Med Ges Gesch. 1999 ; 18(): 189-208.

[Hahnemann's youngest patients - an analytic study of the first homeopathic treatments for children]

Ritzmann I.

This article develops a fragmentary history of early homeopathic treatment of children. It begins with an outline of Samuel Hahnemann's perception and treatment of children during the "Medical Enlightenment". This is followed by an investigation of attitudes towards children in early homeopathic literature, in comparison to those of mainstream medicine of the period. The central part of the article is the ensuing analysis of letters sent to Hahnemann by parents seeking advice on how to treat their children's illness; this correspondence includes detailed descriptions of diseases and therapies, and also sheds light on parental feelings about children and family life. The correspondence leads us to conclude that there was no proper model of healing children at the beginning of homeopathic medicine. During the 19th century and perhaps later, homeopathy was based on medical theories prevalent in 18th century medicine. The adults writing these letters came from the upper classes and were always convinced adherents of homeopathy. In response to Hahnemann's queries, many letters contain exact description of somatic and psychic symptoms. Unlike Hahnemann's brief style, many of the parents delve into each detail of the child's condition, and also express themselves emotionally on subjects such as their children, fears of sickness and death. It is also apparent that women, who bore the main responsibility for family life, had a good deal of authority over the course of treatment, as well as the choice of physician.