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1 2 3

>e.

SCI]

HOMKOPAT

BLACK

LECTUKE

ON THE

HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

==5=^^'

AND THK

SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY

BY R. J. SMITH, M.D.,

HOMKOPATHIC PhYHIOIAN AND SURQKOV, 35 KiNO St., EaST, TORONTO.

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL REQUEST.— PRICE TJd.

8KB LAST PAGK Or COVSR.

TORONTO:

BLACKBURN'S CITY STEAM PRESS, 63 YONGE STREET

1857.

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LECTURE

f]'l^

ON THI

HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

AND THE

SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY.

BY 11. J. SMITH, M. T).

.yj,.

A'^^

Ladies and Gentlemen : —

The era in which we live is distinguished for its vaai discoveries,
and its astonishing development of knowledge. We constantly
hear of the inarch of intellect, the progress of science, and the
perfection of the arts. The light of science is pouring upon us a
bi'ightness, at times, which, for a season, we are incapable of
comprehending.

The arts seem to grow out of the necessities of man, while the
sciences appear to arise from his intellectual improvement, and fol-
low the cultivation of the arts of civilization, or, as it has been
beautifully observed, " the arts are the oiFspring of necessity, while
the sciences are the fruits of ease and leisure."

Art has been defined as the power of doing something which is
not taught by nature or instinct ; it involves the idea of learning,
or improvement in knowledge ; while the term science implies a
positive knowledge o*^ the principles on which art is based, and the
reasons of phenomena — the why and the wherefore — "certainty
grounded on demonstration."

Man in the state of infancy, is the most helpless and defenceless
of all created beings ; Le is not furnished by nature with covering
to protect him from the inclemencies of the weather, without the
means of attack or defence, destitute of the endowments of instinct
to guide him in the selection of his food, and deprived of many of
the qualifications granted to the inferior animals. But he is en-
riched with capacities of intellect, which far more than compensates
him for the loss of those conveniences and securities of the earlier
stages of his existence. This intellectual capacity, prompted by
the necessities of his situation, and accompanied by his natural

2 LErTTlRK ON TlIK HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

doHire to seek relief from ill«, iiiid to supply defeets, enables him to
rise above hia wants, mid draw around him comforts and enjoyraentH
unknown to instinct, and far beyond the gratification of mere ani-
mal existence. And above all, he is the special object of Divine
favor and enjoys the benefits arising out of the family relation.

Out of man's peculiar situation in the world, arises the necessity
of the useful arts. His state of destitution in regard to covering
and a place of shelter, naturally suggests the necessity of clothing
and a dwelling to protect him from the vicissitudes of the weather,
the change of seasons, the variations of climates, and the ravages of
beasts of prey. The state cf his organizations, very significantly
prompts him to seek expedients of converting the natural stores of
animal and vegetable production into savoury food. The same dis-
position of mind, when assailed by disease, would prompt him to
search for a remedy. And thus, step by step, does man's inventive
genius carry him forward from the discovery of one useful art to
another, until all his original wants are supplied, and a great
degree of comfort and independence attained, and he characterized
the lord of creation.

At what period in the history of the world the human frame
became first subject to the incursions of bodily disease is unknown ;
as is also the nature of the first suffering induced. But we may
safely infer, as man advanced in the arts of civilization, he became
more and more exposed to morbid influences, and probably at a
very early period of his existence became the subject of diseases
from noxious food, accidental causes, &c. IJe the time of incursion
of diseases in the human family when it may, and be the kind of
suffering what it may, efl'orts to obtain relief, would be perfectly
natural, and we may reasonably conjecture that the practice of
medicine and surgery, is almost coeval with the existence of man.
Judging from circumstances which probably attended the early
population of the world, and the simplicity of the mode of life of
the inhabitants, we may conclude that the disease of the earliest
times were mild and uncomplicated in their nature, and admitted of
easy relief ; corresponding in no small degree, to the inexperience
of the times and the limited knowledge of remedial agents.

What is called the conjectural existence of medicine, or the time
which elapsed from the period when disease made its first attack
upon man, until the first record of its treatment by medicine is
made, reaches down to the history of the Egyptians. Egypt has
ever been considered by most writers of antiquity as the nursery of
the arts and sciences. For many centuries after the cessation of
fabulous history, and the beginning of trustworthy records of the
times, do we find philosophers of other countries resorting to Egypt,
in order to gain access to her Priesthood, which was considered the
principal depository of the mysteries of the age. It was in Egypt

AND TUr. SCIENCE OP HOMEOPATHY.

that mediciuo first beciime an object of study, but we are still in
doubt, how far it was the object of pursuit by a particular class of
men. The supposition in highly probable that the cure of diseases
in those early periods of antiquity, was conjoined to the priestly
office, and not yet erected into a separate calling, and made the
•special study and pursuit of a class of men, called physicians.

From all we can learn of the ancient Egyptian priesthood, we
may conclude that a considerable portion of their learning consisted
in a dexterous management of the arts of magic and incantations,
and that a large share of their reputed success in the treatment of
disease, may be set down to the superstition and gullability of their
patients. These and similar means have more or less been used in
all countries and all ages, by designing men, to gain influence over
their victims; and the history of medicine furnishes abundant evi-
dence of their success.

In the earliest accounts of the treatment of diseases, we find it
recorded that particular persons undertook to cure particular dis-
eases only, and that some took charge of particular parts of the body.
A course indicating either that especial attention was paid to the
study of disease, and its treatment, or that their knowledge was
limited, and their remedies few and empirically applied.

The accounts of the rise and progressive improvement of medi-
cine in different countries, as given by historijiLS, differ very little
from each other. If we attempt to trace back its history to the
remotest antiquity among the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians,
or Grecians, in either case we are led to the recital of fabulous
stories about the deeds of some supernatural beings who are honored
as the agents of introducing the divine art of healing from the
gods themselves. Thus it is said of iEsculapius, that he was the
son of Apollo, that he possessed the skill necessary to restore life
to the dead, and that his death was brought about by a thunderbolt
from Jupiter, which was provoked by his having deprived Pluto of
his authority. Divine honors were paid to iEsculapius after his
death, as the god of medicine. The profession of medicine became
hereditary in the family, and his descendants for eight centuries
were invested with the priestly office.

Very little improvement took place in medicine, so long as those
who practiced the healing art acquired the right, by hereditary
descent. About six hundred years before the Christian era, Pytha-
goras made his appearance in the world, and applied himself to the
study of Anatomy and Physiology : and no doubt far exceeded his
predecessors and compeers, in his knowledge of medicine. About
this time medicine first emerged from the gloom of superstition and
priestly domination, and took its position in the world, as an object
of study for the common people.

4 LECTURE ON THE IIISTORY 0¥ MEDICINE,

A little more than four hundred years before the ('hristlan em,
Hippocrates was born. He applied himself to the study of medi-
cine, and by introducing a new method of investigation, effected a
total revolution in both opinions and practice, and maintnincd an
unrivalled authority over the minds of his successors in medicine
for six centuries. He is called the Father of Medicine. Many
of his descriptions of disease, and the correctness of his diaguosi.s,
and of his prognosis, give evidence of an extent of knowledge of
symptom, their discrimination and termination, which has not been
surpassed in more modern times. He left a number of works
behind him, and many of them in nearly a perfect state. During
the prevalence of his authority, writers chiefly occupied themselves
in elucidating his doctrines and commenting upon his writings. The
doctrine of crises and critical days in diseases, formed an important
part of the pathology of Hippocrates. And many modern authors
would have saved themselves much credit as correct observers of
the phenomena of disease, and rendered much essential service to
the profession, by following more closely the course indicated by
this great master. He is the author of clinical medicine, and was
the first writer to accurately note down the symptoms of disease, so
that they could be recognized by his description. The result of
all his labors in the cause of humanity and medicine, was the
establishment of a rational empyricism in the healing art. He
aimed at nothing higher, and he acccomplished nothing more.
Medicine was practised as an art, without a sign of the principles
of a science.

For several centuries after the death of Hippocrates, the study
of medicine remained stationary, without advancement or improve-
ment. His followers contented themselves with studying his pre-
cepts and reducing the doctrines which he taught to practice, in
the treatment of disease. Although many illustrious men,
eminent for learning and talents, arose within the first few centuries
after the death of Hippocrates, and wrote voluminous works on
medicine and other branches of philosophy, yet no one seems to
have called in question the truthfulness of his doctrines, or made
an attempt to disturb the calm which prevailed over the entire face
of medicine for about six hundred years.

About the middle of the second century after the Christian era,
Galen, a man of extraordinary powers of mind, arose, and in his
turn challenged the supremacy of the doctrines of his predecessors,
subdued all opposition to his dogmas, and retained the confidence
of the medical world in triumph, for more than a thousand years.
He wrote more than two hundred treatises on subjects connected
with medicine. The weight of his influence and the extent of his
writings, seemed to repress all further attempt at improvement in
either theory or practice, for the period just named. His Bucces-

AND THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY.

Koivs, liko those of Hippocrates, did not dare to look for truth beyond
the limits which ho proscribed for the domain of the healinp; art.
Although his knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology far exceeded
the knowledge of his predecessors and coteniporaries, yet it is very
((uestionable whether the practice deduced from his theories, was
as successful in the treatment of disease as was that of Hippocrates,
The doctrines of Galon are greatly uiixed up with abstruse specu-
lations about the cause of disease, and cijually absurd hypotheses
about the action of remedies. While Hippocrates seemed to apply
himself more to the correct observation of phenomena, and to adopt
such medical hypotheses as were deducible from facts, and thus
endeavour to establish a method of cure, in which reasoning was
always subordinate to experience.

Until the conclusion of the reign of these two great sovereigns in
medicine, no matter what changes of opinion took place, dogmatism
prevailed in all the schools, until, through the labours of Aviceuna
and his compeers of the twelfth century, the resources of chemistry
were brought into exercise.

About this time a new era dawned upon the world, and hence-
forward medicine received great accessions from the collateral
sciences. After the re .ival of letters and the discovery of the art
of printing, the portals of the sciences generally seems to have been
thrown open to an inquiring world. The illiberality of ancient
times, and the superstitions of the dark ages, were both checked by
the light of truth which now dawned upon the common mind. All
the natural sciences began to be studied anew, and the benefits of
their knowledge applied to the good of society.

Connected with the reformation and advancement of the study
of medicine, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century, we have
the names of Avicenna, Paracelsus, Harvey, Brown, Sydenham
(the English Hippocrates,) Stahl, Bcerhaave, Hoffman, Van Hel-
mont. Van Swieten, Haller and many others.

After awarding to these worthies all the honors due to their ser-
vices and lives of toil, when we look for the practical result of all
their labors upon the application of remedies to the cure of disease,
we are astonished at the littleness of the progress made in the
practice of medicine. The dogmatism of the ancients at last gave
way, only to make room for the theoretical speculations of the
moderns.

During the third epoch in medicine, extending from the twelfth
to the middle of the eighteenth century, systems rose and fell about
as often as the celebrated teacher came on the stage, was buoyed up
for a while by some prominent school, and then died to make room
for his successor. Change succeeded change, different theories
gave rise to difference iv. practice, giving full proof of what I am en-

LKCTURJi ON THE HIHTOUY OF MEDICI NK,

(Icavouring tn bring proniiuoutly to view, namely : tliat medicine
was Ktill practiced as an art. Although by virtue of its connection
with (Iliemistry, Uotuny aiul other natural BcienccH, medicine wa.s
dignified with the name of science, yet there was no known Imn to
serve aH a biisis upon which an enduring superstructure could be
reared for the apjilication of medicine to the cure of disease.

(Continental Europe, England, Scotknd and our own country,
have ciicli given rise to stars of genius and renown in medicine,
which have glittered for a season, mounted to their zenith and gone
out. In some instances, the professor, who was father to some
popular system of doctrine, has outlived his offspring theory, and
been called to witness to the ascendancy of a successful rival.

The frequent changes of theory, and the consequent changes in
practice, century after century, aftord iucontestible evidence of the
truth of the remark just made, namely, that there was no known
natural law, which was universally acknowledged in medicine. —
But if there are immutable laws or governing principles in every
other branch of science with which we are acquainted, why should
there not be in medicine, which is to man the most important of
all sciences y For if it be true, that in the creation of everything,
use is intended, and the degreo of importance of the thing created
is to be estimated according to the greatness of the end to be
accomplished, then, well may the subject of medicine and its
collateral sciences comnuind our utmost attention.

Man, the noblest work of creation, was made healthy, with
sufficient duties and labors assigned him, to employ all the time,
and exhaust all the energies of a healthy body and mind. He has
many and important duties in this life to perform, but the great end
of his existence here must be looked for in another state of being.
In view of the high destiny to which he is called, he could not
have been created to drag out a miserable existence of three score
years and ten in this world, under the accumulated weight of
hereditary and acquired disease of centuries, a burden to himself,
and an incumbrance to his fellows, without hope of rescue, and
then migrate to a state of annihilation ! We now behold him sub-
ject to disease, yet surrounded by medicinal substances belonging
to the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, which if judiciously
applied in the treatment of his disorders, are capable of restoring
him to health.

As was said before, in every other department of science we
recognize fixed laws. For example, see Natural Philosophy,
Chemistry, Botany, Mathematics, Astronomy, Music, &c. And is
it reasonable to suppose that in the application of medicine to
the cure of uisease, we are left without chart or compass to direct
our way 'i

AND THE «ClENCr, OK HOMEOPATH V. 7

Thank JIchvoh, this loupj sought law in niodicinc is no longer a
subject of int'oronco. Within tlio three; hi8t quarters of u century
it has boon revealed to ninn, and the Honioopathic School of Medi-
cine, with her thousands of physicians and millions <»f recipients,
fully rc(M)gnises the universality of its applitabiliiy to the cure of
disease. Many men who richly deserve to be classed with the great
and good, labored and toiled through their lives long to perfect the
practice of their beloved profession, but it was reserved for our
illustrious founder, Samuel Hahnemann, to expound and pub-
lish to the world the law expressed in the words '* simi/in, similihvA
curantur' — " like cures like." lie was the honored instrument in
the hands of Providence, of discovering this law, and instituting a
system of cure, based upon it, at once mild and efficient in the
treatment of disease.*

To Paracelsus of the 16th century, is due the credit of having
first suggested the true therapeutic principle, lie learned that
medicines can cure only diseases analagous io those which they are
capable of producing. The brilliant intellect of Stahl, also distinctly
recognised the truth of " Himilia similihua curantuVf' and pointed
out its advantages over the then universal law of cure, ^^ contra ria
contrarim opjtoncndd," had he, or Paracelsus before him adopted
the course of Hahnemann, in experimenting with drugs, in health
and in disease, and by this means accumulated a sufficiency of facts
— the incontrovertible arguments in sustaining any theory — Ho-
meopathy would long since have been the only system of medicine.

Both these reformers were possessed of gigantic intellects — genius
indeed of the highest order — and the most exalted moral courage
which enabled them to disregard the ex-cathedra dogmas of anti-

* Samuel Hahnemann was born at Meissen, in Saxony, on the 10th of
April, 1755. At the age of twenty years, with twenty crowns in his pocket
he set out for Leip.sic, to study Medicine. He maintained himself by giving
private instruction in Greek and French, and by translating English works
into German. After studying the elementary branches of medicine in the
Leipsic school, he spent a year in the Hospital at Vienna, and afterwards
another year at. Eriangen, where he took his degree in 1779. Soon after
entering upon his profession, he became dissatisfied with the prevalent
mode of treating diseases, because of its uncertainty, and he left the beaten
path of medicine. In 1790, he discovered the great Homeopathic Law,
^'■aimilia aimilibua curaniur," and from this time forward, he labored assidously
to develope the principles of his new discovery, and reduce them to practice
in the treatment of disease. He took medicine himself, and induced others
to take it in a state of health, in order to ascertain their positive effects. —
The effects thus obtained, were his guide in the selection of the remedy for
any given case. He had ascertained that medicines cure only diseases an-
alagous to those which they are themselves capable of producing. His
fame is world-wide, and his success without a parallel. He died in his
eighty-ninth year, full of professional honors.

I '

8 LECTURE ON THE HISTORY OP MEDICINE,

(juity ', but tlicy lacked that patient, and self-sacrificing devotion in
pursuit of facts, and that unbounded benevolence and love of man-
kind, which so signally characterised the career of Hahnemann.
To him therefore should be rendered all the honor of this mighty
achievement in medicine.

The weif;;ht of gieat names, and the dop'mas of schools, have
always interposed difficulties in the way of improvement in medicine
Any man who had the genius to discern, and the courage to publish
to the world an important discovery, and the more important the
worse for him, was sure to call down the anathemas of these potent
authorities upon his devoted head. Witness the persecution meted
out to Harvey, for the discovery of the circulation of blood ; to
Jenner, for his discovery of the protective power of vaccination
against tlio loathsome, and destructive small pox. After reviewing
the conduct of the profession in the past towards the real pillars of
the healing art, we need not be surprised at the treatment which
the immortal Hahnemann received at the hands of the dogni;»tists in
medicine.

It was the labors of this greatest of medical philosophers of
modern times, by the development of the great therapeutic law
above mentioned, which elevated the practical application of
remedies to the cure of disease, from a mere art to the character of
a true science.

And the return made to h'm for this mighty achievement, and
most important service to his race, by the body of the profession, has
been obloquy and reproach ; and to those who maintain his doctrines
at the present, proscription and misrepresention. Talent and the
liighest order of genius have, in too many instances, failed to exon-
erate some of the greatest benefactors of our race from the
reproachful charge of imposture. In evidence of this, the course
which the profession at large have pursued toward Hahnemann and
Homeopathy, has added one more page of deep disgrace to the
history of medical men. Although what has just been said is
strictly true, whcL applied to the profession generally, yet there
are found many honorable exceptions when the remark is applied
to individual members of the profession.

We must not conclude, however, that all the opposition of men
of the allopathic school, for opinion's sake among themseves, is
directed against homeopathy ; for we find them equally as much
embittered against each other, when occasion occurs for the exhibi-
tion of the real state of feeling in their own rank as they are against
us.

Homeopathy has nothing to fear from its enemies of the old
school ; the appeal has been made unto Caesar — the people. And
who has a better right to decide a question of this kind when

1^ ■

AND THE SCIENCE OP IIOMEOrATIlY.

doctors disagree, than the people, seeing that the profession is for
the people, and not the people for the profession.

It is now too late in the history of the world to proscribe a niiiii
on account of his opinions, or even reject his opinions without
investigation. Wo have a prolific and tree press through which
every thing of general interest finds its way to the people, and
now a days every body reads and thinks and talks. The favoured
few, no longer have the privilege of manufacturing opinions for
the many. There is an evident tendency of the common mind, to
inquire into the nature of new discoveries, and if possible '^ocomc
acquainted with their principles and claims to confidence.

When we consider the expansion of knowledge generally, and
the accession of science, which have taken place since, or a few
years previous to the discovery of the great homeopathic law, it
ceases to be a matter of surprise, that the subject of medicine
should have shared so largely of the spirit of improvement, and
undergone the revolution just alluded to, in consecjuence of the
application of the great therapeutic law recognized by our school, to
the cure of disease. Indeed, when we look back upon the history
of medicine, we arc struck with astonishment, that its practice
should have resisted the spirit of improvement so long, a period of
one thousand years.

The natural sciences, within a century past, have undergone
almost a new creation, and Medicine, notwithstanding the efforts of
its antiquarian protectors, could not resist the flood of light poured
in upon it from the collateral sciences. It has shared largely in the
advancement made in almost every department of human knowledge
within the period just named. The Linnncan system of classification
of the subjects of Natural History, which has done so much towards
the improvement of the various departments of science, has been
instituted since. The doctrine of the regular succession of the
stratified masses constituting the crust of the globe, and forming
the foundation of the modern science of Geology, has been delivered
and settled within the same period. In Astronomy, many discov-
eries have recently been made. Many departments of mathematical
and physical science, which scarcely had -*n existence before, and
some of which wer^ absolutely unknown, have of late years risen to
great importance. Klectricity has assumed a form in science and
been made subservient to the arts, in a manner altogether distinct
and very far in advance of that which it bore previously. The
entire science of Galvanism, which has exerted so great an influence
on that of chemistry, as well in theory as in practice, and given rise
to so many discoveries, has risen into being since. The true nature
of thunder and lightning was unknown before.

To name all the discoveries made in chemical science, within the
last century, we would be obliged to particularize almost every

i.F.rrvwF. ON THE history or .aikdicink,

principle that is ])u.sitiv(!ly known, liut it will answer our purpose
for the present, to name a few of those diseoveries. Such as the
constitution of the atmosphere, the composition of water, tlie
principles of caloric, and the radiation of heat, the science of crystal-
ography, and the doctrine of definite proportions, or the atomic
theory. 3Iany substances then believed to be simple bodies, arc
known to be compomids. Two-thirds of all metals known, have
been discovered since. The polarization of lipht, which holds an
important relation to thr, science of optics lias been discovered
within a few years. And optical instruments are undergoing won-
derful improvements every day. The use of the microscope in its
improved condition, promises to open to us new fields of science,
heretofore unexplored.

The use of the steam engine has been pressed into the service of
man within a comparatively short period. And to cap the climax
of discovery in these departnsents of science, comes up the magnetic
telegraph.

One hundred years ago, nay, forty years since, horse power and
speed was the most expeditious means in use, for conveying intelli-
gence and merchandize from one part of our country to another. —
Soon after, the steam-boat made its appeai'ance on our water courses,
and then the animated steam car was seen puffing along the ironed
track, at a rate of speed far beyond all precedent in this or any
previous age. These discoveries and improvements were great in
their day, but they have ceased to strike us with astonishment, for
now we send our thoughts in hieroglyphics by the lightning's flash.

While these discoveries and improvements haxe been going on
in science, the wonder-working power of the human mind has not
been confined to it alone. But the arts also have demanded and
received great accessions. The improvements of machinery and the
application of the science of chemistry to the arts, have advanced
them beyond all calculation. The certain knowledge of the science
of colors, has taken the place of guess work in dyeing, and of expo-
sure to the atmosphere, and the consumption of time in bleaching.
The Jenny, the Throstle and the Mule, have been substituted for
the ancient distaff and spinning wheel. The wind out-travelling
Locomotive, has superseded its slow moving predecessors, the stage
coach and Conestoga waggon. And we are lost in astoni&hment,
when we consider the increase within a short period, of the facilities
for the dissemination of knowledge afforded by the press. Calcu-
lation here can hardly keep pace with improvement.

luom the hasty review just taken, we may justly conclude that
more useful discoveries, and greater advancement in science and
the arts have been made within the last few years, than have taken
place in the same length of time in any part of the previous history

»AN'I) THE SCIENCE Q¥ HOMEOPATHY,

of the world. And wo perceive witli joy, that the light of science
has at hist penetrated the deep and dark recesses of the speculative
theories of the Practice of Medicine, and dissipated the long cher-
ished superstitions of the Old School.

]Jut it is a source of deep regret that media' hc has not, formerly,
kept pace with the other arts of life. Sir "William Knighton, who
stood at the head of his profession, and who was nioroover physician
to George JV. King of I'higland, in one of his private letters pub-
lished after his death, touching this point, says: "It is somewhat
strange that, though in many arts and sciences, improvement has
advanced in a step of regular progression from the first, in others it
has kept no pace with time ; and we look back to ancient excellence
with wonder not unmixed with awe. Medicine seems to be one of
those ill-fated arts, whose improvement bears no proportion to its
antiquity. This is lamentably true, although Anatomy has been
better illustrated, the Materia Medica enlarged, and Chemistry
better understood."

AVe might give a volume of extracts of this character, from those
highly distinguished in their profession ; but we have not now the
time, nor would it be wholly befitting this occasion.

In the FIRST place we shall take occasion to show that one of the
chief causes why the science of Medicine has not kept pace in its
progress, with the other arts of life, is, that every new step has been
met with virulent opposition ; it has been treated as an innovation^
it has been denounced as emjiiricisni, as quackery.

A query naturally arises here. If the principles of the Homeo-
pathic system are really so obvious and well established, why is it
that the whole medical profession have not adopted it ? To give
a full answer to this question would require a lecture by itself. It
must suffice here to say, that several causes, such as natural indo-
lence — the dread of being obliged to go into new trains of laborious
investigations, the pride of learning — an unwillingness to
acknowledge that others have learned what they do not know ; a
veneration for old and supposed established doctrines ; the reputed
weakness of credulity, which can be easily induced to believe new
things, with the supposed dignity of unbelief, have all conspired,
in every age, to deter men from adopting, and to produce resistance
to new discoveries.

It took a hundred years before Harvey's discovery of the circu-
lation of blood was generally acknowledged.

How were the teachings of the immortal Harvey, in regard to
circulation first received ? They were treated with irony and
contempt, and a torrent of persecution followed him through life.
He was, in derision, called the Circulator ! a word in the Jjatin
meaning quack or vagabond. The united efibrts of his enemies to

LECTUlvK ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

iil.i

destroy him, were so far successful, that lie lost the greater part of
his practice.

The eminent men of Rome and Greece, the schools of Egypt
and Arabia, the great anatomical teachers of the middle ages, were
ignorant of the circulation of blood, and it was not till the seven-
teeth century that it was understood and demonstrated by Harvey.
The same College of Physicians, who, in after years, opposed the
improvements of Montague and Jenncr, made the circulation of
the blood the subject of their bitterest satire, and many refused to
meet him in consultation, a practice which is scrupulously im'tated
by many of their brethren at the present time. But Harvey lived
to neutralke the malice of his enemies, and became physician to
the two first En^jrlish kings of the Stewart race, James and Charlen.

In the time of Francis I. it was customary to stop the blood after
amputating a limb, by applying boiling pitch to the bleeding stump;
AmbroFf* Pare, principal surgeon to that king, introduced the
ligature as a substitute ; he tied the arteries. And what was his
reward ? He was ridiculed and howled down ! and by whom ? —
Why by the Faculty of Physicians, who hooted at the idea of
hanging human life upon a thread, when boiling pitch had served
the purpose for centuries. In vain did he plead the success of the
ligature, and the agony of boiling pitch. They pursued him with
the most heartless rancor.

When antimony was first introduced as a medicine, by Parcelsus,
the French Parliament, at the instigation of the College of
Physicians, passed an act making it j^enal to prescribe it. Yet
who, at present, disputes its value as a medicine, when properly
administered ?

The curative power of cantharic'os, in dropsy, was discovered by
Dr. Groenvelt, in 1693. But the Doctor was soon committed to
Newgate, by a warrant from the President of the College of
Physicians, for administering cantharides internally !

Inoculation for small-pox, previously to the discovery of vaccina-
tion, was found greatly to mitig-ate that loathsome disease. Lady
Mary Montague, who had witnessed its success in Turkey, was the
first to introduce it into England. But how was it received ? She
came possessed of the facilities of rank, talent, beauty, genius, and
sex, yet, she was the sharer of the common reward of the great
benefactors of the human race, namely, persecution and reproach !
Lord WharncliflF, the distinguished gentleman who wrote her life,
says : " Lady Mary protested that in the four or five years imme-
diately succeeding her arrival at home, she seldom passed a day
without repenting of her patriotic undertaking; and she vowed she
never would have attempted it if she had foreseen the ve -tion,
the persecution, and even the obloquy it brought upon her. The

AND THE SCIENCE OP IIOMEOrATIIY.

clamors raised against the practice, uud of course against her, were
beyond belief. The faculty all rose in arms to a maa, foretelling
failure and the most disastrous consequences ; the clergy descanted
from their pulpits on the impiety of thus seeking to take events out
of the hands of Providence ; and the common people were taught
to hoot at her as an unnatural mother who had risked the lives of
her own children. We now read in grave Medical Biography,
that the discovery was instantly hailed, and the method adopted by
the principal members of the profession. Very likely they left
this recorded ; for, whenever an invention or a project, and the
same may bo said of a person, has made its way so well by itself, as
to establish a certain reputation, most people are sure to find out
tliat they always patronized it from the beginning, and a happy gift
of forgetfulness enables many to believe their own assertion. But
what says Lady Mary of the actual fact and actual time ? Why,
" that thefour great physicians deputed by the government to watch
the progress of her daughter's inoculation, betrayed not only such
incredulity as to its success, but such an unwillingness to have it
succeed, such an evident spirit of rancor and malignity, that she
never cared to leave the child alone with them one second, lest it
should in some secret way suffer from their interference."

Vaccination, the discovery of the immortal Jennci-y which has
been of such incalculable value to mankind, like other discoveries,
was received with ridicule and contempt. Jcnncr was taunted and
oppressed j and the Royal College of Physicians refused to grant
him their license to practice his profession in London, even after
the value of vaccination had been admitted. The tide of opposition
did not stop here. The Bible and religious pretensions were made
engines of attack against him. Not only did some of the clergy
unite their ordinary influence with the Medical Profession against
him, denouncing it as a quackery, but endeavored to prove from
the Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers of the Church, that
vaccination was verily Antichrist.

Is it a marvel that medical science should have been so tardy in
its progress, when environed by such contingencies? We have
made the foregoing observations for the purpose of showing what
obstacles may be expected to intercept the advancement of every and
any new principle that may be discovered ; and furthermore, for
the purpose of showing that opposition, irony and bitterness, fronj
the profession, is no certain proof that it is error they are opposing
or that loisdom is in imminent danger of dying with them.

Solomon de Cans, the discoverer of steam-power, was imprisoned
in 1015, and it was only in recent time that this agent has been
generally introduced. Said Lord Worcester, who visited him : —
Misfortune and captivity have deprived him of reason, and when

LECTURE ON THE lIliSTORY OF MEDIOlNi:,

if:

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you put him into the cell you shut up the greatest j;;c)iius of the;
age. Our own Fulton brought to perfection that of which poor
Solomon de Caus conceived the first glimpse of trutli.

The history of all new discoveries teach us such sad lessons, wo
nuiy hardly expect that our law of cure will be universally acknow-
ledged before the close of this century.

We come before you on this occasion with a full conviction of the
superlative advantages of the Homeopathic over the Allopathic, or
any other system of medicine now in use ; and with the assurance
that it is based upon the etcniai laws of Nature. We do not claim
for it perfection in all its dctiiils ; it is yet in its infancy ; but wc
claim for it true philosophical principle, and an immutable basis.

One of the greatest obstacles in the way of the reception of
Homeopathy by the people, is the vast ditference between it and
Allopathy. They are separated in principle by a great gulf. Allo-
pathy rushes over the organism like a volcano, or an avalanche,
exhausting all her resources ; or, perhaps we may illustrate it by
the tornado that tosses the mariner's bark so furiously upon the
lap of the ocean, as to try and strain, and crack every timber in her
works, while Homeopathy carries on its curative operation with a
stillness and quietness that is in perfect accordance with the normal
functions of life. '^ Allopathy seems to consider disease a material
something which has unaccountably introduced itself into the system
aad is to be expelled by emetics, cathartics, bleeding, blisters,
.sweating, spitting, &c," " Homeopathy arrests morbid excretions,
by restoring the diseased organ to its natural condition. Thus
while Allopathy would expel the mucus collecting in the larynx
during croup, by vomiting. Homeopathy would apply a remedy
which would prevent a secretion altogether, by restoring the mucous
membrane to its normal condition." "Allopathy seeks to cure by
removing the product of disease. It aims at the effect, rather than
the cause. Homeopathy accomplishes its work by restoring the
integrity of the suffering organ."

IlomeojxUhjj and AUopathj/ arc terms used in reference to two
systems of medical practice, quite at variance with each other in
principle. Homeopathy is based upon the premises, that every
disease is best cured by that medicine which is capable of producing
in the health t/ body, symptoms, similar to those produced by the
disease, in the i^ick body. Or, as more briefly stated, simlUa
similibus curantur ; that "s, like is cured by like. This is
Homeopathically. Hence the name of Homeopathy for the system,
and Homeopathists for those who practice it. In contradistinction,
the common medical doctrine has been termed Allopathy, and its
professors, Allopaths, from the fact that it employs in the treatment
of disease, medicines which produces an eftect, or symptoms, not

AND THE SCIENCE <tF HOMEOPATHY.

of tlU!

•h poor

like, but entirely diffm-cnt from tlio.so produced by the disease. The
former is homoioH, liomogcucou.s, or like in its cfleets pathoji;eueti-
cally; and the latter, (d/on, heterogcneou.s, or unlike. Then, in
principle, the two systems differ widely.

Suppose, gentlemen, that one of you were to apply to me with n
cold in the head, attended with a copious secretion of mucous from
the nostrils and wish mc to prescribe for you. I address you thus
with due professional gravity : " Sir, your nose is foul, you have an
accumulation of vitiated secretions in the nostrils. It is indispen-
sible that this be evacuated. I advise you to blow your nose." —
You answer that you have done tliis every five minutes for the last
twenty-four hours, but experience no improvement, and enquire what
shall be done next ? I reply, " This product of disease must first be
removed — blow your nose as often as the acccumulation takes place,
until this is effected, then we will do something further." This
prescription, I perceive, excites a smile. Why should it ? I ask
in all seriousness. It is but acting upon, and carrying out a
principle with which we have all been familiar from our earliest
childhood. It is just as amusing to hear a physician say to his
patient, " Your stomach is foul — take an emetic, or a cathartic," as
to hear him say, " Your nose is foul, blow it." It will puzzle you
or your physician to give a more philosophical reason for the practice
in one case thau in the other, for it is equally true of these and all
similar cases, that these secretions are not the cause, but the pro-
duct of disease, and the mere removal of this continually recurring
product can have no effect in removing the disease which produces
it, any more than emptying the waters of a reservoir can dry up the
fountain that supplies it.

Among prevailing medical theories, one supposes all fevers to
arise from inflammation of the brain, another of the stomach, another
of the spleen, another of the arteries, &c. One supposes fever to
be the product of local inflammation, another that the local inflam-
mation is the product of fever. The theories in regard to individual
diseases, their nature and treatment, are innumerable. There are
at least twenty of delirium tremens. There are no less than one
hundred of fevers, and an equal number of cholera. But in the
most important and only practical particular, all these clashing and
contradictory theories agree. They are all directed in the applica-
tion of medicine to disease by no higher or surer guide, than
disconnected and insulated experiments at the bedside, or pure
hypothesis. The hcM reason, perhaps, which a piactitioner of these
schools can assign for a given prescription is, that he has seen or
known of its being beneficial in similar cases. But as no two cases
of disease are ever alike in all their circumstances, we can scarcely
speak of our experience in any given case, as we have never wit-
nessed one which was in all respects like it. Experience here is

LECTURE ON THE I1I8T011Y OP MEDICINK,

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i; :

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l)ut analogy at best, and ia all now cases of disease, analogy
extremely loose and vague. If there be any apparent exception to
the remark that there are in the Allopathic schools no fixed laws,
controlling the application of medicine — if there bo any approach
to such a law, it consists in giving such articles of medicine as are
supposed to be opposite in their elfects to the disease to be treated.
Thus if the patient is too hot, cooling remedies, called refrigcrents,
are administered — if too cold, heating stimulants are applied. If
he is weak, supposed strengthening remedies, called tonics, are
given. If the stomach is sour, soda or other alkalies, are prescribed.
Diarrhoea is sought to be counteracted by opiates and astringents
and constipation by laxatives. But this method of curing by con-
traries expressed by the phrase " contrarla contrariis carantur,"
could never bo reduced to a law, for it did not fail to be observed that
this mode of treating disease was generally but transient in its effect,
leaving the system in a worse permanent condition than before,
with the disease permanently aggravated. Thus a cathartic to
remove constipation, generally left the patient more constipated —
bleeding rendered a repetition the more necessary, an<l repeated
repetitions placed him in a condition in which, apparently, he
could not exist without it. But again, this practice could not be
reduced to a law, because we were presented with the puzzling fact,
and it has greatly puzzled physicians in all ages, that medicines
effected theii most prompt, permanout and surprising cures, on a
precisely opposite principle, viz : that "^tVtv; cures like." Thus it
was observed that instead of cooling a burn with cold water, as the
first rule would require, it was much more speedily and eft'ectually
cured by heating stimulants, as turpentine or alcohol, or even by
holding it to the tire. Diarrhoja was more effectually treated by
small doses of laxatives than by opiates and astringents. Much
more permanent warmth was given to the extremities by rubbing
them in snow or plunging th«m in cold water than by a warm foot
bath. A sour stomach was more effectually treated by small doses
of sulphuric acid, one of the sourest things in nature, than by soda.
Two laws thus in diametric opposition to each other, could uot, of
course, be both true. Thus all the opposing theories of the Allo-
pathic schools converge to a common point of doubt and uncertainty.
If I might be allowed the apparent egotism of a reference to my
own experience, I would say that during twenty years study and
practice of these systems, I have felt the truth of this uncertainty
most painfully. Having a clear perception of the hypothetical and
uncertain character of all prevailing systems of practice, I have felt
like one in search of truth indispensible to the proper discharge of
the fearful responsibilities, which crowd upon one who takes the
health and life of others in his hands — truth which my reason taught
me must exist in the established laws of nature, but which I could

AND THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY.

on it

no where find. ]k>si(le8 an anxious cxuminntion of the hypotheses
of the so-cullod orthodox schools, I hiive not considered an exanii-
iirition of the 'i'hoinpsoniau and IJottinical syHtenis and nicauieriam
ae compromising the dignity of a Moarcher after trutii. And though
in all these there is more or less developed that i.s curious or won-
derful, or in various way.s useful, yet none of them supply tlie great
practical desideratum — general and lixed principles on whi(di we
can depend in our fearful position at the hed.sidc of those who are
looking to us for the preservation of life and a restoration to health.
With these results before me I have often said to my brother
practitioners that all the systems of medicine extant appeared to
me to con.'=;titut<^ but <tne great system of learned empiricism. I
venture to express the opinion, that medicine, in its present state,
can prefer no just claims to the appellation of science.* A seieuco
implies a eolleetion and knowledge of the great principles or laws
which relate to a given subject. Tin; science of astronomy supposes
a collection and knowledge of tlie laws which govern the motions of
the heavenly bodies. They enable us to foresee M'liat will take plai.'c
aiuong those bodies at a given future period — to foretell their future
cuurse and localities, and thus to predict an eclipse or the return of
a comet. A science of medicine would sup]>ose a knowledge of
laws governing the action of remedies, which would enabh; us to
determine that action under given circumstances. If a uew and
unheard of disease presents itself, the science of medicine, if it be
a science, should enable the physician to select and apply the
appropriate remedy and eoniidently predict its effects. But auch a
l(i.w h unknown in any of the Allopntlilv schools of maUcinr, and
it was the painfully conscious want of it that induced the vcMierable

*In this view 1 am abundantly sustained by mimy ol' the brightest lumi-
naries of the profession. Bichat, the father of patiiology, .says : " There is
not, iu the Materia Medica, any general sy-stom ; but this science has bccu
by turns, iufiuenecd l)y those who have ruled in medicine" — " hence the
vagueness, the uncertainty which now present themselves. Tlie incoherent
assemblage of opinions, themselve.s incoherent, i« perhaps, of all sciences
the best representation ot the caprices of the human mind. What do I say?
It is not a science for a methodic mind ; it is a shapeless assemblage of in-
exact ideas; of observations often puerile, of deceitful means, of formulas
as absurdly conceived n-i they are fastidiously collected." The same idea.
is expressed more quai itly and keenly by D'Alembert. " The physician
being truly a blind man armed with a club, who as chance directs the
weight of the blow will be certain of annihilating either nature or the
disea.se."

A present distinguished medical lecturer in London, does not hesitate
publicly to declare the wiiole machinery of existing medical doctrine a sheer
humbug. '' Gentlemen," says he, " you now see the correctness of the late
Dr. Gregory's statement, that medical doctrines are little better than
" stark staring absurdities." A volume might be filled with similar senti-
ments from the highest authorities.

LECTURK ON TIIK HISTORY OF MEDICINK,

Pr. Parr to retire iVnm the prufcMsion, asHipiiinjj; uh u reason that he
W!is ''tired f>f j>ues.siiii:. "

Such a law however, exists, and it was rcBorved for the iiinnortul
Hahnemann to discover and apply it to the cure of disease.*

The Cholera, for the first tiuje within the authentic records of
history, has broken from its native jungles on the (langes, and with
steady stride, from day to tlay, approaches the ei^ulines of Eastern
Kurope. Terror and dismay precede it, and its course is marked
by heaps of blue and ghastly corpses. The nations of Europe begin
to tremble at its anticipated a))proach, and with puny efforts set up
their sanitary cordons and (piarantines, as tljough the pestilence
travelled in a coach-and-four and upon the solid ground and not
upoii the viewless wings of the air. liorn in the pestilential heats
of the tropics, it seems to revel in the fiery temperature of India,
and to rage with e((ual fierceness in the frosts of a Russian winter.
No precautions can escape it, no travel avoid, no constitution resist,
no prescription cure its fierce attack. The resources of the medical
science of Europe are deployed in anticipation, but the confused
and turbulent medley of cries that arises from the theorizing
phalanx gives no promise of healing virtue in its sound, and the
onset of the destroyer is awaitcnl in despair. IJut, unknown to the
Avorld there is hope. In a little chamber in a small town in Ger-
many, sits a grey-haired old man, unknown to fame. The cholera
has not yet reached his land ; he has seen no case of it, but he is
intently perusing the descriptions of the disease as given by those
who were eye-witnesses of its deadly march, aiul ever and anon
comparing it with a pile of manuscript that lies before him ; he works

*The venerable Halmemann is flii)pantly spoken of as an insignificrtnt
quack by upstarLs in medicine and even by older members of the profession
as ignorant of his doctrines and the depth of his knowledge as they are of
lunar botany. Not so with those who enjoyed the pleasure and the honor
of his acquaintance or an acquaintance with his writings. Hear the testi-
mony of Dr. Valentine Mott, of Xev,- York, the boast and glory of American
Surgery. During his tour in Kurope, he visited and formed an acquaintance
with him. He says of him : " Halmemann is one of the most accomplished
and scientific physicians of the present age."

Hufeland, the patriarch of German medicine, in his celebrated Medical
Journal, bears the following testimony : " Homeopathy is adrancing in im-
portance, and its author is a man to whom we must concede our respect."

Dr. Kopp, a very celebrated physician and elaborate writer on legal and
practical medicine, thus speaks : " Whoever has traced Hahnemann's career
with a critical eye, wliether as an author, teacher, or founder and master of
a new school, must be struck with his genius for investigation, originality
of reflection and gigantic powers of mind." " His researches respecting the
specific virtue of medicines and the amount of susceptibility in the human
organization to their impression, are of imperishable importance to art." —
We might multiply similar quotations to any amount. How ridiculous to
hear small men in the profession, apply to such a man the epithet of quack !

ANI» TlIK 8CIEN('K OF MOMFOI'ATHV.

steadily on, and a gleam of (juict exultation liglit.s up his noltio
features as ho takow a pen and writes three words only : (!amimioii,
(vOi'PKtt, Helleijork. Out of the realms of nature, without ever
liaving seen the disease, ho has selected these three substances as
the remedies to subduo its power. And espericnco contirms the
choice ! In the presence of these three, us it were controlling
powers, the pestilence hiis lost its sway ; it yields gently, kindly
and rapidly ; the most opposite theorists, the most varied minds,
the most prejudiced observers, in the most widely separated lands,
all concur in bearing a umiuimous testimony to the etUcacy of the
remedies of the old man's choice.

Yet once more. A warlike encampment appears in that blood-
stained battle ground of Europe, ('entral Germany. Kxcess, riot,
intemperance, filth, and the closeness of a crowded camp have bred
u pestilential fever ; the hospitals are full, and yet the sick abound
and the dead cannot bo removed in time to make way for new can-
didates for a similar place and a similar removal. In the midat of
the dead and dying we behold the same benevolent figure that we
.saw before, his back slightly stooping from age and the gray hair
streaming around his venerable temples, lie examines the sick
with great care and minuteness, passes from one to another, gather-
ing with earnest attention the various symptoms, and after a day
spent in this toil, reaches his home in deep thought. His books and
manuscripts are referred to for a moment, and his figuv" appears to
expand, as with one hand he seems to reach to a neighboring hedge
and pluck thence a hri/ony vine, while with the other he stretches
across the broad Atlantic to the forests of the Now World to obtain
thejiJo/soH ivi/. Those he declares to be the remedies for the fever
he had witnessed, and

" — as the bright sun compacts the precious stone,"

so the light from the multiplied experience of nearly half a century,
far from weakening his assertion, has compacted it into the strength
and solidity of adamant.

Here, indeed, is a brilliant, a glorious solution of that terrible
problem of therapeutics ! IJy what magic has this been effected '/ —
What league has this old man entered into with the secret intelli-
gences of Nature that he stands at the bedside of the sick, and
when all the powers and agencies of the universe throng around
him, entreating to be used, ho can with discriminating finger select
that one and that alone, that shall be serviceable in the case before
him ? He has dived deep into the recesses of Nature and has
brought up a pearl of price — a universal principle, by the aid of
which the question, " What will relievo ?" is satisfactorily solved,
not only for an isolated case or two, but for all possible cases in all
possible forms. He has called it the homeopathic principle, and

LKCTl 1 '>N TIIK mSToUY Ol^ MKDICINJ;,

tho Bocvct is tliis : wlu'ii ynu fiiul a patiout HulFi'iiiiii, «oloet lliat
remedy which, having bti'ii pruviim.sly udmiiustcTC'l to a lioalthy man,
has produced in him a similar ^^^^fi'^M•inJ.^ Now simjthi is thin rulo I
It is no thi'<)ry — i( \^i\ pnu-t!cnl htn- — it uhviutcs cMitiri'Iy tho noocH-
Kity nt'tlit! iiitormcdifite step which \v»! liiivc hccii lo introduce no
umcii I'allacy and I'alsity into jnuclico, and brinps tiic vry sut1trinj;rt
of the patient t'acn to liice with tho remedy without tho tdumco of'
mistake or mi.sconceptit<n. It admits of no theory, it interferes with
no theorisin<r ; if the physician ehooNc tu hcfo;^' liim.self with hypo-
thoscM of irritation, or inilamniati<*n, sthenia or asthenia, humorism
or Bolidism, so much the worse for him, liut In^ huives them in hi^
closet — at the bedside they have no place ; tbere the solo (juestions
uro — What does the patient sufl'er 'f ami — ^Vhat auency has produced
similar sulVerinf; \n tlie healthy '! 'J'he simple answer to these (jues-
tions settles tho whole ditficulty, and whether the vital force he in
excess or defect, whctlicrthe Itmin or the int(>Ktines ho inflamed, the
euro takes place in rinuirdance with the unfailinc^ law. He whoaskfl
and nnswors tluso (jucslions at th(( bedside, and administers the
remedy accordiniily, is a homeo})athit.' j)liysician — he who selects a
remedy on any other };round is m>t.

Tho lliimeopathic philosophy is, that naturt;, always, in the contin-
j;encyof disease!, |mts on a curative effort. The concomitant symp-
toms arc uoi till' i/istdur, but a recuperative effort of Nature to w
pulse it, and to restore the e(|uilibrium tif the system. Consequently,
the first inquiry of the scientilie practitioner, is, How is Nature at
work to dislodge this enemy ^ W'lifif h she trying to do ? And
how is she trying to do it ' lie seeks to make himself perfectly ac-
((uainted with the modiiA ojicranrfi., or the phenomena put ou by
N'aturc in tho ease in hand, and when he lias, by careful inquiry
and observation, satisfied himself of the character of Nature's efforts,
he then seeks a remedy that will ex(nto the rcrj/ nome rhisH oj fvitc-
tioiis that Nature is already employing for her own sidvation or re-
covery.

For instance : A person takes a violent cold, and is thrown into n
fever. Now the yl /cr is not tho roh/, but it is a phonointna; a
Bymptom put on by Nature to relievo herself of the obstructions, or
derangements produced by tho cold, lienee, it is the most common-
sense thing in the world, that if wo would help Nature out of this
difficulty, wo must act in perfect harmony with her efl'ovts. It is
certainly «?ijjAifoso»/iica/that our first efforts should be of a character
calculated to cripplo her chief facilities ! Instead of increasing her
embarrassment, by reducing her strength, and inflicting upon her
new sources of irritation, we must (to use familiar illustrations) lift
just where Nature is lifting. We must try to excite the same class
of fuQctions that she is fetching into requisition. We must seek u
perfect acquaintance with her efforts. We must act in entire eub-

ANI) TIIK NriFNCI': OK IIOMKOl'ATFI r.

1
I

.lorvicncy to hor will. Nnturc must be tlii> cjiptaiii, «iul wc muRt
bo bcr wcll-cli.scipliiiod uiul obedient .servants. She niu.st hun^ out
the indications, ami we must seeond hor cirorts. We uiust not do
(lie work Utrhtr, but we niu>t work in'/.'i /nr, intd in vwiln' Hiilnttrriciici/
to hiM'. We must not take the work into our ovn hninls, but lot
t\ni hanU o/ y>iliin dir(!el, and we hold ourM(dveM in readiness to
give her a /if/piiii/ /unn/ in the whole ol' her undertakinptH.

The great seiTet. then, of the healing iirt \h to neek /'/•»/, an far
ai* poMisible, a perfect familiarity with the symptomatie nhononiona
of nature in any given ease of di.seaMe ; and, uninnlli/, to become ae-
(juainted with the pathogenetie action, and therapeutical properties
of remedies, .so that wt^ may ajipropriately .second every recuperative
cHbrf <tf nature.

Thlx i.H the crowning glory of Huiucnjucf/i//, viz. : it i.s ba8od upon
a fixeil and invulnerable law in nature ; a law which is unchangeable,
inviolable, itlcnitil ! It is a demonstrated principle, which entitles
it to a rank among the sciences. Nay, (jualiliedly among the extut
sciences. All other systems ot medicine are destitJite of such a prin-
ciple, and hence their whole horizon is bcskirtcd with cloudy un-
certainty. They give such a drug for sech a disease, &e. »ice., with-
out any regard to a great unchangeable principle in it.s pathogenetic
a(!tion, and hence their fre<|ueiit disappointment, .'ind comnum dis-
agreement.

To Hahnemann the world is indebted for tlu^ discovery of the
great homfonafhic principle. In 17iK), while engagtid in t!ie tran.s-
lation of Cullcn's >iatcria .Medica into (Jerman, di.ssatisKed with the
author's explanation of the action of bark in curing intermittent fe-
y<$rs, ho resolved to try it on hi.s own person, lie did so, and found
the Mymptonis it produced resembling thopcofague. And here the
great principle burst upon his mind. JJe pursued it, and found to
his astonishuient, in bis various oxperinumts, that medicine.^ pro-
duced symptoms altogether similar t(i those in the diseases against
which they wcro known to act as specifics. 'I'hus was the great prin-
ciple conceived, and time and testings have demonstrated its truth ;
and as easily might the maniac hush the roaring.s of the Niagara, an
the onward rushing of this great truth can be luished by the oppo-
.sition it may encounter.

On examining the records of medicine, he found the writings of
others to confirm his own observation. l{o ftmnd that medical
writers hud recorded oppression of the stonjach, vomiting and diar-
rhcea, indigestion, debility and jaundice among the effects produced
by the bark, and yet that this was precisely the combination of
symptoms for the cure of which, the highest authorities recommend-
ed and all employed the bark with Buccess. Hero was a strange
fact which could not escape the observant eye and th« logical Bcru-

li.

LECTURE ON THE HISTORY OF MEDJOINE,

li!

I*
-I

tiny of Hahnemann. He pondered and queried. The same article
produced in the healthy oppression of the stomach and indigestion,
and cured them in the sick — prod'iced grea* prostration of strength
and restored strength to those who were debilitated by disease — prt)-
duced jaundice and cured it. He asked himself: "Is this an ano-
maly in medicine '( or do other articles act on this same principle ?"
He employed his own unrivalled powers of observation and his al-
most boundless reading to collect facts on this subject. The results
produced astonishment which every day's investigation increased.
He found the bark far from being a solitary example. On the other
hand, he found an example of the same law in almost every me''i-
cine, in the works of almo'^t every medical author in every age,
though not one of these authors, probably, had ever dreampd of the
existence of the law of which they had furnished so many examples.
The following examples will illustrate the character of thuse facts,
lie found from the medical records of that period, that the sweating
sickness in England in the 15th century, carried oif about ninet}--
nine out of every hundred attacked with it, until physicians, in the
process of experimenting, resorted to the use of diaphoretics, that is
sweating medicines, after which scarcely a patient died. Strange
indeed, that a disease, the prominent feature of which is, that tlie
patient is sweating to death, should be speedily cured by giving
him medicines to make him sweat.

Tobacco, every one knows, produces giddiness nausea, anxiety,
trembling, and prostration, yet he found that the physicians, when
attacked with thi^ train of symptoms, while attending the victims of
a peculiar epidemic in Holland, promptly relieved themselves by
smoking.

Medical writer,^ had recorded attacks of epilepsy with tremors ,
and convulsions produced on the inhabitants of Kamtschatka by
tiie use of the agarciits nmscarim, a species of mushroom, while
other writers had recorded examples of epilepsy, attended with
similar tremora and convulsions, cured by the same article.

The oil of anise had been used for centuries to cure pain of the
stomach and colic, but the examples were numerous in medical
writers, of the oil of anise producing pain of the stomach and colic.

He found high authorities recommending, from their own ob-
servation, the use of jalap and senna to cure griping and pain of
the stomach and bowels ; but no fact is better known than that both
these articles produce these very symptoms, and hence the doniestic
practice of combining anise seed with them to prevent these effects.

One writer had published an account of the solanum nigrum,
taken by mistake producing enormous dropsy of the whole body,
while two physicians were publishing cases of the cure of dropsy by
the same article.

ii.il

■ iiinauM

AND THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATH T.

He found, on equally f;;ood and C(iu»lly numerous authorities,
that stramonium produced and cured, delirium, convulsions and
chorea.

While aome physicians had seen h^osciamus produce convulsions
resembling epilepsy, as many more had attested the cure of such con-
vulsions with it. The same article had been seen to produce a certain
variety of mental derangement, and just this variety of derangement
had been frc(juently cured by it, while it had failed to cure other
varieties. One of the most marked eflFects of the same article, as
often observed, was a spasmodic constriction of the throat, so as to
prevent swallowing ; but the celebrated Dr. Withering, having such
a case of constriction of the throat to treat, could make no impres-
sion on it, till he gave the hyosciamus, which speedily cured it.

Ho found, among the acknowledged effects of the free use of
nitric acid, salivation and ulceration of the mouth, while the same
article was generally recommended for the cure of mercurial saliva-
tion and ulceration.

Tea produces, in those not accustomed to its use, anxiety, trem-
bling and palpitation of the heart ; yet every lady knows that a
moderate quantity of tea is an excellent remedy for these very
symptoms. These few examples will serve to indicate the character
of the facts which nahnemann's reading and observation daily ac-
cumulated, until he found that what was true of the bark was
equally true of every medicine whose action he had been able ac-
curately to ascertain by reading or observation. These facts had
at length become as numerous as the medicines whose effects had
been at all minutely detailed, and as numerous as their various ap-
plications, and they were all but so many examples and proofs of
the law, " .s/'?n/7/Vf. siinilibns curnnliir," not an exception to which
he had yet been able to find. This would have been suflieient, and
more than sufficient to satisfy any man who had ever constructed a
medical theory. Not so with Hahnemann. His logical mind had
already become thoroughly disgusted with the universal prevalence
of theories based upon insufficient facts or undisguised hypothesis.
These facts, numerous as thfiy were, were not sufficiently numerous
to justify his rigidly inductive and truth-loving mind in inducing
from them the universality of the law. In order for hitn to be
satisfied of thy universality of the truth, that medicines cure in the
sick, the symptoms which they produce in the healthy, it was
necessary for liim to know precisely what symptoms they were
capjibie of exciting in the healthy. But here he, with the whole
medical world, was sadly at fault. Physicians had not been accus-
toujcd to give medicines to the healthy. No experiments had ever
been instituted for the purpose of arriving at this knowledge. —
Hitherto the eff'ects of medicines had only been observed in cases
of poisoning, or when medicinal substances had been taken by

LECTURR ON THK HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

iim

mistako, or when given to the sick. In the two former cases tho
instances had been too unfrequent and too loosely observed to be
essentially useful. The latter must be a very iniporfect method of
ascertaining; the effects of medicine, since it is impossible to dis-
tinguish the effects ])vodu(;ed by the medicine from those produced
by the disease. JJcsides, medicine.^ were then given, even
oftener than now, in compounds of two, tia'oe, half-a-dozen
or a dozen articles combined together. In all these cases it is
manifestly impossible to distinguish the effects produced by each of
these ingredients in the compounds, mingled, modified and coun-
teracted as they arc by each otlicr. Such was the meagre knowledge
of the properties of medicines possessed by the medical world but
about half a century ago. In order, then, to arrive with certainty,
at the truth of the Homeopathic law, it was indispen.sable to prose-
cute a long series of original and difficult experiments. It was
necessary that persons should take, in succession, each uf the ren>-
edies t(j be employed in medicine, until it should produce all the
effects which it was Cfipable of producing, compatible with safety.
I)ut the establir;livae!it of this great law of medicine', if true, was of
inconceivable injportaiico. It would at once convert tiic .1/7 of
medicine into a ISriciK-i — endless conjcctiue into certainty. In
view of its importance, the great heart, tho philanthropic spirit, the
truth-loving intellect of Hahnemann did not hesitate. He resolved
to become himself the subject of c:- j^tcriment, and to offer himself,
if need be, a sacritice upon the altar of truth, of science and of
humanity. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and an
unconquerable love of truth, and a self-sacriticiug devotion to the
interests of mankind never surpassed, he commenced administeriug
medicines to himself, observing a rigid system of regimen, removing
himself from all influences which could interfere with their action
and noting with great exactness, all their effects. To his great
relief, he was soon afterwards joined by several other highly scien-
tific members of the profession and numerous pupils, who each,
with their families, became the subject of experiment. Each of
the medicines was given to persons of different ages, sexes and
temperaments until they had produced all the eflects they wcr<;
capable of producing compatiable v^'ith the safety of the subject,
and all these effects were carefully recorded in the order of their
production. All the properties of some two hundred articles of
medicine were thus minutely ascertained under the scrutinizing eye
of Hahnemann himself. Similar experiments have since been in-
cessantly prosecuted by Homeopathic physicians, to the present
time, and thus the Materia Medica continually enlarged. This
process of experiment, even by the admission of the most
learned and candid of the Allopathic schools, was the first re-
liable foundation that was ever laid for a correct Materia Medica —

1,1 i

AND THE SCIENCE OV HOMEOrATHT.

for a work containiug a true record of the properties, and all the
properties of the medicines of which it treats.

Homcopathj has during sixty-seven years of existence, a vastly
more perfect Materia Medica, an incomparably better knowledge of
the properties of medicines than Allopathy has obtained in two
thousand years, or can obtain while the world stands by its present
method. We have a minute and complete knowledge of about 400
remedies, all the medicines we employ. There is more knowledge
to be obtained from one work of Homeopathic Materia Medica, than
in all the Allopathic libraries of the world. And this knowledge of
the properties of medicine is obtained in the only possible way of ob-
taining it, viz : by each medicine being taken by persons in perfect
health sufficiently long and in sufficient quantity to produce all the
effects they are capable of producing compatible with safety, and
carefully recording all these effects.

There Vfas now an opportunity to test the universality of the
truth of the Homeopathic law. It now only remained in the treat-
ment of disease, to select and apply such medicines as had been
found by former experiments, to produce the same group of
symptoms, and in the same order as those presented by the diisease
to be cured. If, in curable diseases, these remedies, thus applied
always produces prompt and permanent cures, then this law of the
action of remedies would be established. It must suffice to say
that Hahnemann's absolutely enormous practice — a practice per-
haps exceeding in amount that of any man in any age, and
its amazing successful results for more than half a century,
fully satisfied even his perhaps over-scrupulous mind, and dissi-
pated every doubt of the universality of the great law ^'siinilia
similibus curantur" — of the final establishment of a principle up9n
which the physician could rely, instead of spending his life in guess-
ing and experimenting at the expense of his patients. The only
thing in which Hahnemann hesitated was in publishing the results
of his experiments to the world. In answer to the earnest entreaties
of Doctor Guenther, one of his early friends, not to keep from the
world the benefit of his discoveries, he used to reply : "My dear
friend, you do not know what nest of wasps I shall stir thereby.
The physicians will kill me." The same test has equally satisfied
thousands of the most gifted minds in Europe and America, who have
been converted to this doctrine from the Allopathic schools. Every
day in the life of every Homeopathic practitioner, adds new and
delightful confirmation to this tmth. Not an exception has yet been
found in relation to any article that has yet been employed in medi-
cine. We claim, then, that no natural law is established by a more
legitimate and unquestionable induction. With as much propriety
might it be demanded of us, that we should elevate every individu-
al ponderous body from the surface of the earth, to see if it will

LKCTURE ON THE HISTORY OP MEDICINE,

ii; ''

fall again, before wc admit tlio truth of the law of gravitation, as
that wc should delay induction of the truth of the Homeopathic
law until it shall be tested by experiments with every medicinal
substance that may hereafter be discovered.

IJut I am fully sensible, from the experience (>f my own incre-
dulity, of the dilliculty of admitting it even after it is philosophically
established, ft is in such direct opposition to all our educational
notions of the .iction of remedies ! But let us faniiliarize ourselves
a little with the principle, in((uiro into its rdfioiiulc, and see, if
upon further acquaintance, it does not commend itself to our ap-
proval, by conforming to our common sense and experience.

We shall find that this law of ^'similia simi/if/)is" is founded
upon, and necessarily grows out of, a law of vitality — a law regu-
lating the vital principle. It is necessary that we become acquainted
with the modus operandi of this vital principle. Let us in this, as
in all other cases of science, question nature. My hands are of a
low temperature, and I plunge them into cold water or rub them in
snow. What is the result!:' In a short time they arc glowing with
wai'mth. Is this result a freak of nature — an anonjaly ? or is it an
example of a law in nature, like ;dl her laws, universal and invariable?
Let us learn, if we have not yet learned, that nature has no freaks
— no anomalies. This result is but an example of a law of vital re-
action which it shall be our aim briefly to illustrate. The law may
be thus stated : "Whenever any agent having the power to excite
an unnatural action in the system, is so applied as to be felt, the
vital principle is excited to oppose its effects, and to produce a state
the opposite of that which this agent tends to produce." This vital
reaction against unnatural agencies, (and all medicines are of course
such,) invariably manifest?; itself, unless the power of the agency is
so great as to overpower vital reaction altogether. Thus when I
rub my hands, though already cold, in snow, by this law the vital
principle re-acts against it, and endeavors to produce a state the
opposite of that which the snow tends to produce; and it is so
sucessful in this attempt that it not only overcomes the influence
of the cold which i have applied, but it has acquired such an im-
petus in consequence of being rallied by the additional cold, that it
overcomes that which previously existed, and my hands in spite of
this double opposition become hot. Take an opposite example. I
burn my hand. It is now hot, red, inflamed and painful. On the
principle of the prevalent schools of medicine, (" contraria contra-
1 tus, opponenda") I shall apply cold. And what would be the effect ?
Why, the heat and pain would be alleviated for a short time, but
the -"ital principle is aroused in opposition to it, and it soon becomes
more red, hot and painful than ever. Hence, experience, without
a knowledge of the principle, has taught the profession that cold to
a burn, though a comfortable temporary palliative, is a bad curative.

AND THE SCIENCE OF HOM'OPATIIY.

But let us adopt an opposite treatment, and apply a highly heatiiii;
stimulant, such as spirits of turpentine or aioohol. Tiie vital prin-
ciple re-acts against this also, and endeavors to produce a state the
opposite of that whicli this applicalitMj tends to produce. It suc-
ceeds in this, and in a short time the liuiit, pain and inflammation
subside and a comfortable coolness comes on, in spiie of the heat of
the burn and the additional heat apj)li(!d.

Take other and varied examples. A man takes a f;lass of brandy.
Its tendency is to produce increased striMij^th, activity and vivacity
of mind and body. But there is a vital j)rinciple within which
will certainly re-act against it, and overcome it, and establish a state
directly the reverse of it, and a few hours afterwards, we shall iind
this man weak, languid and inactive.

Strong coffee stimulates the faculties to unnatural activity, but it
leaves behind a sensation of heaviness and drowsiness.

A restless patient is put to sleep on opium, but on the following
night he is more restless and sleepless than before. A patient takes
a laxative to I'elieve constipation ; after its action constipation is
increased. But we can only dwell on these examples sufficiently to
illustrate the principle. Examples might be adduced as numerous
as medicines and their applications. I have selected these few
from their familiai'lty to those who have unide medicine a study.
But a sufficiently extended examination will show the principle to
be universal. It is to this re-active principle that the Homeo-
pathist addresses all his prescriptions, while the Allopathist acts
on a directly opposite principle, depending on the prin)ary eflfects
of his medicines which are always ti'ansiont, to produce the desired
state, while the re-active effort which is lasting and permanent is of
a directly opposite character from that which he aimed to produce.
How many examples of this deceptive and short lived improvemeiit,
followed, necessarily, by permanent and lasting injury, crowd u^^
the mind ! Permanent constipation following the use of laxatives,
lasting debility succeeding the use of tonics and stimulants, perma-
nent irritability and restlessness the use of opiates, &c., &c., ad
wjinitum.

As it is my main object to imbue your minds with a knowledge
of the great law of cure, as a sure and scientific basis of the treat-
ment of disease by medicine, in contrast with Allopathic empiri-
cism, you will pardon me if I enlarge on this branch of the subject
a little farther, and contrast the manner in which the Allopathic
and the Homeopathic physician treats di.scase.

What an Allopathic student learns of the practice of medicine
amounts to this : Ho takes up the study, for example, of fever,
with the view of preparing himself to treat it. He reads, first, a
description of the disease, and then proceeds to the treatment. lie
reads that one distinguished writer recommends cold affusions, while

LECTUKi; ON THE HISTORY OP MEDICINE,

anotlicv disagrees with him and thinks them dangerous. One ad-
vises wine, and another insists that the patient should have tlie
moHt cooling drinks only. Many prescribe Peruvian bark, or qui-
niue, a part of them because they think it a febrifuge, and another
part becau.se they deem it a tonic. Others object to these remedies
aJtogether, because they believe them heating and fever producing
remedies. Some recommend a free use of cathartics, and otkers
warn the young practitioner against their use. And so on to
the end of the chapter, almost every remedy in the Materia
Medica being reoommended by some and repudiated by others.
The author closes his lucid account of treatment by giving his own
practice, and the student, thus furnished, goes forth to take the lives
of men in his hands, at liberty, under the sanction of high authori-
ties to employ just what remedies he pleases, and sadly puzzled to
make a choice. But in all his study he does not get the first
glimpse of a law of cure. The best reason he can give for admin-
istering any remedy is, that somebody thinks he has found itu.seful.

Medicine, has therefore, certainly been no fitting study to any
one as a matter of science, simply because there was no science in
it, jind it is not strange that the profession have discouraged the
practical investigations of laymen.

liut we repeat that the application of medicine to a disease is,
nevertheless, a science, with laws fixed, simple and easily under-
stood, and therefore open to the knowledge of all.

Let us refer to two of these laws as intimately connected with
the great law of cure, even at the risk of some repetition of thought.

First law. Every medicine produces two directly opposite effects
in the order of time — the first primary and transient, the other,
secondary and permanent. To illustrate by hn example : A patient
takes a yathartic. Its first or primary effect is, to stimulate the
intestines to an unusual and unnatural effort to expel their con-
tents. But this effect is transient, ecutinuing only a few hours.
The secondary effect is just the reverse, viz : unusual and unnatural
inactivity and torpor, or constipation.

Again. An opiate is given to allay pain and procure rest by
diminishing or benumbing sensibility to the causes of suffering.
This purpose is transiently answered by its primary effect, but this
soon ceases, and then comes the opposite or {secondary effect, viz :
increased seasibility to the causes of annoyance. And so true is
nature to hei'self — so inflexibly adherent to her own laws, that the
physician may persist as long as he pleases in his infractions of this
vital law, and she will maintain her resistance to the last, or until
the struggle ends in exhausted vitality and death. The same is
true of all other remedies.

If you send for a physician who prescribes a cathartic, or laxa-
tive, you can very properly ask your in«dica! advi.ser ; "What, sir,

AND THE SCIENCE OP HOMEOPATHY.

is to be the primary eflFect of this dose ?" If he answers : "To
stimulate the bowels to greater activity," you may then very
properly reply : " My dear sir, as I have learned the laws of cure,
this effect will be but transient, while a secondary amd opposite
effect, viz : increased torpor and constipation will inevitably follow,
which will be lasting, and the eflFect of your prescription will be to
aflFord me temporary alleviation at the expense of a lasting aggra-
vation of the very difficulty which you aim to cure. I should
certainly be glad to be relieved of my present Ambarrassmcnt, but
this is obtaining present liquidation at a higher rate of interest
than I can afford to pay. I prefer to suflFer a little now to suflFering
so much more hereaft<(r. I am obliged to you for your oflFei of
present relief, even on such hard terms, but really, sir, I feel obliged
to decline it." And the same reasoning applies to all remedies
administered on Allopathic principles.

Second law. All medicines produce two exactly opposite effects,
according to quantity ; that is, small and large doses produce oppo-
site effects. A small dose of opium produces exhilaration and
wakefulness — a large dose languor, stupor and sleep. Very small
doses of rhubarb, mercury and other cathartics allay irritability of
the bowels, and thus cure dysentery — large doses produce irrita-
bility and diarrhea. Very small doses of emetic tartar, ipecac,
<&c„ allay irritability of the stomach and thus cure vomiting and
cholera-morbus — large doses produce these very states.

The one is the disease-curing and the other the disease-producing
effect. This law is equally practical with the first. Guided by it,
the physician will so administer his medicines as to secure their
secondary or curative effects, and avoid their primary or disease-
producing effects. And patients when prop«rly informed, will be
wise enough to refuse a prescription made in violation of this law.
They will say to the physician who prescribes for them large doses,
(and all Allopathic doses are large, though they may call them
small,) " Sir, I consulted you for the purpose of being cured, and
you offer me a drug in a dose that will make me sick. The law of
cure, as I understand it, makes it no part of the business of a
physician to produce disease, but his exclusive business is to cure it.
I must insist on your treating me in obedience to, and in harmony
with the now well understood laws of cure, or I must take the treat-
ment into my own hands."

Homeopathy being established on a fixed law, an invulnerable prin-
ciple, its practitioners can never disagree; while among the allopathic
schools, nothing is more common than disagreement. It is so com-
mon that,"Who shall decide when doctors disagree?" has become an
adage. But in Homeopathy it cannot be so. It is true, a compre-
hensive mind associated with an extensive experience, may prescribe

LECTUllK ON Tin: IlIiSTOllY Oi' MKDICLN'K,

ii'-

much uioro successlully than ;iiiotlior; but it Ih utterly impossible
lor tliom to ilisagi'co in tho |niii(i|)Ic (jf (liorapcutii'iil agency.

Wo shall MOW proceed t(t take into (ion.sidcration the subject of In-
/iiu'U'siiHdL or iiiiuute, (loses. This is what coiif-titutes the i'roiit of
our offcndin;:; ; the great hobby of our ojjpoiieuts ; and they have
ridden it (juite thriiadbare, " without underatanding what they say,
or whereof tliey allirui." The ditetrine of uijinitotimul doses, con-
stituted no original or neces.sary part of llonieopathy. In perfect
siccordan"0 with both tlic theory and jjriniary experiments, medi-
cines may be given homeopathieally and still in large doses.
But experience has proved, that, in the treatment of disease, to
create a medicinal excitement greater than that superinduced by
the disease, is not only injurious, but highly dangerous. If the
medicines are too strong, an aggravation is the result, and it is much
less hazardous to have the exciting influences rather feeble, than a
little too strong. AVhen the medicinal influcnco is too strong it
over excite:, and instead of simply aiding or supporting nature's
efforts, it throws lusr out of balance, confuses her energies, and
gives her nevv and increased dillieulties to contend with.

Tho.^e who have apprehended the principle of ^'niniilia similiLus
cnraiUu)-," cannot fail to see the necessary consequence of .small
doses. They will see that we do not give medicine to obtain its
primary or direct effect, but to excite the reaction of the vital
principle, and thus enable us to overcome the very slight primary
efl'ect produced b}"^ the medicine, and the disease at the same time,
as in the case of applying cold to the hands to excite warmth.
A patient is attacked with nausea and is on the point of vomiting.
We give him an article which will produce such nausea and vom-
iting in a healthy subject. But will a large dose be likely
to cure his sickness ? Will it not on the other hand be cer-
tain to aggravate it ? In like manner, will a patient with
inflammatory fever bear large doses of stimulants with impunity '/
Another is biboring under headache, closely resembling that pro-
duced by belladonna. Will ho bear large doses of bidladonna
without aggravating it ? Medicine by Allopathists given to produce
an indirect effect upon the diseased part, through sound and distant
organs ; thus a headache is treated by acting upon the healthy
stomach or bowels by an emetic or cathartic. Here large doses may
be borne ; but very different is it if we give a remedy which acts
directly and specifically upon the diseased organ, as bella-
donna docs upon a diseased head and an emetic upon a nauseated
stomach. In Homeopathic practice we always prescribe medi-
cines which act directly upon the diseased part, llow pre-
posterous the argument that our doses can produce no effect upon
the sick, because a man in sound health can bear a much larger
dose with impunity ! Suppose 1 meet one of these objectors with

AND TITK SOIKNCK 01' Ho.MEOPATIlV.

a bui'nt liiitror. T place nij (inircr nt a comfortable distance from
the llro and iiivit(! him to ])]u('c liis at its side. He does so, Imt
iiiHtnntly withdraws it in a^ony of jiain. I ridicidc; his prctendiMl
sonsitiveness to such a iiiodi'r.ite (h'j^reo of heat, hoenuso it pro-
duces no uncomfortabhi eliects (»n lue. I llnd him shut up in a pn*-
foundly dark room with iidiamiiiation of the eyes. 1 a(hiiit a ray of
iinht by raising the corner of a curtain, and he screams with pain.
I lau,<!;h at him for jjretoiidinti; t* feel a })(iwerrul eifect from such a
(juantity of li ht, ))ecause 1 htsve borne tlie full blaze of day with-
out incoiiveii..;nce. This is no iri()re ])re])osterou.s and absurd, than
to rldicide the id(;a of small doRCfi producinjj; an effect when actin<;-
directly on a diseased ort',an which is tiierei'ore p(>culiarly sensitive
to its effects, because the same doses })roduce no ])alpal)!e efl'ecls
upon an individual free from disease.

In health, thcrt* are certain natural stimuli which arc opscntial to
the continued wi'll-bijinf:' of the individual, like food and drink,
pure air, exercise, re;-t and sleep. Under circumstances of health,
these stimuli \Uit <»nly serve the purpose of keeping the functions of
the body in opeiation, but their action is a constant source of
pleasure. In certain diseased conditions of the organism, the per-
ceptive and sensitive faculties acquire a susceptibility to impressions
which is truly extraordinary. Tlie hearing becomes so acute that a
whisper may be distinctly iinderstood from one apartment to another.
The smallest particle of food or driidc will irritate a gastritis
stomaoh. One inhalati(mof cold air will irritate an inflamed lung.
One ray of light will produce the most exquisite pain to the in-
flamed eye. ITow intolerable do condiments become to the taste,
or odors to the smell, or music and sound to the ear. The impartial
observer can now understand why minute doses of specific medicine
can produce such powerful impressions upon diseased structures,
when it is brought into actual contact with the sensitive, diseased
fibres, as it is when given nomeopathicly. Many modern writers
are fully aware of the great changes which takes place in the living
fibres during disease, and their susceptibility to iriipressions. They
concede, also, that no two distinct diseased actions can exist in the
same structure at the same time, but that the more powerful action
must supersede the weaker one, and usurp its place. They are per-
fectly familiar with these important facts, yet their prejudices,
their veneration of the antiqua.ted dogmas of the schools, and in
many instances, their lack of moral courage, prevent them from
even investigating the subject in its practical bearings. It is owing
to the culpable perversity of Medical men, that medicine has made
such slow advancement, and were it not for the few bold spirits
which now and then spring up, and break through the absurd
mists of centuries, scattering venerated errors to the wind and illu-

LKCTURE ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINK,

ininnting their course by facts, the art wunld ever rcuiain u stigma
upon the intelligeuoc, and a curso to the world.

It should be borne in mind, that the object is not to give medi-
cine in such appreciable, or strong doses, as to produce groat chemi-
cal changes in the system. Nature is her own best chemist; and
to take that work out of her hands is meddling with what is none
of our business. The normal action of animal life is quiet and
imperceptible, and if our eflforts to assist her are truly philosophical
and scientific, they will bo in perfect harmony with this great and
universal law. There is not a function in the whole of the phe-
nomena of animal life, but what has a pathogenetic answer in some
medicinal agent. Compounding these agents is wholly discarded
by homeopathy ; because compounding them neutralizes their spe-
cific properties, forming a new chemical preparation ; and we havu
in this compound we know not what.

It is not at all surprising that our opponent should sound the
note of alarm, and contend for the inefficiency of the infinitesivial
and minute doses of medicine, when we reflect t!iat it has been
customary for three thousand years, when disturbance prevailed in
the human citadel, to Btorm it with agents of destruction. ]31ood
is made to flow ; the delicate membranes of the stomach and intes-
tines are racked with broadsides of emetics and drastics ; the nervous
system is shattered by narcotics and stimulants, and the functions
of every organ deranged, by the shoAvers of destructive allopathic
missiles with whicb the enfeebled body is constantly assailed.

By these summary me^ns the resources are exhausted, the
strength fails, and the citadel soon falls.

Homeopathy resorts to a different mode of procedure. She uses
no unnatural violence, nor seriously disturbs the function of any
organ. But she usually administers her medicaments in ivfinitesi-
mal doses; and now comes the question. Whether such minute
doses are capable of impressions upon the organism when laboring
under disease ?

No one will deny that the human body during health is constantly
being acted upon and disturbed by influences or agents so subtle,
that neither the chemist or physiologist can analyze or even detect
them.

One inhalation of a noxious miasm, under favorable circum-
stances, is as capable of causing its specific contagion, as a thousand,
or more. One thousandth part of a grain of natural or morbid
virus, is as capable of imparting the peculiar action of the poison
to all parts of the organism susceptible to its influence, as a larger
quantity.

Indeed, so minute and subtle are miasms from vegetable and
animal decomposition and exhalations arising from contagious dis-
orders, that no one has jet been able to appreciate their physical or

AM) THE SCIKNCr, Of HOMEOPATHT.

ledi-
icmi-

nunc
t uiul
)hicul
t and

pho-

80IU0

ardcd

rhcinicnl pnipertios, by the most accurate tests (jf choinistry or
opticH. \Vlio, however, for this reason, will presuni*! to deny or
doubt their tremendous, although inyNterious, jiower upon tho
human nyHtcMu 'f

So, also, when an atom of medicine i.s absorbed into the system,
and eonies in rontart with an organ or tissue ahcady diseased, upon
which it exercises a specific irifiuence, it communicates to the pur-
roiniding organs its peculiar action, until the whole tissue is involved,
and thus if the remedy be •u>meo})athie to the malady, it will super-
fede the priuutry afl'eetion.

Let it bo borne in mind, that most bubstaiiees, boih In tlic or-
ganic and inorganic kingdoms, possess et-rtain active principles,
which are latent in a natural state.

Heat, electricity, and magnetism, become apparent wlien certain
physical substances operate upon each other in such a manner as to
disturb or change the original state of cohesion of pjirticlcs

Caloric is a property common to all material substam'cs. In tho
natural state of these substances, this active principle is latent,
and cannot be appreciated by the senstvs ; but it' frlcdon be used.
this agent is set free, and its p(»wer becomes niaiiire.«t. Hloctricity
idso pervades all nutterial bodies, and only beeomes scn.>*ible whoi
the natural state of these bodies is disturbed by /lictitnt.

Large »|uantities of vegetable, animal, or mineral substances,
may be taken into the stomach, in a crude state, with impunity,
but if their elementary particles become separated by decomposi-
tion, or otherwise, and then introduced into the system, they give
rise to the most baneful results, ft is a matter of little consequence,
whether this minute subdivision of particles is eflected by the
action of solar heat and moisture, by trituatioi» or succession — the
ultimate eft'ects are the same. The elements of the substance are
separated, the essence or medicinal part is set free from the crude,
material, and non-medicinal portions, and reduced to such a state of
attenuation, as to become readily absorbed, and yet retain all tlie
specific (jualities pertaining to to the original agent.

Allopathy has long since taught us, that mercury, taken in the
mass, is inert, and tiiat its effects is in proportion to the minute-
ness of the division ; and will you place a limit to this patentiza-
tion by division y Have we not been directed to carry the rubbing
and trituration to an extent in the manufacture of the blue pill,
which would tire the arm and patience of Hahnemann himself?

Again, have we not been taught, that corrosive sublimate, diluted
eight thousand times, may be detected by the protomuriate of tin
test? This looks to us much like Homeopathic dilution, but it is
universally received. ITomeopathists suppose that the mode in
which their tcnuations operate, is analagous to that of infection by

miasms;

LICTURE ON THE HISTORY OF MKDiriNF,
that tlio inert inaUor of the Hub.stancr Im destroytjd, and

the aotivc prinoii)Io is not five; nn<

I that the y^nmllest quantity of

!L4

this activo prini-iplc;, triluratod with Hugar ()f milk, or diffuHcd in
Wiitor or !ih;()hol, is c:iiKihlc of ooinuiunicatinu ti» the vchieU\s its
|)rop(M•tio^<, :ind thus to tlir oij^imisni its peculiar nction.

'I'hi priiioij)al aruumont ol our opponents Imvo been irony and
ridicule. They have eiitc^rtil into a coiiiputatiun respectin^i; the
v'ciijht and utretKjlh of the dilVercnt attenuations, and have displayed
before us tabular views, shewing the strength (»t' isudi attenuation,
and then assured >is, without the trouble of testing the (piestion
praetically, that sueh e.vceiMJingly siuall doses vmw produce iu> effect
upon the system.

We wouhl, however, re.(uest those gentlemen who judge t.f the
potency of substances by their u-riyht and dimensions, to enter into
a still further calculation, and inform us which possesses the greatest
weight — the medicinal particles pertaining to a drop of a thirtieth
attenuation of homeopathy, or the charge of electricity, which lays
prostrate and senseles.s the strongest man — or the quantity of sul-
phuretted hydrogen, or carbonic acid gas, requisite to euu.se imme-
diate death wlien inhaled ?

Which can be most easily detected and appreciated by analy»h,
the atoms of a high attenuation of Hahnemann, or the deleterious
niiasms which arisi; from vegetable or animal decomposition "/

Which pi-esent the greatest ditticulties in examination and <U'-
scription, the y>////.N/''(«^ structure of the particles of w homeopathic
medieanu)nt, or that of cal»»ric t)r lighfy

Let it be reiiuMnbered, that not one atom of nnitterin the whole
universe can be ainn/iiid/n/ ! — transformation may be effected — the
cohesion of particles may be changed — atoms in their ultimate state
of chemical combination may be phi/st'ra/fj/ divided into molecules,
and again subdivided into lesHisr atoms to sueh an extent as to baffle
detection from the most perfect tests of chemistry and optics — new
powers may be developed in these atoms, uv.t in no instance can we
destroy one such particle of matter.

In regard to the preparation of mediciues, there are several points
of diflForence worthy of notice, between the old and new schools.
Allopathy employs her drugs in a crude and consequently inactive
form ; Homeopathy makes use only of their pure essential principles,
unencumbered by foreign nuitter.«<.

The medicinal ([uality of cod livm' oil, the universal panacea of
Allopathy for consumption, consists of iodine distributed in intini-
tesiraal quantities throughout the oil. The iodine forms only one
thousandth part of oil, equal to the third atteuuatiou of homeo-
pathy iodine.

ANr> TlfF MCIKNCK OF IIOMEOPATHY.

Ipccncuanha is iiith'Wtod f(ir its virtuov, tn a ])rinoiplc callod
rmftin. VV«' litid hy amilysiM that .»(' one Imndrcil parts of crudo
ipecacMmrihu, only tivn piirfspoMsosM th(( inodieiiitd virtues of the druj^.

Opium contains liut nbnut ('i;^ht or nine jut ciiit. (»(' )noij)hin —
its narcotic [)rinoiplt'. Tlu^ crude! siilctnucc c(tiitiiins. in addition
to niorpliia, fourteen other ingreilientH, all of whicdi are dostituteof
any particular virtue,

(Mnohonii Is (foniposed of ten or twelve iujiredionts, of which all,
hut rjuiniu an<l einchoniii, are in(M't.

The Haiuo rule ol,i,ains in relation to nmst i.ther suhHtjim'es. The
cHsential properties are diHtrihutiMJ hut sp.n-inuiy, .'ind it is only hy
the utmost nicety, that we can sepiirite mid d(>velop theses propertieH.

Alloppthy employH no ^reat an anmiint oi' artiiieial heat in her
pharmaceutical op(!rations, tliat a hu-^r proportion of the active
properties of Ium- drugs is expended iii cvapor.itiiMi ; while homeo-
pathy makes use only of expressitwi, tiituratinn and KueecHsion,
and thus not only retains all the \•irtUl'^^ inherent in the drug, brt
actually develops powers whi(di woidd have remained latent under
other circumstances.

On account of the peculiar mode of pr(!p;initiun, the remedies
of allopathy are offensive to the ta;-ite, nnuse<nis (othe stomach, and
by their indigestible and irritating ((ualities arc? extduded by Rensi-
tive absorbents, and are thrown oil' with the fec;d matter as foreign
substances; having failed of proilueing any otlier effect, than an
irritation of the gastro-intestinal membrane.

The medicines of Homeopathy are liable to lonti of these objec-
tiouH. The attenuated remedies being innoeiions to the lacteaU
and absorbents, are readily admitted into the eireidation, and con-
veyed to those parts upon which they exert a specific action, thus
impressing directli/ the organs or tissues actually diseased and none
other.

The practice of Allopathy iMust always be indirect, uncertain,
and empirical. The violence of the remedies employed, necessarily
induces medicinal and sympathetic affections, which, mingling with
the symptoms of the natural disease, renders it impossible to distin-
guish between the two classes of symptoms, or to judge whether
the malady or the medicine, or both combined, are killing the pa-
tient. The fact that so few Allopathic practitioners agree in the
treatment of diseases, proves conclusively that their system is one
of yuessing, rather than one founded on scientillo knowledge and
ascertained facts.

Therapeutics with them is found to fluctuate with the advent of
each new and eloquent teacher, and even with the introduction of
each new medicine.

LECTUKB ON THK HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

This wavering is not found in science. There great principles
exist, fixed, eternal expressions of the divine will, and doubtful or
controversial points aro brought to the test of these expressions.

Therapeutics is not alone of all nature, de.stitute of law, given
up to the dominion of cluioa. Nature has not so niisiuSiiagcd her
universe, that this important, nic'.t piuctical law, is past iinding out
— that we should lay hold upon tlie hidden chemical forces — that
we should determine the course of the stars, and remain hopelessly
ignorant of the relations of nmdicinal agents to the cure of disease.

Thus it is that the profession is groping and stumbling along, to-
day exalting an article to the pinnacle, and to-morrow flinging it
nway; and that medicine has its fashions almost as variable us nnl-
linery. To-^ay purging and to-morrow bleeding is the order of the
day; now tartar emetic, and again iodine is the Sampson of the
Profession.

At present, cud liver oil Is in the a.sccndant. Not Morrison's pills
are more potent. To only one article can the profession be said to
pay constant allegiance, (calomel,) perhaps because that is more
destructive.

One might laugh, but for the tragic associations, at the curious
and even ludicrous illustrations of the extra fickleness of medical
lashion,iis well us at the humble parentage of some of the Sampsons)
(»f the medical army.

To-day, BrouaC^ds will induce a host of physicians almost to dis-
card the use of medicine, and to-morrow, Professor Cook will send
out an army of young men to bleed vomit and purge a people to
death, &c., &c.

Homeopathy being established on a fixed law in nature, which is
unchangeable, inviolable, eternal — its practitioners can never disa-
gree in therapeutics. For nature will not change to suit a hypothe-
sis, and specific medication is as inimitable as gravitation.

in thus contending for specific medicatiou, we do not intend
merely a bundle of specifics, whether obtained from diligent nur.ses
or benevolent old ladies, or some partial experiment on a cat, dog,
or horse. We mean the specific medication resting on a thorough
experiment upon the human system in health, of different ages,
sexes, and conditions in life, and by closely observing their efl'ect,
their specific action may be ascertained with certainty.

This is the manner in which Ilomeopathi.sts proceed, and is it
not preferable to ascertaining the eft'ects of medicines upon cuts
and dogs ? If we were going to treat diseases of the feline and ca-
nine races, the latter course might be preferable to the former.
This explains why our minute doses are efliicient. They have a
ipecific action upon the diseased tissue, and act directly upon it,

I!:. (1

AND THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATHY.

and not upon the healthy portions of the system, to disturb its
functions und exhaust its f<trength.

Homeopathy is not, as its enemies pretend, a more hypothesis,
destined to share the fate of ten thousand transient hypotheses,
which have flourished tlieir brief hour, and then died, but a great
practical truth, based upon experiment and demonstrated by
success.

But, as I bei'oru observed, it is not so much to our principle oj
cnre^ at which the sliafts of the old school are directed, as to tl-a
doctrine of small dotiUH.

It is not because the adherents of Allopathy cannot make them-
selves acquainted with the powers of attenuated drugs, but it is
because their inveterate prejudices will not allow them to investi-
gate the facts which are involved. They prefer to die of vomiting,
purging, and sweating, as their predecessors have done for three
thousand years, rather than be cured quietly under a neic &ysfem.

But why have our opponents dwelt so much upon our doses ?
Does not every homeopath give sufficient quantity of medicine at a
time to eff'ect a cure ? and is not tlio quantity determined by expe-
rience ? We have different strength of attenuations of each medi-
cine, from the strongest tincture up to the most minute attenuation;
and every homeopath selects that strength which most speedily
and safely curea his patient. The great point with him is, to select
such a medicine as shall be liomeopathic to the disease, and then
administer just enough of it to effect his object in the most safe
i.nd speedy manner.

We shall conclude this part of the subject by quoting a few ob-
servations of the distinguished modern chemist, (an Allopathist,)
Dr. Kane, respecting the divisibility of matter, and some of the phe-
nomena witnessed, when a very high state of attenuation has been
arrived at. We make these extracts for the benefit of those whose
boundlessness of ideas are not already made up.

It has been proved, if a grain of copper be dissolved in nitric
acid, and then in water of ammonia, it will give a decided violet
color to 392 cubic inches of water. Even supposing that each por-
tion of the liquor of the size of a grain of sand, and of which there
are a million in a cubic inch, contains only one particle of copper,
the grain must have divided itself into 392 million parts. A single
drop of a strong solution of indigo, wherein at least 500,000 dis-
tinctly visible portions can be shown, colors 1000 cubic inches of
water; and as this mass of water contains 500,000 times the bulk
of the drop of the indigo solution, the particles of indigo must be
smaller than twenty-five hundred millionth of a cubic inch.

An Iriiih girl has spun linen yarn of which a pound was 1,432
English miles in length, and of which consequently, 17 lbs. IS

LECTURE ON THE HISTORY OP MEDICINE,

ounces would have girt the globe, (.'otton hiis been spun so that a
pound of thread was 203,000 yards in length. And yet these so
far from being ultimate particles of matter, must have contained
more than one vegetable or animal libre ; that fibre being of itself
of complex organization j and built up of an indefinitely great
number of more simple forms of matter.

According to Deppler; a cubic inch of brimstone, broken into a
million equal pieces, a sand grain each in size, is magnified in sen-
sible surface from six square inches to more than six feet. It is
calculable in this way, that if each trituration of the homeopathist,
diminishes his drug a hundred times, the sensible surface of a sin-
gle inch of sulphur, or any other drug, would be two square miles
at the third trituration.

The microscope has revealed to us still greater wonders as to the
degree of minuteness which even complex bodies are capable of
possessing. Each new improvement in our instruments displays to
us new races of animals, so minute as not to be observed before,
and of which it would require the heaping together of inillions
upon millions to be visible to the naked et/e. And yet these ani-
mals live <;iid feed, and have their organs for locomotion, their
appetites to gratify, and their dangers to avoid. They possess cir-
culating systems often highly complex, and blood, with globules
bearing to them, by analogy, the same proportion in size, that our
blood globules do to us ; and yet these globules themselves organ-
ized, possessed of definite structure, lead us to a point where all
power of distinct conception ceases : where we discover that nothing
is great or small but by comparison.

Finally, the advantages which we obtain from a minute subdi-
vision are as follows : —

1. We develop every part of the active principle, by breaking up all
natural organization between its molecules, and thus expose a large
amount of active surface which would have remained latent.

2. By distributing their molecules intimately throughout an
inert vehicle, (sugar or water) they are more readily absorbed by
the delicate lacterals and absorbents, than coarse and irritating par-
ticles of matter.

3. When these minute atoms have been conveyed by the blood
to those parts with which they have an afiinity, they penetrate the
smallest vessels, impress the minutest sentient nerves, and are pro-
ductive of results entirely unattainable by drugs in a crude state.

But again ; the action is evidently electrical, for the whole of
the phenomena of life is carried on by electricity, and hence the
slightest possible action, if properly directed, will find a prompt
answer in nature. Does it require a spoonful of infection to super-
induce small-pox ? No, sir. An impalpable and an entirely unap-

AND THE SCIENCE OF IIOMEOPATHT.

preciable atom that may chance to float upon the breeze, if it comes
in contact with the organism, will engender in the system the most
loathsome disease and rottenness. We but dip the fine point of a
needle in the virus of kine pock, and put it in contact with the cir-
culation of the skin, and whnt is the result? Why, the whole sys-
tem is affected by it with a class of symptoms that bear a similarity
to those of the small-pox. Now the virus of kine pock exciting
the same class of symptomatic functions that nature brings into
requisition in resisting vario/oirf, or small pox, enables her eflfectu-
ally to ward off the latter. We have in this a demonstration of
both the principle and practice of homeopathy. Similia similibus
curaiitur, like cures like. And one infinitesimal dose accomplishes
it.

There are thousands of instances in nature which fully corrobo-
rate the homeopathic practice in regard to minute doses. I have
had full proof myself of the potency of the invisible poison that
has come from a single leaf perhaps of the Runs Vernix, or poison
ivy. By simj>le olfaction, the whole system has become affected
"ith medicinal erysipelas.

There are doubtless some who hear me to-niglit, who may have
had the .same sad experience; and they could not be persuaded,
they could not be hired to even smell a twig of these poison vege-
tables. It would cost them perhaps weeks of the most painful sick-
ness, afflicting them at the same time with hideous swellings and
loathsome running sores. Now in the face and eyes of such facts
as these, people still ridicule ^he idea of the potency of minute
doses I Yet liere is a minuteness entirely beyond the power of the
strongest microscope, producing the most distressing results.

Only think ; a mighty oak is wrapped up in a little acorn ; a
boundless crop may come from a single germ that floats on the air.
It is not the quantity, but the quality that accomplishes the thing.
It is i ; u so in the application of remedies in the treatment of dis-
ease. L :noculate the system with the right thing, no matter in how
juiuutf :; q- lutity, and it is a law of nature that it shall go on ac-
complishii^ its work.

Think of the boundless diffusion of odor. A single grain of
musk will impregnate the atmosphere of a thousand dwellings.
A single drop from the Miphitia Fuforius (polecat) will medicate
an ocean of atmosphere. The fragrance of a single flower will some-
times produce fainting. The >vild buffalo scents the hunter for
more than a mile, and hastens from the vicinity of danger. The
car'iiverous bird recognize.<? the odoriferous particles arising from a
d ii carcass miles distant in the air, and with hasty wing, pounces
upon the prey. What is it that is imparted from the master's foot
through boots and socks, by which his faithful dog can trace^ bis

LECTURR ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE,

footateps long after he has gone ? What is it, by which tlie blood-
hound traces its game through the thick windings of the dark
forest? Think of the invisible miasm that rides unsuspected on
the stilly air, diffusing misery and death. And are all those hints
without signification '( Is there no lesson of wisdom to bo learned
from them 'i With such an array of facts, disputed by none, is it
a thing incredible that minute medications should produce marked
effects upon the vital organism 'i True, contrasted with the com-
mon medical doctrines, it seems incredible; but when compared
with nature, examined in a philosophical light, and tested by facts,
it is invulnerable. The difference between the common and the
reformed system is so great, that it is a matter of course for people to
mistrust its efficiency. They have been too accustomed to suppose
that the efficacy of medicine lies chiefly in its powerful physical
influences, that to be V>enefited by it, they must first be made
to feel its morbid efl'ev. .< 'hat they must be made worse be-
fore they are better. Thi. • mistake. No powerful medicinal
excitement is necessary to res w. re the equilibrium of nature. When
she is menaced and jaded, and aggravated by disease, she calls not
for, she needs not medicinal torturing, but a kind friend to come
gently to aid, and act in perfect concert with herself. When she is
agonizing and writhing in her conflicts with disease, she needs not
to be goaded on like the baited brute in the amphitheatre ; but it is
then she needs the well-timed and soothing aid of a jnodest and dis-
creet friend.

These principles are destined to prevail. Just as certain as the
announcement of Newton's better philosophy broke up the beau-
teous speculations of former days, and scattered them like the
fragments of an aerial vision, just so certain will these immutable
principles make an entire revolution in the science of medicine.

I shall now proceed to call your attention to some remarks of
Professor Forbes, who stands at the head of the medical profession
in England. lie is one of the editors of the " Cyclopaedia of
Practical Medicine," and also editor of the " British and Foreign
Medical Review." He is undoubtedly, good authority. He has
published a work against Homeopathy, from which I shall make a
few extracts.

** We think it impossible," (says Dr. F.) "to refuse to Home-
opathy the praise of being an ingenious system of medical doctrine,
tolerably complete in its organization, tolerably comprehensive in
its views, and as capable of being defended by as feasible argu-
ments as most of the 8y><tems of medicine which pi-eceded it." This
is an important concession.

Professor Forbes now proceeds, in imitation of the cittle-fish, to
shed his ink for the purpose of raising a cloud, under which to

This

AND THE SCIENCE OF HOMEOPATIIT.

make good his retreat. He proceeds to show, that all the quack
nostrnms of the day can boast their numerous cures ; and taking it
for granted, that nature, as a. (j/ineral thmg, has helped herself out
of the difficulty, not only independent of the nostrums but in spite
of them, so, likewise, Homeopathy has succeeded. He then adds, —

"We must advert to what is, perhaps, the most extensive and
valuable source of all — the actual practice of the more scientific
physicians of all ages, in the latter part of their career ; men of
philosophic minds as well as much experience. It is well known,
from the history of physic, that a large proportion of men of this
class have, in their old age, abandoned much of the energetic and
perturbing medication of their early practice, and trusted greatly
to the remedial powers of nature. The saying of a highly respected
and very learned physician of Edinburgh, still living at an advanced
age, very happily illustrates this point. On some one boasting, be-
fore him, of the marvellous cures wrought by the small doses of
the Homeopathists, he said, 'this was no peculiar cause for boasting,
as he himself had, for the last two years, been curing his patients
with even less, viz : with nothing at all.' "

I would here respectfully ask. What does the solution of the
Professor's problem amount to ? What is the most natural infer-
ence to be drawn from these remarks ? Why, simply that no medi-
cine at all, is safer and better than " the energetic and perturbing
medications of Allopathy."

The following suggestion of Professor F. is very true ; and it
should not be forgotten that, " while he is thus exalting the powers
of nature at the expense of Homeopathy, he is at the same time
exposing the nakedness of his own cherished Allopathy." He is
like the man that would put out both his own eyes for the sake of
putting out one of his antagonist's. By his own admission we have
only to infer that the treatment of disease, by the ordinary or allo-
pathic method, is, at the very best, useless, and worse than useless ;
because it not only interferes with the cure in many instances, and
puts the patient under the painful necessity of swallowing loathsome
and costly drugs, which generally produce unpleasant sensations in
their operation, from all of which Homeopathy is free.

We will now hear a few momentous words from Professor Forbes
on the merits of Allopathy. He says, 1st, "In a large proportion
of cases treated by Allopathic physicians, the disease is cured by
nature, and not by them." 2d. "In a less, but still not a small
proportion, the disease is cured by nature, in spite oi them; in
other words their interference opposing instead of

assisting the

cure.

"lu a considerable proportion of diseases, it would fare as well, or
better with patients, in the actual condition of the medical art, as

-12

LECTURE ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINK,

more generally practised, if all remedies, at least active remedies,
especially dru<.'S, were abandoned."

Although Homeopathy has brought more signally into common
daylight this lamentable condition of medicine, it was well known
before to all experienced physicians."

After speaking at length in the same general strain, of the im-
perfection of the Allopathic system, he adds, —

"■ As thus reflected in our critical mirror, the features of our
ancient mother assuredly look somewhat unattractive. She seems
neither happy nor prosperous ; yea, she seems sick, very sick ; her
countenance is * sicklied o'er by the pale cast of thought,' from the
strength of her inward throes. ' The genius and the mortal instru-
ments are now in council, and her state, like to a little kingdom, is
suffering the nature of an insurrection.' And such, in truth, do
we believe to be, literally, the condition of physic at this moment.
Things have arrived at such a pitch that they cannot be worse. —
They must mend or end. We believe they will mend."

After thus deploring the forlorn condition of the Allopathic
science, Pi*ofessor Forbes proceeds to give certain rules to guide the
future action of the profession, among which are the following sug-
gestions, viz : —

" We should banish from the treatment of disease the harsh or
heroic system, and inculcate a milder and less energetic mode, and
thus ' give nature the best chance of doing the work herself, by
leaving her operations undisturbed by those of art.' "

Here he recommends his brethren to pursue the same course that
he accuses us of. Again he says : —

We should " discountenance all active and powerful medication,
as much as possible, and eschew the habitual use of certain power-
ful medicines in large doses, in a multitude of different diseases, a
practice now generally prevalent, and fraught with the most baneful
consequences." "This is one of the besetting sins of English
practice, and originates partly in a false theory and partly in the
desire to see manifest and strong effects resulting from the action
of medicines. Mercury, iodine, colchicum, antimony, also purga-
tions in general, and blood-letting, are frightfully misused in this
manner."

We should " make every effort to destroy the prevalent system of
giving a vast quantity and variety of unnecessary and useless drugs."
•" Our system is here radically wrong;" and our fashion of doubling,
that is compounding, mixing, &c., is " most absurdly and mis-
chievously complex/' and " is a most serious impediment in the
way of ascertaining the precise and peculiar powers of the indi-
vidual drug, and thus interferes in the most important manner with
the progress of therapeutics."

AND THE SCIENCK OF IIOMKOPATIIY.

Wc should " teach students that uo systematic, or theoretical
classification of diseases, or of therapeutic agents, ever yet promul-
gated, is true or anything like truth, and that none can be adopted
as a safe guide in practice."

We should " endeavor to enlighten the public as to the actual
powers of medicines, with a view to reconcile them to simpler and
milder plans of treatment."

Such, Ladies and (lentlemen, is the language of one who stands
at the head of the Allopathic school in Europe. And is it at all
strange, that in view of this forlorn condition of common medical
science, (a picture given by one of the great masters in the art,) I
ask, is it strange that some should have sought a better way? or is
it a great marvel that they should have found it ?

We have not made these quotations from an enemy of the com-
mon medical school; but from one of its champions — one of its
strongest sons. One who is capable of appreciating its claims, and
yet he candidly confesses its foibles.

The great principle which he has laid down, as a means of re-
deeming, reforming and saving the art from an utter overthrow, are
identical with the great principles of Homeopathy ; and if his
counsel is adopted and appropriated it will inalienably guide them
to the same great ocean of truth.

Hence it is evident that Homeopathy is destined to triumph. It
is enlisting some of the best influence and talent in both hemis-
pheres, which of course will serve to speed it on. But the greatest
guarantee of its complete conquest is its unrivalled success. Its
statistical reports, both in promiscuous and hospital practice, are
the certain precursors of its great and rapid extension.

I will take occasion to exhibit the comparative results of the two
modes of treatment when put to the test at the sick-bed. The fol-
lowing are authentic reports, made without reference to such a
comparison.

Out of 299 caseh of pneumonia, treated homeopathically , by Dr.
Flieschmann, in his hospital practice, Vienna, there were 19 deaths,
which is only about one death in fifteen cases.

Out of 909 of the same disease, treated allopathically, at the
Edinburgh Infirmary, there were 212 deaths, being about one-
fourth.

Out of 223, of plutiris, treated homeopathically by Dr. Fliesch-
mann, there were but three deaths — not far from one in a hundred.

Out of 111 cases of the same disease, treated allopathically at
the Edinburgh Infirmai-y, there were 14 deaths, about one-
eighth.

liECTURE ON THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE.

The results of the two practices in the treatment of Cholera in
Hospitals and elsewhere, according to the most reliable statistics,
are, Allopaths have lost upon an average one third ; Homeopaths
one tenth.

Le MoniteuTy the official organ of the French Government
announces that Dr. Mabbit, a homeopathist, has been created
Knight of the Legion of Honour, as a reward of distinguished
success in his treatment of Cholera. That journal publishes the
following statement of his cases in comparison with the popular,
medical treatment of that disease in France . —

Treated Homeopathically,

Cured, . . .

Died, . - - .

Per centage of Deaths,

Treated Allopathically,

Cured,

Died,

Per ccntagc of Deaths,

- 2,239
2,068

- 171

8J
405,027
254,788
250,239

Now, it will be observed, in the above well-authenticated statistics,
that the mortality is five times greater under Allopathic, than
under Homeopathic treatment ; and I will hazard the bold assertion,
and call upon the world to signalize it, that ordinary practice in the
two schools will exhibit as great a disparity in every disease, and
in every clime.

With these reflections I conclude, not forgetting, however, to
recommend the claims of this import-xnt subject to the notice of
the public, and to the attention of the medical profession in par-
ticular ; as the object of our profession is to lengthen human life
and alleviate human woe.

Let each physician test the principles of Homeopathy by its prac-
tice. Let him do it fairly and impartially, as he would sit in
judgment on the life of a fellow-being, not hoping to find it untrue,
but earnestly seeking the truth. Let him do it for himself, and
stand by his own convictions, and he will no longer wonder why
any embrace it, but why all do not.

We have thus attempted to show you that Homeopathy has at
least a show of reason for its principles and itp practice — if you
intend to be honest, you are bound to investigate it. Homeopathy
courts investigation, Homeopathists, fortified by the success of
their practice; wish you to examine their system. Do this candidly
and fairly, take not the assertion of its opponents, but read and
judge for yourselves j and if you find the system unreasonable, un-
philosophical, and the practice unsuccessful, then, but not till then,
pronounce it a humbug.

Blackburn's City SUam Frets, 63 Tongt Strut, Toronto.