Homeopathyistheoldestformofcomplementary（互补的）andalterna...

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Homeopathy is the oldest form of complementary（互补的）and alternative medicines from Europe. It originated with the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755—1843). He came across the cinchona, the bark of a South American tree that was used by the local people to treat fevers. Among the active ingredients in the bark is quinine（奎宁), which is still used to treat malaria. If a healthy person took cinchona, he or she would have symptoms (症状) of malaria. In 1796 and 1810, Hahnemann published essays on the theories of homeopathy: substances that cause illnesses or symptoms in people can be used in small doses as treatment. Supporters of homeopathy viewed it as a safe, patient-centered system. Hahnemann claimed he could cure any and all illnesses using homeopathic principles.

However, the Australian council sought to evaluate this claim once and for all. Their assessment was based on the analysis of 57 published systematic reviews encompassing 176 individual studies, independent evaluation of evidence provided by homeopathy interest groups and the public, and clinical practice guidelines and reports on homeopathy from other governments. Studies were only considered if they were case-controlled, meaning they compared a group of patients receiving homeopathic treatments with a control group. The council who oversaw this review consisted of experts in conventional-based medicine as well as complementary and alternative medicines. As a guideline, for a treatment to be considered effective, it must result in health improvements that cannot be explained by the placebo (安慰剂) effect, these improvements must be meaningful for a person’s overall health and the results have to be seen consistently in several studies. A draft of the report was reviewed by a group of independent experts in complementary medicine research and opened up for public consultation before it was finalized.

Eventually, the council found no reliable evidence that homeopathic treatments were effective. Studies that did find homeopathy to be effective were overall of poor scientific quality, used too few patients or lacked evidence on which to base their conclusions. Rejecting proven medical treatments in favor of homeopathy for chronic or potentially serious conditions could place people at risk. As always, use of homeopathic or other remedies should be discussed with your physician in order to make informed healthcare decisions.

58. We can learn from the passage that homeopathy is a system of medicine in which __________.

A. patients are given very small amounts of a drug that produces symptoms in healthy people

B. patients are evaluated by using very small amounts of the substance causing illness or symptoms

C. patients would have symptoms of malaria if they took cinchona

D. patients relying on homeopathy can explain their health improvements by the placebo effect

59. The underlined word “encompassing” can most probably be replaced by __________.

A. encouraging                B. searching               C. conducting              D. including

60. When evaluating homeopathic treatments, the Australian council was most concerned about _____.

A. the source of the data to be analyzed                B. the criteria of an effective treatment

C. the objectivity and reliability of the evaluation    D. the experts involved in the evaluation

61. Which of the following reasons for the ineffectiveness of homeopathic treatments is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Studies about homeopathic treatments were not scientifically accurate.

B. Hahnemann’s theories about homeopathic treatments got no response.

C. Conclusions of homeopathic treatments were short of solid evidence.

D. Blind use of homeopathic treatments might put people in danger.

【回答】

ADCB

知识点：科普环保类阅读

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