The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

due to the genius and labor of our subject. He also brought to the attention of the profession
his preparation of "nux cum sale," as a valuable remedy in intermittents. He three years later
proved, with the aiti of his class, at the Homeopathic Medical College at Philadelphia, the
Plantago Major, thus adding another proved remedy to the Materia IMedica. He assisted in
forming and was prominent in the Central New York Homeopathic Medical Societ}', and in
transforming the same into the present New York State Homeopathic Medical Society. Later he
was Chairman of the " Bureau for the Augmentation and Improvement of the Materia Medica,''
of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the highest compliment which could be paid him by
his school of medicine.
In 1S53, under advice of professional friends, he removed to New York, but had hardly
settled there when he received a spontaneous call to the chair of "Homeopathic Institutes and
Practice of Medicine " in his old college. This he accepted, making a brilliant record as a
lecturer for three years, when he resigned, from complications growing out of his new discovery
and practice of homeopathic combinations, termed by him Homeopathic Specifics. This step
produced a rupture between him and the college, and his professional friends and associates.
The question presented to Dr. Humphreys was, whether he would smother .the light which he
believed he had received on this subject, or whether he should buffet the waves and strike out in
a course which he thought he could see as full of benefit to the profession and the race. Painful
as was the alternative, he chose the latter, and with true family grit gave to the winds his fears
and launched out, trusting only that the light he had received would pilot him through, and that
however bitter or long the struggle, he was in the pathway of duty. The result was for a long
time doubtful, many of his professional friends and school of practice deserted him or could not
understand him. He met with intrigue, rascality and fraud in his business associates, and not an
over-S3pathizing press, trade and public. But twenty-five years of persistent effort have changed
all that. His old professional associates now see that he has done more for their cause than he
could possibly have done as a simple teacher or practitioner. The business frauds that for so
many years embittered his life and embarrassed his work have one by one gone down to the sleep
that knows no waking, and our subject at the ripe age of seventy finds himself "at ease in his
possessions" and successful in the work of his life, with the consciousness of having "stood in
his lot," worked faithfully in the place appointed him, and of having in no small degree con-
tributed to the welfare and happiness of our common humanity.
His writings in connection with his business and profession have been extensive. His little
INIanual has had a circulation of several million copies in the English, German, French, Spanish
and Portuguese languages, and is yet being issued at the rate of a million a year. His Mentor
is issued in the above languages and has a large circulation, as also his Veterinary Manual, and
charts. The trade also finds in him an active, willing and efficient worker in all that pertains to
its e.xtension, welfare and defense, and reports and communications on trade problems and legis-
lation are frequent and well received.
In the Church he has always been active. He organized the M. E. Church in West Utica,
buying the edifice, making the first payment and securing the pastor. He was most efficient in
building Trinity Church, at Asbury Park, and has rendered efficient service in placing the Church
of the Heavenly Rest, New York Cit_v, upon its present satisfactory basis, and of which he has
been warden for seven years.
He has always been active in literary work, contributing to various periodicals and papers.
His "Humphreys' Family" was commenced some si.xteen 3'ears ago, and though the mass of the
details has been done by friends and paid assistants, the care, superversion and expense of the
whole has devolved upon him. His poetic temperament, from a child, has found relief in occa-
sional production of verses upon all subjects, from gay to grave. But he is far too modest to
seek renown in that ficUl, ur even I., favur more than semi-occasi.>nall.v llie public with them.