title: [Samuel Hahnemann's mysterious Q-potencies].
abstract: This paper deals with the so-called "mysterious" Q-potencies, the dilution of a substance according to particular augmentation methods, dating back to Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathy. Hahnemann's method consists of a step by step dilution of substances. Until 1837 he only used the C-potency (dilution on the basis 1:00); beginning in 1837-8, he experimented with the Q-potency, or quinquagenimillesimal scale. (Potency on this scale is denoted by 0/1, 0/2, 0/5, 0/10, etc. and generically referred to as 'LM potencies'.) The new method was only documented decades after Hahnemann's death, but without explicit references to his techniques of notation. This is the reason why the Q-potency is still a mystery in Hahnemann's casebooks. This article examines the hidden references to the notations referring to the Q-potency and presents preliminary results.
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000266:history*; D012106:Research / Q000266:history*
vernacular_title: Samuel Hahnemanns "mysteriöse" Q-potenzen.