100 years of Homeopathy

This issue of Homeopathy is volume 100, number 1, our centenary issue! Numerate readers may wonder why, since the first volume, published in 1911, was volume 1, this is not volume 101. The reason is that, only once in the last century, has the journal failed to publish four issues in a year. That was in 1955, when it published only one issue, the 1955 and 1956 volumes were amalgamated as volume 45. The journal itself is terse on the reasons for this, referring only to ‘extraordinary delays in publication’.

Launched in January 1911 as the British Homœopathic Journal, under the Editorship of Giles Forward Goldsborough and Thomas George Stonham. In their opening editorial note they stated ‘The aim of this Journal is not dogmatism but an exhibition of practical experience illustrating the rule (of similars)’. After slight modifications of the spelling to Homoeopathic and Homeopathic, the title changed to Homeopathy in 2001.

This centenary issue of the journal features three editors, who between them account for over half its history. Sadly one of them, Ralph Twentyman, Editor from 1958 to 1981 makes an appearance in his obituary. My predecessor Anthony Campbell, editor from 1981 to 1986 contributes a piece reflecting on its history.[ ¹ ] And for me personally, this volume is a milestone: the journal is 100 and I have been its Editor for a quarter of that time – I took up the post in 1986! That makes me the longest serving Editor, although not by a large margin. Ralph Twentyman, who apart from being a distinguished Editor was an influential clinical mentor for me, held the post for 21 years as did the first editors, Goldsborough and Stonham who served from 1911 to 1932.

• References

• 1 Campbell A.C.H. Reflections on 100 years of the journal. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 5-8.
• 2 Burford G. The work of the International Homoeopathic Council for the coming year. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 9-10.
• 3 Boyd W.E. Biochemical and biological evidence of the activity of high potencies. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 36-72.
• 4 Paterson J., Wheeler C., Cooper L.H., Templeton W.L., Moncrieff A., Priestman K.G. Report on mustard gas experiments. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 27-35.
• 5 Leeser O. Constitution and constitutional treatment. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 21-26.
• 6 Campbell A. The concept of constitution in homoeopathy. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 90-93.
• 7 Davidson J., Fisher P., van Haselen R., Woodbury M., Connor K. Do Constitutional types really exist? A further study using grade of membership analysis. Br Hom J 2001; 90: 138-147.
• 8 Weir J. Homoeopathic philosophy: its importance in the treatment of chronic disease. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 11-17.
• 9 Wheeler C.E. Ambergris, Crocus and Tiger Lily. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 18-20.
• 10 Raeside J.R. A proving of Hydrophis cyanocinctus . Homeopathy 2011; 100: 73-83.
• 11 Twentyman L.R. Memorial address. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 87-89.
• 12 Twentyman L.R. The recovery of man in medicine. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 84-86.
• 13 Blackstone V. Single or multiple medicine prescribing – a debate. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 94-105.
• 14 Frass M., Linkesch M., Banyai S. et al. Adjunctive homeopathic treatment in patients with severe sepsis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in an intensive care unit. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 108-113.
• 15 Boyd W.E. The biophysical relationship between dugs and diseases. (with especial reference to the Emanometer Research) Br Hom J 1946; 36: 3-38.