The invention of homeopathic system of medicine and practice, which is based on the immutable law of Similia Similibus Curentur, has been attributed to German allopathic doctor Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). Rising costs of medicines and high professional fees of specialist doctors motivated that God-fearing doctor to conduct researches, which ultimately led him to the discovery of the new and inexpensive art of healing.
Before the political division of India, a large number of non-Muslim homeopaths practiced this system of treatment in Lahore. The monopoly by non-Muslim homeopaths in Lahore motivated the Muslim population of the city to ponder over the possibility of grooming a few homeopaths from their fraternity, who could provide the poor Muslim patients cure and solace without charging high fees from them. As mentioned in the book under review, Hindu homeopaths of Lahore used to charge high fee from their patients, which was resented by the patients, who could ill afford to pay the greedy homeopathic doctors and allopathic specialists.
It was in that scenario that a handful of trained Muslim healers opened a few homeopathic clinics in Lahore. Included among them was Dr. Muhammad Masud Qureshi who, fired by devotion and sense of purpose, earned a place of distinction in the hierarchy of homeopaths in the sub-continent.
Born in the small town of Wazirabad in Punjab on November 15, 1887, Masud Qureshi graduated from Tibbia College, Lahore, which was then an affiliate of the University of the Punjab. Later, he took the complete British Homeopathic post-graduate course under the supervision of Dr. M. Tyler in Calcutta. Full of enthusiasm, he returned to Lahore to start a homeopathic pharmacy and grew some of the plants used to make remedies. A successful homeopath he also published for years the monthly Homeopathic Magazine to help other practitioners to be better healers. His other publications included over a dozen of books and a directory of homeopaths in the Orient.
Late Dr. Muhammad Masud Qureshi played a leading role in securing government recognition of homeopathy and became one of the members of the government Homeopathic Medical Board in 1957, 1965 and 1968. He was also a member of the Government Health Panel Planning Commission. In 1956, he was the Chairman of the Homeopathic Trust, which established the first homeopathic hospital in Pakistan in 1956, and later the Pakistan Homeopathic Medical College in 1963, which is now regarded as a standard homeopathic teaching institution conforming to international standards. A large number of Pakistani and foreign students are now studying in the college established by late Dr. Muhammad Masud Qureshi.
After playing a long innings and leading a productive life that concentrated on stimulating and promoting homeopathy in the sub-continent, Dr. Masud Qureshi departed for his ethereal abode on August 21, 1970. Besides being a renowned healer and a superb gentleman, Dr. Qureshi was also a philanthropist from whose munificence a large number of patients, rich and poor, have benefited.
The book under review contains articles about the life and achievements of Dr. Masud Qureshi and tributes paid to him by the leading lights in different walks of life, including renowned poets, literati, jurists, intellectuals, politicians and federal ministers and governors.
Compiled by his son Dr. Khalid M. Qureshi for the Homeopathic Trust, the book is a compendium of articles. It provided abundant information on the system on the homeopathic treatment and also about the achievements of the renowned healer, especially in the domain of homeopathy - a cause that remained so dear to him throughout his temporary sojourn on Planet Earth.
Practitioners of homeopathy and students studying this system will find the book of much value to them.
Name of the book: Mard-e-Manzil Shinaas Dr. Muhammad Masud Qureshi
Name of the editor/Compiler: Dr Khalid Masud Qureshi
Authors: Gopal Mittal
Publishers: Society of Homeopaths, Pakistan, Muhammad Nagar, Lahore.
Pages: 356
Price: Hardbound Rs 200