Already in the year 1831, the followers of homoeopathy in Magdeburg had appointed Dr. W. Gross, of Juterbogk. In a letter, dated April 23rd, 1831, to his “dearest God-father” Hahnemann, he remarks:
I am glad that you agree with my refusal of the Magdeburg post. Your reasons were also mine. The report from Magdeburg is indeed a rare contribution to the baseness of the allopaths. We must unmask them publicly.
These perverse activities of the allopaths were even more marked at the next nomination, and we shall more about this elsewhere. In the year 1833, another request was made for th appointment of a homoeopathic physician:
Very esteemed Hofrath,
You assured me in our esteemed letter of the 3rd inst., that you could suggest a suitable and capable homoeopathic physician, provided we could give the assurance of approximately 1000 Rth. as a fixed yearly income.
Several families who have discussed the matter now hope that a homoeopathic physician will be allowed to prepare and dispense his own medicines, and also that all other difficulties can be more easily overcome. I have consequently been asked to request you most humbly to send me the name or names of physicians who might be inclined to give up their present practice, and take up their abode in Magdeburg. It is the general wish that the man whom we secure for the post in our city should have already accomplished some successful cures, and also have been a private practitioner for some little time in a Prussian State, as a physician who has only just begun to practise homoeopathy might certainly expect more persecutions from the doctors of the old school.
With the anticipation of a favourable reply, I remain.
With deep esteem, Your humble servant, HEINRICH WEIGHT.
Magdeburg, April 10th, 1833.
Hahnemann remarks on this:
I sent this letter to Fielitz ( of Lauban, a man of 36 years of age, a practitioner for the last 12 years, and a homoeopath for the last three years, with over 400 patients-R.H.) that he might apply for it, but they have chosen Rummel without consulting me.
On June 21st, 1833, the Attorney, Weichsel of Magdeburg, announced the appointment of Dr. Rummel, as the better known homoeopathic physician, also he has to report to Hahnemann at the same time about the violent attacks on homoeopathy and on Rummel. (More of this later; see Supplement 113.)
Mr. Meissner, Secretary, to the Postmaster-General, makes the following striking communication “in his own name and that of numerous others of a like mind,” to the Homoeopathic Association of Frankfort-a-M., on the appointment of a homoeopathic physician in Frankfort: Frankfort, October 8th, 1833.
Our homoeopathic physicians dispense their down medicines and physicians from other parts can practise here undisturbed. Yet a physician who wishes to live and practise here, be he allopath or homoeopath, must undergo an examination before the medical authorities of this city, in accordance with allopathic maxims, notwithstanding with what honour she attained his degree in other parts.
It is possible to avoid this measure, which would be specially burdensome to a homoeopathic physician, by living in the pleasant little town of Bockenheim, in Chur Hessen, which is situated about a quarter of an hour from here, and to practise in Frankfort, or by assuming the role of family physician to some eminent person, and practising in addition. Yet although either method would answer in case of need, neither of them would allow the physician to introduce himself as openly as we would like him to do, both for his sake and our own. It would be much better if the homoeopathic physician who was chosen for this post, were still a young bachelor (provided this did not too greatly restrict the choice) that he should ignore the allopathic examination, and utilise the unobtrusive but nevertheless existing opportunity to woo the daughter of one of the patricians of the city, as his valiant life’s companion. For this he would find much opportunity and our sympathetic support. In this way he would become a citizen, and after the examination had taken place, a practitioner. He would gain his livelihood, and an honorable position, and our earnest desires would be attained.
The physician who is appointed will have not only the support of our generally esteemed and meritorious homoeopathic practitioner, Dr. Passavant, and in so far as he is a native of one of the States would also receive the firm support of the Embassy of that State which is in residence here. It is Dr. Passavant’s unselfish wish to have the assistance of a capable and experienced colleague, for as matters now stand it is impossible for him to attend to the large number of patients who desire homoeopathic treatment. And further the Government of this city would put little opposition in his path as most ambassadors of the Confederation of States, the Mayor in office, several Alderman and Senators, the directors of the most important banks and wholesale firms, as well as a large part of the other inhabitants, worship homoeopathy, therefore we do not doubt that you, Sir, will agree with our views. We further grant with pleasure the honorarium of 1,500 Rth. a year, to be paid for three years, necessary for holding a position suitable to his standing, as well as travelling expenses.
Dr. Widenhorn, of Paris, applied for a post with a Mr. Thayer, on July 29th, 1834, and he desired a recommendation from Hahnemann.
As I have many times previously assured you, I shall always remain a follower of that science of treatment which agrees with the laws of nature, and I also give you my word of honour that I do not practise homoeopathy entirely for financial gain, or for the sake of gaining reputation, but only from the pure reason that with it suffering humanity can be well served, which I could not as certainly do with my earlier method.
Dr. Haubold is bringing this letter to you; he was summoned from Leipsic to a patient here. Dr. Haubold is an honest man and a staunch homoeopath. I believe he will often be called upon to come here again.
Dr. Prieger, Prussian Hofrath, and District Medical Officer, applied for the post with the Princess Friedrich of Prussia, on Hahnemann’s recommendation.
Kreuznach, February 4th, 1835.
As I have devoted several years to the study and practice of homoeopathy with happy results, you may rely upon me as a grateful and reliable pupil.
I would pledge myself to treat the Princess K.H. in accordance with Hahnemann’s views, and would also like to come to Cothen for a few weeks, so that I might procure for myself, his practical teaching, for which I would willingly pay an honorarium of, say, 50 Fried. d’or, and would be very grateful to him.
The man in question was the father of a family consisting of six sons and three daughters, he was 42 year old, and had a remunerative circle of patients, and a country practice, but he preferred Dusseldorf on account of providing for his children. The letter was at first intended for Rost, Lord of the Manor, but the writer ultimately sent it to Hahnemann direct, “as I thought it better to deal with one rather than with two.” Hahnemann only remarks on this letter:
February 17th. Dr. Prieger of Kreuznach, put off.
After Dr. Aegidi had retired from his post with the Princess Friedrich at Dusseldorf, Hahnemann recommended his assistant Jahr, for this post and he was accepted. But very soon after Jahr wrote to Hahnemann:
Dusseldorf, January 2nd, 1835.
In the true sense of the word it is no longer possible to remain here. The Princess is very kind, but all those about her and near her, all the courtiers, from the highest to the lowest, in fact the whole public have only one opinion, and that is, that it was only great assumption and unforgiveable conceit on my part, which could have induced me to accept a post which is only suitable for a graduate….They are annoyed that I am in favour with the Princess, and have sworn to overthrow me at the first opportunity, or to make my position here very unpleasant.
All this affects me so much that I have hardly slept fro a fortnight, and yesterday, at last, after careful consideration I tendered my resignation in writing to the Princess, for any appointment to end not later than the beginning of April, and from then onwards (as the six months have not yet expired) I renounce all further salary….If as may be feared, the Princess should becomes seriously ill, so that she, as she was done on previous occasions, after consulting some homoeopaths, should ask for an allopathic opinion, or if the Prince being ill should also ask for their opinion, what kind of report would they give? Would they not put all the blame on the shoulders of the homoeopath, and request a similar verdict from the Berlin medical authorities?
I have repeatedly told these wicked people who consider it a crime that you have recommended me for this post, that I have only been sent during an interim period until you have had time to find someone else. That is why I wish very much that it may happen soon, so that public here may see that there are still qualified physicians who practise homoeopathy, and not only (as they say)” expelled students who have to use it to procure bread.” This reproach affects me most because it touches the cause.
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