Constantine Hering was a native of Saxony, and first saw the light in the town of Oschatz, on New Year’s Day, 1800. His father was a man of liberal views on education, and an advocate of the system of instruction that has since become a characteristic of German educational policy. As may be supposed, young Constantine was given every advantage, and he worked his way through the successive grades of schools in a manner calculated to gain the highest praise of his preceptors. His inclination for the study of natural history was manifested at an early age. He even delighted in collecting, analyzing, and arranging specimens and examples from the different kingdoms of nature, some of which were thought worthy of acceptance by the public museums.
In due time he entered the University of Leipzig, intending to study especially with the view of becoming a physician. Having so strong a passion for the natural sciences, he soon became a favorite with some of the professors, who gave him every encouragement.
It was while resident at this seat of learning that his attention was first directed to the subject of Homoeopathy, by a request from a large publishing house to write a refutation of the doctrines of Hahnemann, which were already stirring up no little commotion among the medical profession. Under the belief that this would be an easy task, and encouraged by the assurances of his teachers, he set about the work with ready confidence. The better to qualify himself for his undertaking, he wisely began by an examination of the tenets and methods that he was expected to demolish, as promulgated in Hahnemann’s own writings. The result of this preliminary investigation was such as to cause the abandonment of the engagement, after a struggle of several months, greatly to the chagrin of his family and the disgust of his former medical friends. Further examination satisfied him of the truth of the new ideas, and completed his conversion.
These proceedings sadly darkened his prospects at Leipzig, as they lost him the patronage he had enjoyed by the favor of his preceptors, and he became seriously embarrassed in the prosecution of his studies. Having, however, received from one of his family the means for the purpose, he removed to Wuerzburg, where, on the 22nd of March 1826, he succeeded in obtaining his degree, notwithstanding that in his inaugural thesis, De Medicina Futura, he unhesitatingly espoused the cause of Homoeopathy.
For some time after graduation he was occupied in teaching; but after some months he was offered an appointment as a member of a scientific expedition to South America, of which the King was patron. His love for natural history induced him to accept the position. While absent upon this expedition he fulfilled his scientific duties with entire satisfaction to the promoters of the scheme. At the same time, however, he did not neglect his study of Homoeopathy-practising his art as opportunity offered- but especially in making and conducting provings of new drugs, in which work he had already done valuable service before leaving home. The accounts of his provings, etc., were sent to, and published in the Homoeopathic Archives. When this became known to the government an official intimation was dispatched that he should, in future, devote himself exclusively to the objects of the expedition. On receipt of this order he speedily resolved to sever his connection with the enterprise and devote himself to the practice and cultivation of Homoeopathy. He remained six years in South America, during which time he diligently prosecuted the work he had taken in hand. Especially in the number and thoroughness of the provings that he then conducted, his characteristic industry and perseverance were remarkable. His reports of Lachesis, Theridion, Caladium, Spigelia, etc., are among the classics of our Materia Medica.
When practising in Paramaribo, he had for a patient a Moravian missionary, Geo. Bute, who had been sent to Surinam. Bute was dangerously ill with spotted fever-exceedingly dangerous in that climate-but recovered under Dr. Hering’s treatment. He was so amazed at his own unexpected cure, and so grateful withal, that he began to crave a knowledge of the wonderful medical system, and from being a patient he became a student of his preserver. After his return to this country, in 1831, Dr. Bute practised in Nazareth, Pa. On the outbreak of cholera in Philadelphia, in the following year, he went to that city to assist in the care of the sick.
Finding the demand of his services so great, he wrote to Dr. Hering, urging him to come and join him. The appeal was effectual, but Dr. Hering did not arrive until the spring of 1833. He associated himself with Dr. Bute in Vine St., Philadelphia, an arrangement which continued with mutual satisfaction until, from enfeebled health, Dr. Bute was obliged to retire a country practise some years later.
Dr. Hering did not introduce Homoeopathy into Pennsylvania. This had already been done, before his arrival by Drs. Detwiler. Ihm, Bute, Freytag, and others, and he found himself surrounded by a small, but intelligent and earnest band of adherents to the system. His reputation had preceded his advent, and he was welcomed with great cordiality and enthusiasm. In December of the same year he joined with a number of others in organizing the first school of instruction in homoeopathic therapeutics in the world, under the name of the North American Academy of the Homoeopathic Healing Art, to be located at Allentown, Pa. Dr. Hering was to be president and principal professor. A charter was obtained, funds were raised, buildings erected, a faculty appointed, students taught and graduated, and a vast deal of other work in behalf of the great medical reform, which cannot even be alluded to here. In all of this the leading spirit and the valiant hand was Dr. Hering’s. The history of Homoeopathy in this country cannot be fully understood without reading the narration of the Allentown Academy, as it was generally called, of which an instructive sketch may be found in the second volume of the World’s Convention, of 1876. The faculty continued its labors until 1842, when, after a useful, but brief career, the enterprise was discontinued. Dr. Hering returned to Philadelphia, but the same untiring zeal and industry never deserted him. He has ever striven with an earnest purpose and an intelligent judgement to develop and extend the resources of the Hahnemann therapeutics. In 1844 he presided at the organization of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, composed, at first, of a few but zealous converts, but which, he lived to see embracing many hundreds of members.
Apart from his scientific, literary and professional labors, his life, during the last thirty years presents but few incidents of prominence. With strong domestic habits, and a deep conviction of his duty and mission, he was content to carry on the work of his vocation without ostentation, enjoying the respectful deference of his disciples, as they sought information or advice, more than the applause of the noisy multitude.
Our venerable colleague lived to a ripened age, and had seen rich fruits from his unselfish and sometimes unappreciated labors, and he finally sank to his rest on July 23rd, 1880, with the calmness and composure of one who has performed his task with diligence and honesty of purpose.
The President, Dr. John W. Bowling, of New York, spoke as follows:
I cannot close without reference to the great loss the entire homoeopathic profession, throughout the world, has met with, in the death, since we last met, of Dr. Constantine Hering, president of the convention which originated the organization of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. In the midst of labors from which, for over fifty years he had never rested, he quietly fell asleep. I could hardly feel that this was an occasion for mourning, for he had been with us for more than half a score of years beyond the allotted time of man; and this long, this spotless life had been one of usefulness and unremitting labor in the cause which he loved to end. The results of the labors of his later years are living, and will live to aid us, and those who come after us in the work to which our lives are being devoted. We should rejoice that during his long and active life not a truthful word had ever been uttered that could reflect on his character as a man, as a Christian, and that at the last his death was peaceful, calm, and free from protracted suffering. We should rejoice that his troubles, for he had sorrows-sorrows hard to bear, too, are at an end, and that there is before him an eternity of happiness, for I believe that of such as he, is the Kingdom of Heaven. Others of us, noble men and true, dear to their families, friends and clientage, have died since we last met together, but this pioneer was dear to us all, honored by us all, and will be remembered by us all, and our children will be taught to honor his memory. Dr. J. C. Morgan, of Philadelphia, then said:
In 1878 and 1879 he published 2 editions of his book, Sunstroke and Its Homeopathic Treatment.
Upon Hering's death in 1880 Knerr became responsible for the completion of the 10-volume Guiding Symptoms.
Dr. Knerr wrote 2-volume Repertory to the Guiding Symptoms,