Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

HISTORY OF HOMEOPATHY • 17The British Medical Association played a similar rolein the UK, and divisions within homeopathy began toweaken the force of its message still further. Strictfollowers of Hahnemann and Kent’s original theoriesfollowed “classical” or “Kentian” constitutionalprescribing, believing that a person’s emotionalcharacteristics and physical symptoms should betaken into account and favoring high potencies (seepage 19). Led by the British homeopath Dr. RichardHughes (1836–1902), one strand of practitioners had,however, begun to prescribe on pathological symptomsalone, favoring low doses. This unfortunate division inLONDON HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL The astoundingly low mortalityrate at this hospital during the 1854 cholera outbreak in Londonprompted a government inspector to note, “if it should please theLord to visit me with cholera I would wish to fall into the hands ofa homeopathic physician.”homeopathic practice enabled the conventional medical establishment to gain the upperhand, and by the 1920s homeopathy had been largely suppressed in the UK.During the late 20th century there has been a resurgence in the popularity ofhomeopathy, possibly due to disenchantment with aspects of conventional medicine. Inmany countries, particularly in central Europe, its popularity never waned to the same extentas in the UK and US, although differences in practice have evolved. Single-remedy classicalprescribing is prevalent worldwide, although in Germany and France complex homeopathyor polypharmacy (the use of combination remedies or several remedies) is also popular (seepage 21). In Australia there is a strong link with naturopathy, with homeopathic remediesoften incorporated into naturopathic practice. In India, homeopaths have long workedsuccessfully alongside traditional Ayurvedic medicine and conventional medicine. In the1990s, courses in Eastern Europe pioneered by British teachers revitalized interest inhomeopathy, and in Russia it continues to be implemented and developed. In South America,homeopathy is widely taught in medical schools, while in the US it is undergoing a majorresurgence of popularity. According to a 1998 survey of Americans and their health, over6 million Americans had used homeopathy in the preceding 12 months. Noting that it hadbeen integrated into the national healthcare systems of numerous countries, includingGermany, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Mexico, the World HealthOrganization is publishing aposition paper in 2006.FABIOLA HOSPITAL Situated innorthern California, the Fabiolahomeopathic hospital was oneof more than 100 homeopathichospitals operating in the US atthe turn of the 20th century.There were also 22 homeopathicmedical schools and more than1,000 homeopathic pharmacies.