Organon of the Medical Art [Paperback]

Wenda O'Reilly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 1996

Based on treating the whole patient rather than isolated symptoms, homeopathy uses minute doses of naturally derived medicine to stimulate the patient’s own life force. Physician Samuel Hahnemann’s pioneering text Organon of the Medical Art, first published in 1810, remains the foundation for all study in this field. Wenda O’Reilly worked with translator Stephen Decker to produce a version of the book that would preserve Hahnemann’s insights while adapting it to the needs of the modern general reader. The book is restructured as a series of chapters and sections, and newly added side notes and footnotes, a contextual glossary, and an index vastly increase the book’s usefulness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A new translation of the Organon has been released. This book contains not only a new translation, but also a new format, complete with table of contents, index, and glossary, making the Organon easier to use and understand than ever before.

O'Reilly's adaptation of the Organon brings much more meaning to light. One problem with previous translations is that the reader could never be sure how accurately key words were translated and what exactly Hahnemann meant by them. To address this problem, O'Reilly provides a glossary of terms in which the German word is given along with the definition that applies to Hahnemann's usage.

Even before its publication, it has begun to garner rave reviews. George Vithoulkas, director or the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, has described it as the best translation yet, and the most comprehensive and organized information about the Organon. -- Resonance Magazine, September, 1996

Magnificent. . .a truly impressive piece of scholarship. -- Catherine R. Coulter, Author of Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines

The Organon of the Medical Art is the cornerstone of homeopathy. In it, Samuel Hahnemann takes us on a philosophical journey through the age-old questions of health, disease, and healing, speculates on the ideal system to achieve these ends, and describes the system he found which meets these criteria. Along the way he answers most questions any homeopath could have.

If one were stranded on a desert island with this book, one could develop the unique materia medica that wouold be found on the island, and learn how to apply these substances as healing agents.

This is the translation we have all been waiting for. It was worth the wait and certainly worth the price. Steven Decker and Wenda Brewster O'Reilly have done a great service for the English speakers of homeopathy. A new standard has been set. -- Homeopathy Today, December, 1996 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 407 pages
• Publisher: Birdcage Press (June 25, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889613002
• ISBN-13: 978-1889613000
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #887,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking in conveying the essence of Hahnemann., April 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Phoenix, Arizona, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organon of the Medical Art (Hardcover)

I found this to be one of the most comprehensive treatments of Samuel Hahnemann's groundbreaking work. It makes his masterpiece easily accessible even to a novice like me and offers great insight into the original German text. The glossary and index are indispensible additions. The effort Decker put forth in translating the original demonstrates a level of intellecual integrity and precision that even I can recognize. O'Reilly's editorial and organizational prowess is unmatched. Hahnemann would be greatly pleased by their reverant treatment of his work. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in homeopathy or alternative medicine.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Textbook for students of the Profession, April 10, 2005

By 

John D. Melnychuk "Professional Homeopath" (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Organon of the Medical Art (Paperback)

The Organon of the Medical Art, O'Reilly edition has become required reading at all homeopathic colleges around the world. This edition is clear and it resolves many amibiguities and errors that were present in previous editions that were based on faulty translations.

Some parts of previous editions were impossible to comprehend. O'Reilly's edition makes the book much more accessible, and easier to comprehend.

This particular edition is based on a completely new translation by Stephen Decker, a scholar, and expert on Hahnemann and the period in which Hahnemann lived. Dr. O"Reilly is an accomplished scholar, homeopath and homeopathic historian.

Homeopaths cannot learn to practice without reading and studying this essential and brilliant text.

This is a terrific book for those interested in a serious study of Homeopathy and comparative medicine. You won't be disappointed.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The once and future science of Homeopathy, November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Organon of the Medical Art (Hardcover)

I frequently return from visits to the family physician with the vague feeling that I am dealing with a very peculiar form of healing. There seems to be little sense of "the ankle bone being connected to the knee bone" in modern medicine. Millions of people have registered their opinions in this regard by visiting alternative medical practictioners. But why does alternative medicine work? What are the dynamics of its very real affects? How does the science of Homeopathy work?

Wenda O'Reilly has given us the definitive translation of the homeopathic bible, The Organon of the Medical Art and a handle on the new metaphysics that needs to be engaged for medicine to become the healing art not just of malfunction but of health. All public health officials and anyone interested in medicine should read this book. This is science rendered into beauty by art.