In Germany it is the traditional duty of every Homoeopathic physician to first acquire all general medical knowledge like all his professional colleagues, and after the close of his studies receive the permit to practice as a physician by a state examination. We are not sorry for this indirect way, as we thus gain the proof that we are scientifically educated physicians, if doubted by our opponents.
A future time may perhaps give us separate institutions for clinical instruction, for until now we are still restricted to private studies for a specifically Homoeopathic education. There is only one clinical institution, aided by the state government, under the control of the Homoeopathic Central Society in Leipsic, but this is much curtailed by the flourishing private clinic of Schwabe’s pharmacy.
The hospital of the Central Society in Leipsic is successful, but has not been assisted by general interest.
Munich has a small Homoeopathic hospital, under the supervision of Dr. Koeck, but this is not generally known.
Berlin has the funds for the erection of a hospital, but the society for its erection has not yet been granted the governmental permit, without which the undertaking cannot proceed. The government will not support Homoeopathy in the near future, although many persons of high rank are its adherents. Only in the state of Wurttemberg the official physicians are compelled to acquire a general knowledge of Homoeopathy.
Homoeopathic literature in Germany is represented by one of the oldest existing Homoeopathic periodicals: Die Allgemeine Homoeopatische Zeitungun Leipsic; (2) Die Zeitschrift des Vereins Berliner Homoeopatischer Aertle; (3) Archiv fuer Homoeopathic, founded by me; (4) Die Leipziger Populaere Zeitschrift fuer Homoeopathic; (5) the publications of the “Hahnemannia” in Wurtemberg; and (6) Dr. Schlegel’s Weguciser zur Gesundheix in Thuebingen.
Of these periodicals, the first one has no programme any more, as it has three different editors. It also publishes, in the interests of a shall circle, who congregated under the name of Epidemiological society, which hopes to improve Homoeopathy by the teachings of Weihe, who adds a number of sensitive nerve points to the symptoms of individual remedies, at the same time attempting to revive the old theories of Rademacher with regard to epidemic remedies.
The Berliner Zeitschrift tends to find a modern expression for the doctrines of Homoeopathy, hoping to advance the latter by adding pathological and physiological views in the selection of the remedy.
The Archive represents the older tendency of Homoeopathy, the purely symptomatic selection, and the use of high potencies. It is the only paper which cultivates international relations as much as possible. The other publications are written for the laity and are excellently edited, although their views cannot always be accepted, but they show a decided aversion to concede to the physicians the leadership of the party, for they, as laymen, consider the laymen supreme.
The pharmacies dispensing Homoeopathic medicines exclusively are good and flourishing. Most all the German drug-stores have Homoeopathic departments, and it must be admitted that the apothecaries who are celebrated for their conscientiousness also try their best in this somewhat heterodox territory. There are a few fanatics and immature youths who try to spite Homoeopathy by preparing and dispensing Homoeopathic drugs in a careless manner; but it must be emphasized that such dishonorable conduct is rare. I, therefore, advocate that Homoeopathic physicians should cease to dispense medicines themselves.
In Prussia, the physician can receive a permit by passing an examination; in other prominent states states such a law does not exist. However, with this view of giving up the dispensing of medicines by physicians, I stand isolated with a very small number of friends, although we argue that for diplomatic reasons also we should not insist upon a right which we use exclusively, and which has caused the enmity of the entire drug trade. We should at once assist in an agitation for all physicians to prepare and dispense their own medicines, but we do not wish that this demand should apply to Homoeopathic physicians only.
If we now recapitulate all that is to be said about the position of Homoeopathy in Germany, it is that we are gain at the beginning of a rising tendency. A younger generation with modern views and education has joined our party; individuals of all circles of society needing medical assistance show greater interest in the method of the healing a art, and even though it be the economical of our treatment which rouses the interest of the general public, as, for instance, the shorter duration of disease and the greater cheapness of the medicines, this is sufficient to guarantee the gradual recognition which we deserve.
We Homoeopathic physicians are scattered in all directions and are overworked; therefore, it cannot be expected for some time to come that Homoeopathy in Germany will appear prominent upon the great battlefield of scientific labor, but also among us indications appear of an increased interest for a through investigation of our knowledge and for the good-will to join actively in the development of our school. But, above, after a period of hopeless decline, we are inspired with the consciousness that we, as Homoeopaths, need not care whether we are acceptable to others, nor how we might make ourselves agreeable to them, but that we may expect to be asked for advice, for we consider ourselves the standard bearers of medical progress, so long as we remain true disciples of our Master, who held up to his contemporaries the warning and admonition: Aude Sapere!.
DISCUSSION.
THE CHAIRMAN: This address will be discussed by Dr. Dake.
DR. DAKE: I want to say that I am exceedingly sorry that Dr. Villers was prevented from being here to read this paper himself. I had the pleasure of meeting him two years ago, and know that he would be a very interesting member in this Congress. We are glad to hear something of Homoeopathy in that country; we are glad of these notes of progress and to be assured that our cause is living and growing there.
A few years ago I made the acquaintance of a physician of our school who told me that the greatest trouble they had in Germany, and I believe in other European countries, has been the control of the surgical staff of the army. They like to dominate and they do dominate, and so Homoeopathy has a poor chance to progress compared with what it has in American. They won’t give them a charter; they cannot have a school of their own to educate men in their own way; they have to go through the mill of the Old School, with its autocratic methods, and hence are laboring under difficulties; and they have our sympathies.
DR. FISHER, of Sydney, Australia: Very many of the older men, and at that time the most scientific men of Germany, were charmed with Homoeopathy, for Hahnemann’s language was strong, powerful, and good. At the Berlin University Homoeopathy was flourishing. Chairs of Homoeopathy colleges under that name are few, but I have just been travelling over Germany, and Homoeopathy has not diminished. The Allopath adopts most of our views, though a not under the name of Homoeopathy. Every pharmacy in Germany and in Prussia is obliged to keep a Homoeopathic department, under the supervision of the government. The book on therapeutics, published by Schwabe, of Leipsic, has done a great deal of good, and I am astonished it has not been translated into English; it gives every disease and its treatment, and has induced many to make further investigation into Homoeopathy.
The Congress adjourned until the following morning at 10:30 A.M. .
The Sections in Surgery and in Ophthalmology, Otology, and Laryngology held separate sessions at 3 P.M., and at 8 P.M., at which numerous valuable papers were presented and discussed. (See the reports on these subjects.).
