Editorial: The Clarity of Vision of Adolph von Lippe, MD

This quote is from an address Dr. Lippe gave in 1865 before the Hahnemannian Institute, Philadelphia. He contrasts the practice of a “Homœopathician” and a “non-Homœopathician.”

” … because a proper comprehension of the new healing-art can only be obtained by a careful following of Hahnemann, arriving with him, step by step, at what he termed Homœopathy … ” [Editor’s italics]

• Homœopathy is entirely founded on facts; and if we but carefully and consistently follow the great master, we will find how facts only led him to establish his system and its formula …
• The Homœopathician, when he relates successful cures, enumerates at first all the symptoms discovered in the patient, and at once it is apparent that he has well examined the case; he next gives the remedy, and states what characteristic symptoms demanded the choice of this remedy in preference to all others; the communication, so made, carries with it the assurance of truth and is instructive.
• The non-Homœopathist claims to have found the specific medicine or medicines for the specific disease or pathological conditions; he gives no reason but makes mere assertions and no instruction is gained by them; the credulous and ignorant only will follow his example—to fail!
• The Homœopathician is consistent and true to himself and to the fundamental principles he has accepted in the formula, and as a foregoing conclusion he cures.
• The non-Homœopathist is inconsistent, true to no principles; having none, he contends for empiricism, and his occasional cures are accidental occurrences.
• The Homœopathician represents the true democratic principle in the healing art, he courts inquiry and lays facts before the people by which they may judge of the validity of his claims to superiority.
• The non-Homœopathist is tyrannical, denies the people the right of inquiry, lays no facts before them and dictates to them what they should believe.
• The Homœopathicians accept the formula as Hahnemann gave it; their motto is: In certis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus charitas. [In certainty unity, in doubt liberty, on all occasions charity.]

Lippe, A. Who is a Homœopathician: a lecture delivered before the Hahnemannian Institute. Philadelphia, February 17th, 1865. Philadelphia: King & Baird, printers. 1865. p. 3,4,26.