Bloodletting, Emetics and Laxatives
At the end of the 18th century, when Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had his Faust accuse the medical profession so adamantly, patients could not afford to be squeamish. Those who survived the tortures imposed by doctors – bloodletting, emetics and laxatives – were of a very robust nature. In cases of serious diseases there was little hope of cure. In general, medical therapy meant that the diseased died faster.

Samuel Hahnemann

First Investigation
Hahnemann turned to translating the common works of medicine, chemistry and pharmacy of his time to be able to support his family. It was in 1790, while he was translating "Materia medica" by the Scottish scientist William Cullen into German, when his life started to change dramatically.

In his "Materia medica" Cullen stated that the effect of chinchona bark on remittent fever – today known as malaria - was due to a stimulating effect on the intestinal tract. A statement that was not accepted by Hahnemann. He wanted to know more and dosed himself the powder of chinchona bark. Soon he experienced the symptoms of malaria himself. He hoped to find the true reasons for the curative properties by investigating the substance on himself. A very revolutionary experiment far ahead of its time.

Similia Similibus Curentur
After the experiment with chinchona bark, Hahnemann continued investigations on himself, his family and colleagues with some 100 more substances in the following years.

In this essay Hahnemann wrote: "We should imitate nature, which sometimes cures a chronic disease by superadding another, and employ in the (especially chronic) disease we wish to cure, that medicine which is able to produce another very similar artificial disease, and the former will be cured." (Translated and edited by R.E. Dudgeon, N.Y. published in 1852)
Hahnemann's law: "Similia similibus curentur – Let likes be cured by likes."
The essay was published in the "Journal der practischen Arzneykunde" (Journal of Practical Materia Medica) at the faculty of medicine of the Berlin university.

The publication of Hahnemann's essay is regarded as the origin of homeopathy.

The Gentle Way
200 years have passed since then, and homeopathy is still being taught and practiced in accordance with Hahnemann's principles.
And today, as even modern medicine often fails to manage chronic diseases efficiently, the gentle way defined by Hahnemann is ever growing in importance.