Introductory lecture by Matthew Semple in the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania : delivered November 25, 1849.

  • Semple, Matthew.
Date:
1849
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Introductory lecture by Matthew Semple in the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania : delivered November 25, 1849. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    puffing of 10,000 steamers on lake and sea proclaim the triumph of the genius of Fulton. But it may be said the world has grown wiser since then—well, so indeed it has grown wiser, but not better; interest still continues to warp the mind and to pervert the heart. Hence, although Homoeopathy has thrown the gauntlet to the world—though the truths which she teaches, both as to the influence of divided doses, and of that great and fundamental principle by which even the cures of so-called Allceopathy are effected— Similia Similibus Curanter—have been long triumphantly established ; still there are found men who, entirely igno- rant of its merits, spend their time in sneering and in ridicule, which might better be employed in investigating its claims. But why is this ? They fancy their interest demands them to smother the truth and crush the young Hercules even in the cradle. Or, settled in old customs, they will not take the pains to learn and fear to know the truth, like the candid fel- low who argued with Galileo. When that great astronomer declared that the moon was globular, he was fiercely perse- cuted for heresy. Upon a certain occasion, while looking through his telescope, he was accosted by a philosopher, who took him roundly to task for his error. Why, what folly, exclaimed the wise one, to attempt to make a man believe the moon to be round, when he has good eyes to see that it is only a flat disc. Here, here, replied Galileo, take my telescope and look for yourself, and you will be convinced of the truth of what I say. No, no, good faith, not I, cried the fellow, not I, for if I should see it, as you say, to be true, I would have no longer grounds to withstand you in dispute. So is it, gentlemen, with many opponents of Homoeopathy. Offer them opportunity for observation, entreat them to make a trial for themselves, and put its truths to the severest test, and they cry out, No, no, not we, and from my heart, gentlemen, I believe if they would tell the whole truth with Galileo's philosopher, they would add, we are afraid we shall see the truth as you proclaim it, and should no longer be able