Genre:

News-Commentary

Subjects:

Homeopathy, Medical Treatment, Quackery, Proof, Mesmerism, Spiritualism, Charlatanry

    Explains that in the letters which Mr Punch receives defending homeopathy, 'allopathist' is used to describe an opponent of homeopathy who seeks to cure 'unlike with unlike'. Points out that most medical practitioners attempt to remove 'impediments to the natural process of recovery' rather than treat diseases by asking patients to swallow 'specific medicines', which have only an indirect effect on the disease. Speculates on the possible allopathic status of the pills sold by Thomas Holloway and other advertising quacks, but suggests that 'the ordinary practice of physic' rests on the homeopathic principle of 'like cures like'. Argues that no cases of homeopathic cures are supported by 'scientific proof that infinitesimal globules produce any other than infinitesimal effects', and that 'immense clouds of cases' are needed to supply this proof. Questions whether quinine, a well-known 'remedy for ague', can, in infinitesimal doses, work on homeopathic principles. Concludes by attacking homeopaths, mesmerists, and spiritualists for failing to provide the 'experimentum crucis' for their claims and comparing themselves to the persecuted Galileo Galilei.