Pupils and Friends of Hahnemann



The latter reads as follows (“Allg. hom. Zttg., ” 1860, Vol, 61, page 17):

Sire,

When Divine Providence, fifty years ago, revealed to the learned Hahnemann the Law of similars for the establishment of his new curative principle, everything which until then had been obscurity and darkness, wad made light. Truth was perceive where previously only uncertainties and fallacies had been found. Men were given the means to save the body, as in His infinite compassion he had taught them eighteen centuries before how to redeem their souls.

The new doctrine spread rapidly throughout the world; its enthusiastic disciples carried with it zeal to the patients of the old and the new world and attacked the root of those evils, which the old medicine could at best only palliate, with remedies, which cost almost nothing-the effect of which cannot produce harm-and in doses which our senses can barely comprehend.

To-day England, Germany, Austria, Bohemia and Hungary, have homoeopathic hospitals and professors’ chairs; North and South America openly acknowledge Hahnemann’s doctrines; only France the nation which has so often been at the head of intellectual movements, has allowed her sisters to surpass her and acts in connection with this medical progress with irresolution, mistrust, and the luck of courage.

Yet public opinion supports us in England as well as in Germany; the enlightened laity takes us up and protects us. Without aid from the Government, without clinics or hospitals, with no other judges but our enemies, we become greater every day, yes on the 5th February even the Editor of the Union Medicale cried our in alarm; “Homoeopathy gains new ground, the tide is rising perceptibly, what shall we do?”

Sire, Lyon was the cradle of homoeopathy in France. It is now thirty years since I brought the new doctrine into this country, and perhaps one day my adopted country will thank me, as it already accorded me recognition in 1833 by presenting me with a gold medal which bears the inscription;”Mire canati gratitudinis memoirs”- but there is still one deed to be accomplished!

When Hahnemann took leave of me, Hahnemann who saved my wife, and who regretfully saw us depart for France, where I wished to further spread him Divine ideas, said to me with his last embrace: “Homo homini Deus,” and handed me a ring with a cornelian in which the same words were engraved.

Sire, may this motto be addressed to you. Be the man whom Providence has chosen to protect our new doctrine, and graciously grant me the favour to erect a chair of homoeopathy in the new medical faculty, which your iron will is creating, so that Lyon, the first city of France which was enlightened by our Science, may also be the first to possess a chair for our creed, and professors for our science. Then the younger generation will be able to chose between the old medicine based upon human and mutable hypotheses, and homoeopathy, based upon unshakable and constantly confirmed experiences, and truly it will soon follow our path. Procure homoeopathic physicians for this numerous and intelligent population, for this glorious army, for this city the second of your realm, from whence then truth will shine over he show country-and I, a patriarch of this doctrine, I, whose years will soon number one hundred, and who for the last fifty years have only lived for the propagation of God’s praise and the welfare of humanity, will devote the remaining years of my life in prayer for you, and then say with Simeon: “Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine.”

Believe me, sire, to be the most faithful and most obedient servant of your Majesty.

COUNT SEBASTIAN DES GUIDI,

Honorary Inspector of the Academy, Doctor of Medicine, Knight, etc., etc.

At the same time des Guidi requested the Empress Eugenie, to whom he had been presented, to use her influence so that the future medical faculty of Lyon would institute a chair for homoeopathic medical science.

On the 27th May, 1863, des Guidi died in his ninety-fourth year. He was the father of homoeopathy in France.

DR. DESSAIX OF LYON. Dessaix’s letter to Hahnemann:

Lyon, 10th, September, 1833.

Allow me o bring to your notice the “Gallic Homoeopathic Society” (Societe Homoeopathique Gallicane), which was founded in Geneva by Dr. Dufresne in 1832, assembled for a public meeting in Lyon from 6th to 8th of this month and was definitely organised by the acceptance of your precepts.

The assemble at which there were present, among other distinguished physicians, Drs. Saenger of Colmar, Kirschleger from the district of Mulhausen Rolin, inspector of the mineral springs of Luxeuil, Longchamp from Freiburg, Peschier and the two Dufresnes, the one fro Geneva and the other from Savage, Crepu from Grenoble, Gustier from Thoisley (who since the 30th June, 1832, has had a homoeopathic hospital of 30 beds), Bravais from Annonay, and Mr. Ivan, an apothecary from Deyne who possesses remarkable talents and noble thoughts; therefore, this society which as received letters or printed matter from Turin, Rouen, Paris, Bordeaux etc., has also delivered several interesting discourses and reports on all branches of science, theory, practice, materia medica, veterinary science, etc. The Homoeopathic Society of Lyon has had the portrait of the Immortal Founder lithographed and has presented every member of the Gallic Society who was present with a copy of it. I cannot describe to you the pious veneration with which his picture was accepted or the sacred enthusiasm with which unanimously we greeted the great name of Hahnemann

DR. RAPOU, sR. OF LYON.

Rapou to Hahnemann (translated from the French). The letter which Rapou sent to Hahnemann from Leipsic and which wee have already partly given in Supplement 145 contains still further communications.

Revered Master,

When I had the honour of visiting you, you mentioned to me several cities, especially in the Duchy of Baden, where your teachings are better followed than any where else. If they combine the advantages of clinical demonstrations with the other I shall not hesitate to go there. If you, revered Master, would be so good as to add to all the kindnesses which you have shown me by giving me your advice in this matter you would render a great service to me.

You know the object of my journey: I left Lyon four months ago and I don’t wish to return until I am able to practise successfully and spread your marvellous doctrine among my colleagues. Tell me, therefore, how to acquire this knowledge so that I may be imbued with it and achieve its object, the cure of patients.

My wife, who admires you very much, charged me to express to you her high esteem and the assurance of her warm gratitude. You tell me that your work on “Chronic Diseases” has just been translated into French in Lyon by a layman under the supervision of the doctors des Guidi and Dessaix. It is a real benefit, which has been conferred on mankind and a stimulus towards the propagation of homoeopathy, to which I hope to contribute with all powers.

Accept, revered Master, the expression of the greatest esteem from your every obedient and devoted pupil.

DR. RAPOU.

22nd Decr., 1832.

Rapou died on the 5th October, 1857 in Lyon, aged 77 years.

DR. DUPLAT OF MARSEILLES.

Duplat to Hahnemann (from the French): Marseilles, 4th November, 1837.

I take this opportunity, dear Master, to report to you about the position of homoeopathy in the South (of France-R.H). I have studied diligently for five years, and during the last three years I have succeeded in making it known in the great city of Marseilles, in Aix, and Toulon. The number of my patients increases daily, and soon your great work will be known throughout Provence. I treat all diseases with homoeopathy only, and always with the smallest doses in accordance with your true and strict instructions. I am all more obliged to adhere to this principle as the Southern people exhibit an irritability and sensitiveness to medicinal stimuli which is very marked. Their passionate and excitable character will not allow you wise instructions to be over-stepped under any consideration.

The cures which I have accomplished here and inn the neighbouring cities have induced twelve or more physicians of importance to approach me, among them some who have been in practice for more than twenty years. They have devoted themselves eagerly to the study of homoeopathy and some (eight) have given up the old allopathic system of bungling, and only practise pure homoeopathy. I thought it would give you pleasure if I told you which path we have taken, a path which we never shall leave because it is the only true one.

Since the appearance of cholera in Marseilles homoeopathy has made extra-ordinary progress. It is beginning to spread very quickly in the districts of Var, Vaucluse, etc. I exchanged letters with a colleague who lives in that neighbourhood, and all my efforts are directed towards propagating an activity which is as true as it is beneficial.

FRANCOIS ARLES OF LYONS.

Dr. Dufour wrote to Hahnemann concerning him:

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