We studied the influence of a moderate homeopathically prepared thyroxine dilution (final concentration in the basin water 10–¹³ parts by weight) on the metamorphosis of lowland Rana temporaria which had been hyperstimulated with thyroxine. Two groups of animals were pretreated by immersing them in a molecular thyroxine dilution (10–⁸ parts by weight). This pretreatment speeds up development, as is well known. In accordance with the homeopathic/isopathic idea of detoxication or cure, the same hormone was then diluted and agitated in successive steps for further treatment. This homeopathically prepared dilution was administered at 24-hour intervals to one of the groups. An analogously prepared blank solution was used for the control group. Our hypothesis, which was derived from earlier studies, was that animals treated with the test solution would metamorphose more slowly than the control animals, i.e. that the homeopathically prepared thyroxine would have a ‘curative’ effect. In this new series of experiments this hypothesis was examined by 3 independent researchers. In the experiments carried out by 2 of the 3 researchers the number of animals that reached the fourlegged stage at defined points in time was smaller in the group treated with homeopathically prepared thyroxine. In the third laboratory no difference was found between the groups. However, the overall inhibiting effect was statistically significant and more pronounced than in earlier, less promising studies and in parallel experiments in which nonprestimulated animals had been used. Other studies carried out by the 3 researchers involved animals from highland biotopes, where the natural environment probably induces a greater sensitivity towards thyroxine or higher thyroxine levels. These animals reacted to the homeopathically prepared thyroxine with a slowing down of metamorphosis, even when they had not been prestimulated with a molecular dose of the hormone. This effect was observed in all 3 laboratories and is consistent with the results of previous studies.

The influence of a homeopathic high dilution of gibberellic acid on wheat growth was studied at different seasons of the year. Seedlings were allowed to develop under standardized conditions for 7 days; plants were harvested and stalk lengths were measured. The data obtained confirm previous findings, that ultrahigh diluted potentized gibberellic acid affects stalk growth. Furthermore, the outcome of the study suggests that experiments utilizing the bioassay presented should best be performed in autumn season. In winter and spring, respectively, no reliable effects were found.

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Background: Studies performed in 5 laboratories have shown that homeopathically prepared highly diluted thyroxin (10-30 = 30x) slowed down metamorphosis of highland amphibians. Metamorphosis of lowland amphibians, however, could be slowed down by a low dilution of thyroxin (10-8 = 8x) if animals had been artificially pretreated with thyroxin. Objective: To combine the advantages of using animals from highland biotopes and hyperstimulation prior to treatment. Animals and Methods: Rana temporaria from an alpine biotope were pretreated in an aqueous molecular thyroxin dilution (10-8 parts by weight, hyperstimulation). This is supposed to accelerate metamorphosis. In accordance with the homeopathic idea of detoxification or cure, one group of these hyperstimulated animals was then treated with thyroxin 30x, and another group with water 30x. Experiments were performed by 4 independent researchers. Results: As a trend, the thyroxin-30x animals metamorphosed more slowly than the water-30x animals. The number of thyroxin-30x animals that reached the 4-legged stage at defined points in time was slightly smaller at some but not all points in time, compared to control. This is in line with previous findings and can be discussed as an interesting result. Contrary to our working hypothesis, however, differences were not bigger than in the previous experiments in which animals had not been pretreated with thyroxin 10-8. Conclusion: This study supports previous findings but does not prove the assumption that pretreatment of highland animals with molecular thyroxine improves the original protocol.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate burnout among physiotherapists in hospitals within four health districts in South Tyrol (the German and Italian speaking area of Italy). Method: Data were collected anonymously by envelope. The German version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-D) ( Büssing and Perrar, 1992 ; Büssing and Glaser, 1998 ), socio-demographic, occupational data, the use of clinical supervision or support and the desire for emotional distance and closeness to clients were recorded. Questionnaires were sent to 191 physiotherapists in South Tyrol; and 132 participated in the study (return rate 69.63%). Results: In the MBI-D, which contains three scales: ‘emotional exhaustion’, ‘depersonalisation’ and ‘personal accomplishment’; the risk of burnout is reflected in high values in the emotional exhaustion and the depersonalisation scales and low values in personal accomplishment. The present study found that about 35% of the physiotherapists who responded to the questionnaire showed burnout risk in emotional exhaustion, 18% in depersonalisation and 14% in personal accomplishment. This is in agreement with many other studies conducted among health professionals. Gender differences were observed only on the depersonalisation scale, with men scoring higher than women. No differences were found regarding length of stay in the profession. Only one third of physiotherapists are offered clinical supervision or support by their employer but about 50% of physiotherapists sought psychological support. The use of supervision or support was 2.72 times more likely when available at work than not. Contrary to expectations, the impact of supervision or support did not reach significance in the burnout scales. The desire for more closeness is predicted by gender (male), higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, and the desire for more distance is predicted by higher emotional exhaustion. Conclusions: More attention to mental hygiene and support in the workplace and during training would help to prevent burnout among physiotherapists, and benefit the profession, patients and organisations.