Samuel Hahnemann and Heroic medicine

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In summary, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany rebelled against the traditional 'heroic medicine' practice of bloodletting and purgation in 1784. He was inspired by the idea of 'like cures like' after reading William Cullen's A Treatise on the materia medica. Despite the introduction of the microscope, physicians of the time continued to follow the old medical practices due to lack of viable alternatives. Homeopathy was declared 'quackery' by the physicians despite their own methods not yielding results. The reasons behind their rejection of new theories, while their own practices were ineffective, remain unclear. Modern medicine later proved homeopathy to be untenable.
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mktsgm
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By 1784, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany, revolts against the then practice of 'heroic medicine' which is nothing but bloodletting and some related treatment like purgation. Around the same time, he hits upon an idea of 'like cures like' after reading William Cullen's A Treatise on the materia medica. He then decides to abandon the humorist 'heroic medicine' in favor of his new brainchild 'homeopathy'.

With new science, the microscope had just entered the medical scene to 'view'. But they didn't have any clue to move further into this science. Despite the discontent and reservations about the current treatment, the then physicians had continued to follow the two millennium old medical practice of treatment, ie the bloodletting and purgation for want of any viable alternatives.

While, it is within anybody's rights to support this theory vs that, I wonder historically, what on Earth that made the then physicians (heroic medicine practitioners) to declare homeopathy as 'quackery'! Whatever they had been practicing was no better!

I am not here to justify or support any alternative medicine let alone homeopathy. Personally I find it is just a fantasy.

My question is, given the historical point of time, what made the then physicians not to support a new theory, while admittedly their own current theory itself was not yielding results.

(It is another story, that modern medicine marched ahead and proved homeopathy untenable, some 200 years later...)
 
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This seems like more of a historical question than a scientific question. I am sorry I don’t know the history well enough to answer, but I am not sure anyone else here does.
 
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What is the history of Samuel Hahnemann and Heroic medicine?

Samuel Hahnemann was a German physician who lived from 1755 to 1843. He is known as the founder of homeopathy, a system of alternative medicine based on the principle of "like cures like". Hahnemann also strongly opposed the practice of heroic medicine, which involved using aggressive treatments such as bloodletting, purging, and high doses of drugs.

What led Samuel Hahnemann to develop homeopathy?

Hahnemann was dissatisfied with the harsh and often ineffective treatments used in his time, and he began experimenting with small doses of various substances to treat diseases. He observed that these substances, which caused similar symptoms in healthy individuals, could actually cure the same symptoms in sick individuals. This led him to develop the principle of "like cures like" and the practice of homeopathy.

What is heroic medicine and why did Hahnemann oppose it?

Heroic medicine was a common practice in the early 19th century that involved using aggressive treatments, such as bloodletting and purging, to try to cure diseases. Hahnemann believed that these treatments were harmful and often did more harm than good. He also criticized the use of high doses of drugs, which he believed could cause further harm to the patient.

How did Hahnemann's ideas about medicine differ from those of his contemporaries?

During Hahnemann's time, the dominant medical practice was based on the theory of humoralism, which believed that a balance of bodily fluids, or humors, was necessary for good health. Hahnemann's ideas about homeopathy and the rejection of heroic medicine were in direct opposition to this theory. He also emphasized the importance of treating the individual as a whole, rather than just the disease itself.

What is the current status of homeopathy and heroic medicine?

Homeopathy is still practiced today, although it remains controversial and has been largely rejected by the medical community. Heroic medicine, on the other hand, has been largely abandoned as medical practices have evolved and improved. However, some aspects of heroic medicine, such as the use of high doses of drugs, are still used in certain medical treatments.

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