Homeopathy on trial: prospective clinical studies in the 19th century

Background: Historians have traditionally believed that medical establishments in different countries rejected homeopathy in the 1830s and '40s on the basis of negative evidence from fair clinical trials. It was also believed that no further trials of homeopathy took place in the 19th century after 1835. Methods: A systematic literature search and review of prospective hospital-based observational and controlled studies of homeopathy from the 19th century was undertaken to test the validity of these beliefs. Results: 23 relevant studies and trials were accepted for review, dating from 1821–86. Until 1835, of 12…