1VN 3NI3IQ3W JO AlVIII'l IVNOIIVN 3NI3IQ3W JO A I V « « I 1 IVNOIIVN IN I 3 10 3 W JO IBRARY OF MEDICI INE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIB INE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIB V ! /V = <0 I v :iNE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIB vM " / g -> n ■ /* ^s VNOIIVN 3NI3I03W JO UVIill IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W JO »l»llll IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W IEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL (NOI1VN 3NI3IQ3W JO A «V D a I 1 IVNOIIVN 3NI3IQ3W JO A II V a a I 1 1VNOUVN 3NIDIQ3W J V J .✓! EDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL I VNOIIVN 3NI3IQ3W JO A I V II a I 1 IVNOIIVN 3NI3IQ3W JO A g V g 8 II IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W 4 • EDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL VNOIiVN 3NI3I03W JO AlVgBII IVNOIIVN 3NI3I03W JO ABVBBI1 IVNOIIVN 3NI3IQ3W HOMEOPATHIC BOOKS AND MEDICINES, OTIS CLAPP, NO. 23, SCHOOL STREET, BOSTON, KEEPS CONSTANTLY ON HAND AND FOR SALE AN ASSORTMENT OP HOMOEOPATHIC BOOKS AND MEDICINE CHESTS, CASES, AND SINGLE REMEDIES. AMONG THE BOOKS ARE JAHR'S NEW MANUAL, (Or SYMPTOM CODEX,) translated, with ex- tensive Additions, from various Sources, by Chaeles J. Hempel, M. D., aided by J. M. 0.uinn, M. D., with a Preface by Dr. Hebing; Clinical Notes, by Dr. Gray, and contributions from Drs. Hull, Cook, Joslin, Hering, Jeanes, Neidhard, William- son, Kitchen. 2 vols. 8vo. HAHNEMANN, ON CHRONIC DISEASES, their Specific Nature and Homoe- opathic Treatment. Translated and edited by Charles J. Hempel, M. D. With a preface by Constantine Hering, M. D., Philadelphia. 12mo. 1845. 6 vols. 87 00. HAHNEMANN, DR. S., MATERIA MEDICA PURA. Translated and edited by Charles Julius Hempel, M. D. 4 vols. 8vo. $6 00. HAHNEMANN'S ORGANON of Homceopathic Medicines, $1 00. JEANES'S PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 82 50. EPPS, DR. J. DOMESTIC HOMCEOPATH Y, or, Rules for the Domestic Treat- ment of the Maladies of Infants, Children, and Adults, etc. Third American from the fourth London edition ; edited and enlarged by George W. Cook, M. D. 75 cts. HERING'S DOMESTIC PHYSICIAN. Fourth American from the sixth German edition. 82 00. LAURIE, DR. J. HOMCEOPATHIC DOMESTIC MEDICINE, with the Treat- ment and Diseases of Females, Infants, Children, and Adults. Fourth American edition, much enlarged, with additions by A. Gerald Hull, M. D. 1348. 81 50. HEMPEL'S HOMCEOPATHIC DOMESTIC PHYSICIAN. 1847. 60 cts. JAHR'S PHARMACOPCEIA and Posology of the preparations of Homceopathic medicines and the administration of the dose. Tragjslated by Dr. F. Kitchen. 82. BONNINGHAUSEN'S THERAPEUTIC POCKET BOOK for Homceopathists, to be used at the Bed-side of the Patients, and in the Study of the Materia Medica. Edited by A. H. Okie, M. D. Cambric, SI 25. Pocket Cases 81 50. G. L. RAU'S ORGANON of the Specific Healing Art of Homoeopathy. Trans- lated by C. J. Hempel, M. D. 1S4S. 81 25. E. STAPF'S ADDITIONS to the Materia Medica Pura. Translated by C. J. Hempel, M. D. SI 60. HARTMANN'S ACUTE DISEASES, and their Homceopathic Treatment. Third German edition. Translated by C. J. Hempel, M. D. 1847. 2 vols. 82 50. THE CHOLERA AND ITS HOMCEOPATHIC TREATMENT. 50 cts. „ „ „ „ By Dr. Hoffendahl. 12 1-2 cts. DR. JOSLIN ON CHOLERA. 60 cts. HOMCEOPATHIC QUARTERLY JOURNAL. S3 00 per annum. 2 HOMCEOPATHIC BOOKS AND MEDICINES. ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF HOMOEOPATHY, in German, 5 vols. 8vo. bound, $10. BECKER, M.D., ON CONSUMPTION. Translated from the German. 1848. 38 cts. ------ ON DISEASES OF THE EYE. Translated from the German. 1848. 38 cts. ------ON CONSTIPATION. Translation from the German. 1848. 38 cts. ------ ON DENTITION. Translated from the German. 1848. 38 cts. JAHR'S Short Elementary Treatise upon Homceopathia and the Manner of its Practice, with some of the most important effects of ten of the principal Homoeopathic remedies; for the use of all honest men who desire to convince themselves, by experiment, of the truth of the doctrine. Translated by Edward Bayard, M.D. Bound, 37 1-2 cts. BCENNINGHAUSEN'S ESSAY ON THE HOMCEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF INTERMITTENT FEVERS. Translated and edited by Charles Julius Hempel, M. D. 1845. 38 cts. HOMCEOPATHIC COOKERY. Second edition, with additions by the Lady of an American Homoeopathic Physician. Designed chiefly for the use of such persons as are under Homceopathic Treatment. 50 cts. RUECKERT'S THERAPEUTICS: or, Successful Homceopathic Cures, collected from the best Homceopathic Periodicals, translated and edited by C. J. Hempel. 1 large 8vo. vol., bound. 1846. $3 50. RUOFF'S REPERTORY OF HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICINE, nosologically arranged. Translated from the German by A. H. Okie, M. D. 1844. 81 50. HARTMANN, DR. F.; PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE CHIEF HOMCEOPATHIC REMEDIES. Translated from the German by A H. Okie, M. D. Cambric, 81 75. HARTMAN'S ACUTE DISEASES, 2 vols. 1 25 each. CHRONIC DISEASES. 1 25. ROSENSTEIN'S THEORY AND PRACTICE OF HOMCEOPATHY. 75 cts. SHERILL'S MANUAL OF HOMCEOPATHY. 50 cts. EPPS'S DISEASES OF THE HEAD. 62 1-2. ----PRINCIPLES OF HOMCEOPATHY. 75 cts. ---- EPILEPSY. 75 cts. ---- REJECTED CASES. 88 cts. ---- ON THE USE OF ARNICA MONTANA, for Bruises, Sprains, &c. 15 cts. HEMPEL ON THE USE OF ARNICA MONTANA, for Bruises, Sprains, &c. 17 cts. TRANSACTIONS OF THE*AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMCEOPATHY. 1346. Bound, $1 50. THE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF HOMCEOPATHY, illustrated by numerous cases. Dedicated by permission to Her Majesty Queen Adelaide. Bv H. Dunsford, M. D. $1 00. OKIE'S HOMCEOPATHY EXPLAINED AND OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 12 1-2 Cts. FAMILY GUIDE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF HOMCEOPATHIC REMEDIES. 25 cts. DR. OKIE'S, DR. WESSELHCEFT'S AND DR. NEIDHARD'S REPLIES TO DR. O. W. HOLMES. 12 1-2 cts. each. DR. HEMPEL'S ECLECTICISM IN MEDICINE. 25 cts. DR. HOLT'S VIEWS OF HOMCEOPATHY. 18 cts. WHAT IS HOMCEOPATHY? By Isaac Colby, M. D. 8 cts. HYDROPATHIC BOOKS. 3 uIN ON THE POWER OF SMALL DOSES, AND ATTENUATED MEDICINES. 10 cts. WM. HENDERSON, M. D. HOMCEOPATHIC PRACTICE, 1946. 50 cts. FORBES, M. D. HOMCEOPATHY, ALLOPATHY, AND YOUNG PHYSIC, 1846. 19 cts. WM. HENDERSON, M. D. LETTER TO JOHN FORBES, 1846. 19 cts. JjT The above three books, bound in one volume. $1 00. GUNTHER'S NEW MANUAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, translated from the third German edition, with additions. 81 25. The British Journal of Ho- moeopathy, published in London, says of this book : — "A good work on Homceopathic Veterinary Medicine, has long been a desideratum in this country, and this, as far as we can judge, seems calculated to supply the want. * * * We have little doubt that this 'Manual,' will prove of excellent service to those having the management of domestic animals, as it offers a more rational and scientific, as well as a more effi- cacious mode of treating their diseases than the ordinary empirical system of firing, drenching, bleeding, and dismembering, by which our four-footed auxiliaries have been so long martyrized." THE MARINER'S PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON ; or, a Guide to the Homoeo- pathic Treatment of those Diseases to which seamen are liable, comprising the Treat- ment of Syphilitic Diseases, &c. By Geo. W. Cook, M. D. 37 1-2 cts.' THE HOMCEOPATHIC EXAMINER, by A. G. Hull, M. D. 1840, 1841, 1342, H43-1845. 3 vols. 815 00. THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMCEOPATHY. Edited by J. J. Drysdale, M D.; J. R. Russell, M. D. ; and Francis Black, M. D. London. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HOMCEOPATHY. Edited by S. R. Kirby, M. D. New York, monthly. 81 00. SOUTH-WESTERN HOMCEOPATHIC JOURNAL AND REVIEW. Edited by John T. Temple, M. D. St. Louis, Mo. $1 00. HYDROPATHIC BOOKS. Dr. Gully's WATER CURE IN CHRONIC DISEASES. Si 25. Francke's NEW THEORY OF DISEASE, &c. 75 cts. Dr. Shew's WATER CURE MANUAL. 75 cts. --------HAND-BOOK OF HYDROPATHY. --------FACTS IN HYDROPATHY. A Collection of Cases. 12 1-2 cts. --------THE CHOLERA—ITS CAUSES AND PREVENTION. 25 cts. --------CURIOSITIES OF COMMON WATER. 25 cts. --------WATER-CURE JOURNAL (monthly). $1 00 per year. RESULTS OF HYDROPATHY. By Edward Johnson. 50 cts. THE WATER CURE IN AMERICA. 320 Cases of various Diseases treated with Water. Cambric, 75 cts. MISCELLANIES TO THE GRAFFENBERG WATER CURE. Translated by Dr. Meeker. Cambric. 75 cts. PRIESSMTZ MANUAL OF THE WATER CURE. 50 cts. ERRORS OF PHYSICIANS and others in the practice of Water Cure. By J. H. Rouse. 25 cts. THE PHILOSOPHY OF WATER CURE. By Dr. Balbirnie. 25 cts. THE PRACTICE OF THE WATER CURE. By Drs. Wilson and Gully. (Water Cure Journal.) 25 cts. ALSO FOR SALE, Tinctures, Triturations, Dilutions, Distilled Water, Homceopathic Plaster, Labels, Diet Papers, Sugar of Milk, Globules, Vials, Corks, &c. Cases of Medicine, for Physicians' and domestic use, varying in size and price, from $3 00 to $50 00, among which are Pocket Cases in neat morocco. Cases of any pat- tern made to order. O. C. can furnish Vials, Syringes, &c, blown to any pattern, at the manufacturer's prices, at short notice. ( 4 ; HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES. WILLIAM RADDE, 322 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, Respectfully informs the Homceopathic Physicians, and the friends of the System, that he is the sole Agent for the Leipzig Central Homceopathic Pharmacy, and that he has always on hand a good assortment of the best Homoeopathic Medicines, in complete sets or by single vials, in Tinctures, Dilutions, and Triturations; also Pocket Cases of Medicines; Physicians' and Family Medicine Chests to Laurie's Domestic (60 Remedies) — EPPS'S (58 Remedies) — HERING'S (82 Remedies.) Small Pocket Cases, at $3 00, with Family Guide and 27 Remedies. Cases containing 415 Vials with Tinctures and Triturations for Physicians. Cases with 260 Vials of Tinctures and Triturations to Jahr's New Manual, or Symptomen-Codex. Pocket Cases with 60 Vials of Tinctures and Triturations. Cases from 200 to 300 Vials with low and high dilutions of medicated pellets. Cases from 50 to 80 Vials of low and high dilutions, &c, &c. Homoeopathic Chocolate. Refined Sugar of Milk, pure Globules, &c. Ar- nica Tincture, the best specific remedy for bruises, sprains, wounds, etc. Arnica Plaster, the best application for Corns. Urtica wrens, the best specific remedy for Burns. Also, Books, Pamphlets, and Standard Works on the System, in the English, French, and German languages. SMITH'S HOMCEOPATHIC PHARMACY, 488 BROADWAY (CORNER OF BROOiME STREET.) J. T. S. Smith has a large assortment of Homceopathic Medicines, in Tinctures, Triturations, Dilutions, and Globules; Arnica Flowers; Sugar of Milk, Pure Alcohol, Distilled Water, Pellets, &c, &c. Physician's Pocket and Family Cases of Medicine on hand, and prepared to order. Homceopathic Plasters, a substitute for ordinary Court and Adhesive Plaster, and an excellent application for Corns. C. L. RADEMACHER, 39 NORTH FOURTH STREET, (BETWEEN ARCH AND CHERRY STREETS, PHILADELPHIA,) Agent for the Leipsic Homoeopathic Medicines, respectfully informs the Homoeo- pathic Physicians and the friends of the Homceopathic system, that he has always on hand a good assortment of Homceopathic Medicines in their different preparations, viz.: Tinctures, Triturations, Dilutions, and medicated Pellets. Medicine Chests of different sizes for Physicians, with Tinctures and Triturations, Dilutions, or medicated Pellets. Also constantly on hand, Family Medicine Chests to suit, Hering's Domestic Physician ; Laurie's Homoeopathic Domestic Medicine ; Epps's Domestic Homoeopathy ; Newman's Homoeopathic Family Assistant; and the Family Guide. Also Refined Sugar of Milk, Alcohol, Vials of different sizes, Corks Labels, (tec. J. F. DESILVER, 112 MAIN STREET, CINCINNATI, Ohio, Is the Agent for the West, of the Homceopathic Pharmacy at Leipsic. Physicians and others can always he supplied at this estalilishment with pure medicines adapted to the homceopathic system of treatment; Medicine Chests suited to Dr. Hering's Domestic Physician ; Refined Sugar of Milk, &c. Also Agent for the American Jour- nal of Homoeopathy, edited by Drs. Kirby and Snow, New York; a semi-monthly publication, at one dollar a year, and adapted to lay readers. THE LAW OF CURE. AN ADDRESS DELIVERED before the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMCEOPATHY, AT ITS SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING, HELD AT PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 13, 1849. Br B. F. jTOSLIN, M. D. BOSTON: OTIS CLAPP, 23 SCHOOL STREET. 1849. WBK IS3L \Vtf reliable induction. But, sooner or later, he must be deeply immersed in hypotheses, 7 before he arrives at those properties of the malady which are in immediate contact with the properties of the medicine. A certain group of symptoms does, in his opinion, denote certain occult morbid actions in the living body. I call them occult, because if they were obvious to the senses, they would not be matters of inference but of observation, and would themselves be symptoms. Thirdly, when the rationalizing or physiological physician, by various reasonings and conjectures more or less plausible, has ascertained, as near as he can, the occult actions of the disease, the next step in the problem, is to determine what occult actions a remedy must produce, in order to remove those of the disease. I say occult, for the real battle between the medicine and the malady must be fought in this obscure and transcendental region, beyond the pale of observation. For various reasons, more or less plausible, the rationalist concludes that certain occult properties of a disease require certain occult properties in the remedy ; for example that the remedy must be a tonic, a relaxant, an antispasmodic, a refrig- erant, a purifier of the blood, or an alterative. The fourth step in the problem, is to pass from the occult to the obvious properties of the remedy ; that is, to determine what obvious actions a remedy must evince, in order that it may excite the requisite occult actions. For example, he may con- clude, that the medicine should be a cathartic, a diaphoretic or an emetic, or that it should produce some other evacuation, or that its action should be attended with some other obvious and definite phenomenon or group of phenomena, which in his opin- ion will evince the requisite internal actions. Now this fourth step is liable to all the unsoundness of the two preceding steps. In a majority of cases, there will be fallacy and error in each of the three ; that is, in passing from the obvious to the occult properties of the malady, from the occult properties of the malady to the occult properties of the medicine, and from the occult properties of the medicine to its obvious properties. The fifth and last step of the problem, is to determine what medicine will produce those obvious actions which the theorist has inferred to be requisite. He has now waded to the oppo- site shore, and again arrived at the solid ground of observation. He started with observing the obvious phenomena of the disease; he ends by a partial proving of drugs, or by selecting those which experience has already shown to produce those obvious actions which he considers requisite in the case to be treated. 8 Though the observations of the first and fifth steps of the problem were ever so unexceptionable, the theoretical errors of the three intermediate steps may render them entirely useless. But these errors of the theory tend to vitiate the observations themselves: they tend to make the observation of symptoms partial, and the proving of drugs partial. The rationalist notes those symptoms of the disease which he can use in his theory, and slurs over the remaining and greater portion as useless. If the sufferer describes with minuteness the character, locality and conditions of the pains, the physician regards it as imper- tinent loquacity. In like manner, in the provings of a drug, there are but a few of its obvious effects of which the rationalist can avail himself: hence he is satisfied with ascertaining those few. Of what use to him are its thousand other symptoms ? Some form, combination or mixture of the clinical and the physiological methods is adopted by all physicians, except the homoeopath is ts. In the hour allotted to this discourse, it would be impossible to examine the combinations and mixtures ; nor is it necessary: the errors of the fundamental systems must attach to all that are founded upon them. One physician pro- fesses to be governed mainly by the clinical experience of the profession, another by physiological principles, another by both. All three ask, why do you call us allceopathists ? In answering this question, we must make a distinction be- tween the rule by which the medicine is selected, and the principle on which it acts. No matter on what principle the drug is selected, if its actions are unlike those of the disease, the practice is alloeopathic. This term is derived (not from alios pathos, another affection, but) from alloios pathos, a dis- similar affection. Every affection which is not of the same na- ture with the disease (that is, isopathic) must be another, that is, a different, affection ; and these different affections must either be dissimilar or similar. The last are named homceopathic. This last term (derived from homoios pathos, similar affection,) is applicable to that practice in which the group of symptoms producible by the medicine is similar to that presented by the disease. If the group is dissimilar, the practice is alloeopathic, whatever may be the rule by which the drug is selected. Now as those who select their medicines and doses by the imperfect light of clinical experience or pathological theories, generally excite sufferings unlike the disease, their practice is mainly alloeopathic. 9 i But as homoeopathy is founded both on experience and rea- son, why is it not a combination of empiricism and rationalism ? I answer, empiricism is the practising under the guidance of experience, without a law ; the homoeopathist practises under the guidance of a law established by experience. Rationalism is a system built up by reasoning upon subjects which are be- yond the scope of human reason. Such is every system which is based upon the occult properties of diseases and the occult properties of drugs, and reasons upon the relation between these two classes of properties. Homoeopathy is based upon the obvious properties of diseases and the obvious properties of drugs, and ascertains, by observation alone, the curative rela- tion between these two classes of properties. It is reasonable to require such a foundation, and to erect the superstructure with such caution. Therefore this system is eminently rational. But because it is rational, because its'reasoning is strictly in- ductive and founded on facts distinctly observable by finite man, it is not rationalism. Right reason is normal, rationalism a monstrosity. Hahnemann and his disciples are the only medical philoso- phers who have been true to the inductive method, in the reasonings which they have employed in establishing a thera- peutic law. They have proved, by abundant experience, that a medicine will remove a group of symptoms similar to the group which it is capable of producing. The law is founded on the observations, and on nothing else. Any metaphysical, mechanical or physiological considerations which I may urge in opposition to the old school or in favor of the new, are not to be considered as any part of the* foundation of the homoeo- pathic system. After this distinct disclaimer, I feel at liberty to introduce some general reasonings in relation to the two rival methods. I design them not as proofs, but as induce- ments to-experimental investigation. They would be unneces- sary, were not the alloeopathic community enveloped in a mass of prejudices, which prevents them making those experiments which, if prosecuted with the childlike simplicity of a true- hearted inductive philosopher, are alone sufficient to produce conversion. No medicine can cure any disease, unless it acts upon all the diseased parts, either directly or indirectly. Now the more nearly the symptoms of a drug resemble those of the disease, the more near is its virtual approach to the disease, 10 both as respects its different seats, and its relative intensity in each. The number of parts susceptible of receiving the pathogen- etic and curative actions of drugs vastly transcends the number recognized in anatomy. This is evident from the almost infinite diversity of the symptoms producible and curable by drugs. Millions of fibres and molecules sustain millions of relations to medicinal agents. How then is finite man ever to resolve the problem of cure with such multitudinous elements ? By any of the ordinary methods it is utterly impossible. The patholo- gist, (whether he be a professed specifier or an ordinary alloeo- pathist,) makes but a feeble beginning, if he demonstrates that a drug tends specially to act on any one apparatus, on certain component organs of that apparatus, or even on certain tissues of an organ. There is practically an infinity of component parts in each tissue of each organ; and these infinitesimal parts may be simultaneously suffering some indeterminate elementary mor- bid affection. The affection in each element may be different from that in every other; the aggregate affection composing the disease of that tissue of that one organ. How complicated then is the disease of the whole organ! Still more complicated is the disease of the whole body, even in a disease which is called local. The mutual sympathies are numberless. The number of results due to their different com- binations defies all human powers of comprehension. Shall one member suffer and the whole body not suffer with it ? It is impossible. Every malady affects, in some manner and some degree, every organ, every tissue, every molecule. But no medicine can effect a perfect cure, unless its action is exerted on every diseased part, and on every part just in the proportion in which it is disordered. There must also be a qualitative as well as quantitative difference between the actions on different parts. If there are millions of varieties of morbid action simultaneously existing in different parts, an equal number of curative actions must be established. Such are the objects to be ultimately attained, either by direct con- tact, or through the mutual influences of different parts or functions. In view of such a complication, how general, how coarse, how insufficient appear the ordinary methods of treatment; such as opening the pores of the skin or the ducts of the liver, 11 drawing off blood from the veins, or clearing out the aliment- ary canal! Equally general, coarse and insufficient, are the electrical and the hydriatic (absurdly denominated the hydropathic) methods — the external application of a mass of water, and the internal application of electricity. The latter agent is re- fined, but the currents of it (whether applied to the limbs, the viscera, or the nervous trunks,) are gross. Neither the hydri- atic nor the electrical method is susceptible of any law adapt- ing it to all the diversities of morbid action. Attenuated medicines, administered according to the law of similitude, are the true regulators of animal electricity and the human organism. The totality of any disease is the totality of its morbid actions. There can be no complete exponents of these, except the morbid phenomena. Any true, complete and comprehensive law of medicine must recognize all the morbid phenomena, and define some relation between them and the curative agents. These relations may be either direct or inter- mediate. The employment of the latter entails all the errors of rationalism. Let us then consider the direct relations. There are three relations which the symptoms of a drug can sustain to those of a disease, namely, identity, similarity, and dis- similarity. The last includes opposition. Therefore antipathy is a branch of alloeopathy. Let us consider it a moment. As a rule it is impracticable. There is no disease which has any considerable, proportion of its symptoms opposite to those of any drug. Hence if this is the condition of cure, no malady is curable by medicine. Passing from opposition to other forms of dissimilarity, we find none which can form the basis of a general therapeutic law. To form an estimate of pure alloeopathy, we must sepa- rate from it every homoeopathic ingredient. In such an ex- treme case, is there any conceivable basis of curative action ? If between none of the symptoms of the drug and those of the disease, there is either the relation of identity, similarity or opposition, we must infer that the special action of the drug is on different functions, different organs and different tissues from those on which the disease specially acts, and that the two actions differ in nature as well as location. Is it not next to demon- strable, that such a destitution of all intimate relation, must imply the want of all curative agency ? To speak figuratively, there is no handle by which the drug can grasp the disease. 12 The degrees of conceivable relationship between the action of drugs and that of a disease may be represented by an im- mense circle. Identity is the central point. On this point stands isopathy. Immediately around it are arranged the most perfect degrees of similarity. This is the province of perfect homoeopathy. Contiguous to this is the annulus or ring of similarities less perfect, but still great. This is the theatre of that homoeopathic practice, which, though not per- fect, may be denominated good. Encircling this is a ring of similarities and dissimilarities, the region of alloeopathic homoe- opathy. If in our survey we proceed a step farther outward, we cross the line of nominal homoeopathy, the circular line that separates alloeopathic homoeopathy from homoeopathic alloeop- athy. This last is an annulus of similarities so defective as to merit the epithet of dissimilarities. The old school practitioner, without any particular design, often travels in this region, and sometimes into the interior rings, still nearer the disease, and thus effects its mitigation or cure. Passing still farther out- ward, we come to the annular region of great dissimilarity, the domains of alloeopathy as pure as practicable ; and beyond that, at the circumference of the great circle, we may imagine the region of perfect dissimilarity, and of alloeopathy as pure as is conceivable. We have before seen that here is no rela- tion which can be the basis of curative action. Let us pass abruptly from the circumference to the centre. Is identity the requisite point ? Is isopathy the true principle of cure ? In considering this system, it is of the utmost im- portance to be continually impressed with the fact, that iden- tity is but a single mathematical point; it has no dimensions. The slightest conceivable departure from it is similarity. Pro- fessed and attempted isopathy is in a position of unstable equi- librium, like a rod balanced on a point at its lower extremity. In spite of all attempts to preserve its erect and central posi- tion, it is continually" tottering into the homoeopathic region. We must not confound apparent with proper isopathy. I believe the latter to have no existence as a curative system. If certain products of a disease have, when taken into the stomach, cured a disease produced by the inoculation of a virus identical in kind, it is not because the second action is identical with, but only similar to, the disease in its existing stage. We can never be sure, that successive impressions of the same toxic agent are identical in their nature, unless it is 13 administered in the same mode and under the same circum- stances. The slightest removal from identity is similarity. From mere observation it is as impossible to test identity of action as it is to test the contact of two contiguous mathemat- ical points. Hence isopathy can have no foundation in expe- rience. I think it has none in reason. An addition of the same action is an augmentation of the action ; and if a tempo- rary increase of the malady tends to mitigate it, why should not one that was originally severe have a greater tendency to a spontaneous cure than one originally slight ? In a loose and popular sense, the homoeopathic remedy does aggravate the disease. Still farther, I concede, that in homoe- opathic books, there are thousands of instances, where the dis- ease is said to be at first aggravated by the remedy. Still further, I hardly see how such expressions are to be avoided without great inconvenience. This is not the only case where, to avoid circumlocution, men use unphilosophical expressions. Astronomers, as well as others, still speak of the rising and setting of the sun. Yet he must be a superficial critic, who would infer that modern astronomers, and other intelligent per- sons who use these expressions, are ignorant of the motion of the horizon. Medicinal aggravations present a similar case. I am aware that an uncandid or superficial opponent of our system might, in reference to this point, charge us with incon- sistency ; but this consideration shall not deter me from stating the truth. I deem this the more important, because most of the theoretic difficulties which physicians find in Hahnemann's law of cure, and the arguments which they employ against it most successfully with the public, would be annihilated by a correct distinction between certain things which are now often confounded. If a patient has swallowed ten grains of arsenic, we would not attempt to cure him by administering another grain. We would not administer any thing to produce either the tenth, or the ten millionth, or even the decUlionth, part of the same effect produced by the ten grains. I acknowledge myself unable to understand, how a mere in- crease of any disease, in a strict sense of the terms, can tend to the cure of that disease. If experience proved it, I would believe it. Now all who have faithfully tried our remedies know that they are effectual. It did not require one year, out of the seven which I have practised homoeopathically, to make me sure that remedies employed according to Hahnemann's 14 law cured diseases, and much more effectually than those which I had for sixteen years used as an alloeopathic physician. Again I acknowledge that in the progress of the homoeopathic cures, I have often seen, from the minutest doses, what are called medicinal aggravations. How do I reconcile these facts ? The answer is partly anticipated in what has been said above; and what I am about to state has a bearing on the same topic. I must institute a comparison between the alloeopathic and homoeopathic practice, and trace the former through its differ- ent stages of approximation to the latter. Similarity is the characteristic of homoeopathy, dissimilarity that of alloeopathy. These characteristics differ not in kind, but in degree. Mode- rate similarity and moderate dissimilarity are contiguous, and practically identical. The boundary between the better forms of alloeopathy and the most imperfect forms of homoeopathy cannot be definitely determined; they are practically identical. In the circle by which I have, for convenience of nomenclature, represented the different modifications of the mixed systems by different annuli, they in strictness run into each other by insen- sible shadings, from the small central circle of perfect similarity to the circumference of total dissimilarity. Perhaps I cannot better express my view of the nature of homosopa-thic action, than by calling it an exquisitely refined counter-irritation or revulsion. These terms have been de- graded by their application to processes which are coarse and external, and possess no specific relations to those infinite diversities of disease which result from the different infinites- imal localities, and the different kinds and combinations of the elementary morbid actions. The adaptation of homoeopathy to all of these, is one of its grand characteristics. The coarser processes of the old school, may serve to give us some faint idea of the refined processes of the new. If a physician attempts to combat an irritation in the pleura by a counter-irritant applied to the feet, the effect is slight compared with that produced by the application of it to the surface of the chest. For an inflammation of the eye, he finds a slight artificial inflammation on the temple more effectual than one on the chest; and in general, the nearer he approaches the dis- eased locality, the more beneficial does he find the counter- irritation, provided it is not so strong as to spread to the seat of the disease, and thus become isopathic. This last evil he sometimes encounters in diseases of the brain, the pleura and 15 other organs, and shrinks from the application of his external stimulants, until the internal inflammation is farther reduced. Now if instead of a strong irritant an inch from the disease, we could apply a sufficiently gentle one at the distance of a millionth of an inch, is it not reasonable to conclude that it might be both safe and effectual ? The homoeopathic action being inconceivably near the dis- ease, both in the location, nature and function of the affected parts, this diversion restores the latter to their normal action, and enables them to retain it; and the new morbid action, which is manifested by similar symptoms, soon spontaneously subsides into a normal action, that is, health. But if the homoeopathic dose is too great, the effect is like that of an epispastic on the scalp, when the surface of the brain is highly inflamed; that is, the excessive homoeopathic dose ope- rates partly by counter irritation, and partly by contiguous sympathy; the latter effect tending to frustrate the former. When a medicine which is homoeopathic in a small dose, is ad- ministered in a large dose, its direct action, instead of being confined to a point near the disease, is in a circle which on one side overlaps the point of identity, and on the other spreads into the region of dissimilarity. Hence on one side, it tends to aggravate and protract the original disease, and on the other, to develop a multitude of new alloeopathic affections, which contribute more towards prostrating the vital forces than towards diminishing the original malady. - I will endeavor to give a hydro-dynamical illustration of homoeopathic action. Suppose a complicated hydraulic engine, so constructed as to throw out millions of jets of fluid from different orifices and in different directions. Let this engine represent the human body. Let the equality of the jets repre- sent that balance of the vital phenomena which denotes health. Let any inequality of the jets represent the phenonoma of dis- ease. The engine has millions of internal passages, compart- ments, valves, and other contrivances, through the medium of which the relative flow from different orifices is regulated ; and any variation at one place affects more or less the internal position of the machinery and flow of fluid at all other places ; although this sympathy is more intimate between some parts than between others. Let the streams represent vital actions and phenomena, whether of health or disease ; the portions con- cealed within the engine being the inscrutable vital actions, and 16 those jetting out being the phenomena or symptoms. These jets represent all the symptoms, subjective as well as objective ; that is, sensations as well as appearances. Any jet which does not belong to the proper working of the engine, is a morbid phenomenon — a symptom. Any change in a previously exist- ing regular jet is a symptom. The engine is so constituted, that the application of any agent which causes a new stream to flow from an orifice extremely near that of an existing stream, shall cause the latter to diminish; and if a sufficient number of new streams are thus caused to flow from orifices respectively contiguous to those of morbidly accelerated streams, all the latter will be rendered normal; and when the curative agent has spent its force, that is, when the new streams have ceased, the normal action of the engine will continue. This is health. Now the engineer, not having such an acquaintance with the structure of the minutest parts of the engine and their mutual influences, as to enable him to determine, a priori, the total influence which any agent will have on its operation, how can he regulate it ? He has the requisite agents in sufficient vari- ety to cause streams in every possible direction. Many of these agents have been applied to this engine, and to others of the same construction, and large volumes have been filled with a list of the particular jets which these agents produce or accele- rate. He consults these volumes, if he has not previously stored his mind with their contents. He finds an agent which is known to be capable of producing the requisite regulating streams. He applies this agent to the engine which is acting irregularly. The first effect is an apparent aggravation of the existing irregularity: for the new jets are respectively so nearly in conjunction with the previously excessive jets, as to appear, except on the closest inspection, to be identified with them, and render them still more excessive. This state of things represents medicinal aggravation. This near approxi- mation or contiguity of the artificial to the abnormal streams, represents the similarity referred to in the fundamental law of homoeopathic therapeutics. Here let me notice an erroneous view which many take of our practice. They imagine that a treatment guided by the symptoms, must be aimed at the symptoms ; that it may hit and extinguish these, but leave the disease untouched ; that we are contending with the shadows of things and overlooking the substance, or, to borrow the figure from the engine just de- 17 scribed, that we are merely annihilating the jets at their exit, instead of acting on the internal and primitive currents. Now the external jets are the guides, but the internal and primitive currents are the real subjects, and their regulation the objects, of our operations. We are not combating symptoms, but are guided by symptoms in combating disease. If the general and a priori considerations, which I have stated in favor of the homoeopathic law, shall induce any to test it by actual experiment, my object will have been gained. Their conversion will be secured. It is to this trial that Homoeopathy appeals. Every physician who has fairly, fully, and practically examined Homoeopathy has adopted it. An opinion prevails to some extent in the community, that Homoeopathy has been actually examined by many alloeopathic physicians, and found by them to be untrue in principle and inefficacious in practice. Those who state that they have made an examination with such results, have no adequate conception of what is implied in their statement. It is implied, that they have repeatedly taken and administered a variety of our potent- ized medicines, in small doses, and always without any effect, either in producing or removing symptoms ; secondly, that they have taken doses, in number and magnitude sufficient to produce numerous symptoms, and that these symptoms differed entirely from those recorded by Hahnemann and his disciples ; thirdly, that many drugs, each of which was known by them to be capable of producing many symptoms, have been separately given by these physicians to many patients, each of whose cases was specially characterized by many symptoms producible by the drug administered, and yet this drug given in sufficiently small doses and at sufficient intervals, neither cured nor benefited the patient. I deny that any such trials have ever been made with such results. Not one of the three classes of experiments, as above indicated, has ever been made by any man who is still a professed alloeopathic physician. The first class of experi- ments above indicated, would, if honestly and judiciously made, verify the efficiency of the smallest doses ever administered by Hahnemann ; the second class would verify his materia medica ; and the third class, his law of cure ; a law which, by its uni- versality and importance, gives to Hahnemann the same rank in medicine that Newton has in astronomy. This is the only general law for the administration of spe- cifics which any one has ever even pretended to have discovered. 18 To men who have practically verified it, to the members of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, no theoretical defence of it is needed. They have a conviction which can neither be shaken by any theoretical assault, nor confirmed by any theo- retical defence. To others who have honored us with their presence this evening, we commend the examination of the new medical doc- trine, in the spirit of that inductive philosophy by which the scientific men of Philadelphia have been distinguished, and in that spirit of philanthropy in which this city was founded. Standing here on ground consecrated by a Penn and a Frank- lin, and their numerous successors who have devoted themselves to the cause of science and humanity, we urge the claims of a system, inferior to none of the physical sciences, in the strict- ness of the investigations on which it is founded, and the extent of the benefits it is destined to confer on mankind. NLM027035238