A CORRESPONDENCE


Aconite is Homoeopathic to foreign substance in the eye (but it won’t pull them out); that Silicea will hasten the superficial appearance of needles lost in deep tissues; that medicines are Homoeopathic to renal colic (of course not as solvents to the calculi); that Sabina, “a shred of cinchona Bark,” if prepared rightly, will check postpartum haemorrhage. …


TO

THE EDITOR, HAHNEMANNIAN MONTHLY.

DEAR EDITOR,

Our mutual friend, author of “Misapplied Homoeopathy” and “Criticism Misapplied” has so complicated our discussion by new issues, which I did not criticise and which are hence foreign to the point, that I must bring the matter to a timely close, that you may be no longer annoyed, and your space be better filled. In doing so, I shall endeavor to take no advantage which my “last say” might give opportunity to exercise.

First, I am sorry that Professors Lee, Gause and Brooks are dragged into the contest; for the fact that one of their students acquired an incorrect impression of Homoeopathy does not prove that they mistaught him.

Secondly, if I have misjudged my offended colleague by calling him a gentleman of education and integrity, and at the same time asserting that his impression of Homoeopathy is false (cannot an educated man be wrong in anything?), I can retract thus much: I surely deemed him honest in his remarks; and that he is educated, witness his acquaintance with Socrates and Galileo, the fables, and his euphonious quotation from Shakespeare.

But serious discussions invariably bring forth the bitterest sarcasm, and never do either party any good. I forbear noticing any slurs applied to me personally, whether quoted from Marcy, or exhibited, school-master fashion, in a review of my style. But you must allow me to reassert, that Aconite is Homoeopathic to foreign substance in the eye (but it won’t pull them out); that Silicea will hasten the superficial appearance of needles lost in deep tissues; that medicines are Homoeopathic to renal colic (of course not as solvents to the calculi); that Sabina, “a shred of cinchona Bark,” if prepared rightly, will check postpartum haemorrhage. All these can be explained by molecular motions.

I was animated by no personal feelings; hence I censured him professionally, and must still be allowed the privilege of considering his remarks as not correct (even if my “pot” is seven years junior to his “kettle”), and as contrary to the teachings of Hahnemann, and I find that I am far from being alone in my judgment.

Very truly yours,

ERNEST A. FARRINGTON.

E. A. Farrington
E. A. Farrington (1847-1885) was born in Williamsburg, NY, on January 1, 1847. He began his study of medicine under the preceptorship of his brother, Harvey W. Farrington, MD. In 1866 he graduated from the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. In 1867 he entered the Hahnemann Medical College, graduating in 1868. He entered practice immediately after his graduation, establishing himself on Mount Vernon Street. Books by Ernest Farrington: Clinical Materia Medica, Comparative Materia Medica, Lesser Writings With Therapeutic Hints.