The Rise of Homeopathy II
Let us continue the series The History of Homeopathy with the second installment of The Rise of Homeopathy. Homeopathy was very popular among women in both capacities, as patient and as practitioner. The Boston Female Medical College, which was established in 1848, was the first women’s medical college in the world, a homeopathic institution. Four years later, it became the New England Female Medical College, and in 1873 it merged with Boston University, which was another homeopathic college. (1)
Homeopaths allowed female physicians into their national organization way before orthodox physicians did. Homeopaths allowed women in the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1871, while the AMA did not invite women until 1915.(2) Johns Hopkins University accepted female students in 1890, not because a sudden interest in women’s rights, rather because of the $500,000 endowment it was offered.(3) Harvard University had turned down the exact same offer. (4)
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Christian Science, who vehemently was against the use of drugs, gave credit to homeopathy’s value by saying: “Evidences of progress and of spiritualization greet us on every hand. Drug systems are quitting their hold on matter and so letting in matter’s higher stratum, mortal mind. Homeopathy, a step in advance of allopathy (orthodox medicine), is doing this.”(5)
The press was in general supporting homeopathy, with the Journal of American Medical Association contritely noting: “We all know perfectly well that the sympathy of the press generally and of the public is with the homeopaths.”(6) Homeopathy also had a strong following among the poor. This support resulted in great part due to the many free homeopathic dispensaries in many cities.(7)
In The Rise of Homeopathy III we will learn the most important reason why homeopathy probably developed immense popularity. Stay Tuned.
Beste Gesundheit,
Werner
1. King W. (1905) History of Homeopathy. Vol. 2 Lewis Publishing Company; 1st edition. pp. 159-213
2. Abram R. (1985) Send Us a Lady Physician: Women Doctors in America, 1835-1920 New York: Norton & Company. p.105
3. Starr P. (1982). The Social Transformation of American Medicine. New York, New York: Basic. p.117
4. Abram R. (1985) Send Us a Lady Physician: Women Doctors in America, 1835-1920 New York: Norton & Company. p.101
5. Baker Eddy M. Science and Health
6. Transactions of the Medical Society of the State of New York, 1872. p 46
7. Coulter H. (1982) Divided Legacy vol. 3. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books. p. 113