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THE HISTORY OF HOMOEOPATHY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Thesis by Heike Bishop
THE HISTORY OF HOMOEOPATHY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Introduction
My thesis statement includes the hypothesis that Homoeopathy played an important role
in the medical history of South Australia. I was hoping to give evidence that
Homoeopathy had since the beginning was significant in the life of South Australians,
and therefore was as a history worth recording, since no conclusive documents have been
written in this context. On my quest I was richly rewarded and was able to support my
hypothesis.
I am convinced that my findings will enable the Homoeopathic community in South
Australia to find a new sense of pride in their profession and will allow us to learn from
past mistakes, hopefully giving us a source of inspiration for the problems we face in our
daily working life and to use with great advantage under the current circumstances.
“Historical knowledge enables us to place our perceptions of the contemporary world into
meaningful context, the cause- and effect relationships between events that serve as the
basis for future expectations.” 1
The history of Homoeopathy in South Australia was similar to the history of Australia
and almost a blue print of the history of our healing art throughout most of western
civilization. Australia was one of the last larger colonies to be settled by the English, and
since this took place in the 1800‟s the continent became almost a playground for new
inventions and revolutionary ideas. Unsurprisingly, from this „hot pot‟ of different
nations Homoeopathy found its way to our shores.
There have been many supporters and key people who maintained Homoeopathy in
Australia. Their lives and struggles give us a good idea how life must have felt in the
trenches of medicine. Some of these people and their achievements will give us a new
sense of hope and trust in Homoeopathy in Australia.
History of Homoeopathy in Australia
Homoeopathy was one of the most preferred methods of treatment in the middle of the
Nineteenth Century. At that stage allopathic scientific medicine had not yet established
itself as the dominating form of treatment, which was to change considerably in the early
Twentieth Century.
Professional boundaries were still being drawn and the British Medical Association was
still in its infancy.
Victoria
Is has been claimed that either Mr. Thienette de Berigny, or Dr John Hickson brought
Homoeopathy to Melbourne in the 1850‟s. Beringny settled in Victoria in 1855, whereas
Hickson already had a Homoeopathic practice in Melbourne‟s suburbs by 1850.
The international debate about the pros and cons of the new science, Homoeopathy, was
sparked by Beringny in 1855 in his passionate speech in the Protestant Hall in Melbourne
where he in Hahnemanian tradition attacked allopathic practitioners.
“Surely, an old practitioner of lazy disposition, doing things by habit, having enough
dupes to patronize his mischievous practice, is not going to change his casual mode of
prescribing complicated mixture, grossly calculated to allay pains, and satisfy the patient
so eagerly demanding immediate relief…But would that not be the death-blow to a whole
profession, for which medical associations are formed, not for the good of human kind,
but for the defense of a lucrative monopoly of infatuated credulity?...
Homoeopathy can never be the source of future chronic ailments, as those of the ordinary
practice commonly are.” 2
Ready to conquer the new colony, Homoeopathy had well and truly arrived! In 1837-
1886 Homoeopathy experienced an upswing in popularity and Homoeopaths managed to
work freely up to the 1890‟s.
The first Victorian Homoeopathic pharmacy was established in 1864 by E.G. Gould in
Melbourne. Five years later in 1869 the first Homoeopathic hospital opened its doors to
the general public.
Melbourne Homeopathic Hospital
Nurse‟s Home, Melbourne Homeopathic Hospital
It existed for forty-six years, with 225,000 cases treated. The hospital had 86 beds and
cost $ 200,000. It had one of the best amphitheatres in Australia and a large out-patient
department. 3
In 1936 the orthodox school of medicine took over, and the hospital was renamed Prince
Henry Hospital.
In 1870 a journal “The Australian Homoeopathic Progress” was established in
Melbourne.
Queensland
In Queensland Homoeopathy was practiced by the medical Dr. Stephen Simpson, student
of Hahnemann and Author of the‟ Principle Advantages of Homoeopathy‟ (1836) which
was most likely the first publication in English on the subject of Homoeopathy. In 1848
he was involved with the establishment of the Brisbane General Hospital and became one
of its trustees. After some time, Simpson eventually returned to England. 4
In 1858 Benjamin Wilson, a Baptist clergyman, settled and practiced Homeopathy in
Brisbane.
Brisbane seemed to be as a large settlement quite civilized. Unfortunately, physicians
working in the gold fields had slightly different experiences as Philippa Martyr in her
book „Paradise of Quacks” describes:
“Later, in the 1870‟s Harold Finch met in Queensland an old German doctor and stated,
“Although he was one of the cleverest men in his profession I ever saw‟, recollected
Finch Hatton, “and a wonderful surgeon beside, he never made any money in Queensland
because he was a Homoeopath”:
The Queensland government, not contented with figuring before the civilized
world as sordid and immoral politicians, never lose an opportunity of proving
themselves benighted barbarians as well. Accordingly, they refused to
recognize a Homoeopathic physician‟s diploma; and he is, therefore not
legally able to recover his fees.
“Finch-Hatton related how the Homoeopath suffered for this, and for his own good
nature. Despite his abilities, and his popularity, hardly any of his patients bothered to pay
him. When subpoenaed to attend an inquest at the town of Nebo, some twenty seven
miles from his residence, three men jumped his claim, he was subsequently unable to
move them. Eventually they starved him out, and he had to leave the gold fields.” 5
Western Australia
In 1857, Rosendo Salvado, a Benedictine monk dispensed Homoeopathic remedies
among Australian Aboriginals near Perth. He first arrived in 1846 then returned to
Europe. After a stay in Rome and Perth, he returned to Norcia bringing Homoeopathic
texts with him which enabled him to practice Homoeopathy.
New South Wales
In 1902 a Homoeopathic hospital in the suburb of Glebe opened its doors. William
Moore, a Homoeopathic physician funded this hospital after his retirement.
Although it is now in allopathic hands and operating under the public hospital system, a
bed is always provided for the request of Homoeopathic treatment. The hospital
continued to fulfill the bequest that stated that a bed should always be provided in the
interest that Homoeopathy may revive. In 1985 the Australian Medical Homoeopathic
Society for Research and Education (AMHSRE) approached the Sydney Homoeopathic
Hospital to use the accumulated funds in Moore‟s bequest to have the hospital extended
and modernized, to include a Homoeopathic dispensary and clinic. The Sydney Area
Health Service vetoed the proposal, and closed the hospital in 1989. At that time the
AMHSRE was replaced by the Australian Medical Faculty of Homoeopathy (AMFoH)
which lobbied the health department to provide hospital facilities to satisfy the growing
demand for Homoeopathic treatment. Eighteen months later, on August1, 1990, a
Homoeopathic outpatient clinic was opened at the nearby Balmain Hospital, which still
operates to this day. 6
Sydney Homeopathic Hospital, Building opened 1915. 30 beds.
Tasmania
Dr. Atherton is the first listed Homoeopath in Hobart. He arrived on the island in 1866.
Atherton had a flourishing practice until his death in the 1870‟s. This practice was then
taken over by Dr. Harry Benjafield, who was a key figure in the establishment of the
Hobart Homoeopathic Hospital in 1899. The first Homoeopathic pharmacy opened in
1883. 7
Launceston Homeopathic Hospital. 18 beds & training school for nurses.
The hospital in Hobart Tasmania was established in 1900 with 23 beds and a training school for
nurses.
The dark ages of Homoeopathy in Australia
Between the 1920‟s and the 1940‟s Homoeopathy experienced an almost deathly blow.
The reasons why Homoeopathy suffered such a decline in popularity were many. This
phenomenon occurred across the globe. One of the prime reasons was the lack of training
facilities in Australia. Australian physicians had to go overseas to be trained in this
healing art. Apparently there were only 17 graduates from Australia who studied in US
schools between 1850 and 1905. Many Homoeopathic doctors were hired from England
and had to go back to their home country when their contract in the hospital expired.
Europe began to suffer under two world wars and many doctors were summoned to the
home fronts to support their troops. Australian authorities strictly refused to employ
female doctors. Allopathy experienced a rise in popularity since the introduction of
penicillin, vaccinations and improved methods of surgery, with pharmaceutical
companies becoming a strong force behind allopathic doctors. Within the Melbourne
journal “The Australian Homoeopathic Progress” Dr. Hoyle stated that Homoeopathy
was declining, since the number of doctors had dropped considerably. In 1911 there were
227 registered Homoeopathic doctors, whereas in 1931 only 19 practiced the art, with
one Homoeopath in Western Australia leaving the “laity to prescribe for themselves to
the limit of their courage”. 8
By the 1920‟s the Homoeopathic hospital in Melbourne began to employ allopaths, and
the British Medical Association responded by removing Homoeopaths from their
blacklist, categorizing them separately. By the 1940‟s the heydays of Homoeopathy were
well and truly over. In this decade most Homoeopathic hospitals were incorporated into
allopathic institutions.
Survival
In those meager years finally in 1946 the Australian Institute of Homoeopathy was
founded, which offered only membership to qualified Homoeopaths. This institution was
mainly kept in existence by the relentless effort by Mrs. Gwen Reynolds who held
regular weekly meetings in her home.
Her persistent efforts included regular talks in Lion Clubs, Rotary etc. The institute
established the first course in Homoeopathy at the Nature Care College in Sydney. Every
year 20-25 students were trained with the course running for four years. The Australian
Institute of Homoeopathy began increasingly to organize as a professional group,
advertising Homoeopathy, and in the 1960‟s the alternative life-style movement had
helped to create a new market for the distribution of Homoeopathic remedies.
Professional organizations now include the Australian Homoeopathic Association, the
Australian Council for Homoeopathy (Victoria), the Australian Homoeopathic
Association (New South Wales), the Australian Association (South Australia), and the
Australian Association for Professional Homoeopaths. The Australian Homoeopathic
Association has been producing its own scholarly journal, Similia, since 1987.
Homoeopathic education has also been organized in a tighter structure, the Victoria
College of Classical Homoeopathy (established in 1989), the Australasian College of
Hahnemannian Homoeopathy (est.1989, by Isaac Golden). In 1992 the South Australian
College of Homoeopathy in Adelaide was founded, and in 1995 was renamed the
Adelaide Training College of Complementary Medicine. 9
Homoeopathy in South Australia
Homoeopathy and the early settlers
The Germans
In the early 1800‟s the German emperor passed a law in the attempt to unite German
religions which in turn created religious persecution for all congregations who did not
conform. These new laws made it impossible for Lutherans to practice their old form of
worship. Pastors who did not conform were sent to prison and had their goods
confiscated. Parishioners were not allowed to have their children baptized and confirmed.
Whole congregations decided to migrate, seeing no end to the religious persecution.
In 1843 an Adelaide newspaper reported that German immigrants had settled in Bethany
(near Tanunda) and proved themselves to be a valuable class of colonists. They were
respected for their hard-working, sober and persistent nature and soon their customs,
religion, language and houses dominated the face of the valley.
Being peasant farmers of origin the first Germans made a living in market gardening.
Apart from the migrants who had flocked to the goldfields to try their luck, the Germans
lived under the banner „we make gold with the plough‟ and established themselves in
wheat, wine and wool production. In contrast to the English farmers, who very early on
went into monoculture farming, the Germans never put all their „peas in one pot‟. Never
being dependant on only one crop, even in hard times there was always food on their
tables.
The first priority German settlers had when they occupied their new land was to build a
church and a school. Worship was most important and their lives centered around the
church.
Because of their language and customs plus the locations of their settlements they were
cut off from the infrastructure of a larger city, which consequently meant that they had to
become extremely self-sufficient.
In the meantime, Homoeopathy, being the popular form of medicine in the mid 1800‟s,
soon found its way into the German houses and missionaries. The Lutheran Archives in
Adelaide are in possession of a substantial amount of Homoeopathic books bequeathed
from German migrants as well as Homoeopathic doctors.
In total there were 38 books, including Hering.
So too does the museum in Tanunda which also has displays of Homoeopathic remedy
kits including many more books. Most of the books in the Lutheran Archives and the
Tanunda museum are absolute Homoeopathic treasures and mostly written in German.
One of the most interesting books at the Lutheran Archives was the “Domestic
Physician” by Constantin Hering. One of the most influential Homoeopaths, and a
traveler and migrant himself, Constantin Hering wrote twelve ever improving editions of
this book, which clearly indicated the public demand.
The “Domestic Physician” was published in German and English to serve the growing
medical needs of migrants leaving their home countries in the attempt to find a future for
themselves elsewhere. This most valuable book appeared to be well used and the spine of
the book was repaired several times. The “Domestic Physician” included a practical
guide in how to administer remedies, a Materia Medica, handy tips on child rearing,
healthy life choices, diet tips and instructions on how to purify water.
The inspiration to write this book came to Hering while he lived in Paramaribo, South
America, where he was employed as a physician in a mission looking after the health of
seven German families. He decided to dedicate the book to all missionaries to provide
them with enough knowledge to look after their congregation, even giving advice on
where to obtain affordable Homoeopathic remedies. Hering ask his readers to acquire
more knowledge about uncommon diseases and their treatment (on the search for new
remedies) and to report results back to the author of the book, in order to help the
distribution and development of the new science of Homoeopathy.
As with all new and revolutionary inventions it was rather difficult to get it past the
superiors of the missionaries, and Hering found himself having a fine income from his
brain child as it sold exceptionally well back home in Germany.
Some people in charge of the congregations were so conservative that it was not an easy
task to accept Homoeopathy, and was the source of heated discussions within the
Lutheran church. Somehow the Homoeopathic books made their way into the German
houses valued for their effectiveness and affordability. Shortly after Homoeopathic
remedies were sold in the general stores until Homoeopathic pharmacies opened in the
Barossa Valley.
In the book „The Barossa – A vision Realised‟ under the chapter Medical services we
find:
“There were several Homoeopathic doctors, who almost without University training,
treated many patients, with Johann Zwar of Neukirch being one of them…” 10
The Homoeopathic Doctor Johann Zwar
Zwar belonged to a Wendish (Sorbish) minority living in Germany and as a Lutheran it
appealed to him and many other Wendish people to migrate to Australia. Johann always
displayed leadership qualities especially when he led a group of 92 Wends to charter a
ship to travel to Australia.
Several years later his first wife died of a longs-suffering tuberculosis and he eventually
re-married his second wife Anna with whom he had several children. On the birth
certificate of his son Bernhard Zwar, we find under „Rank of Profession of Father‟ the
title Homoeopathic Doctor.
This is the birth certificate of Johann Zwar‟s son which clearly states that Zwar was a
Homeopathic doctor.
In a letter dated 1868 Johann Zwar mentions Homoeopathic remedies:
“With that mail (some time ago) I had written to Brother Dallwitz at Wawitz that he
should get some Homoeopathic things for me…”
It is not known when Johann Zwar became a Homoeopath. The story goes that he may
have acquired his skills back home in Saxony and it is also believed that he offered his
services as a Homoeopathic doctor in the Barossa Valley for over 50 years.
Arthur Zwar, a grandson, thought that George Fife Angus used his influence to help
Johann to become a registered Homoeopath, and that this happened after Johann was
naturalized in 1855. A granddaughter said that her father often told her that a South
Australian Member of Parliament suffered with cancer, and as a last resort consulted
Johann Zwar for Homoeopathic treatment. The Member of Parliament was cured and
decided that Johann should be granted the title Homoeopathic doctor.
The third Zwar house was built with the two front rooms set aside, with one as a practice
rooms and the other as the waiting room. When a patient needed time off work, Zwar
issued a doctor‟s sick certificate. In 1906 Zwar‟s wife Anna writes to her brother in
Germany:
“Johann turned 84 on the 16th
of October, and can still visit his patients, and still drives
15 to 20 miles to patients.” 11
Homoeopathy was the preferred mode of treatment in the Barossa Valley, whilst visiting
the Valley I came across the Luhr‟s Cottage, on Light Pass Rd, in Light Pass, South
Australia. This cottage had been saved from demolition thanks to the relentless effort of
Margaret Zweck, who as a collector of old wares and antiques managed to restore the
cottage back to its original condition. It is authentically furnished in traditional German
settler style, including Homoeopathic remedies and books.
The village of Light Pass also had a hospital called “The Willows” which closed in 1960.
One of the first estate owners had been the „bone-setter‟ of the area, possibly the only one
close to a nearby surgeon. The Scholz family still own and run the estate as a winery are
very proud of their allopathic medical heritage, being the proud owners of the first X-ray
machine in the area. Unfortunately, the family was not very forthcoming, when asked
about the mode of treatment, and strictly denied to have had any connection with
Homoeopathy. However Michael Bollen, another researcher has mentioned that “The
Willows” was indeed a Homeopathic Hospital where Homeopathic remedies were used.
Later they made their own ointments which were widely distributed throughout the
country.
Early Homoeopathic supply in the Barossa Valley
Most early remedy chests found in the Barossa Valley came from a pharmacy in Leipzig,
Germany. Most likely immigrants already came equipped with Homoeopathic remedies
and literature, or as mentioned earlier, bought their Homoeopathic supplies from general
stores. One of the finds in the Lutheran Archives was a catalogue of the Leipzig
Homoeopathic pharmacy, displaying a large section of travel remedy kit equipment, and
the promise to send their wares worldwide.
Heuzenroeder, Chemist, Barossa Valley
The Heuzenroeder family were chemists at Tanunda,
Blumberg, and Adelaide, at 50 Rundle St. The
„Almanack, Town and Country Directory‟ listed in 1854
the Tanunda pharmacy. Moritz Joseph Heuzenroeder
migrated with his family in 1845 to the Barossa, and
together with his brother Joseph, established the first
pharmalogical shop in 1846. 12
Brauer Pharmacy
Like so many of the German immigrants who settled in the Barossa Valley in the 1840‟s
the Brauer family relied on Homoeopathic remedies. This tradition persisted among the
descendents of the settlers and in 1929 the Brauer family established a pharmacy in South
Australia‟s Barossa Valley. In 1972 the pharmacist Warren Brauer and his wife Joy, a
nursing sister, began to manufacture propriety Homoeopathic remedies. In 1984, they
started what is now the production and laboratory facility of Brauer Natural Medicines
and produce many simplex (single) Homoeopathic remedies and complex (compound)
medication. 13
Other key-people and Homoeopaths in South Australia
Thanks to the inexorable work of Barbara Armstrong, who issued her article in the
Australian Homoeopathic Society‟s journal, on the „Introduction of Homoeopathy in
Adelaide‟ (Similia December 2006, Vol.18:2). In this issue or on the AHA‟s website one
can find a list of important people in Homoeopathy.
William Breston Brabury
A Homoeopathic lay practitioner, born the 13th
May 1832, lived at Moralana, Stirling
North and later in Port Augusta.
Thomas William Charlesworth
Charlesworth practiced in Angaston and was listed as a Homoeopath in the South
Australian Directories from 1876 until 1880. He died 16th
December 1879.
Rev. R.W. Holden
A Homeopathic lay practitioner, who studied allopathy and Homoeopathy privately for
over seven years in England. Holden provided medical treatment for the poor whilst
working in parishes in Victoria and South Australia.
Samuel Kidner (1809-1883)
He has been described as Adelaide‟s first Homoeopath. I have been given evidence that
Kidner was NOT the first homoeopath. Singleton who was a clerk of the SA Legislative
Council offered his services to the first Homoeopathic Dispensary for the poor.
„… and remarked that he might call himself one of the pioneers of homoeopathy in South
Australia. It was nearly ten years since he first read works on the homoeopathic system,
and studied facts which lead him to the conclusion, long before his friend Mr. Kidner
arrived, that it was said by Dr. Sharpe and others was true. From that time till this he had
been a homoeopathist, and he might say a small practitioner – (a laugh) – for he had
undertaken a great number of cases among the indigent poor; and he might say – he did
not take credit to himself, but gave it to the system – in almost every instance he had been
successful.‟ (Observer, 27/4/67)
It is true that Kidner studied Homoeopathic principles and later established himself as a
Homoeopathic chemist in the London suburb of Bermondsey. Dr. John Epps said to be
England‟s first Homoeopath took Kindner as one of his students under his wing. Despite
being tutored by Epps, Kidner failed to apply for formal recognition of his studies. He
came to Australia in 1857 to fill the position as a resident dispenser at a Sydney hospital.
Unfortunately the position had already been filled. He then lived and worked for a few
years in St. Kilda, Victoria. In 1860 Kidner came to Adelaide where he became the key
figure in the establishment of a free Homoeopathic dispensary in 1867. He was listed as a
Homoeopath at Flinders St. in Adelaide in the „Adelaide Almanack, Town and Country
Directory and Guide to South Australia of 1867‟. Later he practiced in the vicinity of
Bowden. In 1876 the „Directory of South Australia‟ listed him as a Homoeopath in Mill
Terrace, North Adelaide. In 1881 he worked in Howard St., Hindmarsh and finally in
1882 at Port Rd, Hindmarsh where he became one of the pastors at the local church.
Horace Rose
A lay practitioner who lived in Kapunda, Quorn, Port Lincoln and Unley.
James Talbot
Another lay practitioner who lived at Peadney Belt, North Adelaide, Virginia and
Penfield. 14
To this list of Homeopaths I would like to add:
John Barnes Funnel
A Homoeopathic doctor born in England, who arrived in Brisbane in 1865. He opened his
Homoeopathic practice in Kadina for more than thirty five years. He died in Kadina on
8th
March 1907.
Dr. Allan Campbell and Dr. William McDonald Campbell
The Scottish brothers set up the Children‟s Outpatient Dispensary in Currie St., where
they treated the sick often free of charge and then formed a committee to raise funds to
build a hospital for poor children.
Dr. Sylvanus James Magarey
The second son of Mr. Thomas Magarey (a supporter of Homoeopathy) studied medicine
and surgery at the University of Melbourne. Magarey worked for some time as an
Honorary Medical Officer and a foundation member of the General Committee of the
Adelaide‟s Children‟s Hospital.
History of Homoeopathy in Adelaide - Adelaide in the mid-1800‟s
The City of Adelaide was founded as a centre of a planned British colony for free
migrants, promising civil liberties and freedom from religious persecution. This colony
was quite different from the other colonies in Australia in that the settlement did not
share the convict history of the other states. The city of churches was settled by free
people who held their head up high; this British province of South Australia became “the
land of the brave and free”. As a free colony Adelaide was also financially independent
from the “motherland” England being founded by farmers and their produce.
After a crippling draught in the 1860‟s the city experienced a flourishing economy. The
production of wheat, the mining of copper and the wool industry became the basis for the
settlement‟s wealth.
The major of Adelaide stated at the end of the 1870‟s proudly:
“Social progress and municipal unity run concurrently, and the city is now full of
inspiring life and hope, and a buoyancy which laughs at obstacles and will not recognize
defeat.” 15
But of course this was not the entire picture. Adelaide also displayed the extremes of
wealth and poverty. New migrants arrived with high hopes and empty pockets frequently.
The infrastructure of the new colony was quite challenged by the constant arrival of new
ships laden with migrants. The rents were high, the labor cheap, and the goods in the
general stores were expensive. The people who did not arrive as the Lutherans did as a
group with different skills and enough finances to purchase their own land immediately,
found themselves huddled together in already overcrowded cottages near the port or in
the poorer areas of the city. If luck was not on their side they were classified as paupers,
living in poverty and „slum-housing‟.
“In many instances the more densely populated parts of the City the very foundations of
the houses suffer from such fluid of the vilest description draining under them, that the
occupiers of the premises are inhaling deadly gases resulting in certain death.” 16
Overcrowding, no mentionable sewage system, poverty and hot dry summers were the
breeding grounds for all sorts of contagious diseases and were therefore a danger to
society as a whole.
Adelaide‟s population suffered two major epidemics, a typhoid fever in 1866 which took
209 lives, and in 1867 when there were 240 deaths from diphtheria.
The colony was also struck with the fact that South Australia had the highest infant
mortality. The deaths of infants were even higher then in some parts of England or
Wales.
“In Victoria the infant mortality rate, which included any death of a child under 12 month
of age, for 1874 was 24%, in South Australia 30%.” 17
The infant mortality rate was a staggering 60% higher in the city of Adelaide than in the
country districts. Most of the unfortunate children died within the warmer months during
November and February and most of them lost their lives to croup, diphtheria, scarlet
fever, whooping cough, erysipelas, dysentery, measles and typhoid fever.
Because the spotlight was on the high infant mortality rate another topic came to the
public‟s attention – the welfare of the colonies‟ poor.
One has to enquire into the mindset of the rich in the colony, and Margaret Barbalet as
historian gives in an important insight in her book “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”:
“The Victorian era was notable for its complacency and the Chartist demands further
hardened many upper-class thinkers to the problems of the poor; it seemed dangerous to
concede anything to the „mob‟. The theories of Thomas Malthus and Charles Darwin
were wrongly assumed to provide scientific substantiation foe individualism – leaving the
poor completely alone. The ethic of self-help meant that the poor should be discouraged
from becoming dependant on the State and pauperism must be treated as a vice, even in
children.” 18
To challenge this attitude was not an easy and needed
some true humanists in the colony to take matters into
their own hands.
In 1867 during the two major epidemics the first
Adelaide Homoeopathic dispensary was set up to
provide medical aid for the poor.
“… as through it the poor of Adelaide, in proportion to
the general amount of destitution, have gladly availed
themselves of the opportunity of obtaining advice under
the Homoeopathic system…” 19
The dispensary‟s Annual of 1868 reports that many
severe and chronic cases were successfully treated. A
total of 1653 prescriptions were filled in, of which 349
patients had been treated at the dispensary, and 62
patients had been seen at home. The results were that of
the 349 patients treated, 7 died, 205 were cured and 16
cases much improved and 28 improved.
Diseases treated in the year ending in May 1868, from the Adelaide Homeopathic
Dispensary
The dispensary was run on a basis of subscription cards, which were received by the
medical officers:
Dr. Wheeler
Dr. Campbell and the dispenser
Mr. E.S.Wigg.
The dispensary was located at 34 King William Street.
Barbara Armstrong states in her article “The introduction of Homoeopathy to Adelaide” a
few more facts about E.S.Wigg, but I would like to concentrate on the medical officer Dr.
Campbell.
Help the ‘Kiddies’
In the same year when the homeopathic dispensary opened its doors to the poor a
newspaper report in 1867 shattered the conscience of the community. Sixteen of the
colony‟s poorest children, who died from the most dreadful case of neglect in a state
institution at Brighton in 1867, brought the attention to Adelaide‟s most vulnerable – the
children.
“In one – in the infants‟ ward – there were five little ones lying in one bed, with no
nightdresses, and up to their necks in filth…Yes; in my opinion many of the children got
that gangrene from the filthy state of the infants‟ room. I do really think so, Oh, and I am
sure I could not stand in the room myself.” 20
These sixteen children died of diphtheria, diarrhea, congestion of the lungs, and gangrene
of the mouth after measles, and whooping cough. Half of those children suffered from
skin diseases as a result of being „smothered‟ with vermin.
The ignorance against the treatment of the children lifted, when three month later the
foundation stone was laid of a new home for destitute children in Magill.
The health care for impoverished children was in general insufficient. In life-threatening
cases, the child was admitted to the Adelaide Hospital, which at this stage was the only
hospital in the colony. A hospital in the 1800‟s was not a place for a child to be, there
were no special wards, accommodating the needs of a child. The child was exposed to:
“… the victims of „social evil‟ (syphilis), the dying, indeed all the sights and sounds of a
hospital before anesthesia, antiseptics or sewerage.” 21
The parents who could afford it avoided the hospital at all costs, treating their children at
home with a physician attending.
With the high infant mortality it took several more years to offer a solution tailored to the
children of Adelaide. Allan Campbell, a medical doctor and Homoeopath became one of
the frontiers, dedicating his life and work to bring relief to the children of the city.
Dr Allan Campbell, a true health reformer,
philanthropist and Member of the Upper
House arrived in Adelaide on 24th
of
January 1867 and began practicing with
Dr. Wheeler in the first Adelaide‟s
Homoeopathic Dispensary.
Campbell was born in the Barony Parish of
Glasgow in 1836. He enjoyed his
elementary education in the parish of his
birth place and devoted himself to the
higher branches of study, mainly
mathematics and physical science. At first
he wanted to become an architect; but with
his health failing, he abandoned the idea,
and applied himself to the study of
medicine.
In 1867 he was licensed by the Royal
College of Physicians, Edinburgh, as well
as of the Faculty of Physicians and
surgeons, Glasgow. At first he worked in a
London Hospital, but soon decided to
migrate to South Australia.
Dr. Campbell believed that “the welfare of people is the first great law”. To say that he
was an industrious man is an understatement. Here are just a few of the positions and
achievements this incredible man held in his life time:
- Became a member of the Central Board of Health
- Worked at the Board of Education
- Became a supporter of the arts
- Instigator of the foundation of the Adelaide Children‟s Hospital
- In 1878 Campbell had been elected to the Legislative Council, retaining his seat
for 20 years
- Originated the charitable organization known as the District Trained Nursing
Society
- Chairman of the Board of Governors of the public library, Art Gallery, and
Museum. 22
Whilst working on the Board of Health in 1876 Campbell‟s practical suggestion formed
the basis of the report of the government commission on sanitation, of which he was a
member. It suggested increased power for the Central Board of Health, and soon
Adelaide became the first Australian capital to undertake a deep draining sewage system. 23
1876 proved to be an important year for Campbell. On the 5th
of September Campbell
met up with a group of upper-class women to discuss the establishment of a children‟s
hospital in Adelaide. The participants of the meeting, Dr. Campbell, Miss Ashley and
Mesdames Colton, Campbell, Fowler, Jeffries, Knight, Stuckey and Smedley, all wives
of prominent colonists, were appointed to a subcommittee to:
“Obtain information and to get the opinion and assistance of the medical profession and
likewise to arrange a public meeting”. 24
Before the hospital was to be opened one important question had to discuss; whether the
hospital would be a Homoeopathic one or would it employ the services of non-
Homoeopathic doctors. At this stage it was a well known fact that the Campbell brothers
and Dr. S.J. Magary were Homoeopaths and worked already in the Homoeopathic
dispensary in King William Street.
Dr. Sylvanus James Magary was the second son of the dedicated supporter of
Homoeopathy, Mr. Thomas Margarey. Born in 1850 he studied medicine and surgery at
the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1873. 25
During the meeting, the location, the finances and the mode of practice in the hospital
were discussed:
“The movement was not sectarian in character, as it has been supposed, nor was it
intended for medical men of a particular mode of practice … So far from being sectarian,
the movement claimed to be one of extreme broadness and catholicity, and so far from
embracing one medical school alone, the fact was that it aimed at embracing all.
(Applause) … The Medical Committee reported that at a meeting of medical men, held
on Tuesday, October 31, at which Dr. E.W. Way was in the chair, Drs. Campbell, W.M.
Campbell, Curtis, Peel and Magarey were present, the following resolution was
unanimously adopted: - “That this meeting sees no special advantages in the cottage
hospital system as far as the construction of a children‟s hospital is concerned. The
meeting therefore cannot advice its adoption, to the exclusion of any other system.” Dr.
Magarey moved that the report should be adopted. Mrs. Colton seconded the motion
which was carried.” 26
Within this report it was also discussed the concern Allan Campbell had of losing the
supporters of the medical community and the community as a whole if the hospital were
to became purely Homeopathic. As such, any money raised for the hospital came from
donations and not Government support. Campbell was aware that the donors may not
have been happy that it was to be a purely Homeopathic hospital. Campbell wanted the
hospital to remain independent and not a Government institution, therefore relying on the
public opinion about the two medical systems.
The Children‟s Hospital could not be compromised by objections against Homoeopathy
in the medical community, and the community of Adelaide itself. However, A.A. Lendon
considered “that the children‟s hospital was looked in askance for some years by the bulk
of the Profession for the reason that its honorary staff consisted of normally three
Homoeopaths and three so called “Allopaths”.” 27
In contrast, the Homeopathic hospitals in Sydney and Hobart were mainly funded by sole
donors, and not a group of donors. Therefore it was easier for the other hospitals to be
purely Homeopathic.
To this day every Government website or other information does not disclose the fact that
Allan Campbell was a Homoeopath. If it was not for the book „The Adelaide Children‟s
Hospital‟ by M. Barbalet and the members of the Women‟s and Children‟s Heritage and
History Collection this fact would not be easily obtained. Monthly exhibitions in a glass
cabinet at the library of the Women‟s and Children‟s Hospital are a reminder of this
important fact in Adelaide‟s medical history, unfortunately, only for the people visiting
the Hospital Library.
The fact that the most influential doctor in Adelaide, Allan Campbell, was a Homoeopath
is so widely unknown was also the fault of Campbell himself. He never made a public
statement supporting the “law of similars”. Campbell achieved truly great things for
Adelaide but had very powerful allopathic opponents, and at any time this fact could have
jeopardized the foundation of the Children‟s Hospital. It is also not very clear where
Campbell stood regarding the „germ theory‟, since the bacteriological laboratory was
named after him. However, his relentless work for the people of Adelaide overshadows
these facts.
Collection boxes for the Children‟s Hospital, used in banks and other public places.
Before the first stone of the hospital could be laid out-patient departments or dispensaries
were opened. One in North Adelaide on the 7th
of August in 1877 and another in South
Adelaide, in Currie Street in December 1877. The dispensary in Currie Street was run by
the brothers Dr. Allan Campbell and Dr. William M. Campbell and offered free treatment
to impoverished children. A child being treated by the Campbell brothers remembered:
“In 1876 I lived with my parents in Grote Street, City, when a foreign ship brought a
terrible plague to the City. Five of our family, with hundreds of others were stricken with
this plague. They saved my life but my eldest brother Donald died amongst scores of
others. The disease left most of the children with some ailment. The Drs. Campbell
rented a little shop on the corner of Rosina and Currie Street which they called in those
days the Children‟s outpatients‟ dispensary. I received months of treatment free…” 28
The 3rd
Annual Report ending 30th
of September 1879 of the Children‟s Hospital reported
that 4785 cases had been treated at the Outpatient‟s Dispensaries – a total of 6700 since
the Dispensaries opened. The Currie Street lease expired in November 1883 when the
Dispensary moved to the Ground floor of the hospital.
It was impossible to find any information regarding how and with what medicines these
children were treated, but given that the Campbell brothers were Homoeopaths who
worked at the hospital, and the affordability of Homoeopathic remedies one can assume
that they used Homoeopathic remedies.
Campbell’s Death
Allan Campbell had been without any doubt an important key person here in Adelaide.
Like a true Homoeopath he was a hygienist, constantly improving South Australia‟s
Health laws. Not only did he fight for a deep drainage sewage system, which would have
improved the general health of the city‟s population considerably, but he also became
famous for setting up the first bacteriological laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere in
1898. This laboratory was able to diagnose typhoid, diphtheria and tuberculosis, and was
named the Allan Campbell Building.
A man of Allan Campbell‟s standing also had his critics, and was envied for his success.
„Drs. John Davies and Wm. Gardner (a Glasgow graduate) were committed anti –
Homoeopaths who said:
“… that the surgery in the Children‟s was none too hygienic either by some accounts –
but it seems to me a moot point whether the fact that Campbell was a Homoeopath helped
or hindered the course of „hygiene‟ among the doctors in Adelaide. At Pt Adelaide and
Semaphore, for instance, the local councils chose Homoeopathic doctors as their medical
officers of health into the twentieth century. This did not thrill the regulars.”‟ 29
As a true Homeopath Campbell understood the importance of hygiene, a factor often used
to attack Homeopathy. As late as 1889 Doctor Edward Sterling, a Cambridge man and
honorable surgeon at the Adelaide Hospital and power behind the new Adelaide Medical
School was able to tell the Australian Medical Congress:
“The name of Lister is revered wherever the civilized surgeon dwells; antiseptics and
acepticism loom large in .. modern surgery; and yet, while we welcome the benefits, we
must admit that enveloped as it is in the clouds of uncertainty and even misconception,
the theory is far removed from finality … One distinguished member of our profession
has observed, or almost boasted, and his practice is largely imitated, that he is in the habit
of flushing the abdomen after section “with water containing spores and germs of thirty
different kinds of beasts” and that his results are as good as those of the strictest disciple
of Lister. (Antiseptic) ”
The fight for and against Homoeopathy also overshadowed Allan Campbell‟s life.
Nevertheless his philanthropic activities consisted not only in running free dispensaries,
but also extended when he sat on many parliamentary commissions, one of which
recommended progressive reforms for the Adelaide and Parkside lunatic asylums.
Campbell‟s compassion for his fellow men became apparent when in December 1889 he
attended a public meeting to discuss the grueling conditions under which female shirt
makers had to labor, and also rose awareness to the difficulties of the unemployed in the
winter month of 1893, which led him to join forces with Edith Noble and Rev.
Stephenson to put a home-nursing scheme in Bowden, one of Adelaide‟s poorer suburbs
in place. 30
After attending the opening ceremony of the new Queen Victoria Convalescent Home,
Campbell suffered a heart attack and died shortly after on 30th
October 1898. The
Convalescent Home installed a stained glass window in Campbell‟s memory.
With his departing Dr. Campbell left a large gap in the community of Adelaide. The
House of Parliament attended the funeral, and as the hearse moved along King William
Street from the cathedral to Victoria Square Allan Campbell passed for the last time the
Children‟s Hospital, where the flag was lowered half-mast. His grave is located in the
North Road Cemetery.
Homoeopathic Pharmacies in the City of Adelaide 31
B. Grummett, Deutsche Apotheke, Adelaide
This pharmacy was located in 58 Rundle St., Adelaide in the late 1800‟s.
Grummett did not specialize in Homoeopathic remedies only; he also sold compounds
and other domestic medicines.
Brauer Natural Medicine
CH Bock & Co Deutsche Apotheke, Adelaide
This pharmacy owned by the wholesale druggist, dispensing chemist and general
importer in Waymouth St. Adelaide was mentioned in 1881 in the Directory of South
Australia.
E.S. Wigg & Co/Radcliffe+Tilly, Adelaide
Edgar Smith Wigg (1818-1899) came to Australia in 1854 and set up a book and
stationary business. Wigg was a member of the Homoeopathic Association of Great
Britain. In 1858 it was reported that he sold Homoeopathic remedies. Wigg later
established a Homoeopathic pharmacy and medical book shop in King William St. and
later founded another Homoeopathic pharmacy in Murray St., Perth. After his retirement
he sold his establishment to Charles Radcliffe, who had a shop next to Wigg‟s pharmacy.
George Cobbin, Homoeopathic Dispensary, Port Augusta
Cobbin‟s connection to Homoeopathy was mentioned in the 1876 edition of the Directory
of South Australia, when he started a bookstore and a Homoeopathic dispensary at Port
Augusta where he supplied stores and stations.
GN&WH Birks, Homoeopathic Chemist, Adelaide
Georg Birks opened a business in Kadina, later came another branch in Wallaroo, which
was managed by his brother William. In 1876 George and William Birks began
advertising their business in the Directory of South Australia at Rundle St., Adelaide.
Conclusion
During my research I came across much detailed information about Adelaide‟s
Homoeopaths, some of them educated in the most reputable colleges in the US and
Canada. Michael Bollen is currently researching and will write a book on that subject.
With this thesis I could definitely support my hypothesis that Adelaide had
Homoeopathic activity throughout its history. In fact I can conclude that the history of
medicine of South Australia cannot be written without including Homoeopathy. So why
did we not have a Homoeopathic hospital?
Many conclusions come to mind. Homoeopathy was introduced to Adelaide via free
dispensaries for the poor. Despite its effectiveness, Homoeopathy became the medicine
of the poor, and was associated with hand-outs, degrading the healing art to a second-
class form of medicine. This might have been the reason why the people of Pt. Adelaide
and Semaphore were not too happy when they were faced with the prospect of having to
pay for Homoeopathic treatment. After all, to be able to afford home visits from an
allopathic doctor was almost a status symbol.
Another reason was that the Children‟s Hospital had many different patrons mainly from
the upper class, who had sent their sons (if medically inclined) to Australian Universities
where allopathy was taught. It cost 1000 pounds to be educated in Melbourne or later in
Adelaide which was a lot of money those days. These medical schools were fierce
opponents to homoeopathic ideas. After the initial outlay of so many pounds one had to
be distinguished from this „new, mode of medicine‟. Without any training facilities for
homoeopaths in Australia and the relentless attack it was only a matter of time when
homoeopathy was pushed out of main stream medicine. It was only possible to study
Homoeopathy overseas, giving it an outsider position for those wishing to learn the art.
Campbell had to keep his patrons content as he depended on donations, since he refused
any Government support. These patrons wanted the medical allopathic community to
approve of the Children‟s Hospital. Influential people here in Adelaide were clearly
concerned that Homoeopathy was „sectarian‟ in character and not mainstream medicine.
What we can learn from history and people like Allan Campbell is how vital a good
education and support within the Homoeopathic community is for the survival of
Homoeopathy. But most of all we should follow the examples of Tasmania and Sydney
where they managed to have the dispensary first, to raise public support and awareness of
this beautiful art and science and then founded Homoeopathic hospitals, without
allopathic support.
Allopathy always managed to impress patients by offering new techniques and the use of
the latest instruments. Despite the fact that many of these new inventions did not serve
their patients too well, new methods, drugs, etc., promised more advantages just around
the corner.
Many migrants came from countries where the industrial age was prevalent; therefore the
concept of dividing the body into different parts and treating it with a more mechanical
approach was easily accepted. As such, this approach denied the vital principle.
Times have changed, many patients now prefer to be treated holistically and a change of
opinion about medical treatment has taken place. So it is not surprising that
Homoeopathy is on the rise again. After all, it has stood the test of time with its
unchanged principles.
Footnotes
1. Allan J. Lichtman and Valery French
2. Martyr, Philippa, “Paradise of Quacks”, published by Macleay Press 2002, pg.79.
3. http://www.homeoint.org/books3/hospital/foreign.htm
4. http://www.homeopathyoz.org/downloads/Stephensimpson.pdf
5. Martyr, Philippa, “Paradise of Quacks”, published by Macleay Press 2002, pg.84.
6. http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homoepathy_pro/homeopathy_1850_1874.html
7. http://www.Homoeopathyoz.org/
8. Martyr, Philippa, “Paradise of Quacks”, published by Macleay Press 2002, pg. 94
9. Martyr, Philippa, “Paradise of Quacks”, published by Macleay Press 2002, pg.
283/284.
10. “The Barossa – A vision realized”, ISBN 0646112511, Openbook Publishers,
Adelaide, pg. 179.
11. http://www.zwar_zwahr.com/fam/ancestors/02johann/02_johann_brief.htm
12. http://homeopathoz.org/downloads/Pharma-Hom.pdf
13. http://www.brauer.com.au
14. http://www.homeopathyoz.org/downloads/Homoeopathic%20Individuals.pdf
15. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg. 4.
16. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg. 8.
17. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg. 10.
18. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg. 10.
19. “The Dispensary‟s Annual of 1868”, State Library of South Australia.
20. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg. 12.
21. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg. 10.
22. J.J. Pascow, History of Adelaide, State Library
23. www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070545b.htm
24. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg.17.
25. J.J. Pascow, “Adelaide And Vicinity”, pg. 583, State Library.
26. The Advertiser, Thursday November 23rd
1876.
27. “The Medical School”, State Library of South Australia, 1885-1935.
28. Margaret Barbalet, “The Adelaide Children‟s Hospital”, printed at The Griffin
Press, Netley, South Australia, pg 13.
29. Michael Bollen‟s private archives
30. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070545b.htm
31. http://homeopathoz.org/
Special thanks to:
My family Timo, Louis and Leon Bishop for supporting my project and keeping me sane.
The Pizza place in Ethelton for feeding us.
Sandra Russo my lecturer for inspiration and extension time.
Michael Bollen for restoring my faith in my research, who possesses enormous
knowledge and understanding for a lay man.
