[jtheory]

Well, from a hypothesis. Not a theory, really, because it didn't really have a body of evidence supporting it.

Also worth pointing out, to anyone who might wonder if the ideas behind homeopathy might actually make sense -- that this was pre-germ-theory. I.e., he didn't know microorganisms existed, or that they might have something to do with illness.

[Karellen]

OTOH, people have been debunking homoeopathy for over 160 years, also arguably pre-germ-theory:

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/lessons-from-h...

[jtheory]

Good point, and neat link.

So let's go with "easily-invalidated hypothesis even at the time."