A oUUx^i (L^_ J &n &ofcress «HMWW«MM« TO THE FRIENDS OF HOKEOPATHY IN NEW YORK, FROM THE TRUSTEES OF THE NEW YORK HOMEOPATHIC DISPENSARY ASSOCIATION. IN CERTI8, UNITAS ; IN DUBIIS, LIBEBTAS J IN OMNIBUS, CHARITAS. tt elu ITovfc: ^J WM. C. BRYANT & CO., PRINTERS, 18 NASSAU ST., N. Y. ©M-4 1852. Mem fork |Bnm^jiat()ir StHjretmartj fenrnitirm. BOARD OF TRUSTEES. BENJN. R. WINTHROP, President, 10 Wall street. N. N. HALSTE'D, 1st V.-President, 23 William street. W. II. MACY, 2d V.-President, 189 Front street. THOMAS DENNY, Treasurer, 8 Jauncey Court, Wall street. WM. K. L0THR0P, Secretary, 46 Water street. JONA. STURGES, 125 Front st. J. R. LEROY, 26 Lafayette PI. WM. C. BRYANT, 18 Nassau st. WILSON G. HUNT, 80 William st. ROE LOCKWOOD, 411 Broadway. P. S. VAN RENSSELAER, 18 Wall st. HENRY JAMES, 58 West 14th st. SAMUEL R. BETTS, 16 St. Mark's Place. JOHN W EDMONDS, 80 Lexington Av. STEPHEN CAMBRELENG, 18 Wall st. ORSAMUS BUSHNELL, 20 Nassau st. VV. W. T. GREEN WAY, 45 Broadway. JOHN T. ADAMS, 89 WaU st. JOHN T. BRUCE, 175 Pearl st JOHN GRAY, 210 East Broadway. J. S. HARBERGER, 40 WaU st. A. THORNTON, 94 Pearl st. GEO. PLATT, 53 Broadway. G. C. SATTERLEE, 54 Wall st. J. T. S. SMITH, 488 Broadway R. M. STRATTON, 242 Water st. A. W. SUS, 119 Pearl st. ISAAC C. KENDALL, 139 Broadway. A. J. T. GIRAUD, 42 Fourth at. JOSHUA L. POPE, 98 Pine st. R. W. HEURTLE tf, 109 Water st. J. J. HYDE, 21 Maiden Lane. W. F. VAN WAGENEN, 54 and 56 Exchange PI. ARCHD. RUSSELL, 45 Tenth st. DAVID C. HALSTED, 119 Maiden Lane. MEDICAL OFFICERS OF THE DISPENSARY. J. H. ALLEN, M. D., 1 Washington Square. H. D. APPLETON, M. D., 88 Fourth avenue. E. H. BARTLETT, M. D., 128 Bleecker st. JACOB BEAKLY, M. D., 35 Clinton Place E. V. BROWN, M. D., 126 Eldridge st J. T. CURTIS, M. D.^193 Bleecker st M. FRELIGH, M D , 83 Prince st E, GUERNSEY, M.D., 19 West22nd st. C. KIERSTED, M. D., 2Z7 West 30th st. Attending Physicians. H. KINSLEY, M. D., Ill Amity st. S. R. KIRBY, M. D., 72 Tenth st. JAMES MAIRS, M. D., 462 Broome st. JAS. W. METCALF, M.D., 31 St Mark's Place J. C. PETERS, M. D., 742 Broadway. A. REISIG, M. D., 33 West 14th st. W. STEWART, M. D., 141 Eighth st. L. T. WARNER, M.D., 49 Lafayette Place. J. A. McVICAR, M. D., 838 Broadway. Consulting Physicians. JOHN F. GRAY, M. D., 49 Lafayette Place. A. GERALD HULL, M. D., 49 Lafayette Place E. BAYARD, M. D., 1 Waverley Place. R. M. BOLLES, M. D., 294 Fourth st. F. VANDERBURGH, M.D., 5 Great Jones st A. D. WILSON, M.D., 42 Walker st Pharmaceutist. JOHN T. S. SMITH, 488 Broadway. / TO THE FRIENDS OF HOKEOPATHY IN NEW YORK, FROM THE TRUSTEES OF THE NEW YORK HOMEOPATHIC DISPENSARY ASSOCIATION. in certis, unitas ; in dubiis, libertas ; in omnibus, charitas, NEW YORK: WILLIAM 0. BRYANT & CO., PRINTERS, 18 NASSAU STREET. 1852. ADDRESS. Few reforms which the world has witnessed have had to encounter an opposition so powerful in all its various elements, as that against which Homoeopathy has thus far happily prevailed. In the incidents of its origin and progress, it bears a striking resemblance to older doctrines now univer- sally accepted; and the inference can hardly be deemed unreasonable which declares that it has proved, like them, unconquerable, because, like them, it is true. But truth does not triumph, except by means of fit agents; and thus the history of homoeopathy also pre- sents a record of earnest self-devotion, constancy, and energy, in those who have labored for its diffusion, which shows that many of the followers of Hahne- mann have not only embraced his doctrines, but have profited in no small degree by his personal example. Nor will the thoughtful enquirer, while considering the progress of the system, in all parts of the civilized world, and who marks it everywhere gathering around itself many enlightened and truth-loving minds, fail to note, amongst the causes of its success, one which forms a remarkable feature of this contest of opinion. He will perceive how rarely homoeopathists have for- gotten, even in the heat of controversy, and under all 4 the provocation offered by unsparing calumny and bit- ter invective, what is due to the dignity of science or becoming in those who step forward as expounders of a great truth. And while he gives due honor to the skill and energy of homoeopathic physicians, and to the zeal of the lay adherents of the system, generally; he will not fail to recognize the influence which the calm, respectful and earnest tone, characteristic of the works of its most able advocates, has exercised on the public mind. The contemplation of what has thus far been ac- complished is indeed calculated to awaken lively feel- ings of gratitude in the minds of all who have intelli- gently embraced the doctrine of our Great Medical Reformer. And not only feelings of passive thankful- ness, for in proportion as the lesson thus taught is rightly apprehended, will gratitude rise above a mere effervescent and barren emotion and become an exalt- ed and powerful motive to emulate labors so blessed in their fruits. The Trustees of the New York Homoeopathic Dis- pensary Association have observed, with deep interest and satisfaction, the rapid progress which the system has made in the estimation of their fellow citizens, during the past three or four years; and they venture to believe that this circumstance is in some degree owing to the establishment of a Homoeopathic Dispen- sary, which has not only rendered important services to the cause of humanity, but has enabled the Board from time to time to publish interesting and valuable statistics, in proof of the efficacy of the homoeopathic mode of treatment. The Boaid, however, have long perceived, that the time was fast approaching when such an institution 5 must fail to satisfy the more varied and urgent wants of a larger constituency; and when it would become their pleasing duty to propose to the supporters of the Dispensary, and other friends, such a change in its con- stitution as should impart to it somewhat of the cha- racter of a Hospital or Infirmary. Believing this period to have at length arrived, and desirous to proceed with due caution in bringing the question to a practical issue, the Board appointed a Committee of their body, early in June last, to consi- der the whole matter carefully, and to suggest the course of action which should appear most likely to further the object contemplated. The following is the Report of the Committee, ex- cepting only the practical recommendations contained in its third section, which it is deemed unnecessary to give in detail, as they have reference, solely, to the action of the Board. In expressing their cordial con- currence in the sentiments and conclusions put forth in this Report, the Board have to invite for them the earnest consideration of the friends they now address. 6 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. New York, June 14, 1852. The Committee of the Trustees of the New York Homoeopathic Dispensary Association, to whom have been referred certain suggestions for establishing a Homoeopathic Hospital in this City, have much plea- sure in submitting to the Board of Trustees, their fol- lowing unanimous REPORT. Your Committee have carefully considered the im- portant subject referred to them, with a view to de- termine, 1st. The reasons which render the establish- ment of a Homoeopathic Hospital especially desirable. 2d. The practicability of establishing such an institution in this city. 3d. The measures which, supposing the project to be feasible, woull be most likely to pro- mote its speedy and complete realization. In entering upon the first part of their enquiry, your Committee may be permitted a passing allusion to the existing Dispensary, in order to record the deep sense they entertain of the benefits which, by the blessing I of God, that Institution has been the means of con- ferring on many hundreds of the poor of this city. Far, however, from considering that the friends of Homoeopathy should regard the happy results thus achieved, as filling up the measure of their hopes and aims,—your Committee can only look upon them as an encouragement to higher efforts; and while thank- fully remembering what has been dojie, they earn- estly direct attention to the fact, that much yet re- mains to be done, not only to place Homoeopathy on an equal footing before the public, with the medical sys- tems it appears destined to supersede, but to develop and diffuse the full measure of benefit with which it- is fraught. To all earnest Homoeopathists, who regard the doc- trine of Hahnemann not as a toy with which they may blamelessly trifle, but as the expression of a law of nature,—of a truth, the diffusion of which must powerfully promote the material well-being of society at large,—the project of a Hospital, as a means to this end, must offer the strongest claims to support. It is easily shown, of such an Institution, that it would ex- tend the sphere of our beneficent system to cases which lie beyond the limits of Dispensary practice : that it would supply the only evidence of its kind which cautious men of science will admit to be un- questionable; and that it would afford to medical students facilities for investigation, and for acquiring experience in Homoeopathic practice, not otherwise at- tainable. Thus while possessing claims upon the be- nevolent superior to those of a Dispensary, by reason of its greater resources for alleviating suffering; a Hospital commends itself to the attention of the far- sighted philanthropist by the influence it is calculated 8 to exert upon opponents of the medical profession, and through them on the healthy advancement of Homoeo- pathy. Another consideration lying beyond these, is the moral effect which the very establishment of such an Institution would have on the public mind. It would be seen that the advocates of Homoeopathy, with the boldness which ever characterizes a strong faith, do not shrink from the severest test to which their system can be subjected; that they do not confine themselves to ingenious speculations or well con- structed theories, or rely on evidence liable to be dis- puted, but are content to peril their cause in a fair comparison with rival systems, and to appeal to tan- gible facts open to the most searching scrutiny. To the timid measures of a wavering faith, earnest thoughtful men do not give heed. Where they see an earnestness and a steadfastness like their own at work, their sympathies are strongly enlisted. It is well to reflect on the influence of a Hospital in car- rying conviction to the minds of such as these ; who by natural rank, and not by adventitious titles, are the leaders and guides of public opinion. In concluding this part of their Report, your Com- mittee have only to add their conviction, that the es- tablishment of a Homoeopathic Hospital is an object worthy of the most strenuous exertions of the friends of the system in this city. Your Committee now proceed to submit their views on the second point of inquiry, namely, the practica- bility of such a project at the present time ;—and they take this opportunity to acknowledge the important as- sistance they have derived from information laid before them regarding one of the two Homoeopathic Hospitals, founded about two years ago in the English capital. 9 Allowing for certain differences of social constitution and condition between the two cities of London and New York,—which, however, rather seem to affect some of the details of the question, than to influence a general view of comparative advantages and difficul- ties,—it is impossible for your Committee to reflect on the results which the energy and prudence of our Eng- lish friends have achieved, without drawing very great encouragement in weighing the possible issue of similar proceedings here. Your Committee have no means of ascertaining with exactness the relative numbers of lay homoeopathists in London and New York; nor can they determine with accuracy the difference in wealth and influence be- tween the two constituencies. They are, however, credibly informed, that at the time the two Homoeopa- thic Hospitals, now existing and thriving in London, were founded, the number of medical practitioners of the system, in that city, was not more than one-third of the number of Homoeopathic practitioners at this time in New York : and the inference that the present con- stituency in the latter city is at least as large as that which existed in the former, at the period referred to, seems therefore a very safe one. Your Committee are also assured, that the London Hospitals owe their ex- istence and support, and are practically under the di- rection and management of persons engaged in pro- fessional and mercantile pursuits ; derive compara- tively little advantage from the aristocratic patronage, of which, according to Old World usages, they partake in common with similar institutions; and receive no aid whatever from any national or municipal fund. Your Committee annex to their Report some inter- esting and valuable statistics, extracted from the pub- 2 10 lished reports of the London Homoeopathic Hospital for the years ending respectively 31st March, 1851, and 31st March, 1852. It will be perceived, on reference to these returns, that in both years a considerable balance of cash remained for investment, after providing for the necessary expenditure ; a circumstance your Committee are assured, is owing as much to the rigid but not niggardly economy observed, as to any other cause. A scrutiny of the items, shows, indeed, that they could not be adopted as absolute data for the guidance of those who seek to establish a similar Hos- pital here; as a whole, however, the inference they afford is encouraging, especially as they are said to fall far short of the lowest estimates formed, when the proposition to found a Hospital was first agitated in London. To the medical reports of cases it is not necessary to allude, as they speak satisfactorily for themselves. After a careful consideration of the foregoing facts, and in view of the rapid progress of Homoeopathy in New York during the past few years, your Committee cannot hesitate to express their strong belief that a bold and earnest appeal to the friends of the cause in this city, seconded by a well organized plan for obtaining contributions, would be attended by com- plete success. But in thus affirming the practicability of establish- ing a Hospital, your Committee desire to state explicit- ly, and to avoid the possibility of misconstruction, that they contemplate, at the commencement, an institution of no greater pretensions in kind and capacity, than those to which they have adverted as examples, viz: the two Hospitals in London. A substantial house, in an airy and convenient situation, and capable of accom- 11 modating from 25 to 30 patients, would fully answer their immediate expectations. Your Committee proceed finally to state the measures which they would recommend to be immediately taken in order to realize the project in view with the least possible delay. [Here follows a series of recommendations, which, as they have special relation to the proceedings of the Board, it is not necessary to particularize.] In framing the foregoing suggestions, your Commit- tee have endeavored to avoid entering into premature details :—They have confined themselves to the pre- liminary measures which they feel might advantage- ously be adopted. With a few brief words they now close their Report. As the subject under considera- tion has become more familiar, the momentous issues involved in it have been brought more distinctly into view, and the sense of its importance has commensu- rately increased. Under this impression your Com- mittee venture to hope that their Report will be the initiatory step in a movement which will proceed hence- forth with increasing energy, and know no pause until its purpose be fully accomplished. Signed on behalf of the Committee: JON. STURGES, Chairman. 12 QlppntM* tcr t\)t preceding Report. LONDON HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL. Statement for the year ending 31 st March, 1851. Receipts. Annual Subscriptions, Donations, Interest on Investments, i Expenditure. *$2950 5460 35 Fittings, Furniture, Opening Hospital,