the Brain, affecting symptom control, is the SOLE medicinal property of these substances.

Any comments, so far? (I am not a Homeopath but a Biochemist/Physiologist looking for the answer.)

[ 26. July 2003, 09:45: Message edited by: Timokay ]