Pathometry, pronounced /pæθˈɒmətri/, refers to the measurement or quantification of disease severity or pathological changes in an organism. It is a combination of the words "pathology" and "-metry," which means "measurement." The "patho" part is pronounced with a short "a" as in "pat" and the "o" is pronounced with the "oh" sound as in "go." The final syllable "-metry" is pronounced with stress on the second syllable and the vowel sound is "i" as in "lit."
Pathometry refers to a form of pseudoscientific or alternative medical practice that claims to diagnose and treat diseases using dowsing or other unconventional methods. This term is primarily used in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and is not recognized or accepted by mainstream medical science.
Those who practice pathometry often assert that various physical symptoms or conditions can be detected and treated through the use of special instruments, such as pendulums or dowsing rods. These practitioners claim to have the ability to detect and analyze subtle energy fields or vibrations in the body, which they believe can reveal imbalances or diseases. They may also use this approach to recommend specific treatments or therapies, ranging from dietary changes and herbal supplements to energy healing techniques.
While some individuals may find pathometry intriguing or may claim to have experienced positive results, there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness or validity of this practice. Critics argue that any perceived benefits are likely due to the placebo effect or other non-specific effects, rather than any actual diagnostic or therapeutic abilities of the method itself.
Overall, pathometry remains a controversial and unproven approach to healthcare that lacks scientific validation and should be approached with skepticism.
Determination of the proportionate number of individuals affected with a certain disease at a given time, and of the conditions leading to an increase or decrease in this number.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "pathometry" is a combination of two root words: "patho" and "metry".
1. "Patho" is derived from the Greek word "pathos" (πάθος), which means "suffering", "experience", or "disease". It is often used in medical and scientific terminology to refer to the study or understanding of diseases or abnormal conditions. It is also related to words like pathology, pathological, and pathogen.
2. "Metry" is derived from the Greek word "metron" (μέτρον), meaning "measure" or "meter". It is commonly used in the formation of words related to measurement, quantification, or evaluation.
When combined, "pathometry" therefore refers to the measurement or assessment of diseases, abnormalities, or experiences of suffering.