PROFESSOR E. A. FARRINGTON, M. D. BY AUG. KORNDOERFER, M. D., PHILADELPHIA, PA.

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PROFESSOR E. A. FARRINGTON,
M. D.
By Augustus Korndoerfer, M. D.
presented by Sylvain Cazalet

In Memoriam.
PROFESSOR E. A. FARRINGTON, M. D.

Pr Ernest Albert
FARRINGTON (1847-1885)

The subject of this sketch,
Dr. Ernest A. Farrington, was born January 1, 1847, at Williamsburg,
Long Island, N. Y., and died at Philadelphia, December 17, 1885. During
his early years his family removed to Philadelphia, at which place he
received his education, and rapidly rose to eminence in his profession.

Having already, during his
early childhood, given evidence of exceptional intellectual ability, he
passed through his school life with the highest commendation of his
teachers.

After his entrance to the
High School he seemed to develop an intellectual capacity rarely
witnessed in one so young. He grasped and utilized facts with such vigor
that his teachers looked upon him as quite a phenomenal boy. Often have
I heard his teachers, professors of the High School, remark upon his
aptness, clearness of thought, and remarkable proficiency in the various
studies embraced in the curriculum of the school.

It may here be worthy of
passing note, that, during his entire school and student life, he
endeared himself to his teachers, not less by his genial manners, than
by his remarkable intellectual qualities.

Having completed the
prescribed course at the High School, he made a most brilliant
examination and was graduated, not only at the head of his class, but
with the highest average to that time attained by any graduate of the
institution.

During the following summer
he visited his birthplace, spending the summer there and in New York
city. Early in the fall he returned to Philadelphia, there to resume his
favorite occupation, study.

Dr E. A. Farrington

Under the preceptorship of
his brother, H. W. Farrington, M. D., he in the fall of 1866,
matriculated in the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Here, again, the
characteristics of his early life became the remark of his
fellow-students, and it was not long before he was looked upon as one of
the brightest students of his class. His quickness of perception, his
ready memory, his devotion to study, and conscientious estimate of the
responsibilities of his calling, marked him as one of the most promising
students of our school. Coupled with all this, was an unusually strong
religious bent of mind. His religious views were, however, of that happy
type which but illuminate life’s way, never casting shadows of doubt or
gloom. His highest aim was to do right because it was right; that he
accomplished this, all who knew him will attest.

When the Hahnemann Medical
College of Philadelphia was chartered, in 1867, it became a question of
serious import to him as to Whether he should continue in the College
with which he was connected or join the new institution. After
lengthened consideration, he decided to sever his relationship with the
old College. He became the second matriculant of the Hahnemann Medical
College of Philadelphia. Here, again, he won unstinted praise, and
graduated March, 1868, having enforced the full conviction upon the
minds of all, both Faculty and class, that he had no superior in the
class of “68.” To the honor of all, let it be said that envy
never tainted the commendation of one; every graduate delighted to
accord to him his full meed of praise.

He entered practice
immediately after his graduation, establishing himself at the residence
of his father, 1616 Mount Vernon Street. His arduous labors in the
pursuit of knowledge, during the years of college life, followed by even
greater efforts during his early practice, made preceptible inroads upon
his otherwise strong constitution; this led him, during the summer of
1869, to take a short European trip, from which he returned much
improved in health. He reentered practice with renewed vigor, and
speedily succeeded in securing a large and appreciative clientele.

On the 13th of September,
1871, he consummated in marriage an engagement which had for some time
existed with Miss Elizabeth Aitkin, of Philadelphia, an event which
brought more than usual joy, as in his wife he found a most congenial
and helpful spirit, both as to his professional and religious life. Four
children, three boys and one girl, have blessed this union.

Dr. Farrington was
essentially a teacher among men. Already we find him, in the spring of
1869, filling a lecturer’s appointment as teacher of Forensic Medicine
in the spring course of the Hahnemann Medical College. These lectures
proved to be so satisfactory that the Faculty, on the resignation of the
Professor of Forensic Medicine, after the session of 1869-70, elected
him to fill the vacancy. Within two years, the chair of Pathology and
Diagnosis becoming vacant, he was appointed to fill the same, and in
1874, upon the resignation of Dr. Guernsey, then Professor of Materia
Medica, he was called to fill that most important chair.

His ambition was now about
to realize the attainment of its highest aim. This had really been his
true field of labor-here his deepest studies were made; here was,
indeed, his life work.

Possessed of superior
analytical powers, he never felt satisfied to accept a view or theory
save it were demonstrably true; he, therefore, made deep and thorough
research and study upon every question involved in the subject of
homoeopathy; the law, dosage and potency questions all were subjects of
much interest, but above all, his delight lay in the study of the
Materia Medica.

His daily association with
Hering quickened this his natural desire, and he was soon recognized by
that master spirit of our school as one well fitted to a place in the
highest rank among the expounders of that most intricate science,
Materia Medica. Hering delighted to say, “When I am gone.
Farrington must finish my Materia Medica.”

His labors in this direction
were not restricted to simply reviewing old provings, but were rounded
out unto fulness by personally supervising provings of both old and new
drugs. While he certainly possessed a wonderful memory for symptoms, the
most prominent feature of his teaching may nevertheless be said to have
been his ability to thoroughly analyze the specific drug action, showing
not only the superficial but also the deeper relationship of symptoms.

Family and class
relationship of drugs he studied with deepest interest. In fact, his
“Studies in Materia Medica,” a few of which have been
published in the Hahnemannian Monthly, belong to the
classics of our school.

On his election to the chair
of Materia Medica, he devoted much of his time to the development of a
method which, while full and comprehensive, would at the same time
present a simplicity which would enable every student to intelligently
study this most difficult subject.

He infused such new life
into this usually prosy subject, that it soon became the favorite hour
with many, and to all an hour of interest and profit. To the earnest
student it became rather a recreation than a task. His analytical mind
carried the students through labyrinths of symptoms and mazes of
modalities, with such clear and concise directions as to the way, that
the thoughtful student might ever after feel able to traverse the same
alone.

His writings all bear the
impress of a master mind. Already in 1871, scarcely three years
subsequent to his graduation, we find him dealing with the philosophical
elucidation of drug prescribing, in language indicating depth of
knowledge rarely found even among our oldest practitioners. In
illustration, permit a short quotation from his report of a case
published in the Hahnemannian Monthly, April, 1871.

“It is a singular fact
that all of the tribe of Senecionideae, Ord. Compositae
which we have proved (Cina, Artem. vulg., Cham., Tanacet., Arnic.,
Senecio grac.) have relief from some form of motion.

“The Artemisia
vulgaris resembles the Cina in nervous troubles, but, as it is
in conjunctive, relationship, it can not be used immediately before or
after Cina. As a disjunctive relative, and hence one that follows well,
Silicea corresponds to the somnambulistic state, and Silicea, Nux
vom. and Caust., to the irritation of the solar
plexus giving rise to spasm.

“The Absinthium
(wormwood), another member of the Artemisiae, when drunk in brandy (a
famous drink used to stimulate the brain by actors, etc.), I have seen
produce the delirium embriosorum, which was only relieved by pacing
the floor, showing again the general relief from motion.”

Thus we find him, as a
beginner in years, treating the Materia Medica as by the hand of a
master. The literature of our school has been greatly enriched by his
pen; for though he did not strive to gratify ambition in giving to the
profession massive volumes, he performed that which he felt duty to
demand, i. e., gave of his time in work not only upon his lectures, but
also to societies, and in our journal literature.

The American Journal
of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, the Hahnemannian Monthly,
the North American Journal of Homoeopathy, and other
journals, have each received valuable articles from his pen. His Studies
in Materia Medica alone, published in the Hahnemannian Monthly,
aggregate about two hundred pages, and his comparisons, published as an
appendix to the American Journal of Homoeopathic Materia Medica,
from 1873 to 187,5, embrace over 150 pages more. His other articles were
numerous and instructive.

Dr. Farrington was a
homoeopathist by conviction. With him it was not a light thing to be a
physician, and he could only practice that which he could see to be
true. Expediencies, for the sake of gaining the éclat of those who,
through want of knowledge, grant unstinting praise to pleasant error,
had no attraction for him. He preferred to sacrifice and to sustain his
own sense of doing right rather than gain financial success by pandering
to the ignorance of wealth, where it demanded departure from the law of
cure in an experimental treatment of disease.

The influence which such a
mind must exert upon a profession cannot be overestimated. Essentially
scientific in its bent, progressive in its character, earnest in its
labors, logical in its reasonings, and philosophical in its judgments,
the results reached even most presistent opponents were compelled to
receive with respect. While thus a true and most consistent homoeopath,
he necessarily became identified with every movement which might tend
toward the advancement of learning. Especially did he desire to see
medical education brought to a far higher level than has ever been
attained in, this country.

Dr. Farrington was also an
active participant in our County Society work. On the floor during
debate, he was listened to with that attention which ability only can
command. In the Chair, which for three successive years he occupied, he
presided with dignity and justive.

He was also a member of the
State Society and of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, which latter
he joined in 1872. For many years he was a member of its “Committee
on Drug Provings,” during which time he was also identified with
its Bureau of Materia Medica. At the time of his decease he was chairman
of that bureau. In 1884 the Institute appointed him a member of its
Editorial Consulting Committee on the new “Cyclopaedia of Drug
Pathogenesy,” etc.

In December, 1879, when the Hahnemannian
Monthly was purchased by the Hahnemann Club of Philadelphia, he
was selected by his colleagues of the Club as the sole editor of the
journal, but on account of impairment of health and multiplicity of
duties he felt impelled to decline the charge; though later, at the
earnest solicitation of the Club, supplemented by that of the General
Editor, he accepted the position of Contributing Editor, which position
he filled until the time of his death; in fact, his last article, a book
review, was written but a few weeks prior to his decease.

Dr A. Korndoerfer

Thus we find him throughout
his life striving to accomplish the work which he valued so highly. No
labor seemed too great, no effort too severe, so long as it tended to
promote the advance toward that standard to which he felt the profession
should aspire. An earnest advocate of higher education in general, he
especially longed for the time when the professional standard should be
placed at its highest.

Dr. Farrington was not less
esteemed for his generous friendship than for his professional ability.
He was noticeably a man of strong convictions nevertheless, with such
characteristic breadth of thought and liberality of mind that he never
allowed the strongest antagonism in scientific views to chill a
friendship once formed.

His genial manners rendered
him a most delightful companion, as all who ever had the opportunity to
enjoy social intercourse with him will heartily attest.

His last illness began about
the 14th of December, 1884, prior to which time he had contracted a cold
to which he gave slight heed. Subsequently, owing to necessary exposure
in the performance of his professional duties, laryngitis set in; he,
nevertheless, delivered several lectures after the throat symptoms had
assumed decided severity. During a lecture prior to the Christmas
holidays, aphonia took the place of the existing hoarseness, rendering
further lecturing impossible.

It became necessary for him
to secure a substitute during the month of January, 1885, but feeling
much improved, he insisted upon resuming lectures during the month of
February. He continued his duties in the College until after the Spring
examination. During this time the disease invaded the bronchia,
developing into a severe bronchitis; this, however, yielded partially
during the latter part of March and April. At this time the most careful
physical examination did not reveal the slightest sign of lung
involvement. He now felt convinced that a trip to Europe would
materially advance his recovery. He therefore sailed for Europe,
accompanied by his wife, on the 9th day of May. On the 31st Of May he
wrote from Paris: “I am about the same, as yet, but live in
hope.” Under the advice of Dr. Herrmann, of Paris, he concluded to
“go to Baden-Weiler, a beautiful little town, in the Black Forest,
noted for its mild climate, mountainous scenery, and restful
surroundings.” Here again disappointment came to him in that a wet
season set in, which continued until his departure, although he remained
for several weeks hoping for a favorable change. A stay of several weeks
at Brighton, England, highly recommended by several English physicians,
afforded no relief. Much discouraged he finally sailed for home.
Disappointment and injury alone had resulted from his journey.

He now began to feel that
his race was nearly run; that the great work in which he had engaged
must be laid aside, and hopes long entertained must be abandoned. The
first realization brought a feeling of bitter disappointment, which,
however, speedily gave place to a calm conviction that the Lord’s way
was best. His mind seemed at perfect ease, and though he made fruitless
efforts to obtain relief, he maintained an unwavering confidence in the
law of cure; Some of his lay friends, seeing that homoeopathy must fail,
strongly urged him to seek the advice of a prominent allopathist. This
he positively refused, afterwards remarking to the writer: “If I
must die, I want to die a Christian.” His faith in the law was
unbounded; he believed it divine in origin, and therefore wholly true.

Mr E. Swedenborg

In religious faith he was a
Swedenborgian, holding devoutly to the views of that great expounder of
God’s law. In his church life, as in his professional, he showed that
zeal and learning which soon made him a light among his brethren. He was
loved and esteemed by his church as but few laymen at his age are loved.
Conscientious, zealous and learned, he seemed destined to be a leader
among men. He was early called to his work on earth-that work he
faithfully performed. Early the call came to his work on
high-confidently he entered thereon. Seeking higher planes of
usefulness, here, he looked forward to his higher field of labor there
in pleasurable anticipation. A good man has been called away. May his
living example inspire many to emulation.

By Augustus Korndoerfer,
M. D.,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Source : From
the Hahnemannian Monthly, January, 1886.

Copyright ©
Sylvain Cazalet 1999

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