Reminded to present also my mite at this memorial meeting, I rummaged among my old papers and found a copy of a letter addressed to Dr. Hering, nearly fifteen years ago, soon after I had settled in this city. The occasion was a letter written to a mutual acquaintance but indirectly to me, inquiring about information on some questions concerning the eyes. The first was the dilatation of the pupil by atropia to facilitate ophthalmoscopic examinations, and whether it would not cause permanent mydriasis in some cases? The second: what was really the cause of the sparkling of the eyes (Augenglaenzen)? The third: what are the crossed rhombic lines in the field of vision? It does not matter about the answers, I only hope to be able to follow. Some years later I remembered he asked my opinion about that mischievous but plausible humbug of dry cupping of the eyeball.
The last years have brought some antagonistic views to light, about the enucleation of a diseased eyeball in certain cases, to prevent the loss by sympathetic ophthalmia of the other sound eye: in regard to which I will only say that every oculist will be glad to learn that medicine will be able to prevent permanently such a disastrous result. All such controversies not only do no harm in the end, but are absolutely, necessary to elicit the truth, and if they are conducted in the sole interest of the truth, they will benefit both sides. I do not believe that his hottest, but honest opponent, will ever say that Constantine Hering ever had any other aim in view in his whole life. Blessed be his memory among us always.
Dr. J. W. Dowling said:
If anything could be added to the perfect happiness that exists in Heaven. I should say that our dear old patriarch, brother and friend, as he looks down upon us from his celestial and eternal home, is rendered supremely happy at listening to the kind words which, with stirring eloquence, have been spoken, and which have come from the hearts of warm friends and admirers to whom his memory is still fresh and dear.
It seems as if nothing was left for me to say. Those who are my seniors-who have known him perhaps longer than I-have justly sounded his praises, have pictured his virtues, his honesty, his earnestness and zeal in advocating a cause dear to him, not for advantages he himself derived, but because of the benefits it conferred upon suffering humanity.
This is not an occasion for mourning, but rather of rejoicing. It is true he has left us; his earthly remains have been laid in the ground, but why should we be sad? Was he not with us half a score of years beyond the allotted time of man? Should we not rejoice that this long, this spotless life had been one of usefulness and of unremitting labor in the cause he loved so well-to the very last? Should we not rejoice that the results of those labors of his later years are living, and will live to aid us and our children in the work to which our lives are being devoted? Should not we who respect and love him, rejoice that through his long and active life not a truthful word had ever been uttered that could reflect upon his character as a man-as a christian-and that at the last his death was peaceful, calm and free from protracted suffering? Should we not rejoice that his sorrows- 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 of such as he is the kingdom of heaven.
The following note was sent by Dr. B. F. Joslin:
I am being prevented by a cold from being present at the meeting this evening, but I desire to contribute one word of praise to the memory of the illustrious Hering. I wish to say, that if in his long and useful life he had but given us the proving of Lachesis, he would have been entitled to the everlasting gratitude of mankind.
Dr. Egbert Guernsey said:
It is my misfortune never to have had a personal acquaintance with Dr. Hering, but the magnetism of his mind was so diffused through all his works, that a personal acquaintance was hardly necessary to know the man. Were I asked to write his epitaph, I should say, as was said of Sir Christopher Wren, beneath the stately dome of St. Paul, reared by his genius: Look around you Dr. Hering can have no nobler epitaph than his pure, almost blameless life, and the broad catholic spirit and the earnest scientific research found in all of his public works, which have placed him in the first rank of profound, practical thinkers in the medical world. Aside from the scientific value of his life’s work, we are forcibly struck with that spirit of christian kindness and charity, which we shall do well to imitate. He was, in every sense of the word, a christian gentleman, and illustrated in his life and writings how a man can be truly great and noble when divested to bitterness and selfishness. By none will he be more deeply mourned, and his memory held in greater reverence, than by the younger workers in the field, who looked to him as father and friend.
Dr. George S. Norton said:
Having known Dr. Hering for several years, both in a professional and social way, it gives me pleasure to record my appreciation to him as a physician and as a man. In his home life there was much to admire. Wife and children were devoted to him, and he to them. His hospitality was well known and it always gave him great satisfaction to see his friends gathered at his table; all were made welcome, and all could not help but to enjoy those delightful, instructive talks with the gifted Father Hering.
One of his chief pleasures and relaxations from work was on a Sunday afternoon, when a circle of old friends assembled in his reception room and over their cigars and coffee compared experiences and discussed various subjects. Neither hot, cold, nor stormy weather interfered with those social gatherings.
Of his investigations and teachings of our Homoeopathic Materia Medica. I need not speak, as his extensive knowledge, diligent researches, and practical additions to this important department of medicine are known to you all-yes, not only to us, but to all in every land and line who have studied the law of similia.
It therefore seems to me as if the most comprehensive and fitting eulogy to his worth is expressed in the words: Constantine Hering, a Father to Homoeopathy.
Dr. Alfred K. Hills:
It is with no small degree of effort and embarrassment that I attempt to find words in which to express my respect for one so great as he is whose memory we meet tonight.
As we younger members of the profession glance reflectively over such a life as that of our late colleague, it inspires us to greater energy in the living of our own. His was filled not only with the most industrious effort, but he gave freely of what he had and without the asking, to all those who chose to avail themselves of the results from his researches.
With him nothing professional was secret, could not possibly be kept as such, and he had the greatest abhorrence for any who attempted this practice. His precept always was make everything known that may, by any possibility, be of service to another.
We could scarcely find his equal in the world of science, as a student, and few have originated more than he.
What greater epitaph could be placed over his resting-place than the words Lachesis, Glonoine and Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica. Certainly no one individual could hope for more than this would express.
Our appreciation on his devotion to that cause which we all hold so dear, justly emphasized by many, cannot be repeated too often by those who love and cherish his memory.
Let us, therefore, emulate his example in our faithfulness, and then we may hope for that reward which is vouchsafed only to such. Remarks of Dr. L. Hallock:
Dr. Constantine Hering may, I think, be regarded as next to Hahnemann in the value and amount of his labors for the interest of Homoeopathy.
Every reader of the periodic literature of our school must have been surprised at the number and variety of his contributions.
Nothing but talents of the highest order, united with earnest zeal and tireless industry, could have furnished so many and so valuable practical essays as he has given to the profession. Besides his large and systematic works, the numerous additions to our Materia Medica furnished by his incessant labors, have placed our school under everlasting obligation to respect and to honor his memory.
Among these additions Lachesis has long been prominent as one of the most valuable remedies at our command. More recently his elaborate and minute articles on the history, effects and therapeutic value of Lyssin evidence on amount of patient research and self-denying devotion truly surprising in one so occupied in active professional duties. The thoroughness of his work is well illustrated in the extended pathogenesis of this potent remedy by experiments upon himself as well as upon others, until, as he expressed it, terrible forebodings warned him of the danger of further trials. Such bold and self-sacrificing labors for science and humanity certainly deserve our admiration and gratitude. The writings of Dr. Hering seem designed to be clear, forcible and practical, and when from their frequent novelty and boldness they were sometimes received with adverse, or doubting criticism, were defended with the energy and ability of conscious integrity.
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,