A commission from the King of Saxony sent Constantine Hering to explore the botanical and zoological riches of Surinam for six years. This assignment proved pivotal, as it allowed the trained physician to investigate homeopathic principles far from his academic roots in the Kingdom of Saxony, eventually setting the stage for his prominent medical career in the United States.
Academic Foundation and Conversion
Born in 1800 in Oschatz, Hering attended the Classical School of Zittau before pursuing medicine, surgery, and obstetrics at the Surgical Academy of Dresden, Leipzig University, and the University of Würzburg. While tasked with authoring a refutation of homeopathy, his rigorous investigation of Samuel Hahnemann's clinical claims and his own successful recovery from an infected finger using low doses of arsenic persuaded him to become an advocate for the discipline. He became personal friends with Hahnemann and later integrated these methodologies into his practice.
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Following an interrupted voyage that forced him to dock at Martha’s Vineyard in 1833, Hering arrived in Philadelphia. He immediately moved to institutionalize his field, co-founding the Hahnemannian Society that same year. In 1836, he established the North American Academy of the Homeopathic Arts in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which served as the first homeopathic school in the United States. He remained active in education throughout his career, chairing departments at both the Philadelphia College of Homeopathy and Hahnemann Medical College between 1845 and 1871.
Scientific Contributions and Legacy
Beyond his academic leadership, Hering was a prolific editor and author who published numerous texts, including the 1833 work A Concise View of the Rise and Progress of Homoeopathic Medicine and the 1873 volume Materia Medica. He introduced significant remedies to the field, such as Lachesis and Psorinum. His research often focused on toxicology and the management of bites from venomous snakes. Hering died in 1880 in Philadelphia and was buried at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 January 1800, Oschatz
- Died: 23 July 1880, Philadelphia
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Saxony
- Education: University of Würzburg (1826)
- Final Resting Place: West Laurel Hill Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What institutions did Hering lead?
He served as the first president of the American Institute of Homeopathy and held professorships at the Philadelphia College of Homeopathy and Hahnemann Medical College.
What were his primary research interests?
Hering focused on homeopathic materia medica, the treatment of venomous snake bites, and the management of hydrophobia.
Achievements
- Fields: alternative medicine
