(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

The South Australian Register, Friday 26 April, 1867

HOMŒOPATHIC DISPENSARY FOR THE POOR

A meeting, convened by advertisement, was held at the Homœopathic Consulting Rooms, King William-street, on Thursday, April 25, for the purpose of establishing a Homœopathic Dispensary for the poor. There were present, besides Drs Wheeler and Campbell, the following gentlemen:- The Hon. T. Magarey, Archdeacon Woodcock, the Revs. Stonehouse and Lyall, Mr T. Reynolds, M.P., Mr J. Colton, M.P., and Messrs S. Kidner, A. Loutit, H. Warren, W.K. Thomas, James Smith, N. Oldham, E.S. Wigg, John Brown, O.K. Richardson, E. Dewhirst, T.G. Waterhouse, Geo. Hamilton.

The Hon. T. MAGAREY having been voted to the chair, stated that they had met by the invitation of Drs Wheeler and Campbell, for the purpose of taking steps towards the establishment of a dispensary for the treatment of the sick poor. The object was one they all must sympathise with, and the necessity of a dispensary of the kind they must admit, knowing the advantages which would result from the adoption of the system of medicine in which they had so much confidence; and perhaps this would be one of the best means of making the advantages derivable therefrom manifest to every one. He then called upon Dr Wheeler to state more fully the object in view.

Dr WHEELER stated that the subject of the formation of a dispensary such as that which the Chairman had alluded to, and in which they asked the sympathy and countenance of those present, was one which had for a long time engaged his attention, but, until lately, he had not seen his way clear to manage it. Now, with the aid of his colleague (Dr Campbell) he thought he saw the way clear. He need not speak of the advantages such an institution would be, nor of the need of it, for those of them who were about among the poor knew that, although there did not appear to be much poverty in the colony, there really was a good deal. No doubt they had seen by the last Home News that in the Liverpool Homœopathic Dispensary, during the year 1866, the attendance of patients was 45,336, or a daily average of 145; and he could mention half a dozen other similarly favourable reports, showing that the poor appreciated the benefits of homœopathic treatment if it was placed within their reach. Already he saw a great number of poor people, and many more would come if they knew they could obtain advice under a charity such as was now proposed to be established. And, besides the benefit to the poor, it would afford a good opportunity of comparing the results of their treatment with those of other systems, which they were not afraid to do. He did not wish to make a speech on the subject; but he would just say that the wish of himself and Dr Campbell was to have a small Committee of lay gentlemen, who would give stability to the undertaking, and act between them and the subscribers of the institution. They proposed to do the bulk of the work themselves, and the Committee would aid them by their counsel when necessary, and by giving publicity to the results of the undertaking. He then read from a prospectus which had been drawn up, in which the objects of the institution were stated as being to afford advice and medicine to those who were unable to pay for medical attendance, the mode of participation being by tickets distributed by the subscribers. They would not require any large outlay, as he believed about  £120 a year would be as much as they would require for some time to come, the only expense being for the medicine and hiring the rooms. They proposed to give two evenings a week to seeing patients, which he thought would meet the requirements, and he had no doubt it would be an essential benefit to the sick poor of Adelaide.

Mr JNO. COLTON, M.P., moved -

"That this meeting cordially approves of the proposal to establish a Homœopathic Dispensary for the sick poor in Adelaide." He felt, from what had fallen from Dr Wheeler, and from his own experience of the benefits of homœopathy, that the establishment of such an institution would be of great benefit to the poor of the city. If a small number of gentlemen would give their services on a Committee, as Dr Wheeler and Dr Campbell had suggested, the necessary funds would easily be collected.

Mr W.K. THOMAS had great pleasure in seconding. He thought all who were acquainted with the circumstances of numbers of the poor in Adelaide would concur in the necessity of something being done for them in case of sickness. At present many poor persons, through wishing to be treated under the homœopathic system, if they could not afford to pay a medical man were obliged to go to the Colonial Surgeon or to the Hospital, and place themselves under a system which they believed to be not so effective in its curative powers as the system in which all present had the fullest confidence.

The Rev. J. LYALL observed that his duties leading him a good deal among the poor, he knew that an institution of the kind proposed was greatly needed in Adelaide. The last speaker referred to the poor having to apply to the Colonial Surgeon or to the Hospital; but he knew there was frequently very great difficulty in such persons obtaining advice at all. He was award that homœopathic treatment had been given gratis by Dr Wheeler; but it was only fir that others who approved of the treatment should bear their share of the expense if the professional gentlemen gave their advice.

The Hon. T. REYNOLDS remarked that the resolution appeared to confine the benefits of the Dispensary to the City of Adelaide, and suggested that they should add "or in its vicinity."

Mr. COLTON, M.P., was inclined to think that if it was extended they would soon find the duties grow to such proportions that it would be difficult for two or three gentlemen to attend to them.l He was glad Mr Lyall had referred to the services which Dr Wheeler had already rendered so freely to numbers of the poor in Adelaide and elsewhere, as he thought they were indebted to him for it.

Mr HENRY WARREN thought an opportunity should be afforded to persons who lived in the country, who found it desirable to come to town for the purpose of availing themselves of the Dispensary to do so.

Dr WHEELER observed that in mentioning the City of Adelaide there was no intention to limit the thing, and he thought with their small population they were not likely to be overworked. Of course if, as Mr Warren suggested, sick people chose to come to Adelaide, they were at perfect liberty, but they must understand that the thing must not be abused - there must be some limit. It was essentially for patients who were unable to pay.

The Hon. T. REYNOLDS urged the amendment of the motion by striking out the words "of Adelaide." When the population became numerous enough they might limit the operation, and form other institutions in the suburban districts.

The motion having, on the suggestion of Mr THOMAS, been amended by placing the words "in Adelaide" before "for the sick poor" instead of after, was carried nem. con.

Dr CAMPBELL, in proposing the appointment of a Committee, expressed the pleasure he felt, on arriving in the colony, to find so many gentlemen so thoroughly interested in what to him, as a member of the profession, was of the greatest moment - the progress of homœopathy. Both Dr Wheeler and himself had adopted the principles of homœopathy because they conceived them to be the best system, as giving the best results; and it was their wish, just as it was of others present, to make the knowledge they possessed useful to their fellow-men.

Mr SINGLETON, one of the proposed Committee, expressed his willingness to act, and remarked that he might call himself one of the pioneers in homœopathy in South Australia. It was nearly ten years since he first read works on the homœopathic system, and studied facts which had led him to the conclusion, long before his friend Mr Kidner arrived, that what was said by Dr Sharpe and others was true. From that time till this he had been a homœopathist, and he might say a small practitioner - (a laugh) - for he had undertaken a great number of cases among the indigent poor; and he might say - he did not take the credit to himself, but gave it to the system - in almost every instance he had been successful.

Mr KIDNER, who was proposed as a member of the Committee, said he should make it his special duty, so far as lay in his power, to see that only the poor received the benefit of the institution, and related an instance which occurred in London, showing how a well-to-do woollen draper had taken advantage of a medical practitioner's liberality by pleading poverty.

The motion, seconded by Mr STONEHOUSE, and agreed to, comprised the following as Committee-men:- "The Hon. T. Magarey, Messrs W.K. Thomas, Chas. H. Goode, J. Colton, M.P., S. Kidner, F.C. Singleton, N. Oldham, G. Hamilton, T.G. Waterhouse, and W.A. Hughes, with power to add to their number.

Dr WHEELER proposed Mr Andrew Loutit as Secretary and Treasurer to the Institution.

Mr LOUTIT intimated his willingness to act, presuming the duties would not occupy any very large portion of his time.

The motion was seconded by Mr HUGHES, and carried.

The Hon. T. REYNOLDS moved -

"That the details of the principles of the charity be arranged by the Committee, in concert with Doctors Wheeler and Campbell;" and he would like to add, "To report to a subsequent meeting to be convened by advertisement."

The Venerable Archdeacon WOODCOCK seconded.

Mr JAMES SMITH supported the proposition, and thought that if the meeting had confidence in the Committee they should leave it to them to do what was best. He urged the desirability of keeping a correct record of the results of the cases treated under the institution.

Dr WHEELER said the simple object in not proposing a second meeting was to save the gentlemen present the trouble of attending a second time. He hoped when the thing was fairly started there would be no necessity for them to meet more than once or twice a year.

The Hon. T. REYNOLDS maintained that it was desirable that after the principles of operation had been agreed to by the Committee they should be discussed and affirmed by another meeting.

The Rev. J. LYALL, though having confidence in the Committee, thought it better that the principles of operation should be sanctioned by a meeting, and supported the motion.

Dr WHEELER said there could not be the slightest objection on his and Dr Campbell's account.

Mr WARREN supported the motion.

After some further conversation the motion was carried with the addition proposed by Mr Reynolds, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

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