Death by Homeopathy

[Ian David]

No, I am not talking about homeopathic suicide, which is entirely benign (except to the reputation of homeopathy). Rather, every now and then a prominent case pops up in which someone dies of a treatable condition because they chose (or their caregivers chose) to rely exclusively on homeopathy or some other alternative treatment. Since most homeopathic preparations are literally nothing but water and wishful thinking, they typically do not cause direct toxicity (hence the “homeopathic suicide” stunts of skeptics). Most of the harm from homeopathy comes from something far more insidious – confusing people with appealing medical fairy tales.

These cases also occur on a backdrop of inadequate regulation. Essentially those who wish to make money by practicing medicine without proper training have managed to soften the laws so that they are able to practice medicine without proper training. The usual defenders of consumers against rapacious industry are so beguiled by the touchy-feely rhetoric of promoters, that they have been entirely asleep at the switch. The results are predictable.

The latest case to come to media attention comes from down under – Penelope Dingle from Perth Australia, according to local news reports, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003. Her doctors gave her a good chance of survival with standard therapy – surgery to remove the cancer, and chemotherapy to mop up any loose cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. It is not a pleasant prospect, but with modern care it’s not too bad, and it buys in many cases a greatly improved quality and duration of life. Penelope Dingle, however, chose to refuse all science-based treatment and opted instead for a regimen of diet and homeopathic treatment.

But the story gets more interesting. Her husband is a bit of a media celebrity in Australia – a self-promoting and self-proclaimed expert on toxicology and alternative health. According to reports:


She said she had been told by one of the couple’s close friends that the Dingles had a pact with the homeopath treating Dingle, Francine Scrayen. Under the pact, they agreed that only alternative medicine would be used and Dr Dingle would then write a book about curing his wife’s cancer.

More:
http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=2040

Hat-tip to: http://twitter.com/StuinWA/status/15862802003

[Richard D]

1. Sad story

but then, how many people die from cancer after being treated with the entirety of modern medicine?

[MineralMan]

2. All of them. Everyone dies.

Now, how many people treated for their cancer using modern medical knowledge survive for at least five years? That's the correct question. You might be interested in the numbers. Or not.

Everyone dies.

[tabatha]

3. Modern medicine is getting better in treating cancer.

I know many cancer survivors.

The numbers used to be terrible.

[leftofcool]

7. You bet they are. Survivor here!

[Ian David]

5. Some people just aren't it-getters. n/t

[Kahuna]

6. My mother is a three time cancer survivor. Three different forms of cancer..

and she's still kicking.

[frebrd]

8. K&R! n/t

[LaurenG]

4. How tragic

I think Dr. Dingle needs to rot in jail.

[laconicsax]

9. Death by homeopathy is known in common parlance as "drowning"

But yes, as this article defines it, death by homeopathy is indistinguishable from death by faith-healing (i.e. death from lack of health care).

[HuckleB]

10. K & R.