Homeopathy and the 1918–1919 Influenza Pandemic

Homeopathy and the 1918–1919 Influenza Pandemic

During the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic (Spanish flu), homeopathy demonstrated remarkable

success compared to conventional medicine. Homeopaths reported significantly lower mortality

rates, documented through letters, journals, and national reporting by physicians.

Documented Mortality Rates

- Dr. Dean W. A. Pearson (Philadelphia): 26,795 cases, 1.05% mortality

- Dr. T. A. McCann (Dayton, OH): ~24,000 cases, ~1% mortality

- Dr. E. F. Sappington / DC Homeopathy Society: ~1,500 cases, ~1% mortality

- New York (IHA): ~17,000 cases, 0.25% mortality

- Dr. Herbert A. Roberts (Connecticut): 6,602 cases, ~1% mortality

- Dr. Frank Wieland (Chicago): ~8,000 factory workers, 1 death (~0.01%)

Why Mortality Was Lower

- Avoidance of harmful conventional drugs such as high-dose aspirin

- Individualized remedy selection based on total symptom picture

- Emphasis on holistic, supportive care without suppression of symptoms

Common Homeopathic Remedies Used

- Gelsemium: slow onset, fatigue, chills, trembling

- Bryonia: dry cough, chest pain, thirst, worse from motion

- Eupatorium perfoliatum: intense bone pain, chills, headache

- Arsenicum album: burning pains, restlessness, thirst for sips

- Phosphorus: pneumonia, weakness, craving cold drinks

Eyewitness Physician Reports

- Dr. McCann noted 28.2% mortality in allopathy versus 1% in homeopathy.

- Dr. Wieland used Gelsemium predominantly, with just one death among 8,000.

- Dr. Sappington’s team in Washington D.C. treated 1,500 patients with minimal loss.

- Connecticut doctors (under Dr. Roberts) treated over 6,600 patients with only 55 deaths.

Summary Table

| Physician / Location | Cases | Mortality Rate |

|-----------------------------------|---------|----------------|

| Dean Pearson (Philadelphia) | 26,795 | 1.05% |

| T. A. McCann (Dayton, OH) | 24,000 | ~1% |

| DC Homeopathy Society | 1,500 | ~1% |

| IHA – New York | 17,000 | 0.25% |

| Herbert A. Roberts (Connecticut) | 6,602 | ~1% |

| Frank Wieland (Chicago) | 8,000 | ~0.01% |Further Reading and Sources

- Lidsen Journal: https://www.lidsen.com/journals/icm/icm-06-04-045

- IJRH article: https://www.ijrh.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1373&context;=journal

- Shelly Garrison archive: https://www.shellygarrisoncch.com/blog-1/2020/3/11/a-historical-perspect

ive-homeopathy-and-epidemics

- HHF Report: https://hhf.net.in/research-pdf/the_success_of_homeopathy_during_empidemics.pdf

- ResearchGate Overview: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355991808_Homeopathy_in_

Epidemics_From_Cholera_to_1918_Spanish_Flu_Part_2