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[HomoeopathicOnlineEducation,DavidLittle]FrederickHahnemann'sLifeandWorks

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DavidLittle19962007,allrightsreserved.
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TheSonofSamuelHahnemann
The story of Frederick Hahnemann has many interesting elements. It gives us a
viewofHomoeopathyinitsveryearlystagesandgivesinsightintothefamilylifeof
the Founder of Homoeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. What is known about the
fantastic exploits of Dr. Frederick paints a portrait of genius, madness and selfless
service to humanity. His use of the homoeopathic principles in extraordinary ways
reachedlegendaryproportionsamongthehomoeopathsofhisgeneration.
FrederickHahnemann(1786?)
The story of the son of Samuel Hahnemann, Frederick Hahnemann, is one of
mystery, madness and genius. Frederick Hahnemann was born in Dresden,
GermanyonNov.30,1786.Hewasalwaysananxietytohisparentsduetohispoor
health.Asachildhesufferedfromaricketslikediseasewhichlefthimhighchested
and caused curvature of the spine. In 1799 the hostility of the apothecaries and
physicians drove Hahnemann from Konigslutter. On the road the Hahnemann
familymetwithaterribleroadaccidentinwhichtheirlargecarriageoverturnedand
theentirefamilywasinjured.Oneofthegirlslegswasbroken,Frederick'sspinewas
possibly broken (Hering's account) and his younger baby brother died from his
injuries.
It seems the combination of Frederick's congenital weakness and possible spinal
injury left him a hunchback. Although his frame was weak he had a brilliant mind
and mastered many languages and sciences. He passed his degree in medicine in
1810attheageof24andbeganthepracticeofthehomoeopathichealingarts.Inthe
followingyearhewaschosenbyhisfathertoanswerthebittercriticismofthefirst
editionofTheOrganonbyHecker.
AstimewentonFrederickbecomemoreandmoreeccentricinhisappearanceand
behavior. From 1818 on his letters began to show traces of temporary mental
disturbancescausinghisfathertocryin1819,"Mypoorsonisactuallygoingmad!"
Frederick did not cut his hair nor beard, always wore Oriental clothes, did not mix
with society, and often withdrew into his own world. He moved to a small town
called Wolkenstein in the Erzgebrige where he bought the chemist's shop. In no
timehehadsuchalargefollowingthatpatientssometimeshadtowaitdaysfortheir
turn. This mad genius was loved by his patients and despised by his critics.
HumphreysgavethisfollowingaccountofFrederick.
"The son began to thrive, had a good run of customers from the better
classes.Themarketplace,infrontofhisapothecaryshop,wasregularly
linedwithcarriages.Hecuredagirlwhohadbeenblindfrombirth.He
asked the girl to look straight into the sun until she could see. She saw
thesunandlaterthefather."
This incredible story of the homoeopathic cure of a girl blind from birth with the

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blinding rays of the sun is most amazing! Frederick seems to have had powerful
healing abilities and must have known of his father's teachings on hydrotherapy,
magnetism, mesmerism, etc. He investigated the psychology of homoeopathic
remedies and he performed heroic provings on the insane so he could understand
the treatment of madness. It is assumed that he also used this information to treat
those suffering from psychological disorders. His own unique existence as an
eccentric genius gave him insights into the disturbed state of those with mental
illness.
HartmanngivethefollowingdescriptionofthesonofSamuelHahnemann.
"His great intellect, which even his opponents had to acknowledge, he
triedtosurroundwithanevenlargerhalo,byfavouringacertainkindof
charlatanism, which he wrapped round with a mantle of student
boasting, and by means of which he gained an even greater number of
followers".
Frederick visited the village of Zschopau and neighboring parts once or twice a
week where he was besieged with patients. He would be seen racing down the
mountain road in an open fourhorse carriage, holding the reins with his small
crookedbodystandingerect,dressedinhisoldOrientalcoatwithhislongunkempt
hair and beard blowing in the wind. The people of the countryside loved their mad
genius and stood by him no matter how he acted nor what he said. As Humphreys
says."Themultitudehurrahedandhosannad.Iknowthisfromaneyewitness."
We have another account of Frederick Hahnemann from Bradford's Pioneers of
Homeopathy. Humphreys describes the case of a little nineyearold girl who had
beentreatedbyconventionalphysiciansforsometwoyearsfordropsy.
"UponanexaminationofhercaseHahnemanndecidedthatthisdropsy
was only symptomatic, and that the real affection was a disease of the
heartandthattheformerwoulddisappearuponthecureofthelatter.
Theapplicationofhisfirstpowderentirelyrelievedherofapaininher
left side which had existed from before the appearance of the dropsy,
andwhichallthemedicinesshehadtakenutterlyfailedtoreach."
He gave her very particular directions in reference to her diet, habits,
etc.Shewastohaveherownplate,spoonandknife,andonnoaccount
was she to use any other. She was not to sit or sleep with an aged
person. Her diet was rigidly prescribed in quantity and quality she was
tosmellofnoflowers,orperfumes,andneithercamphornoracidswere
to be used about her, and if anyone smoking or chewing tobacco came
intotheroomhewasinstantlytobeexpelled.
The treatment appeared successful, as the child seemed to become
healthier, but the swelling persisted. The child's mother was very
anxious to see the 'bloat go down,' and to her continued entreaties
Hahnemann only answered, 'It will do no good.' Finally he yielded to
hersolicitations,allthewhileprotestingthatnobenefitwouldresult.He
gave a powder, and the old lady declares that while she yet looked the
swollen edematous skin became corrugated and in a little time every
vestigeofithaddisappeared.
Atthenextvisitthechildwasworse.Hebeganearnestlytoquestionthe
motherinapassionatemanneriftheminutedetailsofallhisdirections
hadbeenseverallycompliedwith.Theoldlady,irritatedbyhismanner
beyond endurance, pettishly replied that she thought it was high time
thatsomethingmorewasdonebesidesattendingtohiswhims.
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At the mention of this last word the doctor broke into a passion of
ungovernablerage.Hisfuryknewnobounds.'Whim,whim!'heyelled
'Hah!Hah!Youcallmydoctrinewhim!Hah!Hah!Whim!Whim!Iwill
notdoctorhermore,hah!hah!Shewillgotothefoolsandasses,hah!
hah! She will die! Whim! Hah! Hah!' yelled he as he stalked back and
forth with the language and manner of a lunatic. When excited, as was
often the case, he had a passion for throwing in this word 'hah! hah!'
betweenhissentences,andwithsuchviolenceastoresemblemorethe
barkingofasmalldogthanthevoiceofahumanbeing.
Finally unable longer to contain himself he seized his hat and rushed
from the house into darkness and storm, repeating his 'hah, hah' and
'whim,whim'untilthesoundwaslostinthedistancehemadehisway
to a neighboring house where he hired a person to convey him to the
village,somemilesdistant,thatnightamidtherainanddarkness."The
mother instituted a suit against him to reclaim her money, and
Hahnemannboardedaboat,nevertobeseenagain."
WhenapatientdidnotfollowFrederick'sadvicehewasalwaysveryupset.Inthis
caseitisnotexactlyclearjustwhatthe'oldlady'haddoneorinwhatwayshemay
have interfered with Dr. Hahnemann's case. Frederick was worried about giving a
new remedy, but at the same time, he did not seem to think the remedy was solely
responsibleforthesuddendecline.Hadthiswomanalreadybegunothertreatments?
Theaccountisnotclearinallthesedetailsbutitgivesamostinterestingviewofone
of Fredericks more controversial cases. The homoeopathic madman was certainly
toomuchforthisparticularfamily,butiftheywouldhavetrustedhisknowledge,he
may have been able cure this little girl. One lesson is plain, however, never let the
familyofthesuffererinfluencethechoiceofaremedy.Ifyoucannotdowhatyou
needtodoitisbettertoleavethecase.
TheAllopathicConspiracyagainstFrederick
Allofthisfamecausedgreatjealousyandhatredamongtheorthodoxdoctorsand
pharmacists.TheyhatchedaconspiracytodrivethesonofHahnemannoutoftown
inthesamemannertheydrovehisfatherfromLeipsig.Itwasonlyamatteroftime
beforethelocalapothecariesandtheRoyalCollageofMedicinepressedlegalcharges
against Fredrick Hahnemann for dispensing medicine. This was in spite of the fact
that F. Hahnemann MD. held a legal doctorate in the state and owned a chemist
shop and charged nothing for his remedies. His friends wrote Samuel Hahnemann
and asked him to defend his son and a support group was formed. It seems that
Frederickcouldhavewonthecourtcaseashisactionswerelegalbytheletterofthe
law.
All of this commotion was too much for Frederick's spirit which revolted against
therightofanyauthoritytojudgehimandhetoldhissupportersto"Letthemgoto
the Devil!" He refused to answer the court or have anything to do with the
authorities.Afluentstreamofcolorfulwordsdescribingthenatureofsuchinjustice
wasquicklyfollowedbythegiftingofallhispersonalpropertytohiswife,hisshopto
thestate,andhissuddendisappearancefromsight.Hehadgrownupwitnessingthe
persecutions of his father and he was deeply suspicious of any dealings with the
establishment.Anarrestwarrantforcontemptofcourtwasissuedagainstthesonof
the great Hahnemann. At first he fled to Holland but then returned to Hamburg.
Soon,FrederickleftGermanyforEnglandandScotland,nevertoreturn.
Constantine Hering was very interested in getting the books and writings of
FrederickHahnemannsothattheycouldbestudied.Heaskedacolleaguewhowas
going to Europe: "If you can get me the books of Frederick Hahnemann when you
gotoEdinburgh,Iwillgiveafeast.Frederickwasverytalented,butahunchbackand
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afreak.WentaboutinOrientalcostume,allowinghisbeardtogrowuntrimmedand
wasalwaysspitting"
Although the relationship between Samuel and Frederick was strained at times,
Frederickkeptintouchwithhisfatheruntil1828.Hisfatherreceivedaletterfrom
hissoninEnglandin1827whichmadehimveryhappy.Helovedhiseccentricson,
whomheconsideredagreathealer,andhewishedtoseehim.TheHofrathwrote:
"LatelyIhavereceivedaletterfrommysoninEnglandandhesaysthat
he will certainly come to see me this year. I look forward to meeting
him."
FrederickleavesforAmerica
The above letter is the last time father Hahnemann heard anything from his son.
All traces of Frederick disappeared from Europe as he made his way across the
Atlantic Ocean to America. It is recorded that Frederick Hahnemann appeared in
New York in 1828 in the town of Ludlowville. This story was recorded by Richard
HaehlMD.
"ThatthisphysicianwasaGermanbybirthwasevidentfromhisaccent.
Heoftentoldpeoplethathewasthesonofthefounderofhomeopathy
and that he had left his native country in order to avoid the eternal
persecutionsconstantlyturnedonhim."
And
"The Ludlowville physician is moreover described as an extremely
excitable man, who through his peculiar dress and extraordinary
behaviorinvoluntarilyarousedthesuspicionofbeingmentallyderanged
and consequently many people were afraid of him. In spite of that he
soon acquired a large practice, as the cures he brought about bordered
onthemiraculous.Quitesuddenlyhedisappearedagainfromthedistrict
andnobodyknewwhitherhehadgone"
William Wesselhoeft MD. also recorded a story of Frederick Hahnemann's
appearanceinAtlanticcoaststates.
"He[FredrickHahnemann]mayhavebeenhere,intheEast.Afarmer,
somewhere near the Jersey border, described him so accurately that
therecouldscarcelyhavebeenleftadoubt.Asmallman,ahunchback,
little pills, very precise in making his prescriptions, forbidding things
thatareinjurioustohomeopathictreatment,saying'Ifyoudon'tdoso
andso,asItellyou,Iwillnotcomenearyouagain".Grufflyspoken.It
musthavebeenFrederickHahnemann."
FrederickfledthepersecutionsofEuropetobeoneofthefirsthomoeopathsinthe
USA. It seems he left for the western frontier treating all those who were lucky
enough to come his way. Like the legendary Johnny Appleseed, Frederick planted
the seeds of homoeeopathy wherever his driven spirit took him through the
countryside.Helivedaloneashedidnotlikethecompanyofpeopleyethelovedto
servehumanity.Frederickwasgruff,excitable,inspiredandproudanddidnotwant
to be bothered with the ordinary things of this world. This did not stop him from
helpingpeopleinthemostmysteriousofways.
TheLegendaryCholeraDoctoroftheOldWest
Intheyear1832/33therewasagreatcholeraepidemicaroundSt.Louis,Missouri
whichwasspreadingintheMississippivalley.Itwasravagingthetownsandmining
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camps and many were dying. During the chaos and death of the epidemic there
appeared a mad healer of legendary proportions who led a campaign against the
deadlydisease.WilliamWesselhoefcontinues
"Again, I read somewhere, that while the cholera was raging in the
Mississippi valley, a man dressed in a long Turkish garment, such as
Frederickwasknowntowear,cameoutofaleadmine,putafewsmall
globules from a small vial on people's tongues, and cured many of the
cholera.Hetoldthosewhoofferedtopayhimnottogivemoneybutto
follow him and help nurse and cure the afflicted. He was reported as
beingsmall,withahumponhisback.Hehadahabitofspitting,almost
continually, which, on account of his short stature, and by having to
raisehisfacetopeoplewhenspeakingtothem,madehimanuisance".
InBradford'sPioneersHumphreysconfirmsthisstoryofFrederickHahnemann."
Sometimein18323whenthecholeraepidemicwasraginginthemidwest,astrange
individual came from the lead mines at Galena. He was darkcomplexioned, a
hunchback,andattiredinlongflowingrobes.Hecuredseveralhundredpeoplewith
medicine he gave them from a small vial. It was the last he was seen. His fate is
unknown.WhenHumphreysdescribedthispersontoHering,hewastoldthatitwas
Hahnemann'slonglostson."
Although Frederick was called a misanthrope he always served the greater good.
Can you imagine this event in your mind? A cholera epidemic is raging with all the
attending deaths, fears and anxieties when a strange hunchback eccentric appears
with his box of little homoeopathic pills. The cures begin and the people are given
new hope. Dr. Hahnemann organized all those who wished to follow him and they
distributed remedies and nursed the sick without cost through the epidemic.
Frederickwas49yearsoldatthistimeandworkedwithoutrestorprofit.Oncethe
epidemic was over Frederick disappeared in his usual fashion knowing he had
carriedoutbothhisearthlyandHeavenlyFather'swork.
From 1828 on Samuel Hahnemann feared that his only son had gone completely
insaneordiedaprematuredeathbuthekepthispaintohimself.HowhappySamuel
wouldhavebeenifhehadknownthatwhilehewasfightingcholerainEurope,his
sonwassavingthelivesofthecommunitiesoftheMississippivalley,andthefrontier
regionsofAmerica.AlthoughFrederickwasweakinbody,andattimes,troubledin
thespirit,hewasamasterhomoeopathichealer.Thetimeandplaceofhisdeathis
not known as we have no record of him after 1833. Perhaps, somewhere in the
remoteWest,thecrookedbonesofthisearlyhomoeopathicgeniushavefoundtheir
finalrestingplace.Thelegendofthiseccentrichealingartistlivesoninallthosehe
helped and those who heard the tales of his fantastic exploits. Perhaps, the new
frontier was the only place a wild spirit like Frederick had enough freedom to be
himselfandservehumanityasonlyhecould.
This ends is the story of Frederick Hahnemann, the son of the Founder of
Homeopathy, Christian Samuel Hahnemann, written by David Little out of respect
and awe that such miraculous things happen in this troubled world. Maybe
ProvidencereallydoesguideHomoeopathyinitsownmysteriousway.
SimiliaMinimusYoursSincerely,DavidLittle
References:
1.LifeofHeringbyC.Knerr.B.JainPublishersPvt.Ltd.1992.Pages83,120.
2.SamuelHahnemann,HisLifeandWork.RichardHaehl.B.JainPublishersPvt.
Ltd.1995.Vol1,page161andVol2page188.
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3. The quote from Bradford's, Pioneeers of Homoeopathy, courtesy of

Homoeopathichistorian,JulianWinston.
Finis
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