Disease has always been the scourge of mankind from time immemorial. Doctors have consistently attempted to overcome the suffering through different means. Perhaps it is these attempts that later synchronized with the formation of systems of treatment as pursued by different races and groups of the inhabitants on earth. Of the major systems of treatment pursued seriously, three approaches stand out boldly in their popularity, utility and efficacy in practice. They are the Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic systems. There are numerous other indigenously developed approaches in the treatment of diseases like Siddha (Indian), Unani (Arabic), Acupuncture (Chinese), Pranic healing, Reiki (Holland), Magneto-therapy, Naturopathy, Chiropraxy etc. Some of them use medicines for the purpose of treatment while others not. But these are all considered as alternate systems of treatment to the three major methods, Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic. Of these, Homoeopathic is, perhaps the latest, brand new addition of the scientific minded, rational man, to the other two major, long existed, age old, methods.

The word ‘Homoeopathy’ is Latin, which means similar suffering. (Homoeo = similar and pathy = suffering). Substances possessing poisonous property to produce sufferings in healthy human beings when used in small doses become medicines to cure natural diseases of similar sufferings. This was an old principle stated by Hippocratus, the father of modern medicine. A German allopathic doctor named Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) verified the above principle convincingly while investigating into the reason for cure of malaria by cinchona. He subsequently continued research with the verification of results on similar experiments made and founded a new system of medicine, to which he gave the name as Homoeopathy. It was he who had named the prevalent western system of medicine as Allopathy because he had proved medicines used in allopathy to treat a particular disease, as producing opposite or indifferent signs and symptoms (Allo = opposite; pathy = suffering) when tested in healthy human beings, than those of the disease treated.

Homoeopathic treatment is now recognized in almost all developed and developing countries of the world. It is second in importance and popularity of various systems of treatment available in India. Almost all universities in India conduct Homoeopathic Degree courses and Post-graduate courses in various subjects like Practice of Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Homoeopathic Repertory, Materia Medica, Organon of Medicine, Homoeopathic Pharmacology and so on. There are numerous Homoeopathic Medical Colleges under different universities in all 28 States of India. There is a ministry under the Central Govt. of India by name ‘I.S.M. and Homoeopathy’ under the charge of the Central Deputy Health Minister. The President of India has got a Homoeopathic Physician in charge of his health. The Govt. of India has got a Homoeopathic Advisor to recommend Homoeopathic reforms to be made in the Health Policy of the Govt.

LIFE HISTORY OF HAHNEMANN

We all know the risk of introducing new thought’s to the world, things which have never been prevalent and against the former beliefs and dogmas? If no, here I am going to tell you a story related to a man who against all odds and oppositions introduced his ideas and thoughts to the world and today the man is immortal just because of his strong determination and dedication towards truth. Yes he found truth in the form of Homoeopathy, which is our art of healing. He called every one that BE WISE AND IF YOU ARE WISE THAN DARE IT, i.e., “DARE TO BE WISE”

It was on 10th April 1755 there born a child far away from lime light and exposure in a small village – Meissen. No body thought even after 250 years his birth day will be celebrated in different parts of world. Today we are celebrating the birth anniversary of that LEGEND, who was born tough and produced a system of medicine we all have faith in, HOMOEOPATHY.

Hahnemann’s life was not a bed of roses but the thorns were all around to tease him right from his childhood. But as we know “Attitude determines Attitude”. So was with Hahnemann his zeal and sincerity to produce true healing for society made him cruise through all the hurdles.

“gksugkj ohjoku ds gksrs fpdus ikr” an incident is worth mentioning as it exhibits his perseverance and indomitable stead fastness of his purpose even at that small age. His father was, so very poor that he couldn’t even afford the education of his only male child, but his inclination towards studies was so strong that when world was far asleep he burnt the midnight oil on his books, in his own constructed clay lamp.

As every father wants to give good education and life to his children, Hahnemann father also wanted so but Alas! He was short of money. But his father’s thoughtful lessons helped him to work hard with never say die spirit His sincerity and hard work excited the admiration of his school master, Hahnemann became his favourite student.

At the age 20, a young village born boy left his home town for his medical studies at University Leipsic with only 20 thalers in his pocket, the last money he received from his father. But again he has capital of knowledge of seven languages, his diligence was his future, his efforts were his resources, his determination was his strength. In due course Hahnemann found Leipsic dull place for practical medical science and chose Vienna a hospital under Dr. Von Quarin a famous physician of that time influenced by his skills gave him his affection him on his visit to his private patients, which he did for no other pupils, so the fortunes passed long away came to him again.

At 24 years of age Samuel Hahnemann, Doctor of medicine started his carrier as health healer in the country of Mansfeld. But in a small town the young doctor found no lucrative occupation and social interaction towards his intellectual advancements. Therefore at the end 9 months he packed up from Hettsteat turned to Dessau.

Hahnemann was such a great intellect that he learnt Chemistry only by translating chemistry from one language to another. His work on Arsenic poisoning in is an example of his sound knowledge about Chemistry.

Hahnemann had a great curiosity to know the facts which are responsible for different happenings. He visited mines to know practical mining laboratories to know practical chemistry.

In the mean time the seeds of dissatisfaction on towards the vague medical practice of that time were growing in Hahnemann’s mind. He was so dissatisfied with the unsatisfactory, unreliable medical knowledge of the day that in his frustration he started neglecting his practice devoted himself to translation and studies. His feeling on the subject will be very clear from the letter which he wrote to Hufeland he said. It was agony for me to walk always in darkness with no other light than that which could be derived from books”.

Hahnemann also said that “We have to do with an art whose end is the saving of human life any neglect to make ourselves thoroughly master of it becomes a crime”. His dissatisfaction increased more and more when he met with doubt and disappointments from the use of medical knowledge prevalent at that time. He reached the highest medical post at that time with all facilities and comforts but he was an ideal person . . . . . . Never to accept anything until it had been proved to be true by investigation . . . . . his father told once.

In this conflict of conscience, truth and doubt, his honesty won the battle and he resolved to investigate to discover if God had given some certain law by means of which the diseases of mankind could be cured.

In due course because of same reasons he discontinued his medical practice and devoted him self to his translations. It was in year 1790 when translating Cullen’s Materia Medica he Came across a statement which said that China Cures because of its bitterness, which Hahnemann proved a misstatement, by experimenting various biter substances, including China on himself. Afterwards Hahnemann quoted “Peruvian bark which is used as a remedy for intermittent fever acts because it can produce similar symptoms to those of intermittent fever in healthy people” Here established the first milestone on the road of development of new method of medicine , of which Hahnemann was originator.

Enlighten from experiments on cinchona Hahnemann started similar experiments on healthy people and found production of peculiar symptoms in them. But the circumstances were not favourable for a new research as there was no money to fulfil even the basic requirements of the family, how could he work solely on project which was not lucrative at that time. But the conviction was great ideas were clear and pathways were waiting for treading, he continued his research against all odds virtually day and night to fulfil is cherished goals. Every alternate night he used to translate books for publishers for the sake of livelihood. This attitude of Hahnemann shows that he was serious towards his family as towards his work.

Hahnemann investigated nearly 100 drugs you will be astonished to know that every single drug he proved on himself, His near ones including his children. How confident he was about his art of healing but how many of us are confident towards drug proving even after 200 years of birth of Homeopathy.

He formulated nature’s law of cure and originates a new philosophy towards medical practice in the form of “Organon” . The publication of this organon was the signal for a commencement of a violent war against Hahnemann.

But it was not easy to cope with the criticisms which came with every positive move by Hahnemann.

The dominant school of medicine attacked Homoeopathy since the inception of its idea publishing pamphlets and books against it’s strange doctrines. He was called a charlatan a quack an ignoramus.

His minute doses were declared impossible and even his tests of medicine were pronounced simple ridiculous. At that instance homoeopaths had to face in army of critics from each and every corner.

All the stalwarts of old school were against Hahnemann’s statement and one of them quoted “Wait besides the open grave of homoeopathy as the corpse would soon appear”. Isn’t it ridiculous?

Amidst these crucial statements and oppositions Hahnemann never gave up. He wandered here and there well acquainted with circumstances and kept on serving suffering humanity.

Hahnemann quoted that my conscience is clear, it bears me witness that I have every sought the welfare of suffering humanity, that I have always done the taught what seemed to me best.

This confidence of Hahnemann worked at last, people all around and the strong critics of .Homoeopathy came to know the truth of it.

By this time homoeopathy spreaded like any thing in Europe and even Hufeland who once opposed Homoeopathy strongly feel the facts of the science as true and said Homoeopathy could not be thrown a side with contempt but was worthy of a rigid investigation.

The journey continued and Hahnemann reached the Luxurious capital of Paris. Where his healing are flourished and reached a new like in medical practice.

The triumphant and successful aged philosopher was now satisfied and hopeful that what ever he was done in his life will be beneficial for society in future.

At last on the 2nd July 1843 the legendary persona was wrapped by the clouds of nature. He left but still not because he lives still inside the souls and mind of each and every true practitioner of healing art called Homoeopathy.

May I draw your kind attention that even after 150 years of Hahnemann passing, what we have done to improve, to develop his favourite science. These are lots of quest. Yet, to be answered. As we all know change is also a law of nature. There is lot of work yet to be done in this field. So I request the youngsters to come forward and to work on our father’s foot steps, or the sake of our art, our science moreover a Godly Gift, Healer of sufferings.

A Noble mission called Homoeopathy.