HOMOEOPATHY. A system of therapeutics based upon the law similia similibus curentur, which was introduced in 1796 by S. C. F. Hahnemann, a native of Meissen in Germany. (For merly the accepted form was similia similibus curantur ["like is cured by like"] but research has proved that Hahnemann himself used the less positive subjunctive curentur, signifying "like should be cured by like.") Some points of Hahnemann's system were borrowed from previous writers—as he himself, though imper fectly, admits. Not to mention others, he was anticipated by Hippocrates, and especially by Paracelsus 0495-154i). The identical words similia similibus curantur occur in the Geneva edition (1658) of the works of Paracelsus, as a marginal heading of one of the paragraphs. The essential tenets of homoeopathy are that the cure of disease is effected by drugs that are capable of producing in a healthy individual symptoms similar to those of the disease to be treated, and that to ascertain the curative virtues of any drug it must be "proved" upon healthy persons--that is, taken by individuals of both sexes in a state of health in gradually increasing doses. The manifestations of drug action thus produced are carefully recorded, and this record of "drug-diseases," after being verified by repetition on many "provers," constitutes the distinguishing feature of the homoeopathic materia medica, which, while it embraces the sources, preparation and uses of drugs, as known to the orthodox pharmacopoeia, contains, in addition, the various "provings" obtained in the manner above described.
Another peculiar feature of homoeopathy is its theory of dose. This was one of the later creations of Hahnemann's mind. Most homoeopathists believe more or less in the action of minute doses of medicine, but it must not be considered as an integral part of the system. The dose is the corollary, not the principle. The ques tion of dose has divided the members of the homoeopathic school into bitter factions, and is therefore a matter for careful considera tion. Many employ low potencies; i.e., mother tinctures, first, sec ond, sixth dilutions, etc., while others use hundred-thousandths and millionths.
Some homoeopathists of the present day still believe with Hahnemann that, even after the material medicinal particles of a drug have been subdivided to the fullest extent, the continuation of the dynamization or trituration or succession develops a spiritual curative agency, and that the higher the potency, the more subtle and more powerful is the curative action. Hahne mann says (Organon, 3rd American edition, p. ioi), "It is only by means of the spiritual influence of a morbific agent that our spiritual vital power can be diseased, and in like manner only by the spiritual operation of medicine can health be restored." This is absolutely denied by others. Thus there exist two schools among the adherents of homoeopathy. On the one hand there are the Hahnemannians, the "purists" or "high potency" men, who still profess to regard the Organon as their Bible, who be lieve in all the teachings of Hahnemann, who adhere in their pre scriptions to the single dose, the single medicine, and the highest possible potency, and regard the doctrine of the spiritual dyna mization acquired by trituration and succession as indubitable. On the other side there are the "rational" or "low potency" men, who believe in the universality of the law of cure, but think that it cannot always be applied, on account of an imperfect materia medica and a lack of knowledge on the part of the physician. They believe that in many cases of severe and acute pain pallia tives are required, and that they are free to use all the adjuvants at present known to science for the relief of suffering humanity— massage, balneology, electricity, hygiene, etc. The American In stitute of Homoeopathy, the national body of the United States, has adopted the following resolution and ordered it to be published conspicuously in each number of the Transactions of the society : "A homoeopathic physician is one who adds to his knowledge of medicine a special knowledge of homoeopathic therapeutics. All that pertains to the great field of medical learning is his by tra dition, by inheritance, by right." It is claimed that the effect produced upon both the laity and the general profession of medicine by the introduction of homoe opathy was salutary in many ways. It diminished the quantity of medicine that was formerly considered necessary, and thus re vealed the fact that the vis medicatrix naturae is often sufficient, with occasional and gentle assistance, to cure many diseases, es pecially those fevers that run a definite and regular course. Corroboration of the law similia similibus curentur is seen, accord ing to homoeopathists, in the adoption of the serum therapy, which consists in the treatment of the most malignant diseases (diph theria, lock-jaw, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, bubonic plague) by introducing into the system a modified form (similar) of those poisons that produce them in the healthy individual. Hahnemann undoubtedly deserves the credit of being the first to break de cidedly with the old school of medical practice, in which, forgetful of the teachings of Hippocrates, nature was either overlooked or rudely opposed by wrong and ungentle methods. We can scarcely now estimate the force of character and of courage which was implied in his abandoning the common lines of medicine. More than this, he and his followers showed results in the treatment of disease which compared very favourably with the results of con temporary orthodox practice.
Homoeopathy has given prominence to the therapeutical side of medicine, and has done much to stimulate the study of the physiological action of drugs. It has done service in directing more special attention to various powerful drugs, such as aconite, nux vomica, belladonna, and to the advantage of giving them in simpler forms than were common before the days of Hahnemann. But in the medical profession homoeopathy nevertheless remains under the stigma of being a dissenting sect. It is in the United States that homoeopathy chiefly flourishes. In other countries it has a few practitioners and a few homoeopathic hospitals have been founded. Associations (some of which conduct examinations and grant diplomas) are in existence in England, the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Italy to further the principles of the school and in each of the countries mentioned one or more journals devoted to homoeopathy is in existence.