WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY? 
B Y 
JOHN EPPS, M.D. Edin. 
LECTURER ON MATERIA MEDICA AT THE (LATE) HUNTERIAN SCHOOL OP MEDICINE; 
MEDICAL DIRECTOR OP THE ROYAL JENNERIAN AND LONDON VACCINE 
INSTITUTION ; CONSULTING PHYSICIAN TO HARRISON’S SPINAL 
INSTITUTION; AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OP 
THE ACADEMY OP MEDICINE AND 
SURGERY OF BARCELONA. 
Tut, man! one fire burns out another’s burning, 
One pain is lessen’d by another’s anguish; 
Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning; 
One desperate grief cures with another’s languish: 
Take thou some new infection to thy eye, 
And the rank poison of the old will die. 
Shakspeare.—Romeo and Juliet. 
REPRINTED FROM THE THIRD LONDON EDITION. 
KcVu York: 
J. T. S. SMITH, 488 Broadway; C. T. HURLBURT, 437 Broome Street; 
And may be obtained through any Bookseller, 
Price Tliree Cents. Note.—An American gentleman, whilst travelling in Europe, hap- 
pened to meet with this little treatise, in which the subject of Homoeo- 
pathy appeared to him to be presented in a very striking and familiar 
manner, admirably adapted to arrest public attention, and give popu- 
lar instruction on a subject which is of vital importance to all. Though 
not a physician, he was a firm believer in the homoeopathic method of 
cure; his confidence in it being founded upon the salutary effects 
which he had experienced from it in his own person. Ardently de- 
siring that other sufferers might be induced to participate in the bless- 
ings of this beneficent system, and believing that the circulation of 
this tract would conduce to that end, he has caused it to be re-printed. 
He desires no remuneration from the sale, but is resolved to devote 
the proceeds to the publication of some other tract on the same sub- 
ject. If each friend of the cause, who sees the tracts, would purchase 
several copies for distribution, the outlay now made might suffice to 
keep up a continued series, to the time of that medical millennium 
which, sooner or later, will assuredly arrive, and be characterized by 
the general reception of the doctrines, and adoption of the practice, of 
Hahnemann. 
Wm. C. Bryant k Co., Printers, 18 Nassau St., N. Y, WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY ? 
Some venerable practitioner, with a mind completely pre- 
occupied with the prejudices of education, and influenced 
still more by the inveterate bias, arising from long custom, 
exclaims, in reply to the above question, <£ Nonsense—stuff 
—ridiculous nonsense and combines with the expressions, 
thus jumbled together, a character of countenance, so exhibi- 
tive of contempt, that the spectator, totally unacquainted 
with Homoeopathy, would imagine that some palmistry, some 
universal specific remedy, was that which Homoeopathy 
represents. 
What is Homoeopathy 1 however, repeats some inquisitive 
being, whom experience of the usual course which truth 
passes through in its progress, has taught that calling names 
is not an exhibition of knowledge, and who is, at the same 
time, well aware, that, in all ages, the cry from the advocates 
of established erroneous systems has been 
“ Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” 
He waits an answer : but he who decided the matter thus 
summarily, is silent: he knows not what Homoeopathy is. 
What, then, is Homoeopathy 1 is the inquiry of one, who 
seeks, in simplicity of mind, to know the nature of that, con- 
cerning which so many speak, and, in the praise of which, so 
many give testimony. 
This question is now to be answered, and, in answering it, 
the various objections urged against this newly-developed, 
but, in nature, long-existent system, will be detailed and 
refuted. 
Homoeopathy, a word truly expressive, is compounded of 
two Greek words, homoios, analogous, and pathos, 
suffering, or affection.* 
* The following incident will serve to show the antiquity of the term. 
A person, whose education ought to have produced a higher state, was 
ridiculing Homoeopathy as being one of the monstrosities developed in these 
modern times, and the term itself, also, as being so barbarous and new-fangled. 
It was observed, whether a monstrosity or not, Time, which tests all things, 
will settle; but, as to the new-fangledness of the term, it was astonishing 4 
what is homoeopathy? 
Homoeopathy is, therefore, something which has to do 
with suffering, and bodily suffering has always something to 
do with disease, and disease is a deviation from health. 
Health being the standard, by which human existence 
manifests itself; being the rule, from which deviations or 
diseases are exceptions, it is quite evident that mankind have 
been, are, and will be, ever anxious, when subject to disease, 
when placed, in other words, in this state of deviation, to hail 
any means, by which they can be restored to the right line 
of happy, healthful existence. 
They apply to the physician, who, by his various know- 
ledge, has become acquainted with the human body. Thus, 
he, by his study of anatomy, has become acquainted with 
the structure of the various parts of life’s wondrous machine : 
by the knowledge of physiology, with the uses of thoso 
parts: by the knowledge of natural philosophy, with the 
influences of external and internal circumstances upon the 
machine having such duties to perform : by the knowledge of 
pathology, with the changes, which take place in these 
parts, when subject to disease : and by the knowledge of 
symptoms, with the diseased states, which exhibit themselves 
by symptoms. 
Such, then, is the party to whom the afflicted with disease 
apply for aid : a person, who professes to be the possessor of 
means for the recovery of the individual diseased : in other 
words, of means for the restoration of the body from its state 
of deviation to its proper state, called health. 
What, then, are these means ? What these powers belong- 
ing to the medical art, which possess the beneficent agency 
of restoring to health, of stripping disease of its character, 
and of making life again assume its wonted reign in its 
appointed habitation. 
These means are described as medicines, and bear the same 
relation to the body in a state of disease, as aliments bear to 
the body in a state of health. 
When grouped together as a whole, these medicines are 
designated by the title materia medica. 
These means, therefore, which the physician possesses, he, 
when called upon for aid in recovering health, uses for the 
that he, a professed scholar, should not know that the term was at least 1800 
years old, and further, that he, a reader of the Divine volume, thus described 
a term which was in the Divine writings. The reproof caused much indigna- 
tion : in fact, he denied that any such term could have found a place in the 
Scriptures. A Greek Testament was opened; and the following passage was 
read to the dogmatic disputer: 
HXia; lindptintos rjv bpoionadrif fjpTv.—James, V. 17. 
Elias anthropos en Homoiopathes emin : literally. 
M Elias was a man of like passions to us.” He said nothing. what is homceopathy 1 
5 
restoration of the body and its functions to the natural state. 
These means are the instruments with which he has to shape 
diseases into health ; and his success in this humane and 
noble labour, will be exactly proportioned to the right use of 
the right means. 
So apparent is this, that no illustration need be given: but 
the remark is made as preparatory to an important query, 
namely, 
What is the right use of the right means 1 
In answer to this question, it will be taken for granted, 
that the physician has the right means. 
Having the right means is not sufficient. He must have 
the knowledge of the right use of the means in his possession. 
The object both he and the sufferer have in view, is the 
removal of disease: the means for realizing this object are 
medicines : the method of employing these medicines consti- 
tutes the use : the proper method presents the right use : the 
improper method, the abuse. 
To ascertain, then, which is the right method, and thereby 
to enable the patient to select the physician who is most likely 
to be successful in restoring him to a state of health, it may 
be advantageous to notice briefly the different methods adopt- 
ed, in the application of medicinal substances, to the relief 
of diseased states. 
The methods, which medical men follow in applying 
medicines, or remedial agents, may be classed under three 
heads. 
The first is that, in which the medical man endeavours to 
cure disease by prescribing medicines, which, acting directly 
on the diseased organ, will induce states directly opposite to 
those which the disease manifests. 
As these medicines act by producing an affection, (*■ *0«s, 
pathos,) in appearance quite contrary (am, anti, against) to 
that, constituting the disease, this method is called the anti- 
pathic, or antipathy : a method expressed in the phrase, 
contraria contrariis curantur ; contraries are cured by 
contraries. 
Of such a method abundant are the instances. Thus, when 
a person cannot sleep, opium is given to induce sleep : a 
person has severe pain, opium is given to allay pain : a 
patient is costive, cathartics are given to purge him : if a 
patient has a strong, full, rapid pulse, with fever, blood letting 
is resorted to to lessen the pulse. 
The second method is that, in which the physician endea- 
vours to cure disease by inducing a new disease or affection 
('**dti) pathos) in some other alios) part of the body, 
so as to draw away the disease from the part first affected, to 6 
WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY. 
the part acted upon by the medicinal agent. This method is 
called the allopathic, or allopathy. 
Of this method, the examples are as abundant as those of 
the first. 
To take one : A person who has enjoyed good health for 
years, is seized with what is called a determination of blood 
to the head. The medical attendant prescribes a seton in the 
neck, which, he supposes, by inducing a new disease by the 
irritation which it occasions, will remove the determination to 
the head. 
This method of treatment is very common, and, because, 
by the means used in this method, the original disease is 
supposed to be derived, or revulsed from the part, in which it 
was originally seated, this method is frequently designated as 
the derivative or revulsive method. 
This method, also, because producing irritation in another 
part, is designated sometimes as counter-action or counter- 
irritation. 
All the appellatives, given to this method, sufficiently indi- 
cate, that the object the physician has in view is to produce 
in another part of the body a second deviation from health 
in order to overcome the first deviation in some other part: 
that is, because there is a fire, burning fiercely in one cham- 
ber of the house, the physician lights another fire in another 
chamber, (the fuel being, let it be remembered, the house 
itself,) which, by burning more fiercely, will, he hopes, extin- 
guish the previously existing fire. 
Such, then, are two methods : and these two are those, 
which have been professedly followed by physicians in all 
past ages. Physicians have been allopathists, antipathists, 
or both.* 
To Hahnemann, mankind are indebted for the discovery of 
a third method, which, when explained, will enable the reader 
to answer the question, 
What is Homoeopathy ? 
One grand principle is manifested in the human body and 
its operations : a principle, recognized in past ages, but first 
developed by the celebrated John Hunter ; a name, as 
Spenser says, 
“ Strung upon the bead-roll of time.” 
* For a more complete exhibition and exposure of the unscientific nature of 
these methods, the reader is referred to the work entitled “ Homoeopathy and 
its Principles explained,” by John Epps, M. D.—Piper & Co., Paternoster-row, 
London. Second edition. WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY? 
7 
It is, That no two similar diseases can exist in a 
STATE OF INTENSITY IN THE SAME BODY AT THE SAME TIME. 
Particularly important is it, that this word “ similar” 
should be borne in mind : because many have argued, as if 
this illustrious physiologist had taught, that no two diseases 
can exist in the same body at the same time: a principle, 
which he did not maintain: Avhereas, the principle he main- 
tained was, that no two similar diseases can exist at the same 
time. 
This principle, as thus defined, forms the groundwork—the 
theoretical groundwork, of the third method, developed by 
Hahnemann, who applied this principle in the use of medi- 
cines, and in the explanation of their efficacious operation. 
It is known by all, that medicines, being poisons, produce 
symptoms or states, which are not accordant with the natural 
condition of the human body, and consequently these states 
are themselves symptoms of disease. The diseases, or devi- 
ations from the natural state, produced by the use of medi- 
cines, Hahnemann has designated by the title of medicinal 
diseases. Thus, mercury produces symptoms, when taken for 
a length of time, so similar to the disease called syphilis, that 
these symptoms have been described by medical authors under 
the title of pseudo, or false syphilis. 
The deviations from health produced, on the other hand, 
by natural agents, such as scarlet fever, produced by the 
scarlet fever contagion : ague, produced by marsh vapour : 
he calls morbific, or natural diseases. 
These diseases of both kinds have their presence demon- 
strated, only as presenting masses of symptoms, not in accord- 
ance with the usual phenomena, exhibited by the healthy. 
Here, then, are two classes of diseases : the one class, the 
symptoms of which are produced by medicines ; the other 
class, the symptoms of which are produced by other causes. 
To cure the latter, namely, morbific or natural diseases, 
we must, Hahnemann maintains, produce the former, namely 
medicinal diseases. 
So say, in part, the allopathists, and the antipathists also ; 
but Hahnemann says, especially we must, to effect a cure, 
produce in the diseased individual a medicinal disease, similar 
in its symptoms to those exhibited in the natural disease. 
To illustrate. Suppose I have a morbific disease, which 
presents as symptoms, 
1. Shooting pain in the forehead.—2. Giddiness.—3. Sense 
of objects turning round.—4. Palpitation of the heart.— 
5. Sinking at the pit of stomach.—6. Feeling of emptiness 
at the pit of stomach.—7. Flatulence.—8. Rising of acid 
liquid into the mouth.—9. Constipation.—10. Pains in the 8 
WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY ? 
left hypochondriac region.—11. Sense of languor over the 
body.—12. Great weakness of the knees in walking or 
standing. 
I must, to cure that disease, discover a remedy, which will 
produce—1. Shooting pain in the forehead : 2. Giddiness : 3. 
Sense of objects turning round : 4. Palpitation of the heart: 
5. Sinking at the pit of the stomach : 6. Feeling of emptiness 
at the pit of the stomach : 7. Flatulence: 8. Rising of acid 
liquid into the mouth : 9. Constipation : 10. Pains in the left 
hypochondriac region: 11. Sense of languor over the body: 
12. Great weakness in the knees in walking or standing. Or, 
if one medicine cannot be found to produce all these symptoms, 
1 must select one, which has the power of producing the 
greater number of them, and afterwards a second, which pro- 
duces symptoms in accordance with the remainder: and having 
administered this or these, I must cure my patient. 
It will be now seen, why this third method of curing disease 
is called Homoeopathy: and of which the law is explained in 
the phrase “ similia similibus curantur likes are cured by 
likes.* 
But, it may be asked, How can such medicines be discovered? 
because, if the diseases—the natural diseases, exhibit them- 
selves by certain symptoms, how can it be established that the 
symptoms, arising under the use of medicines taken for the 
cure of diseases, produce, even when given,- these symptoms ? 
This remark is valid. It shows the absurdity of judging 
of the pure effects of medicines by their effects on diseased 
persons : a method of judging as absurd, as that of attempt- 
ing to judge of the effects and of the capability of a machine, 
in a state of order, from the effects produced by applying to 
it certain powers when it is in a state of disorder. 
The preceding query has great interest associated with it. 
It leads so suitably to the notice of the noble, the humane, 
the hero-like conduct of the founder of Homoeopathy, who 
may literally be said to have made his system 
“ Perfect through Buffering.” 
What did Hahnemann do 1 He developed and put into 
* Many are so ignorant, even the Editor of the Lancet places himself 
among this class, as to talk thus—What, if a man is drunk, you would give 
him more drink to make him sober; if a man is ill from eating too much, 
you would give him more to eat. Such persons confound identical with 
similar. No homcepathist maintains that he cures identical by identical; but 
like by like. Thus to a man drunk the homcepathist would give a medicine, 
which has the power of producing in a healty person symptoms similar to 
those which a drunken man exhibits; and to a person, who has overloaded 
his stomach with food, the homcepathist would give a medicine which would 
cause in a healthy person symptoms similar to those presented in a person, 
who has overloaded his stomach. WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY'? 
9 
practical application the grand principle, that to know the 
real or pure effects of medicines, we must try them on persons 
in a state of health ; and Hahnemann tortured himself, as 
any one, by reading his Materia Medica, will perceive, to 
ascertain the effects of medicines, by experimenting on him- 
self, he being in a state of health. 
By a long, a thirty years continued series of observations 
on himself, his wife, his children, and his zealous disciples, 
the pure effects of two hundred medicines were assertained. 
He discovered the medicinal disease that each medicine 
could produce, and thus obtained a knowledge of those agents, 
which will and must cure diseases produced by natural causes, 
when assuming the same features as those produced by the 
medicinal disease; and thus has Hahnemann given a scientific 
certainty to medicine. He has established that the physician 
will be certain to cure any disease, (that is curable,) by pre- 
scribing the remedy, which, in a healthy person, produces by 
its action a disease similar to that manifested by the sick 
person; and thus he has established, that the God of order 
has not allowed disorder to exist in this part of his creation. 
He has enabled medicine to attain its rank among the fixed 
sciences, and to be no longer subject to the taunts which 
the thoughtless, and even the wise, have associated with its 
“ glorious (truly inglorious) uncertainty 
But, it may be asked, How is it that the introduction of a 
new disease, though similar, can destroy a previously existing 
disease ? 
It may be supposed, that the addition of the new disease 
would, to use a common adage, be adding fuel to the fire ; 
would be plus added to plus, and that the remainder must 
therefore be plus. 
The law, already detailed, affords the explanation of the neg- 
ative of this supposition ; the law that no two similar diseases 
can exist in the same system at the same time. 
The Homoeopathic medicines may be further regarded as 
guiding the reactive powers of the system, and thus facilita- 
ting the cure of the disease. 
But to the explanation thus obtained from a knowledge of 
this law, the practical Homoeopathist can add an immense 
multitude of facts, demonstrative of this, that a natural 
disease and a medicinal disease, presenting similar symptoms, 
cannot exist in the body at the same time. 
Two or three facts may be detailed with advantage. 
Hahnemann was led to the discovery of the law of cure, 
called Homoeopathic, by observing, that all the virtues ascribed 
to Peruvian bark, in curing intermittent fever, are effects 
which are produced in a healthy person by Peruvian bark, 10 
WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY? 
when taken by him in that state : so that, Peruvian bark 
produces intermittent fever in a healthy person ; and it cures 
intermittent fever, induced by natural causes. 
Mercury, it is well known, is a specific for syphilis : and, 
it is equally well known, that mercury, when carried too far 
in its employment, produces effects upon the body so similar 
to those constituting the natural disease, called syphilis, that 
the disease is called pseudo syphilis, or false syphilis ; in 
other words, mercury produces a medicinal disease, similar in 
its symptoms to the disease which it cures. 
Nux vomica, taken by a healthy person, produces'a certain 
kind of palsy ; nux vomica, taken by a person palsied in a 
certain way, cures him. 
And so with many other medicines, of which Homoeopathic 
practice affords continually recurring demonstrations. 
But, it may be objected, surely it must be dangerous to 
prescribe in a disease, the symptoms of which are so violent 
as to threaten death, any medicine which will augment those 
symptoms, as the Homoeopathic medicines do q. 
To this it may be answered, that nature goes through this 
process herself. Whenever a morbific disease exists in an 
individual, the powers of life labour to throw off this disease. 
The distressing symptoms, the diseased manifestations, con- 
nected with this reaction, go on augmenting, and the patient 
gets worse and worse, till, at last, the crisis arrives ; that is, 
the point at which the reaction of the powers of the system 
and the action of the disease attain the greatest intensity, 
and then, sometimes, the patient recovers; more frequently, 
however, especially when the powers of the system are wnaided, 
or improperly aided, he dies. What then does Homoeopathy 1 
She guides, by her means, the reactive powers of the system 
to establish the crisis on the side of health, and thus realizes 
a favourable result to the crisis. 
Another question here arises, How can it be told that, in 
'prescribing a medicine, so as to excite a medicinal disease, an 
amount of the medicinal disease may not be excited, which 
may be as injurious as the original natural disease ? 
This question, scientific and rational, requires an answer : 
such answer affording an opportunity of developing another 
feature in the Homoeopathic system; namely, the exceeding 
MINUTENESS OF DOSE. 
Among the results of the allopathic and of the antipathic 
practice, many are the effects, sometimes life-lasting, occa- 
sioned by the over doses. WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY ? 
11 
Many patients, who have been relieved of violent constipa- 
tion by croton oil, have had fatal constipation induced by the 
dose which relieved them. 
Many patients, who have been cured of syphilis by mercury, 
have had the secondary symptoms of syphilis, as they are 
miscalled, produced by the mercury. 
Many patients, who have been bled copiously for affections 
of the head, have had permanent affections of the head pro- 
duced by bleeding. 
Hahnemann knew these, and multitudinous similar in- 
stances, and guided by experience, he found that, to cure a 
natural disease, according to the Homoeopathic system, it is 
essential that that amount, and no more, of the medicinal 
disease should be produced, which is equivalent to the removal 
of the morbific or natural disease. To produce a greater 
amount, would be to injure the constitution, and to waste the 
remedy: to produce a less amount, would be not to cure the 
disease. 
A most interesting series of experiences* led Hahnemann 
to diminish the doses of medicine, until he attained that degree 
of minuteness of dose, in which the medicine is efficacious to 
the production of the amount of the medicinal disease neces- 
sary to remove the malady without injuring the constitution 
by its after effects, even should those after effects appear. 
* Hahnemann supposing that Belladonna, because it had the property of 
producing an eruption similar to that of scarlet fever, would also cure this 
disease, resolved to make trials with the remedy. He gave it in very minute 
doses, according to the prevailing views, viz : in the l-8th, l-16th, l-20th of a 
grain of the extract, or a single drop of the juice. The result was salutary in 
many cases, but not unfrequently instead of the cure, he observed an aggra- 
vation of all the symptoms of the complaint. To this augmentation of symp- 
toms, however, there commonly succeeded a rapid crisis and perfect recovery; 
sometimes it yet __ proved so troublesome, as to call for the employment of 
antidotes. This almost constant aggravation of the disease by the remedies, 
which were chosen according to the new law, threatened to embarrass very 
much their trial, if not to render it wholly impracticable. To avoid these 
disagreeable results, Hahnemann adopted the most simple and natural expe- 
dient, viz. that of lessening the dose. He united one grain of the extract of 
Belladonna with a hundred drops of spirits of wine. Of this mixture one 
drop (which of course contained l-100th part of a grain) he afterwards gave, 
in the suitable cases for a dose. But to his astonishment he observed that 
this drop acted too forcibly. He now made the great stride, which none previ- 
ously to him had done ; he took a hnndred drops of spirits of wine, added to 
them one drop of the tincture, obtained as described, which contained l-100th 
of a grain of the medicine, shook them together, and now had in every drop 
of the new mixture, therefore, the 1-10,000th part of a grain. If the l-100th 
of a grain was quite an unusual dose, Hahnemann went far beyond the limits 
of previous experience in his second operation, viz. that of administering the 
dose in the 1-10,000th part of a grain. When he gave one drop of this second 
preparation in a case adapted to the remedy, he expected a very slight and 
inconsiderable effect. In the great majority of cases, indeed, a more rapid 
cure followed it than in the case of the preceding preparation, but, to his great 12 
WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY 1 
Many confound these minute, or as they are sometimes 
called, infinitesimal doses with the Homoeopathic law, and 
attack the law because of the small doses ; whereas the small 
doses are only practical improvements, introduced subsequently 
to the discovery of the law, and resulting from a cautiously 
developed experience. If any can show that greater success 
attends the use of larger doses, larger doses will be adopted. 
In relation to such doses, it may be remarked, that a 
millionth part of a grain is deemed by the most skilled of 
Homoeopathic practitioners a large dose. 
Many think it impossible, that such a small quantity can 
produce any effect upon disease, and inquire, How is it 'pos- 
sible ? 
astonishment, much more frequently the same impetuous aggravation of 
symptoms. In short, it was not to be mistaken : the virtue of the medicine 
had by no means been taken away in these high dilutions. How striking so- 
ever this phenomenon was in itself, and however wonderful and strange it 
must have appeared to Hahnemann, it had, nevertheless, been indisputably 
the result of his manipulations; and as a quiet observer of nature, he proceed- 
ed, hand in hand with experience, still further. He added one drop of his 
second (the ten thousandth) dilution, to another one hundred drops of spirits 
of wine, shook them together, and thus procured a third mixture, in which 
each drop contained but the millionth part of the first grain of the extract of 
Belladonna. On administering this new preparation to his patients, he did not 
yet witness the expected decrease of medicinal energy, the remedy remained 
as active as before, and in sensitive children it operated frequently in quite as 
exciting a manner as the extract had at first; nay.it appeared as if it operated 
with even greater violence than before—and therefore rendered necessary the 
exhibition of an antidote. Hahnemann, who knew that the secrets of nature 
had not yet been fully unveiled to us, and that any tiling new and important, 
though ever so striking, if its truth be attested by repeated experiment, ought 
to be investigated, continued to prosecute this great discovery. He added one 
drop of each successive dilution to a successive portion of one hundred drops 
of spirits of wine, and united them by shaking. He perceived in the progress 
of these manipulations, that every successive dilution was still operative, and 
though attenuated a hundred fold at every step of the process, yet by no 
means did it become in the same proportion a hundred fold less efficient; 
in fact, each dilution differed in activity very little from the dilution imme- 
diately preceding. He continued, therefore, these processes with the medi- 
cine, until experience taught him, that it had, at length, become entirely 
mild in its operation. The troublesome increase of the morbid symptoms 
became gradually less and less considerable by dilution, nevertheless the suc- 
ceeding salutary effect remained equally decided, and even the extreme dilu- 
tions themselves were always sufficient to effect a cure. Remarking even 
from the thirtieth dilution, in very sensible subjects, an increase of the symp- 
toms ; he diminished the dose from one drop of this dilution, to a small portion 
of a drop. He discovered a mode by which a drop could be accurately divi- 
ded into any desired number of parts, and from the 1-100th, and even a 
smaller fraction, decided effects were witnessed from the medicine. 
All other medicinal substances were found by him to be susceptible of a 
preparation similar to that of Belladonna. Not only those belonging to the 
class of narcotics, which, in quantities, operate confessedly as poisons, but all 
other medicines, which are ordinarily regarded as innocent, he was obliged in 
the same manner to dilute in order to convert them into mild remedies in the 
cases suited to, that is Homcepathic to their use. WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY'? 
13 
The first answer is, that the experience of upwards of five 
hundred physicians, during the last thirty to forty years, has 
established that Homoeopathic medicines do act in these and 
less doses. The Homoeopathists say, “ come and see : judge 
for yourselves,” 
Another answer is, that, though the dose be small, the very 
minuteness of division of the particles of the medicine realizes 
this, that the points of the contact between the medicine and 
the nervous system are numerous. The methods, adopted 
in the reduction of Homoeopathic medicines, so extend the 
surface by attenuation, that the ten-thousandth part of a grain 
(when Homoeopathically attenuated), may he easily conceived 
as presenting a surface much larger than one grain, pulverised 
only to the extent which allopathists adopt. 
To take a common illustration. Let us suppose that a 
square solid inch of gold is introduced into the stomach : the 
only part of that gold that can act upon the nervous system 
of the stomach is that surface, namely, the inch square that 
lies in contact with the stomach. Now, let us suppose that 
this solid square inch of gold is beaten out, so as to present 
a superficies equal to a million superficial square inches, it is 
quite evident that the action of one-millionth of this surface 
will he equivalent, if introduced into the stomach, in medicinal 
effects, to that of the solid square inch of gold : for it presents 
as many points of contact: and, what is more, in this state of 
minuteness, the medicine is more easily absorbed. 
And, in connexion with this, it is interesting to notice the 
fact, that all the metals, when Homoeopathically triturated, 
are soluble in diluted alcohol,—a fact, testifying to this : that 
new physical or chemical powers are developed by the attenua- 
tion. Why should not the same extend to the medicinal 
powers ; at least to their augmentation 1 
A third point, connected with the smallness of the dose, is, 
that the medicines, as prepared by the Hahnemannic method, 
are in the highest state of activity. Each preparation is the 
developed activity of the plant, or of the medicinal products 
of whatever kingdom that product may be. 
It is pleasing to read the methods of preparing medicaments 
according to this method. So superior are they to the common 
method; so scientific, that even had Hahnemann done nothing 
else, his labours in this respect will immortalize him as a 
pharmaceutist. 14 
WHAT IS HOMtEOPATHY? 
A fourth point connected with the smallness of dose is, 
that many substances, viewed as not strictly medicinal, are 
acknowledged to act in an invisible degree of dilution. 
Can any one tell the degree of attenuation that the 
particles of musk, disengaged from a grain of musk for years, 
attain to ? These particles, infinitesimally small, scenting 
all the articles placed in the same repository ! Has any one 
ever calculated the degree of attenuation that the odoriferous 
particles from a rose, or from a portion of lavender, must 
attain 1 
Both these produce a recognizable effect upon the nervous 
system connected with the nose. 
Why should not effects be produced by medicines, acting 
in an infinitesimal state of attenuation, upon the nerves, spe- 
cially those of the stomach 'l That such effects are certain to 
be produced, is rendered very likely by the immense number of 
nerves supplying the stomach, these rendering the stomach 
intensely susceptible. But even such is the power of their 
operation on the nervous system, and such is the intimate 
connexion between all parts of the nervous system, that 
Homoeopathic medicines act very powerfully, if placed upon 
the tongue, or even if inspired. 
A fifth point worthy of notice, in reference to the smallness 
of dose of Homoeopathic medicines, is the attention paid by 
Homoeopathists to the removal of every circumstance and 
every substance, which may interfere with the operation of the 
medicines. 
With this view they order the medicine to he taken fasting, 
that is, at intervals between meals, so that no food will be in 
the stomach ; and, thus they insure the application of the 
whole medicinal surface to the nervous system surface of the 
stomach. 
The difference of effect, thus produced, may be easily 
understood by remembering the effect produced by a glass of 
wine on a stomach empty, and a glass of wine introduced into 
a stomach filled with food. 
In relation also to this point of view, the Homoeopathists 
adopt a rigid system of diet: not a starvation system, but a 
non-medicinal system of diet: that is, they require that the 
patient should take good digestible food, but, at the same 
time, should avoid spices, stimuli, strong flavoured meats, or 
foods—everything, which has medicinal qualities superadded 
to its nutrient properties. 
They enjoin also a proper mental diet; the neglect of all 
excitements of a stimulating nature ; the cultivation of the WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY 1 
15 
higher feelings ; change of scene, if possible ; exercise in the 
fresh air, &c. 
“ Ah,” cries some objector, “the diet does the good; 
THE MEDICINES ARE NOTHING.” 
What is this but assertion ? it is worth nothing. The 
Homoeopathist might just as well assert that the medicines 
do everything. In the one assertion, he is as much justified 
as the other is in the other, if assertion decided the question. 
In fact, the assertion that the diet does everything, and the 
medicine nothing, is the complacent activity of the assertor’s 
self-esteem, which leads him to the following syllogism: 
Medicines must be given in such a dose, according to my 
opinion, to produce any effect: 
Homceopathists do not give medicines in this dose : 
Therefore, Homoeopathic doses of medicines do not, cannot, 
produce any effects. 
Such reasoning shows great prejudice ; that is, the preju- 
dice arising from the fact, that because he, the dogmatist, has 
not seen the medicines given in such small doses, therefore 
medicines cannot be given effectually in such small doses. 
This prejudice would have made the dogmatist an equally 
obstinate objector against any doses hut infinitesimal, had 
his experience been always of Homoeopathic doses. 
For such reasoners, why should Homoeopathists care 'l 
Their respect for such may be equivalent to the respect which 
the man, who smelled the infinitesimal part of a grain of 
musk, would entertain for the man who denied that he could 
smell so small a particle. The one, who smelled the musk, 
might say to the other, “ try and smell.” The Homoeopa- 
thist says to the dogmatist against small doses, “ come and 
try small doses;” but he too often turns on his heel and 
retires : declares it cannot be, and he will not see it to be. 
But, add the objectors, the effects, which are not ascribable 
to the diet, are ascribable to the imagination. 
Let the following case be explained by the imagination ad- 
vocates. An infant, eight or nine months old, is presented to 
a Homoeopathist, with all the symptoms of inflammation of 
the lungs, and, in four days the child is well; and yet that 
child, in attaining the cure, takes not more than a few doses 
of two distinct Homoeopathic medicines, the two not amount- 
ing to more than the ten-millionth part of a grain. 
Every Homoeopathist has seen such cases. I treat my 
horses always with Homoeopathic medicines, and in millionths 
of grain doses, and they have had no medicines but Homoeo- 
pathic for the last seven years : and I have not lost a horse. 
Where is the imagination in these cases 1 
But such cases cannot occur, says the objector. But when 16 
WHAT IS HOMOEOPATHY 1 
denying, as he does, the word of the asserter, that such cases 
do occur, he gives up his character as a gentleman, and all 
further argument is excluded. With him delay must take 
place, till he learns the law of politeness and of decency, in 
the recognition that the word of a man of honour is not to be 
met by a rude denial: and that as much respect is due to the 
assertion of another as to that of himself. 
But there is a sixth point of view in which these minute 
doses may be viewed. 
In disease, the organ diseased is extremely sensitive ; and, 
it is generally allowed, that such as is the ratio of the sensi- 
tiveness of an organ, such is the ratio of the impression, 
produced by means acting upon that organ. 
When the eye is inflamed, mark the effect of light; then 
the infinitesimal portion af a ray of light is injurious. Total 
darkness is required. 
Besides, whenever any organ is diseased, the remedial 
action, when the proper remedy is chosen, is directed towards 
that diseased organ. The Homoeopathic medicine may be 
regarded as being exclusively directed, by the curative powers 
of the system, to the diseased part, and thus producing those 
extraordinary results, which are daily seen to arise from the 
use of Homoeopathic medicines. 
To conclude this brief statement regarding Homoeopathy. 
It will be seen, it is to be hoped, that 
Allopathy is the practice of the not wisely bold ; 
Antipathy is the practice of the not wisely timid ; 
Homoeopathy is the practice which, begotten by experience 
and developed by intelligence of the highest order, has de- 
monstrated and will further so demonstrate its efficacy, that 
all conscientious practitioners will, in time, adopt it as the 
only one worthy of men, guided by science.* 
* For farther explanation of the subject, see Dr. B. F. Joslin’s Principles of 
Homoeopathy, in a series of Lectures, containing: 1. Obstacles to Homoeopa- 
thic investigation and belief. 2. Evidences of the power of small doses and 
attenuated medicines, including a Theory of Potentzation. S. The use of 
chemical and mechanical means, and large doses, in connexion with Homoeo- 
pathic Practice. 4. The Law of Cure; and 5. Pure Homoeopathy.” 
Am. Publisher, 
THE END.