BIOGRAPHY OF HAHNEMANN- Part 5
Kothen (June 1821)
Duke of Ferdinand of Anhalt Kothen permitted him to settle down in Kothen. He was allowed to prepare his own medicines and also given the right to administer them, without intervention of apothecaries.
Two young doctors, Dr. August Haynel and Dr. Theodore Mossdorf travelled with them to Kothen. Assisted by Dr. Haynel, Mossdorf and his daughters, Hahnemann set up his new medical practice in their new home.
The title, “Hofrath” was granted to Hahnemann on election as Privy Council less than a year after his arrival in Kothen and he became officially the Court Physician.
In Kothen, practice was increasing. His daughters Eleonore, Charlotte & Louise helped him.
Dr. Johann Ernst Stapf became Hahnemann’s most intimate friend. He was a graduate in medicine of Leipsic University and was converted to homoeopathy on reading Organon. Stapf took part in proving of nearly 32 medicines. Dr. Stapf published the 1st periodical of homoeopathy in 1822– Archive for the homoeopathic Science of Healing to provide a public platform. Stapf gave the method of purification of sugar of milk.
Hahnemann’s last great work-
Chronic Diseases, their peculiar nature and their homoeopathic cure
was published in Dresdan in 1828
10th August, 1829– Celebration of Jubilee of award of Doctorate to Hahnemann at Erlangen. 50 years before, Dr. Stapf was the member of organising committee, published the details in his ‘Archive of Homoeopathic Science of healing’. A gathering of nearly 400 homoeopaths from Germany & Europe assembled. Hahnemann’s friends and followers all over the world sent him congratulations. This occasion marked the formation of-
“Society of Homoeopathic Physicians”
Early March 1830, Johanna (Hahnemann’s wife) became ill with bronchial catarrh and high temperature. On 31st March, 1830, she died in Hahnemann’s arms. She was 67 years old, married for 48 years
In summer 1831- Cholera epidemic in whole west Europe
Conventional treatment of cholera was failing. Between June and October 1831, Hahnemann wrote 4 essays on cholera and its homoeopathic treatment and gave to four different publishers and charged no fees to gain wider circulation-
- Cure of cholera
- Letter about cure of cholera
- Surest cure and eradication of Asiatic Cholera
- Appeal to thinking philanthropists respecting the mode of propagation of Asiatic Cholera
Hahnemann recommended-
- Pure undiluted spirit of camphor as prophylactic & treatment in very early stage
- In later stages- Copper, Veratrum album, Bryonia, Rhus tox
- Need of proper hygiene
- Garments and linen washed and kept for 2 hours at stove heat of 80o C
- Cleanliness, ventilation, disinfection of rooms
Homoeopathic treatment of cholera was remarkably successful, with very less death rate as compared to the other school. In spite of this success, some opposition was faced by Hahnemann.
22nd January 1833, Leipsic Homoeopathic Hospital was opened in a suburb of Leipsic. The funds collected from Hahnemann’s Doctorate Jubilee in 1829 were used by the house. The hospital had 20 beds.
Dr. Moritz Muller- elected a Director of hospital
Dr. Hartmann & Hartlaub- appointed as physicians
It was Hahnemann’s dearest wish to establish a homoeopathic hospital.
There were several confusions among homeopaths and mismanagement prevailed. Hahnemann agreed to visit the hospital in June 1834 and arrived in Leipsic. He agreed to undertake the management of hospital himself and the earlier management was disbanded. It caused further dispute amongst homoeopathic physicians in Leipsic. Administration of hospital from a distance was not practical. Financial difficulties arose for the hospital. Worsening conditions reduced the hospital to an OPD, which was finally closed in October 1842.
Mademoiselle Marie Melanie d’ Hervilly (30 years old) arrived in Kothen from Paris- 8 October 1834
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Hahnemann and Melanie married in Kothen on 18 January, 1835
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Hahnemann described her as an angelie wife and she influenced Hahnemann henceforth in all his deeds.
Newspapers openly ridiculed the marriage and homoeopathy
On 7th June, 1835, Hahnemann left for Paris with Melanie
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By a royal decree he was granted the right to practice in Paris. He set up a Medical Practice. The arrival of Hahnemann in France was celebrated by all homoeopathic doctors. He was awarded the honorary diploma by the Gallic Homoeopathic Society.
Melanie promoted his practice. Dukes, Princesses, Politicians, poor people all used to storm his house every day for medical assistance. Hahnemann worked harder than ever. Hahnemann enjoyed the luxurious life here in sharp contrast to his poverty-stricken life in Stotteritz and even in Kothen. His house was a palatial building, beautifully decorated. Malanie was present during Hahnemann’s consultation and acted as interpreter and secretary, making notes, etc.
Throughout his stay in Paris, Hahnemann did not write any essay or book. 1840- started revision of 5th edition of Organon
No children from his second wife
10th August, 1839– 60th Anniversary celebration of Hahnemann’s Doctorate- Hahnemann was 84 years old. Amalie was his only daughter to visit Hahnemann here in Paris. Letters of congratulation from all over Europe were read.
After few days of his 88th birthday, Hahnemann contracted ‘bronchial catarrh’. He had suffered from regular bouts during the spring for several years. At first, he treated himself. As his condition deteriorated, he called help of another doctor, Dr. Chatran (a homoeopathic physician)
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Knowing his life was draining to its close, he spoke to Melanie and expressed his wish that inscription on his grave should read-
“NON INUTILIS VIXI”
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Hahnemann died in early morning hours of 2nd July, 1843 (at the age of 88 years, 2 months, 21 days, 6 hours with unnoticeable minutes and seconds) in his house in Paris. Later that day, Melanie called Dr. Jahr, German Homoeopathic doctor in Paris (he was Hahnemann’s student), who came and issued a death certificate.
Melanie took permission from police to keep her husband’s body in the house for few days.
She made no public announcement of her husband’s death, did not disclose funeral arrangements, did not send any invitations to attend.
Hahnemann was buried in a public grave in Mantmartne Cementery on 11 July 1843.
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International Congress of Homoeopathic Physicians was held in 1896
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1898- Authorities in Paris sanctioned removal of remains of Hahnemann from his rejected grave in Cemetery of Montamartne to the renowned Cemetery of Pere Lachaise
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08:30 pm- 24th March, 1898
Body was exhumed in the presence of representatives of several homoeopathic societies and doctors, relatives, laymen etc.
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Coffin was duly opened and remains identified by-
- Wedding ring inscribed- “Samuel Hahnemann, Melanie de Hervilly Verbunder, Kothen, 18 Janvier 1835”
- Gold medal of French Homoeopaths
- Letter from Melanie
- Long plait of Melanie’s hair was wound around his neck
July 1900- Monument was erected over the grave, inscriptions read-
HAHNEMANN, FOUNDER OF THE HOMOEOPATHY
NON INUTILIS VIXI
(I have not lived in vain)Hahnemann’s main writings included few more-
- Pharmaceutical Lexicon. In 4 vols. 1793-99
- Are the obstacles to the attainment of simplicity and certainty in the practice of medicine insurmountable?, 1797, in Hufeland’s Journal
- Essay on small doses of medicine and of Belladonna in particular: 1801, in Hufeland’s Journal
- Signs of the times in the ordinary system of medicine especially in connection with various systems of practice: 1809
- Spirit of the homoeopathic doctrine of medicine: 1813
- Examination of the common sources of the Materia Medica: 1817
- Preface to Boenninghasen’s Repertory of Antipsoric medicines: 1832
LIST OF IMPORTANT BOOKS ON BIOGRAPHY OF HAHNEMANN
(showing important works on Hahnemann’s biography)
| S. no. | Authors | Name of the book | Year |
| J.C. Burnett | Ecce Medicus, or Hahnemann as a man and as a physician and the lesson of his life | 1881 | |
| T.L. Bradford | The life and letters of Hahnemann ( https://www.bjainbooks.com/product-detail/the-life-and-letters-of-dr-samuel-hahnemann ) | 1895 | |
| Richard Haehl | Samuel Hahnemann, his life and work, in 2 volumes ( https://www.bjainbooks.com/product-detail/life-work-of-samuel-hahnemann-2-vols ) | 1922 | |
| Rosa Waugh Hobhouse | Life of Christian Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homoeopathy ( https://www.bjainbooks.com/product-detail/life-of-christian-samuel-hahnemann-founder-of-the-homeopathy ) | 1933 | |
| Martin Gumpert | Hahnemann: The Adventurous career of a Medical RebelThis book is written in German and translated into English by C. W. Sykes | 1945 | |
| Trevor M. Cook | Samuel Hahnemann: His life and times( https://www.bjainbooks.com/product-detail/samuel-hahnemann-his-life-times-by-treveor-cook ) | 1981 | |
| Rima Handley | A Homoeopathic Love Story: The story of Samuel and Melanie Hahnemann | 1990 | |
| Rima Handley | In search of later Hahnemann | 1997 |
→ Life history of Hahnemann can be read from ‘Samuel Hahnemann, his life and work, in 2 volumes; by Richard Haehl’ ( https://www.bjainbooks.com/product-detail/life-work-of-samuel-hahnemann-2-vols )
→ Articles by Hahnemann can be referred in Lesser writings of Hahnemann (B. Jain Publishers) ( https://www.bjainbooks.com/inr/product-detail/lesser-writings-of-hahnemann )
→Samuel Hahnemann – His Life And Memory, by Ferando Dario
( https://www.bjainbooks.com/product-detail/samuel-hahnemann-his-life-and-memory )
Read More: Biography Of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann Part 4
