History of homœopathy in South Australia - A brief summary:

See also articles:

South Australia: History of Homœopathy - Part 1

South Australia: History of Homœopathy - Part 2

South Australia's Unregistered Homœopathists of 1886

1840s 

Newspapers reported on the success of homœopathy overseas. Some immigrants to SA brought with them kits of homœopathic medicines.

1847

Dr Henry Backhaus, (doctor of divinity, not medicine), German Roman Catholic priest, arrived in Adelaide. He became well-known for using homœopathy, the first mention of this being in 1851.

1850

Charles Platts, Bookseller and Stationer, advertised the sale of a homœopathic medicine chest.

By 1849/1850, the Heuzenroeder family arrived in the Barossa Valley area and established the first pharmaceutical shop in Tanunda.

On his voyage to South Australia, Edward George Day used his medicine chest and instruction book to treat his family and many others on-board his ship.

1851

A letter to England reported that homœopathic medicines were procurable in South Australia, some imported, and others made by a German chemist (unnamed, but possibly the Heuzenroeder family).

During an influenza epidemic in the colony, letters in the newspapers recommended the use of homœopathic medicines, and reported its success.

In response to a request for the name of a homœopathic practitioner in Adelaide, the Editor of the South Australian replied that "there are many families in the colony who use homœopathic medicines, but we are not acquainted with any one who will undertake to prescribe for others".

Friedrich Rechner arrived in South Australia, and advertised his services as a Homœopathic Physician.

1857

SL Bensusan & Co, importers and merchants of Bridge Street Sydney, advertised the sale of homœopathic medicines. These came from the Pharmacy of Mr Leath of London, for whom Bensusan’s declared that they were sole agents for Australasia.

Charles Platts commenced selling homœopathic medicines from his bookshop in Hindley Street.

1858

Thomas Magarey received homœopathic treatment in Melbourne. Upon his return to Adelaide, people were amazed by his cure, and so became interested in homœopathy.

ES Wigg became involved in the sale of homœopathic medicines, and introduced them to his bookshop.

Around this time, a government official, Mr FC Singleton, reported that he commenced reading information about homœopathy, and started to use it to help the sick poor.

1860

Samuel Kidner arrived from Melbourne, where he had established the Kidner and Gould homœopathic pharmacy. He remained, and set up practice as a homœopath. According to his obituary, there was no homœopath in Adelaide at that time. (Presumably this meant that he was the first full-time homœopathic practitioner, as opposed to people who were providing assistance as a sideline to their normal job.)

1862

Dr Henry Wheeler arrived in Adelaide and set up practice as a homœopath.

Possibly around this time Johann Zwar commenced activities as a lay practitioner.

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1864

By this time, it was reported that large numbers of the people in the colony were keen on homœopathy, including most of the members of the Legislature.

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1866

WD Allott, Chemist & Druggist,advertised that he sold homœopathic medicines. He had arrived in Adelaide in 1854.

1867

Dr Allan Campbell arrived in Adelaide. He went into partnership with Dr Wheeler.

ES Wigg opened his homœopathic pharmacy at 34 King William Street.

The Adelaide Homœopathic Dispensary was established at 34 King William Street, next to the Beehive building.

George Bollen's occupation is listed as a "homœopathist" in the South Australian Directory.

1870

Dr Andrew Miller settled in Australia and went into practice with Dr Allan Campbell.

1873

Dr WM Campbell (brother of Dr Allan Campbell) became qualified. By 1876 he was providing services at the Adelaide Homœopathic Dispensary.

Dr SJ Magarey (son of Thomas Magarey) became qualified. In 1875 he joined the practice of Dr Andrew Miller.

Dr George Bollen was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medicine at the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, Illinois USA.

John R. Stephens graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, Illinois USA.

1876

George Cobbin of Port Augusta advertised that he ran a homœopathic dispensary in that area.

George & William Birks announced that they had commenced business in 51 Rundle Street, selling homoeopathics.

1879

The Adelaide Children’s Hospital opened. The leading figure in its establishment was Dr Allan Campbell. Chief Justice SJK Way, a major supporter of the Adelaide Homœopathic Dispensary, became its first president. Three of the hospital’s six doctors were homœopaths: Dr Allan Campbell, his brother Dr WM Campbell, and Dr SJ Magarey, son of Thomas Magarey.

1880

The British Medical Associationestablished a Branch in SA and commenced attacks on homœopaths and homœopathy.

The SA Medical Act was altered, parts of it being specifically designed to exclude “non-qualified” practitioners.

Dr George Bollen succeeded in becoming a registered medical practitioner.

1891

Dr Samuel Blackney, who had graduated in 1888 from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, Illinois USA, followed by further qualifications from the Toronto University in Canada, was registered by the Medical Board of South Australia.

1898

Dr Allan Campbell died. There was no mention in his obituaries of his connection with homœopathy.

©   Barbara Armstrong

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