Sir, - I would like to correct (July 4th) Professor Denis Gill's interpretation of the principles of homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies are, for the most part, diluted to the level where no trace of the original substance can be identified (i.e. below Avogadro's number) therefore substances are not introduced to the body in a toxic level. Vaccinations, on the other hand, may contain many millions of the live virus the vaccine is supposed to protect against, plus many other toxins like formaldehyde and thiomersal (a mercury compound) as preservatives.
Vaccinations are, for the most part, introduced directly into the bloodstream, thereby bypassing the body's natural means of defence against an invading pathogen, e.g. the tonsils and protective bacteria of the gut, etc. Remedies are usually given by mouth.
Homeopathic remedies are selected on the basis of each individual's unique signs and symptoms. Vaccinations take no account of the patient's individuality (apart from the presence of allergy history) and current policy aims to treat close to 100 per cent of the population the very same way. - Yours, etc., Paula Byrne,
PRO, Irish Society of Homeopaths,
Dominick Street,
Galway.