Recently the writer had a latter from an Indian homoeopathist with which he included a copy of a letter from the Indian Ministry of Health, and in which a spokesman for that body suggests that it appears illogical that different systems of medicine should exist as permanent parallel entities, and also that Homoeopathy, Unani and Ayurveda may complement modern medicine, but that in view of its continued progress in the world, it must remain the ultimate systems of treatment for the sick.
This would appear quite logical and reasonable if we did not have prior experience of this very kind of thing elsewhere. Now if the Indian homoeopathists should accept such a compromise, then in the not too far distant future India will have only a few old people in practice and no young men coming forward to replace them. Have we not seen this in the United States, at one time the worlds repository of homoeopathic knowledge and learning? If Americans do not wake up and reorganize with a vengeance, the word “Homoeopathy” may be deleted from American medical dictionaries within fifty years time. It is already with sacrifice that Messrs. Ehrhart and Karl of Chicago keep up reprints of Kents Repertory, a great book that should be thoroughly revised and brought up-to-date.
Why all homoeopathic associations of the few remaining schools and hospitals are not completely severed is a real farce. The name of Hahnemann and his system are only retained to ridicule the life-work of a great medical reformer and benefactor of mankind, because none of these institutions propagate or practice his art or teachings.
America is not at present running one single course of instruction worthy of serious consideration by prospective students, [*With this statement the Editor is not in full accord. Considering the limits imposed on it by financial considerations, the Foundation of Post Graduate Course is excellent. That there is room for improvement we agree.]
Although this writer thinks back respectfully and fondly to his memorable association with the various teachers of the American Foundation for Homoeopathy, who, notwithstanding great financial difficulties and personal sacrifice, try to keep alive a spark of true Hahnemann Homoeopathy in North America! It would appear that, instead of minor individual efforts by small non-influential groups, America and Great Britain, as the leading medical countries of the modern world, should each organize curricula of post-graduate instruction at well-known universities or hospitals, lasting at least two full academic years, and so set an ideal standard that will become internationally recognized for its excellence.
A Fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians or of the American College is indicative of excellence and high medical attainment anywhere in the civilized world. Is it really impossible to do something similar for Homoeopathy, if we put all our sincerity and will into the effort? Surely such a type of qualification in Homoeopathy should carry due weight and do away with much of the miserable misrepresentation of this finest of therapeutic sciences.
