The Comparative Materia Medica

E. A. Farrington was born in Williamsburg, NY, on January 1, 1847. Dr. Farrington manifested an aptitude for study from an early age. He had a ready discernment and a retentive memory that placed him first among his schoolmates. In 1866 he graduated from the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. In 1867 he entered the Hahnemann Medical College, graduating in 1868. He entered practice immediately after his graduation, establishing himself on Mount Vernon Street. Dr. Farrington was a member of the State Society and joined the American Institute of Homoeopathy in 1872. In 1884 the Institute appointed him a member of its Editorial Consulting Committee on the new Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy. The most prominent feature of his teaching was considered 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 was a particular interest. In fact, his Clinical Materia Medica was the first classic in this field. His articles were published in the American Journal of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, the Hahnemannian Monthly, the North American Journal of Homoeopathy, and other journals. He died on December 15, 1885 due to a neglected cold which developed into severe bronchitis.