Hahnemann monument

The bronze statue of Samuel Hahnemann set in a marble superstructure was built and dedicated in Washington D. C. by the American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH) with the help of President McKinley, a supporter of homeopathy and guest of honor at the ceremony, on June 21, 1900. The monument is located at the intersection of 16th Street and Massachusetts Avenue (Scott Circle) in Washington D.C., a location that can be seen from the White House. The sculptor was C. H. Niehaus and the architect was Julius. F. Harder.

The monument was rededicated June 21, 2000 on its 100th Anniversary at the Centennial Celebration of the AIH.

Decoration description

Rising from the platform in front of the central portion is a simple pedestal supporting the statue upon the face of which appears the inscription "SIMILIA SIMILIBUS CURENTUR." Other inscriptions which appear at the sides and below the bronze entablatures are the following,-familiar to all disciples of Hahnemann: "AUDI SAPERE," "NON INUTILIS VIXI," "DIE MILDE MACHT IST GROSS," and "IN OMNIBUS CARITAS."

The upper portion of the niche behind the statue is decorated in glazed mosaic, in colors, with a design composed of the foliage and flower of the cinchona plant. On either side of the arch are decorative emblems in bas-relief; a bowl and serpent - the symbols of wisdom; and a lamp and book - typical of knowledge and instruction. The former in association with a palm branch, the latter with a wreath of laurel.

The keystone of the arch bears a lion's head, the symbol of strength and leadership.

Upon the rear the date of erection appears across the center in Roman numerals and the dates of Hahnemann's birth and death-Meissen, April 11th, 1755; Paris, July 2d, 1843 - encircled with laurel wreaths, are inscribed to the right and left.

In the center, filling the tympanum of the arch appear two figures in bas-relief, emblematic of the science and art of medicine. Underneath this occurs the broad curtain of hammered granite, upon which is recorded the following important inscription:

CHRISTIAN FREDERICK SAMUEL HAHNEMANN,
Doctor IN MEDICINE,
HOFRATH.
LEADER OF THE GREAT MEDICAL REFORMATION
OF THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY.
FOUNDER OF THE
HOMŒOPATHIC SCHOOL.

Below this inscription is a fountain in the form of a fluted basin fed by a stream of running water issuing from a carved dolphin.

For a complete description of the Washington Monument, see the HISTORIC SKETCH OF THE MONUMENT ERECTED IN WASHINGTON CITY TO THE HONOR OF SAMUEL HAHNEMANN, Compiled by the Rev. B. F. BITTINGER, D.D., Presented by Sylvain Cazalet.