LIFE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICK SAMUEL HAHNEMANN (1755-1843)
The life history of Samuel Hahnemann is one of the singular sagas in the history of medicine. It is the story of one man’s fight against the cruelty, inhumanity and quarrel of the medical practice of his day and his pioneering efforts in the phase of bigotry and prejudice. To introduce a safe, Compassionate and effective therapy, Samuel Hahnemann like all other great men had an initial era of suffering and misery before being crowded the glory of honor. The hard labour the supreme age, the conviction in all mind and his constant search for truth regardless for the constituents lead to the discovery of rational system of medicine i.e. Homoeopathy.
Hahnemann’s Childhood (1755-1767)
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathic system of medicine was born in Meissen, a small town in the Germany on the 10th of April 1755. His father Christian Gottfried Hahnemann was a porcelain painter in the nearby porcelain factory. His mother Johanna Christiana Spiessa was a housewife. They had three sons and two daughters. Samuel was the 3rd child of his parents. Because of the fragile life of child and poverty of parents, Hahnemann education began at home. Hahnemann’s moral training bean with his father who taught him by words and practice ‘to act and live without any pretends or show’. His father’s words hold fast to that which is good left a lasting impression in
- Charlotta Gerhaduna Hahnemann (29th Jan 1752)
- Carl Gerhard Hahnemann (8th Jan 1754)
- Samuel Hahnemann (10th April 1755)
- Samuel Dugust Hahnemann (30th July 1757)
- Benchamina Hahnemann
Educational Period (1765-1779)
Hahnemann was admitted to the Town School at Meissen on July 20th 1767 in class 2 from there he went to Prince School in November 1770. As he was a brilliant student he won the attention of his teacher of whom Rector Muller deserves special mention. In the School he took much interest in the study of Language. He even made a herbarium of his own. He was asked by his teacher to teach the rudiments of Greek and Latin to its fellow students. As his father was too poor to afford education, he did not encouraged Hahnemann in his studies. He pulls even for a whole year to pressure some business. But the teachers prevented him from stopping his education and they help by not accepting school fees from him. Inspite of all these Hahnemann worked hard and he studied late in night. For this he made a lamp of clay so that the light remain concealed from others and from his father would not detect a missed lamp Hahnemann’s education suffer due to his poor health Rector Muller used to excuse him and allowed him to be absent in classed or subjects which are little interest for Hahnemann. His father sends Hahnemann to work in a Glossary store so that he would become a merchant later. But again, Hahnemann returned home to continue his studies. In 1775 Hahnemann delivered his leave taking speech at the Prince School. As was the custom and the topic was the ‘Wonderful Construction of Human Hand’.
At Leipzig
In 1775 Hahnemann set out for Leipzig for the 2nd time for medical education with just 20 thallers in hand. Hahnemann joined the Leipzig University and started his medical education. Hahnemann began his student days at Leipzig by attending lectures during day time and devoting his night to translations from English to German. He also gives tuitions in German to and English to a young Greek he gave tuition for the sole purpose of earning his bread and butter. He attended lectures which he considered useful and he found out that there was no practical facility in Leipzig University. The four important Book Hahnemann translated from English to German are:
- John Stedman’s Physiological Essays
- Nugen’s on Hydrophobia
- Falconer’s ‘On the waters of Bath’ and
- Ball’s Modern Practice of Physic. (Art of Medicine)
. During the winter months of 1775-1776 he worked in a single sparsely furnished room where he almost froze on bitter cold days. His frustration was further increased by the absence of practical medical facility in Leipzig. In 1776 he left for Vienna in search for better hospital facilities.
At Vienna (1776)
At Vienna he was played upon by a malicious trick and was robbed of his money. So he was compelled to live on 68 thallers for 9months. At Vienna he joined the famous hospital of ‘Brothers of Mercy’ which had better hospital facilities. There he became the favorite pupil of Dr. Von Quarine, a renowned physician of his time. Dr. Von Quarine taught him without his usual fees and even allowed Hahnemann to accompany him to his private patients. During this time he did not do any translation, but devoted entirely to study the principles of medicine. Dr. Von Quarine secured for him the post of family physician and librarian of Baron Von Brukenthal the Governor of Transylvania. So Hahnemann traveled from Vienna to Hermannstedt.
At Hermannstedt
He carefully cataloged Governor’s library and classified his extensive coin collection. He attain extensive and divert knowledge of ancient literature and occult sciences. By the time Hahnemann was about to leave Hermannstedt, he was a master of Greek, Latin, Italian, Hebru, Arabic and Spanish. In order to complete his medical studies, he arrived at Erlangen.
At Erlangen
Hahnemann chose Erlangen University because the fee was cheaper when compared to Leipzig. In 1779 at the age of 24yr, after much hardship and struggle, he got his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Erlangen on his thesis: “A Consideration of Etiology and Therapeutics of Spasmodic Affection”.
Medical Practice and Marriage (1779-1789)
After he took his medical degree in 1779, he started his medical practice in Copper mining town of Hettstadt. Here he started publishing his writings in Krebs’s medical observation. Through his original works and translations his name became known to the medical world. After 9 months of stay in Hettstadt he left for Dessau which is just 50km away in 1781.
At Dessau
Here he turned his attention to chemistry. His Interest in chemistry brought him in contact with an apothecary i.e. Herr Haesler. During the later months of 1781, he was appointed as Medical Officer of health of Gommern. During this period fell in love with the step daughter of Herr Haesler, Johanna Leopoldine Henrietta Kuchlerin. Hahnemann settled at Gommern and started his medical practice. he also resumed his literary works. He was attracted to the words of Demachy and translated his works to German. The book was ‘Demachy’s art of manufacture in chemical products’. He also published a book, his first medical work, i.e. ‘Directions for Curing old Sores and Indolent ulcers’ in 1784. In this work he lamented about the absence of any principle for dissolving the curative powers of medicine i.e. want of any principle for the administration of drug in diseases. By this time in 1783, Hahnemann first daughter Henrietta was borned. Hahnemann enjoyed a happy peaceful home life. Though he started practicing as a physician, the uncertainties and confusions regarding the action of medicine disappointed him. He gradually became dissatisfied with the system of treating. He could not treat unknown morbid condition of his suffering brothers by unknown remedies applied vigorously and massively which in turn create new maladies. From Gommern he left for Dresden in 1784.
At Dresden (1784-1789)
Hahnemann changes the residence from sleepy town of Gommern to Dresden, the centre of arts and science, literary works. During that period he didn’t practiced the medicine. Dr. Wagner, the medical officer of health offered him the opportunity of professional activities of Forensic Medicine. During the years of 1787-1790, Hahnemann published more than 2200 printed pages including translations, original works and essays. This includes German translation of the English story ‘History of the lives of Abelard and Heloise’ of Sir Joseph Barrington. In 1786, Hahnemann published his 1st much applying and celebrated chemical- forensic work, ‘On Poisoning by Arsenic’. Hahnemann was a master of practical chemistry and this displayed Hahnemann’s immense knowledge. To this day, it is considered important translations from French to German are:
- Demachy’s art of manufacturing vinegar (1787)
- Detection of purity and adulteration of drug (1787)
Other Chemical works during that period are:
- On the difficulties of preparing soda from potash and kitchen salt (1787)
- On the test for iron and lead in wine (1788)
- On the bile and gall stones (1788)
- Discovery of new constituent in Plumbago (1789)
Important Medical Work
- Instructions for surgeon respective of general disease together with a new mercurial preparation (1789) by Samuel Hahnemann
Hahnemann’s discovery of new mercurial preparation is known as Hahnemann’s Mercurius solubilities and this name still present in German Pharmacopoea. In the year of 1790, Hahnemann moves to Leipzig to be nearer the fountain of science. He gave up his medical practice and has to support his family entirely with his literary works. During this period Hahnemann’ economical condition was poor. Hahnemann had a poor family and had nothing to depend on except the literary works on translations and chemical discovery. The quantity of bread he was able to earn by his writings was so small for his large family. He lived in this family in a single room separated by a curtain. After toiling for the whole day he translates his work on the press. Hahnemann assisted his wife to wash the clothes in night. In his autobiography Hahnemann wrote “4 daughters and one son together with my wife constitute the spice of my life”.
Events that lead to the discovery of Homoeopathy (1790-1809)
As a medical practioner, Hahnemann was not satisfied with the system of medicine, so he lean more towards the literary works for the support of the family. in 1790 Hahnemann started the translation of William Cullen’s ‘A treatise of Materia Medica’ from English to German. What happened to Newton by falling f an apple in his head, happen to Hahnemann while translating Cullen’s Materia Medica. As Hahnemann’s mind was always on the look out for some guiding principle in the selection of medicine for disease, he was struck with the unsatisfactory explanation of Cullen regarding the anti pyretic power of Cinchona. Cullen remarked that the bitterness of cinchona was responsible for curing the intermittent fever. The scientific mind of Hahnemann refused to accept this because there were plenty of other bitter drugs which do not possess the ague curative power. So in order to find out the effects of cinchona, Hahnemann decided to experiment it on himself. He took 4 grams of cinchona juice twice a day and was taken down with symptoms similar to that of malaria Hahnemann experienced all the ordinary symptoms of intermittent fever including chill stage, heat stage and sweat stage and the paroxysm lasted 2-3 hrs each time he take it. When he stops taking cinchona juice, the symptoms disappeared and he became healthy again. Thus he get the idea that drugs can cure those symptoms in a sick person, which they are capable of producing in a healthy individual. For a few yrs, Hahnemann experimented with few more drops on himself and his family members. He became convince that drugs were capable of producing artificial disease symptoms in a healthy individual similar to that of a natural disease to which they are supposed to be specific i.e. the disease producing power of a drug in the disease curing power. Hahnemann already knew about the nature’s way of curing disease i.e. curing a chronic disease by super adding another which is very stronger and similar to the former in its manifestation i.e. the natures law of cure- ‘SIMILIA SIMILIBUS CURANTUR’ (like cured by likes) i.e. let a disease be cured by a medicine which has the power to produce a similar artificial disease in a healthy individual. This is the axiom on which Homoeopathy is placed. In 1791 Hahnemann moved out of Leipzig. In 1792, Hahnemann was appointed as the manager of a mental asylum at Georgenthel as he was famous for advocating humane treatment for mental patient. The 1st patient was Klokenberg the Hanoverian minister of police. Klokenberg became the subject of drama by a German dramatist. In the drama he was acted as a subject of fraud and this caused him to develop great eccentricities. He had already been treated in the usually barbaric manner of the period in an asylum with no benefit. Hahnemann treated this dangerous lunatic on a non-restrained plan without the use of chains or corporeal punishment which was in universal use at that time. Hahnemann carefully watched the patient for 2weeks without giving any medicine. Later the patient was given a preparation of tartar emetic and was cured of the disease. Hahnemann received a fee of 1000 thallers for his successful treatment. But unfortunately no more patients were coming for treatment in asylum and Hahnemann had to move out of Georgenthel
For the next few yrs Hahnemann wandered and traveled to many places. An accident occurs on the way to Muhlhausen and the youngest child Ernest was killed and there was serious injury to others. From Georgenthel he left to Molesleban and then to Muhlhausen then to Unstredt then to Pyrmone then to Koningsluttar.
Literary Works during the period 1791-1809
In 1792, Hahnemann published the first volume of ‘Frond of Health’. In 1795 the 2nd Volume of ‘Frond of Health’ was published. This book was on public health and hygiene, it is a master piece on social and individual hygienic measures. In 1793, Hahnemann published ‘Pharmaceutical Lexicon’. It is fundamental work on the art of pharmaceutics and it has been widely used by pharmacist as a guide line. Also in 1793 itself, Hahnemann was regarded as the famous Analytical Chemist by the journal Krells Annals. In 1794 Hahnemann published another work ‘On Hahnemann’s new wine test and new liquor probatorius fortior”. During that time the commercially available wine was most frequently adultered with silver or lead. Drinking of such wine will produce spasm or colic and it may later prove fatal and also the method prevalent at that time for testing wine was not satisfactory. As these materials are destructive to the health of man, Hahnemann after extensive chemical investigation discovered a reliable method for testing the adulterants in wine. In 1796, at the age of 41 years i.e. after 6yrs of constant study, experimentation and practical application published an epoch making essay in Hufeland’s Journal ‘Essay on the new principle for ascertaining the therapeutic powers of drugs’. In this essay he explains the discovery of new principles of cure i.e. Similia Similibus Curenter i.e. let likes to be cured by like and the need to prove drugs on healthy human being to study the proper action of a drug. Thus 1796 is regarded as the year of birth of Homoeopathy. In 1797, Hahnemann wrote his idea of simple medicine in treatment in an essay ‘All the obstacle to the attainment of simplicity and certainty in practical medicine insurmountable’. Other works in 1797, one is ‘Something about the pulvorisation of Ignatia beans’, ‘Antidote to some heroic vegetable substance’. In 1800, Hahnemann published a translatory work ‘Thesaurus Medicaminum’. In 1801, Hahnemann published two works; they are ‘Observation on the three current methods of treatment’, ‘Cure and prevention of Scarlet fever’. During the last year of stay in Koningsluttar, a severe epidemic of scarlet fever broke out; Hahnemann observed that the first stage of scarlet fever was always presented with inflammation, redness and congestion. As he knew that a similar state can be produce by the powers of Belladonna and is a great philatic to scarlet fever. He was convinced about the fact became when he administered Bell to the 4th younger child in a family of 3 infected children, the 4th can escape infection during epidemic. In 1803 Hahnemann published 2 works they are, ‘On the proposal remedy for Hydrophobia’, ’Coffea and its effects’.
In 1805, Hahnemann being 50yrs of age published to works of great importance,
- Aesculapius in balance which takes a general survey of traditional medicine and pronounces on the verdict ‘Weighted in the balance and found wanting’. It critically analyses the allopathic mode of practice.
- ‘Fragmenta De Veribus Medica Mentorum Positives Sive Invano Corporo Humano Observatives’. It is an authoritative book on the pure experimental proving of medicine healthy human being.
In 1806 after 16years of unremitting work observation, experimentation and research Hahnemann published ‘Medicine of Experience’, which contains the first complete exposition of homoeopathic mode of administering medicines. Medicine of Experience is considered as the precursor of Organon, which Hahnemann published later in 1810. The art of medicine was at last placed on a scientific footing when Hahnemann changes the medical speculations which existed since time immemorial into Medicine of Experience. In 1806 itself Hahnemann published the last work he translated i.e. Haller’s Materia Medica, Haller being one of Hahnemann’s former in recommending the testing of drugs on healthy human being. In 1807 Hahnemann first used the word ‘Homoeopathy’ in the title of an article contributed to Hufeland’s journal i.e. ‘Indication of Homoeopathic Employment of medicines in ordinary practice’. In 1808, Hahnemann published ‘On the prevailing fever’ which sharply criticize the therapeutics prevailing at that time.
Publication of Organon of Medicine (1810-1833)
In 1810 Samuel Hahnemann published the fundamental book on Homoeopathy i.e. ‘Organon of rational art of Healing’ 1st edition and for the first time new system of healing was called Homoeopathy and the book gave a scientific basis to Homoeopathy. Immediately after the publication Hahnemann was attacked by the medical journals of the day, books and pamlets were published against him and his trained doctrines. He was called quack and an ignorant. His minimum doses were declared as an impossible. The tests of medicine on healthy human being were considered ridiculous. Hahnemann braved the criticism which he received from every quarter and stood firmly by his principle ‘Dare to be Wise’.
1811-1821
From 1811-1821, he published six volumes of Materia Medica pura. it consist of pure and detail record of symptoms of medicines proved on healthy human being. In 1812 Hahnemann give up all hope of influencing the older men in profession and determined to proceed to Leipzig and devote himself in teaching the medical students of Leipzig University. So at the age of 56, he moved to Leipzig again and eagerly waited to teach in Leipzig University. At first the dean of the University rejected the application. Because certain conditions had to be fulfilled before he could get permission. He had to write a thesis and defined it before the faculty of University and also had to pay fee of 50 thallers. So Hahnemann wrote and read this thesis entitled ‘A medical Historical dissertation on the hellaborism of ancients’. In this essay he coated from 8 languages on the medical effects of Veratrum album. The authorities were impressed and permitted Hahnemann to teach in the Leipzig University. During their time he gathered an enthusiastic who helped him in proving medicines and also in propagating Homoeopathy. In 1813 Hahnemann published ‘The sprit of Homoeopathic medical doctrine’. In 1816 Hahnemann wrote an essay on the treatment of burns. In it he illustrated with facts and logic that in case of burns cure talus place only if we treat Homoeopathically, by using warm water instead of cold water.
In 1819Hahnemann published the 2nd edition of Organon, Organon of healing art. In 1820, the antagonism and criticism against Hahnemann increased due to the death of his long time celebrity person Prince Schwaezenverg while under Hahnemann’s treatment for paralysis. Actually the death was due to the renewal of one of his old habit i.e. his excessive drinking, but the public put blame of Hahnemann. Also in 1820 itself the Apothecaries took action against him for preparing and dispensing his own medicine. The persecution was at last successful and the forceful Saxon Government disallowed Hahnemann to dispense and practice medicine and imposed strict restriction upon Hahnemann which made him move out of Leipzig. Hahnemann went to Kothen and contacted Duke Ferdinand of Anhalt-Kothen. In order to obtain permission for practicing Homoeopathy at Kothen. Dr. Adam Muller who had a great influence upon duke convinced the Duke of all situations. Thus in April 1821 admit the antagonism of allopaths, pharmacists and Govt: of Anhalt-Kothen gave Hahnemann to settle and practice Homoeopathy in Kothen.
In1824, 3rd edition Organon of Medicine was published. By this time Hahnemann fame as practitioner. During the period 1824-1828, Hahnemann had abundant opportunity in observing the symptom and course of chronic disease. Thus after tired less investigation, accurate observation and most careful experimentation he came out with a medical work of great important in 1828 i.e. ‘Chronic Disease, their nature and Homoeopathic treatment”, in which he details about the fundamental cause of all diseases. In 1829 4thth Aug 10 – Jubilee of Hahnemann’s doctorate. A festival was organized on that special day to celebrate the 50thst one model and the famous painter Kruger of Dresden made a good oil painting of Hahnemann, a modal pertaining Hahnemann bust was also brought out. Stapt presented him with a copy of Lesser Writings of Hahnemann which himself had collected. The most important happening of that day was finding ‘the society of Homoeopathic Physicians’. edition of Organon of Medicine was published. In 1829 4 anniversary of Hahnemann’s doctorate Dietrich of Leipzig made Hahnemann’s bust which is the 1
On March 31st 1830, Hahnemann lost his 1st wife at his 75th year. She had been his constant companion for 14 yrs of his married life and had gone his 2sons and 9 daughters. In 1831 an epidemic of cholera broke out, in Prussia and Kothen. During this time Hahnemann wrote about cholera, its infection and transmission in an essay “Appeal to the Thinking Philanthropists respecting the mode of propagation of Asiatic cholera’. Hahnemann described the cause as small living organisms. He was the 1st one to organize the bad effects of unhygienic conditions as the contributing cause and spread of disease. He was not only a man of science but endowed with a sense of prescience Robert Koch discovered the bacteria. Vibrio Cholerae and its transitions by contaminate food, water and clothing and proposed the famous Germ theory of disease during 1814. But earlier in 1831 itself Hahnemann predicted the role of infinitely small living organism in the spread of cholera. In 1833. Hahnemann published the 5th edition of Organon of Medicine. Also in 22nd Jan 1833 is considered as the new era in Homoeopathic world i.e. the 1st Homoeopathic hospital and clinic was started at Gloken’s Strasse of Leipzig. In 1835 Hahnemann remarried, nearly 5 yrs after the death of his wife, a brilliant and talented lady came to Kothen to learn more about homoeopathy from Samuel Hahnemann. Their acquaint ended in 2nd marriage of Hahnemann in 80th yr and his bride Miss Marie Melania de Hevilly Gohiear being 35yrs old. After the 2nd marriage the criticism against Hahnemann increased not only among the apothecaries and public but also among his fellow Homoeopathic practitioners in Germany. Madam Melania Hahnemann was an intelligent lady who held diploma given to her by the society of Homoeopathic Physicians, Pennsylvania. She used to handout prescription very effectively and was therefore a great relief to Hahnemann during his practice in old age.
As the criticism increased, Madam Hahnemann perceived that it would be better for Hahnemann and Homoeopathy it Hahnemann left Kothen and made his home in Paris. Through her influence with the Govt: she obtained a license for practice in France. So in 1836 Hahnemann left for France with his 2nd wife. In France he got everything which is valued by a human being, i.e. recognition, honor, name, money, comfort and above all peace of mind. Hahnemann and his wife move to Palatial Bungalow in Rudy Millen were he stayed during the last year of his life. Hahnemann’s life was filled with pleasure and luxury and it lasted for 8 yrs. French Homoeopathic physicians honored him. His presence in Paris gave a great importance for the study and practice of Homoeopathy in Paris. In 1842, Hahnemann announced the appearance of 6th edition of Organon but destiny took him away before he published it.
Hahnemann’s death and subsequent publication of 6th edition of Organon of Medicine
In the second July at 5am Hahnemann breath his last following a deep period of bronchial infection. Before Hahnemann’s death he had completed the 6th edition of Organon of Medicine. Hahnemann died at the age of 88yrs. For 9 days Madam Malanie kept her husbands body at home. On July 11 1843 Hahnemann was buried in the cemetery of Mont Martre Hill in France. The immortal founder of Homoeopathy was buried like the poorest of the poor, only a few relatives attended the ceremony. The outside world did not know much about Hahnemann’s death as it had been a private ceremony. But the Homoeopathic followers of later generation were not satisfied with the fore lone grey in the cemetery of Mont Martre to be their masters’ last resting place. So on 24 may 1898 the body was reburied and moved to Perelachaise, which is the abode of sacred and dignified man of France. A beautiful monument was build with stands in 14 feet height in polished cortish granite. In the middle it is adorn with Hahnemann’s bust with an inscription ‘Hahnemann foundater de Homoeopath’, underneath his date of birth and death on the left his basic writings are sited, on the right the main thesis of Homoeopathy ‘Similia Similibus Curentar’ later a secondary inscription was added ‘Non Inutilis Vixy’ i.e. I have not lived in vain. The 6th edition of Organon was published after 78 years of Hahnemann’s death.
Rahees K
