2 2 T H E B R I T I S H H O M G ~ O I a A T H I C J O U R N A L

B I C E N T E N N I A L ANNIVERSARY OF T H E B I R T H OF HAHNEMANN

Report by SIR Jom~ WEre THE Bicentennial Anniversary of the birth of Dr. Samuel Christian Friedrich Hahnemann was celebrated in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., from April 10th-15th, under the auspices of the American Insti tute of Homceopathy, in conjunction with the International Hahnemannian Association, the Southern Homceopathic Medical Association, and the Pan-American Homo0opathic Medical Congress.

The American Inst i tute of Homceopathy was founded in 1844, and com- prises the main body of physicians.

The International Hahnemannian Association was founded in 1881 by Dr. Dunham--keen Hahnemannians, and their Journal is The Recorder.

The Pan-American Homceopathie Medical Congress comprises members in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Canada.

The Southern Medical Association is a sectional Society of the general body. I t was a very successful gathering of homceopathic physicians from all

over America, Canada, Mexico and many other countries, under the Presidency of Dr. Carl H. Enstam of Los Angeles, California, whose enthusiasm and per- sonality seemed to affect everyone.

I t was thought a fit occasion to gather together the members of the above Societies so tha t they could unite in a joint effort to present the case for Homeeopathy to the world. The result was evident, and by the end of the Convention everyone seemed heartened and determined to further endeavours.

I t had been a hard year of preparation as was evidenced by the papers submitted from so many sources. The official Report of the Congress is not yet circulated, but I was informed that 427 people had registered, 200 of them being doctors.

The scientific sessions were under the various Societies and covered the whole range of homoeopathic practice--philosophy, materia medica, provings, repertory, history and research. They were very interested in and grateful for Dr. W. E. Boyd's efforts. I t is impossible to single out any official discussion, which was limited owing to the number of papers presented. I t all showed great enthusiasm.

They were anxious to have representatives from across the seas as honoured guests. They invited me from Great Britain, Dr. Pierre Schmidt of Geneva, and Professor Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi, physician to Pope Pins XI I . Unfortunately Dr. Lisi could not go, but Dr. Schmidt and I went over together and had a very busy time. They said we had been of help in encouraging them, and the position of Homceopathy in this country, with the status of the Faculty, was a factor.

The hospitality of our American friends was overwhelming, and it was good to meet those who were known to us by their writings. Several mentioned the pleasure of their trips to us in 1927, 1929 and 1936. I saw Dr. Grimmer, who was one of Kent ' s assistants when I ' w a s over in 1908-9, it was a fine reunion.

The social functions were excellent and arranged by the laity, who are very keen in promoting interest in Homceopathy ; they have several organiza- tions. Visits were paid to the many and wonderful places of interest, Washington is full of them. We were invited into the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and several Art Galleries and Museums.

The Congress took place in the Shoreham Hotel, 1,000 rooms, and the intimate meeting with others added to the success of the Congress. They had two combined banquets of the various societies. Dr. Schmidt gave the oration on April l l th , and I spoke on the 13th. Dr. Schmidt's subject was the early days of Hahnemann, and I spoke on "Present-day Confirmation of Homceo- pathy", and gave them a history of the British Homceopathie Society and the formation of the Faculty and the passing of the Faculty Act which heartened them.

B I C E N T E ~ T N I A L A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E B I R T t [ O F I - [ A H N E M A N N 23

I told them of H.M. Queen Elizabeth's interest in the Convention, and conveyed a greeting from the Queen Mother, which was greatly appreciated.

On April l l t h an impressive ceremony took place around the large and beautiful monument of Samuel Hahnemann which is erected at a prominent circle in Washington. The grant of a site for this monument and the acceptance of the monument by the United States Government was offered by a Joint Resolution at the 55th Congress, and it was signed by President McKinley. The unveiling of the Hahnemann monument took place on June 21st, 1900, at an appropriate ceremony in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Homceopathy. Many notables attended, and the guest of honour was William McKinley, President of the United States.

On this occasion the President of the local allopathic Association was there and welcomed the Congress to Washington, which was a nice gesture. Dr. Charles C. Boerieke was the guest speaker. I told them of our Museum in London, and how viewing the personal belongings of Hahnemann stirred us to further endeavours.

On April 12th the International Medical Club of Washington, a group of allopathic doctors who invite visitors from abroad to luncheon, asked the President, Dr. Enstam, and a few of us to be their guests. Fifty of their members were present and a pleasant meeting took place.

For some time our friends in America have had difficulty, not only as to qualification, but in interesting doctors in practice.

A group of keen homceopathic physicians, assisted by some laymen, incorporated the American Foundation for Homceopathy in 1924 in Washington. Their certificate of incorporation reads:

"The particular business and objects of the Society shall be to promote the art of healing according to the natural laws of cure from a strictly homceo- pathic standpoint; to establish and direct centers for the study and understand- ing of Homceopathy, together with research work in any correlated subject; to diffuse knowledge among the laity concerning homceopathic principles; to serve as a reference center for all that relates to Homceopathy and to serve as a repository for homceopathic literature and drugs."

Every summer they conduct an intensive Post-graduate School for physicians. The applicants must have the M.D: degree from a recognized medical college, or be a medical student in the senior year. The course of study is very full, including the philosophy, materia medica, case taking, and study of the Repertory. The term lasts six weeks and they are hard at it all the time. The teachers are of the Hahnemannian order, members of the International Hahnemannian Association.

They also have a Bureau of Research and one of Publication, with a fine library.

One day we visited Dr. Julia Green, who was at the inception of the American Foundation, at her headquarters. She is still very keen in its efforts.

After Washington I visited Philadelphia as the guest of Dr. yon Rapp, LL.D., very keenly interested in Homoeopathy for many years and through whose efforts theywere able to raise the present Hahnemann Hospital, 800 beds, 22 storeys high. They have 400 students who have to pass the State Examina- tion before qualification. Homceopathy is an elective subject, and they only get 16 hours tuition during each year of the four-year course. After passing the examination they get a H.M.D. This necessitates other measures for the training of doctors in Homoeopathy.

In Philadelphia there is a new body, "The Academy of Certified Therapeutic Specialists." The Academy was founded because, with the closing down of several Homceopathic Medical Schools, it was felt that something should be done to establish Homceopathy as a Specialty and provide higher qualification and Diploma that would be independent of the schools, to identify homceopathic physicians. This was necessary because in the future there may come a time

24 THE BRITISH HOM(EOPATttlC JOURNAL

when there would be no undergraduate colleges conferring homceopathie degrees.

Therefore, on June 18th, 1942, the plan to establish the Academy was voted approved by the American Insti tute of Homceopathy, and the Academy was organized.

The purpose of the Academy is to provide examinations to determine the ability and fitness of each candidate wishing to specialize in this field of medicine and to certify to the competence of those physicians who have satisfied the requirements of the examining board. Successful candidates are presented with a Fellowship certificate which confers the right to use the title "F.A.C.T.S.".

Each candidate for admission to the Fellowship examination shall be required to present evidence tha t he has met the following standards:

1. Must hold a degree of "M.D." from a medical school approved by the American Inst i tute of Homceopathy.

2. Must have a licence to practise medicine in a state territory or possession of the United States.

3. Those graduates who did not graduate from a Homceopathic medical school must present evidence tha t they have completed a special training in Homceopathy by a Post-graduate course that is approved by the Board of Examiners.

Candidates are examined in: Homceopathic Philosophy, Materia Medica, and Clinical Homceopathy.

They thought fit, through their President, Dr. John Wilson, to present me with a Fellowship Certificate whilst visiting Hahnemann College, an honour I greatly appreciate. The ceremony was shown on the television the same evening.

At the Washington Congress the American Insti tute of Homceopathy presented a testimonial to Dr. Pierre Schmidt and myself as a memento of our visit.

I would like to pay tribute to the kindness and generosity of our American friends, they did everything possible to make our visit happy, and the memory will last long. I have had several letters saying: "Your visit greatly helped Homceopathy in the United States, and gave everyone a boost"; and hoping we were not too tired after our efforts. I t certainly was a task though pleasant, and we hope we justified their confidence.

"THE 1)ACIFIC COAST I~OMG~OPATHIC BULLETI~I"

This meeting was one of the most enthusiastic and best attended for many years and certainly is encouraging for the future of Homceopathy.

Every paper and every meeting held was strictly homceopathic and the enthusiasm and outlook for Homceopathy were most encouraging. I t has been years since such an inspiring homoeopathie meeting has been held. Surely it looks good for the future of Homoeopathy. The meeting this year was conducted and planned to be a post-graduate course in Homceopathy. I t certainly looks like a new epoch for Homceopathy in this country,

"THE LAYMAN ~PEAKS"

They were very flattering to Dr. Schmidt and myself: "There is no doubt tha t the presence of Sir John Weir and Dr. Pierre

Schmidt, two indomitable stalwarts of Hom~eopathy, provided the inspiration for the sense of revitalization and rededication everywhere increasingly evident throughout this memorable week. I t should send every homoeopath back to his post determined to do his utmost, individually and in co-operation with others, to hold fast the torch that has been handed to us and guard its brilliant flame."