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History of HomeopathyOnce Upon a TimeHomeopathy began when a doctor by the name of Samuel Christian Hahnemann (1755-1843) gave up his practice because he considered its methods barbaric.Hahnemann received his M.D. in 1779 but soon lost faith in the methods he had learned. Described as a person with high intellect and a special ability to learn languages, he found the methods dangerous. Instead of administering drugs to his patients, he always recommended good diet and exercise. He eventually left his practice and began a new career as a translator. When Hahnemann's daughter contracted a severe illness, he went searching for a better remedy to treat her disease. One day, while translating a German text on pharmacology (Materia Medica), he began to question the author's description of the action of Peruvian bark (also known as cinchona or quinine) to treat malaria. He decided to check whether the description was correct by taking the drug himself. To his surprise, he found that the drug actually created the same symptoms that it was supposed to cure! From this he speculated that the first law of cure was in fact a law of similar: "Let likes be treated by likes." He Went FurtherHahnemann set out to disprove his theory by testing more drugs. The result was rediscovery of the foundation of homeopathy, an old concept that can be traced back to the 5th century. Hahnemann's studies showed that the production of symptoms is actually the body's way of combating illness. A dilute substance that created the symptoms of illnesses in healthy person could be used to fight illness in someone who was sick.The history of homeopathy formally dates from 1810, the year Hahnemann published Organon of Medicine, considered his most important work. By 1821, he became a teacher of homeopathy in the University of Leipzig and published many writings on the subject. Homeopathy became popular only in 1831 when Europe was struck by a widespread cholera epidemic. At the time, Hahnemann recommended using camphor to fight the epidemic. Many people were cured and some became homeopathy converts. Fierce OppositionConventional doctors, championed largely by the American Medical Association (AMA), opposed homeopathy fiercely. As early as the 1860s, doctors who consulted with homeopaths were charged. During the Civil War, the AMA prevented homeopaths from enlisting in the Medical Corps. In 1878, a Connecticut doctor was expelled from his county medical society for consulting with his wife who happened to practice homeopathy.These are some examples of how fiercely conventional doctors opposed homeopathy treatment. This ruthlessness proved successful in dividing homeopaths. In time, many homeopaths became conventional doctors. Only a handful of homeopaths continued to use Hahnemann's methods. What About Today?As recently as a century ago, Samuel Christian Hahnemann was considered one of the greatest heroes of modern medicine. Although hospitals all over the world still carry his name and there is a statue of him in Washington, very few modern doctors can tell us why he is so famous.Nowadays, homeopathy is still considered one of the most controversial forms of alternative treatment (similar treatment was meted to chiropractic study, read Chiropractic History). Conventional doctors condemn homeopathic products due to lack of acceptable clinical trials. They term homeopathy a scam, neglecting its success during the widespread cholera epidemic in 19th century Europe. Nowadays, homeopathy is witnessing a modest resurgence. Sadly, there are very few true practitioners of Hahnemann's methods. Some homeopaths prescribe a few medicines at one go (against the founder's principle of using no more than one medicine at one time). Some homeopathic medicines are even sold at supermarkets much like vitamin supplements. Uses of HomeopathyIn France, a third of the population uses homeopathic medicines and 39 percent of French family physicians prescribe them. It is also estimated that 20 percent of all German physicians prescribe homeopathic medicines and nearly half of Dutch physicians consider homeopathy an effective form of medicine. India has adopted it well. There are more homeopaths in India than in any other country. Homeopathy also flourishes in Greece, Eastern Europe and Sri Lanka.Also Read:
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