Random Thoughts. On the eye of departure for the International Homoeopathic Congress, to be held in London, July 18th to 23d, many thoughts and conjectures arise as to what we shall find during this important meeting of the followers of Hahnemann, who will gather from almost all corners of the civilized world. We have been impressed, often enough, by the evident earnestness of foreign homoeopathic physicians and by their apparent zeal and enthusiasm for the advancement of homoeopathy, as shown by their writings in British, German, French, Spanish, Indian and other homoeopathic medical journals. It is an enthusiasm reminiscent of thirty years ago in the United States, but which has long since passed and is now scarcely known at all among American homoeopaths of any shade of opinion.
Why is this so? Many of us have wandered off after strange gods, Abramism for example; very many others, perhaps the majority, have gone into the numerous specialties and have neglected or forgotten the help which homoeopathy might give them. Quite recently an old-time, veteran homoeopathic physician was obliged to undergo a major operation in one of our newer and modern hospitals; the handling of his case was all that could be desired, from the surgical and nursing standpoints; he received all the technical benefits of modern medicine and, though in the hands of his friends, was amazed to find that homoeopathy was not employed at any stage of his case. He naturally wondered at this omission, and months after his recovery, sadly shakes his head in amazement that such things can be.
Yet we all know that they can be and are. Why is this so? Has modern medicine so absorbed us, that in our worship of its principles we have cast aside the only set of therapeutic methods which is truly curative? Is refined diagnosis of more value and more to be desired than cure? It would often seem so, especially if we are to judge and draw conclusions from clinical cases which come to us after they have been passed through the hands of specialists who form the coteries known as Group Medicine. The brilliant failures of such medical groups are astounding in view of their unquestioned diagnostic skill and technical ability.
Several letters have come to us, taking issue with us upon the question of sectarianism and the proposed dropping of the title “homoeopathic” from the designations of our hospitals and other institutions. Space forbids the publication of all these letters and probably little good would be achieved thereby, since the writers, whose intentions are unquestionably of he highest, show ignorance of the status of Homoeopathy at the present time. In this connection, it may be illuminating to many to know that at the recent annual meeting of the Alumni Association of the New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Flower Hospital, a vote previously taken among the alumni of this institution, showed a large majority in favor of dropping the title “homoeopathic.”
No matter how much some may deplore this decision, the fact that it was made how much some may deplore this decision, the fact that it was made by the graduates of this college, is of immense significance. Whether the trustees will acquiesce, is of course another matter, but is, after all, of little moment. This decisions plainly shows the present-day trend of the homoeopathic school. The sad part of it is that this school is doing so little to compel recognition by the old school, which of itself is gradually discovering the basic truths of homoeopathy and eventually will incorporate them as its own. Homoeopathy is just now more concerned with boosting its societies and their officers, than it is with the development and perpetuation of the cause these societies are supposed to represent.
So far as we have been able to see, at long range, German homoeopaths balk at the use of high potencies, whereas in England their employment excites no opposition or unfavorable comment. In the United States, homoeopaths are no longer ridiculed by their colleagues for using high potencies, thought it must be confessed that the number of those who use the high and highest potencies is not increasing.
The forthcoming congress should serve as a clearing house of ideas and ought to bring about a better understanding and greater uniformity of homoeopathic practice among physicians of all countries. Certainly there is much to be learned by all of us.
The Question of Causation in Its Relation to Homoeopathic Prescribing. This subject may at first sight appear to be a simple one, but in reality presents a problem, the solution of which involves the very life of the homoeopathic profession or school.
American Homeopathy Doctor.
Rabe graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College and trained under Timothy Field Allen and William Tod Helmuth.
Rabe was President of the International Hahnemannian Association, editor in chief of the Homeopathic Recorder, and he wrote Medical Therapeutics for daily reference. Rabe was Dean and Professor of Homeopathic Therapeutics at the New York Homeopathic Medical College.