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Can anyone kindly tell me what is the meaning of allopathic and pre-allopathic?
What is the meaning of allopathic and pre-allopathic?
- Thread starter seasurfer
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Allopathic refers to M.D., as opposed to Osteopathic referring to D.O. Pre-allo has to do with premeds planning on going to M.D. schools and pre-osteo is premeds planning on going to D.O. schools.
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Thanks for replying me, I checked with the dictionany and the meaning is:
allopathic
That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the special disease treated; a term invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as opposed to homeopathy.
Resourse: On-line Medical Dictionary
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?allopathic
And this is why I am very confused. It is a medical term or general term? Or simply has both the meaning.
allopathic
That system of medical practice which aims to combat disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the special disease treated; a term invented by Hahnemann to designate the ordinary practice, as opposed to homeopathy.
Resourse: On-line Medical Dictionary
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?allopathic
And this is why I am very confused. It is a medical term or general term? Or simply has both the meaning.
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"Allopathy" was a term coined by Samuel Hahnemann in, I believe, the early 1900s to describe the practices of "orthodox" medicine. This neither alluded to nor meant that an "allopath" held a certain medical degree, such as an M.D., and this did not mean that allopaths in the early 1900s necessarily used treatments which produced symptoms opposite of those caused by disease -- this interpretation you found is inaccurate.
Hahnemann coined the term "allopathy" because he was a practitioner of "homeopathy," and in fact, I believe Hahnemann is considered the father of homeopathic practice. "Homeopaths" apparent practiced, and still today practice, in the belief that prescribing treatments that mimic the symptoms of disease leads to eventual cure. I have not read much about homeopathy, but understand that this is the root theory of the practice.
Now while allopaths did not necessarily hold an M.D., most of those described as "allopaths" were in fact Doctors of Medicine (M.D.). There were M.D.s of the early 1900s before the birth of scientific medicine who practiced "magnetic healing," "hydrotherapy," and other un-orthodox forms of medical practice.
Today the term "allopathic" refers exclusively to physicians who hold the M.D. degree, and is a term that has pervaded just about every level of American society. US Government websites often refer to M.D.s as "allopathic physicians," as opposed to "osteopathic physicians," which refers exclusively to those holding the D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree.
Hahnemann coined the term "allopathy" because he was a practitioner of "homeopathy," and in fact, I believe Hahnemann is considered the father of homeopathic practice. "Homeopaths" apparent practiced, and still today practice, in the belief that prescribing treatments that mimic the symptoms of disease leads to eventual cure. I have not read much about homeopathy, but understand that this is the root theory of the practice.
Now while allopaths did not necessarily hold an M.D., most of those described as "allopaths" were in fact Doctors of Medicine (M.D.). There were M.D.s of the early 1900s before the birth of scientific medicine who practiced "magnetic healing," "hydrotherapy," and other un-orthodox forms of medical practice.
Today the term "allopathic" refers exclusively to physicians who hold the M.D. degree, and is a term that has pervaded just about every level of American society. US Government websites often refer to M.D.s as "allopathic physicians," as opposed to "osteopathic physicians," which refers exclusively to those holding the D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree.
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Great post ******! Thanks for the information.
I think it's also important to note that terms "allopathic" and "osteopathic" reflect historical origins of these practices; thus the practices themselves should not necessarily be judged based on the etymology of the names. For example, despite the fact that "osteo"=[bone], only about 18% of osteopathic physicians use OMT. Similarly, allopathic physicians may incorporate alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, into their treatments, or utilize diet and exercise modifications instead of drug regiments.
Igor.
I think it's also important to note that terms "allopathic" and "osteopathic" reflect historical origins of these practices; thus the practices themselves should not necessarily be judged based on the etymology of the names. For example, despite the fact that "osteo"=[bone], only about 18% of osteopathic physicians use OMT. Similarly, allopathic physicians may incorporate alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, into their treatments, or utilize diet and exercise modifications instead of drug regiments.
Igor.
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Modern medicine is a result of convergent evolution. In the past, we've had several school of thought, including the guys that read the bumps on your head, the leechers, the herbalists, the body manipulators, etc...
As time passed and scientific knowledge accumulated, different schools of thought either adapted or fell into obscurity. The 2 survivors of this process are the allopaths and osteopaths.
Though I may get flamed for this, there is very little difference between osteopathic and allopathic practice today, as both pull from the same general pool of knowledge as evidenced based medicine becomes more popular.
As time passed and scientific knowledge accumulated, different schools of thought either adapted or fell into obscurity. The 2 survivors of this process are the allopaths and osteopaths.
Though I may get flamed for this, there is very little difference between osteopathic and allopathic practice today, as both pull from the same general pool of knowledge as evidenced based medicine becomes more popular.
