Book Review on Conscientious Objector – Why I Became A Homeopath by Roger Morrison, MD

In Conscientious Objector, Why I became a Homeopath. We have a great addition to the body of work from Dr. Richard Moskowitz. This book is highly autobiographical — both in content and in his descriptions of his own struggles against some of the harmful aspects of conventional practices. As we have come to expect this book is beautifully written — it flows through our mind’s ear like poetry. It is also amazingly honest, revealing and humorous. It is a fine read altogether. You should read this and all of his books.

The book is divided into 4 main sections: 

Section 1 is purely autobiography. We learn about Dr. Moskowitz’s early life and evolving interest in medicine — or his choice to channel himself into medicine without an initial calling in that direction. Here we see the young and always brilliant Dr. Moskowitz as a house officer, a solo practitioner, a practitioner of home birthing, cultural advocate and eventually a teacher and place holder of cherished traditions and conviction — our legacy as homeopaths. It is a fascinating story punctuated with case histories and philosophy. My only objection here is that this section should be filled out into a full book of its own. If a full memoir was ever required, this is the place. Yes, Dr. Moskowitz, who is never short of words about other subjects, short-changed his own life’s story in my opinion.

 Section 2 is a restatement of Dr. Moskowitz’s view of homeopathy — its theory and practice. It is written at a level for the lay public but has much subtlety that current practitioners can enjoy and contemplate. Dr. M has written extensively on these subjects and this section is a chance for him to fill in some items left unsaid in his previous writings. 

 Section 3 contains some of Dr. Moskowitz’s thoughts about allopathic medicine.

Section 4 is a recap of some of Dr. M’s extensive writings about the practice of vaccination. It is a much more personal rendition than his other books offer and gives the inside story of his clear-eyed view of immunization and its effects. Much of this same material is included in his other books on this subject (Vaccines a Reappraisal) but in Conscientious Objector, Why I became a Homeopath we hear his insights and experiences from a more personal angle. One has to stand back and admire this type of courageous position and public writings which could have easily terminated an illustrious career anytime in the past 20 years. I’m not sure how many people know how influential Dr Moskowitz was for a younger generation (mine). He was a pillar of homeopathy amongst his peers (along with people like Bill Gray, Karl Robinson and Nick Nossaman) but also a guide to many who followed (myself included). As a young physician still in my internship, I drove across the country (in a rattly used Honda Civic 1500 miles and 3 days through the Texas panhandle and endless Oklahoma) to reach Santa Fe, New Mexico soley for the purpose of meeting him. I had written a few lines in a snail mail letter and arrived in Santa Fe, called Dr. Moskowitz and got invited to his office. To call me “green” would have been generous. Dr. Moskowitz greeted me kindly, fed me, toured me around his homey office and spoke to me for most of an afternoon about what it was like to practice homeopathy. It gave me confidence to proceed with my plan to devote myself to homeopathy and it was one of the most generous displays I had ever been treated to — not just the grub (which was more than decent) — but mainly his attitude. He held a light for many of us.