Hahnemann pioneered treatment of mental illness.

Dr. Hahnemann was a pioneer in mental health treatment in that he saw the aberrant behaviors of mental patients as a disease. At the time, the standard practice was to revile a patient who used provocative language with more of the same, or to use crude cranial surgery and criminal punishment. Instead, Hahnemann's suggestions were to isolate patients, apply hygiene and good diet, eliminate toxins using hydrotherapy, and fresh air. Indeed, he realized that treatment of mental illness should be the same as for a physical disease.