POONAM VERMA Vs. ASHWIN PATEL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) " Similia Similibus Curantur " (Like Cures Like) is the basis of a system of therapeutics known popularly as Homoeopathy. It is based on the premise that most effective way to treat disease is to use drugs or other agents that produce the symptoms of the disease in healthy persons. This theory had its origin in or about 460 B. C. when the Greek physician, Hippocrates, noted the similarity between the effect of some drugs and the symptoms of the diseases they seemed to relieve. It was, however, in the late 18th Century that this theory was tested and popularised by German Physician, Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann as a new form of therapeutic treatment after six years test study of scores of drugs on himself and others. Ultimately, in 1976, he published his findings in a leading Medical journal under the caption "On a New Principle for Ascertaining the Curative Power of Drugs" which set in motion a process of continued research in all directions including its Pharmacology with the result that Homoeopathy is taught today as a positive science in various Medical Colleges all over the country.

(2.) Respondent No. 1 pursued a 4 years' course in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery and after being declared successful in the Examination conducted by the Homoeopathic Medical College, Anand, Gujarat, he was awarded a Diploma in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery on the basis of which he was registered as a medical Practitioner in 1983. Initially, he joined a private nursing home at Bombay where he worked, as he claims, as ChiefMedical Officer from 1983 till he opened his own private clinic in 1989 and took up private practice.

(3.) Pramod Verma, husband of the appellant, was Sales Manager in M/s Encore Marketing P. Ltd. where the last salary drawn by him is said to be Rs. 5,700/ - out of which he maintained his family comprising of himself, his wife and two children besides supporting the aged parents.