A clinical materia medica

Front matter

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Preface To The First Edition

During the year following the death of Dr. Farrington, the editor of this volume published several of the lectures here presented, in the Hahnemannian Monthly, North American Journal of Homoeopathy ■, and Monthly Homoeopathic Review. These were well received by the profession. Some of them were, moreover, translated and published in German, French, and Spanish journals. A number of physicians expressed the desire to have the lectures appear in book form. The consent of Mrs. Farrington to such publication was therefore obtained, the Doctor's manuscript was placed at our disposal, and Dr. S. Iyilienthal kindly consented to revise the lectures after their completion in manuscript.

In order that the work should be thoroughly representative of Dr. Farrington, those concerned in its preparation for the press decided that the author's style should be closely followed. These lectures are therefore presented exactly as delivered, excepting where a change was suggested by his manuscript or by his published writings.

There have also been incorporated in the volume numerous abstracts from the comparisons in the " Studies in Materia Medica," published in the Hahneman?iia?i Monthly in the years 1880, 1881, and 1882. These will be found in the lectures on Lachesis, Apis, Cantharis, and Sepia. The lecture on Moschus is essentially a reprint of the study of that remedy in the Hahnemannian for January, 1882. The editor feels no necessity for apologizing for this addition of the above-mentioned matter to the lectures proper, for, as Dr. Korndcerfer truly says in his memorial sketch of his deceased friend, they "belong to the classics of our school. ' ' The regret is that they cannot be incorporated in their entirety.

The reader must remember that in a course consisting of seventytwo lectures, it would be utterly impossible to include a complete presentation of the homoeopathic materia medica. This fact was always kept in mind by Dr. Farrington. It was his aim, therefore, to present to his students, only such matter as would enable them to establish their knowledge of materia medica on such a firm foundation that 1

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their post-graduate study of that science would be a comparatively easy task. How well he succeeded in his object can be attested by the many physicians whose fortune it was to receive instruction from his lips.

It should be said of Dr. Farrington's manuscript, that it gave marked evidence of constant study. Interlineations and notes of reference were frequently added. Erasures were few, for what he therein recorded was only placed there after having been thoroughly confirmed by the clinical experience of himself, or of some other competent observer. Fully did he realize the importance to homoeopathy of a materia medica which should be, in all respects, perfect.

CLARENCE BARTl,F/rT, M. D.

Philadelphia, October ist, 1887.

Preface To The Second Edition

When the first edition of this work was published, in the autumn of 1887, a large number of copies were printed, sufficient, it was thought, to satisfy the demand for some time to come. So flattering was the reception accorded it, this large edition has been exhausted, and a new one has been called for. In the preparation of this the editor has had, as before, the assistance of the author's manuscript lectures, together with notes of students whose privilege it was to receive instruction from Dr. Farrington in more recent years than was accorded the editor. The result of this revision has been the addition of a number of symptomatic indications for drugs. These additions have been pretty evenly divided over the whole work.

In presenting the second edition of Farrington' s Clinical Materia Medica to the profession, the editor cannot refrain from expressing his admiration of the thoroughness of the work of its distinguished author. A review of the index shows that more than four hundred drugs were considered by him; many of these received but minor mention, while others he treated of in extenso, as their importance warranted. The therapeutic index shows, moreover, that hardly a class of ailments to which humanity is liable but what has received more or less attention. The therapeutics of diseases like scarlatina, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, as to be expected from their importance, were thoroughly considered. Others, but seldom met with in actual practice, were given but a passing notice. In all his teachings Dr. Farrington showed himself to be a practical physician, fully alive to the demands to be made upon the needs of the student on entering practice.

October i, 1890. C. B.

Preface To The Third Edition

Owing to the continued favor of the profession, the second edition

of my father's work is now exhausted, and it becomes necessary to

issue a third, which is herewith presented in substantially the same

form with the one preceding. I have gone over the whole work,

carefully comparing the text with the original material and correcting

one or two palpable errors, also pressing into service a large volume

of notes on Materia Medica, chiefly comparisons, which was not made

use of before.

Harvey Farrington, M. D.

Philadelphia, Pa., August 19, 1896.

Preface To The Fourth Edition

Farrington's Clinical Materia Medica has made for itself a place among the classics of homoeopathic literature. It has become a standard text book in the colleges, and is consulted by practicians generally in this country and, in fact, wherever Homoeopathy has made its way. It has been translated and published in the German language, in Spanish (Mexican), and an edition in Bengalee (Indian) has been contemplated, if not already issued.

Though lacking in the perfection that the author himself would have given it had he written it with his own hand, it nevertheless bears the charm and freedom of expression of the fluent lecturer who is well-versed in the materia medica and a past-master in its practical application. In editing this, the fourth edition of the work, these essential characteristics have been faithfully preserved. The revision has consisted chiefly in the elimination of a few inelegant expressions, due to a too literal transcription from the notes of the stenographer. Over forty pages of new matter have been added, including a full lecture on Natrum arsenicatum. But, with only a few minor exceptions, these additions have been made from original manuscript notes and articles from current literature by the author himself.

Much time has been expended in compiling the indexes, which will now be found to contain the names of some of the lesser remedies mentioned in comparisons, the alkaloids and other references previously omitted.

To master the homoeopathic materia medica requires years of study and close application. Those who are conscientiously toiling to this end will find much in the following pages to lighten their labor.

In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to my brother, Dr. Ernest A. Farrington, for valuable assistance in preparing the work for the press.

Harvey Farrington, M. D.

Chicago, Iu,., January, 1908.