Samuel Hahnemann
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| Samuel Hahnemann | |
 Samuel Hahnemann
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| Born | 10 April 1755 |
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| Died | 2 July 1843 |
| Nationality | German |
| Fields | homoeopathy |
Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (10 April 1755[1] – 2 July 1843) was a German physician who created homoeopathy.
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[edit] Life
He was born Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann in Meissen, Saxony, a town "famous for its porcelain. His father, uncles and grandfathers were all painters and designers of porcelain."[2] Hahnemann showed "a marked proficiency in languages, of which he spoke at least nine;"[3] "by twenty he had mastered English, French, Italian, Greek and Latin,"[4] and was making a living as a translator and teacher of languages. He later gained proficiency in "Arabic, Syriac, Chaldaic and Hebrew."[4]
Hahnemann studied medicine for two years at Leipzig and ten months at Vienna. While studying at Leipzig, it was the "lack of clinical facilities (that) soon led him to move to Vienna."[5] He graduated MD at the University of Erlangen on 10 August 1779, after only one term’s further study, qualifying with honors with a thesis on the treatment of cramps, titled Conspectus adfectuum spasmodicorum aetiologicus et therapeuticus. [A Dissertation on the Causes and Treatment of Cramps][6][7] It is said that poverty forced him to choose Erlangen only because he had learned that the fees there would be less.[8] In 1781, he took a village doctor’s position in the copper-mining area of Mansfeld, Saxony.[9] "Shortly thereafter he married Johanna Henriette Kuchler;"[4] they had eleven children. While there are no known living descendants today of Hahnemann himself, there are a few of his older sister Charlotte's (1752-1812).[10]
Hahnemann claimed that the medicine of his time did as much harm as good:
My sense of duty would not easily allow me to treat the unknown pathological state of my suffering brethren with these unknown medicines. The thought of becoming in this way a murderer or malefactor towards the life of my fellow human beings was most terrible to me, so terrible and disturbing that I wholly gave up my practice in the first years of my married life and occupied myself solely with chemistry and writing.[4]
After giving up his practice (c.1784) he made his living chiefly as a writer and translator, while resolving also to investigate the causes of medicine's alleged errors. While translating William Cullen's A Treatise on the Materia Medica, Hahnemann encountered the claim that Cinchona, the bark of a Peruvian tree, was effective in treating malaria because of its astringency. Hahnemann claimed that other astringent substances are not effective against malaria and began to research cinchona's effect on the human organism by self-application. He claimed that the drug evoked malaria-like symptoms in himself, and concluded that it would do so in any healthy individual. This led him to postulate a healing principle: "that which can produce a set of symptoms in a healthy individual, can treat a sick individual who is manifesting a similar set of symptoms."[4] This principle, like cures like, became the basis for an approach to medicine which he gave the name homeopathy.
Hahnemann tested substances for the effect they produced on a healthy individual and tried to deduce from this the ills they would heal. From his research, he initially concluded that ingesting substances to produce noticeable changes in the organism resulted in toxic effects. He then attempted to mitigate this problem through exploring dilutions of the compounds he was testing. He claimed that these dilutions, when done according to his technique of succussion (systematic mixing through vigorous shaking) and potentization, were still effective in producing symptoms. However, these effects have never been duplicated in clinical trials, and his approach has been universally abandoned by modern medicine.
Hahnemann began practicing this new technique, which attracted other doctors c.1792.[citation needed] He first published an article about the homeopathic approach in a German language medical journal in 1796; in 1810, he wrote his Organon of the Medical Art, the first systematic treatise on the subject.
In the Spring of 1811[11] Hahnemann moved his family back to Leipzig with the intention of teaching his new medical system at the University of Leipzig. In accordance with the university statutes, he became a faculty member by submitting and defending a thesis on a medical topic of his choice: On 26 June 1812, Hahnemann presented a Latin thesis, entitled "A Medical Historical Dissertation on the Helleborism of the Ancients."[12]
Hahnemann continued practicing and researching homeopathy, as well as writing and lecturing for the rest of his life. He died in 1843 in Paris, at 88 years of age, and is entombed in a mausoleum at Paris's Père Lachaise cemetery.
[edit] Writings
Hahnemann wrote a number of books, essays, and letters on the homeopathic method, chemistry, and general medicine:
- (in German) Versuch über ein neues Prinzip zur Auffindung der Heilkräfte der Arzneisubstanzen, nebst einigen Blicken auf die bisherigen [Essay on a New Principle for Ascertaining the Curative Powers of Drugs], 1796, http://www.mickler.de/journal/versuch-prinzip-1.htm reprinted in Versuch über ein neues Prinzip zur Auffindung der Heilkräfte der Arzneisubstanzen, nebst einigen Blicken auf die bisherigen. Haug. 1988. ISBN 3776010606.
- Fragmenta de viribus medicamentorum positivis, a collection of 27 drug "provings" published in Latin in 1805.[13][14][15]
- The Organon of the Healing Art (1810), a detailed delineation of what he saw as the rationale underpinning homeopathic medicine, and guidelines for practice. Hahnemann published the 5th edition in 1833; a revised draft of this (1842) was discovered after Hahnemann's death and finally published as the 6th edition in 1921.[16][17] [18] [19]
- Materia Medica Pura, a compilation of "homoeopathic proving" reports, published in six volumes between vol. I in 1811 and vol. VI in 1827. Revised editions of volumes I and II were published in 1830 and 1833, respectively.[20]
- Chronic Diseases (1828), an explanation of the root and cure of chronic disease according to the theory of miasms, together with a compilation of "homoeopathic proving" reports, published in five volumes during the 1830s.
- Lesser Writings of Samuel Hahnemann, http://www.minutus.org/library/article_showall.asp?cat_id=1&parent_id=1&parent_name=Articles&sub_name=Samuel+Hahnemann, which were gathered by Dudgeon.
- The Friend of Health, in which Hahnemann "recommended the use of fresh air, bed rest, proper diet, sunshine, public hygiene and numerous other beneficial measures at a time when many other physicians considered them of no value."[21][22]
- Asiatic Cholera, in which Hahnemann described cholera as a "pathogenic" disease caused by "excessively minute, invisible, living creatures."[23]
- Hahnemann also campaigned for the humane treatment of the insane in 1792[24]
- John Henry Clarke wrote that "In 1787, Hahnemann discovered the best test for arsenic and other poisons in wine, having pointed out the unreliable nature of the "Wurtemberg Test," which had been in use up to that date." [25][26]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Though some sources do state that he was born in the early hours of 11 April 1755, Haehl, Richard (1922), Samuel Hahnemann his Life and Works, 1, p. 9, "Hahnemann, was born on 10 April at approximately twelve o'clock midnight."
- ^ Harris Livermore Coulter (1977). Divided Legacy, a History of the Schism in Medical Thought. II. Washington: Wehawken Books. pp. 306. ISBN 0916386023. OCLC 67493911.
- ^ William G Rothstein (1972), American Physicians in the Nineteenth Century, from Sects to Science, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 152, ISBN 0801812429, OCLC 416461
- ^ a b c d e Hahnemann Biography, http://www.skylarkbooks.co.uk/Hahnemann_Biography.htm, retrieved on 2009-01-13
- ^ Martin Kaufman (1972), Homeopathy in America, the Rise and Fall of a Medical Heresy, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 24, ISBN 0801812380, OCLC 264319
- ^ Trevor Cook (1981), Samuel Hahnemann Founder of Homeopathy, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire: Thorsons, p. 36, ISBN 0722506899
- ^ Richard Haehl (1922), Samuel Hahnemann His Life and Work, 2, London: Homoeopathic Publishing, pp. 11, OCLC 14558215
- ^ Haehl, op cit, vol. 1, p.24
- ^ Haehl, op cit, vol. 1, p.26
- ^ Robert Séror (in French), La famille du Docteur Samuel Frédéric Christian Hahnemann [The family of doctor Samuel Frederic Christian Hahnemann], http://homeoint.org/seror/articles2/famillesh.htm[dubious ]
- ^ Thomas Lindsley Bradford (1895 (reprinted 1999)), The Life and Letters of Samuel Hahnemann, Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel, p. 76, OCLC 1489955
- ^ Bradford, op cit, p.93
- ^ (in Latin) Fragmenta de viribus medicamentorum positivis, sive in sano corpore humano observatis. 1824. OCLC 14852975. http://www.archive.org/details/fragmentadeviri00hahngoog.
- ^ (in German) (PDF) Übersetzund der 'Fragmenta de viribus medicamentorum' von Marion Wettemann, http://www.hahnemann.de/frontend1/media/pdf/fragmenta_leseprobe.pdf[dubious ]
- ^ http://www.homeoint.org/seror/pathohahn/index.htm Fragmenta de viribus and Materia Medica Pura full-text in French
- ^ Online etext of Hahnemann's Organon der Heilkunst
- ^ http://www.vithoulkas.com/homeopathy/organon/index.html Organon of Homeopathy, 6th version] English version, full text online
- ^ http://www.homeoint.org/books4/organon/ German original] (other format)
- ^ http://www.homeopathyhome.com/reference/organon/organon.html English translation
- ^ http://www.hpathy.com/materiamedica/hahnemann-materia-pura/index.asp Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura full-text in English
- ^ Rothstein, op cit, p.158
- ^ Samuel Hahnemann (1792), The Friend of Health
- ^ Samuel Hahnemann (1831), Asiatic Cholera, http://www.minutus.org/library/article_read.asp?id=13
- ^ Samuel Hahnemann (1796), Description of Klockenbring During his Insanity
- ^ John Henry Clarke (1894). Homoeopathy: all about it; or, The principle of cure. London: Homoeopathic Publishing. OCLC 29160937.
- ^ Richard Haehl, Marie L. Wheeler (tr.) and W.H.R. Grundy (tr.) (1922). John Henry Clarke, Francis James Wheeler. ed. Samuel Hahnemann his Life and Work. 1. London: Homoeopathic Publishing. pp. 34. OCLC 222833661. http://www.archive.org/details/samuelhahnemannh01haehuoft., reprinted as ISBN 81-7021-693-1
[edit] Bibliography
- Brockmeyer, Bettina (2007), "[Representations of illness in letters addressed to Samuel Hahnemann: gender and historical perspectives]" (in German), Medizin, Gesellschaft, und Geschichte : Jahrbuch des Instituts für Geschichte der Medizin der Robert Bosch Stiftung 29: 211–21, 259, PMID 18354994
- Kayne, Steven (2006), "Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843): the founder of modern homeopathy.", Pharmaceutical historian 36 (2 Suppl): S23–6, 2006 Jun, PMID 17153748
- Brockmeyer, Bettina (2005), "[Writing about oneself and others: men and women in letters to doctor Samuel Hahnemann 1831-1835]" (in German), Würzburger medizinhistorische Mitteilungen / im Auftrage der Würzburger medizinhistorischen Gesellschaft und in Verbindung mit dem Institut für Geschichte der Medizin der Universität Würzburg 24: 18–28, PMID 17153289
- "[Biographic synopsis on Samuel Hahnemann]" (in Spanish), Revista de enfermería (Barcelona, Spain) 28 (3): 10–6, 2005, 2005 Mar, PMID 15871338
- Eschenbruch, Nicholas (2005), "[Rationalist, magician, scharlatan? Samuel Hahnemann and homeopathy from the viewpoint of homeopathy]" (in German), Schweiz. Rundsch. Med. Prax. 94 (11): 443–6, 2005 Mar 16, PMID 15822443
- Jutte, R (1999), "["Thus it passes from the patient's purse into that of the doctor without causing displeasure" - Samuel Hahnemann and medical fees]" (in German), Medizin, Gesellschaft, und Geschichte : Jahrbuch des Instituts für Geschichte der Medizin der Robert Bosch Stiftung 18: 149–67, PMID 11624613
- de Goeij, C M (1994), "[Samuel Hahnemann: an indignant systems builder]" (in Dutch), Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde 138 (6): 310–4, 1994 Feb 5, PMID 8121514
- Rizza, E (1994), "[Samuel Hahnemann: a mystical empiricist. A study of the origin and development of the homeopathic medical system]" (in Italian), Medicina nei secoli 6 (3): 515–24, PMID 11620590
- Meissner, M, "[Samuel Hahnemann--the originator of homeopathic medicine]", Krankenpflege Journal 30 (7-8): 364–6, PMID 1405462
- Schmidt, J M (1988), "[The publications of Samuel Hahnemann]", Sudhoffs Archiv 72 (1): 14–36, PMID 2970128, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2970128
- Lozowski, J (1982), "[Homeopathy (Samuel Hahnemann)]" (in Polish), Pielȩgniarka i połozna (4-5): 16–7, PMID 6750668
- Habacher, M (1980), "Homöopathische Fernbehandlung durch Samuel Hahnemann" (in German), Medizinhistorisches Journal 15 (4): 385–91, PMID 11610925
- Antall, J; Kapronczay, K (1973), "[Samuel Hahnemann]", Orvosi hetilap 114 (32): 1945–7, 1973 Aug 12, PMID 4581537
- Hodges, PC (1964), "Homeopathy and Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann", Postgraduate medicine 35: 666–8, 1964 Jun, PMID 14143315
- Dietrich, HJ, "Hahnemann's capacity for greatness; Samuel Hahnemann; and Hahnemann Medical College", The Hahnemannian 93 (2): 35–9, PMID 13562700, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13562700
- Koch, E (1955), "[On the 200th anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann; several ideas concerning homeopathy]" (in German), Das Deutsche Gesundheitswesen 10 (16): 585–90, 1955 Apr 21, PMID 14379841, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14379841
- Auster, F (1955), "[200th Anniversary of the birth of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, born April 10, 1755]" (in German), Pharmazeutische Zentralhalle für Deutschland 94 (4): 124–8, 1955 Apr, PMID 14384489, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14384489
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[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Samuel Hahnemann |
- Life History of Samuel Hahnemann
- Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann A historical overview
