:: Corine Mure ::

Homeopathy and Naples, a Long History
Naples and homeopathy have been closely linked since the beginning of the 19th century, thanks in particular to Count Sebastiano de’ Guidi, who was responsible for the introduction of homeopathy into France in 1830. At the outset, it had been Dr George Necker from the Bohemian town of Melnik, personal physician to the commander of the Austrian army of occupation, Baron Franz von Koller, who brought homeopathy to Naples. Necker knew and used this new method of treatment developed by Dr Samuel Hahnemann, which he had learned in Vienna. Settling in Naples, Dr Necker opened a clinic there that quickly proved a great success. Thanks to him, numerous doctors were trained and other clinics were set up, helping to make homeopathy known in the region and in Italy as a whole. Count Sebastiano de’ Guidi, who was originally from Caserta but had then moved to Lyons in France, went with his wife to Pozzuoli near Naples to take the waters at the hot springs there for health reasons. The doctor at the spa suggested to the de’ Guidis that they consult a homeopath in Naples. Following the success of the treatment he decided to learn homeopathy himself from his Neapolitan colleagues. He remained for some time in Naples to study this new branch of medicine before returning to Lyons in 1830. It was in Lyons that de’ Guidi firmly established homeopathy, promoting its development in France for almost half a century and making a great contribution to its reputation and credibility through numerous writings that attest to his scientific knowledge, his rigour and his enthusiasm.