Dr. Melanie Hahnemann -The Unveiling of Portrait

My life to yours is closely bound,
To your happiness devoted,
My place in your noble heart I found.
No other in this world do I desire.

(Words engraved on Hahnemann's watch chain)

One of the most important characters portrayed in the life of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who left a deep impression on the later half of his life was Melanie d'Hervilly. She was born on 2^nd February, 1800 to Comte Joseph d'Hervilly and Marie-Joseph Gertrude Heilrath and lived with her younger brother and parents in a large house in the locality of St. Germain de Pres. As the young daughter of wealthy parents Melanie frequently went to Operas and theatres. There are three main sources for details of her early life: One is her "Confidential notes," written in 1846-47; the second, the incidental comments she makes about her early days in the letters she wrote to Hahnemann after they met in 1834; the third, the sparing allusions to her early personal life made in her unpublished poems.

Like other girls of her class she was educated at home in which she excelled' "I was given more solid intellectual food, and my father charmed at the predisposition which revealed themselves in me, gave me an excellent education". (Haehl II, p.320). It was also seen that she had an aptitude for medicines. "At eight years of age she dissected little birds in order to see the inner parts of their body and satisfy my curiosity, in the same way that children break their toys in order to find what makes them move" (Haehl II, p.322)

Melanie's childhood was moulded by the character of her parents. Her father who was intelligent but soft-natured what she called "weak" while her mother was impulsive and predisposed to bursts of emotions. "My father is an intelligent man: he is good, but he is weak-this weakness has caused his whole life to be unhappy. My mother, though honest has now, and has had for a long time, a diabolical character, which she owes to the weakness of my father who liked her to be the absolute mistress of all, and agreed to her least desires, however absurd they were. She said herself: 'If I am wicked, it is my husband's fault who has always allowed me to do foolish things.' My mother, however, loved us, and for a while, the beginning of her marriage was good, she nourished us, my brother and me, with her milk, cared for us in our infancy: but by the time we were eight....her flirtatiousness was affronted to have growing children. She detested and maltreated us. Her rages resembled madness. I was young and innocent creature opening myself to the sun of life, but I knew neither infancy nor its joys. My mother, in her rages, which I never provoked, tore out my hair in handfuls, made my body black and blue by battering it. She disfigured me with her nails because, she said, I was prettier than she, I had too much spirit. My father let us get on with it, sighing. I did not dare complain to my father, because, languishing in his weakness, he did not dare even to admit to what was happening and always said as he gave away: 'I want peace,' which he never had. One terrible day, I was in the country with my mother. My father was in Paris. My mother got herself in such a fury that she nearly killed me. I was fifteen years old. She took hold of a long sharp knife and threw it at me, and I lost my respect for her for the first time. I threw myself upon her and, in order to save her from certain crime, I fought with her, the knife wounded me in several places but I tore myself away and fled to Paris in the middle of the night. My father realised, at last, that he would have to take sides and, to preserve me from death, he sent me to board with my painting teacher."(M.Hahnemann, Notes Confidentielles, 2).

It may be possible that this insecurity which Melanie faced in early childhood brought in her character the desire of being accepted and renowned. After leaving home she resolved to become an artist: (M.Hahnemann, Notes Confidentielles, 2) "My mother had hurt all my feelings; the thought of being entirely dependent on her, as she was the ruler in the house, was unbearable to my sensitive mind. I felt a vigorous inward impulse to become something, and conceived the idea of earning my own living by my work. I became a painter".

In many respects Melanie could not have had a better opportunity than to have been sent to live with her painting teacher, for he was Guillaume Guillon-Lethiere, one of the most distinguished of France's many gifted 'history' painters. He had been born on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe on January 16^th, 1760, the natural son of Baron Pierre Guillon. His two famous paintings still hang in Louvre: Brutus Condemning his sons to Death and The Death of Virginia. When Melanie arrived at their place, the family constituted of M. and Mme. Lethiere, and their children Eugenie, Lucien and Auguste.  Despite of his talent Lethiere and his family lived a life of wants. Their poverty created unhappiness and near starvation. Melanie's arrival made the situation worse as both M. and Mme. Lethiere were fond of her and the children hated her. Later she with her tact united the family and also saved them from financial crisis many a time.

Talented as she was she soon became known for her artistic talent and her paintings were appreciated, among them were: a portrait of M. le Baron Guilleminot (won a gold medal in 1824), 'a study of a poor man', a woman looking after dogs. This also supported her financially, "My friends sold my paintings, which were very much in demand, for a great deal of money, and while my mother kept an opulent house in Paris, I was working in order to secure my independence. I had great success and gained medals in the salon' which King Charles X presented to me himself" (Notes Confidentielles, 2). Two of her works which survived were: lithographic representation of the Greek Hero Leonidas which was used as frontispiece to her poem on the subject of Greek independence published in 1825. The other was portrait of Hahnemann, painted after their marriage.

Her artistic pursuit was later stopped owing to the recurrent abdominal pain which overtook her. This pain affected her to such an extent that she was forced to give up painting seriously It was this complaint which later forced her to consult Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.

During these years Melanie's life was not only devoted to art for she wrote a good deal of poetry. She wrote her only surviving long poem L'Hirondelle Athenienne (The Athenian Swallow), which was published in 1825 and sold to raise money for the Greek war of Independence

The whole character of Melanie shows that she was interested in both art and science; she had a great deal of potential. It was this talent which Hahnemann recognised and took her as his dearest pupil. In whatever she believed she put all her efforts and excelled in it. She wanted to be known, the long suppressed emotions since her childhood, to be accepted and that her worth may be understood made her move forwards for better opportunities.

Another of the older man who influenced Melanie's early life was the politician Louis-Jerome Gohier, and she showed a closeness to him in her poetry when she wrote about him. Gohier (1746-1830) was a committed republican, who later by some political drama became the President of the Directory and thus the 'last President of Republic' as Napolean dissolved the Directory when he seized power. For Melanie he was a principled republican, a thinker. There is no mention of him as a figure in Melanie's life until she began to write poetry to him and for him in 1824. These were the poems of respect and affection; perhaps her early insecurity owing to her "good but weak father" took her in search for a support and recognition by the people she felt similar to her father.

Later in his will Gohier left her his name, it was his desire that she may unite her name with his so that his name would be spoken with an esteem equal to hers. "I should have been proud had I been able to adopt her, but as I was so fortunate as to be a father, it was not admissible. I would have offered her my hand, if her inclination to art, the only passion which so happily dominated her, would have allowed her to accept it."(Manuscript in Stuttgart)

Slowly she earned her reputation and was regarded successful as an artist and as poetess, well recognised in intellectual circles of Paris; a thing most unusual for women in that times. This success boosted her confidence, and led her to a most distinguished career.

Within a short period of time her greatest friends and supporters all became ill and died. Gohier died on May 29^th, 1830 followed by her additional father Lethiere in 1832.  She was deeply grieved and the feeling of loneliness overtook her. She wrote that "my health was impaired as a result of grief caused by the loss of several of my friends."(Notes Confedentielles3)

Angry at the failure of medicine to save her friends and with the pain of her illness affecting her work Melanie was ripe for homoeopathy. 'when I was ill myself I obtained no help from the remedies which the best doctors gave me, and when my excellent friends, to whom I loved so much, were ill as well, I was continually able to appreciate the deadly insufficiency of the means used to treat them "(Notes Confidentielles 3).

It was the time around 1831-32 when Homoeopathy had been introduced in Paris by Frederick Hervey Foster Quin. Her interest in the system grew when she learned that Quin by the use of Homoeopathic medicines had saved a great many cholera victims in the epidemic. She managed to get hold of a translation of the 1829 fourth edition of the Organon. The views of Hahnemann inspired her and her soul needed more knowledge on the subject. In Homoeopathy she found her heart's desire; it brought to her the mingling of art, science and medicine. Overwhelmed she left for Kothen, to meet the man and to know about the subject which had magnetized her and to become, as Legouve later put it,'as great a revolutionary in medical science as she had been a classicist in literature and painting".

On October 7^th, 1834 in the town of Kothen, dressed up as a young man she visited the inn where Dr. Samuel Hahnemann resided. It was not unusual in those times for a alone woman to travel in men's clothing and it was only when the barber made his customary call, that the presence of Marie Melanie d'Hervilly was discovered.

Melanie at first consulted him professionally about her long standing abdominal pain. In letters written to his friends, Hahnemann described her complaint as "a kind of tic douloureux in the right hypogastrium,".

But what started as a professional consultation took a different turn and within three days of their meeting Hahnemann had proposed to Melanie and she had accepted it. The genius had found his soulmate in the artist. Both of them had the growing hunger for welfare of others, both needed support and above all both were deeply impressed by the intellectual abilities of the other. The letters exchanged between them depict the depth of their emotions for each other; they wanted to be in each others company forever. Hahnemann's total dedication to Homeopathy had touched her as she later wrote, that she had, 'found in him that moral perfection which I had looked for for so long but had never fully found in any of my friends, although they were the best of men. I needed to be able to admire what I loved; I found not only an exemplary man through whom I saw miracles constantly performed, but also a sublime intelligence, a benevolent genius, a genius such as had never appeared on earth before...'(Haehl II,. 326).

          But the social as well as family pressures were making the situation difficult. Melanie was half the age of Hahnemann and her reputation was more of an adventuress. Even Hahnemann's daughters had become hostile to her. Melanie stayed with Dr. Lehmann and his wife but the growing resentment of the people for her new relationship made it impossible for them to enjoy each others company. However their marriage was arranged, even Melanie being a Catholic by birth learned the Lutheran creed in order to be married in Samuel's nominal religion. On January 8^th, 1835, Melanie and Samuel were married secretly- three months and ten days after their first meeting. This marriage faced both laurels and slanders from their fiends and foes.

For a while after their marriage the couple continued to live in Kothen, in the house where Hahnemann had lived with his life for so long. But now the situation was different, the growing disdain of people had made the situation worse. The Hahnemannians began to think seriously about going to live in Paris. On May 22^nd he wrote to Boenninghausen, "I cannot avoid accompanying my dear Melanie (without whom I cannot exist even for two hours) who has to settle her own financial affairs there.

          The most excellent French pupils also eagerly await me....., and I shall not withhold my good advice for them. Apart from that I intend to rest chiefly, and see very few patients."(Haehl,II p.341).

The couple left for Paris in the early morning of June 7^th, 1835 with only his library, medicines and personal valuables. They arrived there on June 21^st and went to Melanie's apartment at number 26 Rue des Saints Peres. Later they changed their residence to Number 7, Rue Madame a larger house and it was of this that Hahnemann wrote to Boenninghausen: "Our large windows overlook a pretty garden destined for our own use, which possesses a back door opening into the Luxemborg. The latter is a large public garden planted with trees, which is an hour's walk in extent. We are living here in the purest air as if we were in the country; we are like a couple of doves and our love for one another daily increases"(Haehl II,p.347). After the early days of struggle and adversity the genius had found solace in the company of Melanie at Paris.

The Homoeopathic society invited Hahnemann to address their fourth annual conference, in September where he gave his presidential address: "I only recognise as my pupils those who practise pure homoeopathy, and whose treatment is free from all mixing of remedies hitherto used by the old school physicians. In the name of my long years' experienc3, I request people to trust only the keen followers of my teachings, who have entirely renounced that homicidal mode of treatment. (Haehl II, p.345)

Around 1835 owing to the growing popularity of Homoeopathy and also by Melanie's influence, Samuel Hahnemann was granted permission to practise Homoeopathy in Paris. By now Melanie was quite skilled in Homoeopathy, as the pupil of the greatest masters of Homoeopathy she had carved her own niche. In a letter dated 3^rd, Oct, 1836 Hahnemann wrote to Constantine Hering in America that Melanie, "has already acquired much skill in our divine science of healing through her diligence and has already achieved many brilliant cures in chronic diseases among poor people".(Haehl II, p.352).  In December, 1836, Hahnemann wrote to Dr. Hennicke: '[Melanie] daily treats gratuitously a large number of poor patients under my supervision, which however, she hardly needs now, because, through her own study of science she daily progresses more and more. Her cures of the worst diseases.....amazed everybody, and at times, even myself". (Haehl II, p.350)

Hahnemann even wrote to Dr. Hering, the President of Allentown academy for Diploma degree in Homoeopathy for Melanie. " ...I have asked you for a doctor's diploma of homoeopathy for my dear wife, and you have replied that the Academy would consider it a honour to grant it.....I took great pains to teach her because I could foresee how helpful she could become to me, and how much she would be able to contribute for the propagation for our  art....She left this paradise in order to follow me into the vale of sorrows where patients are...She also brought this sacrifice, that she renowned all artistic fame which she had acquired by hard work...My conscience therefore urges me to offer a substitute for all this.. "(Haehl II p.354)

Under Hahnemann's supervision and the innate talent of Melanie their practice flourished and soon they had to shift to a larger house at Rue de Milan. From March, 1836, in addition to the patients Hahnemann and Melanie saw together, Melanie also saw some patients entirely on her own. Their practice in Paris brought them both success and happiness. It is clear that Hahnemann's last days in Paris were as happy as any he had ever known. Dr.Moscowich reported approvingly in 1838 that "Privy Councellor Hahnemann is living in very comfortable circumstances in Paris and enjoys a very high esteem from all classes."(Haehl II, p.240).  On August 13^th, 1840, Hahnemann wrote to Dr. Schreter: "I did not know when in my life I have been in better health and happier, than now in Paris, in the company of my dear Melanie who cares for nothing in the world so much as for me."(Haehl II, p.374). To Baron von Brunnow on July 22^nd, 1841, he wrote: "After having been so much misunderstood by my own countrymen I have happily found a haven of rest.....where I can accomplish unhindered much that is useful and good through the only true art of healing. I have means, and am beloved by my wife who is a model of virtue and knowledge, such as I have not found before in any other woman in this world, and who does everything possible in order to satisfy my wishes and to prolong my life, health and cheerfulness...I am better and happier than I have been for many years, and I enjoy life," (Haehl II, p.375).

On January 1^st, 1843, he wrote a brief New Year greeting to Melanie: "I have no need to repeat to you that I love you with all my heart as I have never loved anyone throughout the whole of my long life. You are superior to everyone I can imagine loving because both your soul and moral sense correspond to my own feelings. We shall never be parted throughout all eternity." (In manuscript in IGM, Stuttgart).

But the old age had taken its toll, and Hahnemann's health was not good. A few days after his eighty-eighth birthday, Hahnemann was taken ill with what at first seemed to be nothing but his annual bout of bronchitis. At first, he treated himself, but eventually he called in the homoeopathic physician Dr. Chatran and advised him and Melanie what remedies they should give him. However, it was too late; after six weeks of illness Samuel Hahnemann died peacefully in his bed in the early hours of the morning of July 2^nd, 1843.

Melanie was alone with him when he died. His last request was that she may continue her practice and teach to the world what he had taught her. "Hahnemann frequently made me promise to continue the practice of this healing art [Melanie later wrote] in order to preserve his sacred Law, which they already tried to impair at that time. A few moments before he departed his life he said to me: 'Keep your promise,' and I answered him: 'But I am a woman, the physicians will hate me if I act as they do.' 'Why trouble about that?' he replied. 'Do as I wish." ((Haehl II, p.453).

After his death it was some time before Melanie could bring herself to send for Dr. Jahr, who found her in tears by the side of her dead husband. "I went at once and was admitted to Hahnemann's bedroom. Here, think of the sight, instead of seeing Hahnemann, the dear friendly old man, smile his greetings. I found his wife stretched, in tears, on the bed and him lying cold and stiff by her side, having passed five hours before into that land where there is no strife, no sickness and no death. Yes, dear friends, our Venerable Father Hahnemann has finished his course; a chest affection has, after a six week illness, liberated his spirits from its weary frame." (Haehl II)

The death of her beloved Hahnemann broke down Melanie, she could not bear to part from him. She obtained a special permission from Police department to keep his body in the house for fourteen days after death. She had the body embalmed and remained in the house alone with the body of her dead husband until the morning of June 11^th. So deep was her despair that she was filled with a sense of insecurity, she did not want anyone to share her solitude. As such she did not make any public announcements of the death or funeral arrangements of Hahnemann. Early in the morning of July 11^th, with a handful of close people she took the body of Hahnemann to the Cemetery of Montmarte. There he was buried in the small vault where she had already buried two other people she loved and respected - Gohier and Lethiere. Presumably she was bewildered by her tremendous loss, it was only she whom Hahnemann had informed about the funeral service he wanted, but instead of sympathy she received disdain and contempt from the world. One of the other reasons for this was that Hahnemann had in his will made it clear that Melanie was to have anything which accrued to him in Paris. Even family members of Hahnemann especially Leopald Suss, Amalie's son and Hahnemann's grand son accused Melanie of "cremating the founder of Homoeopathy like the poorest of poor".

But in these times of deep sorrow she dare not defy Hahnemann's wishes and within a few weeks of his death, she commenced the noble work she had promised her husband of. She started her consultations, though her practice was not as successful as with Hahnemann. Most of the patients doubted her skill and did not approach her. But still she had some miraculous cures done. Over the next two to three years she continued her practice in Versilles and at Rue de Clichy. But it was not long before that as she had predicted to Hahnemann the other physicians started hating her. It was around 1846-47 that she was subject to trial for practicing medicine illegally. The Journal des Debats of February 28^th,1847 reports: 'Madame Hahnemann, the wife of the famous German physician and discoverer of Homoeopathy, was summoned on Saturday, February 20^th, to appear before the Tribunal et Chambre correctionelle, on account of iilegal practice of medicine and pharmacy," (Haehl II, p.450)Though on the request of Dr. Hahnemann to Dr. Hering of Allentown Academy a diploma in homoeopathy was awarded to Melanie in the year 1840, but the Academy due to financial constraints had been closed in 1839. So Melanie's diploma was a matter of questioning. The basis of her defence was that she herself did not practice medicine, but only gave advice to doctors recognised by the faculty; and that she used the services of a qualified pharmacist, M.Charles Lethiere. Howsoever she was sentenced to a fine of one hundred francs.

After the trial Melanie was compelled to be more discreet in her practice. Also she felt lonelier than ever, she was even depressed as she was unable to complete Hahnemann's wishes. These were the times when she went to Hahnemann's grave and cried. Around that time (1849) she was introduced to Jean-baptiste-Ambrose-Marcellin Jobard, a politician with a penchant for poetry and scientific inventions. They moved together for some time but Jobard later proposed her. Melanie had wanted a friend to share her sorrow not someone to take Hahnemann's place, she declined her offer. Howsoever she continued her friendship with him, and wrote to him about her sorrows and fears. She wrote to him in a poem in February, 1859, "the sweet treasure which your friendship gives me/ has more value for me than a crown".

In 1851 Sophie, the young daughter of Anton Bohrer and his wife Francesca Dulken came to live with her. Sophie's presence changed her life, she wrote: "My life has been a desert where I have wandered and suffered, fighting against death and the ferocious beasts of grief...I was about to draw my last breath when I found the oasis which regenerated me. Without her my life would have been extinguished and I would have died out of thirst for the love of angels."  She enjoyed her company, on the professional side her practice was not going too well and she was living with minimal resources. When Sophie reached marriageable age, Melanie wrote to Hahnemann's friend and counsel Boenninghausen about her marriage to his son (1855), "Two of your sons are medical students and will follow in their father's footsteps.....I, too, am fortunate in possessing an adopted daughter whom God had sent to me....They are of marriageable age; and who knows/ A union of our children would perhaps not be impossible" (Haehl II p.454)..  

The correspondence between Melanie and Boenninghausen continued, and with it started the persuasions for publishing of the sixth edition of Organon. Melanie went to Munster to visit Boenninghausen in June 1856, and as he communicated to Ninth Yearly Assembly of Homoeopathic Physicians on July 31^st, 1856: "...Madame Hahnemann in her replies had hitherto always stated that  she had solemnly promised her husband on his death bed not to allow either to be published until it became absolutely necessary in the interests of the science, and until pure homoeopathy should be in danger of branching off into wrong paths. During this visit the writer succeeded in making Madame Hahnemann definitely promise to publish for one thing the 6th Edition of the 'Organon' during the  coming autumn, and for another to  send to the writer a copy of the patients' treatments from Hahnemann's Journals" (Haehl II, p.456). She complied with their persuasions and sent some extracts from the Journals, which he immediately published with an explanatory commentary. This enraged her for she had waited long for the appropriate time to publish them. She wrote to him on September 8^th: "When I sent you No.I of 'diseases' I thought that you would feel how important it was not to speak about them before publication. I was, therefore, most painfully impressed when I read in the 'Leips. Hom.Ztg.' (July 28^th) that you have published this writing and that the infinitesimal dilutions had been carried so unreasonably far that it must be assumed that the mental ability of old age alone could have induced Hahnemann to fall into such errors...If the secret had been kept, as I have done for twelve years, the works would have shown themselves and justified themselves...Now they attack what they do not understand and what cannot defend itself; they ridicule what should be revered...Hahnemann's works must appear before mankind like the light of the sun which is not controlled but enjoyed". (Haehl II, p.456).

 Nevertheless the negotiations about the marriage of Sophie and Karl (Boenninghausen's son) continued and their wedding took place in July, 1857. Melanie through her rich contacts got total exemption for Karl from all examinations to practice in Paris. Now, Melanie got the chance to practice again along with Karl von Boenninghausen and slowly their practice flourished. "When I began with Karl in December I had no patients other than nearest friends in Paris, and after four months practice we have every reason to be satisfied...Briefly, if we continue as we have begun, in one year we shall have a considerable number of patients and in two years a large practice".

          In the meantime Melanie tried to legalise her adoption of Sophie but it was rejected on the pretext that Mme. de Boenninghausen was not French and she was married to a German. Except for some occasional rifts with the practitioners at that time, life in Paris passed peacefully.

After the death of Boenninghausen in January 26^th,1864 Melanie was once again subject to a lot of onslaughts. In 1865, Dr. Arthur Lutze of Kothen brought out his own sixth edition of the Organon, completely without authorisation. At about the same time Hahnemann's grandson, Leopold Suss, now a homoeopath also announced his intention of publishing the sixth edition. Dr.Lutze also accused Hahnemann of usage of multi medicine in his later years. Melanie denied the authenticity of these claims and in her declaration on 21^st April, 1865 emphasised that she alone had the sixth edition in possession and the rights to publish it. Melanie was perplexed at these accusations; meanwhile the reconstituted Allentown Academy approached her for negotiation to produce an English translation of the sixth edition. Melanie replied that she would provide them the copy as soon as she could have it prepared from the original manuscript. Melanie was accused again and again of procrastinating the publication of the book owing to her selfish motives but the reality was that she could not get a reliable and satisfactory work done. The master's work was precious and she knew it would be ridiculed if not presented properly.

Around 1872 at the age of seventy-two, Melanie was granted permission to practice as a doctor. At about same time she wrote to the English homoeopath Dr. Bayes, who began negotiations with her to get Hahnemann's articles published. But it did not go far enough, for the Franco Prussian War of 1870 had destroyed all her property and she was left with not much resource. The publication was postponed not until 1918 when Richard Haehl found them.

Meanwhile Sophie and Karl had moved to Munster and Melanie was left alone, she passed her last days as Hahnemann had wished spreading the message of Homoeopathy treating patients. At last, Melanie passed away on May 27^th, 1878 alone in Paris of pulmonary catarrh. She was buried in the Cemetry of Montmartre in the grave next to her beloved husband, Samuel Hahnemann. After thirty-five years she had at last found peace with him. "....when your hour to leave this earth has arrived, come and join me where I shall await you. Your body will be put in the same coffin as mine, not beside mine, but inside and they will write on our tomb

Heic nostro cineri cinis, ossibus ossa sepulcro.
Miscentur vivos ut sociavit amor
(As love united us in life, so does the tomb.
Ashes to ashes and bones to bones)".

All her life Melanie struggled for the acceptance and recognition of people close to her, yet she never even received appreciation. Her letters and casebooks have revealed her as one who was the perfect counterpart to Hahnemann, one who quite literally freed him from an atrophied resignation, inspiring him to carry his work to an extent which is now just beginning to be understood. This was the legacy, which she protected until her death. Her greatness and her dedication to Master Hahnemann and Homoeopathy were soon forgotten and she still remains in oblivion.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Richard Haehl, Vol.I and II, Samuel Hahnemann His Life and Works.

2. Rina Hadley, A Homeopathic Love Story:The Story of Samuel and Melanie Hahnemann.

3. T.L.Bradford, Life and Letters of Hahnemann.