Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-03-30
From The L. s. Ga,cRe.
HOMEOPATHY.

Herring, Of this city, from DR.. Straupt, ofNaurn.
borough, in Prussia, (medcal counscllor) I'M
der date OF October last, we learn that the King
of Prussia has granted full liberty of practice to
physicians Of the homeopathic school. This
event may be regarded as the emancipation of
homeopathy. Whatever may be wanting 10
its success depends now upon the homeopathic
practitioners themselves as the only obstacle
with which they have hitherto had TO contend,
and which stood in the way of their system in
Germany, is removed. The importance of the
step taken by the King of Prussia, can be ap.
prcciated only by those who are aware of the
fact that the distribution of medicines in Ger
many has been permitted for centuries only to
the apohecaries, who are required to undergo
strict examinations aud put under oath, and are
always under the control of the regular plIysi-
clans, on the one hand, and of the police on the
other They are compelled also TO pay tax
are forbidden to engage in any other business
and certain sum is paid also for the privilege
Of vending medicines. Only certain number
of apolhccarics is allowed, according to the
size of the place, and the sale Of medicines is
strictly forbidden to all other persons. Tho law
directs that no physician shalt administer me-
dicincs, except through the hands of an apoihe.
cary, save in cases OF sudden necessity, or when
a licensed seller of drugs is not within reach
With this law liahnemann came directly into
conflict. His method of preparing medicines
was so entirely different from the usual one, it
required so much care, and went plainly against
the Interests of the apohccarics, that he should
not rely upon this class of persons, but was com
| PEELED to prepare his medicines himself, aud To
advise his students and followers to the same
course, especially because tho party OF the no.
moeopa,hic medicines was to be tested not che
mcally, but microscopically and physiological
ly and thus much time and trouble were ne.
cessary, and great skill.
As the adhcrents Of homeopathy began to
multiply. and Hahnemnnn to receive, not un.
| frequently, from so to 500 at time, in let
ters addressed to him from different quarters,
| [itbeing the custom by the way, in Europe,
when one writes to physician for advice. to
| enclose fee according to the rank and means
/ ofthe patient,) the regular physicians bcgan TO
suffer and when they found that no warnings
of,heirs. whether spoken or written, had any
effect to stay the progress ofhomooopathy, they
put forward to The apoIhccares, and the apothe-
carries put forward the law; and so the cause
of the healing art fell into the hands Of the po-
lice. lIahucmann was thus compelled to quit
| Leipzig; and as the freedom of practice was
granted him by the Prince of Anhalt C0elhcn,
he removed thither.
/ But the rcjoicings of the Leipzig doctors over
( his departure were Of brief continuance. lie
, had scarcely left their city, when number OF
influential practitioners declared in favor of his
/ system, sufficient to support an apothccary OF
/ their own.
! In most places in Germany, similar conflicts
/ have taken place, and homeopathic prac,ltion-
crS have been threatened with and subjected to
/ the process of the law. With the increasing
diffusion OF homoCopathy, however, persons OF
/ influence have advocated the repeal of these
ignorant laws, and statesman have written books
I ~ 'ic ci'IS utldil out NlIupul SN'I'so' III Il
/ few of the smaller States these laws have been
/ nbrogated, and in some temporary privileges
have been granted TO particular individuals.
/ The homocopathsts have had 10 help them
selves as we'll as they could, and cvadc the
/ laws, by which they have hitherto been pre-
vented from the free practice of their method
of cure But all this is now at an end--than ks
to the distinguished German Prince-and the
effect will be felt throughout Germany, The
liberalny orrhe King ot Prussia rs the more
honorable, Is he has Dr.. Schoenlein ior his
physician, and ofcoursc does not himself suhmi,
TO homeopathic treatment.