[Clinical medicine versus homeopathy].

Due to the advance of alternative medicine a critical synopsis by means of the comparison between scientific medicine (clinical medicine) and homeopathy is warranted. The review of studies carried out according to current scientific criteria revealed--at best--a placebo effect of homeopathy. Until now there is no proven mechanism for the mode of action of homeopathy. Sometimes so-called "alternative medicine" prevents effective curative measures. In spite of the justified criticism concerning the technical over-estimation of classical medicine, scientific research should remain the basis of clinical work.