To Doctor I. G. ROSENSTEIN:

Louisville, April 19th, 1840.

DEAR SIR-My knowledge of homoeopathy has been derived principally from extracts from the works of Hahnemann, that I have met with in burlesques on his pathology and therapeutics. But the glimmerings from those very meagre sources have impressed upon my mind the conception of a mental power and a profundity of thought in the founder of homoeopathia, that better merited to be studied than to be ridiculed.

The pathological and therapeutical principles of Hahnemann seem to me to be very analogous to those of Hunter. His therapeutical notions, so far as relates to the selection, and the modus operandi of counter irritants, I consider to be an improvement thereon. His subdivision of therapeutical agents into doses so very minute, has, to me, seemed ludicrous; although I, as a maxim, hold no man to be either competent or justifiable to ridicule any thing that he does not understand; but more especially an emanation from such a mind as Hahn emann's.

With due humility, we should ever stand rebuked by the recollection, that the Gospel was "to the Greeks foolishness."

The indolent and the self-conceited of every calling, are generally contented with the most restricted limits of the science which is connected with their pursuits: and all innovations, whether advances of improvements or not, they look upon only as the imposition of additional labours.

My acquaintance with you has been sufficient to induce the belief, that you possess the science and the ability to furnish,

in a candid treatise, a fair exposition of homoeopathy;-an exposition which will at least suffice to indicate to the profession whether a translation of Hahnemann's ponderous quartos would be worth the trouble: And I hope, sir, that you will be duly encouraged to prosecute your design to that effect. Your ob't sery't, WM. A. McDOWELL, M. D.

Truth is a unit, evidently of divine origin, and entitled, therefore, to the fair, full, and candid investigation of every man whose object is the well-doing of his fellow-man in this life, and his ultimate well-being in the life to come.

The subject of homoeopathic medicine, until lately, with me, has been a foolish phantom, entitled to no respect what

ever.

Since Dr. Rosenstein's introduction into our city, I have cultivated habits of unrestrained intimacy with him, because I believe him an amiable gentleman, as well as a refined and learned physician. In this way, I have been thrown into contact with a great amount of homoeopathic practice, and have endeavored to make myself acquainted with the general principles of his system, so far as verbal intercourse could instruct me. I am, at length, prepared to say, without hesitation, although I do not comprehend the modus operandi of his remedies, that his surprising success, in many cases apparently hopeless, has astonished me to such an extent as to induce me to pause and wonder.

I am, therefore, constrained to say, finally, in relation to Dr. Rosenstein's contemplated publication, that I most cordially give him, and his laudable enterprize, my best wishes, believing, that if his system is false, it will be only "as a tale that was told," and readily pass under the "wave of oblivion;" but, if true, it will be onward in its career, even amidst the moral cut-throats, who may maliciously array

themselves against it, for the same reasons that influenced Demetrius in denouncing the redeeming doctrines which Saul, of Tarsus, preached on the subject of Christianity.

W. N. MERIWETHER, M. D.

Louisville, April 15th, 1840.

TO THE PUBLIC.

Some seven years since I first heard of the system of Hahnemann, but have hitherto been unable to pursue the homoeopathic system of medicine, not knowing the German language; but I am happy to learn, through Doctor Rosenstein, that he has commenced the writing a work upon the subject of homoeopathy, in the English language, which I hope the profession in this country will be liberal enough to read: for eulogies passed upon the system were useless, when it is recollected that the illustrious Hahnemann spent forty years in investigating the subject before he published the result of his investigations. SANFORD BELL, M. D.

Louisville, Ky., July 6th, 1840.

Persons wishing to consult me professionally, will direct their letters to I. G. Rosenstein, Louisville, Kentucky, post paid.

THEORY AND PRACTICE

OF

HOMEOPATHY.

THE historical and philosophical contemplation of the various discoveries which the human mind has made, demonstrates the fact that they have, without exception, been subject to progressive development. ALL have had their infancy; all have grown up into well defined forms in proportion to the lapse of years; and centuries have added new facts, or discovered new relations-not one has sprung from the mind in a perfect state.

The advances which are every day made in Geology, Mechanics, Chemistry, and other sciences and arts, prove, indeed, that none of them have yet attained their zenith. In Mechanics, for instance, the discovery of new principles, or of new combinations, or the application of principles already known, enable us to produce machines more and more perfect-the last always surpassing in ingenuity the supposed perfection of the first. Even mathematics--a science which, above all others, had, in an early age of the world, attained a high degree of per