Our Classic Literature: Review of A Manual of Pharmacodynamics by Richard Hughes

Individualization is crucial in homeopathic prescribing, but there are certain medical conditions where it becomes necessary to prescribe based on specific symptoms affecting a particular organ, such as in acute attack, one-sided diseases, cases where the characteristic symptoms are masked, or when the patient is unconscious. But how can one prescribe effectively if he or she does not know the sphere of action of a remedy?

Dr. Richard Hughes was a great admirer and critic of Dr. S. Hahnemann. He was born in 1836 in London and received his education at Edinburgh, Scotland. He began his career as an allopathic physician but later embraced homeopathy and became a prominent figure in the field. The development of microscope, germ cell theory, and Koch's postulate influenced him to think in a different way. He advocated latest scientific developments and researches in his practice along with homeopathy. His prescription was based on similarity between drug pathogenesis and disease pathogenesis. He prescribed low potencies because he considered high potencies unscientific. He primarily used 3x potency and was known as 3Xer or half homeopath. A Manual of Pharmacodynamics is one of the many valuable contributions made by him in the field of homeopathy. The work begins with Preface to sixth edition, and Preface to fourth edition, followed by the contents that include sources of the homoeopathic materia medica (2 lectures), the general principles of drug action (2 lectures), Homeopathy: what it is, Homeopathic posology, Drugs (from lectures VIII to LVII), Supplementary (3 lectures: LVIII to LX), Appendix, Index of medicines and Clinical index.

B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd. UK ed. April 1, 2005. 976 pages. ISBN: 978-8131919620. Dimensions: 21.5 × 14 cm. Item weight: 860 g.

Dr. Hughes explains how this work is constructed, with each drug described whether it is a plant or mineral, its current use or abuse, its preparation, and remedial provings. He explains “pharmacodynamics” in 105 pages, which are a splendid exposition of homeopathy, sources of its Materia Medica, the general principles of drug action, and other important data.

In the Introductory chapter, Dr. Hughes discusses various factors affecting health, such as diet, lifestyle, and environmental influences. He stresses the importance of understanding both the physiological effects and the toxicological (poisonous) effects of drugs to use them effectively in treatment. He describes homeopathy as a method where Materia Medica includes the effects of drugs obtained through human proving, poisoning, overdosing, and animal testing emphasising that homeopathic treatment works as a priori (theoretical) and a posteriori (empirical) methods. He provides commentary on Materia Medica Pura's preparation and usefulness and elaborately discusses the preparation of mother tinctures, their strength, and the process of making potencies in both decimal and centesimal scales.

Publication History

Article published online:
23 September 2025