Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1141

SAMUEL HAHNEMANN (1755-1843) Materia medica pura. William Radde; London: H. Balliere 1846 Vol. I: xi [1] 226 pp.; Vol. II: x [2] 194 pp.; Vol. III: vi [2] 202 [2] pp.; Vol. IV: viii, 260 [4] pp. Vol. I: 21.9 cm.; Vols. II-IV: 21.5 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 1140

Since the therapeutic basis of homeopathy was similia similibus curantur ("like cures like"), it was important to find drugs which produced pathological effects similar to those of the disease to be treated. Thus it was necessary to test drugs on healthy individuals before the practitioner could prescribe for the sick person. These tests were called "provings" and Hahnemann carefully and methodically tested many plant extracts on himself as well as many volunteers in order to develop a therapeutic arsenal. The results of Hahnemann's provings were published in six parts as Reine Arzneimittellehre (Dresden, 1811-1821). This first American edition containing fifty-four remedies has been translated from the German by Charles Julius Hempel (1811-1879), a homeopathic practitioner and firm supporter of Hahnemann's theories.

Cited references: Wellcome III, p. 192