Chapter VI: Homœopathy, 120

Brief notice of the founder of Homœopathy. His exalted ideas of his
“discovery.” Two principles in his theory. 1. _Like cures like._
According to Hahneman there are three modes of practice—allopathic,
antipathic, homœopathic. The last alone truly successful, according
to him. The name allopath wrongly bestowed by Hahneman upon
physicians. 2. _Minute division, with agitation and trituration,
communicates a new power to medicines._ Subdivision very minute, and
extremely particular directions given by Hahneman for effecting it.
Whether such a power is thus communicated to be decided by facts.
“Observations” on which the opinion is founded. Character of them
illustrated from Jahr’s manual. Their extreme minuteness. Mode of
collecting them. Based upon the ridiculous idea that all states of
the body are to be referred to the remedy taken. Notices of some
particular remedies in illustration. Alleged success of Homœopathy.
_Apparent_ success to be attributed to six causes. 1. Mental
influence. 2. A strict regard to diet and regimen. 3. Operation
of the _vis medicatrix naturæ_, or curative power of nature. 4.
Comparisons made between the results of homœopathic practice and
those of over-dosing physicians. 5. An occasional stealthy use of
remedies in ordinary doses. 6. The facility with which people are
deceived in regard to comparative results. Parallel case of a German
clergyman. Empty boasts of homœopathists as to the character of
their physicians. Points of resemblance and of difference between
Thompsonism and Homœopathy.