Physicochemical studies of extremely diluted solutions (homoeopathic formulations) of sulphur in ethanol by using volumetric, acoustic, viscometric and refractive index measurements at different temperatures

The homoeopathic medicines are "extremely diluted solutions" showing anomalous behaviour and are obtained through the combination of two processes: a dilution of 1:100 in mass followed by succussion. The densities, rho, ultrasonic speeds, u and viscosities, eta and refractive indices, n(D), of pure ethanol, 15 samples of succussed ethanol controls, 15 formulations of sulphur in unsuccussed ethanol and 15 formulations of sulphur in succussed ethanol have been measured for potencies from 2 C to 30 C (with an interval of 2 C) at 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K and atmospheric pressure. From these experimental data, the isentropic compressibilities, kappa(s), intermolecular free length, L, acoustic impedance, Z, relative association, RA, excess isentropic compressibility, kappa(E)(s) excess intermolecular free length, L-f(E), excess acoustic impedance, Z(E), excess viscosity, eta(E) and excess refractive index, n(D)(E) have been calculated. The results have been qualitatively discussed in terms of interactions/physicochemical behaviour of sulphur in these solutions. The results indicate that even in extreme dilutions the molecules of sulphur may be present in these homoeopathic formulations. Both the presence of sulphur as well as succussion phenomenon is responsible for the variation of the physicochemical properties of these homoeopathic formulations. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.