Final answer:
The method of treating disease with minute amounts of remedies is known as homeopathy. It is different from acupuncture, herbalism, and allopathy, with the latter referring to conventional Western medicine. Homeopathy's effectiveness is a topic of debate within the medical community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method of treating disease with only minute amounts of remedies is known as homeopathy. This form of alternative medicine is based on the idea that substances that produce symptoms in a healthy individual can, when administered in highly diluted amounts, treat similar symptoms in a sick person. This principle is often described as 'like cures like'. Homeopathy is a controversial practice in the medical community as it typically uses remedies diluted to the point where no molecules of the original substance remain, raising questions regarding its efficacy beyond placebo effects.
In contrast, acupuncture is a different type of alternative medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to alleviate pain and treat various health conditions. While it is primarily known for pain relief, inadequate sterilization of needles or improper technique could potentially facilitate exposure to pathogens, posing a risk of infection. These practices are distinct from herbalism (the use of plants for medicinal purposes) and allopathy (a term often used by homeopaths to describe conventional Western medicine).
Hippocrates, Thucydides, and Marcus Terentius Varro all contributed to the understanding of diseases in their respective eras, advocating for natural causes of illnesses and the concept of immunity and pathogens, which are central to the practice of allopathic medicine.