Hahnemann’s Occupations



And a homoeopathic Journal is also being published in Paris, which will prosper under the administration of well-informed and conscientious men. They are capable physicians from Strassburg, who know French and German equally well.

During the last few weeks a Homoeopathic Society of physicians has been formed in Paris, which already consists of more than 30 physicians. Prof. Mabit in Bordeaux always treats 150 patients with homoeopathy in the large hospital.

Sender unknown. To Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Cothen, 1834.

SUPPLEMENT 99

INQUIRES FROM ALLOPATHIC PHYSICIANS WISHING TO STUDY HOMOEOPATHY.

Dr. Erhardt wrote from Merseburg on July 3rd, 1834:

Several of my chronic patients, who were not being cured after many year’s treatment, and who frequently heard others speak of the successful cures accomplished by homoeopaths, demanded to be treated homoeopathically. From love of truth and from their repeated requests, I wished to see my patients treated by the much more perfected system of homoeopathy, and I became the intermediary and correspondent between them and homoeopathic physician who live away from here. At the same time I studied by degrees the sources of their knowledge, and completed my medicine chest of which Dr. Wislicenus laid the foundation before going to Eisenach, and I bought the works of Ruckert, Weber, and von Boenninghausen, which had meanwhile been published, and so made the work much easier; in addition I kept studying you classic work on Chronic diseases. But I was most strongly urged on by the world-renowned and brilliant results in the homeopathic treatment of cholera, which had resisted every allopathic endeavour, and so completely exposed the weakness and uncertainty of the old school. This gave me courage to overcome the difficulties which at first seemed insurmountable. Notwithstanding wretched hardships and struggles, with God’s help. I have for the last three years accepted the new teaching, and celebrated, on the 10th of August, two years ago, my initiation and reformation festival, and am now glad of the victory achieved…. If at any time I have difficult and obstinate cases to deal with, I apply to those of our science who have more experience. Out of modesty I have not dared so far to trouble you, highly Master with such cases, which are always bound to arise with a beginner, in order not to take up your short and valuable time. Yet I have one case which is of great importance to me, and must seek your advice and counsel for it.

(Then follows four closely written pages with a description of the symptoms).

Dr. C.L. Braun, district physician at Schlitz, near Fulda, in the Grand Duchy of Hessen, wrote to Hahnemann on the following matter, July 28th, 1832:

Several families intend to be treated homoeopathically in the future, and what especially decided them in favour of this treatment, was the successful cures by an Austrian physician, who is said to have achieved miracles in cases of cholera. As, so far, I have not studied any homoeopathic literature, I would like to ask you, Sir,

I. To name the book (or books) which teach me most accurately the treatment of acute diseases:

2. The book (or books) for which I could learn most accurately the treatment of chronic diseases;

3. The Materia Medica which would acquaint me most thoroughly with the effects of medicines, as I would like to become quite familiar with homoeopathy.

If experience should teach me that homoeopathy surpasses allopathy, I shall not fail to acquaint you with the fact.

Then : Schlitz near Falda, November 29th, 1832.

I have since studied your teaching thoroughly, and have ordered the necessary medicines from Neudietendorf, and hope to be able shortly to start treating in accordance with your teachings…The public here, especially the better educated classes, are very pleased with my grasp of the subject, and put their whole trust in the new treatment. One of the chief reasons why it is difficult for your teaching to find acceptance among the physicians may possibly be that the gentlemen lack diligence necessary for the new studies. One can see that in Fulda. Many a one who is convinced of the excellency of your teaching, dare not show it, as otherwise he might have stones thrown at him. If you chill kindly allow me. I will let you know from time to time of my activity as a homoeopathic physician, and according to circumstances beg for your kind advice.

Your pupil who esteems you highly, DR. E.L. BRAUN, District physician.

I.F.P. Schonfeld, a medical practitioner, wrote from Winschoten, Province of Groningen, Holland, on September 27th, 1832:

Since I purchased your works, read them through, and studied them as far as my occupation would allow it, I have become convinced, that the teachings expounded in them contain the only correct method. While reading your writings I was very amazed to think that the truth could remain hidden so long, and now that it has come to light, that it could be so much misunderstood. This unfortunately is also the case in my country, and as I am a keen supporter of your teaching, I do not get any approbation from my professional colleagues, and cannot consult with them in important cases, therefore I venture to address myself frankly to you, with the request that you will kindly honour me with a reply to a few questions.

(The first question concerns poisoning by Arsenic, with fatal result, where the questioner concludes from the post-mortem findings, that arsenic may possibly be a prophylactic to cholera, which shows similar symptoms of disease – R.H.)

Dr. Kiessel, battalion medical officer, Wisebaden, wrote on October 14th, 1834:

I venture to address myself to you as physician and patient, as you, by your method, which has already partly conquered and will still continue to conquer, have become the benefactor of humanity. God has ordained you to disclose the long hidden truth, which is sorely needed in our time, so over-run by diseases and physicians… In my 19th year I went to the University of Heidelberg, and studied there natural science, medicine, surgery and obstetrics….I saw cures-it was in 1825 that I began my activity at the bedside-with and without medicine, where the cases did better without medicines, where the case did better according to my observation, than with them.

This puzzled me and made me doubtful, although since the year 1828, when I was appointed physician, I treated successfully at the University when I limited my activities to removing all harmful influences…. At Whitsun, 1831, I was sent from my place of residence which I abhorred, by our Government, to treat the nerve-fever in the Wetterau district of Reichelsheim…. I was successful in my treatment of those who had been affected, but caught the infection myself and was in bed for 6 weeks. I gave and used very few medicines, and there I heard from the public of favorable results achieved by homoeopathy. Being curious, even although I considered it impossible after that I had been taught at the University…. I journeyed, after I had recovered sufficiently to be able to travel, to Giessen to Hofrath Rau, to hear his views on homoeopathy. I gained confidence from his expositions, but the whole matter was clear to me. I began to study homoeopathic works and yours among them; I dare not treat with it, although I plainly see everywhere the harm that is caused by the rough treatment of the allopaths… Last year I was promoted to be battalion medical officer, and have…since the year 1831 felt inclined and decided for homoeopathy; for the study and observations made at the beside with remedies prepared according to homoeopathic methods, have completely convinced me for the last year.

(Then follows a description of his own case.)

Dr. Wenzel, of Nordhausen, was from 1815 until 1819 “Famulus” of the medical faculty of Leipsic. He wrote on October 15th, 1831, that he:

More and more feels confidence in homoeopathy, and in future he intends to make himself more familiar with this system.

He asks for advice concerning a friend who has been takes ill, or for a communication as to which of the two Leipsic homoeopaths he should consult, Dr. Haubold or Dr. Hartmann, both of whom had been his fellow-students.

SUPPLEMENT 100

THE STUDY OF HOMOEOPATHY.

Heinr. Wiesecke of Berlin, wanted to study homoeopathy. Hahnemann replied that he must first go to a University, before he could commence the actual study of homoeopathy. Wiesecke wrote to Hahnemann in answer on November 22nd, 1831:

Your acceptable last letter has given me great pleasure as a letter from you, but its contents have shattered considerably all my too hastily conceived sand beautiful hopes. I will willingly confess that I do not feel I have courage and patience to face four long years of study, which from its very nature I consider I must reject as useless, and much of which as regards its value I may have to forget later on.

But as he would like to become a homoeopathic physician, he desires to frequent, in Dresden, a kind of school of surgery, which surgeons and second rate doctors use for their practical training. He will attend there a course as an amateur, and acquire the necessary education for an anatomist and operator, and with the necessary certificates from this “Academy,” and after the diligent study of Hahnemann’s writings, will to go the Ecole de la Medecine to Paris, in order to acquire the requisite concession as physician, after which he will visit patients under the supervision of a homoeopathic physician residing there, and gradually assert himself as a homoeopathic physician.

Richard Haehl
Richard M Haehl 1873 - 1932 MD, a German orthodox physician from Stuttgart and Kirchheim who converted to homeopathy, travelled to America to study homeopathy at the Hahnemann College of Philadelphia, to become the biographer of Samuel Hahnemann, and the Secretary of the German Homeopathic Society, the Hahnemannia.

Richard Haehl was also an editor and publisher of the homeopathic journal Allgemcine, and other homeopathic publications.

Haehl was responsible for saving many of the valuable artifacts of Samuel Hahnemann and retrieving the 6th edition of the Organon and publishing it in 1921.
Richard Haehl was the author of - Life and Work of Samuel Hahnemann