Dr. Matheus Marim (30 November 1942–1 September 2021)

Dr. Matheus Marim (30 November 1942–1 September 2021)

One of the most influential homeopaths in the Brazilian homeopathic community crossed the gate into another sphere on the first day of September 2021. He was 78.

After serving homeopathy for a half century, Marim passed away at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (Sao Paulo), a victim of complications from COVID-19. Two of his caregivers, Drs. Nicklas Soderberg Campos and Paulo Rosenbaum, were homeopaths.

Dr. Marim (30 November 1942–1 September 2021) received his medical degree from the Santa Casa Medical College where he specialised in general surgery. In 1972, he became chief of medical services at the São Lucas Hospital in Iporã (Parana) and, in 1979, relocated to Campinas (state of Sao Paulo), which became his permanent home. There he began providing homeopathic care in the clinic that he established: ‘He dedicated himself body and soul to all his patients, with love, serenity and a unique ability to listen to those who sought him out’.

Marim's ever-deepening immersion in homeopathy came about when, in 1976, Professor Francisco Xavier Eizayaga of Argentina, participated in the establishment of the first of several Specialisation Courses in Homeopathy for Doctors. It was held at the Associação Paulista de Homeopatia (APH; Paulista Homeopathic Association) in Sao Paulo. At that time the course lasted 2 years.

An admitted workaholic, Dr. Marim chaired the Department of Homeopathy of the Campinas Society of Medicine and Surgery and was Research Coordinator of the Associação Médica Homeopática Brasileira (AMHB; Brazilian Homeopathic Medical Association, founded in 1979; he served as president from 1988 to 1990) and of the APH. As a titled Clinical Researcher, as well as Coordinator of the Virtual Library in Health: Homeopathy, he directed various research projects and several provings, e.g. Carcinosinum, Iodum purum, Stannum metalicum and Brosimum gaudichaudii.

Marim was also Brasil's National Vice-President for the International Homeopathic Medical League. In 2018, he officially opened the XXXIV Brazilian Congress of Homeopathy. In February of 2021, he participated in an event held by the Board of Directors of the AMHB, where he spoke on the theme ‘Similia and the Current Moment’.

‘The therapist can be supportive, must be empathetic, but must also exercise “mute compassion” during medical interviews’.

‘And that was his particular way of interacting with the sick. Accounts show a doctor who acted like one person in front of another. A clinician who, while listening to complaints, polished the lenses of his elderly patients’ spectacles, who worried that he would never give up a request from someone in need of his services. His mere presence, with his undisguised and long white coat, commanded a kind of unspoken respect, even when he found himself in environments hostile to the type of medicine he practiced. From someone who surrendered to the undeniable talent in the art of caring, often to the detriment of personal interests. Sometimes, to receive a report of suffering from the person treated, but often from the family members of these people as well. Sometimes for hours, sometimes during the night' (Dr. med. Paulo Rosenbaum, ‘A Physician Named Matheus Marim’, https://brasil.estadao.com.br/blogs/conto-de-noticia/um-medico-chamado-matheus-marim/ [September 2nd issue of the principal Sao Paulo newspaper, Estado]. Accessed September 4, 2021).

Paulo's notice is also available on his website: https://paulorosenbaum.com.br/2021/09/02/a-physician-named-matheus-marim/. Accessed September 4, 2021.

I wish to acknowledge Amarilys de Toledo Cesar, Paulo Rosenbaum and Miriam Sommer for their help in providing the data for this obituary.

Publication History

Article published online:
31 December 2021