actions, however similar, can proceed at the same time in any one texture or part of the human body.

The term Homœopathy is derived from the Greek words omos, or omoios, like or similar-and pathos, a disease, or feeling. Homœopathic medicines are similar in their action to that of the disease which they have to cure.

The term Allopathy is derived from the Greek word allos, other, or different, and pathos, a disease. It is the old system of medical practice, and its fundamental principle is—to cure diseases by causing an action which is contrary or different to that of the disease to be cured. Its maxim of old was contraria contrariis medentur "-contrary are cured by contrary.

Whilst this little treatise was in the press I was tempted to interrupt the printers in their work, in order to give a more prominent place to Homœopathy in its pages, and a more decided expression of my opinion and experience respecting it. I found that at that time my brother, Dr F. R. Horner of Hull, was about to publish his pamphlet-"a Letter to the Governors of the Hull Infirmary," in which he held the office of senior physician. In that letter he states his principal reasons for adopting the Homœopathic in place of the old or Allopathic mode of treating diseases. I need say no more, for you have got and perused that decisive testimony on the subject; and have, no doubt, formed your opinion of the whole affair. You are also aware that his adoption of the rational for the really more empirical system of cure brought down upon him the puny wrath of his medical brethren of the town of Hull, with two very puny and very abusive pamphlets. Most to be regretted is the fact, that the governors did not display a more inanly and more generous bearing than was exhibited by them in his removal from office in their Infirmary. However, the whole affair is now a thing of the past, and we will therefore pass it over.

I now candidly state to you, that the decided position taken. by my brother, and my own knowledge of his character, that it could be only on his conviction of the truth of Homœopathy,

I

made me determined to scrutinize more thoroughly the real grounds of that mode of cure. I resolved to put to rigid proof the principles and practice of it as he had just done. Very soon I had abundance of suitable cases by which to establish a decided judgment.

As with the other kinds of treatment alluded to in this volume, so in that of Homœopathy I determined to regard facts and experience, and not to discard the subject because of my own inability to explain every particular of the modus operandi, or mode of action. Nothing can be more unreasonable than the latter mode of procedure: for, on the same grounds we may refuse to believe the most common things of every-day life. In truth, however, the medical opponents of Homœopathy, and indeed of all other systems than their own, have become notorious for their misapprehension of its fundamental doctrine, "similia similibus curantur," like are cured by like. I have not space for a minute account of the subject before us; but as briefly as possible let me tell you, that these opponents are ever stumbling at things that are quite irrelevant to the main question—such as at the infinitesimal doses, and at the effects of diet and regimen, also at the power of the imagination, &c., &c. Whereas, the minuteness of Homœopathic doses becomes but a necessary sequence or consequence of the fundamental doctrine of simile— and attention to diet and regimen is as necessary and effective in Allopathic as in Homœopathic treatment. Again, the imagination cannot have power to cure in children, and ́in infants at the mother's breast, amongst whom I have had many of my remarkably successful cases of Homoeopathic treatment; as also other practitioners are constantly having.

Further, dear Sir, you must perceive that in strict accordance with this doctrine of simile, the morbific or disease-causing agents being inappreciable in their minuteness of quantity, so also may be that which is effective in the remedies used against them. Again, the causes of disease operate on the capillary or most minute textures of the body: therefore a proportionate minuteness or inappreciable fineness of matter must be required

for the purpose of cure. Homœopathists term the acting power dynamic. It is purely a Greek term signifying power, or rather, pertaining to power.

The fundamental idea of the Homoeopathic physician is that of likeness or similarity between the action of his remedies and that of the disease to be cured by them. With this he connects the other idea of substitution, or supplanting. On due reflection you will understand that this is the true philosophy of the science. Hence, too, he uses only one medicine at a time, in order to secure a oneness of action, to meet and to supplant that of the disease. Remember, that the doctrine of similia similibus curantur is the sum and substance of Homœopathic science, and that all the other particulars in the practice of it become necessary sequences of this. In inseparable connection also stands the evidently correct tenet that the genuine action of any medicine can only be ascertained by testing it on the healthy body, and not in its diseased condition, as is done by the old or Allopathic school. And, further, that the remedy must be administered according to the various and ever-varying circumstances of the constitution, and habits of life, and so on. It need not be a matter of wonder nor of disappointment, that we occasionally meet with constitutions or states of the human body in which ordinary doses of Homœopathic remedies are greatly resisted, just as the same states of body are constantly resisting the attacks of morbific agents. And, on the contrary, in some constitutions we find a particular susceptibility to the action. both of diseases and of their proper Homœopathic remedies.

In the hands of the skilful physician, Homœopathy becomes more effective in correcting the diseased conditions of the human body, and in much less time, than is usually done with Allopathic drugs; and with the very great advantage of doing so without inflicting injury upon it: whereas, the Allopathic remedies cannot be administered without injury; and this has been frequently so severe and permanent, that the means of treatment have proved worse in their ultimate consequences than the disease which they may have removed. Nevertheless, I cannot agree with the sweeping and extreme views of some of

the Homœopathic writers against Allopathic practice. Yet, whilst I candidly make this statement to you, I would more emphatically warn you against the much more unreasonable and unfair opposition of many Allopathic medical opponents. Most unreasonable must be their severe condemnation of a system of treatment of which they, at the same time, betray their ignorance, and which their prejudice will not allow them practically to investigate. Their unfairness or misapprehension is shown in their frequent attacks on points which do not belong to Homœopathy, but are rather borrowed from their own Allopathic theory.

I will here notice more particularly the one common outcry against infinitesimal doses already mentioned, that I may instruct you concerning the principle on which they are administered. Let me, firstly, explain to you what is meant in my previous statement, that they become a necessary sequence of Homœopathic doctrine. As in medical language the causes of disease are termed morbific, or disease-causing, so the action of Homœopathic medicines is termed pathogenetic, the former term is purely of Latin, and the latter is as purely of Greek derivation. Now, in strict etymology, these two terms are really synonymous, or of the same meaning. In Homœopathy, however, they are not of the same application: the former term, morbific, applies to the action of any cause of disease, whilst the latter term, pathogenetic, applies only to the action of any Homœopathic remedy. Mark me, then, that any Homoeopathic medicine which is the suitable remedy for a disease, is said to be pathogenetic in relation to it; that is, it cures by virtue of its power to produce, in large doses, a like or similar condition ; because similia similibus curantur, like are cured by like; and because no two different actions, however similar, can exist at the same time in any one tissue or part of the animal frame.

I wish you to remember the correct and significant application of this important word, pathogenetic, which, I believe, was invented by Hahnemann, in accordance with the fundamental Homœopathic principle of simile. The one common blunder which Allopathic opponents are continually committing, arises from their

misapprehension of that principle. You will see an explanation of it at the 33rd page of my brother's pamphlet, the letter to the sapient Governors of the Hull Infirmary, where he tells of the proof positive. Not long since I myself met with a striking instance of the very error he there alludes to. A physician of extensive practice, and who talks freely and ignorantly of Homœopathic quackery, said to me that he knew of a certain individual who, in proof positive of the utter worthlessness of infinitesimal doses, had actually swallowed a whole tube-ful of arsenic globules, and had then laughed at it, without any harm! Poor man, he had never studied the principles nor tried the practice of Homoeopathy, and he knew not of the pathogenetic action of medicines. In other words, he knew not that, as stated in the pamphlet just referred to, "Homœopathic medicines are definite in their action, and when taken, they affect only the disturbed or deranged vital action of certain parts implicated in disease; so that when a person in health'swallows a handful,' he does not, of course, experience their effect, inasmuch as there is no highly sensitive and diseased part to act upon. Nay, further, on the very principle of Homœopathy similia similibus curantur, the aforesaid 'handful' would not produce specific effect even on a person suffering from disease, unless the medicine so taken were pathogenetic, or, in other words, was the proper medicine for acting on that disease."

Further and correctly on this point he states on the next page of his pamphlet, "Here we see the excellence, the simplicity, and the safety of the Homoeopathic treatment; and how favourably it is contrasted with the strong drugs and the often yet stronger means employed by the old system of practice. Truly, well would it be for the public if bleeding and blisters, emetics, purgatives, and mercury, &c., could also do no harm on their being used when they are not required!"

Now, as far as my limited space will allow, I will notice a few cases which have been lately under my care, and treated by me on strictly Homœopathic principles. I select those individuals with whom I know you had personal acquaintance when you were living amongst us, and who are well known in these parts.