Homeopathy and Darwin

[Dana Ullman, MPH]

Friends,
I have uncovered a lot of very interesting information about Charles Darwin's experiences with homeopathy, but I also found the following letter that he wrote to a botanist that is a bit confusing.

"The greater number of the letters of 1862 deal with the Orchid work, but the wave of conversion to Evolution was still spreading, and reviews and letters bearing on the subject still came in numbers. As an example of the odd letters he received may be mentioned one which arrived in January of this year "from a German homoeopathic doctor, an ardent admirer of the 'Origin.' Had himself published nearly the same sort of book, but goes much deeper. Explains the origin of plants and animals on the principles of homoeopathy or by the law of spirality. Book fell dead in Germany. Therefore would I translate it and publish it in England."

First of all, it is very interesting to note that Darwin says that this German homeopaths has written a book that is very similar to his own but is "much deeper." Further, it is worthy enough for him to translate and publish it!

My question is: Does anyone have any idea to WHICH GERMAN HOMEOPATH Darwin is referring? And what is the name of that book?

Note: Darwin's "Origin of Species" was published in 1859.

I hope that someone out there can provide some insight here.

--Dana Ullman, MPH