LIFE HISTORY OF

DR. CARL VON BOENNINGHAUSEN

(From Boenninghausen’s characteristics materia medica and repertory by C. M. Boger)

Dr. Boenninghausen was born in the Australian family of Netherland in 1785. He passed his graduation from the Dutch University with the degree of Doctor of civil and criminal law. He got the job in the court of Napolian, the king of Holland. In 1812 he married and went to Western Trussia. Here he developed interest in Agriculture and allied science especially in Botany. He formed the Agricultural society in western part of Germany. He was honored for his work and had developed deep interest in Botany.

In 1827, once he felt discomfort in his chest but he didn’t care about it. After sometime when his disease became severe than he went for check up and his disease was diagnosed as purulent tuberculosis by famous physician in that area.

No treatment was successful and in spring of 1828, all hopes of recovery was given up. At this time Dr. Boenninghausen had started writing farewell letters to his closed botanical friend. There was a famous and first Homoeopath in Westphalia, Dr. A. Weihe, M.D. When he came to know about the condition of Dr. Boenninghausen, he requested Dr. Boenninghausen to send his all symptoms of disease. After getting the history, he prescribed Pulsatilla After taking Pulsatilla in summer he was cured totally. After this incidence he became the believer in Homoeopathy and he started learning it. In this way he converted as a Homoeopath and dedicated his life for Homoeopathy.

CONTRIBUTION

• He published the repertory of antipsoric medicine which is very useful for the selection of similar medicine. The name of this repertory is ‘therapeutic pocket book.’
• He also classified the symptoms in seven types.