HOMCEOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA NEW REMEDIES:. THEIR BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION, MEDICAL HISTORY, PATHOGENETIC EFFECTS AND THERAPEUTICAL APPLICATION IN HOMEOPATHIC PRACTICE, By EDWIN M.HALE, M. D., PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS IN HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE, AUTHOR OF "MONOGRAPH ON GELSEMINUM," AND OTHER WORKS, SECOND EDITION—REVISED \ANDnEN-LAR(M&r^^^-*- _^ _________kuRGf ON GENERAL'S OFFICE | OCT 10 1899 DETROIT, MICHIGAN : / fc 7 "Z- <-/ / DR. E. A. LODGE, HOMCEOPATHIC PHARMACY, 51 WAYlfrE STREET. ^ Henry Turner & Co., 77 Fleet-st., E.C., London. HenryTu'rneFS~Co., Manchester, Eni W.RADDE,550Pearl-st.,J.T.S.8MiTH &Sons,10oFourth Av., C.T.HuRLBurfr 437 Broome-st.,». ■r, t, V,_______ mi a__v. „...—> * i Thit. d«f.Vi Nnrth Ninth-street. PhiladelDhia./ KADDE,OOUreari-SI.,J.X.O.OmiTM otouna.iv J-""«■""•«•••> "••""-~—--->,- ' ~i j , , . 'j F. E. B(ericke, 635 Arch-street, A. J. Tafel, 48th North Ninth-street, Philadelphia./ OtisClapp Boston. H. C. G. LuytIes, St. Louis. Beckwith & Co., Cleveland. / ^, ^ -m-r m. ■_____ SlMITH & "H^*~^»»™,T,'1 v'""*""*XT nin/iinnaLi sburgh. 1867. kpp, Doston. u.u.u.iiuyiu.!iiOta«iuio. "">■■'" "".— y"-> ~* C. S. Halsey, Chicago. Smith & Worthington, Cincinnati. J. G. Backofen & Son, Pittsburgh. E. B. Spraoue, Owego, N. Y. HI6lr\ 1867 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18G4, by EDWIN A. LODGE, In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of Michigan, Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1866, by EDWIN A. LODGE, In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of Michigan. DETROIT, MICHIGAN, U. S. ["HINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE AMERICAN HOMOZOPATniC OBSEKVER No. 51 "Wayne Street. \ TO THE HOMOEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS OF NORTH AMERICA AND ENGLAND, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE A V T H O H . PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. The object in the preparation of this work has been to furnish the physicians and students of the homoeopathic school of medicine with full and accurate information relative to a class of remedies, mostly indigenous, but few of which have had any place in the published Homoeopathic Materia Medica. Some of the provings have been in- corporated into the Symptomen Codex {Phytolacca, Podophyllum and Sanguinaria), others have been published in the various journals of our School (Rumez, Cimicifuga, Cornus c, etc.), but the great majority have never been proven until now, and the only mention of them has been in occasional clinical or empirical suggestions. To the first and second classes I have added many pathogenetic symptoms gleaned from various sources, re-provings, poisonings, etc., and added also all the clinical observations that could be collected from reliable sources. The latter class may be divided into two others ; namely : those which have been proven, and those of which we have only empirical data upon which to base clinical use, and suggestive or theoretical deductions. As we gather experience in the use of these remedies, and institute accurate provings, the necessity for these suggestions and theoretical deductions will be done away. Each physician should consider him- self bound to collect all the symptoms which are really pathogenetic, and note down all reliable curative experience belonging to these medicines, and faithfully report the same to our journals. The causes which led me to investigate the properties and virtues of the remedies mentioned in the following pages, will be patent to every progressive mind. After using for many years those invaluable remedies found in our standard Materia Medica, most of which were hnndcd down to us by Hahnemann and his colleagues, I found that although their curative scope was very wide, it did not apparently include many symptoms and diseases. I was led to investigate the field of indigenous remedies for these reasons : (1) the suggestion of Teste* that plants arc: adapted to cure the diseases which infest the * Introduction of " Materia Medica." VI PREFACE. same localities : and (2) the many cures which had come under my observation, made by these remedies in the hands of eclectic and domestic practioners, (some of the cases will be mentioned in the body of this work). These reasons, together with a natural ambition to enlarge the sphere of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, induced me to throw away all prejudice, and devote my energies to the task of introducing, by provings and clinical experience, the indigenous medicines which so largely abound in the United States, A few others had started before me, and Cimicifuga, Cornus, Podophyllum, and Sanguinaria had been proven, and their pathogeneses published. But from some cause they had not attracted the attention which they deserve. After several years spent in the investigation and study of the new remedies, publishing from time to time items from my ex- perience with them, I was induced to attempt the work of collecting all that had been published concerning the indigenous plants of this country, and to add to such all the knowledge, clinical and theoretical, which could be gleaned from my colleagues, together with my own. To this I have taken the liberty of adding the testimony and empirical experience of physicians of the allopathic and eclectic schools, relative to the medicines under consideration. If any object to this method, I would refer them to the writings of Hahnemann and his colleagues,—Dudgeon, Madden and Drysdale, of England ; Teste and Roth, of France ; and Joslin, Marcy, Hempel, and others of this country. I contend that the experience of others, besides members of the Homoeopathic School, is often useful in building our pathoge- neses, and adding to reliable clinical knowledge. I shall not be held responsible for the opinions of any writer quoted in the following pages. Let each be judged upon his own merits. I do not claim that this work is in any way complete. Indeed, I shall be satisfied if it is only pronounced by the profession as eminently suggestive. Many of the provings are very imperfect, and some of the clinical remarks open to criticism. Let the wheat be separated from the chaff by the inexorable test of honest trial. PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. The favorable reception which the first edition of this work received from the homoeopathic physicians of this country and England, induced me to prepare a second edition. Another reason which impelled me to re-write the work, was, that the first edition met with such rapid sale that at the expi- ration of two years from its issue, not a copy was for sale in the United States. This fact was as much an encouragement to the publisher as to myself, and it will doubtless result in an improvement in the style and appearance of the second edition. Not only was I encouraged by the above, but by other induce- ments, namely : the prompt and courteous response of many of my professional colleagues to my request for new provings and clinical reports. It would be invidious to mention any names of physicians, when so many have contributed to swell our knowledge of the pathogenetic and curative powers of these medicines. I cannot, however, in justice, omit to record my acknowledgments of the valuable aid received from the members of the North-Western Provers' Association, who have enriched this edition with several excellent provings. Nor can I omit to mention the assistance I have received from Dr. T. C. Duncan, of Chicago. Without his aid in the labor of copying and re- arranging the large amount of material, I could hardly, engrossed as I have been with the active duties of my profession, have found time for the task of re-writing this work. The names of all other contributors and provers will be found collected at the end of this volume. When it is understood that this edition contains nearly three times the amount of matter included in the former, it will be seen that the task has not been a small one. In addition to the medicines mentioned in the first edition, the following have been added : Agave, Alnus, Ampelopsis, Aralia, Asarum, Asclepias incarnata, Cactus, Cerasus, Chelone, Cistus, Comocladia, Corydalis, Erechthites, Euonymus, Frasera, Galium, Geranium, Gnaphalium, Gymnocladus, Hedeoma, Hepatica, Juglans, Lachnanthes, Lobelia, Lycopus, Mitchella, VIII PREFACE. Myrica, Nabulus, Nymphrea. PulsatillaNuttalliana, Rhus glabra, Rhus venenata, Stillingia, Triosteum and Zizia; thiry-five in all; two-thirds as many as were contained in the first edition. Not only are these new remedies added, but new matter is added to every one of the other medicines, either in new pathogenetic observations or clinical experience. Of many of the first medi- cines, new and valuable re-provings have been made. The other additions of the second edition are, the complete botanical description, natural history, and medical history of each medicine. Pharmacological observations of a practical character are made concerning each remedy. The officinal preparations are also designated. These practical additions will do away with the necessity felt for a pharmacopoeia of the new remedies, until a complete Homoeopathic Dispensatory shall be published. Such an one I believe is in the hands of the publisher of this and will soon appear. Of some of the medicines added to this edition no provings have been made, and the clinical experience is almost entirely wanting. This was the case with several of the medicines in the former issue ; but their appearance called attention to them, provings were instituted, they were used in practice, and are now valuable additions to our Materia Medica. This, I believe, will be the case with the unproven medicines in this edition. Partly through an inadvertence, one of the medicines of the former edition has been omitted from this, namely, the Silphium laciniatum. No provings of this plant were communicated to me, nor any clinical experience. Its omission, therefore, will not be much loss to the profession. That it has some active and useful properties I do not doubt, and at some future day it may be again introduced into our Materia Medica. Since the first appearance of this work, various critics in our school have expressed doubts as to the propriety of introducing clinical testimony drawn from allopathic and eclectic sources. These objections were fully answered through the columns of the American Homoeopathic Observer, and Medical Investigator. That my views in this matter, which I consider to be logical and scientific, may be known to my colleagues, I herewith again present them for consideration. PREFACE. IX " In my private correspondence I am frequently asked the question, 'Why do you quote allopathic authorities in your New Remedies and other writings.' In some of the periodicals of our school I find the same question asked. In other words, the questioners ask: ' Can allopathic authority, or their cures, become of value to the homceopathician ?' " I answer, ' Their bald dictum cannot, but their cures can.' I propose to state the reasons for this belief. But first, I would ask the reader to glance over the pages of the ' Introduction' to that immortal work of Hahnemann, the ' Organon.' He will there find page after page occupied with a concise narration of allopathic cures. He makes such testimony contribute to the proof of the homoeopathic law, and intimates, in the strongest language, that all the cures were homoeopathic. I have only followed, humbly I admit, in the footsteps of our great Master " It is true that in writing of new and unproven remedies, I have quoted all medical authors, but not as authority, except in certain cases. I mention their alleged cures for the purpose of drawing attention to the successful uses of the medicines in certain diseases. I mention their theoretical deductions and even their crude recommendations, thinking that perhaps we may get a little grain out of the great amount of such chaff. It must be recollected that I had little or no homoeopathic experi- ence to draw from, and had to use such material as I could find. That such mention of allopathic and eclectic experience was not productive of injury, the contents of the second edition will prove. The valuable use of Caulophyllum, Dioscorea, and many other medicines, first came to us from that source, yet our school has since verified the reality of their cures—and more ; they have proved that such cures were made homceopathically, because the medicines are capable of causing similar affections. "It seems strange to some of our school that because allopath- ists use such massive doses, they can make any cures at all. But a cure is a fact. We can not explain it away. The testimony of a physician of one school is as good as that of another, provided his alleged cure was made with one medicine given singly. "No proposition is more generally accepted in our school than, that a dose, to be homoeopathic, need not be a high potency dose. The true definition of a homoeopathic dose is, any quan- tity of medicine capable of effecting a cure. If we do not admit this, we must admit that allopathists cure by virtue of the law of contraria, and if we do this, we give them vantage ground at once. All cures are homoeopathic cures, whether made with the 200th, or with grain doses of the crude drug. For example, X PREFACE. Hahnemann cured a severe case of colicodynia with Veratrum album—"four powders, each containing four grains"- of the crude powdered root. Although the patient took two powders a day, instead of one, and aggravated the pain temporarily, yet it was as brilliant a cure as ever Hahnemann made with the 30th potency. " The remarkable cures made by eclectics with Oaulophyllum and Dioscorea, were made with material doses. Are such cures to be denied and pronounced worthless ? If so, then Hahne- mann's cure with Veratrum must be placed in the same list. I do not say that such material doses are necessary to the cure; but if they remove suffering, or prevent dangerous conditions, let us, instead of ignoring them, claim the remedies as gifts of Providence, and by experience show that they really cure accord- ing to our law. " If an eclectic cures a cough of long standing and grave character with crude doses of JRumex or Sanguinaria, is not the cure as good, as homoeopathic, as though made by Joslin or Hering, with the 30th or 200th dilution ? " Those who are familiar with my theory of the action of med- icines, and the law of dose deduced therefrom, need not be told that I would consider that where an allopathist does not use a drug in a certain disease, for fear of aggravations, that the drug is primarily homoeopathic to such disease, and must be used in a high dilution; also, that when the opposite school cure a disease or condition with material doses, as, for instance, uterine inertia, with Ergot or Oaulophyllum, paralysis with Nux vomica, etc., the drug must be secondarily homoeopathic to the condition, and will generally act better in the lower dilutions. "Our course, as consistent homceopathicians, is, to claim all CURES AS MADE BY THE LAW OF SIMILIA, AND PROVE THEM to be such, as did Hahnemann. The law discovered by our great masters all-embracing, universal, and the sooner his followers adopt this proposition, the better it will be ior the honor and influence of our school." Chicago, January, 1867. H. ' Lesser Writings. INTRODUCTION. He who undertakes to write a Materia Medica, which shall come up to the high standard necessary to meet the scientific requirements of the Homoeopathic School of Medicine, has before him a really herculean task. The work, even, of expunging worthless symptoms, will compare with the cleansing of the Augean Stables. The Allopathic Materia Medica is not susceptible of much improvement, so long as that school adheres to the dogmas which form the basis of that system of practice; the Homoeopathic, on the contrary, is capable of immense improvement. I have found that the task of writing a monograph on any one drug, as Grelseminum, was really a laborious undertaking ; and the work of collecting, compiling and arranging the material for the elucidation of several drugs, is of course, proportionately greater. That the profession may see how high an appreciation I have for a scientific Materia Medica, and how much this work has fallen short of my Ideal, both in the matter and the manner of its composition, I will insert an extract from my introductory to a course of lectures, delivered to the class of Hahnemann Medical College, in the winter of 1863 and '64: "Since the time of Hahnemann, nearly all our works on Materia Medica have been moulded upon the same plan, notwithstanding the progress of all the sciences which properly pertain to medicine ; and while a knowledge of chemistry, pathology and physiology is deemed essential to every homoeopathic physician. " The great desideratum of our school, at this time, is a purely scientific Materia Medica. Hahnemann laid its foundation upon the imperishable rock of natural truth. On this foundation let us build a magnificent temple, which neither time nor change can ruin, but will ever increase its grand proportions and massive solidity. "Gentlemen:—Would you have my individual conception of an 'Ideal Materia Medical' With a few preliminary remarks on the action of medicines, I will give it you. XII INTRODUCTION. All drugs, and by this I mean all substances which can by any pos- sibility be used as remedial agents, have three modes of action upon the animal economy. " First—Mechanical.—This action is only by virtue of their physical conformation. This includes bulk, and the shape of the particles which compose the medicine. " Second—Chemical.—The chemical action of nearly all medi- cines, when given in appreciable doses, is fully admitted by every authority ; thus, we have acids and alkalies, and numerous compounds which, by their chemical union with the solids and fluids, effect changes in the constituents of the body. "Third—Dynamic.—This method of action may be entirely independent of the two former. But a medicine may have at the same time a mechanical, chemical, and a dynamic action; or, if properly administered, it may have only the latter action. It was a knowledge of this dynamic action that Hahnemann strove to attain. This he attempted to do by stripping his remedial agents of all material forms, or chemical power, and so attenuating them as to leave nothing but the 'spirit' of the drug wherewith to oppose disease. ' Now, it is an indisputable fact, which I shall point out to you more fully in my course of lectures, that our Materia Medica abounds with symptoms due to the mechanical and chemical effects of drugs, and these are so mixed up with the symptoms having a dynamic origin, that they mislead us when we are engaged in the selection of a remedy. Upon almost every page of our Materia Medica, is to be found too many of the natural sensations to which every person is liable. " In view of these facts, I would have a rational revision of our Materia 3Iedica, expunging all but undoubted dynamic symptoms > and I would have these symptoms arranged in groups, in strict accordance with their rise and progress. " In order to elucidate more clearly my views in relation to drug proving, we will suppose that a society is formed by a number of patient, conscientious, and self-sacrificing men, whose object is to make a perfect and complete proving of a drug or number of drugs. " We will suppose that the drug selected be Phosphorus—that most excellent of all polychrests. The first desideratum would be to ascertain the exact physiological and pathological condition of each INTRODUCTION. XIII person who intends to experiment upon his own person. We should ascertain if every organ performs its functions properly ; whether any organic disease be present, and if so, what is its character. We should inquire into the nature of all the secretions and excretions, aiding our investigations by the use of the microscope, and those delicate tests which science has applied to such uses. If the prover is in perfect health, the fact should be noted; if not, his condition and symptoms should be carefully recorded. " The drug selected should then be taken by each one, in similar quantities and at the same time. The quantity of the drug should be just enough to induce symptoms and pathological changes in the organism, by its dynamic influence, and not by any chemical action. It would be next to impossible to administer Phosphorus in sufficient quantities to set up any mechanical action ; but with such drugs as Mercury, Stannum, or Podophyllum; sucheffects might be readily obtained. " The chemical action of Phosphorus upon the surfaces with which it comes in contact, would be the most important to be guarded against. It is doubtful if inflammation of the stomach could be produced by minute quantities of this drug; but we know that material doses will cause gastritis, by its actual combustion while in contact with the mucous coats of the stomach. Such chemicai symptoms would be worthless to us, when obtained. Only the specific, dynamic effects of a medicine are of value in a strictly therapeutic point of view. " Immediately after the ingestion of the drug, the first symptoms should be watched for and carefully noted ; then all the unmistak- able drug symptoms which arise, should be recorded in the natural order in which they appear. The objective and subjective symptoms should be* considered of equal importance. It matters not how minutely the subjective symptoms, the aches, pains, and sensations be recorded, but we insist that all the objective phenomena; should have an equally conspicuous place. Hahnemann, himself, once insisted upon this very proposition, for in speaking of Belladonna particularly, he savs :—' We want to know what organs it deranges functionally, what It modifies in other ways, what nerves it principally benumbs or excites, what alterations it effects in the circulation and in the diges-. tive operations, how it affects the mind, how the disposition, what influence it exerts over the secretions, what modifications the muscular XIV INTRODUCTION. fibre receives from it, how long its action lasts, and by what means it is rendered powerless. " Now, the investigation of the properties of a medicine in this way, would leave nothing to be desired. Could Hahnemann have availed himself of the labors of a Brown-Sequard, a Lchmann, or Rokitansky, what a complete Materia Medica he would have written. But this requirement was far beyond what his times afforded, and he did the best that was possible under the circumstances. "Dr. Dudgeon asks: 'Ought we not to strive to attain the theoretical standard proposed by Hahnemann ? And how is this to be obtained ? ' I answer, by a more scientific character to our Materia Medica; by treating our pathogenetic provings in a thor- oughly scientific manner; by bringing to bear on the action of medicines the aids and appliances of the microscope, chemical analysis, and the ascertained principles {not the theoretical surmises) of modern physiology. This is now being done by some members of our school; and if we were all animated by the same noble zeal, we should soon rescue the school from the reproach of its unscientific character, which is so continually urged against it by adherents of so-called rational medicine. '■ When we shall have recorded all the subjective and objective symptoms in the manner above stated, we shall have what we will term a true physiological proving. But we must consider that it would endanger the life of any individual, to carry our experiments so far as to get all the objective phenomena desirable. What shall we do to perfect our pathogeneses ? I answer, by subjecting to the slow action of drugs, some of the lowest animals, after the manner of some of the greatest physiologists of the age. Already have Curie, in France, and some members of our profession in this country, begun the laudable work. Such experiments I would term pathological provings. By such investigations, we could learn the ultimate effects of drugs ; what structural changes they cause in the tissues, and what extensive organico-pathological conditions they can induce. The experiments of the physiologists of the allopathic school were crude and unsatisfactory. They destroyed life with huge mechanical or chemical doses of drugs, and the results are of little value to our , school. Our aim should be, not only to cause death, but to cause disease, of longer or shorter duration, and then by a careful scien- tific analysis of the artificial malady, classify it and determine its INTRODUCTION. xv character, in order that we may use it as a guide in the selection of a remedy wherewith to combat a similar, and ascertained disease, existing in the human body. " Do not deem these views Utopian in their character ! Much more than is here advised will yet be attained, and some of you will live to see the day when just such provings shall be made. Aye, more ! Some of you may live to look upon the realization of a dream which has haunted me for years—an Inconographic Materia Medica. Let me illustrate. Going back to our first proposition of a proving of Phosphorus, we will suppose all the subjective and objective symptoms recorded in strictly scientific language, but in addition to this written pathogenesis we have correct drawings of all the pathological changes ; of all the organic alterations in various organs and tissues, upon which the drug exerted its poisonous influence. Let us call to our aid the photographer and the painter, and invest the delineations of morbid specimens, with all the wonderful similitude with those arts are capable of creating. " With such an illustrated Materia Medica would not the Art of Healing be so far perfected as to leave little to be desired, and so enhance our skill in the management of disease as to rob it of half its terrors 1 "We will now suppose such a Materia Medica attainable, we will also suppose the existence of works on Diagnosis and Pathology, similarly illustrated, or, that all are combined in one complete work, in beautiful and massive volumes. What then would be the status of the practice of medicine 1 We will imagine the young physician just returned from a visit to a child, ill with malignant scarlatina. He turns to his library and finds written down the subjective symptoms of similar cases ; and he also finds a written description of the objective symptoms, the latter illustrated with colored plates, the whole giving a striking portrait of the case he has just visited. " He now turns to his Iconographic Materia Medica, and finds, it may be, in the pathogenesis of Belladonna or Apis, all the subjective symptoms of the case ; and more satisfactory still, he finds that the objective symptoms correspond, and the conditions of the skin, the throat and the mucous surfaces, are in every way similar to the case under investigation. XVI INTRODUCTION. "What, I ask, would be the result of this method of study ? What the consequence of this correspondence between the malady, the illustrated pathology and pathogenesis of a drug in the Materia Medica ? " Would it not be the selection of a remedy whose action would be eminently specific to the totality of the symtoms, and therefore curative? Would it not elevate medicine to the position of one of the exact sciences ? Would it not strip disease of half its terror, and much of its fatality ?" * * * # * * ^ESCULUS GLABRA. (Fatid or Ohio Buckeye.) Analogues : JEsculus hippocastanum. Aloes. Collinsonia. Gymnocladus. Ignatia. Nux vomica. Botanical Description.—This is a large tree growing abundantly in the rich alluvial bottom lands of Ohio, and other States watered by the Ohio river. The bark exhales an unpleasant odor, as in the rest of the genus. Flowers small, not showy, stamens curved, much longer than the pale yellow corolla of four upright petals. Fruit prickly when young. Leaves opposite, digitate. Leaflets five, serrate, straight-veined, like a chestnut leaf. This species belongs to the JEsculus proper, along with the JE, hippo., and differs from the division " Pavia," in having fruit covered with prickles when young. In the Pavia, the fruit is smooth. Of the latter there are two species, namely : iE. flava, (Sweet Buckeye) with varieties, purpurescens, and discolor, and yEsculus pavia (Red Buckeye). These may all possess medicinal qualities, but the JE. glabra is undoubtedly the most active. The fruit contains the most active poisonous principles. The rind of the fruit, bark and leaves also possess toxical powers. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture prepared from the bark and whole fruit. Triturations, of the whole fruit. General Effects.—It is often eaten by domestic animals ; cattle, in particular, are apt to partake freely of the fruit. In my boyhood, I have seen a great many cows fall yictims to their careless impru- dence in diet. Even when a student of medicine, I have witnessed deaths in cattle from its effects; and it is a matter of sincere regret, now, that I did not make a careful post mortem examination of the animals. The general symptoms exhibited in cases of poisoning in animals may be summed up as follows : 1. Distention of the stomach and abdomen ; staggering ; reeling ; apparent loss of sight; constipation. 3 18 NEW REMEDIES. 2. Falling; paralysis of the hinder extremities; "Palsy; wry neck; convulsions ; fixed eyes, and death." There have been cases of poisoning in men and children, who ate of this fruit, but I have not been able to obtain any account of the symptoms exhibited. Two of my pupils once attempted to prove the Buckeye, but did not continue the experiments, on account of the apparent gravity of the few symptoms which manifested themselves. It caused— 1. Vertigo, severe, with reeling like drunken men ; vertigo with nausea ; vertigo with dimness of sight; fullness and heaviness of the head ; confusion of ideas ; a confused stupor ; " thickness " of speech ; loathing of food ; nausea ; cramp in the stomach ; sensation of fullness of the stomach. 2. Great weakness ; trembling of the lower limbs ; a strong ten- dency to contractions of the legs ; constipation. It seems to stand in relation both to Opium and Nux vomica,— possessing some of t e narcotic properties of the former, and the cerebrospinal affinities of the latter. It may be called a cerebro- spinal irritant. The fruit is used to stupefy fish, by the Indians —a decoction of the nut is thrown into the water. Dr. McDowell, who tested the properties of the rind of the fruit, says, " Ten grains of it are equivalent to three grains of Opium." The following theoretical and clinical remarks are all that we have to offer in relation to this medicine : 1. It should prove curative in some forms of vertigo, congestion or gastric cephalalgia, dyspepsia, nausea, vomitiug and constipation. 2. In some severe brain affections the symptom " wry neck" in animals is quite suggestive. Wry neck is not always a rheumatic affection. It may arise from irritation at the base of the brain, or in the cervical region of the cord. It is a symptom of tubercular meningitis, apoplexy, meningitis, and many other brain diseases. When this symptom occurs, during these affections, the iEsculus glabra will be indicated. It will probably prove useful in paralysis of the lower extremities, when Nux vomica fails to cure. It has been used in the treatment of some typhoid symptoms. But its principal use up to this time has been in hemorrhoidal affections. It is a popular belief with many of the country people in Ohio, that the fruit of the Buckeye, carried in the pocket, or worn as an amulet, will act as a prophylactic and curative remedy against the piles. iESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 19 Dr. Hill (Hill & Hunt's Surgery, p. 371,) says, " A number of cures have been reported to us, effected by the use of the Buckeye, taken in repeated small doses." Dr. J. S. Douglas considers it quite specific in some severe hemorrhoidal diseases. I have prescribed it in constipation and piles, and in some instances got good effects from its use ; in other cases it did not seem to cause any curative action. I gave the -fa and tU dilution. Dr. P. H. Hale reports a case of hsemorrhoids, with very painful external tumors, dark purple, and attended with constipation, vertigo, weakness of the small of the back and lower extremities. All these symptoms, which had continued for several months, were cured in a few weeks by the use of the 1st attenuation. Among the country people in Ohio, it is a common practice to wear one of the nuts of the Buckeye suspended around the neck, and resting against the pit of the stomach, for the cure and prevention of piles. The testimony as to its efficacy when so worn, is strongly in its favor. Is it not possible that enough of the true medicinal princi- ple is absorbed to act in a curative manner 1 MJLUS HIPPOCASTANUM, (Horse- Chestnut.) Analogues : JEsculus glabra, Aloes, Collinsonia, Ignatia, Citric acid, Nux vomica, Mercurius, Sidphur, Podophyllum, Iris versic, Hydrastis. Botanical Description.—In the language of flowers this tree symbolizes luxury. The beauty of the horse-chestnut consists chiefly in its inflores- cence—surpassing that of almost all our native trees ; the huge clusters of gay blossoms, which every spring are distributed with such luxurience and profusion over the surface of the foliage, and at the extremity of the branches, give the whole tree the aspect of some monster flower, than of an ordinary tree of the largest size. Early in June this beautiful tree puts forth large pyramidal racemes or thyrses of flowers, of pink and white, mottled with red and yellow —finely contrasting with the dark green of its foliage, which has 20 NEW REMEDIES. great grandeur and richness in its depth of hue and massiveness of outline. Order.—Hippocastanacae (sapindaceas, Gray,) genus, aesculus ; species, hippocastanum. Leaves opposite, digitate, of seven obovate- cunate, acute, toothed leaflets, serrate and straight-vincd. Flowers showy, in large terminal thyrsoid racemes or panicles; pedicels articulated. Calyx campanulate of five united sepals. Corolla spreading white, spotted with purple and yellow, and composed of four or five petals, which are irregular, unguiculate, and nearly hypogynous. Stamens usually seven, unequal, inserted on the hypogynous disc. Ovary large, round, echinate when young, dehi- scent, loculicidal, three cornered, three celled, crowned with a single filiform, conical style, containing two ovules in each cell, only one of all of which, sometimes two or even three, matures. These seeds arc very large, shining, roundish, coriaceous, mahogany-colored, with a broad, round, pale hilum, without albumen. The JEsculus Ohioensis {Ohio buckeye) differs from the aesculus hippocastanum in having Jive leaflets — stamens red, curved, much longer than the corolla, which consists of four upright yellow petals # Fruit prickly when young, but smooth at maturity, about half the size of the hippocastanum. This tree is small in size, and exhales an unpleasant odor, particularly while in flower. History.—The horse-chestnut is a highly ornamental tree, and is greatly admired for its majestic proportions, and for the beauty of its flowers and foliage. It grows rapidly, and often attains the height of forty or fifty feet. It is a native of middle Asia, but flourishes well in the temperate climates of both hemispheres. Its genus comprises about twelve known species, the genus JEsculus, however, is incomparably the finest, and is the only one found in the Northern States, and this, even, is not indigenous in New England. It was introduced into Europe nearly three centuries ago by Baron Ungnad, ambassador of the Ottoman Porte, who, in the year 1576, sent the seeds of the common horse-chestnut to Clausius, at Vienna. It is now extensively cultivated as an ornamental tree in Europe as well as in this country. The name JEsculus was originally applied to a species of oak, also to a tree which bore esculent fruit, and probably is derived from esca ■—" food." It was transferred to this genus by Linnseus to the exclusion of the earlier and more appropriate name of "hippocasta- num " {horse-chestnut), on account of the resemblance of the large seeds to chestnuts, and because the Turks often grind them into a ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUMr 21 coarse flour, which is mixed with other food, and given to horses which are broken-winded. In the Southern and Western States there are several species, which bear the name of buck-eye, from a resemblance of the seeds to the eye of that animal. Medicinal Properties.—The timber is not valuable. The large farinaceous seeds contain a considerable amount of nourishment, which is rendered unavailable, because of the intensely bitter and narcotic principle with which they are charged. Common horse- chestnuts, nevertheless, with some precautions, are largely and advantageously used in Switzerland for fattening sheep. They are also eaten eagerly by deer, horses and oxen. Starch prepared from them is superior to that of wheat, and excels as an article of diet, that of the potato. Paste prepared from them is preferable to any other, not only because possessing great tenacity, but also from the fact, that no moths or vermin will attack anything cemented with it. They have been recommended as a substitute for coffee. They contain sparingly a saponaceous principle. The young leaves are aromatic, and have been used instead of hops in brewing beer. The roots contain a mucilaginous and saponaceous matter, which is thought to be poisonous. Active and poisonous properties prevail in the root, seeds, bark and foliage. The bark has little odor, but an astringent and bitter, though not disagreeable taste. It contains, among other ingredients, bitter extractive and tannin, and imparts its virtues to boiling water. Its active constituent is supposed to be tannin, hence it has been employed in tanning. It is recommended as a tonic, astringent, nar- cotic, and antiseptic; in fevers as a febrifuge, for gangrene, and as an errhine. A strong decoction is recommended as a lotion to gangrenous ulcers. It has attracted much attention in Europe, as a substitute for Cinchona, although it certainly cannot be considered comparable to Peruvian Bark in its power over intermittents It is at present seldom used, and never in this country. The bark of the branches from three to five years old is considered the best. It should be collected in spring. The powdered kernel snuffed up the nostrils produces sneezing, and has been used with advantage as a sternutatory in complaints of the head and eyes. In Europe the oil at present is a fashionable remedy for gout and rheumatism. Maceration in an alkaline solution removes 22 NEW REMEDIES. the bittter principle. ^Esculine is the name given to the extractive matter. Hahnemann thus speaks of it : "We can, from the morbid effects which the bark is able to produce, form a just estimate of its medi- cinal powers, and determine whether it is suitable for pure intermit- tent fever, or some of its varieties. The sole phenomenon we know belonging to it is, that it produces a constrictive feeling in the chest. It will accordingly be found useful in (periodical) spasmodic asthma." Dr. Buchmann introduces the provings in the following words :— "Horse-chestnuts have been occasionally used as a popular remedy, and the favorable results heard from their use in glandular swellings of horses, in chronic catarrhs of the respiratory passages and of the intestinal canal, determined me to undertake a careful proving of them on the healthy, in order to ascertain if their vaunted curative powers were on the homoeopathic principle." The following provings were made with various preparations of the medicine, ranging from massive doses of the crude drug, to the second trituration. They are given complete, in order that the physician may see the order of appearance of the symptoms and their concomitants. It is usually prepared by grating the nut, after removing the shell. When dry it can easily be reduced to a fine powder. Tritu- rations are made as of any other homoeopathic remedy. [It is also prepared in the form of tincture.—Ed.] PROVING BY C W. BOYCE, M. D., OF AUBURN, N. Y. August 24. Toook ten grains of the first decimal trituration at 9 a. m. Nausea immediately. Constant desire to swallow, with feeling of dryness and stiffness of the throat when swallowing. August 28. At 11 a. m. took ten grains of the same preparation. Nausea immediately. Constant nausea. Feeling of dryness and roughness of the throat, as if from taking cold. At 5 p. m. took ten grains more. Nausea. For two following days constant tendency to diarrhoea. Almost constant inclination to stool, but without any/ or very slight evacuations. September 12. At 9 a. m., took ten grains of the same prepara- tion. Nausea immediately. Sick feeling in the stomach all day, with increase of appetite. At 4 p. m., took ten grains more. Nausea. Salivation. Metallic taste in the mouth. Sensation and dryness of the rectum, At 8 p. m., took ten grains more Nausea. The thought of the medicine is unbearable. Dryness of the throat. Dryness and itching ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 23 in the rectum, with feeling of stiffness of the skin and adjacent cellular tissue, continuing for several days. September 24. At 3 p. m,, took ten grains. Nausea immediately. Diarrhoea for twenty-four hours following. September 26. At 4 p. M.,took ten grains. Nausea immediately. Increase of saliva. The taste of the drug remained in the mouth several hours. Diarrhoea of ingesta. For several days following there was a sensation as if the mucous membrane of the rectum was thickened, obstructing the passage of faaces. Dryness of the passage for several clays, followed by a secretion of moisture. Soreness of the rectum, with a feeling as if something would pass off all the time. I induced several other persons te make a few trials, but with no result except increased salivation. October 3. At 3 p. m., took ten grains of the first decimal tritu- ration. Nausea immediately, and continuing all the afternoon. Dryness of the throat. Dryness of the rectum. October 4. At 1 p. m., took ten grains. Nausea. Increase of saliva. Dryness of the larynx, with tickling, scraping feeling of the laryngopharyngeal mucous membrane. Sensation of swelling of the nasal mucous membrane, as if from taking cold. Sneezing. October 5. At 9 a. m., took ten grains. Sensation of dryness and stiffness of the glottis, and all the pharyngo-laryngeal mucous membrane. Slight nausea. At 2 p. m., took ten grains. Increase of the dry feeling in the throat, followed by secretion of mucus, quite like the second stage of catarrh. Dry uncomfortable feeling in the rectum, which feels as if it were filled with small sticks. October 6. At 2 p. m., took ten grains. Painful dryness of the throat, lasting six hours. Feeling of prostration of the whole system. Great repugnance to the drug. October 7. At 10 a. m., took ten grains. Nausea. Increase of the saliva. At 4 p. m., took ten grains. Nausea. Desire for a pas- sage from the bowels without result. Desire to remain at stool a long time, with straining. Excessive dryness of the rectum, with feeling of heat. At 9 p. m., took ten grains. Nausea immediately, with ineffectual attempts to evacuate the bowels. Feeling in the rectum as though folds of the mucous membrane obstructed the passage, and as if, were the effort continued, the rectum would protrude. October 10. There has been during the past three days soreness in the rectum, with increased secretion of mucus. Frequent inclina- tion for and ineffectual efforts at stool. At 3 p. m., took ten grains. 24 NEW REMEDIES. Nausea as soon as the drug was taken. At 8 p. m., took ten grains. Nausea. October 11. Early in the morning a feeling of emptiness and gnawing in the stomach. At 10 a. m., took ten grains. Nausea. Dryness of the throat after eating. After eating the stomach feels full, as if the walls were greatly thickened. Considerable pain in the stomach for four or five hours after eating, which continues until after taking food again. Dyspepsia. Quite severe pain in the right side of the head above the temple. Metallic taste in the mouth. Increase of secretion from the submaxillary glands. Good appetite. Dryness and soreness of the rectum. At 3 p. m., took ten grains. Soreness of the tip of the tongue, like that produced by ulcers. Thinking of the drug always produced nausea. The dryness of the rectum is followed by increased secretion of mucus. PROVING BY DR. T. C. DUNCAN. iEt 24, nervo-bilious temperament, predisposed to weakness of bowels from protracted diarrhoea while in the U. S. service. Medical student; studies hard, walks about eight miles per day. May 6, 1865. Weather has changed to very cold. Feel slightly chilly at times. Slept well but hard. Rose at 5.45 a. m. Busy bodily till 7.30. Breakfasted. At 10 a. m. took JEsculus hipp. gtt., xij, second decimal dilution of the macerated nut,. macerated three months in pure alcohol. Symptoms : Slight nausea, eructations ; slight uneasiness in region of left causality ; shooting pain in left eye ; loss of memory, unable to fix the attention ; soreness in epigastrium; pain in back of neck; pressure in region of right ear ; great heat in internal organs, or near the epigastrium. Stool at 2 p. m. 8 p. m: Continual pain in back, shoulders and neck, at times with pricking sensations, fullness in both ears ; pain in right nasal bone. Coryza profuse, with a feeling of fullness in the nose and forehead, as if had taken cold. Fullness at epigastrium ; fullness and itching at the anus after walking a mile ; pricking in hands after washing them ; feeling of languor; dull pain in back ; nausea three hours after tea. May 7th, 6 a. m. Slept well, but felt very sore on waking ; eyes filled with tears ; left nostril filled with thick mucus, right one empty, pressure in bone on left side of nose ; same at root of nose ; pain, dull and heavy, in back of neck ; posterior nares empty, used to be full of mucus in the morning; itching in anus with some heat. At 8 a. m., took 15 gtts. Pain in neck ; confusion of ideas ; heat and pressure at the anus. No stool to-day ; have not studied any. JESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 25 May 8th, 7 a. m. Slept well, awoke at the usual hour. Took 20 gtts. of 1st dilution. Nausea ; mouth and pharynx feels irritated ; pressure, burning, itching and fullness at anus ; rubbing will produce extreme flow of blood to the part; flashes of heat over body ; soreness of neck with pricking sensations ; heart, lungs, stomach and brain feel as if an undue amount of blood was there ; twitching over region of heart. Stool at 8 a. m. Very costive, great straining, feces in balls ; urine hot; fullness of the skin as though there was too much blood in body. Rubbing after washing the face produces red spots under the skin ; swelling of feet after walking usual distance ; soreness of corns ; soreness of throat ; mind clear ; optical illusions ; calves of legs sore ; mucous surface of mouth and pharj^nx dry ; mucus ropy with a sweetish taste ; frequent urination. May 9th, 6 a. m. Slept hard ; distressing dreams ; thought was in a battle ; fought hard; great excitement. Awoke troubled, and found I was lying on my back; turned on right side; thought I saw a man in my room. Went to sleep again ; awoke at 5:30; felt very sore all over, especially calves of legs, muscles of thighs, back, shoulders and neck; also of upper extremities and chest; feet still much swollen ; slight enlargement of cervical glands ; sore to touch ; limbs feel heavy, stiffness of joints, fullness of dependant parts. Mouth and pharynx dry and sore, deglutition difficult ; taking full breath causes soreness over and in lungs, with great rush of blood ; fullness at epigastrium ; anus sore ; bowels torpid ; urine hot and clear. Neuralgic pains in arms, nose feels sore and full; back of head feels heavy; mind gets confused; thoughts rapid; unable to fix attention; eyes clear, pupils dilated, contract slowly, tries to keep from winking ; much wind in bowels. Hypersesthesia of scalp ; stretches and yawns, soreness of right side of scalp. This is the side which rested on the pillow. Extremely irritable ; loses temper easy and obtains control over it again but slowly. 8:30 a. m., took 30 gtts. 1st dec. dil.' 9 a. m., sharp, darting pains in the trachea, producing tittilation, coughing, mouth and pharynx dry; heat in stomach and thorax ; rumbling of bowels ; expulsion of flatus ; ineffectual attempt at stool ; soreness of anus ; great heat all over the whole body; fullness, yawning with stretching, followed by chilly sensations. Riding in the cool air produces great chilliness; ptyalism with an oily taste ; dryness of posterior nares ; twitching of eyes ; mind very clear, with a light feeling of anterior lobes ; poste- rior part of head and cerebellum feel heavy and dull; limbs ache when weight of body rest on them ; feet swell, corns very sore ; tendo 26 NEW REMEDIES. achilles sore ; weak in joints, great pain in sacro-lumbar region; pain on walking erect; dull pain in shoulders and arms, weakness of hands, not able to control the muscles to write well; sore on motion ; nails blue, sharp, darting pain in left fore arm, numbness, with prickly sensations ; tenderness of right hypocondriac region ; pain at umbilicus ; retention of urine, passed after several trials, urine hot and clear ; dull aching pain at anus, fullness of rectum. 1 p. m. Appetite but little; distention was the only sign which told me to stop eating; belching of wind ; expulsion of flatus ; darting pains in region of heart, with fullness and palpitation. 10 p. m. Light and giddy pain in right eye while near light, twitching of eyelids, soreness of balls of eyes ; head feels heavy, dull, especially in region of right ear ; catarrh, fullness of nose, pres- sure of forehead, especially at root of nose ; lips feel hot, increased flow of saliva from submaxilliary glands ; palate and posterior nares feel dry, heat down the oesophagus ; burning in stomach ; feel .as if contained warm water; fullness of right hypocondriac region ; pain at umbilicus ; itching of whole body, especially around waist. Great expulsion of flatus. 10:30 p. m. Great pressure in rectum, fullness of colon ; must have stool; great straining with shivering, expulsion of about eight inches of feces, like a rope, solid, knotty, first half dark, rest quite light in color ; great soreness of anus, sphincter ani unable to con- tract; about one-half inch protrusion, which I had to push up; great burning and itching of anus. Very drowsy all day and soon went to sleep. May 10th, 6 a. m. Awoke disinclined to rise ; feel as if I had not slept; had troubled dreams'; must have slept onmy back. Great drow- siness ; want to go to sleep again ; eyes heavy, dull pain in forehead over right eye ; great pain around loins, especially in the sacro-lum- bar region, soreness at umbilicus, tenderness in right hypocondriac region, very sore all over, malaise, fullness at root of nose (frontal sinus) ; posterior nares, fauces and oesophagus very dry ; heat in stomach ; twitching in region of heart; expulsion of flatus ; soreness of testicles ; flow of saliva from submaxillary glands ; yawning and stretching; urine very clear and increased in quantity. 9:30 a.m. I will not take any more to-day, as I am too sore and languid to attend to business. I will notice when it loses its effects. Head feels dull over temple ; gloomy forebodings ; at times feel as if I was going to have spasms or convulsions ; spasms of muscles of limbs ; dull heavy pressure on cerebellum. Yesterday when I had those darting pains ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 27 in the trachea, I had a feeling as if death was impending : but this was followed by an exalted condition of brain and nervous system ; thoughts flowed free, easy and clear; felt a glow of heat all over the surface ; pressure of hat on forehead leaves a large red spot; itching of testicles ; dull, shifting pain in left hypocondriac region ; stinging in hands ; pulse accelerated ; pain in sound tooth, teeth feel as if covered with oil; tongue slightly coated, dirty white ; unable to articulate long words distinctly ; cannot control the tongue so as to form the words aright; feels as if swollen ; stitch in region of lower lobe of left lung, relieved when passing urine. Abdomen tender to touch. 11a.m. Great stretching; mind is cloudy; dull, heavy, frontal headache; thorax feels constricted; hawks up ropy mucus; fullness of upper part of throat. 6 p. m. Dull and heavy shooting pain through or near belt of penis ; dull weight in forehead, eyes feel heaw ; pain in back of neck ; fullness at root of nose ; dryness of fauces ; increased flow of mucus from nasal passages ; soreness of epigastrium ; tenderness of abdomen; soreness, burning, itching at anus ; pain and soreness of temporal region; soreness of parotids when exposed to wind ; soreness of muscles of arms, back and lower extremities, especially of small of back. Soreness of tendo achilles, skin dry and hot, flush of blood to face soon after rubbing it; when cold air strikes, skin feels chilly and teeth chatter; appetite less than normal; feci dull, gloomy, despondent; tenderness and soreness of stomach ; dryness of oesophagus ; expulsion of feces ; drawing of left testicle ; transient pains in the genitals ; skin as sensitive to cold, not quite as sore ; no stool. May 11th, 6 a. m. Rose at 5:30. Not so sore as yesterday morning. Throat and fauces very dry and sore; fullness in forehead and root of nose ; tenderness of epigastrium, also right hypocondriac region ; eyes feel heavy, muscular soreness not quite as great. 12 m. Stool of hard, impacted feces, with great soreness of anus ; itching, burning and protrusion of anus ; soreness of bowels ; muscular sore- ness not so great, heavy cloudy mind growing lighter, clearer and more buoyant; great dryness of fauces. All the symptoms seem to be gradually lessening. 10 p. m. Not so fatigued to-night. May 12th, 10 a. m. Not so tired this morning. Spirits feel buoyant; throat not so sore or dry. A small stool at 9:30, thin, watery, lighter colored, and some tenesmus ; bowels feel as if I had had a severe diarrhoea. Weak ; head clear ; it fatigues me to walk much ; appetite grows better; feel disinclined to study, and wanting rest. 28 NEW REMEDIES. PROVING BY W. WARREN, M. D., OF DEERFIELD, N. Y. Read be/ore the Oneida County Horn. Med. Society. Dr. Woodward Warren, aged thirty-six, nervo-bilious tempera- ment, subject to bilious and gastric derangements. May 22. Took two grains of first decimal trituration at 4 p. m. In half an hour felt a dull, pressing and pricking in the fauces, with a sensation of fullness in the epigastrium, with empty eructations, followed immediately by burning in the stomach and bowels. At 5.45, dull pains in the head, here and there, but principally in the right temple and occiput, followed by dull stitches in the forehead and temple. At 5.30, colic, with pinching pains in the right hypo- chondrium ; empty eructations. At 6.30, fine pricking pains around the umbilicus. May 29. Took two grains of second decimal triturations at 2 a. m. At 2.26, felt a dull pressure in the forehead, with a slight feeling of nausea in the stomach followed immediately by stitches in the right hypochondrium. At 2.45, bruised feeling in the occiput, with feeling of lameness in the back of the neck. At 3.30, pressure in the rectum with inclination to stool, with empty eructations. At 4.45, ineffectual efforts to stool. At 8.25, feeling of constriction in the rectum. May 30. At 6 a. m., difficult scanty stool. At 8 a. m., took three grains of first decimal trituration. In ten minutes coppery taste in the mouth, with increased flow of saliva. At 8.30, dull pain in the occiput, extending to the ears ; fine stitches in the left temple, with slight feeling of nausea in the stomach. At 9 o'clock, feeling of lameness and weariness in the back of the neck, and small of the back. At 10 a. m., empty eructations. May 31. Took two grains of second trituration at 8.30 a. m. At 9, copious soft stool, followed by burning, and a feeling of swelling and constriction in the rectum. At 9.15, empty eructations. At 9.30, slight burning and nausea in the stomach, with increased flow of saliva; fine stitching in the left hypochondrium. At 9.45, con- fused feeling in the head ; giddiness. At 10, dull pain in the occiput, with flushes of heat in the integuments of the occiput, back of the neck and shoulders. At 11.25, burning in the ears. June 7. Took five grains of second decimal trituration at 12 a. m. At 12.30, coppery taste, with increased flow of saliva, and a dull, pressing pain in the left hypochondrium. At 12.45, dull pain in the left temple ; giddiness and confused feeling in the head; sharo, biting and stinging pain in the fauces and tip of the tongue. At 1 p, m., rumbling in the hypogastrium, with cutting pains around the iESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 29 umbilicus ; burning and stinging deep in the left orbit, as if the pain surrounded the ball of the eye, with a feeling of coldness in the eye. At 1.15, heat in the integuments of the occiput, extending to the ears. At 1.30, cutting in the left inguinal region ; slight nausea with empty eructations. At 2.30, general feeling of malaise, with dull, stupefy- ing feeling in the head. At 4 p. m., dull pain in the occiput, and lame feeling in the small of the back. June 8. At 7 a. m., difficult, hard stool, followed by burning and feeling of constriction in the rectum. At 9 a. m., took three grains cf second trituration. At 9.45, stinging and burning in the soft palate and posterior nares ; bitter taste, and increased flow of saliva. At 10, vertigo, with sensation of balancing in the head ; throbbing in the right frontal eminence. At 10.15, empty eructations, with burn- ing in the stomach, and fine, pricking pains around the umbilicus. At 10.20, sharp, pressing pain in the right temple. At 2 p. m., lameness, and sensation as if strained in the right lumbar region, extending to the gluteal muscle. PROVING BY H. M. PAINE, M. D., OF CLINTON, N. Y. Read before the Oneida County Homeopathic Medical Society. September 28. In usual health. Took ten drops of the pure alcoholic tincture at 10 p. m. September 29. Took ten drops at 10 p. m. September 30. Took thirty drops at 10 p. m. October 1. Headache, general, through the whole head. A' sensation of fullness in all the upper part of the head. Vertigo, very annoying all the afternoon. General malaise. October 2. Experienced a repetition of similar symptoms again to-day. Disappeared after 4 o'clock, p. m. Took forty drops at 9 p. m. Observed a few minutes after a quick, severe, griping pain in the epigastric region. It continued about half an hour. Octobor 3. Feel miserably, cross, disinclination to perform any labor. Headache in the upper part of the head. The pain is uniform and constant. The sensation is that of fullness and pressure rather than acute pain. Vertigo, quite troublesome. The above symptoms continued till toward evening, and then disappeared. At 10 p. m., took forty drops. Experienced a severe griping pain in the epigas- trium a few minutes after taking the drug. It continued until I fell asleep—about half an hour. It extended from the stomach to the umbilical region, and appeared to be produced by flatus, as there was at the same time quite a perceptible sensation of motion in the bowels. 30 NEW REMEDIES. October 4. Few abnormal sensations to-day. No headache. Slight vertigo. Took forty drops at 9 p. m. October 6. Sore throat, quite troublesome in the forenoon ; none in the afternoon. For the first time since commencing the proving had rather a difficult stool. Took forty drops at 9 p. m. October 7. Slight soreness in the pharynx during the day. Rather a difficult stool about noon, followed for an hour by a slight soreness, aching and fullness in he rectum, indicating piles. Took fifty drops at 9 p. m. The taste of the drug is at fii it intensely bitter, and is peculiarly unpleasant and nauseous. The itter taste is soon displaced by a pleasant sweetish flavor, very siwilar to that of ordinary liquorice root. This sweet taste remains about an hour. Immediately on taking the drug there is a sensation of scraping, irritation, or burning, extending from the mouth to the stomach. It usually passes off in an hour or two. It remains longer in the stomach than in the throat. Another very unpleasant sensation experienced immediately on taking the drug is nausea. It is transient, recurring at short intervals, and usually disappears in about half an hour. PROVING BY W. H. BURT, M. D. The following thorough proving was made by Dr. Burt. March 14th, 1864. At 10 a. m., took 10 grains of the first dec. trituration of the dried nut; 11 a. m., neuralgic pain in the region of causality (right), darts towards the left, with a constrictive feeling of the skin of the forehead, followed by flying pains in the epigastric region (lower right lobe of the liver) ; constrictive feeling of the fauces ; 12 m., neuralgic pain in the region of the heart lasted one minute, with frequent pains in the epigastric region. Dull, aching pain in the small of the back, very much aggravated by walking. 1 p. m., there has been very frequent neuralgic pains in the region of the apex of the heart and stomach, with a severe, dull, aching pain in the lumbar region. 4 p. m., constant, dull, aching pain in the small of the back, aggravated by motion—took 20 grs. 5 p. m.. slight frontal headache, acrid constrictive feeling in the fauces—there has been frequent sharp pains in the region of the apex of the heart and stomach, constant, quite severe, aching pain from the pit of the stom ach to the right lobe of the liver, slight backache, knees ache severely. 10 p. m., there has been frequent flying pains in the fore- head and temples, feeling as if something had lodged in the fauces that produces a constant inclination to swallow, good deal of distress ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 31 in the stomach, and flying pains in the bowels, very severe and constant backache, knees ache severely—took 20 grs., no stool. 15th. Called up three times through the night, back ached very hard all night, and is still aching ; 7 a. m., took 20 grs.; 12 m., dull frontal headache, fauces feeling very dry and constricted, burning dis- tress in the stomach, frequent eructations of air, very tired and languid, back aches severely. 9 p. m., there has been frequent pains in the umbilical and hypogastric regions all day, but they were not very severe, dull headache ; no stool. 16th. Up most of the night with the sick ; very hard and dry stool at 7 a. m., followed by colicky pain in the umbilicus, and severe cutting pains in the anus. Took 10 grs. at 9 a. m. 10:30—For the last hour there has been constant burning distress in the epigastric and umbilicus regions, with a very severe aching pain in the lumbar region, very painful when trying to walk ; occasional neuralgic pains in the forehead and apex of the heart; dry feeling of the fauces with frequent inclination to swallow. 11 a. m., dull frontal headache ; severe constrictive feeling of the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow ; constant burning distress, with a constrictive feeling of the lower part of the chest; frequent pains in apex of the heart ; con- stant, dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, with a very severe headache; walking is very painful. 12—Pulse 68, soft and weak ; dull frontal headache, with fluent coryza ; constant burning distress in the stomach ; dull, aching pain in the lumbar region ; took 40 grs. 3 p. m., slight frontal headache, with great tightness of the skin of the forehead. At 1 p. m. there was great constriction of the fauces, with great irritation of the epiglottis that produced a dry hacking cough ; does not trouble me now ; there has been constant burning distress in the stomach and bowels, with a severe fluttering sensation in the pit of the stomach, lasting five minutes at a time ; came on five different times ; empty eructations; frequent dull aching pains in the right hypochondriac region ; dull pains in the umbilicus, sometimes they are very sharp ; constant dull backache ; weariness in the small of the back; tearing pains in the small of the back and hips when walking ; weariness, with faintness at the pit of the stomach. 5 p. m., dull headache ; frequent neuralgic pains in the fauces, with fre- quent inclination to swallow; constant burning distress j in the stomach : severe aching pain in the lumbar region. 9 p. m.—Frequent twitching of the muscles under the left eye ; stomach and bowels distress me very much. 17th. Was up all night with my wife who has a violent attack of 32 NEW REMEDIES. diphtheria, compelled to stop my provings ; feeling very much pros- trated ; back aching violently ; walking is almost impossible ; great desire for stool. At 5 a. m., a very hard and dry knotty stool, voided with great difficulty; violent backache all day; almost impossible to get up after sitting down. 18th. Slight backache all day ; no stool. 19th. Hard stool, followed by a prolapsed feeling of the anus. 20th. No stool. 21st. Natural stool. 22d. Feeling well; took 20 grs. of the pure pulverized nut at 10:30 a. m. 11 a. m.—Severe smarting of the eyes ; tongue feeling as if it had been scalded, with great constriction of the fauces ; con- stant dull pain in the region of the naval. 11:45 a. m.—Severe neuralgic pain in the region of the heart; it is so painful that it arrests the breathing ; lasted 10 minutes ; dull aching pain in the right hypochondriac region ; back commencing to ache severely. 12 m.—Dull frontal headache, with a constricted feeling of the skin of the forehead ; great dryness of the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow ; dull burning distress in the stomoch ; severe neuralgic pain in the right inguinal region ; constant backache, affecting the sacrum and hips, very much aggravated by walking and stooping forward; pulse 70. 3 p. m.—Slight frontal headache ; great dryness of the fauces ; constant and severe burning in the stomach, with a very severe backache in the lumbar region. 6 p. m.—There has been frequent flying pains in the forehead and temples all day ; fauces feeling constricted, with frequent dull pains on each side of the tonsils ; they look very dark and congested ; frequent eructations ; constant burning distress in the stomach ; frequent and long, lasting, dull pains in the right hypochondriac region ; dull backache. 9 p. m. —Great distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, and a very urgent desire for stool, with rumbling in the bowels ; a very large and hard stool, voided with great difficulty, followed by severe pains in the anus, with a feeling as if a portion of the anus was protruded, accompanied with dull pains in the umbilical and hypogastric regions ; this feeling lasted all night and until late in the morning, with a very severe backache in the lower part of the lumbar and sacral regions. 23d. Slept soundly ; feeling quite well, excepting a feeling as if a portion of the anus was prolapsed, with a dull backache; flat slimy taste in the mouth. 9 a. m., took 30 grs. 11 a. m.—Frequent flying pains through the temples ; profuse secretion of mucus in the nostrils, with coryza. The acridity in the mouth and fauces is very slight; ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 33 constant and severe burning distress in the stomach, with an inclina- tion to vomit; constant dull, aching pain in the right hypochondriac region, and region of the gall bladder ; burning, aching distress in the umbilicus ; constant dull pain across the hips and sacrum ; sharp pains in the region of the apex of the heart. 3 p. m.—Feeling very depressed and low spirited ; constant dull, burning, aching pain in the epigastric and umbilical regions ; the greatest pain is in the pyloric portion of the stomach ; at 4:30 p. m. took 30 grains. 6 p. m.—Great congestion of the tonsils and soft palate ; frequent sharp, neuralgic pains in the region of the heart, with a great burning in the same region ; constant and very severe burning in the stomach and bowels ; very hard to endure the burning distress ; feeling faint and weak; very severe backache, worse by motion. 9 p. m.—Frequent flying pains in the temples ; constant dull, burning pain in the pyloric por- tion of the stomach; constant dull pains in the right hypochondriac region, aggravated by walking ; dull pains in the umbilicus ; very urgent desire for stool. 7 p. m.—Very hard, dry stool, followed by pain in the anus ; frequent stitches in the region of the heart; dull aching pain in the sacrum. 24th. Slept well, but awoke three times and found I had a dull, burning pain in the stomach ; sweet, flat, slimy taste in the mouth ; tongue very much coated yellow ; fauces congested; constant dull pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach; very severe pain in the small of the back and hips when getting up, not much after moving a minute or so ; pulse 76. 10 a. m.—Severe burning distress in the stomach (superior cardiac portion). Took 30 grs. 12 m.; pulse 72 ; constant burning, aching distress in the epigastric region, with constant dull, aching pains in the right hypochondriac region ; constant dull backache ; frequent pains in the region of the apex of the heart and between the shoulders. 2 p. m.—Great desire for stool; stool, first part black and hard, the last part~ about the natural consistence, but almost white as milk, showing that the secretion of bile is almost completely suspended ; the stool was followed by severe tearing pains in the anus ; constant burning distress in the epigastric region ; the small of my back aches so severely that it is almost impossible to stoop down, or to get up when sitting down. 4 p. m., took 40 grains. 6 p. m.—Severe congestion of the tonsils and soft palate, with a con- stant aching distress in them; constant aching, burning distress in the epigastrium ; constant dull, aching distress in the right lower lobe of the liver; the backache is very severe when moving. 9 p. m. — Constant aching distress in the tonsils and fauces, with frequent 3 34 NEW REMEDIES. inclination to swallow ; the burning, aching distress in the epigastrium is almost unendurable, it makes me feel very faint and weak ; constant dull, aching distress in the right lobe of the liver ; great pain in the back and hips when trying to move ; legs aching severely, feeling so weak that I must lie down all the timo. 25th. Slept soundly ; feeling so weak, and my back pains me so much when trying to move, that it is with great difficulty that I can get up ; moving produces violent pains in the sacrum and hips ; very severe frontal headache ; flat, bitter taste in the mouth ; tongue coated yellowish white ; tonsils and soft palate very much congested, but no enlargement; constant pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach; dull, aching distress in the right liver ; urine very high colored ; good deal of dull, aching pain between the shoulders. 12 m., have had a very hard frontal headache all day; back and legs have ached so severely that I was compelled to lie down all the forenoon ; feeling very feverish, hands hot and dry ; pulse 66, soft and weak ; disposi tion to stretch and yawn all the time ; feeling as if I had the ague ; great deal of distress in the epigastrium and liver. 3 p m.—Feeling very weary and low-spirited. Took 30 grs. 6 p. m.—Constant distress in the stomach, with frequent pains through the bowels; back pains severely when moving. 9 p. m.— Great desire for stool; stool about natural consistence, followed by a prolapsed feeling of the anus, 26th. Slept soundly ; back pains me when first moving, otherwise feeling well. 10 a. m.—Slight pain in the epigastrium ; took 60 grs. 11 a. m.—For the last half hour there has been a constant dull, ach ing, burning pain in the region of the heart; pulse 66, soft and regular ; constant aching distress in the tonsils ; frequent inclination to swallow ; constant pain in the stomach and right lower lobe of the liver ; very severe pain in the lumbar-sacral region when stooping; dull, aching distress in the dorsal region ; feeling very faint and weak. 5 p. m.—Dull pain in the tonsils, with frequent inclination to swallow; the tonsils are congested of a very dark color ; constant dull and very severe aching pain just below the pit of the stomach, which produces a very weak, faint feeling; it is very hard to endure the distress; constant dull, aching distress in the right lobe of the liver, and between the shoulders along the dorsal region ; dull pain when movin^ in the lumbar in the lumbar-sacral region ; frequent rumbling in the bowels. 9. p. m.—Stool about natural consistence, but very white, showing a great deficiency of bile ; constant dull pain in the liver and back. 27th. Slept well; feeling quite well excepting good deal of pain ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 35 in the lumbar-sacral region when moving. 7 p. m.—For the last two hours there has been constant very severe pain about and just below the pyloric extremity of the stomach ; severe pain in the sacrum and hips when moving ; a very dry stool at 9 p. m., voided with difficulty ; dull pains in the right lobe of the liver and dorsal region. 28th. Back is feeling very stiff when moving : dull pains in the small of the back and sacral region ; constant dull aching pain in the right hypochondriac region, with frequent pains in the stomach all day, with constant desire for stool; had two soft stools, without giving relief to the desire for stool; feeling very sad. 29th. Slept well; constant dull, aching pain in the right lobe Oi the liver all day, with frequent pains in the stomach and bowels, and constant desire to stool; stool at noon very black and soft, without relieving the desire for stool. April 1st. There is still a good deal of pain in the lumbar region, with soft, mushy stool. I believe if I had used nothing but the first trituration it would have produced large hjsmorrhoidal tumors, the large doses that I took kept the bowels too loose. Not one of our remedies produce so many and so stron lv marked symptoms of haemorrhoids as the iEsculus. P JVINGS BY C. II. LEE, M. D. Prover healthy ; ■, mperament nervous-sanguine. December 26, 1803. Took one drop of the third attenuation. December 27. I ' It drowsy ; toDgue coated white. December 28. Very dull and stupid . disposition to sleep all the time ; felt weak-; very severe lancinating headache at the base of the brain, as if too full; white coating on the tongue ; borborygmus and flatus which was foetid ; abdomen swollen and tympanitic ; took two drachms. December 29. Same symptoms as yesterday, with sore throat, which was inflamed; throat felt hot; worse on left side; left tonsil very much swollen and painful on deglutition; stools of a light brown color and very soft—frequent, but not to extent of a diarrhoea ; no appetite ; no more of the drug taken. December 30. Same symptoms as above, but worse; about 4 o'clock, p.m., severe chill which lasted three hours; heat of the fire relieved me; from 7 to 12 at night very high fever ; pulse abont 130; no thirst during the chill or fever, but rather an increase of saliva; head aches all over as if it would burst; photophobia; profuse hot perspira- tion with the fever ; dyspnoea with rapid breathing; lungs feel heavy 36 NEW REMEDIES. and as if they were engorged ; heart's action very rapid and heavy- would jar me while lying down, and could feel the pulsation all over the body ; my stomach felt as if it would fall down into the intestines ; urine scanty and of mahogany color, and as it passed through the urethra it burned like hot water ; a sore spot on the right parietal bone, which upon pressure, felt as if a knife was piercing through ; took no medicine to-day. December 31. Fever gone; pulse about ninety; neck very stiff and swollen; both tonsils swollen and of a fiery red color; difficult deglutition ; head not aching so much, but is worse on stooping or getting up from a chair ; breathing more natural; spitting of blood on getting up in the morning; no cough ; stools hard and dark brown; urine not so high colored, with dark brown sediment; took none of the drug. January 1, 1864. I have severe shooting pains in the left temple ; eyes of a pinkish hue ; dull pain in the region of the spleen ; stools hard : no other symptoms. January 2. Stools soft; urine yellow, with a thick, white mucus sediment; took four drops of the tincture. January 3 and 4. Appearance of haemorrhoids like ground nuts, of a purple color; very painful, and with sensation of burning—(the prover never had haemorrhoids before). January 6. Felt a dryness in the soft palate ; a fullness in the head; stools natural; urine dark, some little sediment; took eight drops. January 8. Throat dry as if it was scraped, and swollen ; borboryg- mus ; flatus foetid ; took one drachm. January 10. Dryness of the back part of throat, severe headache as if the head would split ; desire to pass water often, but little at a time. January 11. Symptoms same as above; dry, burning sensation of the fauces and palate ; a quantity of thick, yellow phlegm in the mouth; tongue coated yellow; bowels loose; stools brown; urine scantv, and dark brown, no sediment; pulse hard and frequent; dull, aching pain in the elbow joint of left arm ; took no more of the drug. January 12. Symptoms begin to diminish. 14. No symptoms. NerVOUS System.—The action of this drug on the nervous system is not yet established. Whether it primarily irritates the nervous centres to the extent of causing spasms, I cannot determine. It seems to cause a peculiar condition of the motor nerves, which is manifested JESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 37 by the paralytic sensations. The constipation seems to me to be due to congestion of the mucous membrane, rather than torpor of the motor nerves I can find no record of cases of poisoning by the horse-chestnut, upon which to base any deductions. MUCOUS Membrane.—The mucous surfaces of the air passages and alimentary canal, seem to be uniformly influenced by the drug. It is eminently a condition of congestive irritation, resulting in cough, coryza, asthma, (humid) diarrhoea and dysentery (hemorrhoidal). Glandular System.—It does not seem to affect the glands, except the salivary, and this may be due to its local irritant action. It rather Beems to repress the acute glandular secretions in general. VaSClllar System.—" The chills and rigors, stupifying sleep, con- fusion and dullness of the head, congestion of the liver and spleen, palpitation and impeded respiration, indicate an accumulation of blood in the central parts of the organism. "The burning in the eyes, fluent coryza, water in the mouth, burning in the throat, nausea and eructations, the evident bronchitis and haemorrhoidal disturbance, indicate congestion of the capillary vessels, chiefly, we believe, venous congestion."—{Dr. Buchman) Its influence on the haernorrhoidal and portal system of veins is undoubted. General Symptoms.—Feeling of extreme illness. Great weak- ness. Totters when walking (2). Weariness (3). Fatigued feeling, as from a long walk. Sensation as if she would faint. General feeling of malaise. Feeling of prostration of the whole system. Clinical Observations.—Allopathic physicians claim to find this medicine a tonic in some instances. If the ensemble of the symptoms compared, it will doubtless be useful as a recuperative remedy. Sleep.— Inclination to sleep. Yawning and stupefying sleepiness. Constant yawning (2). Falls asleep when sitting. Sleep for a quar- ter of an hour. Slept well. Sleeps sound, but wakes with dull pressing pain in stomach. Clinical Observations —The symptoms of sleep are such as accompany torpor of the liver and digestive organs. Fever.—Chilliness and goose-skin. Attack of rigor, lasting ten minutes. Cannot get warm. Rigor for half an hour. Rigors. General perspiration. Heat in the whole body. Dull pain in the occiput, with flashes of heat in the integuments of the occiput, back of the neck and shoulders. Feel very feverish ; hands hot and dry ; pulse 66, soft and weak ; disposition to stretch and yawn all the time ; feeling as if I had the ague, with weakness an'd lowness of spirits. 38 NEW REMEDIES. SdlSOrmill.—On waking cannot recognize what she sees ; knows not where she is,nor whence come the objects about her (2). Inward cheerfulness and placidity of temper. Feels miserably ; cross ; dis- inclination to perform any labor. Feels very sad. Vertigo, very annoying, all the afternoon. Clinical Observations.—It is homoeopathic to those mental symptoms, such as hypochondriasis, etc., which attend certain so-called bilious states of the system, with constipation, piles and torpor of the liver. Head. -Feeling as if a board were on the head. Aching in the forehead. Feeling as during a cold in the head. Sensation as if intoxicated. Confusion of the head (2). Giddiness. Vertigo, with sensation of balancing in the head. Formication in the front of the temple. Heaviness in the head. Heat in the head and eyes. Head- ache over the left eye (2). Headache over the right eye. Dull pains in the head, here and there, chiefly in the right temple and occiput, followed by dull stitches in the forehead and left temple. Dull pres- sure in the forehead. Throbbing in the right frontal eminence. Fine stitches in the left temple. Dull pain in the left temple. Sharp pressing pain in the right temple. Dull stupefying pain in the head. Dull pain in the occiput (3). Bruised feeling in the occiput. Heat in the integuments of the occiput (3). Heat extending from the occiput to the ears (2). Headache in the upper part of the head, uniform and constant. A sensation of fullness and pressure, rather than acute pain. Neuralgic pain in region of causality. Dull frontal headache, with fluent coryza. Clinical Observations.—It is homoeopathic to catarrhal, bilious, gastric and hsemorrhoidal headaches ; also to myalgia of the muscles of the occiput and scalp, which are so apt to occur in dibilitated states of the system. Eyes. — Burning in the internal canthi. Burning and stinging deep in the left orbit, as if the pain surrounded the eye-ball. Weight and heat in the eyes. Coldness in the left eye. Jerking in the right eye. Quivering of the lids. Lachrymation (2). Flickering before the eyes (2). Can see well at a distance ; can read without spectacles, which she could not do before. Severe smarting of the eyes. Ears*—Burning of the ears. Heat in the occiput, extending to the ears. Nose. —Severe fluent coryza (8). Burning in the nostril. Raw feeling throughout the whole nasal cavity. The nasal mucus becomes watery. Thin mucus from the nose, causing a frequent use of the pocket-handkerchief. Dry feeling and sensation of heat in the nose, ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 39 especially its point, as when a severe coryza is about to come on. Disposition to sneeze. Feeling as after having taken a pinch of snuff. Formication in the nose (3). Sensitiveness of the nasal mucous membrane to the respired air (3). The respired air causes a feeling of coldness in the nose (2). Drawing in the right nostril, as in violent coryza. Twisting sensation in the front part of the nose. Shooting pain in the head. Profuse secretion of mucus in the nostrils ; coryza Fluent coryza with headache. Sensation of swelling of the nasal mucous membrane, as if from taking cold. Clinical Observations.—Old-school physicians have used the powdered nut as a "sternutatory." It acts specifically, in dynamic doses, upon the nasal mucous membrane, and is clearly indicated in coryza, catarrh, etc. Face—Looks ill. Pale, miserable appearance (2). Flying heat and redness of the left side of the face (2). Burning in the left cheek. Frequent twitching of the muscles under the left eye. Mouth.—The taste was something like that of aloes. Bitter taste (3). Coppery taste, acting as an astringent in the mouth and oesopha- gus ; at first bitter, then sweet. Sweetish taste (6), as after taking Dulcamara—like liquorice. Burning in the mouth (3). Biting and stinging at the tip of the tongue. Increased flow of saliva (9), producing an inclination to swallow. Tongue feeling as if it had been scalded, with feeling of constriction of the fauces. Flat, slimy taste in the mouth. Sweet taste, with yellow coated tongue. Bitter taste, with yellowish-white coated tongue. Metallic taste in the mouth. Soreness of the top of the tongue like that produced by ulcers. Clinical Observations.—It seems to cause salivation quite uniformly. This symptom, together with its power of causing gastric disturbances, would imply its usefulness in water brash with pyrosis. Throat.—Contractive pain in the throat (2). Sort of constricted scraped sensation, causing a disposition to hawk. Irritation in the throat and oesophagus. All the throat was excoriated and constricted. Dryness and contraction of the throat. Dryness in the throat. Burning in the throat (12), like fire, when swallowing ; at one time slight, then severe ; with raw feeling. Constant shooting and raw pain in the throat. Scraping sensation in the throat. The mucus in the throat becomes thinner. Hawking of thick (2), afterwards watery mucus. Frequent call to expectorate mucus, which becomes watery. The mucus in the throat excites a cough. Tickling in the throat (2), causing a cough. Inclination to swallow. Formication in the fauces. Dull pressing and pricking in the fauces. Biting and stinging pain in the fauces. Stinging and burning in the soft palate and posterior 40 NEW REMEDIES nares. Increased pain in the throat, after eating a grape. Feeling as if something had lodged in the fauces, with constant inclination to swallow. Fauces feels very dry ; great irritation of the epiglottis, that produces a dry hacking cough. Frequent neuralgic (?) pains in the fauces. Dull pains on each side of the tonsils. Tonsils look very dark and congested. Great congestion of tonsils and soft palate, with constant aching distress in them, and constant inclination to swallow, but no enlargement of the tonsils.—{Burt.) [Note.—The latter symptoms are partly due to the local irritant action of the drug, but may be caused by the general action, as used.] Dry feeling in throat, followed by secretion of mucus, quite like the second stages of catarrh. Constant desire to swallow, with feeling of dryness and stiffness of the throat when swallowing. Increase of secretion from the sub- maxillary glands. Dr. Ernst F. Hofmann says that he has taken the JEsculus h. several times ; each time it produced throat difficulty very soon after taking it; heat, dryness, smarting, desire to swallow and inflammation. Clinical Observations.—Its action on the fauces and throat strongly remind one of Iris versicolor, and Mercurius iodatus. The practical physician will readily see that there are many conditions of the throat, of a catarrhal, congestive, or nervous character, wherein this drug will prove curative. Stomach and Gastric Symptoms.—Nausea (15). Retching (2). Inclination to vomit. Violent vomiting. Burning in the stomach (4) Heart-burn for half an hour. Water brash. Eructations of wind (16) ; of mucus ; of thick mucus ; of viscid mucus (3) ; empty eruc- tations. Flying heat before the eructation. Fullness of the stomach (3). Periodical tightness in the scrobiculus cordis, with labored breathing. Twisting in the scrobiculus cordis. Aching and rum- bling in the stomach. Cutting stomach-ache. The aching in the stomach extends. Comfortable feeling in the stomach. Hunger. Flying pains in the epigastric region. Sharp pains in the region of the apex of the heart and stomach. Aching pain from pit of the stomach to right lobe of the liver. Distress in stomach. Burning distress in stomach, with eructations of air. Severe fluttering sensa- tion in the pit of the stomach, lasting five minutes at a time. Weariness, with faintness at pit of stomach. Burnino- in stomach with inclination to vomit. Pain (dull, burning) in pyloric portion of the stomach and bowels. Dull pain in cardiac portion of the stomach. Burning in superior cardiac portion of the stomach. The burning aching distress in stomach is almost unendurable, making him feel faint and weak. Severe pain for two hours, just below the pyloric JESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 41 extremity of the stomach. The pain and distress in stomach and bowels is attended with constant desire for stool.— {Burt.) Early in the morning, feeling of emptiness and gnawing in the stomach After eating the stomach feels full, as if the walls were greatly thickened. Considerable pain in the stomach for four or five hours after eating, which continues until after taking food again. Dyspepsia. Sick feeling in the stomach all day, with increase of appetite. Clinical Observations. —Its effects upon the gastric mucous membrane are similar to those of Arsenicum. Carbo veg., Nux vomica and Iris v. Besides the symptoms of local irritation, we have those of a reflex character. It will be found useful in sub-acute gastritis, pyrosis, cardialgia, etc., of an idiopathic origin, but in very many conditions of irritation due to defective action of the liver, intestinal derangements and hsemorrhoidal affections. Many varieties of gastric disorder, usually denominated dyspepsia, will be treated successfully with the JEsculus hippocastanum. Abdomen.—Constricted feeling in the bowels. Cramp-like con- striction in the bowels, followed by stool (the fourth time). Griping in the bowels (2). Cramps in the bowels. Motions, preceded by pain in the bowels. Pinching below the navel. Fine pricking pains around the umbilicus. Pain from the bowels to the small of the back. Burning in the bowels. Pressing downwards in the abdomen. Rum- bling in the bowels, half an hour, without pain. Distention of the abdomen. Pain in the hypochondria, through to the back, especially on inspiration. Tearing pain in the right side, above the hip, deeply seated. Stitches in the left side. Fine stitching in the left hypo- chondrium. Cutting in the left inguinal region. Rumbling in the hypogastrium. Flying pains in the bowels. Colicky pains in the umbilicus, and severe cutting pains in anus. Burning in umbilical region. Dull aching in umbilical region, with severe headache. Distress in umbilical and hypogastric region, with urgent desire for stool, and rumbling in bowels. The pains in the abdomen are gener- ally attended with pain in the stomach and desire for stool. Neuralgic pain in right inguinal region. Clinical Observations.—It affects the intestines similarly to Aloes, Leptandria, Nux vomica and Sulphur. The pathological condition is not so much inflammation, as capillary congestion, result- ing in torpor of the functions of the mucous membrane. It may prove useful in certain forms of colic, of the congestive or flatulent character. Liver, etc.—Colic, with pinching pains in right hypochondrium. Stitches in right hypochondrium. Flying pain in right lower lobe of liver (3). Dull aching pains in the right hypochondriac region and 42 NEW REMEDIES. region of the gall-bladder. (This pain was persistent through the whole proving.) The pains in the liver are aggravated by walking. Aching in right lobe of liver, and between the shoulders along the dorsal region. White and soft stool. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Burt thinks it almost entirely suspends the action of the liver, and arrests the secretion of bile. If white stools are proof, it may be so. It seems to cause about the same condition as Aloes, Leptandria, Mercury, Carbo veg., etc. It seems to cause primarily what those drugs cause secondarily. It may cause such intense congestion of the liver, as to suspend its secretory functions. It causes a group of symptoms, namely, faint- ness at the stomach, pain in liver, haemorrhoids, etc., which indicate torpor and congestion (passive) of the portal system. Rectum and Stools.—Eructations of wind, with desire to go to stool. Three moderate fcecal evacuations half an hour after taking the drug. Four loose evacuations within a quarter of an hour. In two hours several thin evacuations. In two hours after taking the drug, two moderate evacuations. Constant urging to stool, after two hours. Pressure in the rectum, with desire to go to stool. Ineffect- ual efforts to stool. Difficult scanty stool. Difficult hard stool, followed by burning and constriction in the rectum. Constriction in the rectum (2). Itching in the anus (2) ; with raw feeling. Stool of a mixed character. Two liquid motions, preceded by griping. Motions preceded by pinching in the bowels. Frequent expulsion of flatus (2). The usual stool did not take place (2). No stool (first two days). On the third day of proving, very hard and dry stool at 7 a. m., followed by colicky pain in umbilicus, and severe cutting pains in anus. On the fourth day, constant desire for stool, which, when voided, was very hard, dry, knotty and difficult. No stool on fifth day. Sixth day, hard stool, followed by p>rolapsed feeling of the anus. Seventh day, no stool. Natural stool on eighth day. Ninth day, urgent desire for stool, with rumbling in the bowels, all day. Stool was very large, hard and difficult, followed by severe pain in the anus, with a feeling as if a portion of the anus was protruding, accompan- ied with dull pains in umbilical and hypogastric region. This feeling lasted all night and until late the next morning, with a severe back- ache in the lower part of the lumbar and sacral region. Tenth day, stool hard. Eleventh day, the stool was first black and hard, the last portion about the natural consistence, but almost white as milk. (" Showing that the secretion of bile was almost suspended."—Burt.) Twelfth day, stool about the natural consistence, followed by prolapsed feelin of the anus. Thirteenth day, stool natural consistence, but .JESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 43 very white. Fourteenth day, stool very hard and difficult. Fifteenth day, two soft stools, without giving relief to the desire for stools. Sixteenth day, stool very black and soft. The last few days of the proving the stools were soft and mushy. [From the crude drug.]— {Burt) Constant tendency to diarrhoea for two days ; almost constant inclination to stool, but without any, or very slight, evacuations. Dryness and itching in the rectum, with feeling of stiffness of the skin and adjacent cellular tissues, continuing for several days. Diar- rhoea the day after a dose of 20 grs. of the first dec. trit. Diarrhoea of ingesta. For several days following there was a sensation as if the mucous membrane of the rectum was thickened, obstructing the passage of faeces. Dryness of the passage for several days, followed by a secretion of moisture. Soreness of the rectum, with a feeling as if something would pass off all the time. Dry, uncomfortable feeling in the rectum, which feels as if it were filled with small sticks. Desire for a passage from the bowels without result. Desire to remain at stool a long time, with straining. Excessive dryness of the rectum, with feeling of heat. Nausea immediately, with ineffect- ual attempts to evacuate the bowels. Feeling in the rectum as though folds of the mucous membrane obstructed the passage, and as if, were the effort continued, the rectum would protrude. Soreness of the rectum, with increased secretion of mucus.—{Boyce.) Pres- sure in the rectum, with inclination to stool, with empty eructations. Copious, soft stool, followed by burning, and a feeling of swelling and constriction of the rectum. Soreness, aching and fullness of the rectum. Appearance of haemorrhoids, like ground nuts, of a purple color, very painful, and with a sensation of burning. (The prover, Dr. Lee, never had haemorrhoids before.) Clinical Observations.—Probably no agent in the whole range of the Materia Medica, produces such an array of symptoms relating to the rectum and its tissues, as the -ZEsculus hippocastanum. It may be well in this place to offer some remarks relating to the sphere of action of this medicine. A careful study of its pathogenesis would lead us to one of two conclusions: {a) that it affected the whole system of mucous membranes in a peculiar manner, citing up therein congestion (venous) with irritation, and that this action was the cause of the whole phenomena, or {b) that the starting point of its action was in the portal system, the circulation of which is deranged in a peculiar and profound manner, and from this cause proceeded the gastric, hepatic, intestinal and rectal symptoms. It is difficult to hold to one explanation, to the exclusion of the other. I leave it to those who are fond of speculative medicine to unravel and analyze its action. It is a satisfaction to the investigating physician to know NEW REMEDIES. the pathological conditions caused by the remedy he prescribes, but in the present state of that science it is not possible. The symptoms of JEsculus are so graphic and unvarying, that if we prescribe it for such symptoms we shall not be disappointed in effecting a cure, if we do net know the cause of the condition for which we administer it. Its symptoms of " rectum " and " stools " are quite similar to those of Aloes. It does not seem to cause profuse evacuations ; they are not thin, watery or bilious, but generally papescent, natural in color, or white. It requires large doses to prove laxative. It differs from Aloes in not causing bilious stools. But it will be noticed, that whether the stools be wanting, hard and difficult, or loose and easy, any attempt at stool, or any evacuation, is invariably followed by the peculiar uncomfortable sensations of constriction, protrusion, fullness, aching, dryness, itching, pricking, tenesmus, pains, etc., in the rectum and anus, also in the back. No other drug has these symptoms so prominently. The iEsculus is certainly capable, under the law of similia, of becoming one of our most valuable remedies in many diseases of the lower intestines. Since the appearance of the provings of iEsculus in the first edition of " New Remedies," a large amount of testimony in favor of its value in hemorrhoidal affections, has appeared in nearly all the various journals. Dr. Richard Hughes writes : * " My experience with it here, (in haemorrhoidal affections) has been very satisfactory. It accords with the pathogenetic indications in defining the kind of piles against which iEsculus is useful. There is little tendency to hasmorrhage, but much severe fullness and bearing down, with consti- pation. It acts but in those cases where the orthodox Nux and Sulphur seem indicated, but as sometimes happens, fail to cure. I have found it curative in both acute and chronic cases." Dr. Hughes gives one particularly interesting case, in which this remedy, pre- scribed in the 2d decimal dilution, gave great and permanent relief. The symptoms as related by the patient were,—" I am about forty- eight years of age. I first began to suffer when thirteen years old, I fancy, from being one of the great number of girls with small accommodation, hence waiting and costiveness, the bowels only relieved once a week or so. I should say that constipation is hered- itary on both sides. For a few years I was constantly taking medicine to relieve the bowels. The pain was nothing particular, and there was but a small protrusion. Matters grew worse from the age of twenty-five to that of thirty-four, when I was attacked with the first dreadful, very dreadful, pain. I could not sit, stand or lie. The only possible position was kneeling. This lasted for many weeks in the winter, in the summer it was, as always, better. For about two years the pain was bad, off and on. I then used leeches, which eased the severe pain, but still it was bad. The next very severe attack was in 1862. It lasted for weeks and returned in 1863. The pain was like a knife sawing backwards and forwards, almost a martyrdom for agony. I took Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Aconite and Mercurius, * British. Journal of Homoeopathy, No. 92, page 249. iESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 45 with no benefit. Was recommended some stuff to apply, which relieved a little. Again in 1864 things became very bad; much pain, the bowels always waiting to be relieved." In the November of that year I was consulted by this lady. I prescribed iEsculus hippocastanum, in the second centesimal dilution, three drops to be taken in a wineglass-full of water, morning and evening. Her report continues—" I took the iEsculus. At the end of one week I was a degree better; after another better still, and so on for a month. At the end of this time I was wonderfully better. The medicine seemed to relieve the bowels, and cause the protrusion to be soft. I left it off for a time, and when the pain returned again badly, took the medicine and became relieved. I have taken nearly a bottle (two drachms) since November, on and off. I only take it when I am bad and cannot sleep for pain. The protrusion always remains. I feel so grateful to you for the advice and relief given me." I have written to recommend this lady to take this medicine regularly, and have every hope of its effecting an entire cure. Dr. Richard Hughes subsequently reported the following : "In the last number of this journal, I narrated a case in which JEsculus had gone far to cure a case of painful haemorrhoids of many years' standing. Since the publication of the above, I have heard again from the patient. She writes, ' I have now taken the JEsculus as before,' three drops of the 2d dilution in water twice daily, 'for another month, and may fairly call myself well. I have no pain, and the protrusion is nothing but a flabby piece of skin. Should the symptoms ever return, I shall fly to the medicine, but I hope never to require it.' " The two following cases illustrate its efficacy in the acute form of the disease : " 1. Richard S—, set 20, called upon me one day, stating that he had been suffering with piles for a week. The bowels were rather costive, but there was no bleeding. His health is good. I gave him nine drops of JEsculus*, in three ounces of water, a dessert-spoonful to be taken three times a day. By the time he had taken half the bottle, {i. e. in about thirty-six hours) all symptoms ef piles had vanished and he discontinued the medicine. " 2. Mrs. F—, set 60. Years ago was a martyr to haemorrhoids. Each attack would last from six to ten months, during which time she could rarely leave the recumbent posture. Since adopting homoeo- pathy, the bowels had acted with much greater regularity, and the haemorrhoidal attacks had been absent. On May 22d I was called to see her. 1 found her in bed, suffering intensely from several large piles, which seemed quite to block up the rectum. The bowels had been confined for several days in the preceding week ;,and on the 20th the old hemorrhoidal symptoms had supervened, and were increasing in intensity. There was little or no bleeding. She anticipated many weeks of suffering. I gave her a drop of jEsculus3, every four hours. Next morning there was improvement rather than the reverse. On the 24th she was decidedly better. She said, ' Are you giving 46 NEW REMEDIES. me an aperient? my bowels are acting so comfortably.' On the 25th she was well and about the house, and I took my leave. " These cases illustrate also the precise form of the disease for which JEsculus is specific. When the piles are only secondary to existing portal or other intra-abdominal congestion, it will probably be inferior to Nux and Sulphur. When they are associated with symptoms of varicosis elsewhere, and bleed much, Hamamelis will be a better remedy. But when the only connected symptoms or appre- ciable cause is constipation, and there is much pain but little bleeding, JEsculus seems pretty likely to cure. Dr. C. H. Lee relates the following : " I was called, a few months ago, to see a man, suffering intensely from haemorrhoids. He could not sit in a chair, walk, nor lie on his back. The only way he was relieved was by lying on his face. The tumors, three in number, protruded out in the shape of ground nuts, about three-quarters of an inch in length, of a blue-purple color. There were sharp, shooting, cutting pains, through them, running up into the sacrum ; severe aching pain in the back. He was always troubled with constipation, not having a passage from his bowels from three to four days, for a few years back. He is of a nervo-sanguine temperament. I admin- istered the crude tincture of JEsculus hippoc, a powder, to be taken every hour, until better. On taking the first powder, he exclaimed— ' Oh ! Doctor, that's the awfulest medicine I ever took.' After taking the third powder, he sent word that he felt better. He continued taking the powders every two hours. In two days after, he was well and walking around town. His bowels since have become more natural and move every day. I had also another case with the same symptoms, only much worse, patient very much prostrated and losing flesh. Gave him the same remedy and he was cured. In neither case has there been a return of the complaint. Dr. George Logan says : " I have used this remedy in several cases cf haemorrhoids, with remarkable effect. The cases were of recent origen, (blind piles) a fold of mucous membrane protruding to the size of an ounce bullet. Gave five drops of the tincture every two hours, and used an ointment of the same to the tumor, afterwards returning it, directing the patients to return it whenever it protruded. The first day the effect is not very decided, but in two or three days it is very marked indeed." Dr. A. A. Bancroft, of De Witt, Mich., reports two cases. Case I. The first patient, a lady aged forty-three, had been treated by allopaths and eclectics for twelve years without any relief. Confined to her bed most of the time. Looked more like a dead person than a live one. Had constant pain across the small of her back, with a dragging, bearing down sensation that produced great faintness on standing. Bleeding constantly kept her reduced. Gave her JEsculus A.tV, six drops in a tumbler two thirds filled with water, to be taken once in three to four hours during the day. Treated for twenty days and cured. ^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 47 Case II. Patient, a tanner, aged fifty. Had piles of twenty years standing; badly protruded. Great weakness most of the time. Not able to labor. Gave him JEsculus h.-rhr, three drops three times a day. Treated three weeks and discharged cured. Dr. T. C. Duncan reports the following: April 3d, 1865, Mr. F., aet 28, musculo-bilious temperament, a fireman, is suffering with the following marked symptoms : An intolerable, burning, itching, stinging pain, with a feeling of fullness at the anus. These are not present only during motion. They are brought on by walking a few blocks, when they increase in violence, obliging him to rub and press upon the anus or sit down. His bowels, though inclined to be costive, move regularly once daily. Appetite good, and he feels perfectly well, except during motion. These symptoms have annoyed him for about three years ; prior to that time he enjoyed good health. His countenance is now pale and haggard. Close examination revealed no hemorrhoidal tumors obstructing the rectum, but the mucous membrane was rather highly injected, and, the sphincter ani unduly constricted. I prescribed Nux vomica*, four pellets to be taken every two hours. 8th. Bowels less costive, but the other symptoms remain the same. Nux3 as before. 11th. No better. Hamamelis3, to be taken in the same manner. May 11. No improvement. While taking the last remedy his bowels moved freely, and the other symptoms were somewhat relieved. But for the last three weeks he has been worse than before. While making a proving of the JEsculus hipp., all of these symp- toms were present in a very marked manner, which led me to conclude that this remedy was homoeopathic to the case. Accordingly I pre- scribed JEsculus hipp.3, four pellets to be taken every two hours. 26th. Much improved. He feels the symptoms only occasionally. JEsculus hip]}.3 as before. June 13th. Reports himself entirely relieved. Nov. 28th. Has had no return of the symptoms. Feels liko a new man. In true hemorrhoids I find it much better for the " blind " than for the " bleeding " ones. It appears to be indicated in the following conditions: Constipation, when accompanied with lowness of spirits, vertigo, gastric derangements, hemorrhids, hard, large and difficult stools, etc* (Nux, Collinsonia. Sulph.) Diarrhoea, when the evacuations are papescent, mushy, white, or natural in color, but always accompanied with severe lumbar and sacral pain, weakness, tenesmus, or very unpleasant sensations (see above) in the rectum and anus, also hemorrhoids, etc. It has cured Chronic diarrhoea. (Aloes, Podoph., Iris v., Merc.) Haemorrhoids. The indications for iEsculus in this disease are so fully given in the provings, that a repetition is not necessary. The 48 NEW REMEDIES. following additional clinical cases, illustrating its curative power in this condition, are taken from various journals. Case I. P.—Have been subject for several years to occasional attacks of hemorrhoids, attended with little hemorrhage, although considerable pain, aching, swelling, and rigid hardness of the rectum. The paroxysms usually accompany constipation. The pain commences about an hour after an evacuation, and continues from two to six hours. About ten grains of the crude nut, finely pulverized, were placed in a half-ounce vial of alcohol and water, in equal parts. Of this ten or twelve drops were taken nearly every evening for about five weeks —commencing August 11, I860. The piles were uniformly relieved after three or four doses. Observed on two or three occasions, that when the remedy was dis- continued for a few days, the symptoms soon returned. It is now four months since all symptoms of the disease disappeared No other effects were discovered. Case II. R.—Had been suffering severely from hemorrhoids for ten or twelve days, with a constipated state of the bowels, and severe ■ pain in the tumors—making it very unpleasant to stand on my feet or walk. Also more or less nausea, loss of appetite, furred tongue, a sensation of fullness about the naval, flatulent pains in the bowels, and very dark stools. About two weeks previous to the attack of hemorrhoids, had a severe attack of billious colic, which was relieved by Colocynth, Chamomilla and Mercurius sol. On the morning of June 13, I860, took 200 pellets of the sixth centesimal attenuation of iEsculus. The only symptom referable to the drug was irritation of the throat and esophagus—a sort of con- stricted, scraped sensation, causing a disposition to hawk. This occurred about an hour after taking the drug, and continued for several hours. Continued the remedy for several mornings in succession. The piles are entirely relieved; the bowels act regularly; the appetite fair ; nausea and flatulence gone ; and, in short, enjoy my usual stan- dard of health. Dr. L. B. Wells, of Utica, has employed this remedy in all cases of hemorrhoids occurring in his practice during the'past two years, and generally with very good result. Dr. Wm. M. Cuthbert, in N. A. Journal for February, 1864, says • " I proved the drug to a limited extent on my own person, not being subject to piles, using the first potency. The effects produced being a painful weakness of the loins, with dull, aching pain, accompanied by severe tumors around the anus. These symptoms becoming so severe as to interfere with professional duties, I was reluctantly com- pelled to end the proving, and one dose of Nux vomica antidoted in a few hours all the painful symptoms, since which I have experienced none of them." Cases referred to by Dr. Cuthbert: 1. Man ; aged 37 ; mechanic. One dose of third potency not only entirely relieved the piles, but also enabled him to lay off a truss which he had worn for years for an inguinal hernia. JESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 49 2. Mrs. M. Piles (protruding at times) of ten years' standing, cured with three doses. It is now three years since, and she has never had any symptoms of it in that time. 3. Mr. B. External piles. Promptly cured with one dose; Nux vomica never having any effect. 4. Mr. L. Blind bleeding piles of twenty years' standing, cured with three doses, one every two weeks. A cerate has been prepared from the JEsculus, which has been found a very efficacious and convenient external application to pile tumors. A writer in the American Homeopathic Observer, signing him- self R. S., reports the following cases : Case I. Mrs. H. A German woman, mother of four children, constitution impaired by allopathic purgatives and emetics, has had hemorrhoids for twelve years. Nux vomica had given some relief. They were always troublesome during pregnancy. A small quantity of JEsculus hippocastanum cured her. Case II. Mrs. W. Mother of five children, robust and energetic, thought hemorrhoids to be " a part of her being ;" did not mention them as a disease. She could not sit or lie down with ease. Had to be questioned closely before she owned them. While bleeding she got some relief. Cured by JEsculus hippocastanum, after a two week's trial of Collinsonia, which gave no relief. I prescribed globules, saturated with the mother tincture, four times a day for a week. My colleagues and myself, in this city, have used the JEsculus, with good results, in 'severe cases of piles. It seems to act curatively in almost any attenuation. Fissure of the anus, or fissured ulcer of the rectum. The JEscu- lus has many symptoms which are found in this very painful and intractable malady. If it is not homeopathic to the ulcer itself, it is to nearly all the conditions which precede and attend it, and may be able to remove such concomitant conditions, and thus allow the ulcer to close in a healthy manner. In this way act Ignatia, Nux vomica, Aloes and Plumbum, while Nitric acid, Arsenic and Sulphur are specific against the ulceration itself. Stricture of the rectum may be organic or functional. The former consisting of a thickening of the tissues of the tube, the latter of a spasmodic disorder of the circular muscular fibres. JEsculus appears to be homeopathic to both conditions, and may be prescribed for them with considerable confidence. Prolapsus ani ought to be cured with iEsculus as well as with Ignatia, Nux, Mercurius, or Nitric acid and Podoph. Dysentery, especially when caused by hemorrhoidal irritation, and when confined to the recttim. Also many diseases of contiguous tissus ought to come under the curative sphere of JEsculus. Urinary Organs.—Shooting pain in orifice of urethra. Urging to urinate at short intervals. Urine very high colored 1 50 NEW REMEDIES. Genital Organs Of Men.—No particular symptoms have been noticed, yet if the provings had been persisted in long enough, those derangements which are usually the concomitants of piles, constipa- tion, etc., would doubtless have appeared, namely : seminal emissions, disease of prostate, etc. Genital Organs Of Women.—Leucorrhea. Burning in mammae. Clinical Observations.—It is safe to assert that all those func- tional and organic derangements of the uterus which may be caused by piles and irritation of the rectum, would be brought on by a continued proving of this drug. It will doubtless prove a curative remedy in certain cases of uterine congestion, prolapsus, retroversion, dysmenorrhea, congestion of cervix, etc. Larynx.—Hoarse voice ; speaking brings on a cough. Short cough, increased by swallowing and breathing deeply. The mucus in the throat excites a cough (2). Tickling in the larnyx, causing a cough with mucus expectoration. Cough from irritation. Dry cough. Repeated cough. Dryness in the larnyx. Frequent call to expectorate mucus, which becomes watery. Pressure in the throat-pit, as if something had stuck there which required to be expelled. Dryness of larnyx, with tickling, scraping feeling of the laryngo-pharyngeal mucous membrane. Sensation of dryness and stiffness of the glottis, and all the pharyngeo-laryngeal mucous membrane. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Buchmann states that he succeeded in curing radically a chronic cough, with emaciation, which had long been treated without effect, by the daily administration of as much powdered nut as would lie on the point of a knife. It seems likely to prove useful in some form of catarrhal laryngitis, laryngeal cough, and perhaps those coughs dependent on hepatic disorders. LungS.—Hot feeling in the chest, with cold rising up (2). Burn- ing and heat in the chest. Raw feeling in the throat and chest (2). Warm feeling in the chest. Shooting pains in the sternum. Pains in the sternum, as if a piece were torn out of the chest. Sudden stitches throughout the chest. Pain in the right scapula, and in the left side of the chest, increased on inspiration. Rheumatic pain in the right scapula. On the right side of the chest a sensation as if the lung painfully moved up and down at each respiration (2). In- crease of the pain on drawing a deep inspiration. Pain in the chest, alternating with pain in the abdomen. Stitches leave the left side of the chest and go to the right. Twitching from the chest to the left shoulder. Tightness in the chest (6). Labored breathing (2). Palpitation of the heart (4) ; severe, periodic, frequent, with great JESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 51 anguish. Neuralgic pain in region of the heart, lasting one minute. Neuralgic pain in region of apex of the heart and stomach. Occasional neuralgic pains in region of the apex of the heart and stomach. Severe neuralgic pains in region of the heart, so painful as. to arrest the breathing, lasting ten minutes. Frequent stitches in' region of the heart. Dull aching, burning pain in region of the heart for half an hour, pulse 66, soft and regular. {Burt.) Clinical Observations.—The pains and sensations in the region of the heart,, felt by Dr. Burt, are quite notable. Were they in the heart itself, in the muscles of the chest, or in.the oesophagus ? The "neuralgic" pains may have been myalgic; the burning,'m the esophagus; the stitches in the intercostal muscles. Yet I do not doubt that the JEsculus is as capable of curing functional derange- ment of the heart, as Nux vomica or Belladonna. In Burt's proving however, no alteration in the rhythm of the pulse, and no palpitation were observed. It may, perhaps, prove curative in sympathetic heart-affections, caused by hemorrhoids, portal congestion or dys- pepsia. J Back.—Pains in the small of the back, and lame feeling. Pain extending from the abdomen to the small of the back (2). Weari- ness in the small of the back. Tearing pain in the back. Lameness and sensation as if strained in the right lumbar region, extending to the gluteal muscles. Heat in the back of the neck and shoulders. Weariness in the back of the neck. Lameness in the back of the neck (2). Dull aching pain in the small of the back, very much aggravated by walking. Severe dull aching pain in the lumbar region. Severe headache all night. Weariness in the small of the back, also tearing pain in the small of the back and hips when walking. Violent aching in the back, with prostration. Great desire for stool, and walking is almost impossible. It is almost impossible to get up after sitting, owing to the pain (lameness) of the back. Constant backache, affecting the sacrum and hips, aggravated by walking or stooping. Severe pain in the back and hips when getting up, going off after moving a minute or two. Aching in dorsal region. Back feels very stiff when moving. Backache, with aching inlegs and knees. Aching between the shoulders. Clinical Observations.—No medicine is so clearly homeopathic to those lumbar and sacral pains, etc., which accompany hemorrhoidal affections, and are erroneously called rheumatism, lumbago, etc. _ Dr. Neidhard writes : " In a case of curvature of the spine, the pains caused by it were entirely cured by the tincture of JEsculus h. five drops morning and evening." Cpper Extremities.—The arm and hand of the left side become 52 NEW REMEDIES. of the feet. Constant jerking in the right arm. Paralysis of the right arm—cannot raise it. Clinical Observations.—As an analogue of Nux vomica, I suppose the JEsculus to irritate the spinal cord. It seems to act, however, in a manner somewhat different from Nux. It seems, pri- marily, to exhaust the vitality of the cord, or in some way cause a torpor in its functions. In this way it may be homeopathic to para lytic affections of the upper extremities. Lower Extremities.—Severe aching in the knees, with aching in the lumbar ahd sacral regions. Legs ache severely, with great weariness. Clinical Observations.—(See remarks above.) It is homeo- pathic to many of those painful sensations in the lower extremities due to hemorrhoidal affections. AGAVE AMERICANA. {American Aloe.) Analogues : Lime juice, Lemon juice, Citric acid, Kali chlor., Natrum muriaticum. Botanical Description.—This is an evergreen succulent plant, sometimes called the century plant, and by the natives of Mexico, the Maguey. It is found growing in Florida, Mexico, and other parts of tropical America. It bears a strong resemblance to the plants of the genus Aloe, with which it is sometimes confounded. The root and leaves, when cut, furnish a saccharine juice, which may be converted into syrup and sugar by evaporation, and into a vinous liquor.by fermentation. The natives of Mexico manufacture from it their favorite drink—the Pulque— which is capable of causing considerable intoxication. The juice of the Maguey contains a large amount of vegetable and saccharine matter, and is of itself sufficiently nutritious to sus- tain a person for several days. It delights in a dry sandy soil, and can be cultivated where nothing but the cactus will grow. The cortical portion near the root may be eaten, when cooked by roasting. The white internal portion is the edible part. Dr. Perrin has seen muleteers use it for food, and they seem to be very fond of it. He AGAVE AMERICANA. 53 was informed upon good authority, that several tribes of Indians in New Mexico make use of it in the same manner. The juice, when evaporated to the consistence of a soft extract, forms a lather with water, and is sometimes employed as a substitute for soap. The fresh juice is said to be diuretic, laxative and em- menagogue. So far, only the juice of the roasted leaves has been used as a remedial agent. The fresh root, or a tincture prepared from it, may possess valuable medicinal qualities. The same virtues may exist in the leaves, as it is well known that cooking deprives some plants and roots of their poisonous qualities. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Perrin, U. S. A., stationed at Fort Mcintosh, in Texas, having many cases of scurvy to treat, and finding the usual allopathic routine ineffectual, was led to make inquiry as to the domestic remedies in use among the natives. Among others, his attention was called to the Maguey, and he reports* to the Surgeon General the following cases, in which the drug was relied on. " Private Turby, of Company G, 1st U. S. Infantry, was admitted into hospital M^arch 25th, in the following state : Countenance pale and dejected, gums swollen and bleeding; left leg, from ankle to groin, covered with dark purple blotches : leg swollen, painful, and of stony hardness; pulse small and feeble; appetite poor; bowels constipated. He was placed upon Lime juice, diluted and sweetened so as to make an agreeable drink, in as large quantities as his stomach would bear. Diet generous as could be procured, consisting of fresh meat, milk, eggs, etc.; vegetables could not be procured. April 11th. His condition was but slightly improved. He was then placed upon the expressed juice of the Maguey, in doses of two fluid ounces, three times daily ; same diet continued. April 17th. Countenance no longer dejected, but bright and cheerful; purple spots almost entirely disappeared. Arose from his bed and walked across the hospital unassisted. Medicine con- tinued. May 4th. So much improved as to be able to return to his company quarters, where he was accordingly sent. Medicine con- tinued. May 7th. Almost entirely well." " Private Hood, Company G., 1st U. S. Infantry,' was admitted into hospital April 10th. His general condition did not (•ffer much from Private Turby's. He had been on the sick report for eight days ; had been taking Citric acid drinks, but grew gradually worse up to the time of his admission, when he was placed upon lime juice until the 13th, at which time no perceptible change had taken place. On that date he commenced the use of the expressed juice of the Maguey. Same diet as in case above described. . * N. Y. Journal of Medicine, 1850. 54 NEW REMEDIES May 21st. General state so much improved that he was sent to his company quarters. May 22d. Well; returned to duty. Eleven cases, all milder in form than the two just related, were continued upon the lime juice ; diet the same. On the 21st of April they exhibited evidences of improvement, but it was nothing when compared with the cases under the use of the Maguey. Seven cases were under treatment during the same time, making use of Citric acid. On the 21st of April no one had improved, and three were growing worse. At this time so convinced was I of the great supe- riority of the Maguey over either of the other remedies employed, that I determined to place all the patients upon that medicine. The result has proved exceedingly gratifying. Every case has improved rapidly from that date. The countenance, so universally dejected and despairing in the patient affected with scurvy, is brightened up by contentment and hope in two days from the time of its introduction. The most marked evidences of improvement were observable at every successive visit. From observing the effects of the Maguey in the cases which have occurred in this command, I am compelled to place it far above that remedy, which,-till now, has stood above every other —the lime juice. The manner in which I used it was as follows:— The leaves are cut off close to the root. They are placed in hot ashes until thoroughly cooked, when they are removed, and the juice expressed. The expressed juice is then strained, and may be used thus, or may be sweetened. It may be given in doses of from 2 oz. to 3 oz. three times daily. The use of the leaf in this way, I believe, will ward off, most effectually, incipient scorbutus." ALETRIS FARINOSA. (Star-Grass.) Analogues : Chelona, Frasera, Helonias, Populus, Hydrastis. Botanical Description.—Root, perennial, small, black outside, brown inside, ramose, crooked. Radical leaves, from six to twelve, spreading on the ground like a star, but all unequal in size, sessile, lanceolate1! entire, very smooth, membranaceous, with many Iono-itudi- nal veins, sometimes caniculate, very sharp at the end. They are of a pale green or glaucous, and bleach in winter, or by drying. The longest are four inches. Stem, from one to two feet high, very sim- ple and upright, scapiform or nearly naked, with remote scales, whitish and pressed, sometimes changing into leaves, subulate, acute. Flowers white, forming a long, slender, scattered spike. Each flower has a minute bract and very short pedicel; shape oblong, spreading into six acute segments like a star, at the top ; the outside has a ALETRIS FARINOSA. 55 mealy rugose appearance. Six short stamina are inserted near the mouth ; anthers cordate. Germ, one, central, (not inferior) pyramidal. Style, one separable into three. Capsules triangular, clothed by the perigones, triangular, three valved at the top, three celled and with many central minute seeds. {Rafinesque) The genus Aletris takes its name from a Greek word, which signifies " a slave who grinds corn." The name is applied in allusion to the apparent mealiness dusted over the blossoms. This genus includes two species—the A. farinosa, and A. aurea. The A. farinosa is the one used^in medicine. The name "star- grass " is also applied to several other plants, namely, the Helonias dioica, the Hypoxis, and others. The Aletris far. is designated by many common names, as Blazing star, Aloe-root, Bettie grass, Unicorn-root, Ague-root, Ague-grass, Star-root, Devils-bit, etc. But all these names are also applied to the Helonias dioica, (Chamelirium luteum. Gray.) and other plants, so that there is no reliance to be placed upon the collections of uneducated plant-gatherers, or the preparations of the druggists. For homeopathic uses, the plants or roots should be examined by a scientific botanist before they are used in our pharmacies. History.—This species has a wide range, being found from New England to Georgia, and west to Kentucky and Missouri. The Aletris aurea is limited to a range from New Jersey to the Carolinas. The A. farinosa is abundant at the South, and always confined to dry and poor soil, in sunny glades and fields. It is unknown to the rich limestome soil, and alluvial regions. In the West it is con- fined to the hilly glades, open prairies, and borders of the knob-hills. It is estival, blossoming in June and July. The root is the part employed, and being small, does not afford much hopes to become an article of trade. {Rafinesque) I have quoted Rafinesque because he was the first medical botanist who gave a correct account of this plant. I am satisfied that much of the tincture used in medicine is made from the Aletris and Helo- nias indiscriminately. Rafinesque says the root contains an intensely bittcr# emulsive resin, soluble in alcohol, somewhat similar to Aloes, but less cathar- tic. This bitter principle is also partly soluble in water. The tincture is rendered milky by water. Alctrin is prepared from the root, and is supposed to contain its active medicinal principles, but it is not a reliable preparation. Officinal Preparations.—Tinctures and triturations of the root, and the attenuations. 56 NEW REMEDIES. General Effects.—No proving of this plant has yet appeared, and the clinical experience of our school is very meagre. The eclectic school, however, speak highly of its value. "In the recent state, and in large doses, it is considerably narcotic, with emetic and cathartic properties. When dried these properties are destroyed, and it becomes a bitter tonic." {King.) " The Aletris is tonic, stomachic, narcotic, discutient, emetic, cathartic and expectorant. In large doses it is said to produce nausea, vomiting, purging, dizziness and other unpleasant effects, which would seem to indicate that it is possessed of acro-narcotic properties." (J", and S. Mat. Med) " It is believed that no Amer- ican plant exceeds the Aletris in intense and permanent bitterness. In this respect it is not inferior to aloes or quassia. It seems to be a pure bitter, having also some emetic and cathartic properties. As a tonic stomachic, it is not surpassed by any of our indigenous plants, and for this purpose it is extensively employed as a popular remedy and in regular practice. It has long been held in high repute among the Indians. There is some reason to believe that it possesses narcotic properties. Rafinesque, who seems to have experimented a good deal with it, says, that " only small doses must be used, because large ones produce nausea, dizziness and narcotic effects, and that the powdered root should not be given in larger doses than twelve grs. Its uses are the same as gentian and quassia. In some parts of the country it is used by botanies as a remedy for dropsy, dysentery and colic. We regard it as an alterative tonic, very similar to Hydrastin." — {Prof Lee) It is highly probable that a thorough proving of this medicine would develop its value, and make it almost an equal with Helonias, or perhaps China, although it does not appear to possess the anti-periodic properties of the latter drug. It has, however, some reputation in Intermittents, and one of the common names of the plant is " ague root." Special Effects.—Sensorium, Head, etc.—Vertigo; dizziness, with vomiting ; purging ; sleepiness; and even stupefaction. Clinical Observations.—Theoretically, I would suggest that it may be ifseful in certain Congestions of the head, when the above symptoms are present. In certain cases of Meningitis, in children and adults, the disease is ushered in by a similar train of symptoms. A high dilution of the tincture of the fresh root might in such cases prove curative. It is highly recommended by Dr. King (" Diseases of Females ") in Hysteria. Gastric Symptoms.—Vomiting; purging; excessive nausea, with giddiness, etc. ALETRIS FARINOSA. 57 Clinical Observations.—Small doses are said to promote the appetite and assist digestion. It is used in cases of Flatulent colic. It is highly recommended in cases of Dyspepsia, with much general debility. All drugs which derange the digestive organs are, of course, homeopathic to some form of dyspepsia, or gastric disorder. Until we have a proving of Aletris, the indications for the use of this remedy cannot be given. It may, however, be used empirically as a dernier resort when other remedies fail. A case treated by me, may throw some light on its probable sphere of action. A lady in the fourth month of pregnancy became very much debilitated; had nausea, but no vomiting ; disgust for all food ; the least food caused distress in the stomach; very constipated ; frequent attacks of fainting, with vertigo ; sleepy all the time ; emaciated. I used Pul- satilla, China, Iron, Nux vomica, Ignatia, and many other remedies with no apparent result. Discouraged at the result of my treatment, she declared her intention to procure some " bitters." She "knew some bitter tonic would help her." I happened to have a drachm of Aletrin in the office. This I. dissolved in four ounces of sherry wine, and ordered a teaspoonful three times a day. In a week she came into my office exclaiming, "Your bitters have cured me." The improvement was really great, and no other medicine was used. A constant pressure and pain in the uterine region was also removed by the medicine. In a similar case I have since used the first dilution with apparent good results. Female Generative Organs. —Colic in thehypogastrium. Pres- sure in the region of the uterus. Labor-like pains at the time of the menses. Weight in the uterine region. Premature and profuse menses. Abortion. Leucorrhea. Clinical Observations.—The Aletris, is by general consent of eclectic physicians, considered to possess specific relations as a cura- tive remedy, in certain diseases of the Uterus. I quote some of the testimony : " The root exerts a tonic or stimulating influence upon the reproductive organs of the female. In Amenorrhea, Dysmenor- rhea, and engorged condition of the uterus, it will be found of especial benefit, removing the difficulties by restoring the uterus to its normal condition. It will also be found advantageous in those instances when there is an habitual tendency to abort, not depending upon syphilitic taint, or other causes independent of the reproductive organs. I have found it useful in Prolapsus 'uteri, and am inclined to believe that it exerts a peculiar influence upon the uterine liga- ments, having cured several severe cases of uterine prolapsus by this .agent alone, without the aid of any mechanical means."—{King's Obstetrics, page 668.) " The Aletris is recommended in diseases peculiar to females, as an article of great value. In cases of frequent abortions, or when a disposition to abort exists, and uterine derange- ments in general."—(/. tf- 5. Mat. Med) If the Aletris possesses the power of preventing recurring abortions, it is certainly worthy our investigation. A fragmentary proving even may establish the 58 NEW REMEDIES. basis upon which this recommendation is based. Several physicians have verbally given me their testimony in favor of its power of pre- venting abortion, even after pains and hemorrlncage had set in. I have been assured that it has been used in domestic practice, to produce abortion in the early months. It is evidently homeopathic to abortion when accompanied by the symptoms named above, and when arising from over doses of the fresh root; also in cases which seem to depend upon a want of tone in the uterine tissues and general system. Dr. Silas Jones, of New York, says : " This remedy seems to act admirably during the first months of pregnancy, where there is vom- iting, excessive nausea, giddiness, etc., with pain and colic in the hypogastrium, with tendency to abort. A lady in her fourth preg- nancy came to me with the above symptoms. She had suffered in this way during the three or four months of each pregnancy, so much as to be obliged to keep her bed a great part of the time, and the third pregnancy was followed by an abortion at about the eighth week. I gave her Ipecac, which relieved the vomiting, but not the nausea and giddiness. It occurred to me that Aletris completely covered all her symptoms, and gave her a single prescription of the tincture, to be put in half a tumbler of water, and to take a teaspoon- ful every two hours at first. It gave her immediate and complete relief. She is now near her full term, in good health, except occa- sional neuralgic pains. Troubles like the above are frequently met with in practice, and Aletris seems to be nearly a specific. As it has not been proved, we need the more, well marked clinical testimony." Note to Second Edition.—Since the first article on Aletris was written, now nearly two years, I have used the remedy quite exten- sively in my practice. Such has been my uniform success with it that I have come to place as much confidence in its curative powers as that of any agent in our Materia Medica. My experience with the Aletis has been in the direction of the general indication for its use—namely : In cases of debility, general or local, arising from protracted illness, loss of fluids, defective nutri- tion, etc. Symptomatic indications are—loss of tone in the muscular system of the whole or any part of the body ; loss of appetite, myalgia, or that painful affection of muscles dependent on depression, and from physical or mental causes ; passive hemorrhages—particularly uterine, and that condition of the uterus which predisposes to monorrhagia and abortion. Every practical physician knows that these conditions do not always present symptoms which call for China, Phosphoric acid or Ferrum ; also, that in many cases where these remedies seem indicated, they do not prove as promptly curative as desired. It is in these classes of cases that I have found the Aletris so valuable. Such symptoms as constipation, indigestion, night sweats, depression of spirits, always disappeared as soon as the system came under the influence of the medicine. There is a class of cases in which debility is apparently caused by a leant of the phosphates. This usually occurs in persons of literary ALNUS RUBRA. 59 habits, whose mental labor has been severe; or those who have long been under the influence of the depressing emotions. In these cases, phosphoric acid, hypophosphite of potash, or zinc, do not always meet the demands of the system. Neither will Aletris alone. But if both are given, in alternation, the system rapidly regains its normal integrity. My habitual dose of the Aletris is five or ten drops of the first decimal dilution, three times a day. It should be taken about an hour after meals. ALNUS RUBRA. (Tag Alder.) Analogues : Stillingia, Kali hydriodatus, Sulphur, Phytolacca, Corydalium, Hcpar sulphur, Mercurius iod., {Hamamelis.) Botanical Description.—-This is an indigenous shrub, growing by the side of streams, in swamps, wet grounds and marshes. It is the Alnus serrulata of Wildenon, and is known by the common name of Tag alder, from the tops, or cones, with which it is covered in winter. It grows in clumps or thickets. Stems numerous, from ten to eighteen feet high. It blossoms in March and April, bearing flowers of a red- dish-green color. The bark is the part used in medicine ; it is inodor- ous, and has a slightly bitter astringent taste. Boiling water and dilute alcohol extract its medicinal properties. Alnuin is a dry, powdered extract, said to contain the active principles of this agent. Officinal Preparations.—The tincture and dilutions made from the bark; triturations prepared from the Alnuin, and a decoction. Generalities.—Probably no indigenous remedy has such an extensive popular reputation as an alterative, or more properly, an antipsoric, as the Alnus rubra. It is resorted to by the country people in nearly all obstinate chronic diseases of the skin or glandu- lar system, and often effects surprising cures after all other remedies used in regular practice have failed. Botanic physicians extol this article as a " powerful alterative," and very valuable in the treatment of rheumatism, erysipelas, gleet, syphilis, gravel, cystitis, etc. Eclec- tics claim for it " alterative powers." Coe says he speaks from large experience, and says: " We esteem it one of the best simple altera- tives and resolvents possible to be employed in scrofula, cutaneous eruptions, and in all affections arising from a vitiated state of the blood and fluids. In order to reap the full value of the Alnuin, its use must be persevered in for a considerable length of time." 60 NEW REMEDIES. Glandular System.—Scudder says: "We have employed it internally, and as a wash in scrofulous eruptions on the skin, with more advantage than any other agent. It has also proved useful in cases of Scrofula with glandular enlargements, and especially when there is suppuration of lymphatic glands." This statement is also supported by such writers as King, Lee and Barton. In order to test its antipsoric virtues, I have prescribed it in cases of Scrofula, enlargements of the submaxillary glands, and also in strumous enlargement of the tonsils, in the children of the poor, who were ill fed, when I had tried the ordinary antipsorics without benefit. In these cases I advised the simple decoction of about one ounce of the bark to two quarts of water, boiled down to one quart. Of this about one ounce was ordered three times daily. When I could get patients to use it persistently for several weeks or months, decided benefit generally occurred. I have been informed of many remarkable cures of obstinate chronic diseases, of a psoric nature, cured by a long continuance of the remedy. Cutaneous System.—The specific relation which this remedy has to affections of the skin, seems to be substantiated by reliable testimony. Dr. Helmich, of Ohio, says: "I am persuaded that the Alnus serrulata is one of our most valuable vegetable alteratives, and deserves the careful and attentive investigation of the physician, pharmacien and medical botanist. More recently I have witnessed the valuable properties of the extract, prepared by the evaporation of the decoction to the consistency of thick tar. It makes a very convenient form for pills or solution. I prescribed a strong decoc- tion of the extract two months ago, in a case of Impetigo of long standing, and which had proved very obstinate, refusing to yield to all the various forms of treatment, both general and local, persisted in for more than three years. The patient was a lady of full habit, somewhat corpulent, but with general health good. The disease affected both ankles over the instep. She was directed to drink a decoction of the red alder, and use one ounce of the extract dissolved in eight ounces of water as a local application, twice a day. In two weeks her husband reported to me that ' the one ounce of extract had done more for her than all the other remedies put too-ether.' At the present date, two months since the first application, she is entirely well. Impetigo is, in my experience, a very intractable form of disease ; yet in this case it yielded readily to the extract of red alder. It is the first and only case I have ever prescribed it in as a local remedy. I intend, however, to give it a more extended ALNUS RUBRA. 61 trial in some other diseases, where its tonic and astringent properties will be more fully tested. I am informed by the individual who prepares the extract, that it is an invaluable remedy for dyspepsia, taken in doses of half a dram, three times daily." Scudder says he has employed it internally, and as a wash, in scrofulous and syphilitic diseases of the skin, with good results. King has known it to be used advantageously in Herpes, Scorbutus and Impetigo. A most severe and obstinate case of Porrigo in a strumous child, once came under my care. It had been treated for nearly a year by regular physicians, but grew worse, antipsorics only palliated the disease. At the urgent solicitation of the neighbors, it was put upon tablespoonful doses of the decoction, three times a day, for two months, at the end of which time the cure was complete. It is very popular in the country as an external application to old ulcers. MUCOUS Membranes.—According to Lee it has been used success- fully in Blennorrhea, Abdominal fluxes, some forms of Dyspepsia, Gonorrhea, Gleet, Cystitis, Gravel, etc. The close relation between the skin and mucous membrane, would make us infer it to be useful in chronic affections of the latter, arising from a psoric diathesis. I have known a Chronic Diarrhea of long standing, get well under the use of the decoction used for several weeks. It was in such a diarrhea as we would give Phosphoric acid, Phosphorus, Sulphur and Calcarea. Haemorrhages.—Dr. Williams, of Deerfield, (allopath) was very partial to its use in Hcematuria. Others have used it with alleged success in various hemorrhages. Coe says : " Although not strictly diuretic, it nevertheless exercises a peculiar alterative (homeopathic) influence over the kidneys and urinary organs generally. The general appearance of the shrub, its botanical characteristics and natural history, strongly resemble that of the Hamamelis vir. The analysis of the bark of both are quite similar. The Hamamelis contains a larger proportion of tannin, and is probably the more potent remedy in hemorrhages. It does not seem to possess the antipsoric properties of the Alnus. No proving has been made of this remedy. Beyond the remark that " the inner bark is an emetic," I know of no pathogenetic symp- toms arising from its use. I have made careful inquiry of those who take it in large doses for along time, but could not ascertain that it caused any symptoms, except those of a curative nature. 62 NEW REMEDIES. AMPELOPSIS QUIN0UEFOL1A. (American Iry.) Analogues : Alnus rubra, Apocynum cann., Arsenicum, Calcarea carb., Dulcamara, Graphites, Iodine, Kali carb., Lycopodium, Chim aphilla, Phytolacca, Rumex crispus, Stillingia, Sulphur, Rhus tox., and Scjria. Botanical Description.—This is a woody vine, with a rooting, climbing stem ; quinate and digitate leaves ; leaflets oblong, acumi- nate, petiolate, dentate, smooth, and turn crimson in autumn; flowers inconspicuous, greenish, or white, in dichotomous clusters ; calyx entire; petals five, distinct, spreading; ovary two-celled, cells two- ovuled ; style very short; berries dark blue, acid, smaller than peas, and two-celled, cells one or two-seeded. The American Ivy is a common and familiar shrubby vine, climbing extensively, and, by means of its radicating tendrils, supporting itself firmly upon trees, ascending to the height of fifty feet. In the same manner it ascends and overspreads walls and buildings, its large leaves constituting a luxuriant foliage of dark glossy green. It is found in wild woods and thickets throughout the United States, and blossoms in July, ripening its small blackish berries in October. In various sections it has different names, as, Woodbine, Virginia Creeper, Five Leaves, False Grape, Wild Wood vine, etc. Officinal Preparation.—The tincture and dilution prepared from the fresh bark and young twigs. Medical History.—No proving of the Woodbine has yet been made, nor has it been used in homeopathic practice. All that we know concerning its effects comes to us through the medium of the people and eclectic practitioners. It has long been known in domes- tic practice, where it is considered an analogue of the Alnus rubra, and as a general alterative in chronic diseases. It has been employed by the eclectics as a remedy in chronic disorders of the respiratory organs, in phthisis, chronic bronchitis, and chronic laryngitis, with alleged success. It is also recommended in scrofula, chronic cutaneous affections, chronic and mercurial rheuma- tism, syphilis, old ulcers, and a " general vitiated state of the consti- tution." Scudder says it is, as far as ascertained, an alterative, pectoral, diaphoretic, sub-astringent and tonic. Lee asserts—" In small doses it acts upon all the glandular organs, as a stimulating secernant; and in still larger doses, it proves a hydrogogue cathartic, and has been recommended in dropsical cases. An infusion of the bark of the vine acts very much like the Apocy- num cannabinum, causing copious watery discharges from the bowels, or by renal and cutaneous secretions." He considers it worthy of high rank among the alteratives. Coe (who sometimes has a grain of truth among the chaff of his APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 63 bald generalities) says it is an alterative which " does its work kindly, silently, yet surely." He advises it for scrofula, cutaneous diseases, bronchitis, hooping cough, asthma, dropsy, syphilis, diarrhea and rheumatism ; and declares that " it exercises a remarkable influence over the absorbent system, hence will be found valuable in all cases where tubercular deposits or indurations are suspected. It is, for this reason, a suitable remedy in incipient phthisis. It has proved a reliable agent in the cure of dropsy. Although possessing consider- able diuretic power, its curative action in this disease does not seem to depend upon that especial property, but upon its power to excite a healthful action in the glandular and absorbent systems. Its influence seems to be expended upon the entire organism, gently stimulating each function to the performance of its duty, without proving evacu- ant in one direction more than another." To speak with more scientific precision, Ampelopsis is an anti- psoric remedy, whose influence is general upon the vital constituents of the organism. To say it is useful in the chronic disorders above mentioned, is only to leave the matter still in the dark. It is the same as declaring that it is simply an " antipsoric." The very few special indications we possess, do not give us any satisfactory clue to its specific qualities. It remains, therefore, for homeopathic physi- cians to subject it to a thorough proving, that we may know the symptoms and conditions for which it will prove useful. From what I can glean of its pathogenetic action, I should consider it likely to be useful in Dropsy when due to a cachectic condition of the system, or as a sequel of Chronic diarrhea, old hepatic, and renal affections, and certain Scrofulous conditions. In the hands of the New School it will probably prove a valuable antipsoric remedy. APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. (Indian Hemp.) Analogues : Asclepias tub., and syr., Eiqiatorium pur., Helleborus nigra, Kali hydriod. This should not be confounded with A. Androsemifolium The medicinal properties of the two are widely different. Botanical Description.—It is a perennial plant, stems herba- ceous, erect, branching, of a brown color, and two or three feet in height; the leaves are opposite, ovate, oblong, acute at both ends, and somewhat downy beneath ; the cymes are pedunculate, many-flowered and pubes- cent; the corolla is small and greenish, with a tube not longer than the calyx, and with an erect border. The pod, or follicle is from three to five inches long, and resembles the pods of the asclepias syriaca, or common silk-weed, but are much smaller. 64 NEW REMEDIES. The stalk and root abounds in a milky juice which concretes into a substance closely resembling caoutchouc. It is the juice which contains the active principles. The root, which is the officinal part, is horizontal, five or six feet in length, about one-third of an inch thick, dividing near the end into branches, which terminate abruptly, of a yellowish brown color when young, but dark chesnut when old, of a strong odor, and a nauseous, somewhat acrid, and a permanently bitter taste. It grows in damp places, by marshes and running streams, and is indigenous to nearly every part of the United States. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the root. Triturations of the root. (The tincture should be dark red, or light brown, and of an intensely bitter taste. It is made with Alcohol. I have used a tincture made with Spirit. Nitri dulc, with most excellent effects. The tincture and its dilutions seem to effect the urinary organs, and are most efficacious in Dropsy, etc. An infusion of one ounce of the fresh root in one quart of water, has been successfully administered and seems to act more promptly in dropsy in teaspoonful doses than any other preparation. The triturations seem to be most efficacious in affections of the pulmonary organs.) Medical History.—All the older writers (allopathic) absurdly supposed this species to possess nearly indentical properties with the A. androsemifolium. Although belonging to the same genus, they can hardly be called remedial analogues. Wood* says but little about it, and ranks it as emetic, cathartic, sometimes diuretic, and, like other emetic substances, promotes diaphoresis and expectoration. He says it produces much nausea, diminishes the frequency of the pulse, and appears to produce drow- siness independently of the exhaustion consequent upon vomiting. He quotes the testimony of Drs. Knapp, Parrish and Griscomb, as to its efficacy in dropsy. Dr. Griscomb statedf that this agent has four different and dis- tinct operations upon the system, which it almost invariably produces, viz.: (1) Nausea and vomiting; (2) this is followed by increased alvine discharges, which are succeeded (3) by copious perspiration, and in many instances (4) by diuresis. I believe it was first brought to the notice of the homeopathic school by Dr. Gray, of New York, in a clinical note to an edition of Hull's Jahr's Manual. It was then used and proven by Dr. Marcy and Dr. J. C. Peters, of New York. * Medical Dispensatory. - ^ t Amer. Jour. Med. Sciences, XII 55. APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 65 DR. PETERS' PROVING. Dr. Peters took half wine glass full doses of Hunt's decoction, three times a day—morning, noon and night. For the first few days he noticed no perceptible effect, except an increased inclination towards constipation. (This decoction must have been very weak for a table-spoonfull of a decoction such as I have made, would have acted on him as a powerful cathartic.) He noticed a decided scantiness of urine; occasionally there was some flatulence, and slightly uneasy sensation in the bowels. About the fourth day, decided distention of the abdomen began to occur. Especially after a moderate dinner, all the sense of fullness seemed about the stomach, liver and spleen, while the lower bowels did not seem more flatulent than usual. The sense of oppression about the epigastrium and chest was so great, that there was often the greatest difficulty in getting breath enough to speak with comfort, and this happened after lighter meals than ordinary. He was confident that his urine diminished to one-third the usual quantity, but there was no pain or uneasiness about the kidneys or bladder, on the contrary, these organs felt remarkably comforta- ble; they seemed simply torpid; the little water that was passed, flowed as easily as if it were oil, and there seemed to be but little expulsive power about the bladder. The urine was generally a light golden sherry-yellow color, not depositing any sediment on exposure to cold. " The torpid action of the kidneys was rather peculiar as the weather was severely cold, and I was much exposed to it, and in my ordinary state my kidneys act frequently and rather freely. It is right to add that during the experiment I was growing stout, and had just recovered from fever and ague, which may account for the oppres- sion of the chest and flatulence." This may be, but his own experi- ments afterwards brought on similar symptoms, even when the drug was taken in minute doses. The symptoms observed by him and others, will be found under their appropriate heads. DR. MARCY'S PROVING. " I took for 6 days, 5 drops, three times daily, of the 3d dilution. No unusual sensations were observed until the fifth morning of the proving, when on walking I felt a sinking at the stomach, dryness of the mouth, thirst, nausea, irresistable disposition to sigh, short and unsatisfactory respiration, short and dry cough, scanty expectoration of white mucus. These symptoms continued during the day, and on retiring, we had in addition unusual heat of the skin, general restlessness and desire to sleep with- 5 66 NEW REMEDIES. out the ability to do so. During the entire day, urine was natural in quantity, and gave the same color to test papers as in health. The night of the fifth was one of great restlessness and little sleep. On the morning of the sixth day we awoke at about five o'clock, unrefreshed by our sleep, and with the same symptoms as on the fifth day, with exception of a dimininution of the quantity of urine. Dur- ing this day we were unable to detect any alteration in the composition of the urine, either by test of paper or with acids. The symptoms of the seventh day and night were a continuation of the sixth, on the eighth day the stomach and chest symptoms had diminished, but the urinary secretion had increased in quantity and much ligher in color than in health. On the evening of the eighth day we experienced an unusual heaviness of the head, with aching pains in the small of the back and limbs. There was no tenderness of the region of the kidneys on pressure, but a slight soreness of the parts when bringing the muscles into action, indicating the muscles as the scat of the pains. From the ninth day the symptoms continued very gradually to decline until the thirteenth day, after which no further abnormal phenomena were observed." Clinical Observations.—The above fragmentary provings are very suggestive. The groups of symptoms resemble those of non-inflammatory dropsy, having a rheumatic or congestive origin. Wo often meet such symptoms in practice, where it is difficult to give a satisfactory diagnosis. Before we can know the action of Apocynum, we shall have to make pathological provings of the drug. In cases of general debility, from a watery condition of the blood and poor digestion, if at the same time there is scanty urine, Apcynum will restore the strength and tone of the system. Skin.—Unusual heat of the skin. Cold skin—with nausea, vomiting, etc. Copious sweating. Clintcal Observations.—In nearly'all the dropsies, the skin is dry and harsh. When from natural processes or from the action of medicines the skin becomes moist and soft, we may be pretty sure improvement will soon follow. Whenever I have been successful in the use of Apocynum, the skin became moist before the urinary secretion became more abundant. It has been found useful in some inveterate eruptions, as psoriasis. Sleep.—Desire to sleep without the ability to do so. Great restless- ness with little sleep at night. On retiring, unusual heat of skin; waking unrefreshed about 5 a. m. Inducesa tendency to sleep. Sleep- iness with heaviness of the head. Clinical Observations.—In nearly all the dropsies, especially post-scarlatinal, the patient is feverish at night, and very restless. APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 67 This often occurs before the dropsical effusion is noticed. In this stage the Apocynum will prevent the malady from being established. Fever.—Unusual heat of the skin with general restlessness and desire to sleep, with inability to do so—at night. Pulse very slow, with nausea. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Trent claims for the Apoc. anti- periodic virtues, but he gave it combined with oil of black pepper. Such observations as made by the allopathic school are perfectly worthless, yet upon such flimsy foundations does their vaunted Materia Medica depend 1 It is probably not useful for the ague properly, but is of value in the dropsical sequele which so often follow that disease. It is homeopathic to thoracic oppression, the bloating of the stomach and bowels after eating ; the edema and even night sweats; in all of which I have used it Avith advantage in the 2d and 3d dilutions. In Catarrhal fever with nightly exacerbation, short dry cough with scanty expectoration of white mucus, and oppression of the chest, it will be found curative. Head*—Heaviness in the head. Heavy stupid headache with drowsiness. Clinical Observations.—It is undoubtedly slightly narcotic in its effects. The drowsiness which it causes is very similar to that which occurs in all dropsical affections which have reached a high degree of intensity. In such cases sleepiness is an unfavorable symptom, and should warn us to be on our guard against coma and apoplexy. In such conditions we have in this medicine a prompt and reliable remedy. Several times in the course of my practice have I rescued my patients by giving promptly the Apocynum. If the dilutions failed of effect, as they sometime will in cases marked by such torpidity, I have not hesitated to resort to the decoction, for I have ever considered the life of my patients to be of more importance than a blind adherence to established forms. We should recollect, moreover, that the tincture is not always the best preparation. With many valuable plants the decoction is the best method of adminis- tration, because hot water alone is capable of extracting all their medicinal virtues. In a case of supposed Hydrocephalus in a child of Prof. Renwick, of New York, aged 16 months, after all other remedies had been given up and the case regarded as hopeless, the use of a decoction of Indian hemp was followed by perfect recovery. " The sutures of the head were opened ; the forehead projecting considerably; the sight of one eye totally lost; the other slightly sensible ; the child lying in a stupor, with constant involuntary motion of one leg and arm. The urinary secretion had ceased for more than twenty-four hours. A tea of Apocynum was prepared by dropping pieces of the root into a coffee pot until nearly full, covering with water, and steeping for half an hour; of this a teaspoonful was given every hour. In 68 NEW REMEDIES. the course of a few hours free action of the kidneys was restored : the sight of both eyes were perfect; stupor and insensibility passed away. The child steadily convalesced, though the hemp was given for a fortnight, gradually diminishing the dose, until but half a tea- spoonful was given in twenty-four hours." This was undoubtedly a case of hydrocephalus, and the Apocynum as undoubtedly cured it. The lower dilutions may have done as well perhaps as the higher; but in such a case, of a generally fatal disease, what conscientious physician would hesitate to use other preparations ? The dose given was not more than 10 or 15 drops of a 1st decimal dilution would contain, and no pathogenetic symptoms were caused. One cannot but be struck with the similarity between the symptoms cured, and those for which Hartmann so confidently recommends Helleborus. In fact, the two medicines are very nearly allied. Some undoubted cures of hydrocephalus have been made with Helleborus, but we have given it faithfully and in various potencies in that disease ; and yet the little patients died. What physician has not lost patients with that dreadful malady in spite of Belladonna, Hellebore, Sulphur and Zinc ? How gladly we would have resorted to any remedy, in any form, if we thought it would restore health ? Let a fair trial, then, be given the Apocynum. Since the publication of the above in the first edition, Dr. Waterman has verified the clinical experience of this remedy in Hydrocephalus, as the following case shows : " On the 21st of May I was called to a case of undoubted Hydro- cephalus, in a child twelve months old, given up six days before by the attending physician. Symptoms,—Paralysis of left side; one eye motionless, the other rolling, with tendency to dryness of lower part of cornea ; bowels distended ; pulse slow. I gave drop doses of the tincture every half hour alone, for first twenty-four hours. On the 22d I found the case decidedly improved ; all of the above symptoms gone, and a green diarrhea developed. Gave the same with Iris versicolor, 1st dec. dil., in alternation every half hour. The 23d passages yellow and natural, with some cough. Gave Apocynum with Macrotin first, once an hour, which was continued until the 25th, when the case was discharged cured." Eyes. —" I was once waked up early in the morning with severe irritation of the left eye, as if several sharp grains of sand were in it, attended with much heat, irritation and redness, often lasting several hours. This disappeared as suddenly as it came on, not leaving a trace behind ; although the symptoms were severe enough to make me believe I had an attack of catarrhal rheumatic ophthal- mia, which would last at least three or four days."—Peters. Clinical Observations.—The above symptoms would indicate its usefulness in some forms of Ophthalmia. In the case of hydro- cephalus, it restored sight to one eye. It may prove very useful in many diseases of the eye and disorders of vision due to effused fluids in the eye or brain. APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 69 Ears.—In hydrocephalus there is often more or less deafness, for which condition this remedy will prove curative. Nose. —" A very peculiar catarrhal attack was experienced, viz.: without any other sign of having taken cold, I would wake up in the morning with the nostrils and throat filled with thick and well ccmeuted, yellow mucus, as if I had had a severe catarrh for at least seven or ten days, and which had skipped its first stage and com- menced in the second."—Peters. Clinical Observations.—The action of Apocynum on the mu- cous surfaces is not yet fully understood. I have cured one case of obstinate Nasal catarrh with the first dilution. It seems to cause catarrhal states similar in nature to those induced by Pulsatilla, Sum- bul, Copaiva and Paris quadrifolia. Dr. Marsden writes of its use in coryza or cold in the head.* " Some years since, when engaged in making the first decimal trituration of the root of this plant, I observed that the schneiderian membrane became affected very similarly to what is experienced when suffering from a very bad cold in the head. I have been sub- ject to severe attacks of coryza from my childhood, and am quite familiar with its symptoms, and immediately noticed the very close resemblance between these and those produced by inhaling the pulverized Apocynum. This experience suggested the idea that this plant might prove curative in the affection which had been a source of annoyance to me all my life. The first opportunity that offered, I tested the remedy upon myself both by snuffing and internal exhibi- tion, and to my great delight experienced speedy relief. At least I had, so nearly as I can remember, always found that when the char- acteristic dryness of the nose set in, it was followed by an exceedingly irritating watery discharge, which lasted for several days, mostly involving the eyes, and passing off in abundant secretion of thick mucus. But when I used the Apocynum, immediately on experienc- ing the first morbid sensation, the disease in almost every instance abated and insensibly passed away in a day or two. I have frequently prescribed this remedy for infantile Coryza, which is often fatal in very young children by interfering with respiration, and very gener- ally the results have been quite satisfactory. " Although I had noticed years ago the pathogenetic effects of Apocynum when inhaled in aminutely divided state, on the schneiderian membrane, I did not, till quite lately, meet with similar effects from its internal exhibition. About the middle of November last, I had a lady under my care, the subject of Ascites, and to whom the necessity for tapping was then imminent; she was exceedingly anxious to avoid the operation, and wishing myself to gratify her if possible, I pre- scribed a decoction of the fresh root of the plant according to a suggestion in Dr. Hale's New Provings,j a small tablespoonful to be taken every two hours. Towards the evening of I think the third * American Homoeopathic Observer, Vol. 11, page 33. t First Edition. 70 NEW REMEDIES. day after she began the medicine, she complained of dryness and stiffness in the nose, chilliness and general malaise. She asked me if these symptoms could be produced by the medicine she was taking, as she had not exposed herself in any way by which she could take cold, and that she had never taken cold in the head, but always in the throat and breast. She discontinued the medicine when she went to bed, was somewhat feverish during the early part of the night, but in the morning all the symptoms had disappeared. She resumed the medicine, the symptoms returned in the afternoon, and in the evening she finally discontinued it. The next day the coryza had disappeared, followed by no discharge of mucus or any other effect such as commonly occurs. I had twice given the tincture of the root to this lady before, in considerable doses, and although I was always disappointed in obtaining the desired effect upon the dropsy, it was in both instances followed by uterine hemorrhage, she being past the turn of life. "I would remark, that to derive benefit from this remedy in coryza, it is prudent to begin it with the first admonition of takinc cold, to persevere in its use, and I need hardly add avoid such expos- ures as tend to increase the disease and neutralize the effect of the medicine. I prefer for snuffing a very small quantity of the bark of the root, reduced by itself to an impalpable powder." Mouth.—Dryness of the mouth, with nausea, thirst, &c. (See general symptoms.) Dryness of the tongue. Throat.—Throat filled with thick, well concreted yellow mucus in the morning. Unpleasant degree of heat in the throat. Clinical Observations.—Some persons are much troubled with hawking of yellow mucus from the throat and fauces every morning In such cases the Apocynum will probably give relief. Stomach.—Distention of the stomach after meals. Sense of great oppression about the epigastrium, with great difficulty of getting breath, after lighter meals than ordinary. Occasionally a sense of sinking was experienced at the pit of the stomach, with general but transient debility. Sinking at the stomach (this is a prominent symptom of the drug). Violent vomiting, with prostration and drowsiness. Increases the appetite and digestion (curative). Clinical Observations.—It causes symptoms of the stomach similar to those which are nearly always presented in cases of impend- ing or existing dropsy. It should be tried in that troublesome symptom—" Sinking at the stomach "—which occurs in women at the climacteric period. In diabetes this symptom is nearly always present, and may be relieved by this drug. It seems quite homeo- pathic to the vomiting which occurs in the first stage of hydrocepha- lus, for " violent vomiting^ with drowsiness " is quite pathognomonic of that disease. Dr. Freligh cured with it an " irritable stomach so bad that the patient could not retain even a draught of water," which occurred as a complication of dropsy. APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 71 Abdomen.—Decided distention of the abdomen, especially after a moderate dinner. The upper bowels seemed distended—the lower not at all. Occasional flatulence, with slightly uneasy sensations in the bowels. Clinical Observations.—Of the great value of Apocynum in Ascites we have an immense amount of proof from the allopathic, eclectic, and homeopathic physicians. All unite in pronouncing it a generally useful remedy, a veritable " vegetable trocar," as Dr. Rush called it. The mass of evidence in its favor would fill many pages, and we will only record a few of the most prominent cases. The first accounts of its great value in Ascites were from the reports of Dr. Griscomb, in the American Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. XII. Afterwards, Prof. Merril, Dr. Knapp, Dr. Val- entine Mott, and Prof. Lee, and many others bore testimony to its great usefulness. Prof. Merril related to his class a case of Ascites in a boy of 12 years old, which was promptly relieved by this remedy, after every other treatment had failed, and the disease had progressed so far that a time had been fixed for the operation of tapping. The extract was given, first in doses of one grain, afterwards increased to ten grains, three times a day. The effects were, moderate catharsis of a bilious and feculent character, free diuresis, without being profuse, and copious perspiration. Great relief and relaxation was obtained in the first twenty-four hours, and in five days there was no hydropic condition remaining." (Other cases of Ascites will be found under the head of " General Dropsy.") To Dr. John F. Gray, of New York, is due the credit of fairly introducing this remedy in the treatment of dropsical affections. He could, if he would, make known hundreds of cases successfully treated by the Apocynum. But with advancing years he has an invincible dislike to making his great and varied experience public. Happily, other homeopathic physicians have reported cases of anas- arca, etc., of great value to the profession. Dr. Jas. T. Alley, in the N. A. Journal, reports a case of Ascites, supposed to be caused by cirrhosis or hobnail liver. In this instance it was used in conjunction with Apis and Nitro-muriatic acid. He bears testimony to its value in cases of dropsy " when there is no organic derangement to impede its action." P^ven when there is. he thinks it may aid other and more specific remedies. In "Abdominal dropsy from hob-nail liver, 1 believe it to be a sure, though not rapid remedy." He gave quite large doses, " as much," he says, " as could be perfectly well borne without disturbance to the digestive organs. In Hull's Jahr is reported a case of Ascites caused by Quinine, cured by Apocynum. • Dr. Freligh (N. A. Jour., Vol. IV., p. 519,) reports several cases of Ascites cured with this drug :— "Mrs. C, aged 49, and Miss M., aged 23. The former was 72 NEW REMEDIES. referable to a cessation of the menses, and the latter arose from con- gestion of the liver and portal system. " Within six months I treated an aged lady, who had been under treatment for the best part of eight months by one of the professors of our city, who pronounced the case ' incurable organic disease of the heart.' . It was cured with Apocynum." I once cured a notable case of Ascites with this remedy. The patient was a lady, aged 45. Her climacteric period had passed without much disturbance. She caught a severe cold in the month of March ; had some fever and pain in the bowels, and was treated by an eclectic physician for " inflammation of the bowels." When I first saw her she was much emaciated, very weak, no appetite, red tongue and sore throat, abdomen slightly distended, and the seat of a great deal of heavy, " bruised " pain. The urine was scanty, high colored, and bowels costive. The treatment was commenced with Ar- senicum30. No improvement following in a week, the 3d, and finally the first trituration was given, but the Ascites rapidly increased. For six weeks various remedies were tried, among which were Kali carb., Helleborus, China, Colchicum, Cantharis, Cannabis, and Kali iod., but no benefit accrued from any thing. The effusion had now increased to an enormous extent. She was obliged to sit in a chair all the time. Lying down brought on fits of suffocative dyspnea. Pier body and extremities were exceedingly emaciated. No edema of the feet. Urine nearly suppressed; only one or two ounces a day. Bowels very constipated, moving only every four or five days. At this time, an experienced allopathic physician was called in, who advised blue pill, gamboge, and a resort to tapping. This treatment was not tried. I then gave Apocynum1, for two days; no effect; then 10 drops of the tincture every two hours for two days She got worse. Then I made a decoction of the dry root, half ounce to one pint of water. Of this she took a tablespoonful every four hours, but no effect was noticed. I proposed tapping to save her life, but she decidedly refused to submit to the operation. I then procured some of the fresh root (in the month of July), and made a decoction (one ounce to one pint of water). She took a tablespoonful of this every two hours. In twelve hours the urine became more profuse, the bowels moved freely, the skin became moist, no nausea or pain was produced, fn a week she could lie down and sleep all night. Under the use of similar doses, four times a day, she ultimately recovered, and in two months was considered as healthy and strong as ever. Bowels.—From small doses; loose feculent bilious stools, with slight uneasiness in the abdomen. Loose, but not very copious bilious stools. Sensation as if diarrhea would occur. From very large doses ; copious watery discharges with severe griping pains, nausea and vomiting, slow pulse, cool skin and copious perspiration. Clinical Observations.—In moderate doses it does not seem to irritate the bowels much. The best allopathic authorities do not deem it necessary to produce its hydrogogue effects in the treatment APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 73 of Dropsy ; Prof. Lee says it need not be given, even to nausea, all its best cures have been made without giving it to the extent of causing watery evacuations. It has even cured Dropsy, while the bowels remained obstinately costive and the stools light colored. Dr. Paine, of New York, states that it has been used successfully for Diarrheas and Intestinal hemorrhages, and suggests it in Cholera morbus, and Cholera-infantum. Dr. D. W. Rogers, of Cold-water, Mich., reports the following cases illustrative of its use in Dropsy and Chronic diarrhea: " A middle-aged lady who had been an invalid many years, and suffered much from the combined effects of disease and the doctors, applied to me for the relief of a thin, watery diarrhea, with discharge of undigested food. Pulsatilla and Arsenicum removed the lienteric character of the evacuations and the frequency of the stools, but the diarrhea was otherwise the same. " The patient was a thin, spare woman; has had prolapsus uteri for a long time. For many years she has been troubled with alter- nate constipation and diarrhea. ^The latter commencing in the spring and lasting continuously until cold weather commences, when obstinate constipation sets in and continues until warm weather the next season. " With the diarrhea she now had ascites, This and other symp- toms led me to prescribe Apocynum cann. in the 2d dilution, two drops every two hours. She had only one diarrheic stool after the second dose of the remedy ; since that time the evacuations have been normal; the size of the abdomen is rapidly decreasing ; from being low-spirited and morose, she has become cheerful and hopeful ; says she never experienced such prompt relief from any other medicine. "I report this case to call attention to the Apocynum cann. in Dropsy complicated with Diarrhea.'''1 Kidneys and Urine.—Dull aching pain in the region of the kid- neys, with increased secretion of straw-colored urine. No tenderness in the region of the kidneys on pressure, nor was the composition of the urine changed any. (Marcy's proving with 3d dil.) Decided scantiness of urine. Urine diminished to one-third the usual quantity, but no pain or uneasiness about the kidneys or bladder. The little water that passed flowed as easily as if it were oil, and there seemed to be but little expulsive power about the bladder. The urine was generally of a light golden sherry-yellow color, not depositing any sediment on exposure to cold. Very peculiar torpid action of the kidneys. {Peters' proving with large doses.) Very profuse, light colored urine. Several quarts, and even gallons of urine were passed every day. It causes copious diuresis when given in dropsy. Clinical Observations.—In all the provings, so far, it has caused no particular pain in the urinary organs, but a decided scantiness of 74 NEW REMEDIES. urine. Probably the experiments were not thorough enough. My experience is, that it is the most reliable diuretic in use. No drug may be more confidently relied on to produce profuse urination, when given in disease. Dr. Freligh says : "I have found it equally efficient in urinary difficulties, particularly dysuria, strangury and anury, and it appeared quite immaterial, judging from its effects, whether the symptoms depended upon common catarrh of the bladder, diseases of the prostrate, or upon a morbid irritation of the bladder, and whether from gravel, or from a want of tone in the parts concerned in its evacuation. I have never known it to fail even in cases of retention depending upon paralysis, having used it successfully, in a case of paralysis of the inferior extremities, caused by injury to the spine. Every remedy had been tried in vain, and the catheter afforded the only relief, which had been used once and sometimes twice a day for a fortnight. The first dose had the desired effect; I have treated many other interesting cases of urinary difficulty successfully with the Apocynum. The doses administered in the case referred to, were from two to five drops of the tincture, (never more than seven) in a tumbler two-thirds full of pure cold water, a dessert-spoonful given, for the dropsical affections, every four hours : in urinary difficulties every hour until relief was afforded." Dr. Freligh reports several cases of Dropsy treated with the Apocynum: " Mr. L. aged 64, who had been under medical treatment for sev- eral months, and gradually grew worse, until his symptoms were of the most alarming character, and threatened immediate suffocation. I found him laboring under the most agonizing difficulty of breathing, being supported in the sitting position in bed, by two or three persons alternately. His stomach was in such an irritable condition that he could not retain even a draught of cold water, countenance expressive of anguish, abdomen distended, urine entirely suppressed and very extensive edema. This case was denominated organic disease of the heart by his physician. In a fortnight from the time I recommended the treatment, he rode out with case and comfort, and now appears perfectly well. If the diagnosis of the other physician was correct, the Apocynum will not only cure dropsy depending upon organic disease of the heart, in a less time than would appear credible, but also the primary or original disease, pronounced incurable." " Mr. G. aged 62, Ascites, and anasarca, and edema of the inferior extremities, succeeding typhus. His abdomen very much distended and painful, pulse small and irregular, skin dry and husky, urine high-colored, diminished in quantity, voided with difficulty, breathing very laborious." " Master P. aged 8, Post-scarlatinal dropsy, face much swollen, also neck, chest and extremities. When I was called they thought him dying; he was gasping for breath and could not utter a syllable although perfectly consciuus and would answer by sio-ns " Dr. F. adds that during the last seven or eight years he has used the Apocynum with the most decided success in almost every form of APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 75 dropsy. He has succeeded with it in hydrothorax, ascites and gen- eral anasarca, when Arsenicum, Apis, Hellebore, Digitalis and Kali iod., with vapor baths, etc., have failed. Dr. Peters has reported several interesting cases : — Case 1. A gentleman aged-70, over six feet high and splendidly proportioned, became dropsical. The urine became scanty, bowels constipated, feet, legs and abdomen grew slowly larger, and gradually- great difficulty in breathing from the slightest exertion or on lying down ensued. From the thickness of the abdominal walls, and the great quantity of fat in the omentum, fluctuation in the abdomen was long masked, but finally became very distinct. The thickness of the walls of the chest also rendered the physical signs of Hydrothorax indistinct for a long time, but they finally became very manifest. The action of the heart became very feeble, but was always distinct, the pulse often vanished down to a mere thread, was often almost imperceptible for several beats, frequently so compressible that slight pressure would obliterate for the time, and altogether so strangely irregular, weak and intermitting, that the sudden death of the patient was expected as a matter of course. Those symptoms progressed steadily in spite of the use of Arsenicum, Hellebore, Scilla, Digitalis, China, etc. He was finally put upon the use of Hunt's decoction of Apocynum, at the suggestion of Dr. Gray, commencing with tea- spoonful doses every two or three hours. In less than forty-eight hours the patient was comparatively comfortable, was able to lie down and sleep with pleasure, whereas previously he had looked forward to the approaching night with the utmost dread and horror ; the urine increased moderately and steadily, and in a few weeks, the patient, who had been ill for upwards of four months, was not only well, but felt better than he had for years. The bowels remained sluggish under the use of the hemp. This improved state of things lasted for more than a year, then a relapse was speedily cured by hemp ; a third attack was cured by Apis ; a fourth by Digitalis, Squills and Mercurius : and a fifth by Iodide of Potash. During the larger portion of this time the patient had contracted a most invincible dis- like to Apocynum ; but in a sixth attack, all the other remedies failing, he was persuaded to resume the hemp, after his condition was almost hopeless, and distressing in the extreme, from excessive oppression and difficulty of breathing, etc., hydrothorax and edema of the lungs, inability to walk or step without being thrown into the most violent suffocating attacks, and in short from the numerous and complicated symptoms of general anasarca, ascites, hydrothorax, hydro-pericar- dium, etc. After using the Apocynum three or four days, in doses of one-third of a wine-glass-full three times a day, the urine increased from less than a pint in twenty-five hours, to fully three quarts, with a progressing diminution of all the symptoms. The case has since died without any return of the Dropsy." Case 2. " A man aged 32, had suffered with Anasarca, Ascites and commencing hydrothorax for many weeks, under active allopathic treatment by means of Cream of Tartar and Digitalis, Elaterium, etc. 76 NEW REMEDIES. When I first saw him, his largest pantaloons had to be cut open and tied with strings, to accommodate his elephantine limbs ; ho was utterly unable to lie down or sleep ; urine especially scanty and bowels costive. The Apocynum was commenced in table-spoonful doses, gradually increased to a wine-glass full every four hours, by night and day ; this was continued for upwards of ten days without any unpleasant symptoms, the urine slowly commenced to increase, and finally became enormous in amount. In less than a month he was entirely well; was soon able to go to sea, and remains well until this day, upwards of two years after." Case 3. "A gentleman aged 67, had gradually been growing dropsical for eleven months; he had first been treated homeopath- ically in the country, by an exceedingly able, but excessively high dilutionist; he then fell into the hands of two of the most distin- guished allopathic profession of this city ; then he was again treated with high dilutions for several weeks by one of our oldest and best- known homepathists; finally he came into my hands and was immediately put under the use of Apocynum. One desert spoonful per dose, every four hours ; his urine which had been excessively scanty for months and finally had decreased to a small half pint, in twenty-four hours, thick, yellow and turbid, as if yellow clay had been dissolved in it, increased to upwards of two quarts in one night; two large chamber pots full were passed in one day. In less than 48 hours after commencing the Apocynum the urine also became clear and of a light straw-yellow color ; all the signs of ascites, anas- arca, hydrothorax and edema of the lungs disappeared in less than ten days, after using about one pint of Hunt's preparation of Apocy- num, (about one-half oz. of mother tincture)." Case 4. " A gentleman, aged about 50, was attacked with Inflammatory rheumatism, and treated by an eminent Old School physician for about eight weeks, when he became discouraged from the severity of his sufferings and placed himself under our care. He had taken the usual routine medicines of the other school, Colchicum, Mercury, Iodide of Potash, Opium, etc., etc., and when he came into my hands, was reduced by the combined influence of the disease and the drug to the following condition : "Severe rheumatic pains in the back, shoulders, elbows and wrist joints, dull pains and great stiffness, and immobility in the lower extremities, edematous condition of both legs, effusion of water in the chest and abdomen, excessive dyspnea with constant sense of suffocation, acute pains in the cardiac region at evcrv respiration, pulse rapid, feeble and very irregular, almost entire suppression of urine, dry and hot skin, thirst, dull headache, excessive anxiety and constant dread of suffocation, inability to assume the recumbent posi- tion, dryness of the tongue and mouth, inability to sleep from constant feeling of suffocation, short, dry and painful cough. For this oroup of symptoms we prescribed the first dilution of Bryonia every hour. After a few hours the rheumatic and cardiac pains were ameliorated, and the oppression of the chest and difficult breathing were somewhat better. At the expiration often hours we prescribed Aconite1, in APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 77 alternation with Bryonia every hour. During the night, some ten hours after the first dose of Aconite, the patient had profuse perspi- ration for several hours, followed by an amendment of the entire condition. These two remedies were continued for two days longer, but caused no further improvement. The first dilution of Apis was next ordered in drop doses, every two hours. This was continued for three days without any notable improvement. " The patient was now ordered to take a teaspoonful of Hunt's Apocynum every two hours. In a few hours the urinary secretion was much increased, and it continued for several days, until the drop- sical effusions, and the edematous condition of the limbs, had entirely disappeared. While under the use of Apocynum, occasional scarifi- cations were made upon the legs and feet, giving exit to much serum. As the dropsical effusions diminished, nearly all of the symptoms, first enumerated, gradually disappeared, until finally the patient com- plained of debility, and occasional paroxysms of palpitation of the heart, the remains of the rheumatism. After a few weeks the patient returned to his home in the West, remained in a comfortable condition for several months, was again attacked with Dropsy and after an illness of about two months, died." {Marcy) "Apocynum is utterly useless in Bright's disease, except to remove the Dropsy. I ought to add that albuminaria was present in none of the above cases. It is also comparatively useless when inflammation is present." {Peters) " I have seen it very effectual in Ascites in the hand of Dr. Okie of Providence, and have seen it remove the dropsical accumulations in Bright's disease, but never knew it to cure the disease." {Watson) Dr. \Ym. P. Fowler says he prolonged the lives of three dropsi- cal patients, in which the disease was Hepatic cirrhosis, (proved by post mortem) for several years, by the use of Apocynum. In Dropsy after Scarlatina the Apocynum has not been as thoroughly tested as it should be. Before I became acquainted with its value, I relied almost entirely upon Apis, Colchicum and Digitalis, and with very good success. But now and then a case would occur, marked by bloody urine, very scanty, with general edema, which would utterly resist the action of these remedies. My first case treated with Apocynum, was a little girl, aged about two years, who had been given up to die by the allopathic attendants, who had given squills, calomel, cream of tartar, etc. No urine had been voided for 24 hours, and all that had passed for several days previously was thick and black (from blood). I commenced with Apocynum, ten drops of the tincture in half a tumbler of water, a spoonful every hour. She was cured in a week of the Dropsy. The urine became profuse in 48 hours. Since this case I have treated twenty or thirty, and with uniform success. I never got much effect from the 3d dil. Sometimes the tincture, even in drop doses, failed to act, but a resort to a weak decoction of the fresh root always had prompt effects, (one-half oz. of fresh root to one pint hot water, steep an hour or two.) In several cases marked by excessive debility, and typhoid symptoms, 78 NEW REMEDIES I gave 10 drops of a tincture prepared with Spirit. Nitri dulc. instead of alcohol. It acted beautifully. I am inclined to think this mode of preparation a good one. Prof. Lee, who claims to have had large experience with this drug, says : " It is more certain as a diuretic, if the skin is kept cool, and cool drinks used. As the chief causes of dropsy are certain pre-existing lesions of certain organs, as the heart, liver and kidneys, we, of course can only expect our remedies to act a palliative, unless these organic lesions can be removed. In cases of idiopathic dropsy, when the exciting causes are external or physical agents, as cold, conjoined with moisture, malaria, suppression of eruptions, or accus- tomed discharges, excessive depletions, etc., etc., we may expect curative effects from Apocynum, aided by other remedies adapted to the pathological state." In chronic and asthenic forms of dropsy, connected with a watery, non-albuminous state of the blood, and general weakness of the system, the Apocynum is most efficacious, in small and frequently repeated doses. In cases dependent on mere debility and mal-nutri- tion, this remedy aided by suitable diet, will often effect a permanent cure. In advanced stages of albuminuria when there is considerable effusion, great relief may often be obtained from its use. Case 1.—" General Dropsy in a man of 68, of plethoric habits, brought on by exposure to cold. Small doses of the decoction were given, and in a short time all the dropsical symptoms disappeared." Case 2.—" A lady of 58, of a full and plethoric habit, subject to congestion of the brain, and paralytic seizures of a hemiplegic nature, in which repeated bleedings had been practiced with apparent good effect, but followed by serous effusion into the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities, and cellular tissues generally, the effusion was successfully removed by small doses of the decoction." Case 3.—«< A gentleman of 66, a person of spare habit and accustomed to luxurious living, began to be affected with cough, shortness of breath and symptoms of aqueous deposit in the pleural cavitv followed by edema of the extremities. The Apocynum was found to exercise complete control over the disease for many years. He finally died of dropsy." Dr. Griscomb reports many cases of the same character, in which the Apocynum was successful. In idiopathic dropsies it generally effected a cure, while in dropsies depending on disease of the liver, heart or kidneys, its effects were mainly palliative, prolonging life for years. Probably, had it been aided by proper remedies, homeopathic to the pathological conditions present, permanent cures might have been effected. Dr. H. M. Warren relates a cure of Hydrothorax by Apocynum cannabinum. "Mrs. V. R., Oct. 27th, a weak, nervous and delicate woman, was pregnant with her second child, and expecting every day to be confined. Six days previous to her confinement her feet and limbs beo-an to bloat, kidneys ceased to act, great dyspnea, and a dry hack- ing suffocating cough set in. Regardless of the dropsical condition APOCYNUM CANNABINUM, 79 of the lower limbs, they mistook the symptoms for Asthma and allowed the disease to continue, expecting every hour the attack would yield. As she steadily grew worse and the dyspnea increased, they finally sent for me. I immediately notified them of the error they had made, and informed them of the presence of water in the chest. Gave Ars.3 centesimal through the day. The following night she was confined, but contrary to my expectation the accumulation of water continued. She could not breathe in any other but a sitting position, with the head thrown forward. The coughing had increased and was now incessant, great thirst, scanty urine, small, weak and quick pulse, and clammy sweat. Continued Ars. and added Aconite to allay the fever. Next morning found my patient even worse, if possible. The friends were very much alarmed, and met me with, "Well Doctor, if you can do anything to help her, it must be done quickly." I prescribed Apocynum cann., five drops every two hours. The result was satisfactory in the extreme. Next morning, auscultation and percussion revealed the gratifying fact that the water was diminishing in quantity; and the dyspnea, cough and anguish rapidly yielded to the magic virtues of the hemp." Dr. F. X. Spranger reports the following cases : I have lately treated several cases of Dropsy. The first case being hydrothorax and anasarca, depending on organic disease of the heart; percussion over the region of the heart was entirely soundless. By the use of Apocynum can. every sign of dropsy disappeared in two weeks ; and percussion sound of the chest became natural. Pa- tient feeling tolerable well, withdrew from treatment, not wishing to take medicine for the heart disease. Case 2. A man 80 years of age : found him panting for breath, face bloated, color of the lips, face and finger nails of a bluish-like lead color, lower extremities, penis, scrotum and abdomen considera- bly swollen, body covered with large drops of cold sweat; could scarcely speak for want of breath. Prescribed Apocynum can. Better in two days, and has continued to improve ever since, (December). He now is able to go to church, although the disease of the heart with which he is affected will probably carry him off before long. Several other cases of a similar and dissimilar character derived great benefit from this remedy. I did not note the symptoms of the cases clearly, but only mention them to confirm what has been writ- ten by several authors on the virtues of Ayocynum can. in curing dropsy. AVhether it is homeopathic to dropsy, or carries the water off mechanically, I do not know, for we have very few provings of this drug, and therefore, we use it only empirically, and necessarily in larger doses than any other drug of which we only have clinical data. The tincture used I purchased from Dr. Lodge, which is of dark brown color. Five years ago I had some from an eastern phar- macy which was of a gold yellow color, but which had no effect on dropsy. I usually give five drops in a teaspoonful of water every two hours. Dr. C. C. Smith, of Stamford, Ct., reports the following : 80 NEW REMEDIES. "I treated a case of general Dropsy with this drug, with the following symptoms : Intense thirst, almost constant frontal head- ache, severe and constant pain in region of kidneys, dry and harsh feeling of the skin. Abdomen very much bloated, and the presence of water very easily detected on percussion. Bloatedness of the face, principally after lying down, passing off after sitting up. Hands very much increased in size, so that they could not be shut. Lower limbs enormously swollen, as was also the testicles, the latter being frightful to behold, and exceeding anything of the kind I had ever seen. Testicles swollen so badly, the patient could neither sit, stand nor lie with any comfort. Urine discharged pretty regularly, but very scauty and red. Appetite good. Patient about 70 years old. Dropsy produced by suppression of perspiration after a hard day's work in cold weather. Had been treated allopathically, but both his physicians deserted the case. I dissolved about five grs. of Apocynum in a tumbler full of water, and allowed the patient to take a full tablespoonful every two hours, lengthening the time to three and then four hours, as the case continued to progress favorably. In a few days a change for the better set in, and the improvement continued steadily up to a perfect cure, which was accomplished in about a month. I also found the Apocynum to work like a charm in the following case: A lady of full habit, nervous-lymphatic temperament, had suffered for several days with the following symptoms : Severe aching pain in lumbar region, accompanied with the most distressing " ardor urine." Constant inclination to pass water, but only about a tea- spoonful emitted each time. Constant moaning and tossing about. No relief in any position. The usual remedies in such cases gave no relief whatever, but three grs. of the Apocynum in a tumbler full of water, administered in dessert-spoonful doses every hour, gave instantaneous relief. The patient slept well that night, and had no return of the difficulty. In this case there was a good deal of bear- ing-down in the region of the bladder. From the foregoing, the physician should get a pretty plain idea of the sphere of action of this valuable drug, in the treatment of dropsical affections. As the result of my individual experience, I would lay down the following rules for its administration : (1) In cases of acute idiopathic dropsies, use the dilutions, begin- ning with the highest and descending more or less rapidly, according to the progiess of the disease. (2) In chronic or atonic dropsies, {secondary) use the tincture, or if necessary, the decoction, in one or tivo dram doses. Sexual Organs.—The few experiments which have been made with the hemp, have not developed any pathogenetic symptoms of the male sexual organs. None of the provers were females, and its action on the uterus, is only known by some curative effects noticed by J. H. Marsden, M. D., who gives the following cases : APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 81 He says—" For about ten years I have been in the habit of using the Apocynum in arresting Menorrhagia as well as some other forms of uterine hemorrhage." Case 1. " A lady was laboring under alarming Uterine hemor- rhage. It was her regular catamenial period, the flow had been moderate for a day or two, and then suddenly set in with so much violence that she soon became too weak to be out of bed. She was about 25 years of age, the mother of three children; in her last labor she had hemorrhage previous to delivery. When I arrived at the bed side she was almost pulseless and disposed to faint when- ever she attempted to raise her head from the pillow. There was great irritability of the stomach, and vomiting. The hemorrhage, which ceased at intervals, always resumed when the vital powers rallied, and the heart resumed in some degree its wonted action. The blood was usually expelled in large clots, but sometimes was fluid. I prescribed, one after the other, all the remedies laid down in the books, but with no good results. Several days had now elapsed, and I now resolved to try the Apocynum cann. I prepared some extem- pore tincture from the fresh root. Hastening to the bedside, I found the hemorrhage still going on undiminished. I prescribed one drop of my tincture (of uncertain strength) every hour. Almost imme- diately after commencing the medicine the flow became less profuse, and regularly and rapidly declined, without a single recurrence of its violence." Case 2. The patient was a housekeeper, about 40 years of age, accustomed to hard service, and but little careful of her health. She was the mother of one child, born about fifteen years before. She had been suffering from the most exhausting menorrhagia for about six weeks, and had been taking medicine from an allopathic physician, but without benefit. I found her greatly debilitated, pulse feeble and quick, palpitations very troublesome whenever she attempted to move about the house, stomach excessively irritable. She had been obliged to leave off her occupations, and passed her time for the most part in bed, or seated on a chair by the bedside. The discharge was fluid, and still undiminished. I left Apocynum to be taken in drop doses at an interval of two hours (same tincture as used in first case.) The next day she had severe vomitings. Her stomach was too irritable to bear the dose I had prescribed, and which was prob- ably unnecessarily large. The discharge seemed, however, to be diminished. After giviug some medicines to allay the irritability of fche stomach, I again gave the hemp, a few drops in a teaspoonful of 6 82 NEW REMEDIES. water. I believe I decreased the strength more than once, before the remedy could be borne without creating nausea. The flow, how- ever, still continued to diminish, and in about a week from the time of my first visit was reported to have nearly ceased. It was, of course, some time before the patient regained her strength. Upon inquiry made some months afterwards, I was informed that at one or two periods immediately subsequent, the flow was somewhat above the normal amount, but soon subsided spontaneously, and that then she was as regular as is usual at her time of life. Dr. Marsden says he could furnish many other cases in his own practice equally striking, but will only give the following, reported to him by his friend and former pupil, Dr. W. H. Cook :— " Mrs. N., aged 38 years, was taken ill in June, 1863, with Uterine hcemorrhage, and was attended by an allopathic physician until about the middle of December following. During this period she experienced the most frightful floodings, as she termed them, and for more than three months of the time the flow was continuous, requiring her to keep her bed for weeks together. After having hemorrhage for several weeks, she expelled a mass of membrane, (as she has since informed me,) which I supposed to be the deciduous lining of the uterus. But, even after this, the hemorrhage contin- ued, and in exhausting quantities —so much so, that there was not a blood-vessel perceptible upon the surface of the body, and the emaciation was extreme. She had only had a cessation of a couple of weeks together, and but two or three times since the commence- ment in June. The flow was excessive at the time of my first visit. I saw her at 12 m., and after inquiring into the case, I left her four grs. of the 1st dec. trit. of Apocynum can. (bark of the root) to be dissolved in two oz. of water, a teaspoonful to be taken every hour until the hemorrhage should cease, or I should see her again. Bv 12 o'clock, midnight, the hemorrhage had almost entirely ceased, and she left off the medicine. I then gave her other remedies to assist in recruiting her almost exhausted system, under the use of which she improved rapidly. In about two weeks the hemorrhage set in again, when I left her the same perscription, and in less than twenty- four hours all was right. Since that time there has been no return, except at her catamenial periods, and then not excessive. I am now (April 1864) treating her, with a prospect of success, for an ulcera- ted os tince. I also gave the same prescription as the foreo-oin"- to another lady who had suffered with Uterine hcemorrhage about three- fourths of the time for several months. Some three months have APOCYNUM CANNABINUM. 83 since passed, and she now reports herself entirely rid of the trouble and regular. When I first employed the Apocynum, as above stated, I had seen no proving of that drug. In my own practice, however, I have seen enough of its pathogenesis to satisfy me that it is homeo- pathic to Uterine hcemorrhage. On two different occasions, when I gave it to a lady past the turn of life, in doses of ten drops of the tincture three or four times a day, for ascites, it had not the slightest perceptible influence on that affection, but was followed in both instances, after a few days, by the return of the catamenial flow, very much in the natural manner. I also remember the case of a young girl, in whom the catamenia had ceased without any apparent cause. She still retained her health and usual appearance. After taking the medicine in pretty large doses for a few days, she was reported all "right." By the way, I would suggest that in cases where amen- norrhea depends not upon deranged health, but upon some strong revulsion diverting the female circulation into other channels, this remedy might be legitimately used, with the hope that by its primary effects it would restore the accustomed discharge, and break up the abnormal condition of things. Prof. G. W. Barnes, of Cleveland, writes : " I have used Apocynum cannabinum with invariable success in quite a number of cases of Amenorrhea in young girls, attended with bloating of the abdomen and extremities. I have had good success with it, at least in one case of amenorrhea in which the latter symptoms were not marked." Larynx, Bronchia and Chest.—Unpleasant sensation of heat about the fauces and larynx.—{Freligh) Irresistible disposition to sigh. Short, dry cough, and scanty expectoration of white mucus in the morning. Oppression of the chest on waking.—{Marcy) Sense of oppression about the epigastrium and chest. It was diffi- cult to breathe enough to speak at times. Clinical Observations.—Eclectic physicians use it frequently as an expectorant. They expect the same effects from it which the allopath gets from his Ipecac, Squills, or Tartar emetic. It undoubt- edly increases the natural secretions of the bronchial surfaces. Such hints may be made useful. It indicates that we may use it in hoarse, loose coughs, with heat of the fauces; or cough with oppres- sion of the chest; or short, dry cough, with scanty expectoration. Accompanying hydrothorax, and even ascites, we generally find a short, dry cough with oppression, and in such cases Apocynum is doubly indicated, both for the cough and dropsy. It has cured many cases of hydrothorax, and relieved many cases of dropsy from heart disease. As it causes the pulse to be slow, it probably quiets the 84 NEW REMEDIES. action of the heart—a very important desideratum in hydro-pericar dium. Back and Extremities.—Unusual heaviness of the bead, with dull, aching pains in the small of the back and limbs. There was no tenderness of the region of the kidneys on pressure, but a slight soreness of the parts when bringing the muscles into action, thus indicating the muscles as the seat of the pains.—{Marcy) Hard aching was felt several times in both knees, sufficiently severe to make me fear that an attack of inflammatory rheumatism was com- ing on. Clinical Observations.— It may be found useful in some rhcu matic affections, but probably more for the after effects, as edema. In Synovitis, after the acute stage has passed, it will probably help to cause absorption of the effused flnid. It has been found usefnl in edema of the feet and ankles remaining after typhus. APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM. (Dog's-lanc.) Analogues : Aconite, Asclepias tuberosa, Bryonia, Colchicwn, Cimicifuga, Iris versicolor, Podophyllum. Botanical Description.—This in an indigenous, perennial, herbaceous plant, from three to six feet in height, and abounding in a milky juice which exudes when any part of the plant is wounded. The stem is smooth and simple below, branched above, usually red on the side exposed to the sun, and covered with a tough fibrous bark. It grows in all parts of the United States, from Carolina to Canada; is found along fences, wet places, the skirts of woods, and flowers in June and July. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate, acute, entire, smooth on both edges, and two or three inches long. The flowers are white, tinged with red, and grow in loose, nodding, terminal or axillary cymes. The peduncles are furnished with very small and acute bractes. The tube of the corolla is larger than the calyx, and its border spreading. The fruit consists of a pair of long, linear acute follicles, containing numerous imbricated seeds, attached to a central receptacle and each furnished wtih a long seed-down. The root which is the part employed, is large, and like other parts of the 'plant, contains a milky juice. Its taste is unpleasant and extremely bitter.' " The flowers have a pleasant, honey-like odor, and contain that substance. Bees and other insects collect this honey ; but small flies are often caught by inserting their proboscis between the fissures of the anthers, when it is not easy for them to extricate it. They are often seen dead in that confined situation, after unavailing stru^les__ APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM. 85 whence one of the names of the plant, ' catchfly.' No animals eat it." {Rafinesque) Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the root, or whole plant; dilutions. Medical History.—This plant is known by many common names illustrative of certain physical qualities which it possesses. The name, Apocynum, is from the Greek—meaning dog's-bane ; alluding, probably, to the poisonous effects of the European genus, when given to the canine species. It is called Milk-weed, Catch-fly, Fly-trap, Bitter-root, Honey-bloom, etc. The root, when chewed, has an intensely bitter taste, very unpleas- ant ; this taste is perceptible in the whole plant, except the flower. A decoction is of a red color, and very bitter. A tincture with alco- hol is colorless, but very bitter. It contains, therefore, a bitter principle, soluble in water and alcohol, and a coloring principle, not soluble in alcohol. It also contains a volatile oil. Bigelow says the milk-like juice contains caoutchouc. I would advise homeopathic pharmaceutists to make the tincture with dilute alcohol, and use the fresh, whole plant, collected just after the flowering season, in August. This species of Apocynum has not been much used in medicine, although Rafinesque* made it the officinal species, and barely alludes to the now more prominent A. cannabinum. He says of the A. andro- semifolium : " This is a very active plant, highly valued by the Southern Indians. It is tonic, emetic, alterative, and [anti-] syphilitic. The root is the most powerful part; but it must be used fresh, since time diminishes or destroys its power. The Chickasaw and Choctaw nations employ it in syphilis, and consider it a specific. They use the fresh root, chewed, swallowing only the juice. This latter use has been introduced into Tennessee and Kentucky, as a great secret. It must act as a tonic in all these cases, tonics being often emetic and anti-venereal." King says it is emetic, tonic, diaphoretic and laxative. " When it is required to promptly empty the stomach, without causing much nausea, or a relaxed condition of the muscular system, the powdered root may be given in two or three scruple closes. However, it is said to occasion a subsequent weakness or languor, from which the patient is some time in recovering. * * * It is reputed useful in rheu- matism." As an instance of the bungling manner in which Eclectics use the " active principles,"—and indeed all medicines—King states that the Ajjocynin obtained from this plant is " identical in virtue and chemical constitution with that obtained from A. cannabinum." This should warn us from using the so-called " concentrated medi- cines," made after such unscientific directions. Scuddcrf is equally at fault when he states that both species may be used for similar purposes. * Medical Botany, page 51. t Materia Medica and Therapeutics (Eclectic). 86 NEW REMEDIES. Since the appearance of the first edition of this work, no re-proving has been made with this plant, and no clinical experience reported; consequently I have but little to add. It is a little strange that a medicine capable of causing such characteristic symptoms should be neglected. FIRST TROVING. The following is the original proving by Dr. J. Henry, who proved it upon himself and two ladies, in pretty large doses, ranging from 50 to 1,S()0 drops of the mother tincture, of the fresh root. (The tincture must have been a very weak preparation.) All the provers were well when they commenced taking the medicine, with the exception that one of the ladies had suffered from leucorrhea, and Dr. H. himself had suffered from hemorrhoids. May 14th —Each person took 50 drops, fasting in the morning. Two of them felt cramps in the bottoms of the feet: the third had violent heat of the bottoms of the feet, with profuse sweating of the whole body. May 15.—Each took 100 drops. All felt cramps and burning in the bottoms of the feet, most severely in the right foot, with severe pain in the joint of the left big toe, and heat in the right leg and knee. One of the ladies and Dr. H. complained of great fullness and pain in the head, of an indescribable chararcter. The next morning the three persons complained of constipation of the bowels. May 16th.—All took 150 drops, and experienced about the same symptoms as on the 15th. Dr. H. felt tingling pain in his toes, sharp pains in the middle ; trembling of the body in two provers; most delightful taste in the mouth of each. Everything smelled like honey to Dr. H. All complained of pains in different parts of the body, and Dr. H. of much pain in the knee and right shoulder. The ladies complained of pain of all the teeth of the lower jaw, left side. May 17th.—Each took 200 drops. Neither, except Dr. H, felt cramps in the bottom of the feet. All experienced symptoms like those felt on the 16th; pains and stiffness in the back of the head and neck ; dull heavy pain when breathing, seeming to go from above downward. May J 8th.—Each took 250 drops. Dr. H and one of the ladies suffered from painful bilious diarrhea. May 19th.—Each took 300 drops, and experienced heaviness of the body, with a great desire to sleep; flying pains in different parts of the system; pain in the head and back of the neck, swollen sensations of the face and body, violent itching of body and face. May 20th. —Each took 350 drops, and experienced all the above symptoms, with profuse flow of clear urine ; pulsating pain in back of the head, and between the right hand and elbow, constipation of two persons ; diarrhea of the third, with much pain and rumbling, only two evacuations, but copious and affording much relief. May 21st.—Each took 400 drops and experienced much pain all over the head ; stiffness of the neck ; pain on turning to the left side ; APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM. 87 itching and burning of the face, much lassitude, frequent assing of clear urine. May 22d.—Each took 450 drops, and felt all the previous symp- toms, together with great sneezing, twitching of the face, most violent pains in all the joints, great itching and irritation in left nostril. May 23d.—Each took 500 drops. Yiolent pain in the left zygo- matic process, chilliness, lassitude, heat of head and neck, inability to sleep at night, violent dreams, sleep not refreshing, pain in the left groin, of a shooting character. May 24th.—Each took 550 drops. Ladies suffered from profuse menstruation, lasting eight days, with violent pressing pain ; other symptoms as before. May 26th.—Each took 650 drops. Some efforts to vomit; pain increased in back of neck, and extending to front; pains severe above each wrist. One prover had four bilious evacuations, another ten, and another, constipation. May 27th.—Each took 1,800 drops. All sick ; vomiting, purging, great prostration and trembling of the body. These were truly heroic provings. bringing out boldly the charac- teristic symptoms of the drug. RESUME, General Symptoms.—Nerves of sensation.—Although the remedy produces a great many pains, and pain implies that the nervous sys- tem is involved, still it would seem that these were not simple nervous pains or neuralgias, but rather simulated rheumatic or myal- gic pains. It may prove useful in rheumatic-neuralgias. Nerves of Motion.—It produced cramps in the soles of the feet, pain and stiffness in back and neck, sneezing, twitching of the face, etc., yet it seems to act far more specifically upon the fibrous tissues and nerves of sensation, than upon those of motion. Fever and Inflammation.—It causes violent heat in the bottoms of the feet, with a profuse sweating all over ; heat and pain in the toes, legs, and knees. Swollen sensation of the face and body, with violent itching ef those parts ; pulsative pain in head and back of neck, and between the right hand and elbow : chilliness, heat of head and neck. so that one cannot sleep at night. Clinical Observations.—According to Dr. Henry, it has been much used in the South, in bilious deseases and fevers ; in the marsh fever of the rice plantations, in yellow fever, in colds and inflammation of the bowels and lungs, in dysentery and diarrhea ; of all these it seems most homeopathic to bilious fever, when attended with bilious diarrhea, in rheumatic catarrhs, dysenteries and fevers. On the Fibrous Tissues.—This seems to be the great field of its action. It has produced cramps in the feet, probably in the mus cles and tendons ; great pain in tht joint of the big toe ; heat in the 88 XEW REMEDIES. right leg and knee ; tingling pains in the toes, pains in different parts of the body, but especially in the knee and right shoulder ; pains and stiffness in back of head and neck ; dull heavy pain in the chest while breathing ; flying pains all over the system : most violent pain in all the joints, etc. Clinical Observations.—All the above prominent symptoms were brought on by tangible doses of the drug. They seem to have been specific, for all the provers felt them. In Rheumatism and Rheumatic Gout, it is perhaps the mos homeopathic remedy that we are yet acquainted with; it may be most suitable in bilious subjects, or when there is a prominent bilious disorder in connection with the rheumatism. It seems to be absorbed into the system and to penetrate into the innermost portions of the body, similarly to the rheumatic poison, and even to produce those crit- ical evacuations from the bowels, skin liver and kidueys, which termin- ate an attack of rheumatism ; and according to the law of " Similia," it ought to be specific for that protean disease. MUCOUS Membranes.—We have no decided proof that it acts specifically upon this tissue, although it produces sneezing and itching of the nostrils, still it would seem homeopathic to catarrhal affections of a rheumatic character. Skin.—It causes profuse sweating when taken in large doses ; and also a swollen sensation of the face and body, and itching all over, and burning itching of the face, etc. Clinical Observations.—It may prove useful in those disagreeable perspirations which attend or follow rheumatic fever ; and is certainly indicated in prurigo, especially when attended with derangement of the liver. Head.—Great fullness and pain in the head ; pains and stiffness in the back of the head and neck. Pulsativc pain in back of the head, and between the right hand and elbow. Pain all over the head with stiffness of the neck. Heat of head and neck, and chilliness, lassitude, sleepiness and troublesome dreams. Great pain in all of left side of head with pain above each wrist. Clinical Observations.—It is homeopathic to bilious, rheuma- tic, and congestive headaches, especially when attended with rheumatic pains in other parts, preceded by constipation, followed by diarrhea attended with swelling and itching of the face, and terminating with profuse flow of urine, or perspiration It is also indicated in rheuma- tic or neuralgic hemicrania. Eyes and Ears. —No symptoms involving these organs have yet been evolved, but judging from its general effects, it ought to prove useful in rheumatic affections of those organs. APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUM. 80 IVOSC.—With the pains all over, had severe sneezing with great itching aud irritation in nostrils. Everything smelled like honey. Clinical Observations.—With the country people this plant in decoction, is considered a specific for worms and verminous fever, and in one case I saw good effects from it after Cina and Santonine had failed. Its moderate use expelled large quantities of ascaridies. The above symptoms of the nose, are such as often indicate the pres- ence of worms. Face and Teeth.—Swollen sensation of the face and body ; vio- lent itching of body and face; itching and burning of face, twitching of the face. Pain in all the teeth of the lower jaw, left side. Clinical Observations.—The sensation of swelling of the face and body is also caused by Aconite,*and is probably a purely nervous sensation. The itching etc., is like that caused by Opium and Mor- phia, is probaply of a nervous character, not like that caused by Rhus. which indicates an impending eruption. The twitching of the face and pain in the teeth, point it out as a remedy in those rheumatic neuralgias of a similar character. Gastric Symptoms.—Most delightful taste in the mouth of each. Nausea and efforts to vomit. Vomiting, purging and great prostration. Nausea with constipation, bilious vomiting. Clinical Observations.—So uniform is its emetic effects in large doses, that it was named by the botanies, American Ipecac. It gen- erally caused profuse vomitiugof bile. When we have bilious vomiting wit^i or without diarrhea ; but with pains in the limbs, cramp in the feet, etc., then the Apoc. andros. will prove a specific remedy. In cases of gastric irritability and debilty from habitual biliousness, it will improve the tone of the stomach Stomach and Bowels.—Flying pains in the stomach, fullnsss and pain in right side (region of the liver,) with feeling as if something would pass the bowels, with slight nausea. Constipation (from small doses, 50 drops.) Bilious and painful diarrhea. Diarrhea atte nded with pain and rumbling, but only two large evacuations, giving much relief; 650 drops caused four bilious evacutions in one provcr, two in another, and constipation in a third ; constipation and diarrhea every alternate day. The largest dose caused sickness; vomiting, purging, prostration, etc., Clinical Observations.—It indicated in bilious diarrhea with pain in the bowels and region of the liver ; in constipation like that caused by jaundice when the bile does not find its way into the bowels, but is retained in the blood and tissues. It is indicated in bilious headaches ; also in bilious fever, when there is much heat and pain in the head, great tendency to drowsiness, or restlessness with trouble- some dreams, and either bilious diarrhea or constipation, with pains in the limbs. 90 NEW REMEDIES. I rinary OgailS.—Profuse flow of clear urine. Frequent passing of clear urine. Clinical Observations.—Previous to a bilious attack some per- sons have profuse flow of clear urine, with chilliness, headache, etc. This remedy would seem homeopathic to such symptoms. It has been usedsuccessfully in dropsy from diseasedliver. Genital Organs.—Profuse menstruation, lasting eight days, and attended with violent pressing down pain. One of the ladies was troubled with leucorrhea before taking the medicine. She was cured and has not since had a return. Clinical Remarks.—Prof. Lee says, " The Choctaw Indians use it extensively for the cure of venereal affections, for which they regard it as specific. They chew the fresh root, swallowing only the juice. There is no doubt of its efficacy in secondary and tertiary syphilis." Back and Extremities.—It caused severe pains in different parts of the body, back of the head, arms, legs, feet, shoulder, and violent pains in all the joints. (See " General Symptoms," and " Fibrous Tissues.") Clinical Observations.—No remedy seems more indicated by its pathogenesis for muscular and articular rheumatism and Gout. Wo hope to see it thoroughly tested in practice. ARALIA RACEMOSA. {Spikenard.) Analogues : (a) Asarum canadense, Chamomilla, Caulophyllum, Trillium, {b) Rumcx, Alnus rubra, Calendula. Botanical Description.—This plant is indigenous, but has some properties in common with its English relative, the A. racemosa of Linneus. It also nearly resembles the A. nudicaulis, so much so that King deems it to have about'the same medicinal virtues. The A. racemosa has a herbaceous, widely branched, smooth stem, three or four feet in height, dark green or reddish, and arising from a thick aromatic root. The leaves are decompound ; the leaf-stalks divide into three partitions, each of which bears three or five laro-e, ovate, pointed, serrate, slightly downy leaflets. Umbels numerous, small, arranged in branching racemes from the axilla of the leaves or branches. It flowers in July, and grows in rich woodland. The root is large, spicy, aromatic. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the fresh root and the dilutions ; triturations of the dried root. ARALIA RACEMOSA. 91 Medical History.—The root is much used by the country people in the composition of beer, cough syrups and infusion in colds. Culpepper says the " Spikenard is an Indian plant.*'* Dioscorides mentions it as a plant of " a heating, drying faculty." But the Nardus indica is, according to Wood, a species of valerian, and although aromatic, was quite a different plant from the American variety, though having a general relationship. It is deemed by the eclectics to be alterative, tonic, diaphoretic, stimulant, pectoral, vulne- rary and demulcent; and is said to be useful in cachectic habits, Scrofula, Syphilis, Mercurial affections, and cutaneous diseases. " A cordial prepared from the berries is highly recommended in gout of the stomach. The root is powdered and made into a poultice and applied to old, indolent, irritable, foul, fetid and offensive ulcers, for which it is truly valuable. A decoction is used as a wash for tdcers, tetter,ringworm, erysipelas," etc.—{Michaux) "The juice or essen- tial oil has been employed in ear-ache and deafness."—{Rafinesque) " It is most frequently employed in chronic pulmonary affections, such as Phthisis, Chronic catarrhal affections, Coughs and Colds."— {Scudder) Culpepper\ says,—"It is good to provoke the urine, and easeth pains of the stone in the reins and kidneys. To women with child it is forbidden to be taken inivardly." Scudder writes,—" It is highly esteemed by many in certain diseases peculiar to females, (women) as Leucorrhea, Prolapsus uteri, Chlorosis, in enfeebled states of the nervous system, and in general debility. It is used as a wash to change the offensive state of the secretions from the vagina and uterus, as in some cases of leucorrhea, and in other cases when the secretions become acrid and offensive, as in some instances after confinement." By the allopathic school this plant is considered almost inert, or as an unimportant demulcent or aromatic. It is certainly very mild in its action, as large quantities of the decoction may be taken with± out any apparent effect. No pathogenesis has yet appeared, nor have I observed any symptoms, except curative, arise from its use, unless profuse sweating would be called pathogenetic. Like many other simple plants, many of its alleged good effects may have arisen from the form in which it was administered, namely : a warm decoction. On the other hand, it doubtless has some specific virtues. Culpepper's remarks above would seem to imply that it has some affinity for the generative organs. I have known its use in decoction, taken in wine- glassfull doses (cold) twice or thrice a day, of apparent benefit in * The same author evidently considers it identical with the English " Spikenard." t English Herbal. 92 NEW REMEDIES. Leucorrhea, with pressing down pain in the uterus. The popular testimony is quite convincing, relative to its curative influence in coughs, bronchitis, and laryngitis, of a chronic character, probably catarrhal. Concerning the medicinal use of Aralia racemosa, Dr. D. W. Rogers, of Coldwater, Michigan, writes: " My attention was first called to it more than a year ago, by a lady who said she had made use of it for several years as a domestic remedy in Dysmenorrhea. A warm infusion made from the root, and taken a swallow or two at a time every few moments, will relieve the worst cases in from one to two hours. I am quite satisfied of its efficacy in such cases. I have had some experience with it in cases simulating Puerperal peri- tonitis. The following cases will illustrate its efficacy :" " Mrs. W----, on the third day after delivery, was attacked with a severe chill; the lochia was suppressed at once, the abdomen became distended, and tympanitic, with excruciating pains in the bowels and uterine region. All these symptoms were attended with high fever. An allopathic physician was called, who attended her for four days, during which time she grew constantly worse. The physician then gave an unfavorable diagnosis, said it was a desperate case, and must terminate fatally ; that she could not live twelve hours. At this juncture a lady friend came in and administered a warm infusion of the fresh root. In two hours the patient was easier, and in eight hours the lochial discharge returned, with profuse perspiration. She improved rapidly from that hour, and in a few days was convalescent. No other medicine was given." Two similar cases came under my observation, in which the Aralia acted with similar good effects. In cases of recent Amenorrhoea this remedy is capable of restoring the secretion. A lady of middle age took a violent cold, about twenty-four hours after the menses appeared. They had ceased twenty-four hours before the Aralia was given. It was administered in the form of warm infusion. Almost immediate relief to the pain ensued, and the secretion returned." The above clinical experience would seem to show that the Aralia had some influence on the uterine functions. Medical sceptics would probably say that it had the effect of any warm stimulating infusion. Although I have known hot crust-coffee (toast water) taken freely, to bring back the lochia, yet one would hardly suppose it would influ- ence a condition of such unfavorable appearance as the one first related. ARUM TRIPHYLLUM. (Indian Turnip.) Analogues : Arum mac, Allium sati., Nitric acid, Phosphorus, Kali cldoricum, Capsicum, Phytolacca, Belladonna^ Xanthoxylwn, Baptisia. (N. B.—These analogues relate only to its local effect upon the mouth, fauces, etc.) Botanical Description.—The A. triphyllum of the United States corresponds closely with the A. maculatum of Europe ; both have very similar effects. Our native species is found throughout North and South America, growing in rich, shady woods and swamps. The cormus is an inch or two in diameter, aud covered with brown, wrink. led epidermis, and internally white, fleshy and solid. The whole plant, when recent, has a peculiar odor and violent acrid taste ; the root, when chewed, causes an insupportable burning and biting sensation in the mouth and throat, continuing for a long time. This acrid principle is very volatile, and is expelled by heat. Hence they are roasted and ate by the Indians. The acrid principle is not imparted to water, ether, alcohol, or olive oil. By drying, the root loses all its activity. The medicinal qualities of the root reside principally in this acrid, volatile principle. Owing to its unstable nature, it will be found very difficult to procure any preparation in which it will be retained. I would recommend, as the most probable way of preserving this volatile principle, that the juice of the fresh root be rapidly triturated with sugar of milk, (according to the decimal scale) and the trituration kept in bottles sealed hermetically, and guarded from the light and heat. The acrid principle has been called Aroine, and becomes an in- flammable gas, by heat or distillation. Prof. Lee says : " The only way to preserve the active principles of the root is to bury it in dry sand, by which method it may be preserved for a year." General Effects.—The Arum triphyllum may well be ranked among our most active alterants, for besides being a powerful local irri- tant when taken internally, it stimulates all the secretions, particularly those of the skin and lungs. It also quickens the circulation and rouses the nervous energy, so that there is no organ or function but feels its influence."—Lee. " It has been advantageously given in asthma, pertussis, chronic catarrh, chronic rheumatism, and affections connected with a cachectic state of the system.—Wood. 94 NEW REMEDIES The fresh root grated or reduced to a pulp, with three times its weight of sugar, is palliative to flatulence, cramp in the stomach, asthmatic and consumptive affections ; and also in lingering atrophy; debilitated habits, great prostration in typhoid fevers, deep seated rheumatic pains, etc.—Rafinesque. All writers agree that it is a remedy which may be used to advan- tage as a stimulant. We have no proving, except that which relates to its local effects upon the mouth and throat. General Symptoms.—The root, in doses of four or five grains, causes a sensation of burning heat in the stomach and esophagus. which seems rapidly to spread all over the body. Then follow a quick- ening of the circulation, heat of the skin with warm perspiration, and some exaltation of the nervous energy. All the secretions are some- what increased. LOCAL EFFECTS. Mouth, Throat, TOhgue, etc.—The fresh root when chewed, causes an insupportable burning and biting sensation in the mouth and throat, continued for a long time. The sensation experienced in the mouth, throat and tongue is absolutely indescribable I never felt any sensation so tormenting and unbearable. The following narrative* of the effects of the Arum maculatum* so nearly resembles the effects of the Arum triphyllum, as I have observed and felt them, as to be nearly identical: " After chewing a young leaf-stalk for a few seconds, a very intense, prickling, stinging pain, was felt upon the tongue and mucous membrane of the lips and throat, accompanied with a flow of saliva, which seemed to relieve the pain a little—the pains were as if a hundred little needles had been run into the tongue and lips. A friend, who followed my exam- ple, had, in addition to these symptoms, constriction and burning in the larynx, his tongue was swollen, and its papilla injected and raised. The mucus membrane of the throat and lips was inflamed. The pains on the tongue and lips were increased by pressure with the teeth. In two or three cases the leaves have been eaten by children, and have produced very distressing effects. In one instance, three children partook of them. Their tongues became swollen, so as to render swallowing difficult, and convulsions followed : one died in twelve, and another in sixteen days ; the third recovered." Some cases of dangerous poisoning have been reported occurring from eating the A. triphyllum. ♦British Journal of Homoeopathy, vol. xvi, p. 321. ARUM TRIPHYLLUM. 95 Clinical Observations.—Although the local effects of Arum are very notable, yet we have no clinical experience to show its practical usefulness in cases of disease affecting the mouth and throat. Dr. J. S. Douglas recommends it in Quinsy and Angina. Dr. Hill, in his Surgery, proposes it in similar affections. If we would preserve the volatile, acrid principle intact in our preparations, we might expect good results from its use, perhaps, in cases to which it is homeopathic. It is indicated in the following affections : Glossitis, when the swelling is rapid and accompanied with prickling and burning pains. Stomati- tis, in its most acute form, with great tumefaction of the lips, mucous membrane of the mouth, etc., followed by superficial ulceration. (Ede- ma of the Glottis.—The symptoms of Arum-poisoning present many points of resemblance to this fearful disease. The rapid tumefaction of the tissues, the pains and many other local symptoms, are very similar. It may prove more useful than Apis, Belladonna or Rhus, but we cannot expect much from any preparation of the Arum, unless it contains the acrid principle mentioned. Mercurial or Idiopathic Salivation, in some of its forms, may be met with this remedy; also, Inflammation of the mucous follicles of the throat, with exudation of mucus, constant "hawking," and profuse secretions from the diseased tissues. Acute and chronic Catarrh of the faucus and posterior nares, may come under the curative range of this remedy. It has been used with advantage in enlargement of the tonsils. Dr. Lippe considers the Arum of value in malignant scarlatina. He reports a case* in which Arum tri. 6th and 30th, appeared to prove curative for the following symptoms : " Very delirious; nose discharges a good deal of thin, watery, ichorous fluid; nose sore, lips very sore, cracked and bleeding, as well as the corners of the mouth; the mouth felt so sore inside that he was unable to drink; tongue red, papille swollen and standing off; between the abdomen and legs, sore, moist places, the same on the os coccygis ; the sub-maxillary glands swollen ; pulse 140, hard and full, voice hoarse." Dr. Lippe adds that " the similarity of Nitric acid and Arum triph., in the second stage of scarlet fever, is very great," and that " the most indicative symptoms for Arum are the great sore feeling in the mouth, the redness of the tongue, the elevated papille, the cracked corners of the mouth, and lips; stoppage of the nose without much coryza. Urine very abundant and pale, sub-maxillary glands swollen. The eruption all over the body, with much itching and restlessness." The same author says Arum causes a great hoarse- ness and sore throat of clergymen and public speakers. Respiratory Organs.—The Arum has a time-honored reputation in Coughs. In dry coughs, the dried root is valued high. It pro- motes expectoration and mitigates the paroxysms and has even cured some obstinate cases. In loose coughs, oecuring in children and aged persons, when there is inability to expectorate the accumulated mucus this medicine is said to act in a beneficial manner. In this respects it resembles Squills, Phosphorus, etc. Asthma humidun has been * American Horn. Review, vol. 3, p. 28. 96 NEW REMEDIES. relieved and notably palliated by the powdered dry root. In all these affections the lower triturations of the dry root will be the best prep- parations. This is one of those peculiar remedies which can never come into extensive use, because of the evanescent character of its effects, and the difficulty of making a thorough proving of it. Its sphere of action is limited, being but a faint analogue of its great prototype Phosphorus- ASARUM CANADENSE. (Wild Ginger.) Analogues : Asarum curopceum, Senecio gracilis, Aristolochia serpentaria, Tanacetum, Sabina, Arnica, Senega, Terebinthince. Botanical Description.—Asarum canadense, likewise called Indian ginger, Colt's fool, Canada Snakeroot, has a close resemblance to the A. Europeum. The rhizoma is long, creeping, fleshy, pointed, yellowish, and furnished with radicles of a similar color. The stem is very short, dividing, before it emerges from the ground, into two long, round, hairy leaf-stalks, each of which bears a broad, semiform leaf, pubescent on both sides, light green and shining above, veined and pale, or bluish, below. The flower is solitary, growing from the fork of the stem, upon a pendulous, hairy peduncle, being often con- cealed by the loose soil, or decayed vegetable matter around it. Tho calyx is very wooly, consisting of three bread concaves, acuminate segments, of a brownish, dull purple or greenish color on the inside, at top and bottom, depending on the amount of light which the plant enjoys, and terminated by a long, spreading, inflected point, with reflected sides. Corolla wanting. Filaments twelve, unequal in length, inserted upon the ovary, and rise with a slender point above the anthers, which are attached to their sides just below the extrem- ity. Ovary inferior, somewhat hexagonal; style conical, striated and parted at top into six recurved, radiating stigmas. Capsule six-celled, coriaceous, and crowded with the adhering calyx. The Asarum c. is a native of the United States, growing in woods and shady places, and flowering from April to July. The whole plant has a grateful, aromatic odor, and bitter, but agreeably*aromatic taste. The root is in long, contorted pieces, varying in thickness from a line to four or five inches in diameter, brownish and wrinkled externally, internallv hard, brittle and whitish. It contains a light-colored pungent, and fragrant essential oil, a reddish, bitter resinous matter, starch, gum, fatty matter, chlorophyll, and salts of potassa, lime and iron. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture and triturations of the root. General Effects.—It is a close analogue of the European Asarum, but perhaps milder in its action. Not much use has been ASARUM CANADENSE. 97 made of it by either school of medicine in this country. No proving has been made, and it is introduced into this work for the purpose of calling attention to it, and provoking pathogenetic and clinical exper- iments. From the analysis of the root given above, we should judge it capable'of becoming a polychrest of some value. King makes but brief mention of it, designating it as an aromatic stimulant, tonic, diaphoretic and expectorant. He says it is of value in colic and other painful affections of the stomach and bowels when no inflam- mation exists, and in chronic pulmonary affections. . Scudder gives it a more extended notice ; says it is stimulant, carminative, tonic, diaphoretic, pectoral, errhine and emmenagogue. He is inclined to think its therapeutical virtues are but imperfectly understood. Wood* says it is somewhat analogous to Serpentaria in its opera- tion. He places it among the stimulant tonics, and advises its use in low fevers, and for the same purposes as ginger. " It might be appropriately used as an adjuvant of tonic and purgative infusions, in debilitated states of the alimentary canal." Leej- says the European Asarum has acrid properties which the American does not possess. "Unlike the former, it has no emetic or cathartic properties, even in large doses and in the fresh state. In Canada it has long been used as a condiment in place of ginger. It might be used with advantage in exanthematous affections, when the eruption is tardy in appearance, or has been repelled. The infusion will be found useful in tranquilizing the stomach, and checking vomiting ; also iu some forms of Dyspepsia." He endorses the rec- ommendation of Rafinesque as to its usefulness in cachexia, hypo- chondriasis, palpitations, low fevers, convalescences, obstructions whooping cough, etc. In some parts of the country, he says, great reliance is placed on it as an emmenagogue. In relation to the last named action, Scudder says he has been informed that the root of the Asarum canadense was used by the Indians as a parturient, and also as an abortive. "It was also said to be used frequently by white women to prevent conception, and also to cause abortion in cases where conception had occurred, when they did not desire children, and also in cases in which the patient wished to conceal her guilt. From these reports, some of which seemed to be well authenticated, we were induced to try it as an emmenagogue, and in many instances it appeared to act promptly and * Therapeutics and Pharmacology. Vol. 1, p. 360. t Jour, of Mat. Med. Vol. 2. 7 98 NEW REMEDIES. efficiently in restoring the uterine secretion. Its general excitant and tonic properties, adapt it to asthenic states of the system, in which there is torpor of the uterine vessels. We have given it conjoined with other agents, as Savin, Senecio, Angelica, etc., and have derived great advantage from its use, associated with these articles, in pec toral afections, complicated with uterine obstructions." It is a pity Dr. Scudder did not use it alone, and ^associated with other medicines. He would be better enabled to judge ef its value, and we should have more confidence in his recommendations. In general terms, the Asarum canadense seems to possess reme- dial properties similar to the analogues mentioned above, but is of a milder character. It seems to act upon the vascular system and mucous membrane as an irritant. Notwithstanding the assertion of Lee, it would doubtless cause inflammatory irritation of the whole alimentary canal, with nausea and vomiting; also act upon the urinary and genital ergans to such a degree as to set up congestive conditions. I do not doubt its power in Amenorrhea from simple atony of the uterus, from a cold or catarrhal attack; nor that it is capable of causing abortion in a woman, whose uterus is in an irrita- ble condition. An irritable uterus may be made to throw off the product of conception, or take on hemorrhage, by the administration of any stimulating, warm infusion, which shall cause an afflux of blood to that organ. It will probably prove homeopathic to slight febrile irritation, proceeding from disorder of the alimentary canal, with nausea and vomiting ; also colic from flatulence, especially when these symptoms occur in sensitive persons and children. It would seem to be indicated in uterine hcemorrhage, threatened abortion, profuse lochia and other symptoms caused by irritation of the uterus, but it will never prove of equal value with its more potent analogues in diseased conditions. A thorough proving may develop some peculiar symptomatic characteristics which will render it of value to the physician. ASCLEPIAS INCARNATA. (Swamp Milheccd.) Analogues : Asclepias tuberosa and A. syriaca, Ipecacuanha Oaulophyllum, Cimicifuga, (?) Pulsatilla, (?) Sabina, (?) Senecio.(1) Botanical Description.—This plant is known by various names* as Swamp Silkweed, Flesh-colored Asclepias, Rose-colored-Silkweed* White Indian hemp, etc. It has a smooth, erect stem, with two downy lines above and on the branches and peduncles, branching above, and about two or three feet high. The leaves are opposite, oblong, lanceolate, acute or pointed, obtuse at the base, on short petioles, and slightly tomentose. The flowers arc red or reddish- purple, sweet-scented, and disposed in numerous umbels, which are crowded, erect, mostly terminal, and often in opposite pairs. Hoods of the crown entire, horns exsert, subulate. The leaves are four to seven inches long, and from one half an inch to an inch and a half wide ; umbels are from two to six, on a peduncle two inches long, and consist of from ten to twenty small flowers. There are several varieties of this plant, the A. pulchra, which is more hairy, with broader and shorter petioled leaves; the A. glabra, which is almost glabrous, with two opposite longitudinal hairy lines on the stem, and leaves glabrous, with rough margins, midrib glandular below ; and the A. alba, which has white flowers. This plant grows in damp and wet soils throughout the United States, and bears red flowers from June to August. It emits a milky juice on being wounded. The root is the officinal part; it varies in thickness from one to six lines, and is of a light yellowish or brownish color. It imparts its properties to water and alcohol. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture and triturations of the root. Medical History.—The properties of this variety have not been investigated by either school to any extent. Scudder says it pos- sesses properties similar to the other varieties, and he has known it to be employed as a domestic remedy in diarrhea and dysentery, Durand recommends it in the same doses, and for the same diseases, as the A. syriaca, and assert that in "pectoral" affections it proved as advantageous. Dr. Tully states that the root of this species may be used with benefit in catarrh, asthma, rheumatism, syjjhilis and verminous affections. Dr. Sabin esteemed it highly as a poultice to tumors. swelling of the mammary glands, pleurisy and other local inflamma- tory affections. In large doses it is known to be emetic and cathartic, and Dr. Griffith says, " It has been found not only alterative, diaphor- 100 NEW REMEDIES. etic and diuretic, but one of the finest aperients in the Materia Medica." Dr. Hauser* has used it with the happiest results in many forms of fever. "In the treatment of gonorrhoea and syphilis, there probably is nothing equal to it now known to the medical fraternity." Dr. H. says : " I have used, for many years, the tincture only, pre- pared with diluted alcohol, on account of the gum with which the root abounds. I prepare it as follows : R. Asclepias incarnata oz. iv. Dilute Alcohol, Oji. After about fourteen days maceration it is ready for use. I have generally prescribed it in a tablespoonful dose^three times a day, i.e., before breakfast, dinner and supper. And this I have done with very little regard to the stage of disease, both in gonorrhea and syphilis, however heterodox and unscientific it may appear to those nice critics in the medical fraternity, who theorize learnedly but fail in practice." He reports three cases of gonorrhea : Case 1. " Was afflicted with ' running of the reins, brought on by a strain,' and it had afflicted him long and sorely, even to the extent of a change from white to greenish discharges. I put him on tinc- ture of Asclepias incarnata alone, but as his business required him to ride a great deal on horseback, thus keeping up the irritation in the genital region, I think it was two weeks before I succeeded in curing— him." Case 2. " Was of intemperate habits as well as priaputic. A single bottle of oz. viij cured him. Case 3. " Was badly off. His business required daily riding on horseback, but the Asclepias cured him in three days." These cases, though reported in a bungling manner, would seem to indicate that this medicine possessed some specific influence over discharges from mucous membranes. The same writer reports a case of syphilis which he thinks was cured with this remedy, but as he blistered the mammary gland, and rubbed on the denuded surface mercurial ointment, it would be absurd to suppose the Asclepias had anything to do with the cure. To the above, from allopathic and eclectic sources, we can add but little clinical experience from the homeopathic. Dr. Fowler.f of New York, speaks in the most unequivocal terms of the virtues of the A. incarnata in Amenorrhoea, and avers that it * Tilden's Journal of Materia Medica. Vol. 1, p. 41. t N. A. Journal of Horn. Vol. 6, p. 128. ASCLEPIAS INCARNATA. 101 is capable of producing abortion, even in comparatively minute doses, e. g., from two to three drops twice a day. He states that it is in common use among women of a certain class, for this latter purpose, and in a case which came under his own observation, it had been used seven times with this view, and each time with success. The above dose was all that was ever taken, according to the statement of the patient herself, and she could have no inducement to pervert the truth, for, as Dr. Fowler remarks, " It was immaterial to her whether she took one drop or a teaspoonful. provided the end was attained." He has himself administered it in one case of deformed pelvis, (where a previous labor had been terminated at full term by the mutilation of the child,) with complete success. He administered it, as above, in three drop doses, and in twelve or sixteen hours, labor pains were induced, which resulted in a satisfactory expulsion of the uterine contents within forty-eight hours, without ill consequences of any kind ensuing. A few months after this statement of Dr. Fowler's appeared, Dr. A. C. Jones, of Philadelphia, undertook to test its assumed powers. He gave it to a woman who had passed one menstrual period. He did not know whether she was pregnant or not when he began its administration. The following is a record of the case : On the 15th of October, (about the time of her regular flow,) two drops of the tincture was given, and repeated in twelve hours. No effect. From this date until the 24th, she took at first five drops, and then ten drops, three times daily. On the 24th, " Slight pain in the lumbar region ; felt a drop of blood on her finger when applied to the os uteri." A digital examination proved the os to have a tricus- pid form, hard to the feel, the cervix as usual; some reddish mucus adhered to the finger. Upon introducing the uterine sound, the cavity of the uterus was found somewhat enlarged, but not gravid. &ave ten drops four times a day. 26th, Not the slightest effect. Continued fifteen drops at a dose, and finally twenty drops four hours apart. 29th. Half a fluid ounce has been taken. No effect, except that the breath, for two days, had a stale, fishy odor, some headache, and flushed cheeks. Made an examination with a speculum. Cervix uteri quite soft and almost obliterated ; its os highly congested, pre- senting a well defined circular face about the size of a " new cent " piece; sanguineous mucus adhering to it; the walls of the vagina much relaxed, presenting the usual healthy color, with slight leucor- rhea. Passed the sound with ease. The cavity of the womb larger 102 NEW KEMEDIES. than before. Probed over its entire surface without producing any pain. Found that it was unimprcgnated. 30th. Some lassitude and headache ; remained in bed part of the day. The next day she felt well, attended to her household duties, and at night went to a party and danced. Nov. 2d. Scanty menstrual flow, with no unpleasant sensations. The slight discharge continued until the 7th when it ceased. 9th. During the excitement of passion it returned, and continued at short intervals up to the 18th. Continued well up to the 24th, the time of writing. She has dark hair, is well formed, about four feet eight inches high, sprightly manners. Has had two labors, the first, embryotomy ; the last, thirteen months since, forceps were used ; child still-born. " This case," says Dr. Jones, " proves but little in favor of the Asclepias, except that as much as twenty drops may be taken without injury. I have used it in several cases of suppressed menstruation without benefit. The preparation used by Dr. Fowler is doubtless different from that in ordinary use." We think that Dr. Jones was too hasty in the above conclusions. The normal conditions of the os and cervix during menstruation, is not at all like his description, given above, and there were certain symptoms which appeared before the flow, which doubtless belonged to the drug. It is to be regretted that Dr. Jones did not make the same examinations of the uterus at the next menstrual period, when no Asclepias was taken. If the open and congested os was pathogenetic of the drug, then it is homeopathic to a morbid condition which sometimes occurs during gestation. It may be capable of causing abortion in women of irritable, relaxed constitutions, but Dr. Fowler's case of the woman who invar- iably caused it on herself with the drug, is not altogether reliable. In cases of habitual abortion, from any cause, the accident is liable to occur at the same period. Women subject to abortion sometime's take some drug, and at about this period the abortion occurs, and the credit is given to the drug, when probably the uterus would have expelled its contents without any such aid. In the case where Dr. F. gave it himself, it certainly seemed to be efficient. About the time of the publication of Dr. Fowler's statement, I procured some tincture of Merrill & Co., of Cincinnati, which I was assured was reliable ; but I could not get any effects from it in amen- orrhoea, or in two cases of pregnancy, in the third month, where an abortion was considered proper and justifiable. Several physicians gave me the same testimony adverse to the alleged powers of the ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. 10 Asclepias incarnata. I used it in doses varying from five drops of the " essential tincture " up to one teaspoonful. The pathogenetic effects I noticed were nausea, vomiting, papescent diarrhea, profuse discharge of urine, and sweat. ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. (Silk-Weed.) Analogues : Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias incarnata, Apocynum androsemifolium, Apocynum cannabinum, Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Colchicum, Dulcamara, Eupatorium purpureum, Ipecacuanha, Squilla, Botanical Description.—This is the Asclepias cornuti of Gray. (I retain the name Syriaca given it by Linneus, as in the first edition.) This plant is known as Milkweed in many parts of the country, has a large, stout, simple, somewhat branched stem, growing from two to five feet high. The leaves are ovate, elliptical, spreading, opposite, with a short but distinct petiole, gradually acute, and tomentose beneath. The flowers are fragrant; umbels several, axillary, sub-terminal, nodding, dense, globose, each of twenty or more flowers. Calyx segments lanceolate. Corolla pale or greenish purple, reflexed, leaving the corona, which is of nearly the same hue, quite conspicu- ous. But few of the flowers prove fertile, producing oblong-pointed pods or follicles, covered with sharp prickles, which contain a mass of long, silky fibres, with seeds-attached, and which fibres have been used for beds, pillows, and in the place of fur in manufacturing hats. History.—This herb is indigenous to the United States, inhabit- ing rich soil, uncultivated fields, etc., and bearing whitish-purple flowers from June to September. When wounded it emits a milky fluid which contains water, wax-like fatty matter, gum, caoutchouc, sugar, various salts, ete. A crystalline, resinous substance, allied to lactucone, has been obtained from the juice of the A. cornuti, to which the name of the Asclepione has been given. It is procured by boiling and then filtering the juice and separating the Asclepione from the filtrate by ether, from which it may be subsequently obtained by evaporation, and purified by several washings with pure ether. Asclepione thus obtained is a crystaline solid, without taste or smell, and is readily dissolved by spirits 'of turpentine, pure acetic acid, and sulphuric ether. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the fresh root and dilu- tions. Triturations of the dried root, and tincture. Medical History.—This plant has not been as much used in medicine as its congener, the A. tuberosa. AYriters of the opposite 104 NEW REMEDIES schools have usually dismissed the Silkweed with the remnrk that its properlies arc similar to those of the other species of Asclepias. There are some exceptions, however, even in the allopathic ranks. Drs. Richardson, Pattee and Clerbornc have experimented with this species, and get effects which were worthy of record. Dr. Richardson* found the root possessed of anodyne properties He gave it with advantage to an asthmatic patient, and in a case of typhus fever, attended with catarrh. In both instances it appeared to promote expectoration, and to relieve cough, pain and dyspnea. He gave a drachm of the powdered bark of the root in divided doses during the day. Drs. Smith and Howardf observe that they have used it success- fully in dropsy, and claim it to be sudorific and emmenogogue. Hollemback says it is anodyne, diuretic and alterative, and that the dried juice has been used as a substitute for opium, to allay nervous irritation. According to KingJ the root of this plant is tonic, diuretic, altera- tive, emmenagogue, purgative and emetic ; and given in large doses it is stimulant and anthelmintic. Dr. Richardson has attributed anodyne properties to it, and other observers have testified to the same. " It has been found useful in amenorrhea, dropsy, reten- tion of urine, asthma, dyspepsia, cough, dyspnea, constipation, primary syphilitic diseases, worms, scrofulous and rheumatic disorders. The action of the heart is augmented under its use." Prof. Lee thinks this plant deserving of further investigation. He remarks that it resembles Cimicifuga in its action, especially in rheumatic affections. The experiments, so far, would seem to support this idea. A writer in the American lournalof Medical Sciences, in a paper on the effects and uses of this specific, says, '' This plant has long been in use among the negroes of the South as a remedy for gleet, gonorrhea, scrofula, etc., and a common ingredient in many of the Indian cough nostrums of the present day. Empirics have exten- sively employed the root and other portions of the plant with more or less success. The most usual mode of administration is in powder or infusion, the latter made with water and whisky. Old cases of gleet of many years' standing have been reported cured, after other remedies had failed, by taking a wine-glass full of the infusion of the fresh root three times a day, before meals." Since the appearance of the first edition of this work, no proving or clinical experience, has been reported to me by homeopathic physicians. I have, however, been able to find some new matter relating to this plant, and a very respectable proving by Dr. Cler- borne, (allopathic) who has recorded the symptoms with a carefulness rarely observed in one of his school. He also reports several cases * U 8. Dispensatory. 1 Botanic Medical Practice. t Amer. Eclectic Dispensatory. ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. 105 illustrative of its action in disease, which will be found recorded in the resume. DR. CLERBORNE'S EXPERIMENTS.* (1.) Being in perfect health, he took a wine-glass full of the infu- sion of the dried root three times a day for five days, without observing any other effect than a slight sensation of nausea, and increased flow of'pale colored urine, ivhich ivas of a lighter specific gravity than usual. He increased the dose to a wine-glass full four or five times daily, which produced, in addition to the effects above stated, vomiting and ardor urince. One third as much of an infusion made from the fresh root produced the same effects in a more marked degree. (2.) He expressed a quantity of the milky juice obtained from the fresh herb, and evaporated it slowly, in a porcelain capsule over a water-bath, at a low temperature, to the consistence of an extract. This preparation was of a dirty color and disagreeable acrid taste. Of this he took at first three grs., and gradually increased the dose up to five grs. three times a day, when he had to discontinue its use on account of excessive nausea, tickling sensation in the fauces, and a violent headache, confined principally between the eyes. (An extract made from the flowers produced little or no effect on the system.) (3.) A fluid extract was prepared from the dried root, each drachm of which represented an ounce (troy) of the root. He began to try its effects on the system. He took it in the dose of ten drops, gradually increasing the quantity until nearly oz. ij. daily were taken in divided doses of half drachm with the following effects. July -!4, 10 a. m. Took ten drops, without any peculiar effects being observed. July 25, 9 a. m. Took ten drops ; at noon ten drops more. This produced a decided increase of secretion from the kidneys. July 26. Took twenty drops at 11 a. m. and 2 p. in. This pro- duced an increased flow of urine, dizziness in the head (lasting only a couple of hours) and a tickling sensation in the fauces. July 27. Took thirty drops at 11 a. m., and at 2 p. m. twenty more. This also caused diuresis, tickling sensation at the end of the penis, uneasiness of the stomach, slight inclination to evacuate the bowels, severe headache, quick, full pulse. (92.) July 28. I awoke with a severe headache, and a disagreeable feeling in the stomach. (Omitted the medicine two days ) July 30, noon. Took thirty-five drops, which in a few hours pro- duced nausea, and an inclination to evacuate the bowels, slight pain * American Journal of^Medical Sciences, Vol. 42 106 NEW REMEDIES. in the stomach and diuresis. At 3 p. m. took fifteen drops. At 8 p. m. had a copious evacuation of soft consistence, and brown in color, accompanied by a slight pain in the bowels. The action of the heart seemed to be increased. Pulse 98. July 31. Took forty drops at 11 a. m. This produced vomiting. leaving the system much relaxed, and the pulse frequent and feeble. Aug. 2. Took thirty drops at 10 a. m., at 12.30 p. m. thirty drops more. This produced vomiting, which was severe and long-contin- ued, leaving behind it a sensation of rawness in the stomach and a slight pain, coldness of the surface of the skin, feeble pulse, and a feeling as if some, sharp instrument was thrust through from one temple to the other. Aug. 3. At 9 a. m. took twenty drops. At noon had an evacua- tion, soft in consistency and yellowish in color. Appetite much increased. He continued taking the fluid extract for several days, of which he gives no daily record ; but he got the following symptoms : " Violent vomiting, with retching ; burning and tickling sensations in the fauces and throat; stomach feeling painful and raw ; increased secretion of bile ; copious discharges from the bowels of a soft fluid consistence, yellowish in color, and attended with some griping pain; headache, sense of constriction across the forehead, pain between the eyes; excoriation of the anus, increased appetite, even after a hearty meal, a feeling of hunger would, in the course of a few hours, be again felt." He got no anodyne effects from the medicine, and does not think it really diaphoretic or expectorant. DR. PATTEE'S EXPERIMENTS.* " Two ounces of the cold infusion, made from the fresh root, gathered after the leaves had fallen, taken once every four hours, proved diuretic ; two oz. of the warm infusion, taken every two hours, proved diaphoretic; fifteen drops of the saturated tincture, taken once every three hours, had well marked alterative (?) effects ; and one drachm of the saturated tincture, repeated once every three hours, until eight drachms were taken, caused headache, drowsiness and sleep. In all the experiments, it increased the bronchial secre- tion. " The first experiment was made upon myself. The urine for three days immediately preceding the experiment was as follows : * Tiklcn's Journal of Materia Medica. Vol. .;. ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. 107 Thirty-five oz. per day ; specific gravity 1019.7 ; solid matter 568 gr.; pulse 98. After twelve oz. had been taken the first day, the quantity of urine passed in that time was 128 oz.; specific gravity 1020 ; solid matter 600 gr.; pulse 67. Second Day. There was but a small increase of water. The specific gravity and solid matter about the same ; pulse 66. Third Day. (Quantity of medicine same as preceding days). Quantity of urine 130 oz.; specific gravity 1019.97 ; solid matter 608 grs.; pulse 63. On the 4th, 5th and 6th days, the quantity of urine passed aver- aged lo5 oz. per day, and the amount of solid matter 700 grs. each day; pulse 60. The diet and exercise were not materially altered from what it had been for a month past. The medicine did not seem to cause any derangement of the health ; the urinary organs were not irritated in any way ; the only perceptible effect it had upon the brain was to cause a calm, quiet feeling, perhaps a little drowsiness towards night." " The subject of the second experiment was a young man 18 years of age, of good health ; pulse 75. At 9 p. m., gave him three oz. of warm infusion ; the young man in bed ; in half an hour com- menced sweating ; in an hour he was sweating profusely, and con- tinued to do so the rest of the night, the infusion being given every two hours. The effect it had upon the brain was an agreeable sensation at first; after that had passed off he expressed himself as " awful sleepy." When he awoke the next morning, said he had " slept rather hard," but felt no inconvenience through the day. It produced the same effect the following night. The third day, I gave him one drachm of the saturated tincture, made from the dry root, one every three hours, commencing at 5 p. m. At 9 p. m., said his head felt a little dizzy, and had some headache ; slept sound through the night; skin quite moist; passed four oz. more urine than usual, in the morning. After continuing this for four more days, had to discontinue it on account of the derangement it caused to the sys- tem ; he had but little relish for food; appeared dull and stupid; bowels had moved oftener than usual; the tongue was covered with a white fur ; pulse 64. In a few days he was as well as ever." " In cases where the pulse had been from 50 to 60, they have increased to 65 and 70. Large doses in any form will produce nausea, vomiting, and, in some instances, ardor urince. If the medicine does 108 NEW REMEDIES. not produce diaphoresis, diuresis, or catharsis, violent headache will sometimes ensue, but when given in medicinal doses and for disease, we do not see much headache." (The italics are my own. I will refer to the subject hereafter.—H.) These two experiments, or provings, although not conducted with ■ that scientific precision which they demanded, are nevertheless very suggestive, and afford us some positive indications for the use of this remedy. Some of the symptoms are quite characteristic, and go to substan- tiate the homeopathicity of the cures which are said to have been made with it. resume. General Symptoms.—Sensation of calmness and quietude of the whole system. System much relaxed with frequent and feeble pulse. Clinical Observation.—In rheumatism, its action was very favorable. It had a remarkable effect in relieving the pain. Skint—Profuse sweating all night (from the warm infusion); coldness of the skin. In a low state of typhus fever it has produced a moist state of the skin, when other diaphoretics had failed, and convalescence was at once established. The milky juice that exudes from the stalk has been used externally for warts. A poultice of the fresh root, boiled, has considerable reputation for the cure of carbuncles, felons and boils. (Probably no specific effect is here produced—perhaps a poultice of ulmus fulva would do as well.) Sleep.—Calm, quiet feeling, with drowsiness towards night. Great sleepiness, with profuse sweating; sensation in the mornino-on waking as if he had "slept hard." Has been used as an anodyne. Fever.—It does not seem to cause febrile symptoms, as a primary effect, but it is said to cause the pulse to rise from 50 to 60 with increased heat of skin, when it does not cause diuresis or diaphoresis. The action of the heart is increased ; pulse 98 per minute ; quick, full; pulse 92. Clinical Observation.—It would seem indicated in cases of fever from suppressed perspiration, with scanty urine, headache, and pulse at 75. Head.—The only perceptible effect it had upon the brain of one of the provers, was to cause a calm, quiet feeling, perhaps a little drowsiness towards night. The other prover said it caused "an agreeable sensation at first," afterwards sleepiness; vertigo, with headache. When the medicine does not cause diuresis or diaphoresis, violent headache will sometimes ensue; dull and stupid. Dizziness ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. 10& in the head, lasting two hours. Severe headache, with quick, full pulse (92). A feeling as if some sharp instrument was thrust through from one temple to the other, with feeble pulse and cold skin. Sense of constriction across the forehead. Violent headache, confined principally between the eyes. Clinical Observations.—From the above it would seem to be homeopathic to sleepiness, which has followed upon any excitement of the brain of an agreeable nature; also, headache with vertigo. But it promises to be most useful in those cephalalgias which occur after suppressed perspirations, or which arise from the retention of effete matters in the system which ought to have been carried off through the skin or kidneys. It will certainly prove useful in ner- vous headaches, which are followed by profuse diuresis ; in this respect it resembles Ignatia, Pulsatilla and Gelseminum. It is indi catcd in headache with dullness and stupidity ; also sick headache. Mouth and FailCCS.—Heat in mouth and throat. Burning and tickling in fauces, with nausea and headache. Gastric Symptoms, CtC.—Tongue covered with a white fur ; had but little relish for food ; bowels moved oftener than usual; diarrhea with persistent nausea, and with vomiting. Excessive nausea with violent headache. Uneasiness in stomach. Slight pain in the stom- ach with diuresis, and inclination to evacuate the bowels. Vomiting, leaving the system much relaxed, with quick, feeble pulse. Vomit- ing, severe and long continued, with retching, leaving behind it a sensation of rawness in the stomach, and a slight pain, with cold skin, feeble pulse, and a feeling as if some sharp instrument was thrust from one temple to the other. Great appetite, returning a few hours after a hearty meal. Clinical Observations.—It would seem to be indicated in many severe gastric affections, especially when accompanied with headache. It is notable, that notwithstanding the vomiting, etc., the appetite was increased. Bowels, etc.—Frequent movements from the bowels. Diarrhea, with persistent nausea and vomiting. Inclination to evacuate the bowels, with nausea and diuresis. Copious evacuation, in the even- ing, of soft consistence, brown in color, with slight colic. Soft yellow stool at noon, with increase of appetite. Excoriation of the anus. Copious evacuations without pain or other unpleasant effects. Fifteen to twenty drops of the fluid extract, taken before breakfast, acted as a gentle aperient in evening. Increases the flow of bile. Expulsion of worms—(ascarides.) Clinical Observations.—This medicine does not seem to act as severely on the bowels as on the stomach. It may prove useful, how- 110 NEW REMEDIES. ever, to some mild forms of diarrhoea, to which it is primarily home- opathic. It would be secondarily indicated in constipation. Dr. Clerborne, used it in constipation with good results. He reports four cases. (1) A B., et. 30, had been suffering for some years with constipation, pain in right side and lower extremities, and loss of appetite \sclepias syriaca was prescribed, thirty drops three times a day. At the end of a month he felt much relieved, his bowels became regular, his appetite improved greatly, and the pains in his limbs were entirely removed. (2.) H. Y. L., a young man ; constipation of the bowels tor over two years, being five days, generally, without a passage. He had piles, and cathartics made him worse. He took twenty drops three times a day. Improved rapidly, having soft, pultaceous stools every other day, without straining. (3.) An old case of dyspepsia improved rapidly under the use of this remedy. (4.) A child aged eight years. Affected for some time with ascaris vermicularis. She was much emaciated. Her system seemed completely broken down. Cured by Asclepias syr., internally and by injection. Urinary Organs.—Enormous increase of urine. Scanty urine with headache. Profuse urine with headache. Pale colored urine, with lighter specific gravity than usual. Increased flow of urine with vertigo. Burning sensation in the urethra when urinating. The following table will best illustrate its action upon the kidneys : i Quantity of Urine. Normal Standard...........---I 35 oz. Asclepias Syriaca I Firet Day............-.........I 128 oz. ThirdDay........--.......----- I 130 oz Specific Gravity. 1019.7 ~ 1020 1020 Total Solids. 565 gr. 600 oz. 608 oz. Increase I Increase of of Urine. | Solids. 63 oz. 32 gr. 95 oz. 40 gr. Fourth, Fifth'andSiith'Days-- | 135 oz. | 1026 | 700 oz^ | KWoz. | 132 gr. By this it will be seen that the Asclepias syr. notably increases the solid matters of the urine. This is an important fact, for from the careful experiments of Dr. Hammond* it appears that Colchicum actually increases the organic and inorganic solids of the urine, while Digitalis, Squills and Juniper increase only the inorganic mat- ter. Now, as it is the organic matter which is generally considered as contaminating the blood in disease, it is evident they (Digitalis, Squills and Juniper) exert no effect whatever in depurating the blood, but on the contrary are positively injurious in certain cases. Clinical Observations.—Asclepias syriaca, then, is a congener of Colchicum, and as such must be found useful in many diseases in which the latter drug has been successfully used. In Uraemia this medicine is decidedly indicated and will probably be found a specific in many instances. * Hammond's Physiological Memoirs. ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA. Ill In Scarlatina, when the head symptoms correspond, it may prove a useful auxiliary remedy. In Scarlatinal Dropsy, I predict it will be found as useful as Colchicum, (which I have found one of our most important remedies) and Apis, Apocynum. Hellebore or Arsenicum. It is now fully established that the dropsy, which follows scarlet fever, is caused by the scarlatinal poison which, in its passage into and through the kidneys, sets up an " acute desquamative nephritis." Dr. Todd ("Urinary Diseases," page 120) says: "There are three conditions, which I imagine gives rise to the production of the dropsy. These are : 1st, a peculiar irritated state of the kidneys ; 2d, an analogous morbid state of the skin; and, 3d, a certain deprav- ity of the blood—by which I mean not only a deficiency in the amount of red corpuscles of that fluid, as well as of the solids of the serum, but also the unnatural presence of certain poisonous matters which interfere with its proper nutrient changes." It is this " poisononous matter which irritates the skin and kid- neys and causes the dropsy." Now, it will be recollected, that the Asclepias syr. causes " violent headache, increased rate of pulse, vertigo, dullness and stupor," when it did not cause diuresis or perspiration. That is, when the impression which the drug, after pouring into the blood, caused upon the nervous centres, did not react upon the kidneys and skin ; the brain felt the force of the medicinal action. (Similar conditions occur from the use of alcohol.) Also, when the scarlatinal poison in the blood, is not carried off through the kidneys or skin, the brain and nervous system suffers, and convulsions more or less severe ensue. Asclepias syriaca seems to be a more rational remedy for this condition than any other, not even excepting Colchicum, and I pre- dict that its use in scarlatinal dropsy will bear me out in my belief. It will also relieve, I think, those rheumatic pains which often occur after that disease. I would advise the patient to be placed in bed, and this remedy administered as follows : a few drops of the 2d, 1st, or even the mother tincture, in an ounce of warm sweetened water ; the dose repeated every hour, until the skin and kidneys begin to act normally. (Apis, Hellebore, Apocycynum, or Colchicum, should be given in the same manner.) If more convenient, give a weak warm infusion—one drachm of the root to one pint of water. In Dropsy, especially when arising from suppressed perspiration, or some forms of renal disease, it will be useful. We do not know what are the peculiar pathological changes which it can cause in the kidneys, and we are equally ignorant of the pathological effects of Apis, Apocynum can. and most of our best remedies for dropsy. But it may be considered a general rule, that a drug which primarily causes diuresis, will secondarily cause dropsy. In proof of this, we may cite the provings of Cantharis, Eupatorium pur., Apocynum c, Arsenicum, Apis, and all the so-called diuretics. They first excite the kidneys to abnormal action; then the reaction follows, and we have suspension of function, and consequent effusion. 112 NEW REMEDIES. Asclepias syriaca, then, is truly homeopathic to renal dropsy. Dr. Pattee says : " It has in my hands certainly proved useful in the removal of dropsical effusions. Dr. Smith relates the case of a man of SO, who had general dropsy caused by taking cold ; he was enor- mously swollen ; he commenced taking two oz. of the cold infusion every two hours ; in twenty-four hours he had passed over three gallons of water, and in a week all the dropsical symptoms had disap- peared " I once treated a case of general dropsy from disease of the heart. In the advanced stages, after all the usual remedies had one after the other failed to give relief, I resorted to the Asclepias syriaca; not having any tincture, I ordered an infusion—one oz. to a quart of water—the fresh root was used ; a tablespoonful of this preparation was given every two hours. Under its use the urine increased to nparly a gallon a day, and the breathing was much relieved. The patient was made comfortable by its use for many weeks, but finally died of the cardiac disease. Dr. Pat'ee says, "In large doses it will produce ardor wince." The persistent use of small doses will have the same effect; in fact, all " diuretic " medicines have the same effect. By the continued irritation which they keep up in the urinary organs, inflammation is finally induced. This inflammation may lead on to organic disease, and consequent anasarca. Here we have the foundation for a general rule: '1 hat all diuretics are secondarily homeopathic to the various forms of renal dropsy. Organs Of Generation Of Men.— Tickling sensation at the end of the penis. Burning in the urethra when urinating. Ardor urinct. Clinical Observations.—It has a popular reputation among the negroes for the cure of gonorrhoea and gleet. Old cases of gleet of many years standing are reported to have been cured by this remedy, after other means b^id failed. Its pathogenesis shows that it causes symptoms similar to the first stage of gonorrhoea, and if its use was continued, it would probably cause severe symptoms, with discharges, etc. Dr. Clerborne treated a case of syphilis with this medicine. " There were three good sized chancres on the glans penis ; on each side an indurated syphilitic bubo. He dressed the chancre with Sulphate of copper, applied pressure to the bubo, and gave Asclepias . syr., twenty drops three times a day. The patient, who had no appetite and was much debilitated, rapidly recovered under this treatment. His appetite returned, the bubo disappeared, the chancre cicatrized kindly, bowels became regular ; he gained streno-th, and in less than three weeks had entirely recovered." Organs of Generation of Women.—In the case of dropsy from heart-disease, referred to above ; the patient's menses had not appeared for four months ; she showed no signs of pregnancy ; indeed, it was deemed impossible, that such condition could exist. Such was the general edema that no vaginal examination could be made. ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA* 113 About twenty-four hours after she commenced the use of the Asclepias syriaca, and after diuuresis had set in, she was taken with severe labor-like pains pressing down from small of the back to the hypogastrium, with a scanty discharge of pale red blood. These pains increased with each dose, but disappeared a few hours after suspending the medicine. Upon resuming it,the pains again appeared. The experiment was tried several times with similar results. In her feeble state, it was not deemed prudent to carry the experiment further. It is " emmenagogue." (Eclectic writers.) Clinical Observations.—In this case, whether pregnancy was present or not, the Asclepias syr. manifested a decided specific action upon the uterus. It caused intermitting, bearing-down, labor-like pains, which but few drugs will do. (Cimicifuga, Caulophyllum, Uva ursi.) The uterine pains caused by Ergot, Tanacetum and others of that class, are more constant, remitting. In domestic use it has some reputation as an emmenegogue, and abortivant. It has been employed in dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea by eclectic physicians with alleged success. The above experiment would go to show, that it was homeopathic to dysmenorrhea and threatened abortion, especially when there is copious discharge of urine. Dysmenorrhea is often accompanied by diuresis, in which case this remedy would be perfectly indicated. Bronchia, Lungs, etc.—No symptoms relating to the respiratory organs were evolved in the above provings. It is, however, consid- ered " expectorant " by many physicians. As a near congener of Ipecac, it may cause increased secretion of mucus from the pulmonary mucous membrane. Dr. Pattee says : "The multitude, respectability, and strength of evidence in favor of this plant in recent colds, catarrh, pneumonia, suppressed secretions, etc., leaves no room to doubt its valuable pow- ers. Its expectorant effects in bronchitis and other pulmonary com- plaints is undoubted, Dr. Clerborne says it forms the principle ingredient in various " Indian cough medicines." The symptoms of '* burning and tickling in the fauces," noticed by him, might have led to a cough. It cer- tainly denoted severe bronchial irritation. Back and Extremities.—Dr. Lee says : " In rheumatism its actions bears a close analogy to Cimicifuga." Dr. Pattee writes : " Of six cases of acute rheumatism that we have treated with the A. syriaca, the average duration was eight days. The inflammation was confined to the large joints, with considerable pain and swelling. It had a remarkable effect in relieving the pain." By reference to Dr. Clerborne's cases, it will be seen that in one case it cured "pains in the limbs." 8 ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA. (Pleurisy Root.) Analogues : Anlimonium crudum, Asclepias syriaca, Arnica, (?) Apocynum cannabinum, Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Oaulophyllum, Dios- corea, Dulcamara, Eupatorium perfoliatum and K. purpurcum, Eryngiwn, Ipecacuanha, Iris versicolor, Kali carbonicum, Kali hydriodicum, Pulsatilla, Senega, Squilla, Tartar emetic. Botanical Description.—The root of this variety of Asclepias is perennial, and gives origin to numerous stems which are erect, ascending, or procumbent, round, hairy, of a green or reddish color, branching at the top, and about eighteen inches in height. (It rarely exceeds this, although it is stated to be three feet by some authorities.) The leaves are scattered, oblong-lanceolate, very hairy, of a deep rich green color on their upper surface, paler beneath, and supported usually on short foot stalks. The flowers are of a beautiful reddish- orange color, and disposed in terminal or lateral corymbose umbels. The fruit is an erect, lanceolate follicle, with flat ovate seeds, con- nected to a longitudinal receptacle by long silky hairs. This plant differs from other species of Asclepias in not emitting a milky juice when wounded. It flourishes from Massachusetts to Georgia, and when in full bloom, in the months of June and July, exhibits a splen- did appearance. The root is the part used in medicine. This is large, irregularly tuberous, branching, often somewhat fusiform; externally brown, internally white and striated, and in the recent state, of a sub-acrid nauseous taste. When dried it is easily pulver- ized, and has a bitter, but not otherwise unpleasant taste. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the root. Triturations of the root. (No confidence can be placed in the so-called active principles of this plant. They are impure and do not represent its medicinal qualities.) Medical History.—This plant, under the common names of Pleurisy-root, White-root, Butterfly-weed, Flux-root, Wind-root, Tuber-root, etc., is one of the oldest in use, and one of the most pop- ular of our indigenous remedies. It is best known by the name first mentioned, and is indicative of its well known usefulness in painful affections of the thoracic organs. Rafinesque, who represents the opinions of the early physicians of this country, mentions it as " sub- tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, laxative, escharotic, carmin- ative, anti-spasmodic, * * * a mild sudorific, acting safely without stimulating the body. It is supposed to act specifically on the lungs, to promote suppressed expectoration, and relieves the breathing of pleuritic patients. It relieves dyspnea and pains in the chest. * * * ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA. 115 It is useful in complaints of children, colic, hysteria, Menorrhagia, dysentery, asthma, rheumatism, worms, syphilis, etc." The later writers, King, Scudder, Coe and Hollembaek, add but little to the above. Instituting no physiological experiments, they have ascertained nothing beyond the old empirical uses of the plant. This plant has not been much used in homeopathic practice. Since the appearance of the first edition of this volume, it has been used, but to a limited extent. The proving therein published was of such unreliable character that no physician felt like trusting to it. I have, however, gleaned some clinical experience from homeopathic physicians, and have been furnished a proving of apparent value by Dr. Thomas Nichol, of Belleville, C. W. [The following proving, if such it can be called, was communicated to the lour, de la Societe Gallicana de Med. Horn, by A. Savery, M. D., who, it seems was a pupil of Dr. B. Mure, of " Brazilian provings " notoriety. I insert the " proving," as before, in order that no accusation of unjust bias can be made against me. At the same time I must again enter my honest protest against the manner in which the experiment was made; and state my conscientious belief of the utter worthless- ness of the proving. I will state the grounds of my objections. Only two drops of the tincture were taken ; ho repetition of the dose was made, and all the symptoms, sensations, etc., felt by the prover for the ensuing forty days were recorded. It is stated that at the commencement of the proving, the prover was suffering from irritation of the respiratory organs and stomach. Now when we consider that the Asclepias is a mild, unirritating medicine, except in large doses ; much milder in its action than Ipe- cacuanha or Apocynum ; that in domestic practice it is common for those having catarrhs, fever, or any simple ailment, to drink a pint of the decoction, and to feel no other effects than gentle diaphoresis, and complain of no after symptoms ; that eclectic physicians use it in almost every disease, in large doses of the fluid extract, or even the active principle Asclepin, and note no bad effects ; and finally, when I state that I have taken the tincture in ten and twenty drop doses four times a day and never noticed any unpleasant effect—any such symptoms as Savery records—it seems incredible that the long list of serious symptoms should be caused by only two drops of the tincture. We must remember, too, the admission that the experimenter had "respiratory and gastric irritation," when he took the first dose, and this alone should lead us to look with suspicion upon the proving. It is with a good deal of hesitation that I have admitted thia 11G NEW REMEDIES. "proving" into the volume, for it is a very grave and important matter to give a proving, which may be instrumental in determining the life or death of a patient. We hold in our. hands, oftentimes, the lives of our patients, and it behooves us to be solemnly consuientious in the selection of those remedies which we use at the bedside of the sick. We should neither be swayed by theory, prejudice, nor the dictum of other men, but carefully weigh the value of a pathogenesis by the light of reason and experience. I copy the proving, as it was translated and arranged by Dr. Rhees, and published in the American Homeopathic Review, Yol. 2, and will not offer any clinical remarks of my own with this proving, but let it stand by itself, and if any physician sees fit to accept the pathogenesis as a reliable one, let him do so upon his own responsi- bility. The symptoms enumerated bear some resemblance to those which have been cured by Asclepias tuberosa; but throwing aside all other circumstances, this proving should be substantiated by others before it could be received. I fully agree with Prof. Small, that the true test of the reliability of all provings is the multiplicity of exper- iments. If they all evolve the same or similar symptoms, we c nnot hesitate to accept them.] DR. SAVERY'.S PROVING. (The numerals indicate the days after taking the medicine.) General Symptoms.—Sensation of numbness in the whole body. Excessive weakness in the morning in bed. Walking seems impos- sible. Sensation while walking as if he run not forward but toward the left side. Aching in bones, and rheumatic pains in the extremities, principally in the joints; those pains appear in one arm and in the opposite leg at the same time ; thus if the left arm is affected the right leg suffers in sympathy, and the left leg with the right arm ; this circumstance was almost constant. Quivering and twitching of the muscles in different parts; emaciation. Skin.—Pimples, vesicles or pustules began to appear on the 15th day, and spread gradually over almost the whole body, but particu- larly on the arms, legs, and in the face ; they are very painful and itch excessively, and continue more than eight days. A red inflamed spot on the upper part of the right thigh, as large as a dollar, painful and itching, continuing several days, and leaving a dark stain (23). Many vesicles on the lips (23). Pock-like pustules on the arms. Clinical Observation.—We believe it be a powerful antipsoric, useful for cutaneous eruptions.—Savery. ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA. 117 Sleep.—Difficult and late sleep at night, with great sleepiness in the morning, and through the day. Confused and anxious dreams. Fever.—Feverish the first day, the pulse being at first 55, after- wards 70. Sometimes much thirst, sometimes none. On the eio-hth day, pulse 92. Pulse thready, 95, during diarrhea. Mind and Sensorium.—Excessive dejection (15). Weakness of memory (2). Difficulty of thinking, collectedly. Feeling of drunk- enness, after smoking very little, with weakness of vision. Head.—Pain in the forehead with a feeling of heaviness in the side, continuing the whole day (1). Headache is present almost daily, generally more severe early in the morning. Headache in the morning, while rising, with weakness, that he must lie down again ; it continued the whole day, and all the following night (7). • Pricking as with nails in the head, and at the same time in other parts (2). Pains in the scalp, in the left side of the occiput, like touching a pustule (16). Falling off of the hair (39). Clinical Observations.—It has proved useful in Cephalalgia ; gastric headaches, and neuralgias.—S. Eyes.—Transitory pain behind the left eyeball, in a few minutes. Broad dark spots before the eyes, with slow pulse of 55, (1). Itching in the angles and lids of the right eye (3). Inflammation of the con- junctiva for many days ; (this, however, is not an unusual symptom with the prover). Pain in the eyes, by gaslight. The eyes look lanquid and fatigued. Feeling as if sand were in the eyes. The lower lids are painful as if ulcerated. Face.—Yellowness of the face (15). Facies hippocratica (after violent diarrhea on the 15th day). Yellow coating on the teeth. Pain in the right inferior molars (24). Mouth.—Itching of the lips. Lips inflamed and covered with herpetic vesicles. Gums very pale and almost yellow; they bleed easily and repeatedly. Yellow, tough coating on the tongue, putrid taste. Pharynx.—Transitory constriction and stinging in the throat, extending to the larynx (1). Pains in the throat. Soreness of the throat (26). Appetite, etc.—Deficient appetite, especially in the morning, insatiable hunger (2). Eructations on the first day, less frequent on the second. Nausea in the morning on rising (17). Taste of blood in the mouth. Stomach.—Burning in the stomach (after 25 minutes). Pains in the stomach; nervous, even amounting to violent gastralgia; also 118 NEW REMEDIES. cramp-like. Sensation as if the stomach would burst, while laughing. The pains in the stomach continue, almost without a day's intermis- sion until the 42d day. Clinical Observation.—Gastralgia.—S. Abdomen.—Throbbing in the left hypochondria. Pains in the intestines, (after 20 minutes) subsequently attended with burning in the right hypochondriac region and stomach. Much flatulence, smelling like the medicine, with colic-like pains, with a sensation when walking as if belly would drop. Ariolent pain in the hypogas- trium as if the region were ulcerated, with tenderness to pressure. Colic, while going up stairs ; while walking ; after one o'clock, (8-14) and also in the morning, during each stool. Cliniqal Observation.—It is indicated and useful in Enteritis. (Jaundice), etc.—S. StOOl.—Fluid, painful stool (2) of very strong smell (37). Clam- my stool, of green color, and smelling like spoiled eggs, followed by pain in the anus. On the 14th day, at one o'clock at night, a painful and copious stool with violent colic, and a sensation as though the bowels would come out; half an hour afterwards, small but very painful stool; at 2 o'clock the same kind of stool, but with increased pain. (Veratrum8, relieved the pain.) At 11 o'clock another stool almost black in color, clammy, with many ascarides, and yellow spots like fat, attended with a feeling as if a stream of fire passed through the abdomen. In the afternoon, a stool of intense yellow color, with green and yellow flakes. In the evening, a stool exactly like the white of an egg, with no fecal matter whatever. The following day the feces are entirely enveloped in froth. Tenesmus. Clinical Observations.—We have found it curative in acute enteritis; and it is indicated in Dysentery, Diarrhea, etc.—S. Urine.—During the first twelve days the urine is red to satura* tion. On the 17th day it looks as if mixed with blood ; after standing a short time, small, dark red, almost black points of the size of a pin's head rise on the surface, and much mucus is deposited on the bottom of the vessel. The urine is more red than normal all the time. Generative Organs.—Painful stitches in the urethra, repeat- edly. Ulcerous excoriations on the glans, resembling chancre, with a pus-like secretion, (disappearing in a few days from washing in urine.) [The prover had chancre ten years ago. One year ago, while proving this medicine, on the third day a chancre appeared on the left side of the prepuce, then on the right, lasting two days. Copious perspiration of the genitals. ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA. 119 Clinical Observation.—We have employed this medicine with uniform success in constitutional syphilis, and it is indicated in ven- ereal diseases. Catarrhal.—At first dry, then fluent coryza during the first few days, with much sneezing. Subsequently a blowing out of some blood from one nostril for several days. Clinical Observation.—It may prove useful in Asthma and affections of the nose. Larynx and Chest, Heart.—Pain in the larnyx. The breath smells like pepper. Necessity to inspire hurriedly, followed by a sen- sation of oppression. Want of breath, like asthma, often very great, particularly after eating and smoking. Pain in the right lung. Pricking pain in the region of the heart. Contracting pain in the heart. Clinical Observations.—We have employed it successfully in cases of Phthisis and Asthma. It seems indicated in Carditis.—S. Back and Extremities.—Stinging, transitory stitches between the shoulder blades. Pain in the loins like lumbago. Pain in left shoulder, soon after in the right, like rheumatism. Pain in bones of left arm. Rheumatic pain in fore arm down to fingers. Numbness of right hand. Violent itching in hands and fingers. Pain in hips like coxalgia. Rending pain in knees up to the hips, when walking and rising. The ankles feel as if sprained. Pain in bones of left ankle, drawing in soles and in the toes. Violent itching on the legs up to the knees. Clinical Observations.—It seems to be indicated in articular rheumatism and bone pains. Lumbago, etc.—S. Remarks.—It is to be regretted that the foregoing experiment was not conducted differently. Had the dose (2 drops) been repeated every 4 or 6 hours, and other persons joined in the proving, something reliable might have been evolved ; but in this case we are at a loss to know whether any of the symptoms resulted from the medicine, or whether the " gastric and respiratory irritation" which the prover had when he commenced, was not the cause of the long array of symptoms. I am free to admit that the symptoms of the stomach, chest and bowels, are similar to those which I know to be caused by Asclepias tuberosa ,but we should have further provings before we blindly accept this one. I will briefly mention the conditions for which I have pre- scribed the Asclepias tub. with apparent benefit. Generally, it is very appropriate in diseases of children. In this respect it resembles Ipecac, also in asthmatic persons, and those sub- ject to catarrhal affections; and many diseases which owe their origin to cold and damp weather. 120 NEW REMEDIES. (a.) It is useful in the coughs and colds of children ; in a loose rattling cough with difficulty of breathing ; in those nasal catarrhs which children suffer from ("snuffles"). I have known a child cured of hoarse croupy cough, tightness of breathing, and fever, with hot but moist skin, by half ateaspoonful of weak infusion, administered by the mother, every hour; no vomiting or nausea was caused. (The dose in this case was about equal to a drop of the tV dilution.) I once treated a case of pleurisy in a child J2 years of age with Ascle- pias t. 2nd; the symptoms were much pain of a cutting character in the left side, during inspiration ; some dyspnea, fever, and hacking cough. No other medicine was given, and on the the fifth day the patient was convalescent. Such confidence have the country people in this remedy, that I have known parents treat their children for catarrhal fever, pneumonias, etc., with this plant, giving it in warm infusion, rather than run the risk of placing them under the care of allopathic physicians. It is not necessary to induce its nauseant action, in order to get its beneficial influence on organs of respiration This fact the eclectic school now acknowledge, as does the allopathic school in relation to Ipecac, and Tartar emetic. There is certainly a large amount of testimony in favor of the specific action of Asclepias tuberosa upon the respiratory organs. We will quote some of the most important authorities : Dr. Wood says, " it has long been employed in catarrh, pneumo- nia, pleurisy, consumption and other pectoralaffections, and appears to to be decidedly useful if applied in the early stages. Dr. Bigelow writes, " I am satisfied of its utilty as an expectorant medicine, and have seen no benefit arise from its use as a palliative in phthisis. Dr. Beach declares, " its action on the lungs is specific, assisting suppressed expectoration, and relieving the difficult breathing of pa- tients who are laboring under attacks of pleurisy, which circumstance has obtained for it one of its popular names." It relieves difficulty of breathing in general, together with pains in chest. Several writers have stated that they " have used it in many cases of pleurisy and pneumonia with the most marked advantage, and this, too, in nearly every stage of these. * * It not only operates favorably as a diaphoretic, but is an expectorant of transcendent value, invariably increasing the freedom of breathing, and exerts a specific control over inflammation of the thoracic viscera." " It has been used with benefit in asthma," etc. (b.) I have found it useful in vomiting of mucus, and gastric debility. Prof. Lee says, " It is useful in atonic dyspepsia, restoring tone to the stomach, and relieving gastric pains and flatulence." Any drug which is capable of causing irritation of the stomach, induces weakness of that organ ; deranges the function, and thence dyspepsia. Asclepias tub. then cures this condition in small doses because it causes it in large. (c.) In the colic from flatulence, or from intestinal irritation, in children or adults, or in catarrhal diarrhea, this remedy will be ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA. 121 found useful. In this respect it resembles Chamomilla. I have found it useful in the dysenteries occurring in the autumn months, when the nights are cold and damp. Dr. Parker, of Mass., emploved it for 25 years in dysentery, and had the greatest confidence in'its powers. I have known it to cure in a few hours, severe rheumatic pains from a cold, with chilliness alternating with heat. I have generally used the tincture in doses of two or three drops, or the 1st or 2d dil., in same doses. I have no doubt but the higher dilutions would act equally well especially in young children. Since the preparation of the above, the following Proving has been received: PROVING BY THOMAS NICHOL, M. D., OF BELLEVILLE, C. W. The Prover is 34 years of age, strong and muscular, of sanguine temperament, with fair hair and gray eyes. Has been accustomed to the proving of drugs, and is very susceptible to their influence. On Nov. 9th, 1865, being in excellent health, I took at 11:45 a. m. 20 drops of the 1st decimal dilution of a tincture of Asclepia tuberosa procured from Dr. Lodge's Pharmacy; in fifteen minutes dry cough with constriction of the throat; at 12 o'clock feeling of warmth in the chest, with dull pain at the base of both lungs, with feeling of tight- ness. At 12:30 p. m. sharp pains shooting from the left nipple down- ward, with stiffness of the left side of the neck. The pulse was 64 at the commencement of the proving, it is now 88 and small. Warmth of the skin. At 3 p. m. took 30 drops 1st decim. dil., at 3:30, return of the pain beneath the left nipple, with palpitation of the heart. Throughout the evening the pains kept increasing, making respiration painful, especially at the base of the left lung, which is dull on per- cusssion, while the cough is dry and spasmodic. At 10 p. m. took 40 drops first dec. dil. Was awake about 4 a. m. and found that the pain was increased and the cough worse. Towards evening unusual eleva- tion of spirits. Nov. 10th. Took 40 drops at 11 a. m. At 12 m. dull aching headache in the forehead and vertex, which is aggravated by motion and relieved by lying down. At 12:25 p. m. rumbling and uneasiness in the bow- els with feeling of heat in the umbilical region. The headache presses deeply on the base of the skull, and is very similar to the Ipec. head- ache. Itching of the skin of the thighs, though no eruption is visible. At 4:30 p. m. the pain moved up to behind the sternum, and became more sharp and cutting; aggravated by drawing a long breath and by motion of the hands as in triturating. Chilly, with cold feet, though the room was warm. At 5 p. m. took 40 drops. Singing or loud speaking aggravates the thoracic pain. At 10 p. m. took 40 drops. 122 NEW REMEDIES, Nov. 11th. At 9:30 p. m. took 50 drops of the samo preparation. Swimming of the head with dullness behind the forehead. Continued itching of the thighs and nates. The cough^continues dry and harsh, and coughing causes pain in the forehead and also in the abdomen The pain in the lungs is relieved by bending forward. The spaces between the ribs close to the sternum are tender on pressure, and the pain, which is quick, darting and more acute than at first, shoots over to the right side. At noon the pain was shooting up to the left shoulder which was painful in motion. At 9 p. m. the cheerful mood changed, and, without any exterior cause, I became fretful and peevish. Nov. 12th. Had uneasy sleep during the first part of the prece- ding night, with frightful dreams, which awoke me at 3 a. m. Found that the pain of the left lung had abated, and had left a feeling of weariness, though the pain returned on coughing or drawing a deep respiration. The pain is now very acute on the right side, and seems to be seated in the pleura. Cough dry and hacking, though a little mucus is raised with a great effort. 9 a. m. head feels dull and gloomy, and there are sharp, shooting pains in the right shoulder. 10 p. m. took 20 drops of the mother tincture. At 4 p. m. pressing pain in the bowels and emission of fetid flatulence. At 5 p. m. press- ive pain in the stomach, with rumbling in the bowels. Languor and disinclination for work. Awoke at 3 a. m, by rumbling"in the bowels accompanied by sharp cutting pains ; felt tranquil and calm, though the pain was very severe. Nov. 13th. Soft and fetid stool at 11 a. m., preceded by rumbling in bowels. Thoracic pains easier to-day, though they are still felt in the region of the diaphraghm and on motion. At 4 r. m. took 30 drops of the mother tincture. At 5 p. m. another stool similar to that in the morning ; this is an unusual occurrence. At 11 p. m. urging to stool. Slept all night, but had gloomy and frightful dreams. On awaking at 6 a. m. rumbling in the bowels with soreness of the peri- toneum ; a dull pain on pressure. Nov. 14th. At 7 a. m. took 40 drops of the 1st dec, dil., as I had noted more decided symptoms from it than from the mother tincture. Languid and dull all day, both in body and mind. Felt precisely as if I were recovering from a long and severe sickness. The appetite is deficient, and there is a disagreeable feeling of weight at the stomach. Nov. 15th. Aching pains in the knees, and driving pains in the thighs, and feel still more languid than on the preceding day. Slept BAPTISIA TINCTORIA. 123 all night till 5 a. m., when I was awoke by frightful dreams, which had haunted me all night. The chest feels weak and sore, without cough, though no pain is felt on drawing a long breath, BAPTISIA TINCTORIA. (Wild Indigo.) Analogues : Bryonia, Agaricus, Kali cldoricum, Nitric acid Rhus toxicodendron. Botanical Description.—This plant is indigenous, growing in most parts of the United States, in dry and poor soils, in woods and on hills. It blooms in July and August, having bright yellow flowers, in small loose clusters at the end of the branches. It resembles a shrub, and grows from one to two feet high. The fruit is an oblong pod of a bluish black color. It contains indigo, tannin, an acid, and baptisin. AVhen the whole plant or any portion of.it is dried, it be- comes black and affords a blue dye, inferior to Indigo. There are thirteen species of the Baptisia in the United States. The most important are the B. tinctoria, B. alba, (with white flowers,) B. leucatha, (with white flowers.) These grow in the Western States on prairies, etc., and probably possess very similar qualities to the B. tinctoria, but none have been proven but the last named. As the other species may be mistaken for the one in use in our school, the botanical description of the B. tinctoria is here given from Wood : " Glabrous branching, leaves subsessile, leaflets small, roundish, obovate, acute at base, very obtuse at apex; stipules setaceous, cadu- cous ; racemes loose, terminal; legumes subglobous. A plant with bluish green foliage, frequent in dry soils. Stem very bushy, about 2^- feet high. Leaflets about 7 lines by 4 to 6 long, emarginate; petiole 1 to 2 lines long. Flowers 6 to 12 or more in each raceme. Petals 6 lines long, yellow. Legume (seed vessel) about as long as a pea, on a long stipe, mostly one-seeded." Medical History.—In some parts of the country the young shoots are used as a substitute for asparagus, to which they bear some resem- blance, and they occasionally cause drastic purgation, especially if eaten after they assume a green color. Alcohol and water will take up its active properties. Its medicinal virtues reside principally in the bark of the root. The agent promises fair to become one of our most powerful and valuable polychrests. We have several provings of it, made by Drs. Burt, Hill, Douglas, Thompson and others. But the proving of Dr. W. H. Burt, is the most thorough and suggestive. Dr. B. is one of the most correct and enthusiastic provers in the homeopathic ranks. Eclectic writers utter their usual indefinite phrases, in relation to this agent. Without any clear idea of its physiological action, they assert it to be anti-septic, astringent, 124 NEW REMEDIES. tonic, emetic, cathartic and alterative. One only wonders that they did not use all the rest of the terms found in the Materia Medica. Not a few of that school consider it a " febrifuge," and many deem it to be powerfully " depressant " in its action over the nervous and vascular systems, while King says it is a " stimulant " It is only by a study of the general and special symptoms elicited by our provings, that we can arrive at any correct conclusion as to its real effects upon the healthy organism. There is one property which the physicians of the eclectic school allege the Baptisia to po'ssess, which should com- mand our attention and investigation. I allude to its asserted anti- septic power. Applied in the form of a wash, to ulcers, mucous surfaces, etc., when there is a tendency to putrescency of the fluids and solids, gangrenes, fetid discharges, etc., it is said to correct the conditions alluded to, in a very prompt manner. It is therefore advised in "malignant sore mouth and throat, mercurial sore mouth, scrofulous or syphilitic ophthalmia, erysipelatous ulcers," etc. My experience , and that ain in: the stomach and right BAPTISIA TINCTORIA. 149 hypochondriac region and umbilical ; frequent gulping up of air. At 10 a. m., slight pressive headache and dull pain in the loins. The part where the incision was made became so numb that I could cut the skin without the least feeling of pain. I can assure my readers that the most painful part is holding the chloroform bottle on the arm. Took 100 drops, 2 p. m. Dull heavy pressive headache ; by spells sharp pains in the temples; heavy aching pain in the stomach and liver, with a very hot sensation in the same parts Soft stools. Took 120 drops 9 p. m. Feeling very weak and trembling a good deal. Pressive pain in the forehead,constant dull aching pain in the stomach and liver- The pain in the liver extends from 'the right lateral ligament to the gall-bladder—it is almost impossible to walk, it makes the pain so severe in the region of the gall-bladder. Severe drawing pains in the calves of both legs. Took 106 drops. Urinated 42 oz., acid. Oct. 17th. Slept well until 2 a. m., then very restless until morning ; frightful dreams. Dull heavy headache in the forehead, constant dull aching pain in the umbilical region, aggravated by a full inspiration. Dull aching pain in the lumbar region very severe when walking. Tongue coated yellow along the centre. Flat taste in the mouth, 9 a. m. Took 150 drops, 12 m. Head feeling very heavy, sharp pains by spells in the right and left temples, constant dull pain in the region of the gall-bladder, very severe when walking. Took 200 drops, 3 p. m. Skin of the forehead feeling very tight, with sharp pain in the temples. Constant pain in the stomach and liver, quite sharp at times. Fearing that all the medical properties of the drug were not in the tincture I was using, I concluded to take the green bark of the root and chew it. Took 30 grs. Had a natural stool, 9 p. m., constant burning distress in the epigastrium, with severe colicky pains in the umbilical and especially in the hypogastric region, every few seconds, with rumbling in the bowels and desire to vomit, but no nausea ; soft stool; drawing pains in the right hip and calves of both legs. Urinated 31 oz., acid. DR. BURT'S PROVING WITH BAPTISIN. Oct. 18.—Slept until 3 a. m., could not sleep any more, but had to toss about constantly. Had a dull hard headache, very much worse by moving. Sharp pains in the temples very often. Constant aching pains in the umbilical region. Took 40 grs. at 4 a. m. Tongue coated yellow, flat bitter taste in the mouth. Tonsils congested. Drawing pains in the legs. 11a. m. There has been great distress in the stomach and bowels all the forenoon, with desire to vomit. Soft mushy stool. Took 55 grs 1. p. m. Eyes feeling as if they were 150 NEW REMEDIES. being pressed into my head, with great confusion of sight; cannot place anythiug until I look at it a few seconds; everything appears to be moving,; partial paralysis of the ejelids; it is very difficult to keep them open ; fauces and tonsils very much congested, Great distress in the epigastric and umbilical region, with great rumbling. Cramp in the calves of the legs whenever I move them; am very weak and faint. 8 p. M. Have had frequent pains in the right temple. Eyes smart and ache severely. Tonsils very much congested, with frequent inclination to swallow, which produces pain in the root of the tongue. Constaut aching distress in the stomach and umbilical region, with great deal of pain in the region of the gall-bladder Rumbling with desire for stool. Stool papescent, with a large quantity of mucus, but no real pain. Am very faint and weak, legs tremble and ache. Urinated 33 oz., acid. Oct. 19.—Hid a very restless night. Frequent pain in the right temple ; dull heavy headache. Tongue coated yellow, with flat bitter taste. Tonsils and soft palate very much congested. Dull aching distress in the bowels. Back and hips are very stiff aud ache severely ; drawing pains in the left. 4 p. m. - Tonsils and soft palate look very red, but arc not painful ; good deal of distress in the umbilical region all day. Back aches severely, aggravated by walking. Frequent drawing pains in the calves of the leg. Urine is of a whitish color; does not change blue litmus, and has no effect on red paper. Oct. 20.—Slept well Tongue coated yellow. Teeth and gums have been very sore for two days; by pressing on them with my finger large quantities of blood ooze from the gums. Tonsils and soft palate congested. Slight back-ache. Had a natural stool this morning, but none yesterday. Felt very gloomy for several days. Bowels moved regularly once a day—perfectly natural. Oct. 28th.—Feeling well. Took 4 grs. at 10 a. m. Had a severe pain in the region of the gall-bladder, lasted one hour; constant slight pain in the umbilical region ; natural stool. Took si< grs. All the evening had a dull frontal headache, with smarting of the eyes and a drawing pain down the nose. Constant dull pain in the umbilical and hypogastric region; by spells the pain in the hypogastric region was very sharp. Oct. 29.—Slept well. Feeling quite well. 10 a. m.—Took 10 grs. 3 p. m.—there has been constant dull pain in the umbilical region. At times drawing pain in the right wrist and left ankle* Took 14 grs. Constant dull frontal headache, and dull pain in the bowels all the evening. CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 151 Oct. 30th.—Slept well until 1 a. m Awoke with severe cutting pains in hypogastric region, with loud rumbling of the bowels, very restless after ; had frightful dreams. Tongue coated yellow along the centre; flat, bitter taste. Soft papescent stools. The inguinal glands of the left groin are very much swollen, one of them as large as a common-sized hickory nut. Is this an effect of the medicine, or the effect of a cold 1 I have no symptoms of a cold. They are very painful when walking. 10 a. m. CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS, (Night- Blooming Cereus. ] Analogues.—Aconite, Agaricus, Belladonna, Crotalus, Gelsemi- num, Kalmia. Lachesis, Spigelia, Stramonium, Veratrum viride. Botanical Description. —Stems cylindrical, rooting and very long, provided with five or six slightly prominent ribs, and furnished with small spines or thorns, disposed in radicated forms. Flower very large, with many narrow yellow sepals, and broader white petals, opening at night and shrivelling before morning, having an extremely sweet odor of benzoic acid and vanilla. .Fruit shaped like an egg, covered with scaly tubercles, fleshy, of an orange or fine reddish color, filled with very small seeds of an acid taste. This species of Cactus is indigenous to Mexico and the West India Islands. It is only found in temperate latitudes in conservato- ries. Dr. Rubini says it blooms in Naples in the month of July, where it thrives well in the open air. The same author says the tincture should be made from tae flowers and the youngest and most tender stems, gathered in the mouth of July. They should be cut into the minutest pieces, put into " rectified spirits of wine ; one part of the plant to ten of alcohol, and remain one month in macera- tion, shaking the bottle frequently in the meantime." It is doubted by some physicians if a tincture made from the plant as found in con- servatories will have the same medicinal powers as when prepared from the plant growing in its natural habitat. It is probable that a trituration made from the stems would be equally as good a preparation as the tincture. Officinal Preparations.—Tinctures, dilutions, triturations. Meuical History.—According to Dr. Lippe, the American trans- lator, its uses have previously been limited; " The Allopathic school has applied the milky juice, which is acrid, but without smell, for the same purposes as the leaves of the Cactus opuntia, Linn., as poultices for gouty and other painful conditions, for inflammation of 152 NEW REMEDIES. internal organs, also for corns. Paulle,* Cleghorn.f Papen at Pyr- mont.J Wilh. Heinr. Brennecke.§ It is stated that the Cactus grand- iflorus causes on the skin excoriations and pustules. It has been administered in doses from two to ten grains, as an anthelmintic. If the juice be dried, then burned, the fumes will cause sneezing, cough- ing, inflammation of the nostrils, and even haemoptysis. It is also reported to have cured dropsies." The Cactus grandiflorus was first proven and used in Homoeo- pathic practice by Dr Rocco Rubini, Medical Director of the Homoeopathic Hospital of S. Maria della Cesarea, near Naples. He published a pamphlet which contained its pathogenesis, and clinical observations relating to its uses in disease. The pathogensis, how- ever, was only a resume of the provings, with the symptoms arranged according to Hahnemann's plan. It is much to be regretted that Rubini did not publish the daily record of the provings. Such an omission was certainly a fault, and one very detrimental to a thorough knowledge of the action of the medicine. We judge from the follow- ing extract that it was proven only on two persons : " This small pathogenesis, which I place before the public, is but an embryo of the effect produced by this vegetable on the healthy subject. My wife and I, on perceiving how powerfully it acted on the heart and circulating system, causing the shedding of tears and feelings of ter- ror, had not the courage to go further in experiments which might endanger our lives. I hope that others, with more fortitude and less timidity, will be able to complete and correct whatever symptom I may not have accurately described." In the name of the Homoeopathicians of this country, we would earnestly request Dr. Rubini'to publish in full the details of his path- ogenetic experiments. Dr. Rubini's pamphlet was first translated by Dr. Dudgeon of England, and published in the twenty-second volume of the British Journal of Homoeopathy (1854,) with a clinical note by Dr. J. R. Russell. Dr. A. Lippe, Professor of Materia Medica in the Homoeopathic College of Pennsylvania, not being satisfied with the former transla- tion, published another and perhaps more literal one, which was pub- lished in pamphlet form in 1865. This pathogenesis appeared also in many of the periodicals of our school. Since which time some clinical experience has been published relating to its uses; all of which is here collected and arranged after the general plan of this work. It must strike my colleagues in the profession as very strange that a plant so common and familiar to all persons, and one that by its appearance would be likely to attract the attention of physicians, should have lain so long neglected did it really contain within it such wonderful powers as a poison and a curative agent. I cannot find on record any mention of its poisonous qualities. It would seem that if * Journ. de Med., 177, LI., 9,321. t Diseases of Minorca, pp. 263, 279. X Hannov. Magaz., 1790, p. H33. § Hufel. Journ., 1807, XXVI., 4, 136. CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 153 this species was as powerful and dangerous as trAs pathogenesis seems to imply, some naturalist, accustomed as they are to close observation, would have recorded some fact relating to its deleterious influence! I will not conceal my conviction that the extraordinary claims set forth for the powers and uses of this plant will not be substantiated by careful and scientific observation and experience. In relation to this matter, Dr. Rubini, in his introduction to the pathogenesis, does not seem to have any doubts of its wonderful medicinal power.' Dr. Russell remarks in the note appended to Dudgeon's translation, that! "So small a number of the multitude of medicines fulfil the expec! tations raised by the terms employed by those who introduce them to our notice, that busy practitioners may well be pardoned if they inquire somewhat suspiciously for the credentials of any new candi- date for their attention ; and as the name of Dr. Rubini may probably not be familiar to most of the readers of this journal, some account of the way in which this proving of Cactus came over to us, may satisfy the legitimate curiosity of our colleagues, and perhaps induce them to receive the new comer with more cordiality than if he pre- sented himself as a stranger without any introduction." (The case in which Dr. Russell used it, and which was the means of bringing the medicine to his notice, will be found under " Heart.") Dr. Lippe is quite as enthusiastic in his estimation of the virtues of the Cactus as Dr. Rubini himself. fin order to avoid repetition, I shall designate Dr. Rubini's obser- vations by his initials, thus, (R ) and all other authorities by their full name.] DR. RUBINl's RESUME. Generalities.—General weakness, with sadness and bad humor. General weakness, so that he does not venture to speak. Such great weakness that he does not venture to do anything, not even to walk through the room. Great weakness for many successive days ; he does not venture to walk at all. Great corporeal depression; he does not trust himself to stand on his feet. Great prostration of strength, so that he must remain in bed, not feeling able to use his legs. General malaise, and such weakness as to be unable to rise from his seat. Depression and languor during the whole day. Clinical Observations.—These general symptoms would seem to indicate that its primary effect was that of profound depression. But as we cannot consult the details of the provings of the Cactus malady, the priority or sequence of its symptoms are unknown to us. Dr. Rubini speaks of its general action thus : " The characteris- tics of this Cactus consist in the development of its action "specific- ally on the heart and its blood-vessels, dissipating their congestions and suppressing their irritations," without weakening the nervous system like Aconite. Hence it is preferable to the latter in all cases 154 NEW REMEDIES. of inflammation, particularly in all cases of lymphatic and nervous temperaments." It is difficult to understand how a medicine can have this effect. He speaks of its great value in nervous affections of the heart. How can a remedy be homoeopathic to such affections without being capable of causing them ? Dr. Lippe, in a note to his translation, says, in comparing the symptoms of this drug with those of others : " The constrictions in so many parts of the body are similar to those of Belladonna, Stram- onium and Alumina." The direction (from one side to the other) in which the symptoms develope themselves, is only found under the skin symptoms, and under them they appear on the upper extremities, first on the right, and then extend to the left side ; while on the lower extremities they appear at first on the left side, and then extend to the right side. Dr. Rubini recommends it generally for " sanguineous congestions in persons of plethoric habits," and for the " injurious consequences of catching cold from suppressed perspiration or from draught of air. Sle6p«—Sleeplessness at night, without apparent cause, (first night.) Sleeplessness in the evening and at night, from arterial pul- sations in the scrobiculus and in the right ear, (second night.) Protracted sleeplessness during forty-eight hours, with pulsations in both ears, (third day.) He cannot sleep in the first hours of the eve- ing, and when he falls asleep he then awakens suddenly, (the first eight days.) Interrupted sleep at night ; the next morning he feels fatigued, as if he had not slept at all: (twentieth day.) Talking non- sense while asleep at night; when awaking he talks unconnectedly ; (tenth day.) Slight delirium at night; on waking up, it ceases for a time, but begins again as soon as he goes to sleep; (seventh day.) Clinical Observation.—"The sleeplessness at night is like Sul- phur." (Lippe.) Fever.—Great coldness at night, which lasts half an hour, (first day.) Slight chilliness towards 10 in the evening, (first day.) Slight shivering, which passes off quickly towards 2 p. m., (first day.) Gen- eral chilliness, so severe as to make the teeth chatter, which lasts three hours, and does not go off, although he lies down and covers himself over with many blankets, (first day.) Burning heat, which causes shortness of breath and madness, so that he cannot remain quiet in bed ; this heat succeds the chill of three hours' duration, and contin- ues during twenty hours, (first day.) Scorching heat in the course of the night, with much pain in the head, great dyspnoea, and inabil- ity to remain lying, (first day.) Copious perspiration, which follows the hot stage, (first day.) Slight fever and pain in the head, which developes itself after a very short chill; it lasts but a short time CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 155 and terminates with slight perspiration at 4 p. m., (first day ) Quoti- dian intermittent fever, which recurs every day at the same hour for many successive days. At 1 p. m., a slight chill ; then burning heat dyspnoea, and very great pulsating.pains in the uterine region, termi- nating in very slight perspiration. Prom 11 p. m. till 12 a. m., the next day, complete apyrexia, (after thirteen days.) Quotidian inter- mittent fever, not subdued by sulphate of quinine, is immediately checked. At 11 a. m., great coldness for two hours; then burning heat, with great dyspnoea, thirst, violent pain in the head, coma, stu- pefaction, insensibility, till 12 midnight, terminating in inextinguish- able thirst and very profuse perspiration. At 4 a. m. on the following day, complete apyrexia, and a feeling of comfort, as if in a perfect state of health, which lasts for seven hours. Then, at 11 a. m., the paroxysm returns again, and it returns constantly for five successive days, and could not be cut off by quinine. Pulse completely lost for many days in a man affected with chronic hypertrophy of the heart; immediately after taking the remedy the pulsation returns with irregular rhythm, and intermitting as before. Cinical Observations.—It is recommended for " various kinds of inflammations. Rheumatic inflammations with swelling of the parts, and pain. Catarrhal fevers, inflammatory and gastric fevers." (R.) Dr. Lippe says the " intermittent fever symptoms find a simi- larity under Arsenicum, Bryonia, Lachesis, Pulsatilla, Rhus, and Sul- phur ; but Arsenicum has, as a difference, the paroxysms very rarely at the same hour." It appears indicated in quotidians similar to those which have been cured with Gelseminum. Ulental.—Hypochondria and invincible sadness, (the first six days.) Unusual melancholy, for which he himself can give^no rea- sons, {the first four days ) Profound hypochondria; he is unwilling to speak a word ; (fourth day.) Continued taciturnity; he will not answer repeated interrogations ; (third day.) Sadness, taciturnity, and irresistible inclination to weep, (the first six days.) Fear of death, extreme and continuous; he believes his disease to be incurable; (the seventh day,) Love of solitude ; he always avoids those around him who wish to comfort him; (ninth day,) Extraordinary irritabil- ity ; the smallest contrariety puts him in a passion ; (fifteenth day.) Clinical Observations.—The effects of the Caetus on the mind are certainly notable, and ought to make it one of our best remedies for melancholy and kindred affections of the emotive sphere. Dr. Lippe thinks its mental symptoms resemble those of Lachesis. Head.—Vertigo from sanguineous congestions to the head, (after ten days.) Paleness of the face, and emaciation, (the first six days,) 156 NEW REMEDIES Face bloated (acceso) and red, with pulsating pain in the head, (on the twelfth day.) Great heat in the head, and heat of the face, as if he had been before a strong fire, which causes madness and horrible anxiety, (the first day ) Feeling of emptiness in the head,(the second day.) Violent pain in the head, insufferable, from congestion to the head (the fourth day.) Pressing pain in head, as if a great weight lay on the vertex. Pain in the head with great prostration and weariness. Exces- sive pain in the head, which causes such anxiety that he cannot stay in bed, (on the first day.) Pulsating pain, with sensation of weight in the right side of the head, continuing day and night, so severe as to make him cry out with a loud voice, (after four days.) Very severe pain in the right side of the head, which increases to a great degree when raising the head from the pillow, for many days in succession, (after three days.) Very severe pain in the right side of the head, which is increased by the sound of talking, and by a strong light, (the first five days.) Tensive pain on the vertex, which returns periodi- cally every two days, (in the first twenty days.) Heavy pain, like a weight on the vertex, which diminishes by pressure. Sensation of weight on the vertex, with dull pain, increased by the sound of talk- ing, and by the sound of any noise. Pressing pain in the forehead, day and night, for two consecutive days. Pressing pain in the fore- head, increased by bright light and on hearing loud voices or noises. Pulsating pain in the temples, becoming intolerable at night, (the second day.) Sensation of heavy weight in the right temple and on the right eyebrow, diminished by pressure. Continued and torment- ing pulsation in the temples and ears, which is exceedingly annoying, and causes hypochondriasis, (the first eight days.) Such strong pul- sations in the temples, as if the skull would burst, (the first day.) Pain and drawing in the occiput, increased by the motion of the head. Painful drawing in the aponeurotic covering of the occiput, amelio- rated by bending the head backward, Clinical Observations.—" The congestions to the head are simi- lar to those of Belladonna and Glonoine. The weight on the vertex similar to Aloes and Alumina, Like Belladonna, it affects more the right side of the head," (Lippe.) Rubini recommends it for " San- guineous apoplexy, cerebral congestions, and headache from conges- tion or rheumatism." The symptoms of the vertex caused by Cimici- fuga are opposite, viz : the pressure is outward. Eyes.—Momentary loss of sight, (on the first day.) Loss of sight ; there appear circles of red light before the eyes, which dim the sight, (the sixth day.) Dimness of sight; at a few paces distance he does not recognise his friends. At a short distance he does not recognize CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 157 any one, not even a friend. Weakness of sight for many days in suc- cession ; objects appear as if clouded, (the first four days.) Weak- ness of sight recurring periodically ; objects appear to be obscured. Clinical Observations.—The eye symptoms much resemble those caused by Gelseminum. It ought to be useful in amaurosis. Dr. Ru- bini says it has cured a rheumatic ophthalmia produced by cold air." Ears.—Pulsations in the ears, continuing day and night, (on the first six days.) Noise in the ear like the running of a river', contin- uing all night, (the first day.) Diminished hearing from thebuzzing in the ears ; it is necessary to speak in a loud voice to be understood ; (on the first day.) Very painful otitis, from checked perspiration,' which is cured in four days. Clinical Observations.—The symptoms of the ear, or the sense of hearing, might be caused by congestion or an affection of the audi- tory nerve. It is said to have cured a " very painful rheumatic otitis, from checked perspiration, in four days." (R.) N0SC—Dry and very unpleasant coryza; he must breathe, during the night, with his mouth open. Fluent and very acrid coryza, which makes the nostrils sore. Profuse epistaxis, which ceases in a short time. [No cases are reported. The profuse bleeding would certainly seem to imply an acute congestion of the head.] Throat, etc.—Constriction of the throat, which excites the fre- quent swallowing of saliva, (eighth day.) Fetid breath in the morn. ing, (third day.) Constriction of the oesophagus, which prevents swallowing; he must drink a great quantity of water, to force it down into the stomach ; (sixth day.) Appetite and Gastric Symptoms. -Want of appetite and loss of the taste of food, which disappears after a few hours, (second day.) Complete loss of appetite; he cannot take the least morsel of food; (third day.) Want of appetite and nausea for many days ; it is only by an effort that he can swallow a few mouthfuls; (the first fourteen days.) Great appetite, but weak and slow digestion, (twentieth day.) Very slow digestion, even after eight or ten hours the taste of the food rises up in the throat. Bad digestion; all food causes weight in the stomach, and so much suffering that he prefers to remain fasting. Copious vomiting of blood. Nausea in the morning, and all day long, (seventh day.) Stomach.—Acrid acid in the stomach, which rises in the throat and mouth, and which makes everything he attempts to eat taste acid. (fourth day.) Sensation of violent burning in the stomach, (the first 158 NEW REMEDIES. five days.) Great thirst, which causes him to drink much water, (first day.) Sensation of great constriction in the scrobiculus, which ex- tends to the hypochondria, constricts them, and impedes respiration, (fourth day.) Strong pulsation in the scrobiculus, (the first eight days.) Continuous and annoying pulsation in the stomach. Very troublesome pulsation of the celiac artery, after dinner, which lasts three hours, and which corresponds with the pulsation of the right temporal artery. Sensation of heaviness in the stomach. Sensation of great weight in the stomach, which continues many days, (during the first eight days.) Sensation of weight in the stomach, which soon goes off, but reappears every time the medicine is taken, (the first fifteen days.) Oppression and weight in the stomach, (fourth day.) Liver.—We find but one symptom which can be referred to this organ, yet we find under the clinical observations the following rather remarkable curative symptoms : "Severe hepatitis. Cured in two days. Chronic hepatitis and hepatic engorgement. Speedily cured." (R.) Abdomen.—Borborygmus in the bowels, before the alvine evacua- tion. Distressing sensation in the bowels, very annoying, as if a ser- pent was turning around, here and there, in the bowels, (fourth day.) Very violent pains in the bowels, almost causing him to faint, which continues more or less during the day, (seventh day.) Wandering pains in the umbilical region, woich cease and recur periodically, (fifth day.) Insupportable heat in the abdomen, as though something burned him internally, (after two days.) The abdominal parietes, when touched with the hand, have a burning sensation, and are much hotter than the other parts of the body, (third day.) [We are surprised that Dr. Rubini did not recommend it for ente- ritis and peritonitis.] StOOl and Anus.—Constipation during all the first six days. Constipation as if from haemorrhoidal congestion. Evacuation of hard, black faeces, immediately on taking the remedy, in a man who had been constipated for some days ; the following day, bilious evac- uation, (first day.) Bilious diarrhoea, with four or five evacuations in one day, always preceded by pain, (during the first eight days.) Bilious diarrhoea, with pain in the abdomen, eight evacuations in one day, (third day.) Morning diarrhoea, of very loose faeces, preceded by great pain, eight motions from 6 to 12 a. m.; no motion in the after- noon, (seventh day.) Watery diarrhoea, very abundant each time ; ten passages during the morning hours, always preceded by pains and borborygmus, ninth day.) Mucus diarrhoea, preceded by draw- ing pains; three motions in the day, (twelfth day.) Sensation of CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 159 great weight in the anus, and a strong desire to evacuate a great quantity ; however, nothing passes, (fifteenth day.) Swollen varices outside the anus, which cause much pain. Great itching in the anus, which causes him to rub the part very often. Prickling in the anus, as from sharp pins, which ceases on slight friction. Copious hcemor- rhage from the anus, which soon ceases. Clinical Observations.—It seems primarily homoeopathic to irri- tation of the bowels, with diarrhoea. Dr. Lippe thinks it resembles Sulphur in causing morning diarrhoea, but unlike Sulphur, the evacu- ations are preceded by pain. He believes it to be homoeopathic to diseases of the prostate gland, and thinks it indicated by symptoms 141, 146, 147, 148 and 149. The first of these is the fifth from the last; the others are the four first, found under " Urinary Organs." Urinary Organs. -Constriction of the neck of the bladder, which at first prevents the passage of the urine ; but when he strains much he urinates as usual; (tenth day.) Great desire to pass water ; and though he tries a long time, he is unable to pass any at all; (first day.) Desire to urinate; after he has endeavored to do so for a long time, he at last succeeds in passing water abundantly ; (first day.) Insup- portable irritation in the urethra, as if he should pass water constantly. Frequent desire to urinate, with an abundant flow of urine each time, during the night, (the first six days.) Heat in the urethra, which increasing gradually, becomes in supportable, (fifth day.) Urine passed by drops, with much burning, (fourth day.) Involuntary escape of urine in bed, at night, whilst asleep, at 5 a. m., (first night.) Urine more copious than usual, (the first four days.) Very profuse urine of a straw color, (first day.) Urine very much increased ; he must pass water very frequently, and each time he discharges in great quantity. Urine reddish, turbid, very abundant. Urine, on cooling, deposits a red sand. Clinical Observations.—Besides the symptoms which may pro- ceed from disease of the prostate, it is indicated in many conditions of irritation of the bladder. Useful, also, in " hsematuria, strangury, and paralysis of the bladder," (R.) Organs of Generation of Women.—Sensation of painful conj striction in the groins, extending round the pelvis. Painful sensation of constriction in the uterine region, which gradually extends upwards, and in a quarter of an hour reaches the stomach, and causes the sen- sation as of a great blow in the reins, that makes the patient cry out, after which it rapidly goes off, (on the first day, after taking one globule of the ore-hundredth potency.) (!!?) Pain in the uterus and its liga- ments, periodically returning every evening, and increasing gradually 160 NEW REMEDIES. until 11 p.m., when it is much worse ; it then ceases until the following evening, for many successive days, (after fourteen days.) Pulsating pain in the uterus and ovarian regions, like an internal tumor suppur- ating ; the pain extends to the thighs, and becomes insupportable; then it ceases completely, and occurs on the next day at the very same time, and so on for many successive days ; (after fifteen days.) Very painful menstruation, accompanied by great prostration of strength ; she is obliged to remain in bed for three days ; (eighth day.) [Menstruation with most horrible pains, causing her to cry aloud and to weep, (fifth day.) Menstruation, which was usually preceded by very strong pains, comes this time without any pain, and very copiously. Men- struation eight days too soon, in a woman in whom it happened usually some days too late, (third day.) Menstruation scanty, which ceases when she remains lying down. Menstruation of black, pitchy blood, rather abundant. Clinical Observations.—It would seem, from the wording of the above symptoms that the drug was proven on several women. It would be interesting to know if they were previously healthy in re- spect of the uterine functions. Some of the symptoms would seem to be " curative," It is a pity this pathogenesis is so loosely put together. By referring to Dr. Russell's case, under " Heart," it will be seen that it appeared to relieve a severe dysmenorrhea. It seems indicated in ovaritis and metritis, The pains appear to be periodical. Dr. Lippe says; " The cessation of menstruation on lying down is similar t o Causticum, and the constriction in the uterine region similar to Murex." Larynx, Cough, etc.—Obstinate, stertorous cough, worse at night. Catarrhal cough, with much viscid expectoration. Spasmodic cough, with copious mucus expectoration. Cough, with thick expec- toration, like boiled starch, and very yellow. Dry cough, from tick- ling in the throat, (the first fifteen days.) Dry cough from itching in the larynx, (first night.) Chest.—Feeling of constriction in the chest, which prevents free speech, and when forced to speak, the voice is low, [weakl and hoarse, (tenth day.) Constriction in the upper part of the chest, which hin- ders respiration, (the first fifteen days.) Sensation of great constric- tion in the middle of the sternum, as if the parts were compressed by iron pinchers, which compression produces oppression of the res- piration, aggravated by motion, (the first ten days.) Sensation of con- striction of the chest, as if bound, (fourth day.) Painful sensation of constriction in the lower part of the chest, as if a cord was tightly bound around the false ribs, with obstruction of the breathing, (sixth day.) Sensation in the chest, as if some one were pressing and hold- CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 161 ing it tightly ; under the delusion that this was the case, the patient cried out, " Leave me alone 1" (Third day.) Sensation of great con- striction in the shoulders, so that he could not move, (fifth day.) Sharp, wandering pains in the thoracic cavity, very annoying, espe- cially in the scapular region, (the first fifteen days.) Painful drawings in the muscles of the left side of the chest, which extends to the shoulder joint, and impedes respiration and the free use of the arm. Pain in the left breast, which is increased by touching and relieved by gently raising it, (the first twelve days.) Oppression in the left subclavian region, as if a great weight prevented the free dilatation of the thorax, (fourth day.) Prolonged oppression of the respiration, with great anxiety, (the first eight days.) Oppression of the chest, with loss of breath, (the first four day.) Oppression of breathing, as from a great weight on the chest, (third day.) Chronic oppression of the breathing, which increases in the open air, and soon goes off again. Difficulty of breathing, continued oppression and uneasiness, as if the chest was constricted with an iron band, and could not dilate itself for normal respiration, (the first eight days.) Periodical attacks of suffocation, with fainting, cold perspiration on the face, and loss of pulse, (the first eight days.) Anxiety returning in the evening, (the first fifteen days.) Congestive asthma, which soon passes away. San- guineous congestion in the chest, which prevents him laying down in bed, (third day). Clinical Observations.—Dr. Rubini recommends this medicine for rheumatism of the chest, hepatization of the lungs and bronchitis ; pleuritis; haemoptysis ; asthma; catarrhal cough ; pulmonary tubercu- losis in the first stage ; congestion, etc. He also places the following among the curative symptoms—a rather unsatisfactory way of report- ing clinical cases, especially when we wish to ascertain reliable facts relating to the curative powers of a new remedy : " Bronchitis speedily cured. Chronic bronchitis, with rattling of mucus, which becoming acute in consequence of a cold, causes great anxiety and suffocation. It is rapidly relieved and the acute state ceases very soon. Chronic bronchitis, of many years standing, with rattling of mucus, continues day and night; oppression of breathing on going up stairs, and impossibility of lying horizontally in bed; which is rapidly cured. Many pleurisies, which are all cured from two to four days. Hepatization of the lungs, which is resolved in a few days. Very severe peripneumonia, with great oppression of the respiration ; pricking pain ; acute, intense cough; sanguinolent sputa; hard pulse, vibrating, 120. Cured in four days. Hcemoptysis, tohich soon ceases. Violent pneumorrhagia, which is checked in a few hours, 11 162 NEW REMEDIES. and ceases entirely. Pneumorrhagia, renewed every four, six, seven or eight hours, accompanied each time ivith convulsive cough, and ex- pectoration of two or three pounds of blood, is at once relieved, and ceases entirely in four days" Dr. Lippe calls attention to its resemblance in one symptom to Bovista, the "constriction in the middle of the sternum." Dr. G. Duhring, writing of this medicine,* says : " I am in my 62d year, and for some time have been a great sufferer from chronic bronchitis, it was accompanied with frequent rattling of mucus, both through the day and at all hours of the night, oppression of breathing, with a spasmodic cough and expectoration of mucus, also frequent attacks when attempting to go up and down stairs. Various remedies proved useless until 1 concluded to try some mother tinc- ture of Cactus grandiflorus that I had providentially prepared last year, and this at once restored my health." Heart.—Sensation of very annoying movement from before back- wards in the cardiac region, as if a reptile were moving about in the interior ; worse by day than by night, (the first ten days.) Se?isation of constriction in the heart, as if an iron hand prevented its normal movement, (the first ten days.) Dull, heavy pains in the region of the heart, increased by external pressure, (second day.) Pricking pain in the heart, impeding respiration and the motion of the body, (fourth day.) Very acute pain, and such painful stitches in the heart as to cause him to weep and cry out loudly, tvith obstruction of the respiration, (the first eight days.) Palpitation of the heart, con- tinues day and night, worse tvhen ivalkitig, and at night, tvhen lying on the left side, (the first six days.) Nervous palpitation of the heart, augmented gradually on the occurrence of the catamenia. Clinical Observations.—The claim set up by the author of the original paraphlet, relative to the wonderful curative powers of the Cactus, are certainly very remarkable, and every reflecting physician must look upon such fulsome encomiums with a good deal of suspicion. The symptoms said to have been caused by the drug are certainly very notable, and really appear to afford broad ground for the recom- mendations given. But after all, it strikes us that the language used is too strong. Thus Dr. Rubini says : " The characteristics^ this Cactus consist in the developement of its action "specifically on the heart and its blood vessels, dissipating their congestions and suppress- ing their irritations," without weakening the nervous system, like Aconite. Hence it is preferable to the latter in all cases of inflamma- tion, particularly in cases of lymphatic and nervous temperaments." * * .*. * "' Ifc is a specific remedy for diseases ofthe heart, upon which it acts promptly. Hence it may be considered, in such circumstances, as a sovereign remedy, with which no othercan * Amer. Horn. Observer, vol. 11, p. 209. CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 163 compete. In organic diseases, the dose is from one to ten drops of mother tincture, mixed in water and taken at intervals during the day. It will rapidly relieve the painful sufferings, even if they are not cured, and do not cease altogether. In the severe acute affec- tionsof the same organ the same dose will promptly cure, without the aid of any other remedy. In nervous diseases of the heart, the globules of the 6th, 30th and 100th dilutions give immediate relief." To say that a medicine is a " specific remedy in diseases of the heart," is certainly a very thoughtless and rash assertion, one entirely unwarranted by the facts in pathology and therapeutics, for there are many organic and ex en functional diseases of the heart that are in their very nature incurable. In his clinical observations, Dr. Rubini recommends it in " rheu- matism of the heart, stenocardia, hypertrophy of the heart, aneurism of the heart and the large arteries, acute and chronic carditis, organic and nervous palpitation of the heart" If he had said it would palliate or relieve organic cardiac disease, it would certainly appear more favorably. He admits, above, that it may not cure, but not as plainly or as fully as he ought. The follow- ing he places among the curative symptoms. A bungling way of reporting cases : "Nervous palpitation of the heart, produced by deep moral affec- tions, is immediately calmed. Nervous palpitation of the heart, ex- isting for several years, in consequence of an unfortunate love affair, is rapidly relieved. Chronic palpitation of the heart, in a boy of twelve, which for many years had resisted all the appliances of art, was almost completely cured. Acute carditis, with slight cyanosis of the face, oppression of the breathing, dry cough, pricking pain at the heart, impossibility of lying on the left side ; pulse quick, throbbing, tense and hard. These symptoms cured in four days. Chronic car- ditis, with oedematous and cyanotic face, suffocating respiration, con- tinued dull pain at the heart, hydro-pericardium, hydrothorax, ascites, cederaa, of the hands, the legs and feet, impossibility of lying in bed, of speaking, or even of drinking, hands and feet cold, pulse intermit- ting. Cured in fifteen days. Rheumatic carditis, with much dry and convulsive cough, cured in four days. Hypertrophy of the heart, that had lasted three years; the patient is pulseless, extremely prostrated, panting and sad, he cannot lie down, he cannot speak, has scarcely slept for fifteen days, weak, forgetful, feet oedematous. He soon is relieved, lies down and sleeps quietly for twelve hours." Dr. Lippe says the effects of this medicine on the heart is " in many respects similar to that of Crotalus, Lachesis, Spigelia, and Kalmia. The oedema of the hands in chronic carditis, especially that of the left hand is under no other remedy, and is a very weighty symptom." If this medicine is one possessing such unusual remedial power over diseases of the heart, it is to be regretted that the provings were no^ made in such a manner as to conform to the existing condition of 164 NEW REMEDIES. the art of diagnostics. It is sad to think how much might have been done with the opportunities at command. Why did not Dr. Ru- bini give us the results of a physical examination of the chest and heart of persons under the influence of Cactus ? With what increased confidence would we prescribe the medicine if the sounds of the heart, revealed by auscultation and percussion had been observed and published ? Who doubts that our success with the medicine would not be increased if such observations had been made. Since the publication of the pathogenesis of Cactus in England and America, homceopathicians have had some clinical experience which gives some testimony in favor of the value of the medicine, particularly in the direction of cardiac diseases. The first case, and the one which was the means of introducing the remedy to the attention of English homceopathicians, is related by Dr. Russell, in his note to Dr. Dudgeon's translation : " About two years and a half ago I was consulted by a patient, of whose case the following account may enable the reader to form an opinion: Between twenty and thirty years of age, tall, slender, and active ; remarkable for intellectual endowment and culture ; very clear, exact and truthful in her description both of her own feelings and of what she observed. As a girl, she had suffered from attacks of acute rheumatism, which, however did not prevent her taking much severe exercise, both on foot and horseback, after they were past. Some four years ago, after stooping while packing, she became sud- denly affected with pain in the lumbar region; and she suffered excrutiating agony (no other words are strong enough to express her sufferings) for two days at the beginning of the catamenial period. The action of the heart was very peculiar; it beat with great force and irregularity. There was no displacement nor valvular disease. She described it as if grasped with an iron hand. The palpitation was excited by any strong mental emotion or bodily exertion. It affected both the lungs and head, producing dyspnoea, and violent, throbbing head-ache. My impression is that she must have had peri- carditis with the rheumatism, and that the heart must have been bound by bands of lymph, hence that concentric hypertrophy of the ventricles ensued. She was under my care,—latterly assisted by Mr. Leadam, who found ulceration of the os, and congestion of the cervix uteri—for about two years and a half, partly in this country where I visited her, partly in Italy where I sent her medicines. Although somewhat relieved, chiefly by Belladonna and Naja, she derived no permanent good from the medicines I administered, or the local treat- ment adopted by Mr. Leadam ; on the contrary, the last winter spent at Rome was by much the worst. She was confined constantly to the house, and was almost never free from pain ; she wasted and her friends were apprehensive of her vital powers sinking under her lon^ sufferings." CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 165 The patient went to Naples and placed herself under the care of Dr. Rubini, and in a letter to Dr. Russell some time after, she states the results of taking the Cactus : " With regard to myself, I have told you so often how horribly I have suffered, that there is no need to repeat that; but I can say with a real satisfaction that the last time has been quite bearable,—that I have faith when Dr. Rubini says that in a few months the pain will not return at all. I no longer look forward with dismay to certain days, and I have a hope that I may even get strong when this great suffering is so calmed that I do not constantly lose the little strength I may have regained in the interval. Besides this, it certainly has done my heart and chest good." In his comments on this case, Dr. Russell remarks : Although there is more promise than fulfilment in this statement, yet to one acquainted with the case—the severest of the kind and least amen- able to treatment I ever saw—even this amount of improvement is a great achievement for any medicine to have affected." Dr. Carroll Dunham, of New York, reports the following case, illustrative of its curative influence* : " A. B., aged twenty-eight years, who had generally been healthy, enlisted in the army in July, 1864. After three months he got acute articular rheumatism in the back and limbs. After a long sickness in the hospital, he was mus- tered out of the service as incurable. He slowly gathered strength, but applied to me in March, 1865, in the following condition : Mus- cular condition fair, limbs free from stiffness or swelling, lumbar mus- cles tender on pressure and stiff, especially on first moving after repose. Extensive dullness in the prsecordia; blowing with the first sound of the heart. A constant sense of constriction in the region of the heart and epigastrium, " as if the heart were grasped and com- pressed, as by a hand of iron." This sensation is very distressing ; it is much increased by muscular exertion, especially by reading aloud or loud talking. Cactus To"oth, two doses, relieved the patient instantly. No return up to the present time, He is still under ob- servation; symptoms 64 is strongly confirmed. Dr. A. Lippe gives two cases confirmatory of its curative powers: Case 1.—" A lady, eighty years of age, complains of a periodical constriction of the chest, tvith fainting and palpitation of the heart, worse in the morning and after rising ; periodical stitches in the heart. All these symptoms disappeared after two doses of Cactus grandiflorus, 75m. A confirmation of symptoms 65, 66, 67, 73, 74. Symptom 7, a pressing pain in the head, as if a great weight were laying on the vertex, has been repeatedly removed by Cactus grandi- florus, especially when menstruation return too frequently and were too profuse. Case 2.—A lady, forty years of age, who had often complained of palpitation of the heart and of rheumatism, was, by Cactus grandi- florus, 10m., promptly relieved from rheumatism, first in the hands, * Hahnemannian Monthly, Vol. 1, p. 177. 166 NEW REMEDIES. later in the feet; worse in the morning and upon beginning to move ; the soles of the feet felt as if they were bruised when she walked. The rheumatism of Cactus grandiflorus goes from above downward, that of Ledum from below upward. A number of patients have been benefitted by Cactus grandiflorus. But the improvement has not yet lasted long enough to warrant their being reported as cures. Dr. Chapman recommends Cactus grandiflorus in a case of metastasis of rheumatism to the heart, vide " Annals of the British Homoeopathic Society," No. XXI, page 240. A physician of Terra Haute, Ind., in an article over the initials, " E. P. D.," reports the following case :* "On April 28th, I was called to see Mrs. B., and learned that she was attacked about four- teen months ago with a low grade of fever, and that camp diarrhoea was soon added thereto, from which she had not recovered; being at the time within the lines of our army in Arkansas, she was treated by an army surgeon for nearly thirteen months. Her condition at the time I was called was as follows : Great emaciation, tongue pur- ple, with a thick coating of sordes on the teeth ; breath very offen- sive, frequent cough (she said she had had bronchitis for three years); sputa copious, yellow and jelly-like; voice moderately full at times, then decreasing, with a peculiar whistling sound, almost to a whisper ; frequent vomiting; stools scanty and resembling dirty water, aver- aging as often as every hour. No appetite—indeed, the stomach at once rejected any thing she tried to take ; a fluttering sensation, which she described as being in her stomach ; pain in lower portions of ab- domen, and a bearing-down sensation, at times quite severe ; urine scanty, not very frequent, but burning and scalding ; menses always painful; had slept none for four days and nights, and so weak as to need assistance to turn over in bed. For the symptoms Podophyllin 3, and Leptandrin 3, were given for two days, with the effect of relieving the vomiting and purging, and cleaning the tongue. The third day the patient was not as well. Stools more frequent, com- plained a good deal of wandering pains and the fluttering in the stom- ach ; cough none; tongue clean, dark red. Rhus and Bryonia 3, were given for two days, when, having taken a bad cold, she was worse, in fact, not much different from his first visit. A critical examination developed nothing except the " fluttering in the stomach." Upon being asked to put the finger where the fluttering was, she placed it upon the region of the cceliac axis, remarking " the spot is about the size of a silver dollar, and a burning line extends from it to the lower part of the ribs on either side, and a hot flash shoots downward exery little while." Dr. D. resolved to try the Cactus, and prescribed six pills of the 3d, every four hours. Being resolved to give it a fair trial, without prejudice, he told his patient he would not visit her again for a week unless called for. The week passed, and of this visit he says : " When I called the door was open, and I entered without ceremony. A woman was sweeping the room ; I glanced at the bed for my patient; the bed was freshly made and * Western Homoeopathic Observer, Vol. 11, p. 159. CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 167 empty. Astonished and a little uneasy, I turned to the woman, who evidently enjoyed my embarassment, to enquire for my patient. She smiled and said : '• Perhaps it is me you want." She seated herself aud said the fluttering in the stomach began to leave with the first dose ; she had coughed none since the second day ; since the third day her stools had been natural, vomited none, tongue natural, appe- tite good, and enjoyed what she ate, and felt quite strong again." Three days after she^sent word that "her menses came on yesterday, and for the first time in her life, were entirely free from pain." She says she feels better than she has for five years. Dr. Duhring writes as follows* relating to this remedy : " I will give only a few cases, that will show the wonderful influ- ence of Cactus grandiflorus on the heart and its blood-vessels "in dissi- pating their congestions and suppressing their irritations without in the least weakening the nervous system," thus proving the medicine to be a priceless gift of modern science and discovery. Case 1.—Mrs. C. M., age 84 years. This lady always enjoyed excellent health, but was suddenly attacked, during the night, with intense burning lancinating pains across the chest, emanating from the prgecordia, and radiating thence into both sides of the chest, to the right shoulder and arm ; they were so severe as to cause crying out and inability to lay down for fear of momentary suffocation; the pulse was very active and quite irregular. I administered simply drop doses of Cactus in mother tincture every half hour for several hours. This produced almost instantaneous relief. The same effect has followed with every return of the paroxysm, until finally, within seven days, she was free from the malady, and felt well and comfort- able, with the exception of a general debility and slight numbness in the afflicted parts. The lady is ever praising the wonderful medi- cine, and keeps some of it, like a charm, by her bedside, to use if needed. Her praises, unasked for, show decidedly that the curative power of this night-flower is no myth or theory, but a fact and a reality. Case 2.—Mrs. H, 56 years old, for nearly six years was afflicted with sickness of the stomach and quick fluttering of the heart under any excitement, She spent money on many physicians and used all kinds of allopathic remedies without receiving any benefit or help. I gave her a single dose of three drops of the Cactus in mother tinc- ture, which at once produced relief so decided that the old lady said it acted like a miracle. At the beginning of September she received the first dose, and since then has taken sixty doses, always on each return of the palpitation. The medicine has checked and cured the patient. Case 3.—Mrs. D.'s infant, age two years. The child was sud- denly attacked, during the night, with suffocating oppression, without any feverish symptoms. A few drops of Cactus tincture in water, administered every hour, permanently relieved the child at the end of 24 hours. * American Homoeopathic Observer, May, 1866. 168 NEW REMEDIES. These three cases of positive cure are sketched from my practice, not to show my success, but to show and illustrate the value of the Cactus remedy. AVhere cures arc so clearly wrought it truly is our duty to investigate the various powers of the remedy and to devel- ope its use by practice, and to make known such success to others, that they may still further spread the benefits of the curing night flower, that so long has been neglected, and admired and valued only for its beauty. Therefore I take the liberty to give to your journal the experience of a practical physician on this subject, wishing that these few remarks will be of benefit to the profession and stimulate others to advance the use of the Cactus, and also awaken those who are yet in ignorance to use their eyes and read the journals, and keep up with the times, and begin the use of the remedy. Again, I rejoice to find the beautiful in nature can also be the useful in science, and with you I rejoice that I have been able to learn, by practice, the value of Dr. Rubini's discovery, and to add my humble testimony to the correctness of his theory and practice ; thus to aid homoeopathy to keep ahead of the old-fogyism of allopathic unchangeable theories and rules of practice. C. C. Olmsted, M. D., reports:—" Mrs. I—, aged about 25 ; light hair, blue eyes, a very fair complexion ; has had a trouble of the heart, of some four years' standing. Previous to that time she suf- fered a great deal with inflammatory rheumatism. During a severe attack of this disease, of some six weeks' duration, her heart became implicated; but thanks to a good strong constitution, she survived the heroic treatment of the "Regular." Ever since this attack she has been quite subject to severe paroxysms of pain in the region of the heart, after any cold, excitement or severe exercise. I was called to see her in one of the most severe attacks she ever had. The day before, she had been out to a pic-nic, and coming home they were caught in a storm, and she got quite wet. During that night she was very restless and uneasy, with some fever. All the symptoms increased until the following night. At 11 p. m., I was called ; found her sitting up in bed; could not lay down or take a long breath, or utter a whole sentence without stopping to groan, from the severe pain, about 1-J- inches below and a little back of the left nipple, and through the left shoulder, extending down the left arm to the end of the fingers ; breathing was very difficult; countenance showed extreme suffering ; her face was parched, lips bluish, tongue furred whitet pulse feeble and quick (120), urine very scanty and colorless ; diges- tion was and had been very good. She said the sensation was as though some strong hand was grasping the heart and would not allow it to pulsate. I gave her six pellets of the 200th dil., waiting three hours before repeating the dose. Wishing to try the effect of the high attenuations, in a severe case, I left some blank powders, to be taken every four hours, until I called again. In CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS. 169 the morning, at 9 a. m., I called, and found her lying down, breathing much easier. Could talk very well, saying the pills I gave her done much more good than the powders; pulse was 90, a little more full, and the pain much less; could move the arm much better. I then gave a single dose of the same, 2 u °, with blank powders, as before. In the evening I saw the improvement continued and gave nothing but the blank powders. The next day found she had slept very well, waking up but a few times during the night. I gave another dose (same attenuation) with blank powders. Visiting the case frequently, I saw that improvement was going on from day to day. I gave no more medicine. At the end of a week she was able to be up and around the room, and in ten days resumed her usual household duties. She has not had a return for six months; can endure more than she has done before for a long time. I have been very much pleased with the effects of Cactus in several cases of heart disease. From the effects I have seen it produce, I think it will at least palliate severe cases of Angina pectoris, and perhaps cure recent cases. I recommended the 30th dil. in a case of Angina pectoris, not long ago. A single dose was given, and so great was the aggravation that they feared to repeat it. I never use lower than the 30th. The 200th is my favorite. I have never failed to at least palliate the case when they complain as though some one was grasping the heart. How permanent will be the relief, I cannot say. I have only used it some two years. I have not tried it in any other diseases." Upper and Lower Extremities.—Formication and weight in the arms, which cannot be raised freely ; worse in the left arm. GMeina of the hands, worse in the left. Dry, scaly herpes at the outside of the right elbow, without itching, of one and a half inch in breadth, (thirtieth day.) A similar dry, scaly, hepetic eruption on the outside of the left elbow, (after forty-eight days.) Dry, scaly herpes, two inches broad, on the left internal malleolus, without itching, (after twenty-four days.) A similar dry, scaly herpes on the right internal malleolus, (after thirty-eighth day.) Violent itching on the ankles, (twentieth day.) Very violent itching, causing him to scratch the lower part of the tibia, (after twenty-one days.) ffidema of the legs up to the knees ; the skin is shining, and pressure with the fingers leaves an impression for a long time. GSderaa of the feet up to the inferior third of the legs, which soon goes off. He cannot rest still when sitting; he must throw his legs about here and there involuntarily. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Lippe calls attention to the oedema of the hands, particularly of the left, as an important symptom especi- ally as it occurs in some diseases of the heart. The oedema of the feet and legs is also suggestive. Rubini thinks it will prove to be an antipsoric, because it causes eruptions on the extremities. OAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES, (Blue Cohos \.) Analogues.—Aletris, Asafetida, Cypripedium, Cimicifuga, Helonias, Mitchella, Nymphea, Platina, Pulsatilla, Setiecio, Secale, Uva ursi. Botanical Description.—This is a perennial, glabrous herb, with matted, knotty rootstalks, sending up in early spring a simple and naked stem, terminated by a small raceme or panicle of yellowish green flowers, and a little below, bearing a large triternately com- pound leaf, without any common petiole ; (whence the Greek name, sinifying the stem seeming to form a stalk for the great leaf.) The whole plant is glaucous when young. Stem smooth, purple when young, one to two and a half feet high, dividing above into two parts, one of which is a large triternate leaf-stalk, the other bears a smaller biternate leaf at the base. Flowers appear in April and May, while the leaf is yet small. Sepals, 6, with 3 small bractlets at the base, ovate oblong. Petals 6, thick and gland-like, somewhat kidney-shaped and hooded bodies, with short claws, much smaller than the sepals, one at the base of each of them. Pistil gibbous, style short. Stigtna minute and unilateral, ovary bursting soon after flowering by the pressure of the two erect enlarging seeds and withering away; the spherical seeds naked on their thick-set seed-stalks, looking like drupes, the fleshy integument turning blue, albumen of the texture of horn. Seeds one or two, about the size of a large pea, erect and globose. Fruit is dry, sweet, insipid. The seeds ripen in the latter part of summer, and are said to form an excellent substitute for cof- fee when roasted. The root, which is the officinal part, is sweetish, somewhat fra- grant and aromatic, and affords a yellowish infusion and yellowish brown tincture. The root is yellow inside, brown outside, hard, irreg- ular, knotty, branched, with many fibres. It is found growing all over the United States, in low, moist, rich grounds, or on mountains and shady hills, deep woods, or near run- ning streams, or on grounds which have been overflowed with water. It is an indigenous plant, and the only one of its genus yet discovered in this country. It is known by the common names of Squaw-root, Pappoose-root, originating from the names given it by the aboricines of this country. By the early white settlers it was called Blue-gin- seng, Blue-berry, etc. Linnaeas placed it in the genus Leontice, but it was separated by Michaux. Officinal Preparations.—(1) Tincture of the root and dilutions. (2) Triturations of the pulverized root, and of the tincture. (3) Caul- ophyllin and its triturations. CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 171 Medical History.—Dr. Smith, one of the earliest botanic phy- sicians, was the first to call attention to this plant. He asserts that it is " the most powerful anti-spasmodic in the compass of medicine, and at the same time is perfectly safe." Among the diseases in which it is useful he names, " hiccough, colic, cholera-morbus, epilepsy, hys- terics, fits, and ague." He also says he speedily cured one case of inflammation of the uterus with the decoction. He mentions its use among the squaws to facilitate childbirth. Rafinesque, who wrote in 1828, calls the Caulophyllum " demulcent, anti-spasmodic, emmena- gogue and sudorific, and useful in dropsy." Drs. Mateson, Henry, Beach, Curtiss, Thompson, and all botanic writers, mention it with particular favor. Dr. King,1 Jones and Scudder, and Dr. Coe,3 give a full account of its alleged and known properties. They deem it to be " anti- spasmodic, emmenagogue, parturient, diuretic, anthelmintic, and dia- phoretic; useful in rheumatism, dropsy, colic, cramps, hiccough, epi- lepsy, uterine inflammation, and all chronic uterine diseases. Strange to say, it is not mentioned in the works of any allopathic author except Dr. Tuily, who got his information from the botanic physicians. I was the first to call the attention of the homoeopathic school to the value of this plant. Since the publication of the orig- inal article4 it has been extensively used by the physicians of our school. I gave no proving, only the experience of eclectic practi- tioners and my own. In the first edition I collected all the clinical experience obtainable, and published a proving by Dr. Burt, which finely substantiated the truth of the law of similia, as illustrated by the connection between the effects of this medicine and rheumatism. No further provings have been made, but an additional amount of clinical experience has been gained and is here presented : dr. burt's proving (with caulophyllin.) April 28th, 1864. Am in perfect health; tongue not coated ; tonsils are natural; good appetite ; bowels move once a day ; urine acid ; temperament sanguine-nervous ; age 29 ; weight 148 lbs.; pulse 75. 4 p. m.—Took 10 grs. of pure resinoid. 6 r. m.—Dull frontal headache, with a contracted feeling of the skin of the forehead ; drawing pains in the thighs, knees, legs and ankles ; very sharp pains in the left knee joint, inside ; elbows and wrists ache. 5.40.—Very hard pains in the forehead, with a sensation as of needles being stuck into the forehead. 6 r. m.—Constant flying pains in the arms and legs, first in one part and then in another, remaining only two or 1 Eclectic Dispensatory. 2 Materia Medica. 3 Cone Org. Med. 4 N. A. Jour, of Horn., vol. 6, p. 373. 172 NEW REMEDIES three minutes at a time in a place. Severe drawing pains in the inside of the left thigh ; very hard dull frontal headache ; distress in the fauces that causes frequent inclination to swallow; dull backache in the lumbar region ; every few minutes sharp stinging pains in the glans penis. 9 p, m.—Severe frontal headache ; severe colicky pains every few minutes in the umbilicus ; very severe drawing pains in the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle, that draws the head to the left side ; severe drawing pains in the joints of the arms and legs ; the ankle and toes of the left foot are very painful ; dull backache. April 29th. Slept well until 3 a. m.; after that I was restless ; skin was hot and dry; severe drawing pains in my hips, knees, ankles and feet, wrists and fingers. Shutting my hand pro- duced severe cutting pains in the second joints of all the fingers, they were very stiff; frequent colicky pains in the umbilicus, relieved by emissions of flatus ; severe drawing pains over the left eye. 10 a.m. —Have the same symptoms. Took 15 grs.; had a natural stool at 7 a. m. 12 m. —Distress in the stomach and bowels, with drawing pains in the right hypochondrium ; drawing pains in the fingers, legs and feet; the pains are very severe in the feet. 4 p. m.—Dull frontal headache, by spells there is a very severe pain in the temples that produces a feeling as if both temples would be crushed together ; fre- quent slight colicky pain in the stomach and umbilicus ; slight dull backache ; drawing pains in the right side over the liver ; severe drawing pains in the legs and feet, but more especially in the feet; drawing pains in the fingers ; natural but dark stool. 2 p. m.—took 25 grs. 6 p. m.—-Dull headache ; profuse flow of tears ; drawing pains in the nose ; good deal of pain and distress in the stomach and umbilicus ; dull pains in the lumbar region ; severe drawing pains in the ankles and feet; severe pain in the wrists and joints of fingers. 9 p. m.—Slight frontal headache ; good deal of distress in the stom- ach, and small intestines ; constant and severe drawing pains in the wrists and fingers, ankles, feet and toes ; the left ankle pains very severely ; took 30 grs. April 30th. Had a restless night; there was so much pain in the joints of the fingers ; they look red and are very stiff; closing the hand is very painful; slight frontal headache ; teeth all feeling sore and elongated; slight dull pain in the umbilicus when moving, relieved by emissions of flatus ; drawing pains in the knees, ankles, feet and toes ; walking produces severe pain in the metatarsal bones ; natural but hard stool. 10 p. m.—Feeling quite well excepting my knees are quite weak when walking ; another rather soft stool, fol- lowed by slight pain in the umbilicus ; took 50 grs. 12 m.—Empty eructations; slight distress in the stomach ; drawing pains in the knees and toes, very sharp by spells. 5 p. m.—Feeling weak and nervous ; dullness of the head ; slight burning distress in the stom- ach ; slight drawing pains in the wrists and fingers, ankles, feet and toes ; took 75 grs. 10 p. si.—Frequent gulping up of very sour, bitter fluid ; frequent spells of vertigo; slight burning distress in the stomach ; drawing pains in the fingers, ankles, feet and toes, but more especially in the toes ; knees feeling very weak when walking ; OAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 173 eyes aching with a feeling of something under the lids ; profuse secretion of tears. May 1st. Slept well until 1 a. m., then awoke with a great rum- bling in the bowels, and a very urgent desire for stool; stool mostly of water that ran a perfect stream from my bowels, passed a great quantity. There was no pain. 8 a. m.—Feeling quite well; tongue coated white ; canine hunger ; fingers are quite stiff; slight backache ; drawing pains in the toes ; want to drink a great deal of water. 9 a. m.—Frequent slight pain in the umbilicus ; drawing pains in the elbows, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, feet and toes ; all of my joints crack frequently when walking or turning. May 2d. Restless night; my fingers, ankles, feet and toes pained me so much ; fingers are very stiff. 7 a. m.—Soft stool, very white, showing a great deficiency of bile in the excretions. Remarks.—The urinary or genital organs were not affected in the least; the pulse remained about natural all the time ; its great centre of action on myself was the small joints ; (the fingers and toes ; the carpal, metacarpal and phalangeal; tarsal, metatarsal and phalangeal joints.) DR. HALE'S REMARKS. I know of no more remarkable substantiation of the truth o ft he law of similia, than the above graphic proving. How perfectly Dr. Burt describes the rheumatic affection, so similar in its character to that variety in which Dr. R. Ludlam found the Caulophyllin cura- tive ? I know of no coincidence in my experience which has ever given me greater satisfaction. To settle any possible cavil or doubt in the minds of the most suspicious, I will say that Dr. Burt did not know of the use of Caulophyllum in rheumatism, much less had he any knowledge of Dr. Ludlam's experience with the remedy in that disease. RESUME. NerVOUS System.—The action of Caulophyllum on the nervous system is similar to that of Cimicifuga. It is sedative to the nerves of motion, and is secondarily homoeopathic to spasms, cramps and even convulsions—especially when they arise from reflex irritation, originating in the ovaries or uterus. Its primary action is antagonis- tic to Ignatia, Nux vomica or Secale. It causes, secondarily, condi- tions which those drugs cause primarily. The nerves of sensation are not directly influenced by this remedy. It relieves pain by arresting the cramp or spasm by which the pain is caused, or by some specific influence over the pathological condition known as rheumatism. I have not known of its successful use in neuralgia, nor do I think it indicated in that disease when idiopathic. " Eclectic" writers class it with the " anti-spasmodics." It has an extensive reputation in that school, in hysteria and other nervous affections. " It appears," 174 NEW REMEDIES. says Jones, " to impart a vigorous and healthful energy to the nerv- ous system. It has been found useful in epilepsy, chorea, tremors, spasms of the stomach, bowels, etc." (Ec. Mat. Med.) If homoeo- pathic to epilepsy, at all, it must be in that form known as " men- strual" or " uterine epilepsy." In idiopathic epilepsy, neither Caulophyllum or anything else is of much service; while in the epi- leptiform spasms which occur during or near the menses, or in hys- terical convulsions, connected with dysmenorrhcea, the Caulophyllum is the most appropriate remedy, and has been useful in such cases in my own practice. Cimicifuga racemosa and Bromide of Potash are also suitable in such cases. In Chorea, it has proved as useful as its near analogue Cimicifuga. Several cures of that malady by the use af Caulophyllin, one-tenth, have come under my own observa- tion. Nearly every case occurred in young girls, and had their origin in some menstrual irregularity. One case, however, was of a deci- dedly rheumatic origin. It is useful in the tremors of nervous women, and drunkards ; also in the cramps of pregnant women. MUCOUS Membranes.—It seems to act upon the mucous mem- branes of the mouth, fauces and vagina. It has been found curative in aphthous conditions of those surfaces ; also in leucorrhcea. Muscular Tissues.—It appears to have a specific relation to the muscular and fibrous tissues, but, whether directly or through the nervous system, is not yet determined. Its efficacy in rheumatism is undoubted, but it is not used in that disease as much as the Cimici- fuga ; indeed it is hardly mentioned in relation to that affection in works on " eclectic " medicine. The homoeopathic school have used it successfully in certain forms of rheumatism, as the following cases will show: Dr. P. II. Hale, of Hudson, Michigan, reports as follows: " A plethoric man, of nervous temperament, was attacked with rheumatic swelling of both feet. In a few days the swelling shifted to the knees, and from thence to the wrists and hands. No perceptible benefit accrued from the administration of Pulsatilla, Bryonia, Rhus, or Aconite. One night, about the third week of his illness, I was called in great haste to see him. The pain and tumefaction had sud- denly left the extremities, and he was suffering from excruciating pain in the cervical and dorsal regions, with spasmodic rigidity of the muscles of the back and neck; could not bear to be moved; slight twitching of the muscles of the arms ; paroxysms of quick, panting breathing ; complained of great oppression of the chest; high fever, severe delirium, and great nervous excitement. The tincture of Caulophyllum was administered, 30 drops every half hour. In a few hours the symptoms rapidly gave way, and from that time the patient CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 175 rapidly improved, and in a week was attending to his usual avoca- tions. I have also found it useful in rheumatism of the uterus." Rheumatism of the Uterus is a common cause of dysmenorrhoea, and many other painful affections of that organ and its ligaments. Cau- lophyllin will be found very useful in such conditions. Cimicifuga is also indicated, but the former is more useful in rheumatic affections when spasmodic symptoms are present; that is the chief diagnostic difference between the two remedies. Dr. Ludlam writes me : " Meeting my friend, the Rev. Dr. C__, socially in the autumn of 1860, he inquired if I had ever prescribed the Caulophyllum for rheumatism ? I replied in the negative. He then told me that he had once suffered from a very severe and pro- tracted attack of articular rheumatism, in which the pain and swellinc finally settled in the wrist and fingers of one hand. The usual reme- dies were tried, but without avail. His physician finally prescribed as a dernier ressort, a decoction of the Caulophyllum. In a short time he was perfectly relieved. " I would not," said my friend, " spend a night without the Caulophyllin in my house for half the city of Chicago !" It so happened that I was at that time treating an inveterate case of rheumatism, affecting the metacarpal joints of the left hand of a servant girl in the family of D. S—, Esq. The reme- dies'which I had prescribed did no good, and all concerned were impatient the girl should be well and at work again. I gave her empirically two grains of the second decimal trituration of the Caul- ophyllin. She was ordered to take a powder of that size and strength every two hours until relieved. The poor sufferer had not slept for two or more nights. After taking the second dose she fell asleep, and her pain vanished from that time forward. There was no metas- tasis of the complaint, and in two days she was down stairs at work. While she remained in the family—two years—she had no return of the disease. Since the above result was obtained, I have frequently prescribed the Caulophyllin for articular rheumatism affecting the smaller joints, and several times with a signal success. It has, how- ever, appeared more effectual in case of females than of males, who were ill with this painful disease." Dr. W. C. O'Brien of England,* has verified the above clinical cases. He says, " this medicine cured, in three weeks, a case of obstinate rheumatism of the wrists and finger joints, with considerable swelling ; relief followed the administration of the second dose. I used the 2d dec. dil." General Symptoms.—Sensation of comfortable languor and dispo- sition to sleep. A fine prickling sensation all over the body. Increased mental and physical vigor. Tremulous weakness of the whole system. Great restlessless. Feel weak, nervous. Skin hot and dry, in morning. Sleep.—Slept well till 3 a. m., after that very restless. Restless nights from rheumatic pains. Slept well until 1 a. m., then awoke * Monthly Horn. Review, vol. X, p. 172. 176 NEW REMEDIES. with ^reat rumbling in bowels, and a very urgent desire for stool ; stool mostly of water, running a stream from the bowels, a great quantity but no pain. More sleepy than usual during the day. Sounder sleep at night. Disposition to sleep in the evening, (primary.) Sleeplessness at night, from a kind of nervous relaxation. Wakes frequently during the night, (secondary.) Clinical Observations. — Some eclectic physicians decree the Caulophyllin to be narcotic, while others, as Coe, deny that it has such powers. It has a calming effect upon nervous subjects, and the prov- ings show that it disposes to sleep in healthy subjects. A remedy may cause sleep, however, indirectly, by acting as a sedative to irri- tated nerves. Dr. Ludlam reported the following case, illustrative of the action of Caulophyllin to insomnia. I abridge the case from my pamphlet on " abortion," page 17. A lady aborted at the third month ; she had terrible floodings, which so shattered her nervous system as to render her very miserable. Her pulse was feeble, threadlike, and at times imperceptible; skin cool, extremities, upper and lower, as well as her features, and cellular tissue generally, oedematous, and her nerves in the most pitiable condition imaginable; the most prominent feature of which derangement consisted in com- plete insomnia. She could not sleep. Night after night passed and not a wink of sleep All the usual remedies were tried, but without avail. Apis relieved the oedema, and under occasional doses of Arse nicum, her pulse approached a normal state. Upon the recommenda- tion of Dr. P. H. Hale, I gave her Cauloph. 2. A few doses sufficed to break the spell, and I have never since failed to procure her the most refreshing sleep with this agent. Head.—Slight mental exhilaration, swimming in the head, a sort of vertigo, with dimness of sight. Sensation of fullness of the head with pressure behind the eyes, and fullness of the temporal arteries. Dullness of the head. Dull frontal headache, with contracted feeling of the skin of the forehead. A^ery hard pain in the forehead, with sensation therein as if pins were stuck in. By spells a very severe pain in temples, as if both temples would be crushed together. Ver- tigo by spells. Drawing pain over left eye. Clinical Observations.—It is useful in rheumatic and neuralgic headaches, the latter, when dependant upon uterine disorder, or spi- nal irritation. Eyes.—Dimness of sight. Pressure behind the eyes ; profuse flow of tears. (2d day,) with dull headache and drawing pains in the nose. Profuse secretion of tears, with aching in the eyes and sensa- tion of something under the lids. SfOSC—Drawing pains in the nose. Mouth, etc.—Sensation of dryness in the mouth, or as if scalded. Heat in the mouth and fauces. Distress in the fauces that causes • CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 177 frequent inclination to swallow. Teeth all feel sore and elongated. Tongue coated white. Clinical Observations.—King says : " Combined with equal parts of powdered Hydrastis, made into an infusion, and sweetened with honey, it forms an elegant and effectual wash for apthous sore mouth aud throat." Caulophyllum alone will cure aphthse of the mouth, especially in pregnant and nursing women, and even in chil- dren. A weak solution of the tincture in water, used as a wash and taken internally, will often prove curative in quite severe cases. Stomach.—Heat in the stomach. Slight nausea. Fullness in the stomach. Empty eructations. Great thirst. Distress in stomach and bowels, with drawing in right hypochondrium. Frequent pain in the stomach and umbilicus. Empty eructations. Canine hunger, with white coated tongue. Frequent gulping up of very sour, bitter fluid, with vertigo. Slight burning deep in stomach. Clinical Observations.—1 have found the Caulophyllum useful in some of those reflex affections of the stomach occurring in women, such as spasms, cardialgia, spasmodic vomiting, and excessive nausea (when attending uterine irritation). King does not mention its use in gastric affections, nor does any other writer except Dr. Coe, who asserts that it is an admirable remedy in some forms of dyspepsia, particularly those cases attended with spasmodic symptoms. When there is gastric irritability with vomiting of food, it may be employed with advantage. Abdomen, etc.—Distention of the abdomen. Fullness of the abdomen with some tenderness. Rumbling in the bowels. Severe colicky pains every few minutes in the umbilicus. Distress in stom- ach and bowels, with drawing in right hypochondrium. Slight dull pain in umbilicus when moving, relieved by emission of flatus. Clinical Observations.—" Combined with drastic purgatives, such as Aloes or Podophyllum, it prevents tormina better than any other known drug."—(King) It is said to relieve attacks of spas- modic and flatulent colic. Caulophyllum is undoubtedly applicable when there is spasmodic action of the muscular tissues of the intes- tines, arising from the irritation of the motor nerves, or from rheu- matism. Stool.—Constipation. Stool only every other day. (H.) Normal but dark stool (second and third day.) Awoke at 1 a. m., with great rumbling in bowels, and a very urgent desire for stool, which was mostly water that ran a rapid stream from his bowels ; a great quan- tity, but no pain, (fourth day.) Soft stool, very white, showing great deficiency of bile, (fifth day.) (B.) Urinary Organs.—Copious emission of pale, or straw-colored urine. Slight pain in the neck of the bladder after urinating. Every few minutes sharp stinging pains in glans penis. 12 178 NEW REMEDIES. Clinical Observations.—This remedy is recommended in spas- modic retention of urine, such as occurs in nervous and hysterical females. Dr. Scudder says he has employed it with advantage iu chronic nephritis, albuminuria, cystitis and urethitis, but wc have only his bald assertion. He gives no cases to substantiate his testimony. Generative Organs of Women.—Sensation as if the uterus was congested, with fullness, heaviness and tension in the hypogastric region. Drawing in the groins—(uterine ligaments.) Menses too soon—three days. Labor-like pains. Abo?tion, with little or no flooding. Intermittent uterine contractions. Relaxation of the oa uteri. Profuse secretion of mucus from the vagina. Increases the natural pains of labor. Spasmodic pains in the uterus, broad liga- ments and various portions of the hypogastric region. Clinical Observations.—It may be interesting to those unac- quainted with this medicine, to read the statements of medical writers of the eclectic school concerning it. I quote from the most promin- ent : " It is principally used as an emmenagogue and parturient, * * a valuable agent in all chronic uterine diseases, appearing to exert an especial influence upon the uterus, and has been found serviceable in uterine leucorrhcea, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, etc. When used for several weeks previous to the parturient period, it is said to facilitate that process. It acts as an uterine tonic. In the more common unhealthy condition of this organ and its appendages— even passive menorrhagia and congested cervix, it is equal to, if not surpassing, the Cimicifuga."—{King) Dr. Kindleberger writes to Dr. King that he has used it with much advantage in after-pains, menstrual suppression, and in dysmenorrhea, * * it is far supe- rior to Ergot, both in its acting more mildly and with more certain results. " In neuralgia and rheumatism of the uterus it has fre- quently been administered with benefit. * * It expedites delivery in all those cases when the delay is owing to fatigue, debility or want of uterine energy ; the contractions it occasions, more nearly resemble the natural ones, instead of the continuous, spasmodic contractions effected by Ergot, * * When there has been a tendency to hgem- orrhage from relaxation of the muscular fibres of the uterus, after delivery," it will cause firm contractions, and arrest the bleeding.— (King's Obstetrics, p. 650). "Amenorrhea—that is—simple amen- orrhoea is successfully treated with Caulophyllum. If there be hepatic aberration alternate with Podophyllin ; if Anajmia—with Iron. In dysmenorrhea, it is an admirable remedy, both for the relief of the present symptoms, and for the radical alteration of the derangement. It relieves the distress attendant upon dysmenorrhoea, and its con- tinued use during the inter-menstrual period, and when the menses arc present, with Erigeron, Trillium, or Lycopus. For the relief of after pains it will be found efficient in a large number of cases. As a parturient^ quiets and harmonizes the action of the uterus, and the nervous system generally, relieving cramps and other unpleasant CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 179 symptoms.—{Coe's Cone. Org. Medicines). " We have used it often, and prior to confinement as a preparatory measure to the important changes which take place at that time, with great apparent advantage. In many instances, when the females have been invariably the sub- jects of tedious and difficult labors, by the use of Caulophyllum for two or three weeks before confinement, all the anticipated difficulty vanished, the labors were rapid and easy, and the recovery speedy, when compared with previous confinements. Although it may be somewhat difficult to assign a satisfactory reason as to the effects stated, or in other words, its therapeutic action may be difficult of explanation, yet the effects have been so apparent, that any one know- ing the character of different labors, would be forced to ascribe the different results to the use of this remedy. We have known many highly intelligent ladies, who, after having used it once, could not be prevailed upon to dispense with its use in subsequent pregnancies. It has appeared to us to afford great relief in that restlessness and disturbed state of the functions which generally obtains in the advanced stages of pregnancy. It allays false pains, if we can rely upon the testimony of those who have had the greatest opportunity to test its virtues."—{Jones fy Scudder's Mat. Med) Bating a little for the enthusiasm which eclectic physicians have for indigenous rem- edies, the above is a pretty fair enumeration of the virtues of Caulo- phyllum. The testimony of the homopceathic school is decidedly in concurrence with the above, as the following reported cases will show. My own experience, during the six years which I have used this remedy, has been such as to entitle me to speak decidedly as to its curative virtues. A thorough knowledge of the physiology of the female organs of generation; the pathological changes they undergo, and the reflex disorders they often give rise to when diseased, is quite necessary, in order to understand and appreciate the therapeu- tical powers of this medicine. The uterus, in its healthy condition, possesses the qualities known as normal tone, contractility, etc. But when that organ is diseased, we have either atony (arrest of function) or abnormal irritability, (resulting in painful cramps, contractions, etc.) These purely functional derangements of the uterus may exist with or tvithout organic changes,in that organ. Caulophyllum causes primarily, increased action of the uterine-motor nerves. In healthy conditions of that organ any action beyond the normal contractility, as to force and period is a diseased state. Abnormal activity of any organ is disease. The uterus then, when aroused by Caulophyllum, takes on increased action, which manifests itself in the form of pain- ful contractions, congestion, undue irritability, and many other condi- tions of irritation, which are not confined to that organ alone, but extend to those contiguous and connected. This remedy is therefore primarily homoeopathic to dysmenorrhea, uterine cramps, congestion, spurious labor-pains, abortion, premature labor, after pains, when these diseases are caused by exaltation of natural function, or hyper- stimulation. When administered for these conditions, small doses will be found most applicable, (the 3d or 6th dilution or trit.) Pro 180 NEW REMEDIES. longed stimulation may wear out the normal irritability of any organ or tissue ; we then have atony, a condition simulating paralysis, or irritation from atony, which closely simulates the irritation from hyper-stimulation. These latter conditions are caused by the second- ary action of Caulophyllum. Hence it may be indicated secondarily in the above named disorders, from causes opposite to those named in connection with them, also in such affections as menorrhagia and met- rorrhagia from deficient contractility, as after abortion and labor; habitual abortion, from uterine debility, a variety of pains, cramps, etc., during pregnancy, etc. AVhen administered for its secondary effects, the doses should be somewhat larger—(the lower dilutions.) I have not found it as useful in Amenorrhcea as many other remedies, and am of the opinion that it is seldom indicated in that affection, unless accompanied by spasmodic action, or extreme atony. The fol- lowing cases, marked "H," were originally published by me in the N. A. Journal of Homoeopathy. " Miss N., aged 17, plethoric, nervous, lymphatic, menses sup- pressed two and a half months. When I called to see her, found her in spasms, evidently hysterical, but resembling epiliptiform spasms, affecting the chest, larynx and uterus. She was unconscious. For three hours, under the administration of Belladonna, Hyoscyamus and Lobelia—(which latter relieved the spasm of the chest and larynx somewhat) and even chloroform, and the hot bath—she remained in those peculiar and frightful spasms. As a last resort, after giving no medicine for an hour, I gave Caulophyllum ^V one half a grain. In fifteen minutes the spasms ceased; the patient lay in a stupid condi- tion, free from pain. In the course of the night the menses came on, and in a few days she was about the house," (H). The Caulophyllwn was eminently indicated in this case, and it evidently acted as a prompt curative agent. In my " Monograph on Abortion," page 18, Dr. R. Ludlam, of Chicago, gives, as follows, his experience with Caulophyllum in menstrual irregularities. " Still another indication for the use of this remedy will be found in menstrual irregularities, occurring subsequent to, and consequent upon miscarriage. They are frequent and sometimes very perplexing cases, when neither Pulsatilla, Secale, Sabina or other remedies appear to be especially indicated, and, we have cither of the following symptoms : Spasmodic, bearing-down pains, with scanty flow ; sympa- thetic cramps and spasms of neighboring organs, as of the bladder, rectum and bowels, or, the motor power of the uterus seems almost entirely gone, and when we may reasonably suppose the menstrual flow is retarded from a simple lack of the exeito-motor force, either in the fallopian tubes, on the parietes of the uterus itself; the Caulo- phyllum will afford almost instantaneous relief. In a case of this kind, post-abortive, when the spasmodic pains were located in the right lumbar region, occupying a limited space, say about the size of a silver dollar, and there was almost a total suppression of the cata- menia, the Caulophyllin, 3d dec. trit., repeated once in three hours, afforded prompt and permanent relief. We know of no other remedy which is so efficacious under these circumstances. It seems in general CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 181 practice to be indicated in many cases of suppressio mensium, approaching dysmenorrhoea in some of its features, being always accompanied by the above-named characteristic pains and sufferings of a spasmodic nature. Our experience would render us very loth to attempt the treatment of these and kindred cases, without a frequent resort to Caulophyllin." In Dysmenorrhea, the testimony in its favor is very large. My correspondence with homoeopathic physicians convinces me that it is one of the most successful remedies, in that distressing affection, now in use. It should be given in appropriate doses, once or twice a day, during the inter-menstrual period, and every few hours, in the attack. In Menorrhagia, it is indicated for about the same symptoms as Ergot and Cimicifuga, and under some circumstances is superior to both. Dr. Williams reports several interesting cases of flooding after abortion, when ordinary allopathic and homoeopathic remedies had been used in vain, but were promptly cured by Caulophyllin -tV The haemorrhage was passive, had lasted several weeks, and was probably due to deficient contractility, or defi- cient involution of the uterine tissues. When similar conditions obtain after labor, immediately as in post partem haemorrhage ; or more remotely, as in profuse lochia, and that form which comes on several weeks after confinement, after every exertion of the patient, I have found the Caulophyllin as useful as any other medicine. Its action is not as rapid as Erigeron or Sabina, but more permanent Caulophyllin will cause abortion, in the later months of pregnancy. Of this I have conclusive testimony. As a remedy in threatened abortion it has no superior. Dr. C. A. Williams found it useful, in connection with Yerat. v , in a case of threatened abortion* : " Mrs. B., in the fourth month of pregnancy, was attacked, after a hard day's work, with severe pain in the back and hips, accompanied with violent labor-pains. On my arrival at the bedside, flooding had set in. The arterial excitement was very great, and I at once administered A'erat. viride \, in drop doses every hour, in alternation with 2 grain doses of Caulophyllin 2d. In a few hours the pulse became normal, the pains abated and hfemorrhage ceased. The Caulophyllin was continued several days, every three hours. The patient once had a premature labor in the eighth month. To prevent such an occurrence, Helonin 2, was pre- scribed, 2 grains three times a day. She continued well during her full time and was delivered of twins." In inevitable abortion Dr Williams found it useful. " Mrs. C, during her third month of pregnancy was was seized with violent flooding, which continued four days, accompanied with irregular wrangling pains. Sabina and other remedies failed to relieve the pain or haemorrhage. The patient was losing strength rapidly, and something prompt in its action was demanded. Caulophyllin -jVth was prescribed, 2 grains every hour. This at first produced some nausea, but in a short time the pains became regular, and in a few * Medical Investigator, vol. 11, p. 16. 182 NEW REMEDIES hours she aborted. The uterus contracted properly and the patient had a rapid convalescence." " Mrs. S. has had several abortions at about the third month. Each preceded for a week or more by a sensation of weight and pres- sure in the pelvis. When I saw her, labor-like pains had already set in, and the os uteri was partly open. Gave Caulophyllum first, one drop every half hour. In a few hours the pains abated. She has since given birth at full term to a healthy child," (H.) In uterine pains during pregnancy, " false pains," etc., there is no remedy upon which we can rely with more confidence than Caulophyllin. It has never failed to give relief, in my practice, and its effects are so appa- rent that my patients are unanimous in its praise. I usually give the 2d decimal frit, every three or six hours, as the case demands. It is equally useful in too severe and spasmodic pain occuring during partu- rition, also in deficient or absent labor-pains. In the former case, however, it should not be administered lower than the 3d, and even the 30th might be efficacious ; but in the latter condition the onc-tcnth trit. frequently repeated, is the most advisable. For the prevention of premature labor no remedy in the materia medica equals the Caulophyllum. Since the appearance of the first edition of this work, I have received a large amount of reliable testi- mony from my colleagues in relation to its powers in this direction. Three cases occurring in my own practice are sufficiently impor- tant to be mentioned : (1.) Mrs. B., pregnant with her third child. The first child was born at six months, and lived but a few days. The second child was born at seven months, and although very sickly, is now living. I was applied to, about the sixth month, for the relief of pains in the back and loins, which threatened a premature labor. I prescribed Caulophyllin, five drops of the T^th every two hours, and rest in bed. In twelve hours the pains had disappeard. She was ordered to continue the medicine three times daily. She contin- ued well until the expiration of the seventh month, when severe pains came on, but they were controlled by the Caulophyllum, as before. The remedy was continued. On the eighth month labor pains again appeared, and this time it took two days to arrest them. The medi- cine was still continued in doses of 10 drops, two or three times a day, until the end of the full term of pregnancy, when, after a natu- ral and easy labor, she was delivered of a large and heavy male child. (2 ) Mrs. C. had two premature labors at the eighth month, with convulsions aud flooding. The child had to be removed with the forceps. Three weeks before the eighth month of her third preg- nancy, the Caulophyllum was ordered, ten drops of the mother tinc- ture thrice daily. She passed over the dreaded period with but little pain, and at the end of the ninth month was delivered, naturally, of a healthy child. (3.) Mrs. D. usually suffered severely during the last three weeks of pregnancy, with constant false pains, day and night, so as to deprive her of her rest and sleep; Her labors had usually lasted three and four days. At the beginning of the ninth month, the Caulophyllum was given, as in the last case. The false pains appeared, but with CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 183 only half their accustomed severity. She would have intervals of several days without pain. At full time she was taken in labor, which only lasted thirty hours. I think the use of the medicine should have been commenced several weeks sooner. Deficient Labor.—Mrs. E., a primipara, had been in labor twenty- four hours—a midwife attending her. I found the os uteri about the size of half a dollar, (the membranes had broken during the first hours of pain,) hard, rigid and unyielding, vagina dry, the pains fre- quent and spasmodic. Gave Belladonna and Pulsatilla and ordered warm fomentations. Twelve hours afterwards there was scarce any alteration in the condition of the patient, except that she had some fever, and was a little delirious. Gave Aconite, 1st. Six hours of agonizing pain and no progress ; by auscultation I discovered the child to be dead ; it was alive twelve hours before. I began to fear for my patient. Ergot was plainly inadmissible owing to the yet rigid condition of the os. I therefore gave Caulophyllin, one half grain every 15 minutes. In one hour the os uteri had become soft and dilatable, the vagina relaxed and moist; fever abated, moist skin, pains less agonizing, but strong and expulsive, and in one hour more she was delivered of a dead child, weighing 10^ lbs. The mother had a good recovery. I do not think any other medicine could have produced so favorable a change in so brief a time. As an agent for inducing premature labor, after rupturing the membranes, it is inval- uable. It is always safer, and in many cases superior, to Ergot," (H.) The chief danger, both to mother and child, when Ergot is adminis- tered, is the powerful continuous contraction which it causes. It has been the cause of rupture of the uterus and perineum, and death of the foetus by pressure on the cord, etc. These casualties are avoided by giving Caulophyllin. In supp>ression of the lochia, with symptoms simulating inflammation, such as pain, cramps, distention, and some tenderness, the Caulophyllin, aided by warm fomentations of hops, or polygonum hydropiper will restore the discharge in a short time. In protracted lochia this remedy has been found curative. Dr. Krebbs, of Boston, reports a case * of " a lady who had three months before a premature delivery, and was still annoyed by a continued lochial discharge, or, as she called it, " haemorrhage from the womb." She had to keep more or less the recumbent position, and could not attend to her ordinary duties. Her " regular" doctor had made her swallow iron and all kinds of nauseous drugs, until she got tired of him and his medicines. Remembering your statement in " New Provings" of the efficacy of Caulophyllum in such affections, I gave one drop of the 3d twice a day in sugar of milk. In one week she informed me the discharge had commenced to decrease on the next day, and disappeared on the third. Two months afterwards the patient was well." In the above case the kind of haemorrhage is well described for which this remedy is specific, namely: a passive haemorrhage—an * Med. Investigator, vol. 11, p 112. 184 NEW REMEDIES. oozing from the lax uterine vessels, which require the action of a remedy which will bring back the tone and vitality of the uterine tissues. To sum up the curative properties of this medicine—I do not doubt but it is homoeopathic, primarily or secondarily, to all the mor- bid states mentioned by eclectic authors. It only needs an exhaustive proving to establish the special indications for its use. I can bear testimony to its value as a preparatory remedy, in case of difficult labor. My experience with it in such cases has been very satis- factory. Caulophyllin in Paraplegia.—During the session of the Western Institute of Homoeopathy, held in Chicago, May, 1S(>4, Dr. Burbank, of Illinois, related a remarkable case of Paraplegia which he cured with this remedy. The patient was a middle-aged lady. On the sixth day after her confinement she was attacked with metritis—so called by her allopathic physician. Under the usual treatment of the old school, the affection apparently subsided, but left her nearly com- pletely paraplegic. There was partial loss of sensation, and complete loss of motion ; could not move the limbs in bed, or stand upon them. There was considerable emaciation, ancemia, and general debility. When Dr. B. first saw the case, two years had elapsed since the seiz- ure, and she was growing worse. After consultation with some of the most eminent physicians of Chicago, he gave her Cocculus, Nux vom., Citrate of Iron and Strychnia, and several other medicines, Upon examining the uterus it was found retroverted, congested and enlarged. The patient was put upon the use of Caulophyllin 2d, and its use was persisted in until the parapilegia was cured. Improve- ment set in soon after taking the medicine, and in a few weeks she was able to move her lower extremities, and now—six months after the commencement of the treatment—is as well as ever. The uterus even, has assumed its normal position and conditiou. This case is one that demands our careful consideration. It is probable that real metritis never existed at all. My impression is that it was originally , a case of retroversion of the uterus, existing before the process of involution had taken place. After the retroversion, a certain degree of inflammation may have existed; the process of involution was arrested, and the uterus remained in a congested or engorged condi- tion. The case was one of reflex paraplegia, and the abnormal state of the uterus its real cause. Such being the case Nux vom., and the other remedies given, were not appropriate, but Caulophyllin, by acting in a specific manner upon the uterus, restored it to a normal state, and the paraplegia disappeared of itself. I predict that this rem- edy will be found a very useful one in many cases of paralysis of the lower extremities. Retroversion of the uterus is often a complication or result of abor- tion. When this displacement occurs the most intense spasmodic uterine pains set in. The uterus attempts in vain to expel the pla- centa, and then pains will continue and increase in severity until the organ is placed in normal position, or some powerful palliative is used. In a case of this character I found the patient suffering the most CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES. 185 agonizing pains, attended with cramps in the legs. The uterus could not be replaced with the hand, and not having a sound with me, I left Caulophyllum, ten drops of the mother tincture, to be taken every fifteen minutes. No relief having been obtained from six doses, the patient, on her own responsibility, swallowed a teaspoonful of the medicine. In twenty minutes the pains ceased and did not return for three hours, at which time the uterus was placed in situ by the sound, and kept there with a curved elastic pessary until the placenta was expelled. The action of the medicine on the spinal cord, stilling the uterine spasms, is worthy of further investigation. Dr. Helnmth informs me that he has used the Caulophyllin suc- cessfully for the removal of those discolorations of the skin of the face, common in women with menstrual irregularities or uterine dis- ease. These spots usually appear on the forehead, and are commonly called " moth." For this symptom Sepia is. usually recommended in the books, but Dr. Helmuth did not find it as useful in such cases as the Caulophyllin. This goes to show that the remedy has a sphere of action embracing many of those reflex symptoms having a uterine origin. Male Organs of Generation.—Stinging pains in glan penis This remedy does not appear to have been used in any of the diseases of the male genital organs. I can only find it recommended in one disorder—gonorrhea. But a remedy capable of affecting so pro- foundly the sexual organs of one sex, must assuredly affect those of the other. I predict that it will sometimes be found useful in some diseases of the testes, etc. Even if the Caulophyllin, like Ergot, acts upon these organs through the spinal cord, it would not affect the above conclusions. Respiratory Organs.—No chest symptoms have been elicited in any of the fragmentary provings. It may prove useful in certain spasmodic affections of the throacic organs, idiopathic or reflex, such as whooping cough, hiccough, asthma, spasms of the chest and lungs, and even cardiac derangements. Back.—Dull pain in lumbar region. Slight backache. Severe drawing pain in the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle, that draws the head to the^left side. Upper Extremities.—Elbows and wrists ache.' Constant flying pains in arms and legs, first in one part then in another, remaining only two or three minutes at a time in a place. Severe drawing pains in the joints af the arms and legs, also in wrists and fingers. Shut- ting the hand produces severe cutting pains in the second joints of all the fingers ; they are very stiff. Severe pain in the finger joints, they look red and are very stiff; closing the hand is painful. (The rheumatic pains in the hands and fingers occurred every day.) 186 NEW REMEDIES. Clinical Observations.—Dr. R. Ludlam reports two cases of inflammatory rheumatism of the joints of the hands, cured rapidly with Caulophyllum. Lower Extremities.—Drawing pains in the thighs, knees, legs, ankles and toes. Yery sharp pains in left knee joint, inside. Flying pain in legs. Severe drawing pains in inside of left thigh. Ankle and toes of left foot are very painful. Walking produces severe pains in metatarsal bones. Knees feel very weak when walking. All his joints crack frequently when walking and turning. Pain in feet and toes, worse at night. (These pains occurred every day of the provings.) CERASUS VIRjGINIANA. {Choke Cherry ) Analogues.—(1.) Of the tincture and trituration—Aletris, Chel ona, China, Cornus, Frasera, Helonias, Hydrastis, Ignatia, Nux vom., Populus. (2.) Of the infusion, Syrup, and Fluid Extract—Ac- idum hydrocyanicum, Digitalis, Laurocerasus, Lycopus vir., Pru- nus vir. Botanical History.—This is a small tree or shrub, fxon\ jive to twenty feet high, growing in woods and hedges. Leaves smooth, oval, or obovate, short pointed, thin, not shining, with sharp subulate ser- ratures, veins bearded on each side towards the base ; petiole with two glands. The flowers are in short, loose and spreading racemes; petals orbicular, white. Bark grayish. Leaves two to three inches long. Flowers appearing in May. The fruit is abundant, of a dark red color, very astringent to the taste, but not disagreeable. Until quite lately the bark of this tree has been used indiscrim- inately with the bark of the Primus virginiana, or wild cherry. Allopathic authorities do not noiv admit any essential difference. Eclectics, however, seem to think the Choke-cherry to possess greater " tonic and anti-periodic" powers. Dr. Chapman, an expert chemist, informs me that it contains a larger amount of phloridzin (supposed to be the tonic principle) than the wild cherry, and a less quantity of the e mid sin and amygdalin, which change to hydrocyanic acid upon the application of water or on distillation. So while the Cerasus con- tains more of the " tonic," it has less of the " sedative" principle. At any rate no homceopathist can conscientiously substitute one for the other species of Cerasus, (for properly the Wild-Cherry is the Cerasus serotina. Homceopathic Officinal Preparations.—In directing the proper preparations to be used in homoeopathic practice, adifficulty meets us at the outset, namely : that no others are recognized with us except the tincture and trituration. Now the bark of the genus Cerasus CERASUS YIRGINIANA 187 does not impart all its medicinal qualities to alcohol, nor does the most important active principle (hydrocyanic acid) pre-exist in the bark, but is found by the decomposition of its constituents in water. Chemists tell us that in the bark the emulsin and amygdalin exist in distinct cells, and have no means of acting on each other, but when bruised in water, both dissolve, and decomposition immediately occurs. Another active principle phloridzin, is soluble in alcohol, and also in water. Tinctures, therefore, of the Cerasus are inadmissible, as only con- taining apart of its medicinal principles. Triturations, while containing all the constituents of the bark, would be uncertain preparations. If taken dry, upon the tongue, in the usual manner, the saliva would not permit the necessary changes to take place, neither would they occur readily in the stomach. The dry powder would have to remain suspended in water some time before its administration. It is evident that a preparation to be useful should be prepared upon scientific principles. By universal consent the allopathic school decide upon the following : (1.) The Cold Infusion.—Half an ounce of the inner bark to a pint of water is the usual proportion. It is best prepared by perco- lation, in the following manner : The dry bark, coarsely powdered, should be introduced into a common funnel, then packed somewhat coarsely, and the water poured upon it, the point of the funnel being put into the mouth of a glass decanter. After the water has passed it should be poured back into the funnel and so repeated until it acquires the color of Maderiawine. WThen made from the fresh bark, double the quantity may be used to the same amount of water. The usual dose of this is two fluid ounces three or four times a day. I have prescribed it in doses of a tablespoonful to adults every two or four hours, when indicated, and often with excellent curative effect. (2.) Syrup.—This is a very pleasant and reliable preparation, and the homoeopathist cannot oppose it on any reasonable ground. If Cerasus is indicated in diseases, and will cure, it does not matter in what form we use it. The dose may be graduated according to the peculiar belief of the practitioner, and the syrup will still be unob- jectionable. It is made by macerating four ounces of the powdered, or eight ounces of the fresh bark, in twelve fluid ounces of water for two days, placing the mixture in a percolator, returning the fluid that filters through until it comes away clear, displacing with an additional quantity of water till twelve ounces of infusion are obtained, then making this into syrup with twelve ounces of sugar. The dose of this may vary from a single drop to a teaspoonful. Fluid Extract.—Pharmaceutists assert that this preparation can be made in such a manner as to retain all the constituent elements of the bark, and impart their full medicinal effects to the system. Stille, Wood, Lee and King seem to have confidence in it. We might adopt it as the officinal fluid preparation, because Cerasus is one of those remedies which will probably be found most useful in the lowest dilu- 188 NEW REMEDIES. tions, or mother preparation. The dose may vary from one drop to one drachm. Cerasin.—There is a powder sold under this name, and manufac- tured by Keith & Co. For obvious reasons it is highly recommended by Dr. Coe. It is, however, a vile preparation, not as reliable as the powdered bark, and besides, contains considerable chloride of soda. All the effects said to be obtained from it can be obtained from the dried bark. [I would not be understood as prohibiting the use of the tinc- ture. But if the tincture is used, the indications for its use should be based upon a proving or provings ivith tinctures. The same may be said concerning the triturations. From what we know of the chemical character of the bark, it is manifest that provings made with the tincture would be no guide to the administration of the infusion, syrup or fluid extract; and per contra, provings made with the latter preparations would give no reliable indications for the use of the tinctures or triturations. In the list of analogues above I have specified those remedies which appear to be allied to the tinctures, and those related to the infusion, etc.] Medical History.—The older authors all ignore any special men- tion of the Cerasus. They content themselves with placing it in the same catagory with the Prunus virginiana, with the remark that its medicinal powers are essentially the same. The only writers who do make special mention are Dr. Hollembaek,* Prof, of Materia Medica in the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Coe. Medical Effects.—Dr. Hollembaek says : " The properties and therapeutic action of the Choke-cherry are not thoroughly understood. It possesses tonic, astringent and anti-periodic properties, and should be employed in form of decoction, syrup, or the active principles of the bark. It is probable that further investigations will prove this article to be a greater remedial agent than the Wild-cherry." Dr. Coe says it (i. e. Cerasus,) is " tonic, anti-periodic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, anti-spasmodic, and slightly astringent." This assertion must be taken cum grano salis. In reviewing its virtues he recom- mends it for the following affections : Fevers.—" It supplies," he says, " a necessity long felt by practi- tioners of a substitute for Quinine. We do not offer it as a complete substitute for Quinine, but as its equivalent in a majority of cases, and as a competent substitute when the latter is contra-indicated, n our own practice we have not prescribed Quinine for the past two years, (?) having relied upon the Cerasin, in connection with appro- priate auxiliary remedies, in the treatment of intermittent forms of disease, and with invariable success." (The Italics are my own.) * Mat. Med., page 3U9. CERASUS VIRGINIAN A 189 What his auxiliary measures are it may be interesting to know. We can get some idea by quoting a case and its treatment from his work : " The first case in practice," he says, " in which we had occasion to try, was of the double quotidian type, and of eighteen month's dura- tion. We premised our treatment by the exhibition of the following powder : R. Podophyllin, gr. j. Gelsemin., gr. ss. Asclepin, gr. ij. Mix. " This powder was administered in the evening, during the febrile paroxysm, and the use of the Cerasin was commenced next morning, in doses of about ten grains, repeated once in three hours, and so con- tinued for forty-eight hours longer. The dose was then diminished to about five grains, at which quantity it was continued for a few days longer, and such was the success of the treatment that not a single paroxysm of the disease was experienced from the time of taking the first dose, and the patient remains well to the present time, some two years having elapsed." And this he calls a cure with Cerasin ! As a clinical report rela- ting to Cerasin it is entirely worthless. He did not wait to see what the effect of his compound prescription would be. Each ingredient of the prescription is capable of curing a double-quotidian under cer- tain circumstances. The Gelseminum-, in particular, has cured many such cases in my practice, and in that of other homceopathists. There is not the least foundation for the belief that Cerasin had anything to^do with the cure of this patient. Dr. Coe gives a case of " invete- rate quotidian" ague : "The patient experienced severe pain in the head upon the approach of every chill, together with irritability of the stomach, nausea, griping pain in the bowels, and a troublesome diarrhoea. The Cerasin accomplished a cure in three days." This case would be of value if we could be sure that " auxiliary measures" were not adopted as in the former case. He further says : " We have employed the Cerasin in many chronic cases with entire success. We remember one case, a lady, who had been afflicted with chills and fever eight months out of twelve, for four years. The Cerasin, in connection with Podophyllin, effected a permanent cure." But which cured ? Dr. Coe asserts that he has found this medicine useful in " remit- tent, typhoid and other fevers," in the " convalescing stages of acute 190 NEW REMEDIES. diseases, and is useful for giving tone to the stomach and bowels after attacks of dysentery, diarrhoea and cholera infantum." Dyspepsia, with tendency to acidification of food. In this con- dition Dr. Coe says, "five to ten grains, administered in water, will generally give prompt relief, and also in that distressing symptom known as heartburn. Spermatorrhoea.—In this disorder it is recommended, but only after Gelseminum has arrested the emissions. It is also claimed to be useful in chronic coughs, general debility, night sweats, defective circulation, passive hemorrhages, and even chronic herpes, and other eruptions, also chorea, hysteria, convulsions, ' indicating an anti- spasmodic and anti-periodic' " Dr. Coe claims that his experience was gained with the use of the concentrated principle, Cerasin. Granting that his clinical testi- mony is reliable, it proves that in Cerasin are only a few of the con- stituent principles of the Choke-cherry, namely : the so-called tonic principle, the astringent, etc. The " sedative" principle depending on hydrocyanic acid, and probably other specific dynamic powers, are lost in the preparation of the article. The alleged virtues of Cerasin as an " anti-spasmodic" I consider a mere fancy. My experience in its use is very limited. I once tried it in several cases of intermit- tent but found it inert, even in large doses. The tincture would doubtless fulfill all Dr. Coe's indications, if such indications, in the absence of a proving, are of any value. -----------» ♦ <----------- CHELONE GLABRA. (Balmony) Analogues.—Hydrastis, China, Leptandria, Helonias, Cornus, Populus, Aletris, Aloes, Muriatic acid, and Phosphoric acid. Botanical Description.—This plant, likewise known by the names of S?iakehead, Turtle-bloom, Turtlchead, Saltt-rheum tveed, etc., is a herbaceous plant, with a perennial root, and erect, somewhat quadrangular, branching stems, from two to four feet high. The leaves are opposite, smooth, oblong, lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, short petioled, and of a dark shining green above. The flowers are large, inodorous, terminal in a dense short spike, somewhat resem- bling the head of a tortoise ; each flower sessile and furnished with three ovate, acute and entire bracts. Corolla ringent, white, often tinged with red or purple, ventricose, convex above, five lobed, two- lipped, the lower lip bearded within. Calyx with five unequal imbri- ^ CHELONE GLABRA. (Balmony.) CHELONE GLABRA 191 cated segments, oblong and obtuse. Stamens didynamous, with wooly anthers, and a short sterile, hairy filament. Ovary ovate, with long excert styles, bending downward. Capsule oval, two-celled, two- valved, with numerous small winged seeds, with membranaceous margins. Medical History.—This valuable medicinal plant is found in the United States in wet situations, and blossoms from July till late in the autumn ; the flowers arc large and ornamental, varying in color, in the numerous varieties, from pure white to purplish, and resemble in form the head of a snake or turtle. The leaves are exceedingly bitter, but inodorous, and communicate their properties to both water and alcohol. Rafinesque, who first introduced the Chelone into the materia medica, says there are seven varieties, (not species,) which differ in the form of the leaves and color of the flowers, but not in their medi- cinal effects. He quotes a Dr. Lawrence, of New Lebanon, to whom he was indebted for information relative to its uses. Dr. L. got his knowledge from the [ndians. Properties an Uses.—" Tonic, cathartic and anthelmintic. Especially valuable r.i jaundice and hepatic diseases, likewise for the removal of worms, io: which it may be used in powder or decoction, internally, and also m injection. Used as a tonic in small doses, dyspepsia, debility of the diges- ive organs, and during convalescence from febrile and inflammatory diseases. Recommended in form of ointment as an application to painful and inflamed tumors, irritable and painful ulcers, inflamed breasts, piles, etc. Dose of the powder one drachm ; of the tincture one or two fluidrachms ; of the decoction, one or two more fluid ounces." (King.) '•' They are powerfully tonic, cathartic, hepatic, and anti-herpetic. The whole plant is used, but strictly the leaves ; they are extremely bitter, one of the strongest of our bitters, without any aromatic smell, and very little astringency. I have analyzed and made many experi- ments with them. Their tincture becomes black, and the use of it dyes the urine of the same color. It contains gallic-acid, a peculiar resinous substance, soluble in water and alcohol, similar to picrine and aloes, of a black color and very bitter taste. It is useful in many diseases, fevers, jaundice, hepatitis, eruptions of the skin. In small doses it is laxative, but in full doses it purges the bile and cleans the system of the morbid or superfluous bile, removing the yellowness of the skin in jaundice and liver diseases." (Rafinesque.) " The Chelone is tonic, stomachic, laxative, anthelmintic, and hepatic. * * * One of the mildest, purest and most congenial tonics and stomachic agents in the materia medica. It is usually 192 NEW REMEDIES. acceptable to the stomach. Exceedingly valuable in anorexia, lan- guid or atonic states of the digestive organs. * * Incases of con. firmed dyspepsia, especially if attended with torpidity of the bowels, it answers an admirable purpose. * * In the convalescence of acute diseases, as those of a febrile or inflammatory character, after the excitement has subsided, and the functions of the different organs are slowly recovering from an atonic state and returning to a normal condition, no article will be found superior to the Chelone in resto- ring the tone and lost energies of the organs." (Scudder.) Dr. Scudder does not consider it a " cholagogue" or an " alterant," but believes it cures hepatic and cutaneous diseases by virtue of its " tonic" properties. Dr. Smith, (allopathic,) writing of its powers as a vermifuge, says : " I think it has no superior, rarely failing to expel worms." He advises it to be given in infusion, followed by a purge. Other writers speak of it, not only as a vermifuge, but as a prophylactic against worms. Dr. Coe writes: " Chelonin is of especial value in the treatment of hepatic disorders. * * In the cure of jaundice it is of eminent service." He pronounces it a special tonic to the digestive organs, and as curative in dyspepsia, constipation, debility and helminthiasis. I have quoted freely from non-homccopathic source? in order that the physician may judge for himself whether the remedy is worthy a proving or an empirical trial in practice. resume. Although we have no pathogenesis of the Chelone, instances may arise in which we may prescribe it with benefit. There are cases in which the analogues mentioned above may, owing to some idiosyncrasy of the patient, fail to act beneficially. In such cases we may empiri- cally prescribe this remedy. From the testimony above quoted it seems to be useful, {a) In debility, general or local; from loss of tone in the diges- tive organs or liver, or from exhausting diseases. For these condi- tions we are too prone to prescribe China in a routine waj-, without comparing its special indications, when Chelone or its conveners would be better. {b) In jaundice, where it acts, probably not after the manner of Mercury, Iris or Podophyllum, but as China, Leptandria or Aloes does. (c.) In helminthiasis, not as a special poison to the intestinal para. sites, but by removing the disordered condition of the digestive CHELONE GLABRA. 193 organs, which brought them into existence or activity. We find China, Helonias, Ferrum, and Muriatic acid useful in just such cases. If we wish to act upon the worms themselves, we must use Santonine or Chenopodium in material doses, or if the symptoms correspond the latter will cure in dynamic quantities. ADDENDA. Dr. A. R. Ball,* writes as follows concerning; the Chelone glabra • " I have used it in decoction and tincture, in large and small doses, with great satisfaction to myself as well as to my patients. In the so called Quinine-cachexia, in doses of from five to ten drops of the tincture, three times a day, it has proved to be almost a specific in my hands, never having failed but once in over twenty-five cases. I have no hesitation in recommending this remedy to the profession, in hopes that in abler hands it may become more useful. In October, 1865, Dr. A. G. Garnsey, of 111., sent me a specimen of a plant, which he' informed me was much used by the country people as a remedy for intermittents. He stated that he had known it to effect cures of severe and obstinate cases, which had resisted the remedies of both schools. An examination of the plant proved it to be the Chelone glabra. It is called by the people the " Quinine plant," probably on account of its resemblance in taste and remedial effects. ------------¥—♦—«------------ CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA, (Fipsisscwa.) Analogues.— Copavia, Erigeron, Eupat. purpureiwi, Galium, Bamamelis, Mitchella, Uva ursi. Botanical Description.—The Pipsissewa is a small evergreen plant, with a perennial, creeping, yellowish root, (rhizoma,) which gives rise to several simple, erect, or semi-procumbent stems, from four to eight inches in height, and ligneous at their base. The leaves are wedge-shaped, somewhat lanceolate, serrate, coriaceous, smooth, of a shining sap-green color on their upper surface, paler beneath, and supported on short footstalks, in irregular whorls, of which there are usually two on the same stem. The flowers are disposed in a small terminal corymb, and stand upon nodding peduncles. The calyx is small and divided at its border into five teeth or segments. The corolla is composed of five roundish concave, spreading petals, which are of a white color, tinged with red, and exhale an agreeable * Amor. Horn. Obsprver, vol. 11, page 327. 13 194 NEW REMEDIES. odor. The stamens are ten, with filaments shorter than the petals, and with large nodding bifurcated, purple anthers. The germ is glo- bular and depressed, supporting a thick and apparently sessile stigma, the style being short and inversed in the germ. The seeds are nume- rous, linear, chaffy, and enclosed in a roundish, depressed, five celled, five valved calyx, having the persistent calyx at the base. This humble but beautiful evergreen is a native of the northern latitudes of America, Europe and Asia. It is found in all parts of the United States, and extends even to the Pacific ocean. It grows under the shade of woods, and prefers a loose sandy soil, enriched by decaying leaves. The flowers appear in June and July. All parts of the plant are endowed with active properties. The leaves and stems only are kept in the shops. The plant should be gathered in July, and the homoeopathic pharmaceutist should prepare his tincture from the leaves, stems and roots. When fresh and bruised the plant exhales a peculiar odor. The taste of the leaves is pleasantly bitter, astringent and sweetish, that of the stems and root unites with these qualities a considerable degree of pungency. Boiling water extracts the active properties of the plant, which are also imparted to alcohol. The constituents, so far as ascertained, are " bitter extractive, tan- nin, resin, gum, lignin, and saline matters." The peculiar active principle has not yet been perfectly isolated, though it probably exists in the substance called bitter extractive. A preparation called Chim- aphillin is sold as the active principle, but cannot be considered as such, much less can it be said to contain all the medicinal properties of the plant. The " saline matters" probably consist of sulphur, the phosphates, etc., each of which are powerful curative agents. King says the plant contains "an acrid and volatile principle, and saline substances." This volatile principle may escape the chemist, and thus, will be lost one of its curative principles. The great reputation which this plant has in chronic scrofulous affections may be due to the existence of anti-psoric constituents residing in it. (See remarks on Rumex crispus.) This plant is known by various common names besides the Pipsis- sewa, such as Wintergreen, Ground Holly, Prince's Pine, King-cure, etc. Rafinesque calls it Psiscva, and says the French in Canada designate it as Paigne, and herbe a pisser. The genuine name is from two Greek words, meaning ivinter and a friend. The Chimaphila metadata is the only other species of this genus found in the United States, to which it is exclusively indigenous. The C. maculata, ox spotted ivinter green, is distinguished from the C. umbellata in the character of its leaves chiefly. It is a smaller plant, only three to six inches high. It has but one to five flowers. (the C. umbellata has four to five.) The leaves are lanceolate, rounded at the base, where they are broader than near the summit, and of a deep olive-green color, veined ivith greenish ivhite. (The leaves of the C. umbellata are broader near the summit, gradually narrowing to the base, and of a uniform shining green.) In drying CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA. 195 with exposure to the light, the color fades very much, though it still retains a greenish hue. The C. maculata is said by allopathic and eclectic writers to possess identical or very similar properties to the C. umbellata. It is noteworthy that while these writers consider the latter the officinal plant, the "botanies" give that position to the former, or American species. Rafinesque does this, and gives a cut of the C. maculata. Howard, Beach and Smith do the same. The first named, however, describes the C. umbellata, while his cut represents the former. Rafinesque says " both species have the same properties," and " the C. maculata has been found almost equal to the C. umbellata." Schoepf states that the C. maculata is used in intermittents in Penn- sylvania. It is plain from the statements and opinions of all American wri- ters that the two species are used indiscriminately. From an exam- ination of the plant sold in the shops I am satisfied that the two are gathered and mixed, and it is more than probable that all the tinc- ture now in use is made from a mixture of both species. I hoped to be able to present in this edition a proving of each species, but I was not able to procure the plant unmixed, or any tincture from one spe- cies exclusively. I hope some of my colleagues will collect and prove, and use the C. maculata, or both separately, in order that we may know their differential qualities. Officinal Preparations.—(1.) Tincture of the whole plant. (2.) Dilutions and triturations of the tincture. (3.) Infusion. [In some cases it may be proper and more convenient to use an infusion, especially in dropsy and urinary affections. One drachm of the plant to a pint of hot water. A teaspoonful of this will be about equiva- lent to a drop of the first dilution. The allopathic formula is one ounce to two pints of water. Half of this is directed to be taken each day. This quantity is unnecessarily large if the plant is fresh. Medical History.—In Europe the C. umbellata has been largely made use of in domestic and regular practice. In this country both species were employed by the aborigines in various complaints, especially scrofula, rheumatism and nephritic affections. From their hands they passed into those of the European settlers, and were popular remedies before they were adopted by the profession. The first written treatise on the remedy was the thesis of Dr. Mitchell, published in the year 1803 * This was followed, (1814,) by the paper of Dr. Somerville.f By this writer it was highly recommended as a remedy in dropsy. General Properties.—Wood (Therapeutics, vol. 1, p. 133), says : " The fresh leaves bruised and applied to the skin, are said to be rubefacient and even vesicating. Internally they are mildly astrin- gent and tonic, with the property of somewhat increasing the secre- tion of urine, to which they probably impart some degree of remedial * Medical Botany, 1828. t London Medico-Chir. Trans.,vol. 5. 196 NEW REMEDIES. power. It is, I think, scarcely doubtful that their peculiar active principle, through which they stimulate the kidneys, passes off, either unchanged or changed, with the urine." " Pipsissiwa was much employed by the aborigines of this country, to whom it owes the name by which it is now generally designated. From the Indians the medicine passed into popular use, whence it was adopted by the profession. It was used chiefly in scrofula, rheumatism and affections of the kidneys and urinary passages. King says it is diuretic, tonic alterative and astringent. Jones & Scudder decree it to be diuretic, tonic, astringent, diaphoretic and alterative. Lee, Coe, and other allopathic and eclectic writers entertain similar views. General Therapeutic Effects.—It has been found curative in chronic diseases, among which is scrofula. Prof. Wood says: "In scrofula it is, I think, a valuable remedy. The late Dr. Joseph Parish used it very extensively in this affection, and had great confidence in its powers. I have myself been in the habit of employing it in cases of external scrofula during the whole period of my practice, and have found few remedies which have appeared to me more efficacious. * * * It has seemed to me to exercise a favorably alterative influ- ence in scrofula, independently of its astringency and tonic power; but it is extremely difficult to discriminate, in affections of this kind, between the course of nature and the effects of remedies, so that it is proper to speak of the latter with some reserve. Fully aware of the necessity of this caution, I am still of opinion, as the result of con- siderable experience, that Pipsissiwa deserves to rank next to cod-liver oil, and the preparations of Iodine and Iron, in the treatment of scrof- ula. In order that its full effects may be obtained, it should be long continued, with interruptions now and then should any considerable degree of fever supervene (?). In cases attended with ulcers of an indolent and flabby character, it may be used with advantage as a wash." These are the deliberate statements of one of the best authors in the allopathic school, and are entitled to some weight. They should stimulate us to make a thorough proving of this plant. It may become a valuable anti-psoric. Other writers give their testimony ir: its favor in scrofula. Prof. Lee quotes Wood, expressing his " entire confi- dence in the opinions so strongly set forth." He has advised this remedy for a long time in the same class of cases, both in city and country practice, and with marked success : " It is a tonic-astringent of peculiar efficacy in the whole class of cachexia." " In scrofula it has proved eminently useful, and with some practitioners is held in very high repute in the various forms of this disease, both before and CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA. 197 after ulceration. Some have thought it possessed of specific powers, and hence it has acquired the title in some parts of the country, of the ' King's Cure.' Dr. Justice of North Carolina, informs us that he " has known it to effect perfect cures in several obstinate cases of scrofula, without the aid of other means."* This last assertion which I have italicized, is of great import to the homoeopathic physician. The true test of a remedy in disease, is its effects when given singly. The Illinois Homoeopathic Medical Association, and the Western Institute of Homoeopathy, which held their sessions in Chicago this year (1854), each appointed a Bureau of Provings. The Chimaphila has been selected by this Bureau as a proper medicine to investigate and obtain its pathogenesis. I am sanguine that the profession will gain a valuable remedy in the Pipsissiwa. (No proving has been made.) Fevers.-In several instances in which I have administered this medicine, the following symptoms have been observed: About half an hour after each dose (of the 1st dil.) a flushing of the cheeks, with some general heat, and accelerated pulse. Wood seems to imply a cau- tion not to use the Pipsissiwa when fever is present. It may be homoeopathic to some form of fever, probably those having a hectic character. " During tho revolutionary war it was used extensively by the army surgeons as a tonic and diaphoretic in typhus fever." (Lee.) Prof. Mitchell relates many cases of intermittent fever effec- tually cured by it. Rheumatism.—As a popular remedy in this disease, it has always been in high repute. It is chiefly in chronic rheumatism that its curative powers have been most noticed. A proving, however, is necessary to show the particular variety for^which it is indicated. Special Effects.—In the absence of any proving I shall not ven- ture any theoretical suggestions as to its influence on special organs and tissues, or portions of the body. I deem it proper, however, to note the large amount of testimony given by the allopathic and eclec- tic schools, in favor of its specific action upon, and curative influence over disorders of the Urinary Organs.—Dr. Wood says it has been chiefly used in affections of the kidneys and urinary passages : " Its diuretic powers have recommended it in dropsy. Iu cases of this disease attended with debility, but little reliance can be placed upon its efficacy ; and at best it should be used only as an adjuvant to other more powerful * Jones & Scuddcr'.s Mat. Med, 198 NEW REMEDIES. diuretics." Dr. Lee says : " In Germany it has long been deemed one of the best remedies in abdominal and renal dropsies, increasing the urinary secretion and the depurating function. We have employed it to a considerable extent for many years, especially in the treatment of dropsical affections, in broken-down constitutions and intemperate subjects, and generally with manifest advantage. It has tended to carry off the dropsical accumulations, while at the same time it imparted tone and vigor to the digestive system. In albuminuria also, its effects have proved decidedly beneficial. It ranks with Buchu, Uva Ursi and Pareira Brava, all tonics, and all exerting a specific influence over the genito-urinary organs. Dr. Barton extols it highly for its anti-lithic properties, and ranks it with the Uva Ursi. It may, however, well be doubted, whether it has any specific powers of this kind." Dr. Coe says it is useful in dropsy, (especially ascites) gonorrhoea, strangury, gravel, and syphilis, when these affections are attended with torpor and debility. " It exercises a specific influence overy the urinary apparatus, increasing the renal secretion, and at the same time it is thought by some to lessen the quantity of lithic acid, or lithates secreted. It is especially serviceable in chronic dis- eases of the genito-urinary mucous membrane, as in chronic catarrhal affections of the bladder; chronic nephritis, or urethritis, attended with a purulent or profuse mucous discharge. It is also beneficial in calculous and prostatic affections ; diabetes ; in the advanced stages of albuminuria ; and in other disorders of the urinary organs attended with local debility. In atonic or passive dropsies it has been found useful."* The last paragraph contains, in my opinion, the best resume of the curative properties of the Chimaphila, as regards its action on the urinary organs. I believe a proving will establish its homceopathicity to the affections named. Dr. Somerville says : " It generally increases the secretion of the urine, and retains its influence on the kidneys for some time. Its diuretic action is often accompanied by decidedly tonic effects. Dr. Iris f states that as a diuretic it possesses unquestionable merit, and like Uva-ursi, will frequently mitigate symptoms of gravel, and strangury proceeding from other causes. He says he has given it with good results in hcematuria, the effect of severe and long con- tinued gonorrhceal inflammation. Dr Chapman used it in chronic gleet, leucorrhcea and diarrhoeas. I will now give my individual experience in the use of this remedy. My attention was first called to it in a case which happened in the early part of my practice. A young woman applied to me for a dis- * Jones & Scudder's Mat. Med. t Paris Pharmacologia, 11, 283. CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA. 199 tressing dysuria which had troubled her for several weeks. She was plethoric, hysterical, had disorders of the digestive organs, constipa- tion, haemorrhoids, and scanty menses. The urine was scanty, but was voided frequently, with much pain before, (pressing), during (scalding, smarting) and after. (Vesical tenesmus.) The urine was high-colored and deposited a copious mucous sediment. I gave her Cantharis, Copaiva, Sepia, Terebinthina and many other remedies, which seemed indicated, for several weeks, but they only palliated the difficulty. Cool hip baths, the wet bandage, mucilaginous drinks, and Nux vomica, Sulphur and enemas for the constipation, etc., were tried, without much effect. An examination of the vagina and uterus was instituted, but elicited only a tenderness of the anterior portion of the vagina (bladder) and urethra, some prolapsus, and slight leu- corrhcea (uterine). At this juncture, an old nurse proposed the use of the "Prince's Pine." I assented, having no prejudice against the plant, and hoping it might benefit my suffering patient. A decoction of the plant (of uncertain strength) was prepared, and a wine-glassful administered three or four times a day. In a week I called to see what the effects of the medicine had been. To my surprise, I was informed that improvement had set in the next day after the remedy was commenced. Not only was the dysuria nearly removed, but the sediment had almost disappeared from the urine ; and, stranger still, the constipatwn was cured, and the digestive organs were in a normal condition. In two weeks she was as well as ever. The prompt cure which the Chimaphila effected in this case led me to use it in many cases of strangury, catarrhal affections of the bladder, etc., and in many instances I found it to act certainly. It failed in some cases, probably because it was not truly indicated. I was once called in counsel to a case of chronic renal and vesical affection, in which the amount of sediment of a thick, ropy character, and a pink color (the color was found to be owing to blood) was really enormous in amount. The patient, a young man, was debilitated, anaemic, dyspeptic, had hectic fever and night sweats, and altogether was in a bad condition. Vai\ois remedies, including China, Phosphoric acid, Cannabis, etc., had been given. Uva Ursi was tried with good results for a time. At my suggestion the Chimaphila was used, a few drops of the fluid extract in a glass of water, a spoonful every two hours. He improved rapidly under its use, and in a few weeks was able to resume his usual avocations. A relapse occurred after six or eight months. He was again benefitted by the medicine , since which time I have not heard from the patient. It has one generally uniform effect, namely : to 200 NEW REMEDIES. cause mucous sediment to disappear from the urine. I believe it will be found curative in albuminaria, as well as catarrhal affections of the urinary organs. In that distressing symptom, vesical tenesmus, occurring from prolapsus or retroversion, it is an excellent palliative, before the uterus is replaced ; and curative after that operation. I have used it successfully in two cases of long lasting gleet. Under its use the discharee disappeared, and the general health improved. I have noticed the following pathogenetic symptoms from its use : Copious discharge of clear limpid urine. Frequent and profuse urination. Urging to urinate after voiding urine. Pressing fulness in the region of the bladder. Loose stool, three or four times a day. It imparts a dark color to the urine, when taken in large doses. This effect is probably due to the tannin it contains. For the above symptoms, which are primary effects, I have found the 6th attenuations most useful. In chronic disorders and catarrhal affections of these organs, the lowest dilutions seems to act more bene- ficially. I have not tried the high potencies. Case illustrating its value in irritable bladder :— A married lady, aged 34, had been troubled for many years with prolapsus uteri, leucorrhoea, ulceration of the neck, etc., but who is now somewhat better of those difficulties, applied to me for the relief of an obstinate vesical irritability. Her symptoms were as follows : Frequent desire to urinate during the day. At night the urging was so constant as to deprive her of all sleep. She had to get up and urinate as often as every hour. The urine was high colored, deposited a copious light-colored sediment (raucous), and there was considerable smarting, burning and pricking pain during its emission. The quan- tity of urine voided was not larger than normal. The patient was constipated, an evacuation only every third day. Some tenderness over the hypogastric region. She had a severe racking dry cough, but no indication of pulmonary difficulty. The prolapsus was aggra- vated by the cough. April 2. Inserted an India rubber inflatable pessary. This relieved the prolapsus, and stopped the cough altogether, but the vesi- cal irritation was not alleviated at the end of five days. April 6. Gave Cannabis 1st (4 pills No. 5, dry,) every four hours. The effect of this remedy was prompt in relieving the irritation, and CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA. 201 indirectly causing sleep. She declared it acted as a direct anodyne This improvement continued for five days, when the medicine ceased to give any relief, and she grew worse than before. April 11. Gave Chimaphila first decimal dilution, ten drops in a spoonful of water, every four hours. For several days no effect was noticeable, except a flushing of the cheeks for about twenty minutes after each dose. On the fourth night, however, she was able to sleep all night, and next day she noticed that the usual copious sediment was notably lessened, and the dysuria and frequent urging rapidly gave way. The bowels began to act regularly ; the tenderness of the bladder disappeared, and at this date, April 20th, she is more com- fortable than for many months previously. Several things relating to the action of this remedy are worthy of note : 1. The pathogenetic symptoms mentioned above. 2. Its power in relieving dysuria. 3. Its influence in lessening the sediment (there was an evident vesical catarrh) 4. Its curative action in constipation. Dr. Kendall, of 111., writes me that he has been very successful in the treatment of urinary difficulties with the Chimaphila. One case in particular seemed to him of value. An old gentleman, a suf- ferer for many years with the " gravel," so called by his physicians, applied for relief from the following symptoms : " Excessive itching and painful irritation of the urethra, from the end of the penis to the neck of the bladder ; sensation of swelling in the perineum, as if in sitting down a ball was pressing against it; frequent desire to urin- ate, with scanty urine, containing a very large quantity of muco- purulent sediment, nearly one-third in bulk of the quantity voided ! This state of things had continued for many months unchanged. After trying several remedies without benefit the first decimal dilution of Chimaphila wa? prescribed, ten drop3 four times a day. Improve- ment set in immediately, and in a week the pain and irritation had disappeared, and not a trace of the pus-like sediment was to be found in the urine. This case confirms the statement which I gave in the first edition of this work, namely : that one of its uniform curative effects is to cause the disappearance of mucus (or purulent) sediment in the urine. Dr. Neidhard writes : " In the Anasarca and Ascites following a very severe case of bilious intermittent fever, the patient was very 202 NEW REMEDIES. much benefitted by Apocynum cannabinum, so was also the jaundice, but it was only after the strong tincture of Chimaphila umbellata (3 drops 3 times a day) was exhibited, that the urine began almost instantly to flow. The ascites and the swelling of the legs entirely disappeared." CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. (Black Cohosh.) Analogues.—Aconite, Asclepias tuberosa, Bryonia, Caulophyllum, Colchicum, Cypripedium, Gelseminum, Digitalis, Glonoine. Botanical Description.—Stem simple, herbaceous, smooth, from four to eight feet high. Leaves five alternate, one nearly radical, large decompound, upper one bi-pinnate. Leaflets ovate-oblong, ses- sile, opposite, incised and toothed, three to seven. Flowers monogyn^ ous, white, foetid, in long slender racemes. Sejoals four or live, caducous, white. Petals stamen-like, four to six, small. Stamens slender, white, about 100 to each flower, giuing the raceme the appear- ance of a long slender plume. Pistil one, with a broad stigma. Fruit a capsule, ovoid, dry, Avith one cell, containing numerous flat smooth seeds, which are loosely packed horizontally in two rows. In the late autumn and winter, any motion of the plant causes a rattling of the seeds so much resembling the alarm of the rattlesnake as to cause the hunter to start involuntarily ; hence its name of Rattle-weed given by the country people. The root consists of a thick, irregular bent, contorted body or caudex, from one-third of an inch to an inch in diameter, often several inches in length, furnished with many slender radicles, and rendered extremely rough and jagged in its appearance by the remains of the stems of successive years. The color is exter- nally dark brown, almost black, internally a yellowish white ; the odor is feeble and disagreeable, taste bitter, somewhat astringent, leaving a slight sense of acrimony. It yields its virtues partially to boiling water, and wholly to alcohol. The taste of the tincture reminds one strongly of laudanum. The root is the part employed in medicine ; it should be gathered early in the autumn and dried in the shade. The seeds may possess medicinal properties, but have not been tested. This indigenous plant is very stately in appearance and is found growing abundantly in shady and rocky woods, on rich grounds, from Maine to Michigan, and southward to Florida. The Cimicifuga is the Macrotys racemosa or Botroyhys serpentaria of Raf- enesque ; the Acta racemosa of Linnaeus. It is also known by the vulgar names of Squaw-root, Black-snake-root, Rattle-weed, etc. The genuine name is from the Latin citnex, a bug, -&no\fugo, to drive ; allu- ding to its offensive odor. The Siberian species, or Bugbane, is used to drive away insects. There are two other species in this genus CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 203 namely : the C. cordifolia, found in the mountains of North Carolina, and the C. Americana, inhabiting the Alleghany mountains from Georgia northward. These flower in August and September, and have stems not exceedingj^r feet in height. Their medicinal proper- ties have not been investigated. Meoical Historv.—This powerful medicinal plant was in use among the Indians before the settlement of New England by the whites. From the aborigines was gleaned much of the early knowl- edge of its virtues. They used it chiefly in rheumatic affections, and the diseases of their women. It was early adopted into domestic practice by the whites, and to some extent into regular practice. Its use is identified with the rise of the " botanic" system of practice, and afterwards the " eclectic" school of medicine. Stille* says it was first introduced to the notice of the allopathic school by Dr. Garden, of Wyliesburg, Virginia, in 1823, who stated that it was primarily in common use as a popular remedy in many parts of the western country. It was first brought to the notice of the homoeopathic school by Dr. H. D. Paine, in the North American Journal, Vol. Ill, p. 207, (1853). Dr. Paine published provings made by himself and several other gentlemen, and which are incorporated, with later provings, into the following pathogenesis. Officinal Preparations.— (1.) Tincture of the root. (2.) Dilu- tions of the tincture. (3.) Triturations of the dried root, and of the tincture. (4. Cimicifugin and the triturations from that alkaloid. [It is advisable that the obsolete names, " Macrotys" and " Macro- tin," be dropped from our literature of this plant, in order that wc may have uniformity and correctness in our nomenclature.] PATHOGENESIS. The following pathogenesis, which is pretty complete, is made up of the provings of Drs. Marcy, II. M. Paine, Hill, Douglas, and others. The provings were made with doses of the crude tincture, the dilutions, (3d and 6th) and many of the symptoms are from its poisonous effects. Altogether it is probably as reliable a proving as any of our polycrests, and I predict that in a few years it will rank as high in the estimation of our school as any remedy we possess. I have taken pains to collect all the reliable clinical facts which have appeared in the records of any school, in relation to its curatives action in disease. My own experience with it has been large. General.—Feels very tired. Nervous weakness during the after- noon. Great sensitiveness to the cold air, which seemed to penetrate the system. Continual restlessness in the afternoon, desire to move about, not knowing what to do or where to go. General feeling of * Mat. Mod. and Ther., vol. 11, p. 472. 204 NEW REMEDIES. illness ; weak, trembling, exhausted, sinking feeling, with slight nau- sea. Easily fatigued, as after great exertion. Miserable dejected feeling. Tremors ; so Aveak and trembling as not to be able to go out or study ; believes the condition to be but one remove from mania a potu. Desire to lie down and close the eyes. General bruised feel- ing, as if sore. Sensation as from severe muscular exercise, especi- ally in the small of the back. It effects the left side most. Feeling which only those know who " spree," or watch all night with the sick. Soreness and stiffness of the whole body, as after hard labor. Clinical Observations.—No particular indications are proper under this head. The general symptoms of a drug may be primary— as when the nervous system is profoundly impressed—and the local affections, the result; or they may be secondary, as when particular organs are affected, resulting in constitutional disturbance. I would classify its general action as follows : Muscular System.—One of its first of the series of primary effects of this drug is to cause relaxation of the muscular system; this leads directly to painful conditions of muscles or myalgia. Under this head are to be found the burning, cramping, stitching pains which affect these structures. Cimicifuga is pre-eminently a muscle-remedy. Hence its efficacy in myalgia and its varieties, as pleurodynia, etc. In myositis, or inflammation of the muscular tissue, it is generally found curative. In true muscular rheumatism the fever is the original constitu- tional disorder, and is due to the presence of an abnormal quantity of lactic acid in the blood, the muscular pain and inflammation the result of such condition. In myositis, on the contrary, the fever is sympathetic, and the inflammation of the muscle the original morbid state, and is generally caused by over-exertion, nervous exhaustion, or a cold. In the former Aconite and Bryonia are the best remedies, while in the latter the Cimicifuga is specifically indicated, (or Cimici- fugin). Dr. Ludlam informs me that he finds Cimicifugin 2d generally curative in " rheumatism affecting the belly of a muscle." Cimicifugin in rheumatism of the sterno-cleido-mastoid and tra- pezius muscles.—E. Spencer, from exposure to cold, was attacked with " stiff neck." Could not move the hand without producing great pain. Treatment, Ars.2, Bry.2, one hour in alternation, using a lotion of the Ars. with hot-water cloths to the neck, continued for 12 hours without much benefit. Gave four or five powders of Cimicifuga 1st cent, trit., every hour. The following morning he felt quite relieved. CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 205 NeiTOUS System.—Wood classifies it with the " Nervous Seda- tives," and I am inclined to think its primary action in pathogenetic doses is in that direction. How it affects the nervous system is beyond our knowledge. We know that it causes all those symptoms known to the profession under the name of " nervous prostration," and even extreme conditions which resemble delirium tremens. This malady is defined by Watson to consist essentially of a state of " nervous irritation." He thinks this is a3 good a name as any for a state which we know exists. He contends that the nervous system can be irrita- ted, as well as any organ in the body. It is also proper to designate certain conditions as states of " nervous exhaustion"—" nervous excitement." Cimicifuga seems to cause all these states of the ner- vous system. When given to a healthy person it causes first nervous excitement, which soon leads to irritation and finally exhaustion. Some observers have the folly to state that " very laro-e doses cause no alarming effects." I have seen not only alarming, but dangerous effects arise from dram doses of the " fluid extract," administered to a girl by a botanic quack. Nerves Of Sensation.—It seems to exercise considerable control over this system, independently of its action on the vascular system. It cures many of those purely neuralgic pains to which females are liable. Our provings show it to be capable of causing various aches and pains of a similar character. Dr. T. C. Miller asserts that "fifteen years' observation and expe- rience has proved this agent to be one of the most remarkable in all dis- eases of the ganglio-spinal system, particularly when the motor side is excited, and yet in the whole, prevails as an atony in the muscular and nervous system." Nerves Of Motion.—It causes " nervous tremors"—with great restlessness. (See general symptoms.) It seems to exert a peculiar and specific action upon some of the diseases of the nerves of motion, especially in chorea. Not only in that variety which arises from rheumatic irritation, but when arising from other causes. A great number of cases of chorea treated successfully with this remedy have been reported, a few of which we collect. Case 1st. A boy aged 11, had had chorea for four months; one side was affected, and in almost constant motion, except when asleep ; he had been under medical care all the time without avail. He then took one teaspoonful of pulv. Cimicifuga root every morning for three days, then omitted it three, then resumed it again until he had taken it nine times. When he had taken six doses he was almost well; 206 NEW REMEDIES I when he had taken nine doses he was perfectly well, and remained so for at least four years. —[Dr. Young.] Case 2d. A girl sick with chorea for a month ; after taking three doses she was very much improved ; six doses cured her entirely. It caused pricking all over every time it was taken.—[Ibid.J Case M. A lady, aged IP, had chorea for two weeks ; her left side was almost constantly in motion: did not prevent her sleeping; her general health was perfectly good, and no cause could be detected. She was dosed with Calomel, Jalap, Tartar emetic and Cream Tartar, for seven days, when Dr. Young was startled, for he found that the chorea had extended to the right side, and was tenfold aggravated. Her arms, legs, head, face, tongue and every muscular part, was in continual and irregular motion ; she could with great difficulty speak intelligibly. The power of swallowing was lost to a great degree, she could not walk one step, nor stand up without support, nor could she sleep day or night on account of the constant twitching and jerk- ing of the muscles. A teaspoonful of the powdered root of Cimici- fuga was given three times a day ; in five days she was much better, could walk 300 or 400 yards, could speak and swallow as well as ever ; slept well at night; her legs had but little irregular motion, her head was steady, and the muscles of her face scarcely agitated; her arms were more affected than any other part. In seven days more she was quite well. It neither vomited, sweated, purged or acted on her kidneys ; the only sensation she had was an uneasy sen- sation, almost amounting to an ache, through all her limbs, after every dose, and continuing three or four hours. Dr. Physic cured several cases with ten grain doses every two hours. Dr. Wood cured a case after the failure of purgative and metallic tonics ; also a case of peri- odic convulsions connected with uterine disorder. Case 4th. A girl aged nine, whose mental faculties were much disordered, and who had lost nearly all power over the left arm and leg; bowels irregular, headache, and pain frequently shooting down the left arm. Was cured quickly. A very intractable case was cured by Dr. Otto. A girl aged 18, chorea with considerable gastric derangement, with suppression of menses for five months. Five grains of the pulv. root every three hours ; no improvement for nearly a week, then improved rapidly and was wrell in three weeks. Dr. Davis says we can no longer doubt its efficacy in chorea, in all cases arising from undue irritability or mobility of the nervous system, especially when induced by exposure to cold ; in short, when chorea arises from a rheumatic irritation of the motor nerves, and muscles, or of the anterior column of the spinal marrow. In the various eclectic jour- nals, there have been reported from time to time very many cures of chorea with Cimicifuga. In some cases the powdered root was used, in others the tincture, resinoid (Cimicifugin), or the fluid extract. According to my experience it is most useful when the disease occurs in females, is aggravated at the menstrual periods, and seems to be somehow connected with derangement of the generative functions. CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 207 The first decimal of the pulv. root seems to act more promptly in these cases, although the first decimal dilution is quite reliable. Physi- cians are in duty bound to report their failures as well as their cures I have given the Cimicifuga in some cases without deriving any benefit from its use. One case was a child about ten years of age The first symptom was a " catching" of the lower limb, like the disease called "spring-halt" in horses ; afterwards came twitching of the mouth, arms, fingers and feet. Cimicifuga 1st or 3d trit. did not cause any improvement in ten days. Agaricus was tried a week • but Nux vomica 2d dil., five drops three times a dav arrested the malady A similar case also resisted its action, probably because it was not strictly homoeopathic, but when the citrate of Iron and Strychnia was given, a rapid recovery was the result. This last medicine was selected because of the anaemia which indicated Iron, and the pecu- liaa spasmodic symptoms called for Nux vomica. One grain of the first decimal was given three times a day. . Improvement immedi- ately set in, and continued until the recovery was complete—about four weeks. Dr. Logan, of Canada, reports the following case of Chorea: " A young lad of 12 years had been exposed to cold and wet weather. Great heat of the skin, with efflorescence resembling scar- latina. The usual symptoms of chorea were present: agitation of the muscles, with very great difficulty of articulation. Treatment : Ars.2, Bell.2, relieved the redness and heat of the skin, but the chorea still continued as violent as before. Cimicifuga A, Veratrum viride -jV, half an hour in alternation until three or four doses were given. A slight agravation followed, when the medicine was omitted. The chorea ceased, and from that time returned only partially, and was promptly relieved by the same remedies. Some debility remained, and oedema of the joints, which were removed by Bry2 and Ars.3." Fever.—Chilliness during the forenoon. Occasional cold chill. Coldness and chills, particularly of the arms and feet soon after walk- ing. At 3 a. m., the whole surface became cold. Slight cold perspi- ration, and sensation as if it would become profuse, continuing for an hour, accompanied by lancinating pain along the cartilages of the false ribs, left side, increased by taking a long inspiration. Disposi- tion to perspire at night for three weeks; irregular, usually three or four times a week, occurring about 3 a. m., commencing while asleep, and disappearing a few minutes after waking, never profuse. During the first week the surface was cold with the perspiration, but during the last ten days the perspiration was accompanied by heat rather than coldness ; pulse too slow, every third or fourth pulsation intermitting. In three-quarters of an hour increased heat of the face ; slight incli- nation to sweat; pulse rather full, 90 in the minute, it being 80 before taking the drug. In three-quarters of an hour after taking the second dose, pulse weaker and very irregular, 80 in the minute. At the end 208 NEW REMEDIES. of an hour pulse SO and irregular. Pulse quick and weak. In morn- ing pulse feeble, with weakness and trembling. Piuwsiness, with creeping chills upon the back during the evening, followed by frequent waking during the night, and desire to throw off the bed clothes, although the thermometer was below zero. Clinical Observations.—The febrile symptoms developed during a proving of Cimicifuga are very slight. Careful observers have almost uniformily found it to lessen the force and frequency of the pulse, at the same time soothing pain and allaying irritability. Dr. Davis says it causes a depression of the pulse, which remains for a considerable time. Dr. Marcy says : " Like many other drugs which exercise a specific action upon the nervous system, the primary effect of Cimicifuga, when given in small doses, is slightly stimulating to both the nervous and vascular systems, causing a slight increase in the force and frequency of the pulse, and followed speedily by a perman- ent depression of the circulation. When administering it for mild attacks of rheumatism, we have in several instances observed this primary and secondary action. Among the secondary effects which are strongly marked, are diminished nervous irritability, and disposi- tion to sleep." In rheumatic fever it is a valuable remedy. It will sometimes act promptly in reducing the force of the pulse, and bring- ing on a healthy perspiration. Some severe acute attacks of inflam- matory rheumatism have been cured with Cimicifuga in a very short time. But it has been usually given in too large doses, by the dom- inant school, (30 to 60 drops of the tincture every two or four hours). Such doses are useless and injurious. I have succeeded with five drops of the first dilution, and rarely resort to the tincture. Five drops every hour should be the maximum dose. In yellow fever it is recommended by some writers. It would seem to be somewhat homoeopathic to the severe and peculiar " pains in the bones," as sufferers term it, but probably bears no relation to the real condition present. In nearly all fevers it may be indicated for certain conditions which may arise. Thus in many fevers, the ner- vous system, the brain, may and does become very irritable and irri- tated, and a train of symptoms, such as will be found under the head of " Brain," will arise. In such cases small doses will remove the symptoms, and permit remedies more appropriate to the general con- dition, to act untrammelled. Although this remedy is to a certain extent an analogue of Aconite, yet it does not seem to control febrile diseases as promptly. Dr. Wm, S. Searle of Troy, in an article in Vol. III. Proc. N. Y. Horn. Med. Soc, p. 360, entitled "Notes on the New Remedies," says of Cimicifuga racemosa : " 1 was led to employ this remedy empirically in my second case of cerebrospinal disease, by the complete failure of every other remedy to control the spasms, which still continued after the inflammatory symptoms had subsided. During three weeks they had reigned supreme in the most teriific and varied forms. My patient, a lady of CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA 209 thirty years, and nervo-lymphatic in temperament, lay before me, tormented day and night by alternate tonic and clonic spasms. All food and drink were instantly rejected from the stomach, and both she and her attendants declared that she did not get a moment's sleep during her entire illness. I should have regarded this case as one of hysteria, had I not witnessed the preceding inflammation, which was so severe as to render the left eye totally and permanently useless, and had not the ablest counsel in our city agreed with my diagnosis. My first case, too, which had stilly more strongly simulated hysteria, had resulted in sudden death, and the post-mortem had revealed our sad mistake. This inclined me to be wary. But, to be brief, every indicated, remedy utterly failed, until, finally, inferring the sphere of Cimicifuga from its power in chorea, I determined, in despair, to try it. To my astonishment and delight it at once subdued all spasmodic action, and by its use alone my patient entered on a speedy convales- cence. Careful study of the pathogenesis of this drug has since con- vinced me of its peculiar relation to the disease. Let me premise, however, what is too often overlooked, that we cannot expect to find the more violent symptoms of any grave disease in a pathogenesis made entirely of provings. Do not look, then, for an exact likeness of cerebro-spinal meningitis, in the very brief sketch here given of a very imperfect pathogenesis. If we shall find a correspondence some- what close, with no conflicting symptoms, and if experience shall confirm our deductions, at the bed-side of the sick, we must for the present be content. Now what are the known symptoms of Cimici- fuga which point in the direction of this disease ? Beginning as before with the head, we find a large variety, too large for repetition here, but each and all evidencing its powerful influence over the entire encephalon. It causes pain in every portion of the head, chiefly in the vertex and occiput, extending often to the shoulders and down the spine, accompanied by a delirium which perfectly sim- ulates mania a potu. The pain is sometimes paroxysmal, and is pressive, throbbing and aching, in its nature, attended by tremor and illusions of vision. In these phenomena its analogy .to Nux, Ignatia, and the narcotics, is very striking; while the prostration and irrita- bility of the cerebrospinal nerves plainly^points out its homoeopathic relation to the latter stage of the disease under consideration. The intense throbbing pain, so frequently complained of by patients suffering from this malady, and which is described as being like a ball driven from the neck to the vertex with every throb of the heart, it promptly relieves. Few medicines cause such intense and persistent pain in the eye-balls. They are described as dull, aching and sore. There is dilatation of the pupils and redness of the conjunctiva, with increased lacrymation. The tongue is swollen; sordes accumulate on the teeth and the breath is offensive. The pharynx is dry, with dysphagia and frequent inclination to swallow. The mucous mem- brane of the fauces is red and inflamed, with roughness, hoarseness and thirst. The nausea and vomiting it produces are evidently due to cerebral irritation or inflammation. The severe pains in the abdo- 14 210 NEW REMEDIES. men are also of a neuralgic character, since the stools are but little affected, either in consistence or color. The urine is pale and increased in quality, as is common in hysteria and other states of nervous depression conjoined with irritation. In the back we find stiffness, pain of a drawing, tensive character, or dull, heavy and aching. Weakness and trembling, spasmodic action of the muscles, with many singular symptoms, which can be ascribed only to the influ- ence of this drug upon the spinal cord. Bryonia, a remedy hitherto much relied on in the treatment of epidemic meningitis, bears a close analogy to Cimicifuga, but an accurate comparison between them, in their bearings upon this disease,will, I think.result in favor of the latter. " Bryonia," says Hale, " does not cause rheumatic neuralgic pains,while Cimicifuga does, in an eminent degree. Bryonia has no influence over reflex nervous pains, cramps, &c, while Cimicifuga controls many such abnormal manifestations." Having thus traced the similarity between the action of these remedies and the disease in question, the discussion might perhaps be profitably relinquished here, but in con- firmation of their theoretical value in cerebro-spinal inflammation, let me add a brief account of my experience in its treatment. " My first case, mentioned incidentally above, was so obscure in iti development as to be mistaken by myself and my colleagues for hys- teria. The patient was a maiden lady of forty years, and of nervous temperament. For a long time she had suffered from scrofulous dis- ease of the cervical vertebras; but this attack was sudden and marked by violent fever and inflammation. Excruciating pain in the whole head and spine were almost the only symptoms. No spasms of any kind appeared. She was treated with the ordinary polycrest remedies recommended by Watson and Paine, but without sensible relief; and after about ten days of acute suffering, death suddenly closed the scene. Post-mortem examination revealed the most intense inflammation of the membranes of the brain and cord, with the usual effusion of lymph. In the second case, fully described above, the inflammatory symptoms yielded readily to Aconite, Bryonia, Bella- donna, &c, but the spasms were not controlled until Cimicifuga was administered, when they vanished like mist. From that time I have depended on this remedy, with Gelseminum, and they have never disappointed me. A short account of two cases, in which these med- icines alone were used, may be of interest: " A young merchant, of vigorous constitution, was seized in August last with diphtheria. Under the usual treatment this soon subsides, but the persistent pains in the extremities and back, quickly followed by rigidity of the neck and pain in the occipital region, together with severe inflammatory symptoms, warned me of an ambushed enemy. Gelseminum and Cimicifuga were at once administered in the form of tincture. With the exception of slight convulsions of the upper extremities, the only change in the case was the gradual subsidence of the symptoms and restoration to health in two weeks from the first outset of the disease. Partial paralysis of the arms continued for several months. On the tenth of January, after severe exposure, he CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 211 was again prostrated. Arriving during the chill, I ordered a hot bath and gave five drops of the first decimal dilution of each remedy, prepared in half glasses of water, one teaspoonful of each alternately every fifteen minutes. After the expiration of three hours, violent fever had set in, with excessive fever in the occiput, neck and back; dilatation of the pupils, with aching soreness of the eyes, and spas- modic jerking of the arms. I replaced the medicines with ten drops of the tincture of Cimicifuga and ten of the first decimal dilution of Gelseminum. No new symptoms appeared and those present dimin- ished rapidly, so that on the fifth day I discontinued attendance. " On the sixth of the present month I was summoned to a feeble woman of fifty years. She had been suddenly seized with severe chills, nausea and vomiting, delirium and acute pain in the head, shooting down the spine, with rigidity of the muscles of the back. The same remedies were again exhibited in a similar manner. At the end of four hours the delirium had almost disappeared, together with the disturbance of the stomach. After twenty-four hours all the symptoms had vanished, except languor, with shooting pain down the spine when rising in bed. The next day she was sitting up, and was discharged. " These cases are a fair sample of eight or ten which have occurred in my practice. They were not, it is true, of the most desperate class, but could they have been as quickly cured by the ordinary medicines given in this disease ?" It has cured several cases of night sweats, when no organic dis- ease was present. Skin.—Eruptions of white pustules over the face and neck. Sometimes large, red, papular. Clinical Observations.—The above is a curative symptom, although it has been recorded in some of our works as a pathogenetic. So far in our experiments we have failed to develop any skin symp- toms. It is indeed doubtful whether it is an eliminator like arseni- cum, or a cutaneous irritant like sulphur. Dr. Hill, in his Epitome, highly recommends its use in small-pox, but his indications are not based on any relation it has to the eruptions, but to the peculiar pains, etc., which accompany the fever. Dr. D. S. Smith, of Chicago, recom- mends it very highly in variola and varioloid, and asserts that it deci- dedly modifies the disease, preventing pitting, and even the develop- ment of pustules. It may jprove useful, indirectly, in some exanthematous diseases. Thus : Urticaria often depends upon rheu- matic irritation of internal organs ; some eruptions are excited by menstrual derangements. Cimicifuga being homoeopathic to the exci- ting causes, will, by removing them, remove the cutaneous irritation. Dr. Lee says, " it sometimes appears to have a specific action on the skin, causing a sensation of prickling, itching and heat on the whole surface." This may be (by its action on the terminal nerves) attended sometimes by a slight eruption. Sleep.—Very restless at night. Restless at night after three or four hours of good sleep. Restlessness early in the morning, con- 212 NEW REMEDIES. tinuing for a week. Disturbed, restless, unrefreshing sleep, from 3 to 5 a. m., with disposition to fold the arms over the head ; unpleas- ant dreams of being in trouble, of being in a sad plight; somnolency. Clinical Observations.—The sleeplessness and nightly restless- ness caused by this drug belong to its power of causing nervous irri- tation. In delirium apotu, sleeplessness is one of the most trouble- some symptoms, one which the dominant school try to subdue with enormous doses of opium. Opium is sometimes homoeopathic to this condition, also Cannabis ind., Coffea, Arsenicum, etc., but none more so than Cimicifuga, unless it be Digitalis, which latter medicine is just now used with such success in delirium tremens. In typhoid states, hysteria, and those conditions brought on by mental excite- ment and labor, we have to deal with insomnia of an obstinate char- acter. In many of these instances this remedy will assist us in our treatment of the difficulty. I had given it in the sleeplessness of children during teething, or when no apparent cause for the symp- toms existed. A few pellets of the 3d, seemed to palliate as well as Coffea. Mind and ScnSOrium.—Not disposed to fix the attention on any subject; vertigo; impaired vision ; dizziness; dullness in the head; vertigo ; fullness and dull aching in the vertex ; ten minutes after taking the third decimal dilution a sort of delirium, with an inclina- tion to run over the subject on which he was reading. Miserable dejected feeling; mind dull and heavy. Feels grieved, troubled with sighing ; next day a feeling of tremulous joy, with mirthfulness, playfulness and clear intellect. Considerable exhilaration. Pleas- urable excitement. Cimicifuga soon shows its action on the senso- rium, when administered to sensitive persons. Dr. Kino- made casual mention in his dispensatory, that this drug had caused symptoms simulating delirium tremens. To get at the real history of such action I wrote to Dr. King, who kindly favored me with the following statement: * * " I did not pay that attention to the symptoms as one of your school would have done, but merely noticed them in the aggregate. In the cases referred to I gave the tincture for the cure of rheumatism, in ordinary doses of 20 to 30 drops, every hour but finding the symptoms resulting therefrom to be similar to those of delirium tremens, I omitted the medicine until they had disappeared, and again administered it, but in smaller doses, and so continued until I found that even two or three drops would be followed by the same symptoms, and was therefore compelled to cease its use alto- gether in such cases. I have not met with this effect in but three cases, and in the first one that occurred, so positive was I from the symptoms of the patient, that his wife had allowed him the use of CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 213 some liquor, that I came very near being discharged on account of the scolding I administered to both the patient and his wife. In fact, I did not believe in that case that the tincture produced the effects, nor until I met with the other cases. As near as I can recollect there was nausea, retching, dilated pupils, tremor of the limbs, inces- sant talking and changing from one subject to another without any order, though perfectly sensible when the attention was aroused by any person addressing them or conversing with them, but soon relapsing into their vagaries when not disturbed ; great wakefulness, imagining strange objects upon the bed, and in the room, as rats, sheep, etc. Sometimes arousing from their incoherent talkativeness as if startled, and inquiring regarding persons present : " Who is that man ?" "What does he want here ?" " Tell him to go home," etc. With quick, full pulse, a wild look of the eyes, and the peculiar indescribable expression of face commonly observed among those who labor under delirium tremens." I can corroborate Dr. King's experience with the Cimicifuga. I once gave the tincture to a girl who had dysmenorrhoea. I ordered her to take one drop every two hours during the premonitory stage, and when the pains, which were intense, painful, like labor-pains, and extended to the hips, thighs and ovarian regions had become severe, to take one drop every half hour for six hours. When I saw her she had no pains, but said her head felt " strange and wild ;" her pupils were dilated, she talked incoherently, and exclaimed that she saw rats, mice, and insects, on the bed and on the floor and ceiling. She also complained of a roar- ing in the head which was very distressing. Clinical Observations.— In its effects on the sensorium, (brain) Cimicifuga is analogous to Arsenicum, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Opium, Stramonium, and a few other drugs, but it has important points of dissimilarity which should be considered in the selection of the drug. I treated several cases of delirium tremens with this remedy. It seemed to remove the condition. When the symptoms above narrated occur in typhoid or hysteric states, the Cimicifuga will act beneficially. A few drops of the 3d dilution in water every hour seems the most appropriate method of administration. Dr. C. C, Smith reports the following case: "A gentleman stepped into my office a few days since and stated that his wife was expecting to be confined in about two weeks, and that she was suffering greatly from nervousness as he expressed it; extremely restless and apprehensive, totally unable to sleep at night; some nausea occasionally. From this description, I sent by him some pow- ders of sugar of milk, each containing one drop of the Cimicifuga racemosa, 3d. In a few days she had taken these, at the rate of one 214 NEW REMEDIES. every two hours, with the most signal benefit. As her husband expressed it, 'the medicine worked like a charm.'" Head.—Heaviness and dullness of the head ; slight fullness of the head ; slight dull pain in the head; acute pain generally through the head during the day, at times more severe on the left side ; slight pain in the head in the evening ; remittent headache of long stand- ing, more or less severe every day, but increased every second day; dull pain deep in the forehead; dullness of the head and pain in the forehead and occiput; dull pain in the forehead in the afternoon ; dull, boring pain in the forehead, over the left superciliary ridge, continuing for two houre, from 10 a. m. ; pain in the forehead and occiput, with heaviness of the head after one hour ; pain from the eyes to the top of the head, which seemed as if the nerves were exci- ted to too much action, lasting three hours,—under large doses it lasted six hours ; pain over the eyes ; pain over the left eye, extend- ing along the base of the brain to the occiput ; slight pain in the forehead ; dryness of the pharynx ; aching in the eyes, apparently between the eyeball and orbital plate of the frontal bone. At 10 p. M., occasional transient pain in the forehead, ever the right eye ; dull pain in the head; fullness in the forehead, over the eyes ; severe pain in the head, particularly in the forehead over the right eye, and extending to the temple and vertex with fullness, heat and throbbing, and when going up stairs a sensation as if the top of the head would fly off; fullness in the vertex ; aching pain in the vertex and occiput in paroxysms, at times quite severe, immediately after rising. Pain in the vertex during the afternoon and evening ; sensation as if the temples were compressed occasionally through the day ; dull, heavy headache, more in the left temple ; slight pain in the left side of the head ; aching pain in the head, particularly in the occiput, experi- enced only while in-doors, relieved by the open air—it increased dur- ing the afternoon, and was quite severe in the evening ; about 9 p. m. it disappeared entirely, after a walk in the open air; constant dull pain in the head, particularly in the occiput, and extending to the vertex, during the forenoon and part of the afternoon. The pain in the head is always relieved by open air; dull sensation through the head, as though he had been on a " spree" and was getting over its effects. Brain feels too large for the cranium ; brain feels compressed. Awoke at 2 o'clock a. m., with excruciating, though dull pain in the forehead, extending to the temples, with coldness of forehead ; pain in the eyeballs. Dull pain in the region of moral organs—a pressing outward and upward, as if there was not room enough for the upper CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 215 portion of the cerebrum. This pain was very oppressive and intol- erable ; it began about five o'clock p. m., after taking the second dose, and continued unabated till morning, when it was relieved in thirty minutes by a dose of Bryonia. Clinical Observations.—There is no remedy in our Materia Medica which so promptly and uniformly causes headache as the Cim- icifuga, with the exception of Glonoine. It is homoeopathic to a vari- ety of headaches, particularly the nervous, rheumatic and menstrual. It affects the brain in a manner similar to Digitalis. Some of its symptoms resemble Nux vomica, Ignatia, Glonoine, Spigelia and Bel- ladonna. It has cured a headache, with " severe pain in the eyeballs, extending into the forehead, and increased by the slightest movement of the head or eyeballs," also " dull pain in the occipital regions, with shooting pains down the back of the neck." Case 1st. A lady aged 35, has suffered from dyspepsia for several months, and for nine days past from severe pain in the forehead over the right eye, and extending to the temple and vertex, with fullness, heat and throbbing, and when going up stairs a sensation as if the top of the head would fly off. Coldness and chills, particularly of the arms and feet; faintness in the epigastrium; pain and regurgitation of food after eating. Cimicifuga first, three drops three times a day, afforded prompt and permanent relief.—[Paine.] Case 2d. Mrs. W., aged 47, has not yet passed the critical period, and suffers from various neuralgic pains incident to that time. Now suffers from severe pains in the head, particularly in the forehead and eyeballs. Cimicifuga second afforded prompt relief in a few hours. Case 3d. Dull pain in the head ; fullness in the forehead and eyes; pain in the eyeballs, increased secretion of tears ; fluent watery coryza; frequent sneezing; soreness of the throat; cough at night, caused by tickling in throat—cured in two days by Cimicifuga 2.— (Dr. Paine). This is a well marked case of catarrhal headache. I have found it useful in similar cases. Dr. B. L. Hill states that the pains in the head caused by Cimicifuga are all from within outwards. It is particularly useful in headaches of delicate, nervous and hysteri- cal females, when the headaches occur at or near the menstrual periods, during pregnancy, and at the change of life. (Sabina,) It is useful in the headaches of drunkards, occurring after a debauch ; in the headaches of students and literary men, after mental labor, and that peculiar heaviness, dullness and gloominess which results from want of sleep. (Nux) Children, during teething, or in the course of many diseases, frequently show symptoms of irritation of the brain. This is denoted by peevishness, wakefulness, flushed face, injected eyes, etc. In such cases eclectics claim the Cimicifuga has a calming influence, and prevents cerebral congestion, spasms, etc. Eyes.—Aching of the eyes, at 10 a. m Heaviness of the eyes, as if caused by cold. Dull pain in both eyeballs. Pain in both eye 216 NEW REMEDIES. balls. Pain in the centre of the eyeballs, and also sensation as if pain were situated between the eyeball and the orbital plate of the frontal bone, in the morning on rising, continuing all day, but not severe as in the morning; aching pain in the centre of both eyeballs, rarely in one alone, continuing for three weeks after discontinuing the drug; aching pain in both eyeballs through the day ; aching in the eyeballs in the evening ; on going up stairs, eyeballs painful for a short time ; pain in the eyeballs ; increased seeretion of tears ; pain in the eyeballs, in the left more than in the right, and sensation as if they were enlarged—most severe in the morning ; severe aching pain in the right eyeball, and across the forehead, accompanied with nau- sea. Pain extending from the right eyeball through to the right side of the occiput, slightly affecting the ear at night. Stinging in the eyelid ; stinging in the eyelids an hour after taking the drug ; sting- k ing in the eyelids ; dullness and heaviness of the head and eyes, as if produced by cold ; inflammation of both eyelids ; sensation of swel- ling of right eyelid, with heat as if inflamed, after four hours. Pain in the right eyelid when closing it, in the afternoon. (The above is from Marcy's proving.) Redness of face and eyes ; eyes feel as if swollen ; black specks before the eyes. Myopia increased. During the headache the eyes were so congested as to attract the attention of every one, although there was no disagreeable feeling in them. (Hill's proving.) Clinical Observations.—Few medicines cause such intense and persistent pains in the eyeballs. The pains are principally aching. (Bell., Digit., Merc, Hepar., Cupr., Crocus., Cocc.) The pains caused by this drug simulate rheumatic and neuralgic affections of the eyes. It will probably be found useful in " ocular hyper-sesthesia"—a con- dition of irritation and over-sensitiveness of the optic nerves. It appears to affect the eyes in a manner somewhat similar to Spigelia, in causing intense pains in the eyeballs. A young lady aged 20, of light complexion, had suffered for several weeks ""from ophthalmia, pain in the eyeballs—a sensation as if they were enlarged—most severe in the morning ; prickling in the inner canthus, aggravated by reading ; inflammation of the eyelids ; slight secretion of mucus early in the morning ; sore throat; reading causes headache. Cimicifuga first, three drops, three times a day, entirely removed all the pains in the eyeballs and head. (Paine.) It seems to be indicated in Amauro- sis, but we have no clinical experience in this disease. Dr. King (eclectic) says, " In doses of one dram of the tincture every hour, it has effected thorough cures of ophthalmia conjunctiva, without the aid of any local application " Dr. Miller (eclectic) says : " In three cases of amaurosis I cured two with the black cohosh; the other case was successfully treated with Conium. Four cases of amblyopia, two were cured by the CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 217 black cohosh, the other two were not benefitted by it, but one was cured by Stramonium, the other by the Valerianate of Zinc, (4 grs. 5 times a day). All cases had been treated by other physicians." If Dr. Miller had been a homoeopathist he would have given the symptoms_of each case, and by this means would have been estab- lished positive indications for the use of each medicine. As it is, the matter is left in empirical uncertainty. Oneof the above symptoms, namely : " black specks before the eyes," indicates it in amaurosis. Cimicifuga has cured "double- vision," which is often an amaurotic symptom. NOSC—Stinging-sensation in the nose in the evening ; obstruction of the left nostril, in the evening; inclination to sneeze twice in the afternoon; sneezing ; headache ; sneezing several times, at 10 a. m. ; frequent sneezing and fluent coryza during the day. Fluent coryza; fluent coryza of whitish mucus during the day ; constant coryza during the day ; abundant watery coryza ; copious coryza; copious coryza during the foaenoon ; fluent coryza ; aching and soreness in the nose during the day. Fluent watery coryza ; frequent sneezing ; soreness in the throat, causing difficulty in swallowing. Profuse coryza in the forenoon ; aching pain in the head ; pain in both eyeballs, many times through the day. Very profuse greenish and slightly sanguineous coryza, after rising ; fulness of the pharynx, and constant inclination to swallow ; dullness of the head, and pain in the forehead and occi- put ; fluent coryza, more so than for many weeks, as if caused by cold ; dryness of the pharynx ; sneezing, at 4 p. m. (Payne's prov- ing). Stuffed condition of the nostrils, which was soon followed by an open moist condition, with great sensitiveness to cold air, as if the base of the brain were- laid bare, and every inhalation of the brain brought the cold air in contact with it. (This is exactly similar to that produced by a sudden change of weather in winter, from cold dry to damp thawing, as by a south wind which melts the snow.) (Hill's proving). Clinical Observations.—Some authors say that they have never known it to produce a perceptible increase of any of the secretions; others again eay that it operates powerfully upon the secreting organs aud absorbents, and that it is expectorant and diaphoretic. From the above symptoms it would certainly seem to have a specific affinity for the nasal mucous membrane, and causes a real catarrhal state. In acute rheumatic-catarrhal attacks, with pains in the limbs, head, face, eyeballs; chilliness, heat, and fluent watery coryza, it is certainly indicated ; and in one epidemic influenza I found it useful for such conditions, also in the cough and sore throat by which it was accom panied. FafC, Jaws and Teeth. —Severe pain in the left jaw. Heat on one side of the face, with lassitude all over. Very severe pains 218 NEW REMEDIES. the face, more in under jaw, lower teeth, and articulations of lower jaw. The pains in the head and face constant, and very severe. Pain in the right superior maxillary bone, and teeth. Clinical Observations.—The above are just such pains as are nearly always present in catarrhal-rheumatic attacks in the winter and spring. I once took five drops of the first decimal for similar symptoms occurring in myself. The one dose seemed to cut short the attack, at least it mitigated the pain. Mouth.—Offensive breath; dryness and soreness of the lips; dry lips ; small ulcer on the inner surface of the lower lip. Unpleas- ant taste in the mouth, accumulation of thick mucus upon the teeth; spitting of thick saliva which seemed to stick to the mouth and throat, and to be detached with difficulty. Mouth dry in the morning. Swel- ling of the back part of the tongue. Root of tongue and fauces swollen. Clinical Observations.—In many cases of rheumatism, the gums and buccal mucous membrane become swollen and tumefied. In such cases this remedy may be found useful, used as a weak wash to the inflamed surface. Throat.—Dryness of the pharynx ; sneezing, at 4 p. m. ; dryness of the pharynx and inclination to swallow, during the night; fulness of the pharynx and constant inclination to swallow; soreness of the throat when swallowing ; sensation of fulness high up in the throat, with fulness in the vertex and stiffness of the neck ; sensation of rawness in the throat ; slight difficulty in swallowing ; hoarseness, which increased towards night; constant unpleasant fulness in the pharynx. Palate and uvula red and inflamed. Inflammation of the uvula and palate, fifth day more severe than the day before ; copious coryza. Hoarseness, roughness and scraping in the throat; rough- ness and dryness of the throat, with thirst; dryness and soreness of the throat on swallowing, and on pressure worse on the left side. Clinical Observations.—It has cured Chorea when attended with almost complete loss of the power of swallowing. In sore throat and cynanche maligna, a decoction of the root is recommended by Dr. Barton. Dr. Marcy says it is an excellent remedy against dry- ness of the throat, or a dry spot in the throat causing cough (Lache- sis), also in dry coughs proceeding from irritation and tickling at the lower part of the larynx. In a late number of an allopathic jour- nal, it is highly recommended by a Boston physician as a most excel- lent remedy in diphtheria, used in decoction as a garble. Appetite and Stomach.—Eructations tasting of the medicine ; eructations and slight nausea, immediately. Pain and regurgitation of food after eating. Loss of appetite; no appetite for supper; CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 219 repugnance. Nausea for fifteen minutes or half an hour after taking the drug ; nausea with loathing, soon after the dose ; sense of inter- al tremor in the stomach, after breakfast; sensation as if too much food had been taken into the stomach ; acute darting pain in the epi- gastrium, after a light supper ; slight pain in the epigastrium, extend- ing to the left hypochondrium, with faintness and sensation of empti- ness ; faintness in the epigastrium, with repugnance to food, which, however, did not prevent his partaking of a moderate breakfast; faintness in the epigastrium, generally in the morning before eating, particularly if tha medicine had been taken over night, not prevent- ing eating, which was followed by a sensation of repletion, as if too much food had been taken ; faintness of the epigastrium ; faintness of the stomach ; slight faintness in the epigastrium during the fore- noon ; faintness of the stomach two or three times, of short duration; violent retching and vomiting, with pain in the head. In a "proving" hich Dr. Hill reported to the N. A. Journal of Homoeopathy, he copies the above, with a few additions, and appropriates them to him- self. The fact is, that proving (in vol. 7) is nearly all taken from Dr. Paine's original proving. Hill and Douglas also state that in their proving " all the stomach symptoms were produced on females, the drug producing no disturbance in the stomach of males." But in Dr. Paine's provings, men and women were alike affected with nausea and vomiting. The statement of Dr. Hill, reiterated in his " epi- tome," is therefore unreliable. It was probably originally put forth to favor the idea that Cimicifuga was specific to nearly all diseases of women, morning sickness, etc. Clinical Observations.—That Cimicifuga may cause sympathetic nausea and vomiting, by its irritating influence over the female organs of generation, I do not deny. But it is by no means a specific in " morning nausea" of pregnant women. If the uterine and general symptoms correspond, the remedy may be found useful for that dis- tressing symptom. I have in a few cases found it useful, but no more so than Nux vom., Ipecac, Puis., or Oxalate of Cerium. Like its analogues—Digitalis, Belladonna, Opium, etc., this medicine may cause vomiting through its irritating effect upon the brain. Powerful vomiting is often the first symptom of Meningitis, Hydrocephalus, and other brain diseases, and the so called " nervous sick-headaches," which are accompanied by severe vomiting, probably consist eventu- ally of cerebral irritation. It is in this type of " sick headache" that Cimicifuga is useful and not in the headaches which proceed from derangement of digestion. Dr.T.C.Miller* relates the case of a lady 28 years of age, who " had been treated by all the physicians within her reach for over a year, * Journal of Materia Mtdica, vol. 6, p. 9. 220 NEW REMEDIES. and who labored for one day under a cardialgia, the next day under a severe vomiting. The alcoholic extract of Cimicifuga was given in doses of two grains. (He does not say how often.) In twelve days it arrested the disease. For two months, however, she was ordered to take one grain four times daily. This was in 1851 ; the disease never returned. Where was the primary affection 1 Cardialgia was only a symptom of diverse diseases." Abdomen.—Flatus; rumbling in the lower part of the abdomen, at 10 a. m. Flatulence, causing a sensation of fulness in the abdo men, rumbling of flatus below the umbilicus, at 10 p. m. Fulness and pressure in the lower part of the abdomen. Increased pressure in the lower part of the abdomen with some pain. Acute cutting •pain in the umbilical region, which, although acute, was not. so severe as to prevent attending to his usual business, uninfluenced by eating, and continuing during the afternoon ; wandering pain in the bowels, slight pain in the left iliac region; afterwards severe pains in the bowels, mostly below the umbilicus, with weight and pain in lumbar and sacral region; soreness of abdominal muscles, on taking full inspirations. Dull griping, twisting at the umbilical region, more towards the left. Pain in the left hypochondriac region, worse on motion, and on taking a deep inspiration. Periodic colic, with incli- nation to bend forward, relieved after stool. Clinical Observations.—There are three diseases of the abdo- minal structures, in which this remedy may prove useful : (1.) Rheu- matism of the muscular structures ; (2.) Neuralgia ; (3.) Peritonitis, especially puerperal; or (4.) Myalgia, which is often mistaken for peritonitis. I have found it useful in the first and second, but have never used it in the third, nor have we any clinical experi- ence of its use in that affection. Dr. Miller says:—" It is a good remedy in the non-inflam- matory colics and diarrhoeas of children and adults, even in dysen- tery, after the discharges of blood have left. Also in gastric fever, when it partakes of a nervous character." Stool.—Evacuation regular and natural during the proving, but for a month afterwards, alternate constipation and tendency to diar- rhoea ; disposition to diarrhoea, in the evening ; slight disposition to diarrhoea, after rising. Constipation ; faeces hard and dry. Large papescent stool, with general indisposition. Scanty diarrhoea with tenesmus. Copious papescent stool in the morning. Clinical Observations.—We have no proof that this drug has any laxative or cathartic effect. It cannot be homoeopathic to abnor- mal iutastinal discharges, at least we have no clinical testimony to that effect. Urine.—Disposition to frequent urination. Increased flow of urine. Increased secretion of pale urine; retention of urine for CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA 221 eighteen hours, followed by frequent micturition. Profuse flow of pale watery urine. Stitches in urethra in the mornino-. Clinical Observations.—The dominent school assert the Cimici- fuga to be a diuretic. It does increase the quantity of urine but probably not from any influence it has over the kidneys primarily All drugs which bring on depression of the nervous system will cause something akin to " nervous diabetes." In hysterical states and many forms of uterine disorder, we find this condition • A pro- fuse flow of watery urine, with nervous prostration ; sinking sensation at the stomach, chilliness, headache, over the eyes, in the eyes ■ low- ness of spirits, and sometimes aching pains in the limbs With this state of the system, it is supposed by physiologists, there occurs a waste of phosphorus—which is eliminated by the kidneys in the form of phosphates. Loss of phosphates indicates innervation Dr Lee says : "In some instances it acts as a real hydragogue, increasing to a considerable extent, the amount of urinary secretion • but in a majority of cases, this result cannot be anticipated with any consid- erable degree of confidence. We are rather disposed to regard it in the light of a renal alterative; increasing generally the amount of solids in the urine, without any great increase in the amount of water lo eliminate solid matters from the blood, whether lithates phos' phates, or animal matters, the cohosh, with the free use of diluents may rank among our most efficient agents. Cimicifuga has a similar action over the renal organs, to Aconite, Asclepias syr., and Colchi- cum, all of which increase the solid constituents of urine This con dition is admirably met by the dilutions of the remedy. It may be found useful in spasmodic retention of urine, from a cold, mental emotion, or as a symptom of rheumatism. Genital Organs Of Men.—Pain and retraction of the right sper- matic cord ; drawing pain along the right spermatic cord ; pain and tenderness of the testicles. Clinical Observations.—It is said to cure old standing cases of gleet and spermatorrhoea. Genital Organs Of Women.—Leucorrhoea ; menorrhagia ; sup- pression of the menses ; feeling of heaviness ; weight bearing down in the uterine region, with feeling of heaviness and torpor of the lower extremities ; appearances eight days before their time ; labor like pains during pregnancy; abortion in the fourth, eighth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy; cold chills and prickling sensations during the day in the mammaj; prickling sensations in the breasts. Clinical Observations.—No remedy stands higher in the esti- mation of the eclectic school for the treatment of of diseases peculiar to women, than the Cimicifuga, and its concentrated principle—Cim- icifugin. It is used by them in all uterine diseases, of the most opposite character. Dr. King, one of their highest authorities, says (Ainer. Eclec. Disp.) " it is useful in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea 222 NEW REMEDIES leucorrhoea and other uterine affections. As a partus accelerator, it may be substituted for Ergot. It brings on expulsive action of the uterus speedily and powerfully. After labor it will be found effectual in allaying the general excitement of the nervous system and reliev- ing after-pains." In " King's Amer. Obsts." he recommends it, in addition, for monorrhagia, amenorrhoea, prolapsus uteri, etc. " It does not produce the powerful and continuous contractions of the uterus which follow the use of Ergot, and, consequently, is not as dangerous to the child, neither does it lessen the susceptibility of the organ to subsequent doses, as is apt to be the case with Ergot; it appears to excite the uterus to a normal activity only." Jones and Scudder, in their " Mat. Med.," reiterate the above recommendations. The writings of that school are full of clinical experience relative to the usefulness of this remedy in diseases of women. The homoeo- pathic school are beginning to realize the value of this agent in simi- lar affections, and, although the pathogenesis which we have is mea- gre, and the recorded symptoms of the drug, so far as relates to its action on the reproductive organs, few in number, yet those who have used it much, upon the indications derived ex uso in morbis, are enthusiastic in its praise. I will proceed to give what I conceive to be its peculiar sphere of action, and point out the indications for its use in the various affections arising from derangements of the organs of generation. In amenorrhcea, or delayed appearance of the menses in young girls, from deficient nervous energy in the ovaries, and when the abnormal nervous influence is directed to other organs, giv- ing rise to chorea, hysteria, nervous headaches, etc , the Cimicifuga will restore the functions of the reproductive organs to a normal state. Should there be, at the same time with the above conditions, a chlorotic state, Helonias or Ferrum should be alternated with this remedy. Dr. Williams* reports an interesting case of amenorrhea. The menses was suppressed by a violent cold. Six months had elapsed without their reappearance. The patient became pale, lips colorless and skin sallow. At each time for the appearance of the menses the following symptoms appeared : Excessive pain in the head, back and limbs; eyes injected, with dark circles around the lids. The same continued two or three days, and passed off without any discharge. Cimicifugin was prescribed, two grains of the 2d trituration three times a day until the third day before the menstrual period, then the same amount every two hours. The menses appeared the day before the expected period. Ferrum et Strychnia -fa was then prescribed, and the patient has been well and regular since, now several months. In retarded menstruation, when Pulsatilla or Senecio are not indi- cated, and when, at the usual menstrual period, the discharge does not appear, but in its place comes a pressive, heavy headache, melan- choly, palpitation of the heart and other reflex symptoms,—in these cases the Cimicifuga will restore the normal condition of the system and causes a regular return of the menses. * Medical Investigntor, vol. 11, p. 15. CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 223 In suppressio?i of the menses from a cold, mental emotions, and febrile symptoms, when rheumatic pains in the limbs, or intense headache, or uterine cramps, are present, this remedy will be found very useful. In dysmenorrhea, the black snake root has been used successfully by all schools. The eclectics consider it a sort of pana- coea. Many of our own school speak highly of its value. Dr. Hill in his "Epitome," advises it in all cases, and in alternation with Caulophyllum. It is not a general specific, yet will benefit a majority of cases. It is most useful in rheumatic and neuralgic cases, but is often of benefit in congestive dysmenorrhoea, when alternated with Veratrum viride, or Belladonna. The best method of administration in these diseases is to give Cimicifuga, first decimal or one hundredth, three or four times a day during the inter-menstrual period, and every hour or thirty minutes during the severity of the pain. The Cimici- fugin, second or third decimal trituration, will in some cases act more satisfactorily than the tincture. Several of my colleagues have reported cases of dysmenorrhoea cured or very much relieved. Dr. Ludlam thinks more highly of the Cimicifugin in the neuralgic type, than of Caulophyllum. The latter is more indicated in cases compli- cated with uterine spasms or general hysterical convulsions. Dr. Williams sends me the record of two severe cases of dysmenorrhoea, probably of a rheumatic origin, which were apparently cured under the action of Cimicifugin first. I have treated many cases of diffi- cult and painful menstruation, arising from various causes, and while in all there was improvement, in many the morbid condition seemed to be permanently removed. I consider the following symptoms as indicating its use : Before the menses the peculiar headache, similar to that caused by this medicine ; during the menses, aching in the limbs, severe pain in the back, down the thighs and through the hips, with heavy pressing down, labor-like pains, weeping mood, nervous- ness, hysteric spasms, cramps, tenderness of the hypogastric region, scanty flow of coagulated blood, or profuse flow of the same character ; between the menses debility, nervous erethism, neuralgic pains, tend- ency to prolapsus, etc. ; in menorrhagia, when the flow is profuse, but more of a passive character, dark, coagulated, and accompanied by the above mentioned pains. The Cimicifuga does not primarily cause haemorrhage, like Sabina, Erigeron or Crocus, but secondarily, by impairing the tonicity and normal vitality of the uterus. In leu- corrhcea, the eclectics speak highly of its efficacy. The late Dr. Morrow, to whom is mainly due the introduction of the remedy into that practice, gained much celebrity by his treatment of leucorrhoea, with the internal and local use of the black cohosh. He gave it until it produced and kept up its peculiar action on the brain in a slight degree ; a decoction of the root was to be used as an injection every day. Leucorrhoea may be vaginal, cervical, or uterine. In the pres- ent state of our knowledge of the action of the drug, we cannot point out accurately the particular form of leucorrhoea for which it is indicated. It may be beneficial in all varieties ; the general symp- toms of the patient must, to a great extent, be our guide. Dr. Hill mentions a " leucorrhoea of long standing cured during a week's 224 NEW REMEDIES. proving," and another case of "leucorrhoea, and chronic inflammation and congestion of the uterus, cured during the proving, while no other symptoms were observed on the provers until the disappear- ance of the uterine disease." Believing in the local, as well as gen- eral action of a drug, I would advise it to be used both topically and internally. The lower dilutions seem to act most beneficially. It is now more than sixty years since it was claimed by Stearns, in the American Herbal, to have an especial affinity for the uterus, particu- larly over the menstrual function, and Dr. Tully regards this claim as well established by the experience of New England practitioners. As a parturifacient, it was in general use among the Indians in the early settlement of this country. Bigelow speaks of it as an active agent in facilitating parturition ; and Tully says he has known many cases where it has produced abortion in pregnant females, when pre- scribed for a cough. The evidence on this head is far more full and satisfactory than in regard to its emmenagogue properties. Prof. Lee says : " It is believed to exert a specific influence on the uter- ine contractions, lasting longer than that of Ergot, and followed by less torpor and greater susceptibility and capacity for action in the uterus than before its employment. Its operation, also, is not attended by that deleterious and stupefying influence on the fcetus which often follows the administration of spurred rye." It is doubtful if the Ergot acts medicinally upon the fcetus at all. It is the continued, unintermitting pressure of the uterus upon the child, or the cord, which causes the coma or asphyxia in the infant, before birth. " Af- ter delivery, also, it has been extensively used for the purpose of inducing firm uterine contraction, expelling the placenta, and check- ing post-partem hasmorrhages. For this purpose a drachm of the saturated alcoholic tincture should be given every half hour, or oftener, until the desired effect is produced." This knowledge of the uterine-motor action of Cimicifuga should be appropriated by homceopathists. They are capable of making much more valuable use of such knowledge than the adherents of other schools of medi- cine. The homoeopathic school gladly avail themselves of the use of Ergot, in slow and difficult labors arising from an atonic condition of the uterus, or perverted function. I cannot give my assent to those mythical relations of the effects of Sccale third or thirtieth, in caus- ing uterine contractions when deficient during labor—the proof is not sufficient. I consider the Cimicifuga, as well as Secale, Caulo- phyllum and other drugs possessing similar powers, as being seconda- rily homoeopathic to conditions of uterine inertia. To explain: The primary action of Ergot in moderate medicinal doses is to cause contractions, more or less persistent, of the muscular tissues of the uterus. Under the continued action of the drug these contractions will become more intense and firm, until, from over-stimulation, an opposite condition or muscular atony obtains. Now, this latter condi- tion, with its accompanying symptoms, is a secondary effect of the drug, as much due to pathogenetic action as was the primary. When, in practice, we meet with similar conditions, i. e., when the uterus, after vain and powerful efforts, becomes exhausted, Ergot is the CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA 225 proper remedy, if the primary symptoms correspond with those of the drug, viz : persistent and unintermitting contractions. But if the uterine atony be caused by Ergot, then that medicine will not answer our purpose, and we must resort to Cimicifuga, Caulophyllum, Uva ursi, or galvanism. Secondary states of uterine muscular atony may be brought on by all the last named agents, and for this reason they will all be found useful in similar morbid conditions. The dose which should be used in such cases should be as large as can be given with safety to the patient, and just large enough to arouse the torpid mus- cular tissue. My theory of dose, and which experience strongly sub- stantiates, is, that for symptoms which simulate the primary effects of the medicine selected as the remedy, minute doses should be admin- istered ; but larger doses for symptoms simulating its secondary effects. In resorting to the Cimicifuga, in atonic labors, we need not give the massive doses of the eclectic school—doses which tend to bring on secondary exhaustion. I have found five to ten drops of the mother tincture, every fifteen or twenty minutes, to be amply suffici- ent to bring back or arouse the deficient vitality of the uterus. But there is an opposite condition of the uterus which sometimes obtains during labor, a state of hyper-excitation, in which the normal uterine contractions are spasmodic, painful and intensely powerful, but inter- mitting, sometimes with cramps in the extremities, and a tendency to general convulsions. Here the Cimicifuga is primarily homoeo- pathic, and a small quantity of the third or sixth attenuation will suffice to restore the normal parturient action. This medicine will be found useful after labor, in producing firm contraction of the uterus, expelling the placenta, or checking post-partem haemorrhage. But I think for this purpose the Secale is to be preferred, because of its power to cause firmer and more persistent contraction. After- pains are often readily relieved by small doses of Cimicifuga second or third, or Cimicifugin third. 1 have used it with signal benefit in those cases which seemed to be kept up by a neuralgic disposition, or mental and nervous irritability, and the patient was sleepless, rest- less, sensitive and low spirited. Suppression of the Lochia is treated successfully with this remedy. When from a cold or mental emotion the discharge is arrested, uterine spasms and cramps in the limbs sometimes occur, accompanied with headache, and even delirium. A case of this character which came under my treatment, was relieved in a few hours by Cimicifuga sec- ond trit., two grains every half hour. Warm fomentations were applied to the abdomen and vulva, as should always be the practice in such instances. It is useful to relieve those bearing-down pains, indications of prolapsus, which women frequently suffer after severe confinements. It is eminently homoeopathic to a tendency to abortion. It has caused abortion in many instances, and is commonly resorted to for that purpose by reckless women, and advised by still more reckless physicians. It has been used successfully in those instances of " habitual abortion," with the result of preventing the usual mis- carriages in the second and third months. But unless the general symptoms correspond, Caulophyllum, Sabina, Tanacetum or Helonias, 15 226 NEW REMEDIES. will have to be selected. AVhen the chill, uterine pain, tenderness of the hypogastric region, and flooding have already set in, and the loss of the fcetus becomes imminent, the Cimicifuga, in small doses, may arrest the progress of the morbid process, provided the membranes have not become extensively detached. If the separated portion be slight, and the patient be kept quiet, and the proper remedy given, I believe it possible to prevent a further separation. If all hope of saving the fcetus be abandoned, and the uterus is deficient in expulsive power, then this medicine may be given, as recommended for uterine atony in labors. But no physician should rely alone upon medicinal action in such cases. The placental forceps and blunt hook should be used early and efficiently, to effect the entire removal of the contents of the uterus. Dr. Shide* gives cases illustrating its value in threatened abor- tion : " Case I. Mrs. G. H, mother of four children, had during preg nancy to run through the whole catalogue of ailments. The midwife was called three or four times, and had to stay often two days; and with headache, vomiting, fainting fits, etc., the last four months of her time were filled up. This spring she came under my treatment. I gave her a drachm vial of Cimicifuga®-, and told her whenever the bearing-down pains were felt, to pour about ten drops into a tumbler half full of water, and take a teaspoonful every five or ten minutes. With an occasional dose of Ipecac, this was all the treatment she received. Her health was very good. She was on her feet up to the last minute, and was delivered of a fine baby ; the labor lasting about twenty minutes. Her getting up was very good. " Case II. Mrs. W., mother of eight children. Prolapsus uteri for about five years. Was taken about the fourth month of her preg- nancy with false labor pains. Abortion was very likely to take place. I gave her Cimicifuga, with the same directions as above. One morning, sitting at the breakfast table, she had such a violent attack that she thought she should certainly miscarry. She had just time and strength to reach the bed, about four steps off, and fell down. Her daughter brought her the vial, she poured with trembling hands about a half drachm of the tincture in a cup of water and drank it out at once. To use her own expression, she felt the pains ebbing away. In an hour she was entirely well, got up and walked about a mile to a neighbor's house, where I found her. About four weeks after she had only one more and that a slight attack, which yielded to a few doses of the remedy, run her full time without accident, and was delivered of a healthy boy." In prolapsus uteri the Cimicifuga is recommended by all eclectic authors. But here, as in other diseases, it can be no general specific. When the prolapsus is due to congestion, general or cervical, cervical leucorrhoea, or comes on as a result of abortion, or getting up too soon after confinement; and when a deficient innervation seems to lie at the root of the difficulty, then this medicine will bo found an excel * American Homoeopathic Observer. CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 227 lent remedy. Dr. Morrow, who probably used this agent more than any other physician in this country, was very successful m the treat- ment of prolapsus by its internal and local application. It already stands high in the homoeopathic school in the treatment of uterine displacements. (Podophyllum, Caulophyllum, Helonias, and Ascle- pias tub., will also be found useful). In Ovarian diseases it will undoubtedly be found valuable. A medicine which exercises such profound influence over the reproductive organs must of necessity influence powerfully the ovaries. Dr. Cleveland recommends it for Ovaritis, and spasm of the broad ligaments (in the latter affection Caulophyllum and Magnesia mur. are specifics). In irritable uterus, next to Platina, Sabina, Aconite or Caulophyllum, it will be found the most useful remedy we possess. Some writers recognize a variety of epilepsy, having its origin in uterine disorder—the epileptic convul- sion being due to reflex action. This form of epilepsy generally occurs at or near the menstrual period. In such cases Cimicifuga has effected cures. It has also broken up the tendency to hysterical attacks occurring during the menses, also hysterical spasms due to uterine displacements after the womb has been restored to its normal position. In puerperal mania it has been found curative. la part 43, Braithwaitc's Retrospect, Prof. Simpson reports a case of Puerperal Hypochondriasis treated with tincture Cimicifuga. " A lady, the mother of several children, was twice tho subject of the most painful mental despondency a month or two after delivery. On one of these occasions she was confined in London, and had the advice of several eminent physicians ; but the disease took a very long and tiresome course, seeming to defy all remedies, and gradually and very slowly terminated. On the last occasion on which the attack occurred, this patient was confined under my care here, and went home to England, some weeks subsequently, perfectly well. She returned, however, in about a month, to Edinburgh, in the lowest possible state of depres- sion, a perfect picture of mental misery and unhappiness. I tried many plans to raise her out of this dark and gloomy state. All failed. At last, fancying from some of her symptoms and complaints that there might be a rheumatic element in the affection, I ordered her fifty drops of tincture of Actea, thrice a day. After taking one dose she refused to continue it, as the drug had a taste so similar to Laud- anum, and as all opiates made her worse. On being reassured that there was no opiate in the medicine, she recommenced it, without any faith, however, in the results, as she had in a great measure lost faith in all medicinal means. When I saw her next, some eight or ten days afterwards, she was altered and changed in a marvelous degree, but all for the better. On the third or fourth day, as she informed me, the cloud of misery which had been darkening her existence sud- denly began to dissolve and dispel, and in a day or two more she felt perfectly herself again, in gaiety, spirits and energy. But nothing would induce her to give up the Actea for six or eight weeks longer ; and the last time she passed through Edinburgh she told me that she 228 NEW REMEDIES. had prescribed her own remedy to more than one melancholic subject with nearly as great success as she had used it in her own case." The successful treatment of this case was rather a piece of luck than otherwise, [t is doubtful, first, whether there was any " rheumatic element " in the case at all; and second, the medicine did not cure by anti-doting any " rheumatic element," but by virtue of its power of causing a similar state of the brain, and of inducing similar symp- toms. This medicine has always had great reputation, not only as an accelerator in childbirth, but as a preventive of painful and difficult labor. Wishing to test its value in these cases, I have often given it to ladies whose previous labors had been slow and difficult, and gen- erally with excellent results. It is best to begin three or four weeks before the time of the expected confinement, and have the patient take a few drops of the first or second decimal dilution, or trituration, three times a day. During the last week the doses may be given every four hours. One case will illustrate the success attending ita administration, as it is the type of many others. A lady, the mother of three children, expressed great anxiety regarding her expected confinement. She was in the eighth month of pregnancy. Her pre- vious labors had been unusually severe, very tedious, painful, and accompanied by fainting fits, cramps, agonizing pain, etc., before the birth, and flooding, syncope, and many unpleasant symptoms after the expulsion of the placenta. She took, for nearly three weeks, about ten drops of Cimicifuga first dec. dil. four times a day. Labor came on at the proper period, lasted only six hours; was not painful nor difficult; there was no flooding, no fainting, and no cramps, and both patient and friends were agreeably surprised. She got up in nine days, and had a better convalescence than ever before. If this rem- edy was useful in this condition alone, it would still be invaluable to the profession. The editor of the London Lancet writes: "We are disposed to admit the correctness of the observations of American physicians who allege that it has a peculiar action on the uterus. In the irritable condition of that organ, often observed in patients for some time after menstruation has ceased, or irregular when about to cease, and marked by pain more or less periodical in the lumbar region, Cimicifuga affords rapid relief. In neuralgic pains, often met with in such patients, in other localities, it is cqualiy beneficial. Females at the period of life we are speaking of, frequently suffer from a distressing pain in the upper part of the head, recurring witli greater severity at night. These cases are very satisfactorily met by this remedy. Pains in the mammae, also, whether referable to uterine disturbance or to pregnancy, are relieved by the Cimicifuga very speedily." In phlegmasia alba dolens I would advise it on theoretical grounds; not having used it in that disease. Some of the symptoms of the drug simulate that disease very closely. Larynx.—Hoarseness, after rising; hoarseness; unpleasant full- ness in the pharynx; constant inclination to cough, for half an hour, caused by a tickling sensation in the larynx, ht 7$ p. m. An attempt CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 229 to speak is followed by an inclination to cough ; slight dry cough four or five times, produced by tickling in the larynx ; hoarseness in the evening; short dry cough, several times during the evening, caused by tickling in the larynx ; fluent coryza; cough, particularly at night, caused by tickling in the throat; very troublesome, hacking cough, of some months' standing. Clinical Observations.—The last two symptoms mentioned above are marked " curative " in one of the provings. In my expe- rience it has been used beneficially for coughs. It is well known that many laryngeal symptoms result from uterine irritation. The morbid excitation is transmitted through the medium of reflex action. The Cimicifuga is especially indicated in such cases, or when cough arises during pregnancy, or from amenorrhoea, etc. It is also useful in those spasmodic actions of the larynx occurring in hysterical females. Dr. R. C. McClelland, of Glade Mills, Pa., writes : " At present I am using the Cimicifuga racemosa in catarrhal coughs of chil- dren, especially at night or when coming in out of the cold; where the child moans and groans, and tries to smother the cough. It gives instantaneous relief. I use tincture or 1st dilution in water." f liCSt.—The pain in the head continued for ten days, followed by coryza, with sore throat and a gradual extension of the disease to the bronchial mucous membrane ; dry, short and hacking cough, night and day, continuing two weeks, which is uncommon, the prover not having had a catarrh or cold for several years ; acute pain in the right lung, extending, from apex to base, about two inches to the right of the sternum, aggravated by every inspiration, continuing for two hours, and gradually diminishing in intensity until after retiring; similar pain the next morning for half an hour, but much less severe ; lancinating pain along the cartilages of the false ribs, left side, increased by taking a long inspiration, soon after waking at three p. m. The same pain, very severe and piercing, so as almost to prevent inspiration for a short time, immediately after retiring, between ten and eleven, p. m., and continuing for half an hour ; soreness of the chest; cold chills and prickling sensations during the day, in the (female) mammas; prickling sensations in the breasts. Dr. Tully says it causes cardiac palpitations, which, though transient and fugi- tive, are often quite severe, with neuralgic pains through the chest. In Drs. Hill and Douglas' proving, we find—Stitches in the region of the heart, or in the heart, and pain in the left side of the chest. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Lee says " the Cimicifuga has been found a useful remedy in certain chronic affections of the pulmonary organs." Dr. Garden, of Virginia, was the first writer who called the attention of the profession to this article in this class of cases. Hav- ing observed its utility in domestic practice, he was induced to resort 230 NEW REMEDIES. to it in his own case, which he considered one of " gastro-hopatic, or dyspeptic phthisis," though the physical signs are not given. The principal symptoms were : a pulse of one hundred to one hundred and twenty, harrassing cough, purulent expectoration, pain in the right breast and side, hectic paroxysms, loss of flesh and strength, frequent hamoptysis, and great derangement in the functions of tho stomach and liver. No other medicine was taken except the Cimici- fuga, and to this, aided by a suitable regimen, the cure, which was completed within a few months, was wholly attributed. Other cases of tuberculosis are given where striking benefit was derived from its use. and where the disease was evidently arrested by it. Dr. Garden used it in his own and other cases in doses of "an ounce or two of the tincture of the root once or twice a day. The tincture was pre- pared with good rye whisky." He considers its effect on the head as the test of the extent to which it should be carried. Such gross abuse of a valuable remedy is worse than foolish. Just in the same manner does the dominant school advise Quinine to be given until it affects the head unpleasantly. But it is as unnecessary in the one as in the other. A few drops of the mother tincture, or lower dilutions, frequently repeated, will have a better and more lasting effect. Dr. Hildreth (allopathic) says : " In nearly every instance the pulse was reduced to near the natural standard, the hectic symptoms disappeared, and with it the cough and other signs of phthisis." In acute phthisis, uncomplicated with much inflammation, Dr. H. states that he has often seen the most prompt action from the decoction, in throwing off febrile excitement, or the hectic paroxysms, allaying cough, reducing the rapidity and force of the pulse and inducing gentle perspiration;. also, he has found it of the greatest benefit " in those intermittent congestions and inflammations, so frequent in the second and third stages of phthisis from atmospheric exposure." Prof. Lee says, " there is every reason to place considerable confidence in Cimicifuga in the early stages of tuberculosis, when there is a frequent hacking cough and other signs of the malady. We have used it for many years in such cases with much benefit, and have come to regard it a possessing almost specific power in allaying pulmonic irritability, thus abating cough, while it proves invigorating to the digestive organs. It speedily checks the diarrhoea and night sweats of phthisis." Dr. Wood thinks it proves useful in pulmonary complaints only by its allaying irritation through its sedative properties. Prof. Chapman has ranked it under the head of expectorants. This is all old school experience. But we have good reason, judging from our provings, to- expect much from this remedy in some pulmonary complaints. It cures cough, pains in the chest, dyspnoea, fever, night sweats, and even diarrhoea. My own experience with it in this class of diseases has not been extensive, yet I have cured some harrassing coughs, with pains in the chest, difficulty of respiration and general debility, with the lower dilutions. In diseases of the lungs, bronchia, etc., it ranks with Aconite, Bryonia, Arnica, and Veratrum viride. In pleurodynia it has been used successfully in many cases. A stu- dent came to me, complaining of a severe stitch between the sixth and CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 231 seventh ribs of the right side. It had seized him suddenly and was agonizingly intense. He stated that such attacks generally laid him up several days. He had usually taken Bryonia for it. Cimicifuga, first decimal, ten drops every half hour, effected a cure in twenty-four hours. Dr. C. C. Smith* reports a case of pleurodynia: The patient was a lady. " The pain was seated in the right side, and so intense was it the patient could not move at all without increasing the pain, causing her to cry out. She was lying upon her back pressing her hand against the affected side ; breath somewhat short, slight cough, no fever. Has had cold in the head for some weeks, but does not catch cold easily ; bears a good deal of exposure in bad weather with- out interfering with her general health, which is good. Dr. Smith prescribed Arnica 3d, no relief in twelve hours. Stopped the Arnica and gave Bryonia 3d ; took this latter remedy through the night, no relief till morning. Cimicifuga was then given—ten drops of the mother tincture in half a tumbler of water one teaspoonful to be taken every half hour until better, then every hour. The next morn- ing the patient left her bed well; improvement followed the first dose of the remedy." " In a case of real pleurisy in left side, in a young lady, I made up my mind to give the same drug a trial. Ten drops of the first dec. dilution in half of a tumbler of water cured the case promptly after a few doses. Pain had lasted all day, with some fever, and inability to take a full breath. I saw the patient in the evening, and found her well the next morning." Since the publication of the first edition of this work I have used the Cimicifuga racemosa very extensively in the treatment of pleurodynia and rheumatism of the muscles of the chest. I can confidently assert that it is far superior in these affections to Arnica, Bryonia or Nux vom. If fever is present I usually give Aconite alternately with it. I have, however, relied on the Cimicifuga alone, even if febrile symptoms existed. Dr. Inman asserts that in true pleuritis no pain is present, that the sticking pain usually felt is in the intercostal muscles. The proof he adduces is quite conclusive. Therefore, while Aconite is indica- ted for the pleuritis, Cimicifuga is more appropriate for the pain. Dr. Geo. Logan writes : " In consequence of imprudence after my primary efforts at skating, I was attacked with a severe pain in the left side between the fifth and sixth ribs ; it was so intense that the slightest effort to elevate the ribs gave me the most intense pain. Treatment: Aeon. 30, 3d, Bry. 3d modified the severity of the pain, but did not remove it after using them for 21 hours. Took Cimicifugin, 1st trit., every half hour until six powders were taken. After taking the fourth one I experienced a slight frontal headache, which became in one hour very intense, after the remaining two were taken, so much so that I could not sit still, must move about the office. Anxiety, with multiplicity of ideas crowding the mind ; nausea, followed by severe * American Uomceopataist, Vol, 1, p, 177, 232 NEW REMEDIES. vomiting. The following morning I was quite free from the pleuro- dynia. The primary symptoms of the drug in this case left me in doubt as to its homoeopathicity, but having used it in a subsequent attack, I am convinced that it will prove of great service in this disease. In a second attack of pleurodynia. " Very acute pain in the intercostal space between the fifth and sixth ribs. Treatment: Cimicifugin 1st cent. trit. Two powders removed the pain completely and it has not returned since." Dr. Neidhard reports the following case : James 0----, one of the three months men, returned from the U. S. camp on the Susque- hannah with a bilious remittent fever and a serious affection of the lungs. The symptoms were the following : Aching over eyes, pain in the head, from right side to the occiput, also pain in the back of the neck, with swelling and redness ; yellow thick coated tongue ; foul taste in mouth, with nausea; at first constipated, and afterwards yellowish watery diarrhoea, with purging ; difficulty of breathing, and cough, with yellow expectoration ; chills in the morning at 10 o'clock, lasting from two to three hours, followed by fever during the day, with cold sweats at night. From eating fruit he also had several times a violent diarrhoea, with bearing down pain and involuntary discharges, also coldness in the intestines all over ; obstructions of the pores. Veratrum viride and Sanguinaria canadensis had but indifferent effect on these symptoms. Of more service was Podo- phyllum peltatum, but it was not until I prescribed Cimicifuga race- mosa that the disease was entirely cured. A physical examination of his lungs showed decided symptoms of phthisis, which were subse- quently relieved by 01. Jec. aselli. Dr. T. C. Miller, (eclectic), on the contrary, writes : * "I must deny all power of the Cimicifuga in phthisis tuberculosa. If a phy- sician sets aside a careful use of the present diagnostic expedients, he may then mistake another disease for this formidable and incura- ble one." "Even in chronic bronchitis I observed no benefit. Sometimes I found cases where the liver was affected, secondarily, in consequence of an affection of the spinal marrow, and the case presented to me an external picture of phthisis pulmonaria, but auscultation and percus- sion found the chest in a normal condition, except a nervous palpita- tion of the heart and apparent induration of the liver. A careful examination of the spine showed the primary seat of the disease. Cimicifuga does not cure a primary disease of the liver, but some secondary affection." " We observe with some patients a very severe chronic cough depending on nervous debility. There we find the black cohosh an excellent remedy, unsurpassed by any other agent. In some of these cases which are of long standing, it requires Iron in alternation, as the blood is already affected." For those obstinate pains in the left side, which females so often * Tilden's Jour, of Mat. Med., p. 10. CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 233 complain of, this remedy is as nearly a specific as anything can be. Dr. Simpson (Obstetric memoirs, vol. 1, p. 27,) in a paper on the diagnosis of uterine diseases, mentions those " sympathetic pains in different and distant parts of the body," which are really reflex pains or neuralgias, caused by uterine irritation. Among these reflex pains are—" pain in one or both mammae," " pain under the left mamma and upon the edges of the rib on that side," "pains in the right side," pain in some of the vertebrae of the back, pain in the sacral and lumbar regions, pains in the abdominal parietes, and pains in the joints, extremities, head and face." For all these reflex pains, when dependent on uterine or ovarian disorder, there is no more useful remedy than Cimicifuga. But it is peculiarly useful in the " pain under the left mammae." It occurs more commonly in unmarried females, and is probably as frequent in cases of uterine affections, as pain in the shoulder is in hepatic affections. The pain is sometimes diffused along the side, but more usually it is limited to a small spot not larger than a half dollar. When it is not severe it is not affected by the act of respiration, but in more severe cases it is increased by deep inspiration, and many a poor patient has been bled, blistered, leeched, etc., over and over again, under the idea that it was an indi- cation of pleuritic inflammation." Dr. Simpson used the Cimicifuga in some of these severe and obstinate cases, and the pain rapidly sub- sided under its use. Diseases of the Heart may be cured or greatly palliated by Cimi- cifuga. The functional disorders of that organ, the palpitations, irregular action, etc., dependent on rheumatic or uterine irritation, are benefitted by this remedy. Incases simulating angina pectoris I have found it useful. In one instance, the pain, or rather intense anxiety about the heart, with pain in the shoulder (left) and extend- ing down the left arm, (the shoulder and upper arm feel as if " bound to the side")—all subsided under its action after taking three drops three times a day for a week. It has occasionally appeared since, but promptly disappears after a single dose of Cimicifuga, In one case of pericarditis following an attack of inflammatory rheumatism, Dr. Marcy observed excellent effects from the use of the third dilu- tion. It is better than Digitalis in heart affections, for while it con- trols abnormal action it invigorates the nervous system and the gen- eral condition of the patient. It does not interfere with digestion as does Digitalis. Dr. L. Walker of Michigan, related to me an instance in which the Cimicifuga effected rapid and permanent improvement in a case of evident disease of the heart, probably of rheumatic origin. As no physical examination was made the exact nature of the condition is not known. The history and symptoms of the case were as follows : "Rev. Mr. W., aged 65, on the first of November, was attacked with a severe chill, followed by high fever, nausea, pulse full, 90, intense pain in the head, back, and extremities. The pulse was irregular, but I was informed that it had been irregular in its action for twenty years, dating from a severe illness at that time, said to be a "fever." Two days afterwards he was better, fever subsided under the use of 231 NEW REMEDIES. Gelseminum, 1st dilution, but there was some pain in the cardiac region, with irregular but small pulse. Four days from the date of attack I visited him and found him with but little fever, pulse very irregular but small. The pain in the chest remained, and indicated Bryonia, which was prescribed. The next day the pulse was very irregular, now very rapid, then very slow, (like the pulse of Digitalis) the beats of the heart were synchronous with the pulse, but were labored and oppressed. The patient could not lie except with the head elevated. Dyspnoea only occurred when lying horizontally. He appeared very weak and depressed in spirits, but resigned. Arseni- cum seemed indicated, and was prescribed in the 3d trituration, in water. This medicine was given until the next day—24 hours, at which time no improvement had taken place, but rather the reverse. At this juncture Dr. Jeffries was called in consultation, who gave th« opinion that the " abnormal action of the heart was preventing the proper arterialization of the blood," and gave an unfavorable progno- sis. He advised that Aconite, Nux vom. and Gelseminum (2d) be given in alternation. These remedies were given for two days, with no beneficial effect. I then gave Arsenicum again, and continued it for several days, but still no improvement. I then studied the symp- toms of Digitalis and Spigelia, but could not decide to use them, and the patient was slowly declining into an apparent typhoid condition. I had just been reading the " New Provings,'" and the remarks relating to the action of Cimicifuga on the heart, had impressed itself on my mind. I determined to try its virtues in this case. It was therefore prescribed—ten drops of the first decimal dilution was mixed with half a glass of water, one teaspoonful every half hour for two hours, and then every hour for three hours. At the expiration of this time the pulse, which had not been improved by any other remedy, seemed to have increased in volume and force. The medicine was continued every two hours for twenty-four hours, when a decided improvement in the pulse was noticed, and the patient expressed himself as feel- ing better. There still remained great cardiac debility, any quick movement, or rising from the recumbent or sitting posture, would cause faintness and palpitation. The Cimicifuga was continued for about two weeks, with steady improvement in all the symptoms, or until convalescence was established. The irregularity of the heart's action continued, however, and probably will, as it was undoubtedly due to some organic disease of that organ." The action of Cimicifuga in this case was evident, and we may safely place it among our most valuable remedies in some diseases of the heart. The following case simulated angina pectoris : A woman aged fifty-five—ten years past her climacteric, plethoric, subject to neralgia, dropsical for years, presented the following symp- toms : Has just been relieved of a general dropsical condition by Apocynum cannabinum. During the presence of the anasarca she suffered much from cardiac oppression and palpitation, which I sup- posed to be due to hydro-pericardium. But on the subsidence of the dropsy the heart-symptoms became worse instead of better. I then learned that §htf nngg had ■'■ neuralgia of the heart"—so called by her CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 235 physician. Several times a day she is now attacked with intense pain in the region of the heart, great anxiety, livid or purple color of the face ; cold perspiration on the hands ; numbness of the whole body, especially the arms. The heart's action seems suspended by a sudden spasm, during the presistence of which she cannot make the slightest motion, but sits upright with a look of intense agony im- presed on every feature. She says the heart's action ceases suddenly, then a feeling as of impending suffocation sets in, the head is forcibly drawn backward by the cervical muscles, and she becomes finally unconscious. When she arouses, it is with palpitation of the heart, numbness of the arms, pain down the left arm into the hand, and a sense of complete exhaustion. I did not see her until she had several attacks. Arsenicum 3d was first prescribed, and was taken for two days,—no better. Nux vomica 3d for two days,—no improvement; thenNaja 30 for two days. Under the last remedy she grew worse. I then visited her. On physical examination, the heart's action appeared to be normal, pulse regular, but soft and quick. There was no water in the pericardium, and the heart was not hypertrophied. Cimicifuga-jV was prescribed, 5 drops every hour for six hours, then every two hours. She had a severe attack just before taking the remedy, and two slight attacks after the first dose. Two days after I was informed that no more paroxysms had occurred. Ten days afterwards and still no recurrence of the paroxysms. There has been much said by a certain class of physicians of our school, who seem to wish to ignore all new remedies, about the supe- rior success of and brilliant cures made by the early homceopathists with the old remedies. This case might have been cured by Lachesis, Aconite and other medicines, but the fact that it was cured by the Cimicifuga in a very short time, should be a rebuke to those who would gladly refuse to admit new remedies into the materia medica. Cases may arise for which none of the old remedies are indicated. In such cases, should the patient die for want of the specific remedy, where shall the blame rest 1 Back*—Stiffness of the neck ; drawing pain in lumbar region ; pulsating pain in the lumbar region ; in the morning, on bending the neck forward, he experienced a severe drawing, tensive pain at the points of the spinous processes of the three upper dorsal vertebrae, which continued for several hours ; trembling and weakness in the back; weak, trembling pain in the small of the back; same tired feeling in the back, extending from the region of the kidneys to the sacrum, relieved by rest and increased by motion ; dull, heavy aching in the small of the back, extending to the sacrum ; dull pain behind the right scapula; stitches in the back, below the right scapula; dull pain in the region of the lower dorsal and upper lumbar vertebrae ; pain below the left scapula ; pains as of boils on the back and extremi- ties ; cramping in the muscles of the neck on moving the head, first 236 NEW REMEDIES in the left, afterwards in the right side ; occasional slight pain in either scapula and right shoulder ; weight and pain in the lumbar and sacral regions, sometimes extending all around the body, some- what below the crest of the ileum ; rheumatic pains in the muscles of the neck and back ; a feeling of stiffness and contraction ; feeling of weight in the small of the back ; drawing pain in a single muscle between the right scapula and spine for some hours. Clinical Observations.—The Cimicifuga exercises an undoubted influence over the spinal cord, or its membranes, and for this reason is capable of curing many affections arising therefrom. In true spi- nal irritation, which is a functional disease of the spinal marrow, this medicine is of great value. In this disease the spinal tender- ness, and all the painful symptoms, are accompanied by no organic change in the cord or the vertebrae. " The cause of this disease," says AVood, " is not well understood. It occurs most frequently in women, and especially during the menstrual period. It would seem, therefore, to have some connection with the uterus. Of the exciting causes, changes in the weather are probably among the most frequent. Mental disturbance seems to be capable of inducing it. The most rational view of the nature of the disease, is that the affection is seated essentially in the ligaments of the vertebrae, and is generally of a rheumatic or gouty character. It is readily conceived that irri- tation may be propagated from this structure to the nervous tissue of the cord, or at least to the nerves which proceed from the cord, and receive as they pass an envelope of the diseased tissue." In this affection I use the remedy internally and externally. The Cimicifuga in drop doses of the first decimal—or Cimicifugin first decimal or one-hundredth, and apply a lotion of one part of the tincture to ten of water. Dr. Cleveland considers it specific for that painful affec- tion— crick in the back. This may be only a symptom of lumbago, but is in some cases due to a rupture of some of the fibres of those ligaments which connect the spinous processes. Dr. Simpson and the editor of the Lancet consider the Cimicifuga almost specific in lumbago. Our provings give us ample basis upon which to select this medicine. It causes nearly all the symptoms of lumbago, as well as rheumatism of the dorsal and other muscles of the back. It is homoeopathic to that affection which Dr. Inman so correctly describes in his work on " Spinal Irritation"—a weakness (atony) of the muscles attached to the spinous processes, etc. With regard to the dose to be resorted to in these affections, I would advise the low- est attenuations, for the reason that the rheumatic or neuralgic affec- tions are caused by Cimicifuga, secondarily. I have never received much benefit in those diseases from any dilution or trituration higher than the third. The physician should not hesitate in obstinate cases to resort to drop doses of the mother tincture. If we do get up a slight medicinal aggravation, it cannot do as much harm as the con- tinuance of the disease we are trying to combat. CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA. 237 Dr. H.B.Clark sends me the following clinical note on Cimicifuga racemosa: " J. M. R., set. 43. House carpenter. Strong, hardy looking ; brown hair and eyes ; grave, slow, unexcitable manner. "March 9th, 1865, consulted me in the following case:—Has been troubled with a lame back, at times, since boyhood. Otherwise been healthy, with exception of a rheumatic affection of the leg, last- ing a few weeks, some four or five years ago. For a year has been sufferino- from a pain rather obscurely located in the lumbar region of the back and in the abdominal walls opposite. The pain is dull and heavy generally, but sometimes is sharp. It is worse from standing or sitting erect. When bending forward it comes in the back, when squatting down it comes in the abdomen. It is worse from stormy weather and from a cold. Movement relieves temporarily; is also relieved by lying down. Suffers more when at leisure, sitting and standing about (as on Sunday) than when at work. Otherwise is well. Prescribed Cimicifuga tV, five drops three times a day. The patient beino- exposed to Variola was vaccinated at the same time. " March 18th.—Reports that the vaccination (which ran the usual course) made him quite sick, and that his back had pained him very much. Continued medicine. " April 6th.—Reports that while taking the medicine the back was much better, sometimes entirely relieved. Has been out of medicine for five or six days. Within a day or two, since a storm was threat- ening, has been very bad. Repeated medicine. "A month later he came voluntarily to inform me that he was com- pletely relieved after a week's use of the medicine. I have no doubt the relief was permanent." Superior Extremities.—Dull pain in the right arm, deep in the muscles, extending from the shoulder to the wrist, continuing during the next day; itching and redness of the dorsal surface of the right hand, in the afternoon, and especially in the evening ; a single pim- ple on the dorsal surface of the left hand, secreting a little pus at the apex, disappearing in three or four days ; itching of the dorsal sur- face of the left hand and wrist, particularly on the dorsal surface of the thumb, in the evening; small red papula first appeared, becoming, after slight irritation, a diffused redness, which disappeared in a few hours, but could be reproduced at any time by slightly irritating the surface. This symptom gradually disappeared in a few days. Dr. Tully says it causes neuralgic pains in the extremities. It has caused some pains in the arms, with a numbing sensation, as if a nerve had been compressed. These pains were first felt in the shoulder, and passed down the arm and then the forearm, producing a very pecu- liar, lame, numb, and sometimes cramping sensation, as in heart dis- ease. Similar pains in the legs, but more severe and constant in the 238 NEW REMEDIES. upper part of the thigh, about the hip joint and inguinal region (Sciatica.) Lower ExtremitieSt—Stinging in the left great toe, for a moment, on the lower surface, and afterwards on the upper, in the afternoon; dull, aching, burning pain in the second joint of the right great toe, .extending up the limb, continuing an hour, from eight to nine p. m,; (the same pain, less severe, on the third evening. Clinical Observations.—It has been used with benefit in Sciat- ica, and other rheumatic affections of the extremities. Dr. Marcy writes: " We have been in the habit of employing this remedy occa- sionally in rheumatic affections, during the past eighteen years. We have prescribed all doses, from the nauseous decoction of the old school to the highest homoeopathic attenuation, and good results have followed both forms of the medicine—although experience has long since taught us to rely upon the latter form. It is most serviceable in articular rheumatism of the lower extremities—with much swell- ing and heat in the affected parts. Like Bryonia, it exercises a special control over inflammation of serous membranes ; but its range of action, and consequently its applicability in rheumatic affections, are decidedly inferior to this drug." The Cimicifuga maybe inferior to Bryonia in its action on serous tissues, but it is far superior to that drug in its influence on muscular and nervous tissues. Bryonia does not cause or cure rheumatico-neuralgic pains, while Cimicifuga does, in an eminent degree. Bryonia has no influence over reflex- nervous pains, cramps, etc., while Cimicifuga controls many such abnormal manifestations. -----------►—♦—«----------- CISTUS CANADENSIS. (Rock-Hose.) Analogues.—Ampelopsis, Belladonna, Calcarea, Corydalis, Graphites, Hepar sulphur, Kali bichrom., Paris quad., Phytolacca, Stillingia. Botanical Description.—This plant is also known by the name of Frost-plant, Frost-weed, etc., because the roots throw off small white icicles, which can be seen on frosty mornings, even when all other plants already show little dew-drops, with all the colors of the rainbow. It is a perennial herb, with a simple, ascending, downy stem, about a foot high, at length shrubby at base. The leaves are alternate, from eight to twelve lines long, and about one-fourth as wide, oblong, acute, lanceolate, erect, entire, subsessile, tomentose beneath, and without stipules. The flowers are large and bright yellow, in interminal corymbs ; apetalous ones smaller, lateral, solitary or racemose, clustered in the axils of the leaves, nearly sessile ; cor- CISTUS CANADENSIS. 229 olla of the petaliferous flowers an inch wide, with five petals, crumpled in the bud, fugacious ; calyx of the large flowers hairy-pubescent, five ; of the small, hoary. Stamens of the large flowers numerous, decli- nate ; of the small flowers, few. Style short or none. Stigmas three-lobed, scarcely distinct; capsule smooth, shining triano-ular threc-valved, one-celled, opening at top, about three lines long ; of the apetalous flowers not larger than a pin's head; seeds angular, few, brown. The yellow flowers open in sunshine, and cast their petals by the next day. In Eaton's Botany (8th ed., 1840,) we find, page 263: "In November and December of 1816, I saw hundreds of these plants sending out broad, thin, curved ice-crystals, about an inch in breadth from near the roots. These were melted away by day, and renewed «very morning for more than twenty-five days in succession. P. 198, This has often been observed in the sand-plains two miles north of New Haven, Conn." Wm. Darlington, in his Flora cestrica (1837) says, pao-e 314 :__ "Prof. Eaton and Dr. Bigelow have noticed the formation in freezing weather of curiously curved ice-crystals near the root. I have seen them very beautiful in the Cunita mariana, and Mr. Elliott remarked the same in the Conyza bifrons." Has a satisfactory explanation anywhere been given of this most remarkable fact ? [I am kindly permitted by Dr. Hering to publish his very com- plete medical history and pathogenesis of this remedy. I have retained his arrangement of the symptoms and plan of designating the clinical observations, but have added a few of my own, after the general plan of the work. To the medical history I will only add that Rafinesque did not seem to value it very highly, as he merely remarks that " it is use.d by empirics for the cure of scrofula."] Medical History.—According to Noak, Cistus canadensis is not mentioned in Schcepfs Materia Medica Americana, nor in Bigelow's American Medical Botany. Can any of our colleagues give the earli- est quotations 1 It is an old, popular medicine in this country for all kinds of so- called scrofulous diseases, and had, after being introduced into Great Britain in 1799, gained such a reputation that it was cultivated from seeds. We may suppose, that in this way its reputation was lost again. Because, according to Darlington, it grows only on dry mica- slate hills and serpentine rocks, and is rare; according to Eaton it is abundant at the foot of Pine-rock, New Haven, on the barren plains. Thus, like Belladonna, which requires lime-stone ground, and 240 NEW REMEDIES. Pulsatilla, which requires a ferreous soil, Cistus canadensis seems to be dependent on the presence of talc (magnesia). If the analogy is allowable, we might conclude, it will follow the Magnesia as well as the Belladonna follows the Calcarea, and the Pulsatilla the Ferrum. These plants are often indicated by the correspondence of the minerals to a given case, and being often complementary to them, may thus be given by preference, where those minerals have already been administered with success, and vice versa. Dr. Ives, of Yale College, has given it with great success in scro fula, eruptions and other chronic diseases. Dr. Parrish also applied it with great effect. Favorable reports have been published by Dr Webb, of Madison County, and by Dr. Fuller, of Hartford. Dr. Tyler, of New Haven, Ct., published a treatise on it; some extracts from which, taken from the New Haven Palladium of March, 1852, have been given among the symptoms. In the years 1835 and 1836, Dr. G. H. Bute made the first prov- ings with the tincture and first centesimal potence. In scrofula cases, which had resisted even our antipsoric remedies, he made, led by the similarity of some of his symptoms with some symptoms of such cases, the first attempts to cure, and with great success even with the -piir- In tracheal complaints, where he had not succeeded with his first potence, he was obliged to' raise the potences to the 15th centesimal. Later, it was given with increasing success in the 30th by several homceopathicians. Lately most remarkable cures have been made by the 200th. A communication of Dr. G. II. Bute to C. Hering, of the first of January, 1837, was printed January 18th, in the Correspondenzblatt der homceopathischen Aerzte, No. 13, paper in quarto, published only, to save the high postage, among the members of the Academy at Allen- town, Pa. It was copied in Jahr's Manual, and from this by Noak & Trinks in their Manual, 1843, as well as Daphne indica and others; and on page 659, the most absurd remark was inserted : " part of the symptoms cured were not contained in the proving." This must be, as a matter of course, the case with every drug, even in some meas- ure with those most proved. By symptoms obtained on the healthy in proving, we get the first indication to apply it as a medicine; and if we succeed decidedly in cases with such a medicine, wc may after- wards also make use of the symptoms cured. According to Hahne- mann, the latter have a subordinate value, unless they are of a general character, as for instance in our Cistus; the great sensibility to the slightest draft; the remarkable appearance of bodily symptoms afttr CISTUS CANADENSIS. 241 vexation, &c. The absurd note mentioned above may have impeded the more frequent use of the Cistus and other valuable additions to our Materia Medica, as it contains the following remark, page 659 : " As the observations of Dr. C. Hering, because they had been made, as well on the healthy as on the sick, always with the highest dilutions and in globules, which is an equally ridiculous, useless and resultless experimenting—have been so little corroborated, we must withhold our confidence from the proving of this plant also," etc. This note, not written by Dr. Noak, but by the other editor of this manufactured compilation, was used and quoted as an authority by the ignorant, to the great injury of our cause. It was written by one who knew that his assertion was not true, because be had augmented his own Materia Medica by the provings I had handed to him of Plumbum, Cantharides, Sabina and Paris ; and by one who knew that I had made all my provings up to this time with the strongest doses or the lowest potencies, one single experiment excepted, the proving of the The- ridion. All the provings he objected to in his note as " ridiculous," have been made by others and not by myself, and have besides that, been made with the tincture and the first dilution. It is "useless " to say more, but I hope it will not be " resultless" in lessening the quotation of such an authority as the above mentioned compilation, which is only surpassed in ignorance and boasting by another, in the hands of a great many in this country. In the Model-Pharmacopoeia, made by order of the Centralverein, and prefaced and praised by the same Trinks,—not only in 1845, in the first edition, page 85, but also in 1854, in the second, page 99,—■ an inexcusable mistake is made, and our essentially different Rock- rose confounded with a common shrub, growing everywhere in Ger- many. If Gruner has made his tincture from the Cistus helianthemum or Helianthemum vulgare for the German homceopathicians, it is no. wonder they do not find it corroborate what we have observed from our American plant. The nearest relative to it is the old and once famous Resina Lada- nuni or Labdanum from Cistus creticus, Cyprius or Ladaniferus, now obsolete and hardly to be had genuine. We have to leave the prov- ing of this to our friends on the shores of the Mediterranean. The following indicates the various authorities for the symptoms: B. Dr. Bute's Observations. G. The symptoms of a very careful proving with globules of the X., by Dr. Gosewisch, (January 30, 1837,) (died in Wilmington, 1853). 16 242 NEW REMEDIES. * Indicates cured symptoms. R. R. Related reports by different persons. In all other cases the name of the observer is given. The numbers (1,) (15,) (30,) (200,) indicate the potence, RESUME. Mind.—* All mental excitement greatly increases the suffering. (1) B. * Bad effects from vexation. (1) B. * After supper, until bed time—cheerfulness. G. '"' Mental agitation increases the cough. (15) B. 5. * Every mental excitement is followed by stitches in the throat, producing a cough. (1) B. Headi—Headache all day ; oppressive. B. Pressure above the eyes in the forehead. B. Pressure in the glabella. B. Headache in the sinciput after being kept waiting for dinner, which is better after eating. G. 10. Headache in the right side, with piercing pain in the eye. 16. Generally the headache grows worse towards evening and lasts all night. (Puis) G. Coolness on the forehead. 172. * Head drawn to one side by swelling on the neck. 181. Eyes.—Feeling as of a weight above the eyes. B. 15. Pressure above the eyes. 7. Spasmodic piercing pain in the middle of the upper rim of the right eye socket, with some headache on that side. G. Stitches in the left eye. Feeling as though something were passing around in the eye, with stitches. B. * Scrofulous inflammation of the eyes of long standing. R. R. Ears.—20. Discharge from the ears of water and bad-smelling pus. B. * Discharge from the ears. (15) B. Inner swelling of the ears. B. High swelling beginning at the ear and extending halfway up the cheek. B. Inner swelling and discharge from the ears. B, 25. * Tetters on and around the ears extending into the external meatus. C. Hg. Swelling of the parotid glands. 170. Nose.—Sneezing without cold in the head or any other cause. B. * Evenings and mornings frequent and violent sneezing. B. Cool feeling in the nose. 45. 30. Burning sensation in the left nostril. B. The left side of the nose grew painfully inflamed and swollen. (Cured by Sepia.) B. * Painful tip of nose, which at first grew worse and then was cured. G. Face.—A feeling as though the facial muscles would be drawn to one side. B. Heat and burning of the facial bones. B. 35. * Flushes of heat in the face. (1) B. Half way up the cheek, swelling beginning at the ear. 23. Vesicular erysipelas in the face. B. * Caries of the lower jaw. B. Lupus exedens on the mouth and nose. R. R. CISTUS CANADENSIS. 243 Teeth.—40. Twitching-sittching toothache in a decayed molar tooth in the left upper jaw. G. * Very scorbutic gums, swollen, sep- arating from the teeth, bleeding easily, putrid, disgusting. (15) B. TongUC. —" Dryness of the tongue and roof of the mouth. (1) B. Sore tongue, as if raw on the surface. B. Continuous soreness of the tongue as if raw. B. 45. Immediately after taking a dose, (10 o'clock, a. M., X 000,) the tongue grew cool, then the breath through the mouth and nose gave a decidedly cool feeling in the larynx and in the windpipe. Much saliva in the mouth, which is also cool. More mental calmness than usual, some sleepiness. G. Throat.—* Impure breath. (1) B. The coolness, particularly in the throat, continues all day. G. * Inhaling cold air causes pain in the throat. (1) B. * Inhaling the slightest cold air causes a sore throat, which he has not when inhaling in the warm room ; several ■cases. (200) Dr. Guernsey. 50. # A feeling of softness in the throat. (1) B. * Rawness, extending from the chest into the throat. 106. * A feeling as if sand were in the throat. (1) B. * The patient is constantly obliged to swallow saliva to relieve an unbearable dryness, especially during the night. (1) B. * Continuous feeling of dryness and heat in the throat. (1) B. 55. * Dryness of throat from 1.2 o'clock noon, until 1 to 3 a. m., at night, then better until the next noon. Bigler. * A small dry spot in the gullet for one year, then general dryness of throat,—better after eating, worse after sleep- ing,—as if tearing asunder, the patient must get up and drink water. The inside of the throat looks glassy ; on the back of throat there appear strips of tough mucus. (Better in two days. Montague.) * Periodical itching in the throat. (1) B. * Tickling and soreness in the throat. (1) B. * In the morning sore pain in the throat and dryness of the tongue. (1) B. 60. * Tearing pain in the throat when coughing. 108. * Stitches in throat, causing cough whenever mentally agitated. (1) B. * Fauces inflamed and dry, without feel- ing dry ; tough, gum-like, thick, tasteless phlegm brought up by hawking, mostly in the morning. (30) B. Hawking of mucus which is lodged at the head of the windpipe. G. * Hawking of mucus. (1) B. 65. * Expectoration of bitter mucus. (1) B. * After dis- charging phlegm from the throat he feels generally much relieved. B. Stomach.—(Inclination for acid food.) B. (He wants cheese.) B. Thirst with the fever. 171. 70. * Drinking water relieves the dryness in the throat, 56. Cool eructations. 82. Eructation, with feeling as though it would relieve. 126. Frequent nausea. (1) B. •Cold feeling in stomach before and after eating. 32. 75. Immedi- 244 NEW REMEDIES. ately after eating, pain in the stomach. B. * After eating the dryness of the throat is relieved. (1) B. Better after eating—pain in sinciput. 9. Diarrhoea after eating fruit. B. After drinking coffee, diarrhoea. G. Abdomen.—80. Stitches in the left hypochondrium. B. In the morning on awakening, a bruised pain under the hypochondria, with flatulence. G. Before and after eating, a cold feeling in the stomach; cold eructations. G. Cold feeling in the abdomen. G. In the eve- ning the belly puffed up with flatulency. G. 85. Troubled with wind in the belly at night. 160. Flatulence and uncomfortableness in the intestines. B. Much flatulence and pain in the hypochondria. * The wind is not incarcerated as often as before. G. Towards evening flatulence. Last evening there was several times a discharge of wind as when air-bubbles rise in water. G. 90. Itching of the belly and umbilicus. G. Immediately after taking the dose, discharge of much wind. B. Towards evening violent urging to stool ; stool pappy. G. In the morning thin stool. G. Till daybreak very thin stools, squirting out, of a grayish-yellow color ; until noon three more discharges. G. 95. Diarrhoea lasting a short time. B. (The thin stools are hot.) B. Diarrhoea from eating fruit. B. After drinking coffee, a looseness of the bowels. G. (?) In the groin pain coming from the back. 123. 100. Frequent itching on the scrotum. G. Clinical Observations.—(By Dr. Hale.) Dr. Comstock, of St. Louis, sent me the following statement of its effects in chronic diar- rhoea.* " I wish to call your attention to the virtues of this plant as an empirical remedy for chronic diarrhoea and chronic dysentery. " A prominent gentleman of of our city, some twelve years ago, ead a chronic dysentery, and, in his own language, he had ' suffered many things from many physicians;" and his case was given over as hopeless by physicians of our school. Some friend induced him to try Frost-weed tea, which cured him in a short time, (some twenty- five days). This case came under my own observation, but at the time I did not give the medicine much credit. The gentleman him- self being a good talker, has recommended the remedy very exten- sively and with good results. I have used it in a number of marked instances of chronic dysenteric diarrhoea, (when all other remedies giveti, secundum artem, had failed,) with almost perfect succes. "I always give it in the form of a simple infusion, prepared fresh every day, in doses of two or three swallows, every two or three hours, or even oftener. I assure you it is worthy of further trials, and in several instances it has relieved me of a good deal of trouble and auxiety, and effected results that have indeed astonished me. I have used it a good deal and can now call to mind only three or four failures in all." * American Homoeopathic Observer, vol. 1, p. 122. CISTUS CANADENSIS. 245 ChCSt.—In the larynx and windpipe cool feeling. 45. * Feeling as if the windpipe had not space enough. 112. At night an itching and scratching in the larynx and anxious dreams. G. Itching and scratching on the outside of the throat in the region of the larynx. G. 105. # Pain in the windpipe. (1) B. * Feeling as of rawness, ex- tending from the upper part of the chest into the throat. (30) B. * Cough from stitches in the throat. (1) B. * Cough, with a very painful tearing in the throat. (30) B. * Cough, and her neck thickly studded with tumors. 119. 110. *'He bled at the lungs and his scrofulous symptoms had returned, 181. In the evening, a quarter of an hour after lying down, a sensation as if ants were running through the whole body, then anxious, difficult breathing. He was obliged to get up and open the window; the fresh air relieved him ; immediately on lying down again these sensations returned—two evenings in succession. B * In the evening, after lying down, and at night in bed, once a week or oftener, attacks of a kind of asthma ; he draws his breath with such a loud wheezing that it wakens others sleeping in the same room. He has the feeling as if the windpipe had not space enough. (30) B. Fulness in the chest. B. * Pressure on the chest. (I) B. 115. Pain in the chest and in the throat. B. Pain in the chest and in the shoulder. 126. Neck.—Glands on the throat swollen. 23. * Scrofulous swelling and suppuration of the glands of the throat. B. * Mrs. C, of deli- cate constitution, when nineteen years of age, was afflicted with a cough, and her neck was thickly studded with tumors, using the Rock-rose she was restored and has not been afflicted with any such symptoms since. Dr. D. A. Tyler, New Haven. Mamma?.—120. After partaking of it frequently in the form o£ tea for the sequela; of scarlet fever, it caused an induration of the left mamma, which was taken for cancer and operated upon. Lippe. * Inflammation of the left mamma, suppurating with a feeling of great fulness in the chest. Pearson. Back.—Itching on the back. G. Below the right shoulder-blade, extending around to the front of the body, was a very much inflamed spot about the size of the palm of the hand, painfully sore to the touch ; soon after pimples began to appear on this spot in a large group, they caused violent burning. Later, a pain went from this belt-like spot to the left hip and into the groin ; the pain was like rheumatism ; motion increased it. B. * Scrofulous ulcers on the back. (2) B. 125. A burning, bruised pain in the os-coccygis. G. 246 NEW REMEDIES, Shoulders and I'pper Limbs. —In the evening, violent pain in the left shoulder and in the chest, with a feeling as though an eructa- tion would relieve the pain. B. Pain in front of the right shoul- der. B. (154.) The right arm and back of the hand are painfully sensitive to the least touch. G. A sprained pain in the wrist—drawing, scraping. B. 2. 130. Pain in the wrists. 152. In the afternoon a bad pain in the right hand, so that he cannot use it. B. 154. In the hands, drawing trembling feelings. 152. Pain in the fingers of the right hand while writing. B. 135. Tearing in finger-joints, 155. Pain in the finger-joints. The pain in the arm extends to the tip of the little finger—periodically, a very sensitive, piercing, drawing pain, so as to draw up the little finger. G. The tips of the fingers were very sensitive to the cold; the pain becoming more intense when they grew cold. G. Tetter on the hands at first much increased, and afterwards much improved ; little blisters, itch- ing, oozing after scratching, with a hot swelling of the hands. They were not on the back of the hand or on the joints or knuckles, but on all other parts. R. R. Lower Limbs. —140. * A lad seven years old had the " white- swelling" of the hip for three years. The bone was dislocated upward and outward ; there was a large opening on the hip, leading to the bone, into which I could thrust my finger. I counted three ulcers. He had been under several physicians who had given him up. After using a decoction of the Rock-rose, in two days his night sweats ceased; thirty-nine days after he was entirely well. Dr. J. II. Thompson, Philadelphia. Pain as from a blow or shock in the left buttock, going down on the inside of the thigh bone, distinctly felt in the knee-joint, and spasmodic drawing together of the calf of the leg. G. Drawing, trembling feeling in the lower extremities. 152. While walking a violent pain in the right thigh. B. Pain in the knees and in the right thigh when walking or sitting. B. 145* Pain in the knee, coming from the thigh. 141. Pain in the knee-joint. Tear- ing in the knees. 155. Pain in the knee in the evening. 152. Spasmodic drawing together of the calf of the leg. 141. 150. In the evening a sharp, piercing pain in the right great toe. R. * Cold feet. (1) B. The Whole Body.—Involuntary drawing and trembling feeling in the muscular parts of the hands and lower extremeties, with pain in the wrists, fingers and knee-joints. B. Pain in all the joints. B. In the evening pain in the knees, in the right hand and left shoulder. B. 155. Always, on repeating the dose, a drawing and tearing in CISTUS CANADENSIS. 247 all the joints, particularly in the knees and finger-joints. B. A bruised pain in all the limbs, as if from fatigue. Trembling with the fever. 170. Sensation as if ants were running through the whole body, in the evening, a quarter of an hour after lying down, then anxious, difficult breathing. 111. Sleep.—Very restless at night the first night; the next night slept well. G. 160. Very restless at night, pain from flatulency; he could move the wind with his hands and hear it. G. Anxious dreams. 103. * In the night swallowing of saliva on account of dryness. 53. * Must get up in the night on account of dryness in the throat. * The dryness in the throat worse after sleeping. 56. 165. * On awaking pain under the hypochondria. 81. * Night sweats. 140. Chill and Fever.—Chill succeeded by heat. 170. * Chilliness B. Cold feeling in the abdomen. 83. 170. Cold feet. 151. Violent chill succeeded by fever heat, with trembling accompanied by a quick swelling and great redness of the glands below the ear and in the throat. B. Heat with thirst, causing to drink frequently. B. Heat in the face. 34, 35. In a very warm room the skin grows moist; at the same time the forehead is not only externally cool, but also there is a feeling of coolness inside. G. Cold air causes pains in the throat. 48, 49. Skin.—175. Itching all over the body, without eruption. B. Itching on the abdomen and navel, 90 ; on the scrotum, 100. Vesi- cular erysipelas on the face. 37. Eruptions on the back, like zoster. 123. Tetter on the ears,* 25; on the hands. 139. 180. Furun- culi which commenced with a number of small blisters. Pehrson. Lupus on the face.* 39. * For scrofula, a popular medicine in North America. Mr. C, from a child, was afflicted with the scrofula, and had also glandular swelling on the neck ; at the age of sixteen he was much worse, had eight abscesses on the neck, three ulcers on the shoulder and three on the hips ; at forty years of age he had his head drawn on one side, and was unable to labor. After using the Rock- rose for four weeks, the ulcers broke, discharged and healed ; the tumor lessened in size, his head resumed its natural position and he went regularly to work. Later his scrofulous symptoms returned again and he also bled at the lungs, for which he used it again with the same beneficial results. Professor Ives. * Hard swelling around all her syphilitic mercurial ulcers on the lower limbs. R. R. Sides.—First in the left then in the right shoulder ; pain from right to left side, 12, 67 ; pain from Zoster. 123. 248 NEW REMEDIES 185. Pain in the left shoulder and right hand. 154. In the right eye-socket piercing pain and headache on the same side, 16 ; stitches in the left eye. 17. In the left nostril, burning sensation, 30 ; left side of the nose painful, 31 ; toothache in the left side. 40. In the left hypochondrium, 80 ; induration, (120,) and * inflam- mation (121) of left mamma. Right side below the shoulder blade, eruption on. 123. 190. Pain in the right shoulder, 127 ; and in the left, 126, 154, Right arm pains in (128), and in the right hand (128, 131, 154,) while writing. 134. Over the left hip pain, 155 ; and in the left buttock. 141. Right thigh, pain in, 143, 144; and in the toes of the right foot. 150. TIMES OF DAY. * From noon until 1 to 3 a. m., the dryness in throat is worse. 55. Afternoon, pain in the hand. 131. Towards evening, flatulence, 89 ; and urging to stool, 92 ; cheer- fulness, 3 ; puffed up with flatulency, 84; sneezing, 28! * wheezing, 112 ; on two successive days difficult breathing after lying down, 111; pain in the chest, 126 ; in the shoulder, 126 ; in the knee, 154; piercing pain in the toe. 150. During the night, swallowing saliva to relieve dryness,. 53 ; wheezing, waking others, 112; scratching in the larynx, 103 ; at daybreak, diarrhoea, 94. In the morning, thin stool, 93 ; sneezing, 28 ; * sore throat and dry tongue, 59 ; pain in the hypochondrium, 81; more ex- pectoration, 62. * All his symptoms worse in the morning. (1) B. Forenoon, diarrhoea, three times. 94. All day, headache, 6 ; coolness in the throat. 47. warm: and cold air. In a warm room moist, but cool skin. 172. Fresh air through the open window relieves the difficult breath- ing. 111. When growing cold the pain in the fingers increases. 138, Inhaling cold air causes sore throat. 48, * 49. TOUCH AND MOTION. The least touch increases the pain in the hand. 123. Repeatedly after lying down the difficult breathing recurs. 111. CISTUS CANADENSIS. 249 After lying down in bed, (fifteen minutes,) a sensation as if ants were running through the whole body. 111. When sitting, pain in the thighs and knees. 144. Motion increases the pain. 123. While writing the hand becomes painful. 134. While walking pain in the thigh. 143, 144. OTHER MEDICINES. Coffee causes [diarrhoea. G. Sepia cured a painfully swollen nose. 31. Belladonna, Carb. v. and Phosphor, acted favorably between repeated doses of Cistus. B. ----------.-*-•---------- COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. {Stone-Root) Analogues. —JEsculus, Arnica, Aloes, Dioscorea, Hamamelis, Hydrastis, Ignatia, Lycopodium, Sulphur. Botanical Description.—Stem smooth, simple, round, straight, one to three feet high ; leaves serrate, with broad teeth, pointed, long petioled, only two or three pairs, these cordate at base, broadly ovate, acuminate, surface smooth, with small veins. Flowers opposite, on long peduncles, with short subulate bracteoles, forming a terminal leaflless panicle with branched racemes. Corolla two-thirds of an inch long, yellow, (exhaling a strong odor, like lemons.) tubular at base, spreading above in two lips, upper lip very short and notched, lower lip lobed on the sides and fringed around. Stamens two, long, pro- truding, Aliments filiform, anther-oval, style protruding. Seeds often abortive, only one ripening. Root perennial, knotty, depressed, very hard, with many slender fibres. This plant is indigenous, found in rich, moist woods, from New England to Michigan and southward- It is the only species of the genus in the northern States. There are five other species but they are only found in North Carolina and the Gulf States. The C. canadensis flowers in July and September, at which time it should be collected and dried. The whole plant should be used in the preparation of the tincture, although we find only the root for sale in the shops. Officinal Preparations.— (1.) Tincture of the root and plant, and dilutions. (2) Triturations of the root, tincture, and Collin- sonin. Medical History.—" The Indians," says Rafinesque, writing in 1808, " used this plant chiefly for the healing of sores and wounds." The same writer mentions a species growing in Kentucky and Ohio, which is used indiscriminately with the C. canadensis, he calls it the C. augustifolia. Later botanists make no mention of this species. 250 NEW REMEDIES. From being used among the aborigines it passed into the hands of the whites, and was used largely in domestic practice, and by a few physicians who were not too bigoted to use indigenous medicines. The botanies, and afterwards the eclectics, adopted it into their materia medica. In the homoeopathic practice it was first noticed publicly by Dr. Carroll,* who recommended it in constipation, piles, etc. It is now considered one of our most reliable remedies in those disorders. Analyses of the plant show it to contain a volatile oil, a resiu, tannin, gallic acid, starch, gum, sugar, and a peculiar bitter neutral principle, Collinsonin, which possesses many of the medicinal powers of the plant. Alcohol extracts the constituents of the plant wholly, boiling water partially. Only a fragmentary proving has been made of the plant, and none from the Collinsonin. Dr. Lee writes : " The medicinal virtues of this plant have been pretty extensively tested in domestic, if not in regular practice, and it is regarded as tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, and diuretic. With some practitioners, it ranks very high as an alterative, especially in chronic affections of the genito-urinary organs, as cystitis, catarrh of the bladder, gravel, leucorrhoea. By the common people it is highly esteemed as a remedy for headache, colic, indigestion ; while many cases of dropsy have been reported to have been cured by it. Its influence over the secernent and absorbent systems is strongly marked. Like all aromatics, it produces an agreeable feeling of warmth in the stomach, increasing the force and frequency of the pulse, and the warmth of the surface ; while it diffuses a pleasant glow over the system, without any special influeuce on the cerebral functions. Its effects seem rather manifested on the organic and sympathetic systems and the capillary circulation." This is about as definite as an old school writer usually writes about any medicinal agent. It loaves the student in a state of pro- found uncertainty as to the real nature of its action. Let us be sin- cerely thankful that Hahnemann gave us a system of drug-proving, whereby we may escape from the uncertainties of old medicine. I have not been able to get an extended proving of this plant, but have noted some characteristic symptoms from its use, and have collected a good many clinical observations, which may serve us as a guide until. we obtain a good pathogenesis. " In the mountains and hills of Vir- ginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia," says Rafinesque, "this genus is considered a panacea, and used outwardly and inwardly in many disorders. It is used as a poultice and wash for bruises, sores, blows, falls, wounds, sprains, contusions, and taken like tea, for head- ache, colics, cramps, dropsy, indigestion, etc." It is, therefore used much as the common people in Germany use Arnica, which it some' what resembles in some of its general effects on the system. Head.—Slight fullness of the head ; throbbing in the head. Clinical Observations.—I am inclined to think it only useful in * X. A. Jour, of Horn., vol. 5, j*. 546. COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 251 gastric and hgemorrhoidal headaches. In headaches from indigestion I have known relief to follow promptly upon its administration. Gastric Symptoms.—Vomiting (from small doses of the fresh root); vomiting, with pain and heat in the stomach ; cramp-like pain in the stomach, with nausea ; sensation as of flatulence in the stom- ach ; rumbling in the stomach and bowels; agreeable feeling of warmth in the stomach, with general glow of the system ; increases' the appetite ; excessive appetite. Clinical Observations.—In indigestion, from want of tone of the stomach, and associated with constipation and haemorrhoids, it rivals Nux vomica. Both eclectic and allopathic physicians consider it a valuable remedy for the expulsion of flatulence and the relief of spasms of the stomach and intestines. Coe says (Cone. Org. Med.)« " no better remedy can possibly be had for the relief of cramp in the stomach, flatulent and bilious colics, and all spasmodic affections of" the stomach and back. Drs. Fowler and Carroll have found it promptly curative in many cases of indigestion, loss of appetite, etc. Intestines, StOOl, etc.— Constipation, with a good deal of flatu- lence ; sluggish stool, with distention of the abdomen ; heat and itch- ing of the anus ; haamorrhoidal tumors ; the haemorrhoids re-appear while taking the medicine for pulmonary haemorrhage ; loose, papes- cent stool; diarrhoea, with nausea. Clinical Observations.—It has a really wide reputation in affec- tions of the bowels and rectum. Coe says, " in diseases of the bowels and rectum it stands unrivalled. We have experienced its sanative influence in diarrhoea in our own person." It is useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, and cholera-infantum. The specific homoeopathic indica- tions for its use in intestinal disorders are about as follows : In diarrhea, when the discharges are mucus, or papescent, or watery, with cramp-like or spasmodic pains in the bowels, also vomiting or nausea. In the diarrhoea of children, so apt to be accompanied with colic, cramps, flatulence, etc., it has proved an excellent remedy (in the 3d dilution). In the so-called hemorrhoidal dysentery, it has proved curative in the hands of many of my correspondents. The discharges are of bloody mucus, and are accompanied with tenesmus, spasmodic tormina, expulsion of scybala, coated with bloody mucus, heat and burning in the rectum. In constipation it has been used very successfully by some of our best practitioners. Dr. Carroll writes : " In cases of habitual constipation it is invaluable, produ- cing not a mere transient relief, but correcting, apparently in a per- manent manner, the morbid condition of the digestive system. I say apparently, for, although I have tested its virtues with success in a good many instances, I have only known it for a year, and conse- quently cannot say how enduring its remedial action may prove. I may only say, that in my own case, having been for fifteen years suf- fering from the reactive effects of a series of cathartics administered with systematic cruelty during my infancy, I succeeded a little more 252 NEW REMEDIES. than a year ago in overcoming, by a month's use of the Collinsonia, the existing condition of affairs, and since that time I have not been obliged to recur to it for aid." Indeed, it has so far proved invari- ably remedial in all troubles depending on constipation. Dr. Fowler, in Cases I, II, and III, recorded below, gives its excellent results in obstinate and habitual constipation, associated with haemorrhoids. I have used it in several similar cases, and so far with the best results. " The most remarkable influences of the Collinsonia," says Coe, "are observable in haemorrhoids and other diseases of the rectum. The most inveterate and chronic cases are relieved, and frequently cured, by this remedy alone. We have known it to act promptly in sup. pressing haemorrhage from the bowels, (?) and in relieving those dis- tressing pains characteristic of haemorrhoidal affections." We have also from homoeopathic sources some valuable testimony relating to the curative power of Collinsonia in haemorrhoids. Dr.E.P.Fowler* writes: " Some two years since I remarked to a friend and patient that I was honored with a number of cases of obstinate hemorrhoids, and that I really wished that I possessed some means of curing them, without danger of entailing some more serious disorder. My friend replied that he could tell me of a remedy, and remarked that two or three years ago he was an absolute martyr, in fact crippled with hajmor- rhoids." The remedy was Collinsonia, and this patient was cured by the following preparation : A small handful of the chopped root was put into a quart of water, and it was boiled down to a pint. This he took three times a day,—a small wine-glass full. He was cured in two weeks. This gentleman added that he " had made some most remarkable cures among his friends." Dr. Fowler adds : " Upon his description of the root, I remembered having in early boyhood gathered from the woods some of the same kind of root for an old gentleman, who was by its use fully freed from haemorrhoids of over twenty-five years standing." Dr. F. reports the following cases : Case 1. " Mr. J. E. J., whose sufferings from haemorrhoids ren- dered his life almost a burthen, and completely disabled him from business. I gave him two or three handsful, and directed him to use it in the manner described to me by my friend. He commenced its use, but found that it acted as an emetic. I then told him to take a dessert spoonful twice a day. This he did without disturbance to the stomach, and in somewhat less than three weeks reported himself to us, to use his own words, ' the humble and grateful subject of a real miracle—cured.' About two months after he had a slight return of the old trouble, but after taking the Collinsonia four days, was again well. My attention was attracted to another feature in this case. For years the patient had been a victim of most resolute con- stipation, and never had relief without the aid of enemas ; and as these could not be administered without irritation and pain, the con- sequence was, that about four or five days were allowed to intervene between each time. The patient said that he was not more surprised at the rapid cure of such an old chronic complaint as the haemor- rhoids, than by the fact that the remedy had established a free and * N. A. Jour, of Horn., vol. 6, p. 8». COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 253 natural daily action of the bowels, which continued after the use of the medicine was suspended. Before the second attack he became again constipated, and was again relieved as before. He also attrib- uted a cessation of dyspeptic troubles and an increase of appetite, which was never more than indifferent, to the use of the drug. But, whether this may have been owing to the direct action of the dru<* upon the stomach, or whether it may have been a secondary effect from relieving the intestines, is, of course, difficult to decide." Case 2. " Was a gentleman afflicted with ' flowing piles,' who had submitted to almost every kind of treatment, both local and that addressed through the system, and invariably leaving the successive doctors' hands in a more miserable condition than he entered them. He had, in fact, come to consider medicine as a downrio-ht hiimbuo-, and came to me in a state of incredulity, only by having heard of some of the cures that I had made with Collinsonia. This patient was troubled with alternate constipation and diarrhoea, and the haem- orrhage was incessant, though not profuse. He was light complex- ioned, thin, nervous, and dyspeptic. I put him on one tablespoonful of the decoction three times a day. For the first week the action seemed to be almost wholly confined to the kidneys, and just as I was upon the point of considering the case non-amenable to the remedy, the renal action ceased, and the haemorrhoids began to be relieved. Gradually the bowels gaiued a regular, normal, peristaltic action, the appetite and power of digestion became improved, and at the end of eight weeks, the patient pronounced himself in every respect well—in mind, as well as body. Case 3d. " Was an engineer, of extreme bilious, nervous tempera- ment. He came to me for varicocele, which was considerable, and at times irritable. He had extreme constipation, and from various indi- cations I deemed his complaint consequent upon constipation, and having observed the effect of Collinsonia in this respect, I gave it to him in the same manner as I had done to the preceding cases. I do not remember the exact length of time that he was under my charge ; it was less, however, than four weeks, the action of the bowels became regular and natural, and the varicocele disappeared. This was about a year ago, and he has remained well since." Case 4cth " This case was a lady who suffered from a bad form of hcemorrhoids, also from terrible dysmcnorrhc&a. Gave her the Collin- sonia, as I had given it to the others, and at the end of six or seven weeks the h;cmorrhoids were gone, and she had been exempt from dysmenorrhoea. She has since had one or two slight returns of haem- orrhoids, but which have rapidly yielded to a two days' use of this remedy. In this case there was almost constant diarrhoea and loss of appetite ; the diarrhoea ceased, and the appetite became, as the lady thought, 'quite indelicate.'" Dr. Fowler found it "an excellent remedy for the tenesmus of dysentery." "So far as my experience goes, this root seems to be a prime remedy for hcemorrhoids, dysmen- orrhoea, constipation and dyspepsia, in fact it seems to be soothing to ^ all inflammation of the lower viscera." ■254 NEW REMEDIES. "U.S."* reports a case of constipation of five days' continuance, in an old man of 71, accompanied with retching, eructation, coughing of tough grayish mucus ; cured with Collinsonia in thirty-six hours. In my own practice I. have found the Collinsonia a valuable remedy in constipation, flatulence and haemorrhoids. One case of the latter affection is of sufficient interest to mention : A gentleman of middle age, a book-keeper, of sedentary habits, standing most of the time at the desk, and an inveterate smoker, applied for relief from the following symptoms : Slow digestion, not constipated, alvine evacuations, soft, once a day. Severe weight in rectum, with an intense irritation, itching, and a sensation in the rec- tum as if sticks, sand or gravel had lodged there. Small tumors pro- truded from the anus, but were not very sensitive, without bleeding. In the morning the symptoms were alleviated, but were aggravated as the day approached evening, when the irritation becomes intol- erable, often preventing sleep until a late hour. JEsculus hip. was thoroughly indicated, but I wished to try the Collinsonia. Having none of the tincture, I prescribed Collinsonin, 2d trit., one grain every four hours. In three days all the symptoms vanished. I gave him some pellets of iEsculus to take if the Collinsonin failed to relieve, but he did not use them. Dr. Holcombe remarks, in a paper on "Medicines and Doses,"f that the late Dr. Stewart, of Natchez, used to call the Collinsonia a " trump card " in congestions of the pelvic viscera. Dr. Holcombe states that he has verified its importance in obstinate cases of haemor- rhoids and leucorrhoea. Prof. G. W. Barnes writes me: "The Collinsonia canadensis has been employed by me with success in several cases of haemor- rhoids. The symptoms most indicating its use in connection with piles are constipation and pains in the epigastrium. I have known this last symptom to arise from the use of the tincture in two cases, and have known it to disappear in other cases from the use of the remedy, in the 2d decimal dilution." Urinary Organs.—" For the first week its action seemed to be almost wholly confined to the kidneys."—(Fowler). Probably in increasing the amount of urine, as it is a diuretic. Clinical Observations. — King says, "it is used in gravel, catarrh of the bladder, and urinary disorders." Jones k, Scudder record that it is esteemed diuretic, and has been used in dropsies, and chronic diseases of the urinary passages ; it is reputed lithon- triptic, but we doubt its capability of dissolving urinary concretions, although it may be serviceable in allaying the irritation caused by them." Prof. Lee says it is a " valuable alterative in chronic dis- eases of the genito-urinary organs." Some patients of mine have related to me some extraordinary cures by means of this remedy, of "gravel," of which they were once victims. What the real disorder was I could not determine, although from the description of the * Amer. Horn. Observer. t U. S. Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. 1, p. 232'. COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 255 patients it must have been some chronic affection of the kidneys or bladder, in which calculi were present. We may safely deduce, from our actual knowledge of its virtues, that it will be found more useful in chronic than acute affections of the urinary organs. It will prob- ably prove useful in chronic cystitis, urethritis and nephritis ; also in affections of the bladder arising from diseases of the rectum. Genital Organs of Women.—Dr. Carroll thinks that it is capable of producing abortion in the early months of uterine gestation. Clinical Observations.—It is said to be curative in some forms of leucorrhoea. It has cured, in the hands of homoeopathic practi- tioners, leucorrhoea, prolapsus, dysmenorrhoea, etc., as the following cases will show. It will strike the critical reader, however, that nearly all the abnormal conditions of the uterine organs were really dependent upon diseases of the rectum or bowels, as constipation or piles, and that when the Collinsonia removed the latter diseases, the uterine disorder disappeared. It is too often overlooked by the care- less and unobservant physician, that a prolapsus or retroversion may be caused by constipation ; a pruritus or leucorrhoea, by haemorrhoids, and even a congested cervix by an acute or chronic dysentery. It seems very probable that it will be found curative in vicarious men- struation, when the substitutive bleediug is from the haemorrhoidal veins. In amenorrhoea from congestion of the uterus and pelvic viscera, it may be found beneficial. In menorrhagia from the same cause, it will prove equally useful. Abortion may be prevented by its use, when that accident is impending, as a result of constipation, piles, etc. I am not prepared to believe, however, that its action on the uterus is direct. Dysmenorrhoea.—We cannot find any recommendation for the use of this drug in painful menstruation in the literature of the allopathic schools, but it appears to have been used successfully by homceopath- ists in that affection. Dr. A. L. Carroll,* of New York, says : "In dysmenorrhoea its action is most powerful—so powerful that I am led to believe it capable, during the early periods of utero-gestation, of producing abortion. In no instance that has fallen under my notice, has it failed to relieve promptly this menstrual derangement, which is so common among all classes of women in our climate, and 1 am convinced that when more extensively known it will be found a speci- fic in this form of disease." Dr. Fowler, (case four) under the head of Haemorrhoids, reports a cure of dysmenorrhoea, complicated with piles, loss of appetite, and constant diarrhoea. Dr. Snelling adds his testimony to Dr. Carroll's, in regard to its efficiency in dysmenorrhoea. "There is no doubt," he remarks, " that it exercises a strong specific influence over the female organs of generation, as we have also seen distressing symptoms of pruritus, and prolapsus of the womb yield under its use. "A lady aged about 35, unmarried, had suffered for a long time past with all the distressing symptoms of a uterine prolap- sus, complicated with pruritus, dysmenorrhoea, and most obstinate constipation. She had been for some time under the care of a dis - * N. A. Journal of Homceapathy, vol. 5, p. 546. 256 NEW REMEDIES. tinguished practitioner for the prolapsus uteri, who, after relieving the more urgent symptoms, and restoring somewhat the tone of her system, told her that her only safety lay in avoiding constipation, and to this end prescribed a cathartic pill, which was to be taken as occa- sion required. Under this course she was gradually but steadily retrograding. Each recurring menstrual period brought its days of acute suffering, and confinement to the bed. Every movement of the bowels was accomplished only by the aid of a strong cathartic, and this had come to be an act of suffering and dread from the painful prolapsus of the womb at these times. The bowels refusing to act, it became necessary frequently to repeat again and again the opening pills, before their torpor could be overcome, and then a quick suc- cession of copious and debilitating liquid stools would leave her pros- trate for days. She thus alternated between a state of absolute inaction of the bowels, with its traiu of attendant evils, and the exhaustion consequent upon hypercatharsis. April 3d.—She was put upon three grain doses of Collinsonia can., one quarter trit., three per diem, with directions to abstain from the use of the habitual cathar- tic as lono- as was possible for her to do so ; no other change whatever was made. Twenty-four hours had elapsed since the bowels had moved. Slight pains at times in the back and uterine regions, with distressing pruritus. Appetite small, pulse normal. April 5th.— Natural movements of the bowels without other assistance. No other effects. April 7th and 8th.—Healthy movements from the bowels. April 10th.—Much improved in every respect; constipation entirely removed ; symptoms altogether so marked better that the medicine was discontinued for one week. During this week the monthly turn passed over with much less than the usual amount of suffering, though some imprudence in diet was followed by colicky pains in the abdomen ; these, however, passed over. At the end of the week the constipation having somewhat returned, the remedy was resumed, followed in twenty-four hours by a natural movement from the bowels. The medicine was continued for one week and then given up. The relief was complete and permanent. No subsequent symptoms made their appearance, and a few days since she expressed herself as per- fectly and entirely well, " without an ache or a pain." During the course of the administration of the remedy, the pruritus, dysmenor- rhoea, and symptoms of prolapsus uteri, were quietly and completely removed." It may be that Collinsonia does not act specifically and directly upon the uterus, but cures congestions, pains, prolapsus, etc., by removing diseased conditions from other of the pelvic viscera. Dr. Cushing, of Lynn, Mass., reports relative to its successful use in pruritus : " Mrs. A., eight months pregnant, (fourth pregnancy), has violent itching of the genitals, parts badly swollen, dark red and protruding, cannot walk or lie down, is almost wild with the itching, looks haggard and an object of pity. At 11 a. m., dissolved a few No. 4 globules of Collinsonia 3d, in one-half a glass of water, ordered one teaspoonful every hour, with nothing external, as she had used washes, poultices, etc., etc. The itching increased till near evening, when it rapidly subsided, the swelling disappeared, the muscles con- COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 257 tracted, and so sudden was the change that the patient fainted. Feb. 10.—To-day the patient is about the house, no itching, no swelling, no soreness. Dr. Krebbs, of Boston, reports a complicated case of dysmenorrhea with constipation ; cured rapidly with this remedy.* Case 1st. On the 19th of November, 1864, I was called to see a young woman who was suffering from dysmenorrhoea and menstrual convulsions. She had been subject to these attacks at each menstrual period for the last four years, and had been under allopathic as well as homoeopathic treatment, without receiving any permanent benefit. The mother of the patient said that the homoeopathic medicines had helped her daughter the most in controlling the violence of the spasms. The convulsions were generally preceded by severe pain in the region of the womb, amounting to twenty and more, in paroxysms of fifteen, or twenty minutes duration, and requiring two or three persons to. prevent the patient from hurting herself. On further inquiry I was told that she was subject to extreme con- stipation, and that she would sometimes go a week or ten days with- out having a movement from the bowels. She had been treated by different physicians for prolapsus uteri, because some symptoms were indicative of that complaint. I will mention one : She was unable to walk, and had to be carried from the house to the carriage in the arms. After I had summed up all the symptoms, I concluded to give this patient Collinsonia, the third, one drop in twelve powders of sugar of milk, one powder every three hours, until better ; then one or two a day only. The next day I found the patient a good deal improved ; her mother told me that she had had two more convulsions in the even- ing, but that to-day she was uncommonly comfortable, because at other times she would usually remain in a stupor for twenty-four hours or more, and then come out of it with a severe headache. The same medicine was continued, one powder twice a day. In two weeks the patient called on me, saying that she had not felt so well for years, that her bowels were regular, free of all pain, and she could walk a mile or two, a thing she had not done for a long time. It is now about eight months since I prescribed the one drop of Collinsonia, the patient has remained perfectly free from the former menstrual disturbances, regular in her bowels, and able to walk from three to four miles daily. Remarks.—This seems to have been an aggravated case of consti- pation in which the Collinsonia acted specifically; the cause of the disturbance having been removed, return of health was the natural consequence. * Medical Investigator, vol. II, p. 112. 17 258 NEW REMEDIES. Genital Organs Of Men.—It has proved useful in gleet. It is indicated in spermatorrhoea from haemorrhoids and constipation. Dr. Fowler (Case 3d) cured a case of varicocele from the above mentioned causes. Respiratory Organs.—We find no extended mention in allopathic or eclectic therapeutics, of the use of Collinsonia in affections of the pulmonary organs. It has, however, been used in the new school with success. The following case, illustrating the use of Collinsonia in pulmonary hemorrhage was reported by Dr. Liebold, of Newark, N. J*—" On the evening of the 11th of August last I was called in haste to the bedside of Mr. G., an American, about forty years of age, who had just had the third attack of pulmonary hemorrhage under allopathic medication, in the space of four days. He had lost about a pint of moderately fresh looking blood each time, but this time more than previously. The history of the case was, that he had " inflammation of the lungs" two years ago treated allopathically. Up to this day he was comparatively well, :and could assign no cause for his present sickness. On the first day he got sick he passed blood per anum too, but not subsequently, With a short hacking cough, he raised almost without intermission and spat very tough and dark coagula of blood, as large as a bean, enveloped in viscid phlegm. Of course he felt somewhat uneasy in his chest, but had no pain. I put him on Hamamelis virginica for three days, but the hemorrhage returned twice, on the 12th and 14th, although diminished; the spitting of blood remained about the same. Then I gave Ferrum-aceticum ; for twenty-four hours, some hemor- rhage. Lycopus virginicus for twenty-four hours. August 16th. No better. Complains of great inconvenience from constipation. Gave Collinsonia canadensis one-fourth, one powder every three hours (having in view only its gentle laxative Dower). The next morning I was greeted, ' Well, Doctor, that is the right remedy, that will cure me,' and so it did almost. I say almost, for notwithstanding he took it up to the 25th, ' by and by, at longer intervals,' there appeared for the last four days, two or three times, blood in his sputa. The cure was completed by Cojiium 1st, in two days. Saw him well to-day. The Collinsonia can. acted in this case not in the least on the bowels, more on the kidneys, but developed an admirable carminative power. So also said a lady who took it for dysmenorrhoea, and who called them only by the name of ' wind powders.' Mr. Gr. never had hemorrhoids." * North American Journal, vol. 7 page 494. COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 259 [Since the preparation of the above article the following Proving was presented by "W. H. Burt, M. D., to the Western Institute of Homoeopathy, at its third Annual Meeting, held at Cleveland, May 23d and 24th, 1866. The resume and clinical observations following are also by Dr. Burt.] PROVING BY W. H. BURT, M, T>., OF LINCOLN, ILL. April 27th, 1866. In perfect health ; bowels move once a day, moved this morning at 7 a. m. Tongue clean, good appetite. My temperament is sanguine nervous. iEt. 30, weight 145 lbs. 11a. m., took half an ounce of the third decimal, prepared in water from the second alcoholic dilution. In half an hour dull pain over the eyes, with pressing pain in the right temple ; distress in the umbilicus, and eructations of air. 12 m. Dull frontal headache, with tearing pains in both knees, passing down the inside of the legs to the feet while sitting ; neuralgic pains in the superior maxillary bone when in the open air. 2 p. m. Dull frontal headache, with frequent rheumatic pains in the arms, hands and legs. 3 p. m. Dryness of the nostrils, with frequent sharp pains in the right temple, and dull aching dis- tress in the stomach and bowels. 4 p. m. Sharp, cutting pains in the stomach for five minutes while sitting down ; no more symptoms. April 28. Slept well, but feel languid. 10 a. m. Took half an ounce. 12 m. Dull frontal headache, with frequent flying pains in the legs ; slight nausea, with distress in the stomach and bowels. 9 p. m. Great lassitude, with desire to sleep all day; no stool. April 29. Awoke with dull headache, and a feeling of great lassitude, which lasted all day, with great desire to sleep ; no stool. April 30. Feeling languid, took half an ounce of the second deci- mal dilution in water. Produced constipation for two days, with a feeling of great languor. May 1. Took twenty drops of the tincture prepared by Dr. E. A. Lodge. At 5 p. m., thermometer 56, strong west wind. 7 p. m. Light colored, lumpy stool, with hard straining, followed by dull pains in the anus and hypogastrium for half an hour. 9 p.m. evere nau- sea, with hard cutting pains in the hypogastrium, and frequent emis- sions of flatus from the anus,—lasted one hour, when I went to sleep. May 2. Awoke twice in the night with sharp, cutting pains in the hypogastrium. Awoke at 4 a. m., with severe cutting pains in the hypogastrium, and great desire for stool. Stool first part hard and lumpy, last part run from bowels thin as milk, with severe pains in the hypogastrium, accompanied with s r aining, severe nausea and fainting. The pains continued for fifteen minutes, when it was followed by another copious watery stool, with the same symptoms of the first. Went to bed, slept one hour, when I awoke with great pain 260 NEW REMEDIES. in the hypogastrium and desire for stool. Stool of bile, mucus and yellow matter, accompanied by severe tenesmus, and followed by hard, cutting pains in the bowels. Tongue coated yellow along the centre and base, with a rough, bitter taste in the mouth. Feeling very weak and faint. Face quite yellow around the eyes. S a. m. Since last stool have had severe, cutting pains in the hypogastric region every ten or fifteen minutes, the pains were so hard that I was com- pelled to sit down each time, and became very faint; stool of yellow faecal matter, mucus and about one teaspoonful of blood, with tenes- mus, and followed by sharp, cutting pains in the hypogastrium for fifteen minutes. 10 a. m. Small stool of mucus and blood, with tenes- mus, preceded and followed by sharp, cutting pains in the hypogas- trium. 12 m. Stool of bilious matter, mucus and blood, with the same symptoms as the last stool ; dull distress in the right hypochon- drium. Urine high colored and scanty. Nausea while sitting, with cutting pains every few minutes in the whole hypogastrium. 2 p. m. Cutting pains in the hypogastrium, with stool of bilious matter, mucus streaked with blood, and tenesmus, 10 p. m. All the afternoon and evening had cutting pains in the hypogastrium every half hour to one hour, that would last from two to five minutes at a time. Feeling weak. May 3. Slept good, papescent stool at 7 p. m., preceded by dull pains in the small intestines. 10 p. m. Dull pains in the umbilicus for five minutes. May 4. Mushy stool at 8 a. m. No more stools for three days, then natural stool. RESUME. Characteristic Peculiarities.—The pains caused by Collinsonia canadensis are most all situated in the hypogastrium, and are of the most violent character, accompanied with nausea, fainting and great prostration. [In sensitive subjects.—II.] Skin.—Skin yellow around the eyes. Sleep.—Great disposition to sleep during the day, disturbed at night from pain in the hypogastric region. NervOUS System.—Great prostration of the nervous system. Head.—Dull frontal headache, with inflammation of the bowels. Dull pains in the forehead, with frequent pains in the right temple. Dull frontal headache, with great lassitude, lasting all day, with great desire to sleep, also accompanied with frequent rheumatic pains in the arms, hands and legs. COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 261 IVOSC.—Dryness of the nostrils, with frequent sharp pains in the right temple and superior maxillary bone. Mouth.—Tongue coated yellow along the centre and base, with rough, bitter taste in the mouth. Gastric Symptoms.—Slight nausea with distress in th stomach. Nausea while sitting down, with cutting pains every few minutes in the hypogastrium. Nausea during stool, with fainting. Stomach.—Sharp, cutting pains in the stomach for five minutes, while sitting down. Dull, aching distress in the region of the stomach. Abdomen.—Rumbling in the abdomen. Awoke twice in the night with sharp, cutting pains in the hypogastric region. Severe colicky pains in the hypogastrium, with great desire for stool; sharp, cutting pains in the hypogastrium before, during and after stool. Severe colicky pains in the hypogastrium every few minutes, with nausea and fainting ; colicky pains in the hypogastrium for three days, with dysentery. The pains are so severe in the whole hypogastrium, every few minutes, that I am compelled to sit down to get relief. StOOl.—Constipation three days, then dry, light-colored lumpy stool, (from the dilutions,) with great lassitude and desire to sleep. Light colored, lumpy stool, followed by distress in the anus and pain in the hypogastrium. Stools are all preceded and followed by severe colicky pains in the hypogastric region, with more or less tenesmus. Soft, papescent stools ; stools of yellow, bilious matter, mucus, bile and blood, with tenesmus ; stools of mucus and blood, with tenesmus. Copious stool of yellow, bilious matter ; copious, watery stool, with nausea and fainting; frequent nausea with the stools. Papescent stool, with about one teaspoonful of pure blood ; a number of stools streaked with blood. Clinical Observations.—From the above symptoms, we learn that the Collinsonia will prove to be a most valuable remedial agent in the cure of colic, diarrhoea, both acute and chronic, and in dysen- tery. Since proving this remedy I have had the privilege of testing its remedial qualities in two cases of chronic diarrhoea, which I will recite : Mrs. M., aged 22, temperament nervous. Was confined eight months since, has had diarrhoea ever since; has from four to twelve stools a day, and averages about two at night; at times the stools are pure mucus, but most of the time they are composed of mucus and black faecal matter ; before stool has violent colicky pains in the whole of the lower part of the bowels ; has a good deal of ten- esmus, but not much pain after stool Has been treated by an eclec- tic physician in Chicago ever since her confinement, with varying 262 NEW REMEDIES. success. At times she would be much better, when she would be taken with nausea and vomiting, with severe colicky pains in the bowels, and a long train of hysterical symptoms, with frequent faint. ing. It was in one of those spells I first saw her ; the abdomen was very tender on pressure, She had had stools every half hour for twelve hours, with severe colicky pains in the umbilical and hypogas- tric regions ; had vomited four times through the day. Gave Collin- sonia, five drops of the tincture in half a tumbler full of water, one teaspoonful every hour. Next morning I found her much better; had not vomited any ; no stool through the night; had two this morn- ing ; now 9 a. m. The colicky pain has almost ceased. Continued same remedy every two hours ; had one more stool through the day; next day had but one stool; sat up most of the day. Took the remedy three days longer, when I discharged her cured. It is now sixteen days, she continues to have one natural stool a day, and says she is perfectly cured. If this lady remains permanently cured it will give me great confidence in the remedy. A. farmer, aged about 40, temperament bilious. Has had chronic diarrhea for the last eleven months ; stools papescent, of a yellow color, mixed with mucus ; has no pain in the bowels to speak of, but has severe tenesmus; has to sit sometimes half an hour at stool; becomes very faint after stools ; has constant pain in his groins, pass- ing down to the knees ; this is the only symptom that seems to trouble him all the time ; he says the pain is almost unbearable ; has about eight stools a day, none at night. Is much emaciated ; has a dry cough, which gives him a great deal of trouble ; keeps his bed most of the time. Gave Collinsonia and Colocynth in alternation every four hours ; has taken the medicine eight days and is about well since the third day ; has but one stool a day, which is about natural, excep- ting one day had three stools. The pain in the hips and legs has completely passed away. Rode forty miles yesterday, buying horses, which did not hurt him in the least. The Colocynth had something to do with the cure of this case, but I think the Collinsonia had more. I gave the Collinsonia two days to a returned soldier for chronic diarrhea that had lasted eighteen months, with no effect. His symp- toms were great emaciation, night sweats, dry cough, from four to eight stools a day, and two to four at night, with no pain; stools were mucus, undigested food and yellow fcecal matter ; with great thirst, and vomiting every night of sour food. Polyporus officinalis 1st, did great good for one week. Stools were all digested good, and only two a day, with no vomiting, but the thirst continued unabated. Gave Arsenicum, which is having a good effect. Liver.—Dull, aching distress in the right hypogastrium, with papescent stools, mixed with bile. Urinary Organs.—Urine high colored and scanty. Superior Extremities.—Frequent rheumatic pains in the hands, arms and legs, from the dilution, COLLINSONIA CANADENSIS. 263 Lower Extremities.—Severe pains in both knees, passing down to the feet on the inside of the legs. In the subsequent discussion at the third Annual Meeting of the Western Institute of Homoeopathy, on the proving, etc, of Dr. Burt, Dr. E. M. Hale called attention to its use in diseases oj the heart. He stated that Dr. Paine, of Philadelphia (Eclectic) had advised it in diseases of the valves following rheumatic carditis, and had reported several cases cured by the medicine. Dr. P. H. Hale related a case of valvular disease, following a severe and prolonged attack of acute rheumatism, in which he found the Collinsonia to give more decided relief than any other remedy. He gave it as follows : one dram of the tincture to one-half pint of simple syrup, a teaspoonful every four hours. Dr. Sheperd had used it successfully in a case of disease of the mitral valve ; the murmur had much diminished, the general symp- toms improved, and the patient was decidedly better. Dr. H. C. Allen, of Brantford, C. W., has also used it with bene- fit in a case of cardiac disease, in which digitalis, cactus, and other remedies had failed. Dr. E. M. Hale believed the Collinsonia acted primarily on the heart, and hence the portal congestion, dyspepsia, cough, hcemopty- sis, and even haemorrhoids, which was within its sphere of curative action. Dr. E. C. Franklin reports several cases of chronic, painful, bleeding haemorrhoids, cured in a very short time by the Collinsonia. COMOCLADIA DENTATA. (Guao.) Analogues.—Anacardium, Rhus toxicodendron, Rhus radicans, Rhus venenata, Rhus vernix. Botanical Description.—Leaflets substalked with an odd one, of sixteen fans, curvate at base, oblong, acuminate, prickly-toothed, smooth above, downy beneath. Racemes numerous and terminal, and belongs to the order Terrebintacse of Jessieu. Shrub from four to eight feet long, juice acrid, milky, becoming black by exposure to the air, and forming an indelible ink when applied to the skin or linen. The Comocladia dentata (Guao) belongs to the same family as the Rhus toxicodendron and venenata, and the Anacardium occidentale or Cashew tree. Lindley describes it as follows, {Flora Medica, page 288, § 598.) : " Anacardiacecz.—Comocladia dentata, (Guao). St. Domingo and Cuba. A tree, stem erect, not much branched. Leaves pinnated, shining and green above, with a round rachis six inches long ; leaflets six to ten on each side, with an odd one, oblong, acuminate, spring- toothed, veiny and somewhat downy at the back. Juice milky, glutin- ous, becoming black by exposure to the air, staining the linen or the skin of the same color, only coming off with the skin itself, and not removable from linen by washing, even if repeated for many years successively. It is supposed by the natives of Cuba that it is death to sleep beneath its shade, especially for persons of a sanguine or fat habit of body. This is firmly believed, and there can be no doubt that it is the most dangerous plant upon the island. Medical History.—The mediciual use of this plant has been mostly confined to the West Indian tribes, and to a few native physi- cians. The following notice of the plant and its uses appeared in homoeo- pathic literature several years ago, but the remedy has not had extended use in our school. General Effects.—" This plant is very common on the Island of Cuba, and is found growing on the sea-coasts and savannahs. My attention was drawn to it by its effects upon persons exposed to its influences, which are very similar to those produced by the Rhoes of North America. It produces violent itching, redness and erysipela- tious swelling of the face, hands and other parts of the body, followed by yellow vesications and desquamation of the cuticle—but all per sons are not equally susceptible to its poisonous operation, some can handle it with impunity, while others by merely touching it or passing near it are affected in a few hours after. In some instances COMOCLADIA DENTATA. 265 large sores and ulcerations remain, which become very difficult to cure. The fruit is eaten by some persons without producing very bad effects. The juice of this plant applied to the skin has different effects, according to the constitution of the person. On some it pro- duces only a black spot, and children often use it to mark their faces and hands ; but for some persons, especially those coming from a cold climate, its use is very dangerous,. It produces inflammation in the part touched with it, general malaise, fever and headache ; after a few days these general symptoms disappear, leaving only inflammation of the part, with deep, hard-edged ulcers, which discharge a thick, pur- ulent, greenish yellow matter, having a very peculiar fetid smell, the parts becoming in appearance similar to a piece of raw decayed meat, while the surrounding skin is covered with small shining scales. These local effects are generally cured by frequent applications of fresh lard, holding the part as close to the fire as possible. This treatment is generally sufficient, and after a few weeks the patient is well. Some persons are so easily affected by this poison that merely passing by this tree when the sun shines, and being of course in its shadow, produces swelling of the whole body, with high fever and stupefying, throbbing headache. I have seen some cases where chil- dren innoculated with this juice, for the purpose of having spotted hands, as they say, have been so intensely affected by it that the suppuration and other local symptoms having subsided, they suffered constitutionally some time. I have seen a case, among others, of a boy who was subject to occasional burning eruptions on the skin for some years after the innoculation. I have seen a case, too, of a girl inoculated when she was six years old, suffering from severe attacks of inflammation of the throat until the period of womanhood, when they ceased." (Howard.) Mr. Edward Otto, writing from Trinidad de Cuba, says : " The only thing I found here was dearly bought. The Guao is a tree from four to eight feet in height, with beautiful dark green leaves, having a brownish tinge around the margin. The blossoms are small, of a bluish brown, and hang like loose bunches of grapes at the points of the shoots, or even on the stem itself, as it has seldom branches. This tree is frequently found near small rivers, particlarly in barren and stony places, and in the savannahs ; some eight feet in height, it may be seen in the immediate vicinity of Trinidad, and no one ventures to cut it down, as its bad properties are so well known. In the savan- nah near the city, I saw on the J 2th of March, a specimen of this 266 NEW REMEDIES. tree four feet in height, in full flower. Quite delighted with the sight, I cut off the top, and also some shoots frpm another specimen, and laid them with the other plants which my negro carried. A dark brownish green sap flowed from the wounds and stained my hands. On returning home I arranged the collected blossoms, and found I could not remove the stains on my hands by means of soap and brush, and when I made the natives understand my grievance, they told me / might be glad to come off with my life, because, although some were only injured by touching the sap, others again by merely coming in contact with the tree, or by passing near it, have experienced fatal effects. About noon on the day I touched the sap I experienced a painful burning on my face and arms, and particu- larly about my eyes, and it became greater towards evening. My sleep was tolerably placid, but what was my horror on awakening to see my face most dreadfully swollen, my eyes projecting far out of their sockets, and I could only see a faint glimmer of light with the left. A tormenting itching and burning came over my whole body, and I found it quite time to send for medical aid. Bleeding, washing with water from a decoction of the blossoms of the malva, a bath, and twelve leeches on my eyes, were the expedients resorted to by the doctor; the swelling abated towards evening, and the fol- lowing day I was able to see. The swelling was quite gone in the course of a few days, and it was followed by the breaking out of a red color all over the body, resembling scarlet fever. I then had a bath, in which there was put a proportion of brandy. When the redness and burning disappeared I might have been taken for a native, as I could hardly be distinguished from a mulatto. I was told that this plant is usedofficinally in cholera and yellow fever, but in this respect I did not wish to renew my acquaintance with it." symptomatology. General 'Symptoms.—The general symptoms of this drug are well described in the foregoing " General Effects." Skin.—The effects of this medicine on the dermoid tissue are so minutely described in the foregoing paragraphs, that they need not be repeated here. Clinical Observations.—Magdalena Radriguez, a young girl about sixteen years of age, presented the following symptoms : Left side of tlm face swollen; left ear larger than the right one; all cracked, losing a substance very similar to finely pulverized starch. A consultation was held and the case was pronounced commencing malignant lepra, (Enfermadad de Lan Lazars). The father was advised by the doctors to take necessary steps to have his daughter COMOCLADIA DENTATA. 267 removed to the " Hospital de Lagarinos," a kind of lazaretto, where they confine for life, without regard to position, wealth or birth, the unfortunate victims of this terrible disease, so fatal and contagious is it, especially in warm climates. Under these afflicting circumstances the parents resorted to homoeopathy. The cure was effected in five weeks by the use of Guao in different potencies. In all vesicular eruptions this remedy will rival the different vari- eties of Rhus. In erysipelas, herpes, zona, etc., it will prove an admirable remedy. It is superior, however, to Rhus, from the fact that its effects are more intense, and tend to greater destruction of the skin and cellular tissue. It is homoeopathic to severe ulcerations, which Rhus is not, or but rarely. Sleep.—Restlessness at night; continual rolling from side to side; troubled dreams during sleep, talking about one's business. Head.—The head feels heavier about the forehead and eyes ; cannot describe the pain ; pain increased by the heat of the stove, and when stooping almost impossible to hold the head down. Relieved by being in the open air. Feeling of heaviness in the head in the morning ; shooting pains through the left temple, recurring at inter- vals for three hours, and at times for several days. At times feeling dizzy ; on arising from bed everything looks dark, motion relieves all pains, no pains when in the open air ; restless, cannot sit still, con- stant change of position because it gives relief. Clinical Observations.—" Corrosive itching of the head" has been cured with this remedy. It will be found useful in many erup- tive diseases of the scalp, erysipelas, etc. It will be noted that all the pains are relieved by movement, as in Rhus toxicodendron and others of that genus. Eyes.—Aching soreness in the eye-balls, which increased in severity during the evening, sometimes making me very dizzy, aggra vated by looking or moving the head, causing flow of tears. The eyes feel very heavy and larger than usual ; painful and pressing out of the head, as if something was pressing on top of the eyeballs, moving them downwards and outwards. Inflammation of the eyes. Edges of the eyelids inflamed and red, conjunctiva and sclerotic coat red, with great intolerance to light; would see from the right eye a red ring around^the light of the lamp, and in closing the right eye the ring disappears. Violent pain extending from the pos- terior portion of the right eye, through the head to the occipital pro- tuberance, with great soreness of the eye-ball ; very profuse lachry- mation, and sensation as if the eye was much larger than natural; the eye feels sore next morning ; soreness of the eye-balls during the evening ; fine stitches in the external canthus of the left eye, resem- 268 NEW REMEDIES. bling small needles, and moving rapidly from below upwards, lasting only a few seconds. Severe pains, at intervals, extending from the posterior portion of both eye-balls through the head to just below the occipital protuberance, with sensation of pressure on the superior surface of the eye-balls, seeming to move the eye downward and out- ward ; relieved by sitting quietly before a wood fire, aggravated by moving the head, by reading, by looking at a lighted candle and bright objects. Lachrymation constant, worse in the open air. Face around the eyes felt swollen, and the right eye-ball very sore, worse on moving the eye. The right eye very painful and feeling much larger and more protruded than the left; eyes dull and glassy, the vessels congested, the eye lids red, swollen, and just below the inferior tarsal cartilages the face is very much puffed out. During the day, in the open air, profuse lachrymation, during the evening the left eye worse than the right. Pains in the eyes increased by being near the warm stove, with profuse lachrymation, also when stooping; the eyeballs very sore, the right worse than the left; looking at a lighted candle makes the eye more painful, and causing profuse lachrymation ; eye- balls worse on moving them. Clinical Observations.—It promises to be one of our most reli- able remedies in some diseases of the eyes. Ears.—Dullness of hearing. Nose.—Itching in all that portion of the nose inferior to the bridge, internally and externally, continuing constantly until going to sleep; at night momentarily relieved by rubbing ; next day itching of the nose unabated, sometimes almost insupportable ; itching of the nose better in the open air ; worse in a warm room. Teeth and Jaws.—Aching pains in the middle molar teeth of the upper jaw of the right side, which increased and became of a twitch- ing character ; sensation as if the tooth was drawing out of its socket, putting the nerve on the stretch and then suddenly pressing intothe socket again. Pain shooting up to the temple of the same side; the tooth feeling longer than the rest, lasting until three o'clock p. m. Pain relieved by pressing on the jaw with the hand, and holding the affected side close to a hot stove ; aggravated by holding cold water in the mouth. Immediately after cessation of the toothache the head feels heavy and large. Aching in the bodies of all the teeth, lasting a minute and returning about every five minutes, with intermitting aching a half hour, with soreness of the eyeballs. Sensation as if all the molar teeth on the right side were loose, lasting thirty minutes, followed by a steady acbing and soreness in the gum and root of the COMOCLADIA DENTATA. 269 middle molar teeth of the right lower jaw. (Inflammation of the gums of the right lower jaw.) Sharp jumping toothache in the middle double tooth of the right upper jaw. Mouth.—Tongue coated in the morning, dirty yellow ; mouth dry ; appetite good ; bowels sluggish. Inferior lips blistered and swollen ; change of weather aggravates the pain. Swelling of the lower lip. Larynx.—Spasmodic dry cough at night, with tickling in the throat, and constant dull pain under the left nipple, extending through to the left scapulas. Titilating cough ; hacking cough in the day time and at night during sleep ; cough coining on while speaking. Stomach.—Constant heaviness in region of the stomach ; sour eructations about two hours after eating. Sick feeling at the stomach, which continues over an hour. Abdomen.—A pale red flush, as if an eruption would make its appearance, from the right hypochondriac region down to the crest of the right ilium, and extending two-thirds across the abdomen, beneath,.the skin is covered with papillae. Itching on the abdomen. The back and right side of the abdomen presented a broad streak of alternate white and red, extending up as far as the scapulae. Pain around the umbilicus, extending up to the epigastrium. Gurgling and uneasiness in the intestines, in the hypogastric region, accom- panied with emission of odorless flatus. Acute, sore pains, extending across the abdomen just above the umbilicus, affecting the breathing and lasting several minutes. Slight bubbling in the abdomen, as if wind there, and emissions of hot flatus. Abdomen feels swollen at times ; dull pains in the abdomen ; clothes too tight. Chronic ail- ments of the spine much aggravated, especially between the scapulae. Slight shifting pains in the hypogastric region. Distention of the abdomen. Genital Organs.—Continued tingling itching of the scrotum dur- ing the night. Intense itching on the lower part of penis, extending to the prostrate^gland, also on inner side of prepuce. Chest.—Acute pain in the left mammary gland, about an inch above the nipple ; sometimes throbbing, and at others as if the sharp edge of a small knife-blade was pressing on the spot with great force, increasing with intensity. A bruised, sore feeling of the ribs beneath wh«n pressing with the hand ; relieved by walking about, particu- larly by deep inspirations ; aggravated by expiration. Leaving the mammary gland, passed down the side to the spleen. Fine prickings in the costal cartilages of the eighth, ninth and tenth ribs of the right 270 NEW REMEDIES. side. Pain in the mammary gland ceases for an hour and then returns ; pain leaves a burning sensation in the glands, and presses down the right side of the chest and inner side of right'arm, then to the elbow down to the forearm and along the dorsal surface of second and third fingers, followed by pain in the carpus. Soreness in a small spot just below the ribs on the right ride. Pains in the left mammary glands recurring every hour. Itching on several parts of the body. Feeling of fullness and tightness across the lower part of the chest and upper part of the abdomen, as if nothing could move, and causing great difficulty of breathing ; feeling the abdomen swelled ; difficulty of breathing, worse in the morning while in bed ; better while mov- ing about in the open air. Heavy drawing pain in the left axilla extending through the shoulder, with sensation as if the shoulder would be drawn towards the neck, lasting for half an hour. Occa- sional digging pain in the center of the sternum, without; pains from within outwards ; axillary glands both swollen and sore, especially the left. Stinging, pricking pain between the nipple and axilla on the left side ; the whole chest feels sore, and in contact; flannel irri- tates without much soreness; breath continually oppressed ; cannot draw a long breath, on account of sharp pain felt in the centre of the throax, on left side. Red, hard pimple on the left side of the stern- um, painful when touched ; intense itching on the sternum. Tingling itching at the lower part of the sternum, and in the whole chest. Constrictive pain across the chest. Back. -Itching on the left scapulae, with sensation as if there were pimples there ; then on the right scapulae. Pimples on shoul- ders, containing white substances, and quite sore. Continual burning pain in the left scapulae, just above and posterior to the spine of scap. ulae. Small, round, dull red pimples on left scapulae. Pimples on back part of the neck and shoulders, some of them presenting a white appearance at the apex; no change of color by pressure with the fin- gers. Very short stitches in the popliteal space of the left leg, as if there were a dozen small pins shooting about in every direction, which were intolerable, without any relief by rubhing and scratching. After disappearance of these stitches, violent smarting in the parts, as if burned at a hot stove. Numb, tensive pain on inner side of the thigh, extending from the scrotum to the condyle. Aching, tensive pain in the interior and lower part of both thighs, the right more than the left, lasting over an hour in the left, and longer in the right thigh. By pressing the parts with the hand the periosteum feels bruised and sore. COMOCLADIA DENTATA. 271 Upper Extremities. —Small round, and dull, scaly, red pimples on the anterior and upper half of the right and left forearms. Itch- ing on various parts of the body, mostly on the extremities, more on the upper extremities. The itching is of a tingling character, increas- ing in intensity the longer it lasts ; relieved by rubbing or scratching. Better in the open air and during motion ; worse in a warm room, warm weather, and by rest. In the morning, dull, aching pain, extend- ing from a little above the left elbow down the posterior portion of the arm, dorsum of the hands, to the ends of the fingers, lasting over two hours. Relieved by exercising the arm ; tho arm feels numb when holding anything in the hand. Drawing, cramping pain in the middle of the palm of the right hand, extending to the tips of the fingers, except the thumb, as if the fingers would be drawn to the palm of the hand, lasting three hours and a half. Numb, tensive pain of the fore- arm, and rheumatic stiffness of the shoulders and elbow joints ; itch- ing shifting rapidly from place to place, for the most part proceeding from above down, particularly on the lower extremities, of a tingling character. Drawing, cranrpy sensation in the first phalanx of the ring finger of the right hand, and as if this finger would be flexed on the palm. This sensation seemed to move towards the metacarpo- phalangeal articulation, lasting about ten minutes. Drawing, cramp- like pain in the right axilla. Violent itching immediately below the right elbow, going off by rubbing, and returning alter ceasing rub- bing. Itching on the dorsum of the left hand. Itching between the metacarpal bones of the thumb and first finger of the right hand. Clinical Observations.—It has been found curative in the fol- lowing cases : " A dry erysipelatous eruption around the left wrist and eyes, with intolerable corrosive itching. Dry tettery erup- tion, in a woman, on both arms, extending from the elbows half way up to the shoulders, over the biceps muscles, with excessive itching after undressing ; on going to bed, and on scratching, would become very red and irritable, and burning." Lower Extremities*—Small, round and dull red scaly pimples ■on the outer and upper part of the calf of the left leg. Severe ting- liug itching on the left side of the scrotum, which continued for sev- eral minutes, shifting to the inner side and lower half of the left thigh, which seemed almost insupportable ; relief by rubbing. After leaving this part felt it just below the knee, on the inner side of the same extremity. A broad and alternate red streak on outer part of the right thigh. The redness disappeared by pressing with the fin- gers, and would return immediately on taking away the pressure. At intervals during the day, tingling itching along the lower extremities, 272 NEW REMEDIES. spreading over a space of three inches in length and one in breadth. Itching changes its position and is relieved by scratching. Itching on various parts of the lower extremities. Clinical Observations.—It has cured " erysipelatous inflamma- tion of the instep of the left foot of a woman seventy years old, fol- lowed by yellow vesication, and desquamation of the cuticle." CORNUS CIRCINATA. (Round-leaved Dogwood, Green Osier.) Analogues.—Baptisia, China, Chelona, Drosera, Hydrastis, Iris versicolor, Kali chloricum, Muriatic acid, Nux vomica, Nitric acid. Botanical Description. — A shrub from six to ten feet high, growing on hill-sides, near water courses ; leaves longer than in any other species, round-oval, abruptly pointed, wooly and white beneath, about as broad as long, wavy on the edges, opposite on the branches. Stem grayish, upright, with opposite, cylindrical, green spotted or warty branches. Flowers white, small, in flat or depressed cymes, without involucre. Fruit light blue, round, hollowed at the base, soft, crowned with the remains of the style, Is found all over the North- ern States, flowering in June. The bark, when fresh, is bright green; when dried is in quills, of a whitish or ash color ; its taste is bitter, astringent and aromatic. Meoical History.—The principal uses of this species in domes- tic practice have been for apthous and ulcerated conditions of the mouth. " Prof. Ives," says Rafinesque, " extols this kind, and says it resembles the pale Peruvian Bark." " An ounce of the bark yields, by boiling, 150 grains of an astringent and intensely bitter extract. In use it is found preferable to Columbo for diarrhoea and dyspepsia, but it is too heating in fevers." Wood, Stille, Lee, and nearly all the allopathic authorities, make but slight mention of this variety of Cor- nus. Prof. Ives was the first to use it, nearly forty years a^o. With characteristic want of accurate knowledge, they assert that all the species of this genus possess the same or similar medicinal virtues. The general effects may have some resemblance, but each has a peculiar action of its own, on the human system. The Cornus circinata was introduced to the notice of the homoeo- pathic school in 1855, by Dr. Marcy,* whose paper contained provings * N. A. Journal, vol. 3, p. 279. CORNUS CIRCINATA. 273 Dy Drs. J. W. Crane, Freeman and Fullgraff, as well as his own. The provings were made with the first, third and twelfth dilutions, and mother tincture. The doses ranged from five to one hundred and fifty drops of the latter preparation. One experiment lasted twenty days, one fifteen days, the others six and eight days. The pathogen- esis is a most thorough and reliable one, and it is a matter of suprise that our physicicians have not made larger use of the medicine, which may not inaptly be ranked among the polycrests. Dr. Marcy, in soma observations at the end of his paper, says : " We have taken especial pains to exclude all sensations and symptoms which might be consid- ered peculiar and natural to each individual. On this account a a goodly number of phenomena are omitted as of uncertain value." General Effects.—Dark and bilious stools, with griping and ten- esemus; dysenteric symptoms; bowel complaints generally, with pains in the bowels before, during and after the discharges; general debility, and impaired mental energy, with great drowsiness; bilious derangements ; dull, heavy sensation in the head; shooting, aching, or throbbing pains in the head ; disposition to perspire on slight exer- tion ; nausea, loss of appetite, bitter taste, lassitude ; symptoms resembling jaundice ; cholera infantum ; diarrhoea, with excessive debility and nervous excitability ; chilliness, followed by flushes of heat and sweat; sleep unrefreshing, and disturbed by unpleasant dreams ; diarrhoea, with great prostration of the whole body. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Marcy found it curative in all the conditions mentioned above. Skin.—Itching of the scalp, legs and feet, increased by scratching or rubbing, and succeeded by a painful burning sensation ; aggrava- tion of an habitual scurfy eruption of the scalp ; amelioration of a long standing herpetic eruption while under the influence of the drug ; occasional paroxysms of itching of the skin of the back, legs, and feet, mostly at night; fine scarlet rash on the breast, attended with itching; itching in various parts of the body ; burning sensation over the whole face ; skin covered with a copious clammy perspira- tion; itching around the genital organs ; itching and burning sensa- tion over the whole body ; pricking sensation in the arms and legs. Clinical Observations.—These symptoms would seem to bear out the popular belief that it is a good " blood purifier." Dr. Beach, a veteran of the botanic school, says : " it is valuable in salt-rheum, scrofula, cancerous humors, itch, and all cutaneous diseases." A sweeping assertion, truly ! It might be classed among our anti- psorics. Fever.—Flushes of heat, followed by easy general perspiration; chilly sensation, succeeded by transient flushes of heat; congestion of blood to the head and face ; throbbing pains in the temples and 18 274 NEW REMEDIES. vertex ; flushes of heat and coldness in alternation ; followed by cold perspiration; soreness of the scalp; aching pains in the eyeballs; rumbling of wind in the bowels ; stitches in the chest and under the scapula ; sense of debility and fatigue ; heaviness of the head ; drows- iness ; nausea ; dull pain in the forehead and vertex ; copious genera] clammy perspiration, succeeded by general chilincss ; transient flashes of heat pervading the whole body, with shooting pains through the brain ; heaviness of the eyelids ; peevishness ; aversion to meat and bread ; and itching of the legs, thighs, and around the genital organs; head and face hot; coldness, followed by flashes of heat and perspi- ration ; general itching of the skin ; loss of appetite ; drowsiness; and griping pains in the bowels. Clinical Observations.—In certain forms of bilious remittent fever, if the gastric and intestinal symptoms correspond, this medi- cine will be found useful. Professor Ives says this variety of Dog- wood resembles the pale Peruvian Bark. (C. lancifolia.) It is used in domestic practice as an anti-periodic. (See C. florida.) Sleep.—Profound sleep during the night; drowsiness and lassi- tude ; very great drowsiness, and disposition to perspire : sleep dis- turbed by frightful dreams ; very sound, but unrefreshing sleep; very great disposition to sleep, with entire loss of mental and physi- cal energy ; sleep disturbed by fullness and pressure in the head; sleepy, and weak during the day, with dull pains in the head, back, and limbs ; stupid and sleepy feeling, with nausea, and burning of the face, hands and feet. Clinical Observations.—Those physicians who have had to deal much with bilious disorders, will recognize the above symptoms as bearing a striking similarity to those which precede a bilious fever, hepatic congestion, jaundice, or even an ague. Should the totality of the symptoms correspond, it is quite likely that the use of the Cor- nus circinata will prevent the establishment of either of those affec- tions. Mind and SenSOrium.—Drowsiness ; confusion of ideas ; indif- ference with respect to subjects which usually interest; drowsiness, with entire disinclination to mental or corporeal exertion ; depression of spirits ; difficulty in fixing the mind, and in attending to ordinary business ; mind confused, stupid, with inability to concentrate it upon any subject, worse towards night; lightness of the head; great depression of spirits, and petulence ; very great disposition to sleep, with apathy and indifference ; feeling of indolence, and loss of energy; lassitude, confusion of ideas, vertigo ; giddiness, and lightness of head, worse on shaking it or on stooping ; dread of making any exertion. CORNUS CIRCINATA. 275 Clinical ObsePvVATions.—The suggestions offered under the pre- ceding paragraph, are also applicable here ; the stupor, indifference, etc., all resemble the premonitory symptoms of disordered conditions of the liver. In hypochondriasis it will be found curative, when arising from hepatic torpor. Head.—Dull, heavy pain in the whole head, with drowsiness, the headache increased by walking, stooping or shaking the head ; sense of fullness in the head relieved by a copious stool; dull pain in the forehead ; aching pains throughout the temples, and on the top of the head ; confused feeling in the head, and sense of fullness in the brain, with unusual heat in the head and face ; congestion of blood to the head and face ; throbbing pains in the vertex, and soreness of the scalp ; heavy, aching pains in the head, with almost irresistible desire to sleep ; drawing sensation (pain) from the back of the head to the nose ; dull, throbbing pains in the temples and side of the head; deep-seated, pulsating pains in the occiput and parietal regions; deep seated, pulsating pains in the occipital and parietal regions; deep seated, dull pains under the center of the skull; dull pain in the back of the head ; pulsations extending from the front to the back part of the head ; severe pulsative pains in the temporal regions, which passed off during the evening and night; heavy, confused feeling in the top of the head; slight, tensive aching pains through the whole brain; slight pain over the right supra-orbital ridge ; dull pain in the orehead and vertex ; flushes of heat in the head and face ; heat in the top of the head; head feels light and giddy, worse on shaking or on stooping ; shooting pains through the whole brain ; drawing pains in the back part of the head, and in the nape of the neck ; sense of fullness and pressure in the head, preventing sound sleep. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Marcy found it curative in cases when there was " dull heavy sensations in the head ; shooting, aching or throbbing pains in the head." It would seem to be indicated in various forms of bilious headache. One particular form of bilious cephalagia is well represented in the symptom—" sense of fulness in the head, relieved by a copious stool." Allopathic physicians noticed long ago that some forms of headache were relieved by free evacua- tions from the bowels, occurring spontaneously; This led to the use and abuse of cathartics in head affections generally. I have treated many cases of habitual headache, which were relieved naturally, by diarrhoea, in which the pains in the head and the subsequent diarrhoea symptoms corresponded well with the above. In such cases it should be tested. Eyes.—Aching pains through the eyeballs; heaviness of the eye- lids ; eyes sunken; yellowish tinge of the conjuctiva ; hollowness of the eyes ; dark circle under the eyes ; sense of weight around the 276 NEW REMEDIES. eyes ; very dull sensation over the eyeballs ; sense of contraction around the eyes ; syes dull and heavy, as after a debauch ; sore pain in the eyeballs. Clinical Observations.—The " aching pains through the eyeballs" are with some patients premonitory of an attack of ague, or a billious fever. We find it previous to a jaundice and bilious headache. The " yellow tinge of the conjunctiva" is often one of the first symptoms of jaundice. (See remarks under " stool") Dr. Beach says it is use- ful for " inflamed eyes." This is about as correct an indication as botanies usually have. Theoretically, I would strongly recommend it in ulcerations of the cornea ; ulcers of the conjunctiva, from scrofula, or apthous ophthalmia ; also for herpes of the eyelids. It should be used internally, and as a wash or collyrium. (See remarks under the head of " mouth.") IVOSC.—Itching of the nasal mucous membrane ; coryza early in the morning; prickling sensation in the nasal canal; severe prickling sensation in the bony part of the nose. Mouth and Throat.—Tongue covered with a thin, yellowish fur; insipid taste and clammy mouth ; tongue covered with a whitish fur, with dry mouth and throat; pungent taste in the mouth ; bitter taste in the mouth ; smarting in the mouth and throat; bad taste in the mouth, with loss of appetite ; white fur on the tongue, with desire for cold drinks. Clinical Observations.—The above symptoms are those found in bilious affections generally. But it is a little remarkable that no symp- toms of ulceration, inflammation, or aptha: of the mucous membrane of the mouth were elicited in this proving. Perhaps stronger doses would have caused more decided lesions, During the early part of my practice I was surprised, and sometimes mortified, at the facility with which my patients would cure " sore mouths," with the decoc- tion of the bark of the green osier, after I had vainly used mercury, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, and other remedies laid down in our books. In apthous stomatitis of children, and even in stomatitis materna, I have known it to effect a prompt cure, after all other means had been used in vain. Even in mercurial salivation it will arrest the diseased process, but not so surely and permanently as chlorate of potash. In ulceration of the buccal mucous membrane from a cold, or gastric derangement, and in that affection sometimes called " bilious sore throat and mouth," it has, under my observation, proved specific. Persons of a scrofulous habit are often troubled with frequently recur- ring ulceration of the tongue, gums, and mouth generally. Such patients I have known who always resorted to this remedy with a cer- tainty of absolute relief. One patient in particular always carried some of the inner bark in his pocket, and chewed it as a substitute for tobacco, alleging that if he suspended its use the " sore mouth" very soon returned. Another patient had this " sore mouth" occa- sionally, alternated with ulcers on the conjunctiva and cornea. At my CORNUS CIRCINATA. 277 suggestion he used the cornus as a collyrium with the happiest results. It may prove one of our most valuable remedies in all ulcerations of mucous surfaces. The infusion is generally made by pouring hot water upon the bark, in the proportion of one ounce of bark to one quart of water. For homoeopathic use, this method might answer in case the tincture was not readily obtained. A few drops of the mother tincture in half a teacup of water, would be about the proper propor- tion. I have rarely used the tincture, as the infusion is so easily made and readily administered. In order to test its virtues in minute doses, I once gave a child suffering under apthous ulceration of the mouth, the Cornus c, prepared as follows ; One drachm of the inner bark was placed in a vessel containing one quart of hot water. This was left standing one hour, then filtered. Nitric acid, Chlorate of Potash, Borax, had been previously used internally and locally. In twenty-four hours after using the medicine the mucous membrane began to assume a healthier appearance, and in about a week was quite well. The child was in ill health, and had had diarrhoea for weeks, and had become quite emaciated. Under the use of the rem- edy the diarrhoea ceased, and the general health decidedly improved. The dose was one teaspoonful of the above preparation every four hours. (No attempt was made to wash the mouth). Eclectic writers call it an "anti-scorbutic," and so far as my observation goes, it seems worthy the appellation. In this respect it is the analogue of the mineral acids, Baptisia, Kali chlor., Mercurius and Hydrastis. Appetite and Stomach.—Nausea, with bitter taste, and aversion to all kinds of food; empty feeling in the stomach, with tasteless eructations; aversion.to food, and desire for sour drinks; burning sensation in the stomach, which lasted an hour and a half; flatulent distention of the stomach ; nausea ; bitter taste, and a gnawing, faint feeling in the stomach ; heavy pulsations in the stomach, with nausea and impaired appetite ; pain at the pit of the stomach during dinner^ with distension of the stomach and bowels, relieved by a copious stool after dinner ; nausea, with great debility and eructations ; ful- ness and oppression in the stomach, with bad taste and dry mouth ; nausea, with bitter eructations and loss of appetite ; smarting and burning in the mouth, throat andstomach, with desire for stool; weak- ness of the stomach, with bitter taste and nausea; sensation of faint- ness in the stomach and bowels ; drawing pains from the stomach to the lower part of the abdomen. Clinical Observations.—Many of the symptoms of this drug, especially the gastric, closely resemble those of Nux vomica. It stands somewhere between Nux and China in this respect. It, has been used successfully in vomiting of pregnancy and in dyspepsia. Abdomen.—Slight griping pains in the abdomen, accompanied with rumbling of wind ; the pains penetrated the whole abdomen, 278 NEW REMEDIES. but were most severe in the vicinity of the umbilicus ; pressing down pain in the rectum during stool ; slight burning pain in the rectum during an evacuation ; pressing pain in the rectum, and smarting at the anus in the morning, during and after a thin and scanty stool; tenesmus at stool, with griping in the umbilical region ; rumbling of wind and large discharge of offensive flatus; urging to stool, with ful- ness and uneasiness of the bowels ; slight tenesmus, and considerable burning at the anus, after a bilious discharge ; abdominal pains more acute during stool; urging to stool, (sensation in the rectum) in the morning at five o'clock ; on taking more of the drug, this bearing down sensation extended to the bowels, increasing the disposition to evacuate. Stool accompanied with some tenesmus and burning at the anus ; distension of the stomach and bowels with wind ; constant working in the bowels, as if their contents were all in motion; shoot- ing pains from the center of the thorax to the lower part of the abdo- men, the pains coming on severely at intervals, and then remitting; distention of the bowels with wind, relieved by a copious, dark and bilious stool, immediately af/er dinner ; sense of weight in the lower part of the abdomen ; burning sensation in the stomach and bowels, with some desire for stool; urging to stool very early in the morning, but unable to accomplish anything satisfactory, the discharge consist- ing of a few slimy lumps, with pressing and smarting at the anus ; sensation of emptiness in the stomach and bowels ; drawing sensation from the stomach to the lower part of the abdomen. Clinical Observations.— No drug, except perhaps mercury, pre- sents a more formidable array of " bowel symptoms." Dr. Marcy says " its chief action appears to be upon the liver and intestinal canal. A marked influence is likewise exerted upon the brain, but whether the action of the drug is direct upon this organ, or whether the head symptoms proceed frem the bilious derangement induced by it, is a question. We have found it curative in all the intestinal symptoms found under the head of •' Generalities." " It was first introduced into practice as a remedy for bowel complaints by Prof. Ives, of New Haven, some thirty years ago. Its empirical use in the hands of this gentleman proved it to be a valuable remedy in bilious diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera infantum, and against the diarrhoeas peculiar to abdominal typhus." If it so promptly cures ulcerations of the mouth and fauces, why should it not prove just as much a spe- cific for the intestinal ulcerations, which are peculiar to this form of typhoid fever ? The result most to be feared in all inflammatory affections of mucous surface—as in inflammatory diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal typhus, etc., is ulceration. Had the experiment been car- ried far enough by the provers, we have no doubt this pathological condition would have occurred. The dysenteric symptoms did not proceed so far as to cause bloody discharges, yet any physician who CORNUS CLRCLNATA. 279 reads the above will perceive that it was only a question of time ; bloody evacuations would have soon been obtained if the drug had been continued in large doses, and if the prover had still persisted ulceration would have certainly resulted. We cannot come at any other conclusion than that the Cornus circinata will prove as valuable in a certain class of diseases as Mercurius, Leptandria, Podophyllum or)Nitric acid. In one case of dysentery in a child, where there was unmistakable ulceration of the mucous membrane of the rectum, the mother, by my permission, used an enema of a weak infusion of the green-osier. After using it a few times the pus disappeared from the stools, and the child suffered less. It had not improved under the use of Mercurius corrosivus 6th, and subsequently Nitric acid 3d. Would it not be well to try this form of application, as well as inter- nally, at the same time ? StOOl.—Slightly loose stool in the morning, accompanied with slight pressing down pain in the rectum ; stool thin and scanty, with burning at the rectum, and at the anus, during the discharge; thin, scanty and slimy stool, attended with griping in the umbilical region ; tenesmus, rumbling of wind and large discharge of offensive flatus ; copious, thin and bilious discharge, succeeded*by some tenesmus and burning at the anus, which lasted half an hour; dark, green, thin, and very offensive stools, accompanied by copious emission of offen- sive flatus ; bilious and slimy stool, with much wind, some tenesmus, and severe, burning pain at the anus, and a short distance within the rectum, which continued after the motion ; dark, thin and moderately copious stool, with some tenesmus, and a burning at the anus ; fre- quent, small, dark and slimy stools with much offensive flatus ; copi- ous, dark stool of the natural consistence, attended with "pressing- down sensation in the rectum ; large emission of very offensive flatus ; hard, dry and scanty stool, with pressing in the rectum ; stool, consisting of a few thin and slimy lumps, with pressing and smarting at the anus. (See remarks under " Abdomen.") Urine.—Urine scanty and red, or pale; sensation of fullness and weight in the region of the bladder; urine scanty and high colored, and frequent inclination to pass water. [ Genital Organs.—Strong and persistent erections through the night; increased sexual desire during the evening and night, with diminished power. Larynx and Chest.—Stitches in the chest and back ; stitches in the chest and under the right scapula; a fine scarlet rash upon the chest, attended with itching; sensation of dragging or bearing down on each side of the thorax, with accelerated pulsations of the heart; a sore, bruised feeling in the chest and back ; shooting ^pains from 2 SO NEW REMEDIES. the centre of the thorax to the lower part of the abdomen, severe at times and then remitting ; choking sensation in the upper part of the thorax; smarting in the mouth and throat; frequent inclination to take a long breath. Back.—Dull pain in the small of the back, with drowsiness and lassitude ; stitches in the back and chest; pain in the lower part of the back ; sore pain in the lumbar region, worse on bending forward or to either side ; occasional paroxysms of itching in the back, especi- ally in the evening. Upper Extremities.—Burning and itching sensation in the hands and arms : coldness of the hands, following a loose stool; prickling sensation in the arms ; stretching sensation in the arms, mostly in the evening and at night; sense of weakness and fatigue in the arms. Lower Extremities.—Weary feeling in the legs; itching in the legs ; weakness and weary feeling in the legs ; weakness and trem- bling of the legs ; itchings on the legs and thighs, and around the labia; burning sensation in the feet; coldness of feet, following a loose stool; tired feeling in the legs when walking or ascending stairs ; prickling sensation in the legs ; paroxysms of itching in the evening. CORNUS FLORIDA. (Dogioood. Boxwood.) Analogues.— China, Cerasus, {?) Ptelea, {?) Quinia. Botanical Description.—Common throughout all our forests conspicuous in spring-time by its festoons of large, white blossoms and equally so during the autumn, from its clusters of scarlet ber ries ; a handsome little tree usually about fifteen to twenty feet high. In this genus of Cornacece, there are about twenty species, of which America has, north of Mexico, eleven. The Flowering Dogwood is the most beautiful and showy plant of its genus. It is too well known to need description. Medical History.—The bark is officinal, though that of the root contains the greatest amount of the active principle. Eclectic writers CORNUS FLORIDA. 281 say : " The principle obtained from it is called Cornine, and has all the properties of Sulphate of Quinine." This loose assertion must be taken cum grano salis, like all similar assertions of the dominant school.' No pathogenesis of the Cornus florida has yet appeared. I propose, therefore, to collect what has been written of its therapeutic uses, and gather the few pathogenetic symptoms which are scattered through the pages of various authorities. We can, by these means, get some idea of its sphere of action, which will lay the foundation for rational clinical experience, and stimulate us to prove the drug, as Hahnemann did its great analogue, China. Prof. Lee* thus speaks of it: "The physiological effects of the Cornus bark are similar to those of the vegetable bitter tonics generally, viz : increased frequency of pulse, exalted tempera- ture, diaphoresis, sensation of fullness or pains in the head, and gas- tric derangement. Of these, the most strongly marked are the increased temperature of the skin, and the general perspiration. Some experimenters have observed a constant tendency to sleep, which has continued for several hours. This, as occurs;in many other cases, does not indicate any specific narcotic properties, but is the result of the cerebral fullness." Dr. Blackie says that it causes "severe headache, quickens the pulse, and produces violent pains in the bowels." Other writers give testimony in favor of the above statement. Here we have good evidence that the dogwood will cause febrile symptoms of a peculiar character. Who can doubt its ability to cause a type of intermittent, bilious, or remittent fever, with gas- tric and intestinal irritation ? Just such types of fever are found in the west, and may be treated successfully with Cornus. We have considerable testimony in favor of its value in intermittents. Eberle states that thirty-five grains of the bark are equal to thirty of Cinchona. Its effects are closely analagous to those of the Cinchona bark, for which it may often be successfully substituted. Lee says : " Our own experience with this article has satisfied us that most cases of our periodic or miasmatic fevers will yield to its judicious use." Prof. Barton says : " That it may be asserted with entire safety, that as yet there has not been discovered within the limits of the United States any vegetable so effectually to answer the purpose of Peruvian bark in the management of intermittent fevers, as the Cornus florida." Dr. Morton, who experimented largely with the bark, declares that in an extensive practice of many years he used no other remedy in * Jour of Mat. Med., vol. 1, p. 294. 282 NEW REMEDIES. intermittent and remittent fevers." Dr. Coe writes: "Its anti periodic powers render it of peculiar value in the treatment of inter- mittent and other periodic fevers. In such fevers we have employed it with much success. It is certain that Cornine has cured fever and ague when quinine has failed, and that in all cases when the latter cannot be employed, the Cornine answers as a substitute." In domestic practice, I have observed for many years that it was often more suc- cessful than quinine in certain types of ague. The country people generally make an infusion of uncertain strength, and drink of it during the apyrexia. If taken during the paroxysm it causes an aggravation of the fever, headache, etc. From its known effects when taken in large doses, as well as certain observations of my own, I would lay down the following indications for its use in miasmatic fevers : Paroxysm, preceded for days by sleepiness ; sluggish flow of ideas ; headache of a heavy, dull character ; nausea ; vomiting ; loss of appetite ; and sometimes bilious or watery diarrhoea; chill, with cold, clammy skin; nausea and vomiting, and violent pains in the bowels ; fever, with violent headache ; hot, but moist skin ; stupor; " cerebral fullness ;" pulse quick and hard ; confusion of intellect, etc. Apyrexia.—Debility, gastric irritability ; painful diarrhoea. In bilious remittent, and even typhoid fever, it may prove a useful rem- edy. It seems to occupy an intermediate position between China and Podophyllum. Lee admits that it will aggravate an existing febrile condition, but resorts to the usual false logic to explain its curative action: " A person in health may take the Cornus, as well as any of the other vegetable tonics, in moderate doses, and for a long time without any marked effects on any of the functions ; but taken in the same manner and the same quantities, in certain pathological states, as a general lowering of the vital forces and nervous energy, inde- pendent of organic disease, or when miasmatic poison has caused a tendency to paroxysmal attacks, the therapeutical influence of Cornus will be promptly manifested in a general invigoration of the vital for- ces and suspension of the paroxysms. Here, as in regard to Cinchona, we must be satisfied with the result, for the manner in which it is brought about must ever remain a mystery. In certain morbid con- ditions, as hectic fever or great debility, attended with frequency of pulse, and abatement of perspiration. This effect is common to all neurotic tonics, in certain pathological conditions of the body. It depends on their imparting increased tonicity to the muscular fibers of the heart through the organic nerves, thus enabling the central organ of circulation to throw out a greater quantity of blood at each CORNUS FLORIDA. 283 contraction. The cardiac irritability also is lessened by the temporary increase of tonic power and vital contractibility. On the contrary, if Cornus, and other analogous substances, be given in acute and sthenic conditions marked by those phenomena which are characteristic of inflammatory action, the circulation will be correspondingly increased by an increase of inflammatory action ; in both conditions, however, acting as a stimulant." The above is open to much just criticism. We will take up a few of his propositions. 1. A person in health cannot take Cornus, or any other vegetable tonic, for a long time, without any marked effect. His own statement regarding the effects of dogwood disprove it. Besides, the slightest knowledge of physio- logical processs teaches us that no tonic can be taken with impunity by a healthy person. We soon have an exaltation of function, then derangement of function, and, finally, more or less depressed condi- tion of the vital powers. 2. We are not obliged to remain in mystery relative to the action of Cornus and Cinchona. Hahnemann discov- ered that the latter cured disorders like those it was capable of caus- ing, and the Cornus acts in a similar manner. Trosseau and Wood— highest allopathic authorities—admit this virtually, but cloak the real fact under the term, " substitution." 3. Cornus cannot be a sedative and at the same time a stimulant. The terms are contradictatory, and used in the manner above, expresses no idea at all. The whole truth is, that the Cornus, like all other drugs, has two series of actions—primary and secondary. The primary action is to cause exaltation of the functions of the vital organs, thence fever, conges- tion, inflammation. The [secondary effects are nearly opposite, such as depression of the vital forces, loss of tonicity in the heart and muscular fibre generally, irritation of the various tissues, coldness, colliquative sweats. Prof. Lee's facts are not to be disputed, but his theory of the action of the medicine is untenable. Cornus is homoeo- pathic to both the primary and secondary symptoms above enumera- ted, in doses varied to suit the existing conditions ; and it can cure such pathological states only by virtue of its power to cause similar ones. 4. Cornus and its analogues will not aggravate existing inflam- matory conditions, if given in proper quantities. Administered in minute doses, it will promptly remove' inflammations and congestions, if indicated by the symptoms, and if the quantity is small enough, no aggravation will follow its use. Profs. Lee, King, and other author- ities, assert that the tincture of Cornus will cause " violent pain the bowels, purging, derangement of the digestive organs, vomiting, nau- sea, gastric derangement," etc.; yet all are equally free to admit, and 284 NEW REMEDIES. even advise, its use in similar conditions. They say : " It will pro mote the appetite and digestion, and is useful in atonic and enfeebled conditions of the stomach ; and will act as an anthelmintic, by improv- ing the functions of the alimentary canal, and correcting those condi- tions of the digestive organs which favor the production of worms." And yet, if it was suggested to these worthy writers that the medi- cine might act according to the law of similia, they would reject the proposition with contempt! It is just possible that many of the indi- cations laid down for the Cornus circinata may be applicable to this medicine; to be exact we ought to have a scientific proving. But most homoeopaths are not aware that, although it is asserted by both schools that the varieties of Cinchona bark differ considerably in their action, yet our pharmaceutists use the C. augustifolia and C. lancifolia almost indiscriminately. To meet the demands of a per- fectly scientific materia medica, each variety of Peruvian bark should be separately proven. It is quite suggestive, that authorities recom- mend Cornus florida in about the same cases and conditions for which Hahnemann used China, viz : general debility from loss of fluids, or in the convalescing stages of acute disease ; hectic fever, night sweats, indigestion, lientery, etc. A tincture made from the berries when ripe, is considered by some as being most efficacious in the above conditions. Reports of cases of ague successfully treated by the late E. J. Bates, M. D., with Cornus florida, will be found in American Homoeo- pathic Observer, Feb. 1864, page 29. Dr. Ehinger confirms the value of the remedy in intermittent fever. He writes : " I have treated several cases with Cornine 3d trituration, it breaking up the disease at once. The three stages of the disease were present and succeeded each other in regular order." I prescribed the xV dilution in an obstinate case of acid pyrosis. It caused colic and diarrhoea, and relief of the pyrosis while the diar- rhoea lasted. I was not able to get the symptoms which it caused accurately enough to record. Cornine.—This is the so-called active principle, of the C. florida. and stands in the same relation to the bark, as does Quinine to the Cinchona. Some prefer the sulphate, as the best preparation. I have not used the Cornine extensively. In a few cases of debility from loss of fluids, when China, Quinine and Phosphoric acid failed to act beneficially, I used the first trituration with apparent good effect. Those of the eclectic school who use it largely, declare it to be a CORNUS FLORIDA. 285 prompt remedy for the cure of the usual types of intermittent fevers. They assert that it does not affect the head as do other preparations of the bark; nor does it cause gastric or intestinal derangements. Here let me call attention to one notable fact in relation to all these so-called " active principles," resinoid, alkaloid, or whatever they are called. While they retain to a considerable extent the specific prop- erties of the drug, they are destitute of many of its more important virtues. Thus Quinine does not possess all the curati ve power of China; Cimicifugin does not represent all the properties of Cimicifuga ; and Leptandrin has no such specific effect upon the brain as the tincture of Leptandria. So with Cornine ; it represents only a part of the qualities of the original drug. These " active principles" ouo-ht to be subjected to separate provings. But we are partly justified in using them ; for it may be asserted with truth that, while the?/ do not possess all the virtues of the tincture of the bark, etc., tkey do not dif- fer in their action. They have lost something, but have gained no new qualities. Thus we may use the Cornine in states of general debility, altnough the bowel symptoms which indicate the Cornus are not present. Dr. Coe says, " for ague Cornine should be given in three to five grain doses every three hours, preceded by or alternated with Leptandrin." I would advise the lower triturations instead, and know they are just as efficacious. The same writer teaches that, " although Cornine does not possess the power of neutralizing acidity of the stomach, yet it is of exceeding utility in those cases of indi- gestion, in which that symptom is a troublesome feature. It gives almost immediate relief in that distressing symptom called "heartburn," and its continued use will prove a sure preventive of its occurrence, by restoring the tone of the stomach, and so obviating the tendency to fermentation." Dr. Paine, (Eclectic,) esteems this remedy very highly as an anti-periodic, classing it next to Quinine. He says : " It is an astrin- gent and antiperiodic, and as such is often used as a substitute for quinine, to which, in some cases, it is preferable, on account of a tonic property which quinine does not possess. It is specially adapted to certain classes of diseases in which the soft, spongy erectile tissues are involved. Hence, useful in neuralgia, epilepsy, hysteria, ague, intermittent, remittent and congestive fevers. It, like quinine, is peculiarly valuable in this country of periodicity, and in mild cases two to four grains may be administered. Although Cornin, as now prepared, is far from possessing that potent influence over malarial diseases peculiar to the sulphate of quinine, yet it is of sufficient 286 NEW REMEDIES. importance to warrant a most careful investigation. I have used it in nearly every form of periodical disease, and with most happy effect. " Fever.—During convalescence of intermittent and remittent fevers, after quinine has interrupted the most prominent features of the disease, one or two grains of Cornin, three or four times a day, either alone or in combination with Leptandrin, Euonymin, Leonto- din or Iron, as the case may require, is most valuable." He also speaks of its use in Epilepsy, Dyspepsia, Dysmenorrhoea and Spermatorrhoea, as follows : " In Epilepsy, also, it promises good results. In two cases an entire cure has been effected, and other cases have been mitigated. " In periodical Dyspepsia, in doses of one to two grains, four or five times a day, I have found it a most valuable remedy. " In Dysmenorrhoea I have used this remedy, with Gelseminum, and with good effeet. " In Spermatorrhoea, a remarkable case, connected with great debility and prostration, was cured by one grain of Cornin, four times a day, with one grain of hypophosphite of iron." CORYDALIS FORMOSA. (Turkey Corn.) Analogues. — Stillingia, Hydrastis, Phytolacca, Iris versicolor, Kali hydriodicum, Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Mercurius. Botanical Description.—This plant, likewise known as Wild Turkey-pea, Stagger-weed, Choice Dielytra, is an indigenous, peren- nial plant, rising from six to ten inches in height, and having a tuber- ous root. The leaves are radical, rising, from ten to fifteen inches high; somewhat triternate, with incisely pinnatifid segments, but quite variable. The scape is naked, and rises from eight to twelve inches in hight, with from four to eight cymes, each with from six to ten reddish-purple nodding flowers ; racemes compound, the branches comose ; corolla from eight to ten lines long, broad at the base ; nec- taries or spines very short, obtuse, incurved ; bracts purplish, at base of pedicels ; style extended ; stigma, two-horned at apex ; sepals two, deciduous ; capsule pod-shaped, many-seeded. (King.) Owing to the confusion existing in botanical works, it is quite difficult to give a CORYDALIS FORMOSA. 287 proper place to this plant; It seems, however, to be the Corydalis formosa of Eaton, which has been removed into the genus Dicentra, by AVood and Gray, and is undoubtedly the " D. Canadensis," {Squir- rel corn) of those authorities. It cannot be the Corydalis glauca, or C. aurea of Gray, for these are biennial plants. It is to be regretted that King, in the last edition of his Dispensatory, did not change the name of plants, to conform with the latest authorities. History.—This beautiful little plant was introduced to the pro- fession by Prof. Jones. It flowers very early in the Spring, in this section of the country as early as March ; and the root or tuber, which is a small round ball, should be collected only while the plant is in flower. It grows in rich soil, on hills and mountains, among rocks, and old, decayed timber, and is found westward, and south of New York to North Carolina. It must be distinguished from the Corydalis cucullaria, which flowers at the same time, and very much resembles it. A root or bulb of the C. formosa, when fresh, is of a darkish yellow color throughout, while the C. curcullaria has a black cortex or rind, and is white internally. When dried, the external covering of the root is of a light grayish-yellow color, about the fourth of a line thick, enclo- sing an internal, light-yellow substance. Frequently it is of a dark color externally, and when examined under a microscope, full of pores, and internally yellow or brownish-yellow. It has a faint, peculiar odor, and a taste at first slightly bitter, succeeded by one somewhat penetrating, peculiar and persistent, gently influencing the fauces, and increasing the flow of saliva. The cause of the difference of appearance in drying is not known, unless it be owing to the differ- ence in the age of the root. Microscopic examinations of the lighter variety gives a porous, spongy, resinous, glistening fracture ; and of the darker, a fracture very much resembling a honey-comb. AVater or alcohol extracts its virtues. It has not been thoroughly analyzed, though it contains an alkaloid principle, named Corydalin. I called the attention of Eclectics to this principle in the U.S.Eclectic Dispensatory, as Corydalin, not having submitted it to any chemical tests, since which Mr. W. S. Merrell has manufactured it for the profession, and ascer- tained its alkaline character. When in powder, Corydalin is of a greenish-brown color, insoluble in water, partially soluble in ether, and completely so in alcohol. Diluted muriatic and sulphuric acids dissolve it. Nitric acid reddens it, and it forms crystallizable salts with acetic and sulphuric acids. It is of a peculiar, slightly aloetic odor, of a weak, bitter, sub-acrid and nauseous taste, and rather tena- cious. Four pounds of the Corydalis root yields little more than an ounce of this alkaloid. It is obtained by adding water to the tincture of the root; a portion of the alkaloid is precipitated ; filter the super- natent liquid, and add to it ammonia, which causes another precipi- tate of the alkaloid ; again filter the supernatent liquid, and add to it the muriatic acid, when the balance of the alkaloid remaining in the solution is precipitated. Probably it may be obtained by adding muriatic acid to a strong infusion of the root and precipitating with ammonia. {King) 288 NEAV REMEDIES. Officinal Preparations.—Mother tincture of the root and dilu- tions. Triturations from the dry root. Triturations from the Corydalin. Properties and Uses.—This agent is peculiar to eclectics, not being known by any other class of practitioners. "It is tonic, diuretic, and alterative. In all syphilitic affections, it is one of the best reme- dies we have, and will likewise be found valuable in scrofula, and in all cases where tonics are indicated. As a tonic it possesses properties similar to the Gentian, Colombo, or other pure bitters ; its alterative properties, however, render it of immense value. In syphilis it seems to be possessed of magical powers. The Corydalin possesses all the alterative properties of the bulb in an eminent degree, and will be found useful in all scrofulous and syphilitic affections as well as in many cutaneous diseases. Dose, of the infusion, from one to four fluid ounces, three or four times a day; of the saturated tincture, from half a fluidrachm to two fluidrachms; of Corydalin from one-half of a grain to one grain, three or four times a day. The infu- sion to be made by adding four drachms of the powdered bulb to one pint of boiling water. (King.) "Corydalin may be advantageously combined with Berbenn, Hy- drastin, Ptelin, etc., as a tonic, and with Podophyllin, Xanthoxylin, Stillingin and Phytolaccin, etc., as an alterative." (King.) Scudder (Mat. Med.) says of the Corydalis : " AAre have employed it principally in the treatment of syphilis, in which it has appeared to act like a specific. AVe have used it in cases where the general sys tern has become (if we may so speak) saturated with the disease, as manifested by syphilitic eruptions upon the surface, ulceration of the fauces, loss of hair, nodes, nocturnal pains, syphilitic iritis, etc., with entire success. The period of time required to effect a cure was so short that we should have been disposed to refer it to other causes had other remedies been used, but as nothing else was administered save an occasional cathartic, we could only ascribe it to the Corydali3. The powdered root, and a decoction of the same, were taken inter- nally, while the eruption and ulcers were washed with a strong decoction." " In scrofula, and other cutaneous diseases, it is employed with much advantage ; in fact, some report that this agent alone, given in decoction, has proved more serviceable in their practice than any of the many alterative syrups. We have found it exceedingly valuable in certain derangements of the stomach, attended with prof use morbid secretion of mucus, there being always a coated tongue, withfoetor of breath, loss of appetite and loss of digestive power. We have also CORYDALIS FORMOSA. 289 employed it in intermittent fever of long standing, when there was enlargement of the spleen and tenderness in both hypochondriac regions, as well as in the epigastrium. In these cases, sometimes so hard to manage, we have found the Corydalis, combined with an equal part of Hydrastis, invariably successful." It has also been employed with success in chronic inflammation of the kidneys, and in fact, of all the urinary passages, and in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. From the fact that but few use it alone, it being generally employed with other agents, its full medicinal powers have not been ascertained. Dr. Coe says this plant is the " Dicentra eximia" of Wood &, Gray," but he must certainly be mistaken, for the subterranean shoots of the D. eximia are not tuberiferous. Of its therapeutical properties he says : " AVith the most energetic alterative properties, it com- bines a tonic power of exceeding value. Thus, while it neutralizes,. deterges and promotes depuration, it gives tone to the various organs engaged in the performance of these functions. Its dynamic influ- ences seem to be comprised in a power by which it resolves the plas- ticity of the blood, regulates and quickens the activity of the elimina- ting vessels, particularly of the renal and cutaneous, and promotes the processes of digestion, assimilation and nutrition." All this sounds very well, but as Dr. Coe says substantially the same of every medicine in his book, we must take it with a good deal of allowance. When will writers leave off the use of obsolete medi- cal terms, which really mean nothing, but only serve to hide the ignorance of the author as regards the true curative processes caused by a medicine ? Practically, Dr. Coe recommends it in "^scrofula, particularly when accompanied with feeble digestion and poverty of blood." He says : " Perhaps no single remedy possesses more positive and ener- getic anti-syphilitic and anti-scorbutic properties," and, " our experi- ence in the use of this remedy in the treatment of cutaneous erup- tions has been highly satisfactory. We have succeeded in curing many cases of obstinate dermoid affections, when other remedies proved inefficient, by the use of the Corydalin. In strumous, her- petic, venereal, scorbutic, and other cachexias, the Corydalin is worthy the entire confidence of the profession." Dr. Coe also advises it in dropsy, general debility, gravel, and various affections of the urinary organs, indigestion, torpor of the lacteals, visceral enlargements, and for correction of all irritated con- ditions of the blood and fluids, also in gleet, leucorrhoea, catarrh of Id 290 NEW REMEDIES. the bladder, incontinence of the urine, etc. He would doubtless have advised it in other diseases had their names occurred to his mind while penning his article on Corydalin. Dr. Paine, (eclectic) says : " Corydalin manifests its greatest power as an anti-syphilitic remedy. After repeated and extensive trials of Corydalin in every form of syphilitic affections, both alone and in combination with other agents, I have demonstrated beyond the possibility of a doubt, that Corydalin removes secondary syphilis with much efficiency and certainty. It also appears to manifest a tonic influence over the eliminating emunctories, as the skin, kidneys, lungs, bowels," etc. Case.—" A young man had been treated ip. one of the army hospi- tals for secondary syphilis for four or five months, with all the ordi- nary remedies, such as Iodide of mercury, Iodide of potassum, Mercu- rial ointment, etc., etc., all to no purpose. AVhen he came under my charge he had a large Hunterian chancre involving almost the entire corona glandis, and his body was entirely covered with syphilitic lichens. 1 placed him on one grain of Corydalin and one-half grain Quinia sulphas, every two hours, ordered a hot bath every morning, and a wash, composed of ten grains of muriate of hydrastin to four ounces of water, for the chancre. After continuing this treatment for a time, during which the patient improved rapidly, I omitted the Quinine, but continued the Corydalin, and in eight weeks the cure was complete." " Other cases of secondary syphilis I have treated with the Coryda- lin alone, with the most happy results." In the above recommendations of Corydalis by various writers, it is difficult to decide what portion is reliable. In most instances they are based upon the most baseless empiricism, from their utter igno- rance of the physiological action of the drug. RESUME. From the information we have been able to glean from all sources relative to the curative properties of the Corydalis, the following con- elusions may be considered as the most reliable : {a) That the medicine has some curative influence over syphilis. The testimony of Dr. Scudder in this relation is entitled to credence for the reason that his statements are based on the results of its use alone, uncombined with other drugs. Nearly all the recommenda- tions and clinical deductions of physicians of the eclectic and alio pathic schools are utterly useless, for the reason that they mix a cer tain drug with other powerful ones, and if a cure is effected give the CORYDALIS FORMOSA. 291 credit to the medicine they had under consideration, ignoring entirely the effects of the other drug or drugs with which it was associated. (b) In scrofula and scrofulous cachexia, it would seem to be worthy a trial. {c) In gastric catarrh, or as Scudder has it, " certain derange- ments of the stomach, attended with profuse morbid secretion of mucus, there being always a coated tongue, with fcetor of the breath, loss of appetite and loss of digestive power," the Corydalis may be advantageously used. {d) In a cachexia common after intermittents, and as frequently due to quinine as malaria, when accompanied with enlargement of the spleen and liver, as mentioned by Scudder, it may prove curative alone, or alternated (not combined) with Hydrastis. (e.) In certain obstinate cutaneous diseases it may be resorted to as an empirical remedy after the anti-psorics have failed. Until we have some pathogenetic data to guide us, we can only use this remedy empirically. CYPRIPEDIUM PUBESCENS. (Large Yellow Ladies1 Slipper.) Analogues.— Valerian, Coffea, Thea, Chamomilla, Eupatorium aromaticum, Scutellaria, Senecio gracilis, and Ambra-grisea. Botanical Description,—Stem two feet high, pubescent, as are the broadly oval acute leaves. Flowers, mostly solitary. Sepals elonga- ted, lanceolate, lip flattened laterally,very convex and globous above, pale yellow. The sepals and wavy-twisted petals longer than the lip, pointed, greenish, shaded with purplish-brown ; the two anterior sepals united into one, or nearly at the tip. The flower is large and showy, but scentless; the lip (or "moccasin,") one and one-half to two inches long. Leaves large, many-hued, and plaited, sheathing at the base. Fruit an oblong capsule, with one cell, three valves, and a multitude of minute seeds. Roots perennial, with many long, thick, fleshy cylin- drical and flexuous fibers of a pale yellow cast, diverging horizontally from the caudex, from which rise one to five stems, simple, erect, with three to seven leaves, and one to three flowers. The roots have a 'pungent mucilaginous taste, and a peculiar smell, somewhat nauseous. There are eight varieties of Cypripedium indigenous to this coun- try, hut the C. pubescens, from some cause, appears to have been 292 NEW REMEDIES. selected as the variety to be the most used in medicine. It is known by the common names of American A'alerian, (this name is also applied to the Scutellaria,) Nerve-root, Yellow moccasin flower, etc. The root is the officinal portion. The roots of all these varieties are undoubtedly collected, sold and used with the officinal article indiscriminately; Homoeopathic pharmaceutists should therefore be very careful in the selection of the root. I do not now know, how- ever, of any reliable method of ascertaining by physical appearance, the root of the C. pubescens from that of the other varieties. I have examined and compared many specimens of the fresh root of these plants and could discover no difference in appearance between the roots of the various species. The only method of obtaining the officinal root would be to separate it from that of the other species when collecting, i. e., when it can be distinguished by the flowers. Authorities direct that the root shall be gathered in autumn. At that season the stems and leaves are dead, and one species cannot be distinguished from another. If, therefore, we decide to use but one species, it must be cultivated, or such precautions taken as to insure the gathering of the officinal species alone. The difference in the medicinal properties of the various species is perhaps not so important as to warrant such excessive precautions. Rafinesque says the most efficient species is the C. luteum (pubes- cens,) next the C. acaul, and last the C. spectabile and candidum. King records that the C. spectabile and C. acaul are said to possess more narcotic properties than the others, especially when inhabiting dark swamps. It would seem that the difference of medicinal action was one of quantity rather than quality. Officinal Preparations.—(1.) Tincture, and dilutions of the tincture, of the root. (2.) Triturations of the dried root. (3.) Infu- sion of the root. (4.) Cypripedin and its triturations. Medical History.-The eclectic school thus estimates its properties: Rafiuesque# writes: " It is with some satisfaction that I am able to intro- duce, for the first time, this beautiful genus into our materia medica. All the species are equally medicinal ; they have long been known to the Indians, and were used by the empirics of New England, particularly Samuel Thompson. Their properties, however, have been tested and confirmed by Dr. Hales of Troy, Dr. Tully of Albany, etc. They are sedative, nervine, anti-spasmodic, and the best substitute for Val- erian in almost all cases. They produce beneficial effects in all ner- * Mei'cal Botany, page HI, (1828.) CYPRIPEDIUM PUBESCENS. 293 vous diseases and hysterical affections, by allaying pain and promoting sleep. They are also used in hemicrania, epilepsy, tumors, nervous fevers, etc. They are preferable to Opium in many cases, having no baneful or narcotic effects. As in Valerian, the nervine power is increased by combination (alternation) with milder tonics." Rafin- esque says some of its effects are analogous to Arnica montana (?) Dr. King says it is " tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, and anti-spas- modic. Useful in hysteria, chorea, nervous headache, and all cases of nervous irritability ; has proved useful in neuralgia, delirium and hypochondria. Combined with Nepeta and Scutellaria, it has per- manently cured headache (nervous) not dependent on acid stomach. An infusion is said to be beneficial in the pains in the joints following scarlet fever." Jones and Scudder, (Mat. Med.) write : " In numerous affections termed neuropathic, we have employed the Cypripedium with decided advantage. It equalizes and energizes the nervous powers, lessens excitement, allays nervous irritability, alleviates pain, and appears to invigorate both body and mind, leaving the patient more cheerful and lively than when any of the narcotics, or many of theanti-spasmodics are prescribed. The diseases in which it is indicated are hysterical affections, hypochondriasis, delirium tremens, epilepsy, chorea, hem- icrania, neuralgia, ataxic or nervous fevers, etc. In low fever, accom- panied with morbid nervous excitability, or irritability, as manifested by restlesness, vigilance, watchfulness, with great sinking of the vital powers, the Cypripedium produces a calm or tranquil state of mind, invigorates the system, and favors sleep. It is not so important in the relief of spasms or convulsions as many other agents, yet its pecu- liar nervine and stimulant qualities admirably adapt it to the relief of that morbid state of the cerebro-spinal system, upon which spasms depend." Dr. Coe places about the same estimate upon the medicinal powers of this plant. He says : "Asa substitute for Paregoric, Godfrey's cordial, etc., it is most advantageously employed in alleviating the ■disorders of children requiring the use of an anodyne. It possesses, however, some narcotic power, and many times ivill be found as inad- missible as opium." This last admission is quite an important one, and throws some light on the action of this remedy. I have noticed this narcotic effect upon the persons of some of my patients who were in the habit of using this plant to excess. In country practice, it is not unusual for the practitioner to find persons who are as strongly addicted to the^ 294 NEW REMEDIES. habitual use of the Cypripedium as others are to the use of opium. They are generally persons beyond the middle age, whose nervous systems have once been shattered by some serious illness, and they have resorted to the lady-slipper for palliative relief. Such individ- uals, under the influence of the drug, are lively and talkative, dis- posed to work, and are really capable of making unusual exertions without much fatigue. They are tranquil, feel no pain, and altogether very comfortable. But when the use of the drug is suspended they become irritable, irascible, fretful; their motions are hurried and uncertain ; they are agitated by the least contradictory word, a noise, or any excitement of those around them ; they cannot sleep, and even have jactitations, pains, and hysterical spasms. These are the primary and secondary states and symptoms which are directly caused by the pathogenetic action of the Cypripedium. I do not think the plant has any specific influence over the skin or mucous membranes. Pathogenetic Effects.—Dr. Paine, (eclectic) writing of the effects of this plant, says : " Oim or two grains of the Cypripedin taken every two or three hours, produces at first an exhilarating effect upon the mind and nervous system. After thirty or forty grains have been taken, this feeling of mental elasticity gradually yields to a sense of quietude, and in some cases of mental fatigue. The influ- ence on the stomach is not perceptible, nor does it seem to exert any particular impression upon the bowels. In several cases where we experimented with its use in healthy persons, the specific gravity of the urine was diminished from two to five degrees after taking twenty or thirty grains for three or four consecutive days. " Upon my own person, on taking one drachm every day for five days, I found that at first it produced a stimulating influence on the brain and nervous system; but on the third, fourth, or fifth day, a sense of weight and oppression on the mind, with a slight disposition to drowsiness, as if I were more under the influence of a sedative than a narcotic. This has been the effect on a large number of cases upon whom I have experimented in a state of health. " In disease, I have found that it manifested its principal powers in cases where the gray nerve tissue was disordered, either as the result of over mental exertion or reflex nervous excitement, or of some specific poison, as alcohol, vegetable and animal malaria, etc." Of its curative effects he says : " In Epilepsy, where I believe it was produced by reflex nervous irritation, two or three grains three or four times a day; will exert a CYPRIPEDIUM PUBESCENS. 295 most beneficial influence, although in no case have I succeeded in entirely curing the disease with it." "Spermatorrhea.—In a case, accompanied with great nervous prostration and dejection of spirits, I administered one grain every two hours for ten or twelve consecutive days, with good effects, as it not only removed the mental despondency, but seemed to impart new tone and vigor to the nervous system.". Chorea.—In many cases in which the disease was caused by exhaustion of the nerve forces, I have found Cypripedin, in doses of one grain, with one or two grains of Carbonate of Iron, given every two or three hours for several weeks, to produce perfect cures. Amenorrhaa.—In a case connected with hysteria, great nervous debility and mental despondency, I effected an entire cure in about twenty days, by giving one grain, and one of Iron per hydrogen, every three hours during the day. In Typhus and Typhoid fevers, where the cerebrospinal forces have become exhausted, as indicated by typhomania and general pros- tration, I have found from one-half to one grain, given every hour or two hours, to be followed by an immediate mitigation of the symp- toms and a permanent improvement of the patient. In Delirium tremens I have found this remedy most valuable, and in connection with Lupuline, have succeeded in effecting very favora- ble results. Dyspepsia:—In cases where dyspepsia or other disordered condi- tions of the stomach and bowels is the result of over-mental exertion, anxiety or grief, one or two grains four or five times a day, will afford entire relief. " From an extensive use of this article in diseases connected with the nervous tissues, especially those in which there is a want of nerve power, the Cypripedium fills a vacancy which has long existed in the materia medica. With it wakefulness may be converted to quietude and sleep, mental anxiety to calmness, enfeebled and exhausted nerve force to tone and vigor " Clinical Observations.—My observations and experience with this remedy have given me the following impressions relative to its true sphere of therapeutic action : (1.) Its action on the brain is similar to that of Tea, Coffee, Can- nabis indica, Cocoa, and a few others of that class. Its pathogenetic action docs not extend as far as that of Agaricus, Belladonna, Hyos- cyamus, Stramonium, and others of that group. I do not believe its toxical effects go beyond the causation of functional irritation. It is therefore not homoeopathic to congestion, inflammation, or apoplexy o 296 NEW REMEDIES. the brain and spinal chord and its membranes, but only to conditions of morbid irritability, or hypcrcesthesia of the nervous tissues. I do not doubt its ability to cause serious brain affection in young children, for the nervous mass in infancy is so delicate aud sensitive, that any agent capable of causing simple irritation, (tea, coffee, bright lights, noise, fright, etc.,) may induce a condition which readily runs on to serious disorder. In young children, irritability of the brain often appears many days or weeks before more serious disease sets in. Proper remedies will often arrest this condition, and prevent conges- tion and inflammation. Children thus afflicted are noticed to be more lively than usual, more inclined to laugh and play at unwonted hours, even in the night; will often laugh in their sleep, or are very wake- ful and excitable. If the little ones are urged to play, are excited by light, noise and laughter—all these tend to fix the irritation more strongly upon the over-sensitive brain, and soon the child is attacked with spasms or convulsions, and a meningitis closes the scene. It is in these premonitory conditions, or states of simple irritation, that the Cypripedium and Scutellaria, as well as Coffea and Cannabis indica are really indicated ; and in my hands the first named remedy has acted admirably, and in a highly satisfactory manner. To very young infants I usually administer the third or sixth dilution in water, or pellets, as often as the case seems to demand. (2.) On the nervous system, generally, of children or adults, it acts as a pure hyperaestheseant ; primarily, elevating the excitability and activity ; and secondarily, decreasing the strength, and awaken- ing a morbid irritibility of a low grade. It is not therefore homoeo- pathic to neurotic diseases due to inflammation, congestion, or any organic change, but to a peculiar irritability, such as I have described above. In many cases of neuralgia " the pain is the disease." In such instances the Cypripedium will be found curative in many cases. The same observation will apply to chorea, epileptiform symptoms, hysteria, etc. 1 have used it with good effects in the watchfulness, and nervous agitation of low fevers, conditions to which it is seconda- rily homoeopathic. Dr. Kendall informs me that he has used the Cypripedium in many cases of typhoid fever, as an intercurrent remedy for the jacti- tation, restlessness and trembling, so common in certain stages of that disease. He has found it uniformly successful, dissipating the symp- toms in a short time. He considers it superior to any other medicine in such conditions. Dr. Kendall states, however, that he could not get the above curative results from the tincture or dilutions, but when he resorted to an infusion of the root, its calming effects were soon manifested. Perhaps his tincture was made with strong alcohol, which does not extract all the medicinal properties. Dr. Kendall made his infusion as follows : Root of C. pubescens one drachm, hot water four ounces. After standing (not boiling) one hour, give one teaspoonful every one or two hours. This preparation would not be any stronger than the first or second dilutions. In the treatment of diseases of women, when reflex irritation causes hysteria, melancholia, sleeplessness, nervous irritation, etc., its use CYPRIPEDIUM PUBESCENS. 297 will give satisfaction to the practitioner who adapts it to the symptoms for which it is truly homoeopathic. Meanwhile we can use remedies applicable to the primary disorder with better effects. The dose is to be graduated according to the age of the patient, and whether the symptoms are primary or secondary, ranging from the sixth dilution or trituration down to drop doses of the mother tincture. Cyprifedin. — This is the active principle of the Cypripedium pubescens, and for all practical purposes, or until we have a thorough proving of the plant, may be used instead of the tincture and dilu- tions. I have used the triturations, and find this preparation curative in about the same conditions, and for the same symptoms, as the prep- aration from the crude root. It is, of course, much more powerful than the tincture, and the dose should be selected accordingly. I have never given it to children, but in adults it may be given in the first or second triturations, without fear of aggravation, if not too long continued, or inappropriately applied. DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. (Wild Yam-Root) Analogues. — Anisum stellatum, Chamomilla, Caulophyllum, Colocynth, Collinsonia, Viburnum. Botanical Description.—This is an indigenous plant, found in thickets (from New England to Wisconsin, and in the Southern States ; a vine twining on bushes. Herbaceous, leaves mostly alternate, some- times nearly opposite or in fours, more or less downy underneath, heart-shaped, conspicuously pointed, nine to eleven ribbed. Flowers very small, pale greenish-yellow, the sterile is drooping panicles, the fertile in drooping, simple racemes. Stamens six, at the base of the divisions of the six-parted perianth. Pod three-celled, three-winged, loculicidally three-valved by splitting through the winged angles. Seeds, one or two in each cell, flat, with a membraneous wing. The root is long, branched, crooked, woody, of a white color internally, light brown externally, and wrinkled longitudinally, with many fine, long, tough, elastic, scattering fibres, having a short, granular frac- ture, the fractured surface appearing under the microscope white, pithy, and dotted with numerous light yellow resinous spots. It is inodorous, except when bruised, then it emits a faint, peculiar smell; the taste is pleasantly bitterish, sweetish, sub-mucilaginous, and 298 NEW REMEDIES. slightly pungent. As met in the shops the root is in pieces of vari- ous lengths, and from three to nine lines in diameter. It is not easily pulverized, flattening out when this is attempted. (It cannot there- fore be triturated.) AATater or alcohol are its solvents. King, from whose Dispensatory I extract a portion of the above dis- cription, says there is another species of Discorea, namely • the D. laeriascola, of AVood, or the D. quanertata, of Pursh. It differs from the former in its leaves, which are round and not cordate at the base, smooth on both sides, margins slightly wavy. The dried root differs, in the followitig characters : it is more knotty and contorted, with rather more fibers, its color is ash-brown externally, and the bark is hardly, if at all, wrinkled, its diameter is likewise greater, and has a faint earthy odor when fractured or bruised, together with the bitter- ishness of the preceding, but devoid of sweetness. " It is supposed to possess properties similar to those of the officinal root, but no satis- factory trials have been instituted. As it can be obtained in great abundance, while the D. villosa is quite scarce, our practitioners will do well to test its value in ' bilious colic' ' (K.) As nothing is known of this species, and, owing to the scarcity of the officinal root, it may be substituted for or mixed with the latter, the homoeopathic pharmaceutists and physicians will do well to be on their guard against deception. For this reason I have given so extended a description of both plants. This plant is dedicated to, or named after, Dioscorides, the great Greek naturalist. The term " villosa" is, according to Grav, a bad name, for the plant is never villous, and often nearly smooth. King, however, says the vine has a brown and wooly base. Rafinesque* did not seem to be aware that it possessed any medi- cinal qualities. He merely mentions the wild yam as " used by the Western tribes, roots and meal; leaves also edible." This must be a mistake, as the roots of Dioscorea are too woody in their character to be edible under any circumstances. Some other species of the yam must be alluded to. Howardf recommends it for bilious colic, but does not preteud to explain its action. Ho does not know whether it is an anodyne or or cathartic." His discription of the plant is so plain that I quote it in full : " This plant is a twining and climbing vine, resembling in some respects the morning-glory. The root is of a most singular tor- tuous form, of a woody consistence, with numerous spinv protuber- ances. It is perennial and doubtless endures a greater number of * Medical Botany, 1828. t Botanic Materia Medica, 1836. DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 299- years than the roots of most plants of similar habits. The sprangles are usually near half an inch in thickness, and the whole root in favorable situations is often found to weigh half a pound. The stem is a climbing annual vine, winding around small shrubs, and insinua- ting itself among brambles, often attaining the height of six or eight feet. Near the ground the leaves usually appear in verticillate clus- ters or whorls, varying in number from two to eight or more in a bunch, dependent on the luxuriance of the soil. Higher up the leaves are alternate. They are always on pretty long foot-stalks, and of the form of a heart, with the point acute and turned to one side, com- monly roundish as well as cordate, and nearly two inches across. Almost always you may count just nine veins or portions of frame work, proceeding from the base towards the apex. The flowers show themselves in May and June ; they are very small and white, arranged on little stems which come out just above the leaves. The seeds are triangular, some like buckwheat, though four times as large, with wings at the angles. The yam-root grows plentifully in the Northern States, delighting in fertile hill sides, thickets and open woods." Howard advises the infusion of the powdered root, (in bilious colic). One ounce to be boiled in a pint of water, and half of it given at a dose. " It acts with remarkable promptitude in affording relief." He says a Dr. Neville, of Ohio, " values the tincture highly as an expectorant, also that it is diaphoretic, and in large doses, emetic." Dioscorein is the resinoid principle of the root of the Dioscorea villosa. It forms a lightish yellow-brown powder of a faint smell, and a slightly sweetish resinous, very bitter, disagreeable taste, with a persistent acridity which is very sensibly felt in the throat and fau- ces. When exposed to the atmosphere it absorbs moisture, becomes darker colored, tenacious, of a pilular consistence, and leaves a light- ish yellow-gray stain on white paper. It is wholly soluble in alcohol only when first prepared, after keeping for a time it is only partially dissolved. It is partly soluble in water. According to King and other authorities the Dioscorein " possesses the properties of the crude drug in an eminent degree. They decree the dose to be from one to four grains. Homoeopathic physicians have used this resinoid with good results, as will appear in the clinical records. Officinal Preparations.—(1) Tincture of the root; dilutions Triturations of the tincture and the Resinoid ("Dioscorein.") 300 NEAV REMEDIES. Generalities!—This is one of those remedies principally known as yet for its curative effects upon one portion of the organism. The first knowledge which we have of a remedy is sometimes confined to its effects upon one organ or tissue. Doubtless a full pathogenesis of Dioscorea when obtained will develop effects and symptoms upon dif- ferent portions of the body, and give us indications for its use in dis- eases for which it is not now considered appropriate. That the physician may get a clear idea of the medical history of the plant, I will give a resume of the estimate in which it is held by the Eclectic school of medicine. Neither AVood or ony other Allopathic writer make any mention of this remedy. Howard, Smith, AAratson and Beach, (Botanies) all mention it as a remedy in bilious colic. King says it is an anti-spasmodic, and the tincture " said to be diaphoretic and expectorant. He evidently considers its anti-spasmodic action as the most important, Such a vague generalization, however, does not answer the requisitions of a science. Because a medicine cures bilious colic, and other painful affections of the abdominal vis- cera, it is not therefore anti-spasmodic. Colocynth cures in our hands similar symptoms, but no one would consider that remedy an anti- spasmodic. That Dioscorea is specific for certain symptoms we can- not doubt, nor can the jhomceopathist doubt that it acts occording to the law of similia in such cases. Dr. King says of it: " It has beeD successfully used by Eclectics in bilious colic, in doses of half a pint of the decoction, repeated every half an hour or hour ; in fact, no other agent seems necessary in this disease, as it gives prompt and permanent relief in the most severe cases. It will likewise allay nausea, also spasms of the bowels." Of the Dioscorein he says: " It is undoubtedly as much a specific in bilious colic as Quinia is in intermittent" (i. e., only specific to some cases?) "In a severe esse of bilious colic, pronounced past hope by several physicians, four grains, rubbed up with a tablespoonful of brandy, afforded prompt relief, and a repetition of the dose in about twenty minutes from the time of taking the first, effected a cure. In ordinary cases one or two grains of Dioscorein may be administered every fiv , ten or twenty minutes. It is useful in cramps of the stomach, bowels, and even uterine cramps, also for the nausea of pregnant women, flatu- lance, borborygmi, etc." Coe (Cone. Org. Med.,) says : " The wonderful efficacy of this remedy in the cure of bilious colic, renders it an indispensable agent to every practitioner of the healing art. In this complaint it is near DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 301 a specific as any remedy can well be. The relief it affords is both prompt and certain. But its entire value does not relate to this dis- ease alone, as it has been found useful in cholera morbus, nausea attending pregnancy, spasms, coughs, hepatic disorders, after pains, flatulence, dysmenorrhoea, and in all cases where an anti-spasmodic is required. In our experience of the management of cholera morbus as well as vomiting from other causes, we have found that small doses frequently repeated, will oftentimes control the symptoms when large doses fail, (one-fourth grain of Dioscorein.) In conclusion, we would reiterate the fact that Dioscorein is eminently anti-spasmodic, and diaphoretic, and that its power uf relieving spasms, relates more par- ticularly to the stomach and bowels, in the disorders of which it has become to be looked upon by many as nearly a specific. AAre speak of our own knowledge when we state it to be the most reliable remedy yet discovered for bilious and flatulent colic, and intestinal spasm and irritation generally. It is a safe and harmless remedy, but in over- dose") will produce vomiting" The italics above are my own. If it will cause vomiting in over doses, why may it not cause spasms, cramps, irritation, and other phenomena of bilious and flatulent colic, for which it is so specific ? I do not doubt its power of inducing these affections, when long given in pathogenetic doses. Jones and Scudder assert that it acts as " a very gentle diaphor- etic, without exciting the action of the heart and arteries, or increas- ing the temperature of the body. It has been but little used, however, for this purpose, although it might undoubtedly be employed with much advantage. It appears to act as an anodyne and anti-spasmodic, and likewise as an anti-emetic, in the diseases in which it is princi- pally employed. The only affection in which it has been used suffi- ciently to give a fair test to its virtues, is bilious colic. In many instances it has appeared to act with great promptitude in allaying nausea and vomiting, and relieving the pain and spasmodic action invariably present in that disease. In various cases of great severity, when other remedies had been faithfully and perseveringly employed, and when all had proved unavailing, the nausea and vomiting, severe pain and spasms continuing unabated, with a dry and husky state of the surface, the Dioscorea has afforded entire relief in every respect, in twenty or thirty minutes, and the patient has fallen into a comfort- able state of repose, and slept quietly for the first time since the attack." Of the Dioscorein, they add, " AVe have used it in bilious colic with much success ; and as an anti-emetic in other cases. In the cholera-infantum of children, it is one of our most efficient agents; 302 NEW REMEDIES. combined with Leptandrin, we have succeeded in curing cases which were considered hopeless. From our experience with this agent, and it has been somewhat extensive, we believe it has a specific action upon the liver, not only increasing, but changing the character of the bilious secretion." The above is better and more definite testimony than we usually get from allopathic sources. AVe can afford to laugh at the name " anti-emetic," when their own authorities admit that it causes vomiting. Yet they will not see that it cures according to the law of similia. Doubtless they would seek to explain its action upon some other hypothesis even if it was known to cause intestinal spasms. Dr. I. G. Jones, late Professor of Practice in the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and author of an extensive work on practice, writes concerning this medicine : " The remedy upon which I rely in the treatment of bilious colic is Dioscorea villosa. I have used it with entire success in all the cases that have come under my care. In one case that had been previously treated forty-eight hours with injections, fomentations, anodynes, and cathartics, without success, the patient was relieved in half an hour by taking one dose of Dios- corea. In another case, to which I was called in the night, the patient, who had been suffering severely for twelve hours, Was perfectly relieved in a few minutes and soothed into a quiet sleep. It has never been known to fail, and I should rely upon it with entire confi- dence in all cases of this disease. The philosophy of its therapeutic action may not as yet be fully understood, or clearly explained. That it is eminently adapted to the case is very certain, and that, after all, is the main point in practice." It may be interesting to us to know what condition Dr. Jones calls " bilious colic." He thinks it does not depend on hepatic disturbance at all. The symptoms are gastric derangement, furred tongue, constant pain, aggravated by regular paroxysms of increased sufferings ; pain located at first in the centre of, but gradually diffused over the whole abdomen ; febrile reaction, vomiting, distended, tender and sensitive abdomen, etc. The clinical experience of the homoeopathic school with Dioscorea and Dioscorein is not extensive. In fact I find no published record, and can only give the statements of my intimate colleagues. Dr. P. H. Hale, of Hudson, Michigan, informs me that he has used the tinc- ture and lower dilutions successfully in cramps of the stomach,flatu- lent colic, bilious colic, and cholera morbus. In one case of a pregnant woman suffering from persistent and distressing pyiosis, who had used -without benefit alkalies, acids, and all the homoeopathic remedies DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 303 apparently indicated for this condition, Dr. Hale experimentally prescribed the Dioscorea (five drops of the mother tincture before and after meals). Its use in a few days resulted in permanent relief of the disagreeable symptoms. He has also found this remedy useful in cardialgia occuring in persons of dyspeptic habits. Dr. Rogers considers the Dioscorea useful in cholera morbus. In one case where there was vomiting, purging of aqueous stools, with severe abdominal and general cramps, the patient was promptly relieved by a few doses of one grain each of Dioscorein -fa trituration. In an epidemic of dysentery, in which the majority of cases were characterized by spasmodic pains in the abdomen, with unusually severe tenesmus, Dr. Rogers found the Dioscorea a valuable remedy when Colocynth and Aloes seemed indicated but failed to relieve. Dr. J. C. Peterson writes as follows concerning the beneficial effects of the Dioscorea villosa in dysentery : " During the past sum- mer and fall we have had considerable dysentery. Many cases were seized at the onset with violent, cutting, lacinating pains in the bow- els, that elicited shrieks from the patient. In all such cases I gave Dioscorea villosa 3d, with the happiest results, never having to resort to the fourth dose. The case would be completed with Baptisia tinc- toria, Cuprum aceticum, Leptandrin, Arsenicum or Hydrastis cana- densis, either singly or two in alternation." Dr. C. A. AArilliams reports the following case ; " Mr.____, a^ed 50, subject to severe attacks of cholera morbus, with vomiting, diar- rhoea, painful cramps in the stomach, bowels and extremities, from which, under allopathic treatment, with opiates, etc., he would not recover for several days. I was called in at night to see him, after an attack had lasted about an hour. He was suffering intensely from the usual symptoms, and he supposed he was to have an illness of several days duration. Wishing to test the alleged virtues of Dios- corea, I gave him about two grains of the tV trituration every fifteen minutes. After the third dose he became easier* and before the sixth dose he expressed himself as quite comfortable. He shortly fell asleep, and in the morning was as well as usual." Dr. Smith Rogers, of Michigan, has used this remedy for many years. He communicates several noteworthy cases of enteralgia which were promptly relieved by it. His first experience with the Dioscorea was in a case of so-called " bilious colic" which had been treated allopathically for five days, and the patient given up by his physician. The specific symptoms are not remembered, except that hat the man suffered the most intense, agonizing pain, day and night, 304 NEAV REMEDIES. worse in paroxysms. One dose of five drops of the tincture relieved the pain in a few hours, and in a day or two the patient was well. But one dose was given in this case ! Two other cases of colic were cured by the Dioscorea in his prac- tice. In one the patient was a lady who was subject to attacks of colic once or twice a year, the pain was very severe, and lasted sev- eral days. On one occasion the patient sent for Dr. Rogers in the night, but being unable to visit her he sent the tincture of Dioscorea, to be taken five drops every hour until the pain ceased. One or two doses cured her. Afterwards this patient was always able to arrest the colic with one or two doses of the medicine. The other case was a lady friend of the last patient, who suffered from similar attacks. She was relieved by the same remedy, administered in the same man- ner. It is to be regretted that Dr. Rogers omitted to record the par- ticular symptoms of these cases. The following two cases also occurred in my own practice: Mrs. D., aged 30, has phthisis pulmonalis, with its accompani- ments of hectic fever, night sweats, etc., but complains more of a, dull, heavy pain in the pit of the stomach, worse after ea'ing, and which is relieved by copious eructations of air, bowels normal. Carbo vegeta- bilis, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Bismuth were prescribed, but with- out any benefit. The pain had been present for three weeks. After taking Dioscorea, ^V dilution, (five drops one hour before each meal,) for two days, the epigastric pain, eructations, etc., permanently dis- appeared. Airs. C, aged 25, was worn out with the care of a sick child, and has had for two weeks a constant, heavy, dull iveariug pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach, which extends into the left side and dorsal region. The distress is not aggravated by eating, and is not accompanied by eructations of air. She feels the pain when she goes to sleep, and when she wakes in the night and morning; bowels nor- mal. She took for several days Arnica, then Nux vomica, and finally China and Chamomilla, but with no alleviation of the pain. After taking Dioscorea tV dilution, (five drops every three hours,) for 24 hours the pain left and has not returned. Dioscorea was found promptly curative in both the above cases, yet the symptoms were quite different. Prof. Helmuth, of St. Louis, gives his testimony of the value of this remedy in enteralgia : " I was called to see a gentleman who for three days had been suffering the most intense pain in the lower part of the abdomen. A very great variety of medicines had been DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 305 used in vain. There was a perfectly constipated condition of the bowels, the strongest purgatives producing no action ; excessive sen- sitiveness of the abdomal parietes of the right side, with constant thirst. The pain, although occurring most violently in paroxysms, was constant, and was of a violent twisting character. All the usual remedial means failed until the Dioscorein in the 2d trituration was employed. The doses were fifteen minutes apart for the first four, then thirty minutes, and finally every hour. In four hours the patient's bowels moved, and in four hours more he fell into a profound slumber, whioh lasted ten hours, when he awoke. Although there was great soreness of the praecordia, the disease had entirely disap- peared. Case 2.—At four o'clock a. m., I was called upon to visit a gentle- man whom the messenger asserted had been suffering most intense agony for some hours. From what I could learn, the case was one of enteralgia. I sent to him Colocynthis and Nux vomica, and added an enema and a hot fomentation, believing that by such means relief would certainly be afforded. At six o'clock I was again called upon, and implored to visit the patient, as he was supposed to be dying. So soon as I could I went to him. He was not dying, but certainly was suffering very much. The pain he complained of being constantr in the right side, aggravated at times, and as he tivisted his fingers- together in his agony he exclaimed, " It's just like that, like that, like that!" These pains were all aggravated by lying down. I prepared him twelve powders, of three grains each, of the 2d trituration of the Dioscorein, ordered one to be taken every ten minutes until three were taken, then every twenty minutes, with orders that so soon as visible improvement was noticed, that the interval be longer between the doses. When I returned in three hours a smile on his face. " The second powder relieved me," said he, "and I feel most well." " I could multiply these cases, but so far as I can observe I believe that whereas the sharp cuttings, with marked aggravations and ameli- orations, belong to Colocynth, the steady twisting pains belong to Dios- corea ; it is more nearly allied to Ipecac than either to Colocynth, Cocculus or Nux vomica. Its symptoms are worse when lying down, and are generally to be noticed early in the morning. Pressure relieving colic cannot be considered as pathognomonic of any remedy." To this I will add my own observations. I have used the 1st, 2d, and 3d dilutions and triturations in the above affections. In cramps of the stomach (cardialgia) the 1st decimal dilution often acts more promptly and satisfactory than Nux vomica. In the dioscorea- 20 306 NEW REMEDIES. gastralgia there is generally a great tendency to eructate, and the pain is paroxysmal. In spasmodic colic it seems to be indicated where we usually give Colocynth and Chamomilla. In these cases there is usually much flatulence, rumbling and paroxysmal pain. In the colic of children, accompanied or not by diarrhoea, and attended with screams and cries, and emissions of flatulence, the 2d and 3d triturations have been useful. The true sphera of its action, whether upon the muscular or nervous tissues of the abdomen, etc., cannot yet be defined. I am inclined, however, to the opinion that it acts more specifically upon the latter. Its action is probably confined to the stomach and intestines. If useful in after-pains, or hepatic dis- orders, it must be because they are dependent upon some intestinal derangement. I once treated a gentleman for several years, for an anomalous disease of the abdominal organs, of which I can never form any satisfactory idea. He had been troubled with it from early youth. The pain, for that constituted nearly the whole of the malady, appeared at irregular intervals, sometimes once a week, at others once a month, and lasted several days. I never prescribed anything, nor did any other physician, which seemed to give him any relief. Ano- dynes dulled the pain for a time, but gave no permanent benefit. It was a crampy, spasmodic pain, commencing near the crest of the ileum, and extending to the lumbar region and hypogastrium. Phy- sical or mental labor would bring on an attack. It would gradually increase for days, and end in an attack of vomiting, or at other times affect the head. When it did leave it was always suddenly. Lying on the left side and back only was endurable.* My impression was that it was a spasmodic disease of the vermiform process, excited by some matters introduced into that portion of the intestime. A trav- eling " spiritual doctor" prescribed for him a medicine or compound which gave him more relief than anything he had ever used. The chief ingredient in this mixture was the Dioscorea. The clairvoyant insisted that the malady was " piles in the bowels," (?) a disease which is not laid down in our nomenclature. I know of no drug that would better repay a thorough proving, and none that would aid more in establishing the universality of the law of similia, if we got a pathogenesis verified, wherein we could see a picture of those painful affections, in the cure of which it has gained such empirical reputation. I have repeatedly taken the tincture and first dilution several times a day for several days, but never elicited any notable symptoms. I have also tried it in several patients, affected * It was not due to the passage of calculus, as would naturally be supposed. DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 307 with other than gastric complaints, but with no better results than in myself. DR. W. H. BURT'S PROVING. May 5th, 1864, 10 a. m.— Took 30 drops of the fluid extract of the Dioscorea. Half an hour after taking the medicine, commenced to have pain in the whole epigastrium, and region of the gall-bladder, quite severe, of a cutting, tearing character; at times spasmodic. 3 p. m.—Slight distress in the stomach ; took 40 drops. 5 p. m.— Slight, dull, frontal headache ; frequent, sharp, cutting pains in the stomach and region of the gall-bladder; frequent, sharp, cutting pains in the umbilical region, aggravated by walking; frequent drawing pains in the left shoulder and neck ; drawing pains in the knees and ankles, the knees are very weak when walking ; constant dull pain in the lumbar region, aggravated by stooping or walking ; took 50 drops. May 6th.—Awoke three times in the night with severe cutting pains in the umbilicus. There are constant, dull, aching pains in the umbilicus, with occasional colic-like pains ; severe frontal headache ; thick yellowish-white coating on the tongue; rough, flat taste in the mouth; black, dry, lumpy stool; dull, heavy pain in the lumbar-sacral region, very much worse by stooping ; fingers ache and are quite stiff; drawing pains in the ankles and feet; took 60 drops. 9 p. m.—Slight, dull headache ; rough feeling in the fauces, with constant inclination to swallow ; constant, aching distress in the umbilicus ; dull, aching pains in the back; drawing pains in the calves of the legs and ankles; took 100 drops. 11 a. m.—Dull, frontal headache; dry, rough feeling in the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow ; con- stant, dull,*aching pains in the whole umbilical region, with frequent, sharp, cutting pains all through the small intestines ; dull, drawing pains in the fore-arms and wrists ; drawing pain between the shoul- ders ; constant, severe, drawing pains in the calves of the legs and ankles ; knees are feeling very weak ; disposition to yawn and stretch. 3 p. m.—The pains are all the same, only more mild ; took 200 drops. 5 p. m.—Slight, frontal headache ; rough feeling in the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow ; constant distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, with severe, cutting, colic-like pains every few minutes in the stomach and small intestines ; bearing down, prolapsed feeling in the anus ; feeling very weak, hands and legs tremble con- stantly ; can hear my heart beating after walking a little. Pulse 80 ; sharp, pulsating pain just at the top of the sternum, lasting an hour ; severe, drawing pains in my elbows, wrists and fingers, at times the 308 NEAV REMEDIES. pain in the fingers is very sharp ; constant, dull, aching pain in the lumbar-sacral region, very much worse by bending the spine ; dull, drawing pains in the knees and ankles ; very sharp, cutting paius in the bottom of the feet and toes ; the right ankle and foot has the most pain in it. 9 r. m.—Slight frontal headache, with occasional sharp pains in the right temple ; dryness of the fauces ; constant, aching distress in the whole of the bowels, with frequent sharp, cutting pains in the stomach and small intestines. Three hemorrhoidal tumors have made their appearance, and are partially prolapsed ; there is constant dull pain and distress in the anus ; the pulsating pain at the upper part of the sternum is still there ; it is very distressing ; flying pains all through the chest and back (cervical portion); constant dull pain in the small of the back and hips, cannot bear to stoop down, it is so painful; constant, dull, drawing pains in the elbows, wrists, hands and fingers ; the pain in the fingers is very severe, of a cut- ting, tearing nature; constant, dull, aching pain in the ankles, feet and toes ; the pain in the toes is of a tearing, cutting character; took 150 drops. May 7th, a. m.—Slept soundly, but perspired a good deal, awoke at 2 a. m., with great burning distress in the stomach ; dull frontal headache; tongue coated white ; flat, pappy taste ; tonsils slightly congested ; constant aching distress in the stomach and bowels ; stom- ach is quite painful when pressed upon ; stool, first part black, very dry and hard, last part mushy and white. The stool was followed by the protrusion of four hemorrhoidal tumors, the size of large red cherries, with great pain and distress in the anus; constant, dull headache; hands and fingers ache, and are very stiff; closing the hands is very painful ; ankles, feet and toes are also very stiff, and ache constantly. After exercising two hours my hands and feet felt quite free from pain. Took 100 drops at 10 a. m. — Slight frontal headache; constant distress in the umbilicus. The hemorrhoidal tumors are constantly prolapsed, which is very distressing and pain- ful ; dull, aching pains in the wrists, hands and fingers, ankles, feet and toes ; they are feeling quite stiff. Took 200 drops. 12 m.— Slight frontal headache ; constant aching, burning distress in the epi- gastric and umbilical regions ; dull, heavy, aching distress in the right lobe of the liver ; constant, dull, aching pain in the whole lum- bar region ; bending the spine produces sharp, cutting pains all along the lumbar region ; dull pains in the hands and feet; three of the hemorrhoidal tumors are of the color of the mucous membrane of the anus, and are the size of very large red cherries, the other one is not DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 309 so large, and is of a very dark, livid, blue color. 4 p. m.—Very severe frontal headache ; feeling very faint and weak ; hands and legs tremble constantly; vertigo, with great faintness; have to lie down to keep from fainting ; seems to all center at the stomach ; great dis- tress at the stomach, with frequent, sharp, prickly pains in it; sharp, cutting pains every few minutes in the umbilical region ; dull, aching distress in my wrists, hands, fingers, ankles, feet and toes. Fearing that I would have spasms, took three doses of camphor, without relief. I then inhaled chloroform every few minutes until 7 p. m. The chlo- roform gave great relief, but would last only a short time, when the great faintness would come on again ; at 7 p. m., the faintness left me. 9 p. m.—Severe frontal headache ; constant and very severe burning distress in the whole of the epigastrium ; distress in the umbilicus, and desire for stool ; very hard, dry, lumpy stool, followed by pro- lapsus of the anus, with great pain and distress in the hemorrhoids ; feeling very weak in the knees ; constant, aching distress in the hands and feet; very weak in the knees, can just walk ; constant trembling of the arms and legs ; very severe backache. May 8th.—Slept well until midnight, after that was very restless until morning ; skin dry and hot; pulse 62, while lying down ; dull frontal headache ; great distress in the stomach, but not so much of the burning ; tongue coated yellowish white ; flat, rough taste ; stom- ach very tender, cannot bear to have it pressed upon ; very severe pain in the upper portion of the lumbar region, when bending the spine; soft, mushy stool, very yellow, at 8 a. m., followed by a very weak, faint feeling ; hands and fingers ache all the time ; fingers are very stiff; dull pain in the ankles and feet, 8 p. m.; felt quite well until 2 p. m., when the great burning distress came on again in my stomach ; dull headache ; very lame back ; the hemorrhoids are very troublesome ; my hands and feet have been feeling quite easy all day after the first hour ; exercise relieves all of the rheumatic symptoms. May 9th.—Slept well; awoke at 5 a. m., with severe pain in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, and great distress for stool; very profuse, thin, yellow stool, that did not relieve the pain in the bowels feeling very faint at the stomach and weak ; 7 a. m., another very thin, deep yellow stool, which relieved the pain a good deal, followed by the great faintness at the stomach ; eating would not relieve it 9 p. m., have been feeling quite well all day, but since 6 p. m., the great burning distress in the stomach has been constant; severe neu- ralgic pain in the left groin all the evening. May 10th.—Slept well; this morning have a great burning in my 310 NEAV REMEDIES. stomach ; slight distress in the bowels, with a deep yellow diarrhoeio stool; hands and feet are quite stiff; dull backache; the hemor- rhoidal tumors arc free from pain and getting smaller. The backache lasted one week after taking the remedy. Characteristic Peculiarities!—The rheumatic symptoms are worse at night and early in the morning ; first hour the pains are very much aggravated by motion, after that motion relieves them ; diar- rhoea early in the morning; all the pains are worse while sitting still, relieved by motion. Mind.—Great depression of spirits ; no desire to move ; very sad. NerVOUS System.—Great weariness and loss of strength; con. stant trembling of the hands and legs; pain and spasms of the bow- els ; slowness of the heart's action ; vertigo, with great faintness at the stomach ; disposition to faint; disposition to yawn and stretch. Head.—Constant, dull, frontal headache, more in the top of the forehead ; very severe frontal headache ; sharp cutting pains in the right temple. Mouth and Tongue.—Tongue coated with white and yellowish- white ; flat, pappy taste in the mouth; dryness of the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow ; rough feeling of the fauces ; tonsils slightly congested. Stomach.—Frequent empty eructations ; constant distress in the stomach, more in the afternoon and evening; severe cutting, tearing pains in the stomach and region of the gall-bladder ; at times the pains are of a spasmodic character ; constant, dull pain in the stom- ach ; great burning distress in the stomach, with sharp prickling pains in it and faintness ; great faintness at the stomach very painful on pressure. Liver.—The appearance of the alvine evacuations shows that it has a marked effect upon the liver ; sharp, cutting pains in the regions with frequent sharp, cutting pains in the region of the gall bladder; dull, heavy, aching pains in the right lobe of ijie liver ; the stools are very black, dry and hard ; large, deep yellow, papescent stools, show- ing an increased secretion of bile, then light colored stools. Urinary ajid Genital Organs.—No special effect observed. Abdomen. -Constant, dull pain in the epigastric and umbilical regions, with frequent colic-like pains of a cutting, tearing character > frequent, sharp, cutting pains in the umbilicus, aggravated by walk ing ; kwoke three times in the night with severe colic-like pains in the umbilicus ; constant dull pain in the umbilicus, with frequent sharp, cutting pains all through the intestines. DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 311 StOOl and Anus.—Black, dry, hard, lumpy stool, last part of it soft, white and mushy ; dark, black stool, followed by prolapsus of the anus ; the anus has four hemorrhoidal tumors on it as large as red cherries ; three are the color of the mucous membrane of the intes- tine, the other is of a livid, dark blue color. The prover never had hemorrhoidal tumors in his life, excepting one tumor after proving the Veratrum v., and strong symptoms of it while proving iEsculus. He considers these hemorrhoidal tumors truly a pathogenetic symptom of the Dioscorea ; obstinate constipation, followed by bilious diarrhoea ; severe pain in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, with great desire for stool; very profuse, deep yellow, thin stool, followed by a very weak, faint feeling, and without relieving the pain in the bowels ; this continued two days, in the morning, then was followed by consti- pation. The hemorrhoidal tumors were prolapsed all the time, with great pain and distress in them. Chest.—Sharp, pulsating pain in the top of the sternum; sharp stitches all through the chest and cervical portion of the back; draw- ing pain between the shoulders. Back.— Constant, dull pain in the lumbar region; dull aching pain in the lumbar-sacral region, very much aggravated by bending the spine ; dull pain in the small of the back ; bending of the spine produces sharp, cutting pains in all the lumbar vertebra ; back is quite stiff, especially in the morning. Arms.—Frequent drawing pains in the elbows, wrists, hands and fingers ; severe cutting pains in the elbows, wrists and fingers ; con- stant dull pains in the wrists, hands and fingers, with frequent sharp pains in the fingers ; fingers are very stiff, can hardly close them, they are so very painful. Lower Extremities.—Dull, drawing pains in the knees and ankles ; very sharp pain in the bottom of the feet and toes; constant dull pains in the ankles, feet and toes, with sharp pain in the toes ; the toes are very stiff, especially in the morning. PROVING OF DIOSCOREA, BY THOMAS NICHOL, M. D., BELLEVILLE, C. W. Dec. 1st, 1865.—At 11 a. m., took a teaspoonful of the 1st deci- mal dilution, in a little water ; at 11:30, nausea and qualmishness, with stitching pain in the region of the heart, and an uneasy feeling in the umbilical region. At 12:50 p. m., belching up of wind, and continued uneasiness of the umbilical region; at 3 p. m., rumbling of the bowels, with tenderness on pressure, the tenderness was more a soreness, and there was considerable bloating. At 9 p. m., took a tea- 312 NEW REMEDIES. spoonful of the 1st decimal dilution. All the symptoms were aggra- vated on lying down, and the pain shot at intervals down to the iliac regions, especially the right. Confused sleep, with anxious dreams. Dec. 2d, 1865.—At 8:30 a. m., took a teaspoonful of the 1st deci- mal dilution. The abdominal pain intermits a good deal to-day, it having been continuous on the previous day. The tongue was coated yellow, and the eructations tasted of rotten eggs. At 2 p. M., I ate a sour apple without considering its effects on the proving, and in a very short time the pains and all the symptoms disappeared. Dec. 6th, 1865.— Resumed the proving, using the 1st decimal trituration of Dioscorein, of Keith's manufacture, which Dr. Coe claims is the "true concentrated equivalent of the plant." At 12:30 p. m., took two grains of the preparation ; at 1 p. m., rumbling of the bowels and inclination for stool, with uneasy feeling in the stomach, with nausea and disgust for food. 3:30 p. m., bloating of the umbili- cal region, with soreness on pressure, with giddy, confused feeling of the head. At 4 p. m., took two grains of the 1st decimal trituration; at 5 p. m., unusually drowsy, fell asleep with a book in my hand, all through the sleep there was a confused consciousness of the conversa- tion going on around me ; on awakening felt an unusual languor, with disinclination for mental exertion. Dec. 6th.—Passed a ver}' restless night, and got up feeling lan- guid and unrefreshed ; the head ached over the eyes, and the mouth was bitter and clammy. At 7 a. m., a good deal of heat in the stom- ach, with nausea. Gradually vertigo and giddiness comes on, which lasted for an hour ; the head felt hot, and about 8 o'clock warm sweat broke out over the forehead, and the vertigo was accompanied by rum- bling of the bowels. At 12 m., took five grains of the 1st decimal trituration. At 1:55 p. m., sudden re-appearance of the vertigo, with heat of the head ; this continued with great violence for half an hour, and then subsided, but continued more or less all the evening. Dec. 7th.—Early this morning, while in bed, I felt a mild but per- sistent nausea, accompanied by sharp pains in the umbilical and right iliac regions. The pain was spasmodic and very sharp, and was neither aggravated nor ameliorated by pressure, though pressure caused a rumbling. At 9:30 A. m., very sharp, cutting pains along the whole right side of the forehead, shooting back as far as the ear; the pain is not a steady pain, but remits, and is aggravated by pres- sure. At 5 p. m., while walking in the street, I was attacked with vertigo so violent that I was unable to walk, and reeled a,s if intoxi- cated, and at the same time the neuralgic pain was aggravated. 4 DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 313 Dec. 8th, 1865.—At 2:45 p. m., took 15 grains of the 1st decimal trituration. At 3:25, return of the sharp pains in the temples, aggra- vated by exposure to the cold air. After this date I took no more medicine, and all the symptoms gradually declined. Dr. Paine, (eclectic) gives some suggestive pathogenetic experi- ence with this drug. He does not, however seem to see the inevit- able deduction favorable to homoeopathy which such experiments present. Dioscorea evidently causes just that hypersesthesia of the abdominal nerves which Dr. Paine says it cures. He says : * "As to its influence on the healthy constitution I will give the experience of two of my former students—each testing the drug when in a per- fect state of health, and each being ignorant of the effect experienced by the other:" DR. HENRY A. SUMMER.'s EXPERIMENT. "I commenced taking Dioscorin in half-grain doses three times a day. Soon after taking the first dose, I experienced considerable pain in the abdomen, which was Foon followed by a slight diarrhoea. I continued taking the drug until I had taken twenty-five doses, and did not observe any further effects. I then increased the dose to one grain, when I was again seized with abdominal pains as well as diar- rhoea, which soon passed off; and although I continued its use until I had taken twelve one-grain doses, no other effects were perceptible. I then discontinued its use for three days, when I again commenced with the dose increased to two grains, and after taking four doses was seized with such a severe griping pain in the abdomen that I was obliged to abandon the experiment. Since I commenced the experi- ment I found that my appetite was very much increased." DR. J. C. MICHENER's EXPERIMENT. " I commenced taking one-half grain of Dioscorin with the fol- lowing effects : First dose caused a slight feeling of fulness in the head, with an increase of saliva, and an agreeable sweetish taste. Symptoms continued three hours. The dose was taken three times a day on the 7th and 8th, with like effects. On the 9th the dose was doubled in the morning, which caused a slight, continued pain in the abdomen, as if the point of a finger was placed upon the umbilicus and pressed upward and backward. At noon the dose tripled, with an increase of the severity of the symptoms and defecation, which is uncommon at that period. In the evening the dose was quadrupled, but I fell asleep before its action commenced and remained undis- • 314 NEW REMEDIES. turbed about four hours, when I awoke in a horrible dream, feeling much pain in the abdomen, but it soon subsided and I again fell asleep; awoke soon and found myself sore upon pressure. I now took five doses in one, or three grains. In one-half hour there was fulness in the head, speedily followed by severe pain in the abdomen more spasmodic than heretofore. During the intermissions there was a burning sensation which lasted three hours. I now thought it the part of prudence to discontinue the experiment. The soreness lasted two days." Dr. Paine does not venture any remarks on these experiments. In fact, he could make no deductions without giving " aid and comfort" to the homoeopathic school, and this no well regulated eclectic or alio- pathist would do, even if in withholding it he sacrifice consistency and truth. AAe, however, want no better proof of the law of similia than the above experiments. They show that Dioscorea is capable of causing very similar conditions to those it so promptly cures. Its action, although evidently severe, is not of long duration. Dr. Paine (Eclectic) says* : " The first instance in which I used this remedy was in the case of a lady, about forty years of age, who had been laborinjr under a severe form of the affection (bilious colic) for three days, in spite of the usual remedies taken to relieve her. I ordered two grains (of Dioscorin) to be given every fifteen minutes, followed by a small draught of hot water. The second dose relieved the violence of the paroxysm, and in the course of two hours the vomiting and pain had been entirely controlled, although there were gastric and enteric inflammation for several days, which yielded, however, to hot packs, Aconite and Veratrum v, " Subsequently I used the remedy in a number of cases under more favorable circumstances, and in each instance immediate relief was the result, and in no case in which I have used the Diocorea previously to the use of other remedies have I found inflammatory symptoms developed; hence I have every reason to believe that they would rarely occur in bilious colic, if they were not induced by pernicious medication. On consulting my med- ical friends, I learn that their experience is similar to mine; and knowing that what is known as bilious colic was simply a hyperaes- thesia of the umbilical plexus of nerves, or one of the forms of neu- ralgia, I determined to try it in other nervous affections, consequently I have used it in nearly every form of painful neuralgia." " In facial neuralgia, hyperaesthesia of the spine, brain, uterus * Concentrated Medicines, page 43. DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. 315- and other portions of the nervous system, its power is most marked and in nearly every instance relief has been effected. Of course the- causes, predisposing and exciting, received their due attention and appropriate treatment, as well as other complications. " As to the extent to which I have used the drug I would remark that although I have not kept a detailed account of all the cases, yet. I have prescribed it continually for five or six years, and with almost uniform success. My experience with it, as well as such information as I could obtain from others, leads me to believe that it possesses- more power over painful nervous affections than any other remedy in the Materia Medica. Its influence on the system appears to be of a more specific character than otherwise, as it relieves the pain without producing any remarkable constitutional symptoms, for, after taking one or two grains every two hours, for a few days, the system appears to react, and the pain and paroxysm disappear, the appetite becomes natural, and the bowels and kidneys, together with all the eliminators of the body assume their natural functions." " In most chronic nervous affections I combine the Dioscorin with some proportion of Iron, and use such other adjunct remedies as the cases seem to demand. In malarious districts I use it with sulphate of quinine." Dr. V. AAr. Sunderlin, of Pewamo, Michigan, reports the following case :—Mr. A. V., aged 30, nervous temperament, has for several years been suffering with Flatulent Colic, which comes on every night, except during the summer months, at which time the pain does not come on so regularly every night, nor is it so severe. In the year 1858 I prescribed for him for the same disease, and gave Colocynth, Chamomilla, Carbo veg., Nux vom., and some other remedies, with- out any material benefit. Since that time other physicians and many remedies have been tried, apparently in vain. He believed that spirits of turpentine relieved him most of anything he had tried. About six weeks ago his sufferings were so great that I was sent for, and prescribed the Dioscorin 1st, in two-grain doses, three to be taken during the daytime and a dose every hour, when the pain came on. He has had no colic since the first night after taking the Dioscorin, and considers himself well. ERECHTHITES HIERACIFOLIUS, (Fire-Weed.) Analogues.—Asarum, Copaiva, Petroleum, Sanguinaria, Sabina Trillium, Terebinthina. Botanical Description.—This plant was first described under its present name by Rafinesque. It is the Senecio hieracifolius of Lin- nceus. It has an annual, herbaceous, grooved, thick, fleshy, branching virgate, panicled and roughish stem, from one to five feet high. The leaves are simple, alternate, large, lanceolate or oblong, acute, une- qually and deeply toothed, with acute indentures, sessile and light green, the upper ones often with an auricled clasping base. The flowers are whitish, terminal, crowded, and destitute of rays Invo- lucra smooth, large, tumid, and bristly at the base. Achenia oblong, hairy. Medical History.—This is an indigenous rank weed, growing in fields throughout the United States, in moist woods, and in recent clearings, especially and abundantly in such as have been burned over. It flowers from July to October, and somewhat resembles in appearance the Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) ; the flowers some- times resemble those of lettuce. The whole plant is officinal, and yields its virtues to water and alcohol. It has a peculiar aromatic and somewhat foetid odor, very unpleasant to many persons, and a peculiar, slightly pungent, bitterish and rather disagreeable taste, with some astringency. These properties appear to depend upon a volatile oil, which may be obtained from the plant by distillation with water, and which possesses in an eminent degree the taste and odor of the plant, and which is very persistent. It is of a light yellow color, (King.) Homoeopathic Officinal Preparations.—Tincture and Oil, and the dilutions prepared therefrom. The first dilution (decimal) of the oil, being of about the strength of the mother tincture of the plant. General Effects.—No pathogenesis of this remedy has yet been obtained. In large doses it acts as an acrid emeto-cathartic. It is decreed by the eclectics to be " emetic, cathartic, tonic, astringent and alterative." King says it is most valuable for the last three qual- ities. It seems to possess analogous properties with Erigeron, Tur- pentine, Copaiva, and others of its congeners above mentioned. It acts as a powerful irritant to the mucous membrane of the digestive and urinary organs, and in some manner upon the blood vessels. Muscular Membranes.—" It is reputed an unrivalled medicine in diseases of the mucous tissues of the lungs, stomach and bowels. A spiritous extract of the plant has been highly recommended by Dr, A. R. AVyeth in the treatment of cholera and dysentery, in the latter disease promptly arresting the muco-sanguineous discharges, reliev- ing paiu, and affecting a speedy cure, In the summer complaint of ERECHTHITES HIERACIFOLIUS. 317 children, he has found it to prove almost invariably successful, even in cases where other means had failed." (King.) That this medicine should cure the above diseases is not surpri- sing, The little we know of its pathogenetic effects, convince us that if given in pathogenetic doses it would cause all the Symptoms of gastro-enteritis, with bloody, mucus, or watery discharges. It may be considered homceopathically indicated in the above diseases, in adults and children, when blood is quite profuse in the evacuations, and the urinary organs are also effected simultaneously or sympatheti- cally. In these cases we would advise the third dilution of the oil, or the first of the tincture. In cases of chronic bronchitis, gleet, catarrh of the bladder, and all chronic blenorrhoeas, if indicated, it may be used with advantage in the lowest dilutions. Heart, Arteries, etc.—In its effects on this system it rivals Erig- eron. It has long possessed the popular confidence as almost a specific for all active haemorrhages. It is the custom of the country people to apply the fresh bruised leaves to bleeding wounds, and administer the infusion internally for haemorrhages. It has been used success- fully by the eclectics in haemorrhage from the lungs, bowels, kidneys, and uterus. King* says it has " proved useful in profuse menstrua- tion. The volatile oil, however, is principally used in obstetric prac- tice, to check uterine haemorrhage, which it frequently does with promptness. It has likewise been found useful in spasms of the stomach and bowels, hysteria and the diarrhoea of pregnant females." (women.) The same author advises its use in haemorrhoids, (bleeding.) Several homoeopathic physicians give me their favorable testimony relative to its value in uterine hcemorrhage. They find the first deci- mal dilution of the oil. ten drops on sugar, repeated every 15 or 30 minutes, the most appropriate dose. Eclectics give from 20 to 30 drops of the crude oil. It would be interesting to know whether a proving of this agent in dynamic doses would elicit the haemorrhagic, gastro-enteric, and urinary symptoms for which it is so popular. Having generally used the the Erigeron, I have not prescribed the Erechthites in but a few instances. In one case, of menorrhagia, it arrested the flooding in a few hours ; in another, of haemorrhage from an abortion, (at eight weeks,) before the placenta was expelled, it seemed to check the flooding, which did not return. I have no doubt it will be found useful, not only in haemorrhages from various organs, but in acute inflammations of the bowels, kidneys, bladder, etc, External Uses.—As an external application, Dr. Scudder f says the infusion has been highly recommended as a wash in chronic cuta- neous diseases, as in herpes, salt-rheum, tinea capitis, psoriasis, etc., and as an application to old, indolent ulcers. It probably cures such conditions by its local homoeopathicity, as an irritant, in the same manner as Tar and Turpentine, when applied in the form of ointments. * American Obstetrics, page 667. t Mat. Med., page 653. ERIGERON CANADENSE. (Canada Fleabane.) Analogues.—Asarum, Arnica, Cantharis, Copaiva, Chimaphila, '.Senecio, Eryngium, Galium, Hamamelis, Trillium, Tercbinthina, Uva ursi. Botanical Description.—Stem erect, wand-like, five inches to five feet high, branching, hairy and furrowed. Leaves very narrow, with rough edges, those from the root cut-lobed. Flowers white, very numerous, small, of mean appearance, irregularly racemous upon the branches, and constituting a large oblong panicle. The disk of the flowers yellow. This is an annual plant, common all over the world, -seldom seen in woods or on mountains, but grows in fields, commons, dry meadows and glades in great profusion, and is deemed by farmers one of the most troublesome weeds. It flowers in June to October. [This genus comprises eight species, three of which are considered to possess similar medicinal qualities, namely: E. canadense, E. philadelphicum, E. annuum. It is quite probable that the plant as found in the shops, and most of the oil in market, is prepared from the three, and perhaps other kinds, mixed indiscriminately. The E. canadense is the largest species, but has fewer rays (40 to 50), and are white. The two other species are from two to four feet high, rajs 100 to 200, and reddish-purple or flesh colored. The E. annuum is a hiennial, and the E. philadelphicum a perrenial herb.] Medical History.—The plant has been used since anterior to the settlement of this country. It is still called by its aboriginal name of " Cocosh." The Indians used it as a vulnerary, much as Arnica is used in homoeopathic practice. It has a host of common names. Fleabane is the true English name. Colt's-tail, Mare's-tail, Daisy, Frost-weed, Field-weed, Skevish, etc., are names in common use with the country people, and apply to all the species of the plant. These plants have a peculiar smell, most unfolded by rubbing them, and is not disagreeable. Their taste is astringent, acrimonious, and bitter. 'The two species having the stringent taste and odor are the E. phila- delphicum and E annuum. On analysis they are found to contain Tannin, Extractive, Gallic- .acid, Amarin, and an Essential Oil. The oil is very peculiar, as fluid as water, of a pale yellow color, a peculiar smell, somewhat like lemon, but stronger, and a very acrid taste. Medical authors do not agree as to which plant shall be decreed officinal. Rafinesque men- tions the E. philadelphicum, and botanic writers follow him. Wood -•and Stille name the E. canadense. Homceopathists settled upon the latter more by accident, perhaps, as that species was first mentioned. Dr. De Puy, of New York, states that in 1812, the E. canadense was introduced into the portion of the hospital in that city, where the extract^nd tinctune were found every efficacious m the treatment of ERIGERON CANADENSE. 319 diarrhoea and dysentery. This was probably the first use of it in the allopathic school. Dr. liing* was the first to call the attention of the homoeopathic school to the use of the E. canadense. The other species have not been used knowingly by homoeopathic physicians. Since the first edition of this work, it has been extensively used in homoeopathic practice, and generally with gratifying results. Pharmaceutical Observations.—Owing to the carelessness of plant-gatherers, it is probable that much of the tincture and oil of Erigeron sold by our pharmaceutists is prepared from a mixture of the above mentioned three or more species. In the absence of a pathogenesis of each species, it does not perhaps matter so much, for we now depend mainly on the empirical use of the medicine as our guide in its administration. But when we shall have provings of one or more species, it will then be important that the preparations we use shall be distinct and pure from admixture. Stille says : " Almost all of the testimony which has been pub- lished respecting the remedial writers of the fleabane, agree in attrib- uting to the Canadian species astringent and hemostatic virtues, and to the Philadelphian species a diuretic action more particularly. Raf- inesque, King, and others, think the E. canadense must be considered the officinal plant. Officinal Preparation.—(1) Tincture of the whole plant, and its dilutions. (2) Oleum Erigerontis and its dilutions. (3) Tritura- tions of the oil. General Effects.—Rafinesque, and the older writers, considered the fleabane to be " diuretic, sudorific, astringent, styptic, emmena- gogue, pectoral and tonic." AVood, Stille, and later allopathic writers, consider them tonic, astringent and diuretic. Dr. Hales, of Troy, in 1825, made large use of the E. canadense. He states that two or three drops of the oil dissolved in alcohol, has "suddenly arrested uterine haemorrhagy." Drs. S. AV. AVilliams, E. Watson, and others, in 1854, confirmed the above use of the Erigeron in uterine haemorrhage. Drs. AVeston, Eberle and Barton published cures of ascites'-wlth the plant in infusion. The above are all allopathic authorities, and their experience is valuable to us in a clinical point of view. Eclectic writers give us a large amount of clinical experience with the medicine. Dr. King says it is useful in the form of infusion, in diarrhoea, gravel, diabetes, dropsical affections, dysuria of children, painful micturition, etc. " The volatile oil acts as an astringent, and may be used as a local application to hemorrhoids, bleedings from small wounds, etc., also in rheumatism, boils, tumors, and sore throat." * N. A. Jour., vol. 5, p. 282. 320 NEW REMEDIES. But it is in hemorrhages that the oil has been most strongly recom- mended ; and the testimony relative to its successful use in this con- dition is so large that we must accord some specific virtues to it. It is considered by the country people as being quite infallible in its power over hemorrhages. The usual practice is to apply the bruised fresh plant to the wound, binding it on with a compress. I have known it thus applied to arrest quite alarming arterial bleedings. In its general action, it is an analogue to Terebinthina. Its p>rimary action is similar to Turpentine, in causing intense congestion of the kidneys, etc. It is primarily homoeopathic to active arterial hemor- rhages, with congestion, and even inflammation ; secondarily, to pas- sive hemorrhages, with relaxation, ulceration, etc. Large quantities cause a stimulating effect, increasing the heat of the body and force of the pulse. The following pathogenesis is made up of a collection of scattered symptoms, and a recent proving of Dr. Burt. That geatleman writes me that he expected more symptoms of the genital organs, such as urethritis, urethral discharges, etc., but thinks he did not carry the experiment far enough. He calls attention to a symptom which was persistent through the whole proving, namely: a dult, aching pain and distress in the lower lumbar region. He supposes, and perhaps correctly, that the pain was due to renal congestion. PROVING- BY WM. H. BURT, M. D., OF LYONS, IOWA. Experiment First.—Nov. 11. In perfect health. Took five drops of the tincture prepared by Dr. E. A. Lodge. At 9 p. m., it produced dryness of the pharynx; severe drawing pains in the right lumbar region, passing down to the right testicle, lasting half an hour, fol- lowed by dragging pains in the left hypochondrium. Nov. 12.—Took 20 drops at 7 a. m. Noon, increased secretion of mucus in the nostrils all the forenoon, with a feeling of roughness of the pharynx and sensation as if something had lodged in the upper part of the oesophagus that causes a frequent inclination to swallow. Slight nausea for two hours ; slight rheumatic pains in the abdominal muscles and right thumb ; severe drawing pains in the left ankle, greatly aggravatad by walking, lasted three hours. Took 20 drops. For three hours had hard drawing pains in the abdomen, then felt no more symptoms until 7 p. m., when I had sudden, severe pains in the hypogastrium, followed by soft, mushy stool. Throat sore all night, with frequent inclination to swallow ; feeling as if something had lodged in the upper part of the oesophagus. ERIGERON CANADENSE. 321 Nov. 13.—Throat slightly sore. Hard, lumpy stool at 7 a. m. 8 p. m.. sudden pain in the hypogastrium, followed by a mushy stool ; urine increased and of a pale color. Jan. 1.—Took 30 grains of the third trituration of the oil, pre- pared from the 2d decimal dilution, at 11 a. m. 2 p. m., have had a constant, dull pain in the right umbilicus, twice the pains were severe and of a cutting character; eructations of air. 9 p. m., dull frontal headache. Have had frequent rumbling pains in the bowels, with dull aching distress in the lumbar region ; twice had a number of sharp, stabbing pains in the region of the left kidney, passing from left to right. All the evening drawing pains in the elbow and meta- carpal bones of the right arm and hand ; dull pains in the knees. Jan. 2—Feeling well, took 40 grains at 8 a. m. 12 m., in two hours after taking the medicine I had sudden colic-like pains in the umbilical region while walking, with dull pains in the lower dorsal region, and loud singing in the right ear ; for two hours have had dull pains in the left hypogastrium and umbilicus. Took 40 grains. 1 p. m., severe sticking pains in the region of the right kidney. 9 p. m., have been excessively languid all day, with great depression of spir- its. Smarting of the eyes all the afternoon and evening ; frequent, dull pains in the left umbilical region ; constant severe aching distress in the whole dorsal region, more on the right side. No stool to day - urinated 28 ounces dark colored. Thermometer 'IS^. Jan. 3.—Awoke with a dull pain in the forehead and right eye - slight agglutination of the eye-lids ; rough feeling in the pharynx ; very languid. 7 a. m., took 75 grains. In half an hour dull pains in the hypogastrium, followed by a dark colored, hard, lumpy stool. 10 p. m., dull frontal headache, with smarting of the eyes ; dull pains in the umbilicus ; aching distress of the whole dorsal region. At 3 p. m., feeling greatly prostrated, no ambition to move ; frequent disposi- tion to yawn ; great aching distress in the dorsal and lumbar regions ; arms and legs ache severely. 9 p. m., same symptoms ; urinated 40 ounces. Thermometer 20°. Jan. 4.—Natural stool, followed by severe neuralgia of the anus, with tenesmus. Jan. 5.—Natural stool at 8 a. m. 12 m„ loose stool. Loose stool on the 6th. My friend, Prof. E. M. Hale, sent me 380 grains of the dried herb. I made an infusion of it by putting the whole quantity sent into one quart of water and boiled it down one-half. Jan. 8.—Took one ounce of the infusion at 8 a. m. 12 m., slight 21 322 NEAV REMEDIES. distress in the umbilical region. Took two ounces. "I v. m., frequent dull pains in the umbilical region, with a feeling in the anus as if it had been torn ; this was a prominent symptom, and lasted all day. Roughness of the pharynx. 10 p. m., have had frequent distress in the umbilicus, with hard, aching distress in the whole dorsal region. Took two ounces ; urinated 49 ounces, pale color. Time. Barometer. Thermometer. Weather. 71 o'clock, - - - 30.12 | F. 9. R. 11 | Clear. 12 " ... 30.20 | 15 8 | " 3 " ... 30.22 | 17 7 | •' 6 " ... 30.22 | 18 7 | " Jan. 9.—Awoke at 4 a. m., with great desire to urinate ; voided 13 ounces ; dull pain in the lumbar and sacral regions. 8 a. m., took three ounces. 2 p. m., sharp, cutting pains in the epigastric region every few minutes, followed by dull pains. 6 p. m., mushy stool; dull distress in the whole dorsal region. 9 p. m., pains in the hips when walking ; urinated 63 ounces, pale color, turns blue litmus paper red, but cannot detect albumen in it with heat or nitric acid. Time. Barometer. Thermometer. Weather. li o'clock, - - • 30.20 F. 13 It. 8 | Clear. 12 " ... 30.16 30 1 | Cloudy. 3 " ... 30.14 33 1 I " 6 " ... 30.15 32 1 | " Rained all the afternoon. Jan. 10.—Had a restless night, but no pain ; feeling languid, with aching distress in all the large joints; no stool to-day ; so situated I could not measure the urine to-day, but it was much less to-day than yesterday. Rainy day. Jan. 11.—Aching of all the joints, with great despondency ; nat- ural stool. Rainy to-day. Jan. 12.—Awoke with a dull headache, with aching distress in all the large joints ; bad taste in the mouth. Languid, rainy day. Some symptoms every morning for three days. DR. BURT'S EXPERIMENT WITH ERIGERON ON A CAT. Sept. 5.—4 a. m., injected five drops of the oil under the skin of the foreleg of a cat. Quarter of an hour afterwards mews constantly; runs about; appears restless, uneasy. 5 p. m., lies quiet, with eyes half closed. 7 p. m., injected thirty drops of oil. After half an hour appears in great distress. Profuse secretion of saliva. At 8 p. m. is quiet, with mouth open. Sept. 6.—Passed four stools,natural, during the night; the last slightly streaked with blood ; has not urinated ; refuses to eat. 9 a. ERIGERON CANADENSE. 323 m., injected fifty drops under the skin of the foreleg; followed by great agitation as before. 10 a. m., ears and legs very cold; excessive trembling. 4 p. m., has had two undigested stools, and urinated. 6 p. m., injected forty drops ; one hour after unable to get up; trem- bling excessively. Sept. 7.—Appears quite natural ; has passed stools and urine during the night. Injected thirty drops under the skin of side. 5 p. m., very weak; has been trembling all day. 7 p. m., injected fifty drops ; tries to walk, but is unable to do so. 8 p. m., injected thirty drops. Sept. 8.—Just alive. Injected 30 drops. Ears and legs very cold. Died at 9 a. m. Autopsy.—Nine hours after death : encephalic and thoracic viscera natural; liver much congested; also the colon and rectum, which were filled with dry fozcal matter, agglutinated to the intestines so firmly as to be removed with difficulty. Kidneys, cortical substance, slightly congested. Bladder much distended ; other abdominal vis- cera natural. RESUME. Skin.—When the oil is applied to the skin it " causes a burning sensation, much resembling that produced by Capsicum, but will not vesicate. It is a powerful rubefacient, but we never emember to have seen it vesicate."* Dr. White, however, says that it causes " slightly elevated, sharply defined vesicles." Sleep.—Great restlessness all night, without any real pain. Fever.—A^ery languid all day ; great lassitude all day, with great depression of spirits ; severe, dull, aching distress in all the larger jeints ; hard, dull, aching pain in all the dorsal region; frequent yawning. Moral Symptoms.—Lowness of spirits, with a feeling of great languor. Head.—Awoke in the morning with a dull frontal headache ; dull pains in the forehead and right eye ; dull headache ; dull headach with singing in the right ear ; headache, with pain in all th large joints. Eyes.—Smarting of the eyes all day ; slight agglutination of the eye-lids in the morning; dull pain in the right eye and forehead. Applied to the conjunctiva it causes redness, swelling, inflam- mation, with profuse muco-purulent discharges. Yet Scudderf * Coe, Cone. Org. Med. t Materia Medica. 324 NEW REMEDIES. says that the infusion is useful, as a local application, in opthal- mia, after the acute symptoms have subsided. It will form a use- ful application to ecchymoses upon the eyeballs, or around the eye, from a blow, etc. It should be given internally, and a weak dilution of the tincture applied locally. Nose.—Increased secretion of mucus in the nostrils all the fore- noon. Clinical Observations.—It is a useful remedy in epistaxis. It may be applied locally by injecting a weak dilution in water, or satura- ting lint with it and plugging the nostrils. But it is undoubtedly useful in epistaxis, when administered internally. A few drops of the first or second decimal dilution of the oil, given every fifteen minutes, will often arrest profuse bleedings from the nasal passages. AVhen given for active hemorrhage from the nose, accompanied with congestion of the head, febrile action, red face, etc., it should be given in the third or sixth dilution, and in alternation with Aconite, Belladonna or Veratrum viride. But when the hemorrhage is passive, occurring in debilitated subjects, or is chronic, and associated with ulcerative catarrh, the one-tenth, or even the tincture, in drop doses, may be resorted to with benefit. Mouth.—Flat, pappy taste in the mouth in the morning. Clinical Observations.—In bleeding from the gums, profuse bleed- ing from the cavity after a tooth has been extracted, it has been used locally with benefit. Throat.—Dryness of the pharynx ; roughness of the pharynx, with a sensation as if something had lodged in the upper part of the oesophagus, that causes a frequent inclination to swallow; sore throat all night, with frequent inclination to swallow ; rough feeling in the pharynx, with bad taste in the mouth. Clinical Observations.-Dr.Coe says, "as an application to inflamed and enlarged tonsils, and inflammation and ulceration of the throat generally, this remedy has few superiors. It should be applied with a probang, of the strength of one drachm to two ounces of alcohol. It should be applied externally to the throat at the same time." This recommendation will remind the practical physician of the popular use of Turpentine in similar cases. Indeed, it is quite certain that in the early stages of Tonsillitis, the latter remedy will arrest the disease. When applied to the mucous surface will cause inflammation and even ulceration. Stomach.—Slight nausea for two hours ; frequent eructations of tasteless air ; sharp cutting pains in the region of the stomach every few minutes, followed by constant, dull distress in the same region. Excessive nausea; violent retching and vomiting, with burning sensation of long duration in the stomach ; sensation of heat in the stomach. ERIGERON CANADENSE. 325 Clinical Observations.—It should be useful in haomatemesis. Aromiting of blood may be caused (a) by erosion of the mucous coats of the stomach, (b) inflammation of the stomach and consequent ulcer- ation, (c) rupture of an artery, {d) cancer, {e) disease of the liver and spleen. In all these cases the Erigeron will prove a valuable auxili- ary to such remedies as Hamamelis, Sulphuric acid, Ipecac, etc. AVhen the vomiting is the result of acute inflammation the higher dilutions will be most appropriate, but when it proceeds from ulcera- tion, rupture of an artery, or when the blood is black and grumous, then the lowest dilutions will prove most efficient. Abdomen.—Rheumatic pains in the abdomen ; dull pains in the left umbilicus ; sharp pains in the umbilicus ; frequent, dull pains in the bowels, with dull distress in the dorsal region ; sudden, severe pains in the hypogastrium, followed by mushy stool, twice about 5 p. m. ; sudden, colicky pains in the umbilical region, when walking out doors. StOOl*—Hard, lumpy stool ; mushy stools ; sudden pains in the hypogastrium, followed by papescent stools, twice at 5 p. m. ; natural stool, followed by severe neuralgic pains in the anus, with tenesmus ; feeling in the anus as if it was torn. Catharsis, with burning sensation throughout the alimentary canal; thin, papescent stool, with burning in the bowels and rectum ; burning in the margin of the anus. (The experiment of Dr. Burt, in which he injected the oil under the skin of a cat, throws some light on its action on the bowels. He got the following symptoms : Undigested stools of meat; stools loose and streaked with blood. Autopsy showed the colon and rectum much congested, and in which was dry faecal matter, agglutinated to the surface so firmly as with difficulty to be removed. All these symp- toms, and the pathological condition, point to an inflammation of the mucous coats of the colon and rectum). Clinical Observations.—In 1812 it was used successfully in New York city hospital in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. In some portions of the country it is considered a specific for "bloody flux." In domestic practice I have often known it to be used in the form of an infusion, with curative results. Taking the hint from this observation, I have given the lower dilutions in dysentery, with excellent effects. Several of my colleagues bear testimony to its curative action in this disease. It is indicated when the urinary organs are sympathetically affected, and we find dysuria, or suppres- sion of urine. The stools are small, streaked with blood, accompanied with tormina, burning in the bowels and rectum. The appearance of scybala (lumps of indurated faeces) in the discharges would be a fur- ther indication for the Erigeron. In hemorrhoids, especially in the bleeding variety, this remedy is specifically indicated. In profuse bleeding from the hemorrhoidal tumors, we should not rely entirely 326 NEAV REMEDIES. upon its internal use, but apply the diluted tincture locally. In hem- orrhage from the bowels, the Erigeron will probably prove as valuable as Terebinth, to which it bears so close an analogy. Both remedies are capable of causing inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal mucous membrane. In typhoid fever, dysentery, and several other diseases, ulceration occurs, resulting in copious and often fatal hem- orrhage. The usual remedies are Nitric and Sulphuric acids, and Turpentine. These remedies arrest the bleeding, and heal the ulcer- ation. Erigeron I believe to have a similar curative action, and should the above medicines fail, I should resort to the first or second decimal dilution in ten drop doses, repeated every hour, with a confidence in the result. Liver.—Dull pains in the right and left hypochondrium. Aching distress in the right and left hypochondrium ;—constant symptom,— with severe aching distress in the whole dorsal region. Urinary Organs.—Sharp, stabbing pains in the region of the left kidney, the pains were from left to right; sticking pains in the region of the left kidney ; dull, aching distress in the lower dorsal region, (constant symptom) ; pain in the right lumbar region, passing down to the right testicle ; urine dark color at first, afterwards very pale; urine increased to double the normal quantity, very pale, heat or nitric acid show no albumen in it; inclination to urinate about every hour, with an aching distress in the bladder. Erigeron has a specific affinity for the urinary apparatus. Dr. Burt found the cortical substance of the kidneys, (in a cat poisoned with the oil) slightly congested. At first the urine was suppressed, then increased. In this its action resem- bles Cantharis, Cannabis, Copaiva, Turpentine, etc., when given in large doses. The pathogenetic symptoms in men are : (1) Complete sup- pression of urine, with pain in the region of the kidneys ; urging to urinate, with emissions of only a few drops of burning urine (large dose). This condition was followed in a day or two by copious emis- sions of pale urine, smelling of the oil. (2) Small and repeated doses caused frequent urination, with burning in in the urethra when urina- ting ; discharge of mucus with urine. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Ring was the first to introduce this remedy to the homoeopathie school for the treatment of urinary affec- tions. In the N. A. Journal of Homoeopathy, Vol. V., page 282, he writes : " Recently I have had two cases of dysuria in teething chil- dren, which yielded to no remedy until I made use of drop doses (two or three drops every two or three hours) of a tincture of the Erig- eron canadense. The symptoms in the two cases were more particu- larly—pain so as to cause a great deal of cryiDg on voiding urine, the calls for which are frequent. The secretion was abnormally increased. and had a very strong odor. The parts externally—both were female ERIGERON CANADENSE. 327 children—were in both cases very much inflamed, or irritated, with considerable mucus discharged. The children were very fretful at all times. Several remedies were tried in both cases without any benefit, but prompt relief followed the use of the fleabane." Nearly every writer upon indigenous remedies has recommended the Erigeroa for similar cases, as well as for other affections of the urinary organs. King says it has been found efficient in gravel, diabetes, dropsical affections, dysuria of children, painful micturition, and also many nephritic affections. Scudder writes : " It has been used with benefit in diabetes, nephritis, cysitis, and to subdue the irritation arising from the presence of calculi in the bladder; also in gonorrhoea and gleet." Several cases are reported in the Eclectic Journal of its successful use in hematuria, also in chronic vesical catarrh. Coe says he has used the Erigeron in gonorrhoea with the most marked and benefi cial results : " It allays the scalding of the urine, and assists materially in cutting short the disease. It is of much service in inflammation of the kidneys and bladder." AVistar, Eberle, and Barton used the infusion successfully in dropsy, and report several cures of ascites. Stille says it is useful in vesical irritation, from catarrh of the bladder, and promotes the dis- charge of calculous concretions from the urinary passages. All this testimony is eminently suggestive to the homocpoathist. In the study of a medicine, it is most important to ascertain its speci- fic affinity for any particular organ or tissue. This inquiry settled, we may rationally prescribe it in affections of those structures, even before we know the peculiar pathogenetic symptoms which it causes in those organs. AVe have ample testimony that the Erigeron has a specific affinity for the urinary organs, a3 much so as Cantharis or Turpentine ; and although its characteristic symptoms may differ from those medicines, yet we know it will prove useful in nephritis, cys- titis, haematuria, dysuria, etc. A good proving should be made ; but, if we can have such careful observations as those of Dr. Ring, we can be guided materially in our selection of the drug. Genital Organs Of Women.— Uterine Hemorrhage, with violent irritation of the rectum and bladder; hemorrhage from the uterus and bladder; abortion, with profuse hemorrhage, diarrhoea, and dysuria— (from very large doses); scanty menses. Clinical Remarks.—AAre have at command a large amount of clinical testimony, from the most reliable sources, both allopathic and homoeopathic, as to its curative action in hemorrhages from the uterus, and other abnormal discharges from the sexual passages. Beach says (Mat. Med.): " The oil is an infallible remedy in hemorrhages, in doses of from five to ten drops." Dr. King (Obstetrics) says it " exerts a powerful influence in menorrhagia and uterine hemorrhage. From two to ten drops, on sugar, or dissolved in alcohol, and mixed in a little mucilage or sweetened water, repeated every ten or twenty min_ utes, usually acts promptly. It may possibly have some other influ_ ence in checking uterine hemorrhage than that of a mere astringent 328 NEAV REMEDIES. for, without the muscular fibres of the uterus are caused to contract, I do not believe the hemorrhage after delivery can be checked." King's theory of the action of Erigeron is doubtless correct. In tympanitis, the gas cannot be expelled, unless there is a contraction of the muscular coats of the intestines. Turpentine has the same effect in tympanitis that Erigeron does in uterine hemorrhage, namely ; causing contraction of muscular fibre; but Erigeron must have also the general power of causing contraction of the muscular coats of the arteries, else it could not be so specific in all forms of hemorrhage (arterial). Coe (Cone. Org. Med.) writes : " Although not a specific, it is undoubtedly the best agent we possess for the relief of uterine hemorrhage. The dose of the oil, in these cases, is from five to ten drops, repeated every thirty or sixty minutes. It will act more promptly, being rendered more diffusible, by being previously dis- solved in alcohol. In addition to its internal administration, it may also be applied locally with the best results. A case occurred under the observation of the writer, over twenty years ago, in which the patient, from excessive loss of blood, was reduced to a comatose con- dition, and incapable of swallowing. A piece of cotton wool, satura- ted with the oil, was introduced into the vagina, and placed in close contact with the mouth of the uterus, when an instantaneous stop was put to the bloody flow. During the past season we were consulted in a similar case, in which we advised the adoption of the above plan, and with complete success." Coe says, " it allays the spasmodic pains accompanying leucorrhoea, and restrains, without suppressing, the menstrual flow, when too profuse." Cases have come under my observation, however, where the Erigeron, in small doses, has unde- niably restrained the menstrual flow, when not too profuse. One cannot read the above testimony from Eclectic sources without noting the similarity of its curative action with that of Sabina. In fact, it is a very near analogue to Sabina. Both cause, in poisonous doses, abortion, hemorrhage, etc. Both are indicated in nearly the same conditions. Like Sabina, it is capable, in toxical doses, of causing congestion, inflammation, and even hemorrhage from the kidneys and uterus. AAre have, in addition to the above, some reliable homoeo- pathic testimony as to the specific curative action of Erigeron in uterine hemorrhage. Dr. White* states: 'I have used the volatile oil in the first, second, and third att., as well as the crude oil. In uterine hemorrhage, it is the first remedy I have recourse to. It has never failed me. I have given from one to ten drops of the 1st, and the same internally, and as an injection into the uterus, in extreme cases." Dr. D. W. Rogers reports to me the following cases :— (1). A lady, aged thirty-five, had an abortion, followed by profuse and alarming hemorrhage, which continued for six weeks, in spite of all the efforts of her allopathic attendants, who used all the astringents, etc., at their command. She became almost exsanguined, nearly com- atose ; could not move without flooding; and the case was given up as hopeless. Erigeron, 1st dil., was given in ten drop doses, every hour. A piece of cotton wool was wet in the same, and applied to * Trans. III. Horn. Med. Association, vol. 9, p. 55. ERIGERON CANADENSE. 329 the os uteri. No more hemorrhage took place after the first six hours, and under the use of appropriate nutriment, etc., the lady made a good recovery. (2). A case of profuse and alarming flooding after labor was promptly arrested by the internal administration of Oleum Erigeron 1st dil. Dr. P. H. Hale used it in a case of post-parturient hemorrhage. Cold applications, posture, etc., were tried without perceptible effect, but the flooding ceased soon after giving the patient the oil of Erigeron, 1st dil. in fifteen drop doses, every thirty min- utes. I might add the testimony of a score of other homoeopathic physicians as to its efficacy in hemorrhage from the uterus, but enough has been adduced to show that it is a valuable and important remedy in such conditions. It will hereafter prove a powerful auxiliary to such remedies as Sabina, Trillium, Crocus, Secale, Platina, and others of similar virtues. The following may be considered a good resume of its curative indications in diseases of women: (a.) In profuse and frequent menses, (b.) In dysmenorrhoea with menorrhagia. (c.) In hemorrhage after labor, or after an abortion, (d.) In threatened abortion with flooding, (e.) In hemorrhage previous to labor, (f.) In profuse lochial discharges, (g.) In profuse uterine and vaginal leucorrhoea. It has been found useful in palpitation of the heart, when arising from uterine irritation. It is alleged to have been used "with remarkable success in those peculiar headaches which accom- pany defective menstruation." Organs of Generation of Men.—(See Urinary Organs.) It has been found curative in gonorrhoea and gleet. Respiratory Organs.—Jones and Scudder (Mat. Med.) say : " In coughs and chronic bronchial affections, when attended with copious mucus or purulent secretion, and in the incipient stages of phthisis attended with bloody expectoration, this agent, used in the form of a syrup or infusion, will be found to answer an excellent purpose. It is of value in haemoptysis." King records his estimate of its value in haemoptysis, also various other eclectic writers. Back.—Severe, drawing pains in the right lumbar region, passing down to the right testicle, lasted half an hour; dull, aching distress in the whole dorsal region, (constant symptom) ; dull pains in the lumbar and sacral regions, with sharp pains in the hips when walking. Superior Extremities.—Rheumatic pains in the right thumb all the evening ; hard drawing pains in the elbow and metacarpel bones of the right arm and hand; great aching distress in the elbows and wrists during rainy weather for several days. Lower Extremities.—Severe drawing pains in the left ankle joint, greatly aggravated by walking, lasted three hours ; dull pains in the knees ; severe aching distress in the hips and knees for several days during rainy weather. 330 NEAV RKMEDIES. Characteristic Peculiarities.—Symptoms all aggravated during rainy weather. The headache is very slight, and generally occurs early in the morning. The greatest amount of suffering caused by the Erigeron is in the lower dorsal region. The depression of spirits is very great at times. The pain in the umbilical region is mostly on the left side. ERYNG1UM AQUATICUM. (Button Snake-Root.) Analogues —Allium sativum, Asclepias tuberosa, Copaiva, Dul- camara, He par sulphur, Ipecac, Kali bichromicum, Phosphorus, Senega, Spongia, Senecio aureus, Tartar emetic. Botanical Description.—This is an indigenous perennial herb. Stem simple, from one to five feet in height, erect. Leaves one to two feet long, by half an inch to an inch and a half wide, broadly linear, paralleled veined, taper pointed, grass-like, ciliate, with remote soft spines. Bracts tipped with spines, those of the involucels entire, shorter than the heads. Flowers white or pale, inconspicuous, and disposed in ovate globose heads which are pedunculate, and from half an inch to an inch in diameter. Calyx five parted, permanent. Styles slender, petals connivant, oblong, emarginate, with long inflexed point. Fruit scaly, top shaped, bipartite. This is a remarkable plant, appearing like one of the Endogens. It is known to the common people by the name of " Rattle-snake's master,"* on account of its reported powerful antidotal virtues against the bites of venomous snakes. Gray and AA'ood do not think the name E. aquaticum a proper one, and call it E. yucccefolium. Gray says it never grows in water. (The former name is retained for the present, at least) King says it grows in swamps and low, wet lands. It is found all over the United States, particularly in moist soils. I have found it in great profusion on the low prairies around Chicago. It flowers in August. The root is the officinal part. It has a dark brown, very knotty rhi- zoma, wrinkled horizontally, with many fibers of the same color, growing downward, furrowed longitudinally, and from a line to a line and a half in thickness. Internally it is yellowish-white, of a pecu- liar smell, somewhat resembling that of Iris versicolor, and a faintly- sweetish, mucilaginous, aromatic taste, succeeded by bitterness, some * This name, however, as well as " Button Snake-root," is also applied to Liatris ipica'a, or " Gay feather." ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM. 331 degree of pungency affecting the fauces, and a very slight astringency.- It is easily pulverizable. AArater or alcohol extracts its properties. Officinal Preparation.—(1) Tincture and dilutions. (2> Trit- urations of the fresh and dried root. Medical History.—Rafinesque was one of the first to mention this plant. He says : * "Many species are very active, diuretic and sudorific. The E. aquaticum, E. yuccoefolium and E. fcetidum, are mostly used. By E. aquaticum he probably referred to the E. virginianum, which was the E. aquaticum of Michaux, and is found in. swamps in New Jersey and near the coast southward ; and the E. fcetidum is now the E. aromaticum (Baldwin), which grows on the pine barrens of Florida. This last he says is equal to Valerian or Contrayerva in hysteria (?) also that " the roots of all are pungent, bitter, aromatic, stimulant, expectorant, useful in debility and chronic diseases of the lungs and bladder. The Indians value them much in fever and dropsy. The root, when chewed, causes a copious flow of saliva." No use is made of this plant in allopathic therapeutics. The eclectics make some use of it. King says : " It is very useful in dropsy, nephritic and calculous affections; also, in scrofula and syphilis ; it is said to be diuretic, stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, and, in large doses, emetic. It has been recommended as a substi- tute for Senega." " The pulverized root, in doses of two or three grains, has proved very effectual in hcemorrhoids and prolapsus ani. Two ounces of the pulverized root, added to one pint of good Holland gin, has effected cures in obstinate cases of gonorrhoea and gleet (one or two fluid drachms three or four times a day). By some practition- ers this root is employed as a specific in gonorrhoea, gleet and leucor- rhoea. Howard speaks of it as a powerful diuretic, and says he has cured asthenic dropsies with it. He has also used it with benefit in gravel. Prof. Tully,-J- in a very ingenius argument on the possibility of selecting medicinal analogues by the sense of taste, says the Eryn- gium strongly resembles in this respect the Polygola senega, and does, in fact, possess similar medicinal powers. The only mention made of this remedy in the literature of our school is to be found in> Hill and Hunt's Surgery, page 400. In the treatment of spermator- rhwa,"&fter referring to various remedies, they propose the Eryngium, and give two "remarkable cures" made by Dr. Parks, of Cincinnati. Since the first edition was published, several physicians of our school have assayed to use it in cases similar to those mentioned by Hill, but without much benefit. It was partially proven by Dr. McClelland, in 1859, when a student of Cleveland College, and in the winter of 1865-6, Drs. Coggswell and Jones, students in Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, made provings of this medicine. These provings may throw light upon its method of action, and give us a* better idea of its sphere of effects than we have heretofore had,. * Medical Botany, 1828. t Materia Nfedjca, part 1, vol. 1, p. 220. 332 NEAA7 REMEDIES PARTIAL PROVING BY C H. M'CLELLAND, M. D. " During the winter of 1858 and 1^)9, while at the Cleveland College, I undertook to prove Eryngium aquaticum, with the follow- ing results : I took from five to twenty drops daily for about ten days, stopped and concluded that the remedy would not take effect on me, when, in the course of a week the following symptoms appeared: [I would here state that I was suspected by professors and students as being under the influence of venereal disease, which caused me to try several substances as antidotes before the drug had expended its powers. It was a most thorough proving, and if others had taken interest in it, a full report might have been secured ; but I have only notes of part of the symptoms, as follows :] Eyes.—Purulent inflammation of left eye ; congested, red, swol- len slightly, tender to pressure ; constant aching, dull pain, relieved by heat, followed by profuse discharge of purulent fluid, sticky, like gum arabic water, sticking lids together, flowing on cheek from all parts of eyelid. Lasted 48 hours, leaving conjunctiva granulated and rough. Throat.—Intense redness and congestion of mucous membrane as far as could be seen, slight swelling, without pain or bad feeling, with profuse secretion of thick, whitish mucus, giving the throat an ulcerated appearance. Inflammation of the eustachian tube, also left ear swollen in and out, tender to pressure, constant aching pain, bleeding readily, with discharge of thick, white and bloody pus, foul smelling ; lasted several days. Nose.—Profuse discharge of thick, yellow mucus from nose, last- ing several days. Chest. — Oppression of chest; feeling of fullness ; inability to take full breath, with desire to do so; no cough, lungs seem to be solidified. TongUC.—Grayish color, with ragged appearance ; constant hawk ing up of mucus. Generative Organs.—Sexual desire suppressed, then excited, with lewd dreams and pollutions ; discharge of prostatic fluid from slight causes. Urine.—Clear at first, usual quantity, then deep yellow, profuse, no froth or sediment. Pulse.—Increased about ten beats, but soft and weak. General Symptoms.—Feeling of great debility ; lower extremi- ties languid and heavy, with profuse perspiration on walking ; faint ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM. 333 ing fits ; dare not rise suddenly, step down, or turn my head quick, or I would fall into a swoon, and once my room mate had trouble to get me brought to my senses. Left os-calcis and patella tender, sore and painful on motion. Continued singing and ringing, with cracking sound in left ear." PROVING BY DR. C. H. COGSWELL, (Student of Hahnemann College and Member of the N. W. Provers' Association.) The prover is of a moto-bilious temperament, mild disposition, general good health, habits regular, student of medicine, attending from five to six lectures daily, rest of the time engagod in study ; live on food not highly seasoned, three meals daily; sleep very well, usually eight hours in twenty-four; take but little exercise, except in going to and from lectures and meals. Chicago, 111., Nov. 22, 1865.—Beautiful weather, warm and dry atmosphere; no prevailing epidemic or endemic diseases. Com- menced proving the drug Eryngium aquaticum by taking ten drops of the tincture half an hour previous to each meal, also before retiring for the night. Began taking it in the morning of the 23d. About 11 o'clock, frequent desire to urinate ; stinging, burning pains in the urethra behind the glans penis during urination ; the urine of a light- ish red color, rather deficient in amount. At 2 o'clock p. m., severe pain in the left groin and testicle, worse during exercise, also a slight, dull pain in the lumbar region ; previous to retiring, urine rather darker, with the symptoms in the urethra more marked ; slept well during the night. Nov. 24.—On rising in the morning, a thick, yellowish, tenacious mucus in the mouth ; appetite partially wanting, though restored upon the sight of food ; pain in the left groin and testicle still continuing. Took the drug the same as the day previous. Nov. 25.—Took the last of the medicine before retiring ; rather wakeful during'the night. Nov. 26.—Feeling of weakness, and heavy, dragging pain in the lumbar region. In the afternoon took a long walk, returned feeling very tired, especially in the lumbar region ; heavy, disagreeable sensation in the groin, perhaps due to the walk. Took no medicine the following day. Nov. 27.—Obtained more of the drug and took fifteen drops half an hour after breakfast. About 11 o'clock, while sitting in the lecture room, felt a heavy, dull pain in the mastoid portion of the temporal bone, and passing through to the opposite side ; also pain in the pos- 334 NEAV REMEDIES. terior portion of the neck, of a rheumatic character ; cervical muscles slightly stiff, and sore on motion ; head moved with difficulty. Took fifteen drops before dinner. Pain in the head still remaining ; thoughts rather confused, could not concentrate them upon any subject without much exertion. 6 p. m., took fifteen drops. Between nine and ten o'clock slight nausea, with drawing, cramping pains in the stomach, also a heavy compressing pain between the shoulders ; slight perspi- ration of a disagreeable odor, resembling that of urine. Nov. 28.—Had severe colic-like or cramping pain in the small intestines ; early in the morning a sensation of weight or heaviness in the stomach; tongue and fauces very dry, with insipid taste in the mouth ; dull, dragging pain in occiput, neck and shoulders ; expanding sensation in frontal region above the eyes, increased by stooping; bruising, tearing pain about the ears, as if they were being torn from their location ; pain in the occiput disappeared about 11 o'clock a. m., but became more severe, extending downward, forward into the eyes, causing a partial dimness of vision or blur before the eyes ; exercise, or the least excitement, increases the pain ; scalp sore to the touch ; combing the hair causes pain ; restless, uneasy, frequently changing position ; flashes of heat passing through the system; slight erethism of the nervous system ; a hot, burning pain in the stomach and oesoph- agus on taking the medicine; bowels constipated ; dark brown color, rather dry, and very hard ; tenesmus at stool; faeces seem to cut as they pass through the anus ; sensation of urine remaining in the ure- thra, of a burning, smarting character, but of normal temperature and not of a corrosive nature. Amount of urine passed in twenty-four hours was twenty-six ounces, slightly acid in reaction ; specific gravity 1016, containing 382,11 grains solid matter ; urine of a lightish red or amber color when boiled; a white flocculent sediment found in the "bottom of the vessel after standing a few hours. Nov. 29.—Pain in the head less severe, but worse in the neck and between the shoulders; erratic pains all over the body in the mus- cular tissue during the day ; loss of energy; very nervous in the evening, unable to remain in one position ; very sober and depressed in spirits ; nausea, followed by acid eructations about noon. Partial anorexia ; no desire for particular kinds of food. Stopped taking the drug in the morning, Nov. 30.—Frontal headache on rising ; awoke earlier than usual; thick, tenacious, disagreeable mucus in the mouth ; erratic pains in the trunk and upper extremities ; heavy, dragging pain in the stom- ach ; smarting, burning sensation in the fauces. ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM. 335 Commenced taking the drug Dec. 11, for the second time. Took one hundred and fifty drops per day. Previous to taking the drug, free from all pain. Acid eructations following each meal, and con- tinuing some little time, but after taking it the second time this symp- tom ceased and remained absent during the proving. Dec. 13.—Bowels constipated, without an evacuation fir two or three days ; felt no uneasiness on this account, and it was more an act of the will than necessity to evacuate the bowels then. Decrease in quantity of urine ; transient rheumatic pains in the left shoulder and arm, also right wrist and hand ; dull, aching pain in frontal region, especially over the left eye. on the 14th. Dec. 15.—After the second dose, severe pain in frontal region sufficient to cause dimness of sight; not able to think steadily on any one subject ; severe pain over left eye of a tearing or boring nature. Dec. 16.—The mucus membrane of the larynx seemed thickened so that it provoked a short, hacking cough and a small expectoration of mucus of thick stringy cousistency and light yellow color. It mostly came from the larynx. A slight dyspnoea, as if clothing was too tight ; choking in the throat upon slight pressure. Dec. 17.—Increased the dose from forty drops to half an ounce. No particular change in the symptoms, except a continual dull, heavy pain in the frontal portion of the brain. Eyes irritated by strong light,* producing a smarting, burning sensation, with a heavy, aching pain, a dull expression of the eyes, and great inclination to sleep «nuch of the time. Concentration of mind caused a heavy, full pain if persisted in. Very nervous and uneasy, moving about continually. Took three doses of half an ounce each during the day. Very dull at night, and not so restless ; slept well during the night; awoke in the morning with colick-like pains in the bowels ; smarting, raw pain in left side of the throat, with dry tongue, and thick yellow mucus was ejected from the mouth, which increased the smarting in the throat; a hollowness or emptiness in the stomach, accompanied by a heavy, dragging pain ; reading or writing caused a hard, heavy pain in the forehead, which was increased by stooping. Dec. 18.—Frequent desire to urinate which passes off drop by drop for a few minutes, with a slight tingling near the meatus urina- rius. Slept well during the night, but arose in the morning with dull, heavy pain in the head. Dec. 19.—Pain in the head increased by lowering it or thinking intently upon any subject; pain mostly located in the frontal region, and more particularly over the left eye, of a sharp, shooting charac 336 NEAV REMEDIES ter, and when sitting in a stooping posture it would leave the eye and pass into the neck and along the muscles to the shoulder, and beneath the scapula, where it would remain for some time. Muscles of the eyes felt stiff, and caused pain on turning them quickly ; eyes sensi- tive to a strong light, and slightly congested at times, especially when looking at a strong light or walking in a bright sunlight; pulse about ninety; muscles of the neck were sore, on turning the head quickly; pressure caused a hard, heavy pain. Dec. 20.—Cramping, colic-like pains in the abdomen ; heavy, dragging pain in the stomach during the night; constipation still con- tinues ; pains in the head and neck less severe, but not entirely gone; great inclination to sleep much of the time, especially in the afternoon. Dec, 21.—Very cold but clear in the morning ; pain in the head and neck increased in intensity, severe when stooping or when turning the head quickly ; burning pain in the eyes, they feel heavy and are slightly congested, squinting ou exposure to a strong light; sharps piercing pain in the bowels, feel bloated, but not visible on inspec- tion, feel heavy while walking and are sore on pressure. FRAGMENTARY PROVING BY DR. W. G. JONES, Student of Hahnemannian College, and. Member of N. W. Provers' Institute. This prover is of lymphatic-bilious temperament, quiet disposi- tion, and in excellent health. Nov. 18.—Took ten drops of the mother tincture in the evening on going to bed. A few minutes afterwards felt dizzy and elated ; disturbed dreams of a confused character Nov. 19.—Very soon after rising urgent call to urinate; urine more scanty and high colored than usual ; a slight burning sensation in urethra before urinating ; soon after dinner vertigo. (This day took 10 drops before each meal and on going to bed at night.) Nov. 20.—Morning, shooting pains in the coronary region, and in the right side of the face, from eyes to teeth; vertigo in evening. (Mediciue same as yesterday.) Nov. 21.—Shooting pains in right side of face, from the the eye to the teeth, in forenoon. The prover was here obliged to discontinue the proving. RESUME. General Symptoms.—Sensation of calmness and indisposition, both mentally and physically ; malaise ; erratic, rheumaticTike pains all over the body in'the muscular tissue ; flashes of heat through the system quite often for some minutes at a time, seeming to come on in paroxysms. (C.) ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM. 337 IVerTOUS System.—Arery nervous in the evening, unable to remain in one position any great length of time; very restless and uneasy. Mucous Membrane—Of the throat and larynx seemed thickened so that it provoked a short, hacking cough and a small expectoration of mucus of a thick, slimy consistency, yellowish color, which came mostly from the larynx. This continued throughout the entire proving. Muscular Tissue.—Erratic pains, not unlike rheumatism ; mus- cles of the eyes felt stiff, and caused pain on moving the eyes quickly ; cervical muscles sore on turning the head rapidly, also caused a hard, heavy pain on pressure. Vascular Tissue.— Seemed to have but little effect on the vessels ; pulse about ninety, of normal character except more frequent. Sleep.—Rested well at night, except after taking a large dose, was then wakeful. Skin.—Of natural temperature, as far as I was able to judge without the aid of a thermometer ; slight perspiration, the color of which was not unlike that of fresh urine. Mind.—Thoughts rather dormant, unable to concentrate them upon any subject without much trouble; loss of energy ; sober and depressed in spirits ; could be aroused by some excitement of a lively character; disturbed dreams of a confused character. Head.—Dull, heavy pains in the mastoid portions of temporal bone, passing through the head to the opposite side ; moved with diffi- culty ; dull, dragging pain in occiput; expanding sensation in frontal region, over the eyes, causing a blur before the eyes, increased by stooping ; pain in the occiput, extending forwards into the eyes, excite- ment increases the pain ; scalp sore on pressure ; pain on combing the hair ; dizzy and elated ; vertigo after dinner; shooting pains in coronary region, also right side of face, from eye to teeth ; vertigo in evening; pain less severe, but worse in the neck and between the shoul- ders ; frontal headache of a dull, aching character on arising in the morning, especially over the left eye ; reading or writing caused dull pain in forehead, which was increased by stooping; pain in frontal region, over left eye, of a sharp, shooting character, and would pass backwards into the neck, also along the muscles to the shoulders when sitting in a bending posture. Eyes. — Irritated by strong light, producing a smarting, burning sensation, with heavy aching pain, dull expression, with inclination to sleep much in afternoon ; concentrating the thoughts on any subject '>2 338 NEAV REMEDIES. causes a heavy, dull pain if persisted in ; slightly congested at times, particularly when looking at a strong light, or walking in a bright sunlight; squinting on exposure to a strong light; severe pains over left eye, of a tearing, burning character. Clinical, Observations.—" Cured a case of violent opthalmia in a young woman of scrofulous habit, chronic enlargement of tonsils. Eye symptoms were, great intolerance to light, painful congested, red appearance of sclerotica, watery, and finally pus discharge. Eryngium aquaticum, 2d dilution, cured after a fair trial with other remedies."—(Dr. R. C. McClelland, Glade Mills, Pa.) Ears.—Burning, tearing pain, as if they were being torn from their location. Throat.—Smarting, burning, pain ; raw, smarting pain on left side, with dry tongue, and a thick yellow mucus ejected from the mouth, which increased the burning; sensation as if a lump was in the throat; could not bear the clothing close around the throat. Clinical Observations.—These symptoms remind one of Lache- sis, Hepar sulphur and Kali bichromatum. It ought to prove a useful remedy in acute and chronic laryngitis, and even some varieties of croup. Dr. Morgan's case, given below, confirms its value in these •diseases. Month.—Tongue and fauces very dry, with insipid taste, also a thick, tenacious, yellowish colored mucus, in the morning on rising. Appetite.—Not very keen; partially wauting, but able to eat a generous meal without difficulty ; no desire for particular kinds of food. Stomach. — Slight nausea, with drawing, cramping pains ; sensa- tion of heaviness early in the morning; hot, burning pains, also in the oesophagus on taking the drug ; nausea, followed by acid eructa- tions at noon ; heavy, dragging pain, with a feeling of emptiness in the morning, also during the night; nausea and retching, with inclina- tion to stool. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Cushing, of Lynn, Mass., reports the following case : (Was it haematemesis ?) " Mrs. II., aged forty, received an injury upon the epigastric region three days before; has spit blood the last twenty-four hours ; it is bright, arterial blood mixed with black clots ; countenance haggard, pulse feeble, tongue has a thick yellowish-brown coating ; severe burning at epigastrium. Gave Eryngium aquaticum tincture, five drops in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every half hour. The arterial blood soon ceased,—the black clots in a few hours, and the patient soon revived. The burn- ing lasted several days, for which I gave other remedies." Abdomen.—Severe pain in the left groin, passing down into the left testicle, following the course of the spermatic cord, worse during exercise ; severe colic-like pains in small intestines; bowels constipa- ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM. 339 rted ; colic-like pains in bowels ; on waking in the morning, sharp, piercing pain; bowels feel bloated, not visible on inspection, feel heavy when walking, sore on pressure. Stools.—Dark leaden color, dry and very hard; tenesmus at stool, with a sensation of cutting as they pass through the anus. Clinical Observations—Dr. Morgan writes : " I have used the Eryngium in mucous diarrhoea of children with great success. Urine..—Frequent desire to urinate, of a lightish red or amber ■color, decreased in quantity, darker at night; passed twenty-six ounces in twenty-four hours, slightly acid, specific gravity 1016, con- taining 382,11 grains of solid matter ; deposited a white flocculent sediment upon standing a few hours ; frequent desire to void the urine, which continued dripping for a few moments after each evacua- tion of the bladder, with slight tingling near the meatus urinarius. Genital Organs.— Stinging, burning pain in urethra, behind the glans penis during urination ; severe pain in left testicle, worse on exercise; symptoms more strongly marked in the uretha in the even- ing; sensation of urine remaining in the uretha, of a burning, smart- ing nature, but of normal temperature, and not corrosive in character ', slight burning in urethra before urinating. Clinical Observations.—Dr. L.S.Morgan says: "In leucor- rhoea and gonorrhoea it has a specific influence. It certainly does act on the virile force, suppressing it, as several instances have proved to my satisfaction of it over excessive eratique priapisme." The following cases were reported by Dr, Parks of Cincinnati :* Case 1. A married man injured his testicles by jumping upon a horse ; this was followed by a discharge of what was considered semen for fifteen years, during which time he was treated allopathically. Dr. P----exhibited a number of the usual remedies without permanent benefit. He then gave a half grain dose three times a day, of the 3d decimal trituration of the Eryngium aquaticum. In five days the emissions were entirely suppressed, and have not returned to this time (over two years). The emissions were without erections day or night, and followed by great lassitude. Case 2. A married man, not conscious of having sustained any injury, was troubled for eight or ten years with emissions at night, with erections. The semen also passed by day with the urine. The loss of semen was followed by great lassitude and depression, contin- uing from twelve to forty-eight hours. There was also partial impo- tence. He had been treated allopathically. Dr, P----gave him Phosphoric acid for two weeks without material benefit. He then exhibited the Eryngium as above, with like excellent and prompt .result. * Hill & Hunt's Surgery, vol. 1, page 400. 340 NEW REMEDIES. Respiratory Organs. —Smarting in larynx and bronchia; slight dyspnoea, feeling as if the clothing was tight around the larynx and upper part of the chest; respirations rather shorter than normal; erratic pains in chest. Clinical Observations.—Dr. L. S. Morgan writes of its use in cough, etc. : " There was an epidemic influenza through the southern part of Erie county, New York, where I then resided. I awoke in the night with its grapple in my throat, and experienced a set of symptoms that to me were entirely new in the history of personal ills. I began with ten drops of the prime tincture to two ounces of water, taking it in teaspoonful doses at intervals of fifteen and twenty minutes, until the smarting, aching, and other abnormal sensations were relived. There was a manifest influence, 'but one swallow does not make a summer,' There must be more evidence of the efficiency of the remedy. To be brief, I made such clinical provings of the remedy as to satisfy ine of its potency and reliability in laryngeal irritations and affections of the mucous surfaces generally. In the short, hacking cough which followed that epidemic in many subjects, I found it to operate like a charm. In fact, many applications were made for " more of the cough remedy." " I have not been so free from cough, and slept so quietly o' nights for a long time," was the expression of many who were subjects of chronic laryngeal affections. I have used it ever since as one of my most reliable remedies in that direction," Neck. — Rheumatic pains in posterior portions; muscles stiff and sore iu the morning. Back and Shoulders.—Dull pain in lumbar region ; feeling of weakness, with heavy, dragging pain in lumbar regions, increased by exercise; heavy, cramping pain in the back between the shoulders; rheumatic pains in the left shoulder. EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS. ( Wahvo.) Botanical Description.—This is a small shrub or bush, with smooth branches, and rising from five to ten feet in height, the body and limbs of a light grayish color, the small limbs purplish. The leavis are from iwo tu five inches in length, and about half as wide, opposite on petioles from one-third, to oue inch in length, elliptic, lanceolate, mostly acute at base, finely serrate, pubescent beneath; peduncles ojposite, slender, compressed, from one inch to two and a EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS. 341 half inches in length, and each with a cyme of from three to six flowers. Flowers dark purple, usually in fives (or in fours, Gray). Corolla about two and a half lines in diameter, flat and inserted on the outer margin of a glandular disc. Calyx flat, of four, five or six united sepals. Stamens five, with short filaments ; capsule or pod smooth, crimson, five angled, five celled, five valved, deeply lobed; seeds one or two in each cell, inclosed in a red aril. This indigenous shrub grows from New York to Wisconsin, both westward and southward, in woods and thickets, and river bottoms, and flowers in June. In autumn it presents a very beautiful appear- ance, with its copious crimson fruit, drooping on long peduncles, whence its name of Burning-bush. It is sometimes called Spindle- tree and Indian-arrow-wood, but these names, as well as Wahoo and Burning-bush, are also applied to another species, the E. americanus. The Euonymus americanus is of a smaller size than the proceed- ing variety, from three to five feet high, upright or straggling, with small four angled branches. The bark of this species is darker, and if cultivated, not so easily taken off the stems. The leaves are oval and elliptic, lanceolate, almost sessile, thickish, bright green, sub- entire at the margin, acute or obtuse at apex, smooth, coriaceous, from one-third of an inch to two inches in length, and about one-third as wide. Peduncles round, longer than the leaves, and with two, three or four flowers. Flowers somewhat larger than those of the preceding variety, yellow and pink, {Wood) greenish-purple (Gray) mostly in fives, rarely in threes. Capsules or pods rough, warty, depressed, crimson when ripe, the aril scarlet, not so copious as in the former species. This shrub grows on wooded river banks, from western New York to Illinois and southward, and is frequently found with the E. atropurpureus. It is also frequently cultivated in gardens as an ornamental shrub. It is sometimes called the Strawberry-tree. Flowers in June. Xutlal mentions a variety of the latter, the E. oboraties, trailing, with rooting branches, leaves obovate-oval, rather pointed or obtuse, acute and short petioled at bases, thin and dull ; flowering stems one to two feet high. Grows in low and wet places in Ohio, etc. Pursch has another species, the E. anguetifolius, found in the woods near Savannah, Ga. The E. europeus is a handsome shrub, from four to twelve feet high, a native of Europe, but sometimes found in our gardens as an ornamental shrub-tree. Pharmaceutical Obseravations.—I have made mention of the different species of Euonymus because the two first mentioned are indiscriminately used by physicians of the opposite schools of medi- cine. They consider them of equal importance, and as possessing similar or identical qualities. As consistent homceopathists, we can- not accept such a conclusion. We must use each species alone, and from indications based upon provings or clinical experience with each species separately, 1 have made the E. atropurpureus the officinal shrub, as being perhaps the most active in its effects. Pharmaceutists should be careful that the tinctures and other preparations sold by 342 NEW REMEDIES. them should be prepared from this species, until we have provings of both. The bark of the shrub and root is the part used in medicine. It peels off easily, and when dry rolls up, and is sometimes found a foot in length. It has a bitter and somewhat unpleasant taste. "Water or alcohol extracts its virtues. A so-called active principle is sold under the name of Euouymin, but it is unreliable. Officinal Preparations.—Tinctures and dilutions. Mi;dical History.—That it was used by the Indians there can be no doubt. I cannot ascertain the meaning of the name Wahoo, but it probably has reference either to its medicinal effects, or the appear- ance of the shrub. The botanic writers do not mention it, nor is it noticed in any allopathic materia medica. Rafinesque merely says it is like Sabadilla and Staphysagria in its power of destroying insects. It has a bad reputation in the country for poisoning cattle which eat of it. The Wahoo has been extensively used in domestic practice, and among herb doctors, for a long time, but it was not until lately that it has been mentioned in eclectic works. Kino- says " the bark is tonic, laxative, alterative, diuretic, and expectorant; in infusion, syrup or extract, it has been successfully used in intermittents, dyspepsia, torpid liver, constipation, dropsy, and pulmonary affections." He says the seeds are cathartic and emetic. The saturated tincture he advises in doses of one to four fluid drachms. Scudder makes more extended mention of its alleged uses. lie predicts it is destined, at no distant period, to occupy a high~place in the materia medica of his school. From his own expe- rience, he believes it to be tonic and laxative,—that it imparts tone to the stomach, facilitates chylosis, and if there be a torpid state of the bowels, it promotes their action without inducing their debility. He has found it useful in those forms of indigestion attended with a torpid liver and inactivity of the bowels. " In large doses," he says, " it acts briskly, though mildly, as a cathartic." It is considered by his colleagues as a powerful alterative and deobstruent, and he is inclined to the same opinion. In phthisis pulmonalis and chronic bronchial affections, it has gained the credit of being useful. Scud- der says " many chronic pulmonary complaints have been cured by it alone." He thinks its alleged anti-periodic powers to be founded on reliable experience, and has known it to be curative. Many old western physicians consider it a very reliable remedy for obstinate agues, with cachectic condition of the patient, I have observed its apparent curative effects in some similar cases, but it is so rarely used alone, that it is difficult to define the actual sphere of its effects. Coe, who makes the E. americanus the officinal species, loads it down with fulsome encomiums, as he does all the preparations sold by Keith & Co. He adds nothing to the observations of Scudder. The only thing valuable in his article on this medicine is the remark that the Euonymin " in very large doses, proves a drastic cathartic, its ope- ration being attended with a death-like nausea, excessive tormina, prostration and cold sweats. The dejections from the bowels are pro- EUPATORIUM AROMATICUM. 343 fuse, violent, and accompanied ivith much flatus. From these symp- toms, however, the patient soon recovers." I have heard of several cases of poisoning from over doses of ■' bitters" made from the Wahoo bark, but in no case were the effects serious. It forms a principal ingredient in many of the patent medi- cines sold in the west, for the cure of ague, etc, I received the following fragmentary proving from a lady, the wife of a physician : The lady is a very nervous, susceptible subject, easily affected by small quantities of medicine. She writes : " While breaking up some of the bark to put into alcohol, I tasted the juice which adhered to my fingers. I immediately felt a sick, weakening sensation all through the nervous system ; dull, heavy pain through the front upper portion of the head, together with an enlarged, blur- red feeling, and I seemed so drawn up from the floor that it seemed difficult to place my foot down when walking, with sufficient firmness to stand up ; a tipping over sensation when sitting and walking ; a deathly sickness at the stomach, with perspiration and heat in face in alternation with chills on the back and back part of the arms. The next day some of these feelings remained, but disappeared after taking vinegar." EUPATORIUM AROMATICUM. (White Snake-Root.} Analogues.—Asarum canadensis {?) Baptisia (?) Caulophil- lum{?) Cimicifuga (?) Coffea (?) Cypripedium^) Eupatorium perforatum, Hydrastis (?) Scuttellaria (?) Valerian. Botanical Description.—This is a handsome species of the genus found in low woods from Massachusetts to Louisiana. The whole plant is slightly pubescent, about two feet high. Stem rough, pubescent, corymbous at summit. Leaves petiolate, opposite sub- cordate, lance-ovate, acute, three-veined, obtusely serrate, smoothish, two to four inches long and half as wide, on petioles less than an inch long. Involucre simple, of about twelve lance-linear pubescent scales. Heads of the flowers large, ten to fifteen ; white and aromatic, in small corymbs. Scales about equal. Blossoms in August and September. Gray says that " White Snake-root is the common name for another species, the E. ageratoides. This vulgar name is given to so many plants that the collector is not safe in accepting it, but should depend on the botanical description alone. Dr. Beach* calls it the E. ageratoides, or " White Sanicle. " It * Materia Medica, page 245. 344 NEW REMEDIES. Las a white fibrous root, which is the only part used in medicine ; for this purpose it should be collected in September or October. The root has a somewhat bitter taste, au aromatic and pleasant odor, and when it grows on dry ground has the appearance of being mildewed." Medk;al History.—Rafinesque mentions it as the E. urticifolium, (Michaux), and says it is exceeding common in the Northern States, and goes by the common uame of ': Dearwort Boneset," because it is eaten by deer. He does not credit it with any medicinal virtues. Howard f says it is a warm, stimulating tonic, producing in the mouth when chewed, a warm, aromatic, pungent sensation. " Its usefulness in gravel we learned from Ira Finch, Esq., but the first knowledge which we obtained of its medicinal virtues was derived from the Indians, who use it as a cure for ague." Dr. Beach says it is diaphoretic, anti-spasmodic and nervine, and possesses expectorant virtues of considerable value. " It operates on the lungs with decided efficacy, promoting the freedom of expectora- tion and breathing, and at the same time produces, when given in a suitable form and to a sufficient extent, a gentle perspiration, calming the irritability of the nervous system, and will be found well adapted to the treatment of pleurisies, inflammation of the lungs, and most of the diseases attended with convulsions and nervous irritation." Scudder X attributes to this species about the same qualities. "It is esteemed a valuable nervine and anti-spasmodic, and one peculiarly adapted to many cases of debility and irritability of the nervous sys- tem, such as hysteria or hysterical affections, chorea, tremors, convul- sions or spasmodic diseases, subsultus tendinum, restlessness and morbid watchfulness. As an expectorant and diaphoretic we place a high estimate upon its value in pleurisy, peri-pneumonia, peri-pneu- monia notha, etc. It is mild and unirritating, and well calculated to allay nervous irritation, promote gentle diaphoresis and expectoration." In eclectic practice the infusion is used, one ounce to one pint of boil- ing water, dose one to four ounces. The first mention of the plant in homoeopathic litnrature was by Dr. B. L. Hill * who recommended it as a specific for " apthous stom- atitis in females and children." He gave no pathogenesis, or any reason for this bald dictum. Some homceopathists have used it " according to Hill's directions," and claim to have obtained good results. Dr. Wm. Huntington says : " My use of Eupatorium aromati- cum is quite limited. I have derived considerable benefit from its use in alternation with Hydrastis canadensis, in nursing sore mouth, It acts as a palliative only. I have also used it with good results in apthous affections of the mouth and throat closely resembling nursing sore mouth, but the most benefit that I have ever derived from its use has been in those cases of burning at the stomach so often met with in pregnant females for a few weeks previous to confinement. In such cases it seldom fails to give very marked relief." t Botanic Medicine, page 246. J Mat. Med., p. 796. * Epitome of Practice. EUPATORIUiM PERFOLIATUM. 345 Dr. Smith Rogers has found the Eupatorium aromaticum effectual in curing aptha: and nursing sore mouth without giving any other drug in connection with it. Dr. Lodge states that many other physi- cians have made similar reports. Officinal Preparations.—Tinctures of the root, dilutions and triturations. Clinical Observations.—The testimony of eclectic writers seems to be quite uniform in relation to the action of this plant. In the absence of any pathogenesis we may venture to suggest that it can be deduced, from its effects in the hands of eclectic practi- tioners, that this species of Eupatorium effects the motor system of nerves, and the bronchial mucous membrane. As before stated, its only homoeopathic use has been in affections of the mucous membrane of the mouth. When provings are obtained from the internal use of this medi- cine, we may find it to be useful in the same affections which have been mentioned above. It is evidently a remedy adapted, like Cham- omilla, Coffea and Scutellaria, to the diseases of women and children. It may prove indicated in those aberrations of the nervous system which occur during the progress of lung affections, or are connected with coughs and catarrhal attacks. In pneumonia, bronchitis and catarrh occuring in infants, the physician is often called upon to palli- ate nervous symptoms which seem to be common accompaniments. In such cases the Eupatorium aromaticum may be used with good results. It may prove useful in hooping-cough, infantile asthma, and with annoying nervous irritation. Nearly all the Eupatoriaceae are useful in urinary affections. This species is no exception. In some of the vesical irritations of children and women it may be found an excellent remedy. It is probable that the diseases above named are similar to the secondary effects of the medicine. Accordingly, in similar conditions, the lower dilutions, or tincture, will be found most useful. EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. (Bones et.) Analogues.—Arnica, Baptism, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Ipecac, Mercurius, Podophyllum, Phytolacca, Tartar emetic. Botanical Description.—Root perennial, horizontal, crooked, with scanty fibers, and sending up many stems, which are upright, simple at the base, branched above in a tricotoma (three-forked) form, forming a depressed corymb, and are from two to five feet high, round, covered with flexous hairs. Leaves opposite perfoliate, connate, oblong, tapering, acute, serrate, rough above, tomentose beneath, heads about 346 NEW REMEDIES. ten flowered. The inflorescence in a dense depressed terminal corymb, formed by smaller partigate corymbs, peduncles hairy, as well as the perianth or common calyx. Scales lanceolate, acute, florets tubulose, white, five black anthers united into a tube. Seeds black, prismatic, oblong, base acute, pappus with scabrous hairs. The upper leaves are often sessile; not united. The whole plant has a grayish-green color. I have seen some specimens growing in its usual habitat, the foliage and stems of which were a brick-red color, with occasional scarlet colored leaves. ^Yood mentions twenty-three species of this genus. The E. per- foratum appears to be the most abundant of all. It is found all over the American continent, from the arctic regions to the Culf of Mexico, and grows in great profusion in swamps, wet meadows, near streams, flowering from August to October. The whole plant is intensely bit- ter, having a peculiar flavor, but without astringency or acrimony. It possesses but little odor. It yields its sensible and medicinal quali- ties to water and alcohol. It has been analysed by several chemists, and found to contain ninety per cent, of organic and nine per cent, of inorganic matter ; a bitter principle, acetate of lime, and a substance which is named Eupatorine, which is supposed to be an alkaloid. Officinal Preparations.—Tinctures of the whole plant, dilutions. Medical History.—This indigenous plant is one of the oldest in use in this country. It was the panacea among the aborigines for agues, bilious fevers, and nearly all the febrile and miasmatic diseases of this country. It was very early introduced into allopathic prac- tice, and mentioned in all medical works especially by Anderson, Lau- rience,Eberle, Rafinesque, Drake, Wood and Stille. As earlyas 1803 it was a popular remedy in domestic and medical practice as a remedy for intermitte?its, and was recommended in yellow fever by Stephens and Hosack. Various writers of the old school deem it to be tonic, sudorific, alterative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, emetic, purgative, febri- fuge, astringent, stimulant, etc. All this verbiage simply implies that it is a poly crest, and influences in a general manner the whole organism. Rafinesque says : " It appears to be sup-erior to Anthemis nobilis, or Chamomile, as a sudorific-tonic, and preferable to Bark in the treatment of local autumnal fevers of the country, near streams, lakes and marshes. I have seen them cured efficiently by it when other tonics failed. It acts somewhat like Antimony, without the danger attending the use of that mineral." He says it has cured intermit- tent and remittent fevers, petechial or spotted fever, general debility, ascites, anasarca, anorexia, debility from intemperance, acute and chronic rheumatism, bilious and typhus fevers, especially low typhus incident to marshy places, and attended with hot, dry skin ; influenza, lake fever, similar to yellow fever, ringworms, gout, tinea capita, syphilitic pains, dyspepsia." *##### This plant was introduced into homoeopathic practice by Drs. Jaines, Neidhard, Williamson, and others, who published the provings and clinical observations in the " Transactions of the American Insti- EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 347 tute of Homoeopathy," vol. 1, 1817. No proving has appeared since that time, but the clinical experience with the medicine has been quite extensive. The following is the pathogenesis, arranged according to Hahnemann's scheme : Generalities.—Prof. Carroll Dunham, in some Observations on Eupatorium* gives the characteristic symptoms of the medicine very accurately, and remarks that " the symptoms of the gastro- hepatic region, and the character and aggravations of the pains in the body and extremities very closely resemble Bryonia. But a broad distinction at once appears when we consider the perspiration, which under Bryonia is profuse and easily provoked, while under Eupato- rium is scanty or absent. Again, the Eupatorium makes the patient very restless, those of Bryonia make him keep very still. Rhus toxi- codendron produces pains and aching in the limbs, but these pains are worse during repose, and they keep the patient restless, con- stantly changing his position, whereas those of Eupatorium are not aggravated by repose." The above remarks I can agree with, with one exception. I do not consider "scanty or absent sweat" the characteristic of Eupa- torium fever. The primary effect of large doses of Boneset is to cause copious perspiration, with nausea and vomiting. It was found curative in the fever which occurred in Pennsylvania fifty years ago, and known as " break-bone fever," and copious perspiration accom- panied the intense pains in the extremities. I have used it success- fully in agues, in which the pains did not abate with the occurrence of the sweat. Secondarily, the fever caused by Eupatorium is not accompanied by perspiration, but has a tendency to be continuous. Dr. Dunham agrees with me in the latter, but forgets the primary effect of the medicine. He thinks it strongly indicated in bilious fever, and it certainly is if symptoms mean anything. The country people often arrest such fevers with a cup of boneset-teaas readily as we can with our carefully prepared medicines. Dr. Dunham says ; " Its great action is upon the muscular sys- tem (or fibrous tissues) producing great soreness and aching, and upon the gastro-hepatic system, producing a condition resembling what is known as a bilious [state." It is a curious confirmation of Teste's theory, that the Eupatorium perfoliatum is found most useful in those fevers and bilious conditions occurring in persons who reside near the habitat of this plant. This was noticed by Rafinesque, who had a rare tale it in collecting similar facts. * American Horn. Review, vol. 5, page 228. 348 NEW REMEDIES. Prof. Lee gives his testimony in favor of its successful use in intermittents, but doubts its asserted anti-periodic power. It was in general use among the aborigines of this country, on its first discov- ery, as a remedy for intermittent fever, and was accordingly adopted by the whites for the same disease. " Whether it proved successful or not depended very much on its mode of administration. Sometimes it would arrest the disease, if freely given in warm decoction just before the expected recurrence of the paroxysm, proving emetic, or emeto-cathartic, and in other cases it would prove successful if given in cold decoction, or the powdered plant, at frequent intervals between the paroxysms ; but in a majority of cases it failed to subdue the dis- ease." (because it was not homoeopathic to a majority of the cases, anymore than is quinine or any other medicine). Prof. Lee says; " With regard to the use of this plant in influenza, whether sporadic or epidemic, we have proved it possessing great efficacy—relieving the pain in the back and limbs, as well as the general lassitude, with great promptness ; for although in this disease the skin is often bathed in perspiration, yet it is of a morbid character—the surface being pale, and morbidly sensitive, and the excretion of a passive kind. When the secretions are of this morbid nature, and the pul- monary system is involved, the Boneset has proved in our hands a most valuable remedy, inducing a healthy and free perspiratory dis- charge, and replacing the chilly or febrile sensations with a uniform or healthy glow." (Yet the Eupatorium, in large doses, will cause the same unhealthy perspiration aud state of the skin which Dr. Lee mentions, so that he uses it homceopathically, after all.) " As it has but slight influence in augmenting the action of the heart and arteries, it may be employed with advantage in almost every variety of inflam- matory action." " In the atonic forms of dyspepsia and general de- bility it is relied on by many practitioners as an efficient remedy. In that form of indigestion consequent on the use of alcoholic drinks, it has proved highly beneficial, as well as in that of old people." " Its efficacy in certain forms of dropsy has been dwelt upon by some wri- ters. Dr. Thatcher, who has tried it extensively in various diseases, says that in anasarcous swellings of the extremities, depending on general debility, it may be safely recommended as an excellent tonic." Dr. Zollickoffer thinks it possesses medicinal virtues which are admirably adapted to a variety of affections, and that in conjunction with Sup. tart, potassa, it is one of the most valuable remedies in tinea capitis. Dose.—In old school practice, the concentrated tincture or fluid extract is given in doses of one to four drachms. The Eupatorine in EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 849 doses of two or three grains. The infusion (one ounce to one pint of boiling water) in doses of two to six ounces, the latter dose causing emesis and catharsis. In homoeopathic practice, it has been used successfully in agues, in drop doses of the first dilution ; also in ten- drop doses of the tincture ; and teaspoonful doses of a cold infusion (vide Trans. Arner. Ins. of Horn.). Fever.—Chilliness through the night, and in the morning, with nausea from the least motion ; aching pain and soreness, as if from having been beaten in the calves of the legs, small of the back, and in the arms, above and below the elbows ; nausea as the chill goes off; aching in the bones of the extremities, with soreness of the flesh ; chilliness, with excessive trembling and nausea ; chilliness in the morning, heat through the rest of the day, but no perspiration, The patient feels worse in the morning of one day, and in the afternoon of the next day. Nocturnal sweat, with chilliness, from motion, or removal of the covering. A greater amount of shivering during the chill than is warranted by the degree of coldness. Retching and vomiting of bile ; vomiting after every draught; trembling in the back during fever ; thirst several hours before the chill; chilliness from motion ; pungent heat attending the perspiration at night; alter- nate chilliness and flashes of heat. Clinical Observations.—The Eupatorium is recommended by Drs. Jaines, Neidbard, Gray, Williamson and Douglas, in intermit- tent fevers, quotidian, tertian, and quartan. The general and specific indications for its use are said to be : (a.) The paroxysm generally commences in the morning. Thirst seveial hours after the chill— which continues during the chill and heat. It has proved curative when the symptoms have been : chill at seven o'clock in the morning, preceded by thirst, and attended with moisture of the hands; vomit- ing at the conclusion of the chill; chill in the morning ; heat during the rest of the day ; slight perspiration in the evening ; heavy chill early in the morning of one day, and a light chill about noon the next day, and so on successively ; chill preceded by pain above the right ilium, with thirst and disposition to yawn ; pain in the bones early in the morning before the paroxysm ; the chill is induced or hastened by taking a drink of water ; headache, backache and thirst during the chill ; coldness, with a great deal of trembling, attended with nausea ; coldness and stinging and pricking, as from pins, in both feet, at the commencement of the chill; aching in the bones of the extremities, in the latter part of the chill and in the beginning of the heat; stiffness of the fingers during the chill; aching pain, with moaning throughout the chill (b.) Throbbing headache daring the chill and heat; violent pain in head and back before th« chill ; dis- tressing pain through the scrobiculus cordis throughout the day ; chill and heat ; flushed face and dry, hot skin during the fever ; fever, accompanied with sleep and moaning, aud followed by slight 350 NEW REMEDIES. perspiration; nausea and sickness at the stomach at the commence- ment of the heat, with violent throbbing headache ; headache and trembling during the heat ; fever in the forenoon, preceded by thirst early in the morning, but no chill; attended by fatiguing cough, and not followed by perspiration ; great weakness and prostration during the fever, with faintness from motion ; the patient cannot raise his head from the pillow while the fever lasts ; the heat goes off with moderate perspiration, during sleep in the evening ; the thirst con- tinues durino- the chill and heat, with vomiting after each draught of water ; vomiting of bile at the close of the hot stage ; nocturnal per- spiration, with coldness ; fever, with despondency of mind, morbid sensitiveness of the skin and sleeplessness, (c.) Loose cough in tbe intermission ; cough in the night, previous to the paroxysm ; thirst throughout the night, before the paroxysm, (in tertian ague). " I have for many years applied the Eupatorium, in cases of inter- mittent fever, when there was little or no sweat, at any time during the disease; aud consequently in those forms closely verging upon the remittent type."—(Dr. Gray). The above clinical symptoms I select from the proving published in "Trans, of American Institute of Homoeopathy." They are there marked with an *, and are the result of the clinical experience with the remedy, contributed by Drs. Neidhard, Williamson and others. The cases from which they were taken I give in full :— Cases of Intermittent.—Dr. Neidhard has observed the most decided effects from the Eupatorium perfoliatum in the treatment of certain cases of intermittent fevers, in two of which the following symptoms were present : Violent thirst before the chill, and slight during it; nausea and sickness of the stomach, (in one case vomiting,) at the commencement of the heat, with violent throbbing headache; tastelessness of food ; want of appetite ; tongue coated yellow ; the chills set in in the morning and lasted for one or two hours; heat during the rest of the day, and slight perspiration in the evening. Type certain. In one case the sulphate of quinine had been admin- istered without preventing the recurrence of the paroxysms. Dr. Williamson has exhibited it successfully in various cases of fever. Case 1st. The chill generally began at nine o'clock in the morn- ing, and lasted four hours from the time when they commenced, and continued about seven hours, and was seldom followed by perspiration. The next day there was a lighter paroxysm, which usually commenced about twelve o'clock and ceased about the same time in the evening, as the heavier on the day preceding. The paroxysms continued to occur thus alternately with but little variation for the space of twen- ty-three days, notwithstanding my unceasing efforts to arrest them by the administration of a number of remedies. On the 12th of December the following symptoms were present: Chill commenced at nine o'clock in the morning, and lasted four hours, attended with a good deal of shivering and trembling ; raging thirst before the chill and during the chill, and heat; vomiting of whatever was taken .nto the stomach, and of bile, with distressing pain in the epigas- EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 351 trium; distressing headache during the heat; fever ceased about eight o'clock in the evening, and was followed by inconsiderable per- spiration. Eupatorium perfoliatum first, in water, a teaspoonful every hour, in apyrexia, cured the case without the occurrence of another paroxysm. Case 2d : Bilious diathesis ; tertian ague ; chill at nine o'clock in the morning, which lasted an hour and a half; thirst in the night before the chill ; raging thirst during the chill and heat; violent headache throughout the paroxysm ; some perspiration . retching and vomiting during the chill, immediately after drinking; vomiting of bile. Eupatorium perfoliatum first, five drops in as many tea- spoonfuls of water, of which she took a teaspoonful every two hours on the alternate day. Early on the morning of the expected chill, Eupatorium perfoliatum, tincture four drops in eight teaspoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every hour. The paroxysm did not return. This patient had been subject to frequent attacks of intermittent fever for several years, and had always suppressed them with sulphate of qui- nine, but since the above attack, now a period of four years, she had no return of the disease. Case 3d: A girl of fourteen years of age ; tertian intermittent fever; thirst before the chill; became stretchy and looked pale at nine o'clock in the morning; felt cold and chilly, but did not shake ; walked about the house crouched up ; was very thirsty during the chill and heat, but took only a little sup of water at a time ; headache and trembling during the heat; the coldness lasted one hour, and the heat about two hours, followed by very little perspiration. Eupato- rium perfoliatum tincture, a few drops in water. Dose, a teaspoon- ful every three hours. Case 4th : At eight o'clock in the morning was attacked with pain above the right ilium ; thirst and a disposition to yawn ; fingers became stiff, with slight coldness ; upon taking a drink of water shuddering commenced immediately ; chill lasted two hours and a half; headache, backache, and thirst during the chill ; nausea as the chill was going off; the headache was increased, but the thirst dimin- ished during the heat; sensation of great weakness during the fever, so much so that she could not raise her head from the pillow ; trem- bling in the back, with faintness from motion during the fever ; the fever terminated by moderate perspiration during sleep in the evening. She felt pain in her bones early in the morning before the attack. Eupatorium perfoliatum, tincture in water, a teaspoonful every three hours. Case 5th: Tertian ague for two weeks, sickly, sallow countenance; chill at eight o'clock in the morning; thirst throughout the night previous to chill ; thirst during chill and heat, and vomiting immedi- ately after each draught of water ; vomiting of bilo at the close of the hot stage, which was followed by inconsiderable perspiration. Eupatorium perfoliatum, tincture in water, a teaspoonful every three hours. No more chills. "Nearly half a century ago, there prevailed throughout the United States, but particularly in the State of Pennsylvania, a peculiar epi- 352 NEW REMEDIES. demic, which, from the constancy of the attending symptom of 'pain in the bones,' was called break-bone fever. The Eupatorium perfoli- atum, though a diaphoretic, so signally relieved the disease, notwith- standing copious perspiration was a frequent attendant, that it was familiarly called bone-set, a common name by which it is extensively known." "In all cases of typhoid disease, attended with hot. dry skin, it is reported to be an estimable medicine." "It was used with great success in an epidemic of influenza and lake-fever, which prevailed a few years ago in the neighborhood of Lake Ontario." "In miasmatic districts, along rivers, at fisheries, on marshes and their several neighborhoods, where intermittent and remittent fevers have prevailed epidemically, the Eupatorium has been a favorite remedy with the most successful practitioners, as well as a deservedly popular one in the hands of the people, very often superseding the necessity of calling in medical aid. In 1812, it was substituted for Peruvian bark, in the treatment of intermittent fevers, in the New York Alms House, and with uniform success." Dr Williamson recommends it in gastric fevers, remittent fevers of typhoid character, bilious fever, etc. It is highly recommended as a prophylactic against agues. Spotted Fever.—Rafinesque speaks of its successful use in the so- called "spotted fever," of 1x20, now termed cerebrospinal fever. It has been used by some homoeopathic physicians in the same fever, within a few years. Dr. L. Pratt, in 1864.* mentions the case of a little girl attacked with this fever. She had the usual symptoms. "Her head was drawn spasmodically backward. Eupatorium was given in large and frequent doses ; perspiration and recovery followed." Dr. L. C. Belding stated that he had found the remedy curative in several cases of "spotted fever," especially when the severe aching and soreness oi the limbs was present. Dose, one dram of the tincture in hot water every hour. Dr. Small attended a case of this fever, under my observation, in 1805, at the Tremont House, Chicago. In this case the severe pains and soreness were attended by copious perspiration which gave no relief. In this case Eupatorium tV» ten drops every half hour, proved curative. The provings do not give us the petechial spots characteristic of the disease, but a Ion"; continued use of large doses of the medicine may be capable of causing them. If the theory of the spinal location of the disease is correct, Eupatorium perfoliatum ought to affect the spinal cord to prove curative. Dr. Dunham, of New York, reports the following cures of fever with this medicine :-j- R. D., a stout mechanic, thirty-five years old, of dark complexion, went into an ice-house one very warm moruing in August, to get a piece of ice. Charmed with the coolness of the place, he foolishly remained there for a quarter hour or longer. Suddenly he felt chills creeping over him and became quite faint. He left the ice house as quickly as he could, and weut home. In an hour he had an exceed- 'Transactions 111. Horn. Med. Association, page 17. t American Homoeopathic Review, Vol. VI, page 231. EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 353 ingly severe chill, lasting several hours. This was followed by burn- ing fever, which continued without abatement until the following morning, when it gave place to a severe chill. As this chill was passing away, I first saw the-patient. He had already become hot externally ; his face was of a dull, red color ; the eyes glistened, and the sclerotica were yellowish red. The tongue had a thick, yel- lowish fur ; there was intense headache in the occiput, an insupporta- ble heaviness. Nausea and frequent effort to vomit, extreme tenderness in the epigastrium, fullness and tenderness in the hepatic region, with stitches and soreness on moving or coughing ; intolerable aching in the back and limbs, "as if the bones were broken." Urine scanty and of a dark, mahogany color ; a hard, dry cough and some dyspnoea. The patient, although in so great pain, lay quiet. I had no Eupato- rium, but there was a swamp near the house, and I soon found the plant. From the juice pressed from a few leaves, I prepared with water the third attenuation, and directed it to be taken in drop doses, every three hours until marked improvement was observed. In about ten hours the fever was gone. The chill and fever never recurred, and next day the patient was free from pain. On the third day I found him convalescent. H. Heiser, blacksmith, aged 40 years, of bilious temper- ament ; has suffered from ague for the last three years. Five weeks the longest he escaped an attack during the last three years. Has taken immense quantities of patent ague medi- cines, Quinine, Fowler's Solution, &c. According to his philosophy, small doses can have no effect on a man weighing 250 pounds. Every other morning has a severe chill, (no fever) accompanied with vomit- ing and purging of large quantities of greenish watery fluid; cramps of lower extremities and insatiable thirst. October Ylth. Prescribed Ipec. and Nux v. 3d, to be taken in alternation every two to three hours. October 19th. Felt comfortable yesterday, as usual ; this morning has another chill and vomiting of a greenish liquid, several quarts at a time ; frequent stools, green and watery; cramps and terrible thirst; face sunken, like that of a cholera patient. Eupatorium perf. 1st potency, six drops to half tumbler of water, a tablespoonful after each attack of vomiting or purging. After first spoonful vomiting ceased. Prescribed Eupatorium perf. 1st, in drop doses every two hours during the intermission. October 19th. No return of chill, vomiting or diarrhoea. Con- tinue Eupatorium perf, night and morning, for seven days. No more medicine was given. Continues in good health to this day. Prof. C. Neidhard reports the following cases for the present edition : After Eupatorium perfoliatum third decimal, T. L. had one more attack and then no more. History and symptoms : Had the chills at Harrisburg, Pa., for three months, after which he was five weeks free from fever. Quinine in ordinary allopathic doses removed the chills, but they returned. In January last felt for three or four days an aching and weakness in the bones, thirst before chills, which always issue in at noon. The last attack had 23 354 NEW REMEDIES. been receding to 7 a. m., with the following symptoms: The chill lasted two hours, followed by heat and perspiration, with headache. As the chill went off nausea and weakness of the stomach ; no thiret during the fever. After Eupatorium 3. he had a most violent chill at 6 a. m., then no more as mentioned above. 2d Case.—Creeping chills all day, mostly in the back, hands and feet, like ice, but slightly all over the body ; thirst in the fore- noon ; constipation of the bowels, great prostration of strength , there was headache during the fever, afterwards fever without any perspi- ration. Natrum mur. tincture, drop doses,produced violent perspiration without stopping the chills. Arsen. cured the prostration of strength, pain and rigors in chest; Eupatorium per., 20 drops in a tumblerful of water, a teaspoonful twice a day, cured. 3d Case,—A homoeopathic physician, from this county, wrote to me as follows : "I have been attending George, (a little boy, aet 8,) for the past two weeks, for an irregular intermittent, with very little success. I have given Aconite, Arsenicum, Natrum muriat, China, with very little advantage. Sometimes he has the chills every day, again every other day, and sometimes every third day. The chiq also occurs at different periods of the day ; you hardly know when to expect it." The patient brought the note himself with his father. Picture of the disease ; violent shaking chill at 9^ a. m., for one hour and a half, after which heat one hour, followed by slight perspiration. The second paroxysm took place the same day at 12 o'clock, noon, thus forming a double quotidian consisting of a chill with heat, fol- lowed by profuse perspiration for two or three hour3. Thirst during the whole time except the last perspiration. He also picks his nose, and is stiff in his limbs. Eupatorium per., in strong doses soon per- manently cured the little boy. A few doses of quinine confirmed the «nre. Small doses had no effect on this boy. 4th Case:—Symptoms: Slight chills with cold feet; dry skin and no perspiration ; aching in the forehead ; occasionally some per- spiration in the morning, also beat on the top of the head with buz- zing in the ears. Breath smells mouldy and sourish ; oppression in the middle of the chest, with cough, causing pain in the spine ; ach- ing in the lower part of the back. Eupatorium per., tincture in water, cured. The chest symptoms which were only relieved by Eupatorium per., were finally cured by Sepia 6. bth Case :—Every afternoon, at 4 o'clock, chills and fever charac- terized by red cheeks on both sides. Before the fever commences, at 3 p. m., thirst. The skin remains dry, the tongue is coated yellow, and bilious discharges from the bowels. Eupatorium per., in water, cured this case soon. Qth Case:—Another case characterized by chills, followed by fever with slight perspiration and thirst; was also cured by Eupatorium per., in water. Sleep.—Dr. Neidhardjsays : "Four doses of Eupatorium taken within twenty-four hours produced profound sleep at 12 o'clock, noon, EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 355 for several hours. During his sleep the prover could hear every- thing, but could not speak." Head.—Headache, with a sensation'of soreness internally, better in the house ; aggravated when first going into the open air ; relieved by conversation; pain extending from the forehead to the occiput, greatest in the left side ; throbbing headache ; beating pain in the nape and occiput, better after rising ; darting pains through the tem- ples, with sensation of blood rushing across the head; distress on the top and in the back part of the head ; shooting pains from left to right side of the head ; painful soreness in the right parietal protuberance; heat on the top of the head, with pain, which is relieved by pressure ; thumping in the side of the head, above the right ear ; soreness and beating in the back part of the head. Clinical Observations.—Besides those symptoms which are italicised above, the Eupatorium has cured certain forms of periodical headache, namely : "A headache with nausea, every other morning when first awaking, which continues all day, with loss of appetite during the day, but good appetite during the intervening day." Nux vomica will cure such headaches when they occur every day. Eupa- torium has also cured a "pain in the occiput after lying, with sensa- tion of great weight in the part, requiring the hands to lift it." This kind of headache is common with ague patients. # Eyes.—Soreness of the eyeballs ; intolerance of light; redness of the margin of the lids, with glutinous secretion from the meibomian glands; increased lachrymation; pain and soreness in the left eyeball. Clinical Observations.—Soreness of the eyeballs is one of the most common and permanent symptoms of ague, and usually precedes an attack several days ; this symptom would be a good indication for the selection of this medicine. Face.—Sickly, sallow countenance ; flushed face ; redness of the cheeks, with dry skin ; pale face. Month,—Paleness of the mucous membrane of the mouth ; tongue coated yellow ; white coated tongue ; sores in the corners of the mouth; dryness of the throat; soreness of the fauces with catarrh. Appetite.—Insipid taste in the mouth ; tastelessness of food ; want of appetite; distaste* of food ; nocturnal thirst for something cold; thirst for cold water ; desire for ice-cream ; great appetite. Clinical Observations.—When Eupatorium is taken in small doses in a few days, the appetite is first increased ; a still further continuance gives rise to unnatural hunger, accompanied by disorders of digestion, and finally to complete loss of appetite, and loss of taste for food. This remedy is homoeopathic to the canine hunger which attends or precedes ague ; also, when arising from abuse of quinine. 356 NEW REMEDIES. It is also indicated, (secondarily,) in the loss of appetite and indiges- tion from the same causes. It will be found useful in many forms of dyspepsia, anorexia of drunkards, loss of appetite, etc. (See general effects.) Stomach-—Belching of tasteless wind, with a feeling of obstruc- tion at the pit of the stomach ; sensation of something in the stomach that ought to come up, without the ability to raise it. General shud- dering proceeding from the stomach ; sensation of fullness in the stomach ; beating in the epigastrium—in the night; heat in the stomach; nausea; nausea and vomiting of food ; vomiting of bile; vomiting of mucus and bile; vomiting of bile, with trembling, attended with pain in the epigastrium, with nausea and extreme prostration, almost syncope; distressing disposition to vomiting; nausea and vomiting with free perspiration and expectoration ; qualm- ishness from odors, the smell of food, cooking, etc. Clinical Observations.—When a warm infusion or decoction of this plant is administered, it invariably causes profuse and long-con- tinued vomiting, nearly always of bile. Hence its reputation as a domestic remedy for bilious affections and fevers of that type. Its use is resorted to with a great deal of confidence in the forming stages of a bilious fever, and it seems to have the power of arresting the attack. It is eminently homoeopathic to vomiting of bile, of food, and even of drink^as soon as taken. LiVCF.—Soreness around the waist ; tight clothing is oppressive. Soreness and fullness in the region of the liver ; tightness in the left hypochondrium. Intestinal.—Purging stools, with smarting and heat in the anus. Four or five watery stools in the day ; tenesmus, with small discharge of loose stool; morning diarrhoea; constipation. Clinical Observations.—While the warm infusion causes vomiting only, the same preparation when taken cold acts as an active cathartic, causing profuse, bilious, watery stools, with nausea and severe colic, prostration and relaxation. Catharsis is a primary effect of Eupato- rium ; coustipation the remote, secondary. Urinary Organs.—Urine scanty and high colored; copious evac- uation of limpid urine ; dark, brown, scanty urine, depositing a whit- ish, clay-like sediment, voided but once in twenty-four hours. Dark colored, but clear urine ; itching of the mons veneris. Clinical Observations.—It seems homoeopathic to the dark colored urine met with in bilious disorders ; also the watery urine observe t during intermittents. It is said to have been very success- ful in the treatment of a peculiar herpetic eruption, affecting the anus and adjacent parts, as the scrotum and thighs, and also extending its ravages to the rectum. EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 357 Catarrhal Symptoms.—Flowing coryza; sneezing; hoarseness, with roughness in the voice ; hacking cough in the evening ; cough, with soreness and heat in the bronchia ; cough aggravated in the evening. Clinical Observations.—The Eupatorium per. has an extensive reputation in colds, influenza, and catarrhal fevers. In domestic practice it is usually given in small doses of the warm infusion, and produces copious sweating. Some physicians consider it almost spe- cific in colds, etc. In homoeopathic practice it has cured, in small doses : " Hectic cough from suppressed intermittent fever ; nocturnal loose cough ; hoarse, rough cough with scraping in the bronchia ; vio- lent cough with soreness in the chest; cough with flushed face and tearful eyes—the patient supports the chest with the hands ; cough preceding measles ; cough following measles ; disposition to cough with dyspnoea." The above are quite prominent symptoms, and show this remedy to have a specific action upon the bronchial mucous membrane. In eclectic practice it is highly esteemed as a "cough remedy." Its effect on the respiratory tract seems somewhat analo- gous to Phosphorus, Tartar emetic and Causticum. It has been found useful in epidemic influenza. (See General Effects.) CllCSt.—Difficulty of breathing, attended with anxious counten- ance, perspiration and sleepiness ; painful irritation of the pulmon- ary organs, with heat in the chest; aching pain under*the left breast; inability to lie on the left side; soreness in the chest from taking a full inspiration ; grating sensation in the chest at every deep inspi- ration. Clinical Observation.—It has been used successfully in asthma, bronchitis and even pneumonia. It has given relief in a case when the "dyspnoea was very great, obliging the patient to lie with his head and shoulders very high," also the two symptoms italicized. Back.—Weakness in the small of the back ; deep-seated pain in the loins, with soreness from motion ; pain in the back as from a bruise ; beating pain in the nape of the neck ; pain in the back and lower extremities. Upper Extremities.—Soreness'and aching in the arms and fore- arms ; stiffness of the arms; painful soreness in both wrists, as if broken or dislocated ; stiffness of the fingers, with obtuseness of the sense of touch; heat in the palms of the hands, sometimes with moisture. Lower Extremities.—Pain in a spot not larger than a pea, over the left hip, with soreness ; pain, with extreme sensitiveness in the left glutei muscles, passing around in front of the trochanter major ; burning in the skin on the inner side of the thighs of a female ; flag- ging of the muscles of the left thigh as if they were falling off the 358 NEW REMEDIES. bone. The pains are worse from ten o'clock, a. m., until four o'clock, p. m. Pain and soreness of the upper part of the left foot, with in- creased sensibility of the left big toe ; the pain in the foot is increased by standing on it. Stiffness and general soreness of the lower ex- tremities when rising to walk; calves of the legs feel as though they had been beaten ; soreness and swelling of both feet, when standing on them, in a gouty subject; pain in the first joint of the left great toe, which suddenly moves to the corresponding joint of the right one ; pricking in the soles of the feet; aching pain in the right hip, while sitting ; lameness in the right hip and lower extremity, when walking ; soreness and aching of the lower limbs ; throbbing in the right foot; rheumatic pains on the inside of the left knee ; dropsical swelling of both feet and ankles ; heat in the feet in the morning. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Williamson considers it indicated in rheumatic affections, accompanied by perspiration and soreness of the bones : also in gouty affections. It is said to have cured " gouty inflamation of the left knee and right elbow.'' "Dropsical swelling of both feet and ankles," also symptoms recorded above. EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. (Queen of the Meadow.) Analogues.—Apocynum cannabin, Asclepias syriaca, Cannabis sativa, Copaiva, Chimaphila, Eryngium, Erigeron, Galium, Mitchella, Senecio aureus. Botanical Description.—A perennial, herbaceous plant. Stem stout, solid, green, or sometimes purplish, with a purple band at the joints about one inch wide ; from three to six feet high; leaves feather veined in whorls of 3s, 4s and 5s, (rarely 2s); ovate, oblong-ovate or lanceolate; smooth above, downy on the veins beneath, coarsely ser- rate, thin, eight to ten inches long, by four to five inches wide. Flowers in a dense and compound corymb, pale purple, ranging to whitish. Heads cylindrical, 5 to 10 flowered. Scales purplish, numerous, closely imbricated in several rows of unequal length, slightly striate. Root long, long, knotty, fibrous, white or brownish, bitter. In grows in swamps, meadows, and other low grounds, and flowers in August and September. (Wood mentions a variety, the Eupatorium ternifolium, which has a slender solid green stem, with a purplish bush ; leaves in 3s, very EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. 359 thin, lanceolate, and grows in mountain woods to the height of about three feet.) The root is the officinal part. As found in shops it consists of a blackish, woody caudex, from which proceeds numerous gray fibers from one to three lines in diameter, externally they are covered with a dark brown, longitudinally furrowed cortex, beneath which the inter- nal portion is white, or whitish yellow, according to its age, the last color being the oldest. It has a smell somewhat resembling old hay, and a slightly bitter, aromatic and faintly astringent, but not unpleas- ant taste, and yields its properties to water by decoction, or spirits. The fresh root, procured in August, should be used in making tinc- tures. Many homccopathists have been disappointed in its effects, but the tincture they used could not have been properly prepared.* An oleo-resin has been prepared from the roots by Mr. Merrill, of Cincinnati, and Mr. Chapman, of Hudson, Michigan. That of the former is of a thick pilular consistence, and a dark greenish-brown color, having a faint, peculiar smell, and a nauseous taste ; that of the latter is thinner, about the consistence of glycerine. Both are solu- ble in alcohol, in the proper proportion to make the decimal dilutions. I prefer the triturations of this preparation. Dr. King says, " three grains repeated every three hours is a most powerful diuretic, occa- sioning in some instances an enormous flow of urine." I have found it to have the same effect in dropsy, when given at the third trit- uration. Officinal Preparation.—Tincture ; triturations (of oleo-resins); dilutions and infusion. Dose.—The lower dilutions, tincture and weak infusion have been used in homoeopathic practice, quite successfully. No experience has been obtained from the high dilutions. Medical History.—The history of this plant is so mixed up with that of the Eupatorium perfoliatum, that it is almost impossible to get any reliable testimony from the older authors. In New England both species go by the curious name of Joe-Pye, for the reason, says Rafinesque, that an Indian named Joe Pye, was very successful in curing with these plants the fevers of the early settlers. The same author, in his separate mention of the Eupatorium pur., says it has the same properties as the Boneset, being good for fevers, gravel, etc. Next to its common name, Queen of the Meadow, the country people know it best as Gravel Root. Probably no remedy is in such exten- sive use in domestic practice, for the relief of renal diseases, and those urinary symptoms which are commonly supposed to arise fiom calculi. Such an extensive foundation must rest upon some solid * Dr. Pope, of Washington, D. C, writes me : "I have often been disappointed in the medi- cal action of some of the New Remedies, but I am free to confess that when I have been able to get good tinctures, made from the recent plant, taken at the proper season, I have never been disappointed. * * * Since my discovery, some years ago, of the practice of some pharmaceutists of purchasing the " Shaker prepared" roots and " yarbs" from the wholesale allopathic druggists, cart loads of which roots, etc., you can see most any day, dry as botes and tasteless as grass, I have lost faith in many remedies." Dr. Pope is perfectly correct,—if the practitioner wishes to get good effects from these medicines he must have suitable preparations. The practice he alludes to is very reprehensible, and no respectable pharmaceutist^will be guilty of such a detestable outrage on homoeopathy. 360 NEW REMEDIES. basis. In an extensive country practice of many years, I have usually found this sort of testimony to be worth as much as the dic- tum of some of our most learned medical men. It is from these pop- ular uses that the Eclectic physicians have gained much of their knowledge concerning the use of indigenous plants. Howard seems to have known something about this plant. "The root is bitter, astringent, stimulant, and powerfully diuretic; useful in all diseases of the urinary organs; dropsy, rheumatism, gout, and female weakness and obstructions. It is thought by some to be a sol- vent of the stone, and esteemed an unfailing remedy in gravelly complaints." Beach* says it is diuretic, lithontriptic, nephritic, ner- vine and tonic ; good for stone in the bladder, etc. Kingf does not give it the mention it deserves, merely alluding to it as "used with good effect in dropsical affections, strangury, gravel and all chronic urinary disorders, hgematuria, gout and rheumatism " Scudder makes a more extended mention.^ He writes : "There is no doubt but what this agent exerts a specific influence upon the kidneys, increasing the quantity of urine secreted, and to some degree the amount of solids excreted in it. It has been employed in atonic dropsies, chronic nephritis, catarrhus vesicae attended with ulceration ; chronic irritation of the bladder, attended with increased mucous secretion. It has also been employed in hematuria, gleet, leucorrhoea and other forms of female weakness, rheumatism and gout, with success. It is a popular remedy in gravel, and said by some to possess solvent powers ; although we cannot award it any positive powers of that kind yet, as it increases the amount of water excreted, which is acknowledged to be the best solvent for stone, and always allays irritation of the bladder, we must consider it at least the equal of Uva ursi and Chimaphila. We have used the Eupur- purin, and consider it among our most efficient curative agents in diseases of the kidneys, bladder and urethra. In one case of marked albuminuria, when other agents bad failed to produce any relief, the continued use of this remedy for two weeks entirely relieved the patient. In two cases of diabetes insipidus, its use was attended with the same results. We have also employed it in incontinence of urine, especially in children, with good effects. It is of the most importance, however, in allaying irritation of the bladder ; in many cases of this kind caused by displacement or chronic inflammation of the uterus, or arising during or after pregnancy, we have obtained more benefit from its use than from any other agent." It is in this class of diseases just named, that I know it to be more useful. Hollembaek asserts it to be a "most valuable and effectual medic- inal agent. It is diuretic, dissolvent, tonic, and slightly astringent. No remedy is better adapted to the relief of painful suppression of urine, either from inflammation or calcareous accumulations, and in other cases when the kidneys fail to secrete a due amount of urine, *Botanic Mat. Med. tnispensatory. TEcIectic Mat. Med. and Ther. EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. 361 allowing the uric acid and other component parts to be retained in the circulation, producing erysipelas and other diseases of the skin. In other diseases, when success in treatment so greatly depends upon the proper secretions of the kidneys, as dropsy, rheumatism, gout and fever, it becomes of great service to the physician."' (Allowing for bad English and bad pathology, this writer's testi- mony substantiates that of other physicians.) This plant was not used in homoeopathic practice until after the appearance of the first edition of this work. Within the last year I have received reports of several clinical cases, corroborating the rec- ommendations given by me. It has also been proven by a woman, under the supervision of a competent physician. PROVING BY B. L. DRESSER, M.D., SEARSPORT, MAINE. Mrs. II. II. Dresser, who is the subject upon which this proving has been made, is my wife. She has a nervous-sanguine tempera- ment ; complexion very fair, with light hair and light blue eyes. Mrs. D. is very susceptible to the action or influence of medicine, so much so that the two-hundreth dilution of some medicines will act energetically. During the past six years which I have practiced homoeopathic medicine, Mrs. D. has tested or partially proved very many of our principal medicines. The object in view has been to verify certain characteristic symptoms, which has been done in almost every trial. In proving this medicine great care was taken to record no symp- toms but those produced by the medicine. The proving was continued ten days, beginning in the morning at 6 o'clock with ten drops, increas- ing each dose which was taken at intervals once in eight hours, up to sixty drops. GENERAL SYMPTOMS. Head,—Sensation as if falling toward the left side. Head feels light; cannot get rid of the sensation as if falling to the left. Dull, sleepy ; great effort required in order to move about; lightness of the head ; worse in the morning, disappearing at twelve o'clock. Suf- fers from an unusual wakefulness, with a staring look of the eyes ; Dizziness of the head, with a sensation as if falling to the left side ; Light and dizzy, as though flying round and round ; hard thumping pain on the left occipital bone ; sensation as if her head was moving in all directions. Dizzy, with deep, dull, aching pain through the temporal region on the left side. Head feels as though she had a bad cold. Constant falling to the left side has been a marked symptom. 362 NEW REMEDIES. Integument Of the Head.—Soreness of the scalp ; itching of the scalp ; fine pricking sensation, rather pleasurable than otherwise ; tenderness of the scalp. Eyes.—Weeping; copious flow of tears ; staring, looking with fixed eyes, wide open; eyes fastened with an earnest look upon some object. Feels sleepy ; cannot see as far as usual ; weep- ing, filling the lids with tears, causing constant wiping of the eyes. Ears.—Reports in the ears ; feeling as though they were full; filled up ; crackling in the ears, like the burning of birch-bark, very much aggravated upon swallowing anything; squeaking sound in the ears. Nose.—Discharges thin, watery fluid; constant discharge of a sore from continued wiping ; abundant discharge of a thin, watery fluid. Face.—Burning heat in the face ; rush of blood to the face ; con- gestion ; face burning, red, dry, hot to the touch ; shining appearance of the face, as when having used a large quantity of soap in washing. Light, dizzy sensation, in which the whole body seems to participate. Faint and weak from which the whole body suffers. Dull, heavy pain in the head, most severe in the forehead; vertex full, pressing as though lifting up from adjoining parts; confused, heavy; cannot seem to prevent falling toward the left side. Mouth and TongUC.—Abundance of saliva in the mouth ; in- creased action of all the glands of the month ; gums red and hot; pricking and stinging in the end of the tongue. Throat.—During the entire proving, she experienced a continued smarting and burning, most severe in the posterior part. Yawning, gaping, sighing, were symptoms that attended the entire proving. Choking, fullness of the throat, compelling her to swallow every few minutes ; burning smarting, as if having been scalded by swallow- ing some hot substance ; roughness and dryness in the throat ; flut- tering in the throat pit ; soreness of the throat; sensation in the throat as if having swallowed tobacco ; smarting in the posterior part of the throat; fine, prickly sensation of the posterior part of the tongue ; numb feeling of the tongue, as if caused by Aconite ; disa- greeable fullness in the throat ; can hardly prevent crying. Home- sick, though occupying her own home and surrounded by her own family. Stomach.—Eructations was almost a constant symptom, particu- larly immediately after taking the medicine; great quantity of wind EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. 863 in the stomach ; crampy pain ; sickness of the stomach, came near vomiting ; great nausea ; eructations sometimes more, sometimes less ; swelling and fullness, mostly on the left side. Took forty drops of the medicine ; in twenty minutes eructations most violent; griping, crampy pain in the pit of the stomach ; feels weak, sick ; cannot move without making a great effort. Abdomen.—Fullness and pain in the bowels ; rolling, rumbling in the bowels ; crampy, windy bowels ; rumbling, rolling, twisting pain in the bowels; pain and soreness of the whole abdomen, but much the worse on the left side ; bowels hard as a rock; fullness of the bowels ; tense cutting pain two inches above the left ovary ; heavy pressure all day on the rectum. Stool.—Feeling as though the bowels must be moved immediately without being able to do so ; pressure upon the rectum ; pain and suffering as if from diarrhoea, thongh the passages were not much altered. Urinary Organs.—Took ten drops at six o'clock in the morning, before eating. In exactly half an hour, she experienced a smart, quick, jerking motion in the left ovary ; also immediately above it. There is a deep dull pain in the left kidney, At the interval of an hour she experienced a desire to void urine ; cannot get rid of the sensation ; strong desire to pass water, having ten minutes previously evacuated the bladder. Constant urging to urinate all day ; has passed twice as much urine during the day as usual. Heavy pres- sure during the day directly above the left ovary. Having evacuated the bladder every half hour during the day, still the bladder is full and tense. Took forty drops ; then after an interval of twenty min- utes felt an uncontrollable desire to void the urine ; after which, she experienced a severe colic pain occupying the whole extent of the abdomen : a dull, deep pain in the kidneys ; also another cutting pain, very severe, in the kidneys ; the two pains seem to be separate and distinct, one from the other. Was obliged to evacuate the bladder four times within one hour ; as much in quantity each time as when not under the influence of the medicine. Constant desire to pass water accompanied by a cutting, aching pain in the bladder ; Deep, dull pain in the innominata; fullness of the bladder ; hard aching pressure upon the bladder; constant desire to evacuate the bladder, which, after having been done, is not satisfactory ; abundant urine ; cutting pain, pressure, fullness, in the bladder. Five o'clock, even- ing,—scalding upon passing- iirine ; smarting of the urethra upon voiding urine ; burning, smarting pain in the water passage ; feeling 364 NEW REMEDIES unnatural desire to strain to urge the urine on ; the stream does not appear as large as natural ; feeling as though, having retained the urine a long time without voiding of it; voiding urine as often as once an hour during the whole day ; the external generative organs feel as though wet. This symptom was constant all through the proving, though a delusion. Feeling as though a continual voiding of urine all the time ; voids a great quantity of urine ; most severe, cutting pain in the urethra, which goes and comes in from five to ten minutes, lasting many hours ; dull, heavy pain in the urethra; dull, aching pain in the bladder; smarting, burning in the urethra on void- ing urine. Those or the above symptoms of the urethra began to be experienced the third day of the proving. After that time they are continuous. Smarting and burning very intense in the bladder and urethra ; so much so that she could not stand. The above symptoms, of the urinary organs, were accompanied by a weak, tired, wearied, faint feeling, which was almost insupportable, DR. DRESSER'S SECOND PROVING. (Observation on the Urine.—Healthy urine has a light amber color, different degrees of density, it is transparent and has a lively look, and when strongly forced into a vessel it has a sprightly active motion and quickly seeks a quiet state. It has a specific gravity vary- ing from 1010 to 1030. The average quantity of healthy urine is estimated to be from 30 to 40 ounces in 24 hours.) Jan. 1.—At twelve o'clock my wife took sixty drops of the Eupa- torium pur. This dose seemed to have an immediate action, causing in half an hour the evacuation of fourteen ounces of urine ; specific gravity 1015, measured by the gravimeter ; color not varying from that of healthy urine. At one o'clock, voided ten ounces, which had a more aromatic smell than the former passage. Ten minutes before three o'clock voided ten ounces, having a pale color, specific gravity the same as the previous examination. At this examination I first observed a white, flaky or flocculent substance which I collected upon a filter for examination; this proved to be mucus, the result, undoubtedly, of inflammation caused by the action of the medicine upon the urinary organs. At four o'clock voided twelve ounces. At six o'clock seven ounces ; a quarter before seven o'clock voided five ounces. The characteristic constituents of the urine are not changed, we have an addition of mucus in amount, a considerable quantity, one half ounce in all during the day, or up to seven o'clock, the whole amount of urine voided during the first twelve hours of the .EUPATUKiUJi 1'UJtirUEEUM. 365 proving being 58 ounces. The urine certainly has the appearance of diabetic urine. Its specific gravity during the day has been 1015. Upon applying the test in order to ascertain whether there was any sugar or not in the urine not the smallest trace could be dis- covered. After the first twelve hours, from the beginning of the proving, there has been much less in quantity than at first, though the frequency in voiding it, and the urgency by which it is impelled, has increased in intensity. Jan. 2d—Nine o'clock, took 60 drops. Many of the symptoms to-day are the same as those recorded yesterday. Those we do not think it advantageous to repeat. The desire to-day to void urine has been almost unintermittcd, nevertheless the quantity has been small. The prover has felt impelled to make frequent efforts to void urine without being able to void more than from one half ounce to two ounces at each evacuation. The effort to empty the bladder was made as often as once in an hour, and sometimes much oftener. The urine to-day presents a higher color, and has a greater density, its specific gravity averaging 1026, though it has, during the day, presented different densities. The characteristic constituents of the urine have not been changed as proven by examination, except by the addition of mucus, which had increased in quantity. Jan. 3d.—Nine o'clock took sixty drops of the Eupatorium. The condition of the urine to-day has been almost exactly represented in the record of the preceding day, its specific gravity averaging 1028. Upon examination in order to ascertain the characteristics of the urine it was found to be neutral. During the three days the frequent and tormenting desire to pass urine, with occasional spasmodic action of the bladder could not long be borne." In the last experiment we see beautifully delineated the primary and seconday action of the medicine. Had the doses been smaller, the primary action would have been longer sustained, but the size of the dose nearly obliterated it, and shortened its duration to twelve hours. If the doses had been quadrupled it is probable that no pri- mary symptoms would have appeared, but the drug malady would have commenced at once with the secondary symptoms. This prov- ing shows that Eupatorium pur. is primarily homoeopathic to diabetes insipidus and similar diseases ; and secondarily indicated in inflam- matory and painful affections of the urinary organs, with scanty urine, dropsy, etc. According to my law of dose, this remedy should prove most useful in the lowest dilutions in the treatment of dropsy, and this conclusion is sanctioned by clinical experience. 366 NEW REMEDIES. Clinical Observations.—If anything aside from the clinical ex- perience of the eclectic school was wanting to prove the specific affinity of the Eupatorium purpureum for the urinary organs, the above pathogenetic symptoms would be sufficient. They not only do this but they establish the truth of the law of similia as relates to the action of this medicine in disease. When we come to have thor- ough provings of all our indigenous remedies we shall find that all of them have cured homceopathically. My experience with this variety of Eupatorium has been quite extensive, and my observations of its use are equally so. It seems to be a close analogue of Uva ursi, Cannabis, Chimaphila, Pul- satilla and Copaiva. I hav« known it, when taken excessively, as it often is by the country people, to materially aggravate renal difficul- ties, and even give rise to the very symptoms for which it is so strongly recommended, and so really useful. To be more specific, I have cured wi*h this remedy a severe case of strangury, in a female, due to uterine displacement; the usual remedies had been used without benefit. In a case of excessive irritation of the bladder, with large deposit of lithates in the urine, it removed all the symptoms in a week. Several minor cases might be mentioned. Next to Apocy- num cann., I consider it the most powerful remedy we possess, for the alleviation, and even permanent cure of Dropsy. It is even superior to that medicine, for its action on the kidneys is of a more pervading and profound character. One of the most intractable cases of dropsy, due apparently to renal disease, that ever came under my care, I believe to have been permanently cured by a tincture of the root. I usually use the mother tincture, or lower dilutions, a few drops at a dose every two or six hours. The following case, illustrative of the powerful curative action of this remedy in Anasarca, came under my observation in the practice of Drs. Hale and Smart. An old gentleman who had twice had attacks of dropsy, the last of which was removed under the action of Apocynum cann., had a thiid attack more severe than either previous one. Influenced by some officious friends, he placed himself under Allopathic treatment, though he had recovered well under the homoeopathic on former occa- sions. He steadily grew worse under the usual drugging, purging. and diuretics, etc., until he was unable to lie down, or move, or get up from his chair. Distressing dyspnoea set in ; the whole body and extremities became enormously oedematous ; the secretion of urine became very scanty, ouly three or four ounces in twenty- four hours ; and altogether the man was in a very critical con- dition. At this juncture, Dr. P. H. Hale was called. Upon examination no organic disease of the heart, kidneys or liver was discovered. The urine, however, was slightly albuminous. The pulse was feeble but regular. The extremities cold, with considerable general pros- tration. No appetite, considerable thirst, and a slight tendency to stupor—dullness of mind. EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. 367 After some consultation, and partly upon my suggestion, it was resolved to give the Eupatorium purpureum. The mother tincture was given in drop doses, (8 or 10 at first,) every three hours. In twelve hours the urine was slightlv in- creased. In twenty-four hours the dyspnoea was somewhat amelior- ated. In forty-eight hours he could lie down with comfort; and in seventy-two hours he walked across the room, and the oedema was rapidly disappearing from his body and limbs. For three weeks this man had been plied with allopathic rem- edies after the approved fashion, and now we see all the worst symptoms removed in three days, by drop doses of a simple remedy. This is even better than giving minute doses of Arsenic, Helle- bore, etc., after the routine manner of some of our own school. The use of the Eupatorium pur. in dropsy, is based upon purely empirical data, but of such a reliable character that no hesitation need be felt in resorting to it. It is even better than Apocynum can. in many cases, and I think its effects are of a more permanent char- acter. REPORT OF THREE CASES CURED BY EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. BY B. L. DRESSER, M. D., SEARSPORT, MAINE. My clinical experience with the Queen of the Meadow has been quite limited, though it has proved itself of great valuo in a number of cases. Case 1st.—Elias Stafford enlisted as one of the nine months men, some three years ago. Immediately upon joining his regiment he took a violent cold. While suffering from this he began to experience an uneasiness in the region of the bladder, which continued to in- crease until it became thoroughly established, as a confirmed chronic inflammation of the bladder. While he remained in the army he was treated by a number of different physicians. Upon arriving home at the close of his term of service, he then became my patient, and has continued to be and still is my patient. During this long course of treatment I, of course, used a good many different remedies without any particular success, unless this may be called a success that he did not get any worse. Until about four months ago he remained about the same. At that time I administered Queen of the Meadow for the following symp- toms: Smarting, burning in the bladder; soreness and pain in the bladder ; severe, deep, dull aching in the bladder ; smarting, burning in the urethra; most excruciating smarting upon passing urine; numbness of the legs ; deep, dull, aching pain in the region of the kidneys; very much emaciated ; hectic fever; night sweats; rheu- matic pains shifting from place to place. The above symptoms he has suffered with more or less intensity, from the beginning, though after having taken the Eupatorium, the first dose even, the disease began to yield. I used the concentrated tincture made of the root, second dilution, twenty drops added to four ounces of distilled water, two teaspoonfuls or about four drachms at a dose, four times each day. 368 NEW REMEDIES. Immediately upon taking the medicine, he began to improve from day to day. In a few weeks he was enabled to attend to his business. He is a common laborer. Case 2d.—Mrs. P., pregnant, seven months of her time having expired. In order to visit her relatives, it was necessary to ride four miles over a very rough road. Such jolting and shaking could not be borne with impunity. Besides, during the journey she took a bad cold. On the following day she found herself sick. Violent head- ache, soreness all over, aching, gnawing in the joints ; eyes red and swollen ; violent cutting pain in the back; labor like pains in the back; constant desire to void urine; most excruciating smarting and burning in the urethra upon voiding the urine ; passes a few drops at a time, and is obliged to make the effort very often ; numb- ness of the legs ; deep, dull ache in the kidneys, also in the bladder; pulse 90. Administered Eupatorium 2d dilution, twenty drops in four ounces of water. Dose, four drachms once in two hours; lengthened the intervals as she improved. In twelve hours the patient was convalescent. Case 3d.—An infant two weeks old. Symptoms : Moaning suf- fering expressed by its peculiar cries. Its lower belly swollen and hot. Restlessness, tossing; constant moaning; had not wet its napkin for forty-eight hours. During that time the child had been attended by an allopathic physician. In spite of this mischief, the Eupatorium worked like a charm. I administered the medicine in the following manner: Second dilution, one drop to six ounces of water, half a teaspoonful at a dose once in every half hour until it voided its urine ; after that time, once in three hours. After taking a few doses, the child voided its urine, and immediately recovered. Organs Of Generation Of Man.—No symptoms have been re- ported. I have, however, noticed decided aggravation of the stran- gury and excessive urinations, from its use in large doses. Dr. Paine (eclectic) says : " I have used Eupurpurin in several cases of im- potency. A gentleman who had been impotent for upwards of four years, has been under my charge for the last six months. For the first two months I prescribed all the usual remedies in this disease, without effect. I then employed the Eupurpurin. For the last four months he has been taking from one to five grains three or four times a day ; and although not entirely well, he has so far recovered, by the use of this remedy, as to demonstrate its value in these diseases. I have used it also in other cases of a similar character, and with most satisfactory effects. From the experience I have had with the Eupur- purine, I am satisfied that it is a great tonic to the reproductive apparatus of both male and female, and in all those diseases where the organs have become exhausted, either by sympathy with other diseases or from abuses, this remedy, judiciously administered, will EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. 369 serve a most valuable purpose. Dose from one to five grains, three or four times a day." (The second or third trituration, or even higher, would be safer and better.) Organs of Generation of Women.—An inflammation of meatus urinarius ; sensation as though wet; leucorrhoea quite abundant, which continued during the whole time that the proving lasted. Leucorrhoea simple, leaving no stain upon the linen. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Paine (eclectic) seems to entertain views in relation to this drug different from other practitioners of his school. Speaking of the " Eupurpurin," he says : " It is a genuine uterine tonic. There is, perhaps, no remedy of the materia medica that exerts a more powerful tonic impression upon the uterus than does the Eupurpurin ; in doses of five to ten grains, it has the effect to stimulate uterine contractions ; and, in cases of pregnancy, it has been known to produce abortion by producing premature labor. Hence it has great value in cases of uterine inertia during labor, or where there is much debility and feeble uterine contractions. The Eupur- purin operates with great certainty as a tonic to the uterus, peculiar to Ergot. It may be used in all cases where Ergot has been prescri- bed, with equal certainty of effect in producing labor, or restoring or producing uterine contractions, without producing any disastrous effects upon the blood, so peculiar to large doses of Ergot. I have administered this in a large number of cases of complete uterine inertia, in combination with Capsicum and other stimulants, and have found most happy and immediate effects. In cases of debility of the uterus, it is a remedy of remarkable value. In the large number of cases of uterine leucorrhoea, caused by exhaustion of the uterus and chronic metritis, the Eupurpurin, administered in doses of one-half to one grain, four or five times a day, affords almost immediate relief, In cases of prolapsus uteri, and in retroversion of the uterus, and, in fact, all cases where there is debility of the uterus and its appenda- ges, it can be relied on as a tonic and stimulant to these parts. " A case, which recently came under my charge, was that of a lady who had had four or five miscarriages, and had never succeeded in carrying a child to its full period. She had been under the treat- ment of several of the most eminent physicians of the city, and although the most rigid hygienic and medical treatment had been instituted, all her efforts to mature'her period of gestation had been abortive. She was in the third month.of pregnancy, and within two or three weeks of her usual period to abort, when she came under my charge. I commenced her treatment by giving one grain of the Eupurpurin, in combination with one-half grain of Iron per hydro- gen, three times a day. This treatment I continued, with the addi- tion of occasional light purges, for two or three months, when Iron was omitted, and the sitz bath, with the Eupurpurin, was continued until full term, when she was delivered of a fine, healthy daughter. "Another was the case of a lady^vho had been married fourteen years and had been constantly troubled with amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea 24 370 NEW REMEDIES. and dysmenorrhoea ; and although she was exceedingly anxious to have a family, to her knowledge had never been enciente. I com- menced the treatment with one grain of Eupurpurin and one-half grain of Hypophosphite of iron, three times a day, and also adminis- tered small doses of Leptandrin and Euonymin at bed-time, as she was also laboring under hepatic difficulties. I continued this treat- ment for some four or five months, together with the use of vaginal injections, and decoctions of Cinchona and Hydrastis canadensis. Her health very much improved, her courses became regular, leucor- rhoea diappeared, and in seven months from the time of the com- mencement of her treatment she had the satisfaction of realizing her long anticipations and wishes. During the treatment I administered Helonin and Eupurpurin, in the proportion of one-tenth of a grain of Helonin to one-fourth of a grain of Eupurpurin, three times a day. She matured a healthy child. Other cases of a similar charac- ter have been treated with this remedy, and with similar results. " The dose of the Eupurpurin, to resuscitate exhausted labor, to restore tone and vigor to the uterus, and to hasten uterine action in cases of uterine inactivity, is from one to five grains, administered every half hour until thirty or forty grains have been given. As a general uterine tonic, from one to three grains, taken four times a day, either in combination with Iron, Cod-liver Oil, Hydrastin, or other tonics, or alone, is the ordinary dose." I give the doses used by Dr. Paine, but do not sanction them. (H.) Chest. Circulation.—Palpitation of the heart; fluttering of the heart and throat; feels weak and tired ; faintness, languor, sickness, cannot move about; thought she must go to bed, having immediately before got up. Immediately upon taking each dose of medicine she would experience violent palpitation of the heart. Strong desire to inflate the lungs which she continued to do from time to time, without noticing particularty that she was doing so. During the proving the pulse ranged from eighty to one hundred; it was full and bounding. Iflind.—The mind is acted upon in a very singular maimer, being encompassed by various delusions. A constant symptom was a feel- ing as if falling toward the left. This was the first symptom. Talk- ative, exclamations, delusions of sight and hearing; feels extremely depressed ; sleepy ; has a great fear of sickness ; sighing every few minutes ; gnawing at the stomach. Back and Neck.—Pains as of a neuralgia, from below upwards, mostly up the left side of the back and hip. Sore pain directly within the spine, its whole extent, from below upwards. Dull aching pain in the sacrum, running upward into the kidneys ; lame feeling in the nape of the neck ; stiff, wry neck ; lame, weak feeling of the neck ; cutting pain in the neck, running from the left shoulder to the occiput. EUPATOREUM PURPUREUM. 371 Upper and Lower Extremities.—Tired, weak, uneasiness in the limbs ; gnawing, disagreeable pain in the extremities; feet feel as though she has walked a long journey ; seems to her as though her heels were crowding through her boots. The delusion having been so marked that she felt compelled to look in order to see if it was really the case. Rheumatic pain changing from place to place, always from below upward ; gnawing in the hip bone ; legs feel weak, tired ; left leg weak, worse than the right, in which she has a severe numb- ness ; numbness worse in the groin ; tired weak feeling in every organ of the body. All symptoms worse on the left side of the body. Deep, dull pain in the left innominatum, " Every symptom in this proving was well marked, having taken great care not to record any symptoms of a doubtful nature. My object was so far as we went with the proving, to have it correct. Mrs. Dresser was in perfect health at the time. She is undoubtedly one of the best subjects by which a medicine can be proved, having a good and powerful faculty whereby she is enabled to show or repre. sent to others, in words, her feelings ; to communicate an idea of a thing by naming its nature and properties. Thus she is enabled to communicate to us a correct view of each and every symptom, as they become developed one after another, or more or less at the same time." EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. (Large Flowering Spurge.) Analogues.—Croton tiglium, Elaterium, Jalapa, Lobelia, Helleborus niger, Veratrum album. Botanical Description.—A tall, slender, erect plant, one to two feet high, with a large, perennial, branching, yellowish root, which sends up several stems from two to five feet in height, round and gen- erally simple and smooth. Cauline and floral leaves oblong, narrow, obtuse, standing irregularly upon the stem, and without footstalks. They are obovate, wedgeform or linear, flat or revolute at the margin, smooth in some plants and hairy in others, In the umbel the leaves are opposite and verticillate. The flowers are disposed upon a large, terminal umbel, with a five-leaved involucruin, and five trifid and 372 NEW REMEDIES. dichotomous rays, at each fork of which are two oblong bractes. The calyx is large, rotate, white, with five obtuse segments, closely resem- bling a corolla, from which the species has been named. At the base of these divisions arc five interior smaller segmeuts, which are des- cribed as rectories by many systematic writers, while the larger are considered as belongiug to a real corolla. The stamens are twelve, evolving gradually, with double anthers. Many flowers have only stam- ens. The pistil, when existing, is stipulate, nodding, rounded, with three bifid styles. The fruit is a smooth, three-celled, three-seeded cap- sule. The root, when full grown, is sometimes an inch in thickness and two feet in length. It is without unpleasant taste, producing only a sense of heat a short time after it has been taken. The med- ical virtues are said to reside in the cortical portion, which is thick and constitutes two-thirds of the whole root. They are taken up by water and alcohol, and remain in the extract formed by the evapora- tion of the decoction or tincture. This species is one of over thirty of the genus Euphorbiaceae, indigenous to this country, to which belongs the European species E. officinalis, noticed and used by Hahnemann. The E. Corollata is found all over the United States, growing chiefly in a dry, barren and sandy soil, seldom growing in woods or on the borders of streams. Its flowers appear in July and August. The central head is two or three weeks earliest. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture and triturations of the root; dilutions. Medical History.—It is a singular coincidence, says Rafinesque, that the name given to this root by the Indians of Louisiana is Peheca, very similar to the Brazilian native name of Ipeca, both meaning 'Emetic-root.' It is also called by the Northern tribes, Picac. It has a host of common names, among which the most used is Go-quick, Bowman's Root, Milk-weed, Indian Physic. The first alludes to its remarkably quick and intense action as an emetico-cathartic. By a very common error, these names have been applied to the E. ipecac- uana, and other species which possess similar properties. Rafinesque says the E. corollata is the most powerful of the indigenous species, "since it purges at the dose of three to ten grains, and vomits at from ten to twenty." "But a diversity has been noticed in various constitutions, the same doses being sometimes inert, cathartic or emetic, or both in some instances ; they often produce nausea, even in small doses, and then act as diaphoretics, like Ipecac, to which they are preferable by having no unpleasant taste, nor excit- ing pain and spasms." The bruised root applied to the skin, produces vesication in about twelve hours, which lasts two or three days. The milk destroys warts." He says it has been employed in dropsies, asthma, hooping cough, and fever, but with no great success. Eclectic physicians claim that it is superior to Lobelia, Podophyl- lum or Jalap in some diseases. But in the doses in which they pre- scribe it, it is often productive of unpleasant and dangerous symptoms, and capable of doing much injury to the gastric mucous membrane, due to its quick and prompt action. I am indebted to Dr. A. fr EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. 373 Brown, of Litchfield, Mich., for many interesting facts relating to its action. It is considered by those who use it, as the most powerful "revulsive agent" in their Materia Medica, in all cases of local con- gestion, especially of the lungs and head ; also in inflammation of the pleura, lungs and liver, and it is used as a substitute for bleeding and Calomel. Its admirers allege that it will certainly arrest the progress of the above affections in a few hours, and break up all simple fevers. This is of course erroneous, but it reminds one of the Ilelleborism of the ancients, 'so graphically described by Hahnemann. In fact, no drug with which I am acquainted so much resembles the Veratrum album. It will be seen that its analogues are also Jatropha, Elaterium, Croton tiglium, Arsenicum, Tartar emetic, Veratum viride; and will undoubtedly prove as useful in practice. Dr. Brown, who has repeatedly tested the pure effects of the root upon his own person, thus describes its action. After taking the dose, (twenty-five grains of the powdered root,) and while in good health no effects were noticed for about one hour and a half, when suddenly, with no premonitory symptoms of pain, a distressing sense of deathly nausea set in, accompanied in a few minutes by faintness ; then sudden and powerful vomiting, first the food, etc., in the stom- ach, then of large quantities of water mixed with mucus, then clear fluid, like rice water. In less than a minute after the vomiting commenced, great commotion in the bowels, followed immediately hy copious watery evacuations, set in. This simultaneous vomiting and diarrhoea continued for nearly an hour, at short intervals or intermis- sions, all the while accompanied by great anxiety, a death-like sense of faintness and exhaustion; cool skin, covered with beaded sweat; cold hands, feet, and nose, and great weakness. In about two or three hours all these symptoms passed away, leaving only weakness as from hunger, no pain or distress, only a peculiar languor. During the height of its action the pulse sank to forty. After taking fifty grains the effects were much more intense, but lasted only a little longer. It resembled more nearly a severe attack of sea sickness, or cholera morbus, than any thing the doctor could imagine. Taken in doses of two or three grains every two or three hours, it causes lan- guor, perspiration, and softness of the pulse. King, (Dispensatory,) says, "fifteen or twenty grains of the pow- dered root will excite emesis, rarely occasioning pains or spasms, and giving rise to very little previous nausea or giddiness. Four grains given every three hours will act as a diaphoretic. When given in large doses it is apt to induce inflammation of the mucus coat of the stomach and bowels, with hyper-catharsis. It causes dis- tressing nausea with prostration." Wood, (Therapeutics, Vol. II, p. 442). It is not like Ipecacuanha, safe in over doses, but when taken too largely acts with great harsh- ness, causing much nausea, violeut vomiting, hyper-catharsis, and symptoms of general prostration." Other medical writers speak of it in much the same manner ; but the most extended notice of its virtues which has yet appeared, is from the pen of Dr. Grover Coe in a work on "Concentrated Organic Medicines." Were Dr. Coe a horn- 374 NEW REMEDIES ceopathist, he would appear in a much better light in his essay on remedial agents ; as it is, he makes himself obscure and sometimes ridiculous by seeking to account for the modus operandi of certain medicines, upon vague and theoretic grounds, and by ignoring the law of similia. Of Euphorbin, the concentrated principle of Euphorbia corollata, he says : "The Euphorbin is a reliable acquisition to our indigenous Materia Medica, and fulfils many important indications. In small, repeated doses it acts as a diaphoretic, inducing free perspiration, deterges the mucous coats of the stomach and bowels, stimulates the functions of the liver, and corrects the tendency to colliquative diar- rheal discharges."(\\) "When administered as an emetic, it will vomit without exciting any previous nausea, while at other times, con- siderable prostration of the muscular system with lingering nausea, will be observed ; paleness of the countenance and cool, moist state of the skin, from which, however, the patient recovers as soon as the medicine has operated on the bowels." We deem the Euphorbia one of the most powerful, and at the same time, safest revulsive remedies that can be administered for the relief of cerebral congestions. It excites powerfully the absorbent and venous systems, and is there- fore frequently employed for the removal of dropsical effusions, removing them when other means fail." [This is all vague theory. It acts similarly to the Elaterium. ] After stating pretty fully its irritating action on the mucous coat of the stomach and bowels, this author, strangely enough, goes on to say : "We have found the Euphorbin of much ability in the treat- ment of cholera infantum, diarrhoea and dysentery. (!) It seems to exercise a peculiar control over the glandular structure of the intes- tinal canal, correcting and giving tone to the action of the secreting vessels, and promoting the assimilation of nutritious matters." All of which is mere nonsense. It acts by virtue of its power to cause similar pathological conditions in healthy persons. Is it not strange that allopathic writers should labor so hard to cover up the real action of drugs, when the actual law of their remedial aetion is so apparent to every sensible mind ? With a full knowledge of its power to cause " hypercatharsis, with inflammation of the bowels, cramps and vomiting," he says : "We (I) have administered it in cases of Cholera infantum, when the alvine discharges were watery, copious and offensive, and as the result of its operation, had well digested stools, without foetor." Then to gloss this, to him incomprehensible power, he resorts to unworthy special pleading, thus : " We have been unable to discover that the Euphorbin acts as a special irritant upon the bowels, but on the contrary, esteem it as a corrector of irri- tation." (In small doses.) "Our observations of its operations have led us to the conclusion that the irritation sometimes observable is the result of an increased activity on the part of the eliminating vessels of the alimentary canal, and the consequent depuration of certain morbid and acrid materials from the blood, which being brought in contact with the mucous surfaces, constitute an extraneous cause of excitement." This language reminds one of the obscure EUPHORBIA COROLLATA. 375 and foggy reasoning that our medical grandfathers indulged in a few centuries ago—a jargon of unmeaning phrases, The Euphorbium cor. causes, like the Veratrum album, and its analogues, a decided and profound depression of the vitality of the nerves of the stomach and bowels, and an utterly relaxed condition of the intestinal capillaries. It induces a pathological and pathoge- netic state, which presents a picture resembling, with wonderful fidelity, cholera morbus, cholera infantum, colliquative diarrhoea, sea- sickness and many other forms of disease affecting the digestive tube. It may act in large doses as a direct local irritant, in the same man- ner as Tartar emetic ; for the juice of the root will produce vesication and pustules upon the skin, and perhaps upon the mucous membrane. But it certainly posseses a dynamic power, which exercises a profound influence through the medium of the nerves. Pathogenesis.—A resume of the symptoms after Hahnemann's method would be as follows : Head, etc.—Vertigo ; swimming in the head, with faintness; dim- ness of sight and prostration; every thing seems to be whirling around; vertigo, with ringing in the ears; he fears he is going to die ; death-like sensation, with anxiety of mind ; no desire to live unless relief comes soon. Digestive Tract, etc.—Burning in the mouth and on the tongue after taking the dry powder ; vesicles on the lips and tongue after taking the fresh root: sudden nausea one hour after taking the pow- der, followed in a few minutes by sudden and forcible vomiting and diarrhoea of watery (rice-water) fluid, with sinking anxious feeling at the stomach; faintness, slow and week pulse (40), cool skin, cool feet and hands, which become affected with painful cramps ; profuse col- liquative discharges from the bowels, like the evacuations in cholera, with painful spasms of the intestines ; cold sweat on the body and extremities ; spasms of the legs and feet. Pathology.—I had intended to make some experiments on animals with the view of showing its pathological effects upon the mucous membranes of the stomach and bowels, but have been unable to devote the necessary time. I hope to present the profession with the results of such experience soon. This article is published to call the attention of my colleagues to this important remedy, and ask their assistance in perfecting its pathogenesis. If we may be allowed to judge from analogy, we can safely affirm that its physiologico-patho- logical effects are similar to those caused by the Elaterium, Veratrum album and viride, Jatropha curcas, and perhaps Aconite. Clinical Observtaions.—This remedy is perfectly homoeopathic, judging from its pathogenetic symptoms and its known effect in dis- ease, to many morbid conditions of the digestive tube; many serious 376 NEW REMEDIES. and severe diseases of the stomach and bowels, as well as some affec- tions of the liver, kidneys and skin. In some forms of aphtha, accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea, and that condition of the alimentary mucous membrane characterized by an aphthous exuda- tion extending from the mouth to the anus. This condition is often seen in children and nursing women, and vulgarly known as "thrush." In this affection I should advise the lower dilutions of the tincture of the plant. After this, Hydrastis, Rhus vernix, Borax, and Arsen- icum or Tartar emetic may be tried. In weakly subjects Phosphoric and Sulphuric acids will prove useful. Chlorate of Potassa is an admirable remedy in some cases. Sea-sickness and the severe vomiting of pregnancy will be benefitted by the medium dilutions of the tincture of the dried root. It is useful in the vomiting which arises from fright, over indulgence in ices, fruits, etc., or from the effects of acrid matters in the stomach, such as large doses of Ipecac, Antimony, Lobelia, etc. In Cholera morbus and Cholera infantum we have abundant proof of its utility. I have known it to cure these affections after the usual remedies had entirely failed. In such con- ditions, if the evacuations be acid in their nature, the acidity should be corrected by small quantities of Carbonate of Soda or Magnesia, otherwise the prompt curative effects of the Euphorbium will not appear. This is a point too often ignored by homoeopathic physicians. Hahnemann taught that these chemically altered conditions of the fluids were the result of actual acid fermentation of the contents of the stomach and intestines, and must be met by remedies which act in a chemical manner. Many remedies, apparently well chosen, will not act beneficially in such conditions, but act promptly after their removal, the acid in such cases antidoting, perhaps destroying, its medicinal principle. In acute enteritis, gastritis, and other inflamma- tory diseases of the gastric and intestinal mucous membrane, I should consider it admirably indicated, if the other symptoms correspond. In toxical doses it undoubtedly causes active inflammation of their structures, and then, instead of watery evacuations, we may have mu- cus and bloody discharges, accompanied by pain and tenesmus. In these diseases the higher dilutions would be preferable. The colliqua- tive diarrhoea of consumptive and typhoid patients may be benefitted by this remedy, as also those obstinate chronic diarrhoeas which are prevalent among soldiers in camps, and are probably caused by had food and worse water. It will undoubtedly prove useful in many of the diseases of children, such as sympathetic or irritative fever, worm fever, in fact, all febrile action when caused by irritation of the bow- els. Dr. Coe says: "We value it exceedingly in the treatment of the indigestion of children, and for the removal of all that train of symptoms which is usually supposed to indicate the presence of worms. These are, loss of appetite, or it may be variable, voracious at times, and none at others, furred tongue, feverishness, foetid breath, bloating of the stomach, constipation, or, on the contrary, a trouble- some diarrhoea, emaciation, peevishness, wakefulness, etc." In such cases I have the best effects from the first decimal trituration of the root-bark, or the third trituration of the Euphorbin. But Santonine FRASERA CAROLINENSIS. 377 is the most reliable specific. Finally, it may prove useful in some of the exanthemas, such as eczema, pustular ring-worm, erysipelas, and milk crust of children when associated with diarrhoea. I do not know whether its internal administration will cause its peculiar effects on the skin; my experiments were not carried far enough to test the matter. We may safely suppose, however, that it may thus act, simi- larly to Croton, Rhus, and Tartar-emetic. In all affections of the skin, its external use as a lotion, cerate or glycerole, should accom- pany its internal administration. I earnestly solicit a trial of its remedial virtues in the mentioned diseases, and careful provings on healthy persons, and the lower animals. Euphorlna corollata in Dysentery.—A physician writes : * "A few years ago, we had a great deal of diarrhoea among all classes, and some of the cases proved very obstinate and did not yield readily to the ordinary remedies. My student told me that some of the old physicians of Detroit had, the year before, used what he called Spurge, (a species of the Euphorbia) with the most gratifying results. He found the plant and made a tincture of the top of the plant and used it, empirically of course. Two or three drops of the mother tincture in half a glass of water was the preparation used. I never found anything act so like a charm, curing all the obstinate and difficult cases. I gave some to my friends and they were delighted with its effects. Unfortunately I broke my bottle containing the tincture, and am all out. We have a dysenteric diarrhoea prevailing here which gives us much trouble, as it does not yield to ordinary treatment, at least not satifactorily. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the Spurge to know it when I see it, and I can find no one here who knows it at all." FRASERA CAROLINENSIS. (American Columbo.) Analogues.—Aletris, Cornus, China, Chelone, Hydrastis, Gentian, Populus, Phosphoric Acid, Sulphuric Acid. Botanical Description.—This is an indigenous plant, with a tri- ennial, long, fusiform, horizontal, rugose and yellow root, with a smooth, erect, solid, cylindrical or subquadrangular, succulent, dark purple stem, from four to nine feet in height, one or two inches in diameter at the base. The leaves are smooth, oblong, lanceolate, acutish, sessile, feather-veined, entire or wavy, sub-comose, from three to twelve inches by one to three, in whorls of four to six, rarely * Homeopathic Observer, 1865. 378 NEW REMEDIES. opposite and decreasing in size as they approach the summit. The flowers are tetrematous, (in 4s,) an inch and a quarter in diameter, yellowish-white or greenish yellow, with brown-purple dots, and a large purple pit or gland near the base, bordered by a strong and even fringe, and interminal, compound, pyramidal, leafy or bracteated, verticillate panicles, Calyx deeply four-parted, segments acute, shorter than the oblong obtuse-like petals. Corolla wheel shaped. Stamens four, shorter than the corolla, alternating with its segments. Filaments subrelate ; anthers large, oblong ursatile, yellow ; ovary, oblong, attenuated into a short style ; stigmas, bifid, distinct; cap- sule or fruit, oval, compressed, acuminated with the persistent style, yellowish; seeds, few, large, imbricated, elliptical, wing-margined. This plant grows West of the Alleghanies, on the borders of lakes, and in rich soils in the Middle and Southern States, bearing flowers in June and July, which, however, together with the stems, are not developed until the third year ; the root-leaves, in the meantime, only being visible. The part used is the root, which should be gathered in October and November, of the second year of the plant, or in March or April of its third year. It is hard, fusiform and wrinkled; as met with in the shops they are in dried, transverse slices, with a brown epidermis, slightly tinged with red, yellow cortex and a spongy, straw-colored centre. Its taste is bitter and slightly saccharine, and its properties are taken up by wine, water, or alcohol of speci6c grav- ity of 0.935. This root has been mistaken for that of Columbo, (Coc- culus palmaris, Africa,) but it may be distinguished from the latter, which, on account of the starch it contains, strikes a blue color with tincture of Iodine, while the American plant undergoes no change of color. A transverse section of Columbo shows a series of concentric circles, with diverging lines, which are absent in the American root. This is one of the handsomest native plants of America. I have seen it in the glades of Ohio and Michigan, ten or twelve feet high, with a pyramid of crowded flowers, four or five feet long, but they have no odor. It belongs to the order Gentianaccce, but it is the only species of the genus. According to Rafinesque, however, who was a close observer, it affords a few varieties, namely : Opposit- eplia, Undulata, Pauciflora, Angustifolia, their names expressing their deviations. Officinal Preparations,—(1). Tincture of the fresh root. (2). Tinctures and triturations of the dried root. (3). Dilutions. Medical History.—The first physicians who used this root, sup- posed it would be used as a substitute for the foreign Columbo. But not finding it as powerful, they let it fall into disuse. Being allo- pathic, they were ignorant of the means of ascertaining its medicinal qualities. In the hands of homceopathists it may prove a valuable remedy. It is known to be emetic and cathartic when fresh, and said to be "tonic, anti-septic and febrifuge when dry." It would be well to make the proving with the fresh root, that we might know all the qualities of the medicine. Rafinesque says it is equal to Gentian&ni GALIUM. 379 Rhubarb in diseases of the stomach and debility. "It has cured a wide-spread gangrene of the lower limbs by its internal use and ex- ternal application, when bark had failed." He also says it is useful in intermittens, and extensively used in domestic practice for fevers, colics, nausea and relaxed stomach and bowels. "As a purgative, it is substituted for rhubarb, particularly for children and pregnant women,* and it has the advantage of not heating the body. Cold water is said to add to its efficacy, and prevent nausea or emesis. A tea- spoonful in hot water and sugar will give immediate relief in case of heavy food loading a weak stomach." King merely alludes to it as a simple tonic, in doses of twenty or thirty grains of the powdered root. Wood, King'and Scudder merely copy Rafinesque's account of this plant. Coe asserts that Fraserin is tonic, stimulant and mildly astrin- gent, and is useful in indigestion, debility, diarrhoea, night-sweats, hysteria and gravelly disorders. "It is exceedingly useful in the convalescing stages of fevers, diarrhoea, cholera infantum, and in all cases when the system has been exhausted by colliquative discharges. * * Colliquative diarrhoeas are frequently cured with Fraserin oleum." These are all vague and bald generalities, of very little use to the accurate physician of any school, and of less use to the homceo- pathician. It remains for some member from our school to institute provings with this plant. It will not rank as a polychrest, probably, because its range of action is too limited ; but its pathogenesis may Bhow it to be indicated in some derangements for which we have not now the specific. •Mpdical Botany. GALIUM (Cleavers.) Analogues.—Agave, Cannabis sativa, Chimaphila, Eupatorium- purp,—{or Ulmusfulv., Althcea officinalis, etc) Botanical Description.—Galium aparine is decreed by medical writers to be the officinal plant of this genus. Rafinesque says "many other species are probably medicinal, but we only use the Galium aparine and G. verum common in woods, trailing, rough, with white, lateral flowers and rough seeds." This description, however, will only apply to the former species, as the latter has yellow flowers and smooth seeds. The two species above mentioned are the only ones 380 NEW REMEDIES. which have eight leaves in a whorl. Gray thinks it "doubtful if the G. Aparine is truly indigenous in our district." And the G. verum was certainly brought here from Europe. Only six species of Galium are mentioned by Gray, as indigenous to the United States. Rafin- esque, however, says we have " twenty or more species in North Amer- ica." He thinks the G. aparine and G. verum common to Europe and America. We prefer to follow Gray as the latest authority, and arrange the species as follows : G. Aparine, with white flowers, rough seeds, leaves eight in a whorl. (Europe—perhaps indigenous.) G. Verum, with yellow flowers, smooth seeds, leaves eight in a whorl. (Europe—not indigenous.) G. Aspullum, flowers white, small leaves in whorls of six, or 4-5 on the branchlets, fruit usually smooth. G. Concinnum, flowers white, leaves all in whorls of six, fruit smooth, stems not turning black in drying, like the rest. (The two last species most nearly resemble, in medicinal effect, the two former.) G. Pilosum, flowers dull purple or brown, leaves in fours, oval, one inch long. G. Circaezans, (Wild Liquorice,) leaves in fours, oval. This species has sweet leaves, tasting like liquorice, and according to Prof. Tully, contains liquorice-sugar. G. Lanceolatum, also called wild liquorice, very much resembles the last. G. Latifolium, with purple flowers, smooth fruit, and leaves in fours. The European species naturalized in this country are the G. tri- fidum, {var. tinctorium,) G. trifolium. (sweet scented bedstraw,) and G. Boreale. Rafinesque says "the G. Tinctorium and G. Boreale, called Sawyan, in Canada, are useful plants. The creeping red roots dye a beautiful red, like madder, with acids. The Indians use them for their beautiful red dye." He denies the statement of Culpepper and Schaeff, that the juice of the plant and flowers will coagulate milk. The bones of animals who eat the plant are said to be colored similar to that caused by madder. (Galium belongs to the madder- family of plants.) History, Uses, etc.—This plant is comnnn to Europe and Amer- ica, growing in cultivated grounds, moist thickets, and along banks of rivers, and flowering from June till September. Its root consists of a few hair-like fibres, of a reddish color. In the green state some of these plants have an unpleasant odor, others rather the contrary ; all are inodorous when dried. They have an acidulous, astringent and bitter taste. They have not been thoroughly analyzed, but chloric acid, galli-tannic acid, citric acid, starch, etc., have been detected in the G. aparine and G. verum. The former contains the most citric, while the latter holds the most galli-tannic acid. Accord- ing to King all the species of this genus, possess similar medicinal virtues. This seems to be the opinion of Scudder, Beach and other Eclectic writers, Such generalizations, however, will not be accepted GALIUM. 381 by the Homoeopathic school of medicine. In order to meet the re- quirements of a scientific Materia Medica, each species of any genus of plants should be studied by itself. Their constituent elements differ as is shown in the analysis, and their medical effects must also differ. This plant was well known to the older English writers, and was used in domestic practice centuries ago. Sir John Hill says the expressed juice of G. aparine is an anti-scorbutic ; and Old Culpep- per says both the yellow and white colored bedstraw are "herbs of Venus, and therefore strengthen the parts which she rules." He then recommends it to "break the stone, provoke urine, stay inward bleed- ings," and also good for ulcers, scalds, burns, etc. In Wood's Dispensatory we read, "The expressed juice is said to be aperient, diuretic and anti-scorbutic, and has been used in dropsy, congestion of the spleen, scrofula and scorbutic eruptions. In the last complaint it has been thought peculiarly useful. Three ounces of the juice may be taken twice a-day." This is all the 'regular' has to say about the Galium, On the other hand, the old Botanies, and more recently Eclectics, appear to value it highly. Dr. Smith, ("Botanic Physician," page 90) says "Cleavers is one of the most valuable diuretics that our country produces ; an excel- lent and speedy medicine in all suppressions of the urine and grav- elly complaints, and is a powerful discutient. It has been found beneficial in the cure of scurvy and spitting of blood. It is an admirable remedy in gravelly disorders, often curing them entirely, alone. It seems to possess a solvent power over the stone or gravel, crumbling it into a sandy substance, so that it is discharged without difficulty. In inflammatory affections of the kidneys aud bladder the Cleavers infusion is particularly applicable, from its cooling as well as diuretic quality. It gives great relief in the scalding of the clap." Dr. Beach says essentially the same, also advising it when "obstruc- tions exist from cold and slimy substances in the kidneys and blad- der, effectually closing the passages." This may sound oddly to the modern physician, but the Botanies were always unique in their pathological views. Dr. King (Dispensatory, page 432,) seems to disagree with Beach, for he says it is contra-indicated in diseases of the bladder and kid- neys of a passive character, on account of its refrigerant and sedative effects on the system ; but that it may be used freely in fevers and acute diseases. He recommends it in suppression of urine, calculous affections, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, and dysuria. The G. aparine is particularly referred to, but Eclectic physicians use all kinds indiscriminately. Dr. Scudder (Materia Medica,) repeats the above, and adds that it "invariably increases the flow of urine, and removes its acridity." It is also advised as an external application in prickles, itch, scrofu- lous tumors, ulcers, etc. The above testimony is about as clear as we can expect from Allopathic sources. With an utter disregard of the probable differ- ence in medical properties of plants of the same genus, they deem it trivial to distinguish the effects of one from another. The early 382 NEW REMEDIES. Botanies were ignorant of proper diagnosis, and the later Eclectics too careless of the matter, and we have therefore only loose data upon which to build any recommendation of these plants. It is to be regretted that some really scientific, observing physician has not investigated the physiological and curative effects of one species of the Galium, giving it alone in some variety of urinary disorder. This work remains for some intelligent physician of the new school, who should make a physiological proving of each species, or of one of the most important. This would give us reliable indications for the use of the remed}' in disease. Even if it had been properly used in disease, we might know what kind of calculus it was good for. and what symptoms called for its use in urinary disorders. In the absence of any pathogenetic or clinical experience such as we desire, we can only suggest the use of Galium empirically at present. The G. aparine seems to be the best adapted in inflammatory and scorbutic affections, on account of the greater amount of juice which it contains, and from the fact that such juice contains a large quantity of acid, (Citric.) The G. aspullum and concinnum are probably its analogues. The G. verum is probably more useful in cases of haemorrhage from the urinary or other organs, because it contains a large amount of Galli-tannic acid. The G. tinctorium is said to be "nervine, anti-spasmodic, expecto- rant, and diaphoretic," and has been used with benefit in asthma, bronchitis, cough, etc. If either of the species of Galium had any specific effect upon the respiratory organs, such effect would seem to belong to the G. circaezans, on account of the liquorice-sugar which it is said to contain. Homoeopathic Application.—As before mentioned, we have no provings of these plants, but from considerable observation of their use in domestic practice and some clinical experience of my own.I may be able to deduce some definite conclusions. While engaged in an extensive country practice, I often observed that the cold infusion was drank freely by fever patients, especially if any scalding or burning during micturation was complained of. At first, I disliked to have them use it in connection with homoeo- pathic remedies, but I have found its use so general, and the idea of its mild curative powers so engrafted into the minds of the people, that it was a difficult matter to proscribe it. I have never noticed that its use interfered in any way with the action of homoeopathic medicines. In order to test, in a practical manner, its alleged use- fulness in urinary affections, I have often selected cases of simple dysuria, strangury, suppression, etc., depending on uterine irritation, or a cold, and prescribed the cold infusion, (see Dose,) in alternation with blank powders or pellets. In this way I have gained some cor- rect ideas of its sphere of action. It seemed to me particularly use- ful in the dysuria and suppression of urine in young children, from colds, or when it was attended with apthge, or what might be called a scorbutic state of the system ; also in the strangury of women from uterine disease, haemorrhoids, or irritable bladder. It seemed to be GALIUM. 383 useful in the strangury and scanty urine in rheumatic fever, and in the irritable bladder (from prostatic disease,) in old men. Dr. Ken- dall, a homceopathic physician, reports to me two cases which show clearly its curative action : (1.) A young child had been troubled with painful dysuria for several days. Every attempt at urination was accompanied with cries and screams. A weak infusion of Galium 3rd was given, and in less than an hour the child urinated profusely and without pain. (2.) An old man had been troubled for months with intensely painful dysuria, frequent ineffectual urging, scanty discharge, etc. He was directed to drink a pint a day, of a cold infusion. In a few days he reported himself cured. Several similar cases have been reported to me by physicians and lay members of the school. I think the G. asprellum is the tincture generally used, as the G. aparine does not grow so abundantly in the West. Officinal Preparation.—In general practice the cold or warm infusion is usually used. All writers agree that this is the most eligible method, because heat destroys or dissipates the medicinal virtues of the plant. The herb, (the root is not used,) should be placed in cold or tepid water and allowed to stand for two hours. Three or four ounces to one quart of water is the usual proportions. It is sometimes sweetened. The expressed juice has been used, according to Wood, three ounces twice a day. King advises the in- spissated juice, one or two drachms three times a day. I do not know if alcohol injures its medicinal qualities, but it is probable, as alcohol acts on some vegetable juices much in the same manner as heat; if not, an equal or one-fourth part of alcohol might be added to the expressed juice to form a mother tincture. I would, however, advise the following method of preparing this remedy for homceo- pathic use, in cases when the infusion was not acceptable, or when the physician could not rid himself of antiquated prejudices suffi- ciently to use it. Mix together equal quantities, by iveight of the cold expressed juice and sugar of milk ; triturate until the mass is perfectly dry. It may then be put up in close bottles. Dose.—I am aware that I am treading upon disputed ground when I advise the use of infusions of vegetable remedies. But if it is right and better for our patients to use such a preparation, we should not hesitate. Moreover, do we not advise cold infusions of Ulmus fulva, Flax-seed, Althaea, all of which are mild, medicinal substances. Hahnemann, in the early part of his homceopathic prac- tice, used infusions, and he distinctly advises the use of infusions of plants of small medicinal power, when we desire to prove such plants. (See "Lesser Writings.") I am aware that some physicians would prefer to prove even this medicine in the attenuations. In this way, "itching of the elbows and nose"—"drawing in the fingers"— "slight vertigo after smoking the sixth pipe ;" or even "unpleasant dreams while lying on the back," might be noticed, but nothing which 384 NEW REMEDIES. could show us the real sphere of action of the remedy. I do not deny that certain potent or inert drugs may be proven in attenu- ated quantities, but remedies similar to the Galium cannot, He who would prove this plant should, without altering hu« mode of life, drink a wine glass of the ordinary infusion, four or six times daily, for a week or more. In disease, I would advise the cold infusion in the complaints enumerated above, in which it has been found useful. It may be taken in tablespoonful doses every one, two, or three hours ; or the powders prepared as above, may be prescribed in doses of five or ten grains at short intervals. It seems to be primarily homceopathic to passive, torpid condi- tions of the urinary apparatus. In such cases the 3d triturations may be found curative. The infusion should be made with the fresh plant, when obtain- able, as the dried possesses less power. Children may be made to take it readily by adding sugar and cream, or milk, to the infusion. The following clinical record of the use of Galium in Cancer, etc., is taken from the British Journal of Homoeopathy, Vol. XXIIf, page 139, (1865.) Hard Nodulated Tumor of the Tongue, apparently of a Cancerous nature, which disappeared under the use of Galium aptrinum, by F. A. Bailey, F. R. S. C. Jane C—, a married woman, set. 60, residing at Ramsbury, in Wiltshire, was admitted into the hospital April 5th, 1864, on account of a hard, firm, somewhat circumscribed tumor of about the size of a boy's marble flattened, imbedded in the substance of the tongue, on the right side, about an inch from its apex, which had been gradually increasing in size since she first observed it, five weeks before, when it was about as large as a hemp seed. The upper surface was nodulated and uneven, and the swelling generally had the appearance and feel of a scirrhous formation in the organ. It had all along been extremely painful, so much so as entirely to prevent her sleeping at night; it was exquisitely tender to the touch when handled, and latterly she had experi- enced a throbbing, beating pain in it, which had induced her to think it was about to burst. There was no appearance of its having been caused by injury to the tongue through a decayed tooth. She had always been in the habit of living tol- erably well, but had been suffering a good deal from general debility and languor for some time before the commencement of the swelling. Her countenance did not indicate any peculiar cachectic condition of the system, and there was no hto- tory of any hereditary cancerous taint in her family. The tumor had increased rather rapidly lately, and she was quite unable to masticate solid food on account of the pain it induced, which had added much to her original weakness. She was ordered to have strong cold beef-tea frequently during the day ior diet, with a pint of porter daily, and to take the following medicine :—R. Extract Galii Aperini Solidi, two ounces; Aquas Ad. half pound. M. ft. extract fluid. Of this extract a drachm and a half was given twice a day in a wineglassful of water.* * An excellent preparation of the recently expressed juice may be procured of Mr. Ayscough Thompson, the eminent pharmaceutical chemist, of Chiswell Street, Finsbury. The dose a from one to two drachms of the fluid extract iu a wineglassful of water or new milk two or three times a day. GALIUM. 385 She was also ordered to use the above mixture as a warm lotion to the mouth sev- eral times during the day, keeping it in the mouth for some time during each appli- cation. A month after her admission she had completely recovered from the languor and debility under which she had previously been suffering ; her face, instead of being pallid and sallow, had recovered a healthy and somewhat florid appearance, which was natural to her; the pain in the tumor had been gradually diminishing, and the tumor itself had become so much reduced in size as to be scarcely discerni- ble to the touch, and as she was now able to take solid food without discomfort and with an appetite, she was at the end of five weeks, discharged from the hospi- tal. A fortnight afterwards, having continued the remedies prescribed, she pre- sented herself as an out-pafient, when it was found that the tumor had entirely disappeared, and the tongue had recovered its natural structure and appearance. There are, doubtless, some swellings occasionally occurring in the tongue which are of a comparativeiy innocent nature, and which usually give way to very simple tTeatment. Professor Fergusson, in his " Epitome of Surgery," speaking on this subject, remarKs,—" Sometimes it is necessary to remove portions of the tongue for supposed scirrhous indurations or cancerous ulcers. Before, however resorting to mutilations of this organ, it will be well to ascertain the effect of vari- ous local remedies and of constitutional treatment in such cases. The mucous membrane here sympathise5! in a remarkable manner with functional derangement of digestive organs, and often, when it may be least expected, a change of treat- ment will avert all cause of alarm." It might be thought that such was the case in the present instance ; but there was something about the appearance of the swelling—its density and painful nature from the beginning, and its nodulated sur- face—which led me to believe ttiat it must either have been a true scirrhousjforma- tion in the part, or an epithelial growth of unusualj| hardness (either of which might have become equally dangerous by destructive ulceration), especially as I was afterwards informed by the patient that an experienced practitioner in the town where she lived had considered her disease to be of a malignant character, and had recommended her to apply for admission into the Cancer Hospital, ior the purpose of its more effectual treatment by operation or otherwise. The Galium aperinum, or cleavers has long been emploved as a popular rem- edy in cancerous affections. Some years ago Dr. Wynn directed the attention of the profession to the remarkable effects he had observed from its use in the treat- ment of some inveterate cutaneous affections which had come under his notice, and related several cases in the Medical Times and Gazette, which clearly showed that it was a remedy of considerable efficacy in such diseases, and moreirecently Dr. Ogle has published some interesting cases of epilepsy in which its employment had been followed by the most successful results. Like many other recent vege- table juices, it appears to have the power of correcting that peculiar dyscrasy of the blood which is found to prevail more or less in all cases of cancerous disease, whatever form it may assume, acting, I suppose, in the same manner as the same kind of remedy seems to act in scurvy, by altering and improving the disintegrated and broken-down condition of the blood which always accompanies that disease, and restoring to it its natural healthy state. I have for many years past been in the habit of employing this remedy in the treatment of cancerous affections of different kinds in my hospital practice, and have not failed to observe that in some cases it has seemed to favor the production 25 386 NEW REMEDIES. of healthy granulations on the ulcerated surface, whilst in others complete cicatri- sation has ensued, and having performed operations for the extirpation of some tumors under these favorable circumstances, I have reason to believe that in these instances the disease has not returned, at least to my knowledge, the patient hav- ing, of course, persevered in the use of a remedy for a considerable time after the operation ; and although I do not consider that the remedy is capable in every case of effecting the resorption or removal of already existing cancerous deposits, I still believe, from what I have observed, that it has the power of suspending, or at least modifying, in some measure, the cancerous action going on in the system, and thus placing the patient in a more favorable position for the performance of an opera- tion for the removal of the local disease, either by the knife or the application of caustic. It appears to me to be quite contrary to reason to expect that an opera- tion can be certainly, or even commonly successful, when performed while the can- cerous action is proceeding unchecked in the system ; and as, according to our present knowledge on the subject, we are not in possession of any certain means of arresting its constitutional progress, it is not surprising that the disease should so frequently return, either in the part itself, in the neighboring glands, or in some organ at a distance predisposed by t>ome accidental irritation to become the seat of a cancerous deposit. Thai Nature occasionally exercises a power of arresting or suspending the cancerous action in the system for a long period, and even altogether, the records of surgery fully prove, and it is not too much to hope that sooner or later some remedy may be discovered which may be capable of imitating the operations of Nature in this respect,]and that thus a class of cases hitherto deemed to be almost beyond the resources of our art, may ultimately become amenable to some rational mode of constitutional treatment.—Medical Times and Gazette, July 30, 1864. GELSEMINUM SEMPERV1RENS. {Yellow Jessamine.) Analogues.—Aconite, JEthusci, Belladonna, Cannabis indica Gymnocladus, Lachnanthes, Laurocerasus, Opium, Stramonium, Veratriim viride, Wourari, {Chloroform) Botanical Description.—This plant is likewise known hy the name of Field Jessamine and Woodbine; it is the Big- nonia Sempervirens of Linnaeus, and the Gelseminum nitidum of Michaux and Purch. It is named the QeXseimum nitidum by some authors. It has a twisting, smooth, glabrous stem, with opposite, perennial, lanceolate, entire leaves, which are dark above, pale beneath, and which stand on short petioles; the flowers are yellow, having an agreeable but rather narcotic odor, and stand on axillary peduncles . the calyx is very small, with five sepals ; GELSEMINUM SEMPER VIRENS. (Yellow Jessamine.) GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 387 the corolla is funnel-form, with a spreading border, and five lobes, nearly equal; stamens, five ; pistils, two ; capsules, two-celled, com- pressed, flat, two-partible; seeds flat, and attached to the margins of the valves. The berries are black. This is one of the most beautiful climbing plants of our Southern States, ascending lofty trees, and forming festoons from one tree to another, and in its flowering season, in the early Spring, scenting the atmosphere with its delicious odor. On account of its gorgeous yel- low flowers, and the rich perfume which they impart, as well as the deep shade it affords, it is extensively cultivated in the gardens of the South, as an ornamental vine. It grows in the North as exotic. It begins to blossom about the first of March, aud its blossoming season lasts until the end of May. The root is several feet in length, with scattered fibres, and varies from two to three lines in diameter, to nearly two inches. The internal part of the root is woody, and of a light yellowish color, the external part or bark, in which the medic- inal virtues are said principally to reside, is of a light snuff color, and from half a line to three lines in thickness. A vine, the root of which is sometimes gathered for the Gelsemi- num, resembles it very much in appearance, though it is of a lighter color, and the outer bark is covered with white specks or marks some- what similar to those on young cherry or peach limbs, and the lower part of old vines becomes rough and have small tendrils that fasten upon the bark of trees, and which are never seen on the Gelseminum. The bark of the vine is also more brittle, and the leaves are always on long footstalks which are opposite, at the end of which are two opposite leaves, almost exactly resembling the Aristolochia Serpen- taria. The root is almost white, very tough, straight, and about the same length of the medicinal root, and has a slightly bitter, disagree- able, nauseous taste. I never saw any of the flowers, though they are said to resemble the others in shape, bnt are snowy white, with a slight unpleasant odor. The plant is called the White Poison Vine and White Jessamine. I am thus particular in giving a correct description of this plant, in order that there shall be no mistake about the matter. Homoeo- pathic pharmaceutists above all others, should be scrupulously care- ful to prepare the medicines we use in their utmost purity. The Gelseminum, more than any other vegetable remedy, demands the most careful preparation. It is not known to me whether the leaves possess any medicinal qualities; but I should suppose from analogy that they possess as much comparative power as the leaves, etc., of Aconite or Veratrum viride. The tincture made from the flowers is comparatively inert. Officinal Preparations—Tincture of the root; dilutions. Medical History.—The late Dr. C. II. Cleveland, of Cincinnati, kindly favored me with the medical history of the Gelseminum, going back to a remote time. " Dodonaeus wrote about the White Gelseminum under the name of "Apiana." Martholus wrote also about the plant under the name 388 NEW REMEDIES. of "Gelsrrminum," and also called it the Jassaminum vidgatis flora albo. Caspar Baubino calls it the "white flowered Jassany." John Quincy, author of the ''Complete English Dispensatory," published about two hundred years ago, also speaks of the White .Jessamine." (This would seem to show that the Yellow Jessamine was not known to the Old World. A plant possessing such remarkable prop- erties could not otherwise fail of notice. The White Jessamine is found in America, but what its medical qualities are, save that it is poisonous, I cannot ascertain from any authority to which I have access.) "A very good series of references to the modern literature of the Yellow Jassamine will be found on page 1415 of the last edition of the U. S. Dispensatory. My articles in the Charleston Medical Jour- nal, 1847, page 189, and in the American Medical Gazette, Volume IV, page 154, will give all my views of its action. I am not positive, but feel quite sure, that the Yellow Jessamine is a native of only the Southern States." Dr. B. L. Hill, then Professor of Surgery in the Cleveland Hom- oeopathic College, was, in 1856, the first homoeopathist to use and recommend it. His previous connection with the Eclectic School as Professor of Surgery, in the Cincinnati Eclectic College, probably led to its use by him. The first notice of it in homoeopathic litera- ture was made by the late James W. Metcalf, M. D., of New York, in Volume III, of the North American Journal of Homoeopathy. Dr. J. S. Douglas noticed the drug in the appendix to Dr. Hill's "Domestic Practice," about the same time that the attention of the profession was called to it by myself in the above named journal. Dr. Douglas soon followed by a fragmentary, but suggestive proving, in the first volume of the United States Journal of Homoeopathy. About the same time I wrote a lengthy article on the "Use of Gel- seminum in Fevers," for the forthcoming numbers of "Peters' Prin- ciples and Practice of Homoeopathic Medicine," but at this date it has not yet appeared. Dr. Peters has, however, noticed the remedy in Vol. I, No. 3, page 212, of that work. Dr. J. C, Morgan, of Illinois, communicated a partial proving to Dr. Shipman, who published it in the April number, 1861, of his Journal of Materia Medica. Toxicological Effects.—We do not find any well authenticated report of any case of fatal poisoning from the use of Gelseminum, and do not know, therefore, what pathological changes it produces in the human body. Case 1.—This is said by King to be the first known case of poi- soning by Gelseminum, and that by it the plant was first brought into notice. "A planter on the Mississippi, while laboring under a severe attack of bilious fever, which resisted all the usual remedies, sent a servant into his garden to procure a certain medicinal root and prepare an infusion ofit fo him to drink. The servant by mistake GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 389 collected another root, (the Yellow Jessamine,) and gave an infusion of it to his master, who, shortly after swallowing some of it, was siezed with the following— Symptoms :—Complete loss of muscular power ; was unable to move a limb, or even to raise his eyelids, although he could hear and was cognizant of circumstances transpiring around him. His friends greatly alarmed, collected around him, watching the result with much anxiety, and expecting every minute to see him breathe his last. After some hours he gradually recovered, and was astonished to find that his fever had left him."— {King's Dispensatory.) In this case no treatment was reported to have been given, yet the man recovered perfectly, besides being rid of an obstinate fever. No one can compare the above symptoms with those of Catalepsy, without remarking the striking resemblance. It ought to prove a specific for that malady. Case 2.—Several deck hands of a steamer on the Mississippi river, tapped a barrel of tincture Gelseminum which they supposed to be whiskey. All who drank of it were more or less affected. The symptoms were about the same as in case 1. It was reported that two out of these three died, but Dr. H. H. Hill, who was present, says they were saved by the employment of Quinine and Capsicum, in large doses, aided by external stimulation. He makes the following report of these cases : "In the sum- mer of 1853, late in June or early in July, I had five barrels of tincture of Gelseminum shipped from Vicksburg, ississippi. The boat grounded on a sandbar, on the Ohio river, near night. I hap- pened to see the barrels on deck, they having been taken out of the hold in shifting freight. I requested the mate to have the barrels lowered again as they contained medicine, and it was not safe in case the hands should get at them. The next morning another boat made its appearance, and the captain told us we had better get aboard of that boat, as it was of light draught. As we were getting aboard I heard two physicians say to the captain that some of his men had been drinking alcohol or some poison, and two or thre of them were about dead. They told the captain to give them an emetic. Being well convinced of what they had been drinking, I told him not to do so, as they were already too much relaxed, and that they needed stimulants. During the night, they had opened a barrel and drawn a bucket full, as I learned from the men, and had drank it from tin cups, it was supposed from half a pint to a pint each. They looked very much like 390 NEW REMEDIES. dead men, their eyes were closed ; circulation very feeble; no pulse perceptible ; and breathing so low that it could hardly be perceived at all. Two of the men were taken on board the other boat, and the other three were left. I went up the river with the two men and gave them stimulants, and in less than two hours they were able to walk. They recovered. When I got to Louisville, I learned that there was a statement in the Louisville Journal that it was supposed that the three men who were left behind were dead, they having been left in an apparently dying condition. Some three days afterward the boat got up, and another statement appeared in the paper that stimulants had been given to them and they had re-covered. Case 3.—A lady aged 24, suffering from Typhoid Pneumonia, took ten drops of tincture Gelseminum; in an hour, eleven more ; and in two hours after, twelve drops. Shortly afterwards appeared the following— Symptoms:—She could not see any one in the room, although persons stood close by the bed. Her eyes were wide open, pupils dilated, pulse regular and full, skin natural and healthy in color, feet and hands cold. She seemed to know all that was going on ; described her symptoms ; said she felt faint; felt as though her blood had ceased circulating, and that her head felt very light. Treatment.—She was given a teaspoonful of Aromatic spirits of Ammonia in water, and repeated in fifteen minutes. At the expi- ration of half an hour, she said she felt perfectly well, complained of no pain whatever; the fever was subdued, and in four days she was quite able to rise from her bed.— {Dr. Lungren, of Frank- lin, N. C) Case 4.—Dr. B------, a practicing physician in one of the upper counties of Georgia, while suffering from a severe nervous toothache, took what he guessed was about thirty drops of the tincture. Symptoms.—In ten minutes he said, 'T cannot see you." His eyes were wide open, pupil dilated ; pulse eighty to ninety. He attempted to walk, and staggered like one intoxicated. (He was. immediately given a dose of Ipecac, as an emetic.) He wrote with a pencil on paper, for he could not speak, "I am very sick, wish to vomit but cannot." In a few moments he vomited, but the discharge passed through his nostrils. His hands and feet became icy cold, pulse regular, eighty to ninety. Treatment.—Warm bricks were applied to his feet, his hands GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 391 and ankles were chafed; strong Aqua Ammonia was placed to his nose, and upon his chest. In an hour ho was able to speak. The next day he complained of being very faint; took aromatic spirits of Ammonia, and the next day rode home, a distance of twenty-three miles. It is needless to say the toothache left him__[Ib.l Case 5.—A convict in the N. H. State Prison swallowed one- and-a-half ounces of the fluid extract, with intent to poison him- self. The effects were, great prostration, nausea and vomiting di- lated pupils, inability to speak or move, coldness of the surface, feeble pulse, etc. The effects passed off, with proper antidotes, in about twenty-four hours.—Dr. Pattee, in Tildeiis Journal. In this case we observe nausea and vomiting, which is- a rare effect of the drug. Case 6.—"In one case, a lad of twenty seven years of age swallowed six fluid drachms of the tincture without any permanent injury."—{Dr. King.) Case 7.—"Ten to fifteen grains of the bark," says Dr. Tully, "has been known to kill a person twelve years of age." He does not record the symptoms. Antidotes.—Unless the person is seen immediately after the drug is taken emetics, it is said, are not safe or advisable, on account of the additional prostration they may cause. In fact, none but the most stimulating emetic substances would have any effect upon a stomach paralyzed by a large dose of Gelseminum. Proba- bly, the best emetic remedy is mustard, a teaspoonful of the ground seed iu half a cup of warm water. Ammonia is a valuable anti- dote to the prostrating effects of the drug, as also are Quinine, Capsicum and Brandy. Dr. King states that a piece of common coarse salt, about the size of a pea, chewed and swallowed, will produce a restoration in five or ten minutes in many instances. A spoonful of salt aud water may be given, if the patient be too weak or insensible to chew it. Electro-magnetism is a powerful antidote to its paralyzing influence. In bad cases it should be persevereingly used. A strong preparation of Xanthoxylum would prove a reli- able stimulating antidote. The homceopathic antidotes against the primary symptoms of prostration , etc., are Aconite, A'eratrum vir., Veratrum album, Arsenicum album, Sccale, Chloroform, Carbo veg., and China. Against its specific effects on the head and eyes, Opium, Belladonna, Stramonium, Hyoscyamus, Agaricus andSpigelia are in- dicated in small quantities. The proper antidotes to its secondary symptoms, convulsive, spinal, etc., are Nux vom., Ignatia, iEsculus 392 NEW REMEDIES. glabra, Cuprum, Agaricus and ^Ethusa. The warm bath, mustard to the extremities, and cool applications to the head and spine would be valuable palliative means. PROVINGS. For the following interesting proving we are indebted to John C. Morgan, M. D., of Philadelphia: I have at various times, when in health, taken a few pellets, sat- urated with the mother tincture, dry on the tongue. No symptoms, except some fullness of the anterior part of the head, felt within a few minutes after each dose, and soon disappearing. April 3d, or rather April 4th,—(i. e., being sometime after mid- night, and just before going to bed,) took four drops of the mother tincture on the tongue. In fifteen minutes, a stitch traversing the eyelids on the right side, vertically ; afterwards, a sense of contrac- tion in the scalp, in the centre of the forehead. Sound sleep until 8 a. m., On rising, took again four drops ; and at 11 a. m., four drops. Insufficient stool at 10 a. m. Walking, and other exercise, easily in- duced perspiration. Evacuation of flatulence, both ways, frequently, At noon, slight heartburn, and pain at the cardia, whilst riding. At 8 p. m., took four drops. At 11, p. m., fine drops. Afternoon and evening, some irritability of the right testis, and, afterwards, drag- ging pain in the same, extending to both groins and the hypogastrium, followed by escape of flatus and relief of the pain. At 11^ p. m., movements of flatus in the lower bowels, slight, colic-like feeling, as if the bowels would be moved, and eructations of wind and bland fluid. Intense, but transient itching of small points on the face, and at the edge of the hair, on the forehead, right side, and elsewhere on the scalp. Itching about the elbows and forearms. Aching in the left rectus femoris muscle, and drawing in the right calf. Sneez- ing, followed by tingling and sense of fullness in the nose. At 12, p. m., took six drops. Sound sleep until 7, a. m.; difficult, weary waking. April 5th.—After arising, took seven drops. General vivacity. At breakfast, dull ache on the right side of the head; gastric oppres- sion ; had to loosen the waistbands, after which, colic-like sensation to the left of the navel, as if a stool would shortly be passed. After breakfast, vertiginous sensation (transiently,) followed by confused vision, especially of distant objects ; and, when turning the eyes, the sense of sight is tardy in following the movement, things appearing for several seconds to be blurred, and the eye remaining unfixed in its now direction, but no sensation of gauze or film. This symptom GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 393 attended a tardy convalescence from a fever (not treated by Gelsemi- num except the first day,) last year, continuing for a week, relieved by Nux vomica 3d, in part, and finally cured by Aconite 3d. It is accompanied by a disposition to partially close the eyes, as if to steady the balls by the pressure of the orbiculares palpebrarum muscles. At 11, a. m., having put off the usual defecation, had a slow stool, leaving a sensation of more remaining to be passed, and of abdominal repletion. The visual confusion gradually wore off by night, no more medicine being taken. Sound sleep most of the night. April 6th.—In the morning at 8 o'cloek, took of a new specimen, five drops. General vigorous feeling. After breakfast, a good stool. afterwards, a very marked renewal of the confusion of sight, with heavy looking eyes. Found this symptom much less when holding a finger vertically beyond the nose—also when either eye is closed. When reclining, some languor and drowsiness (just before a heavy shower). On rising, a dull pain in the occiput, and slight tendency to throbbing in the right side of the head. Previously, (at break- fast,) a transient and slight cutting pressure on the left side. The confusion of sight may be compared with that produced by alcohol, Some heat and dryness of the hands at 10, a. m. Pulse at 11, a. m., when sitting, 76. Afternoon, languor and drowsiness, ou reclining for the purpose of study. Slept an hour, and on being aroused, felt at'first unwilling to move, eyes transiently bloodshot. After stirring stirring around awhile, less languor. On lying down awhile, pulse 54 to 60 ; when sitting up, 64 to 68. Hands, especially the palms, felt hot and dry. Evening, pulse 72 when sitting—always full and strong, as usual. The confusion of sight again diminished. After supper, a second stool, (consistent). Wakeful until after 1 a. m., with desire to study. Earlier, pain behind the fifth rib to the left of the sternum, from flatus—relieved by eructation. Irritation of smal spots on the mucous surface of the prepuce, with surrounding conges- tion. Sound sleep the last part of the night, and weary waking. April 7th.—At 10, a. m., took five drops. Within a few minutes> a stool, at first consistent, then papescent, bilious, homogenous—pre- ceded all the morning by flatulence. No farther symptoms. At two P. m., took seven drops. At 3 o'clock, being in a draughty church, felt a drawing aching about the left elbow for a quarter of an hour. At four o'clock swallowed a dessert spoonful of red wine. Directly after, for the first time to-day, a return of the confusion of sight, last ing but an hour, but so extreme that it seemed that some one must suspect inebriation. Previously, depression of spirits, with dull, t NEW REMEDIES. ncortain pains in the head. Coincident with the intoxicated feeling astralgia and colic. During the evening, colic-like pains below the avel, extending to the testes, and caused by flatus, being relieved by its expulsion. April Sth.—At 8, a. m., took eight drops. Sight more or less confused all day. At 11, cardialgia, when riding. Dullness of the head ; stool after breakfast of a deep, yellow color, (papescent.) At 3, p. m,, whilst reading >Kcitiii< news, a transient chilliness in the upper half of the body, especially the back and nape of the neck. At 11^- took nine drops. At 12^-, rising of tasteless, semi-solid mat- ters in the oesophagus, with flatus and a sense of something lodged therein, slightly painful, whilst sitting at study. Sound sleep. Ap'il 9th, a. m. — Discovered a sore pimple on the left side of the neck. Took ten drops in water. Exciting news caused, apparently, an urging to stool. Stool the same as yesterday. Dull pain in the right side of the head ; a transient, cramping pain in the inner part of the thigh when walking. Eye-symptoms as before. At 5^-, p. m., took fifteen drops. In an hour, rheumatic pains in the right knee and left side of the neck—the latter when lying down, the former when walking—soon passed off. The confusion of sight much in- creased during the evening. At 9£, sneezing and dull headache continual cardialgia and eructations when sitting; pulse ~'l. The pimple is sore, and has an areola embracing the diameter of a pea, quite red and inflamed. Such eruption not experienced at any other time. April 10th.—At 8^-, took twenty-one drops in water. Until 4, p. m., the disturbance of sight was great ; mind listless and incapable of reflection, as after ague, with a not severe, dull headache all day, and digging in the right ear all the afternoon. At 9^-, a soft, bilious stool, preceded by threatenings of diarrhoea—the latter renewed at noon by exciting news, and afterwards in walking ; and also, while walking a feeling in the knee joint, as if the relation of the bones were deranged, and they did not fit, as in partial luxation. Several times during the day, saliva was found colored yellowish as if by blood; and all the latter part of the day, bad, sour, spoiled taste and breath, with frequent need to rinse the mouth or spit. Light, whitish coat on the tongue. Contractive sensation in the right side of the neck at 5 o'clock. Afterwards, noticed the headache in the top of the head whilst writing ; afterwards in the left occipital region, directly on both sides, and upper cervical region, and again on the top, and then in the left side—all whilst engaged in writing a few minutes. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 395 Afterwards, a settled, dull, dragging headache, mainly in the occiput mastoid aud upper cervical region, extending to the shoulders, re- lieved while sitting by reclining the head and shoulders on a high pillow. Early sleep after supper. When roused, some headache still; mind composed and clear, (ll-£, p. m.) After writing awhile, pulse 64 to 68 ; palms of the hands dry and heated, as also the lips. April 11th.—No medicine. Perceived two more pimples, one at the right corner of the os hyoides, the other at the left anterior tem- poral ridge above the brow. Near noon, while sitting, a stitch in the external auditory meatus ; afterwards, aching at the left anterior part of the trapezius muscle, (in the neck,) when leaving a warm room. Threatenings of diarrhoea. Stool, after breakfast, same as yesterday. Painless redness about the orifice of the urethra ; slight affection of the sight during the forenoon. During the night safe up a long time with a very sick patient, sleeping five hours upon some hard chairs. Rode home before breakfast, (8i, a. m.,) and, as usual after exercise without breakfast, had headache on the right side> with occasional throbbing after exertion. After breakfast, a tea col- ored stool, more consistent. Slept several hours ; afterwards, head- ache better, but renewed by exertion. Another pimple, sore to touch, at the left side of the larynx; the first one less sore, like a small cutaneous induration. These are like minute furunculi, but thus far no suppuration. During the afternoon, mental and bodily inactivity. At supper-time, going to a warm room after writing, felt thirst, lan- guor and aching in the sacro-iliac and lumbar regions, and the lower part of the left thigh, as when a fever is commencing. Felt the pains more while eating. After moderately partaking, experienced sud- den satiety. Felt pretty comfortable after taking hot tea, but some pains and headache still. After writing for a few minutes, cramp like pain in the bend of the right elbow while walking. Pains con- tinued, during the evening, in the left thigh and knees. Colic. At tempted a stool; much wind only passed. Headache ceased by sitting, as at other times. Dreamy sleep, and early waking. April l%th—Renewed semi-lateral headache, (slight). Deep yellow, soft stool after breakfast. First pimple the sorest, the other3 less so. April 14th.—Tingling in the nares. Sudden catch or twist on the inside of the patella, when sitting down to breakfast. Afterwards bloody mucus in the nose. Tea-colored, semi-solid stool. April 15th.—The pimples disappearing; continued semi-lateral headache caused, doubtless, by the exciting news o the day. Stools 396 NEW REMEDIES. bilious. No characteristic symptoms farther, except duplications of the above, for some days ; the diet being careless, and the mind dis- turbed by the news of the time, impairihg farther accuracy." ("This proving," writes Dr. Hering, "is the best yet made of Gel- seminum.") DR. JOSHUA STONE'S PROVING. " He proved the Gelseminum at my request, and made it the sub- ject of his inaugural thesis."—{Neidhard) The prover, Joshua Stone, is twenty-seven years of age ; has black hair and light complexion. He is strictly temperate in his habits of life, using no intoxicating drinks of any kind, no coffee, tea, or tobacco. He is subject to occasional attacks of indigestion, and suffers much from cold hands and feet. Otherwise he enjoys very good health. I will give his proving in his own words : On the 21st of November, at 10 o'clock, p. m., I took six drops of the mother tincture in water, made from the flowers of the Yellow Jasmin. Nov. 22.—During last night was quite restless, and much annoyed with unpleasant dreams. During the day distracting pain in occi. pital region, much aggravated by movement, especially on bending the head downward. This pain was much increased towards evening. Nov. 23.—Experienced dull pain in the head and extremities. At 10 o'clock p. m., took ten drops of tincture. Nov. 25, 26, 27, 28, no symptoms. Nov. 29.—Took 50 drops of tincture at 10 p. m. Nov. 30.—During the night was very restless, with unpleasant dreams after midnight. Dull pain in the bowels which had become quite severe towards morning. Pain of a similar character in several of the lower lumbar regions. Dull, heavy pain in region of occiput. Involuntary emission of semen without an erection. Urine much increased in quantity. Ten o'colck a. m., dull pain in left humeral region, also in lower extremities—these are deep-seated in the mus- cles. Have felt chilly all day, particularly in the morning. Dec. 1.—Dull, aching pain in the back, particular y in lumbar and sacral regions, which came on about 3 a. m. Also similar pains (deep-seated) in upper and lower extremities, and joints generally. Yellowish white fur on tongue. Sensation as if something wanting in epigastric region. Emission of semen without an erection. All the pains are much aggravated by heat of bed, and all much worse after midnight. The pains spoken of above continued during the day, but in a much less degree. In evening eyes felt quite sore, and as if there was some foreign substance irritating the conjunctiva. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 397 Dec. 2.—Very restless during the night, especially towards morn- ing. Rheumatic pains in bones and joints of extremities, and in the back, as the night previous. Also pain in bowels towards morning, Headache of a dull, aching character in occipital region, occasionally extending to the os frontis. At night eyes quite sore ; not much pain, but merely soreness with sensitiveness to light and lachrymation. Slight chills during the day. Dec. 3.—Awoke about 3 or 4 a. m., with severe pain in both upper extremities ; seemed to be deep-seated in muscles. The pains were most in left arm and fore-arm, and in calves of both legs. General restlessness, with chills in morning after breakfast. Rather dull and stupid for some days, with disinclination to conversation. This was remarked by my friends, who knew nothing of my taking medicine, Dec. 4.—Rheumatic pains in extremities. After breakfast experi- enced a dull, aching pain in head in region of occiput, which increased in severity as the day advanced. At 10 o'clock a. m., I went to the Penn Hospital, where I saw a number of severe wounds. I am not usually affected very much by the sight of wounds, but to day, that, or something else, caused some very unpleasant sensations, which were as follows : I became very weak, and my friend remarked that I was very pale, accompanied with slight nausea and trembling of lower extremities. These continued some ten minutes, but disap- peared on going into the open air. Headache continued to increase in severity until after dinner, when it was much less severe ; but about 4 o'clock the pain again returned, and was more severe than before, and seemed to increase in severity until in the evening, when it became excruciating, accompanied with slight nausea. The pain seemed slightly mitigated by shaking the head, but the relief thus obtained was not marked. I also felt quite chilly. Went to bed about 9 o'clock, but the recumbent position did not mitigate the pain at first. I, however, succeeded in getting sleep from about 10^- to 1\, when I awoke with most intense aching pain in the left frontal region, and extending to the right occipital region, and occasionally over almost the entire head. This continued about one hour, and then left me entirely. After which I experienced a dull, aching pain in the umbilical region, which continued until I got up. Deep-seated aching pains in muscles of extremities, relieved by motion. After breakfast had a sharp, shooting pain from right shoulder to dorsal vertebra. Dec. 8.—During last night the pains, as heretofore, in the extremi- ties, which came on mostly after midnight. These pains were also 398 NEW REMEDIES. continued during the day, but in a much less degree. Some head- ache, as before, in the occipital region. Palpitation of muscles of abdomen, which continued about three minutes. Dull pain in lower lumbar and sacral region. Dec. 6.—During the night pains in extremities, much as usual, particularly in fore-arms and calves of legs, also in elbow and knee joints. All symptoms of extremities were similar to those experi- enced as before, but were less severe. Dec. 10 —Early in the morning sharp, shooting pain in last pha- langeal joint of right thumb. Have experienced dull pains in muscles of right arm and shoulder, and some of the time in left arm and lower extremities. Dec. 11.— Slight pains in extremities during the night. 3 p. m., experienced a sharp, shooting pain in the calf of right leg. 6 p. m., sharp pain in right wrist. 7 r. m., dull pain in left thigh and under scapula of left side. 7£ p. m., severe aching pain in left elbow. Have experienced dull pains of a shifting character all day. Dec. 12.—Symptoms of last night were not prominent; some slight pains in muscles of extremities. During the day felt extremely dull and stupid ; but little pain in muscles of extremities. Dull pain in head in the region of occiput. 9 p. m., pain in right wrist of dull character, with great weakness of the same, Dec. 13.—Pain in wrist less severe, but quite weak. Dec. 14.—No symptoms. Dec. 15.—No symptoms. Dec. 16.—10 p. m , took fifty drops of tincture. Dec. 17.—During the night very restless. During the day ten- dency to headache on movement, particularly on going up stairs. Slight pain in left hypochondriac region. Dec. 20.—About 11a. m., severe aching pain in occipital region for a few moments. Very dull and stupid, with aversion to study. DR. HENRY'S PROVING. The following symptoms were obtained by Dr. Henry, of Mont- gomery, Alabama, and were forwarded to Dr. C. Neidhard. April 3.—I took 30 drops of the tincture. The first symptoms felt were pains over the whole top of the head, extending back to the occiput, with a general dizziness and disagreeable pain in the whole head. Pains of shooting character in the frontal sinus, extending to the eyes and jaws. The pain in the eye is of a pricking character, extending from the bridge of the nose to the eye. Pains deep in the GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 399 left eye, extending from above dowawards. Paroxysmal pain in the left lower extremity. Violent shooting pain in the leg, which comes on in paroxysms ; every one is more violent. The pain is half way between the knee and ankle. Pain in hip of left side, confining itself to the joint; it at times extends to the outside of the thi^h. The pain is of a drawing, sharp character, and much worse on motion. Pain in little finger and the one next it. Pains in left foot and ankle, with spasmodic contraction and drawing pains in the toes. Pains in the neck, which confine themselves to the upper part of the sterno- cleido mastoid muscles directly back of the parotid glands. On the right side pain extends from the last back tooth up to the temple . Short, paroxysmal pain in the superior part of the right lung; on taking a long breath it sticks from above downwards. The pain in the lungs is one of the most prominent symptoms. Rumblin^ and rolling in the abdomen, with emissions of flatus above and below. Periodical paius in the abdomen, with yellow diarrhoea coming on in the evening. Pain in the left iliac; region. Bowels loose, but great difficulty to discharge anything. There seems to be great strength in the sphincter muscles. Yellow coat on tongue. April 5.—Took 30 drops of tincture. Experienced pain over the whole top of the head, extending back to the occiput. General dizzi- ness, and disagreeable pain in the head. Melancholy and despond- ing mood. Pains of a shooting character in the frontal sinus, extend- ing to the eyes and jaw. Pain in the eyes is of a pricking character, extending from the centre to the angle. The pains seem to wind round the right eye. Pain extending from the bridge of the nose to the eye. Deep-seated pain in the eye of left side, extending from above downwards. All these symptoms were felt with more violence than at first. Spasmodic pain, extending from the inner condyle of the right arm to the axilla. A smoky appearance before the eyes, with pain above them. Total blindness ensued in a very short time after taking the 30 drops, with violent dizziness. A band-like pain, which surrounds the head, with shooting pain in each jaw and parietal bone. Pain in left side of head, extending from the prominence of the parietal bone to the mastoid process of the temporal ; it is peri- odical in its nature. Periodical pains in the pectoral muscles. Gen- eral symptoms were: chilly sensations over the entire body, appear- ing on the same day ; complexion yellow, also the eyes ; complete prostration of the system with emaciation. Dr. Henry remarks, that the remedy was taken for one week, the however, give that insensibility to pain which is the prominent effect of chloroform. It is freely used by some obstetricians in cases of rig- idity of the 05 uteri, or external parts. King advises it in all such cases as being much superior to Lobelia, as well as pleasanter, as it does not nauseate nor cause that sense of deathly prostration so peculiar to that drug. I have used it successfully in such cases, as well as for those severe spasmodic pains which sometimes come on in labor. In such instances it must be given in appreciable doses, of five, ten or fifteen drops, repeated if required; a slight dimness of sight is a good indication that the remedy is acting. Dr. Moore, of Illinois, reports to me relative to the curative action of Gelseminum in muscular pain,(Myalgia,) from great over ex- ertion. He states that after a days fatiguing walking, such as usually GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 407 laid him up with lameness and stiffness for several days, he took thirty drops of the common tinctureof Gelseminum. In half an hour the peculiar weakness and pain in the limbs and muscles were ameli- orated, and he shortly fell asleep. In the morning, much to his surprise, he awoke feeling as comfortable as though he had not walked bo unusually the day before. He had no lameness or soreness, as usual. This case illustrates the specific affinity of Gelseminum for the motor nerves and voluntary muscles under their control. It should prove one of the best remedies for acute myalgia which we possess. Vascular System.—Heart and Arteries—Pulse frequent, soft, weak ; so feeble as to be sometimes imperceptible ; fluttering pulse, pulse full 120 ; pulse slow and full, or slow and soft; sensation as though the blood had ceased to circulate ; pulse reduced from 112 to 55 in twelve hours ; heart's action slow and feeble ; the beats of the heart cannot be felt; the action of the heart and arteries much de- pressed, with cold hands and feet; chills and pains in the head. Dr. P. P. Wells* states that from the twelfth dilution he had the following symptoms : "A peculiar action of the heart, which had never been experienced before ; this was a sensible motion of the heart as though it had attempted its beat, which it failed fully to accomplish, and the pulse then each time intermitted. This occurred at irregular intervals, and more frequently when in repose than when in motion, the worst and most frequent attacks being in the evening, and worst of all when lying down in bed when retiring for the night, and these attacks aggravated by lying on the left side." These symp- toms lasted eight or ten days. Dr. Fincke stated to me that he experi- enced similar symptoms from a higher dilution. In Philadelphia, Drs. Lippe, Henry, and others are using Gelseminum in the thirtieth, two hundreth and thousandth potencies, with apparent good results; I notice this fact, however, that they find these high attenuations cura- tive for the primary symptoms of the medicine. Clinical Observations.—In diseases of the heart, particularly in those in which the chief indication is to diminish the action of that organ, Gelseminum will be found a valuable remedy. In some forms of functional derangement it will often effect a cure. In material doses it will alleviate those cases of excessive action of the heart from plethora, congestion, neuralgic or rheumatic irritation, or hys- teric palpitation. Like Aconite and Veratrum viride, Gelseminum is not homoeo- pathic or curative in any organic affections of the heart; but like the * American Horn. Review, Vol IV, p. 84. 408 NEW REMEDIES. above named remedies and Digitalis, it is a very valuable auxiliary in the treatment of those maladies. It is an excellent palliative in those troublesome symptoms which affect the head and eyes during the progress of heart disease. The sensation of fullness, heaviness, giddiness, throbbing, jerking, etc., the dimness of sight, and other amaurotic symptoms, are admirably met by small doses of Gelseminum or its resinoid. Fever.—Within a few minutes, sometimes within two or three, a marked depression of pulse, which becomes ten, fifteen or twenty beats less in the minute, if quiet, but greatly disturbed by movement; chilliness, especially along the back ; pressive pain in the head, most generally of the temples, sometimes in the occiput, at others over the head. The chilliness is soon followed by a glow of heat and prickling of the skin, and quickly succeeded by perspiration, which is sometimes profuse and disposed to bo persistent, continuing from twelve to twenty-four hours. As soon as the reaction takes place after the chill the pulse rises as much above the normal standard as it was before depressed below it. With these symptoms is a swollen, puffy look, and feeling of fullness of the eyelids, slimy and disagree- able or bitter taste in the mouth, languid feeling in the back and limbs, and sleepiness. Febrile chilliness, cold extremities, especially the feet, heat of the head and face, with headache ; pulse uni- formly depressed and rendered less frequent, with chilliness, cold feet, heat and pain in the head.* Have felt chilly all day, particu- larly in the morning. (This statement regarding the pulse is errone- ous. I have found that in both men and animals, it often increased the rate and frequency of the pulse. Sometimes even the volume of the pulse seemed increased, but generally it is diminished. An explanation of this phenomenon will be found in the paragraph "Head") Derangement of circulation, as shown in the fluctuations of the pulse from 70 to 120 ; chilliness with vertigo ; headache and coated tongue ; cold extremities ; inclination to " hug the fire," with chills following each other in rapid succession from sacrum to base of the occiput. Dr. M. E. Lazarus, a well-known, painstaking prover, could not get any such prominent symptoms as recorded by Dr. Douglas. Ha however, experienced a languor, with inclination to stretch, some slight chilliness, with feeble flashes of heat. He suggests that per- haps Dr. Douglas is very susceptible to the action of Gelseminum. My impression would be the same, as I have given it to healthy per- sons, in all manner of doses, yet never heard any one mention such "Hull's Jahr. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 409 decisive symptoms as those of Dr. Douglas. Still it is undoubtedly primarily homoeopathic to the pathological conditions upon which all real chills depend ; and secondarily homceopathic to febrile conditions or the reactions which follow those conditions. In this respect it is somewhat similar to Aconite, and others of the same group. But it is only a general not a particular resemblance. Dr.J.S. Douglas writes me :—" You and Dr. Lazarus remark that you have been unable to elicit such marked symptoms in y>ur provings as were experienced by me. The symptoms particularly referred to are the chills, the reactive febrile heat, with headache and sweat. Dr. L. suggests that I am probably very susceptible to the action of this drug. This remark suggests an important fact which has gradually unfolded itself in my successive fragmentary provings on some sev- enty persons, and on myself. The fact, of which I have at length become clearly convinced, is this. The degree of chill, of febrile reaction, of headache, and of neuralgic pains, bear a very uniform ratio to the nervous sensitiveness of the patient. Now, my tem- perament is decidedly nervous and sensitive. In all the subjects of a nervous sensitive temperament, the above symptoms are strongly marked. In those of an opposite, insensitive temperament, while the pulse is depressed, and the extremities cool or cold, there is no chill, or it is very slight; little or no headache, and slight febrile reaction, and consequently little sweat. In several highly sensitive subjects the chill has been equal to a respectable fit of the ague, the reaction and pain of head corresponding, and the sweat profuse. These symptoms have been most strongly developed in some female provers of highly sensitive temperaments, by half drop doses. Some persons seem almost insensible to its effects. One man who had taken several drugs for proving, without any marked results, took three teaspoonfuls in one day of the strong tincture, which I know to be good, and reported the next day no symptoms." (There is one form of rigors or "nervous chills," as they are sometimes called, in which, with shivering and chattering of the teeth, there is no sensation of chilliness. It is an irritated condition of the nerves of motion, and is seen in hysterical subjects, or appears dur- ing a fright or other mental emotion in healthy persons. It is often seen during parturition, and is said to attend relaxation of the sphinc- ter muscles. Now, Gelseminum causes just such rigors by establish- ing similar conditions as the above, and a small dose of the tincture will control readily such morbid manifestations.) Dr.P.P.Wells says, " We feel warranted in predicting that the class 410 NEW REMEDIES. of fevers to which Gelseminum will be found related, is that based on blood dyscrasia, with a tendency to decomposition of its haematine and globules, or to fevers of a miasmatic origin, which Aconite sel- dom or never is." Clinical Observations.—In Simple Fever, without functional disturbance, Dr. Douglas declares it to be specific; given at the out- set of any fever of simple, uncomplicated character, it will undoubt- edly arrest it very promptly. It seems peculiarly adapted to the fevers of children and sensitive women, while Aconite and Veratrum viride are more applicable to adults of robust and rigid constitutions. Fever from cold; coming on in the evening, with flushed crimson face, restless sleep. In a boy of ten years, Aconite had made no impres- sion. Relief of the symptoms permanently in about half an hour. Dose, six pellets of the 6th dilution, " every half hour." Two doses sufficed. {Morgan) Case.—Remittent Fever, uncomplicated. A soldier of 40 years had had fever steadily for upwards of twenty-four hours, but with remission in the morning. Flushed, crimson face, (a striking charac- teristic,) rheumatic pains, pulse full and frequent. Six pellets of the 6th, every half hour. Cured.—Morgan. In the so-called Irritative Fever it will be found a valuable rem- edy. It is more capable of meeting the majority of the symptoms of that malady than any remedy which I have used. It corresponds with the excessive nervous irritation ; the tendency to irregular con- vulsive action ; the periods of wakeful debility ; and the accessions of feverish stupor. In cases, however, complicated with hepatic or gastric difficulties, it will have to be aided by Mercurius, Podophyl- lum, Ipecacuanha, or Iris versicolor. Should the lungs be implicated it might answer alone, but Phosphorus, Bryonia, or Tartar emetic, will be of service. If the bowels are affected, Pulsatilla, Mer« curius or Chamomilla, may have to be given, although some of the provings seem to indicate that Gelseminum affects the intestinal functions. Wood, with doubtful propriety, classes infantile remittent as well as worm fever, with irritative fevers. There may be some general affinity, as Gelseminum has proved useful in each. Since I have treated infantile remittents with this remedy, I have conducted them safely through their course with better satisfaction than before. Dr. Neidhard reports the following case : A child, aged ten, was cured by Gelseminum, first dilution, two drops every four hours, of a kind of bilious fever, characterized by the following symptoms : Gid- diness, dull, aching pain in the forehead and over the eyes. She cannot concentrate her mind on any one thing ; cannot read ; is very irritable ; very thirsty, and has slight chills, followed by much fever; extreme weakness. Was completely cured within eight days. Dr. R. Ludlam, in his article on the " Therapeutics of Infantile Remittent Fever,*" says : " Excepting the Aconite, there is certainly no remedy with which the profession is at present familiar which *North American Journal of Homoeopathy. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 411 promises so much as the Gelseminum, in the treatment of this variety of the remittents of infancy and childhood." " From personal observation (and these hints have their origin in this source only,) we should be inclined to recommend Gelseminum in those remittents which are primarily characterized by excessive irritability and erethism, either of the general or special nervous sys- tems. There is, perhaps, no single means which, under the various circumstances which accompany and give good evidence of the afore- said pathological condition, promises so much as this. We have sometimes failed with Aconite, with Chamomilla and with Belladonna to allay the excessive restlessness and disquiet occasioned by what the old nurses style an 'inward fever' in a little juvenile, and at other times have succeeded at once in its relief by a few doses of Gel- seminum." " This remedy appears also to be well adapted to the relief of those attacks of this fever which border closely upon intermittents, exam- ples of which might readily be mistaken for a masked fever of that peculiar type. In such cases, as well as those which toward their close degenerate into ague, in one or another of its protean forms, we may prescribe a low attenuation of the Gelseminum with the confident hope of success. In our hands, indeed, it has proved almost a spe- cific for those remittents, the diagnosis of which, from a more definite paroxysmal form of fever, was not readily made out. We have also cured several well marked intermittents with it, but its sphere of use- fulness would appear to lie somewhere along the boundary between these and the purely idiopathic remittents of which we have been speaking." Dr. S. A. Merrill reports : " I have had several cases of infantile remittent lately, and have given the Gelseminum with uniform and prompt relief. The first case I had promised to be a very severe if not fatal case. The usual remedies had no influence whatever to arrest the disease. Gelseminum acted like magic and broke up the fever in a few days. I gave it in the first attenuation. (tV)" "Clara Fisher, aged five. Infantile Remittent. Symptoms: Heat and congestion of the head. Coma, delirium, stupor, deep purple flushing of the face ; sunken eyes ; high fever, afternoon exac- erbations, torpid bowels, etc. Belladonna and Aconite for two days with no improvement. Then gave Gelseminum 1st every four hours. Immediate and rapid improvement, after the first day, as there was considerable pain in the side with cough ; used Bryonia in alternation. Recovery in four days from the commencement of the Gelseminum. This is my first case of this disease treated with Gelseminum." " I mentioned," says Dr. Hughes, of England referring to a pre- vious paper, " in the third place, that Gelseminum acted much better than Aconite in the remittent fever of childhood. I continue to find it, (in the first centesimal dilution,) the best common febrifuge in this common disorder. It has generally been supplemented by Pulsatilla for the gastric symptoms, and Nitric acid for the cough. The char- acteristics of the Gelseminum fever appear to be its remittency, the exacerbation occurring towards, night, and its passing off without 412 NEW REMEDIES. perspiration. In febrile states of adults, presenting these features, I have prescribed the Gelseminum with perfect success." The real value of Gelseminum in intermittents is not yet ascer- tained to a certainty . Some homoeopathic physicians, among them Holcombe, Ludlam and Douglas, assert that it will cure agues. Hol- combe, with characteristic bolduess, gives us the following odd pre- scription for a homceopathic one : " For intermittents, with cerebral symptoms, with hyperaesthesia predominating—Sulphate of Quinine, ten grains, Gelsemin, one grain ; divide into five parts. Begin six hours before the expected paroxysm, and give one part every hour. Indications for use ; when the paroxysm has been marked by violent pains, referable to the cerebro-spinal, rather than the ganglionic sys- tem, and by correspondingly intense burning fever, great nervous restlessness, sensitiveness to light and sound, mental anxiety or agi- tation, delirium, sleeplessness, curious sensations of falling, swim- ming from giddiness, partial blindness or deafness, especially applic- able to nervous, excitable subjects, and to mild, fresh cases, without prominent gastric or hepatic symptoms, in short, before any visceral complication has been engrafted on the nervous phenomenon." (This last clause, I regard as well indicating the sphere of action of Gelseminum in agues, but in the "indications" proper, Hol- combe has mixed up the primary with the secondary symptoms of the drug, which rarely appear together. The dose, however, that he ad- vises, is very nearly of the proper quantity. Of the Quinine, I think he prescribes altogether too much. In very similar cases, I have succeeded admirably with one-fifth or one-tenth grain doses of Qui- nine, alternated with one-tenth or one-twentieth grain of Gelsemin, or two or three drops of the mother tincture. Holcombe's prescription would undoubtedly arrest the paroxysms promptly, but it would be apt to give rise to visceral complications, which smaller doses would avoid, and at the same time be equally efficacious.) Dr. Ludlam writes me—"Perhaps in the whole range of its clini- cal virtues there is no more satisfactory and really valuable use which can be made of the Gelseminum than in the treatment of these inter- mittents, which might properly be styled post-typhoid. It is to this especial form of intermittents, which succeeding upon an adynamic condition of the system, are characterized by a want of distinctness in their several stages, and which are of a masked type and intracta- ble in nature that the Gelseminum has, in our experience, seemed to be particularly applicable. We have remarked the evident tendency in patients suffering with enteric fever, and who had but recently re- moved to the city" (Chicago) from miasmatic districts, to sequelae of this order. Scarcely any such patient has escaped this characteristic convalescence, and in none of those cases in which we have ordered this remedy have we failed to witness the best results from its em- ployment, while in years past such cases were especially perplexing and tedious, we are free to express our pleasure in and apprecia- tion of a means so entirely successful. These patients were all from the Southern States." GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 413 John C. Morgan, M. D., author of a short proving in Dr. Ship- man's Journal of Materia Medica, writes as follows : "It seems worthy to be called a specific for fresh cases of intermittents, and it will even modify old cases, changing double to single tertian. My dose is one-fourth drop in a teaspoonful of water, usually. I send a few clinical cases." (a) " W. S., a swarthy soldier of large frame, on going into camp, May 11, had no blanket; slept on straw under a leaky shed ;—the night being cold, awoke early in the morning with a severe chill,—but little shaking ; fever ensued. Took at a dose ten drops common tincture Gelseminum; fever augmented with slight delirium. Took five drops; some aggravation. During the afternoon and evening took fractional drop doses ; no fever at night. The next day took one-fourth drop every two hours. He had no other paroxysm." [b) " A soldier of sanguine temperament had diarrhoea and rheu- matic pains, with symptoms of Intermittent; took for several days one-fourth drop tincture Gelseminum, and was cured." Intermittent Fever—Case 1.—" In one case I had used all the usual anti-periodics, as Cornine, Salicine, Quinine, etc., without suc- cess. Even after producing the .constitutional effects of Quinine, the chills would sometimes return every day for awhile, then every other day. Thus the case continued for several weeks, until I despaired of success with the other anti-periodics, so I determined to try the tincture of Gelseminum. Accordingly, I left an ounce of the tincture of the fresh root, directing it to be given in doses of thirty drops every two or three hours, until the eyes were affected; then the med- icine was to be suspended until that passed off, then again resumed as before, and so on until the fever was broken. I saw the patient just as the chill was gone off, and commenced the tincture of Gelsem- inum immediately. The fever did not rise very high, nor continue long, nor did the chill ever return. The patient recovered from the time he commenced the medicine, and was soon up at his usual avoca- tion. Now, what still more astonished me was, that the medicine never affected his eyes in the least, yet it suspended the chills imme- diately. I had frequently combined the tincture of Gelseminum with the other anti-periodics before and met with very prompt success, yet I attributed it to the other articles ; but this time I determined to try the Gelseminum alone."—[Sensible!] (Dr. Goss, Eclectic Med. J. Case 2. Nov. 4.—Intermittent Fever (tertian type). Has been affected six months ; has pain in the head, and pains over the body, when he has no chill; tongue not much coated ; other symptoms com- mon to the disease. Treatment—Alkaline bath once a day ; tincture Gelseminum, one-half dram three times a day. Nov. 17, discharged, cured.—Newton's Clinical Reports^ The above are the only two published cases of Intermittents cured by this medicine alone. Very many cases are reported of pre- tended cures by Gelseminum ; but, as it was always given mixed with Quinine, Hydrastin, or other drugs, no reliance can be placed upon the reports. 414 NEW REMEDIES. Dr. Holcombe writes me that the Gelseminum was the basis of several celebrated patent medicines, noted at the South for the cure of remittent and intermittent fevers ; that it certainly was the prin- cipal ingredient in "Speed's Tonic," which at one time was consid- ered an unrivalled febrifuge, but, failing to cure those cases attended with organic complications, it fell into disfavor, although it is still used by many people in the South. "From large doses I have seen blindness, partial deafness, singular torpor, stupidity of feeling, ina- bility to open the eyelids and nervous prostration ; such symptoms as would follow a state of nervous excitement, or hyperesthesia. In small doses I have found it valuable in the opposite condition. I class it with Aconite, Belladonna and Chamomilla. I have used it in the summer months for weeks at a time, as I would Aconite. I believe that in addition to its febrifuge power, it has a specific anti-periodic influence." Dr. James B. Bell gives the following as the characteristic symp- toms of the Gelseminum in fever :* "Fever without thirst; wants to lie still and rest, particularly with inflamed tonsils, beginning on the right side. • Dr. Douglas praises the Gelseminum in drop doses very highly in simple, uncomplicated Intermittents, when indicated by the symp- toms, and speaks of having met with much success in its use. Dr. Ludlam has cured several well marked cases of Intermittent fever with the low dilutions. Several of my colleaghes report case3 of Ague, successfully treated with Gelseminum. I have used it fre- quently in Intermittents, and have succeeded in some severe cases in curing the disease after it had been arrested with Quinine, but showed an obstinate tendency to return. These cases were reported in full in the August number of the North American Journal of Hom- oeopathy for 1861. It can be used both during the Apyrexia, and in the paroxysm. In larger doses .during the former state, than during the latter. It will be found to control the painful nervous sensations which arise during the fever, better than Aconite, if indicated. An Eclectic physician, engaged in a large practice in the State of Ohio, informed me that except in severe congestive cases, he relied alto- gather upon Gelseminum to break up the paroxysms of fever and ague. He stated, however, that he always gave a sufficient quantity to cause almost complete blindness during the apyrexia. I hardly doubt the veracity of my informant, but I suggested to him that he might break the patient as well as the ague. He had no fears of the result however. " Harry McK—, aged five years. Tertian Intermittent Fever. At 1 p. m., chill—one hour; Fever, five hours, very hot with delir- ium, jerking of the limbs, violent headache ; aching in one leg. Gel- seminum, two doses, with interval of twelve hours. Next day, (the regular period,) had a paroxysm at half past eleven, a. m., six and a half hours after the last dose—had diarrhoea in one hour after the dose ; two stools ; colic-like ; prostrated. Sac lactis. At the •Hahnemannian Monthly, Vol. I, page 183. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 415 next period fever strong, headache worse, eyelids swelled but not jerking; delirium the evening previous ; pain between the shoulders. No more diarrhoea. Paroxysms at half-past ten, a. m.; went to sleep at eleven ; remained without paroxysm, lively, etc., four days. Then light chill one-half hour from eleven, a. m.; Fever until six, p. m.; colic ; irregular stool. Sac lactis. One week after this reported paroxysms every other day were very mild, and were growing lighter each time. Sac lactis. (Here was a chance to cause aggra- vation by impatient repetition.) Had one more paroxysm, very light, chills beginning in the extremities ; (if beginning in the back, Capsi- cum is the remedy according to Prof. Guernsey,) after this, seemed weak. To take, as a prophylactic, on the 13th night and every eio-ht days, Gelseminum, 30th, three doses. He remained well.—Morgan." " Mrs. McK—, aged 41 years ; mother of Harry. July 5th, 1865, had Tertian Intermittent Fever. No chill ; Fever at ten, a. m. Great pain in the back and thighs ; (has an old prolapsus uteri,) headache. Paroxysms subsided at nine, p. m. Gelseminum, 12, one dose. July 1th.—At five, a. m., chill without shaking—two hours. Pains very severe; less headache; (right hypochondrium and epi- gastrium have been very sore for eleven years.) Bowels alternately loose and costive. Sac lactis. There was no paroxysm at the next period, but she reported looseness of the bowels, windy colic, thirst ; bad breath ; yellowish, haggard face ; hepatic soreness as of old ; sighing. Feels worse mornings. China, 200th, one dose. One week later had a slight paroxysm, preceded by headache, short breath, pal- pitation of the heart. Cactus grand , 100th, one dose, (at the end of the paroxysm, as usual.) No more paroxysms. To take a dose of Cactus every week, three times. Remained in her usual health from this date.—Morgan. " Many cases of Intermittent Fever in Illinois, with chills from fifteen minutes to two hours long, followed by heat, often with sleep, one to twelve hours long, and afterwards, though not always, perspi- ration for some time. The chills were not attended with much hard shaking. The attack was ushered in with great languor and rheu- matic, or neuralgic pains in the back and limbs, and sometimes soft stools. Dose, mother tincture, one-fourth drop every three hours, A young miss of thirteen years, a resident of Savannah, Ga., every evening after supper had fever, which gradually rose and went off before morning, the patient continuing asleep. I gave her a pow- der of the 6th trit. every eight hours, three doses, then after twelve hours a fourth. There was no more fever after the first dose. I may add that the same prescription cured many fresh cases of simple In- termittents in my regiment, when undisturbed by other things. The symptoms bore a resemblance to the above, but usually had some chill in the beginning."—Morgan. I am not aware that any homoeopathist has advised or used Gel- seminum in Typhoid Fever. But its pathogenesis and physiological action has many points of resemblance to that form of Typhoid des- ignated as Nervous Fever, i. e., when there is no intestinal lesion or 416 NEW REMEDIES. any particular local complication. It is specifically indicated in those cases in which the patient, from some great excitement or over-exer- tion, suddenly sinks into a low typhoid state, with great prostration of all the vital forces, and when he experiences strange sensations in the head, with morbid condition of the motor nerves, manifested by local paralysis, or continued jactitation of certain muscles. Women are more subject to this variety than men. With the former we have many hysteric symptoms, such as nervous dysphagia, even hysteric spasms, sleeplessness, aberration of sight, etc. Gelseminum should here be cautiously given in drop doses, or pellets of the 2d or 3d. Dr. J. C. Morgan informs us that "low potencies, tincture, and repetition of doses had an invariable and manifest tendency to aggra- vate the cerebral congestion or pernicious quality, when it existed in fevers in the army. In the true enteric fever, I should not place much reliance on Gelseminum. There are other remdies which pathologically corres- pond, and are consequently more specific ; among these are Baptisia, Rhus tox., Phosphoric acid, Arsenicum, Terebinthina and Muriatic acid. Typhoid Fever in a child of about five years. A case reported by Dr. Fallagant, of Savannah, Ga. "Symptoms : Nervous move- ments every night, like spasms; 'oscillation of the eyeballs ;' patient seemed about to die. Gave one drop of a tincture, prepared a few days previously, from the leaves and flowers, every two hours, until the next day. Convalescence at once set in." In Yellow Fever, Gelseminum has not been used by the homoeo- pathic school, I believe. Drs. Holcombe or Davis makes no mention of it in their reports to our homoeopathic journals. They relied upon Aconitum, Belladonna, Arsenicum, Lachesis, and Argentum nitricum. The eclectic and allopathic schools have used it to some extent, but the only published report I can find relating to it is a pamphlet by Drs. White and Ford, of Charleston, S. C. This report was entitled the " Bradycote (whatever that may mean) treatment of Yellow Fever by Gelseminum aempervirens." They prepared a tincture from the fresh root, as follows : Radix Gelsemini four ounces, Alcohol (95 per cent.) and Aqua communis, each eight ounces. To adults they gave of this twenty or thirty drops ; to children from five to twenty, every hour for the first four hours, then at longer intervals, and with doses half as large. Total number treated with Gelseminum twenty-five, all of whom recovered. Of these, fifteen were males and nine females ; adults twelve, children twelve ; whites twenty-two ; blacks two. Of the whole number treated, two vomited black vomit, five passed black vomit downward. In three cases hemorrhage occurred from the tongue, gums, or nasal passages. One woman was in the sixth month of her pregnancy, and did not abort. Average duration of treatment, about eight days. No marked prostration was caused by this remedy ; the pulse be- ing, however, much less quickly reduced than by Veratrum viride. In few cases was the heart's action fully lowered in less than twelve GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 417 hours, and it was well controlled throughout the rest of the disease in the majority of cases. The concurrent treatment was the same as with Veratrum. Mercurialization was complete in ten cases ; incom- plete in fourteen cases. In a few instances a marked redness of the tongue was observed, a condition that was not distinctly noticed dur- ing the administration of Veratrum. [This symptom has been often noticed in my provings.—Hale.] The Gelseminum appeared to pro- duce a general calming influence, even during the early period of its administration, but was not found to possess any marked narcotic properties. It seemed to promote the action of the kidneys, and during its use only, in several cases, an erythema of the skin was noticed. This drug appeared to influence the volume of the pulse, before it affected its frequency, and in most cases for the rest of the disease to control both conditions in an equal manner. Emesis was not observed to ensue upon the administration of this medicine ; the gastric irritability peculiar to the disease being moreover, to all appearances, favorably influenced. There were treated by Veratrum viride 117 cases, of which fifteen died. Of six treated by the ordin- ary method (without Veratrum or Gelseminum) three died. In Scarlet fever the Gelseminum bids fair to rank with Bella- donna. Besides being indicated in the peculiar, intense fever, with nervous erethism, its well known action on the skin will render it of value in impelling the eruption to the surface. It causes a peculiar erythema which has some resemblance to the eruption in scarlatina as well as some forms of purpura. Its analogous relation to both Belladonna and Aconite, strongly commends it to our favor, and if we are to judge its curative powers from its pathological effects, it will be found efficient alone, where the former remedies were indica- ted. Dr. H. W. White speaks very highly of its effects in scarla- tina. He asserts that it will control the pulse, calm the nervous erethism, determine the eruption toward the surface, relieve pain and lessen the cerebral congestion, in a manner superior to Belladonna or Aconite. Cases which seemed quite formidable at their commence- ment, soon assumed a milder character, and terminated safely. He considers it effectual, alone, to control the majority of cases. Should the disease assume a malignant character, Dr. White alternates it with Ammonium carbon., Carbo vegetabilis, Muriatic acid, or Arsen- icum. Its use should be suspended if symptoms of prostration set in. In Measles the Gelseminum appears to be specifically indicated during the forming and inflammatory stage.(the eruptive). Among its pathogenetic symptoms we find prominent catarrhal conditions, as " chilliness, watery discharge from the nose, hoarseness, with feeling of soreness of throat, and in the chest, cough, etc." Among its effects upon the skin we find " a papulous eruption, very much the color of measles, which it closely resembles, but the papuke are more distant and distinct. It appears most frequently upon the face." Relying upon these fragmentary, yet prominent indications, I have treated several cases of rubeola with this remedy, and apparently 27 418 NEW REMEDIES. with good results. It seemed to prevent a continuance of the cough beyond its proper limits, and to act as a prophylactic to chronic catar- rhal affections, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Dr. Douglas considers it quite capable of modifying the disease in a marked manner, when given in the first stages, after which Pul- satilla, Euphrasia and Sulphur will be more useful. Dr. Lodge states that ho has used Gelseminum in measles, in some cases to the exclu- sion of any other remedy, and is satisfied that it is a valuable medi- cine in this disease. In the treatment of Erysipelas, Gelseminum may be found of unequivocal benefit. It is certainly homceopathic to the febrile symp- toms, if not to the peculiar eruption or external manifestations of the disease : yet, Gelseminum causes an erythema, which certainly bears a resemblance to some of the milder forms of erysipelas. It is also homceopathic to those dangerous and often fatal congestions, or inter- nal metastases, which often complicate the malady. I gave it in one severe case of facial erysipelas, in alternation with Rhus. The case progressed very favorably. Dr. Coe advises it as a topical application " We have found the tincture," he says, " beneficial as an outward application in erysipelatous affections. Diluted with from four to eight parts of water, we have applied it with excellent results. The parts should be kept covered with cloths wetted in the diluted tincture. It abates the local inflammation, and has a very soothing and pleasant influence." In Variola the Gelseminum may prove as useful as Aconite and Belladonna, in allaying the intense and painful fever which accom- panies that disease. It has been used advantageously in Varioloid. In all eruptive fevers, especially in children, there is a strong tendency to convulsions, at or about the time of the appearance of the eruption. I know of no remedy which is so likely to prevent that unpleasant, and often fatal complication, as the one under consid- eration. In the treatment of Rheumatic Fever, and Rheumatism generally Gelseminum has its advocates in the homceopathic school of the North West, or that portion of them which have adopted the use of the remedy. The Gelseminum is highly praised by some practitioners, in Hec- tic fever, and there are some reasons for supposing it to be peculiarly adapted to that form of fever. VenOUS System.—Dr, Marcy declares Aconite to be " homoeo- pathic to intense or excessive venous congestion, with entire paraly- sis, or depotentization of all the arterial activities, carried up to the point of actual cyanosis." I once supposed Gelseminum to be homoeopathic to the same condition, but recent investigations have satisfied me that Holcombe's remark is true, that " Gelseminum holds a position midway between Aconite and Belladonna." It is rather difficult to define exactly what this condition is, but it is certainly GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS; 419 more homceopathic to arterial congestion than Aconite or Veratrum viride. Still, one of the effects of Gelseminum in moderate doses, is undoubtedly similar to Aconite, for, like it, it "depotentizes the arterial activities." It needs ^further trial and investigation to determine the exact relation of Gelseminum to the venous system. It may be asserted, however, that while Aconite and Veratrum viride are only homoeo- pathic to primary passive venous congestion, Gelseminum is primarily homceopathic to that form of intense passive congestion, of both veins and arteries, in which an irritation of the congested organs sets in, nearly as severe as though the congestion had been active. This con- dition may be attended by inflammation or hemorrhage, and may end in active arterial congestion, etc. Eclectic writers seem to be aware of the danger of using Gelseminum in some cases. King says, " It is contra-indicated in congestive fever, in cases where there is great muscular and nervous prostration with relaxation, and when there exists a determination to the brain or other important viscus." MUCOUS Membranes.—There is a paucity of symptoms in the provings of this medicine relating to its effects on the mucous tissues. It seems, however, to irritate the conjunctiva, nasal passages, and to some extent, the respiratory and digestive tract. In the first edition of this work, I did not place much stress on these symptoms—not as much as they deserve. Considerable experi- ence with the medicine for the last three years has convinced me that it acts on mucous surfaces in a manner not unlike Euphrasia and Pulsatilla, and in some respects like Belladonna. The kind of in- flammation, which it sets up in these tissues, is evidently of a catar- rhal nature. But the character of the drug is such that its effects seem to stop short of those muco-purulent discharges and organic lesions, which may be caused by Pulsatilla, Sepia and other agents. The general symptoms of Gelseminum are so similar to those which attend the first stages of catarrhal affections, that every physician has been struck with the resemblance, namely : The coldness, chil- liness, debility, soreness of the muscular system, and the discharge of thin, watery mucus. In practice it has been found useful in acute catarrh of the nasal and bronchial passages, and even catarrhal diarrhoea^and dys- entery. Dr. Paine, (eclectic) who seems to be a close observer, entertains the following views regarding the action of Gelseminum : " Another peculiar impression I have noticed is its influence upon the capillary 420 NEW REMEDIES. circulation of the mucous membrane in cases of congestion and inflammation of the mucous surface. It appears to have the effect of controlling these vessels and lessening the hyperaemia, removing the engorgement, preventing exudation, and thereby controlling a very important class of maladies." Dr. Paine recommends it highly in dysentery, which he believes is " a specific form of catarrh of the colon." He does not seem to be aware that he is using the Gelsem- inum homoeopathically. In his own experiments, however, detailed on a previous page, he found it to cause " tenesmus and bloody dis- charges from the bowels." His experience with it in dysentery is worth recording, and will be found under that head. Lymphatic System.—Although Coe and some other writers crudely declare Gelseminum to be an " alterative," we have no direct proof of such action. I have never seen any indications of its action on the glandular system, nor can I imagine any such action, unless it be from congestion of certain large and important glands, which it may induce. local effects. Mind.—Irritable and impatient mood; incapacity to think or fix the attention ; confusion of mind ; stupid, intoxicated feeling ; dullness of all the mental faculties ; in one case great mirthfulness; inability to concentrate the mind ; depression of spirits ; anxiety ; incoherency of thought. The sensorial modification consisted of a mistiness within the brain, not much affecting the lucidity of thought, but somewhat confusing perceptions, so that I experienced some difficulty in attend- ing to the physical details connected with my practice. There was at first a cheerful, careless morale, afterwards depression of spirits. Rather dull and stupid for some days, with disinclination to conver- sation. This was remarked by my friends, who knew nothing of my taking the medicine. Aversion to study ; melancholy and depending mood. I found it to affect the power of concentration very materially. I could not fix my mind on the contents of a newspaper, although the matter was of an exciting character. I could not pursue one train of thought for any time; ideas would vanish and leave a vacancy of mind which was quite annoying. Clinical Observations. — Gelseminum is particularly recom- mended when there is excessive irritability of body and mind, in mental derangement with vascular excitement. No remedy is more useful in the causeless nervous excitement of hysteric patients; orm those feverish conditions accompanied by great restlessness, tossing about, sleeplessness and irritable mood. In those conditions, one or two drops of the tincture every hour will be the most proper mode of GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 421 administration. It is indicated in those attacks of frenzy, attended with congestion or inflammation of the brain ; also in those stupid, comatose conditions attending typhoid fever, and in a low, muttering delirium of typhus. Here we should give drop doses of the second or third dilution. I have found it promptly curative in that state of semi-stupor, with languor aud physical prostration, caused by protracted night- watching ; also in that mental apathy which follows intoxication from the use of ardent spirits. Hysterical insensibility is much more readily controlled by this medicine than with Opium or Cannabis indica. Hysterical catalepsy is a similar malady, and one in which Gelseminum is primarily indi- cated ; also many other hysterical states of body and mind, while Platinum, Assafcetida, Valerian, and Scutellaria, are secondarily homceopathic to similar states. Head.—Pain in the head across the forehead ; after breakfast experienced a dull, aching pain in the head in the region of the occi- put, which increased in severity as the day advanced ; excruciating headache, accompanied by slight nausea ; the pain seemed slightly mitigated by shaking the head, but the relief thus obtained was not marked. Headache extending from occiput to os frontis ; great heav- iness of the head ; sensation as if the brain was heavy ; heaviness of the head with dullness of mind ; dimness of sight and vertigo ; pain in the head quite constant, dull, stupefying and pressive ; most fre- quently in the forehead and temples; bruised pain above and back of the orbits ; tightness of the brain ; often more or less headache with nausea ; giddiness is pretty constant; an intoxicated feeling and tendency to stagger, often with dizziness and imperfection of vision, aggravated by smoking ; heaviness, with sense of fullness of the head, which increased to a severe headache, relieved on the third day of the proving by copious urination, after which a pleasant languor pervaded the system for some hours ; dullness of the head with stu- por ; dry mouth, coated tongue, bitter taste ; pulse full and 80 ; intoxication, vertigo unto falling; sort of mistiness within the brain, not much affecting the lucidity of thought, but somewhat confusing perception; staggering like one intoxicated ; swimming sensation in the head ; head felt very light with vertigo. He could not hold the head erect. Pain over the whole top of the head, extending back to the occiput; general dizziness, and disagreeable pain in the head ; a band like pain which surrounds the head, with shooting pain in each jaw and parietal bone ; pain in the left side of the head, extending to the prominence of the parietal bone to the mastoid process of the temporal, and is periodical in its nature ; dull headache in the right side of the head; in the morning, on rising, a dull pain in the occiput, 422 NEW REMEDIES. and a slight tendency to throbbing in the right side of the head ; head- ache in the top of the head, in the left occipital region, then changing to the sides and vertex ; a settled, dull, dragging headache, mainly in the occiput, mastoid, and upper cervical region, extending to the shoulders ; relieved when sitting by reclining the head and shoulders on a high pillow. These last symptoms delineate a form of headache very often met with, and in which Gelseminum is a specific remedy. No remedy has a greater influence over the circulation of the blood in the vessels of the brain. It causes hyperemia of that organ, which stops just short of inflammation. But its paralyzing influence on the great reactive forces of life, prevents that termination by des- troying the reactive power of the system. In this respect it differs- from Belladonna, Stramonium, and Quinine. Clinical Observations.—It is homoeopathic to that intense and overwhelming congestion of the brain which often attacks children during the period of dentition. ' In these cases the nervous energies soon lose their integrity. No reaction comes on, and the patient dies comatose, or in feeble convulsions. Owing to its primary*homoe- opathicity to this condition, Gelseminum should be used in the second or third decimal dilutions, repeated every fifteen minutes. It is also homoeopathic to Coup de solid, a condition very similar to the above. In the so-called "brain fever" of children and adults, it will be found beneficial in alternation with Aconite, Bryonia, Belladonna or Hyoscyamus. In inflammation of the membranes of the brain, it will be found a valuable auxiliary to other well known and reliable remedies in that affection. It is homoeopathic to many varieties of headache, in which it has been successfully used both by homoeopathic and allopathic physicians. In nervous headaches, where the pain commences in the cervical portion of the spinal column, and spreads thence over the whole head, it will afford prompt and timely relief. Dr. Pattee says : "Headache of the nervous kind may often be relieved, and I have found no one medicine so useful in this troub- lesome disease." Hemicrania, when accompanied by abnormal symp- toms of the eyes, such as dimness of sight or double vision, or with great sensitiveness to all sounds, will be promptly relieved by it. The so-called nervous sick headache will generally be arrested by a few doses of alow dilution of Gelseminum, while the true sick head- ache, which arises from gastric derangement, will only be palliated by this remedy ; a cure can only be effected by proper diet, and the patient use of Pulsatilla, Iris vers., Nux vomica, Podophyllin and Sanguinaria. Those who wish to understand the specific action of this drug in causing and curing these nervous affections of the head, will find an admirable explanation on page 12 of Peters' Ruckert on Headache. Gelseminum undoubtedly causes a weakened and debilitated state of the great sympathetic nerve ; and thence arises the pain, heat conges- tion, etc., of the head. It is primarily homoeopathic to those head- GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 423 aches which come on suddenly, with dimness of sight, or double vision, with dizziness, followed by great heaviness of the head, semi- stupor, dull, heavy expression of the face, great muscular reaction, full pulse, etc. Allopathists claim to cure chronic headaches of long standing with Gelseminum. Dr. C. Madden sends me from Australia the following case, which comes under this heading : "A gentleman was sent to me by Dr. Wheeler, of Adelaide. He has had constant, gradually increasing headache for three or four months ; dull, heavy pain extending to the nape of the neck, fre- quent throbbing in the temples, and vertigo on rapid movement. He was for a long time subject to constipation, which ceased when the headache began ; and the bowels have been regular ever since. I gave Gelseminum, a drop night and morning. For thirty-six hours the headache markedly increased after each dose ; Then a sudden throb, like a snap, took place in the centre of his head. The headache at once and entirely ceased, and has not since returned, but the bowels have again become constipated." Dr. Morgan reports the following cases: W. W----, aged 20 months, hydrocephalic, had the measles, which receded. Cephalic symptoms setting in, i. e., dullness of the senses ; with diarrhoea and bronchitis, gave Gelseminum in water; a teaspoonful, every fifteen minutes. The eruption re-appeared, with copious sweat, in one hour. A stout boy of three years had fever, with red face and subdued manner. Gelseminum 1st, one dose. Well thereafter. In Coma and Apoplexy; it is homceopathic to these disorders when they arise from intense passive congestion, with nervous ex- haustion, and as these are the primary conditions caused by Gelsemi num, it must be given in very small doses. If the appoplexy depends on active arterial congestion, in persons of tense fibre, the doses must be larger. I have found Gelseminum very useful against those distressing pains in the head which often follow fever and ague. These pains are of a cramp-like, drawing or tearing character, and are aggravated by study or exertion. They generally occupy the region of the occiput. Also for those sensations and pains which in some persons precede attacks of ague, such as drawing or shooting, dull pains in the region of the mastoid process. Eyes.—Great heaviness of the lids ; difficulty of opening the eyes or keeping them open ; eyes closed in spite of him, on looking steadily at an object; fullness and congestion of the lids; diplopia when inclining the head towards the shoulder, but vision single when holding the head erect; dryness of the eyes ; misty or glimmering ap- pearance before the eyes ; pain in the orbits, sometimes excessive ; diplopia, which I could correct by an effort of the will; distant ob- jects seemed indistinct as I rode or walked, and one evening I could 424 NEW REMEDIES. read only with difficulty, These symptoms were characteristic, as my sight is perfectly good, and I never have anything the matter of my eyes. Dilatation of the pupils ; amaurosis ; diplopia ; blindness; dimness of sight. Stitch traversing the eyelids on the right side, vertically ; vertiginous sensation, followed by confused vision, espe- cially of distant objects ; the sense of sight is tardy in following the movement, things appearing for several seconds to be blurred, and the remaining unfixed in its new direction, but no sensation of gauze or film. It is accompanied by a disposition to partially close the eyes as if to steady the balls. Confusion of sight with heavy looking eyes, (similar to that produced by alcohol). Pain in both eyes, par- ticularly the left, dimness of sight; drooping of the eyes ; indis- tinct vision ; in the evening eyes felt quite sore, and as if there was some foreign substance irritating the conjunctiva. At night eyes quite sore ; not much pain, but merely soreness with sensitive- ness to light and lachrymation; eyes yellow ; eyes much inflamed and weak, with great flow of tears at intervals ; great heaviness of eyelids. Pains of a shooting character in the frontal sinus, extend- ing to the eyes and jaws. The pain in the eyes is of a pricking character, extending from the centre to the angle. The pains seem to wind round the right eye. Pain extending from the bridge of the nose to the eye. Deep-seated pain in the eye of the left side, ex- tending from above downwards. Smoky appearance before the eyesi with pain above them. Total blindness ensued in a very short time after taking thirty drops, with violent dizziness. Clinical Observations.—Gelseminum has a remarkable and peculiar affinity for the organs of vision. No other remedy, except Belladonna, so promptly and so especially affects the eyes. It must become, in time, a valuable homoeopathic remedy for many serious external and internal diseases of these organs. Before its relaxing effects are felt in the general muscular system, its local effects upon the eyelids become apparent. The lids feel heavy, and are lifted with difficulty. After a time complete paralysis of the lids obtain. This constitutes an affection designated by opthal- mic writers as Ptosis. It may arise from paralysis of the levator muscle, or from an affection of the third pair of nerves. Gelsemi- num may cause Ptosis by inducing either of these conditions. But there is some reason to believe that the Ptosis caused by this drug may have a deeper seated origin. Mackenzie (Diseases of the Eye.) says; "The cerebral variety may be either sudden or slow; the sudden, arising after sudden exertion, violent mental excitement, exposure to the direct rays of the sun, intoxication, blows on the head, concussion of the body, etc. The slow, from organic changes going on in the brain. The disease often wears an apoplectic aspect." GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 425 Mackenzie gives several cases, evidently caused by congestion of the brain. It is to such cases of Ptosis that Gelseminum will be found curative. It will probably be found efficient in the Ptosis of drunkards, from exposure to the sun, and the so-called rheumatic variety. It is eminently homoeopathic to those cases caused by par- alysis of the third pair of nerves. Diplopia is another prominent and primary effect of Gelseminum. Double vision, according to Mackenzie, may proceed from paralysis of some of the muscles of the eyeballs. Doubtless, Gelseminum causes such a form of disease, and would be found curative to paralytic cases. But diplopia often proceeds from a congested state of the en- cephalon. I suspect that Gelseminum is homceopathic to such a mor- bid state, as also to the diplopia caused by alcohol and chloroform, to which it seems t> have a great resemblance in many respects. Gel- seminum is homceopathic to Asthenopia or debility of the eyes ; in those cases of weakness of sight caused by exhaustion of the the nerve from over exertion of the eyes, especially when accompan- ied by dimness of sight; feeling of weight in the head and eyes, with some dryness and double vision. It is not indicated in chronic cases. In these, China, Iron and Nux vomica will be found useful. In one case the prover complained of having Strabismus, and a constant in- clination to squint. It may be useful in some paralytic cases, but probably not curative in the strabismus which comes on in the course of hydrocephalus. The Amaurotic symptoms caused by Gelseminum are many and distinct. It seems peculiarly indicated in that malady, and if we can ascertain the exact sphere of its action, may prove useful to the ocu- list in relieving amaurotic patients. It is undoubtedly homoeopathic to many forms of amaurosis, viz : to those caused by apoplexy of the retina; congestion of the brain, apoplexy, and even those cases which arise from the presence of worms in the intestines. When administered for the cure of amaurosis it should be given in small doses. The medium or even high potencies will prove efficient. The following case is reported by Dr. Kenyon. It is illustrative of the curative powers of Gelseminum in some forms of amaurosis : " Rev. Mr.----, aged about 35 years, nervous bilious tempera- ment, previously suffering from intermittent fever, and had taken Quinine largely, complained of being tormented with a constant float- ing of spots before the eyes, at times black and even dazzling—no other symptoms. I gave him Belladonna, and did not see him again for three weeks, when he said the trouble was slightly relieved for a day or two and then increased ; he ceased taking the remedy, think- ing it might be an aggravation, but the trouble continued to increase, and after a week he resumed the remedy with no effect. The sight is gradually growing dim, so that he cannot read or write; the words all run together, and he cannot tell a person across the room. There is considerable heat in the eyes, and extending into the forehead ; the floating spots are all black now, the pupil of the eye slightly con- tracted ; with this exception perfectly healthy in appearance, and there is no indication of former troubles. I then prepared and gave 426 NEW REMEDIES him of the 6th and 30th dilution of Gelseminum—a dose of the 6th each morning, and of the 30th each evening. I did not hear of him. again in several weeks, when he wrote me that in two days from the time he commenced the remedy he could see an improvement, when he, according to my directions, omitted the remedy ; and in two weeks every trace of the trouble was removed. I saw him months after, and he remained perfectly well-"* Dr. D. W. Rogers, of Quincy, Mich., relates a case in the North American Journal, (August, 1S»31, page 104,) where the Gelseminum was useful in a case presenting symptoms of intense heaviness of head ; stupid drowsiness ; dimness of vision also double vision ; vertigo; throbbing of the carotids ; pulse slow and weak. Other cases could be reported, but sufficient has been presented to direct the attention of physicians to the great value of Gelseminum in this affection. I have never noticed that it caused photophobia. On the contrary it frequently causes a thirst for light. It might cause photophobia as one of its secondary or remote effects. I judge so from the fact that I once removed, permanently, a fear of light, more especially candle or lamplight, which had resisted Phosphorus and Conium, and was caused by an idiopathic over-sensitive state of the optic nerve, as there was no trace of inflammation. I used drop doses of the tincture, however. Dr, Peters declares Belladonna to be antipathic to photo- phobia. It must resemble Gelseminum in this particular symptom, and probably many others. Under the action of Gelseminum the pupils are always dilated. f have never witnessed contraction. Aconite, on the contrary, gen- erally ca,uscs contraction of the pupils. It will be well to bear this fact in mind, as it is an important diagnostic symptom in many cere- bral diseases. Ears.—Rushing and roaring in the ears ; sudden and temporary loss of hearing; the pains which ascend from the back to the occiput often affect the ears ; digging in the right ear ; stitches ; pain behind both ears. Clinical Observations —There are no instances on record of its being used in affections of the ear. One of the symptoms of catarrh in the head, or a common cold, is roaring in the ears with sudden deafness. In such cases it might prove of benefit. It may be found of service in neuralgic otalgia, also in paralytic deafness. Coe says, " The diluted tincture dropped into the ear will soften the accumula- tion of hardened cerumen, and relievo the ringing roaring from diseased secretion." See Dr. Allen's case under "Throat." Nose.—Watery discharge from the nose; sneezing, with dull headache ; tingling in the nose ; bloody, mucus discharge, Clinical Observations.—Dr. Douglas considers it a specific for colds in the head accompanied by a discharge of watery fluid from the nose, hoarseness, cough, soreness in the throat and chest. Dr. D. W. Rogers prized it highly in an epidemic of influenza in which •Seventeenth Annual Report of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 427 he tested it. It has been a valuable remedy in my practice in mild and severe attacks of influenza, with loss of smell, coryza, headache, etc. Dr. Pattee says, in coryza, or cold in the head, this is one of the best remedies I have ever used ; it cures the severest cases in from twelve to forty-eight hours," Epistaxis, in a lady of dark complexion, with suppression of menses, constant dripping all night of dark, crimson blood, in spite of Sulphur, Rhus tox., cold applications, etc., was arrested in ten minutes after one dose of the one-thousandth.—Morgan. Dr. S. A. Merrill reports : " In many catarrhal affections I have found the Gelseminum to act very finely, even in severe coughs, with (in children) a metallic sound somewhat like croup." " One person came to me recently with a very severe cough, accom- panied with a good deal of pain in the chest in places, tenderness in the epigastrium with vomiting in the paroxysms. Gave the ordinary remedies for several days without any effect whatever. Gelseminum is acting like a charm." " I think our professional friends will find the Gelseminum a very useful remedy in these affections, many of them growing out of this relaxed and debilitated condition of the system on the return of warm weather at the close of our winters. At any rate, let them observe and report." Face.—A papulous eruption on the face, very nearly resembling measles ; erythema of the face and neck ; heavy, besotted appearance of the face; sensation of stiffness in the muscles of the jaws; the muscles of the face seem to contract, especially the orbicularis oris, somewhat impeding speech; numbness of the face ; pale face ; cold face, covered with perspiration. (Toxical effects.) Itching of small points on the face; pimples on the temporal ridge ; yellow com- plexion. Clinical Observations.—It has been used successfully by my- self and some other homceopathists, in the treatment of facial neural- gia. It cured one case of neuralgia of the infra-orbital nerves, which did not yield to Aconite or Belladonna. One drop of the tincture was given every hour, and the diluted tincture rubbed on the affected part. Dr. Coe says, "neuralgia, when arising from functional disturb- ances of the nervous system, is successfully treated with Gelsemi- num." pj. jjs hpst. jpdjpgifpd, whfin, in connection with the pain, there are contractions and twitchin~gliT*'t'h'e*'muscles near the portion of the lace affected ; ahsp, in those gases accompanied with extreme general nervousness, an3L^ToOontroi7Qver'the voluntary musclgs, giving rise to odd, irregular motions. Dr. Douglas has found'it curative in several cases of prosopalgia. l Prof. Ludlam writes me, "In some cases of orbital neuralgia, characterized by distinct nervous paroxysms of acute pain, of a quo- tidian type, located along the superciliary ridge, especially over the left eye, with contractions of the eyelids and a peculiar expression 428 NEW REMEDIES. in the eye of the affected side—the organ appearing to the observer as if the patient were laboring under a maddening delirium, the opposite eye appearing quite normal, meanwhile—we have given the Gelseminum with good effect. In one example, where Quinine had failed at the hands of another physician, the Gelseminum afford- ing prompt relief. In most cases thus remedied, the relief of suffer- ing has been gradual, the pain tapering off quietly and imperceptibly. We have never employed it locally, in this disorder. To speculate upon its modus operandi would perhaps be of little service, but that it has the property of interrupting certain nervous disorders, of which the more prominent symptom is their periodicity, there can be no question. The introduction of the element of time into the organ- ism, whether viewed in a physiological or pathological light, is one of the most marvelous and entertaining phenomena connected with the history of the species : and any remedy capable of relieving ab- normalities of this function—if such we may style it—in any of their protean forms, merits our study and most earnest attention. If it be demonstrated by actual experiment that the Gelseminum is capa- ble of palliating and removing a local hyperesthesia of the supra- orbital nerves, or indeed, of any other nerves, the profession should be made' aware of this fact; and it is for this reason that we are led to record our own limited experience in the direction indicated," It may prove useful against erythema of the face, also to certain pap- ulous eruptions of the face, not of a constitutional character. The sensations of tension, stiffness, and contraction of the muscles of the face and jaws, would seem to indicate that it might be useful in some cases of trismus. (Scutellaria causes similar symptoms.) Acting upon this suggestion I once gave it to a female patient, who, in a hys- terical attack of unusual severity, had such rigidity of the muscles surrounding the mouth and jaws, that it resembled an attack of tet- anus. The jaws could not be forced open, nor hardly the lips. I succeeded in getting two or three drops between the teeth. In eight or ten minutes the jaws began gradually to relax, and in a short time had assumed their natural condition. In erysipelas of the face, the internal and external use of Gelseminum is sometimes of much ben- efit as a palliative remedy. Teeth and JaWS.—Stiffness of the jaws ; difficulty of opening the mouth ; on the right side, pain extends from the last back tooth up to the temple ; pains of a shooting character in the frontal sinus, extending to the eyes and jaw. Clinical Observations.—In some cases of facial neuralgia, especially in nervous females, when the jaws seem to be spasmodi- cally affected, Gelseminum may be useful in combatting that symp- tom. In odontalgia from a cold, or when purely nervous, Gelsem- inum may be useful. It is said that a bit of cotton wet in the tinc- ture and applied to the tooth, or pushed into a cavity, will relieve the pain. The three following cases are reporied by Dr. Morgan : GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 429 Several cases of painful dentition, with sudden, loud outcries, pulsating fontanelle, feverishness, have been promptly ameliorated by Gelseminum, 1 m, and 30 m, Sarah C, aged eight months, had painful dentition, pulsation of fontanelle, gums inflamed and swollen, paroxysms of crying, grasped the head frequently, great fear and horror of falling, rolling up of the eyes, wanting to be carried. Gelseminum, 1 m., one dose. In one and a half hour, violent winking of the eyelids, for fifteen minutes. (There had been sores about the ears, which had scaled.) The next day, having gradually, but decidedly improved, otorrhcea set in, with itching pimples, and the sores behind the ears became again active. Fontanelle still pulsating, some dullness. Sulphur 2 m., completed the cure in about eight days, the teeth coming through, the affection of the ears subsiding, and the child continuing meanwhile perfectly cheerful. The pulsation continued as long as any other symptom. (The mother also had one dose of Sulphur, 1 m,) "An old lady had neuralgia of the left side of the head and neck, constant, dragging, frequent shooting. Gelseminum 30 m., on dose, Next day reported that she was cured as if by magic." Mouth and Tongue.—Dryness of the mouth; astringent sensa- tion in the mouth; thickly coated tongue ; painful dryness in the fauces; tongue red ; tongue red, raw and painful ; sensation as if the tongue was paralyzed, impeding speech ; partial paralysis of the glottis and tongue. (Toxical effects.) Tongue coated with light, whitish coat; several times during the day saliva was found colored yellowish, and all the latter part of the day a bad, foul taste and breath ; yellowish white fur on tongue ; yellow coat on tongue. Clinical Observations.—From its effects on the tongue and glot- tis, we may find it curative in many cases of irritation, or paralysis of those parts. Throat.—Dryness ; irritation and soreness of the fauces ; diffi- culty of swallowing ; paralytic dysphagia ; when vomiting, the fluids passed through the nostrils ; acute sensation of heat and astringency. (Toxical effects.) Painful sensation of something having lodged in the oesophagus. I once observed the following symptoms, which occured in a woman, to whom it had been given to arrest daily hysterical convul- sions. The patient had never experienced similar symptoms before. The tincture Gelseminum was given in doses of ten drops, every four hours. The spasms were much relieved, and their periodicity broken up, but on the second day of its administration there appeared dry- ness and burning of the fauces ; red tongue inflamed in the middle ; severe burning in the oesophagus, from the mouth to the stomach ; spasmodic sensation, and cramplike pains in oesophagus ; hawking up of bloody matter. During the spasms, bloody, brown foam would run 430 NEW REMEDIES. out of the mouth. The burning sensations at times seemed intolera- ble ; deglutition was painful; food and drinks, warm, aggravating. At this juncture I was called, and for the relief of these symptoms gave Arsenicum 3d, then Carbo vegetabilis 3d, with mucilaginous drinks, but without much benefit. A more careful study of the symp- toms determined me to try Phosphorus. Pellets of the second dilu- tion were given with prompt success ; relief followed in a few min- utes after the first dose, and in a few days the symptoms disappeared' In this case there must have existed oesophagitis,—a true inflamma- tion of its mucous tissue. As the Gelseminum was taken largely diluted with water, it must have been a specific and not a mere local effect. Clinical Observations.—It may be found a valuable remedy in inflammation and irritation of the oesophagus, from acrid secretions of the stomach. Dr. White, of New York, praises the Gelsem- inum highly in tonsilitis, and inflammation of the pharynx, palate and uvula. He considers it equal to Belladonna in scarlatinous angina. I have only used it in catarrhal inflammations of the fauces and ton- sils, in which it seems to act favorably. It would seem to be specific to paralysis of the glottis, and all other portions of the organs of deglutition. In all the above affections, the medium of high dilutions are best indicated, especially if the patient be suscep- tible to the action of the drug; if not, large doses must be used. Its action on the throat resembles very much the effects of Belladonna. Dr. Douglas advises it in inflammation of the tonsils, and other throat affections. In the spasmodic affections of the throat, so frequent in hysteric females, it is superior to any other drug, but will have to be given in material doses. Ellie D., aged 10 months. Swelling of throat, both side ; much wheezing ; sick since midnight (July 20th, 1865). Aggravation at 3 a. m,, better since 6 a. m., (after mustard plaster). Throat sore ; the mother fears she will choke to death. Gelseminum 12, one dose. The third day lumps (tonsils) are nearly subsided ; throat well. Was much better in one hour. The other symptoms required Aconite."— [Morgan.] Dr. Lodge reports that Gelseminum has proved very useful in cases of paralysis succeeding diphtheria, particularly in paralysis of the organs of deglutition and in aphonia. He relates the following case : " A young man of 18, who had been treated for diphtheria by an allo- pathic physician, was found with the following symptoms : great pros- tration ; partial paralysis of the right side ; desire for food, but diffi- culty of swallowing, and vomiting after taking ever so little ; cannot speak above a whisper ; great difficulty in articulation ; cough with expectoration of frothy mucus streaked with blood ; severe pain in different parts of the body, immediately after lying down, preventing sleep ; pulse 120, and small. He had been kept up by stimulants. Treatment—Gelseminum tincture, five drops in half a tumblerful of GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 431 water; teaspoonful every hour. Commenced the medicine at 3 r. m.; rested better the following night; pains very much less ; next day could swallow easier ; in four days could swallow well, and partook moderately of roast turkey, with relish. The improvement continued under the use of the Gelseminum, all the symptoms disappearing, except those of bronchial irritation, which Gelseminum did not remove. Phosphorus, and the ordinary remedies were then resorted to, and the cure completed. Dr. T. F. Allen, of New York, in a very able paper on Physiology and Pathology of the Nasal Passages,* in some remarks upon diseased states of the eustachian tube, says : " Lachesis has pain on swallow- ing, going up into the ear, but the course of the pain is along the par- otid gland, it is more external than internal. In Gelseminum the reverse is true, it is internal and not external." The writer further says : " To illustrate the action of Gelseminum, I have a very strik- ing and apt case which much astonished me and my patient. A young lady of 22, in affluent circumstances, felt compelled to apply for relief from the terrible sick headache which preceded every men- strual period, appearing from 24 to 36 hours before the flow, and attended by profuse vomiting, with bearing-down pains in the abdo- men, no pain in the back, the symptoms relieved on appearance of the flow. Cocculus was prescribed, which certainly relieved her somewhat, and in time I think, would have gradually cured her, but after two months I was requested to take her throat in hand. For several years she had been having, with increased frequency, a sore throat, coming on with a little fever, and leaving her a little deaf. Lately every change of weather affected her throat, and she was becoming more and more deaf, and constantly so ; when her throat was inflamed and sore, (confined to the upper part of the pharynx) pain on swal- lowing would shoot up into the ear. The family were becoming alarmed, as one member, an old lady, formerly subject to like attacks of sore throat, became exceedingly deaf. # * Gelseminum was suggested to me and I sent it to her. It astonished us all ; she has not had a 6ick day with her menstrual periods, nor has she had a sore throat since, and no difficulty of hearing in the slightest degree, from the time she began the Gelseminum. She took but little, and it is now over a year. * * She can go out in all weathers with impu- nity. I gave the 100th, prepared by Dr. Fincke !" This is a remarka- ble case, both on account of the complicated nature of the disease, and the high potency used." Dr. A. E. Horton, of East Poultney, Vt., reports the following case of spasm of the glottis, cured with Gelseminum : "Lucy R., aged 26. took a slight cold about the first of April, producing some hoarseness, mild cough, and attended with slight fever. These symp- toms yielded readily to the ordinary remedies, and during the two following days she made good improvement. But during the fore- noon of the third day she was attacked quite suddenly with spasms of the glottis, producing laborious inspiration, which steadily increased f Am. Horn. Review, to1. V, page 385. 432 NEW REMEDIES. all day. Having been called out of town the preceding night myself she had absolutely refused to have an allopathic physician called. I saw her about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, at which time, the spasm having gradually and persistently increased, the sufferings of the patient were frightful to behold. The inspiration was so laborious that it required all the voluntary power she could exert, and was attended with a hoarse, croupy sound that could be heard all over the house. The excessive labor of breathing was attended with profuse sweating ; the face was livid, and she momentarily expected to die; and, in fact, it seemed she must unless relief was speedy. I imme- diately put twenty drops of the mother tincture of Gelseminum in as many spoonfuls of water, and gave her a spoonful at first every five, ten or fifteen minutes, gradually lengthening the interval as she grew easier, until, at the end of three hours, she was sleeping, with only a vestige of the croupy inspiration remaining. She rested considerably through the night, and made good improvement afterward. Occa- sionally she would get a slight return of the spasm, but it would readily yield to a few doses of Gelseminum. The cure was comple- ted with the appropriate remedies for the consequent debility, and in two weeks she was well. " I have also, this present winter, cured three cases of the so- called spasmodic croup in children, with half-drop doses of Gelsem- inum, the spasm and hoarseness both speedily yielding to the remedy. Taste, Appetite, Gastric affections, &c,—Thirst during the sweat; mawkish taste ; clammy, feverish taste ; great hunger ; eruc- tations ; nausea ; hiccough ; yellowish-white coating of the tongue, with foetid breath ; alternate increase and loss of appetite ; slight nausea; sour eructations ; bitter taste ; bad, foul, spoiled taste and breath, with frequent need to rinse the mouth, or spit; raising of tasteless, semi-solid matter in the oesophagus, with flatus. Clinical Observations.—It is homoeopathic to loss of appetite from debility of the stomach, or a paralytic state of the organs of digestion, or increased appetite caused by active hyperaemia of the coats of the stomach. It does not seem to be homoeopathic to many gastric conditions, as it rarely causes nausea or eructations. It does not induce vomiting, like Veratrum viride, Ipecac, or Tartar emetic. It only causes vomiting when taken in large quantities, and then it irri- tates by its bulk and acridity only. If useful in any variety of vom- iting, it is in that form which arises from atony of the stomach, in which case Nux vomica, Iron and China are better. Stomach.—Feeling of emptiness and weakness in the stomach and bowels ; distention of the stomach, with pain and nausea ; sensation as of something wanting in the epigastric region ; rumbling and dull pains in the epigastrium, relieved by expulsion of flatus ; burning in the stomach extending up to the mouth. Clinical Observations.—Sensations of great weakness, empti- ness, " goneness" at the stomach, arise from a debilitated state of the GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 4S3 great sympathetic nerve, and may be uncomplicated with any other morbid state, in which case Gelseminum may be useful, in small doses. It may, however, arise from congestion of the portal system, and a torpid state of the liver, in which case Nux vomica, Aconite, Leptandria, Podophyllum or Mercurius would be applicable, alterna- ted with Gelseminum. It is often caused by uterine congestion, or prolapsus, when Cimicifuga, Helonias, or Sepia must be given. Igna- tia, Coffea, or Thea, in cases caused by mere nervous excitement, or sudden emotion. It is primarily homoeopathic to accumulation of fla- tus in the stomach, distention, eructations and dull pain, probably caused by want of tone in the muscular fibres of that organ. For such symptoms the 2d or 3d dilutions will suffice. It is secondarily homceopathic to many forms of gastralgia, cardialgia, cramps in the stomach, and all spasmodic conditions of that organ. It is homceo- pathic to congestion of the stomach, with hyperaemia of its mucous- lining. The symptoms indicating its use are : sensation of a heavj load, with weight, tension, and dull pain ; sometimes with empty, faint sensations in the epigastrium, and a false hunger—a kind of gnawing. Of late, the Gelseminum is much used in all active hem- orrhages, by the eclectic and allopathic schools. They rely upon its sedative power. Many other remedies, however, will prove more use- ful in these affections. In active haemorrhages, Hamamelis, Ipecac, andErigeion; in the passive variety, Trillium, Terebinthina, and Sulphuric acid, will be found efficient remedies. Abdomen and StOOl.—Rumbling and roaring in the abdomen, with emission of flatus above and below ; periodical pains in the ab. domen, with yellow diarrhoea coming on in the evening ; pain in the left iliac region ; bowels loose', but great difficulty to discharge any- thing ; there seems to be great strength in the sphincter muscles ; dull pain in the bowels, which becomes quite severe towards morn- ing; dull, aching pain in the umbilical region; palpitation of the abdomen, which continued about three minutes ; slight pain in the transverse colon; gnawing pain in the transverse colon. Seventeen hours after taking the drug, was awakened by severe griping in the lower abdomen, soon followed by a very natural stool, but followed by no diminution of pain until another large, deeply bilious discharge, followed by instant relief of pain. Evacuation of flatulence both ways; movements of flatus in the lower bowels; slight, colic-like feeling as if the bowels would be moved, and constant eructations of wind and bland fluid. At breakfast a dull ache on the right side of the head ; gastric oppression ; had to loosen the waistbands; after which, colic-like sensations to the left of the navel, as if a stool would shortly be passed ; slow stool, leaving a sensation of more remaining to be passed, and of abdominal repletion. Pain behind the fifth rib, to the left of the sternum, from flatus, relieved by eruc- 28 434 NEW REMEDIES. tation. Stool at first consistent, then papescent, bilious, homogenous, preceded all the morning by flatulence. Coincident with the intoxi- cated feeling, gastralgia and colic. Colic-like pains below the navel, extending to the testes, and causing flatus; relieved by its expul- sion ; stool of a deep yellow color and papescent; soft, bilious stool, preceded by threatenings of diarrhoea; colic, attempted stool, much wind only passed ; tea-colored, semi-solid stool; dull pains in the abdomen ; sharp pains in the bowels, with stools of a light, creamy color and pappy consistence ; sleep disturbed by lancinating pains in the abdomen, relieved by copious discharges of flatus ; intoxicated feelings, with painless but slightly diarrhoeic stool; tenderness of the abdominal parietes. Writers of the dominant and eclectic schools have decreed that Gelseminum does not act as an internal irritant, or a purgative; they assert that it is not known to increase any of the intestinal secretions. Homceopathic provings seem to lead us to different conclusions, as the above abdominal symptoms demonstrate. Clinical Observations.—If Gelseminum be homoeopathic to colic, it is to the spasmodic and flatulent. As either of these vari- eties may run into and induce the other, we will consider them in one paragraph. Flatulence is generally caused by the imperfect digestion of articles of food, some kinds of which, such as raw vegetables and substances of a fermentable nature, are more prone to have that effect. But in a perfectly healthy state of the digestive organs, all varieties of food may be eaten with impunity. The powers of digestion, then, must be morbidly enfeebled before flatulent or spasmodic colic can ensue. Any cause, therefore, capable of debilitating digestion, may act as a cause of flatulence. In Peritonitis, we cannot expect much specific benefit from Gelseminum, except from its power to control the fever, and the nervous erethism from excessive pain. While it might not be as important as Aconite, it would be better than Veratrum viride or Tartarus emeticus. An external application of the tincture in peritoneal inflammation might allay the pain somewhat. I have used Aconite for that purpose with the best results. In Enteritis it may prove more valuable. As it causes congestion and hyperaemia of the intestines, it may prove homoeopathic to the first stages of acute enteritis. It will probably be useful to restrain the spasmodic action of the bowels, which is often a distressing symptom of this disease. In neuralgia of the intestines I have found the tincture, in single drop doses, given every fifteen minutes, to be a successful remedy. The symptoms were acute, lancinating pains in the bowels, with great agitation and restlessness, cold hands and feet, rapid pulse and a tendency to general spasms. In Strangulated hernia the Gelsem- inum, in sufficient pathogenetic doses, ought to be a most valuable aid. More relaxing than Chloroform or Lobelia, or Opium, it is sur- prising that physicians and surgeons of the other schools have not GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 435 resorted to its use. It would be the first medicine I should resort to, and no remedy holds forth greater promise of usefulness in such dangerous accidents. Its internal administration would be aided much by external application. In diarrhcea Gelseminum may prove useful when the stools are bilious, papescent and accompanied by much flatulence ; also, when there is much nervous prostration—more weakness than the discharge could cause. Dr. Morgan noticed that while proving the drug, any exciting news would bring on "threaten- ings of diarrhcea." This fact is suggestive. We know that in certain impressible people, whose nervous system has become enervated, any fright, excitement or emotion will cause a temporary looseness of the bowels. Now, the effects of Gelseminum on the system are just such as would make it homoeopathic to such condi- tions and its effects. Since the above was written, Dr. Lippe, of Philadelphia, reports to me several cases of diarrhoea caused by fright, grief and depressing emotions, treated with the 1000th dilu- tion, a single dose sufficed. Prof, Hering states, in his lectures, that he has verified my recommendation, based on Dr. Morgan's symptoms, and has found the Gelseminum curative in the diarrhoea of soldiers, originating while in active service. In Dysentery, so far as my experience goes, the results attained are very similar to those noticed from the use of Aconite, viz : sub- sidence of the inflammatory symptoms, disappearance of blood from the stools, less fever, and a mitigation of the tenesmus. I have treated many severe cases with it, in alternation with Mercurius, Podophyllin, Ipecac, and Aloes. Besides its internal administration, I have sometimes, and in severe cases, used the tincture in an enema, in the proportion of ten drops to four ounces of warm starch or gum water ; injected all at once, and repeated every few hours. It mitigated the severe tenesmus. In Constipation, Gelsem- inum does not appear to be primarily indicated, in many cases. It may be useful in simple retention of stool from deficiency of tone in the muscular coats of the intestines, in the 12th and 3©th dilutions. It may be useful, also, in constipation from spasm of the muscular coats at some point in the intestinal tubes, (in drop doses of tincture.) In the Southern States it is much used in infusion, as a domestic rem- edy for intestinal worms, and with alleged success. Dr. Coe advises the Gelsemin in half or grain doses, two or three times a day, combined with Podophyllin and Santonin, and says " it has proved successful in removing the ascaris lumbricoides and tricocephalus dispar. I have had unusual success in treating worm affections with Gelsemin, 2d trituration, alternated with Podophyllin 1st or 2d, and Santonin one-tenth, each in grain doses, two hours apart. After two or three days the worms are either expelled in large numbers, or the verminous symptoms all disappear. A weak dilution of the tincture injected into the rectum, will often bring away large quanti- ties of ascarides." Dr. Paine, (eclectic.) of Philadelphia, mentions in his lectures on concentrated medicines, his experience with this medicine. It is well worthy of perusal. 430 NEW REMEDIES "Some years since, during an epidemic of dysentery, I had an opportunity of testing the virtues of this remedy, after the ordinary means had failed. There were three cases in one family, two small boys and one little girl. They had been prostrated by the disease from one to two weeks. Astringents, opiates, quinine, counter irri- tation, and all the ordinary resources of the profession had been ap- plied in vain. They were regarded by their attendant physicians as hopeless cases. "It was deemed by the practitioner that these were proper cases for the power and virtues of Gelseminum. I took these cases under my charge in the presence of several physicians, for the purpose of testing the virtues of this article in the most prominent degree. Hav- ing first evacuated the stomach by Lobelia, and bathed the surface in tepid water, I commenced the use of the Gelsemin in doses of one- sixteenth of a grain, every half-hour, in each of the cases. " The oldest was ten, the next seven and the other four years of age. I did not deem age as requiring any change in the quantity of the remedy. I repeated the Gelsemin until I had administered half a grain. This was accomplished in the course of twelve hours. At the expiration of this period the tormina, which had been most har- assing, and tenesmus, which had been most exhausting, had entirely disappeared. The discharges were essentially controlled, and although the system was extensively prostrated and there was general exhaustion, still, so far as the active character of the disease was con- cerned, it was essentially controlled. I then resorted to small doses of Quinine and Hypophosphate of Iron every hour for twenty-four hours, together with milk punch and animal broths. At the termina- tion of this period the tormina and tenesmus slightly returned, to- gether with the dysenteric discharges; but upon the administration of two or three doses of the sixteenth of a grain of Gelsemin they were entirely controlled. "Thus by administering the remedy two or three times a day, or as often as the symptoms manifested themselves, together with the hygienic measures, these cases recovered. During this epidemic, elseminum was administered to between seventy and eighty cases with almost uniform success. Indeed, so successful was this treatment that in seventy cases I only lost two ; whereas, in the former treat- ment the mortality had been quite large. " I have also tested this remedy in other most severe epidemics, and have found it quite as much of a specific for dysentery as is the Sulphate of Quinine for intermittent and remittent fevers. There are some of our practitioners who do not regard this remedy as pos- sessing all the powers claimed for it. During the last five or six years, they say, they have tested the remedy and it has not succeeded. It must be borne in mind that dysentery may depend on a variety of causes ; these causes should be removed so far as practicable. * * A student of mine who has recently been through all the more im- portant campaigns of the late war, and who has had most remarkable opportunities for testing the power of Gelsemin, states that not in a single case has it failed to produce the most happy effects. In camp GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 437 dysentery and diarrhoea be has found this remedy, alone, adequate to meet the most severe indications." In diarrhoea, "especially that caused by an exhausted and debilitated state, or by inflammation and congestion of the mucous surface," Dr. Paine states that he has found Gelsemin useful. He values it highly in cholera morbus, but his experience with it is unreliable, because he combines it with com- pound "Syrup of Potassa and Rhubarb." Dr. Paine uses the Gelsemin homceopathically. He gives it for the very symptoms he has seen it cause, namely : " Tenesmus and bloody discharges from the bowels, with feeble, languid, debilitated state of the muscular system," Administered in this way he does not dare to resort to the massive doses usually used, but gives the one-sixteenth of a grain. He further approaches homoeopathy by advising, "in ordinary cases, one- fiftieth and one-hundreth of a grain in chronic inflammations of the mucous membranes." He alsj advises the Gelsemin to be "tritura- ted either with lactin (sach. lact.) or sugar, and add a few grains of the trituration to a tumbler of water, and administer in teaspoonful doses." Liver and Spleen.—The provings of Gelseminum so far do not show any pains or abnormal sensations referable to the hepa ie or splenic regions. Its effect upon the alvine evacuations, however, show that it has some effect upon the liver. For instance, we have " large, deeply bilious discharge ; bilious, papescent stool; stool of deep yellow color, and papescent; soft bilious stool;" all denoting increased action of the liver. We have also " tea-colored stool ; stool of a light creamy color, and pappy consistence, "indicating an excessive amount of bile in the evacuations. Clinical Observations.—Judging from the symptom of "tea col- ored stool,* we may consider it primarily homoeopathic in some forms of bilious diarrhoea, probably from a relaxed condition of the biliary ducts, or the ductus communis choledochus, or it may be hepatic hyperaeniia. It is probably primarily homceopathic to passive conges- tion of the liver, denoted by prostration, and a languid circulation; languor, dullness, drowsiness, or depression of spirits ; dimness of sight, and dull headache. Jaundice, with prostration, clay-colored stool, etc. There is one symptom above mentioned, namely: creamy, papescent stool, which indicates that Gelseminum causes either defi- ciency or retention of bile. Now, from what we know of the action of the medicine, it is hardly to be supposed that it can cause, primarily, any excessive secretion of bile ; but it may cause deficient secretion, from atony of the liver, in which case the yellow coloring matter of the bile would fail to be eliminated from the blood, and its accumulation in the circulation would be a necessary consequence. This, Wood believes to be the most common origin of jaundice. Gelseminum, 3d • Dr. Morgan writes ime that by tea-colored he meant " a highly bilous hue, between green and yellow." (II.) r^ 438 NEW REMEDIES. dilution, alternated with Mercurius, Leptandria, Podophyllum, would be most applicable in such conditions. Urinary Organs.—Urine rather increased in quantity ; clear and watery ; frequent micturition ; frequent emission of clear and limpid urine, with seeming relief to the dullness and heaviness of the head; urine at times clear and limpid, at times milky and turbid. Urine much increased in quantity. (Bird,* says that it is characteristic of phosphatic urine to be pale and colorless ; also that such urine depos- its pale urate of Ammonia, nearly white. Phosphatic urine is often foetid). "The effects of Gelseminum were dissipated within a few hours. As I have observed an augmented secretion of urine, I sup- pose my kidneys eliminated the drug rapidly, and so prevented its action on the divers organic spheres." I have noticed symp- toms similar to the above, whilst under the influence of the drug, and in nearly every instance the profuse emission of watery urine was accompanied by transient chilliness, tremulousness, and an evident alleviation of the sensations of heaviness of the head, dullness of mind, and dimness of sight. Several persons who made partial prov- ings for me, noticed the same symptoms, with the alleviation. Con- trasting the effects of Gelseminum on the urinary organs, with some of the phenomena of disease, and they become interesting and signifi- cant. Clinical Obsernations.—In real diabetes, Gelseminum cannot be of much service. It is probably not pathologically indicated. In nephritis, cystitis, urethritis it may be used as we would use Aconite in similar diseases, viz : to reduce the local hyperaemia. In these affections we must rely entirely upon the secondary action of the drug; using it in larger doses. In my practice it has benefitted some cases of frequent urging to urinate, with scanty emission, attended with tenesmus of the bladder. In Enuresis, Gelseminum ought to prove as valuable a remedy as Belladonna, for like that drug, it induces a paralytic state of all the sphincter muscles. Those cases, then, of involuntary micturition depending on a relaxed or paralytic condition of the sphincter muscles of the neck of the bladder, may be much benefitted, or cured by the use of the dilutions of Gelseminum. This drug will probably prove useful in spasms of the ureters from the passage of calculi. In this most painful affection, the object is to produce, in the promptest manner possible, a relaxation of the ureters. This is generally accomplished by the use of hot sitz baths, Chloroform and Lobelia or Nux vomica. Gelseminum, if properly administered, would prove as efficient as either of the above means, and secondarily more homoeo- pathic to the condition. In that most distressing affection, spasm of the bladder, it would certainly prove useful, by promptly relaxing the * " T/rinary Deposits," page 210. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 439 circular fibers of that organ. This disease is often, in the case of females, confounded with uterine spasm, and in males with spasmodic colic. But in either disease Gelseminum will prove a valuable remedy, aided in some cases by Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga, Colocynth, or Nux vomica. Mr. T. S., one of the most celebrated artists in the United States, upwards of eighty years of age, was afflicted for more than four months with a constant involuntary discharge of urine every quarter to half an hour, day and night. The disease seemed to consist in a relaxed paralytic condition of the sphincter muscles of the neck of the blad- der. It was impossible for him to hold his water. Cantharides, Bromide of Potash, Dulcamara, and some other remedies were pre- scribed without the slightest effect. It was now thought best to omit all remedies for several weeks, but without any improvement. Hav- ing lately studied the pathogenetic effects of Gelseminum, it was resolved to try it in the above case. Five drops of the 2d dil. were exhibited three times a day. In a few days its beneficial effects were already perceptible, and in the space of a week the whole dis- ease was conquered, and has not returned within now six months.— [Neidhard.] The value of Gelseminum in paralytic conditions of the sphincter muscles of the bladder has been corroborated to me in four other cases. It sometimes takes the form of nocturnal emissions, but also requently occurs in the day time. The pressure on the bladder is so great that if the patients do not void the urine at once it passes into their clothes. The effect of Gelseminum on this symptom is generally very rapid and decided. It has never failed me in any case that I have used it, although in some cases other remedies had been pre- scribed in vain.—[lb.] C. Liebrick ; very much debilitated by haemorrhage from the bow- els ; could not retain his water more than ten or fifteen minutes If not voided it passes involuntarily,—there was burning during mictu- rition. Gelseminum cured, after failure with Cantharides and Can- nabis.—[lb.] Genital Organs.—(1) Men. Some irritability of the right testis, and afterwards dragging pain in the same, extending to both groins, and the hypogastrium, followed by escape of flatus ; irritation of small spots on the mucous surface of the prepuce, with surrounding con- gestion ; painless redness about the orifice of the urethra ; agreeable sensation during the micturition, throughout the course of the urethra; involuntary emission of semen, without an erection. One of the most careful and conscientious provers in our ranks, writes me as fol- lows : " A seminal weakness, formerly removed by Conium, returned during this proving, and was the chief reason why I discontinued it." This statement throws much light on the action of this remedy upon the male generative system, and accounts for its alleged usefulness in seminal emissions. My own provings of Gelseminum developed 440 NEW REMEDIES. the following symptoms : In connection with the general prostration accompanied by diuresis, there was always much flaccidity with cold- ness of the genital organs. Clinical Observations.—Gelseminum is primarily indicated in impotence from muscular paralysis and atony ; in seminal weakness with or without amorous dreams, but caused in all cases by direct debility of the genital organs, or rather, of the great nerves upon which depends their healthy condition. It is also secondarily hom- oeopathic to seminal emissions from excessive irritation of the organs of generation, either from emotional or local congestive causes, and when accompanied by a condition similar to satyriasis. In the former cases, small doses of the dilutions may prove effici- ent, but in the latter large quantities will have, to be administered— two or three drops of the tincture every two hours. I have used the first trituration of Gelsemin in cases marked by local irritation, and succeeded in effecting a cure, when other remedies had failed. Cases from allopathic authorities. Coe says: " For spermatorrhoea, in connection with tonics, we have found it of exceeding utility. In many cases it is better to administer the Gelseminum alone for sev- eral days, or until a remission of the symptoms is induced, and then followed with tonics—Cerasin, Lupulin, or Hydrastin." Case 1.—From Keith's Journal, in a letter from a physician : — " About four years ago, I was badly afflicted with spermatorrhoea, and had nearly despaired of finding relief, for I had tried every plan of treatment suggested by my medical friends. I acceded to your advice to try Gelseminum, and took but four doses (of how much?) before the emissions ceased ; and by continuing the medicine my appetite returned, the peculiar cadaverous hue of my face yielded to a more healthy color, and, as subsequent years have proved, I was cured of my disease." In another number we have the following statement: "We believe it to be, in the treatment of spermatorrhoea, as near a specific as any medicine can be. Administer the following powder each night on retiring : Gelsemin, one-half grain ; Lupu- lin, three grains ; mix : gradually diminish the dose as the patient shows signs of improvement. We have cured several cases with from six to ten doses." The above prescription could only benefit those cases belonging to the irritative variety, due to some local con- gestion, or exalted state of the nerves of those organs. The Lupulin alone has a deserved reputation for curing similar cases of the disease. "In January, 1863, I commenced treating a young man who was suffering severely from spermatorrhoea, induced by onanism. The disastrous habit had been persevered in for years, till at length the sexual power became so completely exhausted that the most power- ful stimulus failed to cause erection. On abandonment of the habit he became a little better and then had hopes of marriage, but found that the slightest approach towards a caress produced an emission of semen. In despair he returned tp his old course, and when he placed himself under my care he was a mere wreck, both mentally and physically. His face was pale and emaciated, with dark circles GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 441 around his eyes. The mind very weak, memory defective, and he was haunted by thoughts of suicide. He had emissious averaging four or five a week, and also while straining at stool. The penis was flaccid and relaxed, erections very seldom, and both testicles had become smaller. On passing a bougie down the urethra I found that there was very great tenderness around the opening of the ejacula- tory ducts. I placed him upon the use of the 1st decimal trituration of Gelsemin, giving him one third of a grain, morning, noon and night, and in nine months I had the pleasure of seeing him restored to the most perfect health. No other remedy was used except Acon- ite when suicide pressed too strongly upon him. Possibly he might have been cured with a high potency, for according to some of my medical friends, a low dilutionist is merely another form of allopath ; but, with Alphonse Teste. I think 'the true medicine is the one that cures' I have treated a number of cases with Gelsemin, and with the most flattering success. I am far from considering it a specific for any and every case of this disease ; on the contrary, no disease requires a nicer discrimination, but nevertheless it is a powerful remedial agent, worthy to stand side by side with Aconitum napellus and Argentum nitricum."—Dr. Thomas Nichol. In Gonorrhoea the Gelseminum has been much used, and highly praised by some enthusiastic eclectics. According to Coe, " Gel- seminum has gained considerable repute in the treatment of gonor- rhoea. We have employed it for some three years past, in that disease, but never relied on it exclusively. Our principal object in employing it is to overcome the urethral inflammation and prevent chordee, and for these uses we have found it reliable. We usually administer it at bedtime, finding that the patient is more apt to enjoy a quiet night's rest thereby. We cannot say with certainty whether the Gelseminum possesses any specific alterative value in the above disease or not, but we believe it does." He advises it in two grain doses, but small powders of the first decimal trituration, or repeated doses of the first dilution, will probably be found as useful, and less hazardous than the one large dose. Case.—Dr. Douglas (allopath) states that some thirty years ago a patient came into his office with gonorrhoea, of several months stand- ing, which had been improperly treated. One of his students begged him to allow him to treat the case, saying that he could cure the most obstinate case in a few days with the root of Yellow Jessamine. A small handful of the root was put into a common junk bottle of whis- key, and in a day or two the patient ordered to take a tablespoonful of the mixture night and morning. He took but a few doses when he became much alarmed with the effect upon his eyes, thinking the medicine had destroyed his vision. Every symptom of gonorrhoea had, however, disappeared, and the cure was permanent. Since that time he has treated many cases with it, and invariably with the same success. Dr. Morgan writes me : " The Gelseminum is in repute for the cure of spermatorrhoea, and an allopath of my acquain- tance uses the tincture in the very largest doses in gonorrhoea, with, as he asserts, perfect success even in old cases. 442 NEW REMEDIES. (2.) Women.—Besides the few pathogenetic symptoms which I have observed, none of the provers of our school give us any symp- toms of Gelseminum upon the organs of generation of women. The following symptoms came under my notice : Sensation of heaviness in the uterine region, with increase of the white, leucorrhocal dis- charge ; a feeling of fullness in the hypogastrium (in a girl of seven- teen); slight uterine pain, to which she had been subject; aching across the sacrum—a sensation as when the menses are coming on. [These symptoms appeared from taking five drops of the tincture every two hours—in a pregnant female in the ninth week. On ex- amination, the os was slightly open, and somewhat patulous. Clinical Observations.—Notwithstanding the small amount of experience which the profession possesses relative to the action of the Gelseminum on the organs of generation of women, there seems to be considerable unanimity of opinion among eclectic authors, regarding its effects in that direction. We will examine the testimony. Dr. King, who seems to understand its sphere of action very well, and who has had much practical experience in the use of the medicine, says : "In obstetrics it has been efficaciously employed in dysmen- orrhoea, gastralgia, cramps, and odontalgia during pregnancy; in rheumatism of the uterus, rigid os uteri, hour-glass contraction, re- tained placenta, and puerpural convulsions, etc. We will examine its merits in the above affections briefly in detail : In Dysmenorrhea of a neuralgic or spasmodic character, the Gelseminum would undoubtedly prove beneficial in material doses; minute doses would fail to reach the malady, because dysmenorrhoea is not one of the primary effects of the drug. Its neuralgic and spas- modic symptoms are secondary. But in the congestive form the dilutions will be useful. In the inflammatory form King advises it, in connection with tincture of Aconite, both in large doses. Coe asserts that "for relieving the pain of dysmenorrhoea wc know of no single remedy equal to it." He gives one-half grain of Gelseminum every two hours, and frequently alternates Caulophyllin or Viburnin with it; both of the latter remedies I know to be valuable in this affection. He further says : "When caused by functional derange- ment we deem it specific ; we have earned the gratitude of many sufferers by its employment." I would advise a candid trial of the remedy in the hands of homoeopathists. (See Dr. Allen's case of dysmenorrhoea associated w'th throat and ear symptoms, under "Throat.") " The second morbid condition of which I spoke was painful spas- modic affections of the sexual system, male and female. I continue to derive the most brilliant results from the drug in dysmenorrhoea and after pains, when these are spasmodic and not inflammatory. Its power over after-pains is so great that the lying-in chamber is well nigh freed from one of its greatest bugbears. But it is antipathic GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 443 rather than homoeopathic to these conditions, and requires to be given in full doses—from three to ten drops of the 1st decimal dilution. These temporary pains are the very things for which Hahnemann, himself, has justified the use of antipathic palliatives ;* arid in the present instance we have found the further advantage of using a remedy which acts as a special sedative on the affected parts them- selves, and not—like Opium—by stupefying the nervous centres."— Dr. Hughes, in British Journal of Homoeopathy. In Amenorrhoea Coe advises it, and says the menses will fre- quently return under the use of half-grain doses of Gelseminum, three times a day. In the congestive variety, induced by a cold, it will undoubtedly prove of service. In Abortion, King recommends it on the ground that it will have the same effect as blood letting in preventing that accident. Coe says : " The opinion has been enter- tained by some that Gelseminum is capable of producing abortion, but our experience with it inclines us to the contrary belief. As before stated, when administered in small doses, it gently stimulates uterine contraction, but when given in large doses it will arrest the progress of labor with much certainty. Still we are unable to say that it will not produce abortion under some circumstances, although we have never seen any evidence of its power to do so, and we hare administered it to women at all the different stages of utero-gesta- tion." Drs. White and Ford thought that when used in yellow fever the Gelseminum rather prevented abortion, as one woman so treated was in the sixth month of pregnancy, and did not abort. Still, my observations convince me that under some circumstances the medi- cine may be capable of producing abortion. The pathogenetic symp- toms above noticed would go far to substantiate such a belief. Let it be borne in mind that anything which has a severely depressing influence upon the nervous and vascular systems may cause miscar- riage. Thus, profuse bleedings, a chill, debility from acute disease, grief, fright or other depressing emotions, will, in some constitutions,. tend to such an accident. Now, the effects of this drug on the female organism are very similar to the above, and may, therefore, under similar circumstances, bring on the same results. Its general action on the uterus will be considered further on. In the vomiting and gastrodynia of pregnant females, when of a spasmodic character, Gelseminum may prove beneficial. Some writer has called attention to the similarity between this vomiting and sea-sickness. It is a cur- ious fact that the remedies found beneficial in one, are those most useful in the other. Thus, Nux vomica, Cocculus, and Chloroform are the remedies for sea sickness, and I have found them equally reliable in the severe vomitings of pregnancy. As Gelseminum bears a remarkable resemblance to the last mentioned agent, I would advise its use in single drop doses, in ca3es where the usual remedies had *"If Opium has been found to cure cough, diarrhoea, sickness, spasms, etc., in a few cases, it is only when these symptoms first show themselves in persons previously in good health, and are but slight. In such ca«es, as for instance a trifling cough, caused by a recent chill, the trembling arising from terror, etc., Opium will sometimes restore the patient to health, because if these symptoms are at once destroyed, the body is restored to its former condition, and the tendency to their return suppressed.—Preface to Opium, Mat. M«i, PwrQ. 444 NEW REMEDIES. failed to give relief, and where there was present considerable ner- vous, debile irritability. The troublesome cramps of pregnancy, although generally amenable to the usual Veratrum album, Colocynth, and Nux tomica, maybe controlled as readily by the use of Cauloph., Viburnum and Gelseminum. Dr. King, in his Obstetrics, speaks of it in hour-glass contractions, and inversion of the uterus, in order to aid manual operations, but doubts its safety under all circumstances. In those cases it would be expected to have many of the effects of Chloroform, especially relaxation. He also strongly advises its use in puerpural convulsions. Cases reported by Dr. J. S. Douglas : Case 1st.—On the night of the 3d inst., (Nov. 1861,) a young married woman, of highly nervous temperament, and seven months pregnant with her first child, was attacked with violent convulsions, frequently repeated, and soon followed with complete unconsciousness and the wildest delirium. This state of things continued till the afternoon of the 5th, when she was delivered of a dead foetus. The convulsions now ceased, but she continued in a state of wild delirium, incessantly talking and without a moment of sleep for three days and nights. During the next half day her delirium was somewhat more subdued, the inces- sant talk less furious, and she seemed to sleep once or twice for a minute or two. During all this time, the arterial action was inclined to be excessive, as in acute inflammatory disease, though no such state could be detected. This excessive action was successfully con- trolled by the frequent use of Aconite. I now resolved to try the effect of Gelseminum. She accordingly took tea-spoonful doses of a mixture of three drops, third dilution, in one-half a tumbler of water. During the night, after two or three doses, she had three sleeps of from one to two hours, and in the morning gave the first evidence of consciousness. This, however, was of short duration. A few minutes of mental effort seemed to exhaust the power of the brain, and she relapsed into wakeful delir- ium. But whenever she has become delirious and sleepless, the Gelseminum in the above doses, has uniformly and promptly procured quietness and sleep. The intelligent nurse has come to rely implic- itly upon it when needed. The patient has steadily improved from the above date to the present, Nov. 23d, though it has been necessary to give occasional intermediate doses of Aconite, which alone has controlled the excessive arterial activity. She now leaves her room, though her mind is weak, and wanders when too long excited. In this case it is evident that Gelseminum has uniformly and per- fectly succeeded in quieting excessive nervous irritability and delir- ium, and procuring sleep, where Aconite, Belladonna, Chamomilla, Coffea, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Pulsatilla, Stramonium, etc., have proved powerless. Case 2d.—On the 5th instant., I was called to see a lady eight months pregnant, the mother of four children, the two last of which had been born at about the same period (of eight months). All her labors had been exceedingly tedious, from three to six or seven days, GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 445 apparently from the great rigidity and unyieldingness of the os uteri. In her last confinement she had violent puerperal convulsions. When I was called, on the 5th, she had had regular labor pains for three days, but accustomed to protracted labors, she had not thought it time to send for me till she was siezed with a convulsion, which was repeated before my arrival. I found the pains quite active and fre- quent, but on making an examination not the least result was observ- able. The os uteri was not in the least developed, but rigid and perfectly closed. With the vivid recollection of her last two labors, at the same period of eight months, their extreme tediousness, the violent and alarming convulsions which now bid fair to be continued through a labor of days—perhaps many days ; of all the exhaustive appliances formerly employed to subdue the convulsions and to hasten or stop the premature labor, with nearly all my time necessarily occupied with the case above related, no one will marvel at my extreme anxiety and perplexity. On reflection, as all other known means, on former occasions, had proved so fruitless, I resolved to try the effect of Gel- seminum. It might, by its great sedative power, subdue the spasms ; it might allay and put a stop to the premature labor pains. If it failed of accomplishing these objects, it might relax the rigidity of the os uteri, and thus facilitate the labor. She was not of a nervous but of a bilious temperament. I gave five drops of the tincture, directing it to be repeated after each spasm, or, if no spasm occurred, every hour unless the pains were abated, or she experienced some of the characteristic symptoms of the drug. After three doses I saw her. No more spasms had occurred. The pains were unchanged. Directed one drop every two hours. Six hours after the pains were nearly the same, but a very palpable change was effected in the state of the os uteri, which was now soft, relaxed, and sufficiently dilated to admit the finger easily. I had no doubt the labor would now go on. and from the much more rapid relaxation of the os uteri than on former occasions, would be much less tedious. I left to call again in six or eight hours, or to be notified if needed sooner. At my next visit the pains were much less frequent and much lighter. No symp- toms from the drug. Continued one drop every four hours. On the following day the pains had altogether ceased, and the patient was feeling entirely comfortable. Three days since she was in her usual good health and attending to her usual duties. She was safely deliv- ered at the proper time, and after an easy labor. Others can draw their own inferences from this case, and I will not comment upon it, except to say it is obvious that Gelseminum accomplished in it what every hitherto known means had entirely failed to eftect, on two precisely similar occasions, with the same patient. " A pregnant lady was seized with great nervousness, pros- tration, constipation, gurgling on pressure in the right iliac re- gion, meteorism, feeling "as if her head were as big as a bushel," pulse frequent, small and weak. Took six pellets of the 6th attenua- tion, every two hours, and she was well the next day."—Morgan. 446 NEW REMEDIES. A case of false pains before parturition, reported by Prof. Guernsey ; cutting, upwards, and to the back. Cured immediately by Gelseminum, 100th, one dose. Case reported by Dr. C. A. AVilliaras : Mrs. S----, a large woman, of plethoric habit, about twenty-eight years of age, in her sixth month of pregnancy, was taken April 26th, 1864, with flowing. It not being very severe, the patient from some cause, allowed it to continue till the 28th, when, thinking she was about to be confined, sent for me. (I attended her through a case of the same kind the year previous.) On calling, I found the above history, with the fol- lowing condition : Considerable flowing, but no pain. On examina- tion, I found the os slightly dilated, and at once proceeded with the usual remedies to check the hemorrhage, but with no success, and the discharge continued until the eve of the 29th, when the waters were expelled. Immediately previous to the last act, she had two or three quite severe pains. On examination, I found the os uteri rigid, with the orifice about the size of a three cent piece. As she was free from pain I put her upon Caul., two grain doses every two hours. I continued this until the patient was comfortable, with the excep- tion of slight nausea ; I then gave her Caul., first decimal trituration, three grain doses every two hours, until the eve of the same day. Still no change. I then gave her Gelseminum, fluid extract, two drop doses, every hour. The following morning, May 1st, I called again. She had rested well, had flowed but very little, and concluded she was better. I made an examination and found the os fully dilated, and the head of the fcetus partly expelled. I very Boon delivered her, and cut the cord; the child lived nearly an hour. The placenta was retained, and about ten minutes after the child was discharged, the os had contracted, and was rigid as before. I again gave her Caul., in its various potencies, with no success. I then gave Ergot, but got no effect except nausea. This occupied the time from May 1st, until the 3d, Friday, the os still rigid. I gave Gelseminum as before, and with the happiest results, as in a few hours the os was fully dilated, and the placenta expelled. Mark, that during the whole course of this case there were no pains, except the few before the liquor amnii was discharged. The patient progressed finely, and in a few days was convalescent. The discharge was quite light after confinement and of a pale color. Dr. Pease mentions a case* of a woman in the sixth month of pregnancy, who was attacked with labor-like pains, which recurred every five or ten minutes. (Her first and only child was born at seven months.) She had also nausea and vomiting. Pulse full, 80. Ipecac, Secale, and Aconite were given, but failed to arrest the pains. Gelseminum was then prescribed, 15 drops of the tincture in half a goblet of water. Twelve hours after, the pains were very slight, every two or three hours ; fever subsided ; pulse 68, The remedy was continued, and the next day the patient, declared she " had not felt as well since she became pregnant." * American Homoeopathic Observer, Vol. II, p. 40. GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS. 447 The action of Gelseminum on the uterus may be thus explained: Dr. Garnsey, in the April No. [1865.] of the Amer. Horn. Obser- ver, calls attention to an apparent discrepancy in the action of Gelsem- inum, in two cases which he cites. The case of Dr. Williams was one of inevitable abortion ; that of Dr. Pease, threatened abortion. In the former there was undoubtedly effusion of blood under the membranes, and a consequent separation at such portion as would cause irremediable irritation in which no bleeding had occurred, and consequently no extravasation or separation. It was in fact a false labor—the false pains. In the former case the muscular tissue of the uterus was in a con- dition of abnormal contractility, with an irritation of the nerves of motion. In the latter, there was probably no abnormal constriction, only an irritation of the motor nerves. Now for the action of Gelsem- inum. In material doses, i. e., from the mother tincture to third dilution, its primary effect is to relax the normal contractility of mus- cular fibre, or paralyze the motor nerves. Its secondary effect is to cause abnormal contractility of muscular tissue, and abnormal irti- tation of the motor nerves. In both the cases cited, the Gelseminum was secondarily homoeo- pathic. It relaxed the preternaturally rigid os, in the one case, and calmed the false pains in the other, on the same principle, with the effect in both cases of arresting an abnormal condition, as a final result. In Dr. Pease's case there was no rigidity to overcome, only an irrita- tion of the uterine motor nerves, after this was calmed all abnormal action ceased. In Dr. Williams' case the spasmodically closed os would not let the natural pains have their due effect. The Gelseminum re- moved the constriction, and the normal paius were permitted to do their duty. Gelseminum is only primarily homceopathic when there is unnat- ural relaxation of the muscular tissue of the uterus, and an absence of normal irritability in its motor nerves. It is well known that Gelseminum will, in cases of atony of the muscular tissue and motor nerves of the uterus. In all the cases above referred to, the original cause of the abnor- mal condition may have been in the spinal cord, on which Gelseminum has such a pernicious influence in poisonous doses. There is another fact which should not be lost sight of, in estima- ting the apparent contradiction in the effects of Gelseminum. It is well known to all practical physicians who have made use of Gelsem- inum, that the same quantity will not have the same effect upon different constitutions. All medicines vary somewhat in their action, but none so much as this. One person, in health or disease may take ten drops of the mother tincture and perceive no effects from it; another will be made blind and paralytic from the same number of drops of the first attenuation. There are many things about the action of Gelseminum which need clearing up. This, time and the investi- gation of studious physicians, can only effect. The following cases are reported by Dr. W. James Blakely : 448 NEW REMEDIES. Case 1st.—Menorrhagia. Mrs. G., aged about 40 ; nervo-bilious temperament. Has had menorrhagia for the past three or four months ; upon further inquiry, she states that she has had a discharge of blood, pervaginum, almost continuously for that length of time, but cannot describe any particular symptoms. In appearance, she is healthy, her appetite is fair, and she sleeps well, complaining only of the unpleasantness of the discharge. In the absence of indications for any drug, I gave her Gelseminum, tincture, five drops three times a day. In about a month she reported, through her husband, that the medicine had promptly relieved her, and that for some time sho had been perfectly well. Case id.—Inefficient labor-pains. Mrs. S., aged 39. Strong constitution, accustomed to hard labor; nervo-bilious temperament; has had seven children. She went into labor Jan. 17th, 1866; I was called to her Jan. 19th, about 1 p. m. I found her suffering from very severe pains in the back, uterus dilating, but pains not progress- ing ; constant agitation of the body, headache and flushed face, weep- ing and complaining. I gave her Gelseminum, tincture, five drops; pure water, one ounce ; a teaspoonful every half hour. In a short time the patient was calm and easy, and for about three hours, en- tirely free from the distressing pains in the back. After this tiaie had elapsed, regular expulsive pains came on, the uterus dilated fully and the membranes were ruptured. Within two hours the pains be- came so violent that I delivered with forceps. Case 3d.—False pains. Mrs. J. C, aged 25. Has had eleven children. Membranes ruptured two days before I was called, incon- sequence, as she says, of a fall; but she had no pains until to-night, (Jan. 25th, 1866) ; period of gestation not completed by about three weeks. I found her suffering from severe expulsive pains ; the os uteri dilated to about the size of a half dime, hard, rigid and unyield- ing. I gave her Gelseminum, tincture; five drops in oue ounce of pure water, a teaspoonful every half hour. After one or two doses the pains ceased, the os uteri become soft and pliable, and the patient selpt calmly for several hours. N. B.—Feb. 10th.—The patient has not been confined yet; the os uteri has become firmly closed. Through indiscretion on her part, she has had several returns of the pains, which have, however, each time been promptly removed. Case 4th.—Convulsions.—C. K., aged three years. I was called in great haste, about 11, p. m., to see this child. I found her lying in bed, quiet, but with considerable fever, flushed face and throbbing of the arteries. She had had a severe convulsion, with violent con- tractions of the limbs, hot and bloated face, etc. The family had been too much alarmed to notice particular symptoms, so acting upon those I had learned, I gave Gelseminum tincture, in drop doses every hour. She recovered promptly without another attack. Case 5th.—Gonm-rhcea. The case was related to me by an allo- pathic physician. A gentleman, during an absence from home, had contracted gonorrhoea. He came to my informant and requested some medicine which would put him in a condition to enable him to GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS 449 decline having correspondence with his wife. He received a quan- tity of Gelseminum root, to be steeped in boiling water, and of which he was to take a half a teacupful, in order to produce relaxation of the parts. "The same evening, about 11, p. m.," said my informant, "I was summoned to him in great haste. I found him sitting up in bed, and his first remark was, ' Doctor, I am entirely blind.' Both he and his family were very much alarmed, but I succeeded in quiet- ing their apprehensions. The next day he was quite well again, and what was surprising to me, perfectly cured of his gonorrhoea." In the treatment of the form of puerpural convulsions depending on Urcemia, I should place much reliance on the remedial powers of Gelseminum. It will be found of much service in moderating the violence of the fits, as well as to run off, by its diuretic effects, some of the urea and carbonate of Ammonia upon which the morbid condi- tion depends. Of the use of Gelseminum in rigid os uteri, Dr. John Kino- says : " It has, within the last few years, been recommended to over- come this difficulty, and I have administered it in a considerable number of cases with benefit. It possesses an advantage over Lobelia in not causing nausea and vomiting, but as a general rule its influence is not so readily experienced as with that drug, and when once effected is of a more permanent character." (Do not give so much then, Doctor.) Prof. Cleveland, Dr. L. E. Miller, and many other writers, eminent in the Eclectic and Allopathic schools, speak very highly of the use of Gelseminum in difficult labor from rigidity of the os or vagina. They consider it much more efficient, and its administration attended with much less suffering and danger than Chloroform, Belladonna, Lobelia, or artificial dilatation. I think that Gelseminum, in rigidity of the os uteri, is superior to any remedy used in our school. It may be applied locally to the os, in the form of the glycerole of Gelseminum, one or two drams, with the finger. Croserio advises the administration of a few pellets of the thir- tieth [!] of Belladonna. Jahr says, " If the neck should remain closed, and a hard rim should be felt all around the orifice, three globules of Belladonna, dry upon the tongue will bring about the regular evolution of the progress of labor," or "if the dilatation of the vagina proceed too slowly, or be too painful, a few doses of Coffea, Secale, Pulsatilla or Nux vomica, will remedy this trouble." This latter prescription is much more scientific than the former, for Coffea, Secale, Pulsatilla and Nux vomica undoubtedly cause rigidity of the vagina and os uteri, as a primary effect. But there is uot a particle of proof that Belladonna does On the contrary, the well-known and invariable primary effect of Belladonna is to cause paralysis or relax- ation of all the sphincter muscles. Gelseminum has many points of resemblance to Belladonna, but none more similar than its effects on the sphincter and circular muscle*, all of which are primarily relaxed and even paralyzed. It dilates the pupil, paralyses the glottis, re- laxes the sphincter of the bladder and rectum, and those muscles of the os uteri and vagina upon which their contractile power depends. While, then, it has a similar action to the Belladonna, it can be used 29 450 NEW REMEDIES with greater safety, for its effects are generally transient, and may be controlled, if excessive, by such a general remedy as common salt; or specific, such as Secale or Caulophyllin. The large doses advised by eclectics are not necessary. From two to five drops of the tincture, or even first dilution, if good, will in most cases be found sufficient. There is one other argument for the use of Gelseminum in some dif- ficult labors, which, if made reliable by the test of observation and experience, will bring the remedy into deservedly high repute. I allude to the statement made by several prominent writers, but par- ticularly by Coe, whom I quote as follows : "Some division of opinion exists in relation to the true action of this remedy upon the uterus. We have had considerable experience in the treatment of female dis- orders, and have used the preparations of Gelseminum quite exten- sively. For five years past we have employed it as a parturifacient, and with better satisfaction than any other remedy. We use it for the purpose of relieving cramps, or other spasmodic difficulties, ver- tigo, nervous irritability, wakefulness and other symptoms accompany- ing gestation. It seems to prepare the system for the parturient effort, and labor is completed in an unusally short period of time. When administered in small doses, it gently stimulates uterine con- traction, but when given in large doses it will arrest the progress of labor with much certainty." The same writer seeks to account for this and other peculiarities of its action as follows : "Gelseminum is one of those medicines which are peculiarly governed in their action by the quantity administered. Thus, in small doses, it acts as a gentle stimulant to the nervous system, giving vigor and harmony of action; while in large doses it proves a powerful relaxant, com- pletely prostrating the muscular system, and by over-stimulating the brain and nerves, produces irregular and disturbed nerwus action." This sentence undoubtedly embodies the real sphere of action of this wonderful remedy, as well as the true rationale of its curative powers in disease. The explanation is worthy of the staunchest disciple of Hahnemann, for it indicates as strongly as words can, that it cures according to the law of Similia ; i. e., it cures in small doses, that which it causes in large. Air Passages.—Paroxysms of hoarseness, with dryness of the throat; voice seems weak; sneezing followed by tingling and fullness in the nose ; sneezing with dull headache ; tingling in nose ; paraly- sis of the glottis with difficulty of swallowing ; ineffectual efforts to articulate ; voice thick, as if the tongue was too large ; cough from tickling and dry roughness of the fauces ; burning in the larynx and down in the chest, under the sternum ; a sensation of soreness in the chest when coughing. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Douglas considers it almost a spe- cific for ordinary catarrhal fever, with the usual symptoms of sneez- ing, watery coryza, soreness of the throat, and cough, with rawness in the chest. During the winter of 1860-61 I treated a great many cases of severe influenza, then epidemic, in which the symptoms GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS: 451 conjunctiva and bruises of the orbits. It is useful in extravasations under the conjunctiva, and painless sugil- lations on the eyeball. During pestussis the eyeball sometimes becomes congested, and the minute vessels are ruptured. A wash of Hamamelis quickly dissipates the extravasations. Clinical Observations.—Dr Wm. II. Holcombe, of New Orleans, reports two cases of conjunctivitis cured by Hamamelis, via : Case 1st.—" A blacksmith came to me with his eyes badly burned by a sudden puff of a flame into his face. He was suffering excruci- ating pain, and the light was intolerable. There was constant acrid lachrymation and very great vascularity of the conjunctiva. I made a collyrium of Hamamelis, thirty drops to the ounce of water, poured a little of it into the eyes and bathed the surrounding parts wiih it. This application was to be renewed every two hours. He was relieved very speedily, and in forty-eight hours was entirely well. Case 'Id—A negro woman had got a splinter into her right eye. It penetrated the upper palpebral conjunctiva at the external angle of the eye. It had been removed, but had caused great swelling, red- HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 497 ness and pain in the whole eye. I made the prescription as above, and she was perfectly well in twenty-four hours. I have found Ham- amelis very useful in burns, and it relieved one case of haemaemesis, ▼icarious to menstruation, very promptly, after sundry other homoeo- pathic remedies had failed. Throat.—Dry, thirsty feeling of the throat, which water would not relieve, lasting full twenty-four hours.—(Burritt.) Fullness in the neck ; have to sleep with the neck free of any covering. Roughness of the fauces ; feeling as if something had lodged in the fauces, causing a constant inclination to swallow ; deglutition is quite painful; the tonsils and fauces appear congested.—{Burt) Clinical Observations.—There is a condition of the fauces and throat, which might not inaptly be designated as varicosis, the poste- rior fauces, uvula, and pharynx are of .a bluish hue, caused by dis- tended veins which ramify on the surface ; this causes a fullness, with cough, and pain in swallowing, and sometimes hawking of dark col- ored blood, mixed with mucus. In one case of this character the internal and topical use of Hamamelis proved curative. Stomach.—Distress in the stomach ; burning in the epigastrium; sharp pains in the stomach, with distress in the umbilical region; nau- sea, from pain in the testicles.—{Burt) Clinical Observations.—The primary effect of Hamamelis in material doses, is to diminish the secretions of mucous surfaces of the intestinal tract; a form of constipation is the result. In none of the fragmentary provings which we possess is there any symptom relating to congestion, or haemorrhage from the stomach and bowels, but our clinical experience is rich in cases of such haemorrhage. Dr. Burritt, in Am. Horn. Review, vol. 1, page 512, reports : " A lady who had been expected to die for several days, from haemateme- sis. I had none of the Hamamelis by me, and ordered a decoction of the bark—a teaspoonful every three hours. It cured the patient immediately." In one very severe and dangerous case of hcematemesis, I gave Hamamelis for one hour, but no good effect resulting, Sulphuric acid was given, which arrested the hemorrhage immediately. BowelS.—Distress in the umbilicus, (constant symptom) ; sharp pain in the umbilicus ; burning in the epigastrium and umbilicus ; rumbling in the bowels with cutting pains ; drawing pains in the abdominal muscles ; dull pains in the right and left hypochondria; sharp pains in the region of the spleen. Natural stools ; natural stools covered with mucus ; mushy stools ; constipation for two days, then hard, dry, dark-colored stools ; ineffectual desire for stool. Clinical Observations.—Writing of haemorrhage from the bowels, or melcena, Dr. Preston says : 32 498 NEW REMEDIES. "I have given Hamamelis with success in arresting haemor rhage, when I knew the bleeding proceeded from carcinomatous ulcer- ation, as well as where it arose from simple mechanical congestion of the portal circulation. To show that others have had like success with the same remedy, I relate a case of melaena, probably of the lat- ter kind, reported to me by my brother-in-law, Dr. George S. (Jreen, of Hartford, Ct. July, 1855, Mr. M----, aged twenty, light hair, dark eyes, spare figure, etc., came home from his business with a vio- lent headache, and took a dose of Calomel at night, followed by one of Castor Oil in the morning ; this he did on his own responsibility, and the consequence was a severe diarrhcea, for which Dr. Schae was called upon to prescribe. Dr. S, attended him ten days, and reports his discharges to have been very profuse and watery, as often as every half hour, accompanied with more or less fever, but no pain. After ten days the Dr. left him convalescent, but quite weak, and, intend- ing to leave for his home in Massachusetts. Two days after, quite early in the morning, he had a very large discharge of dark clotted blood, and within an hour, two more discharges, the three filling a large sized chamber pot; very offensive, but attended by no pain. At this time I first saw him in consultation with Dr. S. I examined the discharges ; found the patient pale and much exhausted, aware of the danger but not frightened ; pulse 120—130, weak, intermitting and hemorrhagic ; no tenderness on pressure in any part of the ab- domen ; no enlargement of liver or spleen that could be felt; no pain, nothing but great weakness and occasional faintness. A week pre- vious to this haemorrhage he had two discharges from the bowels that were liquid and brick colored, with a greasy scum ; his appetite had been unusually good, but his countenance sunken and pallid. On the seventh day after this attack, when I was called, he had another discharge from the bowels, of dark, grumous, offensive smelling blood, which continued to pass away from him with a gurgling noise, until three large sheets were saturated. On the next day he passed about a teacupful of bright red blood, and the haemorrhage ceased. He was sick in the house eight weeks ; his hair fell off, and he was somewhat anasarcous in the lower extremities, but from the first, had no pain, and after the haemorrhage, no fever; his recovery was per- fect. The only remedies used were stimulation, China and Hama- melis virginica. This case was unquestionably one of mechanical congestion of the portal circulation, and the haemorrhage was proba- bly caused by the action of the powerful cathartics taken in the commencement. It is unnecessary for me to say that in my opinion, both the haemorrhage and diarrhoea might have been avoided by judi- cious treatment in the beginning, because the congestion might have been removed without such violent results ; but the symptoms having been caused, the treatment certainly proved successful." We might relate several other cases of melaena, as well as haematemesis, de- pending upon other causes besides mechanical congestion, in all of which Hamamelis was of great service in arresting and preventing haemorrhage, which otherwise would probably have proved fatal. HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 499 'George E. Belcher, M. D., of New York, reports the two following cases: Case 1st.—James, a porter, aged about thirty, a well built, mus- cular Irishman, after complaining about three days, as near as I could ascertain, of fullness and grumbling, aching pains in the ab- domen, and irregular febrile flushes, was attacked with vomiting and purging of blood, which gradually increased. In the morning of the •day the haemorrhage began, his employer sent him Nux vomica, 3d, and Aconite, 3d, to be taken alternately. But, as by evening there was no improvement, I was sent for and gave Ipecac, 1st, and Mer- curius sol. 2d, alternately every hour. Early on the following morn- ing I received information that the haemorrhage continued, and that he was faint, cold, and sweating profusely. I found him so, indeed, with a weak, rapid pulse, restless and complaining of the fullness and grumbling in the abdomen ; but, owing to imperfect domestic arrangements, I could not ascertain how much blood had been vomited or purged. I gave Hamamelis, two drops of the tincture dissolved in half a tumbler of water, of which a dessert spoonful was given every fifteen or twenty minutes, until improvement took place. This was very apparent when I called two hours afterwards ; a reac- tion was moderately but firmly established, and the "patient felt better. He had vomited once only, and but a small quantity of blood ; and the melaena from this time diminished, so that it nearly, if not entirely, disappeared in two or three days. I substituted China and Mercu- rius for the Hamamelis in about twenty-four hours after improvement had begun, and continued them, on account of the apparent hepatic congestion, to convalescence. Case 2d.—W. A. B., a man aged about forty, temperate, of a spare habit, after complaining two or three days of fullness through the hypochondria, was attacked with diarrhcea, on account of which he called at my office, and for which I gave him Arsenicum 3d. The next day, not being relieved, I was sent for ; found him feeble, with blank, dingy-reddish countenance ; thirst, frequent pulse, and having a loose evacuation about every three or four hours, which he des- cribed as offensive and of the color of dark rosewood. Not seeing it, I concluded that it must be melaena, and gave Hamamelis and Aconite, a solution of two or three drops of each in tumblers of water; table- spoonful doses were directed to be given alternately every two hours, until better. The next day I found him decidedly improved, having had but one small discharge since. From this time, he rapidly convalesced. Dr. L. Pratt communicated to the Chicago Homoeopathic Medical Society, in 1859, the following case of Intestinal hcemorrhage. " A young man whose health had been injured by ague and Quinine, was attacked during a course of typhoid fever with copious bleeding from the bowels. The blood passed by the rectum amounted to at least two quarts before I saw him. He had stools of blood about once in fifteen minutes ; it was of a dark, grumous nature. Four drops of the mother tincture of Hamamelis, in a tumbler of water was administered, a dessert spoonful to be taken every ten min- 500 NEW REMEDIES. utes until the discharges were arrested, for an hour—omit for an hour —then to take one dose more. Afterwards omit until a relapso occurred. The next day I ascertained that the bleeding had twice returned, but was at once arrested by the use of Arsenicum and China. In this case the bleeding probably originated in ulceration of some portion of the intestines ; was of a passive character, and perhaps venous." It would seem from the above cases, that Hamamelis is curative in several forms of haemorrhage from the bowels. (1) That caused by portal congestion. (2) From a ruptured vessel. (3) From ulceration of the bowels. (4) From a hemorrhoidal vein. In dysentery, the Hamamelis is indicated when the amount of blood in the stools, is unusual in quantity, and amounts to an actual haemorrhage. The blood in such cases is generally dark, in small clots or patches, scattered through the mucus. Dr. Dunn, of Illinois, (Illinois State Homoeopathic^ Association, 1858,) said "he had not found Mercurius so effectual in the treatment of dysentery, during the past summer, as it had formerly been ; but he had been highly successful with Hamamelis in cases of dysentery, in which the alvine evacuations were largely loaded with blood." Dr, C. H. Lee found it useful in the following case :* A. S----, has had dysentery for nearly a week. I found him in a bad condition, emaciated and ghastly, with hippocratic countenance; bowels moved every fifteen minutes, of pure blood, with severe tenes- mus and a crampy pain around the umbilicus just before stool. I ordered the family to keep the stools, in order to see how much blood he would pass in twenty-four hours, and to my astonishment there was a little over a quart per day for three days ; no appetite, great thirst, tongue coated brown and parched ; calls a great deal for sour pickle. I gave him Arsenicum, Mercurius, Ipecac, and Colocynth,. without beneficial effect. Finding in the " New Provings," article Hamamelis virg., symptoms nearly similar to his case, I gave him the first attenuation every hour in water. Saw him the same evening.. He was much better, bowels moved four times in the fore part of the day, but towards night no stools. Saw him the next morning, and found him much improved. One stool only through the night. Desired bread and milk. Continued the Hamamelis. Is now well. In the so-called hcemorrhoidal dysentery, this remedy is almost specific alone, although it may sometimes have to be alternated with, Aloes or Podophyllum. In my practice benefit has accrued both from, the internal and topical application. A few drops of the tincture or lower dilutions, every hour or two internally ; and an enema of one> dram of the tincture of Hamamelis to four ounces of cold water or starch water. The decoction of the bark,(one oz. to one qt. of water), * American Homoeopathic Observer, HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 501 is even better than the above preparation for an enema, both in dys- entery and bleeding haemorrhoids. In diarrhoea, the Hamamelis is said to have been found useful, but the indications for its use are not ascertained. It will require more extended provings and clinical experiments, to establish its applica- bility to diarrhoea. I would suggest that it might be useful in mucous and serous discharges. It is in hcemorrhoids that the Hamamelis has achieved some of its greatest victories. It seems to have extraordinary powers over this disease, not only as externally manifested in the form of haemorrhoidal tumors, but against the primary cause, which is often located in the portal system. It has been used in this affection from the earliest history of our country. The aborigines first imparted a knowledge of its curative virtues to the first settlers. It is mentioned as a remedy for piles, used externally, in the works of the early " Botanic" physicians. When Pond first sold his ex- tract, it was recommended particularly for this complaint. Dr. Hering was Pond's family physician, and was induced by him to try its effi- cacy in some diseases. In 1850, Dr. Hering informed Dr. Cushman, a pupil of Dr. Okie, that he had used it successfully in " painful and bleeding haemorrhoids." Dr. Okie was then induced to test its virtues, and in a letter to Hering, published in 1853, he says : " I next made use of the Hamamelis in a number of cases of painful and bleeding piles. Those cases in which it has proved most beneficial in my hands, are characterized by burning, soreness, fullness, and at times, rawness of the anus ; in the back a weakness or weariness, or as the patients graphically express it, ' Doctor, my back feels as if it woiid break off.' The haemorrhage is generally profuse, and I have in several instances seen this latter symptom cured completely, with shrinking of the overloaded hemorrhoidal vessels so that the full, pouting look of the anus was changed to its own more natural, de- mure pucker, while the burning and itching, depending' more upon cutaneous irritability, or some herpetic taint, still remained. I have here, likewise, made a wash of the remedy, applying it externally, while giving it internally in the more dilute form. Mr. T., a highly respected agriculturist, somewhere in the fifties, had been troubled with painful and bleeding piles for a number of years. On examina- tion, I found the anus surrounded with a crop of tumid hemorrhoidal veins, bluish in color, and the whole anus encircled with a red, ery- themic halo. I found that he suffered with ' backache,' has a 'pasty' mouth, digestion tolerable, was not much constipated. I gave Ham- amelis, 1st dilution, six drops night and morning, and applied a lotion of one-third of the remedy and two-thirds distilled water. In a fort- night he called again, and I found him much relieved. I repeated the prescription, to be taken once a day, since which time he has re- mained well." Dr. Davidson* reports a case of " burning," painful haemorrhoids in a lady, who had been subject to attacks of the piles for the last 'Monthly Homoeopathic Review, London. 502 NEW REMEDIES. ten years. Her symptoms were, "great suffering from weight or pres- sure at the anus ; hemorrhoids protruding; great exhaustion from frequent hemorrhage from the rectum ; bowels constipated ; severe frontal headache ; restless nights; mouth parched and dry on awak- ing. Hamamelis, 6th, ten drops in six ounces of water, one table- spoonful three times a day. The third day after, the hemorrhoidal symptoms were much relieved, but she complained of severe pains in the back. Continued the medicine. Five days after, the hemor- rhoids painful and protruding. A new symptom had also developed itself. My patient wished me to examine her arms, as during the past two days she had suffered severely from a peculiar pricking pain, from the wrist to the shoulder, which pain is increased on pres- sure. On. examining the arms, I found that the patient indicated the direction of the pain along the course of the superficial veins. Or- dered Sach. Lactis, to be continued the next three days, when the pricking pains had quite left her arms, but the hemorrhoids were still troublesome. Hamamelis, 6, thirty drops in six ounces of water to be used as a lotion. A pledget of lint, saturated with this, to be ap- plied to the hemorrhoids every night. Six days after she reported herself well. Six months after the same patient applied again. She was suffering from protruding hemorrhoids, accompanied by severe inflammation. She also had catarrhal symptoms, and was very des- pondent. Hamamelis 6 was given as above, and the lotion used as before. She took only five doses, because,—'after the fourth dose she became very much alarmed by a pricking pain in the region of the heart.' The hemorrhoids, however, were much relieved. Ordered Sach. lactis. Two days after the pricking pain 'about the heart' was still very severe ; it was also now felt in the courses of the superficial veins of both arms. These pricking pains continued for a period of ten days, increasing in intensity during that time. At length I prescribed Arnica, 12th, three times a day. Two weeks after the patient states that she fells better than she has done for years ; and the piles, to use her own expression, ' have been completely van- quished.' I must not forget to record that while under treatment, this patient had been relieved by the Hamamelis, of a peculiar tights ness of the chest, from which she had suffered from childhood." This case presents some interesting peculiarities, namely : The apparent pathogenetic symptoms caused by the Hamamelis, simulat- ing inflammation of the veins, and even the heart. The question might arise, would not the same pains etc., have arisen during the course of an attack of inflammation of the hemorrhoidal veins, had the Hamamelis not been administered ? However, Hahnemann would undoubtedly have placed these symptoms in the pathogenesis of Hamamelis, and we may do the same ; still, we would wish that further experiments would substantiate the reliability of these symp- toms as purely belonging to the drug, in which case they would be rery important, as indicating, unmistakeably, its sphere of action. Urinary Organs.—Scanty, high-colored urine. Irritation of the, urethra, followed by a discharge and ardor wince.—(Payne) HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 503 Clinical Observations.—The Hamamelis has been found use- ful in hcematuria. Several cases presenting the symptom " bloody urine" have been reported cured by this remedy. " In hematuria,"—writes Dr. Preston—"China and Hamamelis are the principal remedies, unless there be ulceration of the prostate, or neck of the bladder, when these should be alternated with Aster- ias rubens. In all hemorrhages dependent upon scirrous or carcin- otomous ulceration, we have used Hamamelis to control the hemor- rhage, and Asterias rubens to arrest the ulcerative process, and we have had more than ordinary success with these remedies in a num- ber of cases. In renal and urethral hemorrhages, China, Cantharis, Mezereum and Terebinth are recommended, but we have had cases of congestion of the tubuli uriniferi, following scarlatina and attended with discharges of black blood from the kidneys, when neither of them, nor Digitalis, Hamamelis, Zinc, and a host of others, had any good effect, but were cured in two or three days by the use of Gallic acid, in three grain doses, three times a day." Dr. Belcher reports the following case, which perhaps can be classed among renal affections : " A lady, who, while pregnant, had albuminaria and general anasarca, with occasional vaginal discharges of blood. She was prematurely confined, when about six and a half months advanced, and then had adherent placenta, which, until de- tached, caused her to flood so profusely as to be faint and fainting for four or five hours. About twelve or fourteen days afterwards she was attacked with dysentery, which lasted four or five days; about ten or twelve days after this with ague and fever ; after this, flooding again, which last attack was controlled without difficulty, by Hamamelis second, repeated every three or four hours." Dr. Payne asserts, and proves his assertions by experiments with the Hamamelis, that it has a specific influence upon the mucous mem- branes of the urethra, bladder and ureters. He says : " I have had a vast number of cases of ardor urince in the female, and urethral irritability, and this remedy in doses of one or two grains, three or four times a day, affords almost immediate relief." * * " I have also used it in a great many cases of catarrh of the urethra, in con- nection with diseases of the prostate gland, and have found it in doses of from one-fourth to one-half grain, a most serviceable remedy. A gentleman who came under my charge with catarrh of the bladder, of several years standing, was entirely relieved in the course of ten days by the use of one-sixteenth of a grain of Gelsemin and one-eighth of a grain of Hamamelis, every three hours." "A lady who had been treated by several physicians for disease of the bladder, with injections of nitrate of silver and other caustics, and the case pronounced a cancerous affection of the bladder, was entirely cured by the use of Hamamelin and Gelsemin, in four months." These cases have some value, but would have more had the Hama- melis been used singly. It was evidently homceopathic to every case. 504 NEW REMEDIES. Organs of Generation of Women.—Hemorrhage from the uterus, of bright and fresh blood, not coagulable, about midway be- tween the menstrual periods, (from one drop of the third—Dr. Pres- ton.) Active uterine hemorrhage in a young lady. Violent contractions of the vagina, and a smarting burning sensa- tion followed by prurigo.— {Paine) Acute vaginitis. Ardor urina, with irritation of the vagina. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Preston, who reports the pathogen- etic symptoms referred to above, remarks that in the first case, that a "leucorrhoea which the lady had been troubled with for years, ceased as soon as she began taking the Hamamelis, and has not again ap- peared." It is a common and popular domestic remedy, in form of a decoction, used as a vaginal enema, and generally with considerable success. Eclectic writers recommend it in leucorrhoea with relaxa- tion of the vaginal walls, but consider its action as that of an astrin- gent. True, the Hamamelis contains tannin in quite an appreciable quantity, but even tannin is homoeopathic—secondarily—to some forms of leucorrhoea. Hamamelis, used internally and topically, is one of the most useful medicines in those varieties of leucorrhoea which simulate a hemorrhage, and constitute a drain on the system as severe as a bleeding. In most cases, however, it should be alter- nated with Pulsatilla, Sepia, Helonias or Senecio. Dr. Paine, (eclectic,) says it has a specific action on the mucous membranes of the uterus and vagina. His experiments on women, with Hamamelis, prove this to be a fact. He says, after relating his experiments : " Hence, (?) the remedy is of great value in vaginal leucorrhoea, * * in doses of one-eighth of a grain, three times a day, this is a most prompt remedy." A lady came under my charge not long since, who had been treated for vaginal leucorrhoea for several years, without obtaining any relief. I gave her one grain of triturated Hamamelin, four times a day, together with tepid vaginal injections. Sponge baths in the morning and a nutritious diet. The result was the vaginitis was con- trolled in the course of a week, and the leucorrhoea was entirely cured in a few weeks."* Dr. Okie, in his letter to Dr. Hering, says he found it useful in ovarian disease : " My first use of the remedy was in the case of a colored girl, twenty-two years of age, of plethoric habit, who at the age of eighteen had received a violent blow over the left ovarian re- gion, and since that time had suffered with violent pains, at times concentrating themselves in the seat of the original injury, and ao-ain producing a diffused and agonizing soreness over the whole abdomen ; the touch aggravated these sufferings intensely ; the left ovarian re- gion was swollen, flat on percussion ; the menses were irregular, very painful, with exacerbation of all the sufferings at the catamenial epoch. Examination per vaginum, disclosed exquisite tenderness of the canal, a swollen and tumid os uteri, which was likewise extremely sensitive * Paine's "Concentrated Medicines, " p. 60 HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 505 Passing the finger by the side of the neck of the uterus, and pressing upward toward the left ovarian region likewise caused extreme suffer- ing. This patient was frequently afflicted with retention of urine, had been obliged to use the catheter for several days together. I made use of the Hamamelis in this case, both internally and exter- nally. I made use of Pond's extract. After using it she was much relieved; could bear pressure on the swollen part, the swelling hav- ing notably diminished ; the diffused soreness was less marked. She bore the vaginal examination with more ease. A gradual return to health set in from the time the Hamamelis was commenced. Dr. R. Ludlam informs us that he has found this medicine a most important remedy, internally and locally, in all ovarian diseases ac- companied with swelling and tenderness of those organs. He advises compresses, wet in the dilute tincture, constantly applied to the sen- sitive locality. It was found very useful by Dr. Burnett in varices, during pregnancy.—"A woman in the fourth month of pregnancy with her seventh child. She was compelled to labor for a livelihood; suf- fered almost always with varicose veins ; at this time she was very lame ; suffered much pain and could scarcely move about. I gave twelve globules of Hamamelis, 3d dilution, and a wash of diluted tincture. She took four pills at a dose, two doses a day. The first day she felt entire relief from pain, and could exercise with ease. She required no farther treatment. I attended her in confinement and found no trace of her former malady." "A lady pregnant with her fourth child. She complained of a painful stiffness, and a sensa- tion of stiffness and weakness in the left leg, which continued to some extent during pregnancy. But the Hamamelis gave her prompt relief and there was no return of it after confinement." "A woman preg- nant with her fifth child. During the last three pregnancies, she has been troubled severely with varicose veins, which, after the fifth month had burst above the left ankle and bled profusely. When I was called to see her she was only four months advanced in preg- nancy, but the bleeding had commenced and she was anticipating a serious time. I gave her Hamamelis three time a day, diluted tinc- ture for a wash. She had no more bleeding and is now well." Dr. F. Burnett, of New Orleans, found the Hamamelis useful in dysmenorrhoea: "A colored woman, aged thirty-five. Two years previous, at a time the menses should have appeared, she experienced severe pains through the lumbar and hypogastric regions, and down the legs ; fullness of the bowels and brain, with severe pain through the whole head, resulting in stupor and deep sleep, lasting twelve to thirty-six hours, from which it was impossible to arouse her ; after which she gradually returned to her natural state, and so remained till the time for the next menstrual period, when the same suffering was repeated. She was brought to me at the commencement of one of these paroxysms; the pain in the head, pubic region and head had already commenced. I gave eight globules of the fifteenth dilution of Hamamelis, to be taken in two doses, four hours apart, which es 506 NEW REMEDIES. tablished her menses perfectly without any further medication, and she continued to menstruate regularly afterwards." " An Irish girl, aged eighteen, strong, robust make. She had never menstruated, but had suffered instead with haematemesis, constant con- stipation and varices of the legs. I gave her Hamamelis fifteenth, to be taken three times a day. Her menses appeared immediately, her legs got well, and I knew of her perfect health for three years afterwards, during which time she became a mother." This case illustrates its curative virtues in vicarious menstruation, when the condition is in correspondence with that caused by Hamamelis. Dr. John Pattison, of England, says of the use of this remedy :* " Hamamelidin possesses a peculiar power, almost sui generis, in assuaging the pain caused by dysmenorrhoea, whether in inflammatory or neuralgic phase. In a large number of cases it warded off the periodical suffering without checking the flow, by giving repeated doses of the alkaloid for a number of days before the beginning of the anticipated paroxysm." He says :—"Hamamelis (tincture) pos- sesses none of this power." We cannot see why an alkaloid should have virtues differing from the mother tincture. The following interesting case of vicarious menstruation, is reported by Dr. Kenyon :-{■ " Mary F., aged fourteen, has al- ways enjoyed tolerable good health until the last eighteen months, when she menstruated. The first time there was considerable pain in the back and head, for several days preceding it, with nausea, vertigo, etc. The flow was natural, and recurred two succeeding months quite regularly, and without any of the unpleasant sensations which preceded the first. When the fourth period came round there was no indication of menstruation, but in place of it, quite free epis- taxis ; this continued for several months, increasing in severity each month. She was emaciated very much ; no color in the cheeks or lips ; pulse 140 and feeble ; action of the heart very labored, but not giving any signs of organic lesion ; extremities considerably bloated ; stomach very irritable ; bowels constipated ; urine scanty and clear ; some cough and great dyspnoea. It was the day when the bleeding was to return, and I watched the case; there was over a quart of blood lost; it was thin, forming very slight coagula. I gave her the sixth and thirtieth dilution in alternation, two doses of each in twen- ty-four hours, which was all the medicine she got during the month following, except a few doses of Arsenicum for dyspnoea, when it was troublesome. When the next month came round she menstruated reg- ularly, and had no more bleeding, and from this time she went on rapidly to a perfect recovery, under the use of Hamamelis." In uterine hemorrhage, it is highly extolled by some physicians. Dr. Preston cured a case of "active uterine hemorrhage caused by a fall; it was promptly relieved by it;" but he thinks " its particular sphere seems to be in passive hemorrhages and venous congestions." He * Diseases of Women. t American Homoeopathic Review, Vol. II, p. 412. HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 501 has "cured many cases of passive uterine hemorrhage with Hamam- elis." Dr. W. E. Payne states that he has not used the Hamamelis successfully in uterine hemorrhages, except when the blood flowed steadily, was venous in its character, and without uterine pains. My own experience accords with that of Dr. Payne's ; therefore I would not advise the use of this remedy in hemorrhage after labor, for here we want a remedy like Secale or Erigeron, which causes contraction of the muscular tissue of the uterus, and perhaps of the arteries. Erigeron is antipodal to Hamamelis. It is directly indicated in active, arterial hemorrhage, as the latter is in passive venous bleedings, Dr. Burt* makes the following report of the treatment of ovarian diseases with Hamamelis : Case 1st.—Mrs. G----, aged 30 ; bilious-lymphatic temperament; nursing a babe. For the last two months has had paroxysms of pain in her right groin, from six to twenty times a day. The pain com- mences in the region of the right ovary, and passes down the broad ligament to the uterus. She says it is just like the pains of labor, but commences in the wrong place. There is a swelling in the right groin half as large as a hen's egg, and is very tender on pressure ; a good deal of pain in the epigastrium and lumbar regions ; no appetite ;. tongue furred white ; quite weak; keeps her bed most of the time ;. bowels costive ; chlorotic look. Gave Hamamelis 1st—twenty drops in a tumbler of water—a dessert spoonful every four hours. Called again in three days and found my patient at work. Immediately after taking the medicine she commenced to improve, and has contin- ued to do so ever since. She has pain two or three times a day now, but not near as severe as it was at first; can bear quite hard pressure over the tumor , pain in the stomach is all gone; good aopetite. Continued the Hamamelis two weeks, when the tumor was all gone, and she was discharged cured. Case '2d.—Miss N,, aged 19; nervous hysterical temperament. Aug. 20th. For the last week has been compelled to keep her bed ; has had severe paroxysms of pain night and day, but more in the afternoon and fore part of the night. The pain commences in the region of the left ovary, and passes down to the uterus ; has pains every fifteen or twenty minutes. The pains are of a cutting tearing character, and are so hard that she cries with them. I cannot dis- cover any enlargement of the ovary ; cannot bear to have her bowels touched ; has not had her menses for six weeks ; has a constant leu- corrhoea ; the mammary glands are very tender, and frequently have sharp pains in them ; constant pain in the back of the head ; no appe- tite; bowels costive; extremely nervous; does not sleep any at night; very pale. There is no doubt but that she is an onanist. Gave her Caulophylline 2d, every two hours. 21st. Slept some and is feeling a little better. Continued ths same remedy. * American Homoeopathic Observer, vol. II, p. 244. 508 NEW REMEDIES. 22d. Had a very bad night, and is feeling worse to-day. Gave Belladonna and Nux vomica. 23d. Feeling some better, but still suffering severely. Gave Macrotin 2d. 25th. Sent for in great haste. The patient is very much worse . had a hard day, yesterday ; slept none last night ; extremely nervous Gave Hamamelis, twenty drops of the tincture in a tumbler »f water —a dessert spoonful every half hour until relieved, and then every two hours. After the third dose, she commenced to get easy, and slept about four hours through the night; feeling quite easy to-day, but the pains have not entirely ceased. Continued the Hamamelis three days, when the patient was dis- charged convalescent, every symptom having been removed but the leucorrhoea, which she did not care to be treated for. This is a very Interesting and instructive case. Case td.—Mrs. B., aged 37 ; bilious temperament; nursing a babe. For the last three months has been gradually losing her strength ; looks very pale and anaemic For a long time has had fre- quent paroxysms of pain in the region of the left ovary, passing down to the uterus. The pains, to use her own language, "are just like they were when I was confined." Some days there was a large swelling in the right groin, which is very tender when pressed upon. Then there are days when there is no enlargement. Has a very poor appetite ; can just keep up ; is very weak, and fears that she will have to wean the babe, which is six months old ; bowels are costive. Gave Pulsatilla one week. The first two days it gave great relief; after that it did no good. The paroxysms of pain come on every two or three hours, and are worse in the evening. Gave Hamamelis. The pains gradually became less for three days, when they were all gone. I continued it for three days longer. She had no return of the pain, but rapidly regained her strength without any more medicine. This was a case of ovarian irritation, and it was a pleasing cure. In passive uterine hemorrhage I have given the Hamemelis with good results, but in active uterine hemorrhage I have given it a num ber of times and never received any benefit fr om it. Organs of Generation of Man.—Irritation of the urethra, followed by a discharge, with ardor urince ; burning and smarting during urination.—{Paine) Amorous dreams, with emissions ; followed by great lassitude and a gloomy, desponding mood, with severe, dull pains in the lumbar region. (From small doses.) Great prostration of the animal passions, with 3evere neuralgic pain in the testicles, of a dull, drawing charac- ter, which changes suddenly to the bowels and stomach, producing nausea and great faintness. (From large doses.) Drawing pains in the testicles day and night, but more during the night, from the dilu tions. Drawing pains in the groins, passing down to the testicles Profuse cold sweat of the scrotum.—{Burt) HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 509 Clinical Observations.—Dr. Burt's symptoms justify him in asserting that the "great field of action of the Hamamelis is on the generative organs of man and woman, and on the venous system." Dr. Paine also states his belief that its acts specifically on the mu- cous membranes of the genito-urinary system. It is to be regretted that Dr. Paine did not give the symptoms minutely, stating the nature of the discharge, the kind of pain, sensations in the urethra, etc. The symptoms of both provers, however, points to its homoeopathicity to the following affections : Urethritis, with a discharge, probably of a clear, transparent mucus. The Hamamelis was at one time highly lauded as an excellent rem- edy in the treatment of gonorrhoea. It was advised to administer the remedy internally, and use the diluted tincture, or Pond's extract, as an injection. Dr. Small informs me that in the first stage of this disease it has appeared to be of benefit, in allaying pain and inflam- mation. It may be useful in all stages, but cannot be looked upon as a specific remedy, I have advised it in long standing cases of gleet with apparent benefit. In orchitis, it is^ highly praised by Dr. Ludlam. He says that under its external'use, the tumefaction and pain rapidly subsides. He considers it to have some specific power over inflammatory affec- tions of the testes and ovaries. Spermatorrhcea comes within the sphere of action of this remedy especially in those cases which are preceded by excitement of the sexual passions and followed by impotence, with melancholy, and severe neuralgic irritation of the testicles. Neuralgia of the testicles and the nerves which follow the sper- matic vessels, is clearly pictured in the symptoms experienced by Dr. Burt. It is a favorite remedy with many physicians in painful affec- tions of the testicles, and we now know it to be homceopathic to such conditions. The symptom " cold sweat of the scrotum at night," is an impor- tant indication. It is one of the first indications of incipient impotence. This symptom is only found in one other remedy, namelv, Caladium, a medicine but little known, but one of the best we have for the cure of impotence. Capsicum has "coldness of the scrotum," but no sweat. Thuja, Sepia, Silicia, Petroleum, Mercurius sol., Mag- nesia mur., and Cantharis have "sweat in the scrotum," but it is not stated whether warm or cold. Dr. Preston, in 'an able paper on "Diseases of the Veins,"* says : " The homoeopathic treatment of Circocele, (varicosis of the spermatic veins.) is very much the same as for varicose veins in the leg, and in a number of cases under my own observation, has been found successful. To illustrate this treatment, I prefer to give the following report of a case, sent me by Dr. George Barrow, of Taun- ton, Mass.: 'A friend of mine, about thirty years of age, a merchant •North American Journal of Homoeopathy, 1857. 510 NEW REMEDIES. of Chicago, of scrofulous tendencies, was taken some three months since, with a drawing pain in the left spermatic cord, with swelling, heat, redness and pain in the cord and in the left testicle, for which an allopath treated him four or five days with warm fomentations and laudanum applied to the part. The testicle swollen four or five times its usual size; very hard and painful, was closely enveloped with collodion, frequently applied, (to support the tumor 1) while sedlitz powders were given to keep the bowels open. As this treatment gave no relief, but the symptoms rather grew worse, my friend was easily persuaded to abandon it and try the homoeopathic plan. In consultation with Dr. Smith, of Chicago, where I happened to be present on a visit, I gave the patient Belladonna, Pulsatilla and Cle- matis for a week, with very little benefit, when 1 proposed to try Ham- amelis. I accordingly obtained a bottle of " Pond's extract," of which I administered drop doses every two hours, and enveloped the scrotum in a bandage wet with a solution of the same medicine.one part of the tincture to about ten parts of alcohol and water. In twenty-four hours he was free from all pain, the swelling gradually disappeared, and with the help of a silk suspensory bandage, he was able to resume his business in a few days, and now is entirely well." Larynx.—Tickling in the larynx, with constant inclination to cough ; pressing sensation in the larynx ; slight, hacking cough.— (Burt) Thoracic Organs.—Return of inflammation of the diaphragm with the following symptoms: Labored respiration; oppressive tightness of the lower part of the thorax, with inability to make a deep and full inspiration; when attempting to assume the recumbent posture, breathing became almost impossible ; a crowding fullness in the neck and head, and a sense of suffocation so as to prevent his lying down; unable to take a deep inspiration when standing up.— (Preston) Pricking pain in the region of the heart; felt also in the superficial veins of both arms. The pricking pains in the region of the heart continued for ten days, increasing in intensity all the time. (Arnica twelfth was then given, and the pains disappeared.)—Dav- idson. Clinical Observations.—Hamamelis has cured cough and haem- optysis, with a taste of Sulphur in the mouth, and dull, frontal head- ache. Also, "tickling cough, with a taste of blood on waking." In hcemoptysis it is considered by some to be a remedy par excellence, applicable to nearly all cases ; but this is going too far. It can never take the place of Aconite. Dr, Preston (Diseases of Veins.) says: " In general, we look upon Hamamelis as a specific for passive venous hemorrhages, and we have seen it successful in arresting this partic- ular form of bleeding from the pulmonary mucous membrane; but we speak from only a few years experience, and that of a few obser- vers, and therefore we must be impartial enough to mention a few of HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 511 those remedies which other practitioners have recommended as useful in the cure of some forms of haemoptysis : Aconite, Ipecac, Ferrum aceticum, Arnica, Millefol, etc. Dr. E. M. Payne* reports the follow- ing case : A young lady, aged sixteen, was seized while at school, and without any premonitory symptoms, with blood-spitting. The patient was of slender build, light hair, blue eyes, fair complexion, lax fibre and phthisical diathesis ; menses regular and normal. The blood-spitting commenced with a slight hack, and continued with scarcely a moment's intermission, up to the time of my visit, a period of nearly an hour. I found her lying upon a sofa, calm, with a nap- kin in hand nearly saturated with apparently pure venous blood, and spitting about the amount of a teaspoonful at intervals of one or two minutes. The blood came into the mouth without any effort. She described it as issuing about ten inches below the right clavicle, in a warm current, making apparently a tortuous course, and at the same time there was a sensation in that region, as from the pressure of a hard body. Pulse somewhat accelerated, eighty-five. Ferrum aceti- cum was given, but caused no improvement in three hours, Millefol- ium, Aconite, Ipecac, and Belladonna caused no amelioration. Ham- amelis, four drops of the tincture to half a tumbler of water. ' A spoonful was given. The bleeding immediately ceased, and did not afterwards return. I have never used the Hamamelis successfully, in cases of blood-spitting when the blood was of light fluid red, frothy in appearance, and raised by much cough." Dr. Okie, of Providence, Rhode Island, reported an inter- esting case in which haemoptysis was present, in a complicated lung affection. Hamamelis controlled the bleeding, but was power- less to cure the patient. A girl aged nine, was said to be in a dying state. She was sitting upright, supported with pillows, her breath greatly oppressed. She had been ill about two years, dating her first loss of health to a cough, which was said to have resulted from swal- lowing a small piece of straw ; since that period, she hiid been tor- mented with incessant cough. She bled from the lungs pints at a time. She had raised large quantities of offensive matter; at one time 'nearly a tumblerful.' Examination elicited general anasarca, great swelling of the lower extremities ; the abdomen swollen from the areolar infiltration ; face much puffed, closing the eyelids ; a num- ber of spots, resembling purpura, were found upon the lower extrem- ities ; she had been troubled with profuse epistaxis. Auscultatory examination elicited the presence of a very long cavity, extending from the mammary region to near the base of the right side. The respiration in the left lung was puerile, with a mingling of rhonchi and mucous rhales. The urinary secretion was almost null, the urine itself of a deep, brandy color, depositing a heavy lateritious sedi- ment. I feared a fatal result, and speedily. The scant urinary secretions and pleuritic pains, the hydropic tendency, and the state of the thoracic organs led me to fear the supervention of anaemia and serous effusion into the pleural sac. Iodine was given; for about a * U. S. Journal of Homoeopathy, Vol. I. page 730. ^ 512 NEW REMEDIES. fortnight she improved ; the urine was much increased, the dropsy lessened, and the respiration easier ; petechiae did not appear, cough about as usual. At this time she was seized with epistaxis and haem- optysis, pulse full, etc. Hamamelis checked the haemorhage promptly and there was no recurrence. The strength, appetite and general health improved, so that she was up and about her usual avocations. She lived about eighteen months, but finally died from pulmonary abscess.* Back.—Tearing pains across the small of the back, with fullness of the joints of the legs.—{Burritt) Dull, dragging pains in the lumbar region ; severe back-ache all day after an emission ; dull pains in the sacrum and hips.—(Burt) Clinical Observations.—It has been found useful as an external application for lumbago, " Crick in the back," myalgia, bedsores and petechia. Upper and Lower Extremities.—Pricking pain in the superfi- cial veins of both arms, extending from the wrists to the shoulder.— (Davidson.) Painful fullness of the joints of the legs, as if they would burst, which soon extends to all the joints of the body ; after the fullness of the joints disappear, then there was a dread of moving the limbs, as if it would cause suffering, with a weary, stiff, full feeling. Severe, drawing pains in the flexor muscles ; dull pain in the right elbow joint; drawing pains in the wrists, hands and fingers • stiffness in the hands and fingers ; palms of the hand are hot and dry. Dull, drawing pains in the legs ; weakness of the knees ; draw- ing pains in the feet and toes.—{Burt) Clinical Observations.—The greatest triumph of Hamamelis has been in the treatment of varicoses of the limbs. Dr. Pre'ston, writing of varicoses, remarks : " Homoeopathy has, as in many other cases, directed us to a specific remedy, which in my practice, as well as in that of a number of my colleagues in this section of the country, has been attended with uniform success in the treatment of this an- noying disease. Since 1851, (six years.) I have prescribed Hamam- elis in upwards of fifty cases of varicose veins of the lower limbs, and in no single case has it failed to make a decided curative impres- sion ; but in the great majority of cases, it has thus far, at least, proved a radical cure. My plan is: First, to bandage the limb tightly; from the arch of the foot to a little above the knee, or to the hips, if the varices are above the knee, and the best bandage, in my opinion, is an elastic silk stocking, manufactured for the purpose. Under this, compresses of linen are laid over the dilated veins, and kept wet with Hamamelis tincture, or Pond's extract. I give the 3d dilution internally, two or three times a day. Some few cases, with * Phladelphia Journal, Vol. I, page 538. HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA. 513 large, indolent ulcers on the tibia or malleolus, have been under treatment a year, but most of them have been cured, or at least have disappeared in less than half that time. The crowning point of its virtues, (Hamamelis.) rests in its peculiarly prompt action in cases of phlegmasia alba dolens, and in varicose veins. In old cases of vari- cosis, I have never seen its equal; and have cured many cases of varicose veins of the leg and foot, which had resisted all other treat- ment for years." Dr. Belcher reports several cases of varices, in pregnant women, cured by Hamamelis. (See cases under " Organs of Generation of Women.") Dr. Barrows found this remedy a valuable auxiliary in the treatment of a child with the following symptoms : " Inflamma- tion of the femoral vein, with the erysipelatous spot near the groin, and over the vein, spreading over nearly one-half the thigh, with flexion of the leg ; swelling of the entire leg and foot, with tension ; heat and pale appearance of the limbs; scanty urine, stiffening the linen (albuminous); tympanitis; oedema of the whole body, limbs and face. Calcarea, Hepar Sulphur, and other remedies were used. (See case in full, in the North American Journal, Vol VI, page 317.) Dr. R. Ludlam informs me that he considers the Hamamelis of the greatest advantage in all cases of articular rheumatism, with swollen and painful joints ; as a local application, it seems to possess decided anodyne properties. He advises that cloths or cotton wool, wet in the dilute tincture, be applied constantly to the affected parts. The Homoeopathic Review, for April 1864, contains a case of phlebitis, reported by Dr. H. Robinson, Jr., cured by Hamamelis. The symptoms were : "Great pain in the right leg, from the knee to the hip ; leg much swollen, and quite sensitive to the touch. The cutaneous veins were hard, knotty, swollen and painful. The skin erysipelatous; pulse small and wiry ; much thirst and no appetite ; bowels costive; urine red and scanty ; veins of the abdomen hard, like cords, red and painful. Gave Hamamelis 1st, five drops in half a goblet of water." Cured in ten days. 33 HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES. (American Pennyroyal.) Analogues.—Apis, Cantharis, Caulophyllum, Copaiva, Erigeron, Pulsatilla, Sabina, Secale, Senecio, Tanacetum, Turpentine. Botanical Description.—This plant is erect, branched and hairy ; its leaves are petioled, oblong-ovate, obscurely serrate, the floral simi- lar ; whorls few-flowered ; corolla, bluish, pubescent, scarcely exceed- ing the calyx; sterile filaments, tipped with a little head. It is com- mon and mostly found in open barren fields and woods ; flowers from July to September ; plant from six to ten inches high, with nearly the same odor and taste as the true Pennyroyal, (Mentha puligium.) of Europe. [H. hispida.—Erect, hairy ; plant from two to five inches high ; leaves sessile, linear, entire, the floral similar, and exceeding the flowers ; corolla scarcely longer than the ciliate, hispid calyx. It is found in Illinois and southward.] This is a well known plant growing in dry, sterile situations, especially in calcareous soils and blossoms from June to September, rendering the air fragrant for some distance around it. It is an in- digenous annual, common to all parts of the United States. It has a pleasant, aromatic smell, which, however, is very offensive to some persons, and a warm, pungent, mint-like taste. It must not be con- founded with the Mentha puligium, or European Pennyroyal. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the fresh plant, from which we prepare dilutions ; Oleum Hedeomae, and the dilutions made with strong alcohol. (Infusion.) Medical History.—This plant has been in common use among the people, from the early settlement of the country. It is considered a substitute for the stronger Pennyroyal of Europe. It is considered by the opposite schools of physicians as a stimulant, carminative, dia- phoretic, and emmenagogue. In homoeopathic practice this plant has not been used to any extent. No regular proving of this plant has been made, but Dr. C. E. Toothacher, of Philadelphia, published an interesting case of poison- ing by the oil,* from which a very suggestive fragmentary proving was made up. From the number and importance of the symptoms elicited, and their peculiarity, we should judge the Hedeoma to be a valuable polychrest, and would suggest that the pathogenesis be com- pleted. As the proving above referred to was never published in our standard works on Materia Medica, it has probably met the eyes * Philadelphia Journal of Homoeopathy, Vol. II, p. 655. HEDEOMA PELEGIOIDES. 515 of but few physicians. For this reason no clinical experience has been published or communicated to me. I have therefore gleaned what I could from other sources, and if not quite reliable, they may, in connection with the proving, assist the practitioner in prescribing this remedy. It will be noticed that many of the prominent poisonous symptoms were palliated or modified by the remedies given to antidote the effects of the oil upon the system. The picture of the disease would be more vivid and distinct, could the drug-disease have been suffered to go on unmodified. The following is the case alluded to : " On Monday, April 26th, Mrs.——, a married woman, living with her husband, finding herself affected with suppression, which, as she represents, she supposed to be the effects of a cold, was induced to take a large quantity of Oleum Pennyroyal or Oleum Hedeomcz pule- gioides. She took, in a single dose, a small teaspoonful of the oil of the shops, in a small quantity—about a tablespoonful—of warm water, and as this did not produce the effect desired, four days after she took another dose, about a like quantity in a similar manner. The suffer- ing became so great that I was called to attend her the following Sunday. I found her suffering great pain and misery, and as I knew not that she had taken any drugs or other medicines, I proceeded to prescribe for her according to the symptoms then existing, which were nearly as follows : Excessive bearing down pains, with pressure extending outwards toward the vulva, from the whole lower abdomen, accompanied by almost unendurable pains in the back, drawing down from the upper sacral spine, extending also to the epigastrium and stomach. These pains had all the characteristics of true labor pains, returning if she remained at rest, with regular periodicity, but greatly aggravated by the least movement. She lay on the floor upon a small mattress, from which she could not be removed, so great was the aggravation from every motion, until the following day. In addition to the above symptoms, there were severe pressive pains in the head, with dull, heavy feeling; pains and coldness in the limbs, particularly in the feet; semi-paralysis, a sort of inability to move or turn herself; nausea, a rising up sensation from the stomach, producing occasional retching to vomit; frequent but periodical dysp- noea and oppression of the the thorax ; difficulty of breathing at times very great; nervous weakness and oppression ; jerking, not apparently muscular, but nervous twitchings in every part of the body, sensible in the pulse or whenever my fingers touched the flesh, and felt by 516 NEW REMEDIES. her through the entire system. The least food or drink taken into the stomach greatly increased the pain in the abdomen and the nau- sea ; the abdomen sore to the touch, or very sensitive to pressure. With some difficulty, she informed me that she was laboring under suppression, to which she attributed her sufferings. Regarding it as a case of threatened abortion, to which I knew she was constitution- ally liable, I prescribed at first Chamomilla, and afterwards Nux vomica. The symptoms were soon modified by the administration of these remedies. The pains became more endurable when she re- mained perfectly quiet, and I left her, after about six hours, to get what rest she could till morning. During the evening, I was in- formed by her husband that she had taken the oil of Pennyroyal, to which I at once attributed a large portion of the sufferings above described. Next day, Monday, found my patient still suffering severely, though much less than the day before. I continued the administration of such remedies as Nux vomica, Chamomilla, Hyos- ciamus and Stramonium, with very gradual alleviation. At twelve o'clock, the patient still suffering ; those bearing down pains, though less severe, still continue ; cannot yet be moved ; ab domen still sore; there has been suppression of urine, with great pain on passing water, for the last twenty-four hours; there is still coldness of the feet and the extremities, particularly to the touch ; nervous twitchings continue. As these symptoms seemed to have a relation to Camphora, and thinking it might prove an antidote to the Oleum Hedeomse, I prescribed Camphorae tinctura, a drop in ten spoonfuls of water, a spoonful every half hour for three hours, to be followed by Cantharis 6th, a powder every four hours. In one hour after the administration of the Camphor, was able to remove her to her bed ; next morning found her up and at her work, ironing ; not well, considerable fever, but as she said, free from pain except imme- diately after eating and drinking, the least food or drink immediately producing bearing down pains and other suffering. I continued the use of the remedies enumerated, during the week. On Saturday there were still remaining the following symptoms ; considerable ner- vous twitching, sense of weakness ; sense of weight in the lower ab- domen, without pain, except from motion or eating, which might still produce slight pains ; burning sensations in the abdomen, which was still sensitive to pressure; urine still scanty and painful ; tongue cov- ered with a white coat; constipation continued. As these symptoms appeared to call for Nux vomica, it was given, or rather continued from yesterday, with one or two powders of Cantharis. Nux 3d, a HEDEOxMA PULEGIOIDES. 517 powder every four hours ; Cantharis 10th, two powders. After her symptoms had been so alleviated that she could converse easily, I Obtained from her the following detail of her case : On Monday, she was induced by some person to take as a remedy for suppression of the menses, a large dose of Oil of Pennyroyal, not Oleum Meuthaa Pulegii, but Oleum Hedeoma. She took a small tea- spoonful of the oil in a tablespoonful of warm water. Had great dif- ficulty in swallowing it, followed immediately by nervous weakness, with slight nausea and retching. After about half an hour, bearing down sensations in the lower abdomen,, with outward pressure in the genital organs, and sense of weakness in the limbs. None of these symptoms were very severe, though well marked. Tuesday and Wednesday.—Periodical return of the above symp- toms, but each day with diminished force. Thursday,—Took another teaspoonful of the same oil as before. In swallowing it, it nearly took her breath ; affected all her nerves ; nearly took away the use of her limbs, followed by excessive retch- ing, nausea, and straining to vomit; after this, great sense of weak- ness and prostration. About an hour afterwards, bearing down pains, with pressing outward in the utero-vaginal region, accompanied by a feeling of weakness in the limbs, so that she could scarcely stand. These pains continued severe for about an hour, when they gradually subsided. Occasional return of the same symptoms till the next day, but with diminished force. Friday.—Uterine symptoms nearly the same as yesterday. Saturday.—Some symptoms much more severe; bearing down pains greatly increased, with nervous weakness; dull, heavy feeling in the head in the morning, not]continued through the day ; also, weak faint feeling, going off when lying down, but could not sit up ; every thing turned black; excessive nausea and disposition to vomit; pains periodical, like labor pains, much worse than yesterday. Sunday.—Same symptoms, but still more severely aggravated ; great nausea, with straining and retching; also, nervous twitching in all parts of the body; at about six o'clock semi-paralysis of the limbs ; could not stand or move, nor endure the pain of movement or of being moved; general soreness; intolerable bearing down pains, like labor pains, which had continued through the day, recur now every few minutes and extend to the stomach and back; these pains are periodical if perfectly at rest, but recur at every movement of the chest or lower limbs ; pain in the back is especially seated in the 518 NEW REMEDIES. sacral spine, near the upper vertebra, dragging down* from that point to the uterus ; excessive pains in the back and head ; obstinate con- stipation ; coldness of the feet and extremities; shortness of breath, as if from an asthmatic attack ; a sense as of something rising in the throat, or, as she expresses it, as if her breast were coming up into her mouth. Up to this period, she had taken no medicines to modify the symp- toms. Her health had previously been as good as usual, but the symptoms had now become alarming, and I was called to visit her. I arrived at the house at about half past eight o'clock in the evening. The symptoms as they then appeared, with the treatment for, the en- suing week, I have already given. The remaining history of the case I shall detail as it occurred each day. Sunday.—Much improvement; nervous twitchings, for the pres- ent, wholly disappeared; constipation, which had continued ten or twelve days without an evacuation, relieved by a free and easy pas- sage ; sense of weakness much diminished; almost every way better than yesterday; much better. It is now ten days since the last dose of the Hedeoma was taken, and seven since I was called to attend her, and there still remains the sense of weight in the uterine region, with pressure outward ; pains greatly increased by movement; nau- sea and pains after eating, with a drawing sensation from the upper sacral spine to the uterus ; other symptoms here yielded to medicine. I prescribed Veratrum 6th, four powders, to be followed, if further relief be not obtained in less than twelve hours, by Arsenicum 6th, a powder every three hours. Monday.—The first powder of Veratrum, almost entirely relieved the nausea complained of yesterday ; the bearing down pains, and the aggravation from eating subsided during the night, leaving only a sense of weakness, with bearing down pains on ascending or de- scending, as in going up or down stairs; passing water is still very painful; passes very little, with frequent and urgent desire ; never affected in this way before ; cutting, burning pains, with tenesmus of the sphincter urinarius ; pains at the upper sacral spine continues constant, but much mitigated, and only extends to the uterus when going up and down stairs ; cutting pain felt only when she draws a breath, but constant, that is, at every breath not periodical, like labor pains. Leucorrhoea with itching and burning, commenced yes- terday. N. B.—A sort of neuralgic pain in the left side of the head, with which she has been affected a month or two, remains unaffected by HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES. 519 the whole course of treatment, as yet. Now, Monday, standing any length of time, feels her knees give way; weakness in the knees, especially in the joints. Wednesday.—The pains in the stomach and lower abdomen and back have been continually subsiding, though they are still trouble- some, especially in going up or down stairs, also after eating and drinking ; warm food or drinks affect her much more than cold ones ; pains scarcely felt at all when sitting or standing ; pain in the head through the forenoon'; nose bleed to-day, which she never had before ; first bleeding of any kind since taking the oil; leucorrhoea still yel- low, itching and burning less, but parts still sore from the discharge ; pains in the head have been of a shooting, darting character, such as she is not accustomed to have ; if she stands long, still finds the knees stiff and weak, with swelling of the calf of the leg; passing water still painful, unfrequent, with frequent urging desire ; shooting and cutting pains, with sense of weight, as if something were dragging down ; urine very dark, like black tea. This has been a constant symptom since the first dose of oil, aggravated after the second dose. Cannot stand up and work long at a time on account of a painful weakness of the limbs, and dragging pain or weight in the genitals ; very thirsty ; bad taste in the mouth ; food insipid ; prescribed Hyos- ciamus 6th, three powders each day, four days, and did not see her again until the following Tuesday. Tuesday.—Still better ; been improving every day; does not suf- fer at all now, if at rest; has been at her regular employment, wash- ing and ironing, for nearly two weeks ; still, all exertion excites those bearing down pains from the sacrum to the uterus and vagina, but much less than last week ; at times, even now, severe ; washing with washboard excites them most; has no other pains; leucorrhoea still continues excoriating, itching and burning ; was never subject to leucorrhoea of any kind before ; not near as bad as last week; tongue still slightly furred, pale, white coat; no more bleeding; weakness of the joints nearly well; constant beating in the abdomen near the ovaries, felt most when lying down ; soreness, excessive sensitiveness to pressure over the ovaries ; soreness and beating only felt since a heavy washing on a washboard last week ; abdomen frequently swol- len, tense or tympanitic at the hypogastrium ; much flatulence ; pains on passing water, and dark color of the urine nearly gone ; only one or two passages from the bowels a week, but free and without pain. Gave her Arsenicum 6th, Nux 6th, two powders each day, alternate days. 520 NEW REMEDIES. She had now so nearly recovered that my visits were discontinued. June 1st.—I called again and found that all the effects of the Pennyroyal had ceased, except a sore pain in the left temporal ridge, as of a cut or wound, of which she had not, until now, made com- plaint, but which she represented as having been constantly troubling her since taking the medicine. Costiveness ; has painful evacuations every four or five days, and if she stands a long time, or walks a dis- tance, still has pressing, bearing-down pains, from the whole lower abdomen, with sense of weight and pressure outward ; leucorrhoea, mild and small in quantity. All other symptoms having entirely subsided. Attributing the symptoms in the above case to the action of the Pennyroyal, we have made the following recapitulation, following the usual order, as the pathogenesis of Oil of Pennyroyal. If made the foundation of any future provings, it is to be borne in mind that the oil and not the tincture of the plant was used in this case, and that they were obtained from poisonous, not medicinal doses of the drug, such as have generally been used by provers of homoeopathic rem- edies. Also that the plant from which this oil was obtained, is the Hedeoma pulegioides, (American Pennyroyal,) not the Mentha pule- gium, described by European botanists. If these facts be borne in mind, I think the following symptoms may be strictly relied upon as pathogenetic. resume. General Symptoms.—Pains, with soreness; paralytic pains ; nervous twitchings ; pains and suffering aggravated by movement or by eating and drinking; periodical pains like labor pains ; weakness, especially of the joints ; general nervous prostration ; obliged to lie down, could not sit up. Everything turns black ; frequent perspira- tion ; nausea with a disposition to vomit. Characteristic Symptoms.—The effects produced in this case may be divided into two classes. First, those which were transient or easily removed ; second those which were persistent. The more transient symptoms were nausea, retchings, prostration, nervous twitchings, periodical pains ; paralytic symptoms, coldness of the extremities, shortness of breath, sensations of rising up in the chest, asthmatic symptoms, loss of vision. The more persistent were pains excited by movement, especially in the uterine region ; sensa- tion of weight in the uterus ; outward pressure ; pains excited by eat- ing ; drawing sensations from the upper sacral spine to the uterus. HEDEOMA PULEGIOIDES. 521 painful urination ; urine like black tea; scanty urination with fre- quent urging desire ; cutting pains while urinating, with tenesmus ; aggravation of pains by warm food or drink, much more than by cold ones. Leucorrhoea, yellow, itching and burning, with excoriation of the parts. Shooting, darting pains in the head; stiffness of the joints, with painful weakness of the limbs, especially of the knees. Flatulence, borborygmus, loss of appetite, obstinate constipation. IVervOUS Symptoms.—These are much less persistent, at least if we attribute the pains in the head and other parts to the reflex action of the congested mucous surfaces upon the sentient sphere. It will be noticed that although the symptoms of this case were ob- tained from poisonous doses, yet a very large proportion of them were of long continuance, from sixty to ninety days, a circumstance whichi considering the severity of the sufferings, gives to each group'addi- tional value. Clinical Observations.—Judging from this single case, we should infer that Oil of Pennyroyal would be found useful in clonic spasms, in uterine affections characterized by a sense of weight, draw- ing and pressure. (In tenesmus it would be of doubtful utility, unless arising from a vitiated condition of the secretions, or from inflammation or irritation of the mucous surfaces.)—(Toothacher) We are not certain that this medicine does not primarily affect the spinal cord. The nervous symptoms may all have been reflex. I consider it indicated in spasms of hysterical women, and children suffering from intestinal irritation, also paraplegia, from reflex uterine irritation. MUCOUS Surfaces.—The action of this remedy seems to be directed to the mucous surfaces and muscular tissue, and is probably reflected upon the nerves of motion and sensation. The tendency of the med- icine to affect chiefly the mucous surfaces, was manifested by nausea and retching ; its action on the nervous system by the sense of de- pression and prostration ; and on the muscular by excessive and long continued uterine contractions. These tendencies have been continued through the whole course of treatment. The effects upon the mucous surface and the muscular tissues are certainly strikingly manifest; which of them most so, it is difficult to determine.—(Toothacher) Fever. —Flashes of heat, slightly accelerated pulse, frequent sweats. Clinical Observations.—In certain gastric or gastro-enteric fevers, especially in women and children, the dilutions will undoubt- edly prove curative. A weak infusion is considered by " botanies" an excellent diaphoretic drink in some fevers. Head.—Pains in the head, a dull, heavy feeling ; excessive pains 522 NEW REMEDIES. in the head ; sore pain in the left temporal region, near the temporal ridge, like the soreness following a cut or wound. Cltnical Observations.—Suitable perhaps in some of the head- aches of women suffering from uterine diseases, during pregnancy, or from gastric irri.ation. Eyes.—Loss of vision, everything turns black. Clinical Observations.—This symptom was consequent on the prostration following the shock sustained by the nervous system, and not from any diseased condition of the eye or brain. Nose.—Epistaxis. Mouth.—Dryness of the mouth ; bad taste in the mouth ; tongue covered with a very thin, white coat; every thing tastes insipid. Stomach.—Nausea; heaviness or retching; straining to vomit; drawing down pains from the stomach to the uterus and back ; every thing taken into he stomach causes pain ; soreness and sensitiveness in the region of the stomach ; food offensive. Flatulence, and belch- ing of wind from the stomach; sense of something rising up from the stomach, or as if the stomach would come up into the mouth. Clinical Observations.—It is much used in domestic practice and by botanic physicians for nausea and vomiting, pain or spasm in the stomach, collecting of gas in the stomach, etc, to all of which it is very decidedly homoeopathic. The oil is homceopathic to severe gastritis. The last symptom would indicate it in hysteria. Abdomen.—Bearing down pains in the lower abdomen, extending from the epigastrium and back ; periodical pain; drawing down especially from the upper sacral spine ; soreness and sensitiveness to pressure in the abdomen ; distention of the abdomen ; borborygmus ; flatulence ; obstinate constipation ; no passage for nearly two weeks. Clinical Observations.—The first four symptoms referred to the abdomen, appear to be really uterine. The fourth, however, might be referred to both uterus and intestines. There was evidently enter- itis, but it is doubtful whether it was mucous enteritis, for the latter is generally attended with dysenteric stools or diarrhoea. If the mus- cular or peritoneal coats are inflamed, then we have constipation. There is also constipation when the inflammation involves the whole thickness of the bowels, in which case it is extremely obstinate. This is the condition which the oil seems to have caused in this case of poisoning. We may find in this medicine a valuable remedy in that severe disease. It is a popular and useful remedy, in small doses, for colic-like pains from colds, diarrhoea, and when given with cathartics, is known to prevent much of the griping consequent on their action. It will probably prove useful in those conditions of the bowels which occur during typhoid fevers, for which Turpentine and Phosphorus are indicated. HEDE0MA PULEGIOIDES. 523 Urinary Organs.—Suppression of urine ; tenesmus ; painful uri- nation ; scanty urination, with frequent and urging desire. Cutting, burning pains in the urethra, or at the sphincter urinarius; sense of weight when passing water ; urine very dark, like black tea. Clinical Observations.—It seems to have caused inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, in fact the whole urinary apparatus. Such inflammatory conditions usually attend metritis and ovaritis. The last symptom—"very dark urine, like black tea,"—indicates that blood was present in the urine. Such urine is very common after scar- latina, and indicates serious disease of the kidneys. It may prove useful in urethritis, gonorrhoea, gleet and orchitis. Genital Organs.—Excessive bearing down pains, with pressure outward from the whole lower abdomen to the utero-vaginal region; drawing down from the upper sacral spine to the-uterus, also from the epigastrium ; these pains periodical like true labor pains, and almost unendurable, greatly aggravated by movement, and attended by a sense of weakness or paralysis in the limbs; leucorrhoea itching and burning; discharge yellow, excoriating ; soreness; excessive sensi- tiveness to pressure over both ovaries. Clinical Observations.—These symptoms are very important, and would seem to indicate that we have in this medicine an analogue of Sabina, Secale and Turpentine, and one destined to be of great value in diseases of the organs of generation. The American plant appears to resemble somewhat its European relative. Old Culpepper says of the latter, "being drunk with wine it provoketh the courses, and expelleth the dead child and after- birth." In this country, the former is one of the most popular domes- tic emmenagogues in use, except, perhaps, the Polygonum hydropiper and Tanacetum. Eclectic writers say of it—"The warm infusion used freely will promote perspiration, restore suppressed lochia, and excite the menstrual discharge when recently checked ; it is often used by females for this last purpose—a large draught being taken at bedtime, the feet having been previously bathed in warm water. A gill of brewei 's yeast added to the draft, is reputed a safe and certain abortive."(!)—{King) " In those cases of amennorrhoea in which it is evident that uterine torpor exists, caused by sudden exposure to cold or by getting the feet wet, the free use of a strong infusion of Pennyroyal will prove an efficient remedy. It is also used in chronic forms of the disease, it being taken several days prior to the proper period of menstrua- tion. To produce the lochial discharge after it has been suppressed, we know of no better agent; in these cases we invariably resort to the infusion of the Pennyroyal, directing it to be taken freely."— (Scudder) I have known it to be used successfully in the above conditions. If it is more efficient when taken in infusion the conscientious hom- teopath will not hesitate to use it in that form ; or one dram of the 524 NEW REMEDIES mother tincture or first dilution of the oil may be mixed with one pint of hot water, and given to the patient in table-spoonful doses every fifteen or twenty minutes. As the oil is volatile, these prepa- rations should be used immediately and kept from evaporation. If an objection is made to this plan as not being in strict accordance with the traditions of our school, the physicians may administer the tincture or dilutions in drop doses, or diluted in water in the usual manner, at the same time advise the woman to drink of some warm beverage of a simple non-medicinal character. In the case of poisoning above reported, the Oil of Pennyroyal appeared to cause severe functional disorder of all the organs of gen- eration. We have quite a clear picture of metritis, involving per- haps the whole substance of the uterus. The muscular, mucous and peritoneal coats were probably all involved in the general irritation. The ovaries were also highly irritated, if not actually suffering from acute inflammation. Not only is the Hedeoma homoeopathic to the above conditions, but to others almost as important, namely : Spasms of the uterus; congestion of the uterus and ovaries ; hyperesthesia of the ovaries ; false labor pains ; uterine myalgia ; leucorrhoea from vaginitis, and finally, abortion. It will prove a useful remedy in threatened abortion, when at- tended by the symptoms recorded, before hemorrhage has appeared ; even then it might arrest the progress of the accident. "It is to be remarked that the virtues of Pennyroyal as an emmen- agogue, if indeed it possesses any such virtue, were not at all mani- fest in this case. It is probable that its reputation for restoring the menstrual discharge has arisen from its influence over uterine and vaginal catarrh. If it has ever produced abortion it must have been in some weak, cachectic individual, who could not endure the uterine contractions it no doubt has a tendency to create. " It may also be worth our while to remark how perfectly ignorant are the old school physicians of the action of a remedy they have been using for hundreds of years."—(Toothxcher) I believe this remedy to have a more important action on genera- tive organs, than Dr. T. assigns to it. In certain cases it may prove useful in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia, especially when occurring in hysterical women, subject to intestinal and urinary irritation. Some of the symptoms seem to indicate that, like Secale and Cau- lophyllum, it affects the lower portion of the spinal cord. It may act partly in this way upon the uterus, and prove homoeopathic to reflex paraplegia, from uterine or renal disease. Throat.—Choking sensations, as if something were rising up in the throat. Clinical Observations.—This symptom may have been of a ner- vous origin, and hysterical ; or consequent on the irritation of the mucous membrane of the oesophagus. Chest and Thorax.—Frequent and periodical dyspnoea and oppression of the thorax. Difficulty inbreathing; respiration irregu] HEDE0MA PULEGIOIDES. 525 lar, labored, asthmatic. Shortness of breath ; sense of rising up, as if the stomach and the whole of the contents of the thoracic cavity would press its way to the mouth. Clinical Observations.—The chest symptoms appear to have been reflex in their character, due to uterine irritation. Eclectic physicians, however, assert that it is used with advantage in hooping cough, asthma, etc The sensation of "rising up" is familiar to every physician as a common hysterical symptom. It resembles hysterical asthma, or spasms of the chest, to which nervous women, with uterine disorders, are subject. This symptom is often due to large quantities of gas in the stomach and intestines. Hedeoma causes this condi- tion, with tympanitis, and ought to prove a specific for the "intestinal spasms" of children, which occur during the course of an infantile enteritis. Back and Loins.—Excessive pain in the back ; pains in the sac- rum, especially at the upper sacral vertebra, with pressing downwards towards the uterus. Clinical Observations.—It should prove useful to pain in the back, from renal or uterine diseases, or from the grave condition which precedes paralysis of the lower limbs, of a reflex origin. Extremities.—Paralytic weakness in all of the limbs ; stiffness and weakness of the joints, with soreness, felt mostly in the knees and elbows ; soreness of all parts of the body ; swelling of the calves of the legs ; pains, laming aching, rheumatic pains in the limbs; stiff- ness of the knees. If she sits down she can hardiy get up. Numb- ness of the feet, no feeling in them. Clinical Observations.—The oil is said to be useful in rheuma- tism, when applied externally. But it is probably myalgia, and not rheumatism to which it is homoeopathic. Most of the symptoms of the extremities belong to myalgic affections, or on the presence of paralytic conditions. HELONIAS DIOICA, (False Unicorn.) Analogues.—Aletris farinosa, Chelone glabra, Cornus florida, China, Frasera, Ferrum, Hydrastis, Nitrate of Uranium, (?) Phosphoric acid, Senecio, Sepia. Botanical Description.—This plant is known to botanists, at present, as the Chamodirium luteum. (Willdenow, Gray.) It is the Veratrum luteum of Linnseus, the Melanthium dioiceum of Walter, and Helonias dioica of Pursh. It is also known by the common names of Devil's bit, Starwort, etc. The same popular names are applied to the Aletris farinosa. It is a herbaceous perennial, with a large somewhat bulbous, pre- morse root, from which arises a simple, very smooth, somewhat angu- lar, stem or scape, one or two feet in height. The cauline leaves are lanceolate, acute, small, and at some distance from each other, without petioles ; the radical leaves are broader, being from four to eight inches in length, by half an inch to an inch in width, narrow at the base, and formed into a sort of whorl at the base of the scape. The flowers are small, very numerous, greenish-white, and are disposed in long, terminal, spicate, nodding, dioecious racemes, resembling a plume and which are more slender and weak on the barren plants. Male flowers, with white, linear-spatulate, obtuse, one nerved petals ; stamens rather longer than the petals. Female flowers, the raceme is generally few flowered, becoming erect; petals linear ; sta- mens very short, abortive ; ovary ovate, sub-triangular, with the sides deeply furrowed ; stigmas three, spreading or reflexed. Capsule ovate oblong, tapering to the base, three-furrowed, opening at the summit- Seeds many in each cell, acute compressed.—{Gray) History and Pharmaceutical Observations.—This plant is in- digenous to the United States, and is abundant in some of the West- ern States, growing in woodlands, meadows and moist situations, and flowering in June and July. It is also found in low grounds from Canada to Georgia and Louisiana. It is sometimes mistaken for Aletris farinosa, but may be identified by the leaves of the Aletris being sharply pointed, with a straight, slender spike of scattered flowers, while the Helonias is not so sharply lance-shaped in its leaves, and has a thick, plumose, dioical spike. The root is the officinal part; it is tapering fibrous, about an inch and a quarter in length, and from two to six-eighths of an inch in diameter, very hard, transversely wrinkled, and abrupt or premorse at the end, appearing as though it had been bitten or cut off. There has been and still exists much dif- ficulty among druggists and herb-gatherers in determining the differ- ence between the roots of the Aletris farinosa and Helonias dioica HELONIAS DIOICA. 527 it has often been the case that these roots have been indiscriminately bought and sold. "The specimens of Helonias dioica which I have now before me are from half an inch to two inches in length, and from four to six or eight lines in diameter, mostly premorse, but occasionally some- what pointed, with many small, yellowish-white and thread-like fibres, from half an inch to two or three inches in length. Ex- ternally they are a dark brown color, transversely wrinkled, rough and uneven, with anular prominences, which often have the appearance as if a small root had been driven in the end of a larger one, and grew there. There are also many small openings, cups, pores, or raised cells through which pass the fibres, and which will always be seen at the base of each fibre, upon carefully removing it from the root; attached to the upper part of the root will frequently be seen the remains of the scape and radical leaves. Internally, on cutting them transversely, a whitish, tough, circular centre is pre- sented, which is surrounded by a smooth substance of a similar or darker color, and near the margin of which may be observed, at a short distance from each other, dark spots or openings, which appear to be continuations of the fibres, or of the canal through which they pass. A longitudinal section exhibits a rough, whitish centre, one or two lines in diameter, passing through the root, on each side of which is the smooth substance above referred to, with few or none of the dark spots. The roots have a faint, peculiar and pleasant odor when bruised, and a peculiar bitter, somewhat aloetic taste, not so powerful in the dried root as in the fresh. So far as I can recollect, the root of the Aletris seldom exceeds an inch in length, is not premorse, has a brittle, scaly appearance, is blackish outside, brownish inside, and although having many fibres, the most of them pass from the upper and lateral portions of the root."—(King's Dispensatory) The Helonias is rapidly becoming a rare plant, and it is feared that unless it is cultivated it will soon become extinct. Even now it is difficult to procure any of the root from the shops. Its adulteration has become quite common, as the high price of the article is a strong temptation. I am informed that the tincture is now worth, at whole- sale, $5 per pound, and the Helonin is held at $5a6 an ounce. It is to be hoped that the cultivation will be commenced, before we lose entirely this valuable and peculiar remedy. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the root; dilutions; trit- urations of the root; and of the active principle Helonin. Medical History.—The early medical history of this plant is so mixed up with that of the Aletris farinosa that it is difficult to sepa- rate it from the latter. Rafinesque merely mentions it, but does not say anything concern- ing its medicinal powers. Of the Helonias bullata, he says, "A decoction of the peeled root is used in New Jersey for the bellyache, colic, etc." Howard* says it is "highly celebrated as a general strengthener of * Botanic Materia Medica, (1836) p. 233. 528 NEW REMEDIES. the system. * * It relieves colic, jaundice, strangury and rheu- matism. It also has a powerful tendency to prevent abortion. By some it is highly valued in suppressed menstruation. It is also an excellent remedy for coughs, consumptions, and all complaints of the lungs, promoting expectoration. The constant use of it, however, sometimes makes the mouth sore, when it must be laid by and some other expectorant used until the mouth gets well." This last obser- vation of its pathogenetic effects is not mentioned by any other writer except Dr Payne. Griffith* merely mentions it as a "bitter tonic" Kingf writes . " The Helonias is tonic, diuretic and vermifuge, in large doses emetic, and when fresh, sialogogue. In doses of ten or fifteen grains of the powdered root, repeated three or four times a day, it has been found very beneficial in dyspepsia, loss of appetite and for the removal of worms. It is reputed beneficial in colic, and atony of the generative organs. In uterine diseases it is held to be invaluable, acting as a uterine tonic, and gradually removing abnor- mal conditions, while at the same time it imparts tone and vigor to the reproductive organs. Hence it is much used in leucorrhoea, amenoirhoea, dysmenorrhoea and to remove the tendency to repeated and successive miscarriages. The plant is said to kill cattle feeding upon it, and the decoction to kill insects, bugs and lice." ScudderJ attributes to the Helonias about the same medicinal qualities, but adds that it has been used "as a remedy in low grades of fever, as a stimulant, with success. Coe, Hollembaek, and other eclectic writers repeat the recommen- dations of the above authors. Allopathic authors do not mention this plant. Helonias was first mentioned in homoeopathic literature by myself, in an article on New Remedies, which appeared in I860 or 61, in the North Americau Journal of Homoeopathy. Shortly after- wards a fragmentary proving was made by Dr. C. H. Burr, of Port- land, Maine, which was incorporated in the first edition of this work. No other proving has since appeared. We have based the therapeutic indications for the use of this rem- edy mainly upon the clinical experience of those physicians who have made extensive use of the plant. In the absence of a thorough prov- ing of any plant this method must be adopted until we can obtain satisfactory provings. In the meantime we may be able to collect a large amount of clinical experience of our own, which will b'! useful to us. Such clinical experience, although based on empirical data, will prove the truth of the law of similia, for we may always feel con- fident that a medicine which will cure a given group of symptoms, will cause similar ones in healthy persons. We therefore look upon curative effects as indications of pathogenetic effects. We have but a meagre proving of Helonias, and that only on the male. This I regret very much, for its action on the organism of women is notable and peculiar. I shall be able to present to the profession, however, * Medical Botany. t Eclectic Dispensatory. t Eclectic Materia Medica. HELONIAS DIOICA. 529 some suggestive clinical facts, which will throw some light upon its remedial action, ^ffhe following symptoms are obtained from a fragmentary proving sent me by Dr. C. II. Burr, and some of its toxical effects related by Dr. Paine, (eclectic) which are of great value to the physician who wishes to investigate this medicine: PROVINGS. Dr. Paine (eclectic) gives the following pathogenetic effects of the Helonin : " When taken in doses from five to fifteen grains, it acts as an emeto-cathartic, producing a griping, burning sensation in the epigas- trium, and great activity of the salivary glands. Indeed, I have known the most perfect salivation to follow the use of large doses of Helonin. In doses of from one to five grains, it produces an irrita- bility of the stomctch, and slight purging with a burning sensation. in the bowels, irritation of the urethra, pain in the kidneys, which is followed by albuminaria, indicating congestion, and large discharges of urine, with slightly increased specific gravity." It is to be regretted that such vague, general terms were used in the above. Had the symptoms been more minutely described, the observations would have been much more valuable. DR. BURR'S PROVING. The preparation I used in this proving was a solution of thirty grains of Helonin dissolved in one ounce of alcohol, diluted with half an ounce of water. It was thought best to commence with small doses, and increase hourly, until decided symptoms were pro- duced, and October 15th, in accordance with this idea, two drops were taken at 10 a. m., four gtt. at 11, eight gtt. at 12 m. Soon after tak- ing each dose, sensations of pain, tightness and pressure were felt in the stomach, which was partially relieved by the eructation of taste- less gas. At 1 p. m., twelve gtt. were taken; at 2, sixteen gtt.; at 8, fifty gtt. Slight pain was now felt through the temples, together with a feeling of fullness in the head and vertigo. At 10 p. m., took fifty gtt. October 16.—The symptoms produced yesterday were not of a decided character. Took at 7 a. M.,/orty gtt.; at 9, fifty gtt.; at 11, sixty gtt.; at 12, sixty gtt. Still but little effect is produced, and I should be unconscious of being under the influence of any remedy, were it not an unusual degree of languor, and a feeling of weariness and weight in the region of the kidneys. At 2 p. m., sixty-eight gtt; at 3, sixty gtt. At this stage of the proving the alcoholic preparation was put aside and an aqueous one substituted ; Helonin, twenty grs., 34 530 NEW REMEDIES. water, one ounce ; of this forty drops were taken at 4 p. m , at 7, fifty drops. The symptoms mentioned as occurring in Ike head are more decided ; the sense of fullness increases, and there is a sense of pres. sure from within up to the vertex ; the latter feeling is aggravated by looking steadily at any fixed point; the kidneys have been some- what stimulated, and a larger amount than usual of clear, light col- ored urine has been voided during the past twelve hours ; the pulse ranges at eighty-four, full and a little irregular. At 9, p. m , took sixty drops ; no new symptoms. October 18th—None taken on the 17th, till evening, when at 7, half a dram was taken ; at 9 half a dram, at twelve half a dram. In the afternoon and evening, there was a great deal of weariness, and feel- ing of weight in the region of the kidneys, and with much more gen- eral fatigue than usual ; mind dull and inactive. October 19th.—Took at 8 a. m., half a dram; at 12 m., half a dram ; pain in the vertex ; the ^pain in the head is increased by stooping, and attended by increased vertigo ; sharp* spasmodic pain in the back, running to the crest of the left ilium. At 5 p. m., took half a dram. Have awakened every morning since the proving was commenced, at 5 o'clock, an unusual hour, with tongue and fauces dry, and a bitter, disagreeable taste in the mouth. The symptoms during the day have been more marked, and principally confined to the head and back ; appetite has not been as usual. October 21st.—Took at 12 m., one dram. Soon after taking this dose felt & cramp-like pain in the stomach, At 8 p. m., took one dram; severe rheumatic pains in the right hip joint, worse during motion ; pain in the forehead, as if a band about an inch wide was drawn across from temple to temple ; pain and feeling of lameness in the whole back, and dryness and bitter taste in the mouth. October 22.—'Took at 9 a. m., one dram; at 12 m., one dram. Last evening was engaged in singing until 8 o'clock, at which time I took a dram. Previous to taking the remedy, I never felt better, anore cheerful or in better spirits. Soon after taking it there was an entire change in the surrounding circumstances ; I very soon became dull, gloomy and irritable ; could not endure the least contradiction, or receive any suggestions in regard to any subject; all conversation was unpleasant, and what I most desired was to be left alone, reserv- ing to myself the privilege of finding fault with everything around me. I consider that this moral condition was [not accidental, but purely a pathological state, produced and kept up by the action of the medicine. Previous to the 22d, this state assumed an intermittent HELONIAS DIOICA. 531 form, but after that date, it was unchanged for several days, and was .one of the most constant and marked effects. October 26th.—No medicine has been taken since the 22d. Pain in the Iojnbar regin, about the upper part of the sacrum and pelvis. These pains during the last twenty-four hours have been more con- stant and severe than at any other time; the pain in the back seems Wore troublesome at night than during the day. dr. e. clark's fragmentary proving. " Pain in the lower part of the back, through to the uterus, like anflammatio®, piercing, drawing ; breasts swollen, nipples tender, and will not toear the pressure of even an ordinary dress; nipples very sensitive and painful; great uterine hemorrhage came during the Ipreving, and continued until the medicine was discontinued." Xbove symptoms observed by Dr. Clark in several cases. resume. General Symptoms.—An unnatural degree of languor, and a feeling of weariness and weight in the region of the kidneys ; gen- eral weariness.—Burr. " Decided increase in muscular power which continued as long as the remedy was taken." (In large doses.)—Dr. Close. Clinical Observations.—This medicine is a peculiar and power- ful "tonic," or, as Headland would have it, "restorative." It is con- sidered particularly indicated when the disease has proceeded, (1) from diseases of the generative organs, (2) or from functional^ disor- ders of the stomach ; hence it is considered valuable in anaemia and chlorosis, in alternation with Ferrum ; and in dyspepsia, in alterna- tion with Nux vomica if indicated. It does not belong to the China group, because it has no anti-periodic powers ; nor does it cause a hyper-stimulation of the nervous and vascular systems like that pow- erful drug. Neither does it have much more affinity for the Nux vomica group, for it does not irritate the spinal system. It is more allied to the phosphates of Iron* than any other article of the Materia Medica, while at the same time it has some points of resemblance to the members of both groups above referred to. China and Nux vom- ica, together with their analogues, cause a condition which may be described as increased tonicity of muscular fibre. China brings about this condition through its influence upon the processes by which the blood is formed ; it probably tends to augment the quantity of that fluid, and to render it richer. Thus, by its own operation upon the nutrition of the heart, and through the 'agency of the enriched blood, it gives greater energy to the contractions of that organ; and hence, the fuller and stronger pulse, not unfrequently resulting from its moderate use. But in anaemia, chlorosis and some other conditions * I allude to the pyro and hypo-phosphates of Ferrum. 532 NEW REMEDIES. of the system, China will not improve, apparently, the condition of the blood, or at least the tissues do not respond to the stimulus of the improved blood. Then it is that Ferrum, or Nux vomica, given alter- nately with it, will place the dieased tissues in a condition to be ben- fitted by the circulating fluid, and a cure is soon effected. Nux vomica increases the tonicity of tissues, mainly through its influence upon the spinal system. It is a spinal stimulant, and nearly all its therapeutic effects arise from this action. In a great many cases of atony of any organ or tissue of the body, this medicine will, alone, effect prompt and permanent cures ; but like China, it will sometimes fail, unless superseded or assisted by the action of China or Ferrum. There are also other instances wherein China, or Ferrum and Nux vomica will fail to improve the abnormal conditions for which they seem indicated, and the Helonias will here come in play and be found very useful. Helonias enriches the blood, through its influence upon the nutritive processes ; not as Iron does, for Iron is a metallic sub- stance and a vegetable substance cannot act in the same manner. But Helonias does not act like China or Quinine, for the latter stimu- lates by its direct, primary action, while the former does not. Helonias has also an affinity for a group of remedies, among which stands prominently Terebinthina, Copaiva, Cantharis, Erigeron, Phyto- lacca, Mercurius, Mitchella, etc The point of analogy is its action on the urinary organs, causing by hyper-stimulation, congestive albu- minaria and chronic irritation. In this respect it differs from the others of its analogues. Glandular System.—The specific action of Helonias on this sys- tem is undoubted. We find that it causes excessive irritation of the salivary glands ; excites the glandular system of the stomach, increas- ing its power of digesting and assimilating food ; irritates the kidneys to the extent of causing diabetes and albuminaria, and its action on the genital organs of both sexes indicates that it acts not alone on the muscular structure, but increase the action of the ovaries, testicles and glandular structure of the cervix uteri aud vagina. It will prob- ably be found to act on other glands, as the prostate, inguinal, mammary, pancreas, etc. Mental Symptoms.—The mind is dull and inactive. The previous cheerful state was followed by dullness and gloominess ; irritable ; could not endure the least contradiction, or receive any suggestions in relation to any subject; all conversation was unpleasant; desire to be left alone ; he desires to find fault with every one around him. (Puis)—(This state of mind lasted several days—see proving.) Clinical Observations.—One cannot help being struck by the similarity of the above symptoms, to those mental states common to diseases of the genital organs in both sexes, particularly in women. Such symptoms are quite common to uterine disorders, and to un- healthy pregnancies. In disorders of digestion we also meet with a HELONIAS DIOICA. 533 similar group of symptoms. I consider such symptoms to be an excellent guide in default of other pathogenetic ones, to the selection of Helonias in uterine and gastric disorders. Cerebral Symptoms.—Slight pain through the temples, with a feeling of fullness in the head, and vertigo; a feeling of pressure from within upwards to the vertex, aggravated by looking steadily at any fixed point; pain in the occiput, with pulsative pain in the vertex —increased by stooping, attended by vertigo; pain in the forehead, as if a band about an inch wide were drawn across from temple.— (Iodine, Mercury, Stannum, Nitric acid.) Great activity of the salivary glands. " I have known .perfect salivation follow the use of large doses of Helonin.—Paine. Clinical Observations.—It ought to prove useful in the saliva- tion of pregnant women, teething children ; also in stomatititis ma- terna, with irritation of the salivary glands. It might be tried in mercurial ptyalism. Gastric, etc.—Wakes every morning at 5 o'clock, (an unusual hour,) with the lips, tongue and fauces dry, and a bitter taste in the mouth ; appetite not as good as usual. Soon after taking each dose sensations of pain, tightness and pressure felt in the stomach, which was partially relieved by the eructation of tasteless gas ; cramp-like pain in the stomach ; motion and rumbling in the intestines, as if diarrhoea would come on. (Burr.) "In Ohio, and many of the Western States, it is in very general use as a common emetic, operating with great certainty, but with more activity than Ipecac or Eupatorium purpureum."—(Lee) Vomiting and purging with a griping and burning sensation in the epigastrium. (From five to fifteen grs. of Helonin.) Slight diar- rhcea, with a burning sensation in the bowels and irritability of the stomach. (From one to five grains )—Paine. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Coe says the "Helonin will be tol- erated by the stomach when other tonics are rejected. It invigorates the appetite, promotes digestion and depurition, and so improves the quality and increases the quantity of the blood. In this way the foundation for a cure is laid, by improving the tone in the entire sys- tem." A thorough proving would doubtless snow that this medicine produces a long train of symptoms, beginning in Ay/?water. The name Liverwort, sometimes erroneously applied to it, be- longs to the Cryptogam, Marc&antia polymorpha, and others of the same family. Officinal Preparations.—Tineture of the whole plant; dilutions, and tincture-triturations. Medical History.—According to Rafinesque, the plant is "scent- less, insipid, not bitter, but a little astringent and mucilaginous. It contains tannin, mucilage, extractive, etc It is sub-tonic, sub-astrin- gent, hepatic, deobstruent, peetoral and demulcent. It was known to the ancients as a medical plant, and Linnaeus has it in his Materia Medica; but it has fallen into disuse, its properties being very mild. It was formerly used in fevers, liver-complaints, indigestion, cachexy, hypochondria and hernia. It has lately been brought into notice in America for haemoptysis and eoughs, and has been used in Virginia with benefit, in the form of a strong infusion drank cold. It may be serviceable in hepatitis and hepatic phthisis, as well as all complaints arising from dyspeptic and hypochondriac affections. It may be used as a tea, warm or cold, and ad libitum, but it has no effect on the lungs, beyond that of a mild demulcent-astringent." Rafinesque was not much in advance of the venerable Dr. Culpep- per, who thus quaintly enumerates the virtues of the Liverwort?* " It is a singular good herb for all diseases of the liver, both to cool and cleanse it, and is serviceabble in yellow jaundice. It is a singular remedy to stay the spreading of tetters, ringworms, and other fretting and running sores. * * An excellent remedy for such whose livers are corrupted by surfeits, which causes the bodies to break out, for it fortifies the liver exceedingly, and makes it im- pregnable." According to the doctrine of "signatures," which still lingered among the mass of physicians, even in Culpepper's time, this plant was considered a liver remedy because of a fancied resemblance of its leaves to that organ. It is this resemblance which gave it its popular and botanical name. Dr. Tully considers this plant of little use in medicine, but he was so partial to heroic medicines that he would be likely to overlook the mild action of this. Dr. Mease informed Rafinesque that the leaves alone were useful, the roots and flowers inert. Dr, Lawrence has seen some good effects from them. Physicians differ as to the * Culpepper's English. Herbal, published in 1?6Q. 544 NEW REMEDIES. effects of Hepatica ; some consider it inert, while others deem it "de- obstruent and diuretic." Hollembaek copies Rafinesque word for word, without giving any credit whatever. Thus do the physicians of the opposite schools go on, century after century, repeating the words of their predecessors, however untenable and unscientific may be their theories and deduc- tions. The latest writer on Materia Medica knows no more about the actual virtues of Hepatica, than did the ancients three centuries ago. With but few exceptions, they make no careful clinical or physiologi- cal experiments to test the real value of a medicine. Nothing definite is known of the action of this plant in disease, and nothing whatever of its effects upon the healthy organism. Allo- paths, eclectics, id omne genus, tell their patients to drink an infusion of Liverwort, ad libitum; but they do not stop to observe if any effect results from such quantities. They advise the same of Hama- melis, yet the homoeopathist, by careful observation, has ascertained that not only is the latter drug valuable in diseased conditions of an important nature, but it is capable of causing, in small doses even, notable pathogenetic effects upon the healthy body. A thorough proving of the Hepatica may show it to be a valuable remedial agent. The first and only mention of the Hepatica in homoeopathic litera- ture was by Dr. D. S. Kimball* in a paper entitled " Scraps from practice." He writes : " In 1831-31 I was troubled with haemoptysis, and a slight recur- rence of it in 1836, leaving more or less chronic irritation of the throat and lungs, and two or three years previously, as well as subse. quently, for a long time with dyspepsia. Three years ago, when suf- fering in this way, I commenced using the Hepatica triloba, by chew- ing a mouthful twice a day and swallowing the juice, and observed the following symptoms to arise from it : " Eyes somewhat sensitive to light; itching and swelling, slightly agglutinated in the morning. " Bloody mucus frequently blown from the left nostril, for three or four days in succession, (after using it three days and continuing it.) Soreness of the end of the nose at the entrance of the nostrils. Un- commonly free and easy expectoration; the rough, scraping irritation and tickling sensation in the throat and fauces disappears, as also the sensation about the epiglottis and larynx as of of particles of food remaining. The accustomed accumulation of phlegm, sometimes thick, viscid and tenacious, inducing frequent hawking and disposi- tion to hawk, disappear. " The customary paroxysms of coughing, and somewhat abundant expectoration, mostly daily, about midday, a portion of the expecto- ration being opaque, yellowish, of the consistency of cream—the rest •North American Journal of Homoeopathy, Vol. VI, p. 525. HEPATICA TRILOBA. 515 frothy and mucus—disappears. Apparently, a muoh bettir state of the throat and lungs is induced from its use—much stronger gener- ally, as well as locally, and the irritation of the throat and lun^s mostly gone. Digestion apparently more perfect, and a cessation of most of the remaining dyspeptic symptoms." We have in this fragmentary proving a few suggestive pathogen- etic symptoms, and several interesting curative effects, sufficient to prescribe the medicine in similar conditions. ADDENDA. Since reading and copying Dr. Kimball's experience with the He. patica, I am able to add some personal experience of my own in con- firmation of/the curative powers of the plant. In the summer of 1865 I contracted a severe bronchitis, which became aggravated by frequent exposure, until it reached the point of purulent expectoration. An attack of circumscribed pneumonia supervened, which was followed by bloody sputa and the purulent ex- pectoration again. This continued for two months unchecked by Ly- copodium, Stannum, Phosphorus or Sulphur. The expectoration was profuse, yellow, creamy and exceedingly sweet. Some pain and con. striction of the right chest. An excessively annoying irritation of fauces ; a tickling, itching and scraping sensation was present nearly all the time ; aggravated by eating or inhalation of dust. At this period I met with Dr. Kimball's statement, and suspending all medi. cincs, used the dried leaves in the same manner. I noticed a mucil- acinous taste, followed by some astringency, aud a subdued pungent sensation, which it gave the mouth and fauces, a little like that caused by the liquorice root. After using it four days, the expectoration de- creased ; the troublesome irritation of the fauces improved, and in two weeks had disappeared. It certainly appeared to remove the symptoms of the fauces and throat. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. (Golden Stal.) Analogues.—Aletris farinosa, Ammonium muriaticum, China, Cornus florid a,Helonias Jodine,Kali hydriodicum, Kali perma?iganas, Mercurius iodatus, Nitric acid, Muriatic acid, Phytolacca. Botanical Description.—This is an indigenous plant, which is also known by the various names of Yellow Puccoon, Ground Rasp- berry, Turmeric root, etc. It has a perennial root or rhizoma, which is tortuous, knotty, creeping, internally of a bright yellow color, with numerous long fibres. The stem is erect, simple, herbaceous, rounded, pubescent upward, from six to twelve inches in height, becoming pur- plish, and bearing two unequal, terminal leaves. The leaves are two only, alternate, palmate, with from three to five lobes, hairy, dark- green, cordate at base, veiny, tha lower leaf petiolate, the other ses- sile, from four to nine inches wide when full grown, and segments serrated. The flower is solitary, terminal, small, white or rose colored, and on a peduncle about two inches in length, The calyx consists of the petaloid, deciduous, broadly ovate, pale greenish-white, concave, slightly downy sepals, which fall away when the flower opens. Sta- mens many, longer than the pistils. Filaments flat, linear-lanceolate, having the cells of the anther on their edge at the apex. Pistils sev- eral, ovary oval, glabrous, attenuated upward into a short style. Stigma obtuse, scarcely lobed. The fruit resembles a raspberry, is red, and consists of many little two-seeded drupes, collected into a globose head and each crowned with a persistent style; seeds nearly black, obovatc, polished, having a minute embryo at the base of a fleshy and oily albumen. History.—This plant is found growing in shady woods, in rich soil and damp meadows, in different parts of the United States and Canada, but is more abundant West of the Alleghanies. It flowers in May and June. The root is the officinal part; it consists of a crooked, knotty, wrinkled rootstock,one or two inches long, giving out a number of yellow fibres; the root is of a beautiful yellow color, and when fresh is juicy, and used by the Indians to color their cloth- ing, etc. It loses about two-thirds of its weight by drying, and its taste is very bitter. Its virtues are imparted to water or alcohol. According to Mr. A. B. Durand, of Philadelphia, it consists of resin, starch, albumen, sugar, fatty matter, yellow coloring matter, several salts and a crystallizable body which he named Hydrastia.* (Mr. F. Mahla, of Chicago, 111., has described itf as forming in brilliant white crystals, belonging to the right prismatic system, hav- ing no tase except in the form of salts, which are acid and bitter, fusing at 275 ° F., and decomposing at a higher temperature, giving L * American Journal of Pharmacy, XXIII, 13. t American Journal of Pharmacy, XXXV, 1863, page 433. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 547 off yellowish fumes of a carbolic acid odor; it dissolves in alcohol or ether, but not in water. He gives its formula as C44, H24, NOI2-) The root of the Hydrastis furnishes a beautiful yellow color, which will undoubtedly form a valuable dye for silk, linen, etc., a fine green is made by combining it with Indigo, Pharmacological Observations.—I have been informed by sev- eral pharmaceutists, that orders are almost daily received at their pharmacies, for "mother tincture of Hydrastin," This manifest incon- sistency has induced mc to point out to physicians the proper method of prescribing and administering the remedy refei red to. The Hydrastis canadensis should be used in homoeopathic practice in the following preparations : 1. Tincture of the root —This tincture may be made from the fresh radix, and should be prepared by the process of percolation with alco- hol. From this mother tincture the dilutions should be prepared. 2. Triturations of the root.—The sound, well dried and cleaned radix should be selected, pulverized very fine in a clean mortar, then carefully sifted, and the triturations prepared in the usual manner with sugar of milk. 3. Hydrastin.—This is considered to be the active principle of the Hydrastis. It is a yellow, or brownish yellow powder, and according to King, is "soluble in boiling alcohol, but is deposited as it cools, in crystals. It is insoluble in cold alcohol, ether, chloroform," etc. By this it will be seen that neither alcohol or water will dissolve this preparation ; therefore it is impossible to make a mother tincture of it—a tincture which will contain the whole of the medical virtues of the article. A tincture holding in solution only a portion of the con- stituents of Hydrastin is manifestly unfit for use in medicine, espe- cially by a physician of the homoeopathic school. I have used the trit- urations of this agent as high as the sixth, and have always been well satisfied with their efficacy. 4. Hydrastia and Hydrastina.—These are the two supposed alka- loids of Hydrastis. Mr. Merrill, of Cincinnati, who is good authority in these matters, says : " With regard to the preparations of Hydrastis, the names are yet quite unsettled. After a careful analysis, we found that the root contained two distinct alkaloids ; a yellow, which gave to the root its chief distinctive character ; and a white, which, with its salts, is also a valuable medicinal agent. The former we named Hydrastia, and the latter Hydrastina. " But other chemists in Detroit, New York, and in England, were also engaged at the same time in the examination, and after a good deal of ambiguity in their communications, at last came to the same conclusion with ourselves; but they named the white alkaloid, which, so far as is known, is peculiar to this plant, Hydrastia, and the yellow one, Berberina, believing it to be identical with that pre- viously found in the Berberis or Barberry root. This has made a confusion in names, and we shall probably so far conform to the 548 NEW REMEDIES. names they propose, as to reverse those we adopted, and to call the white alkaloid, Hydrar:ia, as they do, and the yellow, Hydrastina, instead of Berberina ; for we are decidedly of the opinion that this should take its name from the Hydrastis, which must always be the chief source from which it is obtained, and not from the Uerberis, which yields it in smaller quantities. Moreover, as a medicine, the name, if possible, should always point to the plant from which it is obtained. " While, therefore, in the present issue we retain the names which we have proposed, and call the preparations of the yellow alkaloid, the Muriate and Sulphate of Hydrastis, we may hereafter label them Salts of Hydrastina." There is also a salt termed the Iodide of Hydrastia, which is used to some extent. The Muriate of Hydrastia is one of the most valuable prepara* tions yet obtained from the Hydrastis. Not so much for its internal uses, but as an external application to the mucous surfaces. It com- bines the well known valuable effects of the muriatic acid, with the useful influence of Hydrastis. Asa lotion to apthous ulceration and other diseases of the mucous membrane, attended with inflammation and structural changes, or abnormal discharges, it stands unrivalled among all the medicines 3 et discovered. It may be used in the proportion of one to ten grains to eight ounces of water. The strength to be used will depend on the degree of inflammation and sensitiveness of the discarded surface. I have prescribed it (at the former strength) with success, in chronic gas- tritis. These Salts of Hydrastis should be proven on the healthy organ- ism. Until they are so proven there, they will be attended with con- siderable uncertainty. We have provings of the tincture, the root, and the ordinary Hydrastin. This latter is a combination of all the medicinal constituents of the root, and contains a resin, as well as the two alkaloids. Undoubtedly, each constituent of a plant possesses peculiar medicinal properties. A proving of the whole plant will give us a view of these medicinal actions at once. A proving of each constituent will give us only a part of the medicinal action. The triturations of the dried root, probably comes the nearest to a representation of all the properties of the Hydrastis. Next in importance is the tincture. These contain the so-called tonic—alter- ative lacitive, and other properties of the remedy. They are homoeopathic to debility, with ulceration of mucous surfaces, glandu- lar torpor, scirrhous, and some other morbid growths, etc The spe- cially irritating qualities of Hydrastis probably reside in the resin. The "tonic" properties, or those analagous to China, Quinine, Helonin and the mineral acids, reside in the two alkaloids above named. Thus, they are specially indicated in debility from loss of tone in the stomar-h liver, intestines, or from loss of fluids, or after fevers, when there is no particular irritation of the mucous tissues of the body. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 549 The yellow alkaloid, or Hydrastina, resembles Quinine in its homoeo- pathicity to affections of a periodical type, accompanied with debility. We trust that the time will soon come when we shall have pathogene- ses of all these various preparations, when we can use them with far greater success than now. In the meantime it is hoped that physi- cians will be cautious, and use only those preparations which are sanctioned by the laws of pharmaceutical analysis. Officinal Preparations.—Of each preparation : (1) Tincture, dilutions. (2) Pulv. radix, triturations. (3) Hydrastin, triturations. (4) Hydrastia mur. The preparations of this salt must be made with distilled water. If a complete solution does not take place, add a few drops of Muriatic acid. For internal use dissolve one grain in one ounce, which may be called the " mother tincture, Hydrastia mur." For external use ten grains to four or eight ounces of water. Medical History.—The use of Golden Seal as a medicine dates back into the dim traditional history of this country, when only the aboriginies inhabited the continent. It was known to the first white settlers only through the Indian tribes with whom they came in con- tact. Notwithstanding its great and deserved popularity among the whites and Indians at an early day, the "regular" practitioner seemed to look upon it with suspicion, and we find small mention of the Hy- drastis in any of the writings of the early authors, with the exception of Dr. Tully, of New England, Prof. Rafinesque, then of Kentucky, and Dr. Barton, of Philadelphia. Each of these men labored bard to substitute active and valuable indigenous remedies for the foreign ones, then as now, so much more preferred by the allopathic school. At the rise of the "botanic " practice of medicine, these remedies— the Hydrastis particularly—were taken up and used extensively. The later eclectics were not slow to avail themselves of the remedial virtues of this and other indigenous plants. Although their use of this medicine was purely empirical, and based upon unsystematic ob- servations, the success which attended its administration was highly satisfactory, both to patients and physicians. We shall give the opinions and experience of the earlier physi- cians, in order that its medical history may be understood. The bi- ography of a medicine is as interesting as that of a man. We trace its development through infancy, childhood and youth, and note the additions which are yearly made to its growth as a remedial agent. We also note, too, how one after another of its supposed attributes, fall away and disappear, or how certain traits of character noticed in its infancy, become forgotten, and finally reappear in the future devel- opment of its history. A medicine cannot be said to have reached maturity until it has been subjected to a thorough physiological prov- ing. In other words, it is in the hands of the homoeopathic school alone, that a medicine is capable of reaching complete development. 550 NEW REMEDIES. Among the earliest medical writers of this country Twas Prof. Rafinesque, a scientific botanist and a ripe scholar. He thus writes of the Hydrastis :* " It is tonic, ophthalmic, detergent, etc. It is much used in Ohio, Kentucky, etc, for diseases of the eyes ; the juice or infusion is used as a wash in sore or inflamed eyes. It is considered a specific by the Indians for that disorder; they also apply it for sore legs, and many external complaints, as a topical tonic. Internally, it is used as a bitter tonic, in infusion or tincture, in disorders of the stomach, liver, etc., and is equivalent to Aletris, Coptis, Frasera, Menyanthes, San- guinaria and Jeffersonia. (But none of these is so efficacious for sore eyes, except perhaps the Jeffersonia.) It is said to enter into compound remedies for the cancer, acting as a detergent tonic, and the Cherokees are supposed to use it in that disease, but better de- tergents are known.j The properties of this plant are not yet fully known, it appears to be slighly narcotic, and available in many dis- orders. Some Indians employ it as a diuretic, stimulant and eschar- otic, using the powder for the blistering, and the infusion for the dropsy." In this we see the earliest history of the plant as a medicine. Used first for diseases of the eye, much as Euphrasia was used among the early Britons ; then noted as an Indian remedy for cancer, and supposed to be narcotic Its use in ophthalmia is still popular ; its virtues in cancer, forgotten until revived in England by physicians of the homoeopathic school; and its supposed narcotic powers proved not to exist. Howard, writing in 1836, says : " It is very useful in recovery from fever, for dyspepsia, indigestion, sore eyes, ulcers, loss of appe- tite, etc." Dr. Barton and Dr. Tully estimated it very highly as a " pure tonic, and as an alterative in diseased conditions of the mucous membranes." KingJ gives it a prominent place among medicinal agents ; re- iterates all that previous writers have said about it, with the excep- tion of its alleged usefulness in cancer ; and adds that is valuable in " chronic affections of the mucous membrane of the stomach, intes- tines, bladder, etc.," all of which will be mentioned under the appro- priate heads. Scudder$ claims it as peculiarly an eclectic remedy, and remarks : " It seems passing strange that our allopathic brethren have not got their eyes open to its importance, as we believe that for the ful- filling of some indications it has no substitute." I shall revert to Scudder's testimony again, in other paragraphs. Allopathic authorities of the present day almost, if not entirely, ignore this important medicine. Wood, in his Dispensatory, repeats * Medical Botany, page 250. (1828.) t Rafinesque says that Viburnin dentatum, Rumex, and Orobanche are also useful in can- cerous diseases. i Eclectic Dispensatory. St Materia Medica. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 551 Rafinesque, but doubts if it is anything more than an ordinary tonic. In his " Therapeutics" and " Practice, it is not mentioned. Stille does not mention it in his extensive work on Materia Medica and Terapeutics ! In the Homoeopathic school the Hydrastis was quite extensively used by practitioners, who gained their knowledge of its properties from " eclectic" sources, for many years before the first public notice of it appeared in our journals. In 1856, Dr. Hastings published a paper on the use of Hydrastis, in the British Journal of Homoeopathy. 1 believe that I was the first to call attention to this remedy, in this country, in 1858, in a paper on "Abortion, and its Homceopathic Treatment."* In 1863, an article appeared in the British Journal of Homoeopa- thy entitled " Cancer, its Pathology, etc." in which the Hydrastis was prominently brought before the physicians of our school. Dr. Bayes and Dr. Pattison claim to have introduced the remedy into notice before that time. The pathogenesis of Hydrastis is still incomplete, that found herein is made up from the symptoms observed by physicians of the eclectic school, as well as our own, and the provings of Drs. Burt, Whiteside, and others, the former of which [Dr. Burt's] appeared in the first edition of this work. PROVINGS. DR. BURT'S PROVING. Nov.9th.—Feeling well, bowels regular once a day ; urine nat- ural ; took ten grains of the pulverized root at 3 p. m. All day, con- stant, slight pain in the umbilical region, with a hot sensation in the same part. 7 p. m., soft stool, followed by severe cutting pains in the hypogastric region, and dull, aching, pains in the testicles, accom- panied with a very faint feeling ; eructations of sour fluid ; dull, heavy weight in the lumbar region. Nov. 10th.—Feeling well, 9 a. m., took twenty grains. 12 m., dull, heavy, frontal headache ; constant distress in the umbilical re- gion, with loud rumbling in the bowels ; dull, aching sensation in the region of the kidneys ; took fifteen grains at 5 p. m. Dull headache : slight, constant pain in the umbilical region ; dull pain in the region of the kidneys. Took forty grains ; constant, dull headache, with a great deal of pain in the hypogastric region and small of the back ; slight stool; with a faint feeling afterwards ; legs feeling very weak and ache ; urinated twenty-eight ounces, acid. • North Amer. Jour. Horn., vol. VIII, p. 655. 552 NEW REMEDIES. Nov. 11th.—Awoke several times in the night, with severe pain in the small of the back and hypogastric region, and dull pain in the umbilical region, aggravated by motion, with great rumbling in the bowels ; stool at 6 a. m., soft, papescent, followed by a very faint feel- ing and severe pains in the hypogastric region ; dull headache ; eyes secreted large quantities of thick, white mucus ; mucous membrane of the eyelids a good deal congested; nose very much stuffed up ; slight, hacking cough, with a scraping sensation in the larynx. Took fifty grains at 10 a. m. At 5 p. m., constant, dull, frontal headache ; nose secreting constantly a thick, white mucus ; constant, rough, hacking cough; soft, mushy stjol at 2 p. m., with great rumbling in the bowels ; constant coryza. My right knee has pained me very se- verely all day—walking aggravates it very much. Took sixty grains. 9 p. m.—there has been constant, dull headache ; frequent coryza, with profuse secretion of tears ; nose running constantly, a thick white mucus ; constant, slight, hacking cough ; constant, dull pain in the umbilical region ; soft, mushy stool ; urinated forty-two ounces, heat has no effect upon the urine. Nov. 12th.—Slept well; eyelids agglutinated together ; mucous membrane of the lids congested; obstruction of the nose with thick mucus; frequent coryza; slight, hacking, rough cough; constant, dull pain in the right umbilical region ; soft, mushy stool; dull, ach- ing in the loins ; aphthae-like sore on the mucous membrane of the under lip ; took 70 grains at 10 a. m. 12 m.—There is a constant, dull, aching, pain in the stomach, which produces a "gone" or faintish feeling; dull, frontal headache. 5 p. m., there has been constant pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach, that produces a very weak, faint- ish feeling; soft, mushy stool; feeling very sad and gloomy; took eighty grains ; constant pain in the stomach and umbilical region all the evening; dull, heavy backache ; urinated thirty-six ounces, acid. Nov. 13th.—Awoke a number of times with severe' cutting pains in the stomach and umbilical region ; nose stuffed up ; aphtha) is bet- ter ; soft, papescent stool ; 10 a. m., took 100 grains. 12 m., constant dull pain in the umbilical region, by spells quite sharp pains in the region of the spleen ; feeling very gloomy ; all the afternoon dull pains in the stomach and bowels, with sharp pains in the region of the spleen, accompanied by a hot sensation. 4 p. m., took seventy drops of the tincture; constant, dull, burning pains all the evening; cramps in the umbilical region, with smarting of the eyes ; urinated four-one ounces, slightly acid. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 553 Nov. 14th.—The dull, heavy, aching pains in the umbilical region prevented me from sleeping most of the night; dull, heavy headache; eyelids agglutinated together ; mucous membrane congested; nose stuffed up ; soft, mushy stool. At 9 a. m., took fifty drops of Tilden's fluid extract. 12 m.—There has been constant, dull, burning pain in the umbilical region, accompanied with a faintish goneness in the epigastric region ; dull, frontal headache ; burning in the eyes ; took seventy-five drops ; same symptoms were present all day; urinated sixty-ounces, slightly acid. Nov. 15th.—Was very chilly all night, notwithstanding that I had an abundance of clothes over me; great deal of pain in the umbilical and coecal regions all night pain all day in the whole of my bowels ; soft, mushy stool; urinated fifty ounces. Nov. 16th.—Feeling quite well. DR. WHITESIDES* PROVING. Proving by W. N. Whiteside, M. D., Oakwood, C. W. Used a tincture of the dried root, one to ten of dilute alcohol, which is very bitter. Nov. 11th.—Took thirty drops. Nov. 12th.—Took thirty drops. Sticky mucus around the palate, and bad taste. Nov. 14th.—Weight in the stomach. Took thirty drops. Nov. 15th.—Less ability to retain urine ; have to urinate more frequently, but I think not more copiously. Nov, 16th.—Frequently, when eructating, a little urine escapes into the urethra. Great ennui and lassitude. (The weather is like Spring.) Nov. 17th.—Took forty-five drops. Nov. 18th.—Took forty-five drops. Nov. 19th.—Unusual clearing of the throat, while singing. Nov. 20th.—Sticky mucus around the fauces. Nov. 21st.—9 a. m., 130 drops ; 12:30 p. m., 180 drops. A little mucus in the fauces which I cannot swallow. Roaring in the ears like a partridge, on waking in the night—(the waking is habitual.) Nov. 22d— Waked at night with a noise in the ears like cog- wheels, and a crick in the right elbow and phalanges of the left hand —quite painful. Tongue seems large and marked by the teeth. Flatus foetid. 300 drops. Roaring in the ears at 9 p. m. Pulse 56. Nov. 23d.—Broad, yellow stripe on the tongue and bad taste. 6 p. m., 300 drops. 554 NEW REMEDIES. Nov. 24th.—Noise in the ears on waking at night, and rumbling in the bowels; chilliness at 9 a.m., pulse 52; some pain in the stomach. 10 a. m., 220 drops. 10 p. m., urine smelled a little de- composed. Nov. 25th.—Rumbling in the bowels and noise in the ears at night, as before. Mouth sticky, with a light fur on the tongue, and a little aphthae on the upper lip. (There was one on the upper lip when I commenced the proving which soon disappeared.) 7 a. m., trouble- some aching in the sole of the left foot, for an hour or two. Ringing in the ears, with slight pain in the anus. 120 drops. Nov. 26th.—A noise as of cogw-heels at night; yellow coat on the tongue ; dreamed of monsters ; some pain in the umbilical region and anus. Nov. 27th.—Bad taste in the morning ; an aphthas on the under lip ; urine has an unusual odor. Nov. 28th.—9 a. m., fifty drops. A noise in the ears in five min- utes ; pulse 66. An aphthae on the tongue, and the one on the lip quite large and sore. Nov. 30th.—150 drops. Dec. 1st.—1 p. m., pulse 76. Dec 2d.—Painless gurgling in the stomach ; stools a little softer than usual, all through the proving, and of a smaller diameter. PROVING BY A.* Prover A, aged thirty-one years ; sanguine-bilious temperament. troubled with constipation for the last five years ; unrefreshing sleep ; when he awakes in the morning, has no disposition to get out of bed; wants to sleep and rest more, but feels much better a short time after getting up. October 31st, 11 p. m.—On retiring to bed, took one drop of the 30th potency in a tablespoonful of water. Slept well all night; felt quite refreshed in the morning, 5 o'clock. On awaking from sleep, no desire for further rest, and had to get out of bed. Very good humored. Eyes somewhat agglutinated. (Unusual.) 8 p. m.—Half an hour after breakfast, same morning, had an operation of the bowels, not differing from that of any former occasion, but followed by profuse discharges of bright-red, arterial blood, lasting for about a minute, and occasioning some anxiety. Had a sensation all day as if the hemorrhage might be repeated, and was, as a consequence, squeez- ing the sphincter ani all the time. * This proving is one of a series which were made by the Class of 1866 Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. The other provings will be found in the Appendix to this work. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 555 10 a. M.—Same day began to grow gloomy, taciturn and disagree- able towards his acquaintances. 11 a. m., one hour later, head began to ache right across the frontal sinuses, the pain being dull and lazy, and slightly throbbing. This condition continued all day, until 4 p. m., when he found it almost impossible to keep from sleeping ; missed one lecture for the purpose of sleeping, and returned to the college, all his symptoms being much worse. At 5 o'clock, the same evening, while attending lectures, his heart became agitated, and continued so for about five minutes. Nov. 1st.—Retired to bed at 11 o'clock p. m.; sleep restless all night, tossing about, seeking cool positions ; and on waking in the morning, felt as he used to feel before he took the medicine, except that his eyes were considerably agglutinated. At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 2d, half-hour after breakfast, bowels moved more profusely than on the previous morning, which was followed by hemorrhage as on the day before. The prover had no operation from the bowels for three days before taking the medi- cine. There was constant, throbbing headache all day in both sides of the head, in the anterior temporal regions. The headache and all the symptoms were worse in the warm room, while sitting and rest- ing, especially while thinking of the symptoms. The fresh air was very agreeable and always brought relief. Nov. 2d.—Retired to bed at 11 p. m.; head continued to ache all over the forehead and into the temples. Very restless all night; woke up every half hour, and upon each occasion sought a new posi- tion in order to get rest. Nov. 3d, 5 a. m.—Headache still continued, and both eyes com- pletely stuck together; has no cold, nor knows of any cause that would produce it except it is the remedy. At 8 in the morning, the bowels moved freely and the discharge was again followed by the same sort of blood, renewing the former anxiety as to its conse- quences. There is now heavy, pressing distress in the rectum ; headache bounding and throbbing ; and fears he will become sick all over. At 8 o'clock, p. m., while sitting in a warm room, he is sud- denly seized with sneezing, which is succeeded by excoriating, watery discharge from the nose ; and retires to bed at 9 p. m., very sick. Restless sleep all night long, and sneezing every time he would wake up. Arose from bed at 7 o'clock a. m., on the 4th of November. Headache still continuing ; eyes agglutinated, but less so than the previous morning ; and small fever blisters appear on the lower lip, in the right corner. At 8 o'clock, the discharge from the bowels is again followed by blood, and other symptoms appear, viz : The gen- ital organs perspire freely, particularly the scrotum, and emit so offensive an odor, that everything in the pantaloons pockets, and even the hands when put into them, partake of it; and under the prepuce, the perspiration is excoriating. Nov. 5th.—The catarrh has descended into the chest, causing dis- tress and difficulty of breathing; he wants to take long breaths all 556 NEW REMEDIES. the time. The discharge of blood with each stool continued all the time till the evening of the 16th of November. Lycopodium, 10m. was then given, when this symptom ceased suddenly ; the liver re- mained enlarged, and gave a dull sound on percussion ; the distress above stated became again worse at the lapse of ten days, when Lycopodium, 41m., was administered ; a slight aggravation followed, and then all the former symptoms were relieved. Four days after- ward, the enlargement and induration of the liver had entirely dis- appeared. ACCIDENTAL PROVING BY DR. BAYES."* Miss W. set. 75,—suffering with chronic ulcer of the leg ; gen- eral health good. Took by mistake 20 drops of tincture of Hydrastis, upon the evening of August 15th, 1862. During the night, was restless. On the morning of the 16th ex- perienced a great sense of sinking and prostration at the epigastrium, wijh violent and long continued palpitation of the heart. She had three greenish evacuations from the bowels on the 16th, with pain in the bowels, as if she had taken a drastic purge. In the course of the 16th, she had flushes of heat over the face, neck and hands; these were succeeded by an erysipelatoid rash, cov- ering the neck, the palms of the hands, and the joints of the fingers and wrists. The irritation was maddening, with intense burning heat. These symptoms continued until the 22d, when the skin exfoliated, the irritation remained in a slighter form for some days, and was always worse at night. In the above case, I have used the patients own words to express her sensations. The sinking in the epigastrium and palpitation of the heart, have been previously noticed by myself and other observers to follow the use of Hydrastis, when given in low dilutions and mas- sive doses. ACCIDENTAL PROVING BY DR. W. L. CLEVELAND. I was sent for in the night of the 28th of February, to consult with Dr. R. S. Pomeroy on a case of threatened miscarriage, which terminated favorably. The patient, Mrs. P., about 30 years old, of a bilious encephalic temperament and a scrofulaus diathesis, subject to frequent attacks of sore throat, from which she is very deaf. On the second day, (2d day of March), after a very severe inflammation of the throat, and entire buccal cavity made its appearance, Dr. Pom- eroy prescribed an infusion of Hydrastis, as a gargle, and directed it to be used three or four times during the day. Mrs. P., not under- standing the directions, and the application feeling grateful, used the whole tumbler-full in about five hours, at the same time, applying a cloth saturated with the infusion over the mouth aud chin. Next * (British) Homceopathic Observer, vol. I, page 189, HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 557 morning, (March 3d,) the mouth, lips and nose were very much swol- len, and pimples made their appearance during the day around the mouth and chin, resembling the early stage of small pox or varioloid, and the next morning, (the 5th,) they commenced vesicating. At this stage Dr. Pomeroy called on me to see the case with him, and had I not known the previous history of the case, would have pro- nounced it small pox. On the 6th the pustules began to sink in the centre and turn dark, and commenced drying, and have gone through the various stages of small pox or varioloid, and scaled off on the 10th, and on the 15th the patient was up attending to her household duties. Query.—What caused the eruptions 1" RESUME. General Symptoms.—A few drops of the mother tincture will cause a sense of physical prostration.—(Marsden) Faintish, weak feeling.— (Burt.) So weak that I fell three times in going to the house. Great sinking at the epigastrium, with violent and long continued palpitation, (noticed in several cases.) Great ennui and lassitude. It is a very mild, certain and perma- nent tonic, invigorating the general system, and the various organs of nutrition.—(Eclectic authorities) Clinical Observations.—In relation to its general effects on the system, there is no mediciue in use in eclectic practice, about which there is such general unanimity of opinion. It is universally re- garded by that school as the tonic—useful in all debilitated states, and under all conditions except that of acute inflammation. This is to the eclectic school what Quinine is to the allopath, and China is to our own school. The first named school look with surprise upon the indifference with which this, their favorite tonic, is treated by the rival schools. I have known eclectics in large practice, to rely upon it almost to the exclusion of Q linine or Salicine, in inter- mittents and other malarious fevers. They usually prescribe one dram of the tinctuie or fluid extract, or one or two grains (even as high as six grains) of the Hydrastin, every one, two, or *,four hours, asthe case seems to demand,and assert that it always acts as a, pure tonic, and that its effects are not attended with any stimulation of the circulation, or congestion of the brain, as is the case with Qui- nine. Yet, curiously enough, English homceopathists assert that a "few drops of the mother tincture will cause a physical prostration." If could not do this by its primary action, like China : its secondary effect may be prostration. Drs. Marsden and McLimont state that 'one of us has, for upwards of a month at a time, endeavored by ex- periment to ascertain its pathogenesis ; but we have been unable to 858 NEW REMEDIES. elicit any very decided symptoms, except upon the sensorium and heart, which were affected for a very short time, by doses of half an ounce and upwards, smaller quantities appearing to pass off without any effect at all." The tincture used by the gentlemen must have been of a very poor quality, or half an ounce would have shown its effects in quite a decided manner. They state, however, that they "know of no medicine which has caused so great an improvement in the general health of our cancer patients as has this, an improvement which, in most cases, has become visible in the bettered expression of the countenances, to all who had previously known the patients." The testimony of many of our school accords very nearly with that of the eclectic, namely : That it improves the tone of the gen- eral system in a manner more prompt than does China, or the min- eral acids. Our recent provings confirm our impression that it is homoeopathic to debility. NeiTOUS System.—The action of Hydrastis on the nerves of mo- tion and sensation is very limited and occupies a minor place in its therapeutics. Fever. —Heat of pkin ; flushes of heat on face and neck ; pulse slow and labored ; palpitation of heart; somewhat feverish, with in- tense itching in various parts of the body ; chilliness at 9 a. m.; pulse 52 ; pulse reduced about six beats ; towards the close of the proving, accelerated ; chilliness at 9 a. m. with depressed pulse—52; •chilly sensation all night, notwithstanding abundance of covering; chilliness, with aching in the back and limbs, Clinical Observations.—Our provings have not yet been heroic enough to elicit sufficient decided symptoms to enable us to judge of its full effects on the vascular system. I am of the opinion that in its action on the organs of circulation of the blood, it resembles somewhat the action of China, Cornus, Aletris and others of that class. It will not cause, however the phenomena ■of intermittent fever, as does China. Its primary effects on the vas- cular system are rather of a steady stimulation, which may be carried up to the point of sub-acute congestion. Secondarily it causes torpor and general debility, of a chronic character, from the too-long sus- tained over-stimulation. Its use iu intermittent fevers has already been alluded to. It is most serviceable in quotidians, when there is considerable gastric disturbance, jaundice, and a general cachectic condition. Also in cases where mercury and quinine have "been used injuriously. In the debility which follows gastric, bilious, and typhoid fever, it will be found very useful. Lymphatic System.—Hydrastis must be capable of modifying the vitality of this system, else it could not exert such curative action in that direction, as has been noticed, and recorded in clinical expe- diences. It is probably eliminated by the glands when taken into the HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 559 aystem, and must exert a curative influence of some kind upon all glands. It is said to have some effect in antidoting or modifying the cancerous dyscrasia. This it may do by assisting the glands in eliminating the poison. This may not be an inappropriate place to mention the use of Hy- drastis in scirrhous and cancerous affections. In the British Journal ■of Homoeopathy, 1850, is found the first notice of the use of the rem- ody in cancer. In the same journal, for 1863, is an article by Drs. McLimontand Marsden, entitled "Cancer; Its Pathology, etc.," in which special mention was made of the curative effects of Hydrastis. [There seems to be a very undignified and unprofessional quarrej in progress in England, between Dr. Pattison on the one side, and Drs. McLimont and Marsden on the other. It seems to" amount to about this : That the former gentleman claims that he originated the use of Hydrastis in cancers as early as 1852, and has used it success- fully ever since. He alleges that Dr. Marsden learned the use of Hydrastis of him, while he was a student of medicine, and that the claims set forth by Dr. McLimont and Marsden, in 1863, relating to the use of Hydrastis by them, was a fraud and full of dishonesty. Per contra, the latter gentlemen assert that they learned of the use of Hydrastis from Dr. Hastings' paper, in 1856. They do not deny all knowledge of Dr. Pattison's long prior claim to its use, for in a foot- note to the paper alluded to, they say : " It has been used for some time by Dr. Pattison, in the treatment of cancers." We are sorry to see any such antagonism among members of our own school. It will only degrade us in the eyes of other schools. In our estimate it matters but little which side is victorious in this quar- rel. Neither of the parties use the Hydrastis in a proper manner, and in accordance with the principles of homoeopathy.] After mentioning the use of Arsenicum, Conium, Belladonna, and •other constitutional remedies against cancer, they proceed to notice the Golden Seal. They say • " We are not sure who it was that first adopted and recommended the use of Hydrastis canadensis, but have reason to believe that this application of the root was Lfirst made in America." " This"— the Hydrastis—"is the medicine upon which we chiefly rely in our treatment of cancer, usually putting our patient under a •course of it for a month or so, before commencing the enucleation of ithe mass. Our doses vary from one to two drops of the 6th dilution, 560 NEW REMEDIES. to drop doses of the mother tincture; the lower forms being used in those cases in which the cachectic condition is fully marked ; and we must confess that we know of no medicine which has caused so great an improvement in the general health of our patients as has this. We continue the medicine during the whole of the treatment, and for some weeks after." Drs. McLimont and Marsden do not, however, rely entirely upon the use of Hydrastis alone, but consider it necessary to "enucleate" the tumor. This process of enucleation is described in full, (see page 682). Hydrastis was applied to the tumor after it had been incised. But it will seem strange to American homceopathists, who have al- ways looked upon their English brethren.with something akin to rev- erence, when they learn the manner of its application. "A piece of lint is applied to the surface, spread with equal parts of a paste com- posed of a strong decoction of Hydrastis root, Chloride of zinc, and flour, and Stramonium ointment." Shade of Hahnemann, have mercy upon English homceopathists ! Is this Homoeopathy ? What, in the name of common sense, can a mild, non-caustic medicine like Golden Seal do, mixed up with such caustics and narcotics as Chloride of zinc and Stramonium 1 Is the British Journal so badly in want of original articles, as to be obliged to publish such absurdity under the name of homoeopathy ? It is equally ridiculous with old school practice. If the Hydrastis was to be tested, why not do it in a proper manner, by applying it in a concentrated form to the diseased part 1 In some of the cases reported, a " lotion," of Golden Seal was applied with apparent good effect,* * Note to the second edition —Dr. Marsden, in a late article in the British Journal of Homoeopathy, (April 1856,) feel* aggrieved by my cri i^ism of his treat- ment mentioned in the first edition. In hie article on "Cancer—its pathology and treatment," Drs. Marsden and McLimont certainly conveyed the idea that the Hy- drastis was an important ingredient in the caustic paste they made use of in enu- cleating the tumor. They say, in the ar'icle alluded to : ''The special constitu- tional treatment alluded to, and the absorption of the Hyiraslis into the parts imme- diately surrounding the disease, appear to us also to guard as much as is possible against the return of the tumor or the development of the malady in'2ot!ier parts> for the surrounding and adjacent tissues connected with the tumors, ate so thor oughly percolated by the paste, that any cancer cells, deposited in such tissues, are at once destroyed and rendered quite harmless." (By the Hydrastis?) This is cer- tainly implied by the language used. Yet ii the late article Dr. Marsden says—■ either in contadiction of his own words, or from later experience, he does not say which : " It is of course obvious to all surgeons that the Chloride of zinc is t'ie sole agent upon which the successful enucleation of the turn >r depends, that this takei the place, as it were, of the knife in a cutting operation, and that any wther ingr«- HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 501 " In some cases, however, tho ulc2ration has extended into such parts as to prevent muoh treatment by the application of the paste, and here we hive obtained much good .roui the Hydrastis lotion, combined with its intern il administration ; the paiu decreases, the feasor diminishes, the discharge is lessened, and the ulceratn n pro- gresses less rapidly. * * * Our experience, on the whole, seems to lead to th 5 conclusion thit for the most part the health, (as connected with the disease) improves more rapidly under Arsenicum than under Hydrastis, while ou the other hand, the local condition dient added to the caustic is onlv of use to modify its action, or to form a vehicle fir its application. We had. indeed, Ion g cased to to regard t e addition of the Hydrastis as being of any other service than to form 11 convenient diluent, which fro,n the glutinous nature it assumes on b lilin.r, it certainly does. The p tste which I am now in the habit i.f using, consists simply of finely powdered Ilvdiastis boiled down to a proper consistence, which, with this exception, answers equally well. To each ounce of piste, hilf an ounce, or more of the Chloride of zinc is added, according to the requirements of the case. The assertion that it mitigates (except as a diluent) the pain cause.l by the t'hloride, we have always eonsid red as sv, much bosh, and have nev v seen any reason whatever for supposing that the paste used by Dr. Fell causes any more pain than tint made by the Hydrastis. T ie pain varies exceedingly in different individuals, some scarcely complaining,, while others suffer severely, and it is very difficult to explain this difference. Much,, however, depends upon the position of the part, the nature ot the tissue ac e.l upon, the strength of the paste, aud the care which is exercised iu making the in- cisions.'' In another place. Dr. Marsden says : "fn a recent paper read by Dr Dives before the British Homoeopathic Society „ he observes that the value of the Hydrastis appears to be evidenced, especially irk tho-se cises in which the glands oniy are affected. Our own experience, if [ ex- cept Case V, (111 which the diseased condition of the uterus was much bettered,> bears out tnis observation, and I am inclined to agree with him that it is vuth<-z through a specific action which it exerts upon the glandular structures than through anv specific action upon cancers as such, that the favor..ble results which foilow its use depend." If then the Hydrastis is only a diluent in the paste, then why use it nt all! Dr Marsden evidently did have an idea that the medicinal virtues of the Hydrastis, in the paste, was absorbed into the the tissues involved in the disease, and antirioliiie the poison therein, just as a lotion of the same medicine is supposed to act topi- cal y. In order to d) justice to my English colleagues T will say : (-/) If they deny the local curative action of the Hydrastis in the paste, if the Zinci chloridum is the nole agent of any use, let it be left out. (4). If they think that the Hydrastis does act as a curative agent against the c incer, when mixed with the other cansiics in the paste, let them retain it and defend it. I must, however, still maintain that such a mixture and such deductions, as were made in the quotations from their first paper, are not. scientific or homoeopathic If again, the Hydrastis is the sole agent ti.at has any curat:ve action upon the cancer, I still contend that it should be ap- plied alone, in the form of a cerate, lotion, or strong pase, to the surface of the cancer incised, or not. Sirxe Dr. Marsden and McLimont's original paper appeared, I am not aware ttiat their treatment has been adopted in this country. I thiiiK that I should Lave been informed ot it through the journals or by letter. 36 562 NEW REMEDIES. participates more decidedly in this amendment when Hydrastis is taken." Several example cases are given to illustrate the curative effects, a few of which we condense : Case 1st.—A lady had observed for some years, a hard substance in the right breast, which, for a few months before coming under treatment, had rapidly increased in size, and had become so painful as to prevent all rest by night. On examination a tumor of strong hardness, and about the size of a duck's'egg, was discovered in the upper portion of the left breast. It was non-adhejent, but the skin was slightly puckered, and the nipple retracted. Another physician had called the tumor a malignant one. Hydrastis 6th was adminis- tered in drop doses. The pain was at once relieved. The enuclea- tion of the tumor, however, was decided upon. The wound speedily cicatrized, and the patient remains perfectly free from the disease. Case 2d.—A lady had suffered for six months from a swelling in the left breast. The pain—which was compared to knives thrust into the part—had become almost unbearable, and the patient was already beginning to assume that worn appearance so characteristic of the cancerous diathesis. The tumor, which attained a considerable size was hard, heavy and adherent to the skin, which was dark, mottled and very much puckered, the nipple also being very much retracted. The patient was at once advised to came to town for the enucleation of the tumor. This, however, her circumstances prevented, and with- out any expectation of affording much relief, a lotion of Hydrastis was ordered with the internal use of the same medicine. The pain almost immediately ceased, and the tumor so speedily decreased in size that at the end of two months, it had altogether disappeared, leaving but the puckered skin, which had otherwise regained its nat- ural appearance. When we last heard of this patient she remained perfectly well. It is needful to state that her health rapidly improved under the treatment, and that her countenance regained the aspect of health." This is a notable case, and if the Hydrastis will always act as well, it will prove a great boon to humanity. Ten cases are given in which the Hydrastis was used. In most cases it relieved the pain, and in some it checked the progress of the disease. The writers claimed that it failed to give relief in no case. They predict great advantages from the use of this medicine.* But "Note to secovd edition.—It will be interesting to physicians to know the con- dition of these patients two years after they were reported cured In the April number ef the British Journal for 1855; Dr. Mar«den writes—giving the state of the patients at that time : HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 563 we protest against its combination with powerful caustics and ano- dynes, if we are to have all the good effects of the " paste" attributed to the Hydrastis. I would suggest that American homoeopaths test the pure paste of Hydrastis, (pulverized root,) applied to the "incis- ed " tumor, or the lotion, or even a strong cerate, giving, at the same time, the same remedy internally. I have been treating a case of scirrhous of the breast with Hy- drastis. The lady had a scirrhous tumor extirpated from the right breast, six years previously. Three months before I was consulted, she noticed a small induration or tumor, near the site of the one which had been extirpated. It gradually increased in size and be- came very painful. The pain was lancinating, and extended up to the shoulder and down the arms. I applied a lotion of Hydrastis, one- tenth in water, and ordered her to take five drops of the one-tenth three times a day. The pain ceased the first week, and the tumor decreased rapidly in size. Skin.—An erysipelatoid rash on the face, neck, palms of the hands and joints of the fingers and wrist; the fingers and wrist; the irritation was maddening with intense burning heat. For six days these symptoms continued, when the skin exfoliated ; the irritation remained in a lighter form for some days, and was always worse at night. Heat of the skin; eruption like varioloid on the face; (see "■Case \st.—This case was never fully under our care, and though sufficiently so to warrant our using it in illustration of the enucleative treatment, not suffi- ciently so to throw its responsibility upon ourselves. This patient*still remains free from any evidence of cancerous disease, but for some time she was troubled by the formation of scabs and scales in the neighborhood of the cicatrix, which left behind very troublesome ulcers; to this we alluded in our former paper, and the trouble continued for some time after the publication of that article ; it is now, however, removed. From very extensive injury done to the greater pectoral mus- cle, the use of the right arm has been most seriously impair id and will never, probably, he restored. She has, from the termination of the treatment, suffered, and still continues to suffer much, from severe burning sensations in the infra- nummary region, in which a good deal of puffy swelling still exists On the whole we should be very much indisposed to regard this as a model case. It is, however, no small thing that the patient presents, hitherto, no appearance whatever of any return of the disease." " Case '2d—has not come under our notice, though I have no doubt that she would have put in an appearance had anything occurred which would have called for our assistance '' Of the remaining eight cases, two had not been heard from ; t'iree are reported as "perfectly well, ' and three are still suffering from the cancerous malady. From what what we know at the present day, of the nature of the cancerous dyscrasia, it is safe to presume that unless suddenly taken away by some other dis- ease, all of the ten patients will ultimately die of cancer. But if the treatment by Hydrastis and enucleation will arrest the suffering and the progress of the malady for a few years only, it should be given all due praise and credit. 534 NEW REMEDIES. "Face.") The powdered root is said to cause pustulation, itching on various parts of the body, with feverishness. Clinical Observations. - It is probably homceopathic to some acute exanthemata ; also to some forms of chronic dermoid disease. When chronic eruptions depend on debility for their continuance, as is sometimes the case, then the Hydrastis, by its invigorating influ- ence may prove curative. It lias been found useful in lupus, rhagades and excoriations. It may be employed as a simple lotion, or a glycerole, or in the form of a cerate ; and if the patient is cachectic and exhibits symptoms indi- cating this remedy, its internal use will be of advantage. Dr. McLimont, of England claims lo have treated three case3 of lupus, successfully, with the internal and topical use of Hydrastis. Dr H. M. Saxton writes me that he has had consideiable expe- rience in the use of Hydrastis as an exttrnal application, and gives the following cases illustrating its use : Case 1. -A girl seven or eight years of age fell, and lacerated tho scalp above the left temple. The wound was several inches in length, in the form of a crescent. It suppurated, and became a troublesome sore. After cleansing the surface, the Hydrastis, in fine powder, was applied. It checked the suppuration, allayed the inflammation, and under its use, the ulcer healed u a few days. Case 1 —Was an ulcer from a burn, on the back of a child's hand. It was much infi nncd, very painful : she could hardly move her wrist. The powdered Hydrastis was applied lightly. Although the child irritated it a good deal, it soon healed, and left the cuticle smooth, and without a cicatrix. Case 3—Infantile Intertrigo. " Excoriation in the folds of the neck." The dry powder was applied, and it healed in three days. As a wash, oue part of the tincture to ten of water, I have found more useful in obstinate excoriation of the skin, in children, than Arnica. Glycerine is a better vehicle than water. The Glycerole of Hydrastis is used with great advantage in cases of intertrigo, sore nipples, and ulcerated surfaces While Arnica seems specific for contusions, with extravasation, and Calendula, fir incised and lacera- ted wounds, even when unhealthy suppuration ensues, the Hydrastis seems the best remedy for chronic ulcers, arising from either of the above causes, or from burns, scalds, or some diseases of the skin. The Hydrastis canadensis has been used in the treatment of variola, in a somewhat remark (supposed effect of an external application of the tincture ;) erysipe- latous rash on the face, neck, etc. Fauces, Throat, etc.,—Sticky, but not abundant mucus in the fauces; sticky mucus around the palate, with bad taste; unusual clearing of the throat while singing ; a little mucus in the fauces which I cannot swallow ; tingling and smarting in the throat ; hawk- ing up of tenacious, yellow or white mac is, with rawness of the fauces ; some pain on swallowing, as from excoriation. Clinical Observations—It is a favorite remedy with many homoeopathic physicians in the West, as a gargle in cases of simple ulcerated sore throat; also in angina with ulceration, wheu accom- panying scarlatina ; it does not like Baptisia, remove the foe or in a direct manner, but its curative effect over the ulceration, tends to- remove any putrefactive condition. The pathogenetic symptoms are quite similar to those for which Dr. Gray, of New York, so highly recommends Mercurius iodatus; and the pathological condition, nunely. inflammation and engorgement, with profuse secretion of mucus from the mucous follicles of the throat, very much resemble the condition wHch Mercurius cau.>es. In some varieties of chronic angina, we find the mucous membrane of the fauces studded with. ro.uid, protuberent spots, of a red color, as if injected with blood, and the patient, complain* of an aggravation from the least exposure to cold. For this state of the throat H >par sulphur is generally pre- scribed, but its permanent curati.e effect is very much aided by the internal and local use of Hydrastis. Dr. Lodge had excellent success with Hydrastis in a case of mer- curial salivation. A man troubled with the itch was told that an ointment of corrosive sublimate would cure it. He used it freely. As the skin eruption disappeared, severe mercurial salivation was- devcloped When called to see him, his jaws were set, liquids were swallowed with difficulty, power of articulation was lost, and he could only make his wants known by writing on a slate. The ulceration of the mouth, which followed the salivation, was soon relieved by Hydras- ti." (-rV,) oue part tincture to nine parts water and the patient was able to spiak in about a week. The recovery was rapid and permanent. Syphilitic angina, has been benefitted by the use of this medicine; indeed, iu its action the glands of the mucous membrane, Hydrastis is an analogue of the mercurials. There is a kind of sore throat, which often attends dyspepsia; it is sometimes knowu as " bilious 574 NEW REMEDIES. sore throat," although the name is in appropriate ; it is a sympathetic disorder, arising from irritation of the stomach and Iowt portion* of oesophagus ; for this troublesome affection, the Hydrastis iuterually is an excellent remedy. In diphtheria the Hydrastis has been found of benefit. It corres- ponds to the debility which results from that disease, and to the local condition of the throat when ulceration occurs. I am accustomed to use it as a gargle in all cases where ulceration is notio ed. Dr. Logan says: "I have used the Hydrastis in ulceration of mucous membranes, with very satisfactory results. Three years ago I treated over '200 cases of diphtheria, using the Hydrastis as a gargle, with good results ; also in leucorrucea of the cervix." Dr. C. C. Smith, of Chicago, reports the following case wherein this medicine was used in Diphtheria : " The disease came on in the usual way. Under the use of Nit- ricum acidum, Belladonna, and Capsicum the throat was cured in a very short time, the false membrane clearing off nicely. But about the period when I was looking for the time to arrive when the patient (a girl of 14) should be well on the road to health, I was not. a little surprised to discover the diphtheritic membrane forming in the left nostril, and in the vagina, the former being completely plugged up. I was at a loss to know the proper remedy, (similia,) in this new phase of the disease. I could not expect much from a continuance of the medicines already used, for although they removed the throat symptoms, they had not reached the essence of the disease, which it was plain to see was still lurking in the system. H iving read somewhere, and at that moment calling it to mind, that Hydrastis possessed the power of producing a false membrane upon all mucous surfaces, I at once administered this drug both ex- ternally and internally, in the first decimal dilution, the outward ap- plication being brought in contact with the parts by means of a camel- hair brush while teaspoonful doses of a solution of six drops of the above potency in a half tumbler of water was given every hour. Very soon the false membrane began to shrink up aud soon came away—the cure was rapid and complete." Gastric Symptoms.—Eructations of sour fluid ; faint feeling at the stomach ; dull aching pain in the stomach, which causes a very weak, faintish feeling ; burning pain in the umbilical region, with a faintish " goneness" in the epigastric region; cutting pain in the stomach; oppression of the stomach ; eructations ; weight in the stomach; acute distressing pain in stomach ; nausea; great sense of sinking and prostration at the epigastrium, with violent and long contifiued pvlpitation of the- heart; painless gurgling in stomach. Clinical Observations.—This remedy seems likely to prove as prominent a remedy tor those conditions which are known under the name of dyspepsia, as Nux vomica, Sulphur, or Pulsatilla. We will glance at the testimony of eclectic physicians on this subject ; " It is HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 575 successfully administered in dyspepsia and chronic affections of the mucous coats of the stomach ; in chronic inflammation of the stomach it is very valuable ; it will be found of special advantage in the treat- ment of persons who are intemperate, gradually removing the abnor- mal condition of the stomach, and in many instances destrovinc the appetite for liquor.—{King ) " In anorexia, indigestion, and'general debility, arising from a languid, or atonic state of the stomach, it is unsurpassed, restoring tone to the stomach, promoting the appetite, and acting as a general restorative. It may also be employed in those cases of chronic gastritis and chronic irritation of the stomach with altered secretion, which constitute the worst and most persistent forms of dyspepsia. In acid indigestion the Hydrastis, associated with calcined magnesia or prepared charcoal, will be found truly val- uable, especially when attended with a torpid condition of the bowels. In those sympathetic diseases of the digestive organs, arising from uterine disease, we have obtained more benefit from this than from any other agent.* "The cases in which we have known this plant used with most success, were atonic dyspepsia, attended with torpidi- ty of the liver; languid circulation, and constipated bowels." (Pro- fessor Lee, allopath.) The few pathogenetic symptoms which we have, point to its use in dyspepsia with acidity, and dyspepsia from atony. The faint feeling, is quite suggestive of congestion of the portal sys- tem ; but we should be guided, perhaps, more by the general action of Hydrastis upon mucous membranes. We know that it causes (I) blennorrhagia; (2) excoriation and ulceration (superficial?); and a condition simulating chronic inflammation. 1 have used this medi- cine in gastric disorders, for several years, and my experience, togeth- er with a knowledge of its general effects, led me to consider it homoeopathic to the following conditions ; I use the nomenclature of Dr. Chambers—(see Disorders of Digestion :) (1) Mucous Flux (chronic.) (2) Excess of epithelium (chronic.) (3) The Ansemic state. (4) Chronic inflammation, (mucous.) (5) Ulcer of the stomach. (6) Deficiency of gastric juice. It may prove of value in cancer, or scirrhus of the stomach, if the experience of our English colleagues should be verified ; it palliates those symptoms of flatulence, distention, and painful digestion, so common to dyspeptics. Li?er.—Our provings do not point to any particular symptoms, relating to the liver, but it is considered valuable in hepatic disorders, by the eclectic school. Coe says :—Upon the liver it acts with certainty and efficacy ; as a cholagogue and deobstruent, it hasfew equals ; it is of inestimable value in the treatment of chronic derangements of the liver and por tal circulation ; it seems to exercise ad especial iufluence over the •Jones and Scudder, Materia Medica. 576 NEW REMEDIES. portal vein, and hepatic structure, generally; resolving biliary depos- its; removing obstructions ; promoting secretion, and giving tone to the various functions. It m vy be relied upon with confidence for the relief of hepatic torpor. In intermittent fever, we have found it most reliable in those cases in which the prolongation of the disease depended upon a disordered condition of the functions of the liver." King d >es not mention its applicability to hepatic diseases. Other writers, however, recommend it in affections of that organ. If the liver eliminates the principle of Hydrastis, we may safely assert that it will disorder its functions. I have quoted the above, to draw the attention of our school to its alleged uses. There is one condition of the liver, bower, in which I consider the Hydrastis homoeopathic cally indicated ; I allude to the "catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the gall bladder, biliary ducts, etc. Dr. J. A. Albert^on reports the following case of jaundice : Oct, 7th, 18 > I—Mr, L----. aged 40, called upon me, complaining of severe pains in stomach and bowels, al»o constipation and loss of appetite. I prescribed Nix and afterwards Podophyllin without benefit. Very soon jaundice began to appear and developed a serious case ; skin and eyes were of a dark greenish yellow ; urine very d .rk ; faeces quite light colored, extreme prostration of the whole sys- tem. I at, first, thought that the pains were caused by obstruction of the gall duct, but finally concluded that such was not the case, as they gradually abated when the disease became fully developed. After two weeks treatment, during which time the patient received Nix vomica, Podophyllin, Mercurius, Leptandrin, Digitalis, Phos- phorus and China; all the time getting worse, I became somewhat alarmed, and in looking over the case anew, came upon " C >e's re- marks on the action of the liv« r," page 25JS, 1st edition " New Rem- e lies," whi<-h determined me to try it in this obstinate case I accordingly prescribed it in mother tincture, five drops three times a day. The patient began to improve very soon, and was discharged cur«d in ten days. The same patient had a slight attack since, which was cured readily by the same remedy. Since treating the above case, I have had perhaps 20 similar cases, which I have cured in from one to two weeks, with Hydrastis, in d »ses ranging from the first dilution to five drops of the mother tincture, three times a day. Occasionally when some complication imperatively called for some o'her remedy, I have a't^rnated a few drops of the proper one with Hydrastis, the principal, and in many cases the sole remedy, and it has not disappointed me. I have not used it in cases where I was absolutely certain there was structural disease of the liver, but am quite confident it must be of use in at least chronic cases of structural disease producing jaundice, since it is so effioacious iu fuuctioual derangements producing the same HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 577 disease. I should, in such a case, unless the symptoms very plainly called for some other remedy, resort to Hydrastis with confidence of good resulting from its use. It must have been homceopathic to the symptoms and cases above, or it would not have cured them so readily and completely, and future heroic and careful provings, will undoubtedly confirm the truth of its homcepathic action in jaundice. Stomach and Bowels.—Slight pain in the umbilical region, with a hot sensation in the same parts ; severe cutting pain in the hypo- gastric region, extending into the testicle, where it is of a dull aching character, occurring after stool and accompanied by a very faint feel- ing ; constant distress in the umbilical region, with loud rumbling in the bowels ; dull pains in the hypogastrium, and small of the back ; dull pain in the umbilicus, aggravated by moving, and accompanied by great rumbling in the bowels; severe pains in the hypogastrium with a very faint feeling following stool; constant dull pain in the right side of umbilical region ; constant dull aching pnin in the stomach that produces a gone, or faint feeling; constant pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach, that produces a very weak, faint feel- ing ; severe cutting pains in the stomach and umbilical region ; at intervals sharp pain in the region of the spleen, with constant dull pains in the stomach and bowels, accompanied by a hot, burning sensation ; the aching pain in the umbilicus prevents my sleeping ; great deal of pain in the umbilical and ccecal regions^enlinuing all night, with pain in the whole bowels all the following day ; sharp pains in the region of the ccocum ; a good deal of rumbling<*in the bowels, especially on going to bed, and when awaking in the night; foetid flatus ; pain in the umbilical region and anus ; griping in the bowels, with profuse light colored diarrhoea; griping in the bowels, with several light, but somewhat acrid stools ; soreness in bowels. Clinical Observations.—It will be well here, to inquire into the general action of Hydrastis upon the intestinal tube. It is not con~ sidered as a cathartic, yet I have known large doses of the powdered root to act as a purgative. This, however, may have been in part ow- ing to the irritating effects of the woody fibre in the powder, as tha tincture does not, in quite large quantities, have that effect. King says that in some instances "It proves laxative, but without any as- tringency, and seems to act in therapeutical action between Rhubarb and Blood-root." Prof. Lee says it "proves laxative to the bowels," Dr. Burt, who made a portion of this proving, writes me that he did not have any very loose stools during the experiment; that he did not notice any mucus in the evacuations ; the burning pain in the bowels was quite troublesome, but his proving was not continued a sufficient length 01 time to develope its peculiar blenorrhagic effects, 37 578 NEW REMEDIES. upon the intestinal mucous membranes. We feel safe in asserting that Hydrastis is not primarily or directly homceopathic to diarrhoea unless in the catarrhal, in which it should be used highly potentized ; but it is decidedly homceopathic to the following conditions : (1). Chronic mucous flux of the intestines. This condition has been treated under the name of intestinal catarrh, (blenorrhoea of the bowels.) It seems to be a near analogue of Ammonium muriaticum, in its effects upon the mucous surfaces. (2). Erosion, chronic ulceratian, etc., " with defective absorp- tion ;" it is also homceopathic to flatulent colic; and pain in the bowels when accompanied by faintness. Dr. H. Wigand, M. D., of Dayton, Ohio, reports the following case of enteritis cured by Hydrastis : "A married woman, aged 21 ; mother of one child, three years old ; of nervous temperament, blue eyes, light hair ; prolapsus uteri and leucorrhoea of several years standing,—took cold by getting her feet wet, during the last days of her monthly period.—(Nov. 1864). I found her suffering from chills and high fever, pain in the bowels and uterine region, and frequent dysenteric evacutions. Gelseminum and Aconite removed these complaints except the pains. These con- tinued with increased severity. She says, "it feels like wind." A lump, the size of a hen's egg, rises and falls in the right iliac and lumbar regions. Sharp pains around the umbilicus, extending to the left ovarian and splenal region. Moans continually, and at times her out-cries are very distressing. Very restless, no sleep ; abdominal walls painful to pressure ; discharge of flatus, which sounds like the report of a pistol ; tongue and lips parched and dry ; little thirst and loathing of food ; constipation ; injections per anum followed by bul- let-like faeces ; offensive, pus-like discharges from the vagina; great tenderness of the os uteri ; pale and haggard ; hiccough ; hectic fever; cold sweats, and bedsores. The latter symptoms developed themselves gradually during an illness of three weeks. Pains in the bowels and uterine region were constant. All the homceopathic rem- edies, apparently indicated, and appliances usually employed in simi- lar cases, failed in toto, to afford any permanent relief. Finally, I gave one-eighth of a grain of morphine. This brought on violent spasmodic action and delirium, followed by restless sleep of several hours duration. Pains returned. She grew weaker ; extremities icy cold. Death seemed inevitable. Remembering that eclectics use Hydrastis as a tonic, and in order to "do something," I poured six or eight drops of the tincture in a glass of water, and ordered a dessert spoonful every hour. (I had not perused Dr. Hale's work at this time.) " Called early next morning. No groans or outcries jarred my nerves at a distance from the house, as heretofore. Has she been raised to a higher plane of spiritual existence ? No crape on the door- bell knob! Death-like stillness pervades the house. Is she just ex- piring ? Noiselessly I enter her apartment, to be witness of a death- bed scene. Not so, she only sleepeth ? The first natural sleep for three long weeks. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 579 " After the third or fourth dose the pains ceased, and she fell asleep. Hydrastis was continued for four or five days. Appetite returned, bowels moved regularly, and she made a steady and speedy recovery. " The question arises in my mind : Could the same result have been attained by the 30th or 200th attenuation of Hydrastis ?" StOOl.—Soft stool, followed by severe cutting pain in the hypogas- trium, with dull aching in the testicles, accompanied by a very faint feeling; soft, mushy stool, with great rumbling in the bowels. (Burt). Obstinate relaxation of the bowels ; griping pains in the bowels ; tenesmus; stool once a day, a little more regular than usual, and softer; occasional pain in the anus, not during stool; fceces smaller in diameter than usual; greenish evacuations with feeling in the bowels as from a gastric purge ; profuse light colored diarrhoea with griping and prostration; acrid stools; light colored, mushy stools ; soft, small stools. Clinical Observations.—Prof. Lee (allopath), says this medicine has been used with most success in atonic dyspepsia, attended with languid circulation, topidity of the liver, and constipated bowels. If it really proved curative iu material doses, in constipation, it must be secondarily homceopathic to that condition. The reports of our Eng- lish colleagues seem to support this theory by actual cases. Dr. Hastings, Surgeon (British Homceopathic Journal, Vol. XVIII, page 317,'writes : " My assistant, Mr. Clifford, used it in very chronic and obstinate cases of constipation, and says, that a drop of the mother tincture, in water, first thing every evening, has been most effectual in these cases." The following cases illustrating the uses of Hydras- tis canadensis in constipation, were reported by Dr. Rogerson in the British Journal, Vol. XVIIL, page 526 : Case 1st—" Margaret Shaw, aged thirty-eight, came to the dispen- sary, with the following symptoms :—for the last eight years—she had been troubled with constipation, during which time her bowels had never been moved more than once or twice a week, and then only by the aid of opening medicine. Castor oil and pills generally had been taken, consequently she complained of constant headache, more especially in the morning ; bad taste in the mouth ; foul tongue ; pain in the back and shoulders ; a sense of constriction in the hypogastric region, which was only relieved by opening medicine ; rather bilious ; yellow complexion ; skin smooth and dry; great pain after each stool, which was of a hard, nodulated consistence, and of a gray or brown color. I now ordered her to take Hydrastis canadensis, every morn- ing and evening, and to leave off taking all opening or purgative med- icines ; after four days had elapsed, her headache, pain in the back and shoulders were much better, the bowels having moved. Four days afterward the headache had entirely disappeared; free from pain ; stool quite easy and healthy; yellow hue disappearing from the face ; the appetite much better, and at the end of four weeks she reported herself quite well." 580 NEW REMEDIES. Case 2d.—" Sarah Howarth, aged twenty-nine, complaining of sore neck and throat, the latter much relaxed and inflamed, more espe- cially the inflamed portion ; headache, cough and spit; pain in the side while stooping and rising from a recumbent position; breath bad ; tongue foul and coated with a thick, white fur; appetite bad and bow- els for some seven or eight weeks very much confined ; had been obliged to resort to opening medicines every Saturday evening ; they were generally moved three or four times every Sunday, and not again until the medicine was repeated on the following Saturday. She was ordered Hydrastis every morning and evening ; one week after- wards she felt rather better; breath not so bad; tongue moist and more healthy ; appetite increasing; bowels moved every day since she commenced taking the medicine; continued the Hydrastis; one week later she feels nearly well, excepting a slight pain while swal- lowing any food ; bowels free from any uneasy sensation, and move every day ; appetite greatly increased and gaining strength every day; continued the medicine which resulted in a perfect cure, at the end of two weeks longer." Case 3d.—" Thomas Oscar, aged forty-six. Has been for several months troubled with general anasarca—difficulty in making water, which was of a high color, depositing a cloudy sediment while stand- ing ; and having been in active service during the Crimean campaign, was accutomed to sleeping out in the open air, and being so exposed for a series of weeks and months, suffered from an ^acute attack of rheumatic fever, which laid the foundation of his present illness. His bowels for the last two months having been very much confined, so much so that he was necessitated ito resort to opening medicine once or twice a week. On my first visiting him, however, on the 21st of April, I prescribed Hydrastis every morning and evening. April 29tb. — Since taking the medicine, has had his bowels moved two or three times every day ; he also makes much more water—more freely and of a better color ; continued Hydrastis. May 4th,—His bowels have been moved every day with the excep- tion of yesterday ; his water increases; tongue better; sleeps very well, and feels in every respect great relief from his former suffer- ings ; continue Hydrastis every morning. May 26th—Bowels more quiet, regular ; swelling much diminished and water freer, clear and copious ; feels now nearly well; continue Hydrastis every other morning." ** The above cases are only a few of the many in which I have tried it with great success ; it seems to act most beneficially on those who have undergone or constantly resorted to a course of opening medicine ; it also seems to act best on those who have spent an active life, but have become of sedentary habit." It is to be regretted that Dr. Rogers did not give the doses he used. Since the first edition of this work was issued, a large amount of testimony has come to us in favor of the efficacy of this remedy in constipation, hemorrhoids, etc. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 581 Dr. R. Hughes, of England, says of the Hydrastis canadensis : " My chief experience with this drug has been in the treatment of constipation ; for which it it is a precious remedy, far superior to the Nux vomica usually prescribed. It is in cases where constipation stands alone, or is itself the cause of the other existing ailments, that I find the Hydrastis so valuable. I have used it in the potencies, from the first to the sixth, decimal. The second has seemed to me to act most satisfactorily. The results that I have obtained from Hydrastis in cancer have not been encouraging. I have, however effected much benefit by its persevering use externally and internally, in chronic and indolent ulcers." Dr. T. B. Brown, of Binghamton, N. Y., reports the following cases of constipation and piles, treated with Hydrastis: " Mrs. B----, aged 32; blue eyes, light hair, fair complexion ; mother of two children, the youngest six years old ; for three years years has had painful piles, with attacks of headache and constipation ; severe smarting, burning pains in the rectum during and for some hours after each stool; colic pains, with fainting turns, and heat in the bowels, often followed her passages when sho had been some days constipated. Two physicians of the old school and one of the new, had tried to cure her. Having removed similar symptoms in a patient six months before (case No. 1 Mrs, H.,) I decided to give Hydrastis canadensis to this patient, in the same dose and strength as I did to Mrs. H. In 10 days after taking the Hydrastis, she had a passage without pain, and in three weeks was cured. Has had no return of her disease. It is one year since she took the remedy. For fifteen years has drank tea and coffee ' Dr. H. B. Clark, of New Bedford, Mass., reports the following clinical notes on Hydrastis canadensis in constipation : Case 1.—In August 1865,1 was called in consultation in the case of a lady of 40, who had malignant disease of the ascending colon which had caused obstinate constipation for a long time, and finally termina- ted in complete obstruction of the bowel. At the time I first saw her, there had been no spontaneous action of the bowels for about two months. Evacuations of small masses of hardened faecal matter had been obtained by injections, two or three times a week. She had taken the usual homceopathic remedies for constipation, and had taken castor oil, which was vomited. One drop of Hydrastis canadensis -fV, was followed by a sponta- neous action of the bowels after 12 hours. Subsequent doses did not succeed in procuring an evacuation, but they seemed to render the action of the injections more efficient. The patient died about four weeks later, without having had another spontaneous action of the bowels, although a few days before her death she was subjected to terrible torture by some allopathic practitioners, who—doubting the existence of the tumor which I had described, and which a post-mortem examination revealed—tried to force a passage with cathartic medicines. 582 NEW REMEDIES. Case 2.—A lady about 20, dark hair and eyes, delicate figure, but energetic and strong, applied to me in May, 1865, on account of con- stipation and piles. She was at the second month of her third pregnancy. Under old school treatment she had suffered very much from the same trouble during her previous pregnancies. She wa3 now only able to secure a movement of the bowels by an injection. There were severe pains when at stool; no bleeding. Gave Nux vomica for four weeks, first in the third, and then in the first, without success. Hydrastis canadensis -fV, in two-drop doses at night, relieved her promptly, and after an occasional use of the medicine for two or three months, the bowels acquired a regular and natural habit that lasted until her confinement. Dr T. B. Brown reports the following case illustrative of its ben- eficial effects : " Mrs. H----, age 26 ; light hair, pale complexion, and of feeble constitution ; has from childhood drank tea; for ten or twelve years has had attacks of headache with constipation. Three weeks after the birth of her first and only child, she was attacked while at stool, with pains and soreness of the rectum and anus ; burning smarting pains very severe, continuing, often six or eight hours after each stool, with a hot sensation in the bowels, also colic and faintness. She has only one or two stools a week, very hard and of a natural color. She has no falling of the rectum or but little pain in that region, except at the time her bowels move, and for several hours following. Her symptoms remained unchanged for two months under the use of Ignatia, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Nitric acid, warm water injections, and warm hip baths. On turning my attention to the new remedies for assistance in this case, I selected Hydrastis canadensis as being the most appro- priate. I gave the tincture, having no other form of the remedy at hand. Three drops in half a glass of cold soft water, one table-spoon- ful taken every six hours. In two weeks the pains in the rectum were wholly removed, and her bowels regulated. Her colic, faintness and heat in the abdomen also soon disappeared, leaving her well. It is now one year and six months since she took the Hydrastis, and as yet no return of her former symptoms." Hydrastis is indicated in some forms of dysentery ; in mucus enteritis, when of a catarrhal character, and the inflammation sub- acute, the Hydrastis at the third dilution will prove curative. In chronic enteritis, whon the discharges are tenacious, slimy and ac- companied with tenesmus ; or when the faeces are in the form of hard balls, coated over with yellowish, tough mucus ; this medicine will be of service in the first and second potency. The topical applica- tion of the remedy must not be forgotten in these cases. Enemas of Hydrastis will be found useful, and will bring about a cure unaided, HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 583 or at any rate materially aid its internal action ; when the disease is located in the rectum, this form of application wiil be found particu- larly beneficial. It is certainly indicated in blenorrhoea of the intestines—as much so as the Muriate of Ammonia. In ulceration of the rectum, occurring after bad cases of dysen- tery, the local application of Hydrastis will effect prompt cures ; also, in fissure of the auus. The cerate will be the best preparation in these cases. In hemorrhoids this plant has some reputation. Reliable practi- tioners have assured me that they have cured the most obstinate cases by the alternate use of Hydrastis and Podophyllum, using enemas of Hydrastis every night. In excoriation of the anus, as it occurs in little children, or even adults, in diarrhoea and dysentery, no better remedy can be advised ; it should be used in the form of a glycerole. Urinary Organs.—Second, third and fourth days, calls to urin- ate more frequent and pressing than common ; urine did not appear to be more abundant. Sometimes the urine smelled decomposed ; when eructating, a little urine would frequently escape into the ure- thra ; dull, aching sensation in the region of the kidneys ; dull, heavy weight in the lumbar region ; urine increased from twenty-eight to sixty ounces per day, and changed from an acid reaction to a neu tral."—(Burt.) Clinical Observations.—No mention has been made of the diuretic action of Hydrastis, yet it would seem to have such effect ; it needs confirmation, however, and further provings may clear up the matter. From analogy, it is more than probable that this medicine has the same effect upon the mucous membranes of the urinary organs that it has upon the mouth, nose and fauces, above alluded to. The resinoid principle of the drug may be eliminated through the kidneys the same as turpentine, copaiva and others ; if so, they would un- doubtedly cause those blenorrhagic conditions of the bladder, urethra, etc., for which it has been considered almost a specific. King, and every other eclectic writer on therapeutics, asserts its "great value in gleet, chronic gonorrhoea, incipient stricture, sperma- torrhcea, and inflammation and ulceration of the whole internal coat of the bladder." " Many cases of ulceration of the internal coat of the bladder have been cured by the decoction of Hydrastis alone. It must be injected into the bladder, and held there as long as they can conveniently retain it—to be repeated three or four times a day, im- mediately after emptying the bladder." It may be prepared as fol- lows ; Tincture Hydrastis can., one dram; hot water, one pint; inject about blood heat. Its internal use alone would undoubtedly cure the disease, but it would require a longer time. I have cured cystic blenorrhoea with Copaiva, Chimaphila, and Uva ursi internally. In gonorrhoea, the Hydrastis has some reputation. Dr. T. B. Brown reports the following case : 584 NEW REMEDIES. "Mr. J. B., aged 28; blue eyes, light hair and fair complexion; An unmarried man, who for ten years has been much given to wine and women. Has had three attacks of epileptic spasms, during the past four years. Uses freely of tobacco, tea, coffee, beer, and many times liquor. Has had gonorrhoea three times; was two or three months in getting cured of each attack. Did not try homoeopathic treatment in either instance, but used injections and took various drugs. He called on me to treat him for his fourth gonorrhoea about six months since. He had been eight days with the disease before I saw him. His symptoms were about like all such cases.except a feel- ing of debility and faintness coming on after each passage from his bowels. He said he called on me " to be cured without injection or nasty tasting medicines.' I resolved to try Hydrastis canadensis, for the reason that he complained of faintness after his stools. I gave him a half ounce vial of the tincture ; dose, five drops on a lump of crust sugar every six hours, I requested him to wash his penis in warm water morning and evening. In fifteen days he was cured of his gonorrhoea and faintness. In gleet it is beneficial, used in the same manner as above recom- mended. Dr. Hastings, U. S. Marine Hospital, San Francisco, Cali- fornia, reports in the Pacific Journal, his treatment for gonorrhoea. Patients in the acute stage are freely purged ; kept quiet; placed on half rations for three days ; after which they are allowed full diet. The urethra, from the time of the reception, is injected night and and morning with a saturated solution of fresh Hydrastis. He is first directed to urinate, and after the injection to lie on his back for an hour or so to retain it. After the first purgation, no medicine is given internally. This treatment allays the chordee and ardor urinae immediately, and in the course of a few days the disease is removed. Dr. H. says that, having used all kinds of treatment, he finds this produces a quicker cure, with less pain to the patient, than any other. Dr. Hastings has also applied the Hydrastis as an injection into the bladder in cystitis. For this purpose the temperature should be brought to blood heat, and about four ounces thrown in daily. The pain on micturition is remarkably relieved." From this crude treatment, we may draw some practical sugges- tions. We can use the remedy in smaller quantities, with as good results as have been gained from massive doses. Dr. Coe advises it to be given internally in small and repeated doses in chronic cystitis. "In congestion of the ureters, chronic suppression of urine, and grav- elly affections, also in incontinence of urine and diabetes, it will be found highly useful." This assertion, with its bad pathology, must be taken for only what it is worth. Generative1 Organs of Men.—It is homoeopathic to chronic gonorrhoea, gleet, balanitis, balanorrhoea, etc. For the debility after spermatorrhoea it is an admirable remedy. (See urinary organs.) Generative Organs of Women.—We regret that we have no provings of Hydrastis upon women. But the clinical experience re- HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 585 lative to its use in some disordered states of the reproductive organs, are extensive. From its peculiar, specific action on the other mucous tissues, we should consider it homceopathic to conditions marked by abnormal secretions, such as uterine and vaginal catarrh, or mucous leucorrhoea (which according to Tyler Smith is a hyper-secretion of the glandular portion of the cervix uteri). In this form of leucor- rhcea tho discharge is tenacious, sometimes hanging from the os, in a long viscid string. It should also be useful in in epithelial abra- sion of the os and cervix uteri, and vagina, especially when superfi- cial ulceration is present. When these conditions are accompanied with considerable debility and disorder of the digestive functions, I have found the Hydrastis one of the best of medicines. It should'be given internally, in the lower attenuations, and used as an injection, of about the strength of one dram of the tincture^to one pint or quart of water. The enema should be retained five minutes, repeated twice or three times a day. The following eclectic testimony may not be inappropriate in this place : " It is of singular efficacy in leucorrhoea when the complaint is complicated with hepatic aberration."—(Dr. Coe) " In those sympathetic affections of the digestive organs, arising from uterine diseases, we have obtained more benefit from it than from any other agent. Not only does it exercise a tonic influence upon the digestive organs, but if there is one agent more than another that deserves the name of uterine tonic, we believe that this is the agent. As a vaginal injection in leucorrhoea or inflammation of the cervix uteri, it has no superior."—(Dr. Scudder.) Dr. H, M. Saxton writes me that he has used it very successfully in various forms of leucorrhoea. Very many other practitioners of our school consider it indicated in this class of affections, not from any special affinity for the generative organs, but by its general sphere of action, both as a restorative, and from its power to influence the con- ditions of mucous membranes. Dr. Logan, of Ottawa, C. W., reports of the use of Hydrastis can., in cancer of the right mamma : " The patient was over 60 years of age, poor and badly provided for, had been suffering for many months. With the exception of a small part of the circumference, the gland was destroyed. The edges presented a ragged appearance, irregular cones seen through the ul- cerative surface. Being averse to an operation, it occurred to me that I should try the Hydrastis, not with the object of restoring the gland, but to ascertain, if possible, the effect of the drug on the ulcer- ative process. Gave Hydrastis 1st, three times a day, (ten drops.) and applied the dry powder (spread over a slippery elm poultice) to the diseased part. At first it produced some pain, but in a few days tho burning pain—formerly a constant attendant—was entirely gone. Healthy granulations made their appearance, and the healing process was going on favorably. Unfortunately the patient was not in a condition to have proper care and nourishment, and, in conse- quence, was sent to the hospital, which is under the charge of the opposite school, so I am unable to say what the result might have 586 NEW REMEDIES. been. I am inclined to attach some value to this remedy in open cancer." The testimony of Dr. Hastings, relative to the efficacy of Hydras- tis in cancers, is not so favorable, He says: * Having for some con- siderable time used Hydrastis in cancer cases, I think I may with- out any presumption make some remarks thereon. I have now for upwards of 18 months prescribed it in about "lO cases of cancers, viz : Cancers of the tongue, breast, lip, hand, etc., in a variety of forms, from high to low dilutions ; applied it externally, as Dr. Pattison does, and even by his directions, having twice sent patients for his advice, and I regret to say in no single instance has it effected a cure, nor even appeared to check the disease. * * In one or two cases it did seem at first to have some power of arresting the disease, but this was of short duration. * * It is no doubt a powerful medicine, but whether it will cure cancer in any of its stages, is very question- able, at least according to my experience of it. This was written in 1860, and if Dr. Hastings had found it useful, he would most probably have informed the profession. Catarrhal Symptoms.—Dull, frontal headache, with frequent coryza and constant secretion of tears ; nose very much [stuffed up • constant tickling of the larynx, with a dry, harsh cough ; chilliness ; aching of the back and limbs ; eyes smart and burn ; scraping sensa- tion in the larynx ; constant, rough, hacking cough. Clinical Observations.—Although our eclectic colleagues rec ommend it in "all chronic, and even acute inflammations of mucous membranes," yet they make no mention of its use in catarrh of the air passages. The above pathogenetic symptoms point directly to its effects on the respiratory tract. It causes many notable catarrhal symptoms. I would recommend it, theoretically, in acute catarrhs— nasal, laryngeal and bronchial, (in the 6th dilution,) also in chronic catarrhs of those passages. It is homoeopathic when the discharge is thick, yellowish, very tenacious, " stringy," and profuse. In these cases the low attenuations should be used, aided when practicable, by the topical application in the form of injection, In the bronchial ca- tarrh of old people, with debility, loss of appetite, cachectic condi- tions, it should prove very useful. Dr. Small reports the case of a child affected with a chronic catarrhal cough, accompanied with febrile paroxysms in the evening and night, with debility. The cough was rough, harsh and rattling, and continued day and night. After using many medicines with but little benefit, he gave Hydrastis 2d, and the cough and fever both disappeared in a few days. Under its continuance the child gained appetite and strength. Back and Neck.— Great soreness and harshness of the muscles of the neck. Flushes of heat on the face, neck and hands. •British Journal of Homoeopathy, volume 18, page 316. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 587 Back and Upper Extremities.—Aching in the lower region ; weariness in the arms. "Crick" in the right elbow—also in the pha- langes of the left hand on waking at night and quite painful. Sharp cutting pains in the elbows and biceps muscles, with a feeling of con- tusion, lameness; slight rheumatic pains in elbows, forearms, right shoulder, and first finger of left hand. Eruption on hands. (See " Skin.") Clinical Observations.—I once treated a lady, during her cli- macteric period, whose chief complaint was an intense aching pain in the small of the back. This pain sometimes changed to a burning. The profuse menses were lessened byPlatina; the nervous symp- toms by Lachesis and Pulsatilla, but neither these nor Sepia relieved the pain in her back. Upon the recommendation of a nurse she drank a decoction of Hydrastis, with the effect of removing the back-ache in a few days. The cure seemed permanent. Lower Extremities.—Legs feel very weak and ache ; pain in the small of the back; severe pain in the right knee, lasting all day, and much aggravated by walking ; dull aching in the loins. Pain in the sole of the left foot for an hour or two; could not relieve it changing position. Aching in sole of left foot, for an hour. Clinical Observations.—In irritable ulcers on the legs, this medicine may be used in the form of a very weak wash, also inter- nally. In indolent ulcers, a stronger preparation, even the pure tinc- ture would be more useful. Dr. Eadon, of Banbury, England, reports the following cases of scrofulous ulcers of the leg: "John K., Friends' school, Oxford, England, a young gentleman aged 18, had suffered long from scrofulous ulcers on the aukle and foot. When first seen, the cachectic diathesis was strongly visible, and consumption appeared imminent. He had three ulcers, all dis- charging pus and sanious matter, one in the hollow of the sole of the foot, the other two over the tarsal and metatarsal bones. The patient was ordered Hydrastis three times a day ; and the ulcers, being well cleansed, were dressed with cloths dipped in Hydrastis lotion and changed as often as needful. This was the sole treatment, except an occasional Sulphur powder as an inter-current remedy. At once, improvement set in ; the appetite returned, a ruddy hue again man- tled the cheeks, the melancholy look took to itself wings and flew away ; hope resumed her station at the helm of his ship of life, and in due time, directed it safely to the harbor of health. The ulcers gradually healed up, the stick was thrown aside, and in three or four months the patient was well. The other day, Dec. 16th, 1864,1 met with him at the railway station on his way to Oxford, without a stick, and in the enjoyment of perfect health. Case 2d.—A lady aged about 70, had that kind of sore leg pecu- liar to the sex, in middle and in advanced life. The appearance was 588 NEW REMEDIES. bright effloresence from the patella to the bend of the foot: scaly ; skin slightly broken here and there, with a little serous moisture, having in some places a jagged and cracked appearance. Hydrastis lotion was applied by means of bandages and oil skin, and the same taken as medicine. Being the first trial of homoeopathy this caso had its anxieties. The improvement was not so marked at first, but still encouraging. The treatment was continued, reducing the inflamma- tion and alleviating the intolerable itching. Still the dryness and fissure like appearance continued in certain parts. A glycerole of Hydrastis was now ordered. A softness of the skin at once super- vened, the roseate hue faded away, the cracks vanished, the skin as- sumed its natural color and the legs became well." Dr. Gilchrist, of Philadelphia, reports two cases of ulcers of the legs, cured by Hydrastis : Case 1. " Oct. 23,1865.—Commenced treating J. B. Mill, operative, aged 35, habits moderately temperate; has three large ulcers on the leg, each one of which seems to belong to a separate class. They are situated around the ankle, and have existed for upwards of two months. The one in front is circular, high elevated edges slightly rounded, irregular base, inflamed skin around it, bleeds readily, and discharges a thin corrosive ichor. The one on the outside is circular, clean, sharp-cut edges, deep, smooth shining base, but with an ichor- ous discharge. The inside one is the largest, it is ragged and irregu- lar, very deep, rough base, high rounded and swollen edges at the upper edge, sharp and well defined at the lower; has a discharge of greyish, putrid, rather thick pus, and has one or two patches of largo, flabby, pale granulations. These sores are all on the right leg, around the ankle, and increase in size from one (1) to two and a half (2^-) inches in diameter, the one in front being the smallest, and the inside one the largest. The skin between the sores, and for some distance both above and below, is much inflamed ; pain on motion of the ankle, from heat, and from the warmth of the bed; on stepping on the ground with that foot, there is a pricking sensation in the sores, and on sitting down to rest after motion, there is a shooting or lancinating pain in the ulcers. Tried a great number of remedies at various times, but with no very gratifying results, At last determined to try Hydrastis cana- densis, as it had cured an inflamed ulcer in a case a day or two before. Ordered a handful of the root to be put into about three tea-cnps-full of water, and after it had assumed the proper color, (one or two days,) to dip pieces of soft linen into it, and apply them to the sores. This was done, and from the very first application, improve- ment was apparent. This was on December 15th, 1865. To-day the sores are entirely closed, with a thin horny scale over the old site, which is peeling off; but the Hydrastis has caused the appearance of an eruption, which I can hardly describe. It is an eruption of pimples, cone-shaped, which on the top look bloody, or as if the ski?i had been rubbed off; they appear on a deeply inflamed integ- ument, are smarting and itching; cold water or cold applications allay this. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 58 I have seen an almost identical eruption on the persons of those who work on the salt pans in the West Indies. On suspending the use of the Hydrastis, this will disappear, only to be reproduced on its use. January 4tb, 1866.—Have not used the remedy since December 30th, and to-day I find the ulcers entirely closed, skin natural, and no signs of the eruption." Case 2 —" Miss Rachel L----, aet. 22. This woman I suspect of being, in common with the rest of the family, tainted with syphilis, but can get no positive answer on this point; they all admit that she has taken a great quantity of mercury in her time, and her troubles may be owing to that. At all events, every injury produces an ulcer that is long in healing and painful. Saw her to-day for the first time, and find two large ulcers, produced by striking the leg on the corner of a box. The sores are on both legs, however—two on the right and one on the left; they are angry looking, superficial, dry, covered with a yellowish scab, and are the seat of a stinging or a sting-burning pain ; pains intolerable at night, in bed, and from warmth; aggravated also by pressure, or contact with anything ; the surrounding integu- ment was inflamed, and covered with pimples, which, in former at- tacks had been converted into ulcers. Walking also greatly aggra- vated the pains ; the edges were elevated, ragged and thick ; and, as said before, not a drop of pus was discharged through the whole time of the treatment. at times there was a faint foetid odor noticea- ble ; I could not discover that it was constant. To make the picture as complete as possible, it may be well to state that the woman was tall, of dark complexion, black hair and eyes, melancholy disposi- tion in general, but at times choleric, when her anger was dreadful. I prescribed at different times Aconite, Chamomilla, China, Nitric acid, and Mercurius, and also a petroleum cerate, that has been much in use in this section among "homceopathicians!" but nothing seemed to afford any relief; Arnica and Conium mac, were used also, but effected nothing. Finally, I procured a small handful of the dried and pressed root of Hydrastis can , and prepared it for use by allow- ing it to stand some^hours in a vessel containing about half-a-pint of distilled water; the liquid was poured off, and the sore kept wet by applying a pledget of lint soaked with the fluid, In four days the sores were well, but the pain was still present! One powder of Chamomilla, Qth, in water, taken at four hour intervals, removed the pain, and a perfect cure was the result. Not having at that time any of the drug in attenuation, I do not know what effect it might have had internally; but am inclined to think it would have been cured without the subsequent use of Chamomilla," IRIS VERSICOLOR. (Blue Flag.) Analogues.— Antimonium crudum, Arsenicum, Colchicum, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Euphorbia corollata, Ipecacuanha, Juglans cinerea, Leptandria, Mercurius, Pulsatilla, Podophyllum, Phytolacca, Sanguinaria, Veratrum album. Botanical Description.— Iris versicolor is an indigenous plant, with a fleshy, horizontal, fibrous root or rhizoma. The stem is two or three feet in height, terete, flexuous, round on one side, acute on the other, and frequently branched. The leaves are about a foot long, half an inch to an inch wide, ensiform, striated, erect and sheathing at the base. Bracts scarious. The flowers are from two to six in number, generally blue or purple ; ovary, obtusely three- cornered ; peduncles are of different lengths, and flattened on the in- side ; sepals, spatulate, beardless, the border purple, and the claw variegated with green, yellow, and white, and veined with purple. Petals erect, varying from spatulate to lanceolate, usually paler than the outer, entire or emarginate. Stigmas, three, petaloid, purple or violet, bifid, crenate, and more or less reflexed at the point. Stamens, three, concealed under the stigmas, with oblong, linear anthers. Cap- sules, three-celled, three-valved, and when ripe, oblong, turgid, three- sided, with rounded angles. There are several species of Iris, as I. virginica, I. lacustris, etc, which probably possess similar qualities, and which are often collected and mixed with the officinal article. History.—Blue flag is common throughout tho United States, growing in moist places, and presenting blue or purple flowers from May to July. The root is the officinal part; \\n appearance it very much resembles that of the Acorus calamus ; it has a peculiar odor, augmented by rubbing or pulverising, and a disagreeable taste with considerable acridity. Its active properties are taken up by boiling water, in infusion, and by alcohol or ether ; and its acridity, as well as its medicinal virtues, are diminished by age. The fresh root, sliced transversely, dried in an atmosphere not exceeding 103 ° F. pulverised, and then placed in darkened and well-closed vessels to protect it from the action of light and air, will have its medicinal virtues preserved for a great length of time. It contains mucilage, oil and resin, from the former of which it derives diuretic properties by decoction. The resin is of a light brown color, of a faint odor, and of a taste resembling that of the root. When perfectly freed from oil it is of a whitish yellow color. Dr. Garnsey thinks its med- icinal properties are greatest when gathered in the Spring. The oil has the taste and smell of the root, in a high degree, and is the prin- ciple to which it owes its medicinal activity; the oleo-resinis obtained for medical purposes under the names of Iridin and Irisin. IRIS VERSICOLOR. 591 Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the fresh root, triturations of the dried root; Iridin and its triturations. ^ Medical History.—It is probable that its employment as a rem- edial agent, was first suggested to the profession by the Indians, who, it is1 said, value it as one of their most powerful medicines. Indeed, so important a place does it hold in their estimation, that a traveler among the tribes in Georgia and Florida, mentions having seen an artificial pond in almost every village, covered with a luxuriant growth of the Iris, and which was constructed especially for its cul- tivation. In times of prevailing sickness, they would partake freely of a decoction of the root, which, together with prayer and fastino-, they consider an efficient guard against an attack of the epidemic! In allopathic practice, it has been considered useful in dropsical af- fections, on account of its power as a diuretic ; but it is more espe- cially mentioned in the books as a cathartic and emetic, and is highly spoken of by some physicians for the promptness and certainty of its action in the direction its classification indicates. Dr. Bigelow states that he has found it efficacious as a purgative, though inconvenient from the distressing nausea and prostration it is apt to occasion. DR. WM. A. BURT'S PROVING WITH IRIS. May loth.—Took three grains of the green 'root at 3 p. m ; the acrid property was strongly marked ; back part of the mouth and fauces felt on fire all the afternoon, with profuse flow of saliva. 8 p. m.—took three more grains ; slept well, but had a discharge of semen, with amorous dreams, something I am not accustomed to. May 16th.—Mouth and tongue feel as though they had been scalded ; natural stools ; anus feels sore, or as if sharp points were sticking in the parts. 8 a. m.—took ten grains ; so acrid that it was with difficulty that I could get my breath ; constant discharge of ropy saliva dropped from my mouth during conversation ; constant distress in the anus, feeling as if it were prolapsed. 1 p. m.—took twenty grains of the dried root; no acridness to it, great distress in the stomach half an hour after taking it; lasted two hours ; no other symptoms. j»5; May 17th.—Took thirty drops of a poor tincture ; no symptoms except that the next morning I awoke feeling^very irritable. May 18th.—Took forty grains of the green root ; fifteen minutes after, profuse flow of saliva and tears ; mouth and stomach feel on fire ; almost impossible to breathe, it is so acrid ; one-half hour of great pain and distress in the stomach; it is awful to bear ; contin- ued all the afternoon and evening ; it is not a sharp pain, but an aw- ful, burning distress; appears to be deep in the region of the pan- creas ; cold water does not touch it; [profuse flow of saliva all day ; 592 NEW REMEDIES. constant eructations of tasteless ga3 ; sleep ; very restless all night, with bad dreams. May 19th.—Awoke at 4 a. m., with great rumbling and distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, and with great desire for stool, followed immediately by a copious, thin, watery stool, which could not be retained a moment without much pain; mouth feels as if it had been scalded, tongue thick and rough. 8 a. m.—another thin watery stool, with great rumbling in the bowels ; no appetite, loss of taste.. 11 a. m.—took forty grains : acridness not felt so much. 1 p. m.—in great distress in the epigastric region ; the distress is horrible to endure ; profuse flow of saliva. 2 :30 p. m.—the distress in the epigastric region is still increasing ; very restless, cannot be still one moment; think I cannot live ; very much frightened ; copi- ous discharge of thin water from the bowels, but no abatement of the awful agony in the epigastric region ; inhaled chloroform, which gave a little relief. 3 :15 p. m.—another large stool of water, tinged with bile ; the water ran from the bowels in a continuous stream ; nearly two quarts of water passed ; there was great rumbling in the bowels, but no pain ; this gave great relief; felt quite well at bed-time; sleep very restless ; amorous dreams with discharges of semen. May 20th.—Very irritable through the day; otherwise quite well. I had constant eructations of tasteless gas during the whole period. June 9th.—Took fifty grains of the green root, chewed it, and swallowed the juice at 11:30 a. m. ; immediately a great burning dis- tress in the epigastric region, but not mnch in the mouth ; profuse flow of saliva ; the burning pain in the stomach is awful ; cold water does not seem to reach it. 2:30 p. m, —large, yellow, papescent stool; with great rumbling and no pain ; five minutes more, another large, watery stool ;"the burning in the pancreas(?) is fearful to endure; con- stant rumbling in the bowels, but no sharp pains. 2:45 p. m.—another watery stool with colicky pains in the epigastric region ; flow of sal- iva abating. 5:30 p. m—there has been severe colic in the epigas- tric and umbilical region for the last two hours ; every few moments copious watery stool, with great rumbling in the bowels. 6 p. m.— great pain and distress in the bowels, followed by a large watery stool, still the pain continues; begin to feel very faint and exhausted : knees weak and trembling. 6:30 p. m.—another watery stool; anus feels on fire. 7 p. m.—another watery stool, with a disposition to strain and bear down ; great burning in the anus ; food rises very sour. 9 p. m., another watery stool with straining; anus feels on fire ; IRIS VERSICOLOR. 593 becoming very much exhausted I was compelled to retire. At 4 a. m., great rumbling in the bowels, with desire for stool; had a profuse one of a watery nature ; followed by great straining, with the passage of a little mucus. 5 a. m.—another watery stool, followed by great straining, with the passage of blood and mucus. 5:30 a. m.—another stool of mucus, streaked with blood, with great tenesmus, 7 a. m.— stool of water and mucus with great straining ; mouth tastes flat; tougue feels thick. 9 a. m.—another copious stool of water and un- digested food, with great straining; have become very much ex- hausted ; eyes much sunken in ; teeth feel too long, and are very sore ; dull, heavy headache ; very hoarse ; urine very scanty—deep, reddish color ; stomach very sour; bowels very tender on pressure ; loss of appetite. 10:30 a. m.—another stool of mucus and water, with great tenesmus, and rumbling in the bowels ; dull, heavy head- ache in the forehead ;* calves of the legs pain very much when walk- ing, especially the right; thick, flat taste in the mouth. 12:45 p. m. —small stool of mucus, with great tenesmus, and rumbling in the bowels ; almost impossible to walk, my limbs are so weak and pain- ful ; for the last six hours the mucous membrane of the anus has been prolapsed, with great smarting pains. 3 p. m.—another small stool of mucus, with severe tenesmus ; urine very scanty, and burn- ing when voided ; constant eructations of sour gas ; flying pains all through the bowels. June 10th.—Dull, heavy headache in the frontal region : flat, thick taste in the mouth ; quite hoarse ; urine very scanty, red, and burning the whole length of the urethra for half an hour after void- ing it; inflammation of the glans penis ; it is very much swollen and red ; severe back-ache ; teeth all feel sore and elongated. June 11th.—Feel quite well; little hoarse * inflammation in the glans penis about gone. June 13th.—At 4 p. m., natural stools, urine about natural. June 15th___Very hard, lumpy stool; anus feels prolapsed; pained all day. June 16th.—Very severe backache, but otherwise well; for two weeks occasionally, severe shooting pains would pass through my tem- ples several times a day. I was surprised that no constipation followed such a long course of diarrhoea. DR. BURT'S PROVING WITH IRISIN. May 26th.—At 11a. m„ took four grains of the first decimal trit- uration. 12 m.—dull, heavy headache in the forehead ; by spells, 37 594 NEW REMEDIES sharp pains in the temples ; tight, constrictive feeling of the scalp ; 3:15 p. m.—food rises very sour ; 3:30 p. m.—took eight grains ; 10 p. m.—soft, papescent stool without pain, but rumbling in the bowels; dull headache in the frontal region; very restless at night, dreams of fighting, etc. May 27th.—Great deal of rumbling in the umbilical and hypo- gastric regions, with desire for stool; had a soft papescent stool, with- out pain ; flat taste in the mouth ; teeth feel elongated and sore ; back, upper and lower molars—dull, heavy, aching pain in them for three hours ; pain in the forehead and left temple ; pain in the temple very sharp by spells ; passed water but twice during the day—very red in color ; restless night; discharge of semen, with amorous dreams. May 28th.—At 9 a. M., took ten grains : frequent eructations of tasteless gas ; rumbling all the afternoon in the umbilical region ; pain in the right kidneys—lasted three hours ; teeth still feel elong- ated and sore ; great desire to sleep in the day time ; fell asleep while reading ; dreamed of dissecting a woman who was hanging up by the heels in my office ; awoke very much frightened ; made several at. tempts to get up to shut the door, but could not; it was a rea nightmare. 4:30 p. m.—took fourteen grains ; soft papescent stool at 9 p. m.; hands hot and dry all day ; dreamed of snakes and every- thing bad ; discharge of semen ; restless night; teeth still sore. May 29th.—Took twenty grains at 9 a. m.; hands hot and dry all day; cannot fix my mind on my studies; constant eructations of tasteless gas; great diminution of the secretion of urine; made a very little water morning and night, followed by great burning in the urethra for half an hour after voiding it; dull, heavy headache in the forehead and temples; by spells the pains in the temples are very sharp and shooting ; dull, heavy pain in the lumbar region all day; soft, papescent stool at 2 p. m. At 5 p. m. took thirty grains ; rest- less night; horrid dreams ; great rumbling in the bowels all the time; discharge of semen, with amorous dreams. May 30th.—Mouth tastes flat; tongue coated white ; dull, heavy headache in the forehead and temples ; at times the pain in the tem- ples is very sharp ; constant pain in the lumbar region, aggravated by motion; urine very scanty and high colored; very soft, yellow stool, with great rumbling in the bowels but no pain. May 31st.—Took forty grains at 3 a. m. Dull, heavy headache all day; great pain in the lumbar and sacral regions ; almost impos- sible to walk. 12 m.—took eighteen grains ; soft, mushy stool at evening, with great rumbling, but no pain; restless night; bad dreams. IRIS VERSICOLOR. 595 June 1st.—Dull, heavy headache ; back pains me very severely ; very much worse by walking. 8 a. m., soft, papescent stool with great rumbling in the bowels ; constant eructation of gas. June 2d.—Took five grains of the pure Irisin ; good deal of pain in the forehead and temples. 5 p. m.—severe colic in the umbilical region ; pains came on every few minutes ; lasted two hours ; great rumbling in the bowels; soft, papescent stool in the evening ; rest- less night; dreamed of digging up dead people, and finally fell into a grave, which awoke me, feeling very much frightened. June 3d.—Top of the head has just twenty-six pustules on it, some of them as large as a three-cent piece ; the pustule is situated upon an inflamed base of a rose color ; with red streaks running from one to the other. They contain yellow matter ; very tender to the touch ; gradually disappeared in four days. Took ten grains at 4 p. m.; dull, heavy pain in the forehead and temples; great rumbling in the bowels ; very restless night; dreamed of the dead, as usual; discharge of semen. June 4th.—Flat taste in the mouth ; teeth sore ; natural stool; took 20 grains at 9 a. m. ; dull heavy pain in the forehead and tem- ples ; the pain in the temples is very sharp at times ; very restless night; awful dreams of the dead ; discharges of semen, June 5th,—Flat taste in the mouth ; headache is very troublesome to-day ; dull, heavy pain in the lumbar region all day. 5 p. m., soft, papescent stool with pain in the umbilical region ; restless night, with bad dreams; discbarge of semen. June 6th.—Dull, heavy headache; back pains me very much; had the soft, painless stools, with great rumbling in the bowels ; increase of urine ; urinated eleven times profusely. June 7th.—Natural stool; back-ache all gone, but voided urine in large quantities. June 8th.—Feel well, but pass urine in large quantities ; stool natural. REMARKS BY DR. BURT. I would advise allopaths to use Irisin for constipation, if they must use cathartics to cure it. In the last number of Braithwaite's Retrospect is a short notice of Irisin. It states that "the effects of Irisin are very similar to those occasioned by a combination of blue pill, rhubarb, and aloes. It seldom fails to produce a mild cathar- sis, with bilious evacuations, and appears to possess the advantages (1) of not requiring the addition of mercurial, (2) not irritating the rectum, as aloes is apt to do, (the green root does irritate the rectum very much ;) and (3) it has no astringency and therefore does not produce subsequent constipation, like rhubarb when given alone. 596 NEW REMEDIES. (This last statement is correct, constipation does not follow the use of Iris.) In a sluggish state of the bowels, arising from torpidity of the liver, or when the stools are pale, particularly as we find them in the intervals of overt attacks in gouty persons, we have found the Irisin one of the best aperients, much gentler than Podophyllin, and more reliable when a slight cholagogue action is required, to be maintained for a lengthened period." PROVINGS BY J. G. ROWLAND, M. D. The following provings, with one or two exceptions, were made from the tincture prepared in the customary manner. The attenua- tions used were made on the decimal plan. No. 1 used the third and first dilutions, and the mother tincture ; No. 2 and No. 3, same ; and No. 4, the first trituration. No. 1.—About fifteen minutes after taking the third dilution, an uneasy feeling was experienced in the scorbiculis cordis, together with rumbling iu the lower part of the abdomen ; these symptoms increased until the lower part of the sternum seemed protruding ; nausea and eructations of wind ; dull pain in the right parietal pro- tuberance, which increases steadily until it becomes a hammering pain, and so much aggravated by motion, that for the moment it appears unbearable, but by continual movement it gradually abates, returning again when at rest; rheumatic pain in the right shoulder, worse on motion, especially by raising the arm ; a disposition to feel displeased with everything and everybody, which gives place to a feeling of liveliness and activity, immediately after taking the first dilution; sneezing ; nausea and slight vomiting of watery and extremely sour fluid ; about two hours after, stitch in inferior part of occiput, more on the right than on the left side ; severe rheumatic pain in the whole right arm and right knee joint, worse on motion, and continuing when at rest; acute and extremely severe boring pain in right parietal protuberance, causing him to bend down his head ; pain in the left side, as though the ribs were pressing hard upon the lower portion of the lung; unable to take a long breath, for the pain in the left lung, which was of a sticking and cutting character; a short, dry cough, excited by tickling in the larynx ; slight toothache in a warm room; headache, much aggravated by coughing ; rumbling and uneasiness in the stomach, accompanied by diarrhoea, with little pain ; stools lumpy, brown, and very offensive ; sweat over the whole body, particularly in the groin, dry cracked lips ; a sharp cutting pain the urethra, when commencing to urinate. After taking medi- cine five days, several small vesicles appeared on the right wrist, which gradually formed into pustules, having a depression in the IRIS VERSICOLOR, 597 centre ; these dried up in the night, leaving crusts, which remained nine days before disappearing. (The prover thinks it proper to state he had been attending a severe case of small pox.) Half an hour after taking nearly half an ounce of the mother tincture, a feeling of rawness in the throat; general languor ; ill-humor ; inability to fix the mind on any subject; when writing mind will wander to other things ; diarrhcea, with colic ; nausea, and vomiting of a thin watery fluid ; of an exceedingly sour taste ; constant nausea for more than an hour, and vomiting several times ; diarrhoea, with rumbling and cut- ting in the lower part of the abdomen ; heat over the whole body, then chilliness, with cold hands and feet; head feels very heavy, the eyes dull, with pain directly over the left superciliary ridge; severe burning pain in the internal canthus of the right eye ; the eye filling with tears ; sensation of fullness of the head ; head feels hot, and face flushed ; whenever attempting to laugh a sensation as though a band were drawn tightly around the forehead; the day after taking the mother tincture, feeling of sleepiness, with great chilliness, only at all comfortable when near a hot fire, and even then, cold, chilly sensations are felt down the back ; violent tearing pain in the right hip-joint, knee and shoulders, very severe, indeed ; the most severe only last- ing about three minutes ; vomiting of the sour matter before men- tioned ; and great chilliness over the whole body the whole night, although abundantly covered ; weakness ; despondency ; thinks he is going to be very sick, then a disposition to laugh at his fears, which however, soon return ; dreams of suffocation and fire ; cutting and sticking in the urethra when making water, with coldness and itching over the genitals, the itching being worse on scratching ; six dysen- teric stools during the night, with pain and rumbling in the lower part of the abdomen ; also great lassitude ; after these symptoms have abated, there remains a sore throat and slight headache. No. 2.—Feeling of weakness and weariness in the lower part of the back ; pain of a dull, aching character, in right hypochondria when walking; pains in the right, then in the left knee when walk- ing ; feeling of weariness in the back for several days ; sharp pain near outside of left arm, when moving it; swelling of gums on the inner surface of left side of lower jaw, under the molar teeth ; pain in left hip joint, when walking ; redness of the conjunctiva, as if from cold; for a day or two much fetid flatulence ; pain in abdomen which is relieved by discharge of flatus ; sharp pain in first joint of great toe of right foot, when walking, renewed frequently during the day ; pain in last joint of middle finger of left hand ; a number of 598 NEW REMEDIES. shooting, shifting, and momentary pains in the phalangeal and nicta- carpo-phalangeal articulations, all of these pains coming on more dur- ing the evening, and being worse on motion ; boils on back, face and hands ; pain along posterior part of cristi ilium of the right side ; urine more copious ; the pain in first joint of great toe occurs, during walking, for a number of days ; pain in left thigh ; pulse accelera- ted ; after increasing doses more frequently renewed, empty eructa- tions and pain in the stomach ; unusual restlessness during the night; sleep disturbed by startings ; aching pain in the stomach before breakfast; pains tensive and sticking in right shoulder during motion particularly on raising the arm. (This symptom set in soon after commencing the proving, continued six weeks after discontinuing the medicine.) Pains in the metacarpal joints of both hands, muscles of right arm, aud pectoralis-major, mostly during motion, and in the evening awoke two hours earlier than usual, with no disposition to renew sleep ; pain in bowels, going off by discharge of flatus ; feeling of a greasy coating over mouth and tongue, early in the morning ; aching pain in the stomach after drinking cold water ; pains through the day in most all the limbs ; urine increased in quantity ; tensive momentary, and constantly recurring pains in all the joints, but mostly the smaller, which shift rapidly about, mostly in the evening, that is, from supper to bed-time ; pain in abdomen above the crest of the ilium, both sides ; after breakfast a diarrhoeic stool, with subse- quent pain in the epigastrium : in writing, pains in phalanges of right hand, and in the end of the index finger of the same hand. (Observed several weeks after proving.) Pain in left thigh ; shoot- ing, sticking pain in the right foot; continuous sharp pain along the left side of the first phalanx of middle fingers of right hand ; sharp pains in the middle fingers of left hand succeeded instantly by a sim- ilar pain in axilla of same side. (Occurring frequently during about five minutes.) Sudden diarrhceaic stool after supper ; sharp, cutting pain, frequent in the meta-carpo-phalangeal articulation of thumb of the right hand ; vexed, irritable mood, disposed to find fault. (Prov- ing No. 2 was made by the same individual, at three different periods.) No. 3.—Pulse somewhat accelerated ; headache for two days ; the third day he was seized with a peculiar headache; the pain shot, as he describes it, like an electric shock, from the right temple to the left part of occiput, and continued for about half an hour ; head- ache with great depression of spirits and general debility ; crampy pains in the right lumbar region in the evening, continuing several IRIS VERSICOLOR. 599 hours, and causing a sweat to break out; woke up unusually early, with dry mouth and general depression ; headache occurring irregu- larly several days ; observed a pimple on middle finger of left hand ; the next day the inflammation was extended over the hand; the day after it became more violent, and occasioned great pain, and was afterwards opened to obtain relief; no pus was found, but it was sub- sequently formed, and discharged through the opening, which pene- trated as far as the bone ; a fungous growth meanwhile had taken place around the edges ; pain extended from this hand up the arm ; there was much swelling and pains* in the part affected, which had much the appearance of a malignant boil; there was a disposition to a similar formation on the index finger but the inflammation subsided after a time, and fiually disappeared ; during the proving the urine was very copious, and had a strong disagreeable odor; restlessness for five nights in succession; headache with pain in the bowels; sickness of stomach in the evening, obliging him to lie down ; pain in left side of chest. No. 4.—Colicky pains during the evening and night, obliging him to bend forward for relief, and attended with loss of appetite and great restlessness during the night; this colic continued the next day, but was immediately removed by a dose of Nux vomica; no ap- petite the next day; restless at night with troubled dreams ; several pimples on lower extiemities and other parts of the body, like mos- quito bites; constipation several days; languid and feverish in the afternoon ; no disposition to mental or physical exercise ; next day flushed face, fever, drowsiness and loss of appetite ; weakness and languor, with rumbling in the bowels ; the morning after, a thin watery diarrhcea, continuing through the day ; debility and loss of appetite ; diarrhooaic stools the next day, succeeded by pain in the umbilical region ; colic in the afternoon, ceasing at night. Characteristic Peculiarities.—The symptoms appear mostly in the evening and at night. (In myself the symptoms appeared mostly in the day time.) Pain aggravated by motion ; right side most affected. PROVING BY WM. H. HOLCOMBE. M. D. OF NEW ORLEANS. I procured an exceedingly strong mother tincture of the Iris from my friend Dr. Bailey, who prepared it from the root of the blue flag, which abounds in the swamps around this city. I took two or three drops of this tincture, in about a tablespoonful * The pain in the finger was accompanied by perspirati on, although the weather was cold. 600 NEW REMEDIES. of water, four times a day. I was in excellent health, every organ performing its function to perfection. I am of the sanguino-nervous temperament. I made no change whatever in my diet or habits. I drink coffee once a day, and use neither liquors nor tobacco. 1st day. No symptoms, but the acrid taste of the plant and a good deal of hawking and clearing out of the larynx. 2d day. No symptoms but a slight, dull, stupid headache. 3d day. Waked with neuralgic pains in the right side of the face, darting stitches in two carious teeth. Pain affects especially the infra-orbital nerve. No appetite at dinner. In the afternoon, severe colic, first in the right, then in the left flank, with urging to stool. Very frequent, copious, perfectly limpid urine. Facial neuralgia passed off. Pleasant night. 4th day. Facial neuralgia, involving the supra and infra-orbital, and the superior maxillary and the inferior dental nerves; began after breakfast, with stupid or stunning headache, and lasted several hours with great severity. Same copious, limpid urine. In the afternoon a good deal of fetid flatulence ; two greenish black stools, with burning at the anus. 5th. Neuralgia of the same nerve began after breakfast, and con- tinued with terrible severity for 20 hours. Violent headache, ac- companied it, and.general malaise. Urine became less frequent, and quite high colored. Some disposition to stool, with burning at the anus. I was worn out by fatigue and suffering. I got no relief or sleep, but by the inhalation of chloroform, and I abandoned the proving. 6th day. Dull soreness where the neuralgia had been. Violent call to a second stool by a sensation as if wind were forcibly distend- ing the rectum. No wind was discharged, but I was relieved after discharging a little greenish dark matter, attended with severe burn- ing in the anus. 7th and 8th days, No symptoms but a frequent and painful hawking (screatus) of a tough mucus from the larynx, and diminish- ing burning after each stool. The inference I draw from this fragmentary proving is, that Iris in small doses, often repeated, acts on the male system, sanguino- nervous constitution—especially in the morning, especially on the right side—from the right to the left, from above downwards, from the animal system to the organic system; indicated in the former by facial neuralgia, and copious limpid urine; in the latter by flatulent colic and burning tenesmus. IRIS VERSICOLOR. 601 Dr. Kitchen first recommended Iris as a remedy in neuralgia of the head and face. This little proving may contribute something towards the anatomical localization of its curative power. A friend of mine, of rare biological powers, psychometrized this medicine for me. It produced in him terrible paroxysms of coughing. He said it ought to be the best remedy for acute inflammatory bron- chitis, and for painful menstruations; but as biological provings are not yet accredited, I will say no more on the subject. Iris has done me good service in sick headache, neuralgia, bronchitis and dysentery. DR. SANFORD'S PROVING. "A lady took two or three one-grain pills of Irisin for several days, for constipation, and without affording any relief, her bowels not moving once in the whole time. During two or three days pre- vious to the attack, she had felt some slight symptoms of the colic after each pill, but she thought they were ' working' in the bowels and would soon pass off. They did pass off, but upward instead of downward. She vomited up several of the pills before she was relieved of one of the most severe attacks of colic I ever witnessed. The symptoms were : General appearance of anguish ; much pros- tration, pulse feeble and frequent; expression of great anguish in the face ; much mental depression ; frequent and violent efforts to vomit, resulting, however, in little more than an enormous discharge of air, which seemed to move off the stomach in very great force. There was uterine pain in the umbilical region, passing in successive shocks, like the efforts of a galvanic battery, upward to the epigastric region, followed or accompanied by nausea, straining and belching of wind ; there was great commotion and rumbling in the bowels above the seat of the pain, but little or none below, with no desire for stool. EFFECTS UPON ANIMALS. EXPERIMENTS BY DR. BURT. June 5th.—Gave a young female cat, weight three and one-fourth pounds, a decoction of Iris versicolor ; at two p. m., five minutes after, nausea and vomiting of frothy mucus ; stares at it as if frightened ; ten minutes after, constant nausea, nothing but mucus vomited. At quarter after two, lies on the lounge and appears quite natural; gave half an ounce of tincture, (wasted a little) ; six minutes after, very restless, crying fearfully ; nausea and vomiting. Twenty minutes after four, nausea and retching, mewing, eyes half closed, respiration very rapid, restless. Half past four, mewing and efforts to vomit lies still thirty-six minutes ; running across the floor with efforts to 602 NEW REMEDIES. vomit; mews ; saliva runs from her mouth constantly. Forty-three minutes after, desperate efforts to vomit, but cannot. Ten minutes to five, nausea and mewing; saliva running profusely. Five, retch- ing, throws her head up and mews fearfully; respiration seventy-two —mouth wide open. Ten minutes after, nausea and moaning. Quar- ter past five, retching and sneezing; head hangs to the floor. Half- past five, nausea and vomiting ; very restless ; mewing ; respiration fifty-six ; does not notice anything; mouth wide open and the saliva running profusely ; mews and appears in great distress. Six, the nausea continues, with great efforts to vomit; saliva runs from the mouth constantly ; groaning and appears in great distress ; nose rests on the floor; mouth wide open. Seven, still sick at the stomach ; saliva runs in great quantities ; respiration forty-six ; gave half an ounce more; died in five minutes without a struggle. Post mortem one hour after death :—Pupils dilated ; the brain was not examined ; lungs very much congested ; the upper lobes filled with dark, venous blood ; heart filled with black blood ; stomach natural color, but very much distended with gas, with a quantity of meat undigested ; pyloric extremity covered with bile, also the duode- num was coveied with bile and watery mucus ; the liver is very much congested, of a black color, bleeds profusely when cut into; gall bladder half full of bile ; the pancreas is very pale ; all other organs natural. June 23d. — Gave a female kitten, four months old, at 2 p. m .forty grains of Irisin ; wasted a good deal. Half-past two, profuse flow of saliva; mouth wide open ; wants to lie down all the time; respiration very rapid ; mews constantly. 3 p. m.—mews most fearfully; appears to be in great pain ; rolls from one side to the other ; mouth wide open; great difficulty in breathing; appears to be dying; secretion of saliva very limited. Quarter-past three, still lying in the same position, mewing at every breath ; mouth filled with froth ; walked two feet, staggered very much ; dropped on its side; respiration forty- eight. Half-past three, tries to walk, but falls ; mews at every breath. 4 p. m.—cannot stand ; lies on its side ; respiration thirty- six ; mouth open, filled with froth. Quarter-past four, respiration fortyieight. 5 p. m, gasping for breath ; respiration twenty-four ; if spoken to, mews fearfully, but cannot get up; in ten minutes crawled two feet; went into a spasm, which lasted one minute ; the spasms were in its fore-legs and back ; respiration eighteen, pupils dilated. 7 p. m.—on its side, gasping for breath ; respiration eighteen ; can- not stand when lifted up; ears and legs cold; mews fearfully by spells, IRIS VERSICOLOR. 603 as if suffering great pains ; kicks and scratches at a fearful rate. At half past eight appears in great pain ; mews at every breath. Half past nine, went into spasms, the fore-legs and spine ; had a watery passage and died. Autopsy—ten hours after death.—Upper lobes of the lungs very much congested ; heart, auricles and ventricles all filled with dark, venous blood; liver very much congested, especially the left lobe • gall bladder half filled with gall; stomach almost ready to burst with gas ; part of the medicine in it; color natural; little food in it; pan- creas red ivith blood ; more congested than any other organ; the whole of the intestines are filled with mucus, water and gas ; no bile to be seen ; all the other organs natural . RESUME. General Symptoms.—Nervous, irritable, with prostration of the whole system ; weakness, so that he can hardly stand ; nearly all the symptoms are aggravated by motion. General appearance of anguish. Clinical Observations.—Nearly all the conditions for which Iris is applicable are characterized by unusual lassitude, prostration and lowness of spirits. It is most useful in persons of bilious tempera- ment, subject to gastric and bilious disorders. Skin.—Several vesicles on the right wrist, gradually forming into pustules, which dried up in one night, leaving crusts which remained nine days; malignant sore, resembling a boil, on the middle finger of the left hand, forming a cavity reaching to the bone. Pimples resem- bling mosquito bites, on the body and extremities; small boils on the back, face and hands.—(Rowland) Twenty-six pustules on the scalp, (vertex) some as large as a three cent piece ; the pustules are situated upon a rose-colored, inflamed base, with red streaks running from one to the other; they were pain- ful on pressure, and filled with yellow pus.—(Burt.) Clinical Observations.—It has been highly recommended for scrofulous affections, and skin diseases. It would seem homoeopathic to certain pustular eruptions. Case—reported by Dr. Burt since he made the proving: "A child aged eight months; the vertex and sides of the head covered with a thick crust from the exudation of lymph ; under the scab it looks red, and bleeds if the incrustation is disturbed. There are also scabs at the back of both ears, which look red and bloody. Gave Iris versi- color, ten drops of the mother tincture in a tumblerful of water, one teaspoonful three times a day ; a cerate of the same remedy to be ap- plied twice a day; the head to be washed once a day with castile soap. This one prescription cured it in two weeks. It is now nine weeks and there is no return of the eruption." 604 NEW REMEDIES. Dr. C. Alex Garnsey, of Batavia, 111., communicates the follow- ing case illustrating its value in eruptions on the face: " A little girl from Chicago, here on a visit, was brought to my office by her father. Scrofulous diathesis. The upper lip, orifices of the nose, lower part of the face, the chin, covered with herpes pustu- losis, secreting an offensive aud contagious matter, propagating itself when it touched the inflamed surface from scratching. Iris cerate, made by myself from the fresh root, with new made butter, without salt. It was to be applied three times a day ; Iris 6th dilution, inter- nally, three times a day. A complete cure as to external appearance, inside of fourteen days. The face as smooth and natural as ever, looking only a little red where the sores were. The father told me that he was six months under treatment for a similar eruption. It is my first prescription in such cases, and gives great satisfaction." Dr. C. Alex. Garnsey also writes: " I am quite happy to second Dr. Burt, in regard to the remedial powers of this agent. It has given me more satisfaction in those ob- stinate skin diseases, especially in children of strumous habits, than any other remedy. Since my attention was first called to the Blue flag, in " New Remedies," I have been in the constant employment of it. I never see a case of psora, herpes, or any of the nosological varieties of skin diseases, but I immediately think of Iris. " My plan in making the cerate, is to stew the green root in fresh butter, thoroughly worked, free from buttermilk, and without salt. I object to lard, as it is irritating to sensitive skins. The cerate should be made fresh at least every Spring. I prepare two strengths. One strongly impregnated, for old, tough cases, in gross habits; another milder, for delicate children and infants. I always use the dilutions internally, in accordance with our time-honored modus operandi, and prefer to do so some few days before applying the cerate. I will not burden you with clinical cases, suffice it to say that Iris versicolor is a remedy which will take its position among our polychrests." Sleep. — Feeling of drowsiness ; sleepiness with chills; unusual restlessness during the night; waking much earlier than usual; start- ings during sleep ; restless every night; dreams of suffocation and fire. — (Rowland.) Very restless at night; bad dreams during the whole proving ; dreams of the dead every night; amorous dreams with nocturnal emissions, (from Iris v.) Dreams of snakes, of the dead, of dissect- ing a body ; awoke very much frightened; tried to get up and shut the door, but could not. (This attack resembled nightmare.) Dreams of fighting ; amorous dreams, (from Irisin.)—(Burt.) Mind.—Desponding ; low spirits ; easily vexed, and put out of humor; afraid he is going to be very sick, and afterwards laughs at his fears, which soon return, succeeded by blindness and activity.— (Rowland) IRIS VERSICOLOR. 605 Vtry irritable; confusion of mind ; dullness of the mental facul- ties ; cannot fix the mind on his studies ; fear of death ; waking with fright. — (Burt.) Great mental depression.— (Sanford) Clinical Observations.—The above symptoms of mind and sleep are probably not due to any direct irritation of the brain, but rather to the disturbing action which the Iris exercises upon the liver and gastric mucous membrane. The lowness of spirits is an indication for its use in hepatic disorders, aud perhaps in spermatorrhoea; it would seem particularly applicable to the night cries and "terrors" of children from intestinal irritation. Fever, etc.—Sweat, from violent pain in the finger ; sweat over the whole body, but particularly in the groin ; heat over the whole body, followed by chill, with cold hands and feet; desire to be close to the fire, and even then chills along the back ; chills over the whole body at night, although abundantly covered ; feverish during the pains in the abdomen; pulse accelerated.—(Rowland) Dry, hot skin : hands hot and dry ; pulse slightly accelerated, during the whole proving.—(Burt.) Clinical Observations.—It is used by eclectic physicians in bil- ious fevers, as much as the allopath uses calomel ; it is considered as a sort of "vegetable mercury," causing copious bilious evacuations, salivation, etc. Dr. Kitchen* recommended the Iris versicolor very highly in typhoid fever. He reports several cases : Case 1st.—" A boy, twelve years of age, had typhoid fever. I had given a number of remedies without effect. He had fever, mut- tering delirium ; yellow, watery, foetid diarrhoea; involuntary passage of water and faeces ; coated tongue, dry, brown, crusty ; edges red ; sordes on the gums and teeth; foul breath, and all the marked symp- toms of this disease. I gave the Iris, third dilution. It certainly produced a very marked change, showing its effect, first on the tongue and bowels, and thence extending its beneficial action to other parts. It was on the tenth day of the disease when I gave it, and in five days he was convalescent, although I had no idea that he could pos- sibly recover ; the tongue became moist, diarrhoea eased off, fever subsided, delirium ceased, and he soon became rational, slept well, and had a rapid convalescence." Case 2d.—"An old lady aged eighty-three, had fever; stupor; black, stinking, involuntary diarrhoea; tongue dry and brown ; foetid breath. Cured (?) in 48 hours." Case 3d—"A middle aged woman. Fever ; intense headache ; pain in the small of the back; black, dysenteric passages ; nausea and efforts to vomit: cured in four days. (After she took a few doses she lost all power over her lower extremities ; had cramps of the legs, nausea and some retching.)" Case 4th.—"A young man, aged fourteen, with an attack of bilious *N. A. Journal ef Homoeopathy, Nov. 18il. 606 NEW REMEDIES. pneumonia; could not retain even a mouthful of water on tho stom- ach ; continued easy through the subsequent course of the disease." The provings here given show Iris to be homoeopathic to all the above symptoms in each case. Head.—Dull, heavy headache in the forehead, accompanied by •weakness, nausea and even vomiting, (from Iris) ; beavy headache in the forehead and templos—at times, sharp, shooting pains in the tem- ples, (this pain occurred every half hour during the whole proving) ; in the forehead and right temple ; constrictive feeling in the scalp, (from Irisin); dull pain in the right parietal protuberance ;—(Burt) becoming a hammering pain, aggravated by motion, which if contin- ued relieves it—but it soon returns when at rest, (see Rhus) ; severe pain in the lower part of the occiput, more on the right side ; ex- tremely severe boring pain in the right parietal protuberance, caus- ing him to bend the head down ; headache aggravated by coughing; sensation of fullness in the head ; head and face feel hot; when attempting to laugh, sensation of constriction around the forehead ; head feclj heavy ; lancinating pain under the outer extremity of the right eyebrow; pain shooting from the temple to the left occiput, compared to an electric shock.—(Rowland.) Violent, stupid or stun- ning headache with facial neuralgia, several mornings in succession, with copious, limpid urine.—(Holcombe ) Clinical Observations.—The Iris headache occupies generally the forehead and right side of the head; aggravated by^rest, and on .first moving the head, but relieved by continued motion : accompanied by lowness of spirits, nausea, and even vomiting. Dr. Kitchen, who published the first clinical experience with this remedy, says of its use in "sick headache ;" " It is the most prompt and effectual rem- edy I have ever given in this truly annoying malady. The first dose will arrest the trouble in some patients. I have experienced this effect in several cases. I have made comparative trials with it and other remedies, telling my patients to observe, and let me know which number would relieve them the most speedily. They have invariably sent for the number attached to Iris, on the attack ; this I consider conclusive respecting this complaint, so that I need not comment on it further than to recommend it very highly, so far as my experience goes. Let it be tested by others." The Iris has been tested by many homoeopathic physicians, in sick- headache, and the testimony is generally in its favor ; from our knowl- edge of the sphere of action of tho medicine, it would seem most likely to be indicated in those " sick-headaches" of a gastric or hep- atic origin. In the purely "nervous sick-headaches," or that variety arising from congestion, other remedies may prove more useful. This -matter, however, can only be decided by careful observation. In neuralgia of the head, eyes, etc., Dr. Kitchen recommends the IRIS VERSICOLOR. 607 Iris : "A lady afflicted at intervals with this most distressing com- plaint, and who had swallowed the whole allopathic and homceopathic Materia Medica, with only partial benefit, has been more relieved by the Iris than by any remedy I have yet administered to her. It is usually in the head, temples, eyes, etc., and attended with most dis- tressing vomitings, of a sweetish mucus ; and occasionally, when with much straining, with a trace of bile. It is the only medicine which has much control over the stomach, arresting the vomiting in the few trials I have made with it, very soon, and allaying in some degree the violent pain in the head, so that I have been asked by her whether I had not given her morphine. I have been asked the same question by patients in bowel affections, they frequently going to sleep after its administration ; this is easily accounted for by the cessation of pain, which is almost invariably followed by sleep." Dr. Burt, of Lincoln, Ills., one of the provers of this remedy, re- ports the following cases illustrating its usefulness in eruptions on the scalp ; "October 6th, was called to see a little boy, aged 18 months. The little fellow was extremely fleshy. Ever since ho was three months old, has had an eruption all over the scalp and sometimes extending over the forehead and cheeks. The entire scalp is covered with a thick, grayish crust, which is quite hard. When removed the surface beneath is red and glossy, and studded with little pimples. In por- iions of the scalp the hair is entirely destroyed. The ears are very sore and the discharge is so acrid that it irritates the skin wherever it comes in contact. The cheeks are red, with a scaly appearance, and he has had a few pustules on his back and arms. His mother had the itch for six months while nursing the child, which she thinks is the cause of the disease, and it was, without a doubt. Two allo- paths have attended the child for the last year ; at times it would get most well, and then it would return as bad as ever. She has become discouraged and done nothing for the last three weeks. I ordered the head washed night and morning with castile soap and soft water, and then an ointment of calomel to be applied with a feather. Gave internally, one week Sulphur 2d dec, and then Mercurius dulcis 2d, another week, the remedies to be taken night and morning. This treatment was continued five*weeks, appeared to cure the child, but the cheeks looked red and lyinatural. I did not see the little fellow for six weeks, when he was brought back to my office as bad as he was when I first commenced to treat him. I now determined to give the Iris a trial. The head was to be washed the same as before. and then a cerate of Iris applied to the whole scalp. Internally, I gave twenty drops of the tincture of Iris to be put in a tumbler of water, one teaspoonful to be given him three times a day.' In ten days the mother came and said the eruption was almost gone ; con- tinued the remedy two weeks longer, when, apparently, the cure was perfect. Whether it will return or not, remains to be seen," Eyes.—Redness of the conjunctiva, as if from a cold; the eyes feel dull, with pain over left superciliary ridge ; severe burning tain 608 NEW REMEDIES. in internal canthus, with effusion of tears.—(Rowland) Eyes sunk- en, with blueness around the eyes.— (Burt.) Clinical Observations.—Dr. Kitchen relates that while giving the Iris to a child for summer complaint, the mother said to him : — " Doctor, you have not only relieved the diarrhoea, but you have cured my child of inflamed eyelids, which it has been troubled with for some time." He states that he has tried it in several cases of that affection, and with success. The cases in which it seemed to be of benefit, were those of simple palpebral inflamma- tion, apparently arising from a cold—nothing that I could perceive of a scrofulous taint—they did not adhere iu the morning, at least very slightly. Ears.—Singing and buzzing in the ears (in a lady—after two grains of Irisin second, given for bilious diarrhoea, which it cured after Chamomilla, Pulsatilla and Ipecacuanha had failed.—(Burt.) Mouth, Fauces, etc.—Greasy feeling over tongue and gums on rising in the morning ; feeling of rawness in the mouth ; slight sore- ness of throat; dry mouth ; slight toothache in a warm room ; dry, cracked lips ; swelling and soreness of gums, inner part below the molar teeth of left side.—(Rowland) Back part of mouth and fauces feels on fire (constant symptom); tongue feels as though it had been scalded ; flat taste in the mouth; constant discharge of saliva—it dropped from the mouth during conversation ; tongue coated white; diminution of taste ; teeth feel sore and elongated ; ulcers on the mucous membrane of the cheeks (Iris) ; dull, heavy, aching pains in all the teeth ; teeth feel very sore and elongated; severe pain in the back upper and lower molars, lasting three hours. (Irisin).—{Burt) Clinical Observations.—The eclectics class this plant among the " sialagogues." Dr. Burt, who proved the fresh root in large doses, does not doubt that it would produce sloughing aud deep ulceration, if continued for a long time. There is a rather curious and remarka- ble similarity between the action of the Iris and that of Mercury ; this is all the more singular, when w^ consider that the former is a vegetable remedy ; not only does the Iris affect the mouth in a similar manner to Mercury, but this similarity of action extends throughout the whole glandular and mucous systems, and perhaps, all the tissues except the osseous. I have taken patients from off the hands of eclectic physicians, who were so completely salivated by the Iris, that were it not for the absence of the peculiar fostor, I should have taken it for a mercurial salivation. Even the sympa- thetic fever which the Iris causes, has considerable resemblance to that of Mercury. Dr. Coe* thus speaks of the Irisin : " Irisin is justly esteemed as *Concentrated Organic Medicines. IRIS VERSICOLOR. 609 one of our most valuable alteratives. It is eminently resolvent, and exercises a marked influence over the entire glandular system. It increases the salivary flow, and has the reputation of producing ptyal- ism. But a careful distinction must be made between the effects produced by vegetable agencies upon the mucous and salivary glands, and mercurial salivation ; the former are nothing more nor less than manifestations of a quickened physiological activity—evidence of a special therapeutic stimulus, constituting oftentimes a critical con- servative effort—no loosening of the teeth ; no sponginess of the gums ; no putrefactive odor ; no sloughing of the soft parts ; increased but not disordered secretion. On the other hand, Mercury induces a pathological condition of the vital constituents of the blood and fluids, and favors the formation of vitiated products ; altering from good to bad, and from bad to worse ; giving rise to congestions, lesions, putrefactive conversions, and disorganizations of the organic struc- tures. In the former case we have the evidence of a direct thera- peutic stimulus, operating upon the vital impressibility of the secre- tive apparatus, promoting increased activity of the functions for the purpose of eliminating legitimate products. In the latter instance we have an augmented flow of morbid material, resulting from the destructive conversions of the vital constituents by the remedy itself, and which are not the legitimate products of organic metamorphoses. In the former case, the remedy itself is the motor-stimulus, while in the latter instance the mercurial corruptions constitute the stimuli of excitement." To the superficial student of medicine, the above reads very well, but to the physiologist it becomes simply absurd. Only one conclu- sion can be drawn, namely, that Dr. Coe is ignorant or dishonest* Nothing but the gravest ignorance of the elementary facts of physi- ology and pathology, could lead to such special pleading. He must be aware that any departure from a normal physiological state, con' stitutes a pathological condition. Given to a person in perfect health r the Iris causes abnormal aotivity of the glandular and mucous sys- tems ; Mercury does as much. The main difference between the actions of the two medicines is in degree. The poisonous effects of Mercury are all pervading and more malignant than the pathogene- tic effects of the Iris. Both cause actual pathological conditions, having their peculiarities and characteristic symptoms. When given in disease, if homoeopathically indicated, and administered in proper doses, they both restore the tissues, for which they have an affinity, to a healthy condition. If Dr. Coe was dishonest in his statements with the intention to prejudice the reader against Mercury his conduct degenerates into downright meanness. Mercury, when administered according to the law of similia, is a beneficent, and valuable curative agent. When given in this manner, it never causes any pathogenetic symptons, gives rise to no morbid products, and disorganizes no tissues or secre- tions. On the contrary it tends to prevent the very calamities which Dr. Coe so much dreads, and which he could cause to a certain de- 39 tilO NEW REMEDIES gree, by th s abuse and prolonged use of even the Iris. 1 would here make an observation relative to the action of Iris, namely : it is not owing to the acridity of the fresh root acting topically, that the pseudo-mercurial symptoms are due, but to a specific dynamic action of the drug ou the constitution. It is true that the Iris does contain an acrid principle, but from the fact that the dried root and even the alkaloid, causes the above-named condition when taken into the stom- ach, is proof that those effects belong to the whole drug. If this was not sufficient proof, we could refer the physician to tue fact that this peculiar action may be caused by the dilutions of the remedy, up to the third, and perhaps higher. Therapeutic Deductions.— It is a strange comment on the prac- tice of the opposite school, that they should recommend the Iris highly in mercurial cachexy, syphilis, etc! No drug is more thor- oughly homoeopathic to diseases of the mouth similar to those caused by Mercury, and in the few cases in which I have used it, it has acted well. Even in Mercurial salivation it has been found useful, but it cannot be relied on with as much confidence as the chlorate of potash. In stomatitis, with or without ulceration (canker), when there is painful burning in the mouth and fauces, Iris is strongly indicated. In these cases I would advise the tincture of the green root, adminis- tered in the third or sixth attenuations. W. H. Burt, M. D., gives the following case of ptyalism, following diphtheria, cured by Iris versicolor when all other remedies had failed : " In a very severe case of salivation in a young lady after she had been attacked with malignant diphtheria, where the parotid gknds were very much swollen, and the saliva discharged in immense quan- tities—apparently three quarts a day would be secreted and spit from the mouth—I gave Mercurius, Aconite, Belladonna, Kali bichroma- tum, Iodine and Nitric acid. Not one of them had the least effect. I then gave Iris, and in two hours there commenced to be a change for the better. In two days the profuse secretion of saiiva bad en- tirely ceased, with a great diminution of the glands. The fourth day she was discharged cured." Gastric Symptoms.—Loss of appetite ; nausea and empty eructa- tions ; nansea, and vomiting of a watery and extremely sour fluid ; constant nausea and vomiting for an hour ; aching in the stomach before breakfast, and on drinking cold water ; sickness of the stomach obliged him to lie down.—{Rowland) Eructations of tasteless gas ; rising of water, very sour ; great burning distress in the epigastric region ; it could not be allayed by drinking cold water ; colic-like pains every few minutes in epigastric region ; intense burning in the region of the pancreas (this was a con- stant symptom during the whole proving.—(Burt) Severe and pro- fuse vomiting ; vomiting with much pain in the stomach ; distressing IRIS VERSICOLOR. 611 nausea and vomiting; vomiting and purging; vomiting with diarrhoea accompanied with great prostration ; burning in the mouth, fauces, and oesophagus. Severe colic pains with vomiting ; frequent and violent efforts to vomit, resulting in but little more than an enor- mous discharge of air, moving off the stomach with great force. Se- vere shocks of uterine pain in the umbilical region passing upward to the epigastric region, accompanied by nausea, straining and belching of wind ; great commotion and rumbling im the bowels, above the seat of pain, but little or none below, with no desire for stool.—{Sanford) Clinical Observations.—The Iris has probably an irritant action upon the gastric mucous membrane, as seen upon the mouth, fauces and oesophagus. By referring to Dr. Burt's heroic provings, this action will be seen portrayed in strong colors. I know of no one of the new remedies which promise to be more useful in gastric disor- ders, than the Iris versicolor. Even now we have some valuable clinical observations. Dr. Kitchen in his paper on Iris, says it is useful in vomiting: " Effectual in almost all kinds—simple sour, bilious, of food, with or without pain. In every case of vomiting or sick stomach in which I have yet given it, has been successful, and in severe cases on the administration of a few tea-spoonfuls. Such has been my experience. thus far, but I would not be understood as saying that this will always be the case in future. No doubt it, like all other remedies, has its appropriate sphere, which it will take time and opportunity to make out and define correctly. I merely state what I have discovered up to the present, with the limited opportunities I have had of testing it in different forms of the disease. I have for some years attended a little girl, now about nine years of age, who has periodical vomiting spells, coming on once every month or six weeks, sometimes not for four months, but certainly three or four times in the course of a year. I have tried in various attacks all the different remedies usually suc- cessful in such cases, but not with muoh benefit; the attack would last two or three days, and would seem to wear itself out. A single teaspoonful of the Iris arrests it at once. It comes on with vomiting of the ingesta, then sour fluid, and at last, bile, yellow and green, with great heat of the head, some general fever, and great prostra- tion ; the perspiration is warm, caused by the efforts of straining and vomiting." The Iris is eminently homoeopathic to some varieties of gastritis, (raucous), oesophagitis, duodenitis, and many of those disorders of digestion which go under the general name of dyspepsia. In many points it resembles Pulsatilla, especially the tendency to "acidity of the stomach," and "rising of ingesta; " also the sympathetic distur- bances having a gastric origin. The peculiar and severe symptoms elicited by Dr. Burt, and referred by him to the pancreas (see prov- ing,) and which, in all probability, were really in the gland, point to its applicability to inflammation, and other disorders of that important 612 NEW REMEDIES. organ. In that disease known as " Pancreatic salivation " it ought to prove specific. A thorough knowledge of the physiology of the pancreas will lead us to define pretty clearly the derangements likely to be caused by the Iris. The pancreas is usually regarded as belonging to the group of salivary glands. "The pancreatic juice is analagous to saliva. It acts upon starch even more energetically than saliva, transmuting it into sugar and lactic acid ; and upon fats, by forming them into an emulsion, so that they are readily absorbed." —(Draper) It is generally conceded that a normal pancreatic juice (as regards quality and quantity, is necessary for the digestion of fatty food. Many of the derangements of digestion, are undoubtedly due to deficiency, and unhealthy conditions of this juice. There can be no rational doubt of the action of Iris upon this gland. Even had we not Dr. Buri's suggestive provings, we could judge of its effects upon that gland from analogy. A remedy which irritates and stimulates the salivary glands, must have a similar action on the pancreas —a similar tissue, possessing similar functions.—(Pulsatilla, Mercurius, Iodine, Podophyllum.) Prof. Lee (allopath) says: " It acts as a stimulant to the liver and pancreas." Our list of pancreatic remedies are five in number, and the symptoms they possess, directly referring to that gland are quite indefinite. The Iris promises to prove very valuable for the removal of morbid states, induced, directly or indirectly, by func- tional diseases of that organ. Dr. Burt succeeded in killing several cats with the tincture of Iris versicolor. One of the most noted morbid appearances noticed on examination was a highly congested condition of the pancreas. A portion of one pancreas was sent, through me, to Dr. Ludlam of this city, who subjected it to a critical examination, which proved the presence of intense congestion of the minute vessels, and even a rupture, and extravasation of blood into the tissues of the gland. Dr. " Kitchen says he cured a case of gastrodynia characterized by violent pains in the epigastric region, coming on at intervals " The Iris relieved him atonce, and he had no return. He has also relieved and cured, " vomiting of food an hour after meals," with Iris. Dr. Sanford* reports a severe case of gastrodynia, presenting symptoms nearly identical with his fragmentary proving. (See prov- ing.) Dose : six drops of the tincture in half a glass of water, a tea- spoonful every ten minutes until improvement set in. Liver, Hypochondria, etc.—Pain in the right hypochondria- worse on motion ; pain above the cristi ilii on both sides, first on the right; crampy pains in the right lumbar region.—(Roivland) Cutting pains in the region of the liver.— (Kitchen.) Clinical Observation?.—Prof. Lee (allopathic) says, the Iris stimulates the liver. 'New England Medical Gazette. Vol. I, p. 2.r2. IRIS VERSICOLOR. 613 A writer in the London Lancet, asserts the Irisin to be a power- ful and efficient cholap-oorue. King intimates that it acts upon the liver in a manner similar to the mercurial preparations ; not as active as Podophyllin but more lasting. The opposite school believe it stimulates the liver, increas- ing the secretion and excretion of the bile, by virtue of its general stimulative action on the glandular system. Dr. Kitchen (homceopathic) says : " May it not be administered beneficially in some affections of the liver ? It undoubtedly acts on this organ. I have had full evidence of that in several cases, pro- ucing a manifest secretion of healthy bile." Abdomen, StOOl, etc.—Uneasy feeling in the scrobiculis cordis ; rumbling in lower part of abdomen; lower part of sternum seems protuded ; cutting pain in the lower part of the abdomen, relieved by discharge of flatus ; colic, obliging him to bend forward for relief; foetid flatulence ; diarrhsea with slight pain, accompanied by rumbling and uneasiness in the stomach; stools lumpy, brown, and very offen- sive ; diarrhaea with colic-like pains ; diarrhoea with rumbling and cutting in the lower part of the abdomen ; six dysenteric stools at night, with rumbling and pain in abdomen, and great lassitude ; sud- den liquid evacuation after supper ; constipation for some time, suc- ceeded by thin watery diarrhoea.—(Rowland.) Colic-like pains every few minutes in the epigastric and umbilical regions, with desire for stool; (during the whole proving—four yellow papescent stools, with rumbling in the bowels ; fourteen thin watery stools, followed by two stools consisting of water and mucus, with ten- esmus) ; watery stool, copious running from the bowels in a continu- ous stream ; stool tinged with green ; stool of undigested food ; stool of blood and mucus, with great tenesmus, and a sensation as if the anus was on fire ; anus feels as if sharp points were sticking in it; mucous membrane of the rectum prolapsed ; great smarting and burn- ing of anus after every stool.—(Dr. Burt from Iris) Swelling of the stomach and abdomen.—(Kitchen) [The Irisin produced severe, intermittent colic in umbilical region, with soft, mushy stool; also soft papescent, stools, with rumbling, but no ain.] Clinical Observations.—The Iris is esteemed by the opposite schools as a powerful cathartic, but one which, they assert, does not leave constipation after its cathartic action, Dr. Burt sustains this assertion by the results of his own proving of massive doses. Prof. Lee says : "As a cathartic it is said to act on all parts of the canal, but more particularly on the upper portion. It has been rejected by some as unsafe and dangerous, but it was probably administered in over doses." Iris undoubtedly causes bilious discharges from the bowels. Dr. Burt thinks he has seen evacuations of pure bile follow 614 NEW REMEDIES. its use. The burning and smarting, however, at the anus and rectum, noticed in the proving, is rather the result of its acridity, than the effect of bilious fluids ; the sensations in the rectum are probably due to the same cause as the burning in the mouth and fauces. Re- garding its therapeutic action we cannot do better than quote Dr. Kitchen's experience : Colic.—" Some cases I have relieved. The colic of infants is ben- efitted by it. There is a peculiar condition of the abdominal region of the adult also, which may come under this head, and which may be termed a grumbling bellyache. It is most prevalent at the changes of the seasons, Spring and Autumn, and appears to be owing to a vitiated secretion of the liver, and mucous membrane of the bowels, and consists in almost constant uneasiness and grinding in the bow- els ; a kind of sub-colic ; a mushy passage once or twice a day, in some cases, but in the generality of cases, a very foetid discharge of wind, of a coppery smell, attended occasionally with an involuntary escape of fluid, soiling the shirt, and sometimes a passage of scybal- ous matter, together with fluid mucoid foeces of an offensive, putrid, and coppery odor. It was a case of this kind which first led me to a use of this remedy. I had tried several medicines without the least relief, for nearly a week, and administered the Iris at random, never having given it in any disease. To my surprise the patient was shortly relieved, and had no return ; his bowels soon became healthy and regular, and he praised the good effects of the remedy very highly. The sphere of the Iris appears to be chiefly the stom- ach and abdominal contents. Diarrhcea.—" I have not been able to obtain with any degree of accuracy, the symptoms of those cases in which it proves to be the most appropriate. I think, however that burning in the rectum and anus after a passage, is one state which it will arrest almost im- mediately. It also seems appropriate to cases in which there are pains and green discharges, relieving the pains very frequently in a short time, and changing the green passages after some doses have been given. There is one very curious feature which I have frequently observed, which is, that when the diarrhoea is not arrested after a few doses, it seems, after the administration of it for twenty- four or forty-eight hours, to produce an aggravation ; there is an in- crease of pain and several free foetid passages, and then the diarrhoea ceases. This has generally taken place about two or three o'clock in the morning. Whether I have given it in too low dilutions, generally from second to sixth, I cannot tell, but such a feature I have fre- quently observed, and have administered it with perfect success in a few cases of periodical night diarrhoea, attended with pain, and two or three free discharges before morning. I have also cured all my cases of cholera infantum with it this summer, and sonje of them within a few days. I look upon it as a very valuable addition to our remedial measures in this complaint. " In Cholera morbus, I have succeeded in every case in which I have administered it, even the most violent. A single teaspoonful of I HIS VERSICOLOR. 615 a few drops in a half tumbler of water, has in many severe cases put an immediate stop to the vomiting. I consider it a specific in this form of the disease, and I would earnestly request physicians to try it in the first cases of Cholera Asiatica, which may fall under their notice, and give the result to theprofession. In cholera morbus it arrests the pain which is so violent in many cases at the pit of the stomach, or around the navel, or, in some cases, still lower down in the abdominal region, at or before every fit of vomiting or purging. In fact, it seems, as far as I have as yet been able to judge, the more appropriate the more violent the pain, and in some cases, acting, as the patients and bystanders express themselves, ' like a charm.' Dr. C. A. Garnsey says: "Within a few days, I have been called to three cases of cholera morbus. All of these from dietetic indiscretion. One case of great prostration; blue countenance; small, feeble pulse ; surface cold and clammy, and drenched in sweat; had been vomiting for several hours: cured with Iris. In a notable case of gastralgia, where the vomitings were greenish, yellow and mucus. Iris proved my sheet anchor in all these cases. I use the 10th decimal, and when indicated, alternate it with Arseni- cum, or some other remedy." Dr. Geo. Lade, of King's Lynn, England, gives us the following history of a case of Cholera, treated with Irisin : * " The patient was a married woman, aged 31 years, who at the time she was attacked was considerably debilitated by over lactation. She had had more or less looseness of the bowels for two or three days, but as it gave her little inconvenience, she did not trouble herself about it until half past four o'clock of the afternoon of the 2d of July, when suddenly the purging became worse, and she was seized with vomiting and with cramps in the body and lower limbs. When I first saw her, about 6 o'clock, p. m., her diarrhoea was profuse and in- voluntary and the evacuations wholly of a rice-water character ; vom- iting was frequent and severe, and the matter ejected consisted principally of small, white, flocculent bodies, with portions of undi- gested food. She complained much of cramp-like pains in the abdo- men and lumbar region, and less severely of similar pains in the legs ; intense and urgent thirst; difficult breathing. She had the unmis- takeable choleraic expression of countenance ; her face and limbs were greatly deficient in warmth ; her body was also cooler than nat- ural, and her tongue, which was very slightly furred and bluish, was icy cold to the touch. She was not able to tell whether or not the urinary secretion was suppressed. Irisin, 1st dec.,f was ordered to be taken every fifteen or twenty minutes, and the body to be fomented with hot flannel. 3 o'clock p. m. There is decidedly less cramp, especially of the body, and the other symptoms have slightly abated. She now expresses a great desire to have some stimulant. To take two teaspoonfuls of brandy in a little water every twenty minutes, and the medicine every ten minutes. * Monthly Horn. \U\ uw, Augn>t, lSfifi. 616 NEW REMEDIES. 4:95—Considerable improvement in every respect. 11:20—is now free from sickness, and her bowels have not moved for upward an hoar. Cramps continue, though they are very slight. Brandy to be discontinued ; to have a little gruel at intervals, and medicine to be taken every three hours, and after every motion. July 13th.—9:30 a. m.—Patient had a good deal of cramp in the limbs, and was very restless during the night; but she has had no vomiting, and her bowels were undisturbed from about ten o'clock last night until half an hour ago. Passed a good deal of urine at the same time. Is to take one more dose of medicine only. 4 p. m.— continues to improve ; thinks " she will do now," and that sho only wants a little more strength to be as well as usual. The further progress of the case was eminently satisfactory, and fully bore out the hopeful opinion of herself." Dr. Lade also reported concerning its use in autumnal diarrhcea and cholera* He says : " Forty-three patients to whom 1 gave the Iris, complained of simple diarrhoea only. The evacuations were in some instances papescent, but thin watery stools were now frequent- ly observed ; the majority of them were of a dirty yellow hue ; some were brown, others green ; and a few were apparently nothing but water. In all the cases there were more or less griping pains, prin- cipally in the umbilical region, which, with loud rumbling in the bowels, generally preceded the discharge. Heat in the rectum and anus was noticed iu a considerable number, though not in all of the cases. For the most part the appetite was unimpaired, and in no case was there any feverish symptoms. Seldom more than three or four doses, (of Iris 3d or Irisin 1st,) were necessary} to check the disease, and in no case had the medicine to be continued more than 24 hours." Twelve patients had vomiting as well as purging, and recovered under the same remedy. Three patients had decided chol- era symptoms. In them the Irisin had prompt and decided curative effect*. Dysentery.—" Some mild cases I have cured with Iris, but it is not the remedy in this disease. The cases which seemed to be benefitted were of the nature of dysenteric diarrhoea, attended with green discharges, or slimy mucus, without blood, or much straining. (Dr. Burt's proving elicited these very symptoms, however, and quite severely.) In one case it evidently acted favorably on the secretion of the liver, producing a free flow of healthy bile, and an immediate abatement of the unhealthy passages. In those cases in which there was bloody flux, I did not rely on it, not knowing sufficient of its curative powers." The pathogenesis of Iris versicolor points directly to its sphere of usefulness in some varieties of dysentery, probably in bilious dysentery ; yet there can be no doubt of the power of Iris to cause acute mucous enteritis, but the inflammation may be located higher in the intestinal canal, than in ordinary cases of dysentery. (Here it appears the opposite of aloes and podophyllum, which affect * Monthly Homoeopathic Observer, (England.) IRIS VERSICOLOR. 617 the lower portion of the canal, rectum, etc.") It will be seen by the proving, however, that it has many symptoms analogous to Podophyl- lum—the prolapsus of rectal mucous membrane," " pricking in the anus," etc. Dr. Kitchen's successful use of Iris in abdominal typhus, proves its applicability in some quite severe forms of intestinal inflammation, and perhaps in organic lesions of that canal. (See Ferri). I would also simply add by way of testimony, that many homceopathists, with myself have found the Iris a valuable remedy in nearly every disease of the bowels for which Dr. K. recommends it. I would also suggest its use in hcemorrhoids, bilious colic, fissure of the anus, fistula in ano, etc. Dr. J. C. Peterson values the Iris highly in certain forms of acute dysentery. He says : " Iris is also another drug that I have resorted to when I find the patient cold, skin blue, vomiting, with prostration of strength. I think it exceeds Veratrum album and Arsenicum." Dr. Hughes, of England, writes of this remedy : " The most valuable property of Iris is that to which its powerful emetic and purgative action points, viz: Its control over acute vomiting and diarrhcea. The summer diarrhoea of last year was exceedingly se- vere among young children. When neglected, symptoms of cerebral exhaustion supervened, which always proved fatal. I lost four cases from this cause. When taken in time I was always able to cure the acute symptoms, although the action of China, Veratrum, Mercu- rius, etc, was not so rapid as with adults similarly affected. As soon as I began to use the Iris, however, the scene was changed. The vomiting never failed to stop, even in the worst cases, after the first dose or two, and the purging soon followed suit. I gave the second and third decimal dilutions. If this severe diarrhcea should recur the next summer, I shall feel inclined to give the Iris alone, and from the commencement. In English cholera it would probably be an efficient remed}', and might stand near Veratrum in the list of remedies against the epidemic cholera itself." Dr. Garnsey used it in the following cases of severe gastric irri- , tation: "Miss H.----, recently from tho South, has been an invalid for three years from consecutive attacks of small-pox, typhoid and their sequelce. She now has intermittent fever; has had an extremely severe paroxysm every day for 18 days. Slight chills of short con- tinuance, then copious vomiting, with unenduring head-, aud back-ache —then fever, and extreme nervousness and restlessness, tossing to and fro on the bed ; the catamenia suppressed. The vomiting was the most distressing and excessive that I ever witnessed in ague —of a yellowish, bilious hue, it poured forth in a stream as from a hose-pipe, a large sized chamber being filled directly. Arsenicum, Nux, and Ipecac were first tried, with but partial success. After the administration of Aconite and Arsenicum the attacks were miti- gated, but the vomiting continued. Having used Iris with good re- sults in the bilious vomitings attending a case of gastralgia, I turned 618 NEW REMEDIES. to it. It not only acted surprisingly, but with a promptness which elicited my admiration. Remember, these vomitings had continued for eighteen consecutive days. So said her mother, an intelligent woman. After the Iris was used two days, the vomiting ceased. Arsenicum was continued with the Iris, and Cantharis interpolated for some urinary complication. The patient resided out two miles. I saw her again every other day, made just four visits and one office prescription, and the case was dismissed." Urinary and Genital Organs.—A sharp cutting pain in urethra when beginning to urinate ; urine copious ; strong, disagreeable smell to the urine ; cutting and sticking in the urethra when urinating ; coldness and itching of the genitals.—(Rowland.) Dark red urine, with burning in the urethra for half an hour ; increase in the quanti- ty of urine ; nocturnal emissions with amorous dreams (from Iris) ; profuse urination—eleven times a day—for three days ; nocturnal emissions, with amorous dreams for seven consecutive nights ; glans penis much swollen and red, (from Irisin). — (Burt.) Clinical Observations.—The Iris seems to have a special affin- ity for the genito-urinary organs, causing not only irritation, with increased secretion, but symptoms of inflammation even. Eclectic physicians have elevated this plant to a high position, as a remedy for affections of these organs. King says it is a diuretic. He recom- mends it in dropsy, but advises it to be given until its hydrogogue effects are obtained. Although such effects will often run off the dropsical effusion, yet it is unnecessary and injurious. As with the Apocynum cannabinum, the Iris, if appropriate, will eliminate the serous fluid through the kidneys, without any action on the bowels. The dropsies in which Iris will be found curative, will probably be found, generally, to be hepatic in their origin. Syphilis.—Not only King, Jones, and other eclectics, but Coe and Prof. Lee, positively attest that "In syphilis, either primary or secondary, it acts as a powerful and efficacious agent. In eradicating the syphilitic virus, and correcting the diathesis of the system, it is not only powerful but positive, and certain. In the secondary or tertiary forms of syphilis, after mercury in all its forms of admin- istration had proven abortive, this agent has restored patients to per- fect health. A gentleman who had studied medicine, but abandoned the practice for the ministry, informed us that he had used, and heard of others prescribing it with entire success in a large number of syphilitic cases, after the disease had passed into the secondary or tertiary stages, and often after mercury had been liberally used for a long time. The dose in which he employed it was one or two fluid drachms of the tincture, six or eight times daily."* If these recom- mendations of Iris in that terrible malady, are reliable—and we have no reason to doubt the veracity of the above named authors— this remedy would be far preferable to its metallic analogue, Mercury. * Jones and Scucldei's Materia Medica IRIS VERSICOLOR. 619 The general sphere of action of the Iris, as developed by our prov- ings, would certainly point to its use in syphilis and gonorrhoea, even if we had no previous intimation of its use in those diseases. Some homoeopathic author remarks that in no proving of Silicia, Calcarea, etc., do we get those ulcers, abscesses, etc., for which those reme- dies are so specific. So it is with Iris. It would be carrying the provings of this medicine beyond proper bounds to produce the ulcers and other characteristic symptoms of syphilis, even if it were possible so to do. Dr. Headland's theory of eliminative action may explain why Iris, and some other medicines cure syphilis, namely : by eliminating the virus through the proper glands, thus ridding the system of the poison — not antidoting it in the system. Neither my colleagues—so far as lean learn—nor myself, have had any experi- ence in the use of Iris in syphilitic affections. In gonorrhoea it would appear by its pathogenesis to be indicated- I used it in one case with apparent good results. It was given at the first dilution, five drops four times a day. In seminal emissions, when accompanied by amorous dreams, it is very appropriate. When consulted in a case of spermatorrhoea, the first question to be asked is, " Do you have amorous dreams, with emissions ? " If the answer is in the affirmative, I consider the case one of irritation, and should treat it with Phosphorus, Cantharis, Cannabis, Pulsatilla and Iris vers. If a negative answer is re- ceived, the case is classed with one of those arising from want of tone and lack of vitality and which call for such remedies as Kali bromatum, Conium, Phosphoric acid, Agnus castus and Caladium. This method of ascertaining the pathology of this affection, was first laid down by the astute Lallemand, whose researches in this direction have been so valuable. No proving of this valuable medicine upon the female organism has yet been made. Judging from its effects upon the male organs, we can safely consider it capable of deranging the female organs of generation. Eclectic physicians claim to find it useful in the treatment of " leucorrhoea, congestion of the cervix, ulceration, and other disorders of the uterine system." Coe thinks it " particu- larly indicated in uterine leucorrhoea, in which affection it seems to be of almost specific value." As this variety of leucorrhoea is the result of a hyper-secretion of the glandular follicles of the cervix, it is quite probable the Iris may act curatively, as its primary effect is to cause a similar condition in glandular tissues. "A physician who had used this article extensively, and who had had ample opportunities of testing its virtues, informs us that he had found it more effectual in hemorrhages, particularly menorrhagia, than any other remedy he ever tried."* If the Iris should prove a true homoeopathic remedy for syphilitic affections, it will be found useful in many diseases of the vagina, ute- rus and ovaries, caused by that pervading poison. « *Jonf* and (Scudder, M iteria Mcdicfi. 020 NEW REMEDIES. Dr. 0. H. Mann, of Ottawa, 111., has used the Iris versicolor in several cases of spermatorrhoea, with marked benefit. The follow- ing was the first in which he used it: A theological student applied to be treated for a catarrh. His appearance indicated that he was suffering from seminal losses. On being questioned he admitted that such was the case. He had applied to many physicians but never got any benefit from their treatment, and had abandoned the idea of a cure. The discharges were accompanied by amorous dreams, occurred about twice a week, and were followed by prostration, nervousness, and great anxiety. Prescribed Iris versicolor 2d, four pellets three times a day. Two weeks afterward he wrote for more medicine, stating that he had had but one discharge since consulting me. Saw him three weeks later, when he said he had had no discharge since writing, and felt as though he had been relieved of a fearful malady, which he had sup- posed incurable. Larynx and Chest.—Short, dry cough, excited by a tickling in the larynx ; pain in the left side, as though the ribs were pressing against the lungs ; unable to take a long breath, for the pain in the left chest, which was of a cutting and sticking character ; pain in the left chest.—{Rowland) Hoarseness and ringing in the ears ; sore- ness and rawness of the fauces.—(Burt.) [Taken in connection with the above symptoms, the experiments of Dr. Burt on animals, are quite suggestive.] Back.—Constant pain, aggravated by motion, in the lumbar and sacral region, was a constant symptom when proving Irisin. —(Burt.) Upper Extremities.—A sharp, tensive pain in right shoulder; worse on motion, especially by raising the arm, and continuing a long time; this pain occurs most in the evening; severe pains ; shooting, momentary, and shifting about rapidly, in the phalangeal and meta- carpal-phalangeal articulations; and also in the sides and ends of the fingers, of both hands—these pains more in the evening ; sharp pain in the end of the middle fingers of the left hand, succeeded instantly by a similar pain in axilla of left side; pains in phalanges when writing.—{Rowland) Hands hot and dry all the time.— (Burt.) Dr. Rowland advises the Iris iu rheumatism of the shoul- ders, wrists and hands. Lower Extremities.—Pain in the right knee joint, worse on mo- tion ; violent tearing pain in right hip and knee joints; sharp pain similar to those in the hands, in right hip, right and left knee joints, and in right foot, especially in the first joint of great toe—all worse on motion.—{Rowland) Trembling and weakness of the knees ; JUGLANS CINEREA. 621 calves very painful, when walking, especially the right.—(Burt.) "After she took a few doses she lost all power over her lower extrem- ities, but regained it during convalescence. (This can hardly be considered a pathogenetic symptom, as it occurred in a patient with typhoid fever.) Pain in lower extremities and cramps in calves of legs, with nausea and retchings." (See Dr. Kitchen's notice of Iris.) Clinical Observations.—Iris appears homceopathic to rheumatal- giaof the lower as well as upper extremities. Dr. Burt says it caused paralysis of the hinder extremities, and spasm, of the fore legs, in cats. Its action on the spinal cord may be more intense than we are now aware of. In many of its symptoms, especially the pains in the chest and extremities, the Iris strongly resembles Bryonia alba. JUGLANS CINEREA. (Butternut.) Botanical Description.—Male amentum, imbricated ; calyx, a scale ; corolla, six-parted ; filaments, four to eighteen ; female calyx, four-cleft, superior ; corolla, four cleft; styles, two ; drupe, coriaceous, with a furrowed nut. This is an indigenous forest tree, known in different sections of the country by the various names of Butternut, Oilnut, and White Wal- nut. In favorable situations it attains a great size, rising sometimes fifty feet in height, with a trunk three or four feet in diameter at the distance of five feet from the ground. The stem divides at a small distance from the ground into numerous horizontal branches, which spread widely and form a large tufted head, giving to the tree a pecu- liar aspect. The young branches are smooth and of a grayish color, which has given origin to the specific name of the plant. The leaves are very long, and consist of seven or eight pairs of sessile leaflets, and a single petiolate leaflet at the extremity. These are two or three inches in length, oblong-lanceolate, rounded at the base, acuminate,. finely serrate and somewhat downy. The male and female flowers are distinct upon the same tree. The former are in large aments, four or five inches long, hanging down from the sides of the shoots of the preceding year's growth, near their extremity. The fertile flowers arc at the end of the shoots of the same Springy The germ is sur- mounted by two, large, feathery, rose-colored stigmas. The fruit is sometimes single, suspended by a thin, pliable peduncle ; sometimes- several are attached to the sides and extremity of the same peduncles The drupe is oblong-oval with a terminal projection, hairy, viscid„ 622 NEW REMEDIES. green in the immature state, but brown when ripe. It contains a hard, dark-colored, oblong pointed nut, with a rough, deeply and irreg- ularly furrowed surface. The kernel is thick, oily, and pleasant to the taste. History.—"The Butternut grows in Upper and Lower Canada, and throughout the whole Northern, Eastern and Western United States. In the Middle States the flowers appear in May, and the fruit ripens in September. " The bark is used in dyeing wool a dark-brown color, though infer- ior for this purpose to that of the Black Walnut. It is said, when applied to the skin, to have a rubefacient effect. The inner bark is the medicinal portion, and that of the root being considered most effi- cient, is directed by the National Pharmacopoeia. It should be col- lected in May or June. Medical History.—According to allopathic authorities, the " But- ternut is a mild cathartic, operating without pain or irritation, resem- bling Rhubarb in its power of evacuating, without debilitating the alimentary canal. It was much employed during our revolutionary war, by Dr. Rush and other physicians attached to the army, and was highly esteemed. It is especially applicable to cases of habitual costiveness and other bowel affections, and particularly dysentery, in which it has acquired considerable reputation. It is given [by the old school practitioners,] in the form of decoction or extract, never in substance." The Juglans Regia has been used with the highest degree of suc- cess in scrofulous affections, especially when there is swelling of the neck. The Juglans cinerea will probably prove equally efficacious in the same affection. It has been recommended by Dr. Neidhard in this complaint, and prescribed by him in several cases with success. I have ceen informed by Dr. Neidhard that Dr. Heintzelman, surgeon in the late war with Mexico, found this remedy one of the most effi- cient in the treatment of the diarrhoea and dysentery which prevailed in the army at that time. Hundreds of cases were cured with it where no other remedy would affect them. It has been used in this country as a domestic remedy, in cases of chronic rheumatism affecting the back. Its efficacy in this complaint is corroborated by its effects on the healthy organism. DR. JOSEPH P. PAINE'S PROVING. Presented as a Thesis to the Faculty of the Homceopathic Medical College of Philadelphia, in 1852. Proving commenced Nov 20th, 181)1. Took four drops of the 3d attenuation, per day, at night. From Nov. 20th to the 25th, no symptoms. Nov. 25th.—Took nine drops of the 1st atten., at night. Half an hour after, slight vertigo, with a sinking, faint feeling in the stomach, extending to the abdomen. Three hours after, diarrhoea with burning in the anus before and after stool. JUGLANS CINEREA. 623 Nov. 26th.—Took two drops of the first attenuation in the morning. Pain in the left chest; feeling of weakness and debility. 11, a. m.— slight nausea with vertigo. 3 p. m.—Yellow, frothy diarrhcea, with tenesmus and burning in the anus after stool. Cramp-like pain in the hip, at night. Dec. 1st.—Took ten drops of the tincture. No symptoms. Dec. 2d.—Took fifteen drops of the tincture. Nausea in the morn- ing; dryness of the fauces, and sensation as if the throat was swollen. Dec. 3d.—Took twenty-five drops of the tincture. Vivid dreams. Dec. 4th.—Aching pain in both ankles. Stitch-like pain under the right scapula, when stooping; pain in the right side of the fauces. Aching pain in the abdomen after dinner ; soon after, diarrhoea, with burning in the anus. Aching pain in the lumbar vertebrae, extend- ing through the lumbar region and up the spine ; aching pains in various parts of the body. Feeling of lassitude ; aching pains in the arms and wrists, as if sprained by hard work. Dec. 5th.—Aching pain in the occiput, in the morning, in bed, passing off on getting up. Numb pain in the right axilla, extending down the arm, along the course of the nerves, which lasted three hours. Pain under the vertebral border of the right scapula increased by moving the part, and by drawing a long breath. Dec. 6th.—Pain under the right scapula, making breathing pain- ful ; numb pain in the right axilla, extending down the arm. Pain in the right knee, felt on going up stairs. Dec. 7th.—Pain under the right scapula continues. Dryness of the nose ; aching pains in the wrists, extending up the arms; consti- pation. ])ec 8th.—Took thirty drops of the tincture. Pain under scap- ula continues. Dec. 9th.—Slight pain under the right scapula ; constipation. Dec. 10th.—Constipation. Dec. 12th.—Took sixty drops of the tincture at night. Dec. 13th.—Aching pain in the abdomen at intervals, with flatu- lence. Pain iu the lumbar and dorsal vertebrae at night. Dec. 11th.—Soft stool, with pain and flatulence in the abdomen; aching pains in the limbs ; accelerated pulse. Jan. 6th, 1802.—Took twenty-five drops of the 7th atten., at night. Burning in the stomach. Jan. 7th.—Took twenty five drops of the 7th atten., at night. No symptoms. 624 NEW REMEDIES. Jan. 8th.—Aching pain in the region of the lumbar vertebra and right sacro-iliac symphysis; occasionally sharp pains in the calves of the legs; pain in each hypochondriac region. Dull, aching pain in the right axilla, extending down the arras ; aching pain in the right shoulder. Jan. 9th, a. m.—Dull pain in the left arm ; occasional shooting pains in the lumbar regions. Pain under the left scapula; aching in the right scapula. Took twenty-five drops of the 3d attenuation at night. Very restless at night; tossing about a great deal while asleep. Jan. 10th, a. m.—Dull, aching pain in the right shoulder; aching pain in the region of the sacro-iliac symphysis, worse while sitting ; pain between the shoulders, p. m.—Aching pain in the region of the lumbar vertebra, with restlessness. Pains in different parts of the abdomen, caused by flatus ; restless sleep. Jan. 11th, a. m.—Diarrhoea without pain ; took twenty-five drops of the first attenuation at night, Jan, 12th, a. m.—Roughness and soreness of the throat; numb pain in the wrists and arms ; pain in the left knee and thighs ; violent pain in the region of the lumbar vertebrae and sacroiliac symphysis. worse when sitting down. Dull headache, more on the right side, which lasted three hours. p. m.—Burning in the eyes ; aching pain in the right axilla ; restless sleep. Jan. 13th, a. m—Aching pain m the right temple, which lasted three or four hours; very restless in the night. Jan. 15th.—Aching pain in the region of the inguinal rings, and great soreness felt on rising from a recumbent position. SECOND PROVING. Nov. 19th.—Took five drops of the 3d atten., at night; no symp- toms. Nov. 29th.—Took ten drops of the first atten., at night; pain in the left shoulder; oppression of the chest; raising a quantity of dark-colored blood ; great tendency to sleep ; frightful dreams. Burn- ing in the pharynx. Nov. 25th—Took five drops of the tincture ; pain in the left shoulder, in the elbows and in the knees ; soreness of the throat. Great wakefulness; rigid state of the muscles of the neck; diarrhoea with cutting in the abdomen ; burning in the abdomen after stool. [The above provings'will be continued hereafter. They were com- menced at a somewhat late period of the present course of lectures,. JUGLANS CINEREA. 625 and owing to this, and to the fact the writer's system is not sensitive to the action of remedies, he has comparatively few symptoms to pre- sent. It cannot, however, be said that they are unimportant. He is encouraged by Dr. Neidhard, who is himself much inter- ested in the remedy, to present them in the form of a thesis, which he has concluded to do, believing that he is thus performing an act of usefulness to the profession, and assisting in the development of a rem- edy destined to become of standard value in our Materia Medica.] A week after taking the medicine, I have swelling in both submax- illary glands, more in the right gland. Dr. Paine, (eclectic,) says of the Juglandin in diseases of the skin : " In medicinal doses, it acts specifically as a tonic to the mucous membrane and dermoid tissue ; hence, its great value in exanthema- tous fevers and chronic cutaneous affections. I have used this medi- cine extensively in skin diseases, in combination with anti-periodics. The idea ef combining anti-periodics with remedies which act upon the skin, for cutaneuus affections, was first suggested to me by the beneficial influence derived from Arsenical preparations. Having for a long time used Arsenic as an anti-periodic, I was led to suppose that the beneficial influence of the drug in skin diseases, was depen- dent on its anti-periodic properties ; and in this I have been fully confirmed by the extensive use of anti-periodics, in combination with remedies that operate specifically upon the skin. The great objection to the use of Arsenical preparations is their peculiar influence upon the blood, producing degeneration of this fluid to such an extent as to develope most serious and frequently fatal pathological changes. The Juglandin, as I have previously remarked, acts as a direct stim- ulant and tonic to the cutaneous surface ; hence, I have used it in chronic eczema, herpes, pemphigus, rupia, acne, impetigo, ecthyma, lichens, prurigo, icthyosis, molluscum, and all other forms of cutane- ous diseases, and have found it to act with more certainty in these affections than any other preparation or single drug that I have used. In chronic herpes and eczema, I have found this remedy combined with Quinine almost a specific. My usual method of administering it in these affections, is one-sixteenth of a grain of Juglandin and one- half a grain of sulphate of Quinine, four or five times a day. In some cases I have found that a large dose of Juglandin would operate beneficially, while in others a much smaller portion would be all that would be required. In the acute form of cutaneous diseases the Jug- landin appears to be very exciting and stimulating. A very conven- ient form of preparing this remedy is to triturate one or two drams 40 620 NEW REMEDIES. with sugar, and then add a suitable portion of simple syrup, and ad- minister it alone or in combination with Quinine, as the case may indicate." Dr. P. H. Hale informs me, that having noticed the Juglandin to cause an erysipelatous inflammation of the skin of the body and ex- tremities, he has given this medicine in several cases of obstinate, chronic, herpetic eruptions with the best success. The medicine was continued several weeks in doses of two or three grains of the second trituration, three times a day. PARTIAL PROVING OF BY L. ARTHUR CI.ARK, A STUDENT 01' MEDICINE. July 27th.—Took five drops mother tincture at 0 a. m., five at 12 h , and ten at 5 p. m. No symptoms through the day except those of a local character, each dose producing a burning, and pricking sensa- tion of the mouth and throat, lastiug an hour or two; but during the night following was very restless; frightful dreams all night; awoke in the morning with headache and heavy yellow coating on the tongue. July 28th.—Took ten drops at 5 a, m., ten at 12 m , ten at 5 p. m Same restless condition all night; dreamed of being among Indians : next morning had heavy headache; felt weary and unrefreshed, which is very unusual for me, my sleep being generally good, sel- dom dreaming any. July 29th.—All through this day had dry, burning sensation of face, with intense erythematous redness; headache ; miud confused, so much so I could not study ; itching and pricking sensation on head, neck and shoulders. July 30th.—Took same as on the 28th, with the same symptoms, although the redness and heat of the face seemed even more aggra- vated. July 31 st.—Took the same as before with similar symptoms. August 5th to 7th.—Took twenty drops three times per day, as before, which brought on its full cathartic action, producing four or five large bilious discharges, in 24 hours, without pain or griping' At this point, as the diarrhoea was becoming unpleasant, the proving was discontinued, after which the diarrhoea speedily subsided. I would remark further, that from the time of the subsidence of the diarrhcea until now, I have had an eruption upon the upper front of the chest, the side of the hand resembling very much the eruption of the eczema simplex, which I feel confident is the effect of the Juglans, always having becu free from eruptions of JUGLANS CINEREA. 627 uny kind. The eruption is not troublesome, except when heated from over exertion, when it has the same itching, prickino- sensation that occurred during the proving. FRAGMENTARY PROVING BY DR.. P. II. HALE. An old lady, after taking five grains of the solid extract daily, for three weeks, had a pustular eruption appear on the thighs, hips, and nates with intolerable itching and burning. A few pustules appeared on the body, face and arms. The eruption remained for three weeks after the drug was discontinued. DR./CHARLES C CRESSOR's PROVING. (iN 1855.) Symptoms preparatory to proving the Nux Juglans cinerea. [The preparation is from the husk, leaves and twigs, made by Dr. Howard according to Dr. Neidhard's directions.] 1855. March 8th, 9 a. m.—His mind for the last ten days has been in a very irritable state, which he attributes to the use of coffee and tea, which are very hard on his temperament—nervo-bilious. A cer- tain mobility of mind and body which makes it difficult to settle down and study anything requiring close attention and prolonged applica- tion of mind. Disappointments irritate him, making him quarrelsome especially when they come suddenly, by a kind of surprise. There appears to him to be some irritation, a kind of sub-inflammation of the stomach. Pressure gives a dull pain. He has had, since Nov. 1853, a bronchial affection ; each morning, before or about breakfast, he spits up mucus with whitish, stringy curdles in it—say three or four peas in size. (Note of March 5th, 1866.—He thinks this bronchial affection is sympathetic with the chronic irritation of the stomach, which last is an old symptom.) The irritation of mind may be partly owing to the cessation from customary mental exercise in the shape of lectures at college and studies. Except as foregoing, he is in good ordinary health, or at least nothing to note. March 8th.—9 p. m.—Have felt very well all day; nothing to note —weather cool, clear and pleasant. March 9th.—8 a. m.—Good ordinary health—nothing to note ; woke at 5 a. m., head and stomach feeling clear ; slept with the win- dow partly open which helps his digestion, causing his head and stomach to feel clear when he wakes ; nothing new. March 10th.—9 a. m.—Feel very well, but foul breath from too much sugar and coffee, and other bad diet. After stool, which he usually has after breakfast, he has just had an appendix—loose and smelling so as to remind him of Arsen- icum. If he had been proving he would have noticed the symp- tom, for it was a rare thing with him. March 11th.—Good ordinary health, nothing to note ; stool loose and copious after breakfast. Coffee, sugar and toast, no butter. 628 NEW REMEDIES. March 14th. U v. m.—Nothing to note for some days ; bitter taste in his mouth ; had some heat and dryness in his mouth about March 12th. Intend to take some of the 3d this evening ; pain in the epigastric region, on pressure a dull, extended pain. In p. m.— Took 5 drops of the 3d centesimal. March 15th. 5:30, a. m.—5 drops of the 3d cen. 9 p. m.—5 drops of the 3d cen. Pains at night partly awakened him ; don't know at what time—(suppose between three and five), at about where the 2d and 3d rib join the sternum, on the left side. This pain he pressed when half asleep, and pressure aggravated it ; it seemed near the surface and is on the opposite side to his old complaint, though it seems much like it in character. (Note—March 5th, '66.—The old complaint. The spot where the mucus comes from, since Nov., 1853, which he spit up each morning —just under the clavicle, one and one-half way of its length.) Dreams of traveling, and much troubled about his baggage. March 16th, 0:30 a. m.—Took ten drops of the 3d. 8:30 p. m— Pain only felt on inflating the lungs strongly ; difficult to locate ; it seems deep seated, as if near the kidney, or lowest part of the lungs on the left side. He caused it to appear a number of times, say a dozen. It is only felt just at the time the lungs are fully inflated ; it is an aching pain ; not extensive ; not sharp. It is a new thing as far as he recollects. At 11 a. m., he went to see a case of small-pox. 9:20 p. m.— Took 10 drops of the 3d. March 17th.—Got up too late to take a dose before breakfast. Little or no appetite at breakfast; after breakfast some headache. 9:50 a. m.—In coughing, noticed a peculiar rattling, as if from mucus in the bronchi, that seemed behind the sternum; no pain nor mucus accompanied the cough. Felt very damp from walking in the rain. 1:45.—p. m.—Sensation of coldness in the pharynx, and going appar- ently into the oesophagus from drinking cold water. He believes that there is something like an inflammation in his lungs, from taking cold, and this cold sensation is from the sensitiveness that the inflammation causes. 9:30 p. m.—Ten dtops of the 3d. March 18th, 6:45, a. m.—Ten drops 3d. This morning he woke up with all of the symptoms of the cold he caught yesterday. On waking, a slight pain across the epigastric region; slight, ill-defined headache, principally in front. Some aching pain in the small of the back when stooping ; and whenever he coughs from the chest, he has, low down, that peculiar rattling accompaniment, with pain or mucus- Pulse full and hard, for him, and only 55 when seated on a chair. These notes were made immediately after the dose. He tried his pulse two whole minutes. 8:10 a. m.—Took breakfast at 7. Stool, loose, immediately after- wards, as usual. At the time and during the last 15 minutes, ten- dency to chilliness of the surface ; throat slightly sore ; weather is damp, no sunshine. 8:30 a. m.—This chilliness he observed to cause a kind of crawl in the scrotum, or the last place affected. A few minutes afterwards he noticed a heat near the spine, where the neck joins the shoulders, and at present, 8:35, he is warm all over, and JUGLANS CINEREA. 629 notices a heat at the small of the back. He has felt interested in tracing the march or progress, whatever it is, of the influence through his system. It may be the breakfast and hot coffee working their way through him. 8:40.—Heat on the internal side of the thighs. 8:50.—Heat at the feet and small of the back, and hypochondriac region ; mind very active. 10 a. at.—Went to Friends' meeting; day cold and damp. Soon after being seated, viz : about 10 o'clock, not- iced a pain in his right side, (almost precisely similar to that noted on March 16th, at 8:30 p. m., in his left side,) inflation of the lungs caused the pain, which was sharper and more extensive than that on his left side. He feels but little doubt that it is in the lowest part of his lungs, though it may be something else. 9:20 p. m.—Took 10 drops of the 3d, March 19th. 6:20.—Took 8 drops of the 3d. Last night, went to bed about 10, but remained awake till about 12. From the sensations in his head he supposed that there was more blood than common, in it, though his mind was not active, nor was there any well-defined sen- sations. About 4 a. m., he was awakened with nausea, but within a few minutes it was relieved by an emission of flatus, so as to be nearly gone. This flatus was of a coppery smell, indicating to him a cold. There has been, since rising, a kind of drawing or tickling sensation deep in his right ear, when he swallows or moves his pharynx. Before awaking at 4, he dreamed of drinking beer, and on waking there was a taste of it, that is, like beer in his mouth ; but only for a few min- utes. This cold all through him, makes him feel sick. There is the same rattling on coughing, low, behind the sternum, but no mucus and little pain. 7 a. m.—After breakfast, a desire for stool, accom- panied with chilliness and a kind of crawling of the skin, especially of the hands, only momentary. 7:10 a. m.—For some time past he has had a loose stool immediately after breakfast ; the looseness he looks upon as the chronic effect of coffee. This morning it was loose, but the smell was like that of one who eats onions. This smell he attributes to the cold on his bowels. Ate little at breakfast; ^ took coffee. 10 to 12 a. m.—Felt very weak and exhausted; spit up mucus from low down iu the lungs, very tenacious, about as much as four peas, though he does not know'that it came from where the rattling was. 1 to 2 p. m—Day clear, bright and cool, went to the Dispensary at 12, and on coming out at 1, he felt so changed tor the better that it seemed quite remarkable. Felt clear and clean in his head, lungs and stomach, and felt strong in his muscles, etc. 10:5 Pt M.—Ten drops of the 3d. He felt thirsty for the last half hour, or rather a kind of heat in the mouth and throat; but feels afraid to drink, as he thinks much cold water would aggravate the cold in the bowels. March 20th. 7 a. m.—Woke at 3 a. m., and remained awake till about 5, then slept till 6 ; got up too late to take a dose.^ Very little appetite at breakfast, almost like a slight nausea ; it might be called a very slight nausea as at present. Coffee, sugar and dry toast. 10 A, m.—Coughed up as much as two peas of a very tenacious mucus, 630 NEW REMEDIES. transparent, but of a light brown color—something like the color of « grain of wheat, but not so yellow. On coughing, the rattling, low down behind the sternum, still remains. 9:45 p. m.—Took ten drops of the 3d. He has coughed to-day say 20 times, a very thick, tena- cious mucus, transparent, or n earlyso, of a kind of brownish color ; it seems to come from low down; there is a small boil in a line between his right trochanter major and the tuberosity of the ischium, and about half way between. It has been there for several days, but does no ttrouble him. March 21st.—Awoke about 4:30 a. m., and remained in bed till about 5:45. 5:50 a. m.—Took ten drops of the 3d. 7 a. m.—Just before getting up tried to cough up some phlegm, and made a violent effort; this brought ou a soreness in the larynx, between the trachea and sternum, as if nearly raw. Very little mucus has come up this morning. If he laid on one side in bed, he felt oppressed in the chest. He wishes to note here that his big toes each has a split or rhagade directly on the end ; these rhagades yesterday gave him no trouble, which was the first time for him to mark that improvement, which may be a result of the medicine, or it may be owing to the ordinary changes of his health. (Note.—These rhagades are consti- tutional with the prover, as also with his mother, coming on in cold weather and going away in warm weather. March, 1866.) 8 a. m.— Just got home from market; clear and cold weather ; coughed up a mass of mucus about as large as four peas, tenacious, between brown and green ; seemed to relieve much the oppression in his throat and lungs. 10 a. m.—Went to Friend's meeting ; room only tolerably well warmed ; after sitting one and one-half hours, he felt a pain low down on full inspiration;—(same as mentioned March 18, at 10 a. m., being a congestion in 1866.) That was on his right side ; full inspi- ration aggravated it as at first, but he thinks relieved it eventually,. for it did not trouble him very long. He noticed also that his lips felt dry, though his mouth was moist; yet the saliva seemed thick. He has coughed up phlegm twenty or thirty times he supposes; laugh- ing causes coughing ; coughing causes a sore feeling, a kind of raw soreness behind the sternum. There still remains the rattling when coughing. This afternoon, about 4, Dr. Neidhard felt his pulse; it was about 100 and hard, though he was not sensible of any feverish symptoms. (Note in the original.—His pulse was March 18, at 55; at 6:45.) He is to take no more of the Nux Juglans cinerea. 8 r. m.—He feels as if much phlegm deep in his chest ; but as if it were too low down to be coughed up. The above is a good description of the way he has felt all day ; too low for the wind to get under it and push it up ; the wind strikes above it. Pulse, seated, 78 ; on his feet, 94 ; seated again, 82 ; stand- ing again, 98; all in about six or seven minutes. It is very irregu- lar in time and force ; he avoided hurry in taking it. No sign of fever that is prominent or very noticeable ; there is perspiration in the small of the back, apparently ; he has just been walking seven squares in all. With regard to the cough he has had for several days JUGLANS CINEREA. 631 —laughing makes him cough, which he may have noted before. 9:40 r. m.—Pulse 73 when seated, after having been seated some time reading. He notices that irregularity of breathing seems to have an immediate effect on the pulse; so does coughing, making it quicker when he takes a long breath ; afterwards it becomes slower, so as perhaps to keep to some average. Motion has some effect on the pulse ; his pulse he supposes to be irritable. Pulse standing, 86, and not so strong as sitting. Something like coryza in his left nostril; head as if too much blood in it, but he would not notice it if it were not for his pulse sharpening his observation. A cheesy taste in his breath ; it seems as if the breath were cheesy ; old cheese ; lips dry, but not the mouth. March 22, 7 a. m.—He woke up this morning at 3:15 with a feeling of great oppression at the chest, yet.felt as if coughing would not relieve him. He tried deep inhalation which caused a tickling or sensation as if it would make him cough ; but by inhaling cautiously and deeply, the oppression was relieved somewhat. He threw out several small sputas, about six. lie coughed up about four or five peas (in quantity) all in one mass ; this relieved the oppression evi- dently, and between 6 and 7 he coughed up he thinks four times, each about the same amount. When he awoke he pressed over the ribs and found on the left side there was soreness or pressure ; the upper five ribs about in front, say nearly as much as both hands would cover. He also noticed once or twice a kind of cutting pains, about the same part of the lungs. The idea that impressed itself strongly on his mind, was, that there was danger of pleurisy. He observed various pains in the lungs on inhalation and motion, and some relief in pressing on the affected side, so as to inhale with the other lung, which tended to make him think of pleurisy. But he had so much faith in inhalation that he remained on his back inhaling from time to time, until a slight degree of headache came on, which to his mind means " stop inhaling." Got out of bed once to spit, and at 6 got up and dressed. Went out of doors to urinate; day damp, dark and cold ; the cold seemed to chill him through, which chill remained for some time after getting into the house. When he first woke his mouth had no taste in it, but after a little while it seemed to him that some of the phlegm came out of the larynx and passed down the oesophagus without coining into the mouth, and a taste of sour old cheese seemed to accompany.; he dreamed that some one was reading a newspaper poem about cheese selling at three fips a pound, and being too dear a luxury to indulge in. Probably his last night's notes were fermenting in his head, and turning to poetry; If these symptoms are from the medicine, it is a left-hand remedy in the respiratory apparatus. (See 9.30). His pulse whilst in bed was moderate, (compare 7:30, further along). The sputa from his lungs is decidedly more green than yesterday ; that from his nose not so ripe. The oppression of his lungs, on walking, he considered as partly due to a congetion of the capillaries. Appetite not much ; ate dry toast one-half as large, two and one-half cups of coffee and sugar; 632 NEW REMEDIES. head not clear ; muscular apparatus unaffected by the disease ; mind rather depressed ; thought a good deal about Dr. Williamson and hin family, whilst yet in bed, and the uncertainty of life. He feels worse and has felt worse this morning than at any time since his attack ; lips and skin dry, under lip kind of hard when he draws it together 7:30 a. m.—Pulse 82 seated, 94 standing; irritable and variable; the least motion or irregularity of breathing makes it go faster for some beats. Thinks of taking Aconite ; 12 m.—Tendency to chilli- ness, especially of hands and between the shoulders ; pain near spine, between scapula) and right side ; pulse 95 standing, and 70 seated in an easy chair ; it is variable in force and rapidity, from irregular breathing, motion, etc., (irritable). 1 p. m.—Have been very chilly for the last hour ; room not very warm ; my warming apparatus in bad order ; hands blue ; pale and blue nails; pain over the left lung on pressure : pressure to left of the sternum excites cough slightly. 1:45 p. m,—Chill still continues ; no thirst. He does not notice the cheesy taste, but a bitter taste ; pulse 91 standing, sitting 73 to 75, compressible and slow, not hard. A slight pain and heat in small of back; aching, and he noticed some pain about where the anterior tibial artery comes through the interosseous ligament; hands blue and mottled; nails blue ; the least coolness of air. etc., chills him; pain on pressure of left thorax as before ; ate no dinner. 2:30 Pain in lower corner of lungs, left side as if stuffed. 3 p. m.—Put on considerable clothes, which have warmed him and produced slight nausea. (On the 16th, went to see a small pox patient (see March 16th); he has no symptoms of small pox that he knows, except the nausea, which is relieved by hot toast water and lemon in it.) Sent a message to Dr. Neidhard to call on him when convenient.) The prover made no notes after 3 p. m., of the 22d, being in such distress ; the following are from memory :— March 23d, 1 p. m.—The pain in his left side, low down, he takes to have been congestion of the lungs, of some sort, as the mucus that he coughed up was slightly tinged with red. When Dr. Neidhard came at 7 p. m., he first noticed this redness, and on coughing up some fresh mucus, the prover saw it distinctly. (Note of March, 1866—It was mucus with blood all through it; husky sputum of pneumonia, as the prover remembers to this day. (Note of March 27, 1855—When Dr. N., called the low grumbling tones, long-continued, in conversation between him and the prover's mother, irritated and exhausted the prover so that he felt much annoyed, but when the tone was full (as betwen Dr. N. and the prover,) he was not so irrita- ted.) About 3 he drank a tumbler and a half of warm toast water with lemon in it, and covered himself well up in clothes ; almost im- mediately after drinking the toast water he became very warm and feverish, his face felt hot, yet was pale ; his eyes were suffused. (These two notes were probably made March 27. They are on the opposite page to what goes before and after March 1866). When this fever began there was a kind of rush of blood to his nose for a few moments ; his nose felt full; also in leaning forward there was a JUGLANS CINEREA. 633 drawing sensation at the root of his lungs, as if the lungs were heavy and drew on the root; every breath he drew in caused such pain at the congested part, that he frequently groaned ; this pain was on the left side ; if he rested on that side the pain grew much worse and seemed to concentrate itself, or at least to be much more severe at one spot, say one inch in diameter, but he did not rest on that side but a little while, say one-fourth of a minute at a time ; the pressure also aggravated it; if he rested on his right side the pain was relieved. He took two powders of Belladonna 6th, which did no good that he could see ; the fever and pain continued all the after- noon, till Dr. N. called ; Dr. N. called about 7 to 7^, and ordered him to take Seneca every two hours, also Aconite in alternation if the Seneca did not break the fever. He at that time coughed up mucus with some tinges of red. As soon as he was gone, say 7|, the prover went to bed. (Note of March 1866—The prover was iu the parlor down stairs, up to the time Dr. N. called on March 22d, at 7 p. m.) In urinating his urine burned the urethra slightly ; was dark and reddish. Soon after getting into bed the pain in front of his chest grew worse; kind of cutting, stabbing pains. (Note of March 1866 —The prover uudressed himself to go to bed, and for a few minutes was exposed to the air which was very cold, and this increase of pain be attributed to the exposure Dr. N. bad ordered that if the Seneca did no good, that the Aconite should be used. This increase of symp- toms was taken therefore as an indication for the Aconite. Dr. N.'s Seneca was used. The Aconite was the 6th, prepared by the prover, and after taking it as the notes say, nothing was remembered till on awakening some time in the night.) He had taken a dose of Seneca about 7:15, and about an hour after, say 8:15, seeing this increase of symptoms, he took Aconite 6th, two drops, in one-third of a tumbler of water, dose two teaspoonsfull. The next thing he knew, was, he woke up, he supposed about one o'clock at night; the pain on breath- ing was entirely gone, and he felt comparatively well, but found that when he coughed there was pain at the old congested part, and in the left hypochondriac region, pain as if of an old strained part, not sharp but a bruised pain. The pain at the hypochondriac region was so slight, compared to the other pains, that I did not notice it before, but remember that it was there and was not a new thing, (Note of March, 1866—I remember that on waking I was in a strong perspira- tion, so that I was afraid to get out of bed and get a light to see the time ; also that on first waking, I felt completely well, but in drawing a deep breath felt pain, (bruise, strained, as if where the congestion had been,) and the paiu in the hypogastric region I believed to be the spleen ; I felt that the disease, so to call it, was practically cured. He could feel the position of the aorta in the left hypogastric region. He went to sleep again and woke about 2:30, and took a dose of Sen- eca, and went to sleep. He sweated some, at the small of the back principally. March 23d, 1:30 p. m.—Dr. Neidhard called about 12:30, to-day J says the prover has some fever yet, and ordered the medicine alter- 634 NEW REMEDIES. nately every two hours as long as the fever last. The prover feels at present free from all pain, except when he coughs, which causes pain :it the left hypochondriac and left lung, at its lowest point. Mucus coughed up in small quantities, and free from red, of a purulent color, but tenacious. Urine did not burn ; no appetite, but he ate a little to keep his bowels in working order—toast, rice-pudding, very plain. Some mucus from the left nose ; some pain on pressure of the left chest, principally in the neighborhood of the lower ribs. 2:30 p. m.—A little headache over the left eye, but it is very slight; pulse, while resting on the back, 74 ; standing 97 ; weak, compressible, quick. Dose of Senega. His right nostril seems to be beginning to be affected with a cold ; pain on deep inspiration in the left hypo- chondriac region ; that is, if he inspires abdominally, but if he in- spires with the thorax only the pain does not trouble him It is evidently caused by pressure. He has, at times, hiccough which causes pain there also. 4 p. m.—He thinks the nature of the mucus he coughs up is changed ; he has just coughed up some almost trans- parent as the white of egg; and about one half hour ago he coughed up some of two kinds mixed together ; part transparent, with a clot of purulent looking, but tenacious, and with a very slight tinge of red —this last may be some remaining from yesterday. 4:15, p. m.— Tongue very red, especially on edges and particularly near the end of the tongue. 4:20 p. m.—Dose of Aconite 6th ; pulse 88 standing ; 67 lying down, immediately after taking it. He had no stool on the twenty-third, it may be because he drank no coffee, as drinking coffee immediately starts his bowels. 5:45 p. m.—Pulse 70 on his back; 88 standing, compressible, quite, more so than when lying on his back. Dose of Senega. !» p. m—Pulse 35 standing, more full than formerly and more regular ; 65 on his back. Headache ; he has been sleeping and reading ; he thinks it is reading which makes his headache, and in the neighborhood of the eyes. Dose of Senega. March 24th, 0:30 a. m.—In bed, pulse 65. His upper lip burns, on being rubbed, and fever scales are beginning to come out. Pain in the left hypochondrium pretty much gone. There is pain on pres- sure of the epigastric region. 7 a. m.—Appetite fair but not very good ; coffee, sugar, buckwheat cakes, toast. Cough of whitish mucus from time to time. The above notes were made immediately after breakfast, and immediately afterwards he went to stool; first gas with some moisture, and then the hasty exit of six or nine little nubbins like marrowfat peas. 11:20, a. m.—An eruption is coming out about his mouth ; especially the upper lip. Reading makes his eyes ache and feel as if an eruption was about to come out on the upper lids; a kind of heavy, stuffed feeling of the lids. 12:30.—Slight nausea, from undigested breakfast. 4 p. m.—Pulse, seated, at 88 ; standing, 98. The eruption Dr. Neidhard calls herpes labialis ; it is such as I have had before after colds, and after eating rancid walnuts. 9 p. m. —Pulse, standing, 104; sitting, 86, and full. Aconite 6th, He has been out walking, windy and cool. 9:30 p. m.—Pulse, seated, 88 ; 102, standing. Aconite 6th. JUGLANS CINEREA. 685 10 r. m.—Oleum Jecori as., dose. His tongue is sore near the end, the dorsum, principally the right side. Also he has felt at times a burning, as if an eruption were coming near the top of the oesophagus. Dry cough at times, from tickling iu the larynx and trachea, between the larynx and sternum. March 25th, 7 a. m.—Going out on yesterday afternoon brought on renewed fever. Last night woke about 1:30, too much bedclothes, very feverish, pulsation in the occipital, etc.; after throwing off some clothes, this disappears. This morning the eruption is coming out on his face, principally his lips, with burning and smarting that makes him very irritable ; his tongue is also sore, dry cough at times. Ex- pectoration not so tenacious, more pus-like. The eruption on his face begins to appear, by a swelled inflamed part in patches, as big as a thumb-nail to a little finger-nail ; on the inflamed bases, little eleva- tions appeared, of a vesicular character; if single, as large as a pin's head, but mostly so close together as to be fused into a kind of mass, appearing raised above the surrounding red, and of a whitish color. From some of these vessels a kind of liquor flowed, forming a yellow-colored seat, brittle and shapeless. Some did not exude the liquor, but remained below the epidermis ; drying of a yellow color, surrounded by the red base, or of a whitish color as if not ripened. March 26th, 6:30 a. m.—Pulse standing, 70 ; sitting, 56 to 57. It is not full, and is, he thinks, irritable ; that is, easily affected by motion, etc. He coughs, at times, bringing up phlegm, sometimes dry ; excited, he thinks, by phlegm in the bronchia. The eruption on his face still smarts and burns ; but not so bad as yesterday. Yes- terday it made him very cross. Blowing his nose is a very disagree- able operation. The end of his tongue is sore, but not his gums ; the roof of his mouth is sore just behind the front teeth, where it is touched by the sore place on the tongue. 7:10 a. m.—Yesterday, no coffee, no stool; to-day, coffee, stool. 9 p. m.—Having a cough, ap- parently caused by phlegm, but which sometimes he could not cough up, which distressed him. He took Phosphorus 6th. Immediately he felt an uncommon tickling behind his sternum, which brought on the cough ; and after a few minutes pulsating pain in the lower part of the left lung, where the pain was worst on the 22d, after tak- ing an uncommonly long breath ; he has had no such pain before, to- day or yesterday, that he remembers. March 27th, 10:30 a. m.—Cough excited no phlegm which occa- sionally comes up, it looks more like pus than mucus, but is tenacious, not curdy. Just now, (March 28th,) he discovered a red color in part of it, one-half as big as a pea. 11:30 a. m.—Yesterday, he took several doses in the afternoon and evening of Rhus tox. 12th. It seemed to free his head and make it lighter, but it seemed to aggra- vate the cough, especially in the forepart of the night; the cough was very frequent, concussive, and very little phlegm. This morning he took a couple of doses more of Rhus radicans 12th. The eruption appears to be gradually drying, nothing particular to note. Soreness on the end of his tongue pretty much gone ; say gone. Pulse 85 636 NEW REMEDIES. standing, rather full; on his back, 58, not so full, slow. His skin and general system does not seem feverish. March 29th. — Yesterday he took Rhus radicans 6th several times; it seemed every time he took it to cause an excitement of the internal surface of the bronchi and cause coughing. (Note.—During these coughings, every now aud then, he threw up bits of mucus, pus-colored but tenacious ; it seemed as if the Rhus loosened them almost immediately after he took it, so that they irri- tated the bronchi and caused coughing. He feels little doubt of the effect of Rhus in his cirse, it has happened so frequently yesterday and day before.—March 29th, '55. When he draws the first deep breath, it aggravates the symptoms, causing coughing; but after breathing deeply two or three times, this tendency to cough disappears. Compare with aggravation of Rhus symptoms, by motion, where pain on first moving disappears by con- tinued motion.—March 29th, 55.) He felt certain, so certain of this that he took no dose after 8 p. m. He did not cough so much last night as he did the night before, nor feel that sensation as if the epiglottis were dry, which caused so much coughing. He has a peculiar sensation of the bronchi, some- thing like coldness ; the air seems to excite them as he draws it in. It seems to him that Rhus radicans, high, causes determination to those internal surfaces. The eruption on the face is gradually drying. March 30th, 10 a. m.—The matter which he coughs up is of a muco-purulent appearance and salt taste ; decidedly salt. 3 p. m.— Pulse, on his back, 79 ; standing, 112, quick and rather full for such rapidity. He has perspiration at the small of his back; no thirst; he took wine for dinner, and rode out this morning. Very slight head- ache, hardly enough to notice, but don't feel weak or feverish : bitter taste in the mouth. March 31st, 8 p. m.—Took Cinnabaris 200th, at 10 a. m. and 4 p. m. This afternoon, walked up to the Girard avenue bridge. Mucus discharges from the bronchi, does not trouble him at present, though he coughed just after getting home. 10 p. m.—Cinnabaris 200th. April 1st, 8:30 a. m.—On waking this morning, the secretions of mucus in the bronchi seems lessened. 12 m.—He has had this morn- ing, whilst sitting in Friends' meeting, considerable pain in his right lungs, between an aching and cutting, rather sharp, occasional; about the insertion of the 3d or 4th rib into the sternum, and going from thence outward, as if from suppression of the mucus secretion. [The above proving was copied by Dr. Charles C. Cresson for this work, from his original notes, at request of Dr. Neidhard, March, *, 1866.] TOXICAL EFFECTS. Dr. Paine (eclectic) testifies to the following pathogenetic effects of Juglans: " In doses of from one to two grains, the Juglandin acts as a drastic purge, producing irritation and inflammation of JUGLANS CINEREA. 637 the mucous membrane of the bowels, if continued it is followed by a 'peculiar exanthematous eruption very much resembling the flush of scarlatina." Dr. P. H. Hale says : " In many instances I have known the -fa trituration of Juglandin to cause an erysipelatous inflammation of the body and extremities. RESUME. General Symptoms.—Chilliness of the surface ; heat of surface ; exhaustion; weakness; aching pains in various parts of the body ; lassitude. Skin.—Heat of the skin ; crawling sensation, accompanied by chilliness ; boils ; erythematous redness of face; eruption resembling eczema simplex; pustular eruptions ; dry skin ; eruptions upon the lip, such as appear after a cold ; the juice causes redness and blis- ters, when rubbed on the skin. Clinical Observations.—Dr. A. E. Horton, of East Poultney, Vt., reports the following cases cured with Juglans :— " I take the liberty of sending you some of the clinical expe- rience I have had with the Juglans cinerea, which I consider a real polychrest, so far as diseases of the muco-cutaneous surfaces are con- cerned. The Juglans has been used considerably by some eclectic physicians, and it was during the period that I practiced that system, that I became acquainted with it; but thus far I have never seen any reference made to it by homoeopathic writers. Of this much, how- ever, I am satisfied, that it is eminently homoeopathic to the whole range of skin diseases, from a simple erythema to pemphigus, and theoretically, 1 should say to those of a more obstinate character. It seems to be equally as well adapted to congestions and irritations of the respiratory and gastric mucous membrane, and its use has been attended with such decided success, that I feel anxious to have the profession at large give it a trial. I give below a few of the vjases in which I used the remedy alone, for I used it a long time in combination, as is natural to eclectics, attributing the cures to other ingredients, when undoubtedly they were owing to the Juglans. I have treated cases of lichen and other mild case of skin disease with the most positive results, but I send only a few of the more important ones which you may add to your own and others' experience, if you had any with the remedy. Case 1.—Forest H., aged 2 years, had chronic ecthyma of three months' standing; eruption general and almost confluent, so large and. thickly set were the pustules. Those upon the face seemed to be drying somewhat, with the steady increase aud aggravation of those upon the body and extremities. Had been treated allopathically at first, when the parents becoming discouraged with the prospect, concluded to employ an old doctress, who professed to do wonders with roots and herbs. Consequently the child had to endure another 63* NEW REMEDIES. month of active drugging with the same discouraging result. At this juncture I was called, and found the little patient suffering ex- cessively. He could neither sit nor lie, with any degree of comfort ; worried much of the time ; slept but little ; appetite poor; diarrhoea. I prescribed Juglandin, first decimal trituration, ten grains in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every two hours. Saw the patient again the third day, at which time there seemed to be a little improvement. Continued the same treatment. At the end of the first week the im provement was decided ; appetite better ; slept more ; bowels becom ing more healthy. The crusts were rapidly drying and falling off. Continued the Juglandin two weeks more, at longer intervals, at which time there were only a few remaining pustules of small size; which rapidly disappeared, until the cure was complete. Case 2.—Jenny H., aged 8 years; ecthymatous eruption upon the body, face and arms, attended with a painful itching sensation that created an almost irresistible inclination to tear off the crusts. I gave her a vial of the first decimal dilution, from a tincture made from the inner bark of the root of the Juglans, to be taken in three-drop doses, three times per day. In two weeks she was cured, with the exception of some slight ulcerations upon the arms, the result of tear- ing the crusts from some of the pustules ; but these steadily healed, and in another week the cure was complete. Case 3.—A. W., adult; had been out of health some time ; com- plained of languor ; slight nausea at times, and occasional wandering pains about the limbs ; was seized quite suddenly during the night with acute pain through the right hypocondriac region, darting up- wards into the chest, producing considerable difficulty of respiration, and some cough. There was also some nausea and considerable fever. For these symptoms I gave Aconite, which produced ready relief, The third day following the attack there appeared on the body and extremities the most general and perfect eruption of erythema nodo- sum I ever saw; the patches were numerous and extensive, varying in size from that of a dollar to that of a man's hand, I gave him Juglandin, first decimal trituration ; made three visits afterwaids on alternate days, when the cure was complete, the eruptions leaving the characteristic greenish-yellow color. Case 4.—John D., adult ; had been somewhat indisposed a week or two ; rheumatic pain in right shoulder, extending to the pectoral muscles, producing inability to draw a deep inspiration ; had a single thickly set patch of impetigo figurata upon the inside of left leg, between knee and instep, which soon became crusted, discharging a purulent ichorous secretion, that irritated the surrounding skin, pro- ducing a wide, inflammatory margin ; it was painful and sore, so much so that it was with great difficulty that he could walk. His little daughter had at the same time a considerable number of pustules of the sparse variety of impetiginous eruption upon the arms and hands. I gave him five drop doses of the dilution of Juglans and three drop doses of the same to the daughter, to be repeated three times per day. In ten days, both were cured. JUGLANS CINEREA. 639 Case 5.—Dec. 15, 1865. Was called to see Flora B. aged 18 months. Found her as follows : An impetiginous eruption upon her chin, which had been torn and broken, producing hard crusts, which nearly covered the entire surface ; some scattering crusts of the same upon the hands and arms ; several large aphthous sores upon the in- side of the lips and upon the tongue, bowels very much constipated, altogether making the child very fretful and feverish. The ichorous secretion of the sores had inoculated the mother's breast, (she was still nursing the child), producing similar sores around the nipples. I advised the immediate weaning of the child, and prescribed 20 drops of the first decimal dilution of Juglans in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every four hours; also a glycerole of the same applied to the eruption, three times per day, the same to be applied to the mother's breast. Dec. 20.—Aery much improved ; apthous condition of the mouth all gone ; crusts rapidly drying and falling off; bowels had moved natural and healthy; continue the same treatment with half the former dose. Dec. 29.—Saw the father of the child this morning: said both mother and child were cured. Case 6.—M. M., aged four years ; had a patch of herpes circin- atus upon the chin about the size of a dollar ; had lasted two weeks and was steadily increasing in size ; gave the second decimal dilu- tion of Juglans three times per day in three drop doses. In one wok the crust came off, leaving the surface healthy but somewhat reddened, which soon assumed its natural hue, and in two weeks the cure was perfect. Case 7.—In my own case its use has been attended with such satisfactory results that I cannot refrain from giving them. I have been troubled, from a child, with eczema of the hands, steadily aggrava- ted of late years, one attack hardly subsiding before a fresh crop would make its appearance, often passing from the simple to the impetiginous variety, the ichorous and semi-purulent secretion oozing, upon exercising; the hands would crust over again, causing the most intolerable itching and soreness, in fact, I have been awakened many a time from sound sleep, to find myself scratching the skin from my hands, only to make a bad matter worse. I have also for the last five years had dyspepsia with bronchial irritation and cough. Have used Iris versicolor and other remedies, from time to time, without the least benefit; have taken Arsenicum a month at a time, in material doses, with but very slight improvement. During the latter part of the past summer, I concluded to try the Juglans in my own case. It was at the commencement of a fresh attack, I took three doses of the mother tincture twice a day, and to my great surprise and gratifica- tion, the attack completely aborted, the eruption disappeared in a week. I continued the medicine once a day for three weeks more, when I was equally gratified to find that the bronchial irritation had nearly left me, and that my dyspepsia was cured. I have since remained free from eruption or cough, except occasionally when I am 640 NKW REMEDIES. exposed to the night air, when I get a slight return of the bronchial irritability. My appetite and digestion are good and I can eat anything that is suitable. Case 8.—W. M—, aged 14, was about the Nth of April attacked with what appeared to be a mild case of eczema, of the hands and wrists. I was consulted, and prescribed Juglans, 1st decimal dilution, in five drop doses, three times a day. I did not see him again until the 14th, when I learned from his mother that she had started three days before to carry him away to school, some forty miles ; but when about half way, she found the disease becoming suddenly and rapidly aggravated, so much so, in fact, that she dare not proceed, but turned about and returned home immediately. She had discontinued the medicine, fearing, as she said, that it was what caused the aggravation, which I could not conscientiously dispute. At the time of my arrival, the second day after their return, as I was out of town, the eruption had become so aggravated that instead of a simple eczema, it had assumed all the characteristics of a fully developed impetigo figurata in its pustular stage. The patches had coalesced, and the eruption had be- come confluent generally ; the pustules were discharging and crusting over, and there was a degree of tension and pain about them that was quite unbearable. After I had looked the case over, the mother wanted to know if I thought I could cure him : said she was afraid that I could not, as she had a similar attack when a child, which baf- fled the skill of some half a dozen physicians. I told her that the remedy he was taking was the right one, and would cure him ; if it did not I should be very much disappointed. I immediately took the vial containing it, and made the second dilution from it with water; told him to take the same dose as before, three times a day. I also made a lotion by putting a dram of the tincture into half a pint of cold water, and applying cloths saturated in it all the while. This treatment was continued without any variation except to gradually diminish the dose for a period of nearly two months, at which time the cure was complete and the medicine suspended. Sleep.—Very restless ; tossing about while asleep ; great tendency to sleep: dreams of traveling and much troubled about the baggage. Dreams of being among Indians. Next morning heavy headache ; felt weary and unrefreshed, which is very unusual for me, my sleep being generally good, seldom dreaming any. Fever.—Chilliness ; feverish heat; heat of the surface ; pulse slow ; full and hard pulse ; variable but regular pulse. Clinical Observations.—It is used it. domestic practice in fever, particularly the bilious remittent. Emotive Sphere.—Depression of spirits. Sentient Sphere.—Vertigo with faintness mind rather depress- ed and thinks of the uncertainty of life. JUGLANS CINEREA. 641 Head. — Headache after breakfast ; dull headache on rising ; full- ness of the head at night; aching pain in the occiput in the morning while in bed, passing off on getting up ; headache ; mind confused, so much so I could not study. Clinical Observations.—The headache of Juglans resembles that of Bryonia in particular, and sometimes of Nux vomica. EyCS.—The juice of the bark or rind of the fruit applied to the conjunctiva, causes severe inflammation and even pustules. Ears.—Deep drawing, tickling sensation in right ear upon swal- lowing. IVOSC.—Coryza from the left nostril ; dryness of the nose. Face.—Dry, burning sensation of face, with intense erythematous redness. Mouth, Teeth and Throat. —Sensation of coldness in pharynx, extending down the oesophagus, from drinking cold water ; sore throat; lips dry but mouth moist. Soreness at the end of the tongue ; dryness of the fauces ; sensation as if the throat is swollen ; pain in the fauces on the right side. Clinical Observations.—Dr. A. E. Horton reports the following cure of throat disease :—" Mrs H., advanced age ; had been an invalid from general debility and chronic inflammation of the throat, nearly all of the time for four years. Had been treated by nearly all the physicians (allopathic) in this region with little or no improvement. I was called to see her in May last. Saw her once or twice a week during the three following months, and with the proper homoeopathic remedies succeeded in curing her, so that she was able to do her work alone; yet. the condition of the throat remained nearly the same, not- withstanding the use of Sanguinaria, Hydrastis, and other remedies. I now gave Juglandin, second decimal trituration, a one-grain powder to be taken dry on the tongue three times per day. In one week she sent to my office for more of the same, which she continued taking in the same manner, and in three weeks reported herself cured." Appetite. Taste, etc.—Loss of appetite; coppery taste ; cheesy laste ; bitter taste. Gastric Symptoms.—Nausea in the morning. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Coe asserts that " in indigestion, accompanied with gastric irritibility, flatulence, acrid eructations," he has employed this medicine with the most gratifying success He advises it to be taken immediately before eating. Stomach.—Sinking sensation at the stomach; burning in the stomach. Abdomen.—Deep seated pain on left side/near the kidneys ; pain in epigastrium; heat and pain in hypogastrium; flatulence, (of a coppery smell;) which upon being expelled, relieved the nausea; acb- 41 642 NEW REMEDIES. ing pain in the abdomen after dinner ; aching pain in the region of the inguinal rings and great soreness felt on rising from a recumbent posture. StOOl.—Loose stool, which smells like onions ; diarrhcea with burning in the anus, before and after stool; tenesmus and burning after stool (primary); constipation (secondary); painless diarrhoea; four or five bilious discharges in twenty-four hours, without pain or griping. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Neidhard states that it was found curative in the diarrhoea of soldiers in camp. Although allopaths assert it does not cause irritation of the intestines, it is doubtless hom- ceopathic to diarrhoea. I know it causes griping, as well as rhubarb, which allopaths say it resembles in its action, in not causing constipa- tion as a secondary effect. Every homoeopath knows that constipation is a secondary effect of rhubarb, and the same may be said of Juglans. King says it has been found useful in colo-rectitis and several intestinal diseases, which it could not cure were it not homoeopathic to them. Sexual Parts.—Crawling sensation in the scrotum, occasioned by chilliness. Windpipe.—Rattling in bronchia on coughing, with no expecto- ration ; expectoration of very tenacious mucus; expectoration of musty sputa. Chest and Respiration.—Pain on the left side, about where the second and third ribs join the sternum at night, and aggravated on pressure; pain down on the right side of chest ; taste of old cheese in the breath; great oppression in the chest; cutting pains in the lungs: congestion of the lungs ; inflammation of the lungs ; drawing sensation at the root of the lungs, as if they were too heavy ; stitch- like pain under the right scapula; pain under right scapula making breathing painful; pain under left scapula ; spitting of blood.* Trunk*—Aching pain in small of the back on stooping; heat along the spine and small of the back ; pain between the spine and scapula on the right side, aching pain in the lumbar vertebra, and extending through the lumbar region and at the spine. Pain under the vertebral border of right scapula making breathing painful; shooting pain in the lumbar region. Upper Extremities.—Aching pains in arms and wrists, as if sprained; great pain in right axilla, extending down the arms along the course of the nerves ; aching in right shoulder. * I need not tell the reader to accept these symptoms with a good deal of caution. The state of health of the prover, (Dr. Cresson), and the evident pulmonary disease under which he abored, should be considered.—Hale. LACHNANTHES TINCTORIA. 643 Lower Extremities.—Heat on inner side of thigh ; heat in feet ; cramp-like pain in left hip at night; pain in the right knee ; occa- sional pains in the calves. [Dr. Cresson's proving (so-called) is inserted contrary to my con- victions. I cannot consider the symptoms recorded as at all genuine. The diseased condition of the prover before he commenced the exper- iment; the minute doses, used at long intervals, and the character of the symptoms, are enough to make us very doubtful if any of the symptoms are drug effects,—Hale.] i LACHNANTHES TINCTORIA. (Spirit-weed.) Analogues.—JEthusa, Agaricus, Belladonna, Cicuta, Crotalus, Cimicifuga, Cannabis indica, Gelseminum, Glonoine, Gymnocladus, Hyosciamus, Lachesis, Opium, Platina, Phosphorus, Sanguinaria, Stramonium. Botanical Description.—Perianth woolly outside ; six-parted down to the adherent ovary. Stamens three, opposite the three lar- ger or inner divisions ; filaments long, exserted ; anthers linear, fixed by the middle. Style thread-like, exserted, declined ; pod globular ; seeds few on each fleshy placenta, flat and rounded, fixed by the mid- dle. Herb with a red, fibrous, perennial root, equitant, sword-shaped leaves, clustered at the base and scattered on the stem, which is hairy at the top and terminated by a dense compound cyme of dingy yellow and loosly woolly flowers. Grows chiefly in sandy swamps, southward near the coast, but has been seen in Rhode Island and New Jersey. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the whole plant; dilu- tions ; tincture-triturations. Medical Histor.y.—Beyond the remark of botanists that the root is said to be employed in dyeing, I can find no account of its uses. As a medicine, its use is probably confined to the Indian tribes of Flor- ida. " This plant," says Dr. A. Lippe, " was sent to Dr. C. Hering by Dr. Byron, from Monticello, Florida, with a letter dated November 3d, 1852. In this letter Dr. Byron says: ' With the above I send you a plant known among the Indians as ' Spirit-weed,' which means an exciting plant; the root and flowers are the parts used 644 NEW REMEDIES. among the natives to produce, as they say, ' a shining eye and ;; big face,' which means a brilliant eye and flushed and swelled face. They use it by chewing it in water ; those using it look bold, ' big,'and talk loud, (speak eloquently). As soon as its effects pass away, the user becomes stupid and very irritable. I have given it as a medicine in several instances.' " Dr. Lippe says : " In order that wc might determine this new weed properly, I wrote to Prof. Asa Gray, of Cambridge, and sent him the plant. He replied under date of the 15th of January, and said that it was Lachnauthes tinctoria, and referred to his Manual, page 481." Under the direction of Dr. Lippe, four provings were made with this medicine. The first, by Wilhelm Raue, with the third potency, of which he took one drop on the first day : two on the second, and no more of the medicine until the twelfth and last day of the experiment, when he took one drop of the 30th. The second by Mr. Burroughs, who took one drop of the 3d on the first day, and one drop of the 15th on the second day. This experiment lasted three days. The third was by Chas. Raue, a physician, who took two drops of the 8d on the first day ; four on the third, and one drop of the mother tincture on the fifth day. This experiment lasted twelve days. The fourth was by Miss Boehme, aged thirty-four, who took on the first day, two pellets of the 6th. No more medicine was taken and the symptoms for the next twenty-four days were quite charac- teristic and notable. These provings are to be found in the American Homoeopathic Review, Volume IV. We are surprised that Dr. Lippe did not report as to the health of the provers, previous to and at the the time of be- ginning of each proving. In the case of Miss Boehme, in particular. it would be interesting to know her physical condition at the time she took the two pellets of the 6th potency, which seemed to cause sdeh an array of prominent symptoms of the skin, throat, head and pul- monary organs. Some of the symptoms in the resume were obtained by ^Dr. Byron, of the Seininoles, and some were noticed by Dr, Lippe. We have been obliged to omit the publication of the daily record of these provings, and give only the resume of the symptoms, ar- ranged in accordance with the usual plan adopted in our Materia Medica. The clinical observations are not many, but the few wc have are quite suggestive. RESUME. General Symptoms.—In bed, toothache worse and cough worse. When lying down in bed, pain in the right side of the forehead, ex- tending to the right occiput; cramps of the calves of the legs. When lying, palpitation of the heart which is felt in head ; stinging sensation on the lower side of the first joint of the second toe of the right foot All symptoms disappear when walking about , after lying down the LACIINANTHES TINCTORIA. 645 obscurations of sight return. When walking, tearing in the right knee ; when walking in the open-air, singing in the ears and sen- sations of squeamishness above the navel; painful drawing in the fore- head. When running, sensation as if the foot were out of joint; when moving the head quickly the sight becomes obscure (Gels.) ; when turning the head or bending the head backwards, a sensation of dis- location in the neck. By boring with the finger, crawling in the left ear relieved. When touching the upper incisors and eye-teeth with the tongue and closing the jaw, the sore pain in the teeth is increased. After scratching, the itching and burning of the skin is worse. Most of the symptoms appear in the afternoon. The fever is worse from one to two a. m. Characteristic Symptoms.—Fever, with circumscribed redness of the cheeks, and brilliant eyes ; worse from one to two a. m. This characteristic symptom places Lachnanthes with Belladonna, Hyos- ciamus and Stramonium. It must become an important curative rem- edy in pneumonia, nervous and typhous fevers, as well as in some diseases of the brain. It is to be hoped that repeated provings will five the homoeopathic physician more and clearer indications of its many curative virtues.—(Lippe) Clinical Observations.—The few characteristic symptoms, as produced by proving this new remedy, will strike the observing read- er at once as having been the means of cure not to be found in the same connection under any known medicine. — {Lippe) Skin.—Itching aud burning of the skin all night, worse after scratching. (Second day.) Stinging itching, lasting one hour. (Twelfth day, p. m.) Pimples around the gluteus muscle. A hard red knot in the inner canthus of the left eye ; small pimples in the left inner elbow joint; on the forehead, red, elevated pimples, (Fourteenth day.) The red pimples on the 15th day suppurate, (Fifteenth day.) Sleep.— Sleepy and ill-humored ; going to sleep late, contrary to habit. Restless sleep at night, with continually increasing dryness of the throat. In the meanwhile, wakefulness without feeling weak; distressing dreams every night; heavy, feverish dreams every morn" ing. In the night, in bed, short cough, with sore throat, followed by coryza. Awaking frequently from sleep. Mind.—Restlessness, tossing about ; whining on account of head- ache. Ill-humoured and sleepy, becoming very much excited over trifles. Delirium during pneumonia. Clinical Observations.—It will be found useful in the delirium of fevers, and certain cutaneous disturbances. 646 NEW REMEDIES. Nervous Symptoms.—Restlessness, tossing about; great restless ness while perspiring. Whining on account of headache. Seeing images while dozing through the day. Great loquacity, afterwards stupid and irritable ; towards evening hilarity. Clinical Observations.—This medicine is undoubtedly a cere- bral stimulant, like its general analogues, and will probably be found useful in morbid conditions of the brain and nervous system, where its characteristic symptoms are found. Fever.—Icy coldness of the body ; external heat, applied by heated flat-irons ameliorates the coldness. General heat with per- spiration on the forehead ; dry heat; the feet burn; restlessness, tossing about with much rumbling in the abdomen. Heat, followed by perspiration ; burning heat, with redness of the face, more on the right side ; flushes of heat, alternating with chilliness ; feverish at night; evening fever worse from six to twelve, with redness of the face, more of the upper part. Feverish, with somnolency ; fever with delirium, circumscribed redness of the cheeks and brilliant eyes, in pneumonia. Perspiration, with dizziness of the head, and boiling and bubbling in the chest and region of the heart. Slight perspira- tion all over ; perspiration after restless sleep ; much perspiration after midnight; morning perspiration. The skin is cold, damp and clammy—during the coldness pulse 74, some beats fast, some beats slow ; pulse ranges from 58 to 68. Clinical Observations.—The late Dr. Henry Duffield, of Oxford, Chester county, Pa., reported to Dr. Lippe the following case, in which the cure was ascribed to this medicine :— "On the day that I received my first dose of Lachnanthes, I went to see my typhoid-pneumonia patient. I found her with very red face, and her other symptoms very little abated since my visit on the day before. I dissolved the Lachnanthes in water and gave it to her immediately. On visiting her the next day, I found her doing very well. The redness had left the face very soon after the medicine was given, and all the rest of the pneumonia symptoms much better, indeed almost entirely removed. She has continued to improve ever since. I saw her to-day again. Her face very red and hot while I was there, but I could not be certain that it was not from excitement. I thought it best to let this day pass over without giving another dose of Lachnanthes. She had a hard, dry cough, which appeared to pro- ceed altogether from the larynx, and as the expectoration was white, I gave Pulsatilla, and left directions with her sister that if the red- ness of the face continued, then to-morrow to give the other dose of Lachnanthes. Her case was one of bad typhoid fever before pneu- monia set in, and her father, Dr. Thomas, Homoeopathist, Wilmington, Del., considered her case altogether hopeless and left her under the impression that he would never see ber again alive. She is now, LACHNANTHES TINCTORIA. 647 however, in a fair way of recovery. In a letter under date of Feb. 7th, 1864, Dr. Duffield communicates some more particulars of this case. He says: ' that in the second week of typhoid fever the inflammatory lung symptoms set in, that Bryonia seemed at first in- dicated, and later, Phosphorus ; but neither arrested the progress of the disease. It was then that he gave Lachnanthes, dissolved in water, a table-spoonful every two hours. The improvement lasted for one week, and then Pulsatilla was given, but the inflammatory symp- toms returning, the second of Lachnanthes was administered in water as before. He then fully recovered and remains well.' Dr. Duffield in a later letter recapitulates the condition of the patient, and says the symptoms were as follows : "Great soreness over the abdomen, with great sensitiveness to touch; pulse quick, 110, small and wiry ; bowels costive. At be- tween one and two every morning delirium; atj times1 very great; wanted to be dressed and go from the house ; face then red ; circum- scribed redness in the middle of the cheeks continues till mornino-; tongue coated yellowish-brown and dry. Bryonia and Rhus were given with but little effect; on the seventh day deafness set in, and on the eighth day excessive pain in the lungs, with violent cough and bloody expectoration. Aconite and Phosphorus were given, and at one a. m., Belladonna for the delirium. She had now much wind on the stomach, with which sho was much distressed, without any favor- able symptoms for several days, except deafness, which became almost total. It was at this stage that I received the Lachnanthes, which I dissolved in water and ordered to be given every two hours a table- spoonful. I visited her the next morning and found a decided change for the better. There had been less delirium at two a. m.; the pulse was soft and reduced to 100 ; the expectoration no longer discolored ; the tongue beginning to clean along the edges ; the expression of the countenance was life-like ; her eyes had lost their great brilliancy. The improvement continued seven days, when slight pneumonia symptoms set in again, which were promptly removed by another dose of Lachnanthes. I first visited her on the 12th of Oct., and paid her my last visit on the I5th of November, but she had required no medicine after the 10th of November. She is now fat and hearty, her hearing is entirely restored. I must ascribe the favorable change in her case, to the Lachnanthes, the very first spoonful of which, her nurse said, had a marked, visible good effect. So confident was I of the benefit from the Lachnanthes, that in a similar case, I should not hesitate to use it with the fullest confidence in a beneficial result." Head. — Giddiness in the head, with sensation of heat in the chest and around the heart; dullness of the whole head ; dull head- ache in the forehead and temples ; dull headache across the occiput. after previous pain in the forehead. Sensation as if the vertex was enlarged, and was driven upwards ; headache pressing the eyes out- ward ; dull pain, as from a bruise, from the os lachrymalis going over the left eye, in the temple and behind the ear ; pressing in the right ■VIS NEW REMEDIES. temple; pressing as from a finger on the left side of the vertex ; pain on the right side of the forehead, round to the right side of the occi- put, when lying down ; the head feels enlarged, and as if split open with a wedge from the outside to within; the body is very cold, im- possible to get warm, even under a feather bed; the whole face became yellow ; the head burns like fire, accompanied with much thirst ; during the cold sensation, the skin is moist and sticky ; pain- ful tearing in the forehead in the open air. The tearing in the fore- head continued through the night, waking the patient frequently from sleep. Tearing in the left temple^down into the left upper molar teeth ; tearing in the right temple down into the cheek, and also in the vertex. Headache in the morning, worse at noon ; in the evening a pricking headache; better after eating ; pain in the forehead with general heat, alternating with cramp-like pain in the chest; at last it tears in the nose and shoulders ; feeling the palpitation of the heart in the head, when lying down; burning of the head like fire; sensa- tion as if the hair were standing on end, worse in the occiput. The whole scalp is very painful, even to the touch. Eyes.—The sight becomes obscured ; while looking at anything fixedly, gray, fixed rings are seen. When reading or writing a small gray spot, as large as a lentil, is running before the left eye, but not when reading print. In looking long at one spot it becomes dark before the eyes, very soon after taking the medicine. In moving the head suddenly, it became dark to the eyes ; brilliant eyes, pupils much enlarged ; sensation in the left os lachrymalis, as if something sepa- rated itself, followed by a bruised, dull sensation which extends to the left eye, near the glabella; pressing, as from dust in the eyes, with secretions of white mucus in the canthi; twitching of the right canthus ; itching in the internal left canthus. Eyes dry ; drawing of the eyebrows and upper eyelids upward so that the gaze is fixed; endeavoring to bring them down by force, they again recede ; when closing the eyes, the upper eyelids twitch visibly; in closing them tightly, it grows worse. The edges of the eyelids are a little swollen. Itching in the left upper eyelid, near the inner canthus; a small hard knot is formed on the spot, which becomes red ; the redness on the upper eyelid has spread further, and is covered With little ves- icles which itch a great deal. After four days all has disappeared. Clinical Observations.—The peculiar brilliant appearance of the eyes, with red cheeks, is one of the characteristic indications for the use of this remedy. (See fever cases.) It ought to prove a good remedy in some cases of amaurosis. LACHNANTHES TINCTORIA. 649 IVOSC.—Coryza ; crawling in the left nostril ; pressure, as from a thumb on the right and left side of the nose. Burning in the right side of the nose ; the nose bleeds profusely ; blood pale ; half a pint of blood was lost. DIOUtD.—On the left part of the edge of the tongue behind, pain as if it had been bitten upon. Saliva of tough mucus. Teeth.—Pain in all the teeth while drinking coffee ; sensation as if the upper incisors and eye-teeth have become loose, with a sen- sation of soreness ; worse when touching them with the tongue and closing them. All the teeth painful, loose, and too long; worse in bed. Face.—Tearing, pressing in the left cheek, towards the eye, as if the eye would be pressed out ; tearing from the right side of the forehead into the cheek. Yellow color of the face ; redness of the face. Circumscribed redness of the face in the afternoon. Ears.—Singing before the left car ; singing in the right ear when walking in the open air ; cracking in the right ear, followed by a sen. sation as if it would discharge something ; tearing and tingling in both ears; crawling in the ear relieved by boring, but immediately return- ing ; it feels then as if something had closed the ear ; crawling in the right ear while eating; itching in the right ear, after first putting the finger in the ear, and then taking it out ; sensation as of cold in the external car. Clinical Observation.—It seemed to relieve the deafness in Dr. Duffield's case of nervous fever. Throat.—Sensation of swelling in the left side of the throat; an itching sensation when swallowing; roughness of the throat; dryness with sleeplessness, followed by hoarseness ; sore throat with a short cough. Clinical Observations.—A lady who had an ulcerated sore throat, for which she had taken large doses of Mercury, and had her throat burned with Argentum nit., was first relieved by Nitric acid 200th ; but the continued great dryness in the throat, especially at night when waking, accompanied by much cough, was greatly im- proved by one dose of Lachnanthes.—(Lippe.) Appetite and Taste.—Much thirst; aversion to meat; after eat- ing, pain in all the upper teeth ; the headache in the forehead better after supper. Gastric Symptoms.—Hiccough in bed, lasting half an hour ; rais- ing of sweetish water, with nausea ; sudden sensation of squeam- ishness in the stomach ; sensation of squeamishness above the navel, when walking in the open air. 650 NEW REMEDIES • Stomach.—Fullness in the pit of the stomach; soon after taking the medicine, rumbling in the left side of the stomach ; later, rolling of wind in the stomach. Abdomen.—Swelling and twisting in the upper part of the abdo- men, two inches above the navel ; fermentation and rumbling in the abdomen, and discharge of flatus ; cutting in the upper part of the abdomen, from the left to the right side ; sensations of heat; feels as if the bowels would be moved. ♦ StOOl and AllllS.—Frequent desire to evacuate, without result; evacuations as usual, but with much discharge of flatulency, and pressing; after the passage, the sensation of heat in the abdomen becomes less ; continuous stitch in the anus. Urinary Organs.—Pressing on the bladder when urinating ; dur- ing the night, some drops flow from the urethra which color the shirt red. Wale Sexual Organs.—Violent burning in the left half of the scrotum, drawing towards the right side ; tingling and itching of the scrotum and around it; for some days, perspiration and itching of the scrotum and penis. £Back.—Sensation and stiffness in the neck, which extends over the whole head down to the nose, then like pinching the nostrils to- gether ; sensation as if sprained in the neck, when turning or moving the head backwards; stiffness in the neck following a pain in the occiput. Pressing pain under the short ribs near the right side of the spine ; deep inside when taking a deep inspiration. Larynx.—Hoarseness; burning in the right side of the larynx ; dry cough from irritation of the throat. Chest.—Some cough, worse when in bed, preventing sleep ; cough proceeding from irritation in the throat; cough (in the morning and cough in the evening; when inhaling, deep, pressing pain under the short ribs, near the .spine ; full feeling in the chest; compelled to inhale deeply ; stitches, like knives, in the region of the left clavicle ; previously, stitches like knives in the right chest; stitches like knives following one another in quick succession, in the right side of the chest, below the mamma, while at rest and when moving; sensa- tion of heat in the region of the heart, going and coming. Hot and oppressed feeling in the chest, with mild perspiration all over, of short duration. Boiling and bubbling in the chest and region of the heart; it rises to the head and he becomes giddy; head breaks out in a warm perspiration ; warmth in the chest and around the heart; sensation of heat in the region of the heart. LACHNANTHES TINCTORIA. 651 Clinical Observations.—Dr. Lippe reports the following case of pneumonia, in which he gave this medicine : "Miss B., aged twenty-three, had inflammation of the lungs; pulse 130; cheeks flushed, as with hectic persons; eyes very bright; out of her mind; very thirsty; pains in the chest. First day, Aconite and Belladonna alternately ; pulse 95 ; her mind restored. Second day the same ; no further improvement. Third day, Rhus and Acon- ite alternately, every two hours ; pulse 90 ; less pain in the chest; hard, dry cough ; expectoration like brick matter. Fourth day, Bryonia; pulse 100; cough not ^o dry; less pain, but derangement of the mind and a chill. Fifth day, Arsenic, and six hours afterwards, Carbo veg.; pulse 110; breathing more free and no pain ; fullness of the head; mouth very dry. Pulsatilla and Aconite until the eighth day. All this time the eyes were unnaturally bright and the face red, flushed, without losing it for a moment. Here I made the first trial and gave this "spirit-weed," and in nine hours the face and eyes bad lost their redness and brilliancy ; in thirty-six hours eye and face sunk into a sallow and lifeless appearance. In this stage, Aconite had the best influence. On the twelfth day, my patient was convalescent. If it had not been for this medicine, I do not know in what it might have resulted. I have used the same medicine in two other cases, where its efficacy was equally true and prompt. Back.— Sensation of pain and stiffness in the neck, which extends over the whole head down to the nose ; then feels like pinching the nostrils together. Sensation as if sprained in the neck, when turning or moving the head backwards. Stiffness in the neck, followed by a pain in the occiput; pressing pain under the short ribs, near the right side of the spine, deep inside, when taking a deep inspiration ; burning in the region of the left kidney, deep, extending towards the right side ; burning in the spine, four inches above the small of the back ; burning on the right shoulder blade ; stringency, as from the sting of a bee, on the inner canthus of the left shoulder blade. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Lippe writes me that he has cured several cases of rheumatic wry neck with the Lachnanthes. Upper Extremities.—Tearing in the upper part of the arm, be- ginning at the elbow joint where it pains most, up into the shoulder ', tearing in both elbow joints, at times upwards and then downwards' frequently through the whole day ; crawling (itching inside the left elbow joint, soon after in the right—also in the right, more towards evening,) continued for some days ; burning of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; tearing in the knuckles of the middle fingers of the right hand ; drawing of the left index finger crooked. Lower Extremities.—Tearing in the right ischium, deep inside ; on the left gluteus muscle, just on the joint, is found a pimple, with a hard, red circumference, of the size of a penny ; it is very painful. 652 NEW REMEDIES. when touched exceedingly sore ; afterwards it is burning. The small pimples discharge a watery fluid, when they are scratched open ; burn- in the inside of the right thigh; burning, stinging in the left knee pan ; burning and pressing in the right knee, which becomes as red as scarlet ; tearing in the right tibia ; cramp in the calves of the legs, while lying in bed in the morning; sensation on the skin of the left lower leg, inside, as if the vesicles were bursting ; very soon after- wards the same sensations on the corresponding side of the right leg ; tingling in both lower extremities and feet, through and through; worse in the heat; burning in the feet; cramps in the feet during the night; sudden sensation as if the left foot was gone in the joint ; afterwards tearing in the left ankle ; tearing in the limbs ; twitching of the muscles in various parts of the body. LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. (Black Root.) Analogues.—Arsenicum, Baptisia, Carbo vegetabilis, China, Iris versicolor, Mercurius, Myrica cerifera, Nitric acid, Podophyllum. Botanical Description.—This is the Veronica virginica of Linnaeus, and is known also by the names of Culver's Physic, Tall Speedwell, Black Root, etc. It is an indigenous, perennial plant, with a simple, straight, smooth, herbaceous stem, from two to five feet in height. The leaves are whorled in fours to sevens, short, petioled, lanceolate, acuminate, finely serrate, and glaucous beneath. The flowers are white, numerous, nearly sessile, and disposed in long, ter- minal, and verticillate and sub-terminaPspikes. Spikes panicled, crowded; bracts very small. Calyx four-parted. Corolla small, nearly white, with a deeply four-cleft spreading border, the lateral or lower segments narrower than the others, tubular, pubescent inside ; tube of the corolla longer than its limb, and much longer than the calyx. Stamens two, very much exserted. Capsule oblong-ovate, not notched, opening by four teeth at the apex, many seeded. This plant grows throughout the United States, in limestone coun- tries, and in rich, moist places, woods, thickets and barrens, and flowers in July and August. The root is perennial, horizontal, irreg- ular, woody, about as thick as the finger, from six to twelve inches long, blackish externally, brownish internally, with many long, slen- der, dark fibers, issuing horizontally in every direction. It is the officinal part, and should be gathered in the fall of its second year. LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. (W AVhen fresh it has a faint odor, and a bitter, nauseous taste, which is somewhat lessened by drying, and yields its properties to water at 212° F., and still better to alcohol. Age impairs its virtues. It has not been satisfactorily analyzed, but is said to contain an essential oil, bitter extractive, tannin, gum, resin, and woody fiber. Prof E. S. Wayne has carefully examined this plant, and considers that the active principle of the root is duo to its bitter principle; and from the minute quantity of the resinous matter found in it, there can be no doubt but that it is correct. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture and its dilutions. Tritura- tions of root. Leptandrin and its triturations. It will be seen by the following proving and remarks, that there are three forms in which this plant may be used. Each preparation will have different medicinal effects, i.e., one preparation will possess qualities which the others do not possess: (I). The tincture of the fresh root, which will contain all the medical virtues of the plant. (2). The tincture, or trituration, of the dried root which will con- tain only a portion of its virtues, as the narcotic and acrid principles are probably volatile. (3). The Leptandrin, which possesses about the same properties as the dried root, with perhaps less of the irritating qualities. Medical History.—This is one of the oldest of our indigenous medicinal plants. Rafinesque, who describes the Leptandra very minutely, designates the officinal plant as L. purpura, (purple flow- ered,)which he says is only found in the savannahs of the South and West. He calls the white-flowered variety the L. alba, which he says is the most common species, being found all over the United States. He says, moreover, that the latter species has five varieties, but the difference is too small to be practical. Later botanists place the Leptandra virginica in the genus Veronica, where I do not find the L. purpura of Rafinesque. That species, however, must possess similar properties with the plant which we consider officinal. He says that the Indians designate these plants by many names, which it may be well not to lose. The Delaware Indians call them Quitel ; the Missouri and Osages, Ilini; the vulgar names of Culver-root, Bowman's-root and Brinton-root were'given for noted " botanic" phy- sicians of the early days of this country. Concerning its medicinal effects, Rafinesque says : " The root alone is medicinal; bitter and nauseous ; commonly used in warm de- coction, as purgative and emetic, acting somewhat like the Eupato- rium and Verbena. Some boil it in with milk for a milder cathartic, or as a sudorific in pleurisy. A strong decoction of the fresh root is a violent and disagreeable, but effectual and popular remedy for summer bilious fevers. The roots lose much of their virulence by drying, and a dram of the powder becomes an uncertain purgative, while, when fresh, they are drastic and dangerous in substance, and said to produce bloody stools, dizziness, vertigo and abortion. The 654 NEW REMEDIES. safest way is to use it in weak and cold infusion. Employed also for rheumatism, spasms and bilious complaints." Smith, one of the oldest physicians, used to use it as a specific in pleurisy, "curing it with amazing speed," says Howard. The latter writer extols its powers of removing the " black, tarry matters, which it seems so necessary to carry off in bilious and typhoid fevers." From the hands of the people and the " botanies " it passed to the eclectics, who have made it one of their most highly vaunted medicines, and which they use in the same routine manner that the allopath uses blue mass. They consider it not only cholagogue and laxative, but highly alterative and tonic, by which vague names they designate certain pathogenetic and curative effects. The allopathic school now use the Leptandrin quite extensively, but with character- istic bigotry, they do not give the credit of its introduction where it really belongs. The homceopathic school has used the preparations of this plant several years. It was first mentioned in our literature in the homceopathic magazine published by Dr. Pulte and others, in Cincinnati, in 1852-3 ; and next by the writer, in the North American Journal of Homoeopathy, volume VII, page 224, (1858.) The only extended proving of this medicine yet made, is that which appeared in the first edition, and was instituted by Dr. Burt, who used the alkaloid Leptandrin and the fluid extract of Leptandra in massive doses. We ought to have provings made with the fresh root, the dried root and their tinctures, and finally with the Leptan- drin, in the triturations. Dr. Burt's provings were made with too large doses and too often repeated. The experiments were too close upon each other. That excellent prover, however, has lately declared his belief that the best provings will be made with the attenuations, but massive doses and attenuated doses should both be used in our pathogenetic experiments, if we would get a complete picture of the medicine. General Effects.—King thinks the fresh root is too drastic and uncertain for medicinal use, as it produces vomiting, bloody stools, dizziness, vertigo, and in pregnant females, abortion, unless used with much care. The dried root is declared to be " laxative, tonic, chola- gogue and alterative. * * It exerts a powerful influence over the absorbent system. * * It is thought to possess narcotic proper- ties. Leptandra is, by the same author, said to be a " powerful chol- agogue, with but slight laxative influence." Prof Hill, when an eclectic, thought it to be "aperient, alterative and tonic." Dr. Coe regards it as "alterative, deobstruent, cholagogue, laxative and tonic.'' No remedy is held in higher estimation by the eclectic school than this ; and they use it profusely in all diseases, with the same disre- gard for special indications that the allopaths have in their use of Mercury. The following proving and clinical experience, though meagre, may do something towards showing the real pathogenetic and curative power of this agent: LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 655 DR. BL'RT's PROVING.--FIRST EXPERIMENT. (WITH LEPTANDRIN.) January 29th.— I am perfectly well; with a good appetite; bowels regular, once a day; urine acid. My temperament is sanguine- nervous, with a little of the bilious. Took one grain of Leptandrin at 10 a. m.; 10:15, natural stool; 12 m., constant, dull, frontal head- ache, worse in the temples; constant distress in the lower part of the epigastric region, and umbilicus—by spells there are sharp, cutting pains in the same parts. Took two grains at 3 p. m.; slight, frontal headache, with a dull, aching sensation in the umbilicus. Took three grains, p. m.; constant, dull, frontal headache, very severe, deep in the region of causality ; constant, dull, aching distress in the umbili- cus—at times there are very sharp pains in the same region. Took four grains at 9 p. m.; the frontal headache has been very severe ; eyes smart and ache very much; constant, aching distress in the um- bilicus, with sharp pains at times ; feeling very gloomy. Took five grains. January 30th.—Feeling very tired ; slept middling well; awoke several times, and found that I had a severe frontal headache. Took six grains at 7 a. m.; 10 a. m., dull, slight headache, with slight dis- tress in the umbilicus. Took eight grains at 12 m.; constant, dull headache, very much worse in the regions of causality; eyes sore and smart severely ; constant, aching distress in the umbilical region. Took ten grains at 2 p. m.; had to ride ten miles on horseback, did not notice any symptoms. At 6 p. m. took fifteen grains; 9 p.m., slight, frontal headache ; eyes ache and smart severely ; constant, aching distress in the epigastric and umbilical regions, with sharp, cutting pains, by spells ; urine slightly acid, no stool to-day. January 31st.-^-Had a restless night after midnight; the pains and distress in the bowels prevented me [from sleeping ; feeling very languid ; dull pain in the lower part of the right hypochondriac region ; tongue coated yellow along the center. Took twenty grains at 8 a. m.; stool, first part hard, black and lumpy, afterwards soft and mushy ; 12 m., slight, frontal headache ; eyes smart very much; frequent, dull, aching pain in the lower part of the right hypochon. driac region, near the gall bladder, with dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, and rumbling in the bowels. Took twenty-five grains at 2 p. m.; dull; aching, distress in the whole of the liver, that extends to the spine ; the most distress in the region of the gall- bladder ; great distress in the whole of the bowels, with sharp, cut- ting pains, rumbling and desire for stool; stool soft and mushy, 'ollowed by a very weak feeling in the bowels and rectum ; 5 p. m., «• 656 NEW HEME DIES. frontal headache ; eyes smart a great deal ; constant, burning, aching distress in the region of the stomach and liver ; dull, aching distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions. Took twenty-five grains :.: 9 p. m.; dull, frontal headache, which is very deep in the cerebrum , eyes smart very much ; burning distress in the whole epigastric and hypochondriac regions ; constant, dull, aching distress in the umbili- cal and hypogastric regions, with very sharp pains every few minutes: makes me feel very weak and faint; constant, dull and aching pain in the right inguinal region, which passes down to the right testicle i it is very hard to endure the pain in the testicle ; dull aching in the lumbar region ; urine rather scanty, and does not affect blue litmus paper. February 1st. — Had a restless night after midnight; skin was hot and dry, with frequent pain in the bowels ; eyelids agglutinated; unpleasant, flat taste in the month ; tongue coated yellow along tin center ; great rumbling and distress in the hypogastric region, with ;. profuse, black, very foetid, soft, papescent stool, with slight pain in the bowels afterwards; feeling very languid. At 6 a. m. took thirty grains; 11 a. m., frequent, dull, aching distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions. Took forty grains at 2 p. m.; for the last two hours I have been in awful pain and distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions ; drinking cold water aggravates the pain and distress very much ; dull, aching, burning distress in the region of the gall-bladder, with frequent chilliness along the spine ; great distress in the hypogastric region with great desire for stool ; very profuse, black stool, about the consistence of cream, with undigested potatoes in it. This gave great relief, but was followed by great dis- tress in the region of the liver, extending to the spine ; it is of a hot and aching character, with chilliness along the spine ; 5 p. m., slight frontal headache, with sharp pains in the temples; there has been very constant distress, with very sharp pains by spells, in the lumbar region ; 10 p. ni., slight frontal headache, with sharp pains in the temples ; there has been constant distress, with pains in the whole of the abomen, since 5 p. m.; but, for the last half hour, the pains in the umbilical and hypogastric regions have been awful to endure, with rumbling and great desire for stool; a very profuse, black, foetid stool, that ran a stream from my bowels, and could not be retained u moment, this gave me great relief, but did not stop the pair. altogether; urine very red, does not affect blue litmus paper. February 2d.—Slept soundly ; feeling very languid ; both wrists are very lame and ache quite severely ; the left one aches the most, LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 657 pain lasting until noon ; tongue coated yellow along the center ; flat taste in the mouth. Immediately after getting up, a very severe aching distress came on in the epigastric region. At 10 a. m., the- distress in the stomach is constantly getting worse ; I cannot sit or stand still, it is so severe : food rises very sour ; the painful distress in the stomach has been unendurable all the forenoon ; it is a hard aching, burning sensation, and appears to be in the stomach ; 9 p. m.,. the painful distress in the stomach has not been so hard, but have had severe pains in the umbilical region all the afternoon ; urine neu- tral ; no stool to-day. February 3d.—Slept soundly ; awoke at 5 a. m., feeling very hungry, with great pain in the epigastric region, and continued unti|t I had breakfast; frequent pains in the epigastric region all day. February 4th.—Slept well; feeling quite well; great desire for food ; stool, first part natural, second part soft and mushy. SECOND EXPERIMENT. (\VITH LEPTANDRA.) February 5th.—Awoke at 2 a. m., feeling very hungry ; have a great appetite. 11 a. m., took twenty drops of the fluid extract of Leptandra; 12 m., dull, frontal headache; profuse secretion of tears; dull, aching distress in the stomach and umbilical region ; 3 p. m., slight headache; constant, aching distress in the umbilicus with sharp pains by spells ; sharp, cutting pains near the gall-bladder. Took thirty drops at 4 p. m.; dull, frontal headache, with a sensation as if the hair were pulled at; good deal of distress in the stomach and bowels, with a burning sensation ; 6 p. m., dull, aching distress in the umbilicus. Took forty drops; 10 p. m., there has been a great deal of distress in the umbilicus, with a great burning distress in the back part of the liver and the spine ; soft, mushy stool ; took fifty drops. February 6th.—Slept well; arose once in the night; immediately I became sick at my stomach, with a deathly faintness ; tongue coated yellow ; flat taste in the mouth. 7 a. m., took six drops ; 10 a. m., sliight headache ; great distress in the small intestines, and desire for stool; stool soft, very foetid, and black. Took seventy drops ; noon—dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, with very sharp pains by spells. Took eighty drops ; 3 p. m., slight frontal headache ; eyes smart a good deal ; constant, dull, aching pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach ; great distress in the umbilicus. Took one hundred drops ; 10 p. m., slight, frontal headache, with neuralgic pain in the right temple ; eyes smarting constantly, with dull pains in the 42 658 NEW REMEDIES. eyeballs ; have had very severe pains in the stomach and small intes- tines, with great distress and desire for stool; stool soft, very foetid and mushy; have been very gloomy and irritable all day. Took one hundred and twenty drops. February 7th.—Up all night with a very sick patient; had fre- quently severe pains in the umbilical aud hypogastric regions; stool at 3 a. m., which ran a stream from my bowels, followed by very severe cutting pains in the intestines; 8 a. m.. very severe frontal headache, walking makes it almost intolerable ; great distress in the stomach and all the small intestines, with great desire for stool, that could not be retained one moment; run a stream from my bowels, very foetid, with large quantities of mucus in it, followed by severe pain in the hypogastric region. Took one hundred and sixty drops. 10 a. m., there has been constant and very violent frontal headache ; great distress in the stomach and small intestines, with frequent pains in the umbilicus that make me feel very faint and weak; great rumbling in the bowels ; stool that could not be retained, consisting of water and large quantities of mucus and a little yellow matter, followed by very hard pains in the umbilicus ; very dizzy while walk- ing; quite weary and languid, can hardly walk ; 12 m., severe frontal headache; constant, cull, burning, aching distress in the whole of the bowels, with frequent pain and rumbling, and great desire for stool; stool of water and mucus, followed by very hard pain in the hypogas- tric and umbilical regions ; another very profuse, thin stool, with large quantities of mucus ; great frontal headache ; very weak and languid, compelled to go to bed ; 5 p, m., slept two hours, awoke with great distress in the whole of the bowels, and great desire for stool ; profuse watery stool mixed with mucus, that could not be retained 5 p. m., another stool of water and mucus, with part natnral faeces very foetid; 6 p. m., another stool, with large quantities of mucus in it, followed by sharp, cutting pains and great distress in the umbil- ical region, feeling very weak and faint; 9 p.m., another profuse stool that could not be retained, followed by severe pains in the bowels ; very severe frontal headache. February 8th.—Slept soundly, feeling very languid; tongue coated yellow along the centre; dull, aching distress in the bowels ; during the night have had frequent pains in the umbilicus, with much rumbling all day ; no stool; great appetite. February 9th.—Lost my sleep last night, and am feeling very bad to-day; have had frequent pains in the bowels all day, with severe headache; no stool. LEPTANDRA VIRGIN1CA. 659 February 10th.—Slept well; feeling very well, excepting frequent pains in the umbilical region; soft, yellow, papescent stool, preceded by pain in the umbilical region. FRAGMENTARY PROVING. A student of Hahnemann Medical College informed me that in the fall of 1865, he took, while in good health, several doses daily of Leptandrin, -fa, for about two weeks. During the experiment he had a severe attack of jaundice, accompanied with diarrhoea of clay-colored evacuations, headache, and the symptoms usually seen in such cases. I expected to obtain of him the particular symptoms noticed, but as he made no record of them, he thought that he could not recal them. It is much to be regretted that no such record was made, as the jaundice was undoubtedly the effect of the medicine. RESUME. General Symptoms.—Languid, tired feeling; feel very weak and faint; very weak and languid, can hardly walk ; faintness from the severe nausea at night; general relaxation of the system ; great prostration ; great lassitude, with disinclination to talk; talking is very laborious; physical and mental depression, with vertigo and drowsiness. Clinical Observations.—Notwithstanding the assertion of eclec- tic physicians, Leptandra, in. large doses, depresses the general strength of the system. It is only when used in proper medicinal, (i. e. homoeopathic,) doses, that this medicine acts as a tonic. It is a tonic in the same manner as Arsenic, Nitric acid and Mercury, by removing abnormal conditions. Dr. Gatchell says, "a characteristic indication for its exhibition is excessive debility." Dr. Coe declares that " one great advantage possessed by the Leptandra is its tonic power. It never debilitates, but, on the contrary, invigorates while it deterges." Yet he admits that its operation is frequently attended with considerable prostration. I have witnessed cases in which a decoction of the fresh root had been administered, where the prostra- tion was excessive, and resembled that caused by Mercury. MUCOUS Membranes.—"No remedy with which we are acquainted is more to be relied upon in chronic affections of the mucous sur- faces."— (Coe). The fresh root, especially, seems to have a peculiar irritating effect upon mucous surfaces. This may proceed to inflam- mation. It may cause pseudo-membranous inflammation of the intestines, as occurs in acute enteritis. Coe says Leptandra is cura- tive in this condition when it occurs in chronic diarrhoea and dysen- tery. It causes an increased secretion and discharge of mucus from the intestinal surfaces, (the mucous follicles,) and in higher grades 660 NEW REMEDIES. of its toxical action, the secretion is so much increased that the dis- charges are profuse and watery. It may even cause ulceration, sloughing and gangrene.—(See Intestines, Stools, etc.) Serous Membranes.—It seems to have some action on these membranes, but probably only indirectly. Nerves of Motion and Sensation.—Its action upon the nervous Bystcm is probably not direct or notable. Glandular System.—" The glandular system, including the skin, partakes of its healthful impress."—(Coe) Dr. Gatchell says it causes pain in the sub-maxillary glands. In Dr. Burt's proving, it seemed to cause pain in the inguinal glands. Its action upon the liver seems to be well attested. It arouses its secretory and excretory functions. It probably irritates the whole intestinal glandular apparatus, when given in large doses. In small doses, used homoeopathically, it res- tores these glands to a healthy action. Fever.—Pulse diminished in frequency; feet and legs, from the knees down, feel cold and numb ; pulse full, but reduced from sixty to forty; great lassitude ; languor of the whole system ; disinclination to talk, which is very laborious ; chilly sensation at the shoulders and down the back ; tendency to shiver ; sore and lame feeling in the small of the back.—{Gatchell) Skin hot and dry; pain in the bowels, with chilliness along the spine.—(Burt.) Universal chilliness. Clinical Observations.—Coe remarks that when the Leptandra is given in disease, and the patie.it is fairly brought under its consti- tutional influence, "the skin, which was before hot, dry and constricted, becomes soft, moist and flexible ; expectoration becomes easy, the arterial excitement is lessened, and the patient before restless, wake- ful and delirious, becomes calm, rational and inclined to sleep." He considers it a valuable remedy in typhoid fevers, and in his opinion King, Jones, Morrow and others concur. Some homoeopathic practi- tioners, as Hill, Gatchell and many of my correspondents, place the same high estimate upon its curative powers in typhoid states, when there is present great prostration, stupor, heat and dryness of the skin, calor mordax, or coldness of the extremities ; dark, foetid, tarry or watery stools, mixed with bloody mucus, and an icterode condition. In intermittent fever it is a favorite and much-used medicine by nearly all Western physicians of both schools, who combine it with Quinine. They assert that it renders the action of Quinine more certain, and prevents the liability to a return of the disease, at least, for the season, and is useful in periodic diseases generally, of an ob- stinate character, in which Quinine produces little or no result. In my experience, which at one time was very large in diseases of the character referred to, the Leptandra did really act in a very benefi- cial manner. My method was to use it in alternation with Quinine, China, Nux vomica, or any other medicine indicated, and always LEPTANDRA VtRGINICA. 661 in accordance with what I considered to be its homoeopathic applicability. I do not consider that it has any real anti-periodic power, as some drugs undoubtedly have, but it removes conditions of the liver which often tend to keep up a continuance of intermittent maladies. I usually gave it for the following symptoms : Consider- able prostration ; loss of appetite ; heavily coated brown tongue ; bit- ter taste in the mouth; constipation, or diarrhoea with dark, foetid stools; jaundice; yellow, saturated urine. In bilious fevers, I have given it for nearly the same symptoms, using Leptandrin, second or third decimal trituration. In infantile remittent, I have had some excellent results from its use, administering the second or third dilution of the tincture, or the third and fourth trituration, as seemed most proper. Mind, Sleep.—Gloomy, desponding ; sleep disturbed by the pains in the head and bowels; sleep more disturbed after midnight; very gloomy and irritable all day ; drowsiness ; a kind of stupor of the mental faculties. Clinical Observations.—It causes symptoms of the mind simi- lar to those occurring during disordered conditions of the liver, such as hepatic torpor, congestions and the like. Some writers consider the fresh root to possess narcotic properties. It seems homoeopathic to the drowsiness attending hepatic torpor, or to that occurring in typhoids. Skin.—Skin hot and dry, with frequent pains in the bowels. Clinical Observations.—It is probably not homoeopathic to any of the various affections of the skin ; but it may be found useful when they are aggravated by the retention of bile. In the intolerable itch- ing of the skin, occurring in jaundice, it will prove useful.—(See Liver.) Head.— Constant, dull, frontal headache, worse in the temples ; slight, frontal headache, with dull, aching sensation in the umbilicus; dull, frontal headache, apparently deep seated in the cerebrum; slight frontal headache, with neuralgic pains in the right temple ; very severe, frontal headache, made nearly unbearable by walking ; very dizzy while walking ; feeling as if the hair were being pulled at; vertigo. Clinical Observations.—With the knowledge we now possess of the action of this medicine, especially on the liver, we can very prop- erly decide the above described headache to be the so-called "bilious headache." It somewhat resembles the cephalalgia caused by Nux and Bryonia. A bilious headache is usually accompanied by consti- pation, furred tongue, bitter taste, indigestion, yellow urine, languor and depression of spirits. A free discharge from the bowels, of dark- brown, or greenish, feculent matter, usually dissipates the pain. Such headaches are relieved and even cured by the use of Leptan- drin, second or third trituration. 662 NEW REMEDIES. Eyes.—Eyes smart and ache very much, (this symptom was pres- ent during the whole of the proving); eyelids agglutinated; profuse secretion of tears ; eyes smarting constantly, with dull, aching pains in the eyeballs ; painful sensation in the left eyelid; lids and balls feel constricted.—(Dr. Gatchell.) Mouth Throat, etc.—Tongue coated, yellow along the center ; pain in the submaxillary glands. Gastric Symptoms. —Tongue coated yellow along the centre; flat, pappy taste in the mouth ; nausea, with deathly faintness upon rising in the night : painful distress in the stomach, with rising of food, very sour ; canine hunger ; nausea, with faintness ; nausea, fol- lowed by vomiting; severe vomiting, accompanied by diarrhoea. Clinical Observations.—Among the eclectics, it is considered a "valuable remedy for dyspepsia." This phrase is continually used in reference to Leptandra. But dyspepsia may be caused by many various morbid states, both of the stomach and liver, viz : It may depend upon an excess or a deficiency of bile; on gastric catarrh, and degeneration of the gastric glands, atony of the stomach, defi- ciency of the gastric juice, etc., etc. My experience with Leptandra inclines me to the opinion that it is chiefly homoeopathic to those varieties of dyspepsia which depend upon disordered states of the liver, and atony of the stomach. I have found it useful, used in alter- nation with Nux vomica, in men, and Pulsatilla in women. If there is present, constipation, headache, jaundice and a bitter taste in the mouth, I prefer the first decimal trituration. If there is diarrhoea,. rising of sour ingesta, nausea, pain in the bowels and debility, the 3d or 6th trituration. Stomach.—Constant distress in the lower part of the epigastrium and upper portions of the umbilical regions ; sharp, cutting pains at intervals, in the same parts; oonstant, aching distress in the stomach and umbilical regions ; constant, burning, aching sensation in the stomach and liver, aggravated by drinking cold water; severe aching pain in the stomach immediately after rising, and continuing all the forenoon; dull, aching pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach> great distress in the stomach and small intestines, with great desire for stool, which could not be retained one moment ; weak, sinking sensation at the pit of stomach. Clinical Observations.—It would seem homoeopathic to some forms of gastralgia, cardialgia, pyrosis, and some of the various pains and distressing sensations which accompany indigestion. The " sink- ing sensation at the pit of the stomach," caused by Leptandra, is one of the most valuable symptoms, and indicates its appropriateness in congestion of the liver and portal system. It should be administered at the 2d or 3d decimal trituration. LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 663 Liver.—Dull aching pain in the lower part of the right hypo- chondriac region, near the gall-bladder, with dull, aching pain in the umbilicus, and rumbling in the bowels ; dull aching in the whole of the liver—the pain extends to the spine, but is worse near the gall- bladder ; constant, dull, burning distress in the epigastric and hypo- chondriac regions ; dull, aching, burning distress in the region of the gall-bladder, with frequent chilliness along the spine ; profuse, black> undigested stool, followed by great distress in the region of the liver' extending to the spine ; the pain is of a hot, aching character, with chilliness along the spine ; sharp, cutting pains near the gall-bladder; great burning distress in the back part of the liver, and in the spine ; pain in the left shoulder and arm. Jaundice, with clay-colored stools. Clinical Observations.—The eclectic school of medicine, and even the allopathic, claim for Leptandra that it possesses a specific affinity for the liver ; that it profoundly modifies its functions in various ways. King says of Leptandra : " It is a cholagogue. It causes the liver to act with great energy, and without active catharsis, and is employed with success in all hepatic affections. * * * It is indicated by an inactive state of the liver, and all functional dis- eases of that organ." And of Leptandrin, he says : " It is the only known medicine which efficiently stimulates and corrects the hepatic secretions, and removes functional derangements of the liver, with- out debilitating the system by copious alvine evacuations." Other writers of that school reiterate the same statements, and all eclectic practitioners use it with unhesitating confidence. It is to that school what " blue mass" is to the allopathic, while the Podophyllin is con- sidered to take the place of calomel. But the wide recommendation of Leptandra in " all functional derangements of the liver," is too sweeping, and resembles the assertions of the allopaths, that Mercury is the only remedy in "all hepatic derangements." We are aware that the researches of Inman and Thudichum seem to render it doubtful if Mercury acts directly upon the liver, but the great mass of the allopathic school still use it, and probably will for the next ten generations. Dr. Burt's admirable proving of Leptandra, which we here- with present to the profession, establishes the fact beyond all controversy, that this medicine does exercise an influence, of no doubtful power, over the liver and its secretions. The hepatic symp- toms are well marked, both the subjective and objective, and the whole experiment goes to prove what I have so often asserted in my writings, viz : that all the remedies successfully used by the allopathic school, are used strictly in accordance with the homceopathic law of cure ; and being administered under that law, do effect cures, notwithstand- ing the large doses in which they are given—doses which very often produce needless and painful, and sometimes injurious medicinal aggravations. In regard to the real action of Leptandra on the liver and secretions, I do not propose to hazard any decided opinion, inas- 6 64 NEW REMEDIES. much as the action of the Mercury even, upon that organ, is involved in considerable mystery. The same may be said of such analogous medicines as Iris versicolor and Podophyllum. But I may throw out a few suggestions, which may be taken for what they are worth : "Calomel* increases the fluid, but diminishes the solid con- stituents of the bile." It is my opinion that Podophyllin and Iris versicolor act in a similar manner. Leptandra, on the contrary, seems to increase the solid and decrease the fluid constituents of that secretion; or, in other words, Leptandra may have the power of facilita- ting the proper elimination of the excrementitious portions of the bile, or an excess of the non-excrementitious portions It is at present be- lieved that the retention of cholesterine in the blood is very injurious. That substance acts somewhat after the manner of urea, namely: as a direct poison to the nervous centres. Its non-elimination causes head- ache.vertigo, languor, depression of spirits, painful sensations in various portions of the body, etc. Now, it is highly probable that Leptandra increases, directly, the elimination of this substance, for under its action, when given in proper medicinal doses, the symptoms enumer- ated above, are rapidly dissipated. The retention of other excremen- titious constituents of the bile cause various morbid conditions, and the Leptandra, by its peculiar action, seems to be the remedy most likely to be of benefit when we wish to eliminate such substances through the liver. As it does not appear to increase the fluid con- stituents of the bile, as does Podophyllum and Iris versicolor, its apparent tonic effect, even in material doses, may thus be accounted for. Mercury, however, seems to have in some instances, a similar action with Leptandra. In minute doses, in certain states of the system, it acts as a tonic ; i. e., it removes the morbid state by its homoeopathic action, and the vital powers resume their normal sway. Some further suggestions relating to the action of Leptandra may not be amiss. Its primary pathogenetic action seems to be that of a stim- ulant, or irritant of the hepatic cells. Chambers states that " Mercury, Nitro-muriatic acid and Manganese cause an increase of yellow matter in the cells of the liver." Podophyllum may have the same effect ; also Leptandra. As a consequence of this pri- mary stimulation and irritation, we have the increased elimination before mentioned, and sometimes acute congestion and inflammation. Leptandra, therefore, is primarily homoeopathic to an irritable con- dition of the liver, in which the discharges are of the peculiar char- acter described under "Stool," and the pains and abnormal sensations are similar to those under " Liver." The secondary effect of Lep- tandra is over-stimulation, or a condition of exhausted irritability, in which the hepatic cells refuse to perform their office, (particularly that of eliminating the excrementitious substances from the blood.) In such cases, we have the following conditions, namely : Jaundice, from retention of biliary matters in the blood ; so-called " bilious symptoms ; congestion of the liver, and even chronic inflammation of 'Draper's Phj-siology. LEPTANDRA YIRGINICA. 665 that organ, with its complications of enlargement, abscess and various other structural changes. Leptandra is therefore secondarily homoe- opathic to the last named pathological states. The size of the dose, let me remind the reader, will depend on its primary or secondary homoeopathicity. Dr. H. M. Warren, of Jonesville, Mich,, reports the following rapid and suggestive cure of a severe case of hepatic disease. Its effects in this case would seem to show that it has a powerful and rapid action on the liver. " Mrs. W----, aged 75, was one morning suddenly attacked with the following symptoms, her health up to the previous evening being good : Deliriousness, complete prostration, heat and dryness of the skin, coldness of the extremities ; foetid and tarry stools ; tongue thickly coated, with a black streak down the centre. I have seldom seen a patient attacked so suddenly, especially with these symptoms, and with such complete prostration. I gave her Rhus and Baptisia— the latter for her fever, which was high, the pulse being quick but weak. The next morning, Friday, I thought she appeared more con- scious, and could understand questions put to her. I gave her five grains of Leptandra 2d, in a tumbler half full of water. I never saw a more rapid recovery. The bowels became natural, tongue cleaned, consciousness and strength returned. Dr. Neidhard writes me as follows, in relation to the action of Leptandra on the liver : " I would draw the attention of my professional brethren to the admirable effect of Leptandra in certain cases of liver-complaint. Four cases of this kind are now before me, characterized by the fol- lowing symptoms: These states of the liver are quarterly, periodical, occurring every two or three months ; yellow-coated tongue ; constant nausea, with vomiting of bile; shooting or aching pains in the region of the liver ; loss of appetite ; urine of a brownish color, or at any rate, very dark ; there is also, often, pain in the transverse colon; giddiness in the head. The most characteristic symptom consists in the presence of very dark, almost black evacuations from the bowels." Abdomen.—Constant, dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, with occasional, sharp, cutting pains in the same region; pain and distress in the bowels, preventing sleep ; dull pain in the lower part of the right hypochondriac region and near the gall-blad- der, with dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, and rumbling in the bowels ; great distress in the whole of the bowels ; sharp, cut- ting pains, with rumbling and desire for stool ; stool followed by very weak feeling in the bowels and rectum ; constant, dull, aching distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, with sharp pains every few minutes—the pains makes me feel very faint; constant, dull, aching pains in the right inguinal region, passing down to the testicle; dull, aching pain in the lumbar region ; great rumbling and distress in 666 NEW REMEDIES. the hypogastric region, with a profuse, black, foetid stool, followed by slight pains in the bowels ; great distress in the hypogastric region with great desire for stool—the paih is aggravated by drinking cold water; a good deal of distress in the stomach and bowels, with a burning sensation; stool, followed by very severe, cutting pains in the small intestines; distention of the abdomen; sense of vermicular motion in the colon; sense of coolness in the alimentary canal; pain in the left iliac region; rumbling in the intestines; flatulence. Clinical Observations.— The Leptandra is homceopathic to a variety of chronic enteritis, especially that form which is so common in camps, and among the lower class of our population in cities. It should be useful in bilious enteralgia, and the colics from flat- ulence, etc. During the course of cases of typhus abdominalis, symptoms will often arise, which call for its administration. Every practi- tioner has met with cases in which the icteric symptoms, the pros- tration, and frequently the abdominal pain, and the character of the intestinal discharges, resemble very closely those found in the provings of Leptandra. It is not suitable for conditions of such intensity as call for the use of Arsenicum, but for those cases where the derangement is still functional, and there is yet no real decompo- sition of the fluids and and solids, no ulcerations, etc., such as Arsen- icum causes. I have used the second decimal trituration in a few cases of typhus abdominalis, with unequivocal benefit. StOOl.—Hard, black and lumpy ; afterwards soft and mushy stool; stool soft and mushy, and followed by a very weak feeling in the bowels and rectum; great rumbling and distress in the hypogastrium, with a profuse, black, and very foetid papescent stool, followed by slight pain in the bowels ; great desire for stool; very profuse, black stool of the consistence of cream, and partially digested, followed by great relief; profuse, black, foetid stool, preceded by severe pain in the umbilical and hypogastric regions; inability to retain the stool, which is followed by great relief; great distress in the small intes- tines and desire for stool, followed by a soft, very foetid and black stool ; watery stool, followed by severe cutting pains in the small intestines; inability to retain the stool, which is very profuse, foetid and watery, with large quantities of mucus, and followed by very severe pain in the hypogastrium; desire for stool, with great rumb- ling in the bowels, followed by profuse stool of watery mucus inter- mingled with yellow matter—the evacuation was followed by severe pain in the umbilicus; profuse, thin stool, with large quantities of mucus, followed by sharp, cutting pains, and great distress in the umbilical region. LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 667 Clinical Observations.—It is a stereotyped phrase of eclectic writers that the Leptandra causes " copious, tar-like dejections from the bowels." They teach that when this symptom occurs, after the administration of Leptandra in disease, it is a very favorable symp- tom, and recovery is confidently predicted. This assumption is based upon the well known fact, that similar evacuations do often occur during the course of bilious and other fevers, hepatic diseases, etc., and seems to be of a "critical" character, i. e., they relieve the system of certain morbid matters, which had caused the malady. I have treated many malarious fevers of a pernicious character, when these tar-like discharges occurred under the homoeopathic use of Arsenicum and Rhus, and when the peculiar evacuations were not due to the medicine, but to the vis medicatrix naturce. I have known them to occur during an attack of supposed portal congestion, when no medi- cine had been taken. But this pathogenesis of Leptandra proves that those peculiar dark discharges are not always the result of natural disease—in other words, this medicine is not alone an eliminative of such morbid matters, but actually causes such evacuations, when given to a healthy person. Eclectic writers erroneously teach that when the Leptandra causes black evacuations, it shows that the system was being poisoned with " vitiated bile," or some other morbid matters. It is this belief that has led to the indiscriminate routine and injur- ious use of this remedy, in many diseases. They do not stop to ask themselves the question, whether the tar-like discharges might not be due to the poisonous action of the drug ? I have known patients under eclectic treatment to be kept under the action of Leptandra day after day, until the third stage of poisoning—namely, that state when watery mucus and bloody stools occur—because the physician supposed he must continue the administration of the medicine until the black discharges ceased. When they did cease, then the disease was said to " run into dysentery ;" but it was the dysentery of Lep- tandra. So much for the blind adherence to prevailing opinion, which is the curse of all medical schools. There are some peculiar- ities in relation to the symptomatology of the evacuations caused by Leptandra. The catharsis caused by it may be divided into four stages : (1) Discharge of black, thick, tar-like, foetid substances. (2) Thinner, brownish, often foetid evacuations. (3) Stool of mixed mucus, flocculent, and watery matters, with yel- low bile, or blood. (4) Mucus, bloody stool, mixed with shred-like substance—often pure blood is discharged. Now, to prescribe a drug successfully, we should know the differ- ent stages of its pathogenetic action. This is just as important as to know the stages of disease. The catharsis of Podophyllum differs materially from that of Leptandra, and although it causes some of the varieties of stool, they occur in a different order, If we are called upon to prescribe for a diarrhoea, we should investigate its history ; if that history corresponds in order and nature, with the 663 NEW REMEDIES. Leptandra-disease, then that drug is the specific remedy. In the treatment of a dysentery the same rule holds good ; dysentery ■occurs in the fourth stage of Leptandra-poisoning, while it occurs in the second stage of Podophyllum-intestinalirritation. With some drugs, scanty, bloody, and mucus stools, occur, as a primary symptom, as in cases where the rectum is the seat of inflammation. Teste was the first to call attention to the importance of selecting remedies upon this data, and the practitioner will find the rule a valuable one. Dr. P. P. Wells, of New York has lately called the attention of the profession to the characteristic symptoms of drugs ; those symp- toms which make it differ from all other drugs. Thus, there are many remedies for " black stools" but not all will remove that con- dition ; the collateral symptoms must correspond. This subject will be noticed in another place. In the subject of the proving of Lep- tandra, it should not escape the notice of the physician, that the evacuations per anum are accompanied by some peculiar symptoms : The pains in the intestines usually occur after stool; in the Podo- phyllum diarrhoea they occur before, while in the diarrhoea of mercury, and many others, the pain is severe during the stool. It will also be noticed that the evacuations are not followed by tenesmus. The proving here given does not mention it, nor do I find it mentioned in any article referring to its action. In practice I have not found it useful when there was marked tenesmus attending the disease. Such remedies as Podophyllum, Aloes, and Mercurius, are more appli- cable. I am inclined to believe that Leptandra does not have any direct specific effect upon the rectum. Its action on the liver and portal system, undoubtedly causes it to affect the rectum and hemorrhoidal vessels, but this action is indirect. If we carefully study the princi- ples of Leptandra, after the method proposed by Dr. P. P. Wells, we shall find it a drug possessing a distinct individuality, as much as any other drug in our materia medica. In acute diarrhoea, we shall find this medicine often indicated, and it will prove a valuable specific when administered for the patho- logical conditions in which it is indicated—those, and the symptoms, are well shown by the proving. In chionic diarrhoea, this drug is even more reliable for the gene- ral condition, which is shown by the following extracts from my lec- ture on Leptandra, delivered before the class of Hahnemann Medical College, in the winter of 1864 :— " The three principal varieties of chronic diarrhcea, in which Lep- tandra will be found useful, are : " (a) From chronic inflammation or irritation of the mucous membrane. " (o) Dependent on hepatic derangement. " (c) Diarrhoea of debility. " Some of the indications for Leptandra in the first-named varie- ty, I have already given. But I will here call your attention to one LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 669 form of this affection, which bears the common name of "camp diarrhoea." This disease is usually contracted in camp, where the soldiers are ill-protected from atmospheric changes, and are exposed to cold, dampness, and foetid exhalations, from refuse matter, decay- ing vegetation, etc. These, together with improperly cooked food, and bad water, are the principal causes of this malady. Its onset is sometimes gradual, lasting for days and weeks before the surgeon's attention is called to it by the patient; but it often attacks its victims suddenly, and assumes the character of a cholera morbus, or acute enteritis. It is one of the most intractable diseases with which our army has to contend. Under allopathic treatment it is almost incura- ble, and sometimes resists all medication, so long as the man remains in camp or barracks, exposed to the same influence which caused it, and obliged to subsist upon the usual hospital diet. In the acute stages the following treatment will be found most applicable : If it is evidently caused by a cold or exposure to dampness, Dulcamara,. Aconite, or Pulsatilla will be found most efficacious. When caused by bad diet, and improper food or water, Pulsatilla, or Podophyllum will be most useful. If hepatic derangement is evidently present, Mercurius, Podophyllum, Leptandria, or Iris versicolor will be indi- cated. If the attack is choleraic in its character. Arsenicum, Vera- trum album, or Euphorbia corollata, and perhaps Aconite, should be selected. But when it assumes a chronic character, and persists in spite of altered diet, change of location, etc., then Leptandra will be found an invaluable remedy. Iu many cases its persevering use will alone effect a cure, although there are cases in which we may be obliged to resort to the auxiliary aid of Phosphoric acid, Nitric acid,. Arsenicum, Sulphur, or Mercurius corrosivus. " It is in most cases absolutely necessary that the patient (the sub- ject of camp diarrhgea) should be removed from camp, or barracks, as soon as possible, and transferred to some healthy locality. For obvious reasons, a return to the patient's home is to be preferred. Here his military dress should be changed for his former civilian's apparel, and his diet should consist of plain, nutritious, easily-assim- ilable substances. My experience has been that patients do the best upon a milk diet; plain bread and milk being the best form of its use. In addition, he should have a certain limited amount of good fresh beef, mutton, or game, every day. Taking the hint from the- practice of an eminent Russian military surgeon, who successfully adopted the treatment in the great military hospitals, I have advised the use of raw or nearly raw, beef, and in most instances with the most satisfactory results. Tender, lean steak should be selected, and. chopped very fine, a very small quantity of salt may be added if the patient insists. Of this an adult may eat one or two ounces, three times a day, with his bowl of bread and milk. Potatoes, salted meats, warm bread, raw fruit, pastry, coffee, preserves, and liquors, should be prohibited. Moderate exercise will be of advantage ; too much, injurious. If the chronic diarrhoea depends for its continuance on debility, and resembles the colliquative diarrhoea of phthisis, accom- panied by hectic fever and colliquative sweats, the Leptandra is still. 670 NEW REMEDIES. useful, but should be given in alternation with Phosphorus, Arsenicum, China, or Nitric acid. The two latter are especially indicated if a lientery is developed, and the food passes the bowels unchanged, or in a state of putrefactive fermentation. " In some cases such is the debility and relaxation of the mucous membrane, that the serous and even fibrous parts of the blood escape, attended sometimes with more or less of the red coloring matter. An increased degee of the same affection constitutes passive hemor- rhage. It is not unfrequently associated with a watery state of the blood, which becomes incapable of sustaining a due energy in the extreme vessels. In such conditions, Leptandra is still useful, but should be aided by those remedies which are capable of bringing back the blood to a normal condition. First in importance stands Iron. The preparation I prefer is the Phosphate, given in the form of syrup of super-phosphate of Iron, thirty drops after each meal, or a few grains of the first decimal trituration of the Pyro-phosphate. Next in value are Hydrastin, Helonin, Muriatic acid, and sometimes Nux vomica. The Cirate of Iron and Strychnine is often one of the most efficient remedies for chronic diarrhoea, when we have two con- ditions, namely, an impoverished state of the blood, and an atonic state of the muscular tissues of the intestines. When these states obtain, we usually find alternate constipation and diarrhoea deficient digestion, accumulations of flatulence and hemorrhoids. Dr. Small is very successful in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea ; he relies upon Nitric acid and Arsenicum. " Chronic ulceration of the intestines often occurs during the course of a chronic diarrhcea. Dr. Chambers says : ' There is no disorder in which emaciation is so marked a feature throughout its whole course, as chronic ulceration of the small intestines. Ulcera- tions of the coecum and colon, tubercular or not, produce as much, nay, often more diarrhcea ; but they are not, by any means, so distin- guished in their power of reducing the patient. In this lesion of the ilia, even the parts which are not the actual seat of disease, seem in- capacitated from absorbing nutriment, and the victuals pass through the alimentary canal in the same state as when they left the stomach, except being made putrid by chemical decomposition. All the stages of digestion are equally suspended." " These lesions are more common during infantine life and thou- sands of children are yearly carried carried off by this malady in every large city. In this affection Arsenicum, Mercurius corrosivus, Sulphur, Nitric acid, and Phytolacca are indicated. The Leptandra has also been of use in my hands, when, with the usual symptoms, there was present a jaundiced hue of the skin, sallow complexion, pain in the region of the liver, lack of bile in the evacuations, and great debility. In such a condition I would advise you to use for adults, the first decimal trituration; for children, the third tritu- ration. " When the ulceration is tubercular, you will have to resort to a different class of remedies, prominent among which I would advise the hypophosphate of lime (calcis hypophosphis,) which has all the cur LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 671 ative properties of Calcarea carbonica, together with the recuperative qualities of Phosphorus. The second or third decimal trituration will prove the most satisfactory. Leptandra may be called for, even in this disease, if we find disorder of the liver complicating the case. I believe it increases the absorbent action of the intestinal mucous membrane, and thus prevents the excessive emaciation. In respect to the action of Leptandra on the mucous membranes of the intestine, Dr. Coe gives a case which is quite interesting. He says : " No rem- edy with which we are acquainted, is more to be relied upon in chronic affections of the mucous surfaces. Its value in this respect is peculiarly apparent in chronic dysentery and diarrhcea and other diseases of the bowels. When false membranous formations have occurred in the smaller intestines produced by the gradual exudation of plastic lymph, the Leptandra may be relied upon for their removal, with great confidence. * * * We have also used it with great success in the cure of constipation and piles. We recently treated a case of the latter complaint, accompanied with frequent hemor- rhage from the rectum, of twelve years' standing. A short time after commencing its use, the patient discharged considerable quantities of false membrane, in shreds and patches, and a number of pieces seve- ral inches in length, forming complete tubes. The evacuation of this matter was attended with amelioration of all the symptoms, and at the present time the patient declares himself well. The bowels are regular, appetite good, the hemorrhage has ceased, and the dis- tressing pain, so long experienced beneath the sacrum, entirely gone." This is quite an important clinical fact, and although the cases were treated with massive doses, (two to four grains twice or thrice a day,) we cannot doubt that the remedy was homoeopathic to the disease mentioned. In Wood's Practice, article " Chronic Enteritis," we find that " occasionally false membranes are discharged, and in some rare instances, tubes of considerable length, obviously the result of a plas- tic inflammation, throwing out coagulable lymph upon the surface of the mucous membrane." Dr. Cumming, of Edinburg, has given an account of a peculiar variety of pseudo-membranous inflammation of the bowels (quoted by Wood.) In this variety, Dr. Simpson used Arsenic, a remedy homoe- opathic to the disease, and Dr. Cumming used tar and " electro gal- vanism," successfully. Believing, as I do, that all medicinal remedies cure only under the law of similia, it seems highly probable to me that Leptandra, in the case given by Dr. Coe, caused the expulsion of the membrane and effected the cure, by virtue of its power to cause a similar pathologi- cal state. Chronic dysentery is often associated with chronic enteritis, and it is not always easy to determine how far the two portions of the bowels are severally involved in the inflammation, nor is the decision a matter of much importance. Chronic diarrhcea and dysentery are very nearly allied in their anatomical character, and we often find 672 NEW REMEDIES. cases where the symptoms of both maladies are intimately blended. But chronic dysentery, when not thus combined, is distinguished from chronic diarrhoea by the frequency and comparatively small quantities of the evacuations, their character, and the tenesmus with which they are attended. The greater number of the stools consist chiefly of mucus, sometimes mixed with pus-like matter or blood. Occasionally, however, feculent or bilious matter is mixed with the proper dysenteric discharge. When the disease occupies the rectum and lower portions of the colon, the frequent discharge is often con- sistent ; and instead of being uniformly mixed with mucus, is either irregularly pervaded by it in layers or streaks, or enveloped in a thick coating of it, derived from the surface of the bowel with which the faeces lay in contact. There is usually more or less tormina, and tenderness on pressure ; the pulse, skin, and appetite are affected as in chronic diarrhoea, and there is nearly the same emaciation.. Chronic dysentery is seldom an original disease, but when it occurs, is almost always in consequence of an acute attack. "Camp dysen- tery," and even " camp diarrhoea " may run into a chronic dysentery.. In this disease we have in Leptandra a valuable and efficient remedy, but it is more applicable to those cases in which a chronic- enteritis complicates the disorder. In cholera infantum it has proved a very useful remedy. Dr.. King, (eclectic), says :—" In cholera infantum, a disease which some- times sets at defiance all the skill of the physician, I have met with excellent success by the following combination : Leptandra 6 grains,. Quinia three grains, Camphor one and one-half grains, Ipecacuanha three-fourths of a grain, mixed and divided into 12 powders, of which one may be given every two or three hours, and its use continued thus for several days. Its action at first is to increase the alvine passages, and apparently augment the disease, but in a few days the character of the evacuations change, become more and more normal, as well as more regular in their appearance ; after which, one or two powders per day for a week will render the cure permanent." I have quoted the above, to show that this mixture, absurd as it is, really cured the disease homoeopathically. Leptandra, the main ingredient, is eminently homoeopathic to the disease in most cases, as the proving shows conclusively. Quinice, for which we substitute China, is indicated by. the gene- ral condition (prostration from loss of fluids,) and by the special symptoms (copious, dark, or light watery stool, etc.) Ipecac is one of our best remedies, when there occurs vomiting with the diarrhcea; and Camphor, as shown by Hahnemann is quite homceopathic to choleraic symptoms, with considerable prostration. By the use of Leptandra third trituration, China second dilution, andi Ipecac, first or second, with Camphor -fa, as an intercurrent rem- edy, the homoeopathist, can cure his patients, without the danger of" doing the injury to the organism, especially in cases of children, that apt to occur from such massive doses as is advised by King, who- admits that the disease is apt to be aggravated at first by the medicines. LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 673 Dr. B. L. Hill, when an eclectic, wrote a follows concerning the action of the action of Leptandra, in dysentery. " Iu the epidemic dysentery which has prevailed for the last two seasons (1854-55.) in many parts of our country it has been of great service. It was usually given with the best success, after evacuating the bowels freely, with a combination of Podophyllin and Leptandra, or Rhubarb. For this purpose give from one-half of a grain to a grain every hour, gradually lengthening the intervals as the dis- charges become darker. Though it may not be applicable in all cases of dysentery, it is doubtless one of the most useful articles in this dangerous disease." The epidemic referred to was of an adynamic character, quickly prostrating the patient, and often ran into a typhoid condition. For the same epidemic, Dr. Hill would now advise and use with as good results, minute doses of Leptandra, Podophyllum, Arsenicum, and Baptisia. It may be remarked here that Podophyllum is indicated for a much higher grade of inflammation and irritation of the bowels, than Leptandra. The following was Dr. Hill's estimate of the action of Leptandra :—" It is not strictly cathartic. It is aperient, altera- tive and tonic. In cases of children affected with summer complaint, where there is evidently a lack of the proper biliary secretions, but when owing to the irritated condition of the bowels, the ordinary remedies for arousing the liver are inadmissible, this article seems to be the very thing needed. While it acts freely upon the liver, instead of purging, it seems to change the discharge from the light and watery, or slimy condition, to a darkened and apparently bilious state, rendering them jnore and more consistent until they become perfectly natural, without having been arrested entirely, or at any time aggravated. At the same time it seems to act as a tonic, restor- ing the tone of the stomach and increasing the strength and activity of digestion." Dr. Hill the homoeopathic, values the Leptandra quite as highly as did Dr. Hill the eclectic, but he accounts for its action in a more rational manner. As the latter, he gave from one-fourth to one grain every hour or two, in acute cases, or one to two grains three times a day in chronic cases; as the former, he also finds -fa, or riu" of a grain equally serviceable. In those severe cases of disease which clearly resemble the primary symptoms of poisoning with the fresh root of Leptandra, the thirtieth, if prepared from a good tinc- ture, would doubtless act curatively. Dr. Win. Fry, of New York, reports the following case of intesti- nal disease treated successfully with this remedy : My first trial with this remedy was followed by the mo?t prompt and satisfactory results. It was a case of dysentery of nearly a month's standing, having been brought on after a sudden change of climate. The following were the most characteristic symptoms of the case at the time the Leptandra was prescribed : Mental suffering ; dizziness and headache ; chills, followed by fever ; pain and uneasi- ness in the bowels ; nausea, and a constant, profuse flow of saliva 43 674 NEW REMEDIES. from the mouth during the chill; great thirst, but inability to keep any food or drink upon the stomach. Constant desire to urinate during the chill; urine high colored, and passed in small quantities ; soreness of the rectum ; hemorrhoids ; painful dragging and stinging pains in the rectum ; bowels bound and alternated every three or four days, by a setting in of diarrhoea, the passages consisting of fjccal matter resembling raw or boiled beef after having been pounded fine with an admixture of mucus, and an intolerable foetid smell. The desire to stool was in the morning and ontinued about an hour, dur- ing which time there were four or five passages, followed by tenesmus of the rectum and a feeling as if something was passing out. These are some of the most prominent symptoms of the case, and I cured it with two doses of the Leptandra ; one powder of the first centesimal trituration in the evening, and another in the morning—after having failed to get any effects from such remedies as Arsenicum, Colocynth. Carbo veg., Mercurius, etc. I get the best results from this remedy in the lower forms of preparation." Prof. G. W. Barnes, of Cleveland, communicates the following cases : Case 1st.—" During the progress of a tedious case of post-scarla- tinal follicular entero-colitis, associated with a condition of general anasarca, occurring in a little boy of six years, the details of which I will not trouble you with, there occurred a condition of the alvinc evacuations corresponding very beautifully with your proving of Lep- tandra. The stools, three or four a day, were profuse, dark-brown, almost black, of a mushy consistence and highly offensive odor. There was difficulty in retaining the stool; he must go immediatel}\ There was sharp pain preceding the stool and relief afterwards, but increased weakness. He usually went to sleep soon after stool. Other rem- edies were required to complete the cure, but Leptandra, third trituration, very promptly changed the stool to a normal appearance and frequency, and produced a satisfactory amelioration generally." Case 2d.—"Capt. H——, Ohio National Guards, had suffered nearly three months with camp diarrhcea, and had been for the greater part of that time in hospital. During a tedious journey from Wash- ington, his case became aggravated, and on his arrival at home he was hardly able to stand upon his feet. He was emaciated, his features haggard and jaundiced ; his stools, previously mixed with undigested food, were now muco-purulent and bloody, quite frequent, and attended with some tenesmus and cutting pains low down in the bowels. Cold water taken internally produced a sense of weight at the stomach, cutting in the bowels and a disposition to stool. There was a state bordering on ulceration, and it was the opinion of his hospital surgeon that that condition existed. Some amelioration followed the administration of Mercurius cor. 6th and 30th, but under the influence of Leptandra, 3d trituration, improvement was prompt and steady, and in two weeks his stools were natural in quality and frequency, and he was soon well." LEPTANDRA VIRGINICA. 675 Urine.—Urine at first slightly acid, then neutral and rather scanty ; urine very red, and does not affect litmus paper ; dull, aching pain in the lumbar region. Clinical Observations.—King says " it exerts a powerful influ- ence upon the absorbent system, and in combination with cream of tartar, has been successfully used in obstinate cases of dropsy." If Leptandra is homceopathic to any variety of dropsy, it is prob- ably that dependent on disease of the liver. In order to test its value in dropsy, or indeed, anyfdisease, it should be given alone. To com- bine medicines is to lose all data concerning the real action of any single agent. It is doubtful if Leptandra exercises any specific action on the functions of the kidneys, yet a medicine may be useful in dropsy with- out being a diuretic. It may act curatively by a certain general restorative power. Thus, China, Iron, Helonias, etc., may remove dropsies, by bringing the organism up to a normal condition. Any cause which obstructs the circulation in the portal system of veins, will induce dropsy. Chronic tumefaction of the liver, and organic diseases of that organ ; also, inflammation of the portal vein, are the principle causes of the varieties of hepatic dropsy. Organs Of Generation.—Abortion.—(Caused by the fresh root.) Thorax.—Soreness in the left side of the thorax, especially about the cardiac region. Clinical Observations.—In affections of the liver, we may have sympathetic disturbances of the heart's action ; and so also, from dyspepsia. Indirectly, the Leptandra may prove useful in some derangements of the functions of the heart. Back.—Sore and lame feeling in the small of the back. Upper Extremities.—Both wrists are very lame and ache severely, lasting some hours ; pain in the left shoulder and arm ; chilly sen. - sation at the shoulders and down the arm. Clinical Observations.—Pain in the left shoulder is a symp- tom of disease of the posterior portion of the liver Lower Extremities.—Feet and legs, from the knees downward, feel cold and numb. LOBELIA INFLATA.* (Indian Tobacco.) Analog ues .—Digitalis, Euphorbia, Ipecacuanha, Sf/uilla* Tabacum, Tartar emeticus, Veratrum album, Veratrum viride. Botanical Description.—This plant is generally known as wild or Indian Tobacco, and is an annual or biennial indigenous plant, more commonly the latter, with a fibrous, yellowish white root and an erect, angular, very hairy stem : in the full-sized plant, much branched and from six inches to three feet in height. The leaves are alternate, scattered, sessile, ovate-lanceolate, serrate, veiny, hairy. The floivers are small, numerous, pale-blue, on short peduncles, each originating from the axil of a small leaf. The calyx consists of five, subulate segments. The corolla is tubular, small, slit on the upper side and ventricose at the base ; the limb bilabiate ; tube prismatic ; segments spreading and acute, two upper ones lanceolate, two lower ones oval; anthers united into an oblong, curved body, purple; filaments white ; stifle filiform ; stigma curved, two-lobed, and enclosed by the anthers ; capsule, two-celled, ovoid, inflated, striated, ten-angled and crowned, with the persistent calyx. Seeds, numerous, small, oblong, brown. History,—This plant grows in almost every part of the United States, in fields, meadows, woods, etc., flowering from July to Novem- ber. The whole plant is active, but the leaves and seeds are more usually employed. The root is supposed to be more energetic, med- icinally, than any other part of the plant. The proper time for gath- ing the plant is from the last of July to the middle of October, during which period, the seed vessels are in great, abundance. The fresh plant should be taken and carefully dried in the shade, and then be preserved in packages or covered vessels, more especially if it be reduced to powder. When dried, it has a faint, nauseous, rather disagreeable odor and a strong, acrid, nauseous taste developed by chewing, somewhat similar to that of Tobacco, which powerfully affects the throat and fauces, occasioning ptyalism and sickness of the stomach. The leaves form a greenish powder ; the seeds are brown- ish. Hot water, vinegar, ether or alcohol take up its medicinal prin- ciples ; but boiling dissipates them. Lobelia seed, viewed through the microscope, are about -fa of an inch in lenghth, and -fa of an inch in breadth, of a dark-brown color, oblong, oval or almond shaped, reticulated with irregular, oblong-square, or rectangular ridges and furrows, somewhat resembling basket work. The only seeds which resemble them are those of the L. Cardinalis, but which are not so dark colored, have the reticulations not so well defined and are of lar- ger size. * For the admirable arrangement of the matter composing this article on Lobelia, I am indebted to Dr.T. C. Dvi>cak, of Chicago, to whom I confided the labor of collecting all that had been published relating to this plant.- Hai.e. LOBELIA INFIATA. 677 Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the whole plant or seeds; triturations of the seeds; dilutions. Medical History.—The Indians are said to have first used it in their great councils to clear their heads and stomaohs ; also a remedy in syphilis. In Woodville's Medical Botany, published in 1790, we find this plant referred to under the head of Lobelia Syphilitica. It is named by Sir W. Johnson, who at a great price, purchased the secret of the North American Indians, that they used it for syphilis. Dr. Thomson claims to be the discoverer of the medical virtues of this plant, and perhaps justly so, as by his influence it was brought into general use. The following is his account of the discovery : " Sometime in the summer of 1790, after I was four years old, being out in the fields in search of the cows, I discovered a plant which had a singular branch and pods, that I had never before seen, and I had the curiosity to pick some of the pods and chew them ; the taste and operation produced were so remarkable that I never forgot it. I afterwards used to induce other boys to chew it, merely for sport, to see them vomit. I tried this herb in this way for nearly twenty years without knowing anything of its medicinal virtues. It never occurred to me that it was of any value as a medicine until, when mowing in the field with a number of men one day, I cut a sprig of it and gave to the man next to me, who ate it; when we had got to the end of the piece, which was about six rods, he said he believed that what I had given him would kill him, for he never felt so before in his life. I looked at him and saw that he was in a most profuse perspiration, being as wet all over as he could be ; he trembled very much, and there was no more color in him than in a corpse. I told him to go to the spring and drink some water. He attempted to go and got as far as the wall, but was unable to get over it, and laid down on the ground and vomited several times. He said that he thought he had thrown off his stomach two quarts. I then helped him into the house, and in about two hours he ate a hearty dinner; in the afternoon he was able to do a good half day's labor. He after- wards told me that he never had any thing do him so much good in his life ; his appetite was remarkably good ; he felt better than he had for a long time." Dr. W. P. C. Barton, in his Medical Botany, thus refers to the history of this drug : " The first notice I can find in print, of the medical virtues of Indian tobacco, is simply a brief remark by Schcepf, that the root is astringent and used in ophthalmia. He seems to have had little knowledge on the subject, and from the manner in which the plant is mentioned by him, it may reasonably be suspected that a vague rumor only of its medical properties had reached him. The next accounts we hear of it as a medicine are by the Rev. Dr. Cutler and the late Prof. Barton. As Dr. Thomson was practicing in Massachusetts, it may be inferred that Cutler thus obtained his knowledge of its virtues. 678 NEW REMEDIES. It was first introduced into the regular (?) profession in 1810, by the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Massachusetts, whose attention was directed to it by Dr. Drury, Marblehead, who had been cured of asthma by its use, It seems Dr. Cutler was suffering from the same difficulty ; he used this drug and was cured. He published his case, which attract- ed the attention of the profession. It was introduced into England by Dr. Reese.* As regards its introduction into homoeopathic practice, it was first noticed in Jeane's Homceopathic Practice of Medicine, Philadel- phia, 1838, in which he detailed several cases of asthma and other diseases, which were cured by this remedy. But the first publication of its pathogenesis was by Dr. Alpheus Noack, of Leipsic, in his excellent treatise on the " Lobelia infiata," in the fifteenth volume of the Hygea, (1841.) This exhibits very extensive research ; he has perhaps quoted every writer of any emi- nence who has mentioned this plant. The experiments of Noack were accompanied by cotemporaneous thermometrical, barometrical and meteorological observations. Among the circumstances noticed in his experiment, on his own per- son, was the speedy decomposition of the urine passed on the first day of his trial. This had taken place by the next morning, when a rose-red sediment was deposited on ^the sides of the vessel in which was found a small brown urinary crystal, which under a microscope of two-hundred-fold magnifying power, had the form and size of a large currant, and formed a granular conglomerate. Besides the symptoms observed on himself, Noack gives the symp- toms observed by the five following persons : Mr. N. N. Kcrmes, age 26 ; venous lymphatic constitution Took 30 drops of the tincture in two ounces of water, at 9 o'clock in the morning, and 20 grains at 4 p. m. Mr. Birkner, aged 23 ; medical student; nervous, scrofulous constitution ; took in the morning of the first day four grains of the tincture. Second day, morning, 8 drops. Third day a. m , 16 drops. A month afterward he took 10 drops, and the next day 20 drops. A few days afterwards he took 40 drops. Isidor Mortz. M. D., aged 29, melancholic temperament; at the time of his experiments perfectly well, except a slight disposition to cositiveness. Took 10 drops three successive mornings, then 20 drops three successive mornings; on the next day 30 drops; on the next day 10 drops in the morning and 10 drops in the afternoon ; on two following days 15 drops in the morning 15 in the afternoon, and afterwards for several days, with doses varying from 50 to 100 drops. He remarked that the email doses operated more upon the throat, the larger doses more on the stomach. He also states that taking the tincture in water caused more extensive and continued operation. Laura R---, aged 21 ; of a healthy family ; graceful proportions ; blooming countenance ; blue eyes ; brown hair; of a quiet thought- ful and reserved disposition. In health at time of making the exper- iment. Took at night at bed-time, 6 drops of the tincture ; next •Practical treatise on the anti-asthmatic properties of bladder-poddedjlobelia, 1M29. LOBELIA INFLATA. 679 morning and night the same dose ; the following day none. Next day in the morning 9 drops and the same at bed time; the next day 9 drops in the morning, 30 drops in the afternoon, and 40 drops at bed- time; the next day 50 drops at bed-time. Jeanes supposes that N---n is the translator who furnishes some symptoms. This must be Dr. Norton, who afterwards contributed a fragmentary proving of the drug to the British Journal, volume 17, page 464. The proving in full will be found elsewhere.** PROVINGS. PROVING BY DR. NOACK, MARCH 4th, 1839. In perfect health. At 7 o'clock in the morning passed six ounces of urine ; acid reaction; a quarter of an hour afterwards I took, fasting, ten drops of the tincture upon sugar, while at the time my pulse was beating 70 times in the minute. As soon as the tongue touched the palate in the act of swallowing, a tickling in the throat was produced, which in the course of about six minutes was quite gone. About 11 a. m. my pulse was about 50 to the minute ; 13^- ounces of urine of the same quality as the former, were then passed; after this, twenty drops of the tincture of Lobelia were taken, and immediately upon this a burning in the throat, which soon passed into a scratching sensation, lasting about twelve minutes, was experienced. At 12^ the pulse beat 60 times in the minute. At 3^-, as I felt nothing unusual, I took 50 drops of the tincture, the pulse beating then 63 times a minute. After the scratching in the throat had become much worse than the previous time, there arose a sense of pressure on the epigastrium, as from a weight; the scratching in- clined to emesis, but did not go so far. 6^ ounces of urine were passed ten minutes after, of the same qualities as the former, only a shade lighter in color. There was now felt a pressure, as if from a foreign body or a morsel of food, in the whole course of the oesopha- gus, more) marked in particular parts, especially close below the larynx, from whence it descended with a vermicular motion and sud- denly occupied the epigastrium. The epigastrium and spot below the larynx were always the extreme, and at the same time most sensitive points. At the same time, a few slight eructations of air occurred ; there was no sensible distention of the stomach or abdomen, but an inconsiderable working in the abdomen afterwards. Deglutition and swallowing had no effect upon the pressive pain. This pain gradually diminished, and appeared as if it were to end at that portion of the spine which is opposite the epigastrium, and feeling like a plug, ♦Transactions American Medical Institute, volume 1. 680 NEW REMEDIES. reaching thence to the spine. Occasionally the pressive pain seemed entirely gone, but it soon returned, always keeping its vermicular character ; the oesophagus, however, remained unaffected and the epigastrium and spot close to the spine were relieved by the pain shooting right and left through the prsecordia. A deep inspiration, by overcoming the pressive pain, occasioned a certain feeling of comfort. By 5 o'clock, nothing remained of this pain but a certain, by no means unpleasant, sensation in the back, hypochondria and epigastrium, on turning and bending on the loins, so as to suggest the notion as if the tendinous crura of the diaphragm were too tightly stretched. The whole of the painful sensation gradually diminished and shortly after- wards entirely terminated. At 3:45 the pulse was 62, and at 7 in the evening it was 68. No passage from the bowels that day. In all 22£ ounces of urine were passed, of which amount 16 ounces were passed after taking the medicine. This is rather a small quantity on the assumption that an adult passes on an average 30 to 35 ounces a day. At bed time, the usual inclination to urinate did not occur. On the following morning, at a temperature of 11°R., (43=F.,) the urine had been decomposed, a rose-colored sediment being deposited upon the sides of the vessel, in which was found a small urinary crystal, which under a microscope of two hundred fold magnifying power had the form and sixe of a large currant, and formed a glandular conglom- eration. The remarkable slowness of the pulse showed a peculiar depression of arterial action. On the 5th of March nothing worthy of notice was observed, On the 6th, at 9 o'clock in the morning, 80 full drops of Lobelia were swallowed without sugar. At first there was burning, and then scratching in the throat; and in consequence of the disagreeable taste of the tincture, a flow of saliva and nausea, with slight eructa- tions of the taste of the tincture. This was after five minutes. After ten minutes the tickling passed into a pressive sensation. Pulse 63. At 9^- a slight confusion of the back of the head was felt, and this in the same moderate degree, half an hour afterwards, included the fore- head and was soon after felt no more. At 10i, normal stool and four ounces of urine. To the lingering traces of nausea and pressure in the oesophagus, were added slight tormina and working in the bowels, with the escape of very offensive flatus. The pulse, which at 9 was 53, rose at quarter to 11 to 55 beats ; about 1 it was 73 ; at 2-J-, it was 61. Dinner was eaten with the usual appetite. At 2 o'clock 6 ounces of urine were passed, and there was a continual discharge of flatus. At 2\, 100 full drops of the tincture were taken, which ex- LOBELIA INFLATA. 681 cited the usual burning and scratching in the throat, and the increased secretion of tenacious saliva, besides nausea and eructation ; the pulse was 58. Five minutes after taking it, the pressure in the oesophagus and epigastrium were felt, but much less than the day before. A certain anxiety, requiring a full inspiration, was felt, and a slight ten- dency to tormina and rolling in the bowels, discharge of foetid flatus sometimes violent, and nausea continuing till bed-time ; this was all the sensation the last dose was observed to excite.* PROVING BY DR. NORTON.f Dr. Norton, aet 30, lymphatic temperament. March 22d.—About an hour after breakfast, took \ drachm of the tincture of Lobelia. A slight nausea in an hour or two afterwards was the only symptom. 23d.—Took one drachm ; slight nausea only. 24th.—Took two drachms after breakfast; nausea all the morning; uneasiness, or a feeling as if there were a lump or weight in the stomach for a few moments ; about noon a burning pain in the back, as if in the posterior wall of the stomach. Nearly all the symptoms disappear towards evening. 25th.—Took 2\ drachms. Eructation immediately after and repeated several times during the day; nausea, and a sensation as of a lump or weight, as if caused by undigested food. A sensation of warmth or burning all over the stomach, Rumbling in the bowels and passage of flatus downwards. No appetite for dinner ; dryness of the fauces; spitting at intervals. Amelioration of all the symp- toms towards evening; enjoyed tea. 26th.—Took \ ounce of Lobelia ; a loud eructation immediately after. The manuscript does not contain any farther records. dr. teste's proving.:": " My own experience has furnished me the following symptoms to which Lobelia seems to be particnlarly adapted : Pressive headache at the occiput, less frequently at the forehead, sometimes only one side of the head, (left side,) increased by motion in the evening, and especially at night; continual periodical cephalalgia, in the afternoon increasing until midnight, every third attack being alternately more or less violent. The brain is racked by the cough, which causes an intolerable pain ; vertigo in walking, especially in going up stairs ; * British Journal, Vol. I. t British Journal, Vol. XVII, page 461. X Teste's Materia Medica. 682 NEW REMEDIES. stitches at the vertex ; heat and sweat about the head and face ; cir- cumscribed redness on one cheek ; sense of general exhaustion, with urgent desire to remain in bed ; agitated feelings ; he fears lest he should have to die soon ; chilly feeling ; fever and ague, with more or less general long-lasting shuddering towards the middle of the day, followed by sweat and heat, which lasts until the next morning; cessation of heat and shuddering in the day time. Eruption between the fingers, on the clorsa of the hands, and on the forearms, consisting of small vesicles accompanied by a tingling itching, and resembling the itch pustules exactly. " Mouth dry and full of tenacious mucus ; bad taste in the mouth ; flat taste of the food ; tongue coated white ; great desire for coffee ; loss of appetite, and aversion to every kind of food ; thirst, especially during the chill ; nausea; sour regurgitations, hiccough, pyrosisi desire to vomit after drinking ; constriction at the stomach ; flatulence and gurgling in the left side of the abdomen ; emission of foetid flat- ulence ; distention of the abdomen which is painful to contact; con- stipation ; frothy stools ; greenish diarrhoea; increase of the urinary secretion ; almost constant desire to urinate ; watery or brown urine, with a copious red sediment ; tensive pain in the groins; pressure on the genital organs; tittilation in the throat, causing an attack of cough at every moment; violent, racking cough, in paroxysms of long con- tinuance, followed by profuse expectoration of ropy mucus, which adheres to the pharynx. Anxious, difficult, panting breathing, with sense of constriction on the chest, sometimes on one side only; par- oxysm of suffocation, with excessive anguish, and continuing some- times the whole night; sense of rawness and soreness in the chest, below the clavicle; angina pectoris, with pain extending to the shoulder and the arm ; painfulness in the nape of the neck and dorsal region; extreme lassitude of the legs; cramp in the calves of the legs. TOXICAL effects. Horses and cattle have been killed by eating it accidentally. Mr. Proctor gave a grain of Lobelina, in solution, to a cat. In less than two minutes, it produced violent emesis and prostratiou, from which the animal recovered in three hours. Again one grain of the sub- stance in an ounce of water was administered directly into the stomach of the animal, by an elastic tube. Immediate and total prostration was the consequence, which in half an hour rendered the animal almost motionless. The pupils of the eyes were much dilated. The animal gradually recovered its strength, but the effects of the pros- LOBELIA INFLATA. 683 tration were evident for fifteen hours afterwards. No emetic or cathartic effects resulted. Mr. Curtis and Dr. Peterson experimented with it on hedgehogs and cats. They noticed that the heart continued to beat for some time after breathing had ceased. Dissections revealed congestion of the lungs and venous system, as happens in case of death from asphyxia. The stomach and bowels were found to be in an inflamma- tory condition. Charles Whitelaw remarks that it causes cattle to become hide-bound, and affected with dandruff. On man—several deaths are recorded to have occurred from the use of this drug, both in this country and Great Britain. An inquest was held in England, in November 1853, on the occasion of a death from Lobelia, by Dr. Letheby, Professor of Chemistry in the London hospital. He stated that thirteen cases of poisoning had occurred from this drug, within three or four proceeding years. The doctor found in the stomach of a woman who had been poisoned with it, 110 grains; in the case of a man, a tablespoonful of the seeds ; and in a child three years old, fifteen grains of the seeds in the bowels. The following case of poisoning is found in volume 6th, of the Massachusetts Reports:* A Mr. EzraLovett caught cold, and sent for Dr. Samuel Thomson, of Beverly, who forthwith obliged him to take three powders of Lobelia, successively; at half an hour's interval between each. Every powder produced dreadful vomiting ; in the night, long continued and copious sweat occurred. Two similar pow- ders, given another day, produced vomiting and extreme uneasiness ; and the same given the following day, sunk the patient into a state of great depression. A few days afterwards the doctor returned, and finding his patient worse, gave him some more powders of Lobelia, which at first pro- duced great uneasiness ; but latterly became wholly inoperative. Thomson supposed that the medicine would be directed to the bowels and excite purging. However, in the evening, the patient lost his senses and was attacked with convulsions, so that two men were re- quired to hold him. Not a whit the less, however, did Thomson con- tinue to repeat the Lobelia, and give his unfortunate victim 2 powders more. The patient grew gradually worse, and at length expired Thomson was arrested on the charge of murder, but liberated, as the sad issue of the case could not be ascribed to malice on his part.f Inflammation of the stomach and bowels have been noticed after * Wood's Materia Medica. t British Journal, volume I. 684 NEW REMEDIES. death, also congestion of the lungs and entire nervous system. The force of the drug seems to be spent upon the nerve centres of animal life, such as the solar plexus, cardiac ganglion and medulla oblongata. RESUME. NcrVOUS System.—This is the forte of this remedy. Its whole force seems to be spent upon this system. Selecting the pueumogas- tric, about opposite the pharynx, as the starting point, it passes in both directions, involving the phrenic, solar and cardiac plexuses and finally the cerebro-spinal system. Nerves Of Sensation.—This division of the nervous system is the first to note the introduction of Lobelia. That faithful sentinel, the superior laryngeal telegraphs to the brain, what has run the blockade. The pneumogastric being made up of both sensation and motor filiments, the impression passes down the extremities of that nerve, and the brain sends a motor current to eject the drug ; while this is being done the sensation has gone on to the great sympathetic, and finally it is " felt at the finger ends and toes." The sensation is felt most severely in the solar plexus. The depression upon this and the other plexuses of the sympathetic system is such that the patient imagines that death is about to ensue. The " healthy " feeling expressed by patients, who have taken this drug, is due to the reaction. It is like the exultation of joy follow- ing the depression of fear. I think this starting point of attack is the key to the use of the drug. Nerves Of Motion.—This system is brought most powerfully under the action of this drug. The inferior laryngeal seems to be the first one called into action, which causes a constricted feeling at the lar- ynx ; passing on the oesophagus, contracts its whole length, then the stomach contracts from below upwards, and emesis follows; in the meantime the bronchi and breast contract and the patient feels as if suffocation was impending. Now the voluntary muscles are called into action, and if the drug is carried far enough, convulsions and death ensue. Muscular System.—As we have already seen, this system suffers severely, the whole nervous energies being brought so completely under control of this drug. The involuntary muscular fibers are the ones first involved, as we LOBELIA INFLATA. 685 observe by the vermicular motion of the muscular fibers of the oesoph- agus, the contractions of the stomach and bronchi, and the lateral action of the heart. Want of power in the sphincter ani was cured in one case. (See last case under " stomach.") The voluntary muscles do not seem to be affected until the invol- untary are completely under its influence. In the reduction of luxations the eclectics use it much as we do chloroform, to relax the muscular fibers, until the patient is as " limber as a rag." This is why it is of service in rigidity of the os, rigidity of the perineum, intestinal intussusception and in herniae. It is not homoeopathic to any such condition any more than is the vapor bath. Vascular System—Heart and Arteries.—Accelerated pulse; more frequent and weaker pulse than usual ; in the evening, slower pulse ; pulse of the usual frequency, but smaller and weaker ; pulse almost imperceptible. The first day of Noack's proving the pulse was 70; under the influence of this drug it went down to 50, and in the evening came back to 68 beats. The second day it was 63 ; it then went down to 52, and finally rose to 73, and then fell again to 51 beats per minute. The above is conclusive evidence that this drug acts upon the cardiac plexus since it has been found homceopathic to forms of car- dialgia. (See clinical observations under " chest.") Fever.—Chilly feeling. Fever and ague, with more or less long lasting shuddering towards the middle of the day, followed by sweat and heat, which lasts until next morning ; sensation of heat and shuddering in the daytime. Clinical Observations.—The above symptoms have led to its employment in the treatment of intermittents. Febris Intermittens Quotidiana—Attack at 10i o'clock a. m., in a man aged 49'; severe coldness alternating with flushes of heat, till 12 m., when the heat was more moderate, became more constant, but alternating with slight chilliness, continuing till evening. Pro- fuse sweat at night; slept during the sweat as usual. Thirst great from the first chill and during the whole of the last stage, but worse in the chill. Respiration short, anxious, laborious and wheezing, with sensation of tightness of the chest; sensation of oppression and weakness, principally at the epigastrium, but extending thence through the whole breast; tickling in the pit of the throat, with fre. 686 NEW REMEDIES. quent hacking cough ; severe headache, extending around the fore- head from one temple to the other ; loss of appetite, both in the par- oxysm and apyrexia Tongue white, scaly, coated on the right side, but clean on the left; great debility. Lobelia inflata, -J-, given at 3^ o'clock p. m., during the paroxysm, produced considerable relief of the oppression of the respiratory organs, and the next day there was a very slight paroxysm, of slight duration. The third day, and after- wards no more. Febris Intermittens.—Chill (shaking chill) with thirst, then heat with thirst and sweat. The thirst is sometimes observed before the chill and through the whole fever; often only before the chill and not in it, and then again in the heat. The coldness is increased after drinking. The sweat begins with the heat, or after the heat has con- tinued for some time.* Venous System.—The experiments of Mr. Curtis and Dr. Pear- son, revealed after death " the lungs and nervous system generally were congested, and that the blood was fluid." Discharges of black blood, after stool. Clinical Observations.—We have referred to its use in hemor- rhoids, both under the heads of "stomach" and "stools." In the case noted under stomach, it was curative, because the principal seat of the lesion was the solar plexus, which necessarily!.involved the hypogastric, giving rise to congestion of the hemorrhoidal veins. MUCOUS Membrane.—Inflammation of the stomach and bowels has been noticed after death ; dryness of the fauces ; frequent spitting; flow of saliva in the mouth ; profuse perspiration ; great thirst. Clinical Observations.—From the above symptoms and many others which might be adduced, it will be seen that this drug acts directly upon all of the mucous membranes, not one escaping. It seems to be an antidote to the poison of Rhus toxicodendron, and assists the system to throw off any effete matter of the skin. Skin.—Eruption between the fingers, on the dorsa of the hands and on the forearms, consisting of small vesicles, accompanied by a tingling itching, and resembling the itch pustules exactly. Blisters on the skin. Clinical Observations.—Aside from its general use as an "alter- ative," in all manner of cutaneous diseases, by the botanic physicians who followed Thomson, it has never had any special popularity in diseases of the skin. It is not recommended for any non-inflamma- tory eruptive diseases by any eclectic physician whose writings I have examined. 'Transactions of American Medical Institute;, Vol. 1. LOBELIA INFLATA. 687 Dr. Teste,* of France, was the first to mention and suggest its use in cutaneous affections. He says : " When proved in homoeopathic doses, Lobelia yields a great number of symptom.'* which resemble those of Sulphur. Its action on the skin, head and mucous membranes is more particularly analogous to that of Sulphur." He mentions the following symptoms as having been observed by him in proving Lobelia : "Eruption between the fingers, on the dorsa of the hands and on the forearm, consisting of small vesicles, accompanied by tingling itching and resembling itch pustules exactly. He further says that the striking resemblance which he observed between the "recent itch" aud the eruption which Lobelia caused, (in one case !)induced him to try it in the itch. He alleges that the success answered his expectations. He advised both Lobelia and Croton for the itch, and although he still believed in the combination, he admits that it is not unexceptionable. The homoeopathic profession remember distinctly with what boldness Teste pronounced the dictum in his Diseases of Children, that Lobelia was a specific in all cases of recent itch, and that Lobelia and Croton were the specific remedies for the itch. Upon the appearance of that book, which shot like a meteor across the sky of homceopathic literature, and like an ignis fatuus, led astray those who followed in its teachings, many physi- cians were induced to test the Lobelia in cases of scabies. What was the result ? Although twelve years have elapsed, not a single clinical case has been published or related which proved Teste's rec- ommendation of any value. Teste's recommendation, be it remem- bered, was based upon the supposed pathogenetic effects of Lobelia in causing itch-like vesicles in a single instance! A recommendation based on such insufficient grounds is not in accordance with the de- mands of our science. This is not the only instance in which Teste erred in a similar manner. Since the appearance of his Materia Medica in this country, in 1854, I have carefully observed hundreds of cases of persons who were taking Lobelia, both in large and small doses, and I have never observed any eruption, coincident or subsequent, which could by any stretch of fancy be said to have been caused by that drug. I have also made inquiries of truthful, observing physicians of other schools, who are in the habit of using Lobelia, and their testi- mony is decidedly against its power of producing irritation of the skin, when taken internally. Dr. P. H. Hale, who has had ample opportunity of observing its effects, states, that with the intense nausea it causes, there is sometimes a prickling itching of the skin; acting on this hint, he thinks he has seen benefit arise from its use in suppressed urticaria, with nausea and vomiting. This, however', would not prove its homoeopathicity to any organic skin disease, like itch. The intense itching caused by Opium is probably owing to its irritant action on the peripheral nerves; Lobelia causes its itching-prickling in the same manner. •Materia Medi:a, page 171 688 NEW REMEDIES For three years I used the Lobelia alone iu many cases of recent itch-like eruptions, but never observed the least benefit accrue, although I followed Teste's advice as to the potency to be adminis- tered. At one time Dr. Douglas recommended it in his lectures and writings. Finally Teste says he has used it successfully in a case of papulous exanthem, evidently of a psoric origin. Marcy and Hunt remark : " It also operates upon the skin, pro- ducing a peculiar kind of herpes, formerly called 'James River Tetter.' It was common on that river, and cured by Lobelia."* Lobelia has proved an antidote to Rhus tox. A lady in Massachu- setts was severely poisoned. The usual allopathic remedies were applied : Lead water, Zinc, etc., but all to no purpose. The disease extended over both hands and arms, to the shoulders, and over the entire face, causing symptomatic fever and slight delirium. At 2 p. m., one drachm of the inspissated tincture of Lobelia was dis- solved in one pint of water, and cloths wet in this were freely applied. At the first application the relief was marked ; the smarting subsided and the redness disappeared. The cure was completed in one half of the usual time of spontaneous cures. In the rapidly spreading ery- sipelas caused by dissection wounds, Lobelia is said to have effected several marked cures. Dr. J. S. Andrews, of Masssachusetts, was severely poisoned, with two other gentlemen, on opening the body of an ox dead of a malignant disease. On the third day, the two com- panions died and he had symptoms of the same disease, which pro- duced spasms and every phenomenon that occurred in the other cases. Lobelia was used as a poultice locally, and also internally by enemas and by the stomach, in very massive doses. He recovered with sloughing of the wounded parts. In two other cases of poisoning from dissection-wounds, with ady- namic fever, and a rapidly extending erysipelatous inflammation from the seat of the puncture, it was equally successful.-J- Sleep.—Restless sleep, with many dreams, also anxious dreams. Sleep disturbed at night by numerous dreams and frequent waking; somnolence; sad dreams. Mind.—Sobbing like a child ; internal uneasiness ; great dejection and exhaustion ; anticipation of death ; difficulty of respiration ; agi- tated feelings. He fears lest he should have to die soon; insensibility and loss of consciousness ; convulsions so that two men must hold him ; death. Clinical Observations.—The depressing effect of Lobelia on the mind is noticed by all the writers and provers. In those cases where death has occurred, the mind was completely overpowered. Head.—Vertigo, with nausea ; vertigo, with pain in the head and trembling agitation of the body. Dull feeling in the head after *Marcy & Hunt's Practice, page 247. t Hempel'b Materia Medica, page 1040. LOBELIA INFLATA. 689 dinner, increased in the evening to violent pressive pain, with con- siderable heat in the face. Pain in the head ; headache, with slight giddiness ; occasional transient shooting in the temples ; dull feeling in the occiput; dull feeling in the occiput and forehead. Pressive pain in the occiput, one while accompanied by heat, and another relieved by removing the covering from the head; pain in the occiput; dull, heavy pain around the forehead from one temple to the other, on a line immediately above the eyebrows. (In numerous cases both of pathogenesis and cure ; the latter often preceded by homceopathic aggravation of several days continuance.) Pains through the head in sudden shocks ; outward pressing in both temples, at the same time a dull pressing in the flesh, just above the left elbow, and the hands feel as if paralyzed. Pain in the parietal protuberance on the left side of the head. Heaviness in the head, and uneasiness in the back ; chilliness of the left side of the head, with a feeling as if the hair would rise on end. Pressive headache at the occiput, less fre- quently at the forehead, sometimes only on one side of the head (left side), increased by motion in the evening, and especially at night; continual periodical headache in the afternoon, increasing until mid- night, every third attack being alternately more or less violent. Some headache, especially on going up stairs, or on motion, affecting chiefly the vertex ; heat and dull headache toward the back of the bead, in the evening; stupor: stitches in the vertex. Eyes,—Pain and soreness in the right eye ; pressing pain in the eyeballs, most in the upper parts. Severe and frequent itching in the angles of the eyelids. Itching in the angles of the left eye ; smarting of the inside of the eyelids. Hemiopia. Ears.—Aching in the left ear; shooting pain, extending into the left ear, from a painful spot in the throat, situated about an inch to the left of the larynx, and on a line with its lowest cartilage. FacCn—Heat of the face ; perspiration of the face accompanying the nausea. A peculiar drawing feeling extending from the right side of the mouth to the right eye. A chilly feeling in the left cheek, extending to the ear ; slight drawing feeling, at one time in the left, at another in the right side of the lower jaw. Heat and sweat about the face and head ; circumscribed redness on on« cheek. Teeth.—Dull, pressing pain in the left molar teeth and temple. Mouth.—Disagreeable taste in the mouth, somewhat similar to that of a solution of corrosive sublimate ; pungent taste in the mouth; flow of clammy saliva ; flow of saliva in the mouth ; soreness of the 44 690 NEW REMEDIES. throat; dryness of the mouth ; copious salivation ; mouth dry, with a fall of tenacious mucus ; bad taste of the food ; tongue coated white. Throat.—Burning of the throat; dryness of the fauces; frequent spitting ; dryness of the throat; tough mucus in the fauces, causing frequent hawking ; pricking in the throat; burning prickling in the throat; increased secretion of viscid saliva, nausea and eructations. Prickling in the throat, eructations and burning sensation rising up from the stomach ; dryness and prickling sensation in the throat, not diminished by drinking after dinner ; unpleasant sensation in the upper and back part of the pharynx, as from swallowing saliva during smoking. Sensation as if the oesophagus contracted itself from below upwards ; feeling of pressure, as from a foreign body, in the whole course of the oesophagus, down which it proceeds with a vermicular motion, but most strongly felt in a spot just below the larynx and in the epigastrium. The epigastrium and a spot below the larynx are always the extreme and at the same time the most sensitive points ; drawing pain in the right side of the throat, which extends upward to the car. Sensation of a lump in the pit of the throat; tickling in the throat immediately succeeded by an inclination to vomit, with straining and raising of the pharynx ; burning in the throat, passing into scratching; burning tickling in the throat, stretching from the arches of the palate to the larynx, and causing frequent hawking of mucus which gathered there ; worse on swallowing ; feeling of dryness in the throat and heat in the stomach; burning in the throat, soon passing into a feeling of dryness, and lasting the whole forenoon ; pressure in the oesophagus, with nausea; slight tormina and escape of offensive wind. Appetite and Stomach.—Loss of appetite ; acrid, burning taste in the mouth ; bitter taste, with coated tongue and thirst; hiccough slight, frequent, flat lent eructation, with flow of water in the mouth' frequent gulping up of a burning, sour fluid; acidity of the stomach' with a contractive feeling in the pit of the stomach ; flatulent eructa. tion, with sensation of acidity and heat of the stomach ; frequent vio- lent hiccoughs, following each other quickly from twenty-four to thirty times, with abundant flow of saliva in the mouth ; eructation of an acid fluid with a burning sensation ; incessant and violent nausea, with shivering and shaking of the upper part of the body. An indis- cribable feeling about the stomach compounded of nausea, pain, heat, oppression and excessive uneasiness accompanying the affection of of the respiratory organs ; nausea, with great inclination to vomit; LOBELIA INFLATA. 691 extreme nausea, with profuse perspiration ; copious vomiting, with great prostration of strength, but a good appetite shortly afterwards ; vomiting, with a cold perspiration of the face ; vomiting of food, par- ticularly after eating it warm ; dyspepsia, heartburn and running of water from the mouth ; heartburn of long duration ; feeling of weak- ness of the stomach, or in the pit of the stomach, extending through the whole chest; sensation of excessive weakness at the pericardium, extending upwards into the chest, and downwards as far as the umbil- icus ; feeling of pressure in the pit of the stomach, extending to the back, as from a plug, in frequent paroxysms ; feeling of weight in the stomach ; sensation of weight in the epigastrium, as if the stomach were, too full, worse on pressure; burning pain in the stomach towards the back, as if the part of the stomach nearest the spine was inflamed; pressure in the pit of the stomach before breakfast and after eating, worse in the evening, with bilious vomiting, oppression and anguish of the chest and pain in the small of the back ; violent, painful con- striction in the region of the cardia; spasm of the stomach during the catamenia in arthritic patients, in drunkards or with bilious com- plaints ; warmth in the stomach ; burning in the stomach. Peculiar uneasiness, with a feeling of reversed peristaltic movement in the stomach, but without vomiting ; restraining pressure, as from a plug, in the epigastrium, extending right^through the body of the spine; it sometimes ceases altogether, but appears suddenly again, with grad- ually increased strength, and extends from the epigastrium right and left to the inner wall of the chest as far as the back. Clinical Observations.—The Lobelia does not have that debil- itating action on the stomach as an immediate effect, that other emetics cause. Most persons, after an emetic of Lobelia, can eat heartily and with relish. Its long-continued use, however, debili- tates the stomach and weakens digestion. " Botanic " physicians consider it one of the best remedies for dyspepsia. They insist that small doses—five or six drops—one hour before meals, largely increase the appetite and power of digestion ; but if the patient be bilious, an emetic dose must be given. It ouo-ht to be homoeopathic to many kinds of vomiting ; but the annals of°our school contain but few cases illustrating its curative powers in this direction. The following cases are taken from various sources : Gastralgia biliosa.— A robust man of 35 years of age, who had an intermittent fever suppressed about a week before, by the employ- ment of Sulphate of Quinia in grain doses, frequently repeated, was attacked during the night with an uneasiness of the stomach, which continuing to increase, about ten o'clock in the forenoon he took a 692 NEW REMEDIES. large dose of anti-bilious pills. In the evening the pain became ex- cessively violent. It occurred in frequent paroxysms of most excru- ciating pain, chiefly in the region of the stomach, accompanied with a feeling as of a heavy load ; great nausea and a disposition to vomit. By pushing his finger down his throat, he was enabled to produce vomiting and succeeded in bringing up some thick yellow bile. About 10 o'clock I was called to see him, I found him bathed in a cold sweat, with great prostration of strength and very feeble pulse. I gave him a drop of the first centesimal dilution of the tincture of the Lobelia inflata in a little sugar. It was succeeded by a paroxysm even more violent than any of the preceeding. In his agony he made the same efforts to accomplish vomiting as before, but succeeded in bringing up but little. As the pain in the stomach began to abate, be complained of violent pain in the top of the right shoulder, and afterwards of pain in the back, from about the first to the fourth dorsal vertebra. This pain lasted for some minutes. He then laid down and appeared to fall into a light sleep, during which the hands became warmer, the skin drier, and the pulse stronger. In about half an hour he had another paroxysm, the pain of which was not half so severe as it had been before, was felt lower in the abdo- men, and was accompanied by rumbling of flatus. Soon after this I left him, feeling very confident that the disease was subdued. As he was very anxious about the pills not having operated, I allowed him, after he had rested a short time, an enema of molasses and water. which was followed by a couple of stools in the course of the night. The next day I found him sitting up, but quite weak, though entirely free from pain, of which he had but little after the second paroxysm, which followed the administration of the Lobelia. In this case the pathogenetic operation of the Lobelia in the production of the pain in the shoulder and back (which he had not felt previously to its em- ployment) led me to anticipate the result of its action and all happened afterwards as I expected. The power of this remedy to produce those identical symptoms I knew, and when the patient complained of them, it was plain to me that the remedy was strongly operating upon the system, and that on this ground I must view the increased violence of the paroxysm as a homceopathic aggravation, which must he followed by cure. The improvement of the condition after this, so different from that in which I -found him, confirmed these views, which were still further corroborated by the mildness of the next paroxysm, which also proved to be the last. Some persons will, no doubt, attribute the cure to the enema, which would aid in the operation of the purgative pills taken in the morning. But I object to this view of the case ; the cure was almost completed before the bowels were open; in fact, the bowels were opened in consequence of the cure, instead of the cure being in consequence of such opening.* Dyspepsia.—Many of the symptoms point strongly to the disease :* " A boy, aged fifteen, being, as his father supposed, somewhat ' bilious,' yet in good health, cook at 9 a. m., one teaspoonful in decoc- *M»r?T and Hunt. '' Dyspepsia." LOBELIA INFLATA. 693 tion, Lobelia seed, in divided doses. In two hours he complained of great epigastric pain and fullness which became more and more severe, until he ran furiously about the room striking upon the epigastrium and screaming with most intense anguish. After this condition had continued for four hours, he vomited bilious matter, and awoke from his condition of partial delirium as from a dream. No injury followed.* Dr. Jeanes remarks he has been able to remove many dyspeptic symptoms with this drug. He considers the chief indications for its use are :—The sense of weakness and oppression at the epigastrium, and at the same time some oppression at the breast. The nearer approach to these symptoms the less have I been disappointed. There are, however, some cases where although the symptoms of pectoral oppression are very trifling, yet this remedy operates satisfactorily. In a case of this kind, which I have but recently treated, and which occurred in a fat, robust man about 45 years of age, who complained chiefly of a copious hemorrhoidal discharge, and consequent debility, and a sensation of tightness in the epigastrium and some acidity of the stomach. I at first gave him Nux vomica without any apparent abatement of his disease, and subsequently some other remedies with the same want of success. At length he complained of some oppres- sion at the breast, for which I administered Lobelia jf-. The follow- ing day he informed me that he felt new life and vigor, and that the pectoral, gastric and hemorrhoidal disorders had all disappeared since that time, now about two weeks: he has remained free from them, and also from a feeling of want of power in the anus and rectum which was exceedingly uncomfortable to him while at stool, and to which he had been subject to for many years.f Abdomen.—Pain in the right hypocondrium ; distention of the abdomen, with shortness of breath ; flatulent rumbling in the abdo- men, with pain ; slight pain; sensation of motion in the abdomen, and escape of offensive flatus ; pain in the abdomen, always worse after eating ; dull pain in the abdomen ; some pain in the lower part of the abdomen ; sensation in the abdomen, as if diarrhoea were about to occur ; griping and drawing pain in the abdomen. Clinical Observations.—Intestinal intussusception. In ob- struction by stricture, the relaxing power of a tobacco enema has been considered to deserve one trial at least (Brinton). It has also been used with success in obstruction, by bands, especially by gall stones. We much prefer Lobelia in only drop doses.$ " Eberle succeeded readily in the reduction of an incarcerated hernia after an enema of the infusion of Lobelia. This might depend upon mere relaxation, as from blood letting, the tobacco enema, etc. By an experience of my own, it has made me suspect that it possessed 'Hempcl'fc Materia Medica. p. 1,039. transactions Ameiicm Institute of Homoeopathy, vol. 1, p. 192. • Marcy and Hunt I'raitlcc. 694 NEW REMEDIES some properties which render it peculiarly suitable as a remedy in hernia. A patient laboring under all the symptoms of incarcerated hernia, which remained in all their violence, after the apparent reduction of the hernia, (most probably from a constriction of the sac) received, when in almost a hopeless condition, a minute dose of Lobelia, In the course of two hours the bowels, which had not been moved for several days, became open, and the symptoms of incarceration speed- ily disappeared. This may have been a spontaneous change, such as has occurred in other cases of hernia, but it is certainly calculated to call attention to this drug in this disease.* It is frequently called into use by the eclectics in the reduction of hernias. Stool. —Pappy stools ; whitish, soft stools ; scraping sensation, as from the passage of a rough, hard body during stool ; discharge of black blood after stool ; copious hemorrhage from the hemorrhoidal vessels. Clinical Observation.—This last symptom is marked curative by Dr. Jeancs and refers to the last case quoted under " Stomach." He also states that it has proved curative " in his own person." Urine.—Desire to urinate, and increased secretion of urine ; increased secretion of urine ; diminished secretiou of urine ; urine with a loose cloudy sediment ; urine easily decomposed, and deposit- ing a pink sediment with small brown crystals ; urine of a deep red color, depositing a copious red sediment ; sticking pain in tho region of the right kidney ; pain in the loins ; urine neutral ; watery or brown urine, with copious red sediment ; tensive pains in the groins. Clinical Observations.—Every physician as he reads the excel- lent and suggestive proving of Dr. Noack, of Leipsig, of this drug, will regret that the urine was not submitted to a careful chemical analysis, had he told us just what the constituents of the urine were, I am sure it would have assisted much to the proper use of this much ne- glected remedy. From the facts presented we would be obliged to draw our own conclusions. 1st. The urine is small in amount. 2d. Of a deep red color. 3d. It deposits crystals, red and brown. The only exceptions to these statements are increased secretion of urine, and neutral urine. This was immediately after dinner the first day. The neutral urine was passed immediately after dinner the second day. The amount of fluid drank at those meals would account for both of these exceptions. From the above conclusions we are led to infer that there was an ex- cess of the urates, principally uric acid. The destruction of muscular tissue would call for the water, this would lessen the fluidity and in- crease its deep color. The usual color of the urates is pink, but sometimes brown. It will be seen that in cases reported by Dr. *Transactions American Institute of Homoeopathy, vol. 1, p. 189. LOBELIA INFLATA. 695 Jeanes that this high colored urine and sediment are prominent symp- toms. He lays them down as pathognomonic symptoms. Which one of the urates is in excess is left for some investigating mind to determine. It sould be done. As full and complete as our provings are in other regards, they are sorely deficient in chemical and microscopic analysis of the urine. Sexual Organs.—Male. Aching pain in the urethra ; smarting of the prepuce ; troublesome feeling of weight in the genitals. Pres- sure on the genital organs. Clinical Observations.—Syphilis. Sir W. Johnson, observing that the Indians of America made use of some remedy unknown to him for this disease, purchased the secret and found that it was this plant. Van Sweeten considers it " a certain and safe remedy for the venereal disease."* Female.—Uterine hemorrhage ; pains in the sacrum ; violent pain in the sacrum, with fever, etc.; supervening suppression of the menses during their flow. Clinical Observations.—Dr. E. Caspari gave Lobelia to an elderly lady (who had not menstruated for four years) for pain in the right shoulder ; it relieved the pain and brought on menstruation. Dr. Gosewisch gave it to a lady in the last stage of consumption, who had not menstruated for six months ; it palliated the cough and brought on the menses, which continued for some days, although of course in small quantity. A lady over fifty years of age, who had long ceased to menstruate, had, after taking Lobelia for a cough, bleeding at the nose.j Dr. Paine (eclectic) uses it to .allay those skirmishing pains before parturition ; to ward off threatening convulsions in approaching eclampsia. Where the old school resort to the lancet, he uses an enema of Lobelia with happy results. Rigidity of the os.—It is of much use in this condition, which often exists, to the great annoyance of busy practitioners. The same dose is here given, which not only relaxes the rigid os, but all the muscles of body. Rigidity of the Perineum.—Often, says he, have I had call to bring my instruments to deliver a patient (and the Dr. too) where this condition of affairs, the head thrust against the perineum, had existed for hours, the attending physician using teas, fomentations and patience without avail. A single enema of Lobelia has worked like a charm, relaxing the parts, and the child was born. It is doubtful if Lobelia is primarily homoeopathic to any of the above conditions, excepting, perhaps, the false pains before parturi- tion. ♦Still.;, vol. II., p. 281. tTr.insi'tioi^ American Institute of Homoeopathy, vol. I., p. 189. 696 NEW REMEDIES. Larynx.—Sneezing, accompanied by gaping and flatulent eructa- tions ; coughing, frequent, short, dry cough; titillation in the larynx, "with sensation of a foreign body in the throat, impeding the breath. ing and swallowing ; violent, racking cough, in paroxysms of long continuance, followed by profuse expectoration of ropy mucus, which adheres to the pharynx. Clinical Observations.—This remedy is recommended as a remedy for hydrophobia ; it is to be given " dose after dose till the system is completely prostrated and the patient is entirely unable to lift a hand." There are several cures on record from its use.* Pertussis—Noack remarks, that in some cases of whooping cough the Lobelia appears to him to be, even in the third stage, (stadium adynamicum) of essential service, f Bronchitis.—Some of the symptoms point strongly to some forms of this disease. Marcy and Hunt quotes it for this disease.$ Croup.—Lobelia has not only been recommended as a remedy for croup, but is extensively used by the eclectics, but only however for the spasmodic variety. Dr. Duncan, of Chicago, testifies to its efficacy in this disease. When about 12 years of age, on his way to a spelling-shool, one night he wet his feet. He became rapidly hoarse, and by 10 p. m., three hours after he wet his feet, he could not speak aloud. The throat felt as if very severely constricted. He was taken to a friend's house, who bathed his feet, gave him a Lobelia emetic, which relaxed the whole system ; he was put to bed, surrounded by hot bricks, and he perspired freely. He soon dropped to sleep and next day was at school as usual. Chest.—A general tightness of the chest and somewhat laborious breathing, discovered that he had a disposition involuntarily to keep his mouth open to breathe ; oppression of the chest ; a tightness of the breast, with heat in the forehead ; sensation of fullness in the chest, breathing somewhat short and superficial, twenty-four respira- tions in a minute ; oppression causing a deep breath to be taken. Deep inspiration causes a feeling of comfort, from relieving the pres- sive pain in the epigastrium ; oppression of breathing ; acceleration of breathing, with a feeling as if it were insufficient, and therefore, required from time to time a deeper inspiration ; abdominal respira- tion less than usual ; inclination to sigh ; deep inspiration ; short inspiration, slow expiration ; great difficulty of holding the breath ; a peculiar feeling, between tickling and smarting in the larynx, like inclination to cough, which, however, occurred but seldom, and then was accompanied by a feeling of oppression. Chronic dyspepsia, * Marcy and Hunt. t British Journal, vol. I. t Marcy and Hunt. LOBELIA INFLATA. 697 with the sensation of a lump in the pit of the throat, immediately- above the sternum, impeding respiration and deglutition ; slight tick- ling, on taking a deep breath, under the lower part of the sternum. Paroxysmal asthma : pain in the chest, increased by deep inspiration ; pain in the breast; pains in the chest from walking after dinner ; burning feeling in the breast, passing upwards ; slight deep-seated pain in the region of the heart; pain under the middle of the sternum ; burning pain in a small spot under the right breast, near the epigas- trium ; in a quick movement of the body, deep breathing, sneezing and feeling as if something had fallen out of its place, which went back again with great pain ; the same pain in the epigastrium and left side. Violent boring pain through the back, under the right shoulder, extending from the painful place through the body, becoming more violent by motion, the painful place as if palsied ; pressing pain at the left side of the lower part of the sternum ; feeling of drawing in the left breast, from the nipple to the axilla; a sense of rawness and soreness in the chest below the clavicle ; angina pectoris, with pain extending to the shoulder and arms. Clinical Observations.—Asthma.—It was the value of this remedy in this disease that established for it a place in the Materia Medica. Noack says "its beneficial influence in pure asthma is at- tested from experience by Elliotson, (Lancet, June, 1832, and March, 1833) ; Whitlaw, (Lancet, 1833) ; Burton, (Coll. Mat, Med., 36-56) ; Stewart, (Rinna von Sarenbach, report 25,113) ; Randall, (Am. Med. Botany) ; Bradstreet, (Am. Med. Botany) ; Reece, (A treatise on the anti-asthmatic effects of the bladder-podded Lobelia: London,Ridgeway 1829) ; Andrew, (Glasgow Med. Journal, May, 1828) ; John Forbes, (Eberle; Treatise on the Mat. Med. Philadelphia, 1822) ; Cutler, (Mem. Am. Academy, I. 484) ; Bidault de Villiers, (NouvelleBiblioth, Med. I., 220); Behreud, (Berlin Med. Central Zeitung, 1835, No. 24. S. 681) ; Newmann, C. G. Newmann Bemerk, ud. il. gibranchl, Arsnei- mittel, Berlin, 1840), and others." (Allopathic ) Dr. Cutler, (allopath,) gives his case as follows : " It has been my misfortune to be an asthmatic for about ten years. I have made trial of a great variety of the usual remedies, with very little benefit. In several paroxysms I had found immediate relief, more frequently than from anything else, from the skunk cabbage. (Dracontium fcetidum Lin. Arum Americanum, Catesby.) The last summer I had the severest attack ever experienced. It commenced early in August and continued about eight weeks. Dr. Drury, of Marblehead, also an asthmatic, had made use of the Indian tobacco, by the advice of a friend, in a severe paroxysm early in the spring. It gave him immediate relief, and he has been entirely free from the complaint from that time. I had a tincture made of the fresh plant, and took care to have the spirit fully saturated, which 698 NEW REMEDIES I think is important. In a paroxysm which perhaps was as severe as I ever experienced, the difficulty of breathing extreme, and after it had . continued for a considerable time, I took a table spoonful. In three or four minutes my breathing was as free as it ever was, but I felt no nausea at the stomach. In ten minutes I took another spoonful, which occasioned sickness. After ten minutes I took the third, which produced sensible effects upon the coats of the stomach, and a very little puking, and a kind of prickling sensation through the whole sys- tem, even to the extremities of the fingers and toes. Tne urinary passage was perceptibly affected by producing a smarting sensation in passing urine, which was probably provoked by stimulus upon the bladder. But all these sensations very soon subsided, and vigor seemed to be restored to the constitution which I had not experienced for years. I have not since had a paroxysm, and only few times some small symptoms of asthma. Besides the violent attacks, I had scarcely passed a night without more or less of it, and often so as not be able to be in bed. Since that time I have enjoyed as good health as, per- haps, before the first attack." He also adds, " in all cases of which I have been informed, it has produced immediate relief, but the effects have been different in different kinds of asthma. Some have been severely puked with only a tea-spoonful, but in all cases some nausea seems to be necessary. The asthma with which I have been afflicted, I conceive to be that kind which Dr. Bree, in his practical inquiries on disordered respiration, etc., calls the first species, a convulsive asthma from pulmonic irritation of effused serum. My constitution has been free, I believe, from any other disorder than what has been occasioned by an affection of the lungs, anxiety of the praecordia, and straitness of the breast and other symptoms, produced by that affec- tion."* Dr. Wm. P. C. Barton (allopathic) prescribed it for a domestic who was distressingly affected with spasmodic asthma. She was a female of a narrow and depressed thorax, and for years past had been subject to this complaint. During one of the paroxysms! directed her to take a tea-spoonfnl of the brandy tincture every two hours. After taking the second spoonful, she was immediately relieved. In a sub- sequent attack, the experiment was repeated, increasing the dose to a tea-spoonful every hour, with the same effect, the patient declaring that she never found such immediate and entire relief from any of the numerous medicines she had previously taken.j Dr. Livezey (eclectic) remarks, speaking of this drug : In asthma, especially of the spasmodic kind, the most marked benefits result from the use of this plant.:}: A child, aged eighteen months, had been seized daily, al mid-day, for three months with asthmatic paroxysms of difficulty of breathing, terminating in cough without expectoration. An intermittent fever prevailed in the vicinity, the author supposed that the disease might partake of its nature and administered quinine with hyosciamus, etc., *Transactions American Institute of Horn., vol. I., p. 191. ^Transactions American Institute of Ilom., vol. I., p.,195. tBraithwaite's Retrospect, part XVI.. p. 134. LOBELIA INFLATA. 699 as well as external derivatives, but without any avail. The tincture of Lobelia inflata (15 drops every three hours) was given in weak tea, and by the third day, the paroxysm had become much diminished in intensity and duration, and in fourteen days no traces of the affection remained, the child continued quite well when seen a year and a half afterwards.* Dr. Paine (eclectic) remarks : In asthma, generally, its powers are well marked. Almost all writers unite in bearing testimony to its occasional ex- traordinary efficacy in the paroxysm of spasmodic asthma. It is, on the whole, the most efficacious remedy that I have myself employed in that affection.f Dr. Noack gives us the following case : A lady in the climacteric years, of bilious constitution, choleric temperament and great excitability, in a high degree hysterical, who had been married young, and since then been attacked from time to time by severe constrictive pains of the chest, uninterrupted hiccough, a jerking out of sounds, which resembled a disagreeable laughter, and distortion of the musles of the face. The paroxysm, when less severe, consisted only of loud sighing, moaning, with hurried expiration ; the abdominal muscles worked strongly, the hands were firmly pressed upon the breast, the countenance presented the expression of a pain- ful smile, and the pulse with the skin at the ordinary temperature, was small, oppressed and slow. After some five minutes, longer and less noisy expiration, and long drawn sighs occurred, the patient be- came able to speak, open her eyes, complained of great thirst, severe pain in the back, epigastrium, hypochondria and luins, and of great debility. After short pauses, new attacks supervened on each other for many hours. The paroxysms were awaited in a lying posture; with the head thrown back. Strong mental emotions and frequent social dissipation, especially through the whole night, brought on these paroxysm, which mostly appeared in the early morning hours, and then did not repeat themselves for twenty-four hours. The habitual disorder of the patient consisted, moreover, in day sleepiness night wakefulness, twitching in the sleep, before going to sleep, rest- lessness ; heat in the hands and feet, which were at other times cold ; shortness of breath from somewhat severe exertion of the body ; pressing pain in the forehead, and frequent vomiting of water, with otherwise good digestion. In the early periods of her disease, numerous medicines from the so-called class of the volatile remedies, as musk, etc., also many mineral waters, were prescribed, but with- out success. I had no cause to congratulate myself on my success with the many other remedies I had employed, until I resolved to ad- minister the Lobelia. For a length of time I allowed her to take evening and morning a drop of the tincture on sugar, and during the attacks, the same dose every quarter of an hour. The result was tolerably satisfactory, inasmuch as at times, the disease only gave 'British and Foreign Medical and Chirurgical Review, vol. III., p. 533. (Wood's Therapuetics. vol. II.. p. 137. 700 NEW REMEDIES. Xnsinuations of approach, without coming to an outbreak, and also when this happened they were both far less severe, and <>f short duration ; instead of the moaning, presenting only sighing. But this modification was all that Lobelia could effect, the disorder not yet being removed."' Dr. Jeanes mentions the following case where he found Lobelia curative. A married lady, 38 years of age, the mother of several children, she had suffered since her childhood from dyspepsia, in- creased by very active exertion, by going up or down stairs, exposure to cold, and eating very warm food ; pain in the left lumbar region of the abdomen (also from childhood). Within the last year constant burning in the stomach and throat, with a sensation of dryness in the latter, as also of a lump in the pit of the throat, which impeded res- peration and deglutition ; weakness and oppression of the epigastrium ; with other symptoms of gastric derangement ; urine of a deep red, depositing a copious red sediment. Lobelia inflata, -} (4 globules of the 6th dilution,) was given in the evening, and by next morning the sensation of the lump and burning in the throat, together with the dyspepsia, had greatly diminished, and in a few days entirely dis- appeared. The urine also became perfectly normal in appearance. She has continued well, without perceiving a trace of the asthmatic symptoms and pain in her l^ft side, which she had experienced from childhood.f The following are the chief symptoms which indicate the use of Lobelia according to Dr. Jeanes : Constant dyspepsia, aggravated by the slightest exertion, and increased by even the shortest exposure to cold, to an asthmatic paroxysm ; sensation of iveakness, and pressure on the epigastrium rising from thence to the heart, with or tvithout heartburn ; feeling as of a lump or quantity of mucus, and also a sense of pressure in the larynx ; pain in the forehead from one temple to the other ; pain in the neck ; pain in the left side ; high colored urine ; weakness and oppression in the epigastrium, with simultaneous oppression ojthe heart.% Lobelia longiflora, which grows in the West Indies, spreads such deleterious exhalations around it, that an asthmatic oppression of the chest is felt, on approaching within many feet of it, as it stands in the corner of the room. (Ingenhous.) Darwin thus alludes to it : " And fell Libelia's suffocating; breath. Loads thedamp pinions of the gale with death."—Botanic Garden*.' Cardialgia—Tt is recommended for this disease by Drs. Noack Jeanes, Marcy and Hunt. Many of the symptoms point strongly to this affection of the heart. Noack relates tho following case : A young man had suffered for many years from attacks of pressure at the stomach, which extended itself upwards into the breast, causing a feeling of oppression 'Transactions of American Institute of Horn., Vol. 1, page 196. f Transactions American Institute, of Horn., volume 1, page 197. X British Journal. Vol. I § Marcy and Hunt. LOBELIA INFLATA. 701 and accompanied by nausea, flowing of water into the mouth and disposition to vomit, but no vomiting. The attacks occurred at no certain intervals, and sometimes continued for a long time. He had already tried a variety of remedies, among others, the Carlsbadt water, which at first afforded a little relief, but after a little time, ceased to do so. At a time when there was considerable fever, he took two drops of the saturated tincture of Lobelia inflata once a day for five days in succession ; many green diarrhcea stools occurred, but the pressure at the stomach gradually diminished, and by the sixth day was entirely removed. Nineteen months afterwards the patient still remained free from the disease/ Cardialgia Biliosa.—Reported by Noack : A servant maid, aged 26 years, of bilious habit, had suffered for a long time from cramp of the stomach, which shewed itself by severe pressing in the epigastrium, and which was excited by certain kinds of food, or mental emotions, especially in the evening, and continued into the night. In October, 1839, after fright and vexation during the menstrual period, which caused a suppression, she complained of alternating heat and cold, nausea, bitter taste, thirst, vomiting of bile, severe pressing in the epigastrium after eating, and also while fasting, exacerbating in the evening ; oppression and a feeling of anxiety in the breast, and pain in the sacral region ; her tongue had a yellow coating, and her pulse was small, weak and slow. A drop of the tincture of Lobelia was given morning and evening, and by the second day produced marked effects. Severe pain in the forehead and frequent diarrhcea stools (seven in the day) took place, the vomiting ceased, the nausea diminished and the breast was no longer oppressed. A drop of the tincture on the third and fourth days removed the re- maining bitter taste and the sacral pain. The patient was perfectly well by the fifth day.f Dr. Jeanes give the following case, one out of many, in a married lady, aged 38, accompanying chronic dyspepsia ; sensation of weak- ness and oppression at the epigastrium, and extending from thence into the chest ; burning in the stomach, and a sensation as if there was a burning lump in tlie pit of the throat, which appeared to impede swallowing and respiration. In swallowing, it seemed as if at this point something rose up to meet the food and obstruct its descent into the stomach ; frequent vomiting of the food after meals, especially after eating warm food. She " had not known what it was to be without heartbsrn for one hour for the last year." Her urine was high colored and deposited a copious red sediment. She had for a long time been subject to pain in the left lumbar region of the ab- domen. Lobelia + effected a gradual but perfect removal of the whole train of her dyspeptic symptoms % Pcridarditis.—Those familiar with this disease will notice many •of its prominent symptoms. 'British Journal, volume I. i Transactions American Institute of I lorn., volume 1, page 101. * Tr:'.n«aetions American Institute of Horn., volume 1. pa?e 191. 702 NEW REMEDIES. Phthisis.—Nearly all the remedies of the materia medica have been employed in the treatment of this trying disease, and this une has not been overlooked. It is recommended in cases of psoric diathesis. I think it will be found curative in those cases where the nerves which supply the lungs, as the pneumogastric, phrenic, cardiac plexus, etc., are involved; but not where the ultimate structure is at fault. If the phthisis originated from disease of the spinal nerves, I do not think it will be found curative, the pneumogastric must be in- volved. Teste* relates the following desperate case of suffocative catarrh : " The patient was an unmarried lady of about 40 years'; rather deaf; of a fanciful high temper; she was pale, haggard, emaciated; subject to terrible bleedings from the left nostril. These hemorrhages which sometimes lasted several days without intermission, caused her to faint. The bronchial affection which led me to prescribe Lobelia, manifested itself with a marked intermittent character. After a chill of about an hour, the cough and dyspnoea commenced, about two o'clock in the afternoon, and lasted until next morging. The pulse was rather full and frequent; the patient was troubled with profuse sweats, accompanied by a feeling of extreme malaise at night. A severe constrictive and stitching pain was felt in the whole left side of the chest, and extended along the left arm, as far as the ends of the fingers. The cough which returned in paroxysms of long contin- uance, racked the head, and was accompanied with a profuse expecto- ration of mucus. During the paroxysms the face became red, and the sweat trickled down from it. Lastly, a very painful retention of urine, which terminated towards morning, completed this sad con- dition, which had not been modified in the least by such remedies, as Nux vomica and Digitalis. This lady had never had the itch, or any other disease of the skin. Lobelia cured her in a few days, and seemed even to have arrested the nosebleed, which had not yet re- turned, three months after the treatment. The hearing had remained the same. Back. —Burning and cutting in the lower part of the spine ; pain about the third, fourth and fifth dorsal vertebra; rheumatic pains between the scapula; slight drawing pain between the scapula; pre- viously slight muscular twitching over the ribs of the right side, near the spine ; painfulness of the nape of the neck and dorsal region ; weariness in the back, with heaviness of the head, lasting the whole day ; violent spasmodic pain in the regio iliaca posterior senistra, scarcely allowing touch and motion. Clinical Observations.—These pains are quite suggestive, it will be seen, that the nerves of motion and se isation are not only effected, but that the muscular tissue also suffers ; the destruction of this tisssue is also great, as is noted by " uneasiness of the back, etc.," ' painfulness of the nape of the neck, etc." It seems to be homoeopathic to some forms of neuralgia, * Teste's Materia Medica, page 171. LOBELIA INFLATA. 70$ Upper Extremities.—Slight rheumatic feeling in the right shoulder joint; pain only when touched, in the muscles of the right arm, in a space the width of the hand; the pain in the shoulder gone; fine crawling stitches in the inside of the right deltoid muscle ; par- alytic feeling in the left arm ; pain in the right elbow joint; severe rheumatic pain iu the right elbow joint. Lower Extremities.—Pressing pain in the middle part of the thigh, and at the same time constrictive feeling of the head ; inflam- matory rheumatism of the right knee, with swelling and extreme pain ; violent tearing pain in the fibula, from below up to the knee joint; pain in the left leg, whilst sitting; a feeling about the knees of pain and stiffness, as from fatigue; weariness in the limbs; cramp- like feelings in the left gastrocnemius ; cramp in the calf of the leg, on awaking from a restless sleep ; cramp-like feeling in the bottom of the left foot; prickling sensation through the whole body, extending even to the fingers and toes ; its action is felt in the fingers and toes : frequent yawning and stretching; cramps in the calves. Errata.—Page 679, first note, read American Institute of Homoeopathy instead of American Medical Institute. Page 683. third line, read Fearson instead of Peterson. Page 685, second line, read labored iustead of lateral. Add Hale to first paragraph page 688. r LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS. (Bugle Weed) Analogues.—Cimicifuga, Cerasus, Digitalis, Hydrocyanic acid, Lauracerasus, Sanguinaria, Spigelia. Botanical Description.—This plant, also known as Paul's Bctony and Water Horehound, is an indigenous, perennial herb, with a fibrous root, and a smooth, straight, obtusely four-angled stem, with the sides concave, producing slender runners from the base, and from 10 to 20 inches in height. The leaves are opposite, oblong, or ovate- lanceolate, toothed, entire toward the base, with glandular dots under- neath. The flowers are very small, purplish, in dense, axillary whorls ; at the base of each flower are two small subulate bracts, Corolla campauulate, four-cleft, the tube as long as the calyx, upper segment broadest, emarginate. Calt/x tubular, four-cleft, longer, than the achenia ; stamens two, distant, diverging, simple ; anthers erect, bilobed ; ovaty superior, four-angled ; style straight, slender ; stigma bilobate ; achenia four, smooth, abovate, obliquely truncate at apex, compressed, margins thickened. " Bugle weed is found growing in almost all parts of the United States, in moist and shady situations, flowering in June and August. It has a peculiar, balsamic, terebinthinate odor, and a disagreeable, slightly bitter taste ; it imparts its properties to boiling water in infusions. The whole herb is officinal. It has not been analyzed, but probably its virtues depend upon a volatile oil and tannic acid."* An analysis of this plant made by Tilden & Co.,j gives 40 parts of Tannin to 7,00U organic and inorganic matters, also " bitter principle, soluble in ether, 24 parts," and a " peculiar principle, insoluble in ether, 696 parts." Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the whole plant; dilutions ; tincture triturations. (Infusion.) Medical History.—I quote entire the history of this plant, as given by Prof. Rafinesque,$ as it is the only clear account we have of its introduction into the medical profession : " The L. virginicus is an excellent sedative, sub-tonic, sub-nar- cotic, and sub-astringent. It Ins only lately been taken notice of when the L. vulgaris was extolled in Europe for fevers. Sehosff only mentions its qualities, and it is omitted in all the books of Materia Medica, except Ives and Zollickoffer. The first inquirers on it its properties were Drs. Pendleton and Rogers, of New York, who have published several cases of hemoptysis and incipient phthisis cured by it. This has been confirmed by Drs. J. M. Smith, Ives, Lawrence and myself. It is now much used in New York and New Jersey. * King's Dispensatory. t Tildpns Journal of Materia Medica, volume 1. page G2S, i cdical Botany, volume 2, page 21. LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS. 705 The whole plant is employed; it has a balsamic terebinthaceoussmell, peculiar to itself, when bruised, which is stronger in the seeds. The taste is pleasant, balsamic, and slightly bitter, but to some it appears mawkish and nauseating. It is described as partaking of the proper- ties of Digitalis, Sanguinaria, Cimicifuga and Spigelia ; but it is neither diuretic or anthelmintic, and is rather one of the mildest and and best narcotics in existence. It acts somewhat like Digitalis, and lowers the pulse without producing any of its bad effects, nor accumu- lating in the system. It is, therefore, altogether preferable to it, and not only an equivalent, but even a valuable substitute, as I have as- certained upon myself and many others. Volumes have been written upon the Digitalis, a rank poison, and this excellent substitute is hardly noticed yet. It has, howover, been used in the New York Hospital, and found very beneficial ; it lessens the frequency of the pulse, allays irritation and cough, by equalizing the blood. It is said to be most useful when febrile excitement has been subdued ; but I have seen it to subdue it by itself, as with other touics. I have made many experiments on this plant, aud the results are, that although it does not cure the consumption, nor heal the lungs, it is very useful in hemoptysis, a plethoric habit and internal inflammation. I consider it as a very good substitute to all narcotics, prussic acid, and even to bleeding, since it produces the same state of the pulse and arterial system, without inducing any debility, nor acting on the heart or brain in any injurious manner. It may be used in many diseases, and whenever it is required to quell inordinate actions of the blood, or even other fluids. I have been informed that it has been common- ly used in New Jersey for diarrhoea and dysentery, which it helps to cure. It is a good adjunct to tonics in fevers. It is also peculiarly useful in the inflammatory diseases of drunkards, in diseases of the heart, etc. I deem it the best sedative in almost all cases ; it does not seem to act on the nervous system, but chiefly over the blood vessels. The usual way to take it has been iu the form of a warm in- fusion, allowed to cool, taken as diet drink, and without much nicety about the quantity. In hemoptysis, I prefer a lemonade made with a weak tea of it, or a syrup made with it. A very strong infusion may also be used by putting one or two spoonfuls of it in tonic or refriger- ant drinks." Wood & Bache do not make much mention of the Lycopus. Quoting a remark of Dr. Ives, that " it is a mild narcotic," and al- luding to its alleged virtues in pulmonary complaints. Stille does not notice the plant at all, and other allopathic authorities are equally silent. Authorities in the eclectic schools, bestow a more extended notice on the plant. Many of the practitioners of that system estimate its virtues very highly. Dr. King* mentions it in the following manner : " The exact medicinal virtues of this plant are not well determined. It appears to possess sedative, tonic, astringent, and narcotic proper- ties, and has successfully been used in incipieut phthisis, hemoptysis, * Eclectic Medical Dispensatory. 45 706 NEW REMEDIES. and other hemorrhages ; it soothes irritation, reduces the frequency of the pulse, and lessens cough. It acts somewhat like digitalis, in reducing the velocity of the pulse, but it is devoid of the dangerous effects resulting from the use of that drug. It is decidedly beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, having cured when all other means were useless ; and has been of service in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, inflammatory diseases of drunkards, diseases of the heart, and inter- mittents. Dose of the powder from one to two drachms ; of the infu- sion, from two to four fluid ounces. Dr. Scudder* places it in his class of ' Sedatives ' along with Veratrum, Aconite, Gelseminum, Digitalis, etc., but admits that it differs considerably from those agents in its action on the system. He says " It is a mild sedative narcotic, feebly tonic, and moderately astingent," * * It is employed in all cases of excessive vascular excitement with great advantage. Its mild and congenial sedative properties render it a remedy of great value in lessening tumultuous action. For this purpose it has been employed in febrile and inflam- matory affections, more especially in the various forms of pneumonia. In these diseases its mild sedative and narcotic properties render it peculiarly valuable in lessening general irritation and diminishing exalted organic action. In acute diseases of this character, and in the chronic diseases of the respiratory organs attended with hemorrhage, it is very useful. In those diseases of a chronic character, in cases of great weakness in the thoracic organs, in cases where there is a frequent hemorrhage or a tendency to hemorrhage from those organs in the incipient forms of phthisis, or even when the complaint is somewhat advanced, and even in the confirmed stages of that com- plaint, the sedative and tranquilizing influences of the Lycopus, together with its mild tonic and astringent properties, render it an agent of very great importance. It somewhat lessens the momentum of the circulation, the irritability and excitability of the nervous and vascular systems, and hence controls febrile excitement, and lessens the heat of the body ; it lessens irritation in the lungs and conse- quently the harrassing and exhausting cough ; and if the patient is the subject of hemorrhage from the lungs, it lessens vascular excite- ment and the quantity of blood that circulates in the lungs in a given time, and in this way the irritation and the cough ; and in the advanced stages of the disease, when the expectoration is copious and debilitating, the sedative, astringent and tonic influences of the Lycopus point to it as an invaluable palliative remedy, if not a curative remedy in all such cases. Its properties cannot injure under any circumstances of the kind, and it may be resorted to with a strong probability of at least mitigating all the urgent symptoms, and even of effecting a cure. The same remarks will apply to its utility in hematemesis, hematuria, uterine hemorrhage and hemorrhage of the bowels, etc. It acts somewhat like Digitalis, says Rafinesque, in lowering the pulse without producing its bad effects as accumulating in the system. * Materia Medica and Therapeutics. LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS. 707 He also says it is one of the mildest and best narcotics known. It is useful in gastritis and enteritis in allaying irritation and inflammation. It has been used freely and succesfully in dysentery and diarrhoea. For this purpose it may be boiled in milk, with cinnamon or some other aromatic added, and taken freely. It has been highly and very justly extolled in diabetes. It is very useful in palpitation of the heart, in hypertrophy of the heart, in dilatation of the ventricles of that organ, as in cases of aneurism of any of the large vessels con- tiguous to the heart. In cases of palpitation, whether arising from an organic disease of that organ, or from some nervous irritation, or whether it be symptomatic of some other disease, the Lycopus is valu- able in either case to lessen irritation and organic action, and conse- quently the suffering and great anxiety which the patient always experiences in those affections. Prof. Hill associates it with the Scutellaria in intermittents. One ounce of each added to one pint of boiling water, and made into an infusion and taken in doses of half an ounce every hour, he says, has proved highly beneficial in that disease. It may be used in debility and irritability of the nervous system, and in either acute or chronic diseases attended with wakefulness and morbid vigilance. It has been used as a tonic in general debility, and also in indigestion, though but seldom used in the case unless attended with pain and distress in the epigastric region. It is used by some to purify the blood in cases of old ulcers, and at the same time the ulcers are to be washed with the infusion. It is also simmered in fresh butter, sweet oil or linseed oil, and a little beeswax added to form an ointment, which has been found useful in burns and irritable ulcers." PROVING BY DR. G. E. CHANDLER. (Member of the North- Western Provers' Association.) The prover is a student of medicine, and has been enjoying per- fect health for a long time, is of a good constitution, having a san- guinine-nervo temperament ; aged 30. Nov. 26, 1865.—I commenced with the drug by taking 10 drops of the tincture at 10 p. m., one hour before retiring. Nov. 27.—At 7 a. m., took 11 drops, and also at 12 m , 11 drops more ; at 5 p. m., a quite marked pressing pain in the supra-orbital region but a few minutes ; 5:16, took 11 drops, and also 11 drops more at 10 p. m. Nov. 28.—Took 12 drops one hour before each meal, and also be- fore retiring. (No symptoms.) Nov. 29.—At 3.30 p. m., a dull pain in the left supra-orbital region of several hours duration. Took 13 drops four times, as yesterday. Nov. 30.—A very marked sensation in the cardiac region, of a constrictive character, lasting three hours. Accelerated respiration during exercise, much more marked while ascending stairs. These 708 NEW REMEDIES. symptoms were in the early part of the day. During the day a husk- iness in the left patella, dull pain in the knee, continuing through the day, but more intense while in motion. Took 14 drops as yesterday. Nov. 31.—Took 15 drops as yesterday. (No symptoms.) Jan. 1, 1866.—Discovered a peculiar beat of the heart, the first sound displaced by a blowing sound. Jan. 6.—At 5:30 p. m., took 15 drops of the tincture immediately before eating. Jan. 7.—Last night very restless, full of troubled dreams ; severe pressure in the forehead, more particularly in the left portion. Eyes full, painful, and pressing outwards. 8 a. m., pulse 48, weak, and irregular as to force ; pressure in the forehead. Specific gravity of urine 1,020; 9 a. m., took 15 drops ; 2 p. m., the left limb feels full one-half an inch shorter than the other, and the foot sounds on the side-walk as if this was positively the case. Jan. 8.—At 8 a. m.. took 20 drops ; 12 m., diarrhoeic symptoms, tenderness in the left hypochondrium ; the eyes press out ; 12:30 p. m., stitch-like^ pain in the cardia, causing an exclamation ; 2 p. m.> constricting pain and tenderness around the heart, pulse 65, weak and irregular in force ; 5 p. m., increased action of the bowels, aggravated diarrhoeic symptoms ; could have had a passage any time of day, but had perfect control of the sphincter ani ; pressure in the forehead all day ; at 11:30 p. m., took 30 drops ; passed during the day 32 ounces of urine. Jan. 9.—At 8 a. m., tenderness in the bladder ; frontal and verti- cal portion of the head dull and pressing out ; took 50 drops at 8 a. m.; pulse 56 ; specific gravity of urine 1,020 ; 9 a. m., slight husk- iness of the left patella on motion-; 11 a. m., pulse 64 ; 11:45 a. m., a circumscribed pain and compression in the epigastric region ; 12 m.i pain steady and deep in the right parotid gland, and at the angle of the right maxillary ; burning of the right ear, lasting an hour or more ; 3:30, dull pain in the lumbar region, particularly in the left, and the bladder feels much distended when empty. Jan. 12.—At 8 a. m., took 20 drops of the first ; 9 a. m., severe colic pains followed by a profuse and forcible diarrhoeic alvine evacua- tion ; 4 p, m., beat of the heart, much more distinct on the right of the sternum than on the left, so much so, that my attention was called to the fact while earnestly engaged, but soon passed away ; catarrhal sensation in the left nasi, of short duration ; 4 p, m., pulse 68, and full ; 7:30 p. m., flatulence ; 8:45 p. m., rumbling of the bowels with colic ; eyes full and heavy, and have been during the day ; at 11 a. LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS. 709 m , took 20 drops, soon followed by griping in the bowels ; pulse regular in force. Jan. 13.—At 8 a. m., tenderness in the abdomen ; painful pres- sure in the eye-balls ; beat of the heart peculiar, as noted Jan. 1. Jan. 14. —Pressing pain in the front head, but not as marked as formerly ; pulse 64, irregular in force. Jan. 15.—At 3:15 p. m , throbbing pain in the cardia ; constant pressure in the front head and eyes ; pulse 60 and irregular in force- Jan. 16. — No symptoms. Jan. 17.—Some pain in the front head and eyes, but not constant; 9:45 p. m., lugging pain in the spleen of several hours duration ; flatulence all day. Jan. 18.—Slight pressure in head and eyes in the evening ; 7:30 p. m., pulse 60, and slightly irregular in force ; a very sensible pres" sure in the cardiac region ; the cardiac viscera pressing outwards but not painful. During this partial proving of the drug, I have not changed my mode of living in any particular ; my diet plain, and varied. I have never been addicted to the use of tobacco in any form. or spirituous drink of any kind, scarcely ever drink coffee: occasionally tea. It has been my purpose to note onky drug symptoms, perhaps in my strict endeavors to do so ; some symptoms have passed un- recorded. During the proving , I lost more or less control of my mind, it being wandering from one thing to another. The symptoms were more marked on alternate days. Dr. R. Ludlam makes the following report, after an examination of my heart: [Jan. 15th, 1866, 4:30 p. m.—Found on auscultation, the first sound of the heart lacking, sometimes faintly perceptible, displaced by a blowing sound of mitral regurgitation. The second sound is pointed, short, sharp, and more emphatic than natural. Pulse 58, a little irregular; sometimes drags a little and then hurries up; weak. Dr. I. S. P. Lord confirms this examination.] Jan. 16th.—Pulse 64 and more regular ; the first sound of the heart more distinct, the blowing sound correspondingly less so ; the second one less sharp and emphatic ; in short, the heart's action more normal iu every respect. Attest, Dr. E, M. P. Ludlam. Jan. 18th.—First sound a little more distinct; pulse 56 ; blow- ing sound more marked than when last examined. Jan. 19th.—Same as yesterday, excepting that the first sound is a little more distinct and the blowing sound less so ; pulse 56. 710 NEW REMEDIES Jan. 22d.—Same report; normal sound more evident, the blowing sound more faint ; pulse 62. Jan. 24th.—Pulse 60 and more regular; heart sound distinct at the apex of the heart. This blowing sound is heard upwards in the clavicular region and particularly between the scapula1. Feb. 14th. — Same excepting in degree; the blowing is less dis- tinct; the heart sounds more normal. At intervals the sounds are nearly normal, and then for from six to ten beats of the heart, the blowing displaces the first sound. Pulse 70, probably somewhat accelerated by a walk of half a mile in a violent snow storm. Not having examined Mr. C. prior to his taking the drug, I cannot declare positively that this abnormality is wholly due to his having taken the Lycopus virginicus, but the probabilities are certainly very strong in support of that view. R. Ludlam, M. D. RESUME. I have quoted the remarks in full relative to this interesting in- digenous remedy, in order that the reader may get a general view of its character and effects as viewed from the stand-point of allopathic therapeutics. All seem to accede to this, namely, that it possesses a peculiar sedative power over the circulation, and the sedation is held in check by another power which is denominated a tonic influence, also that it has some astringent,nervine, and a slight narcotic influence. This really comprises all that is at present known by other schools concerning the plant. The Lycopus has not been used in homoeopathic practice by any practitioners than myself. If any have used it, such has not come to my knowledge. My first use of the plant was at the suggestion of an eclectic practitioner, whom the friends of one of my patients suffering from symptoms of incipient phthisis, had requested to consult with me relative to the diagnosis of the case. The patient had some febrile irritation, a quick weak pulse, occasional hcemoptysis, dyspepsia, weakness, and many other suspicious symptoms. We detected a de- posit of tuberculous matter in the apex of the left lung. The action of the heart was quite irritable, palpitation occurring from the least exercise, The eclectic suggested the use of Lycopus, if other means failed to retard the morbid activity of the circulation. No improve- ment having followed the use of the ordinary homceopathic remedies, the Lycopus was resorted to. In the place of the usual tincture, I ordered an infusion to be made of the fresh plant, (one ounce to one quart of water,) a teaspoonful to be taken every three hours. Its LYCOPUS VIRGINICUS. 711 beneficial action soon appeared, and in a week such notable improve- ment had taken place that the medicine was continued at longer in- tervals, and in two weeks more the patient—a lady—went East ap- parently cured. This favorable experiment led me to use it further in similar cases, and my experience with it has been quite satisfactory. In those cases of pulmonary disease, associated with looseness of the bowels, its curative action is sometimes very marked, and in incurable cases, it of;en acts as a useful palliative. I give the tincture—tinc- ture-triturations—from the first to the third attenuation, and some- times the infusion and syrup prepared to represent the lower dilutions. This plant has not been thoroughly proven, and its pathogenetic range of action is not settled. One proving has been made, however, which is interesting and suggestive, as it proves that the curative effects ob- served by eclectic and allopatic physicians were due to its power of causing similar physiological disturbances. Dr. J. E. Morrison reports the following singular case treated by him with this medicine : " A woman, aged 33, a teacher, of nervous temperament, light hair and eyes, inclined to hysteria, menses interrupted, since the third month after their first appearance. The menses would appear within three or four hours of the same time every month with a deep-seated pain, with heat in the occiput; after a few hours a pain would sieze her in the forehead and temples, with faintness and nausea at the stomach, a sensation of great weaknes in the lumbar region, general lassitude and debility, especially in the limbs, follow- ed by torpor and heaviness in the limbs. When the nausea set in the occipital pain was ameliorated. There was aversion to the smell of food. With these symptoms would be an appearance of protrusion of the eyes, with a wild and staring expression. The menses would usually appear in the morning and flow until noon, then suddenly cease, or they would last from half an hour to six hours, intermitting in this manner for ten to twelve days. While she was usually of a cheerful, sprightly, talkative disposition ; during the menses she was stupid, had a lack of expression and a vacuity of ideas. There was also tympanitis, puffing of the parts on and around the pubis and vulva, a dilated condition of the vagina, and a bearing-down sensation in the rectum. On examination the vagina seemed very hot, the os uteri engorged and swollen. From the use of ice locally, these conditions and the puffiness would disappear. Constipation existed, tho bowels acting only once in six or seven days, the stools dry and clog like. 712 NEW REMEDIES. Heart's action.—When the eyes seemed protruded, the heart would seem to act tumultuously and forcibly, it could be heard several feet from the bed. (At these times the puffing of the pubis was worse.) When the heart's action was feeble and quiet, with quiet pulse, the puffing about the genitals was better. At times, the pulse would be small, quiet, and could scarcely be counted. Urine scanty, thick and muddy, oedema of the feet. This kind of menstrual trouble seemed to be hereditary, as her mother had been similarly afflicted. With the exception of some dyspeptic symptoms, no other organ seemed diseased All, or nearly all the above symptoms would disappear after the menstrual flow ceased, or at the expiration of ten or twelve days. After trying many remedies for several months, without benefit, the Lycopus virginicus was given with the effect of dissipating the majority of the symptoms, and^a steady improvement has since occur- red until she is now quite well." Remarks.—Dr. Morrison's case is quite suggestive, especially in relation to the abnormal action of the heart, which seems to have been the cause, and not the effect of all the patient's symptoms. It would follow that Lycopus by its specific action on the heart cured indirectly all the abnormal manifestations. MITCHELLA REPENS. (Partridge-berry.) Analogues.—Asclepias incarnata, Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga, (?) Eupatorium purpureum, Helonias, Secale, Senecio, Uva ursi, Pulsatilla. Botanical Description.—" This is an indigenous evergreen herb, with a perennial root, from which arises a smooth and creeping stem, furnished with roundish-ovate, or slightly heart-shaped, petio- late, opposite, flat, coriaceous, dark green and shining leaves, usually variegated with whitish lines. The flowers are white, often tinged with red, very fragrant, in pairs, with their ovaries united. " Calyx, four-parted. Corolla, funnel form, two on each double ovary; limb, four-parted, spreading, densely hairy within. Stamens, four, short, inserted on the corolla. Style, slender, stigmas four. Fruit, a dry. berry-like, double drupe, crowned with the calyx teeth of the two flowers, each containing four small and seed-like bony nutlets. Some plants bear flowers with exserted stamens, and included styles ; others conversely—those with included stamens and exserted styles." This plant is indigenous to the United States, growing in dry woods, among hemlock timber, and in swampy places, flowering in June and July. The leaves bear some resem- blance to clover, and remain green through the winter. The fruit, a berry, is a bright scarlet, edible, but nearly tasteless, dry, and full of stony seeds, and also remains through the winter. The plant is some- times called Checker-berry, Winter clover. Deer-berry, Squaw vine, One-berry. The whole plant is officinal, and imparts its virtues to boiling water and alcohol. It has not been analyzed. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture ; dilutions ; tincture-tritura- tions. (Infusion.) Medical History.—To the Indians our thanks are due for infor- mation in regard to the curative sphere of this drug. '' It is said that the squaws drink a decoction of the plant, for several weeks previous to their confinement, for the purpose of rendering parturition safe and easy.* It has long beer: a domestic remedy for uterine diseases, and menstrual irregularities. " This remedy is peculiarly American, not being noticed or used by foreign practitioners."* Dr. King writes: " Partridge-berry is parturient, diuretic, and astringent. Used in dropsy, suppression of urine, and diarrhoea. It seems to have an especial affinity for the uterus, and is highly benefi- cial in all uterine diseases. It appears to exert a powerful tonic and alterative influence on the uterus. Dose, of the strong decoction,from •King's Dispensatory. 714 NEW REMEDIES. two to four fluid ounces, two or three times a day. The berries are a popular remedy for diarrhoea and dysuria. It is highly recommend- able as a cure for sore nipples, used as follows : Take two ounces of the herb, fresh if possible, and make a strong decoction with a pint of water, then strain and add as much good cream as there is liquid of the decoction, boil the whole to the consistency of a soft salve, and when cool, anoint the nipples with it, every time the child is removed from the breast."* Dr. P. H. Hale has the credit of first introducing this remedy to the notice of our school f His experiment and clinical cases are valuable and suggestive. To the " Northwestern Provers' Associa- tion " our thanks are due for a careful proving of the drug. DR. P. H. HALE'S EXPERIMENT ON A WOMAN. A lady, aged —; in perfect health, with the exception of an adipose tumor on the back, which gave her no trouble. Examination of the uterus with the speculum proved that organ healthy ; never had any pain or suffering of an uterine origin. Took Mitchella repens, in teaspoonful doses of the mother tinc- ture, three times each day, for three weeks, until the uterus became irritated and the seat of severe pain. Examination now revealed an engorged condition of the cervix uteri ; it appeared dark, red, and swollen. The urethra and neck of the bladder were swollen and irritated. The renal secretion was notably increased. (These were the local symptoms and pathology presented in the case. The constitu- tional symptoms were not recorded.) PROVING BY T. CATION DUNCAN, M. D. Recording Secretary of the North-western Provers' Association. .Et. 25.—Nervo-bilious temperament, mild disposition, good con- stitution ; work mental ; habits all regular ; lives well, sleeps soundly, meals regular, exercises but little ; weight 125 pounds ; weather pleasant, no epidemic or endemic prevalent; health good, some slight febrile symptoms in the evening, due to undue brain work. Chicago, November 22, 1865, 12 m.—Took ten drops of the mother Hncture (which strength was used for subsequent doses) in one half ounce of water—the same amount, in the same way, upon retiring at night. I have taken twenty drops to-day. November 23.—Awoke from a most refreshing sleep, brain clear, feel light and buoyant in spirits, much better than usual. 8:30 a.m., took ten drops in same manner ; 11 a. m., fauces feel dry and * King's Dispensatory. t American Homoeopathist, Vol. II. MITCHELLA REPENS. 715 slightly irritated; 11:30 p. m., took ten drops; 5:30 p. m., took ten drops ; 10 p. m., took ten drops : forty drops to-day. November 24.—Slept very poorly last night, had troublesome, frightful dreams; brain feels dull and mind stupid; expulsion of flatus ; abdomen feels distended, as if with flatus, especially the transverse colon. Took ten drops ; the appetite is not so good; 9 a. m., bowels costive; much flatus in the intestines ; 12:30 p. m., took ten drops as before ; fauces again dry. I took no more medicine that day. In the afternoon I was obliged to inhale chloroform while as- sisting Professor Beebe with a surgical operation, and in the evening attended a sociable at Professor Small's residence. I walked home two miles. Back feels very weak. Retired at 12 m. November 25.—Sleep was very unrefreshing ; brain still dull ; took ten drops ; a good deal of irritation of the fauces; stool at 9.30 a. m. ; expelled with difficulty ; much flatus ; eructations. All muscles of extremities feel sore. 1 p. m., voided nine ounces of urine since 9:30 a. m. ; it seems to be much darker in color than usual. 6 p. m., voided twelve ounces more, or in all, twenty-one. 11 p. m., voided six ounces more, or in all, twenty-seven ounces ; from 9:30 a. m., I have voided twenty-seven ounces of urine, at these evacuations- Took ten drops. November 26.—Slept but poorly last night ; feel tired aud sore, especially in the muscles ; urging to urinate, voided fifteen ounces of high-colored urine. Pulse 80. 7:30 a. m., evacuation from bowels, stool quite soluble ; fauces still dry and irritable ; brain feels very duli ; took 20 drops. 11 a. m., anterior lobes of brain seem dull and heavy ; thirst; urging to stool, expulsion of flatus. 12 m., took twenty drops; pulse 80 ; dull pain between shoulders; pricking sensation in my tongue, back portion, in the centre. Voided in the last twenty- four hours, forty-two ounces of urine. 3 p. m., evacuation of quite thin stools, not strictly diarrhceaic, but just such stools as generally "usher in an attack of diarrhoea; whole alimentary tract feels cold, transverse colon tender upon pressure ; thirst; great lassitude, general malaise. Muscles of entire body seem sore, especially of inferior extremities. Recent urine, specific gravity 1.040; after standing in a cool place three hours, specific gravity 1.088; color, deep yellow; a very strong acid reaction ; sediment white, flocculent, and large in amount; readily responds to the tests for uric acid, and chloride of sodium ; uneasiness in region of kidneys ; slight transient aching pains in the trapezius muscles. 5 p. m., took thirty drops. 7 p. m. 716 NEW REMEDIES. pain still in trapezii; difficult deglutition, due to a constriction of the pharynx ; lassitude. The specific gravity of the urine voided during the last twenty- four hours, ending at 1 p. m., and taken from the top of the vessel' was 1.024; this would give us 1010.142 grains of solid matter (the whole amount of fluid being -12 ounces); but this is not the true specific gravity, nor the true amount of solid matter, as there was more than a half ounce of sediment at the bottom of the vessel, which responded readily to tests for uric acid. I think that 1.038 is the more acurate specific gravity ; we would now have according to Guid- ing Bird, 1678.642 grains of solid matter passed in the last 21 hours. 10 p. m., voided five ounces of urine, specific gravity 1.031 ; took but little exercise to-day, and used my brain but little; took 40 drops. November 27.—Awoke in a fright, felt as if I had been up all night; headache, whole brain feels dull, especially the cerebel- lum ; dull aching pain in back, over region of kidneys. All muscles of the body feel tired, especially the flexors and extensors of the infe- rior extremities ; deglutition difficult; tonsils enlarged, especially the left one ; it is not congested ; do not feel them, except when swal- lowing. Urine of last evening, which stood in the test tube, 1.040 specific gravity. Took 50 drops. Specific gravity of recent urine, 1.032. 11 a. m., brain very dull, cannot concentrate thought; eyes feel dull and heavy; whole perceptive faculties very dull; whole muscles of body sore ; especially the bellies of the quadratus femoris, adductoris, gastrocemii, and other muscles of the inferior extremities ; dull pain over the region of kidneys, and apparently in those organs ; nneasiness at neck of bladder, urging to urinate ; deglutition difficult; breathing difficult; breathing hurried ; burning in stomach, which extends along the oesophagus its whole length ; dull pain in the bowels, in tranverse and ascending colon; acid eructations; yawning and stretching; burning in coronal region on inside of skull; pulse 72, at times labored, then quick and hurried ; throbbing in occipital region on inside of skull ; whole head feels bad. 11:10 a. m., yawn- ing and stretching ; burning of the pinna of the left ear ; great burn- ing sensation at neck of bladder; dull aching pain in the trapezii. 1 p. m., discharged 19 ounces of urine in the last 24 hours ; specific gravity of recent urine, 1 024; mean specific gravity of urine for the last 24 hours, 1.036 ; pain, drawing in the right testicle ; uneasy feeling at heart, as if its contractions were being interfered with ; nausea ; dull pain in epigastrium. 6 p. m., urine, eight ounces. 11 % MITCHELLA REPENS. 717 p. m., urine, four ounces more ; specific gravity, 1.028 ; could not keep mind on the subject in hand ; drowsy ; mind very dull ; dull pain still in lumbar region; general malaise; eyes feel weak. Took a shock of electricity, which relieved, to a great extent, the gen- eral malaise. Took 50 drops. November 28.—Sleep was much more refreshing than the night previous, think it due to the shock of electricity ; brain feels lighter, but still far from being clear; dull pain in lumbar region. Voided six ounces of urine, specific gravity, 1.032 ; specific gravity of last night's urine, after standing in the test tube, 1.038, some sediment. 7:30 a. m., took 100 drops. 8:30 a. m., bowels costive, fseces small in amount, and expelled with difficulty; tenesmus ; burnino- in mus- cles of lumbar region for ten minutes ; pain in back, runnino- down through the muscles of the limbs—these were achino- pains ; dull heavy, aching in cerebellum. 9.30 a. m., rush of blood to the face, nose feels as if it would bleed; pulse 80; burning sensation in stomach and oesophagus ; lassitude ; dull, aching pain in gastrocnemii • forgetfulness ; feeling of fullness of frontal region ; eyes feel dull and weak ; slight nausea; brain very dull ; burning again in tono-iie ' pain in back increased; depression of spirits; sighing; dull pain in anterior surface of left fourth phalanges, I presume in the tendon of the flexor profundus digitorum. 11 a m., continued dullness of ante- rior lobes of brain ; great aching pain in the inferior extremities, especially in tendons and ligaments about the knee-joints; sharp shooting pain in an upper molar tooth, left side ; some enlargement of left sub-maxillary gland ; griping pain in colon ; burning in phalanges of right hand; forgetfulness ; heat in kidneys ; throbbing pain on right side of head, in region of sublimity ; great pain still in knees ; eyes feel dull, heavy, and filled with tears. 1 p. m., voided, in last 24 hours, 23 ounces of urine, mean sp. gr. 1.030. Yesterday it was cold and dry, to-day it has snowed. Great depression of spirits. 7 p. m., memory poor; still pain in the lumber region ; nausea; Sf>ot on right side of head, sublimity region, about the size of a silver dollar, feels as if electricity was passing out through there ; burning sensation in right abductor minimi digiti muscle. 9. p. m., headache continuous ; burning sensation in the left gastocnemii ; great pain in knee joints, seems to be in the tendons and ligaments, it is with great difficulty that I can ascend stairs ; these pains are somewhat relieved by motion ; dull aching pain in right hip joint. Voided eight ounces of urine, sp. gr., 1.034; very forgetful; chill over whole body, with flashes of heat, very sensitive to cold air ; eructations, with hiccough ; 718 NEW REMEDIES. f feel sore all over ; dull and drowsy, can drop to sleep at any moment. Totally unable to attend to my regular duties ; must stop taking the drug. November 29.—Awoke with a very severe headache ; feel rather stiff and sore all over body, especially in all the joints of the inferior extremities. Avoided nine ounces of urine, specific gravity , 1.030 ; acid reaction. Weather damp. Knee joints very stiff; dry, hacking cough ; pain still in the lumbar region ; appetite not so good as usual ; eyes feel heavy and dull; feel an unsteadiness in walking, as if I would fall over to the right side ; it passes away after walking some distance, feel much better when walking. 9:30 a. m., great dull. ness of brain, with a feeling of fullness ; burning pains over region of heart, with a feeling as if its action was being interfered with ; beats, at times, slow and regular, then quick and hurried ; bowels costive. 1 p. m., still great pain in knee joints ; pain in back still ; dull aching pain in right shoulder ; scalp feels hot Voided in the last 24 hours, 29 ounces of urine, mean specific gravity, 1.032 ; specific gravity of recent, 1.032. Spirits begin to revive, appetite returns, and brain feels somewhat lighter, can think better. After walking about, pulse 80, when quiet 72 ; pains of joints and ligaments moved up into the bellies of the muscles ; dull, aching pain in right ear. 10 p. m., head feels as if being relieved of great pressure from without, most of which has been upon the anterior lobes ; severe frontal headache for two hours, just behind the superciliary ridges; muscles of infe- rior extremities and both shoulders very sore; griping pains in the bowels have returned ; scalp sore to the touch, especially over region of benevolence. At 6 p. m., voided seven ounces of urine, specific gravity, 1.030 ; now voided three ounces more, specific gravity of this 1.034; slight nausea ; urging to stool ; dull, aching pain still in the lumbar region; much mucus in the brouchi. Had a stool at 9 a. m., which was quite soluble. November 30.—Feel much better this morning than for several days ; slept well; brain feels quite clear ; some slight difficulty in deglutition again ; rumbling in bowels, expulsion of flatus, feel as if I was going to have diarrhoea ; pain in muscles very much less ; urine seven ounces, specific gravity 1.022 ; pulse 76; light and buoyant in spirits, although the weather is gloomy and rainy: muscles between shoulders somewhat sore. 1 p. m., less lassitude ; head clear; voided, in last 24 hours, 24 ounces of urine, mean specific gravity, 1.028; appetite still improving ; bowels costive ; griping pain in the small intestines, MITCHELLA REPENS. 719 December 1 —Stool natural; some little pain still left in the large muscles of inferior extremities and back, such as quadratus femoris, gastrocenemii, solei, latissimus dorsi, trapezii, and in the liganientum patellae and tendo achillis. Mean specific gravity of the urine 1.024. Very cold day. December 2.— Some slight pain still in those large muscles, feei well otherwise. 4. p. m., great frontal headache, lasting 30 minutes Bowels regular, faeces normal. Urine natural. Feel well; weather milder. GENERAL EFFECTS. Nervous System—A good deal of irritation of the fauces ; slept very poorly ; bad troublesome frightful dreams ; brain feels dull and mind stupid ; whole alimentary tract feels <3old ; transverse colon tender upon pressure ; burning pains over region of heart, with a feeling as if its action was being interfered with ; beats, at times, slow and regular, then quick and hurried ; the uterus became irritated, and the seat of severe pain ; pricking sensation in the tongue, back portion, in the centre. Clinical Observations.—A brief glance at the above symptoms will satisfy any one that the nervous system is especially invaded. The alimentary, heart, and uterine symptoms are quite suggestive showing that the solar, cardiac and hypogastric plexuses are involved. The brain seems to be kept active by the additional blood sent to that organ during sleep. It affects both the nerves of sensation and motion. Muscular System.—The action of this drug upon this system is very peculiar. In the male organism the first point of attack was the involuntary muscular fibers of intestines, the next, the muscles of the whole body, but more particulary the large muscles of the inferior extremities, then the tendons of these muscles with those of the rest of the body, and finally, the action of the heart was so interfered with that the proving bad to be discontinued. In the female organism, as will be seen by Dr. Hale's experiments the uterus receives the brunt of the attack. The waste of muscular fibre seems to have been very great, as is noticed by the pains, burning, etc., in the muscles, and the amount of urea in the urine. This drug will be found curative in many cases of lack or loss of tone of the muscular system, with its concomitant symptoms. Vascular System.—Heart and arteries.-—The arterial system is not especially involved, only so far as the muscles which control itare 720 NEW REMEDIES. affected, as will be seen by the heart symptoms. The pulse varied from 72 to 80, at times labored, then quick ; chill over the whole body followed by flushes of heat, seemed to be the only febrile symptom noticed; the thirst occasioned seemed to be caused by the waste of muscular tissue. VenOUS System.—There seems to be a good deal of venous con- gestion, especially of the viscera and head, causing a fullness of those organs and throbbing of the venous sinuses of the brain. MUCOUS System.—The first effect was to cause a dryness of the membrane, which was followed by a reaction. General Symptoms.—Stupor.—All pains are dull in character and persistent; general malaise, slightly trembliug of whole body ; feel sore all over. Characteristic Peculiarities.—All symptoms worse in the even- ing; motion affords relief, the same with electricity; seems to affect the muscles and tendons of the inferior extremities most. LOCAL EFFECTS. Skin.—Scalp feels hot, sensitive to cold air ; scalp sore to touch, especially over region of benevolence. Clinical Observation—These symptoms are due to the venous congestion of the brain, etc. Sleep.—Slept soundly ; troubled with dreams ; sleep unrefresh- ing ; great lassitude ; awoke in a fright, feel as if I had been up all night ; yawning ; can drop to sleep at any moment ; yawning and stretching ; drowsy. Clinical Observation.—These symptoms were due first to enough blood sent to the brain to repair its waste, this was followed by an excess, which caused the dreams, etc. Moral Symptoms.—Light and buoyant in spirits ; depression of spirits ; sighing ; forgetfulness, very forgetful ; dread of approach- ing death ; light in spirits. Clinical Observation.—The whole system had received a stimu- lus, which occasioned the exuberant feeling ; this was followed by a stagnation of the venous system from its overload of effete matter ; muscular and nervous debris, which accounts for the despondency. Brain.—Brain clear ; feel dull and stupid ; brain somewhat dull; headache ; whole brain feels dull, especially the cerebellum ; brain very dull ; cannot keep the attention fixed; whole perceptive faculties very dull ; burning in coronal region on inside of skull; throbbing in MITCHELLA REPENS. occiput on inside of skull, in region of the torcular Herophili ; whole head feels bad ; dull heavy aching in cerebellum; fullness of frontal region ; continued dullness of anterior lobes of brain ; throbbing pain on right side of head, in region of sublimity; spot on right side of head sublimity region, about the size of a silver dollar, feels as if electricity was passing out through there ; headache severe ; great dullness of brain, with a feeling of fullness ; head feels as if being relieved of great pressure from without, most of which has been upon the anterior lobes ; severe frontal headache for two hours, just behind the super- ciliary ridges ; brain feels quite clear ; head clear ; great frontal headache, lasting thirty minutes. Clinical Observations.—The prover being a hard student, would necessitate the presence of more blood in the brain than nor- mal, but here is evidently a congestion of venous blood, loaded with effete matter. At times the feeling was that bordering on coma. I think it would be secondarily homceopathic to uraemia, arising from venous congestion of the whole brain, substance and coverings. Eyes.—Eyes feel dull and heavy ; eyes feel weak ; eyes feel dull, heavy and watery. Clinical Observation.—This condition of the eyes is a neces- sary sequence of such a condition of the brain. Ears.—Dull, aching pain in right ear; burning of pinna of left ear. IVOSC.—Nose feels as if it would bleed. Face.—Rush of blood to face. Teeth.—Dull pain in upper molar teeth, left'side. Mouth.—Pricking sensation in tongue, back part, in the centre ; burning sensation in tongue. Clinical Observations—The nerve here affected is the glosso- pharyngeal, these symptoms are caused,no doubt, by compression from the distended jugular vein on its exit at the jugular foramen. Throat. —Fauces feel dry and irritated ; a good deal of irritation of fauces ; irritation of fauces disappeared; difficulty of deglutition due to constriction; tonsils enlarged, especially of left side; difficulty of deglutition gone, but returned as the effects of the drug wore off ; the left sub-maxillary gland feels enlarged. Clinical Observations.—The compression of the glossopharyn- geal nerve would account for some of these symptoms, and the in- creased action of the lymphatic glands, etc., would account for the remainder ; I do not thing it homoeopathic to tonsillitis or inflammation of any of these glands. 46 722 NEW REMEDIES. Appetite.—Appetite is not quite so good ; thirst increased ; ap- petite poor ; appetite begins to return. Clinical Observations.—The loss of appetite seemed to be due to torpor of circulation in the abdominal viscera. Stomach.—Eructation ; burning at stomach, and along up the oesophagus ; acid eructations ; nausea ; dull aching pain in the epi- gastrium ; eructation, with hiccough ; slight nausea. Cltnical Observations.—Dr. King calls it an astringent. Some of these symptoms, with those of the throat, would point that way, but I think the majority of them are due to the action of the drug upon the muscular coats of this organ. Abdomen.—Expulsion of flatus ; bowels feel as if distended with flatus, especially the transverse colon ; much flatus in intestines ; whole alimentary tract feels cold ; transverse colon tender upon pres- sure ; dull pain in bowels, especially in transverse and ascending colon ; colic-like pain in colon ; colic-like pain in both lesser and greater intestines ; rumbling in bowels ; expulsion of flatus, with a feeling as if would have diarrhcea ; slight colic-like pains in small intestines. Clinical Observation.—This plant has been held in high repute by the populace as a remedy for diarrhcea ; it seems to increase the muscular motion of the intestines, giving rise to these characteristic pains, it would be, therefore, primarily homoeopathic to diarrhoea, or secondarily to constipation, due to increased or diminished muscular action. Stools.—Bowels costive ; bowels very costive ; stools quite solu- ble ; urging to stool ; diarrhoeic stools ; whole alimentary tract feels cold while at stool ; faeces small in amount and expelled with diffi- culty ; tenesmus ; bowels less costive. Clinical Observations —There is nothing very characteristic about the stool, except to point more strongly to. the fact that it only acts upon the muscular walls of the intestines. Urine.—Urging to urinate ; urine of a high color, sediment white, flocculent ; uneasy feeling in region of kidneys ; uric acid ; responds readily to the tests for uric acid and chloride of sodium ; dull pain over region of kidneys, apparently in those organs ; a feeling of un- easiness at the neck of bladder ; swollen and irritated condition of urethra and neck of bladder; the renal secretion notably increased. It will be seen by a glance at the following carefully prepared table that both the quantity and solid matters are increased. MITCHELLA REPENS. 723 Amount of drug taken. Weather. Time. Barometer at nnon. Thermom. at noon. I began to note the urme at 1 p. m. , on the fourth day. The 42 ozs. is the result of the first 1st day, 20 drops. Mild. 29.60 48 2d day, 40 drops. Mild. 29.70 46 24 hours' observation. 54 3d day, 20 drops. 29.52 Ukine. 4th day, 20 drops. Mild. '.9.76 46 Amt. in ounces. Mean specific gravity. Solid matter in grains. 5lh day 11(1 drops. Mild. 29.75 44 42 1.038 1,688.652 6th day, 100 drops. Growing cold. 29.94 43 19 1.036 722.266 7 th day, 100 drops. Snowed. 29.72 34 23 1.030 734.408 8th day, None. Gloomy * rainv. 29.50 37 29 1.032 976.227 9th day, None. Gloomy & rainy. 29.08 36 24 ! 1.028 704.112 ]Oth day, None. Very cold. 29.42 36 30 1 1.024 721.530 11th day, None. Mild. 29.06 41 35 1.022 802.130 Normal Ukine, 30 to 40 | 1.017 500 to 700 Clinical Observations.—This condition of the urine must exist in connection with the other symptoms for the drug to be curative. Our schools are too negligent with reference to the condition of the urine. Sexual Organs.— Male.—Pain in right testicle. Clinical Observation.—This drug does not seem to have an affinity for the male sexual organs. Female.—Uterus irritated and the seat of severe pain ; cervix uteri engorged, dark, red and swollen. Clinical Observations.- Dr. P. H. Hale* says : " A short time ago a patient applied to me, with the above conditions (uterine symp- toms,) and other mitchella symptoms, such as a relaxed state of the muscular system, etc.; in this instance this remedy acted promptly in relieving the condition of the uterus, and brought on the menses in three weeks, whereas they had been too late, six or eight weeks. The uterus seems to be the organ on which this drug acts with great energy. From time immemorial it has been used as a parturient by the squaws. It has long been a popular agent to produce abor- tion. Dr. Kingf remarks : It appears to exert a powerful tonic and alterative influence on the uterus. This I think is its primary effect, carried a step further and we have a venous engorgement of the whole generative apparatus. It takes very large doses to produce this latter effect. We, therefore, find it homoeopathic to certain forms of amen- orrhoea. * American Homoeopathist, vol. II, page 25. t King's Dispensatory. 724 NEW REMEDIES. Dr. P. H. Hale remarks :* " the milchella was also given to a young lady with amenorrhoea. The patient is improving, and " feels like" menstruating. (We have since learned that her menses appeared at the proper time and are now regular.) It promises to be effective where we have engorgement of the uterus from lack of tone in the muscular walls of that organ. King remarks :-|- " It seems to have an especial affinity for the uterus, and is highly beneficial iu all uterine diseases." It is also a popular remedy for sore nipples, made into an ointment and applied, every time the child is removed from the mammae. Pathology.—This drug causes an engorged condition of the lips of cervix uteri. They appear dark, red and swollen. LungS*—Breathing hurried ; dry, hacking cough ; much mucus in bronchii. Heart.—Uneasy feeling at heart as if its contractions were being interfered with ; burning pains over region of heart; it beats at times slow and regular, then quick and hurried. Clinical Observations.—-The cardiac plexus seems to be affect- ed ; it would, therefore, be homoeopathic to some forms of cardialgia, due to atony of the muscular walls. Trunk.—Back feels very weak ; dull pain between shoulders ; slight transient pain in trapezii ; pain in back, in region of kidneys ; whole muscles of body sore, especially belly of quadratus femoris ; great pain in small of back ; dull aching pains running down in small of back ; pain in right shoulder; muscles of both shoulders very sore ; burning in small of back, present ten minutes. Upper Extremities.—Dull pain in anterior surface of the left fourth phalanx in the tendon of the flexor profundus digitorum ; burn- ing in the right phalanges, anterior surface ; burning in the right abductor minimi digiti ; pain in palm of right hand. Lower Extremities.—Muscles of lower limbs feel very sore ; muscles of entire body very sore, especially of inferior extremities ; pain in gastrocnemii ; great pain in lower extremities, especially of knee joints and their ligaments ; burning in left gastrocnemius ; great pain in knee joints, relieved by motion ; pain in hip-joint; knee joints very stiff; pains in limbs have moved back from joints into the bellies of the muscles ; great pain in quadratus femoris, gastrocnemii, soleii, latis- simus dorsii, trapezii, and some of the small muscles between the shoulders; also in the ligamentum patellae and tendo-achilles ; feel an unsteadiness in walking, as if I would fall over to right side ; it passes away after walking some distance. * American Homoeopathist^vol. II, page 25. t King's Dispensatory. MYRICA CERIFERA. (Bayberryj MYRICA CERIFERA. 725 Clinical Observations. —These muscular symptoms are charac teristics; this drug will be found homoeopathic to this condition of the muscular tissues ; first we have increased, next diminished mus- cular action, or rather an exhausted condition; and even if the tendons are affected, it would be curative for some forms of rheumatism of the tendons. MYRICA CERIFERA. (Bayberry.) Analogues. —Asarum canadense, Cornus circinata, Eryngium, Eupatorium aromaticum, Hydrastis canadensis. (??) Botanical Description.—This plant, known also by the name of wax myrtle, wax berry,etc., is a branching half-evergreen shrub, from une to twelve feet in height, and covered with a grayish bark. The leaves are glabrous cuneate-lanceolate, rather acute or obtuse, distinctly petiolate, margin entire, but more frequently remotely dentate, par- ticularly toward the end, paler and with distinct veinlets beneath, generally twisted or revolute in their mode of growth, shining and resinous, dotted on both sides, and from an inch and a half to two inches and a half in length, by half an inch to three quarters in width. The flowers appear in May, before the leaves are fully expand- ed. The males grow in aments, which are sessile, erect, from six to nine lines in length ; originating from the sides of the last year's twigs. Every flower is formed by a concave rhomboidal scale, con- taining three or four pairs of roundish anthers on a branched footstalk. The females, which are on a different shrub, are less than half the size of the males, and consist of narrower scales, with each an ovate ovary, and two filiform styles. To these aments succeed clusters or aggregations of small globular fruits, resembling berries, which are at first green, but finally become nearly white. They consist of a hard stone enclosing a dicotyledonous kernel. The stone is studded on its outside with small bPck grains, resembling fine gunpowder, over which is a crust of dry, greenish-white wax, fitted to the grains, and giving the surface of the fruit a granulated appearance. The fruit is persistent for two or three years. This plant is found in dry woods or in open fields, from Canada to Florida. The bark of the root is the officinal part; boiling water extracts its astringent, and alcohol its stimulating principles, Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the bark; dilutions; triturations. 726 NEW REMEDIES] Medical History.—The Myrica was first brought into use and notice, as a medicine, by Samuel Thomson. This man, although uneducated, had in him the elements of a greet reform, and had he had the literary advantage of some of his allopathic persecutors, would have done more for the advance of medical science, than most any other man of his day. He was born in Alstead, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, February 9. 1769. Dr. Hollembaek declares that he was " one of the greatest and best of medical benefactors, whose crude system of practice broke the mysterious chains which had bound the people of America and Europe for about two centuries " Certain it is that Thomson was the first to p'blicly attack allopathy in America, and his attack may be said to be the first that shattered the foundations of that school, and made way for such scientific reforms as homoeopathy. In every State of the Union, the " botanic" practice of medicine preceded the homceopathic, and b.oke down those legal barriers that allopathy had placed around her. That crude practice, is now nearly extinct, or has been merged into " eclec- ticism." Dr. Thomson observed that " it has the power of disengaging the thick viscid secretions of the mucous membrane of the stomach." He named it " canker powder," and used it very extensively. It was the principal ingredient in the over-famous " composition pow- der," with which many people tortured themselves, in preference to the calomel and bleeding of the allopaths. Thomson advises it in all discharges from mucous surfaces, especially in leucorrhoea, dysen- tery, and nasal catarrh. From Rafinesque 1 find that the Bayberry was used at an early day for " uterine hemorrhages, hysterical complaints, palsies, colics aud scrofula." He says the leaves are " pectoral, emetic, astringent, nervine, sub-narcotic, cephalic, vermifuge, emmenagogue, stomachic, etc." " The bark chewed, is a good sialagogue ; made into a snuff it is a powful errhine." ( It forms the basis, now a days, of all the " catarrh snuffs " sold in the country.) " The taste of the bark is acrid and stimulating , in large doses of a dram it produces ^burning sensation and vomiting, sometimes diuresis. Dr. Fahnestock announced in 1822 that it was a specific for typhoid dysentery. This valuable property has been confirmed. I have verified it on myself in diarrhcea, on others in cholera morbus." The wax procured from the berries is removed from them by boiling in water, upon the top of which it floats. It is a concrete oil, or fatty substance, of a pale green color, about the consistency of beeswax, but more brittle and not so unctuous to the touch, of a faintly balsamic and pleasant odor. It can be made into candles, aud burns at a temperature of 109= F., emitting a pleasant odor. It has also been used as a simple salve for cuts and ulcers; also as a vehicle for other medicines. One bushel of the berries will yield about four pounds of wax. When the properties of the medicine are fully under- stood, the wax may come into use as an external application, when it is indicated. MYRICA CERIFERA. 727 King recommends the Myrica in decoction, as a gargle in sore mouth and throat ; as an injection in leucorrhoea and fistula, also as a wash in ulcers, tinea capitis, and for tender, spongy and bleeding gums. According to the same writer, the Myrica is stimulant, aud astringent, useful in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, in dysentery with typhoid symptoms, and iu colliqative diarrhoea of phthisis ; in scarlatina it may be given with advantage while a decoction of the bark is used as a gargle; it will be found a useful remedy for apthous affections. It is likewise beneficial in jaundice, and in com- bination with Leptandrin, Apocynin, I have successfully treated several cases of this affection." [The proving of Dr. Walker elicited the fact that the Myrica causes a severe form of jaundice. It is by this homoeopathic power that it cured Dr. King's cases.] Dr. Coe says, " while it possesses specific and decided therapeu- tic properties, it is entirely innoxious in itself " This assertion is preposterous! A medicine cannot have therapeutic action, and at the same time no pathogenetic effects. The Myrica cannot be taken as a food, and if not, it is a poison, or an agent capable of deranging the normal action of the .organism. The same writer says also, " with the exception of a mild diuretic action, it is never visibly evacuant, except in very large doses, when it sometimes proves emetic." if Dr. Coe would make the experiment, as did Dr. Walker, he would change his opinion relative to its "innoxiousness." Among the diseases for which Coe recommends the Myrica, are : Apthous affections of the mucous surfaces; scrofula, diarrhoea and dysentery, (but not until the morbid accumulations have been ex- pelled and the functions of the liver regulated,) jaundice, leucor- rhoea, suppression of urine : also ulcers, chancres, fistulous passages, in all of which latter he advises the local application. "But perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Myrica is its power, in connection with Lobelia, of allaying false labor pains. The peculiar therapeutic property here manifested is the result of the combination. Neither will answer the purpose alone. As soon as the pains are ascertained to be spasmodic, place the patient in bed, and administer the following : Myrica, 15 grains ; Wine tincture Lobelia, one-half ounce ; boil- ing water, one ounce. Add the Myrica to boiling water, and after a few minutes the tincture of Lobelia. Exhibit at one dose, and repeat in two hours if necessary. This will seldom or never disappoint the practitioner, and rarely is a second dose necessary. It allays the pains, quiets the nervous system, and postpones parturition to the proper period. De- livery will frequently be delayed from one to four weeks, and the matured energies of the system will then insure a safe and easy accouchment." I quote the above entire, in order that the homoeopath may see what delectable mixtures an opposing school prescribe ! How many women in the eighth month of pregnacy, threatened with premature 728 NEW REMEDIES. labor, could bear such a dose ? If Dr. Coe practiced entirely among the lowest order of people, he may not have seen dangerous aggrava- tions. Yet how can we account for the fact that Dr. Wilkinson, of England, who is said to be a homoeopathist, quotes this proposition, with his sanction.(!) Any physician who has ever seen a patient under the action of half an ounce of tincure Lobelia, need not be told of the distressing nausea, vomiting and prostration caused by that drug. Imagine it, then, given to a delicate woman threatened with premature labor. Away with such vile poly-pharmacy, and crude drugging. The second or third alternation of Caulophyllin, Cimicifuga, Secale, or Aletrin, is all suflicient in such cases. PROVING BY LELAND WALKER, M. D.# I am in good health and have been for a long time : bowels regu- lar, once a day ; urine a light amber color and normal in quantity ; temperament, nervo-bilious, with a little of the sanguine ; of mild disposition ; occupation, student of medicine; of strictly temperate habits ; usual hours of sleep from lip. m. to 6 a. m. ; take my meals regular, three times a day) exercise freely by walking in the open air. Nov. 25th, 1865.—Weather warm and dry. 9:30 a. m., took 10 drops of the 1st decimal dilution. 12:30 p. m., repeated. 6 p. m., repeated. 9 p, m., repeated. 11 p. m., no symptoms, repeated the 10 drops and retired for the night. Nov. 26th.—Slept well all night, pulse 54. 8 &.. m., took 20 drops. 9. a. m., had a natural stool. 12:30 p. m., pulse 75, (before eating,) repeated. 5:50 p. m., no symptoms, only feeling a little tired, repeated. 11 p. M., feeling well, pulse 71, full and soft, repeated. Nov. 27th, 7 a. m., took 30 drops. 10:30 a. m., repeated. 2 p. m., no symptoms, repeated. 4:40 p. m., repeated. 9:40 p. m., took 60 drops. Nov. 28th.—Awoke with dull heavy pain in the frontis and through the temples ; pulse 51, feeble and irregular ; had amorous dreams and emission of semen, an unusual occurence, not having been subject to a like circumstance before within my recollection ; pain in head, worse when stooping or moving about. 9:30 a. m., took 20 drops of the mother tincture. 12:50 p. m., pulse 65, (before eating,) repeated. 4:50 p. m., took 30 drops. 11 p. m., pulse 59, repeated. Nov. 29.—Slept well through the night; pulse 60; 7:30 a.m., took 50 drops. 9 a. m., had a natural stool. 12:50 p. m., felt dull * A Member of the North-Western Provers' Association. An Inaugural Essay presented by by him to the Faculty of Hahnemann Medicai College, Class of 1865->66. MYRICA CERIFERA. 792 and drowsy for the last two hours ; dull heavy pain through the front portion of the head, worst in the left temporal region; increased appe- tite ; unpleasant fullness in the stomach and upper part of the abdo- men ; feel better in the open air. 2 p. m., pulse 65, (one hour after eating.). 6 p. m., constant hunger, yet a sensation of fullness, as if I had just eaten a hearty meal, although nothing has been taken into the stomach since 1 o'clock p. m.; pulse 70, full and strong. 11 p. m., pulse 72, full and strong; have had dull pain in the forehead and eyes all the evening, and felt drowsy and stupid, except when walking in the open air ; took 60 drops and retired. Nov. 30th.—Slept sound, more so than usual, and until after 7 a. m., awoke with dull, heavy pain in the forehead and through the temples ; the same sensation of hunger and fullness of the stomach and abdomen, with rumbling of bowels ; pulse 56 and feeble. 8 a. m., took 60 drops. 9 a. m., natural stool; pulse 71; 3:30 p. m., dull, aching pain all through the head and in the neck ; aching pain in the upper and lower extremities ; have several times during the last two days felt a sharp piercing pain at the inner side of the left knee joint, but passing off so quickly, I have not thought it worthy of much notice; weather is cold and damp. 9:40 p. m., pulse 70; craving hunger ; fullness of the stomach and abdomen ; head symptoms less severe than in the fore part of the day : took 100 drops. Dec. 1st.—7 a. m., dull heavy pains all through the head, most severe in the frontis and through the temples ; pain and stiffness in the neck, especially in the nape ; dull pain in all the extremities; had a restless night, considerable dreaming but cannot recollect any- thing particularly about the subjects dreamed of; pulse 52; took 140 drops. 9 a. m., stool natural. 11 a. m., pain all through the head quite severe in the temples, with throbbing in the superficial veins, attended with a semi-stupor; pulse 75; weather cool. 1. p. m., the the symptoms, somewhat mitigated ; dull, dragging pain in the small of the back, quite severe at times ; increase of urine during the last three days, constant, craving appetite, with sensation of fullness in the stomach and abdomen; pulse 66, (before eating). 10:30 p. m., the same symptoms continue as noted during the day ; pulse 62. Took no more of the drug, Dec. 2d.—7:30 a. m., slept very well all night; awoke with dull pain in the frontis and temples, pain in the small of the back, about the same as yesterday, only more persistent; pulse 72 ; 9 a. m., stool natural. 12:50 p. m., dull pain in the frontis and through the temples, and in the muscles of the neck ; a kind of drowsy stupor ; 730 NEW REMEDIES. constant, dull, dragging pain in the small of the back ; not very severe; pulse 62, (before eating); 11:30 p. m., same symptoms con- tinued during the day, though less severe ; pulse 70. Dec. 3,—Awoke with dull, heavy pain in frontis and through the temples, throbbiug in the superficial veins of the head ; pain in the back, less severe; pulse 78. 9:80 a. m., stool nearly natural. 6 p.m., have had drowsiness attended with vertigo, most of the time through the day ; craving hunger, with sense of fullness in the stomach and bowels ; pulse 76 (before eating). 11 p. m., pain in the back; contin- uous head symptoms less severe; pain under the left scapula; pulse 65; passed 31 ounces high colored urine, during the last '21 hours, specific gravity 1.020. Dec, 4th. — Slept soundly through the night; awoke about day- light, with severe pain in the frontis and temples; eyes feel swollen and with a yellowish tint; dull pain in the small of the back; feel better after a light breakfast; the same fullness of stomach and bow- els, and craving hunger as before mentioned; pulse 71 (before eat- ing ;). 9. a. m., stool nearly of natural consistency, but lighter col- ored than usual ; 12:40 p. M., have been dull and drowsy, attended with vertigo, much of the time, during lectures, all the forenoon ; but not much pain in the head ; dull pain in the small of the back ; a sharp pain once (lasting but a few minutes) in the chest, in the region of the heart; pulse 56 (before eating). 11 p. m., head and back symp- toms slightly mitigated ; pulse 61 ; passed 43 ounces urine during the last 24 hours, color nearly normal ; have no means of testing the specific gravity. Dec. 5th.—Slept very well through the night; awoke with severe headache ; better after rising and washing with cold water; fullness of the stomach and bowels ; craving hunger ; pulse 54, (before eat- ing). 8:30 a. m, stool natural, only too light colored; pulse 71. (after eating). 12:50 p. M., head and back symptoms very much mit- igated : coldness of the lower extremities, with pain from the knees down ; pulse 61, (before eating). 6:20 p. m., continue to feel hungry, yet a sensation of repletion; pulse 68, (before eating), lip. m., pulse 60; passed 36 ounces urine to-day, color nearly normal; spe- cific gravity 1.013; a light colored sediment after standing, (the first that has been observed). Dec. 6th.—Slept quietly all night; awoke feeling quite well; pulse 59, (before eating); appetite nearly normal. 9 a. m., stool lighter color. 4:30 p. m., have been drowsy while sitting in the lec- ture room this afternoon; feel better in the open air ; pulse 82. 11 MYRICA CERIFERA. 731 p. m., pulse 66; feeling better; passed 37 ounces urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.028 ; considerable light colored sedi- ment after standing. Dec. 7th.—Feeling well ; pulse normal. 9 a. m., stool natural. 10 p. m., passed 23 ounces urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1031 ; considerable light, brownish colored sediment, after standing. Dec. 8th.— Pulse 76, (half an hour after eating). 8:30 a. m., stool natural. 12:50 p. m., appetite natural; feeling well. 10:50 p. m., pulse normal ; passed 47 ounces urine during the last 24 hours ; spe cific gravity 1.024; no sediment discovered. Dec. 9th.—9:30 a. m., stool natural ; weather cold and snowino-. 11:40 p. m., pulse 68 ; feeling well ; passed 24 ounces of urine to day; specific gravity 1.035. Dec. 10th.—11 p. m., feeling well; pulse normal; passed 22 ounces of urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.029. Dec. 11th.—Weather cold. 8:30 a. m,, natural stool; feeling about the same as yesterday. 10:40 p. m., passed 40 ounces of urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.022. Dec. 12th.—Bowels regular ; pulse normal; passed 33 ounces of urine to-day ; specific gravity 1.025. Dec. 13th.—Weather very cold ; feel well; pulse normal ; appe- tite good. 10:40 p. m., passed 33 ounces of urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.021. PROVING WITH THE BARK. Dec. 14th, 1865.—Commenced the proving with the crude pulver- ized bark. 7:30 a. m., took five grains ; weather very cold. 11 p. m., no symptoms ; passed 27 ounces of amber colored urine during the last 25 hours ; specific gravity 1.028. Dec. 15th.— 7:30 a. m., no symptoms worthy of notice ; took 10 grains (before eating). 9 a. m., stool natural, 10:40 p. m., no head symptoms worthy of record ; dull aching pain in the small of the back ; passed 28 ounces of urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.028. Dec. 16th.—Awoke with dull pain in the frontis and temples ; dragging, aching pain in the small of the back ; slight soreness in the throat. 9 a. m., regular motion of the bowels. 12:40 p. m., throat sore ; dull pain in the back continues ; head feels better. 11 p. m., pulse 76 and full; head clear; back and throat continue about the same as through the day ; passed 24 ounces of urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.030 ; color a little darker than usual. 732 NEW REMEDIES. Dec. 17th.—Awoke with dull pains in the head and back ; pulse 63, small and feeble ; feel hungry; fullness in the stomach and abdo- men. 8 a. m., took 20 grains. 10 a. m., natural movement of the bowels. 2 p. .m., pulse normal ; head and back about the same as in the morning ; throat feels sore. Put some of the pulverized bark, moistened with water, on the posterior part of the fore arm. 10:30 p. m., throat sore, sensation of a foreign substance requiring it to be frequently cleared ; deglutition rather painful ; pain in the head and temples rather less continued ; dragging pain in the small of the back; passed 27 onnces dark colored urine during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.024. Dec. 18th.—Awoke with dull pain in the frontis and temples and in the small of the back ; constricted feeling in the throat; throat feels swollen inside. 8:30 a. m., stool rather light colored, but of natural consistency ; pulse >0, (one hour after eating). 1:20 p. M., head feels better ; throat and back the same. 5 p. m. pulse 76, (before eating) ; craving hunger; fullness in the stomach and abdo- men as after a hearty meal. 11 p. m., pulse 71 ; feeling better, except the craving hunger and fullness in the region of the stomach and abdomen, that being continued ; passed 30 ounces of urine to-day; specific gravity 1,023, rather darker than usual. Dec. 19th.—Awoke with the same head, back and throat symp- toms as yesterday morning. 7:30 a. m., took 40 grains; nausea and gagging without being able to vomit, soon after taking the drug. 9 a. m., light colored stool of nearly natural consistence. 2:30 p m., pulse 71, (after eating); head feels better ; throat rough and constricted; dull pain in the back ; fullness in the stomach and abdomen ; constant craving hunger. 10:30 p. m., pulse 72 ; slight pain in the head; roughness of the throat requiring it to be constantly cleared ; fullness in the region of the stomach and abdomen ; dull pain in the back; passed 31 ounces of dark colored urine during the last 24 hours; a pinkish brown sediment at the bottom of the vessel after stand- ing; specific gravity 1.0l!4. Dec. 20th.—Awoke with slight headache ; constriction of the throat, dull dragging pains in the back ; pulse 60 ; fullness in the stomach and abdomen; appetite poor. 6 a. m., loose, light colored stool. Took 80 grains. 11:30 r. m., pulse 70, (before eating); con- stant need to swallow, from sense of constriction in the throat; dull pain in the frontis and temples ; deficient concentration of the mind on any subject; dragging pain in the small of the back ; fullness and pressure in the stomach. 10:30 p. m., pulse 76; all the symptoms MYRICA CERIFERA. 733 continue about the same ; stringy mucus in the throat, detached with difficulty ; frequent eructation of flatus from the stomach; drowsy stupor, very difficult to keep the mind concentrated on any one thing long at a time ; eyes feel heavy and dull ; the topical application on the arm made no sensible impression on the skin ; passed 21 ounces of high colored urine within the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.030. Dec. 21st.—Awoke feeling tired, as if I had been laboring hard ; scalp feels sore to the touch ; dull, drowsy sensation of the head, hardly to be called a pain ; dragging pain in the small of the back ; eyes feel heavy and weak. 9 a.m.—pulse 66, (after eating); took 160 grains. 12:50 p. m., pulse 67, (before eating) ; drowsy stupor all the forenoon ; could not keep the mind on the subject of the lec- tures ; dull, aching pain in the front part of the head and through the temples; stomach and upper part of the abdomen distended; fre- quent eructations of flatus; same dull, aching pain in the back; eyes feel dull and heavy. 10:30 p. m.—pulse 72 ; throat sore and rough, with frequent and difficult deglutition ; occasional pain in the bowels during the afternoon and evening; dragging pain in the back; head symptoms less severe than during the day ; no stool to day ; passed 20 oz. of high colored urine, to-day; specific gravity 1.032; took no more of the drug. Dec. 22d.—Had a restless night until 2 o'clock—then slept until 7 a. m.; awoke with dull pain in the head and eyes, eyes congested and yellow; dull, heavy pain in the small of the back; roughness of the throat, and the nasal organs affected very much like catarrh ; no appetite, tongue furred, bad taste in the mouth and nausea. 9 a. m. —soft, mushy stool. 11 p. m.—pulse 70, same general symptoms as in the morning; urine very high colored and frothy, containing con. siderablo pinkish-brown sediment; passed 19 ounces during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.031. Dec. 23d.—Had a restless night; all the symptoms of the head, throat and back continued and increased; passed this morning three and one-half ounces of very high colored urine ; it looks like strong beer, with a large amount of froth of a yellowish tint; specific gravity 1.032; left the city this morning; miserable dejected feeling all day ; no desire for food. Dec. 28th.—Returned to the city last evening, feeling miserable and dejected ; no appetite ; took no breakfast this morning ; during 734 NEW REMEDIES. the last four days have not been able to test the urine, either in quan- tity or specific gravity. It has been very scanty, high colored and frothy. No appetite ; dullness and heaviness of the head and eyes ; pain in the back; dull pain in the hepatic region ; feel sick and de- bilitated all over; conjunctiva congested and yellow; face and neck yellow ; frequent eructations of flatus, relieving the pressure in the stomach for a short time only. Dec. 29th.—Awoke from an unfreshing sleep, with an exacerba- tion of all the symptoms ; bad taste in the mouth; tongue thickly coated, a dirty white or yellowish color; throat and nasal organs filled with an offensive, tenacious mucus, detached with difficulty ; the whole surface of the body presents a yellowish tint; no desire for food, but rather a loathing ; strong desire for acids; ate a very little breakfast, per force ; bowels torpid; soft, mushy stool, of a light, clay color. 10 p.m.—all the symptoms continue in an aggravated form ; feel chilly when out in the air; aching in the limbs and all over the body, like that preceding ague ; passed 19 ounces of beer- colored, frothy urine, during the last 24 hours ; specific gravity 1.(26. Dec. 30th.—Had a restless night, slept but little ; constant, mise- rable, sick feeling all over ; all the symptoms continue in an aggra- vated manner ; complete jaundice aspect. Passed 15 ounces of very high colored urine ; specific gravity 1.031 ; stool straw colored, soft and mushy. Dec. 31st.— The same general indications continue, with increased debility, can hardly keep around . Passed 18 ounces of urine of the same general appearance as before ; specific gravity 1.027. Jan. 1st, 1866.—I feel that I am getting worse and am nearly dis- couraged ; took a grain pill of Podophyllin, night before last. 8 a. m. (this morning), took one grain Leptandrin, 1st decimal tritura- tion. 11 a. m., took three drops Nux vomica, 2d decimal dilution. 11 p. m., passed during the last 24 hours, 43 ounces of high colored urine; specific gravity 1.024; had two evacuation from the bowels, soft, mushy, and very light colored. Jan. 2d.—Feeling no better; took grain doses of Arsenicum album 3d decimal trituration and Mercurius dulcis, 1st decimal trituration, alternatively once in three hours ; passed during the 24 hours, 25 ouucesof very dark colored urine ; specific gravity 1.026. Jan. 3d —No better ; continued the Arsenicum and Mercurius every three hours; feel weak, drowsy and so stupid as to be unable MYRICA CERIFERA. 735 to keep the mind concentrated on the subject in the lecture room ■ passed 22 ounces of beer-looking frothy urine ; specific gravity 1.025. Jan. 4th.—Continued the Arsenicum and Mercurius every three hours ; passed 20 ounces of urine during the day, havinc the same appearance as before, specific gravity 1.026. Jan. 5th.—No better; feel quite desponding; cannot read nor keep in mind for two consecutive minutes the subjects under consid- eration in the lecture room ; feel dull, stupid and almost completely prostrated ; the color of the eyes and whole surface of the body is of a deep, bright yellow; entire loss of sexual desire—this has been a constant symptom since the third day of the proving; took Digitalis 1st decimal dilution, every three hours. Jan. 6th.—Slight improvement; continued the Digitalis 10 drops three times a day. Jan. 7th to the 10th, inclusive.—Improvement continues gradu- ally ; yellowness of the eyes and surface of the body is fading; urine lighter colored and increased in quantity; stools darker and more consistent; feeling better in every respect; continued the Digitalis once a day. Jan. 20th.—Still improving; stools and urine nearly normal ; feel quite well, except the general debility consequent upon long con- tinued sickness. Jan. 25th.—Symptoms have all disappeared, and I am feeling well. It is highly proper that I should here remark, that during some part of the time occupied in the proving, there was prevailing to some extent in this city, a disease, similar in its manifestations, to the symptoms which I experienced during the proving; now, how much to attribute to the action of the drug, and how much to other morbific causes, is a question which at present I shall not attempt to decide. I have merely recorded the facts experienced as they oc- curred ; and subsequent and repeated experiments, should be insti- tuted by the profession, and I believe this drug may yet be found worthy of a place in our Materia Medica. One evidence that the symptoms experienced by me were pathogenetic, is the fact that while taking the dilution and the tincture, the same general symptoms were manifested, although less marked and severe, as were afterwards ex- perienced, while taking the crude bark in increasing and massive doses, and that during the two weeks that elapsed after using the tincture, and before commencing with the crude bark, the symptoms all subsided, and left the 3ystem seemingly in a normal condition. But I do not choose to speculate upon the action of the drugs. Hav- 736 NEW REMEDIES. ing attempted the " proving" of this one, I shall endeavor at an early day to make a repeated and thorough proving, the result of which will be cheerfully given to the profession. I had intended to give a resume of all the symptoms, placing those pertaining to each organ of the body under its appropriate heading, but as it can- not be of any practical use, and will take some valuable time, I leave it for the present. The above is one of the most extended and heroic provings in our literature. The prover was under my observation during the whole experiment. He suffered much from the effects of the drug in mind aud body, and was finally obliged to give up his studies for several days. This experiment proves the medicine to be one possessing considerable power. It certaiuly modified the secreting power of the liver, to a great degree. It is useless to speculate how it affected that organ to cause jaundice. On the stomach it seems to have acted as a stimulant, resulting in congestion of its mucous coat, with conse- quent boulimea, etc., and its action on the hepatic ducts may have been of the same character. Some light may be thrown on its action, by a narration of the cura- tive or antidotal means resorted to. Neither Podophyllum, Leptan- dria, Mercurius, Nitric acid or China, had any effect in controlling the jaundice. It was not until Digitalis, -fa dilution, was prescribed) in doses of five drops every four hours, that the bile reappeared in the stools, and decreased in the urine. This medicine removed all the drug symptons in eight or ten days. Digitalis is rarely used in jaundice, but I have made several cures of obstinate attacks with tha^ remedy. For particular indications, besides those noted in Dr. Walker s case, refer to Noack and Trink's Clinical observations on Digitalis in Jahr's New Manual. (Symptomen Codex.) [Hale.] NABULUS SERPENTARIA. (Lion's-foot.) Analogue &.—JEthusa,(?) Dulcamara,(?) Eryngium,(?) Hepar sulphur,(?) Ipecacuanha,(?) Pulsatilla,{?) Sulphur (?). Botanical Description.—This is an indigenous perennial herb' with a somewhat glaucous stem, with rough dentate leaves, of which the radical arc palmate, the cauline with long foot-stalks, sinuate-pin- natifid, disposed to be three-lobed, with the middle lobe three-parted, and the upper lanceolate. The racemes are terminal, somewhat pani- cled, short and notting, with an eight-clcft calyx, and twelve florets. It is about two feet high, with purple florets ; it is common to the moun- tainous districts of Virginia, North Carolina, and other sections of the United States, and flowers in August, Theroot is thick and tuberous ; the whole plant is used in medicine, the milky juice of which is probably the active agent; it is the Prcnanthes serpens of Pursch. [This plant is said by botanists to be a variety of the Nabulus albus, which is also known by the name of Lion's-foot, as well as White-lettuce, Rattlesnake-root, all of which are given to the Nabulus serpentaria ; it is the Prenanthes albus of Linnaeus, and is thus described : " Stem smooth, somewhat glaucous, corymbose paniculate at the summit ; stout; purplish, often deeply so in spots, and from two to four feet in height ; Radical leaves angular-hastate, often more or less deeply, three to five-lobed; the uppermost cauline, one lanceolate, and between them the intermediate forms hastate and ovate, petiolate, and irregularly dentate ; heads, pendulous, glabrous, ; involucie of eight linear scales, nine to ten flowered ; scales purplish, corollas whitish., pappus brown. It is found in moist woods and shades, in rich soils, from New England to Iowa, and from Canada to Carolina ; flowering in August.] ; For all practical purposes these two varieties, may be considered identical in the quality of their medicinal action. The Nabulus ser- pentaria is considered the most active in its effects, but not differing otherwise from the Nabulus albus. The former grows in low moist soils, the latter in higher and drier locations, which perhaps accounts for its superior activity. The Nabulus albus is given as the officinal plant in the Materia Medica of the opposite schools, but as the Nabu- lus serpenteria was the plant proven by a homoeopathic physician, we have considered it proper to retain it for the present as the officinal plaut. It should be gathered in August or September. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the whole plaat (roots, stem and leaves) ; dilutions. Medical History.—The history of the uso of this plant in medi- cine is very meagre. 47 738 NEW REMEDIES. Rafinesque says it is useful in decoction, in dysentery, and for the bite of the rattle snake. King quotes the recommendation, but adds nothing new. It is not mentioned by Wood, Scudder, or any other writer on Materia Medica. Among the country people, and some country practietioncrs, it has a reputation for the cure of severe cases of diarrhoea and dysen- tery. In homoeopathic annals the only mention of it is a proving by Dr. M. E. Lazarus.* The proving is not given in daily detail as it should have been, but a resume, arranged in a fanciful manner. I have re- arranged the symptoms to accord with the plan of this work. The prover wa3, according to Dr. Lazarus,* " a married woman, aged 19 ; habitual average health, fair ; actual state of health, good ; frame rather slight and delicate ; constitutional predispositions : the general development, rather retarded ; the child, life prolonged ; cal- orific functions, rather feeble ; muscular system, rather feeble, with frequent torpor of the large intestines ; catamenia, often retarded from three to seven days ; skin fair ; hair and eyes, chestnut; a slight eruption of pustulous pimples covers the forehead and descends upon the face. She had, during three years before her sixteenth year, an irritation of the palpebral conjunctiva, with weak eyes. Character : dreamy, intuitive, impassioned and gentle ; circumstances comfort- able. Began the proving with Prenanthus, 3d decimal dilution, five drops at each dose, during four days, at two hours intervals." No provings have since been made, nor have any clinical reports been published in our literature relating to this medicine ; I doubt if any physician has used it in practice- I do not consider the proving m ide by Dr. Lazarus, as at all indicative of the powers and effects of the plant. The prover was not in good health, as a person should be when proving a medicine in the attenuations ; if larger doses had been given, and continued for a longer time, something more satisfactory might have been elicited. SYMPTOMATOLOGY. General Symptoms.—Depression of spirits, not deep, but quite remarkable during both provings ; not so as yet after the second proving, with the first dilution, when melancholy, and the cutaneous itching, with palpebral and gutteral irritation have continued for a fortnight after discontinuing the drug ; vague and sinister presenti- ments in the morning ; irritabilfty of temper complained of in the evenings ; sensation of tipsiness, comes and goes often during the first day of either proving. * North American Journal of Homcepaihy, volume 4, pago 352. NABULUS SERPENTARIA. 739 Characteristic Symptoms.—Somnolence is characteristic of both provings, chiefly in the afternoon and early evening, with sleep sound, yet unrefreshing ; sometimes feel tired on waking ; night sleep pro- longed, afterwards brighter and more broken ; susceptibility to mag- netic touch excited, unpleasantly so, to the aura of her friends. Skin.—The pimples on the face itch about the nose, upper lips and cheek; pricking sensation over the body, especially over the loins and lower limbs, as from suppressed perspiration, on the fourth even- ing of the first proving and the eleventh of the second, these itchings are most troublesome, but they last throughout both provings, and continue to develop themselves after discontinuing the drug ; this whole series has been thoroughly marked, and an old chronic disease of the eye-lids is reproduced. Clinical Observations.—It seems to act upon the skin some- what ; perhaps in a manner similar to Pulsatilla and Hepar sulphur. Glandular System.—Sub-cutaneous glands irritated and swollen, most obnervable before and behind the root of the right ear, and in the neck. MUCOUS Membranes.—The margins of the palpebral conjunctiva are very troublesome, and rather get worse than hitherto, for a week since discontinuing the drug ; they sting and smart, and are slightly swollen and dry. Mucous membrane of the nose and throat irritated, without catarrh. Fever.—Calorific functions depressed ; chilliness, which the heat of the fire did not remove, not intense; observed during the third and fourth days of first proving, and several times during the second; not followed by any febrile reaction, unless we may so consider hot flushes over the head and face after going to bed on the third night, and a few times since. Sensation of heaviness, as if the bloodvessels were filled with lead ; the body feels heavy; she leans about. Head*—Headache in frontal and vertebral regions, with irritability in connection with persisting irritation of the throat, eyelids and skin ; on the eleventh day, a week after discontinuing the drug the second time. Frontal pains, deep-seated, behind the right eyeball, and over the eye, for about five minutes on the second evening of each proving ; sharp, called neuralgic, occipital pains, probably mus- cular, with pain and feeling of stiffness in the neck and in the trape- zoid region of both sides, increased by turning the bead ; most severe on the second evening of the second proving, and continuing slightly for a week ; worse in the evening. 740 NEW REMEDIES. Eyes.—Weakness of sight; she cannot use her eyes to sew or read without pain ; this may be simply a consequence of the palpebral irritation. The margins of the palpebral conjunctiva are very troub- lesome, and rather get worse than better hitherto, for a week since discontinuing the drug; they sting and smart and are highly swollen and dry. Nose.—The nose is sore, (right nostril.) with catarrh ; a swelled point, is complained of. Throat.—The throat is sore, without catarrhal angina ; swallow- ing is not difficult, but troublesome ; much tickling and scraping is felt; only on the left side, worse when lying down and swallowing the saliva; then both eyes, especially the left, tingle painfully and fill with tears, (propably from the irritation of the submucous glands) —eleventh day. Taste and Smell.—Both slightly impaired during the latter part of the second proving. Appetite and Thirst.—Both greatly diminished; she neglects her meals, yet food causes no inconvenience ; she merely wets her mouth, preferring acids, lemon. Stomach.—Gastric secretions perverted ; she has acid, burning eructations in forenoons, during the first four days of the second proving. StOOl.—Constipation; only three stools in twelve days ; hard and painful, followed by languor and even by prostration. Clinical Observations.—It has had a reputation for the cure of dysentery and diarrhasa, since the early settlement of this country. Dr. P. H Hale writes me that in an epidemic of dysentery, of a severe character, occurring in the autumn of 1865 in Michigan, the Nabulus alba was used very successfully by the country people, who cured many cases given up to die by allopathic physicians. A weak decoction was given. Urine and Kidneys.—Renal secretions diminished ; very little urine passed, and no prompting to urinate. Sharp pains in the right kidney for about five minutes on the fourth day of the first proving, and the eleventh day of the second. Uterus. —Sharp throbbing pains attributed to the uterus, on the third day of the first proving, with discharge of a white, jelly like matter from the vagina, accompanied with weakness. The catamenia usually tardy, are more so than usual after the proving, delaying nine days. NUPHAR LUTEA. 741 Clinical Observations.—If the symptom, " discharge of white, jelly-like matter" shall be confirmed, it will prove a valuable remedy in uterine leucorrhma. It seems to retard the menses as does Pulsa- tilla, if the above symptom is reliable. Trunk.—Dorsal pains, like those of torticullis, with like pains in the nucha and occiput; joints affected with dull pain, and numbness on awakening.—(Fourth day of first proving.) NUPHAR LUTEA. (Small-flowered, Yellow Pond Lily.) Analogues.—Anacardium, Agnus castus, Baryta carbonica, Camphor, (?) Couium, Gelseminum (?) Kali bromatum, Nymphce. (?) Botanical Descripton.—There are three species of the Nuphar in the United States, namely : Nuphar advena, Nuphar kamiana, and Nuphar sagittsefolia. The first named has large, yellow flowers; the second was once designated, by Smith, Torrey, and Gray, the Nuphar lutea. Smith, a botanist, quoted by Gray, says he has never seen the Nuphar lutea in the United States. Dr. Robbins, in Wood's Botany, thinks the Nuphar kamiana wholly distinct from the Nuphar lutea or any other species. Appended to the " proving of Nuphar luteum,"* in a note by one of the editors, (probably Dr. Marcy or Dr. Metcalf,) we find the fol- lowing observation : "This proving is taken from the Journal de la Societe Gallicane. volume III., page 129, by Dr. Pitet, who gives no description of the plant, either butanically or otherwise. * * The species in question, is the small-flowered, yellow pond lily, Nuphar luteum,—not the large flowered, common yellow lily, Nuphar advena,—from which, however, it is said to be difficult to disfin the filaments, and opening inwardly. Stigma with from twelve to twenty- four rays, very much resembling ab( rtive anthers, at first incurved, afterward spreading. The pericarp is berry-like, many-celled, many- seeded. NYMPH^A ODORATA. 749 This plant grows in ponds, marshes and sluggish streams in most parts of the United States, flowering from June to September. The flowers shut up at night and open about sunrise. The seeds ripen under water, Wood and Gray recognize one variety, the Nymphoza rosea, with rose-colored petals. Rafinesque mentions three, namely : Nt/n/phaa rosea, small, less odorous, with rose colored petals ; Ntpnphxa maculata with a brown central spot on the leaves, narrow obtuse petals, flowers small, nearly inodorous ; Nymphoza spiralis, growing in the Southern States, flowers of very strong odor. The root is the officinal part, becomes light, spougy and friable on drying. It has an astringent and bitter taste, and readily imparts its virtues to water. It is said to contain considerable tannic and gallic acid, with starch, mucilage, gum, sugar, ammonia, alumina, tartaric acid, fecula, etc. The rout should be collected in the fall, freed from dirt, cut into slices and carefully dried. Officinal Preparations.—1. Tincture of the fresh root (for in- ternal administration). 2. Infusion of the fresh or dried root, (for local application,) Medical History.—The older writers make the following obser- vations relative to the white-lily. " The roots are said to be astrin- gent, refrigerant, demulcent, anodyne, hypnotic, emmolient, anti- scrofulous. The variety with yellow roots mildest and best. The fresh roots sometimes act as a rubefacient, externally ; the dry are best for use ; externally, the roots and leaves are used for poultices, iu boils, tumors, lockjaw, scrofula, etc ; internally, in diarrhcea, dysentery, gonorrhoea aud leucorrhoea."* The European variety, Nymphcea albus, had, in ancient times, a great reputation as an " an-aphrodisiac." It was supposed to have the power of repressing and entirely dissipating venereal desires and sexual power ; it is said that the priestesses and vestals in temples devoted to the worship of Diana, used to sleep on beds made of the odorous water-lily, in order to keep themselves chaste and pure. In later times an infusion, syrup, or distilled water of the root was given internally for excited sexual desires. Even as late as the time of Culpepper, it was advised in " nocturnal pollutions and amorous dreams " Allopathic physicians have not made much use of this plant, ex- cept when they have borrowed its use in diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, etc , from domestic practice. Eclectics have used it to greater extent, but their knowledge of its qualities is quite meagre. King mentions its use in ulcers of the mouth and throat, He says : " I recollect a lady, who several years since, was pronounced by several physicians to have uterine cancer, and which resisted all their treatment. She was permanently cured by a squaw, who gave her to drink freely of the decoction of a root, as we.l as to inject it into the va»ina, which proved to be that of the White-pond-lily."f * Raflnesque'a Medical Botany, page 46. t American Dispensatory, page Mil. 750 NEW REMEDIES. Nothing is said by any American writer in relation to its action on the functions of the sexual organs. Dr. P. II Hale informs me that he has prescribed an infusion of the root as an enema in many cases of acrid, corrosive leucorrhoea, supposed to be caused by ulceration ; the tincture was given at the same time internally ; and the leucorrhoea was cured with surprising rapidity. I have been informed by many women, that they have cured them- selves of an obstinate leucorrhoea by the use of an injection of an infu- sion of the fresh root. If the root will act as a rubefacient when applied externally, it re- quires no stretch of imagination to believe it acts homoeopathically as a topical application to the chronic inflammation, erosion or abrasion of the vagina and cervix uteri. I conjecture that it acts very similar to the lotions so popular in such cases, with our school, namely : a mixture of the tincture, or Aqua Calendula with Glycerine ; or more clearly still, to Hamamelis, Calendula and Glycerine. In order to ascertain whether it had had any influence in repress- ing unnatural sexual desires, I once administered the tincture of Nymphcca to a hysterical woman, who was much troubled by amorous dreams,voluptous sensations in the genitals, and uncontrollable flow of sensual thoughts. She took 10 drops every three hours for a week, with no perceptible effect on those symptoms. In the winter of 1865-66, one of the class in Hahnemann Medical College proved it under my direction, but no symptoms of sexual de- pression were induced during the experiment. If the drug had any effect, it was to slightly excite the genital organs. The only note- worthy symptoms related to the urinary organs, lumbar region, and throat. It caused, apparently, some soreness of the throat, in both experiments. This proving, however, needs to be substantiated by others before its symptoms will possess much value. PROVING BY DR. EDWIN COWLES. [Member of the North-Western Provers' Association.] Age 35 ; nervous, bilious temperament; disposition rather mild; constitution good ; a student in Hahnemann Medical College ; use no strong drink, coffee or tea, except ocasionally weak black tea, and no tobacco ; eat regularly three times a day, of food farinaceous and vegetable ; sleep about seven hours, retiring regularly. Chicago, 111., Nov. 23d, 1865.—The weather has been mild, pleasant and dry for some weeks ; have been well, with the excep- tion of slight coryza ; have now some headache in temporal region ; loose discharge at the nose, and some cough in the morning. Commenced the proving of Nymphaea Odorata.—12:40 p. m., one hour before dinner, took 10 drops of tV dilution ; ate a hearty din- ner ; one hour before supper, have perceived no effect of the drug, NYMPH^A ODORATA. 751 took 12 drops. At 9 o'clock, took 14 drops, and retired with a slight headache. Nov, 21.—Slept well all night; feel well, excepting a little cough and coryza. At 6 o'clock, took 16 drops ; in all cases make it a rule to take the drug one hour before meals. 12:40 p. m., took 18 drops. At 6 p. m., took 22 drops. Did not take any just at retiring. Nov. 25.—6 o'clock a. m., took 45 drops. 12:40 p. m., took 100 drops ; have some pain in an old hollow tooth, that has ached before ; the weather still remains pleasant. 6. o'clock p. m., took 125 drops ; tooth aches a little, but feel no other symptom. 9:30 p. m., took 20 drops of the mother tincture ; feel a little pain in the hypogastrium. Nov. 20.— Have had some pain during the night in the hypogas- trium, also a lascivious dream ; have some pain in the lower lumbar region. 7 a. m , pain in the hypogastrium and back, and an evacua- tion of the bowels, with some pain ; took 25 drops. 12:40 p. m., some pain in bowels and back ; took 30 drops. 6 p. m., took 35 drops ; pains about the same. Nov. 27.—Had an early evacuation ; some pain last night like that before mentioned, but no dreams ; about 6 a. nl, took 40 drops ; pain in the hypogastrium and back, and an evacuation about 11 o'clock ; chilly feeling, but have a good appetite. At 12:40 p. m., took 45 drops, 1:30 p. m., had a thin stool, with a little pain and slight smarting at the anus ; have a good appetite. 5:30, took 50 drops ; after a little time I have some roughness of the throat. 9:30 p. m., have a heaviness in the temporal region ; took 60 drops. Nov. 28—Slept well last night ; no dreams, and no perceptible abnormal feelings, other than from a cold and pain in the lumbar region ; on getting up, head aches a little. 6 o'clock a. m., took 70 drops ; soreness of the throat. 12:40 p. m., took 90 drops ; tingling in the throat and some hypogastric pain. 5:30 p. m., took 100 drops ; pain in the bowels for a few moments at a time, more sharp, and passage of foul flatus ; feel weak in the lumbar region, with a sensa- tion as if urine was not quite all passed. Nov. 29.—Had a restless night, with pain in the back and lower limbs ; a slight excitement of the genitals, and left temporal head- ache ; on getting up, quite inclined to stretch. 6 o'clock a. m., took 120 drops ; appetite not quite as good ; felt very dull all the morn- ing, with pain in back and head ; feel quite unfit for active duties. 12:40, took none of drug ; feel a great weakness in lower lumbar region, with headache through temples, and severe coryza. 6 p. m., 752 NEW REMEDIES. head feels very heavy, and a free nasal flow, as in coryza ; lumbar region and lower extremities dull and quite weak. Nov. 30.—Slept pretty well ; abnormal sensations are : some pain in the back and lower limbs ; a little cough in the morning and ap- parent effects of a cold. 6 o'clock p. m., have felt nearly well to-day ; some coryzal discharge from the head. Dec. 21.—Have been well for the past week with the exception of some pain in the left hypochondrium which has existed for some weeks, but scarcely felt some days ; good appetite ; sleep good aud regular ; the weather is stormy to-day, has been mostly pleasant the past week. One hour before supper, took 5 drops of tincture ; before breakfast took 10 drops ; at noon took 20 drops, and before supper took 40 drops, have felt no abnormal sensations ; at bed time took 40 drops. Dec. 22.—On getting up, feel only a little soreness of the throat; slept well and had no symptoms last night ; took 100 drops ; a pleasant day. 9 p. m., have taken none through the day ; have had a little feeling of weakness iu lumbar region, and a continued soreness of the throat as in a cold. Frequent desire to swallow, with painful deglutition ; took 125 drops, and went to bed. Dec. 23.—On arising, temperature in my room 22° above zero, keen air, but pleasant out this morning ; soreness of throat and some cough this morning ; slept well, and feel quite well. One hour before breakfast took 160 drops ; one hour before dinner took 22 drops. 9 p. m., have had but few symptoms to-day ; soreness of throat with dif- ficult deglutition ; some looseness of bowels, and increased flow of urine. Dec. 24.—Had a slight increase of sexual feeling last night ; some involuntary passage of urine ; one hour before dinner, took 200 drops ; have soreness of the throat and difficult deglutition ; pain in the lumbar region ; loose evacuations, with some pain in the bowels. Dec. 25.—Slept pretty well, but on waking, feel a lameness in the back and soreness of the throat, with disposition to cough. These symptoms last for a number of days, gradually becoming less, till little is felt that can be attributed to the drug. During the proving the prover has become more than ever before aware of the great liability of attributing to the drug, symptoms that are very slight, and cannot with any degree of certainty be called drug effects, or symptoms. Many trials of a drug seems necessary for determining the nicer differences before they may be properly known to be the effects of the drug. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA, (Poke- Weed ) Analogues .—Arsenicum, Baryta, Causticum, Chimaphila, Colchicum, Euphorbia corollata, Helleborus, Iris versicolor Kali hydriodicum, Kali bichromatum, Lachesis, Mercurius corrosivus Mercurius iodatus,Nitric acid, Podophyllum, Mezereum, San*uinaria, Sulphur, Vet atrum album, Tartar emetic. Botanical Description.—This plant is herbaceous, with a peren- nial root of large size, frequently exceeding a man's leg in diameter, usually branched, fleshy, fibrous, white within, easily cut or broken,' and covered with a very thin brownish bark or cuticle. Stems annual' about an inch in diameter, and from five to nine feet in height, round, smooth and very much branched ; when young, they are green, but become of a fine deep purple or scarlet when matured. Leaves scat- tered, petiolate, ovate, oblong, smooth on both sides, ribbed under- neath, entire, acute, and five inches long by two or three in breadth. Flowers numerous, small, greenish-white, on long pedunculated race- mes, opposite to the leaves, sometimes erect and sometimes drooping. Peduncles nearly smooth, angular, ascending ; pedicles divaricate, sometimes branched, green-white, or purple, and two others in middle. Calyx whitish, consisting of five round-ovate, concave, incurved sepals. Stamens ten. Ovary green, round, depressed, ten furrowed. Styles ten. Berries in long clusters, dark-purple when ripe, round, depressed or flattened, marked with the furrows on the sides. Cells ten. Seeds ten, solitary. History.—This plant is a native of the United States, growing in nearly all parts, along hedges, in neglected fields, and meadows, along roadsides, moist ground, flowering from July to September. It is known by various other names, as pigeon-berry, garget, scoke, coakum, pocan. The two last names originated with the Indian tribes. This species is found not only in the United States, but in the Azores, North Africa and China. The Phytolacca iccsandra, a much smaller species, is a native of South America, extending from Rio de Janeiro to Mexico, and is found in some of the West Indian Islands. The Phytolacca octandra is found in the West Indies and Mexico, where the berries are used for washing, like soap. These species possess similar properties. Chemical Constituents.—Over forty-five per cent of caustic potassa can be obtained from the ashes of this plant. It is said to exist in the plant as a neutral salt, being combined with some vegeta- ble acid. This fact will account for the escharotic properties of the ashes, which have been used as an application to cancers, indolent ulcers, etc. This curative quality, however, does not exist solely in the ashes, for an inspissated extract of the root, leaves or berries, is also escharotic. 48 754 NEW REMEDIES. The presence of Caustic-potash in this plant is quite suggestive. It throws some light on its poisonous effects. Many of its symptoms and pathological effects resemble those of Causticum, and the caustic alkalies. Taken into the stomach, this is probably soon freed from the acid, and enters the circulation as Kali causticum. The plant, however, has other dynamic effects ; it affects the nervous system powerfully, also the fibrous and osseous tissues These chemico-dynamic effects cause deep seated and important lesion:;, as diphtheria, paralysis, periostitis, etc. An analysis by Mr. E. Donelly* shows the root to contain gum, resin, starch, sugar, tanuic acid, a small portion of fixed oil, woody fibre, etc. Physical Qualiites.—The early sprouts are often used for greens, but become cathartic as they advance to maturity. The officinal parts of this plant are the roots, leaves and berries. The root, which is more commonly employed, should be gathered iu the latter weeks of autumn, cleansed from dirt and impurities, sliced transversely, and carefully dried. As met with in this shape it is of a pale-brown color, rather darker externally ; hard, corrugated, and distinctly marked internally with concentric rings of considerable thickness. It is inodorous, with a mild, rather sweet taste, succeeded by considerable acridity. Water at 2123 F., or alcohol, extracts its medicinal qualities. The tincture made from the fresh root should be prepared with the strongest alcohol. If the dry root is used, the alcohol should be one-fifth water. The leaves should be gathered just previous to the ripening of the the berries. Dr. Pope, of Washington city, informs me that he got prompt and excellent curative effects, in diphtheria, from a tincture made from the leaves gathered late in the season. The berries must be gathered when they are fully matured ; they have a disagreeable mawkish taste, with a faint degree of acrimony, and are nearly inodorous. They contain an abundance of a beautiful dark-purple juice which is the most delicate test of acids hitherto ob- served. An alkali turns it yellow, while an acid reinstates its pur- ple color, but it is of a very fugitive nature, changing in a few hours, and losing its delicacy as a reactive. No mordant has yet been dis- covered to fix it. It appears to contain sugar, will ferment, and yield a fluid from which alcohol may be obtained. The tincture should be made by adding equal parts, by weight of the bruised berries and strong alcohol. Officinal Preparations.—1. Tincture of the root. 2. Tincture of the leaves. 3. Tincture of the berries. 4. Trituration of the dried root. 5. Triturations of the Phytolaccin, (the active principle of the plant.) Medical History.—The Phytolacca was used by the Indians as an emetico-cathartic, and for the cure of cancers, tumors, etc. Rafiuesque makes brief mention of it as follows : * American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. XV., p. 169. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 755 " It is called Chougras in Louisiana, Jucato in Jamaica, and Cuechliz in Mexico ; a valuable, active plant ; root emetic and cathartic, without spasms ; dose 10 to 30 grs. of dry powder, safe and powerful. Old leaves, acrid, purgative. Stems and leaves contain more potash than any other plant, 67 per cent by burning, and 42 per cent of pure caustic potash by lixiviation ; has peculiar acid, phyto- lactic, near malic. Fresh root and leaves escharotic, discutient, specific iu poultice for cancerous or malignant ulcers, psora, tinea- capitis. Berries, juice alterative specific for chronic and syphilitic rheumatism, fresh, or kept by adding one-third alcohol, a table- spoonful each four hours." These remarks of Rafinesque, written in 1825, have been copied with little change, by nearly every " botanic or eclectic " author up to the present time, but little in addition concerning its use in disease appears to have been discovered since that date. Allopathic authors do not consider this plant of much importance, the only mention of it being in the United States Dispensatory. It remained for the homoeopathic school to make scientific experi- ments with the medicine, and by means of provings on the healthy, discover the indications for its use in disease. Allopathic and eclectic physicians have decreed it to be useful in " chronic rheumatism, chronic herpetic diseases, ulcers, periostitis, and piles." Here their knowledge ends. They know not why it is curative, blindly designating it an " alterative." CASE OF POISONING, BY DR. C H. LEE, OF ETNA, PA. I was called in September the 25th, 1865, to see a boy about 8 years of age, suffering intensely, from causes unknown to the parents. When I saw him he was in great agony ; he complained of his stom- ach, saying that it was pinched together; nausea and violent vomit- ing. I examined the ingesta and found the seeds and skin of the berries of the Phytolacca; the ingesta was of a dark red color ; he told me after he vomited, that he had eaten poke-berries,—"a whole lot of theiri." ALer the vomiting ceased he had severe purging ; the stools were thin dark brown ; severe pain in the stomach, on pressure, causing him to cry out. The vomiting and purging stopped in half an hour after I saw him. He afterwards complained of slight nausea, burning, griping pains in the umbilical region ; dimness of vision; tongue coated white, and spasmodic jerkings of the arms and legs He was put to bed and slept well all through the night, In the morning he was as well as ever. I forgot to mention that his throat felt sore, the fauces were congested and of a dark color ; dryness of the throat; the tonsils were a little swollen. 756 NEW REMEDIES. TOXICAL AND PATHOGENETIC EFFECTS. [In the following I shall give its effects on man and animals, in large and small doses, nearly as possible in the chronological order in which they have been observed.] " Root, emetic and cathartic, without S2)asms. Fresh root and leaves, escharotic. Leaves acrid, purgative." (Rafinesque, 1825.) " Emetic, purgative, and somewhat narcotic. As an emetic it is slow in its operation, frequently not beginning to vomit in less than one or two hours after it has been taken, and then continuing to act for a long time upon both the stomach and bowels. The vomiting produced by it is said not to be attended with much pain or spasm, but narcotic effects have been observed by some physicians, such as drowsiness, vertigo and dimness of vision. In over dose it produces excessive vomiting and purging, attended with great prostration of strength, and sometimes with convulsions." (Wood's Dispensatory, 1845.) " While the most prominent effects of Phytolacca appear to be produced on the stomach and bowels, the skin, the nervous system, and the urinary and genital organs of both sexes share largely in its influence. When given to animals in large doses it produces vomit- ing, purging, bloody stools, perspiration, drowsiness or stupor, cough, tremors, convulsive motions, increased urination, and disten- tion of the abdomen. The flesh of wild pigeons and other birds which eat the berries, acquire a highly red color, a disagreeable flavor, and is destitute of adipose substance ; and in some instances whole families have been purged by eating game which has been fed upon these berries, although ohildren frequently eat the berries without any bad consequences. Phytolacca has been successfully used in veterinary practice, for discussing tumors, fistulous ulcers, and in a disease called ' yellow water.' " (Transactions American Institute of Homoe- opathy, 1845.) " It rarely causes cramps or pains, but occasionally induces gid- diness, double vision, and other narcotic symptoms. Large doses produce powerful emetico-catharsis, with loss of muscular power; occasionally spasmodic action takes place, and frequently tingling or prickling sensation over the whole surface." (King's Dispensatory, 1864.) " All the effects of a severe coryza, in a person powdering it, accompanied with headache, purging and prostration of strength." (Dr. Donelly, Griffith's Medical Botany.) PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 757 " This remedy (Phytolaccin), when taken by a healthy person, in half grain or grain doses, every two or three hours, for two or three consecutive days, produces a burning sensation in the stomach, with tenderness of the bowels, and a peculiar heat in the rectum, which is soon followed by tenesmus and mucus aud bloody discharges. If continued, it produces permanent hemorrhoids, and sometimes dysentery. It will be observed from this, that the specific influence of the Phytolaccin is manifested on the mucous membrane of the stomach, bowels, and rectum, especially upon the latter, and in small and medicinal doses is a most reliable remedy for chronic affections of this portion of the alimentary canal." (Dr. Paine, [eclectic] " Concentrated Medicines," 1865.) [With strange inconsistency. Dr. Paine denies the value of the law " similia," as a law of cure, while he follows it closely himself."] The above are all from allopathic sources, and as far as they go, are quite instructive. Tho first pathogenetic experiments with the Phytolacca were made by Drs. Williamson and Hering, and published in the Transac- tions of the American Institute of Homoeopathy in 18—, vol II. The second proving was made by Dr. W. H. Burt, at my sugges- tion, in the winter of 1863, and was published in the first edition of this work. The third proving was made by Dr. II. B. Fellows, in August, 1864. The fourth proving was made by Dr. W. Warren in October, 1864, and published in the Transaction of the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society, vol. III., page 364. The fifth was made by Dr. A. V. Marshall, in 1865. The sixth by Dr. Bahrenburg in 1863, and appeared in the Western Homoeopathic Observer, vol. III., page 126. PROVINGS. FRAGMENTARY PROVINGS, BY H. BARTON FELLOWS, M. D. August 15th, 1864.—I put ten drops of the saturated tincture of the dry root in two ounces of water, and of this I took a tenth part in the forenoon about an hour before dinner. A slight fullness in the fauces, was the only symptom produced. Angust 16th.—Swallowed about twice as much of the same preparation, about an hour after breakfast. This was followed by a sensation of fullness in the fauces and upper part of the larynx, and % a sensation as of a lid there, which lasted until afternoon. 758 NEW REMEDIES. August 17th.—Put three drops of the same tincture, in one ounce of water and swallowed one-half of it in the middle of the forenoon The same feeling of fullness that was previously noted, with a dis. position to hawk up mucus from the throat, though none could be raised. While riding, about an hour and a half afterwards, I had u simple aching pain in the region of the pylorus, which gradually worked up into the chest on the same side. During the night of the 17th, I was very restless, though suffering no paiu ; could not get to sleep until late.. August 13th.—During the forenoon I had a severe headache, which began soon after breakfast. A part of the time the whole head ached; a part of the time the pain was in the temples and was accom- panied by a slight vertigo, and a part of the time the pain was most marked or confined to the occiput. Walking or riding increased the pain, but walking the most; left shoulder ached for sometime about noon. Towards evening, while riding, a laming pain began in the left side of the back, below the shoulder blade. At half past nine p. m., the pain had reached the region of the spine, and was of a pricking, stitching character. In the night I awoke with a lameness in the left side, near the cardiac region, with much nervous restless- ness; could not get to sleep again for a long while. The lameness was felt whenever I moved, but more particularly during expiration. (These pains through the chest appeared occasionally for some months after I took the last dose of Phytolacca decandra.) The bowels, which have been more than usually loose for the past six weeks, have been more regular since I began taking the medicine. The mind has been gloomy since I began taking it, and more than usually irritable. August 19th.—Bowels are more constipated ; some lameness in the left side of the chest and shoulder ; mind more cheerful. November 4th.—I took twelve pellets of the second decimal dilu- tion, from the green root, at half past eleven o'clock a. m. Smarting in the fauces, in a few minutes. At five o'clock p. m., headache in the vertex, beginning while riding ; motion increased the pain and caused vertigo ; pain lasted until I went to sleep at night; the fore- arms ached after going to bed; the pain seemed to be in the bones, and was uninfluenced by position. November 5th.—A stinging pain the left instep, relieved by pressure. During the night one nostril was stopped up. November 6th.—About 11 o' clock a. m., a feeling of heaviness or weight in the head, and vertigo began. The heavy feeling extended PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 759 down through the shoulders and chest, and later in the day through the legs. November 7th.—Took 15 pellets of the same preparation at 10 o'clock a. m. While riding in the forenoon, a sensation of a plug in the throat, not relieved by hawking. This sensation was replaced by an increased discharge of mucus from the posterior nares, which was detatched with difficulty, and which continually excited a dispo- sition to attempt to expel it. At one o'clock p. m., a striking pain in the ball of the left foot, which lasted about half an hour. At half past one o'clock p, m., a heavy aching feeling in the head, with verti- go, and indisposition to mental exertion. In the evening, a feelino- of general lassitude, has existed since 12 o'clock. Since the last date I have had sticking, stinging pains in various parts, but always in the extremities, and from without, inwards, and near the surface. November 14th,—Took eight drops of the second decimal potency at 9:45 a. m. I started on my ride immediately afterwards. Soon some heaviness of the head appeared, accompanied by a feeling on the back part of the tongue as if burnt. A sensation of the throat being so full that it felt choked ; hawking to rid the throat and poste- rior nares of mucus ; the raising of the mucus succeeded the feeling in the throat. A sensation of fullness and as if something had lodged on the left side of the throat came on after bending the head forward iu writing, and was aggravated by turning the head to the left. Regurgitation of food through the evening and until I went to sleep. Feeling of weakness at the stomach, which caused frequent yawning, that was attended by a stitching pain through the part. (Observed on a patient). Itching on the left leg on the calf, which afterwards appeared also on the right leg, and was accompanied in the latter part of the time, with a lichen-looking eruption. The itching lasted two or three weeks, and was always worse in the first part of the night, often hindering me from falling asleep until midnight. During the winter a gentleman came to me complaining of similar pains to those above described, in the chest and side, with some cough. I gave him Phytolacca second decimal, and relieved him very promptly—much quicker than I had ever been able to do it before, when I had used Bryonia and Phosphorus. ACCIDENTAL PROVING OF PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA* Oct. 14th, 1864.—While engaged in the fields collecting botanical specimens, I discovered a fine plant of the Phytolacca decandra. *Read before the Onondaga County, X. Y. Horn. Med. Society, by "W. Warren, M. D. 760 NEW REMEDIES. With some difficulty I detached about a quarter of a pound of tho root, which was white, succulent, and perfectly free from impurities. I cut off three or four grains and chewed it, Swallowing a small part of the juice. None of the fibrous or solid part was allowed to enter the stomach. This occured about three o'clock p. m. I now pro- ceeded directly home, where 1 arrived about four p. m., and imme- diately set about preparing the root for maceration in alcohol. While thus engaged, I again chewed a grain' or two of the root, and swal- lowed some of the juice. At the same time I observed that the odor of the cut and bruised root was very offensive and nauseous. Tp to this time I had experienced no unpleasant affect from the drug. At half-past four, a dull pressing pain in the forehead, accompanied by slight nausea ; nausea and headache continued to increase ; cool per- spiration on the forehead; slight feeling of weakness. At five o'clock p. m., partook of an early supper. Appetite as good as usual- Nausea and headache somewhat relieved by eating, although soon returning with increased severity. At half-past five p. m., com- menced to vomit; vomiting of undigested food and violent vomiting at intervals of ten or fifteen minutes, Pain in the forehead, increased by vomiting; nausea, relieved by vomiting. Dull, bruised pain in occiput. Constant flow of salivary secretion, from mouth, throat, sali- vary glands, much increased and of a thick, tenacious, ropy consis- tency. At twenty minutes past six o'clock, I vomited an acrid sub- stance, which caused a feeling of scraping and excoriation in tho throat. Cool perspiration, especially on the forehead and hands. Great muscular debility, lassitude, and desire to lie down. Until seven o'clock p. m., continued acrid vomiting. Drank a glass of warm water to prevent the empty retching, which was becoming very painful. Muscular weakness increasing. Cool perspiration. Headache through the whole head, of a dull pressing character. Feeling of warmness and excoriation in the throat. All symptoms were worse on motion and in the open air, except the headache, which was better in the open air. At half-past seven o'clock drank another glass of warm water, and in ten minutes vomited again—at this time, vertigo, dizziness, and dimness of vision began to be manifested ; objects appeared dim and indistinct. I ordered a cup of strong coffee, which I drank at 8 p. m. In fifteen minutes I vomited the coffee. Vertigo and impairment of vision increasing ; feeling of debil- ity and trembling, on motion. At 8:40 I went to bed. All symptoms relieved by lying down, except the scraping and excoriation in the throat in the expectoration of tenacious saliva. Restless sleep during PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 761 the first half of the night; sleep disturbed by coughing Hard cough occasioned by scraping and itching in the throat. October 15th.—Feeling of lassitude and indisposition to move; sensation of scraping and rawness in the throat and tonsils ; sensation as if something had lodged in the throat, at the root of the tongue. Feeling of intoxication on rising and walking about. Feeling of weakness. Appetite at breakfast as usual. All of the symptoms relieved by eating, but especially the throat symptoms. Bruised and sore feeling at the pit of the stomach ; aching at the pit of the stom- ach. Sickly look of the face. Dark yellow color of the face and sclerotica. Bilious. These symptoms appeared until three p. m., when a slight aggravation took place, and continued about four hours- All the symptoms, which can be attributed to the action of the drug, have subsided. dr. a. v. Marshall's proving. In perfect health ; bowels move once daily ; pulse 80 beats per minute. First day.—9 a. m., took 10 drops of the essential tincture. At 11 a. m., took 20 drops. At 12 m., took one-half dram. At 2 p. m., took one dram. About an hour later I felt a dryness of the larynx ; sensation as if the trachea was strongly grasped ; evening, grew worse. 9 p. m., took one dram. I soon felt a heaviness at the top of the head. Second day.—Awoke in the morning, with stiffness about the neck; tonsils sore and some swollen; profuse secretion of saliva; dryness in the trachea; dry cough. 8 a. m., took one-half dram. 3 p. m., took three drams. Fifteen minutes later, pressure in the top of the head, with dryness, lasting an hour. 6 p. m., took four drams. Headache ; very dry cough ; feeling of dryness in lower part of the trachea and large bronchi; redness and soreness of the throat; tonsils red and swollen ; pulse 84, and it remained so during the proving. Third day.—6. a. m., took three drams. 11 a. m., took four drams. Slight headache all day; dryness of trachea ; dry cough, without relief; heat in the stomach afier taking the drug ; at noon felt a sharp pain running up each spermatic corti; profuse secretion of saliva, each day. Fourth day. —8 a. m., took three drams. 12 m., took four drams. 2 p. m., took four drams; hard grinding pain shooting up both sper- matic cords in the morning. Urine double in quantity and clear as 762 NEW REMEDIES. water, the last two days ; dryness, soreness, roughness, and redness of the throat, all the time ; at times there is hoarseness, but this is not continual ; saliva profuse ; metallic taste in the mouth ; cough dry, with but little expectoration. Fifth day.—At 7 a. m. took four drams. 2 p. m., took three drams. Same symptoms as on fourth day. Sixth day.—Symptoms declining ; continual soreness of the sper- matic cords, instead of the paroxysmal pains experienced on the pre- ceding days ; a white coating made its appearance on the tongue ; the third day it still continues ; bowels have not been affected by the drug, notwithstanding the massive doses taken. Seventh day.—There is no trace of the drug disease. DR. BAHRENBURG's ACCIDENTAL PROVING. "I ate a small piece of the root, about the size of a common cherry, and also gave small portions to several of my friends. This was a little before twelve o'clock. Soon after, all who had eaten it began to vomit. The matter ejected was first of the aliment and then a dark bilious substance, which came away with as little effort as vomiting in Asiatic cholera. Vomiting and purging continued all the after- noon, with considerable griping pains and cramps in the abdomen. Tho emesis took place every fifteen or twenty minutes. Towards evening we were confined to our beds, and the whole family alarm- ed, thinking we would die. The extremities were cold; pulse very low; eyes deeply sunk in their orbits, and vomiting and purging still continuing. I was asked if I knew any antidote. I told them there was no danger; but towards night, as our situation became rather serious, I ordered some black coffee, and after this the vomit- ing ceased, but the purging continued. We all passed a restless night, with some fever, as reaction had taken place. There was con- siderable thirst, and the passages were without pain. The next morning all the dangerous symptoms had passed off. We felt very weak, especially in the abdomen, with little or no appetite for several days, during which time the diarrhoea continued. One of the per- sons, who had suffered from sick headache for several years, which occurred once a week, had none for four months, when it returned, but much modified and lighter." dr. ----'s PROVING. The following fragmentary proving I received from some physician, whose name I have mislaid. It is quite interesting as the prover was a susceptible subject: PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 763 " Last month, the season for obtaining the root, I went out and dug up a root as large as my fist, and when I returned, I commenced slicing it up. Being interrupted by a call, it was two hours before I had finished the job. In the course of another hour my eyes became very much inflamed, and tears flowed continually. I also began to feel general weakness and discomfort. The pain was less when in the open air. The following morning my eyelids were agglutinated and oedematous, as if poisoned. I also had fluent coryza. This state of the eyes and nose lasted about two days. I had never experienced any such trouble before with my eyes, but have often bad slight attacks of nasal catarrh. After all these symptoms had passed off, I had a diarrhoea which lasted three mornings. The dejections were very abundant, and did not cease until they became almost watery. They came on at one or two o'clock in the morning and lasted until after breakfast. The flatus was abundant. There was no loss of appetite and no pain. All this came from inhaling the fumes from the root, while slicing it, and taking a few drops from the jar before much of the virtue had been extracted." ACCIDENTAL PROVING, BY A. W. GRIGGS, M. D,, (ECLECTIC.) "On the morning of the 19th of February, 1865, at 8 o'clock, I visited the family of Mr. Wilson, nearly a mile distant, and was invited to examine and prescribe for his child—a male mute six years old. Was informed that an hour or so previously he had swal- lowed a small quantity (two or three fluid drams of the tincture of the root of the common Poke. His extremities were stiff; hands firmly shut; feet extended and toes flexed; eyes bleared and dancing; pupils contracted ; lower lips drawn down ; teeth clenched ; lips everted and firm ; muscular rigidity was general and opisthotonos established. The circulation numbered 85 beats per minute ; pulse soft and unresisting; temperature nearly natural ; respiration diffi- cult and oppressed ; mucous rale distinct and audible anywhere in the room. The contraction of the masseters precluded the idea of addressing remedies by the mouth, and the amount of mucus in the bronchise that of administering anaesthetics. A boy was dispatched to the office for cupping case and mustard ; returned at 9 o'clock. Dur- ing the hour he bad increased muscular rigidity generally, with con- vulsive action of the muscles of the face and neck, (the chin drawn closely down to the sternum), which condition would last five or ten minutes, to be succeeded by partial relaxation, and return in twenty minutes more with the same violence. Cold had been applied to the 764 NEW REMEDIES. scalp, and I now proceeded to cup him freely over the temples, crcvi- cal and dorsal spine, and subsequently applied a sinapism from atlas to sternum. A stream of cold water was now gently flowed upon the head, almost constantly for an hour; when the symptoms began to abate, the muscles gradually losing the tetanic spasm, and complaint was made of the mustard. At noon he was able to drink a cup of sweet milk, which was given. He then slept 2(1 or 2f> minutes, (which he had not done before), and was awakened ; slight jerking and twitching of the muscles, especially those of tho inferior extremi- ties. He also made signs indicating pain in tho back of the head and stomach. The water was re-applied and another cup of milk given. The head was then enveloped by wet towels, which were frequently changed, and the milk allowed ad libitum. At four o'clock he again fell asleep, and rested quietly for an hour and a half. The distress- ing symptoms had now almost disappeared, and I left the patient, having first ordered a dose of castor oil, to be given at bed-time. On the following day the little boy was up and frolicsome, although sore and somewhat stiffened. Nothing more was prescribed, and he re- covered without a return of any of the previously mentioned symp- toms, and there was no sequelae. In conclusion, I think it proper to state that there was retention of urine, for ten hours, and that neither emesis nor catharsis took place in this case, until the latter was prompted by the use of castor oil; further, the slightest nausea was not at any time observable. Having positive proof that the patient had taken the drug, and nothing else—not even breakfast—I was at first perplexed, knowing that such symptoms, in general, had not been, before, ascribed to the use of the Phytolacca.* For was this an idiosyncratic case ? Ground is here left for experiment and speculation. From the views which I have long entertained as to the pathology of rheumatism, and the known efficacy of Phytolacca in controlling it, after the acute stage has passed, I am generally inclined to believe that the symptoms referred to in the case described, were such as might have reasonably been expected to have occurred. I am free to admit that we have for some time been at sea, respecting the nature of rheumatism ; and I cannot, in this article, do more than allude to the fact, agreeably to my experience, that the plan of treatment is most successful, which is based upon the idea or belief that the medulla spinalis is at fault. Therapeutics often dissipate the darkness of pathology, although the latter, when understood, invariably should direct the former. Thus * See U. S. Dispensatory. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 765 you may understand that if the case here reported might be taken for a criterion, so far as the specific action of Phytolacca is concerned, the pathology of certain forms of rheumatism, would be clear. I am apprised that caution should mark every step in science—that we should not build on an insecure foundation—and as before mentioned, there is room for experiment and speculation ; but, impressed by the action of Phytolacca in this case, and knowing its value in treating rheumatism ; and believing rheumatism for the most part due to disor- der of the cerebro-spinal system, I cannot refrain from looking further on, to inquire whether the tincture of the root of Phytolacca decan- dra may not some day be to strychnia, what the tincture of Veratrum viride is to tartarized antimony.—(Atlantic Med. and Surg.Jour.) FRAGMENTARY PROVING BY J. LESTER KEEP, M. D. Wishing a tincture of this article, I purchased the dried root and engaged a neighboring chemist to prepare it for me. The necessary process of pulverizing developed in him the following interesting symptoms which were produced by inhaling the powdered dust. Soon after the grinding he first felt a burning sensation in the nose, then dryness of the throat, which soon produced soreness ; thin, watery discharge from the nostrils, which increased until the nose became " stuffed ;" headache, commencing in the frontal region, and extend- ing back; difficulty of swallowing, which became so severe that he was unable to swallow even water; every attempt to swallow was attended with excruciating, shooting pains through both ears ; secretion of saliva increased ; difficult breathing ; inability to breathe through the nostrils ; pulse over 100 ; vertigo. By the time the " difficult breathing " was developed, my friend became so alarmed that he decided something must be done im- mediately, and he accordingly took at one dose: Spiritus Nitrici dulcis, one ounce ; Spiritus mendereri, two ounces. This acted piowerfully, but promptly, and so far relieved him that in one hour nearly all of the symptoms had vanished. Clinical Note.—Although the reported provings of Phytolacca contain many of the above symptoms, yet this personal experience so increased my confidence and knowledge, that I have been prescribing it during the past month in severe influenzas, with very gratifying results. I have for two years used it in the " diphtheritic " sore throats which are so prevalent in this city, and with almost universal success. I believe it to be particularly applicable when connected with derangement of the digestive organs. It has occasionally failed me in idiopathic tonsillitis of a sub-acute character. In several recent cases of the latter, where Phytolacca has only partially relieved, Kali 766 NEW REMEDIES. bichromicum 2d, has speedily completed the cure. I am accustomed to use the tincture—from five to ten drops in half a tumbler of water, and administer one teaspoonful at a dose. [The tincture of Phytolacca should always be prepared from the green root by maceration in purified and re-distilled alcohol. Com- pared with this, the tincture of the dried root is almost inert.—Ed.] RESUME. General Symptoms.—Many of the symptoms, especially those about the head and throat, are better after breakfast, while the heat, and many of the abdominal symptoms are worse in the afternoon ; dryness of the fauces, most in the morning ; some of the abdominal symptoms disappear in the night; the symptoms of the chest are worse after midnight, better in the afternoon, and most of them on the right side ; the pains in the head are chiefly in the forehead, and worse after dinner ; dullness, giddiness and vertigo ; the prominent feeling in the eyes is that of smarting ; the symptoms of the eyes and eyelids are worse in the morning, but the vision is worse in the even- ing ; increased sense of hearing, the right ear is most affected ; sen- sation of a lump in the throat; the symptoms of tho stomach, throat, and mouth are worse in the morning. The first appearance of the pain in the right hypochondrium was in the afternoon, but afterwards it was always worse before daylight in the morning; griping pains without diarrhoea ; pain in the left iliac region ; the symptoms of the lower extremities are worse in the afternoon ; the pains are sometimes followed by itching and burning; the pains shoot inwards and up- wards ; transitory pains. Many of the symptoms are attended with heat ; neuralgia in the periuaeum in the middle of the night; the cough is worse towards morning ; sudden translation of internal pains to the extremities. During one of the provings, the symptoms of the eyes became so severe, that sulphur was taken as an antidote, and all the subsequent symptoms appeared on the left side.—{Trans. Amer. Ins. Horn) Great prostration accompanying the vomiting and purging; much debility.—{Dr. Burt) General weakness and dis- comfort; very weak; general lassitude ; great musculnr debility ; lassitude and desire to la}T down ; lassitude and disinclination to move; muscular rigidity, and general opisthotonos established. During the hour I had noticed increased muscular rigidity generally, with con- vulsive action of the muscles of the face and neck, (the chin drawn > closely down to the sternum,) which condition would last five or ten '{ minutes, to be succeeded by partial relaxation, and return in twenty PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 767 minutes more with the same violence; sore and stiff. (Fellows, War- ren, Bahrenburg, Griggs.) MUCOUS Membranes.—This medicine appears to act as virulently upon mucous tissues as Mercury, and the preparations of Potash. Like them it appears to cause something like false membranes, (throat), and severe ulceration and inflammation in the intestines, (stomach, etc.) Muscular Tissue.—It seems to exercise a marked influence over this tissue. It causes muscular pains (myalgia) and rheumatic symp- toms, and has been found very useful in the latter disease. No remedy is more popular in domestic use for chronic rheumatism, than a rude tincture of the ripe berries in whisky. I have observed several marked cures of obstinate cases from its use. " The extract of the root is an excellent remedy for the removal of those severe pains at- tending mercurio-syphilitic affections (osteo-copus), in which it is more beneficial than opium."—(King.) This would seem to indicate that it affected the periosteum. Clinical Observations.—In Rheumatism it has effected some cures since the issue of the first edition. Dr. G. M. Pease reports the following case : " With twelve doses of Phytolacca, 3d dil., I have relieved, and I think cured a oase of chronic rheumatism, in a man nearly sixty years pld, which had withstood all kinds of treatment for eight years. He says he can hop and skip now like a child. About a week after I commenced the treatment he walked nearly a mile to my office without even a cane, a feat he had not been able to accomplish for several years." Dr. Kendall mentions a case of periosteal rheumatism in a young woman. She had suffered several weeks from severe nightly pains in the periosteum of the tibia. After taking the Phytolacca a few days, (in the first dilution,) the pain gradually subsided. Dr. Kimball, of Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., writes : "In two cases of rheumatism of the lower inter-costal, extending to the abdominal and lumbar muscles, from exposure to cold and dampness, the Phytolacca operated like a charm, two doses of the mother tincture being sufficient. In another case, ushered in by a diarrhoea, one dose suffered to act 24 hours, gave no relief, although it caused considerable irritation of the throat and fauces. This case was afterwards cured by Ranunculus bulb. 30th. In the Boston Quarterly, Vol. I., No. 4, is a case in which the Phytolacca decandra was used by Dr. S. M. Cate, with good effect, for'occasional spasms of the stomach and diaphragm for some years, and for the last six months a severe pain in the hip joint,-mostly be- hind the trochanter major. The pains were sharp, cutting, and drawing, and occurred from 4 to 5 o'clock in the morning, driving the 768 NEW REMEDIES. patient immediately from his bed. On first rising, the leg was drawn up so that only the toe would reach the floor. Rubbing and heat would afford some slight relief, but energetic walking was the only means of rendering it'endurable After a few hours in the morninir, the severe pains passed off, and only a soreness and dull pain dis- turbed him till the next morning. The pains sometimes appeared in the middle of the tibia and fibula, and down to the great toe. Dr. O'Brien, of South Shields, (England,) in his mention of Phy- tolacca, says : " In a case of syphilitic rheumatism,, with enlargement ©f the parotid and sub-maxillary glands, it produced prompt relief, and a rapid subsidence of the glandular tumors," also " In a case of rheumatism of the right frontal region, accompauied by nausea and aggravation of the paiu in the morning, relief was afforded after one dose of the Phytolacca, 3d dec, dil." Dr. P. H. Hale reports the following cure of a severe case of chronic rheumatism, treated with Phytolacca. Mrs S----, aged about 40, had a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism fifteen years ago, which ran into a chronic form, affecting the left hip-joint, which she lost the use of. Upon examination, the synovial membrane was found implicated with considerable tumefaction from the effusion. The patient was of a scrofulous diatheRis. I ascertained she had enlarge- ment of the glands of the neck and axillae, which had existed since she was a child. There was no swelling of the limb ; the pain was obtuse, heavy aching, generally worse in damp weather. She complained of cold- ness of the limb, and the pain was aggravated by warmth. She was very much emaciated and had night sweats, having an acid reaction. Urine scanty most of the time, but sometimes very clear. She had not walked without assistance for fifteen years. Diagnosis unfavorable ; but concluded to give the Phytolacca a fair trial. Gave the tincture of the ripe berries ; 30 drops, three times a day. In two weeks I saw her for the second time, and she seemed very much improved; less pain, the tumefaction of the hip had nearly disappeared, and the muscles of the thigh were more relaxed ; appetite improved. Continued the medicine, but gave only 20 drops, three times a day. In two weeks found her still improving; she could move the joint and the muscles had assumed a normal appearance, swelling entirely disappeared ; she could sit up, and said she felt better than she had for years. Gave her 10 drops of the 2d dilution in a glass half full of water, and left more to be prepared in the same way. Three weeks after, found her still improving ; could use the joint and bear some weight on the limb, which she had not done in years. The glandular swellings had disappeared, and she had gained very much in strength and general appearance. Continued the same treatment and did not see her again in six weeks, when I called and found her able to walk without crutches, and apparently well. She says she can feel some pain in the hip PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 769 when the weather is damp. In this case the Phytolacca not only relieved the pain and tumefaction, but dissipated the glandular en- largement and arrested the night sweats. In all my ten years prac- tice, I have never witnessed a more satisfactory cure." Dr. Neidhard finds it useful in arthritis vaga, or wandering gout; passing from one joint and place to another,with swelling and redness. He uses the 6th dilution. Dr. Cushing, of Lynn, Mass., sends two cases : Case 1.—" Mrs. B—, aged 45; has had rheumatism for several years; the past year the joints of all the fingers have been badly swollen and very painful, hard and shining. Gave Phytolacca 3d, six globules, (No. 4,) four times a day; pains and swelling, better, but complete loss of appetite ; gave four globules, night and morning; ap- petite returned ; gave four globules, four times a day ; is much bet- ter and improving ; general health much better. Case 2.—" Mr. II—, aged 40, blacksmith ; chronic rheumatism ; severe for several months ; gave Phytolacca 3d, six globules, (No. 4,) night and morning. In ten days nearly well. Went to the War. Dr, A. R. Smart, of Hudson, Mich., writes as follows: " The sphere of Phytolacca in rheumatic affections appears to be in the fibrous tissues covering the bone and nerves In the rheumatic irritation of the sheaths of the nerves, as in Sciatic Rheumatism, it is specially useful ; also in Periosteal Rheumatism or in Periostitis. A leading indication for its use in periosteal rheumatism, is the presence of syphilitic taint, which may be supposed to originate the troubles in the osseous structures. The preparation used in the following cases illustrative of its action, was a con- centrated tincture of the berries. This seems to vary in its action from the preparations of the root. I have failed in accomplishing cures with tincture of the root, and afterwards have succeeded with tincture of the berry. This difference in effect and sphere I have never noticed in any of the affections to which the Phytolacca seemed homoeopathic other than those above mentioned. Case 1.—"A man, aged 40, somewhat predisposed to rheumatic difficulties, presented these symptoms. He had nearly constant pain in the outer and back part of the right limb, worse at night, but never going away entirely ; unable to bear any weight on the limb, or to move it without extreme pain, which he describes as a dull aching, and at times lancinating in character. The pain first came on in the hip, and from thence into the lower portion of the limb. Says he had a similar attack 14 years previous, from which he did not recover in over one year. General health is very good ; has tried cold friction to the limb and iodine lotions, etc., and has used Colchicum, Cimicifuga and Arnica, without benefit; gave Phytolacca, (concentrated tincture of the drug), beginning with 10 drops, and gradually increasing to -J- teaspoonful. After using the Phytolacca four days, he reported himself better, and steadily progressed to a cure, although it was six weeks before he could resume his busi- ness. 49 770 NEW REMEDIES. Case 2.—A boy 10 years of age, after exposure to cold and wet, was taken with periostitis of the right femur. He was treated by a neighboring physician, (allopath,) for rheumatism. The infiammation was partially subdued, and the case ran on for five months, when he came into my hands. I found the limb greatly swollen, surface red and shining ; inability to stir the limb ; considerable pain, more in the latter part of the day ; chills occasionally aud nearly constant fever; no appetite ; furred tongue. After a trial of several remedies which seemed to fail to reach the case, I prescribed Phytolacca, (same pre- paration as before,*) 20 drops every four hours, and a fomentation of the same to the limb. Under this treatment the swelling in the limb subsided, leaving some necrosis, which gradually came away, under nearly the same treatment, with the addition of some supporting medicines. Case 3.—A man who had syphilis a year before, complained of pain in the arms, and always about midway between articulations, especially, about the attachment of the deltoid, has suffered about a month ; does not think he caught cold ; can assign no reason for the difficulty. Pain is not severe, but of a dull aching character aggra- vated at night. Gave him Phytolacca, 20 drops, three times per day. Four days after he reported freedom from pain after the first day's use, and six weeks after he still continued free from difficulty. In regard to the dose given, I would say that I have repeatedly failed in deriving advantage from doses, of one to two drops, that I after- wards found, in the same cases, from the use of 10 to 30 drop doses. Dilutions of the tincture of the berries I have never used." Nervous Tissue.—The Phytolacca has been known to cause con- vulsions in men and children. Dr. Burt's experiments on animals elicited many convulsive symptoms. According to Dr King, it causes " a tingling and prickling sensation over the whole surface." In its pathogenesis, we found many neuralgic pains, which are clearly dis- tinguished from the myalgic. No post-mortem examinations have been made of men or animals poisoned with this plant, with suffi- cient accuracy to point out the peculiar pathological conditions it causes. The case of poisoning, resulting in tetanus, would indicate its probable usefulness in that disease. Vascular System.—Heart, Fever, etc.—Neither of our provings, contain any mention of the effects of Phytolacca upon the vascular system. I find no " fever symptoms," and but one " heart symptom." " Occasional shocks of pain in the region of the heart; as soon as the pain in the heart ceases, a similar pain appears in the right arm." Tbis is quite a valuable symptom, as it appears in some rheumatic affections, and may indicate grave cardiac disease. I find no mention of its use in any form of fever except scarlatina; it is probable, how- ever that a remedy of such power will be useful in some febrilo PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 771 diseases. (Enteric, gastric, etc.) Pulse four beats more than normal all the time ; pulse 85 beats to the minute, soft and unresisting; tem- perature nearly natural.—(Marshall, Griggs) Glandular System.—It is esteemed very highly in glandular affections. In our pathogenesis we find the following symptoms :— "A very peculiar tension and pressure in the parotids ; hardness of a gland on the right side of the neck, suppuration of a tumor behind the right ear, with a discharge of matter and blood." Dr. Burt found the Phytolaccin to cause swelling and inflammation of the tonsils, Several homoeopathic physicians, with myself, have found it useful in swelling and induration of glands ; it seems to have a specific affinity for the mammary glands (see " Generative organs of women.") According to King, " the root excites the whole glandular system, and has been highly extolled in syphilis, scrofulous, and cutaneous diseases. It is said to hasten the suppurative process ; it has been used with alleged success in bronchocele. Tho Phytolacca is an analogue of Mercury, Iodide of Potash, Iris versicolor, Podophyllum, Arsenicum, and other similar drugs. It is strange that a vegetable remedy should be so analogous in its action to the Iodide of Potash. One symptom is quite notable —the loss of adipose tissue iu birds, which have eaten of the berries. Kali hydriodicum has this power of causing absorption of adipose matter in a great degree; so also, both are useful in periosteal, mercurial, and so-called syphilitic rheuma- tism. Cancer, Scirrhus, Ulcers, etc.—King says:—"An inspissated juice of the leaves has been recommended in indolent ulcers, and as a remedy in cancer." According to Coe : " Phytolaccin has been much employed in the treatment of carcinomatous affections. It is undoubtedly as efficient an alterative as can be safely employed in that disease ; its beneficial effects are most apparent in cases of open cancer. The patient's system should be freely brought under its constitutional influence, and the dry Phytolaccin applied to the ulcer. The Phytolaccin applied either in the form of a paste with water, or in strong alcholic tincture, has been found quite effectual in that species of cancer known as lupus, when used in the early stages." Other eclectic physicians advise the use of Phytolacca decandra in old, indolent, and fistulous ulcers, both as an external and internal remedy. I have found it fully equal to our best anti-psorics, in tho treatment of old ulcers, even when of a syphilitic nature ; in this respect it is a congener of Silicia, Lachesis, Arsenicum, Kali hydri- odicum, Kali bichromicum, and Sulphur. 772 NEW REMEDIES. Skin.—A small boil behind the right ear; suppuration of painless tumors ; drawing sensation in cicatrices ; pustule behind right ear ; painful boil on the right side of the back; eruptive spots on the chest of the size of lentils, elevated, with great itching.* Itching of the left leg, on the calf, afterwards present in the right leg, accompanied the latter part of the time with a lichen-like eruption. The itching last- ed two or three weeks, and was always worse in the first part of the night, often hindering me from falling asleep until midnight.—(Pel- ows) Clinical Observations.—Dr. W. S. Searle.f says of the Phyto- lacca :—" It is an excellent remedy for boils, and similar eruptions. I have never failed to cure the disposition to boils, since I commenced its use. In one case of six months standing, and when there then ex- isted a boil as large and hard as my fist, it was tried empirically by my patient, in teaspoonful doses of the tincture, with the happy result of curing him of every symptom within 48 hours, and he has never had return of the disease." We have a large amount of reliable testimony from various sources in relation to the curative action of Phytolacca in cu- taneous diseases. King asserts its usefulness, and advises an oint- ment of the pulverized root or leaves in psora, tinea capitis, etc., in connection with its internal administration. Scudder says :—" In ringworm, scabies, shingles, etc., it may be regarded, almost in the light of a specific. At all events it has but few equals." Coe states that " salt-rheum, itch, and other cutaneous eruptions have been cured with Phytolaccin. It is to be employed not only internally but externally." With the country people it has considerable repu- tation for the cure of obstinate cutaneous diseases. It seems most successful in itch, usually prepared by stewing the bruised root iu lard; this is applied several times a day. I have known this to cure an obstinate and disgusting disease of the scalp, resembling tinea. When the ointment or concentrated alcoholic tincture is applied to the'healthy skin, it produces " burning and smarting pains," and may even cause inflammation, vesication, and ulceration. It would seem to act homoeopathically even when applied locally, like other escharot- ics. Many homoeopathic physicians value this medicine highly in the treatment of chronic skin diseases. It is to be regretted that wc have no exhaustive provings with small and diffusible doses. I pre- dict that it will prove a valuable anti-psoric as well as a polychrest. Dr. F. B. Mandeville$ reports a cure of scarlatina, in which he used the Phytolacca with good effect, after Apis mellifica, Kali bichromi- cum, and Hyosciamus, had been used without benefit. The symp- toms were :—Scarlatina anginosa ; fever rages with unwonted severi- ty ; no eruption; nose and upper lip much excoriated by an acrid dis charge ; slight delirium, great prostration." After giving the Phyto- * Trans. Amer. Inst, of Horn. t Trans. X. Y .Horn. State Society, vo\ III., pp. 252. X American Homceopathic Observer vol. I., pp 40. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 773 lacca, improvement set in, and in six days thereafter, the patient was discharged. Dr. M. says he has used it several times, with the same gratifying success. In the treatment of scarlatina the Phytolacca is the analogue of Nitric acid, Arum triphyllum, Mercurius iodatus and Kali bichromicum. Dr. N. Johnson reports very good success in the treatment of measles, in cases where the symptoms appear to indi- cate it. Sleep.—Yawning ; frequent gaping in the daytime ; drowsiness ; sleepiness ; very wakeful at night; restless sleep at night; he lies on the stomach; nausea on being awakened out of sleep at night; great inclination to sleep ; sleep is very sound ; restless at night irom°pain in the bowels; awoke crying from a very sad dream. Restless, could not get to sleep until late ; restless sleep during the first half of the night, disturbed by coughing ; in all, passed a restless night; some fever, as reaction had taken place ; was awakened by slight jerking and twitching of the muscles, especially those of the inferior extremities ; I awoke with a lameness in the left side, near . the cardiac region, with much nervous restlessness ; could not get to sleep again for a long time. It is said to be narcotic, (acro-narcotic); it will be indicated in the stupor which accompanies some diseases of the bowels, brain, or typhoid fever. Sensorium.—Sensation of soreness in the interior of the head deep in the brain ; dullness of the head ; stupefaction ; transient gid- diness ; vertigo with dimness of vision ; head feels very light and hollow. The mind has been gloomy since I began taking it; more irritable than usual. Head.—Pains throughout the head ; aching ; dull feeling in the head ; dullness, with a sensation of weight in the forehead ; dull pain in the forehead; slight pain in the fore part of the head, with increased sense of hearing ; dull, steady, aching pain, principally in the forehead ; heavy, aching pain about the forehead, after dinner; aching pain along the lower half of the right orbit; slight pain in the tuberosities of the forehead; headache, with sickness of the stomach from walking ; one-sided pain just above the eyebrows, with sickness of the stomach ; the pain is increased by looking down and by stooping; headache; slight fullness of the forehead, with con- stant gaping ; heaviness in the head and especially in the temples ; pain in the region of time and mirthfulness, on the right side in the top of the head, and a sensation as if the brain were bruised, when stepping from a high step to the ground ; pain in the left temple, fol- lowed by burning in the skin in the left region of time ; in the left 774 NEW REMEDIES. region of combativeness; cold in the head; pressure in the temples and over the eyes; in the temples; in the forehead, after dinner, in the glabella; on forehead and upper part of both eyes, painful; on the temples, and constrictive feeling at the pnecordia, like the feeling that precedes sea-sickness; slight pain across the forehead, with gaping; sore pain over the head, worse on the right side and in damp weather, as if an attack of sick headache were approaching ; slight constriction across the forehead ; drawing pain in the right temple ; moving, transitory pains in various parts of the head, almost coustantly, generally on one side at a time, but more frequently and most severe on the right side; shooting pain from the left eye to the top of the head, which passes off and returns at short intervals ; heat in the head.* Dull, heavy headache in the forehead—a constant symptom ; sharp, shooting pains in the right temple.—(Burt) A dull pressing pain in the forehead, with slight nausea ; nausea and headache continued to increase ; cool perspiration on the forehead ; nausea and headache somewhat relieved by eating, but soon returned, with increased severity ; pain in the head increased by vomiting; dull bruised pain in the occiput; cool perspiration, especially on the forehead and hands; headache thiough the whole head, of a dull pressing character; vertigo, dizziness, and dimness of vision began to be manifest; vertigo and impairment of vision increased ; feeling of intoxication, On rising and walking about! some headache, at times the whole head; again, only the temples, accompanied with vertigo ; again, confined to the occiput; aggravated by walking or riding, but mostly by the former; headache at vertex, with vertigo, while riding, continued while awake ; heaviness or weight in the head, extending down through the shoulders, chest, and legs, with vertigo; a heavy aching in the head, with vertigo, and dis- inclination to mental exertion ; heaviness of the head, with a feeling as if the back part of the tongue was burnt; a heaviness in the top of the head ; pressure in the top of the head, with dimness, which last- ed an hour ; pain in the back of the head.—{Fellows, Warren, Mar- shall. Bahrenburg, etc.) Clinical Observations.—Phytolacca promises to prove useful in some varieties of rheumatic, catarrhal, and nervous headache. It will probably be found useful in those terrible cephalalgias to which syphi- litic patients are liable. Dr. Bahrenburg says, one of the persons who was subjeet to weekly attacks of sick headache, escaped it for four months ; it then returned in a modified form. * Trans. Amer. Inst, of Horn. vol. II. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 775 Eyes.—Shooting pain from the left eye to the top of the head ; pressure in the eyes; pressure around the eyes in the afternoon, as if the eyes were too large ; pressure over the eyes ; some painful pressure on the upper parts of both eyes and forehead : burning and smarting sensation in the left eye, with great flow of tears; sensation in the eyes, like that caused by horse-radish ; smarting in the left eye ; sandy feeling in the eyes; itching at internal canthi of the eyes, very severe, which caused the application of the finger to rub the eye—the ball became very painful from the slightest pressure ; sensation as if a grain of sand were lodged under the left eyelid, causing a secretion and flow of tears from that eye ; smarting in the internal canthi of both eyes, but worse in the left one, and very much aggravated by gas-light in the evening; feeling in the eyes and nose, as if a cold would come on ; soreness on closing the eyelids ; reddish-blue swelling of the eyelids, worse on the left side and in the morning; cannot close the eye without pain, all the forenoon, better in the afternoon ; agglutination of the eyelids during the night; flow of tears all the time from the eyes, relieved in the open air; photo- phobia in the morning; dimness of sight; long-sightedness.* Great smarting in the eyes and lids—(constant symptom); dull, heavy, ach- ing pains in the eyeballs, aggravated by motion, light, and especially by reading; sensation as if there was a feather over the sight; eyes agglutinated every moruing.—(Burt.) Catarrhal inflammation of the left eye, with flowing of tears and photophobia; from low dilutions) —(Neidhard). Eyes deeply sunk in their orbits.— (Bahrenburg). Eyes bleared and dancing, pupils contracted, and inferior lids drawn down; eyes very much inflamed, with profuse lachrymation ; eyelids agglutinated and oedematous, for two days ; dimness of vision, ob- jects appear indistinct; vertigo and dimness of vision increased.— {Griggs, Warren, Lee, and Dr— ) Clinical Observations.—The Phytolacca has a large number of symptoms of a prominent and suggestive character, relating to the eye, and affecting its various tissues ; it is eminently indicated in rheumatic, catarrhal, scrofulous, mercurial and even syphilitic opthal- mia. I have used it with success in one case of rheumatic pain in and about the eye, aud another of chconic conjunctivitis with granu- lation. In the " Chicago Medical Examiner," is found the following mention of the curative virtues of Phytolacca in granular conjunctivi- tis. Although from allopathic sources, the testimony is worthy our consideration. In this cure as in all others, the pathogenesis of the medicine proves its homoeopathicity to the disease. * Trans. Amer. lust, of Horn., vol. II. 776 NEW REMEDIES. Dr. C. S. Fenner, of Memphis, Tenn., in the N. A. Med. Chirurg. Review, January, 1857, highly extols the efficacy of the Phytolacca in preventing relapses of inflammation in granular lids. " Regarding," he says, " these exacerbations, accompanied with circumorbital pain, soreness in the periosteum and scalp, as of rheumatic origin, about two years ago, I was induced to try the poke, from its well-known efficacy in rheumatic inflammations, and the result has far exceeded my most sanguine expectations. With the aid of this remedy, I have been enabled to effectually cure cases of granular conjunctiva, that, without it, would have resisted all my efforts ; indeed, with me it has almost proved a specific for the exacerbations attending this com- plaint. Patients fully under the influence of Phytolacca, often ex- pose themselves, and take a severe cold, without effecting the eyes in the least. Iuse the root in the form of a simple decoction or tincture, and give it in large enough doses to produce fullness of the temples and head ; I have not yet seen a severe recurrence of acute inflamma- tion in this disease, where the patient was kept fully under the in- fluence of the Phytolacca," An allopathic physician claims to have effected several cures of fistula lachrymalis, with Phytolacca. I cannot find the paper which makes mention of it in such cases, and therefore the manner in which it was used, is not known to me. But, as in granular conjunctivitis, it was probably used topically and internally. Ears.—Shooting pain in the right ear, very quick ; pain* in both ears, worse in the right one; irritation in one of the eustachian tubes ; a sensation of obstruction in the left eustachian tube, with a rushing sound in the ear of the same side, and a feeling as if the hearing were dull, while at the same time it is sensitive to the most minute sounds ; increased sense of hearing, with pain in the fore- head.* Shooting pains in the ears, when swallowing. Nose.—Drawing sensation above the root of the nose ; feeling in the nose and eyes as if a cold would come on ; cold in the head ; stoppage of the right nostril; coryza ; flow of mucus from one nostril, while the other is stopped ; discharge of mucus from one nostril at a time, sometimes one and sometimes the other: total obstruction of the nose when riding, so that one is forced to breathe altogether through the mouth, and cannot relieve himself by blowing the nose.* Fluent coryza for two days ; a sensation of a plug in the throat, not relieved by hawking, which was displaced by an increased discharge of mucus from the posterior nares; mucus detached with difficulty; hawking continually; stoppage of left nostril.—{Fellows, and Dr. —.) Clinical Observations —Persons engaged in pounding or grind: ing the root are generally affected with symptoms like severe coryza, * Trans. Amer. Inst, of Horn. vol. 11. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 777 Even those engaged in making the second and third triturations of Phytolaccin are similarly affected. It is a powerful irritant to the nasal mucous membrane ; it is indicated in acute and chronic nasal catarrhs, also in ozoena, and syphilitic ulceration of the nose. It has cured a small cancer on the alse of the nose. Face.—Paleness of the face ; heat in the face after dinner ; heat on the left side of the face in the afternoon ; heat, with redness of the face, and a sensation of fullness about the head, and coldness of the feet; eruption on the upper lip, left side ; aching pain along the lower half of the right orbit.* Sickly look of the face; dark yellow color of the face and sclerotica; firm tetanic contraction of the masse- ters.— ( Warren, Griggs) Clinical Observations.—The insipissated juice of the berries, applied to cancerous or scirrhus tumors, and ulcers of the face and lips, has affected cures of such ulcers etc. It has been found useful in prosopalgia, and rheumatic pains in the bones (periosteum) of the face. Mouth, Teeth and Tongue.—Small ulcers on the inside of the right cheek, like those caused by mercury; tenderness and heat in the roof of the mouth and on the tongue ; flow of saliva into the mouth ; mouth fills with water ; the saliva is yellowish, and has a metallic taste; dryness of the palate in the morning; sw'elling of the soft palate ; slight feeling of smarting and coldness towards the tip of the tongue. Shooting pains in the molar teeth of the upper and lower jaws of the right side ; disposition to bite the teeth together; irresistible inclination to bite the teeth together.* Tongue feels rough, with blisters on both sides, and a very red tip ; great pain in the root of the tongue, when swallowing; teeth all ache, and they arc very sore, and feel elongated (the same symptoms were caused by Phytolaccin ;) metallic taste in the mouth.—[Burt) Profuse se- cretion of saliva; white coating on the tongue continued; secretion , from mouth, throat and salivary glands, much increased, and of a thick, tenacious, ropy consistency ; teeth clenched; lips everted and firm.—. {Fellows, Warren, Gregory and Lee.) Clinical Observations—Some of the symptoms of the medicine strongly resemble those of Mercury, even to the metallic taste, and soreness of the teeth ; it has been used with benefit in mercurial ptyalism, and mercurial pains of the teeth ; it is indicated in inflam- mation (rheumatic) of the gums, and buccal cavity; rheumatic odon talgia, ulceration of the buccal cavity, and various forms of sore mouth are amenable to its action. * Trans, of Amer Inst, of Horn. 778 NEW REMEDIES. Dr. S. A. Merrill, of Council Bluffs, writes ; I have made con- siderable use of Phytolacca in difficult dentition. Have found it to act in most cases like magic. In one very bad case, (my own child,) 1 had for a long time tried everything that promised to be of service, without any permanent relief. The following symptom, in its patho- genesis, suggested its use tome. "Irresistible inclination to bite the teeth together, etc." Its administration was followed by prompt relief. I have since used it in other cases with equal benefit. I used it in the 12th dilution. Pharynx and (Esophagus.—Sensation in the pharynx like that caused by eating choke-pears ; pressing in the right side of the throat; sore throat, and swelling of the soft palate in the morning, with thick, white, and yellow mucus about the fauces, after the re- moval of which the throat feels better, and still better after breakfast; soreness of the throat, and a feeling when swallowing saliva as if a lump had formed there ; the same sensation is felt on turning the head to the left side; the throat feels very dry and sore, especially on swallowing in the afternoon; general soreness of the posterior fauces, and apparent extension of the irritation into one of the eusta- chian tubes ; roughness in the pharynx ; unpleasant sensation of dry- ness in the pharynx towards morning, which makes him cough; great dryness of the throat; dryness of the throat on going to bed ; dry- ness in the throat, worse in the morning ; sensation of dryness of a spot in the fauces on the left side, in the morning, continuing until after breakfast.—(Trans. Am. Inst, of Horn) Great dryness of the throat; roughness in the pharynx (constantly) ; sensation as of a lump in the throat that causes a constant inclination to swallow ; sen- sation as if an apple core had lodged in the throat; great congestion and swelling of the soft palate and tonsils ; the right tonsil is half as large again as the left, both are of a very dark red; feeling as if a ball of red hot iron had lodged in the fauces, and whole length of the oesophagus, when swallowing; the pain was so great that I could eat nothing but fluids fcr two days ; constant choking sensation ; roughness and rawness of the throat; tonsils and palate congested, and of a dark purple color; great pain in root of tongue, fauces, etc., from Phytolacca and Phytolaccin.—(Dr Burt.) Throat dry at the larynx ; sensation as if the trachea was being strongly grasped ; tonsils sore and some- what swollen ; redness and soreness of the throat ; dryness, soreness, dullness, and roughness of the throat all the time, with some hoarse- ness, but not persistent; fullness at fauces and upper part of larynx, with the sensation of a lid there, it was present until afternoon; dis- position to hawk up mucus ; a sensation of the throat being so full PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 779 that it felt choked ; hawking to rid the throat and posterior nares of mucus, which relieve the choked feeling; a sensation of fullness, and as if something had lodged on the left side of the throat, from bend- ing the head in writing, worse upon turning the head to the left; vomited an acrid substance, which caused a feeling of scraping and excoriation in the throat ; feeling of warmness and excoriation in the throat; sensation of scraping and rawness in the throat and tonsils; sensation as if something had lodged in the throat at the root of the tongue.— [Marshall, Warren, Felloivs, and Lee.] Clinical Observations.—One of the most prominent symptoms observed in all cases of poisoning with Phytolacca, is " inflammation of the fauces ;" it seems to have a decided affinity for these tissues. Dr. Burt wrote me during the time he was proving the drug, that it it would certainly prove a valuable remedy in diphtheria, and his pre- diction has been verified. A few weeks after his provings, Dr. Burt had an opportunity of testing the virtues of Phytolacca in that dis- ease. He reports the following cases : " Miss B., ret twenty. November 8th, had a severe chill at night, with a great pain in the back of the head, back and limbs, followed with fever and sore throat 10th. Was called to see her; found her suffering very much, with great headache ; worse in the back part; back and limbs aching fearfully ; both tonsils very much swollen, and covered wTith a greyish pseudo-membrane ; tongue very red at the tip, coated white ; great prostration; cannot stand; if she raises up in bed, she immediately faints away; prognosis unfavorable. Gave Phytolacca, four drops at a dose every hour, and a gargle of the same between. Morning, decided change for the better. Continued the same treatment for three days, when the false membrane came off, and the fifth day discharged her cured. She took a large spoonful of beef tea every two hours. She had no other remedy. It was re- markable to see how quickly the fever abated under its influence. " Mrs. B., vet. 31. Nov. 16th.—Throat commenced to feel sore in the morning, followed by high fever all day ; right tonsil very much swollen ; at noon commenced to see white substance forming on the tonsil. I was called at 10 p. m. ; found the right tonsil covered completely with a white pseudo-membrane; fauces and soft-palate very much inflamed ; deglutition almost impossible ; loss of appetite ; great frontal headache ; bowels moved every two hours, with severe pain in the umbilical region ; great prostration, vertigo is so great that she cannot walk. Pulse 127, soft. Gave Phytolacca, four drops every hour, and a gargle of the same every hour, consisting of fifty drops in a tumbler of water. 18th.—Very much better; pulse 100; throat does not feel near as sore ; false membrane beginning to come off; back and limbs ache but slightly ; headache nearly gone: continued same treatment three days. Disgharged her cured. The diarrhcea stopped the second day. * Medical Investigator, vol. II., page 30. 780 NEW REMEDIES. "Miss H. aet. twenty-five. December 3d.—Had a severe chill in the night, followed by high fever and sore throat. Took Aconite and Belladonna all day, but continued to get worse. Midnight, I dis- covered patches of pseudo-membrane 012 the tonsils; she complained most bitterly of the back of her head and neck ; back and limbs ach- ing. Pulse 120 ; bowels costive ; loss of appetite, (lave Phytolacca, three drops every hour, with a gargle of the same between. 4th, Noon.— Feeling better; continued the same treatment. 5th.—No fever ; feeling quite well, but thinks her throat is more sore ; both tonsils are swollen and covered in patches with false membrane ; con- tinued the same treatment, giving six drops at a dose. 6th—Feeling a great deal better ; pseudo-membrane is off of the tonsils ; continued same remedy every two hours for two days, when I discharged her cured. "A. Snyder, set, thirty-nine. November 10th.—Throat commenced to feel sore, with severe headache ; back and limbs aching severely. 11th.—Was called to attend him, and found the following symptoms: Throat very sore ; both tonsils covered with greyish pseudo-mem- brane, soft and swollen ; palate and fauces violently inflamed ; deg- lutition impossible ; severe frontal headache : back and limbs aching severely ; high fever ; pulse 128 ; delirious at times ; bowels costive; has not slept through the night. Ordered fat salt pork to be put around his neck, beef tea every two hours, and gave Phytolacca every half hour ; four drops at a dose, with a gargle of the same. 12th.— Decided change for the better ; pulse ninety eight; head, back and limbs do not ache as hard as they did yesterday ; throat feeling very sore, but the false membrane does not seem to be spreading ; continu- ed the Phytolacca every hour. 13th.—Feeling much better ; pseudo- membrane commencing to fall off, leaving great holes in the tonsils, that bleed a little ; continued same treatment. 14th.—Pscudo-mem- branealloff; tonsils are very much swollen, and look very red and ragged ; continued the Phytolacca for three days, once in two hours, when I discharged him cured. I have given the Phytolacca in two cases of children, and two in adults, where the pseudo-membrane was well formed (but there was not so much fever), with the same gratify- ing result. These are all the cases I have had this fall, and Phyto- lacca has cured every one of them. I believe there is no medicine in the Materia Medica to be compared to it in diphtheria, if the respi- ratory organs are not involved. I had no cases where the air passages were involved, to observe its effects." Other cases reported by Dr. Burt to the " American Homaaopathic Observer.''1 " Mr. F., aet. twenty-six. Jan. 4th, 10 p. m.—Slight pain in the left tonsil when swallowing ; rested well until 2 a. m.; awoke with a severe frontal headache ; back and legs aching very hard, with high fever and sore throat; could not sleep any more. 8 a. m., pulse 120 and very soft ; head, back and legs are aching violently ; throat very sore ; left tonsil very much swollen and covered with a grayish false membrane ; right tonsil has patches of the pseudo-membrane on PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 781 it; deglutition is almost impossible ; great prostration ; can stand up only a few moments at a time, it makes him so faint and dizzy. Gave Phytolacca, four doses every hour, with a gargle of the same, consist- ing of fifty drops in a tumbler of water. 5th.—Feeling very much better: fever nearly gone ; head, back and legs do not ache half as much as they did yesterday ; pulse 100 ; throat is feeling very sore ; left tonsil is very much swollen and still covered with the pseudo- membrane ; the right one looks very red, with small patches of mem- brane on it; deglutition almost impossible ; continued treatment. 6th.—Feeling much better; pseudo-membrane is off from both tonsils ; they look very red, and the left is still swollen ; no fever ; slight ap- petite ; continued treatment. 7th.—Feeling quite well, but throat pains him when swallowing ; discharged cured. " Mrs. G., set. twenty-one, nursing a babe. Jan. 11th.—Throat commenced to feel sore ; had a very restless night. 12th.— Slight headache, with a severe pain in her back and legs ; very chilly all the time ; throat very sore ; both tonsils very much swollen ; and covered in patches with a dark-colored pseudo-membrane ; deglu- tition very difficult ; face very much flushed; great prostration ; cannot sit up any, she is so faint and weak ; bowels regular. Gave Phytolacca, four drops every half hour, with a gargle of the same. 13th.—Feeling very much better ; feeling all gone ; back and legs do not ache any ; throat is feeling very sore ; tonsil very red and swollen, and covered in patches with the pseudo-membrane ; degluti- tion is very painful. Continued same treatment once an hour. 14th. —Feeling quite well; pseudo-membrane is off from both tonsils ; there are large boles eaten into the tonsils ; can swallow quite well. Continued same treatment every hour ; discharged her cured the next day. The babe nursed her all the while and did not take the dis- ease. I attended a lady once before who nursed her babe through the disease, and it did not take it. " Miss K., aet. 9. December 12th.—For the last two days has had a fever, with chills all the while; throat has been very sore, and is getting worse all the time ; head, back and legs are aching constantly ; pulse 130 ; very weak and soft; soft palate, and tonsils are violently inflamed and swollen ; both tonsils are covered with grayish pseudo- membrane ; cannot swallow anything; very weak ; cannot sit up ; has not eaten anything for two days.neither can she be persuaded to take any kind of nourishment. Gave Phytolacca, two drops every hour ; morn- ing, feeling a little better; pseudo-membrane looks about the same ; continued treatment; morning, feeling quite well ; false membrane is all off, but the throat is feeling very sore ; continued same treatment one day more, and then discharged her cured. " Little Henry, get. 4. For two days has had a little fever and sore throat; says ue is cold ail the time ; refuses to take food; both tonsils are twice as large as they ought to be, and covered in patches with a whitish false membrane ; pulse 118 ; very weak ; he lies on the lounge all the time. Gave Phytolacca, ten drops in a tumbler one- half full of water ; cured in two days." 782 NEW REMEDIES. A young lad was taken with diphtheria, and treated by an old school physician, and died. His sister, twenty-eight years of age, was taken with it, three days after, and treated by an eclectic, and died the fourth day. A young lady who waited on them was taken down with it four days after the death of the sister. I was sent for, found her with a very sore throat, and the tonsils and soft palate covered with the false membrane, of a greenish color : both tonsils were twice as large as they ought to be ; neck was very stiff; pulse 12S. She was very much frightened, was sure she would die ; hands and limbs trembled constantly. 1 tried to quiet her, and gave her Belladonna and Iodide of Mercury, every hour, in alternation. Morning found her very much worse ; fever the same, and still trembling. I gave one dose of Aconite, and then a gargle of a tincture from the green root of Phytolacca, every half hour, and gave internally about six drops of the same every hour. Remained with her through the day and all night; morning, she was not so nervous, and the disease had not made any progress ; continued the same treatment; next day about the same ; continued same treatment, but made it.alittle stronger. Morning, decidedly better, the pseudo-membrane looks as if it would soon drop off; continued same treatment. Morning, feeling quite free from fever, and about a quarter of the membrane has come off; she has a fine, scarlet eruption all over the body and limbs, but more on the legs than there is on the body ; urine is albuminous ; continued the same treatment every two hours. Morning, one tonsil (the right) is free from the membrane, but looks very raw, and burns a good deal; continued the same. Next morning, false membrane all gone ; swell- ing has disappeared, excepting the left tonsil; continued Phytolacca This case was cured iu a few days. Dr. Burt says he has succeeded with Phytolacca in thirty-two out of thirty-four cases of Diphtheria treated. Case of Scarlatina, with Diphtheritic complications, reported by Dr. Geo. F. Foster : " I had an opportunity last week of trying Phytolacca decandra, in a case of diphtheria, with better success as to time of curing patient than with Belladonna, Iod, Merc, etc. " The patient, in the room with a scarlatina patient, was taken sick; high fever, headache, etc., not complaining of throat for two days, when the child's mother told mc she complained of her throat. I examined it and, sure enough, there was the trouble ; both sides covered with the membrane, with rash on the body. I stopped Aconite and Belladonna, and gave the Phytolacca decandra (tincture root), fifteen drops in one-third glass of water, two teaspoonfuls at a dose, every hour, with gargle of the same, three drops to a glass of water. It was the quickest cure of the disease I ever made." Dr. G. C. Brown says :* " I have been experimenting a little with Phytolacca in enlarged tonsils, and so far have found it very benefi- cial. In two cases they were so much enlarged as to materially inter- fere with deglutition, and had surface ulcers. Were speedily reduced * American Homoeopathic Observer, vol. I, page 108. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 783 by the use of Phytolacca, a few drops of the tincture in a tumbler of water; a teaspoonful every two hours." Dr. C. W. Boyce reports that he has found the Phytolacca univer- sally beneficial in diphtheritic sore throats. Dr. Stearns uses the thirtieth attenuation, of Phytolacca, in diph- theria, with striking curative results. Since the appearance of the first edition of this work, the value of Phytolacca in diphtheria has been verified by thousands of physicians of the Homoeopathic School in England, Austria, Australia, Germany, and other countries as well as our own. To Dr. Burt rightfully belongs the honor of first recommending this remedy in the treatment of diphtheria. As stated in the first edition, his recommendation was made to me during bis heroic prov- ing of the medicine. Those who undertook to sneer at the claims Dr. Burt set forth for this medicine, may well feel abashed when they see the great amount of evidence in its favor. Future generations of physicians, and innumerable patients, will remember Dr. Burt with heartfelt gratitude. I have not space to record all the cases of diphtheria which have been successfully treated with Phytolacca, and shall only give a few of the most important. Dr. John Doy, of Battle Creek, Mich., reports the following case : " Miss A. Tonsils very much swollen, covered wholly by the false membrane ; she was panting for breath ; eyes staring, and her condition dangerous and distressing ; gave four drops of tincture of the root every hour. Next morning, found her much better, and in a few days she was convalescent. Several cases occurred in the same neighborhood, and were all cured by Phytolacca." The observations of Dr. Sherwin,* of Sidney, (Australia) go to prove that another species of this plant is also useful in Diphtheria. He writes : Phytolacca octandra, growing in great abundance all around this city, but not indigenous. This is a most valuable plant, used cither internally or externally. It is specific in diphtheria—given in decoc- tion or infusion—applied very assiduously to the fauces as a gargle, and used hot and frequently repeated as a poultice to the throat ; all stiffness disappears ; the membranaceous formation is thrown off, and is not reproduced ; perspiration follows ; fever subsides ; all aching * general pains and headache disappear, and the patient eagerly seeks for food.* Dr. D. S. Smith, of Chicago, reports : " I have used this remedy with fine effect in ulcerated sore throats where " Mercurious vivus," Mercurius Iodatus," and Belladonna, did no good. Two ladies who are subject to yearly attacks of Quinsy, and whom I treated with this remedy, said that never in their lives, had they their throats cured in a such a short space of time. The symptoms were : Large ulcers on one side of the throat, with a good * British Homoeopathic Review, 1865. 784 NEW REMEDIES. deal of tumefaction and constant inclination to swallow. I used the first decimal dilution, ten drops in half a tumbler of water. One^ase which seemed to grow worse under Mercurius, got well immedi- ately under this remedy." Dr. A. Vr. Marshall writes : " Mrs. Barnes came to my office with a sore throat ; it was very red as far down as I could see ; tonsils swollen ; throat felt very sore ; some cough ; had been using some domestic remedies of an unknown character for about four days, but her throat grew worse. Gave her Phytolacca, three drops in three ounces of water, to take a teaspoon- ful every four hours. " While riding by her house three days afterwards, she said to me : " Dr. that medicine you gave me, cured my throat right up." Dr Bayes, in an article entitled " A few remarks on the use of Carbolic acid, and of the Phytolacca decandra, and Phytolacca octan- dra, iu Diphtheria,"* gives several cases in which he used these medicines in alternation, and with good results ; speaking of Dr. Burt's description of the urine voided during his proving of the drug, he says : " This would point to the probability of Phytolacca proving valu- able in the homoeopathic treatment of albuminuria with urine of high specific gravity, and a copious deposit of lithates ; cases which indi- cate active conjestion or sub-acute inflammation of the kidneys. So far, also, its pathogenetic effects on the kidneys would show a direct relation to the pathology of diphtheria and scarlatina, especially when considered in relation to the throat symptoms, which are numerous and important." The first case treated by Dr. Bayes, with Belladonna and Mercuri- us iodatus, Bromine gargle, and an application of a lotion of Muriatic acid, died on the third day. The second case had the same treatment for three days, but getting no better, was put on a gargle of Carbolic acid and Phytolacca, as follows : R. Tinct. phytolacca dec, tinct., gtt. vi. Aq. dist., oz. is.; a teaspoonful every two or three hours. The effect of the Carbolic acid lotion was admirable ; it brought away the membrane in large pieces, and appeared to exercise a most happy influence over the subjacent mucous surfaces. The Phytolacca also had a marked effect on the pulse, the general health and the throat. This patient made a good recovery, but for some time had paralysis of the throat, so that food and fluids would sometimes run out by the nose. There was also semi-paralysis in the legs, but in a few weeks recovery of health and strength was perfect. The other cases he reports were : " Another member of the same family was attacked on the 17th with alarming severity, and for several days lay in great danger. Her pulse was over 130, and very feeble; large patches of false membrane appeared ; the root of the tongue was much swollen, etc. In her * Monthly Horn. Review, (British) November, 18C5. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 785 case the Carbolic acid was used to destroy the false membranes, and the Phytolacca mixture was given ; but in addition, as she was able to gargle, I carried out another of Dr. Burt's suggestions, and used a gargle with fifty drops of tincture Phytolacca to half a pint of water. She steadily improved. In the same article Dr. Bayes mentions the use of another species of the Phytolacca, by Dr. Sherwin. He speaks of this Phytolacca as being "specific in diphtheria — given in decoction or infusion—ap- plied very assiduously to the fauces, as a gargle, and used hot as a poultice to the throat; all disappeared; the membranous formation is thrown off, and is not reproduced; perspiration follows; fever sub- sides ; all aching, general pains and headache disappear, and the patient eagerly seeks for food." This certainly applies equally to the Phytolacca decandra. I substituted the Phytolacca octaudra for it in the second of these cases, but there was no appreciable differ- ence in the effects ; the desire for food, after taking Phytolacca for a day or two was very marked; the patients took everything that was offered with a relish. Ultimately, every member of the family except the mother, took the disease; three of the cases were very severe. They all recovered. The father was seized suddenly on August 24th with a chill ; next morning his throat was sore, and a patch of the diphtheritic de- posit appeared on the tonsils. We put him under the same treatment, and gave him stimulants freely, as there was a great tendency to failure in the action of the heart. He was quite convalescent, how- ever, on the 29th, and went down to the sea side on the 30th. On August 24th, I saw another case in a young child unable to gargle, and on the 29th, an elder sister. These were friends of the former family, living about one mile distant, but I could in no way trace contagion, nor could I discover how the disease had originated. The younger child had the Carbolic acid and the Phytolacca mix- ture. The elder had, in addition, the Phytolacca gargle ; both these cases did extremely well. On September 1st, I saw another case of diphtheria, a girl of 11, living in quite another part of the town. Pulse 88, tongue much furred, several patches of the diphtheritic membrane on both tonsils, threatening to run into one another. This case I determined to treat with Carbolic acid lotion alone. The throat was touched with the lotion several times a day. It brought away many shreds for the first four or five days ; on the 6th, she was quite well. On September 3d I saw a clergyman, of middle age, resident in college, with severe diphtheria. Pulse 104, tongue and fauces greatly swollen. I ordered him a Phytolacca mixture and gargle, and fomentations, with spongio-piline to the throat. On 4th, his pulse was down to 65, the throat still much swollen, and a large patch of diphtheritic membrane over left tonsil and extend- ing forward over the palate. I could not see beyond the tonsil. 50 786 NEW REMEDIES. 5th March. Less swelling; the uvula covered as well as the left. tonsil. As he feels much better, continued Phytolacca. Shreds of membrane came away copiously in gargling. The throat was quite well on the 11th, but the patient suffered from profuse perspiration. Ordered Phosphoric acid 3d, twice a day. In a few days he was perfectly well, and went to the sea side to recruit. In this case there was no consecutive paralysis My conclusion on these cases is this : That Carbolic acid lotion is the best means for removing false membranes from those parts which can be reached by it. That Phytolacca gargle possesses the same power; but I have not yet treated a sufficient number of cases to be able to give an opinion on their comparative power. Phytolacca is pleasant, and every patient who used it said it soothed the throat and was comforting to it; while all disliked Carbolic acid. The wet pad of spongio-piline from car to ear, and changed as often as dry or cold was very useful or comforting to the patient in the early stage. I gave several medicines for the paralysis, Woorari, Baryta, Phosphoric acid, etc., but I do not think the effect was marked, and they got well just as well with fresh air, friction, and cold water, and a few doses of Arsenicum. I think that Phytolacca will prove a most useful addition to our remedies for diphtheria, and hope that my own small experience of its value will induce others to test its powers. I have seen no cases of diphtheria since those above recorded. Dr. D. Matheson, of New Castle upon Tyne, England, reports :* " I have used the Phytolacca in two cases of diphtheria, and it acted like a charm. Dr. Hughes, of Brighton, England, reports three casesf of diph- theria, treated with Phytolacca : In the first case, "the throat was one mass of grayish-white de- posit; the breath very foul; the tongue coated with a blackish-brown fur; external glands enlarged; pulse 110, faltering; deglutition almost impossible." Phytolacca in drop doses of the mother tincture every hour. Tbe next morning the deposit showed signs of detach- ment, then loose pieces came away. Monday, pulse 93 ; fur on the tongue white. Mucous membrane could be seen through diphtheritic pellicle. Tuesday morning, worse; pulse 120; tongue dry and brown, de- posit spreading ; in evening pulse 144; voice gone; died the next morning. Dr. H. thinks that it modified this case some, but that the case was too far advanced before its use was begun. The second case was a delicate looking woman about 30, looking and feeling intensely ill ; complaining of sore throat and pains all over the body; pulse 120; diphtheritic patch on one tonsil. Gave * Monthly Homoeopataic Review, (England.) vol. 10, p 117. t Monthly Homoeopathic Review, (England,) vol. 10. p. 169. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 787 Belladonna 1st, one drop every two hours. Next morning felt better, but the throat was more inflamed, and the deposit had invaded the other tonsil. One drop of Phytolacca, mother tincture, was given every two hours. The next morning I found the disease declining. two days after, the throat was well. The third case was a child eight years old. A large patch of de- posit on one tonsil with a foetid odor. The pulse was 120. She had Phytolacca, 1st decimal, one drop every two hours. She grew worse for three days, Kreosote and Muriatic acid was given, and she died the next day. I do not consider these cases any test of the Phytolacca. Larger doses should have been given, and a lotion of the same applied to the throat. Dr. W. C. O'Brien, (England,) communicates the following:— " In diphtheria, Phytolacca promises to surpass all other remedies. I have, during the past year, treated six cases with this remedy, and out of the number only one died. Dr. Edmund Blake, (England,) reports* a severe case in which Phytolacca, (mother tincture) "evidently arrested the secondary de- posit, when Belladonna and Mercurius biniodatus had ceased to be of service." Two other cases recovered under this remedy. Dr. H. W. Bubb, of Cambridge, England, reports* 13 cases of diphtheria treated with Phytolacca. One case is reported in full—a severe case, but it recovered. Of the other twelve cases, he says :— "In only one did I fear of the result. In this case there were traces of the exudation for five days. She recovered on the 14th day." His treatment was, as follows:—"A poultice of spongio piline to the throat; to use frequently a gargle of Phytolacca, (mother tinc- ture,) one dram to the pint, and to take -J- of a drop doses of Phyto- lacca 6th, every half hour." He says :—" In conclusion, I must ask my professional brethren not to despair, if immediate benefit is not felt from the treatment, and, above all things, do not resort to other remedies which have been tried and found wanting." Dr. H. Rhodes Reed, King's Lynn, England, also reports four cases :— Case 1.—A child four years old; in advanced stage ; both tonsils much swollen; completely covered with dirty, white pseudo-mem- brane ; fauces and soft palate highly inflamed; tongue protruded, thickly coated at back part, fiery red at tip; deglutition almost im- possible ; high fever; pulse 140; prognosis unfavorable; treatment, a wet compress to the throat; gave Phytolacca, (mother tincture,) a drop every half hour, for six hours; then if relieved, every hour. A strong solution of the same, one part to three, to be applied to the tonsils with a camel's hair brush, every two hours. After four doses the child seemed to breathe more freely ; after 12 hours the mem- brane began to come away in large patches, and on the next morning the tonsils were quite clean, but red and tender; cured. * Monthly Homoeopathic Review, (England.) vcl. 10 p.. 240. 788 NEW REMEDIES. Case 2.—Symptoms, some frontal headache; achin"- limbs; fever; sore throat; difficulty of swallowing ; tliree or four small patches of membrane on left tonsil; both swollen; pulse 120; face flushed; great thirst; Aconite and Belladonna for three days did not cause any improvement; the membrane increased ; gave Phytolacca, (moth- er tincture,) three drops every hour : a gargle of the same ; 30 drops to a 3inall glass of water, to be used every hour. Improvement 3oou set in, and in three days discharged. » Case 3.— A girl, age 20. Both tonsils swollen, and completely covered with pseudo-membrane; swallowing caused great pain, tono-ue much furred, considerable fever and headache; pulse 110. Gave Phytolacca, (mother tincture,) three drops every hour; gargle, 50 drops to half pint of water ; cured in two days. Case 4.—A patient of delicate constitution and consumptive ten- dency. Gave Aconite and Belladonna, and then Phytolacca, but the last remedy was left off, because he was " rather nervous about the case," and Belladonna and Mercurius iodatus flavus was given. " The case was a fortnight under treatment, but recovered, leaviiif great prostration." A prompt recovery would probably have attend- ed the use of Phytolacca and Baptisia in half the time. The above three cases were all severe ones, and the action of Phytolacca was evidently curative. Dr. Baikie, of Edinburg, says of the Phytolacca :—" I have found it useful in cases of chronic sore throat, with some degree of inflammation, but without ulceration, especially if the inflammation extended to uvula, palate, or schneiderian membrane. Appetite and Taste*—Taste like nuts in the mouth—bitter at first, but leaving a slight feeling of smarting and coldness toward the tip of the tongue ; raging appetite ; hungry soon after eating, dimin- ished appetite ; the usual appetite remains, notwithstanding the nau- sea of the stomach.* Gastric Symptoms.—Eructations; eructations with spitting of water ; eructation, with flatus; violent pressure in the stomach on waking in the morning, with accumulation in the mouth—disappears after rising; constrictive feeling at the praecordia, with pressure in the temples , sickly feeling in the stomach ; nausea on being wakened out of sleep in the night ; feeling of sickness, as if he would vomit; sickness of stomach accompanying the headache ; vomiting, with but little distress in the stomach.* Stomach.—Cutting in the pit of the stomach, and in the abdo- men ; tenderness to the touch of the pit of stomach; pain in the ' region of the pylorus.* Eructations of air ; eructations of sour fluid ; great distress in the stomach and bowels; pains in the cardiac portion of the stomach, aggravated by a full inspiration and by walking; nau- *Tran?. Amer. Inst, of Horn. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 789 sea with severe pain in the umbilical region ; slight nausea with pro- fuse vomiting, without much pain attending it, but a good deal of distress in the stomach; nausea aud violent vomiting, (in dogs.)__ {Burt) Heat in the stomach after taking the drug; vomiting of abundant, dark, bilious substance, which came away as easily as in Asiatic cholera; vomiting and purging, with griping pains and cramps in the abdomen ; vomiting every 15 or 20 minutes ; the passages were without pain ; aching pain in region of pylorus, which gradually worked up into the chest, and right side ; regurgitation of food; feeling of weakness of stomach, causing yawning, with pain through the parts; nausea, vomiting aliment; bruised and sore feeling at the pit of the stomach; achiug at the pit of the stomach ; pain in back of head and stomach ; no nausea or emesis, in the cases of tetanus.—(Marshall, Lee, Bahrenburg, Fellows, Warren, and Gnggs) Stomach feels pinched together; severe pain in the stomach, and pressure; burning, griping pains in the umbilical region. Clinical Observations.—The vomiting caused by Phytolacca comes on slowly, preceded by nausea, much prostration, and some- times fainting and convulsions. When the vomiting does set in it is intense, thorough, and composed of bile, mucus, ingesta, worms, and even blood. This medicine ought to prove useful iu a variety of gas- tric affections, and disorders of digestion. Liver, Hypochondria.—Digging pain in the right hypochondri- um, in the upper and lower portion of the liver, preventing motion ; first felt at two o'clock in the afternoon, then every morning before daylight; some soreness remaining through the afternoon and even- ing; pain in the region of the pylorus; cannot lie on the right side after midnight, on account of penetrating pain in right hypochondri- um; violent, dull, pressing pain in the left hypochondrium, in the evening, so that he cannot remain in the sitting posture, he lies on the painful side all night and the pain is gone the next morning, *sore- ness and pain in the right hypochondrium during pregnancy. Clinical Observations.—The Phytolacca is recommended in chronic hepatic disorders, also in diseases of the spleen. It undoubt- edly has some influence over these organs, by virtue of its tendency to irritate all glandular structures. It has cured soreness and pain in the hypochondrium during pregnancy. Abdomen.—-Boring pain to the left and a little above the umbil- icus, continuing but a few minutes ; deep-seated, but not severe pain in the left iliac region; neuralgic pain in the left groin ; cutting in the abdomen ; griping pain as before a diarrhoea; griping all day long, followed by the passage of offensive flatus; tho griping disap- 790 NEW REMEDIES pears in the night; sensation in the bowels, as if a diarrhoea would follow; rumbling noise in the bowels; frequent passage of wind down- ward.! Clinical Observations.—The physician who communicated to me the following case, is the same as the author of the fragmentary proving, bis name I have lost. " Last spring, with Phytolacca decan- dra, I finished a cure of chronic inflammation of the bowels, of 5 years standing. The lady had been in the hands of several eminent allo- paths, without benefit. I say finished, for I tried several previous remedies, with only palliative results. Before the lady had faith in my diagnosis, she quietly submitted to two examinations of Dr. Mott, Sen., who told her the same that I had done. I left with the lady a half ounce vial of the tincture of Phytolacca, and told her to prepare her medicine every other day, fresh, by putting a few drops iu half a tumbler of water, and take a teaspoonful every two hours, I adopted this course on account of her removal to a distance." Stool and Anus.—Constipation of long standing; bard stools; three stools during the day ; the first one is hard, and preceded by griping, and the others with pains moving about in the abdomen; continual inclination to go to stool : mushy stool : diarrhoea attended with a sickly feeling in the bowels, but no tormina or tenesmus; copious discharges of bile from the bowels ; in the middle of the night, neuralgic pain shooting from the anus and lower part of the rectum along the perineum, to the middle of the penis, followed in a few minutes by a neuralgic pain in the right big toe. Constant dull pain in the umbilical region, worse by motion ; severe, colicky pains in the umbilical region ; rumbling in the bowels, sometimes with desire for stool; burning distress in the umbilical region; bow- els very tender on pressure, and pain severely when walking; stool natural ; stool soft and mushy, with undigested food in it, sometimes with straining ; dark, lumpy stool ; soft papescent stool, followed by a very faint feeling ; wind passes the bowels constantly, of a very foetid nature; emission of flatus relieves the pain in the bowels; loss of appetite; hiccough with great inclination to vomit, but no nausea; nausea and violent vomiting but no nausea; nausea and violent vomit- ing (in a dog); great rumbling in the bowels, with pain in the umbili- cal region; great pain in the praecordial region, very much worse by walking; great distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions ; stool soft and mushy ; dark, papescent stools with undigested food in them ; pain in the umbilical region with desire for stool.—(Burt) Diarrhoea for three mornings, coming at 2 a. m., and lasting until after breakfast, the dejections were abundant and did not cease until they t Trans. Amer. Inst, of Horn. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 791 were almost watery: very weak for several days, especially in the abdomen, with diarrhoea, but little or no appetite ; bowels very cos- tive, they were loose before taking the drug; there was much flatus ; no catharsis; stools thin and dark brown.—(Bahrenburg, Fellows, Griggs, and Dr. —.) Toxicological effects, trachea and lungs filled with mucus ; stomach highly congested at the base; colon and rectum appear congested ; liver highly congested ; kidneys appear very much congested; Clinical Observations.—The Phytolacca is an emeto-cathartic. It causes many of the symptoms of a severe attack of cholera mor- bus. It is homoeopathic to some forms of cholera, diarrhoea, dysen- tery, and hemorrhoids. In piles it has been found curative, (by eclec- tics) in many cases, applied locally, and given internally, It is also homoeopathic to enteritis and colic. It has cared a case of " consti- pation of long standing." I have prescribed it successfully in chol- eraic symptoms. Dr. Paine, (eclectic,) after asserting that the Phytolacca will cause " burning in the stomach, tenderness of the bowels, heat in the rectum, tenesmus and bloody discharges, dysentery and hemorrhoids " —gives his experience in its use :—" I have treated a large number of cases of idceration of the rectum, with remarkable success A physician of note, who had treated himself and had been treated by others, with all the ordinary remedies, for what was called a cancerous affection of the rectum, applied to me some two years since, and I placed him upon one-half grain doses of Phytolaccin, every two or three hours, together with a nutritious diet * * * * and an enema of warm water every day. This treatment was con- tinued for two or three months, and resulted in a complete cure." Another bad case of'fissure of rectum, was cured by similar treat- ment. This treatment has also been very successful in prolapsus ani and hemorrhoids. Dr. Paine's pathogenetic symptoms are very important, as show- ing the homoeopathicity of the drug to enteritis, dysentery, hemor- rhoids, and many other diseases of the rectum. They prove also the analogy this drug bears to Nitric acid and Mercurius. Our school has seldom used it in these diseases, but its.patho- genesis certainly demands that its,virtues in this direction should be fully tested, lirinary Organs.—Urgent desire to pass water ; copious noctur- nal urination ; weakness, dull pain and soreness in the region of the kidneys, most on the right side, and connected with heat; uneasiness down the ureters ; a chalk-like sediment in the urine ; a gurgling sensation .in the prostrate gland, repeatedly in the afternoon ; *pain in the region of the bladder, before and during urination ; * dark-red urine, which stains the chamber of a mahogany color, and which is 792 NEW REMEDIES. hard to get off ;* urine double in amount and clear as water ; reten- tion of urine.—{Marshal, Griggs.) The urinary secretion was at first diminished, afterwards increased. The urine remained acid and became decidedly albuminous. The specific gravity became greatly increased. The bottle used to measure the urine became completely covered with a white deposit, about one-sixteenth of an inch thick.— Dr. Burt.) Clinical Observations.—The urinary symptoms in the original proving were quite notable, but those elicited by Dr. Burt, are really of great importance. The urine, under the usual tests, was decidedly albuminous. When we consider how important albuminuria becomes, in scarlatina and diphtheria, we can easily realize the full value of Phytolacca in those maladies. It is indicated in many renal and cys- tic disorders. (The above symptoms marked * are curative ) Generative Organs Of Wen. —Complete loss of all sexual desire for two months; no erections during the whole proving; sexual organ unusually relaxed; sharp pain running up spermatic cords ; continued pain in spermatic cords.—{Marshall.) Clinical Observations.—It would seem quite homoeopathic to impotence. It seems likely to prove a valuable remedy in syphilis, although our provings do not bring out any objective symptoms. " The Cherokee Indians, it is said, used to dress venereal sores with the powder of the dried root ; and some physicians aver that it will cure syphilis without the aid of mercury." If wc are to credit the testimony of eclectic physicians, it has not only been found cura- tive in primary syphilis, (chancre, etc.,) but in secondary and tertiary syphilis, (ulcers, eruptions, throat and nasal diseases, bone pains, etc.) " For the cure of syphilis, and mercurio-syphilitic disorders, the Phytolaccin is quite equal to any other organic remedy. * * The severe pains attending tertiary-syphilis and mercurio-syphilitic complications, are more effectually relieved by the use of this medi- cine, than by any other remedy.—(Coe.) It is said to be particularly useful in cases of chronic and obsti- nate gonorrhoea and gleet. Dr. Small thinks highly of it in some f jrms of syphilitic rheumatism, and I have found it promptly cura- tive in many of thhe conditions mentioned above. It has cured orchitis. (See Dr. Smart's case of- rheumatism.) In the homoeopathic school, we have had but little experience in the use of Phytolacca in syphilitic eruptions. In conversation with my colleagues, I learn that some of them have used it with apparent benefit in chancres, as well as the ulcerated throat, and the peculiar eruptions on the chin. Not having much of that class of practice come into my hands, my own experience is limited I have, however, used it successfully in syphilitic ulcers of the throat, after Nitric acid and Mercurius had failed. * Trans. Amer. Inst, of Horn. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 793 The only recorded experience in the use of Phytolacca in syphilis, is from Dr. R. P. Mercer, who reports the case* of a woman aged 36, who had been under allopathic treatment several days, Symptoms.—"Severe pains in the arms and legs, from the elbows and knees down to the fingers and toes, with oedematous swelling of the affected parts; pain aggravated by motion or contact; feet and legs covered with pale red spots, about the size of a dime, and a few on the arms, face and neck. Sore throat with salivation." Rhus toxicodendron was given two days, when she was " no better; has two or three ulcers on the tongue ; a feeling of fullness in the throat; spots of sores on the genitals, which came at the time the spots appeared on the legs, about a week ago, but says they do not trouble her much.'' Gave Tartar emetic. The next day the pain and swell- ing in the limb was better ; spots fading. Tartar emetic continued two days longer. "Limbs very sore and stiff, but pain all gone; spots scarcely perceptible. Throat very sore, and ulcer on the geni- tals, which, on examination, prove to be syphilitic, and very trouble- some. Considering she had had Mercury enough before I saw her, I left Nitric acid." But little improvement followed, and Thuya was prescribed. In two days after, she was " better; had continued to improve slowly until the 9th, (four days,) when, after attempting to walk, the pain in the limbs returned, and she continued to grow worse, in spite of Thuya, Mercurius 200th, and everything else that I could select, high or low, until the 17th, when she was in a similar but worse condition than when I first saw her; the chancres bad ; throat very bad, I gave her Phytolacca, three drops tincture in a tumblerful of water, one teaspoonful every two hours." In two days she is reported much better, and continued to improve on Phytolacca 1st, until April 2d, (over two weeks,) when she was cured, except some aching and stiffness in the small joints, when exposed to cold and damp, for which was prescribed Phytolacca 30th. Dr Mercer used a lotion to the chancres, at the same time, a few drops of the tincture in water. He adds, very properly : " In this case 1 believe that the Phytolacca not only acted homoeopathically to the disease, but was also antidotal to the mercury, which she had evidently had in massive doses." This case, so successfully treated, should encourage physicians to test its virtues more extensively in syphilis. Generative Organs Of Women.— * Metrorrhagia; Menstrua- tion too copious and too frequent; painful menstruation; violent pains in the abdomen during menstruation, in a barren female ; leu- corrhoea; inflammation, swelling and suppuration of the mammae.— [Trans. Amer. Inst. Horn) Clinical Observations.—All the above symptoms are marked with the asterisk in the original proving. I have no means of ascer- taining whether they were originally pure pathogenetic symptoms. * Hahnercannian Monthly, vol. 1, p. 4:8. 794 NEW REMEDIES. The asterisk implies they were, hut had been substantiated by curative effects. The proving iu the Symptomcn codex, is not accompanied by the name of any prover, or those persons who contributed clinical notes. In the clinical observations I find the following : " Being given in a case of chlorosis, when the leucorrhoea had been cured by Pulsatilla, it brought the leucorrhoea back again." (Possibly ?) It always appeared surprising that eclectic writers should say so little about the Phytolacca in diseases of women. I find no mention of its use in that class of diseases, in King, Scidder, and others, yet the extensive range of action of the medicine precludes the idea that it will not be found useful. In my estimation the sphere of action of Phytolacca is principally upon (a) the glandular system, (b) the serous and fibrous tissues, and (c) the mucous membrane. Phytolacca has a specific effect upon the thyroid and mammary, also parotid, and other glands of the throat, and by analogy ought to act powerfully upon the ovaries and glands of the uterus (also the testes). Accordingly it ought to prove curative in ovaritis, and other affec- tions of those glands, such as neuralgia, etc.; in uterine leucorrhoea, or that variety which proceeds from the glandular portion of the cervix. Its powerful influence over ulceration should make it curative in ul- cerated os-uteri, whether of a non-specific, or specific character. Finally, it should cure rheumatic affections of the uterus. The met- rorrhagia and frequent menstruation mentioned above, may have pro- ceeded from ulceration of the os ; dysmenorrhoea from rheumatic irri- tation, and the leucorrhoea may have bad a glandular origin. In organic affections of the uterus, as tumors, cancer, scirrhus, ulceration, I would strongly advise the Phytolacca, internally and locally applied, and its use persevered in for some time. The action of Phytolacca, on the mammary glands is specific and decisive In No. 84, page 201, of the British Journal of Homoeopathy, will be found an article from my pen, which covers this subject as much as the present state of our knowledge will permit. I would urge upon physicians to test its vir- tues in the various diseases of the mammae. Since the article was published, I have used it successfully in many cases of inflammation of the mammae, as well as tumors and nodosities in these glands : " It is the intention of the writer to call attention to only one par- ticular use of this remedy ; viz., in certain diseases of the mammary glands. " The various writers on Materia Medica of the dominant and other schools not homoeopathic, while they recognize its value in diseases of the glands, do not mention this particular sphere of its action. In the homoeopathic proving above referred to we find the following :— " 'Inflammation, swelling, and suppuration of the mammce.'' But I am not aware that this symptom has ever been put to practical test by homoepathists, with the exception of Dr. Hill, who recommends it in some diseases of the breast. (Sec Hill and Hunt's Surgery.) My experience with the drug dates back nearly fifteen years, before 1 PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 795 had seen the proving referred to, or indeed any published statement of its value as a medicine. " "When I was a student of medicine in my father's office (he was then an allopath), a neighbor had a valuable cow, which, after a clan- destine confinement, was brought home from the woods with a most enormously swollen udder. It was as hard as a stone, intensely hot, painful, and sensitive, and not a particle of milk could be drawn. In much anxiety the owner came to his office and asked my father to sug- gest something to discuss the swelling and engorgement. A dose of Epsom sales was administered, but after twenty-four hours the cow was worse than before. At this juncture an old woman of the neigh- borhood brought in a piece of a large, white, succulent looking root, which she called scoke, and ordered the farmer to cut a portion of it up finely and give the animal in some " bran mash." Another, the larger portion, was made into a decoction, and the cow's udder washed with it frequently. The effect was magical ! In less than twelve hours the milk could be drawn, the gland softened, and in a few days the morbid condition was removed. " This incident was nearly forgotten until a few years after, when I was engaged in practice, and was having trouble with mastitis and abscess of the breast in persons of my patients. I found the remedies laid down in our books notoriously and obstinately inefficient. In spite of Aconite and Belladonna in high and low attenuations, the inflam- matory engorgement would run on to suppuration. I then tried larger doses and other remedies, among which the Kali hydriodicum was most valuable ; also topical application of Belladonna, Arnica, Iodine, etc., after the manner of the dominant school, and will give them credit of preventing much suffering and deformity. But [ determined on making a trial of the virtues of Phytolacca, and before 1 commenced its use, made inquiry among the farmers of my acquaintances, and found to my gratification that it was considered a specific in all cases of inflammation and engorgement, "caking" of the udder of cows, and even mares. " The next case of engorgement of the mammae which came under my care was an aggravated one. The woman, the mother of several children, had had " broken breasts" with every confinement, and the cicatrices in the glands bore testimony to the truth of her assertion. About four days after delivery she had a severe chill followed by some fever, and in a few hours both mammae were bard, swollen, and pain- ful. The child made ineffectual efforts at nursing, the nipples became very sensitive, and she was in much distress for fear of the inevitable sufferings apparently in store for her. Here was a case wherein to test the efficacy of the Phytolacca. Ten drops of the first decimal dilution were administered every hour, and a lotion was prepared by adding one-half oz. of the tincture to one-half pint of water. This was applied constantly by means of folds of cotton cloth laid upon the breasts. In the course of the next twenty-four hours I had the satisfaction of finding some signs of resolution. The heat, pain, and swelling became less, and in a few days, with the aid of 796 NEW REMEDIES. low diet, and careful extraction of the milk, the woman recovered with only a small abcess at the site of an old cicatrix, instead of extensive suppuration as usual. Since that time I have used it in very many cases, with the same excellent results, and it is only in the severer forms accompanied with erysipelatous inflammation, that I have bad resort to Belladonna internally and externally. But this Phytolacca is not only useful in simple and inflammatory engorgement, causing rapid resolutions, but it is valuable iu those cases where suppuration is already commenced. Here it reduces the inflammation, increases the activity of the absorbents, and will often condense an apparently large abscess into the smallest dimensions. " It is often the case that neglected or ill-treated mammary abscess degenerate into ill-conditioned, fistulous ulcers. In such cases I have seen the best effects follow the judicious use of this remedy. " Case 1.—A young woman, a primipara, very corpulent, with very large mammary glands, was taken with chills and fever a few days after confinement. The family were poor, and lived a long dis- tance in the country ; no physician was called, and nothing was properly done, but very improperly the breast was poulticed for near- ly two weeks, when several large abscesses opened spontaneously and discharged enormous quantities of unhealthy pus. Six weeks after- wards she came to me for advice. The breast affected was a loath- some sight, long, pendulous, distorted, the seat of large fistulous ulcers, discharging a watery foetid, ichorous pus ; the gland was full of hard, painful nodosities, of the size of a walnut and larger. I suspended the breast by the application of long strips of adhesive plaster, placed in various directions across and around the gland, and prescribed ten drops of Phytolacca first, four times a day ; also a preparation of one-half oz. of the tincture to eight oz, of distilled water, to be thrown in the fistulous canals with a small glass syringe ; this treatment, together with better diet and a little wine, so much improved the case in a week, that but one small ulcer remained open ; and in a fortnight the treatment was suspended. The gland will never return to its normal condition, but will probably retain its irregular shape and knotty feel. " Case 2.—A woman, aged 40, applied to me to be treated for what had been declared an " open cancer" of the breast. It origin- ated one year previously, after the birth of her seventh child, and was the»result of a neglepted abcess. The ulcer was an inch in diameter, gaping, angry, filled with unhealthy granulations ; a probe passed obliquely downwards until it reached a hard sensitive tumor about the size of a hen's egg; the discharge was offensive and sanious. The case was treated by suspension and compression, and the use of Phy- tolacca as above. Cured in two weeks. " Many similar cases might be cited, but these will suffice, as they are good examples of the many cures made with this remedy. " It may here be mentioned, that the local application of this remedy'is useful in cracked and excoriated nipples. I should be PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 797 given at the same time internally. If the fissures arc syphilitic in their origin, this remedy is still useful. I once treated a case of irrit- able tumor of the breast as described by Sir Astley Cooper. It had been present several years, and was very sensitive aud painful, most especially at the menstrual periods ; the paiu extended down the arm of the affected side, and at times causing a sympathetic enlargement of a gland in the axilla. I administered Belladonna, Conium, Phos- phorus, and Iodine, but without any good result, and the patient left me. A few months after, I learned to my intense mortification, that an old woman had cured it with a plaster of the inspissated juice of the berries of the Phytolacca. Since that occurrence I have treated several cases successfully with the Phytolacca internally, giving the lowest dilution, and sometimes the mother tincture. In once case I permitted the patient to use a salve of the juice of the berries mixed with mutton tallow. This she applied constantly over the sitje of the tumor. Whether I hastened the cure or not I cannot say, at least its application did no harm, although it seemed capable of causing some vesications of the skin. " The same old lady above mentioned had quite a reputation for curing " cancers," and with no other application, as I was assured, than the extract of Phytolacca. I have known the finely powdered root, when applied to fungous growths, have the effect of changing such ab lormal into normal or healthy ulcers which soon healed. " I have found it useful in encysted tumors ; in recent indura- tions ; and even in scirrhus of the breast; nor should I be surprised if further trials should show it to be useful in cancer of the mammae. " In those cases of irritable mammae where there is no swelling, induration, or tumor, only a painfulness at the menstrual period, I have found it specific in a few cases. The menses became more natu- ral, and the pain in the mammae ceased. The question here arises : Why will it not prove valuable in certain diseases of the testicles or the ovaries ? When we consider the physiological relation of the ovaries to the mammae, we should incline to predict it will be found useful in many ovarian diseases." To the above article I would add, that the root is in general use among dairymen in this country, to regulate any abnormality in the milk of cows. If the milk be scanty, thick, watery, curdy (flocculent), or contains blood or pus, or becomes in any way unnatural, they give the green root, or a decoction in small quantities, and the effect upon the milk is generally favorable. This should suggest its use in abnor- mal conditions of the milk in women, giving it in the lower dilutions. The higher might be tried in some peculiar cases. Dr. Eadon, of England, mentions its use in a case of tumefied mammal : " A servant, having nursed her child for a year and a half, is ad- vised to wean it. The consequeuce was, the breast became bard as a stone, and extremely painful. I gave her the Phytolacca tinctuie in- ternally, and gave her the glycerole of the same medicine to apply ex- ternally. The use of the remedy removed the hardness, reduced 798 NEW REMEDIES. their size, and she was well in two days. I have used it with success in other cases. In ordinary • caked breasts ' it is almost a specific." Dr. John Druramond, of England, reports the following case.* " Mrs. C., xt. 35, consulted me on the 20th February, 1865. She had suffered for three months from a series of abscesses in the right breast, and there were six fistulous openings in it, from which milk and pus escaped when any pressure was made upon the gland. The skin was of a dark brown color, indeed nearly black in places, and she bad severe pain, which prevented her obtaining rest. She looked pale and haggard, her appetite was very bad, indeed she loathed most solid food; her pulse was quick, and she suffered from reeking per- spirations after the slightest exertion, and every night in bed. She was poulticing the breast with linseed meal, and taking the Citrate of Iron and Quinine. I ordered the medicine and poultices to be dis- continued, the breast to be covered by two folds of lint, moistened in a lotion made from sixty drops of the mother tincture of Phytolacca in four ounces of water, and evaporation prevented by means of oil silk over this. This application to be renewed four times in twenty- four hours. Two grain doses of Silica b every three hours. Reef tea, brandy and wine, to be taken in small but repeated quantities, varied with any other nourishment she could fancy. She had at- tempted to nurse on the sound breast, but as she was so weak, and as she had little milk for the nourishment of her child, she was easily prevailed upon to wean it. Under this treatment she rapidly recov- ered. The paiu in the breast began to subside in twenty-four hours, and in three weeks the fistulae had healed, and the breast was be- ginning to assume its natural color. The woman's health rapidly im- proved, the night sweats subsided, her appetite returned, and from the very rapid improvement in this case, I believe this new remedy will prove invaluable in these painful and often tedious cases." Dr. Black, of Edingburg, says of Phytolacca decandra : " The interest of this drug lies in three aspects of its operation— first, its power over periosteal rheumatism ; second, its specific action upon the mammary glands ; and third, its probable efficacy in affec- tions upon the throat. " I have not had much experience with it in periosteal rheumatic affections ; I have occasionally used it instead of Mezereon, of which it seems a striking analogue. It has seemed to act well. In one case it was of much service, as its administration obviated any injury which might have resulted from a necessarily obscure diagnosis. In a baby of a few months old, a succession of restless nights occurred simul- taneously with the development of a hard tender swelling about mid- way between the nipple and the sternum, but nearer the latter than the former. Whether the inflammation was affecting some of the elements of the undeveloped mammary gland, or whether it lay in the periosteum of a rib, seemed doubtful. In any case, however, Phytolacca was indicated. I gave it in the sixth dilution, and the malady rapidly disappeared. * British Homcepathic Observer. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 799 " I have not tried it in acute mammary abscess, for which it bids fair to become the leading remedy ; but in two or three instances of non-malignant mammary tumor it has not appeared to exercise any influence. Dr. 0. H. Mann, of Ottawa, 111., reports the following case of mammary disease : " Mrs. —, aged 22 years, second child, delicate, nervous tempera- ment, was affected the second day after confinement with excessive flow of milk, the secretion being so profuse that it would saturate a large sized napkin every two or three hours, besides what a large healthy child nursed. " Her nipples were so sensitive that when she put the child to the breast, it produced intense suffering, seeming, as she said, to start from the nipples and radiate over the whole body, going to the back baue and streaking up and down it, causing unbearable pain. " The profuse discharge was causing great exhaustion, and she was becoming feverish and restless and unable to nurse. Prescribed Belladonna and Calcarea carbonica, 3d decimal dilution, for twenty- four hours, with no effect. " Examined the nipples the next clay, and found them excoriated and some fissured. Prescribed Phytolacca decandra, 1st decimal dilu- tion, ten drops in a glass one-third full of water, a tea-spoonful every two hours. To Phytolacca one part, soft warm water twenty parts, to be applied over the nipples with a soft cloth, and stop nursing the child for twenty-four hours. On my next visit I found no excess of secretion, and the sensitiveness almost entirely gone. Patient said she had stopped taking the solution after four doses, for fear of drying up the milk entirely, but she had continued the application. Resumed nursing, and had no more difficulty.'-' Larynx and Cough.—Tickling in the left side of the larynx, with hacking cough, and aching in the right side of the breast and great dryness of the throat ; sensation of roughness in the bron- chia ; cough towards morning, from dryness of the pharynx ; dry bronchial cough, with the sensation of roughness and slight increase of heat in the trachea and bronchia ; hacking cough.—(Trans. A. I. H.) Hoarse; dryness of trachea, with dry cough; very dry cough ; feeling of dryness in lower part of trachea and large bronchi ; dry cough, with but little expectoration ; hard cough, occasioned by .scraping and tickling in the throat; hard cough, accompanied by scraping and tickling in the throat. Clinical Observations.—It seems to be Dr. Burt's opinion that when the diphtheritic membrane invades the air passages, the Phyto- lacca is of less value, or none at all, but this remains to be proven. If it is specific to the disease it may be curative of it, let it be located where it will. It is said to have been used in asthma, and chronic coughs, with benefit. Dr. A. V. Marshall writes : " In February, 1865. being much exposed by my professional 800 NEW REMEDIES. duties, I contracted a cold, which became very troublesome. I made use of all the common remedies for about two months, and still it became worse. I would cough all day and most of the night- My nocturnal occupation would be to cough, gag and vomit. There was a sensation of an ulcerated spot in trachea, just above the ster- num, about as large as an old fashioned cent. Pressing my thumb against this point, was the only way I could expectorate anything ; the expectoration would be a little pus mixed with mucus. I felt very uncomfortable. My health was failing. After being disgusted with all remedies. Dr. A. C. Horton suggested Phytolacca. I put three drops of the tincture in a tumbler of water, and took a tea- spoonful every three hours. At the end of three days my cough ceased ; my throat felt better. I then discontinued the medicine, and soon found myself entirely cured. Chest and Respiration.—Shortness of breath; aching pain in the right side of the breast; pain in the right side of the chest, about the region of the nipple, passing through to the back, felt on taking a long breath and on bending the shoulder backwards, better in the afternoon ; pain in the right side of the chest, so bad after midnight as to prevent sleep, aggravated by lying on the right side, disappears after getting up in the morning; tenderness of the muscles of the chest, as if they were bruised ; occasional shocks of pain in the region of the heart, and as soon as the pain in the heart ceases, a similar pain appears in the right arm.— (Trans. Amer. Lis. Horn) Awoke with lameness in the left side, near the cardiac region ; it was felt upon motion and during expiration, continued for months. Respiration difficult and oppressed ; mucus rale distinctly audible anywhere in the room.—(Fellows and Griggs) Clinical Observations.—Some eclectic writers suggests its uae in pulmonary tuberculosis, and analogy might suggest its use in ulcer- ative diseases involving the lungs and bronchia, but we have no clinical records of its successful use in such cases. I found it beneficial in one case of intercostal rheumatism of several years' stand- ing. It ought to prove curative, as the symptoms indicate, in some rheumatic and neuralgic affections of the thorax and heart. Back.—Pain in the left lumbar region, followed immediately by severe itching ; a lasting pain in the left shoulder-blade, as if from a blow ; an occasional sensation as if a small piece of cold iron were pressed on the painful shoulder-blade; sensation of weight and pressure on both shoulder-blades, as after carrying a heavy load ; stiffness in the right side of the neck, worse in bed, after midnight ; a very peculiar pressure and tension in the parotids; hardness of the gland on the right side of the neck ; suppuration of a tumor behind PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 801 the right ear, with a discharge of matter andblood ; severe pain be- tween the scapulae, when walking ; constant dull, heavy pain in the lumbar and sacral regions, aggravated by motion ; the back is very stiff every morning.—(Dr. Burt) Clinical Observations.—It is indicated by the symptoms, and has proved curative in cases of " stiff neck," lumbago, and even spinal irritation. Upper Extremities.—Dull aching pain and tenderness along the top of the right shoulder, along the superior edge of the trapezius muscle, increased by pressing upon the part and by contracting the muscle ; pain throughout the muscles of the left shoulder ; pain in the humeral insertion of the left deltoid muscle ; slight drawing pains in the right upper arm ; pain appears in the right arm after a similar pain ceases in the heart; tenderness in the outside of the left arm just above the elbow, when pressing upon it, and when extending the arm ; dull aching pain and excessive tenderness, as if from a bruise in the muscles of the outside of the right upper arm, most severe for about two inches above the elbow, felt particularly, when the part is pressed upon and touched, and when extending the arm ; twitching and flut- tering of the muscles of the right upper arm, while it is resting on a table ; weakness and aching in the bone of the right arm above the elbow, aggravated by motion and extension ; rheumatic drawing in the right forearm ; rheumatic drawing in the left forearm along the ulna, and the same sensation in the right leg ; rheumatic pains in the right hand, now and thon, by shocks upwards to the elbow ; rheumatic feeling in the little finger of the right hand, very annoying when writing ; rheumatic pain, first in the left hand, and afterwards in the left one ; shooting, like needles, in the left thumb ; violent shootino- pain in the fleshy part of the left thumb, lasting about half a minute • lancinating pain in the little and ring fingers of the right hand; neuralgic pains in the palm of right hand ; occasionally frequent sudden pricking iu the points of the fingers, as if from electric sparks ; shooting in the finger-points, sometimes in one hand and sometimes in the other.—{Trans. A. I. H) Arms ache ; ends of the fingers all throb and ache, as if they were going to snppurate, (this symptom lasted three days).—(Dr. Burt) Left shoulder ached; lame pain in leff side of the back, below the shoulder-blade, which finally reached the spine and became pricking, sticking in character ; aching of the fore-arm, while in bed, seems to be in the bones, uninfluenced by position; extremities stiff; hands firmly shut; spasmodic jerking of arms and legs,—(Fellows, Lee and Griggs.) 51 802 NEW REMEDIES. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Burt recommends the Phytolacca in whitlow, felon, etc , because of the remarkable similarity of the symptoms. It is a popular domestic remedy in those troublesome affections (the green root is applied raw or boiled). Dr. Burt has cured warts on the hands with the tincture locally applied. Lower Extremities.—Neuralgic pain on the outer side of the left thigh ; neuralgic pain in the external part of the right thigh ; neuralgic pain in the external part of the left thigh ; neural. gic pain in the left groin ; heaviness in the lower extremities, as if they were asleep, in the afternoon ; rheumatic pain in the right knee, in the afternoon, increasing in the open air, and especially on a damp day ; rheumatic drawing in the right leg and in the left fore-arm along the ulna ; rheumatic feeling in the left knee, with a sensation of shortening of the tendons behind the knee when walking ; rheumatic pains below the knees and in the arms ; pain on the dorsum of the right foot at four o'clock in the morning ; coldness of the feet with increase of the capillary circulation about the face and head ; free sweating of the feet, most under the toes ; neuralgic pa!n in the right big toe, in the middle of the night ; pains at a spot on the ball of the right foot, which had been frost-bitten years before, and in a corn never painful before.—{Trans. A. I. H) Legs ache, and feel very stiff about the knees, aggravated by walking ; weakness ; could walk with difficulty.—{Dr. Burt) A sticking pain in left instep, relieved by pressure; sticking pains in ball of left foot for half an hour ; sticking, stinging pains in the extremities, from without inwards, near the surface ; feet extended ; toes flexed.— (Fellows and Griggs.) Clinical Observations. — It is stated that from the application of the juice of the root to corns " the whole toe became inflamed and turned black, like gangrene." It seems almost incredible that this should have been a direct result of the Phytolacca. It has been used successfully in chronic rheumatism of the lower extremities ; for chronic inflammation of the knee joint, with or without effusion ; and in sciatica and nightly pains in the limbs. Syphilitic and mercurial rheumatism (periostitis) generally selects the tibia, as the chief point Of its operations. I have used it successfully in nightly pains in the tibia, with nodes, and even irritable ulcers on the legs. It will be found useful in nearly all those cases in which Iodide of Potash is so freely used in allopathic practice, and strangely enough is qui(^ as successful as that salt. For the experience gained since the first edition, of Phytolacca in rheumatic and neuralgic affections of the lower extremities, the cases of Drs. Hale, Smart and others, recorded on a previous page, may be consulted. PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA. 803 Characteristic Peculiarities.—The pains all partake of the nature of neuralgia ; they are pressing and shooting, sometimes sore, drawing and aching, the pains are all made worse by motion and by pressure ; the pains in the extremities are always in the outer por- tions of the limbs ; the secretion of tears, saliva, bile, urine and the menses is increased ; irresistible inclination to bite the teeth together ; vomiting ittended with but little distress in the stomach ; the diar- rhoea appears to be kept up by the increased action of the liver, and consequent redundancy of bile, with but little tormina and tenesmus ; with the increase of the secretion of bile, there is a dry, irritative cough, and almost constantly recurring transitory pains in different parts of the head. We find the symptoms predominating in the right side of the head and neck, the right upper extremity, the right side of the chest, and the right lower extremity ; when enumerating the symptoms of the eyes only, we find the left one most frequently men- tioned ; in the above extract there are forty symptoms located on the right side, and thirty-one on the left. In several instances, the symp- toms appeared on the left side first, and either passed over to the right, or the next symptom occurred on the right side.—(Trans. Am. Ins. Horn.) Pain less severe in the open air ; all symptoms worse on motion or in open air, except headache, which was better ; all symp- toms relieved on lying down, except throat and expectoration of tenacious saliva; all symptoms relieved by eating, especially the throat.— (Fellows and War/en.) PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. (Mandrake.) Analogues.—Arnica, JEsculus, Arsenicum, Bryonia, Collimoniu, Helleborus, Iris Versicolor, Juglans cinerca, Mercurius, Nitric acid, Pulsatilla, Sanguinaria, Veratrum album. Botanical Descripton.—Height about one foot, stem round, sheathed at base, dividing into two round petioles, between which is the flower. Leaves broadly cordate, in five to seven lobes, each lobe about six inches long, from the insertion of the petiole; two lobed and dentate at apex ; barren stems, with one centrally peltate leaf. Flower pedunculate, drooping, white, about two inches in diameter. Fruit ovate, oblong, large, yellowish, with a peculiar flavor, likened by Wood to the strawberry. It is an indigenous, perennial herb, with a long, jointed, dark brown rhizoma, or root, about half the size of the finger, spreading ex- tensively in rich grounds, and giving off fibres at the joints ; inter- nally it is yellowish. The fruit is fleshy, one-celled, one or two inch- es in length, of a lemon color, with brownish spots when ripe, and covered with a large, persistent stigma. The mucilaginous pulp is edible, and esteemed as a luxury by many persons ; it encloses twelve seeds, in pulpy arils. [The variety termed Podophyllum montanum, by Rafinesque, grows in the South.] Mandrake grows throughout the United States, in low, shady situ- ations, flowering in May and June, maturing its fruit in September and October, The root is the officinal portion; the proper time for collecting it is in the latter part of October, or early part of November, soon alter the ripening of the fruit. The fruit possesses slightly laxative and diuretic properties, the rind aud seeds being the medicinal portions The leaves are deemed poisonous, probably possessing the same properties as the root. Podophyllin is the resin obtained from mandrake, and is very extensively used instead of the crude root. Dr. King, the eclectic, claims to have discovered and introduced this preparation to the notice of the medical porfession. It is a yellowish or yellow-brown powder, insoluble in water, oil or turpentine, diluted Nitric acid, and diluted alkalies. It is said to be composed of two resins, both of which are purgative, one is soluble in alcohol only, the other in alco- hol and ether. It has no alkaline or acid reaction, but forms a sapona- ceous compound with the alkalies. It has a bitter, nauseous and acrid taste. From four to eight grains act as an emeto-cathartic, with grip- ing, nausea, prostration and watery stools. From two to four "rains as a drastic-cathartic, with nausea and griping; even one-half a grain often acts as an active cathartic. PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 805 Officinal Preparations.—Tincture of the root; triturations of the root; dilutions ; tincture-trituratious; Podophyllin and its triturations. Medical History.—According to Rafinesque, the Cherokee In- dians made great use of this plant. It was probably in use among all the Indian tribes, and by them introduced to the early white set- tlers. The aborigines used the root to expel worms. " The Chero- kees" says Rafinesque, use it as a vermifuge, also drop the fresh juice of the root into the ear, as a cure for deafness. The Osage Indians consider it as a cure for poisons, bv driving them through the bowels. All the tribes are fond of the fruit. The history of the medical use of this plant is mainly confined to the early botanic and later eclectic physicians. A few allopathists like Barton, Tully, Zollicoffer, and others, used it considerably, but it never has been a favorite drug with that school. In the bands of incautious or ignorant physicians, the Podophyllum and its active principle have been productive of an immense amount of injury to the people of the West. I have treated many painful, severe, and incurable diseases of the stomach and intes- tines, uterus, and urinary organs, which could be dated distinctly to over dosing with this potent drug. Next to Mercury, it is capable of inflicting more injury to the human organism, when abused, than almost any other drug in common use ; yet eclectics denounce Mer- cur\r in all its forms, while pouring this poison down their patients. The original and only proving which has yet appeared, was made by Dr. Williamson, of Philadelphia, and published in the " Transactions of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, vol. I." I shall make that the basis of this article, and add thereto the pathogenetic and clinical symptoms, which have been collected since that publi- cation. It has been used more extensively, perhaps, than any of the new remedies, and is already looked upon by our school as a valuable poly- chrest. I am indebted to Dr. E. J. Frazer, of Erie, Pa., for the peculiar arrangement of the symptoms of this medicine. Under my direction he has placed the primary and secondary symptoms in their proper order, as nearly as our knowledge of the action of the drug will permit. This should be done with every medicine, in order to facilitate the study of its effects, and guide us in the selection of the proper dose. Eclectic physicians, and of late, many of the allo- pathic school, have come to look upon the mandrake as a sort of pana- cea for nearly all acute diseases, and useful in almost all chronic affections. With its enthusiastic admirers it ranks with Calomel. Medical adjectives have been exhausted in describing its powers and virtues. It is said to be cathartic, emetic, alterative, anthelmintic, hydragogue. sialagogue, deobstruent, febrifuge, anti-periodic, diuretic, etc., etc. It is a fact, that like Mercury it penetrates every nook and cranny of the organism, and there is scarce an organ or tissue of the body but feels its malign influence, when it is introduced into the system in toxical doses. It has been used in nearly every disease in the nomenclature, and it is said to have proved curative in those of the most opposite character. I shall try to show in my clinical re 806 NEW REMEDIES. marks the causes of its great popularity, and attempt to define its real sphere of action. I will here remark that I shall use the statements relative to the Podophyllww and Podophyllin, indiscriminately—as I believe both to act in a similar (perhaps identical) manner upon the system. The latter may not have as wide rauge of action as the former, because it does not contain all the medical constituents of the plant. To meet the requirements of an exact science, such as homoeopathy aspires to be, there should be a proving of both prepara- tions, but until we reach that desideratum we must do the best we can. In the clinical remarks I shall designate as far as possible which preparation was prescribed, in order that the physican may use the same in similar cases. (I shall, for the sake of brevity, adopt the ab- reviation " Pm." for the one, and '• Pn." for the other preparation.) TOXICAL EFFECTS. The entire plant in its recent state in an irritant poison, producing vomiting, hypercatharsis, tormina, stupor, and bloatiug of the body ; the root recently dried, operates as a drastic cathartic and emetic, when given in large doses, but the violence of its action is materially modified by age. Several cases of poi oning by the fruit, in children who had eaten the rind, have been brought under my observation, but in no instance was a fatal result induced. The following narrative of cases by Dr. D. C. Owen, which I take from the " Chicago Medical Examiner," are of interest, as showing the principal toxical effect of the medicine :—" On the 4th of August, 1860, I was called upon to visit two children of H. C, who, the mes- senger said, were vomiting themselves to death. I inquired what the children had been eating or taking. He replied, that the parents thought the vomiting was caused by May-apples, which the children had eaten in the morning. I drove briskly on, and arrived at the place in, perhaps, half an hour, where I found two very pretty little girls, aged respectively, six and eight years, stretched upon their beds; bathed in cold perspiration ; their faces pale as corpses ; eyes sunken in their orbits ; noses pinched; pulse very weak, and scarcely perceptible at the wrist; great thirst; and the stomach contracting so hard and rapidly, in efforts to vomit, that the wrenching pain would cause them to utter sharp screams, one after another, for five minutes at a time, I was told that the vomiting had been going on for the last four hours, almost without intermission, it being now 12 m. On examining the matters thrown from the stomach, I found them to con- sist, for the most part, of seeds, pulp, and membraneous covering of the ripe May-apple, having the pecular odor of that fruit. I asked them if they had eaten the rinds of the apples, They said no; but they had used their teeth to rupture the rinds. I informed the PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 807 parents that the recovery of the oldest child was not to be expected, owing to the prostration already produced ; but that the chances for the younger were much better. I gave the oldest, one grain of Sul- phate of Morphine, covered the epigastrium and entire abdomen, which was tympanitic and very tender, with a blister ; invited the blood to the extremities with hot flannels aud sinapisms ; gave car- bonic acid water, in small quantities, to allay thirst; and, as the bowels had not been moved since the vomiting began, ordered an enema of castor oil and molasses in warm water. To the younger I gave, perhaps two-thirds of a grain of morphine, and ordered the same course as for the other, except that for the blister I substituted mus- tard. They were now kept as quiet as possible for, perhaps, an hour and a half, when the younger child was sufficiently under the influence of the narcotic to fall into a quiet sleep. The oldest now vomited again bilious matter mixed with blood—the bile dark green and very thick, the blood dark and coagulated. She complained frequently of burning sensation in the throat. Finding that the injections had failed to move the bowels, I gave Hydrargyri sub-mur., gr. xij., Morphine sulph., grain j. They were now both getting warm extremities, the youngest still sleeoing. I left powders of Mor- phine and Camphor, one of which was to be given after each vomiting, should it commence again,-or after each stool, should the bowels act too freely. I directed the parents to do everything in their power to maintain the proper amount of heat in the extremities ; and, if the means they were uscing were not sufficient to keep up the warmth of the body, to use brandy by enema. For the youngest, I left similar powders and directions, should she require them. " Called August 5th, at 7 a. m.—Found the oldest past all hope—the eyes glazed and motionless, the death-rattle in her throat, the abdomen, swelled almost to bursting, and the under jaw fallen. At half past two o'clock she expired. I learned that she bad contin- ued to vomit thick bile, with more or less blood mixed with it, about every hour through the night. The youngest.child was considerable better, although there was considerable tenderness over the stomach, to remove which I applied a blister; gave Dover's powder to keep her quiet, slippery elm water for drink, kept the bowels solvent with sulphate of magnesia; and, by the morning of the 8th, she was conva- lescent. I have endeavored to give a simple statement of the facts in the above cases, as they occurred ; and I will decline making comments, more than to say, that, after seeing the deleterious effects of the May-apple in these cases, I would not recommend them as 808 NEW REMEDIES. being the healthiest article of diet we can procure ; and I have also kept an eye single on the action of Podophyllin." GENERAL EFFECTS. jVervOUS System.—Podophyllum does not act specifically upon the nerves, as does Aconite or Nux vomica. In this respect it ranks with Bryonia, Aloes, and other medicines of the same class. The pains induced by the Mandrake are probably myalgic in their character. In idiopathic neuralgia, or indeed neuralgia in any form, it is of doubtful utility. Dr. S. A. Merrill, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, writes : " I have apparently cured a very severe and protracted case of epilepsy, of five years standing, in a woman 45 years of age, with this article, I was called to visit her, (lives about 40 miles from this place), about the middle of last April, while suffering from an attack of lung fever, and while there prescribed the Podophyllum for some difficulty of the stomach, which was complained of. About four weeks after, I saw the husband, who informed me that the Podophyllum not only relieved the derangement of the stomach, but also the epilepsy, which seemed to depend upon that condition. I received a note from him yesterday, and he states that the cure seems complete and per- manent. The paroxysms were very severe and lasted from half an hour to an hour, and characterized by much violence, and a very peculiar wildness of expression that was said to be frightful to wit- ness." Muscular System.—We have not sufficient proof, nor do we find anything in.the pathogenesis, which would lead us to suppose that Podophyllum acted directly upon the muscular fibre, as does Bryonia, Mercurius, or Helonias. To fully understand the action of Mandrake and other similarly acting and depressing drugs, one should read that instructive book, " Inman on Myalgia." I would suggest that Podo- phyllum causes pains, cramps and other sensations and affections of muscular tissue by (a) its irritating action upon mucous membranes, and (b) by depressing action upon the vital power. According to Inman, all drastic purgatives may cause myalgia, and even cramps, and wasting of muscle. Viewing the action of this medicine as I do, I cannot consider it indicated in rheumatism affecting muscles or ten- dons. If it has been found beneficial in that disease, it has been from some indirect action, and not from any specific effect. I have known it to cause severe myalgic pains and soreness, and have found it cura- tive in similar conditions, but never in true rheumatism. The Podo- phyllin has the power to cause other pains besides those referred to the bowels, stomach and other portions of the digestive tract. I have known it to cause pains in various parts of the system, but I believe PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 809 them to be generally myalgic. Dr. Coe, whose testimony is sometimes valuable, says : " Podophyllin is sometimes very tardy in its opera- tion, not acting under eighteen or twenty hours, and frequently it will operate more freely during the second twenty-four hours, than during the first, In cases of chronic disorders of the liver, at others in the spleen, and other viscera, considerable pain will frequently be ex- perienced in the diseased organs during the operation of the medicine. Sometimes the pain will be in the liver, at others in the spleen, again in the kidneys, (medicinal aggravation), also in the back of the neck and head, in the pleura, intercostal muscles, etc., (myalgia), but these symptoms will subside with the operation of the medicine." He thinks those are favorable indications, " showing that the remedy is at work arousing the dormant energies of the system. It is not necessary, however, to cause these pains, etc. DIUCOUS TlSSUCS.—In its action on mucous membranes it ranks with Mercurius, Iris versicolor, Veratrum album, and other drastic cathartics. It is powerfully irritant to the tissues; especially those of the digestive tract. It is not directly specific in its action upon the mucous membrane of the respiratory and urinary passages. It will, however, irritate and inflame any mucous surface \fhen brought in contact with it, sometimes acting as a powerful escharotic. Of its power to cause inflammation of any and all portions of the mucous membrane from the mouth to the anus, there can be no doubt. Such effects have been too often observed in practice, by all physicians who have had an opportunity to notice its action when administered iu material doses. It even causes ulceration of this tissue, and may be said to act as Dr. Freligh asserts of mercury—" as a solvent of the living solids," but not to the extent of the former poison. Podophyl- lum is homoeopathic to enteritis, gastritis, etc., and even to bronchitis and urethritis, under certain circumstances, which will be noticed under appropriate headings. Serous TiSSUCS.—It is said to affect, by its " alterative action," the serous membranes of the body, and prove curative in pleuritis, peritonitis, synovitis, and even meningitis ; but its action in this direction, is not, in my opinion, specific or direct, as is the case with Bryonia. Glandular System.—It is here that Podophyllum is a close anal- ogue of Mercury, Iodine, Iris versicolor, etc. When taken up into the circulation, it is eliminated by the glands, and is thus rendered capa- able of causing irritation, inflammation, and even suppuration of almost any glandular organ or structure. To those who would thoroughly 810 NEW REMEDIES. understand the action of that clas? of medicines termed " Elimi- nants," I would advise a careful perusal of that masterly work, " Headland on the action of Medicines." According to Kin jr. and others, "It produces a powerful and lasting impression upon the glandular system and secretory organs, unequalled by any other article." It is highly recommended and habitually used in scrofula, in- duration, and swelling ; also for inflammation and suppuration of glands. It would be useless to waste our space in recording all the laudations of eclectic physicians in relation to its curative action upon the sys- tem. Like the praises the allopathist bestows upon mercury, they are too often based upon an unsubstantial foundation. Vascular System, Fever. - Chilliness while moving about during fever, and in the act of lying down, with perspiration immediately afterwards ; chilliness when first lying down in the evening, followed by fever and sleep, which is disturbed with talking and imperfect wakings ; fever attended with constipation ; fever with incoherent talking (W); plow pulse ; scarcely perceptible pulse; pulselessness and collapse. The primary action of toxical doses is to depress the vital energies of the whole system, and therefore lower the action (tone) of the heart and arteries, in a manner similar to Veratrum alb. and its analogues. This will be seen by reference to the case of poisoning recorded on a previous page of this work: "Podo- phyllin exercises a remarkable control over the sanguiniferous system, removing capillary obstructions, and equalizing the cir- culation. Its exhibition is frequently followed by a decided increase of temperature on the part of tho skin, and patients sometimes imagine that the medicine is going to induce a fever* This fever sometimes resembles the mercurial fever, as it is often accompanied by perspira- tion, and pains all over the system. Taking the ensemble of the symptoms, we have in the coldness, chilliness, heat, pain, sweat, etc., a very good picture of a febrile attack. Clinical Observations.—Eclectics and other admirers of Podo- phyllum in the regular school, make the sweeping assertion that it is useful in the treatment of all fevers, and place in the same list those of the highest and lowest grade, the sthenic and asthenic. This is so manifestly absurd, that it were useless to spend time to show its absurdity, but the opposite schools of medicine are so prone to deal in generalities that we can expect nothing better of them. Podophyl- lum is indicated and has been found useful in the following varieties of fever. Fever.—When the following symptoms are present : "Chil- * Coe's "Concentrated Organie Medicines." PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 811 lincss when lying down—or in the evening; chill in the morn- ing at 7 o'clock, with pressing pains in both hypochondria, and dull aching pains in the knees and ankles, elbows and wrists ; back-ache before the chill ; the shaking and sensation of coldness continues for some time after the heat commences ; some thirst during the chill, but more through the heat; the patient is conscious during the chill, but cannot talk, because he forgets the words he wishes to employ ; delirium and loquacity during the hot stage, with forgetfulness after- wards of all that passed ; violent pain in the head, with excessive thirst during the fever; sleep during the perspiration; loss of appe- tite during the hot apyrexia. Clinical Observation.—The above'symptoms are given by Dr. Williamson, who does not inform us whether they are purely curative symptoms, or pathogenetic and curative. He further says Podo- phyllum is indicated in quotidian tertian and quartan organs, and for " periodical diseases " generally. The practitioner, however, must not expect too much of this remedy in intermittents. It cannot be ranked with Nux vomica, China, Quinia, Cornus florida.,'or any of the "anti-periodic" gioup of medicines which act curatively by virtue of that power, but rather with Mercurius, Leptandra, Iris versicolor, etc., which act as curative agents in intermittent fevers, by anoth- er power, namely, of correcting the condition of particular orgaus, as the liver, and thus removing the obstacles to a recovery. In my practice, which was at one time extensive in a district cursed with ague, I had ample opportunity to observe the action of Podo- phyllum in this disease. I never found it of benefit unless the hepa- tic, intestinal, and gastric symptoms corresponded with those of the drug; when given tor the symptoms of the fever alone, enumerated above, it was not curative. In fact it would remove all the other symptoms, and the paroxysms of fever would still occur in a modified form. But if alternated with Ipecacuanha, China, Cornus, or Nux vomica (in quotidian,) Arsenicum, Cedron. or Quinia (in tertian,) the cure would be prompt and permanent. Those who are opposed to alternation of remedies can use the Phophyllum first, and the remedy afterwards. As the testimony of eclectic physicians may be interest- ing on this point, I will quote : " In bilious fevers, either remittent or intermittent, it not unfrequently arrests tho disease, at the first prescription, if given in the proper mariner, or it so far modifies the attack that the case becomes mild and manageable."—(King) Morrow makes the same statement, but says it is only indicated when there is evident hepatic torpor or congestion. "During the early stages of most febrile diseases, particularly intermittent and bilious remittent fevers, Podophyllin is an agent of superior efficacy. A single dose often arrests the severest attacks of fever."—(Jones and Scudder.) " In the treatment of fever and ague, we almost invariably precede the employment of the other remedies by the free exhibit of Podophyllin. By so doing, in this climate, we cut the dise 812 NEW REMEDIES. short at once, and oftentimes have no occasion for further medication We have known many case of intermittent fever yield to a single dose of the Podophyllin, and. we have no doubt, but the credit of the euro is frequently due to this agent, where it is attributed toother means." {Dr. Coe.) The above embodies the general estimate of the eclectic school, as regards the value of this medicine in agues. No writer pretends that it has any actual anti-periodic power. It has been noticed in many of our provings, that certain febrile and even painful symptoms were decidedly aggravated, or had a tendency to recur at certain hours in the day, or alternate days. This peculiarity renders a drug an " anti-periodic." In the proving of Podophyllum, wc find that certain febrile and other symptoms,tend to occur in the morning, but this I consider rather an indication of its remittent action. Future experiments will decide. In bilious fever', this medicine is an excellent homceopathic remedy. No other drug so often corresponds with the symtoms, particularly when there is much intestinal irritation. It is admirably indicated in the various forms of remittent fever; which in the west are con- sidered "bilious" in character. The febrile symptoms are quite strongly marked, and may afford some data for the selection of this drug, but we should be guided principally by the general symptoms. As above stated, eclectic physicians, and of late many allopathic, are enthusiastic believers in the power of Podophyllum, when given at the outset of nearly all fevers, in cathartic doses, of arresting or " break- ing up " such attacks. But I need not acquaint the homoeopathic physician that such practice is sometimes fraught with the most de- plorable consequences. When the patient is strong and robust, the vitality of the organism may rally from its depressing action, or medicinal aggravation of the malady ; but if such reaction does not take place, the fever, which may have been mild in its character, is changed to a serious and intractable one. The intestinal irritation which the Podophyllin sets up, will goon and withstand all the rude means of the eclectic to arrest. In this way I have known simple re- mittents changed into enteric or typhoid fever. In irritative fever, and infantile remittent, no remedy will give better satisfaction, not even Mercurius. But it should be used with caution in all fevers accompanied or caused by intestinal or gastic irritation. In these cases it is primarily homoeopathic, and should be used in the fourth and 6th dec. dil.; but should symptoms denote inactivity of the liver and glandular system of the intestines, and constipation, with jaun- dice exist, then the second or third dil. may be used safely. In typhoid and typhus fevers, (enteric) the Podophyllum is often indicated. It is quite as homoeopathic to the irritation, inflam- mation, and even ulceration of Peyer's glands, as Mercurius and Arsenicum, but it is not so well indicated by the general symptoms ; namely, the condition of the blood, etc., as Baptisia, Phosphoric and Muriatic acids, or even Leptandra or Iris. Dr. Hill4 (Epitome) says Podophyllin is the best remedy for the diarrhoea of typhoids. But homoeopathists can accept no such wholesale assertion. If the diar- PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 813 rhcea, in a case of typhoid, corresponds to the Podophyllum-diarrhoea, then, and only then is it a specific remedy. The best writers in the eclectic school are aware of the danger of giving large doses of Podo- phyllin in typhoid and other low fevers, and all are particular to warn the physician not to use it when there is much prostration or intesti- nal irritation existing. Notwithstanding this, the physicians of that and the old school, are generally so ignorant of disease, and so reck- less of consequences, as to give this powerful drug in typhoid fever. The consequences are, but few patients under that treatment have vitality to resist the toxical effects of the drug and the disease. If Podophyllin is prescribed in true enteric (or typhoid) fever, it should be only the middle and higher potencies—the tenth and upwards. The Podophyllum may be used lower, in the third or sixth. These general remarks, I deem sufficient to point out the applicability of the remedy in the various forms of fever. They will serve to guide the practitioner in the selection of the drug by the special symptoms. Even the exanthematous fevers form no exceptions. Sleep.—Sleepiness in the day time, especially in the forenoon ; sleepiness early in the evening; restlessness in the fore part of the night; distress after the first sleep in the evening ; rising up in the bed, during sleep, without waking ; moaning in sleep with eyelids half closed ; *restless sleep of children, with whining at night ; un- refreshed by sleep on waking in the morning ; too heavy sleep at night; drowsy and difficult to wake in the morning; *a feeling of fatigue on waking in the morning. Clinical Observations.—Stupor and even coma occur in cases of poisoning with Podophyllum. The above symptoms form a group very often met with in persons who are supposed to be " bilious," or have " liver complaint." In other words, they are common to hepatic torpor, and are premonitory to many kinds of fever. The symptoms marked *, are said by Dr. Williamson to be curative by this medicine Skin*—*Sallowness of the skin in children; *moistness of the skin with preternatural warmth. Clinical Observations.—The two symptoms above, are the only ones recorded as skin symptoms, and those appear to be curative. I have never noticed any irritation or eruption of the skin appear from its internal use. It is probably not homoeopathic to any cutaneous disease. Its topical application, by virtue of its escharotic power, results in redness, vesication, and even pustulation and ulcers. It forms an ingredient of the '' irritating plaster" of the eclectics. In this manner of application it may prove locally homoeopathic, as does Argentum nit., etc. I have known its abuse and prolonged use to cause jaundice, but that symptom more properly belongs to another paragraph. Like mercury, it causes a peculiar irritative fever, char- acterized by heat of the skin, with moisture (fever with sweat). This symptom may be of value, in aiding us in the selection of the 814 NEW REMEDIES medicine. Coe says the resinoid " possesses a degree of escharotic power, and when applied to fungous growths will dissolve them down. It produces a rapid pustulation, which appears first in the form of minute vesicles filled with a serous fluid which speedily changes to a whitish or yellowish hue. This superficial inflammation is at the same time quite severe. The pustules are slow in healing." Mental Symptoms.—Depression of spirits ; imagines he is going to die, or will be very ill. Clinical Observations.—According to Dr. Williamson it has been found curative in the delirium of fevers. Beyond this, we know but little of its homoeopathic use in mental or emotional disorders. It is evidently indicated, judging from its sphere of action, and has been found useful, in depression of spirits, and hypochondriac state of mind arising from hepatic disorder. Head.—Giddiness and dizziness, with the sensation of fullness over the eyes ; momentary darts of pain in the forehead, obliging one to shut the eyes ; dullness and headache, with sleepiness in the morn- ing ; morning headache, with flushed face; pain on the top of the head when rising in the morning ; morning headache, with heat in the vertex; pressing pain in the temples in the forenoon, with draw- ing in the eyes as if strabismus would follow ; stunning headache through the temples, relieved by pressure ; sudden pain in the fore- head, with soreness of the throat in the evening ; heavy dull pain in the forehead, with soreness over the seat of pain ; headache alternating with diarrhoea ; vertigo while standiug in the open air; pain in the left frontal protuberance, aggravated in the afternoon ; vertigo, with inclination to fall forwards; perspiration of the head during sleep, with coldness of the flesh while teething; face pale as a corpse's with pinched nose and a cold perspiration. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Williamson found the Podophyl- lum curative in " rolling of the head during difficult dentition in child- ren ;" also the two symptoms marked with the asterisk. The head symptoms are quite notable, particularly the " morning headache" so common in bilious affections ; also the " headache alternating with diarrhoea "—one of the most frequent symptoms in hepatic difficulties. We have no proof that this drug will cause inflammation or congestion of the brain or its meninges, but the symptom recorded above as cured by Dr. Williamson "rolling of the head," etc., together with another— wrongly placed under the head of teeth ; namely, "grinding of the teeth at night, especially with children during dentition," would seem to point to irritation of the brain, whether idiopathic or reflex, wc cannot decide, but would suggest an intestinal origin. Dr. Bell*claims to have used it successfully in cases of cerebral affections in child- * Hahnemannian Monthly, Vol. l,page 181. PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 815 rcn, when there was rolling of the head and grinding of the teeth. He gave the 200th potency. Podophyllum has been much used against brain affections by eclectic physicians, but in such large doses as to act as a "revulsive" or " derivative " as they express it. I would not un- dertake to decide that it could not cause disease of the brai#: it would need a pathological proving to elucidate that point. I will quote some eclectic testimony as to its value in their hands in brain affections, and the reader may judge of the nature of its action for himself. Prof. Morrow says : " Iu no class of cases has this medicine manifested a higher degree of value, so far as I have been able to observe its effects, than in those marked by strong determination of blood to the brain, producing either congestion or incipient inflammation of that organ. In several cases of this description, in the treatment of which I have witnessed its effects, I was agreeably surprised to find every trace of congestion eradicated by one or two thorough operations of this article. It seemed to exercise a more completely controlling influence on this pathological condition than any medicine I have ever used for this same purpose." It was given of course in strong cathartic doses. Still a mere cathartic would not have such a " con- trolling influence," and it may after all have exercised some specific curative effect upon the condition of the brain ; i. e., the small amount of the drug which was absorbed. Dr. Coe, strangely enough, does not say much about its use in brain diseases, as he considers it specific for almost every other class of maladies. He says it does good, as a re- vulsive cathartic, in congestion of the brain and apoplexy. He men- tions one case however, where it acted mechanically with good results, and if no better agent was at band—castor oil, etc.,—the homoeopathist might use it legitimately. " In a child eight months old," he says, " we removed by means of lobelia and podophyllin one and a half pints of solid casein. This matter so expelled was in a high state of putrefactive fermentation. This case he says was pronounced con- gestion of the brain," but with the removal of the morbid material from the stomach, all the symptoms abated, and the child recovered. In a case of jaundice, which had advanced so far as to cause a comatose sleep, and partial insensibility, after every usual homoeopa- thic remedy had been tried without much effect, the Podophyllin, one grain of the first trit., every half hour, removed all the dangerous symptoms. Improvement commenced about the time frequent bilious stools appeared. No bile had passed the bowels for nearly two weeks previously. Eyes.—Smarting in the eyes ; drawing sensation in the eyes, accompanying pain in the head ; heaviness of the eyes, with occasional pains on the top of the head ; pain in the eye balls aud in the tem- ples, with heat and throbbing of the temporal arteries. Eyes sunken in their orbits. Clinical Observations.—In a conversation with the venerable Dr. Hering, relating to this remedy, he referred me to a remark of Dr. Barton (allopath) ; namely, that ho bad noticed that frequently S10 NEW REMEDIES. after administering the Podophyllum—no symptoms appeared <>n the same day, but the next morning, the eyes would appear inflamed. This, according to Hering, would seem to imply that Podophyllum was indicated in ophthalmias which appeared, or were aggravated in the morning. It has been used as a collyrium in chronic opthal- mia with ulcers on the cornea, and is probably as useful as any es- charotic, for all act upon the law of similia. Dr. Kendall, of Chicago, informed me he arrested the morning aggravations in a case of ophthalmia from suppressed menses by the use of Podophyllum 3d. It did no more, however, and Sepia restored the menses and cured the eyes. Teeth.—^Grinding of the teeth at night ; the teeth are covered with dried mucus in the morning. Clinical Observations.—The first symptom above recorded should perhaps be placed under the " Head" symptoms. However, children often grind the teeth (adults also) from a disordered state of the stomach, indigestion, acidity, and even hepatic disorder. I once noticed in a child to whom Podophyllum had been administered by the parents, that each paroxysm of nausea and griping was pre- ceded by " grinding of the teeth." In this case this was a reflex symptom proceeding from the intestinal irritation. The teeth are said to become loose under the action of this medicine. (See mouth symptoms.) Mouth.—Copious salivation; ^offensive odor from the mouth; *offensiveness of the breath at night—perceptible to the patient ; taste of fried liver in his mouth at night; sourness of the mouth and tongue on waking in the morning ; white fur on the tongue with foul taste ; putrid taste in the mouth. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Williamson contributes the cura- tive symptoms marked with a star. The effect of the Podophyllum upon the mouth is quite specific and note-worthy. All writers agree that it will cause symptoms like salivation. I have known it to cause severe ptyalism in numerous cases, when abused by eclectic physicians. Even in the 3d trit., this effect is quite noticeable in persons who are subject to stomatitis, or have been mercurialized. Dr. Coe says: "It has been said that Podophyllin is capable of producing ptyalism, but we have never seen any evidence of the fact in persons who had never taken mercury. The only symptoms of salivation we have ever observed have been in those cases where mercury has been taken at some previous time. Podo- phyllin is powerfully resolvent, and by its peculiar excitation of the glandular system will sometimes dislodge deposits of latent mercurial atoms, and so bring about a season of mercurialization. Lobelia, Irisin and Phytolaccin will frequently do the same." This is a species of special pleading, often resorted to by eclectic practitioners, but it is untenable. If these drugs will cause ptyalism when mercury is in the glands it will cause the same symptoms when Mercury is not PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 817 present. The only difference will be that the presence of Mercury renders the glands more susceptible to the action of these agents. Podophyllin is homoeopathic to ptyalism, even mercurial ; to stoma- titis and many inflammatory affections of the gums and buccal mucous membrane. It has been found curative in " nursing sore mouth," "canker in the mouth." I have cured with the dilutions, used as a wash, a case of chronic inflammation of the tongue, which was red, dry, cracked, and often bleeding, and somewhat swollen. It seemed idiopathic, as no gastric derangement was noticeable. Throat*—Sore throat, commencing on the right side and then going to the left; soreness of the left side of the throat, especially painful when swallowing liquids, and worse in the morning ; dryness of the throat ; soreness of the the throat extending to the ears; *rattling of mucus in the throat; *goitre ; *sore throat, commencing on the right side and going to the left. Clinical Observations.—The three curative symptoms are from Dr. Williamson. The first is due to the excited secretory action of mandrake upon the tonsils and mucous follicles of the throat. This medicine has made undoubted cures of goitre in the hands of homoeo- pathic as well as eclectic physicians. The testimony on this point seems conclusive, but I cannot say that I have ever seen much benefit from its use in my hands, at least no such decided effects as follow the use of Iodine, Bromine, and their salts, even in minute doses. Nor have I found it of much value in tonsillitis, in which it is inferior to Phy- tolacca or Iris versicolor. Appetite.—Voracious appetite ; regurgitation of food ; loss of appetite ; indifference to food ; satiety from a small quantity of food, followed by nausea and vomiting; desire for something sour; thirst towards evening ; putrid taste. Clinical Observations.—The effects of Podophyllin in small doses (tV of a grain) is, according to King and other, to cause increase of appetite, and healthy digestion ; but, in large doses, it causes dis- gust for food, which if taken is regurgitated. Dr. Williamson cured many cases of dyspepsia in which the above symptoms were prominent. (See Gastric Symptoms.) Gastric Symptoms, and Stomach.—Regurgitation of food; food turns sour after eating; sourness of the stomach ; acid eructations ; belching of hot flatus, which is very sour ; acidity in the afternoon, with an unpleasant, sickly sensation in the stomach ; nausea and vomiting, with fullness in the head; vomiting of food an hour after a meal, with a craving appetite immediately afterwards ; extreme nausea, continuing for several hours; vomiting of food with putrid taste and odor ; heart-burn ; water-brash ; heat in .the stomach ; sen- sation of hollowness in the epigastrium ; throbbing in the epigastrium, 52 818 NEW RExMEDIES. followed by diarrhoea ; gastric affection, attended by depression of spirits ; heat in stomach; vomiting of hot frothy mucus ; stitches in the epigastrium from coughing.—(Williamson) The nausea begins about two or three hours after the medicine, in material doses, is taken ; it continues sometimes with great severity, and with vomiting of ingesta, mucus, and bile, for twenty-four or forty hours even.— (Hale) Great thirst, and the stomach contracting so hard and rapidly in the effort to vomit that the wrenching pain would cause them to utter sharp screams, one after another, for five minutes at a time ; vomiting of bilious matter mixed with blood, the bile dark green and very thick ; the blood dark and coagulated ; vomiting of thick bile and blood for eighteen hours.—(Dr. Owen) Clinical Observations.—From its effects in the case of fatal poisoning, we should judge it indicated in acute gastritis, when the pain and vomiting is unusually severe, and the matter ejected con- sisted of bile and blood as described above. The nausea which at- tends the action of mandrake, is particularly distressing. It is "lin- gering and death-like, something like that caused by tobacco." It is attended generally with severe and painful vomiting of bilious matter as well as copious bilious and watery discharges, and severe griping pain in the small intestines, when the dose is large. The critical physician will readily see by the pathogenetic and cura- tive symptoms above, that Podophyllin is indicated in many condi- tions of gastric irritation, and even inflammation. Eclectic writers, particularly mention that it is contra-indicated in gastritis, which observation implies to the homoeopathist, that it will prove a valuable remedy in some forms of that disease. Some physicians value it highly as a homceopathic remedy for many forms of dyspepsia. (See curative symptoms above.) In many respects it is similar to Iris versicolor, Mercurius, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, and others, and will rival them in the various affections of the stomach. Abdomen.—Fullness in the right hypochondrium, with flatulence. Colic with retraction of the abdominal muscles ; pain in the transverse colon at three o'clock in the morning, followed by diarrhoea ; rumbling of flatus in the ascending colon ; pain in the ascending colon ; pain in the bowels at daylight in the morning, which is relieved by exter- nal warmth and by bending forwards whilst lying on the side, but is aggravated by lying on the back ; the pain in the bowels is at first attended with coldness, which is followed by heat and warm perspi- ration ; sensation of heat in the bowels, accompanying the inclination to go to stool; sensation of flatus in the left hypochondrium ; faint- ness with sensation of emptiness in the abdomen after stool ; cramp- like pain in the bowels, with retraction of the abdominal muscles occur ring at 10 o'clock in the evening, and again at 5 o'clock in the morn PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 819 ing, and continuing until 9 ; sharp pain above the right groin, pre- venting motion in the last months of pregnancy ; distention of the abdomen ; enormous swelling of the abdomen (in case of fatal poison- ing-) Clinical Observations.—The pains which are caused by Podo- phyllum are not confined to the intestines, but extend to'the muscles of the abdomen. According to Inman, irritation of the mucous coat of the intestines may, and does generally cause myalgic pains and spasm. There is some similarity in the pains caused by Plumbum and Podophyllum ; but, the former drug acts directly upon the nerves which govern the contraction of muscles, while the latter causes pain and spasm in the same muscles by irritating a contiguous mucous membrane. Dr. Williamson recommends the Podophyllum in Colica pictonum (lead colic), and eclectics claim to cure it with Podophyllum. Per- haps the similarity of the two diseases may be sufficiently close to empower the one to cure the other. I once attended a case of poison- ing by Podophyllum, where the rectus and other muscles were drawn into lumps or knots; the pain was relieved by "doubling up," and very hot applications. Colocynth did but little good; Gelseminum, in drop doses, gave some relief; I did not try Plumbum, having none at hand. The colic caused by Podophyllum is generally attended with diarrhoea or dysentery, and often with bilious vomiting and diarrhoea. In Peritonitis, I do not consider it indicated, unless in exceptional cases. Certain intestinal and myalgic disorders simu- late true peritonitis and may be mistaken for it; in such cases the Podophyllum may be useful. Eclectic physicians consider it almost specific for Puerperal Peritonitis, but it cannot be anything but injurious in that disease, given in the heavy doses in which they present it. The allopathic treatment of tL.*s disease shows some strange discrepancies. Some writers claim that blood-letting, Verat. v., Antimony, etc., are the only remedies ; others rely wholly upon Opium, and narcotics ; and still another portion of that school place their faith upon Turpentine. It is very probable that Podophyllin acts similarly to the latter drug. According to Inman (see Treatise on Myalgia), inflammation of serous membranes, as the pleura and peritoneum is not necessarily accompanied with pain, and, myalgia or paralysis of the muscular parietes of the abdomen is often mistaken for peritonitis. We have the same intense burning pain in certain localities, (the attachment of muscles) the same exquisite tenderness, and the same distention, noted as belonging to puerperal peritonitis. Any treatment, says Inman, which will give tone to the muscles, causing contraction of the muscles involved, will restore the patient. This statement accounts for the benefit which has accrued from the use of stimulants, tonics, Opium, and even Turpentine and Podophyllin. The two first give tone to the muscles—Opium gives them rest, which is so necessary to a cure ; and the two latter by a certain specific influence 820 NEW REMEDIES. which they seem to have over our muscular fibre; for Turpentine cures tympanitis, in small doses, too small to irritate the bowel, (it- causes tympanitis), and Podophyllin causes all the symptoms of peri- tonitis, as will be seen by reference to the cases of poisoning above. In the fatal case, enteritis could not have been present, for the time was too short, and if the peritoneum was affected it was by the direct toxical action of the poison. No post mortem having been made of the fatal case, we do not know whether peritonitis was present, and the symptoms may have been due to some other lesion. Liver and Spleen.—(1.) Feeling of fullness in the right hypochondrium with flatulence; stitches in the right hypochondrium, worse while eating; twisting pain in the right hypochondrium, with sensation of heat in the part; *fullness, with pain and soreness in the right hypochondrium ; chronic hepatitis with costiveness ; pains in the region of the liver. (2.) Sensation of weight and dragging in the left hypochondrium, close under the ribs ; sensation of flatus in the left hypochondrium ; pains in the spleen. Clinical Observations. It is difficult to decide whether all the pains above mentioned are myalgic or really in the organs referred to in the headings. Some of the symptoms are undoubtedly myalgic. The curative symptoms of fullness, etc., has been so often verified by Dr. Williamson and others of our school, that we may safely say that it indicates hepatitis, or congestion of the liver. The " chronic hepatitis with costiveness." is also a valuable observation. It is not necessary, however, that constipation should be present; it is as use- ful when that disease is attended with diarrhoea, or the two states alternately. From many years, experience with, and observation of the use of Podophyllin in diseases of the liver, I feel qualified to venture the following observation relative to its pathogenetic and curative action upon that organ. I believe the Podophyllum and its active principle to be a direct stimulant of the liver. I am aware that some of the most astute investigators of the allopathic school deny that Mercury has any direct or specific action on that organ. They would probably allege the same of the mandrake, but there are certain reasons which I shall give further on, why I consider the argu- ments against Mercury not valid in the case of Podophyllum. The primary action of Podophyllum in large doses, is generally to cause vomiting and diarrhoea of undoubted bilious matters. I have exam- ined the evacuations caused by Podophyllin, in cases of jaundice, which before its administration were completely free from bile, and found that the green color was actually due to that secretion. The examination was made with the most approved chemical tests. The patient felt the action of the drug upon the liver, before it nauseated or caused any intestinal irritation. (The dose was one-fourth of a grain of the pure resinoid, triturated with ten of sugar of milk.) In still smaller doses, third trituration, it will cause bile to appear in the previously clay colored stools. I consider this medicine there- PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM. 821 fore primarily homoeopathic to acute irritation, congestion and inflam- mation of the liver, bilious diarrhoea, and hepatic pains. A further proving is needed to give special indications. The powerfully irrita- ting effect which this drug has upon the secretory functions of. the liver, enables it to cause such excessive action as may pass over into passive congestion, chronic inflammation, suspension of function from exhaustion, suspension of biliary secretion, and even retention of that fluid. Podophyllum has been abused in the hands of eclectics as badly as Mercury in the allopathic school. I have known it to cause chronic hepatic diseases, as jaundice, enlargement, and even some organic affections. There is scarcely an acute or chronic disease of this important viscus, in which this medicine may not, in some of its stages, be found useful. A careful study of our proving, together with the observations of physicians of both schools, will give us much information as to its sphere of action. The dose in hepatic diseases, is a matter of great importance. I believe an adherence to the following rules will give the physician greater success with the medicine than he could obtain without them: (1.) For the primary (acute) conditions, similar to those caused by large doses of Podophyllum, give the highest and middle attenua- tions. (The third or eighteenth of Podophyllum, and sixth or thirtieth of Podopbyllm.) (2.) For symptoms and conditions (chronic) simu- lating the secondary effects, give the lower attenuations, and in rare cases, even the one-tenth of the resiuoids. (3.) In a few cases, as in retention of the bile from obstruction of the gall duct, or in cases of gall-stones, we must have the direct mechanical effects of Podo- phyllum. In such cases crude doses are required. This is best illustrated by the following case of " expulsion of gall-stone," reported by me to the " North American Journal," vol. 12, p. 258 : '• In vol. 7, p. 304, of this journal, my industrious colleague, Dr. Marcy, made mention of ' an empirical remedy for gall-stones," and says : ' For the violent spasmodic pains which accompany their pas- sage to the intestines, we have found the following treatment, derived from an empirical source, eminently efficacious : As soon as the pains have declared themselves, we give give the patient six ounces of tepid Olive-ofl, and then prescribe Nux vomica and Aconite in alter- nation every half hour. We also apply hot water fomentations, and occasionally a warm bath, when the paroxysm is not speedily ameli- orated.' The case which I will now report is a very interesting one. The patient was a young lady, residing in Chicago, who had been subject for several years, to attacks of supposed gastralgia, which would pass off in a few days under the use of anodynes, leav- ing her slightly jaundiced. This attack had been much more severe, and she had been under the care of two professors in the allopathic colleges in this city for six weeks when I was called. They pro- nounced the disease " neuralgia of the stomach." The character of the pain had not changed, only to grow more severe since its onset. She had been drugged with blue-mass, calomel, opium, Dover's-pow- der and chloroform, and received only temporary benefit from their 822 NEW REMEDIES. use. I found her emaciated, jaundiced,(her skin of the hue of bronze,) tongue coated white; no appetite; headache most of the time; pulse quick aud hard, but small; urine very scanty, a yellowish brown color, and was found to contain bile when the usual tests were applied. The pains in the epigastrium extended to the right side, region of the gall-bladder, and were remitting i. e., there were parox- ysms of great intensity, but some pain all the time; excessive nausea, when the pain became severe; constipation and diarrhoea alternated, and in either condition the evacuations were now, aud had been desti- tute of bile for several weeks. At my first visit I was undecided as to the pathological condition at the bottom of the difficulty, but gave Aconite and Nux vomica. The next I decided that the malady originated from the presence of gall-stones in the gall duct, obstruct- ing completely the passage of bile into the intestines, and giving rise to the interior pain; no relief had been obtained from the remedies, and she had been obliged to resort to Chloroform all night. I now resolved to try Dr. Marcy's treatment. Six ounces of tepid olive-oil were ordered, but she could only be induced to swallow tliree. This was at 3 p. m., the other three ounces were administered. Nux and Aconite were continued as before. Third day—No improvement. She took Chloroform about half the time, to get relief from the intense spasmodic pain; urine more scanty, and of a deeper color ; slimy, white diarrhoea, not a trace of bile in the discharges ; vomiting of mucus ; no bile had been vomited for several weeks. I ordered a hot bath. In the attempt to take it, a very severe chill set in, with fainting ; this was followed by some fever. In the evening she became stupid, would not answer ques- tions, and I feared she would go into coma. Dr Coe* gives the fol- lowing treatment for gall-stones : " He gives at bed-time a powder composed of Podophyllin, grs. ij., Euphorbia, grs. j., Caulophyllin, grs. ij. The next morning, ' as soon as the nausea attending the ope- ration of the powder has subsided, administer eight ounces of pure olive-oil.' ' We have known," he asserts, ' as many as two hundred of these concretions, varying in size from that of a small pea to that of a hazle-nut, to be passed after the administration of a single dose of Podophyllin and the oil.' My patient was rapidly sinking, and I knew that if the obstruction was not soon removed, the blood would become irretrievably poisoned with bile. I did not deem it neces- sary to follow Coc's practice. Podophyllin is the real agent which dislodges the concretions from the gall-duct. This it does, I believe, by increasing the expulsive power or peristalic action, so to speak, of the gall bladder and its duct. The olive-oil may aid in relaxing and dilating the duct, and carries the concretions through the bowels, after they have been expelled. I accordingly gave one grain of Podo- phyllin in the evening; she was allowed chloroform during the night. In the morning she swallowed three ounces of olive-oil at 6 o'clock. At 9 o'clock she vomited bile ; at noon she had a free evacuation from the bowels, of a bilious appearance. At 3 p. m., another bilious * Concentrated Organic Medicines, page 247. PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM 823 stool, and with it a discharge of several gall-stones—they fell into the vessel with a metallic sound—as the nurse informed me. All pain ceased about the time she vomited, and did not return. The concre- tions were round, about the size of a cherry, rough externally, yel- lowish, and when broken iu two, showed a radiating appearance from a common center. No account was kept of the number passed, as the nurse was somewhat negligent, and failed to collect them. In a few days, under the use of Aconite and Nux vomica, the jaundice had nearly disappeared; her appetite returned, and in two weeks she was able to ride into the country, and has since enjoyed good health. In the words of Dr, Marcy, I assert ' that this affords us example where the consistent homoeopathist is justified in employing a chemical and purgative agent to rid the system of foreign substances, which nature is struggling to throw off. It is not disease which we are to remove ; not a therapeutic agent which we are to administer.' I recognize three methods of restoring health ; viz : the chemical, the mechanical, and the homoeopathic. By the first we can remove an irritating cause of disease, as by the use of Nitric-acid in Oxalic-acid urine : by the second we can expel a biliary calculus with Podophyllin and Olive-oil ; and by the last— the only law of cure—we can remove, with Aconite and Nux, the hepatic inflammation consequent upon the passage of the stones. I maintain that my treatment was as rational and scientific as that of the surgeon who removes the spiculae of bone or the musket- ball, and then uses his specific remedies, and his surgical ap- pliances," It is amazing to witness the vast confidence which the eclectic physicians have in Podophyllin in nearly every disease of the liver. They use it, almost indiscriminately, in the most opposite states and conditions, and in functional organic affections of that organ. I have not space to quote their observations and praises, but would refer the reader to their works on Practice and Materia Medica. In congestion of the portal circle, this medicine appears to have an im- mense curative power, in which it is only equalled by Mercury and Leptandra. In diseases of the spleen the Podophyllum has been found useful. It may be tried in acute inflammation, or chronic enlarge- ment. » Enteric Symptoms.—Stool earlier in the morning than usual, but natural; frequent stools during the day, but of a natural consistence ; six soft yellow stools a day, with some griping: (from grain doses of the third trituration); profuse diarrhcea, worse in the morning; very frequent papescent, yellowish stools for forty-eight hours; diarrhoea early in the morning which continues during the forenoon, followed by natural stool in the evening; evacuations of green stools in the morning ; diarrhoea immediately after eating or drinking ; extreme weakness and cutting pain in the intestines after stool; *painful diarrhoea, with screaming and grinding of teeth in children, during dentition ; white slimy stools ; *hot watery evacuations ; stool watery 824 NEW REMEDIES. frequent, profuse, and attended with prostration and cramps as in cholera; muco-gelatinous stools, like white of egg, after which the severe tormina ceased and did not return ; *food passes the bowels in an undigested state ; copious evacuations, with blueness under the eyes ; *evacuations which consist of dark, yellow mucus, which smells like carrion ; frequent chalk-like stools, which are very offensive, *with gagging and excessive thirst in children ; *constant pain in the lumbar region, which is worse during evacuation, and particularly after stool ; stools yellow, green or watery and brown ; stools streaked with blood; evacuations in the morning, attended with strong urhur. Botanical Description.—This plant was introduced into this country from Europe, but may now be considered indigenous to this continent. It has a deep, spindle-shaped, yellow root, with a stem two or three feet high, angular, furrowed, somewhat zigzag, smooth to the touch, panicled, and leafy. The leaves are lanceolate, acute, strongly undulated, and crisped at the edges, of a light-green color ; the radical ones are long petioled, truncate or sub-cordate at the base : the uppermost are narrower and nearly sessile. Flowers numerous, pale-green, droop- ing, disposed in a large panicle, consisting of many wand-like race- mes, of half whorls, interspersed with leaves below. The root, as found in the shops, is in slices, cut transversely and dried; and occasionally the root is divided longitudinally into halves and quar- ters. This species is sometimes called Sour-dock, Narrow dock, or Curled-dock. The root is the officinal portion. There are thirteen species.of Dock growing in this country, about half of which are indigenous. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture; dilutions: triturations. [An active-principle called Rumicin, (also Rumin) is manufac- tured, but of its effects we have no definite information, no provings, or clinical experience.] Medical History.—This plant has been in common use among physicians and laymen, for hundreds of years. It has had a reputa- tion which has outlasted many more powerful drugs. Allopathists have decreed the Rumex crispus to be alterative, tonic, astringent and discutient. Dr. Joslin* comments on the allo- pathic use and statements concerning this medicine. He remarks : " Its only definite and well ascertained property was its power of curing the itch, when administered internally and applied externally. This was as well known to the laity as to the profession." He goes on to say that the allopathist confounds the medicinal properties of the different varieties of Rumex, and would have us consider their effects nearly the same. Ignoring, as they do, the necessity of 'proving each drug, in order to ascertain its true action, they grope in the dark. They reverse the true order of investigation. " But these," he remarks, are not specially the fault of the professor, (Wood); they are almost inseparable from the school. Dr. Wood remarks : " We have placed together the three officinal species of * Philadelphia Journal of Horn.. Vol. I., p. 289. 890 NEW REMEDIES. dock, (i. e., R. aquaticus, It. brittanica and R. obtusifolius), because their virtues are so nearly alike that a separate consideration would lead to unnecessary repetition. All the other species may be used indiscriminately with those which are considered officinal. The med- ical properties of dock root are those of an astringent and mild tonic. It is also supposed to possess an alterative property, which renders it useful in scorbutic disorders and cutaneous eruptions, particularly the itch. It is said to have been useful in scrofula and syphilis. The roots of some species unite a laxative, with the tonic and astringent property, resembling Rhubarb, somewhat, in their operation." (Wood.) " Dr. Payne, in his judicious compend of the allopathic Materia Medica, comes to the conclusion that Rumex is similar, but inferior to Rhubarb. Our school, after a comparison of the provings, would consider the difference to be more qualitative than quanti- tative." The eclectic school estimates the docks more highly than their allopathic brethren. Jones and Scudder, in their Materia .Medica, say: " The dock appears to exert its silent alterative action upon the constitution, in many chronic cutaneous eruptions, as scabies, the different forms of herpes, etc.; syphilis, when it has assumed a con- stitutional form, attended with an ulceration of the fauces, eruption or ulceration upon the surface, also in mercurio-syphilitic disorders, mercurial cachexy, cancerous tumors or ulcers, scrofula—whether manifested by a general depravation of the system, enlarged glands, or foul and indolent ulcers—or in any other form of ulcer, especially if dependent upon any constitutional taint. In caries, necrosis, or other morbid conditions of the osseous system ; in scurvy or scorbu- tic affections, and in numerous other abnormal states, its resolvent, depurative aud detergent qualities, render it an excellent auxiliary and corroborant. All the agents desired under this class, (alteratives) are either associated or alternated with other remedies and not relied upon as individual curative agents." This last sentence contains the elements of all the errors of allo- pathic therapeutics. They mix a number of drugs together, and then affirm certain curative properties of one of these, because the com- pound seemed to cure. It is in this manner that tbe estimate of Rumex, quoted above, is made up. It is generally given in combina- tion with Stillingia, Iodide of Potassa, or some other drug. Nearly all the curative effects above named may be due to the latter medi- cines. It is also recommended for "dyspepsia, debilitated states of the intestinal canal, diarrhoea and dysentery." Dr. J. Williams says : " Boiled in milk, and taken in haematem- esis, it is an infallible remedy." It is said to be useful as a wash or gargle, in spongy states of the gums, ulceration of the mouth, throat, etc. How much of value there may be in the above statements, will be shown by the proving. To the late lamented B. F. Joslin, M. D., of N. Y., the homoeopathlo profession owes the valuable and accurate provings of this medicine. He first called the attention of the pro- fession to it in the first and second volum es of the Philadelphia RUMEX CRISPUS. 897 Journal of Homoeopathy, afterwards in other Journals, and finally in the American Homoeopathic Review, in which he published the " verified symptoms of Rumex Crispus." The original provings and clinical contributions, were made by some of the best men in our school, namely Drs. Joslin, Sr., and Jr., Bowers, Bayard, Kellogg, Houghton, Payne, Rhees, and others. We may implicitly rely upon the accuracy of their observations. I cannot omit in this place to render my tribute of respect and reverence for the genius, virtues and sterling qualities of Dr. B. F Joslin. He was one of those represen- tative men of our profession and school, ranking with Hartmann, Hem- pel, Neidhard, Hering, and a few others whose " mighty footsteps " will "Echo down the Corridors of Time." Among his many excellent qualities, the most to be admired were his industry, honesty, and consistency. In the domain of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, no man has done more in this country. He has given us some exact and reliable provings, and a volume on " Epidemic Cholera," which is one of the finest monographs ever pub- lished in our school. He was rigorously honest in that he allowed no prejudice to sway his judgment, but examined carefully the testimony relating to drugs, from any and all sources, selecting the reliable, no matter from what source it emanated, or how obtained. He also recorded his observations with that truthfulness and candor which commands our highest regard. Although a staunch champion for the "high potencies," he did not allow his enthusiasm to degenerate into bigotry, or his preference into prejudice. He was thoroughly consistent, always relying upon the higher dilutions even in Cholera, and his success in their cure was something astonishing, but probably owing to his carefulness in selecting his remedies. We can admire such a man, as much as we can despise others, who, constantly harping upon the highest potencies, habitually resort to the lower, and even cruder drugs. For myself, who allow the largest latitude, I can sin- cerely respect the consistency of a Joslin, even though I cannot adopt his practice altogether. According to Dr. Joslin's " verified symp- toms," and clinical experience, the Rumex crispus, is closely analo- gous to Sulphur, Phosphorus, Causticum, Calcarea, Mercurius, and Spongia. In fact it has many symptoms which are to be found in the pathogenesis of these remedies. This may partly be accounted for by a fact too little heeded by our school; namely, that the chemical analysis of a plant is some clue to its pathogenetic effects. Rumex c, contains, besides starch, mucilage, lignin, etc., Sulphur, and various salts, amoug which are the phosphate of lime. Here we have three of our best remedies represented indirectly in the yellow-dock, namely, Calcarea, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Its use in the old school, for diseases of the skin, and other obstinate affections, all of which are covered by the symptoms of the medicines above named, and its un- doubted success, should have led us, without any proving, to decide nearly the sphere of action of this plant. The following provings, however, show its real properties, and proves the reliableness of the 57 898 NEW REMEDIES above assertion. The provings were made with the mother tincture lower, and higher dilutions; the thirtieth causing the same or similar symptoms, that were aroused by the crude tincture. resume of the provings. General Symptoms.—General languor ; general pulsation or throbbing through the body; sensitiveness to the open air in cold weather, or to the cold. Characteristics.—Locality and character.—The left chest has more verified symptoms than any other region ; they are generally sharp paius. The other regions which afford a considerable, and nearly equal number of symptoms, as compared with each other, are the head, stomach, abdomen, and inferior extremities. The symptoms of the head are, generally, dull pains in the frontal region. The symptoms generally appear to be either in a mucous membrane, or in a muscular locality, and to be about equally numerous in both. I leave it for others to decide whether the latter are neuralgic. They present about the same number as the former.—(Joslin) Conditions.—Headache, worse on movement; sensation of weight, or of a hard substance in the stomach, or pit of the stomach after a meaf; liquid diarrhoea, evacuation in the morning; pain in the chest when in bed at night; unquiet sleep, with dreams of danger or trouble, early in the morning ; itching of the skin, worse on uncovering, and exposing it to the air, especially on going to bed in the evening, or at night.— (Joslin). The above careful remarks by the astute observer, Dr. Joslin, are very valuable, and quite practical. Skin*—Itching in various parts of the body, either in this order : left portion of the back, left ear, left shoulder, and left loin, or else principally on tbe lower extremities. On various parts a stinging, itching, or pricking itching ; itching on the shoulder in the evening, with itching in the lumbar or dorsal region ; itching on the body, principally on the lower extremities ; itching of the skin when un- covered and exposed to air; eruption on the limbs, first perceived in the evening ; itching of the vesicles on undressing in the evening to go to bed ; an itching rash, in which numerous small red pimples are developed ; the eruption itching in the evening, and worse on ex- posure to the air. Clinical Observations.—For the allopathic use of Rumex, in skin diseases, see " General Effects." No clinical records of cures of skin diseases, treated with Rumex, have yet appeared in our school but Dr. H. M. Payne, while experimenting with Rumex, got the fol- lowing notable symptoms from the crude tincture : " While undress- RUMEX CRISPUS. 899 ing, and for some time after, considerable itching of the surface of the lower extremities." This occurred several nights, when he says :__ " There is no appearance of an eruption until after irritating the skin by scratching, and then rather a diffused redness, which soon disap- fiears. Frequent scratching of the surface has produced a number of ittle sores, (which, however, readily heal,) on the calves of the legs. and about the knees, especially the posterior surfaces ; the rash is not usually troublesome until after the surface is exposed to the air while undressing at night, or on getting up in the morning ; the warmth of the bed soon relieves the itching." (The contrary occurs in most cases of skin diseases, the itch especially ; also in the provings of Mercurius, the opposite obtains.) Many persons are troubled with a peculiar irritability of the skin, like the condition above described. Exposure to air, working in water, scratching, wearing flannel or new cloth, will/ get up considerable irritation, and even cause erythematous and other eruptions. In such cases the Rumex will probably form an admirable remedy. I would also suggest its persevering use in those eruptions which seem constitutional, and which, when suppressed, or not appear- ing upon the surface, are replaced by cough, hoarseness, and other lung symptoms. May not the peculiar irritation which Rumex causes in the bronchial mucous membrane be analogous to the condition of the skin noted above ? The remarks of Dr. C. Dunham are pertinent', to this suggestion. They will be found under the head of " chest." Sleep.—Great propensity to sleep in the evening before the pro- per time ; unquiet sleep at night; restless and uncomfortable in tho bed at night; unquiet sleep, with dreams of danger and trouble early in the morning; dream of theft or burglary; an unpleasant dream in the morning between five and six o'clock, just before waking ; un- quiet dreamy sleep, followed by headache, and bitter taste on waking in the morning:. Fever.—Heat and other symptoms of fever in the morning, pre- ceded by restlessness at night; increased frequency of pulse ; sensa- tion of heat, followed by that of cold without shivering. Head.—Sensation of fullness in the head ; headache after awaking in the morning, preceded by a disagreeable dream ; headache worse by motion; dull pain in the head, between the time of waking and breakfast, preceded by a disagreeable dream in the morning ; dull pain in the head in the forenoon, commencing at 10 o'clock; dull pain in the forehead; frontal headache on awaking in the morning ; pain over the right eyebrow ; pain on the right side of the forehead in the region of casualty ; pain in the left temple ; darting pain, or sharp, piercing pain in the left side of the head, for half an hour or less ; dull aching pain in the occiput. Eyes.—Sore feeling in the eyes, without any external signs of inflammation. 900 NEW REMEDIES. Ears.—Ringing in the ears ; itching in the ears ; sensation as if the ears were obstructed ; constant roaring in the ears, not relieved by pr. ssing the fingers into the ears. Nose. — Obstruction of the nose ; fluent coryza, attended with painful irritation in nostril, and sneezing ; epistaxis ; mucus discharge from posterior nares ; violent and rapid sneezing ; sensation of great dryness in the nose, day and night; feeling of dryness in the pos- terior nares. Face.—Sensation of heat in the cheeks, within the first hour; heat and redness of the face in the evening; heat and redness in the face with dull headache in the evening. Teeth.—Toothache with aching in the head ; grumbling, stinging toothache in right superior molars, while riding in cold wind, attended with and aching in forehead. Mouth*—Sensation as from a burn or scald on the tongue ; sensa- tion of excoriation, or slight stinging, at edge of tongue ; flow of saliva within first hour ; dryness of the mouth and tongue at night. Throat.—Sensation of excoriation in the throat; sore feeling in the throat on swallowing, in the forenoon ; sensation as of a lump in the throat, not relieved by hawking and swallowing ; raw feeling in throat, with secretion of phlegm ; mucus secreted in upper part of throat; aching sensation in the throat, as if a lump were sticking fast in the oesophagus, aching in the pharynx, with collection of tough mucus in the fauces. Gastric Sypmtoms.—Awoke with bitter taste in the mouth in morning ; flatulency after meals ; heaviness, or a sensation of hard substance in the stomach or epigastrium soon after a meal; after a meal has a sensation of weight in the stomach, like that produced by the presence of undigested food in it (the first symptoms in two provers, with the tincture*). Tasteless eructations ; sensation of fullness or distention of the stomach,or scrobiculous cordis, with eruc- tations on going to bed or in the evening; nausea in the morning and forenoon, also in the evening ; nausea with eructations; nausea either with a sensation of fullness in the abdomen, as if diarrhcea were form- ing, or else with moving in the intestines as from a cathartic ; sharp pain in the pit of the stomach, either worse on movement, or occur- ring while riding out in the open air; stitching, then cutting pain in stomach. * " Dr. Payne, who experienced this symptom several times, adds, that this sensation of weight in the stomach, was accompanied with a pressing sensation as far upward as the throat pit ; it descended towards the stomach upon every empty deglutition, but immediately re- turned. I have clinical confirmation of this, as well as the symptoms of the text."- (Joslin.) RUMEX CRISPUS. 901 Clinical Observations.—It has been used with alleged success in dyspepsia. Many of the above symptoms would seem to indicate its applicability in some forms of gastric derangement. Dr. Joslin reports the following cases in the Review ; —" A young lady com- plained of shootings from the pit of the stomach into the chest in various directions ; sharp pains in left chest; dull aching in the fore- head, and slight nausea ; ordered her to take Rumex, thirtieth, morn- ing and evening. She called thenext day ; all her symptoms had been removed by a single dose, and her appetite, which had been de- fective, improved; having eaten an unusually full dinner, there is a partial return of the shootings ; gave Rumex thirtieth, evening and morning ; there was no further complaint." " A lady about 50 years of age, who had suffered about three weeks with pain in the pit of stomach, aching in the left chest, flatulence, eructations, pressure and dis- tention in the stomach after meals; was permanently cured of these dyspeptic symptoms in two or three hours by one dose of Rumex, two hundredth." " A young lady has a sensation of fullness and pressure in the pit of the stomach, extending up towards and to the throat, and afterwards carried down again towards the stomach when she swal- lows, and then rising again to the throat. This curious alternation has been observed in the proving of Rumex. She was cured by Rumex two hundredth." " A gentleman, not accustomed to the use of tea, took a cup of it, very weak, of the black kind; then followed aching in the pit of the stomach, and aching and shooting above it in tbe chest, at, and especially on each side of the lower end of the sternum. These symptoms were removed in a few minutes by one dose of the Rumex, thirtieth." Hypochondrium.—Pain in the hypochondrium in the afternoon, after dinner, worse on movement, or occurring while walking ; hypo- chondrium pained by coughing, rapid walking, or deep inspiration. Abdomen.—Dull pain in the abdomen in day time, continuing two hours ; pain in the abdomen in the night; pain in the abdomen in the morning; pain in tbe abdomen in the morning in bed; protuberance or hardness, or else sensation of fullness in the abdomen, rumbling in the bowels, or much flatus moving about in them ; pain in the abdo- men, occurring or increasing during deep inspiration; moving in the intestines ; flatulent colic near the umbilicus soon after a meal, miti- gated by discharge of flatus ; emissions of flatus in the morning ; pain in the umbilical region, with eructation, soon followed by pain over eyebrow; pain in the abdomen, in the morning, followed by an evacu- ation of the bowels ; griping pain in the bowels below the umbilicus, which is partially relieved by the discharge of very offensive flatus, after breakfast; sensation in the bowels as^if diarrhoea would ensue. (See clinical remarks under "stool") StOOl and Anus.—Dark-colored faeces; stool brown, or else black ; constipation, or else scanty faeces ; sensation in the bowels as if a 902 NEW REMEDIES. diarrhoeic evacuation would ensue, the sensation passing off without a subsequent evacuation; liquid diarrhceaic stool in the morning; diarrhceaic stool in the morning, preceded by sensations ; diar- rhceaic stool in the morning, preceded by pain in the abdomen ; sen- sation as if from pressure of a stick iu the rectum ; itching in the anus ; discharge of offensive flatus. Clinical Observations.—It is considered by allopathists, as similar in its action to Rhubarb, and has been used by that school iu diarrhoea and dysentery. It is homoeopathic to some forms of intes- tinal disorder. Dr. A. E. Small informs me that atone time he found it very useful in the bowel complaints of children. Dr. C. Dunham writes (Am. Horn. Review, vol, ii, p. 533), " I have noticed in one case the cessation of a brown, watery diarrhoea after the administra- tion of Rumex. A boy of five years, bad brown, watery diarrhoea, chiefly in the morning, having five stools from 5 to 9 a m., attended with moderate griping pain in tbe lower part of the abdomen; this continued several days, notwithstanding two prescriptions which I made for it. Observing that the bov had a cough, which presented the characteristic features of the Rumex cough, 1 gave that remedy, and both diarrhcea and cough were speedily cured." A writer, (" I") in the Horn. Review, reports two cases. "A lady about the turn of life, had diarrhoea in the morning, four evacuations, between 6 and 10 a. m.; faeces very thin ; evacuation painless ; nausea on movement in the night, preceding the evacuations ; mouth dry, tongue slightly coated yellow ; the day previous had dull pain on the right side of the sternum ; sharp pain on the left. Gave Rumex thirtieth, in solution, once in three hours. The next day all the symptoms were removed." " Diarrhcea in the morning with cough—a lady about fifty years of age, has had diarrhoea every morning for four days ; the evacuations profuse, offensive, and thin, and have even become watery; she is also suffering from a cough, excited by a sensation of tickling in the throat pit. It is usually dry, but when expectoration takes place, this is tasteless; the cough shocks the stomach, and is attended with a sensation of excoriation in the chest; it keeps her awake at night. Rumex thirtieth, every four hours, on 30th of March, in the even- ing the cough was immediately and decidedly improved, so that she slept all night. Next morning she awoke with the most severe headache she had ever suffered ; it was a continuous aching in the temples, forehead and eyebrows, and lasted all the morning ; the cough and diarrhoea were removed without any other medicines. Ail the above symptoms, except the foetor of the faeces, have been ob- served as pathogenetic of Rumex." Dr. L. Shafer writes : "A mother and daughter, aged respectively about 35 and 12 years, had for four days a ' diarrhoea in the morning, with cough." The diarrhoea occurred in the latter half of the night and early morning—three to five evacuations, which were liquid, dark, copious and offensive. The evacuations were preceded by a violent dry cough, provoked by a tickling in the throat-pit, and sensation of excoriation under upper end of sternum ; nausea RUMEX CRISPUS. ' 903 on movement; severe griping in the lower part of the abdomen; tongue slightly coated and of a yellowish tinge.' Having with me Rumex c, 2d dil., I gave to each, one drop in a teaspoonful of water, the dose to be repeated every two hours, till 9 o'clock p. m., dis- continued during the night, and resumed in the morning, to be taken as on the preceding day, and so on till I saw them. Called again in two days, and found that after the first dose the diarrhoea had disappeared, and seemingly taken with it the dry cough and its accompaniments, the nausea and the abdominal pain. Appetite had returned and convalescence was established." " Was called to see a lad about 14 years of age, who had been ill already ten days. Had aching pain of the scalp, darting pain of the neck, the integument of which was reddened and the muscles swollen and rigid ; lancinating pain of a shifting character, affecting the walls of the chest ; a dull or pungent pain affected the hips and extremities, all of which were aggravated by pressure or movement; pulse 100 and upwards; skin hot and dry ; thirst considerable; dry cough excited by a sensation of tickling in the sternal extremity of the trachea, which was annoying at night; several thin, brownish, free evacuations towards morning, preceded by nausea on moving", and cutting pain in the lower abdomen ; tongue coated and yellow, with bitter taste." Under the use of Aconite, Bryonia, and Mercurius, the fever, rheumatism and abdominal pain were removed in due time. But there remained a slight disposition to scrape, and the occasional ex- pectoration of a little whitish tenacious mucus; a painless diarrhoea, the evacuations now having a considerable consistence, were dark and offensive. After making two or three prescriptions for the diarrhoea without avail, I gave Rumex c, 2d dec. dil., a drop every two hours, in a teaspoonful of water—the remedy to be omitted during the night. The patient took the same dose every three hours on the second and third day. After the first dose he had no evacuations from tbe bowels for three days, and his laryngeal and tracheal irritation passed off at the same time. On the third day after taking the first dose of Rumex c, he had a good appetite and was fairly convalescent. Urinary Organs, etc.—Urine extremely pale, or colorless ; very sudden and urgent desire to uriuate ; copious discharge of colorless urine in afternoon; complete loss of sexual desire for several days. Larynx.—Pain in the larynx ; (in the second prover in a few minutes, and the first rumex symptom in six years;) tenacious mucus in the throat or larynx, detached and removed by an expiratory effort, or attended with a constant desire to hawk and raise it; (in the first prover it was the first symptom in the second proving, five years after the first;) much mucus in the bronchi, or in the larynx ; expectora- tion made by coughing and hawking, or attempted by hawking, worsa at night ; scraping and tenacious mucus in the throat, or else much touo-h mucus in the larynx, with a constant desire to hawk and raise 904 NEW REMEDIES it, but without relief; cough excited by tickling or irritation behind the sternum ; cough excited by irritation in the chest; cough, attended with pain in the head. Sudden change of voice at the same hour ou consecutive days ; the first and second of the proving, it becomes sud- denly hoarse at eleven at night, or else rise several notes in pitch at two in the afternoon. Clinical Observations.—The Rumex c. seems to have a specific affinity for the laryugeal and bronchial mucous membrane ; the re- corded clinical experience with this remedy is quite extensive. Dr. C. Dunham makes some valuable observations concerning its thera- peutical properties. I copy a portion of his article (see Amer. Horn. Review, vol. ii., p. 530) " I have used the Rumex chiefly in acute catarrhal affections of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. In these cases it seems to me to present a close analogy in its action to Bella- donna, Lachesis, Phosphorus and Causticum. Without assuming to present an exhaustive analysis of the action of Rumex on the respira- tory organs, I proceed to state the indications for its use to which my studies of it have thus far led me. Rumex diminishes the secre- tions, and at the same time exalts in a very marked manner, the sen- sibility of tbe mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea, exceeding in the extent of this exaltation, any remedy known to us. The cough, therefore, is frequent and continuous, to an extent quite out of propor- tion to the degree of organic affection of the mucous membrane. It is dry, occurs in long paroxysms, or, under certain circumstances, is almost uninterrupted. It is induced or greatly aggravated by any irregularity of respiration, such as an inspiration a little deeper or more rapid than usual ; by an inspiration of air a little colder than that previously inhaled ; by irregularity of respiration, and motion of the larynx and trachea, such as are involved in the act of speech; aud by external pressure upon the trachea, in the region of the supra- sternal fossa. The subjective symptoms, are, rawness and soreness in the trachea, extending a short distance below the supra-sternal fossa, and laterally into the bronchi, chiefly the left ; and tickling in the supra-sternal fossa, and behind the sternum, provoking the cough ; this tickling is very annoying and very persistent, and is often but momentarily, and sometimes only partially.relieved by coughing. The cough occurs chiefly, or is much worse, iu the evening after retiring, and at the time the membrane of the trachea is particularly sensitive to cold air, and to any irregularity in the flow of air over its surface ; so that the patient often covers the head with the bed clothes to avoid the cold air of the apartment, and refuses to speak, or even to listen to conversation, lest his attention sbonld be withdrawn from .he supervision of his respiratory acts, which he performs with the most careful uniformity and deliberation, and all in the hope of preventing the distressing tickling and the harrassing cough which would ensue from a neglect of these precautions. I have frequently witnessed this state of things during the last three years, and have invariably given prompt relief with Rumex. In the group of remedies in which RUMEX CRISPUS. 905 I have placed Rumex (along with Bell., Lach., Phos., Caus ), it stands pre-eminent in respect to the extreme sensibility of the tracheal mucous membrane. All of these remedies produce symptoms identi- cal in kind : the characteristic of each is to be found in the relative degree in which each symptom is pronounced in the different reme- dies, quite as much as in the possession by any one of them of symp- toms not produced by the others. Thus, Belladonna, Lachesis, and Rumex produce each, a dry cough, induced by tickling in the larynx or trachea, and provoked by deep inspiration, by speaking, and by external pressure on the larynx or trachea. The cough of «ach is spasmodic and long continued, and is worse at night after retiring ; but, apart from the fact that Belladonna and Lachesis act. more upon the lower part of the trachea, we observe that, in the case of Lachesis, the slightest external pressure on the larynx or trachea produces violent and long continued, spasmodic cough ; the patient cannot endure the least constriction in that region, not even the ordinary contact of bis clothing. There is, moreover, a sense of fullness in the trachea and a very painful aching in the whole extent of the os hyoides. In the case of Belladonna not only is cough pro- duced to a moderate extent by pressing upon the larynx, but sore- ness aud pain are experienced with a sense of internal fullness and soreness which at once suggests the presence of acute laryngitis sub- mucosa. In Rumex, on the other hand, there is no sensibility, strictly speaking, of the trachea, but simply such an instability of the mucous membrane that cough is produced by the change of position induced in that membrane by external pressure on the trachea. As regards the extent and intensity of this symptom, Rumex holds a lower rank than the other remedies named. But the irritability of mucous membrane by virtue of which cough is induced by hurried or deep inspiration, or by speaking, while it is common to Bell., Lach , Rumex, and Phosphorus is produced in the most exalted degree, as we have already seen, bv Rumex, which, as regards this symptom, takes first rank. A sensation of rawness or roughness in the larynx, trachea and bronchia is produced by each of the four remedies above named, but the locality and the degree in which it is produced, vary in such a manner as to serve in some measure as a characteristic of each. It is most marked in Phosphorus and Belladonna, less promi- nent in Rumex, and least of all in Lachesis. In Bellndonna and Lachesis it is most marked in the larynx ; indeed it is almost con- fined to that region. Rumex produces it in the trachea and upper part of the bronchia, while Phosphorus induces it in the whole mu- cous tract, from the larynx to the smaller bronchia, and bronchi; and, moreover, in tbe Phosphorus proving this " rawness " of the air passages is accompanied by a no less characteristic sense of weight and constriction across the upper part of the thorax, which indicates an affection of the finer air tubes, and of the air vesicles, of such a character as seriously to impede the function of respiration. In con- sidering this last symptom we must mention Causticum also, which produces "rawness," extending the whole length of the sternum. "All five remedies, again, produce hoarseness ; Phosphorus, Caus- 906 NEW REMEDIES. ticum and Belladonna most eminently, Rumex less decidedly, and Lachesis in a still less degree. As regards complications, Belladonna and Lachesis apply especially to those which involve the fauces and pharynx, and are acute—the one of a sthenic, the other of an asthenic character :—Phosphorus, those of the pulmonary tissues of a definite inflammatory character ; and Rumex to certain affections of the lungs and their envelopes, of which their uature is not clearly defined in the proving. They are indicated by pairs, generally sub-acute, in the upper part of the lung, near the clavicle and axilla, and more frequent in the left than iu the right lung. •' The following case from my clinical record, will illustrate the character of the Rumex cough : M----, aged twenty-two, of feeble constitution, strumous, subject for several years to sub-acute rheuma- tism, has bad a severe cold for several days, and is now confined to the bed. The pulse is quick, not hard, one hundred aud ten, skin moderately hot and dry ; face somewhat flushed; respiration embar- rassed, not so much by any constriction of the chest, as by the vio- lent and long-continued cough, which follows ;iny attempt to make a full inspiration. A physical examination of the chest reveals no abnormal condition. The patient complains of roughness and sore- ness in the lower part of the trachea, and behind the upper third of the sternum, much more perceptible when she coughs. The cough is dry, slightly hoarse, very violent and fatiguing to the patient. It is provoked by a tickling in the supra-sternal fossa, is induced by pres- sure on the trachea in that region, and especially by talking, and by deep inspiration, or by the inspiration of cool air. This irritability of the trachea increases very remarkably after 7 p. m., so that the patient suffers exceedingly from the constant tickling and violent cough. Can prevent it onty by respiring with very great caution and deliberation, by avoiding all distractions of speech and conver- sation, and finally she draws the bed-clothes over tbe head, in order to avoid inhaling the cool ;iir of the chamber. This patient states that she has frequently had such coughs as this, and they have proved very obstinate, although under skillful homceopathic treatment. I gave Rumex 12th, in solution, a teaspoonful every two hours. After the second dose, there was complete relief. Tbe next evening averv slight disposition to cough. No further symptoms. I supplied the patient with Ruraex 30th, and advised her to use it at once, on the occurrence of such a cough, and I am informed that she always suc- ceeded in subduing the cough within twelve hours. The following cases in the practice of Dr. P. P. AVMls, of Brook- lyn, were communicated in a letter to Dr Joslin, some years since. We regret that these are the only cases of Dr. W.'s that we can at present report, but hope that at some future time we shall be able to publish more, as the Doctor's experience with this remedy has been very satisfactory : " Mrs.----bad been subject to eight miscarriages, all in the early part of pregnancy, which, in each case, was early attended with dry5 shaking, spasmodic cough, in paroxysms of great violence, which was regarded by herself and friends, as instrumental iu producing RUMEX CRISPUS. 907 the abortions At tbe beginning of the ninth pregnancy, she came to Brooklyn to be under homoeopathic treatment. She had her cough, which was very dry, harsh, loud, shaking, worse at night, preventing sleep, excited instantly by pressure on the trachea. The cough was relieved promptly by Rumex crispus, 30th. The following marked aud rather important group of symptoms were relieved promptly, in the treatment of the case of our friend D, by Rumex 200th, Lehr- nian's preparation. Thinking a knowledge of the fact might interest you, to whom we are indebted for our kuowledge of this interesting drug, I send it: The cough begins with tickling behind the top of the sternum, and sometimes in paroxysms of from five to ten minutes duration. Trachea sore to outward pressure ; feels excoriated through its whole extent, as do also the whole fauces ; cough excited by pressure on the throat pit; cough is violent, with scanty, difficult expectoration ; shocks the head and chest, as if the head would fly in pieces, and be feels as if he might raise blood at any minute He is greatly ex- hausted after the paroxysms of coughing ; head aches during the cough. You have the group above in the order as written down for me by his brother, and upon which I prescribed the medicine, which was iollowed with the happiest results. Dr. J. M. Rhees reports several cases of aphonia : One of three months' standing, with sore throat during deglutition ; posterior surface of pharynx irritated, and in places excoriated ; edges of soft palate and uvula red and somewhat swollen, and cov- ered with an eruption of minute red pimples ;- slight, hacking cough. produced by a tickling in the larynx and upper part of the trachea. Under Carbo veg., Causticum and Mercurius she grew worse ; her cough became almost constant; tickling at the root of the tongue , Hyosciamus and Rhus were given, but gave no relief. Rumex 6th was then given, and she commenced to improve the day after. On the third day, her cough was much better, and the pharynx lojked almost natural. The eruption on the palate had almost disappeared, hut there was still some redness on the edges ; Rumex 5th, as before. Cured. Dr. B. F. Joslin* reported eleven cases of cough cured with the 30th dilution of the Rumex crispus. I give a brief abstract of the cases. Case 1st,__Dry cough ; tickling in the throat pit; excoriation.in the larynx, and behind the upper portion of the sternum ; cough worse on working ; pain in the chest. Rumex 30th cured the case ; three doses only were given. The cough had lasted several weeks before the Rumex was prescribed. Case 2d.—Fluent coryza, with cough excited by tickling in the throat pit; sensation of excoriation behind the upper part of the sternum, while coughing ; Rumex 30th, morning and evening. Cured promptly. * Phil. Journal of Horn., Vol. 1. 908 NEW REMEDIES. Case Zd.—A hoarseness in the evening ; cough ; excoriation be- hind the whole of the sternum, on coughing aud inspiration, and coldness of the fingers ; Rumex 30th, three times a day. Cured in a few days. Case 4th. -Severe, dry cough, excited by an irritated pressure in the throat-pit; excoriation iu the larynx and chest; Rumex 30th, morning and evening. Cured in a few days. Case bth.—Cough excited by pressure on the throat, and attended with excoriation in the larynx and chest, and hoarseness. He took one dose of Rumex, thirty drops, in the morning ; in the afternoon of the same day, was much better ; no cough next day, nor did it return. Case 6.—Violent cough in evening, worse about 11 o'clock at night; aggravated by lying down; excited by a tickling behind the sternum, and with accumulation of mucus in the fauces, near the posterior orifice of the nares. One dose of Rumex 30th, re- moved the paroxysm in a few minutes, and did not return. Case".—A young lady complained of shootings from the pit of the stomach into the chest, in various directions ; sharp pains in the left chest ; dull aching in the forehead, and slight nausea; Rumex 30th, morning and evening. Cured in two days. My own experience with Rumex has been mainly with the third dilu- ution. I have cured many cases where Phos., Merc, and Caust., seemed indicated, but failed. The remedy has not been used as much by the profession, as its merits seem to demand. Dr. Husrhes writes concerning Rumex :* " I would call attention to the remarks of Dr. Carroll Dunham on the action of this substance on the air passages, cited by Dr. Hale at p. 361 of his book. It is a model of delicate application and dis- criminative comparison. Nor is it fanciful ; for I have never seen any curative action so prompt and certain as that of Rumex crispus over the cough described by Dr. Dunham. Twice already I have seen an incessant racking cough of days' duration extinguished by one or two doses of the sixth dilution of this drug. I give it thus high, be- cause tbe provings of the drug which have led to this use of it were instituted with very small doses. "I hope that these few notes may stimulate others towards the clin- ical verification of the provings of the new remedies, while they serve in themselves as a slight contribution towards this object. Rumex has been an'admirable remedy in my hands in many cases of acute bronchial affections. I recall one case in which there was dry, tickling, spasmodic cough, with tenderness in the larynx aud trachea, rendering the cough quite painful. I have used it only iu the 30th potency. Dr M. A. Tinker sends us the following cases : Case 1.—Charles S—, aged 26, nervous, sanguine temperament ; dry cough ; tickling in the throat-pit; continued desire to cough on breathing cold air, worse after retiring to bed ; obliged to cover the * British Journal of Homce jpathy, No. 92. I RUMEX CRISPUS. 909 mouth with bed clothes, and use every effort to prevent coughing ; has occasional pains through both lungs, extending up intp the tra- chea ; feels weak and exhausted in the morning ; very frequently a rawness of the throat in the morning ; Rumex 6th relieved in two days and no return. Case 2.—Augustus D., aged 23, nervous temperament, been sub- ject to severe, dry cough, at times, for several years, and thinks him- self consumptive ; cough worse in the evening; unable to breathe the cold air of his sleeping room, and has a severe coughing spell in the morning, on rising, and at times during the day, and especially on taking a deep inspiration ; is thin and rather emaciated ; has night sweats, frequently ; tickling in throat and down at the top of the sternum ; after coughing for some time, a rawness in the throat of a very disagreeable character, extending from the pharynx down beneath the upper portion of the sternum, accompanied by a burning sensation through the upper lobes of both lungs, (the clavicular re- gion,) with loss of appetite, and considerable prostration of general strength. After a long and careful physical exploration of the chest, I could find no indication of actual presence of tubercles. I am fully satisfied on this point. I prescribed Rumex 3d. In 24 hours. much improved, and has continued to progress, and is now at his usual occupation, and considers himself about well, coughing only occasionally. I find Rumex, in this form of irritation is the great remedy ; it succeeds when Phosphorus and many other remedies have failed with me. I have used it with unbounded success, where these dry tittila- ting symptoms occur. Chest.—Pain in the chest, right and left; either aching pain in the anterior portion of both lungs, which harrassed him day and night for five days, or else raw pain just under each clavicle while hawking mucus out of the throat; pain in chest when in bed at night; pain in outer-superior part of chest, near the axillas ; near the left axilla, pain undefined—near the right, sharp ; both after the same dilution; first symptom in two provers ; in one, in ten minutes, the first symp- tom ever produced in any proving of Rumex ; in the other, two min- utes, his first symptom—sharp pain in right chest ; a burning pain in the left chest ; dull pain in the left chest; sharp pain in left chest; shootings in the left chest; sticking pain in the left thoracic region; stitches in the left chest; sharp, cutting pain at or under the left breast; pain in the chest a little below and to the right of the left nipple; burning, sticking, or burning, stinging pain in the leff chest; burning—smarting, or burning—stinging pain in the left chest; a very acute stitch, or burning—stinging pain in the left chest; shootings, or else dull pain in the left side near the back, a little above the seventh rib; pain in the left chest when 910 NEW REMEDIES. recumbent; a sticking or stitch in the left chest while riding in the open air; painful sensation in the anterior part of the left chest, im- mediately after waking, about two o'clock at night, and between five and six hours after taking a low dilution; an acute stitch in the sternal region, or a severe stinging, which obstructs the respiration ; itching at or near the sternum; dull pain in the region of the heart • burning pain in the region of, or near the heart; palpitation of the heart, or else a sensation in the left chest, as if the heart had sud- denly ceased beating, followed by a heavy throbbing through the chest. Clinical Observations.—Some of the provers, especially Dr. Rhees, experienced some peculiar, and severe cardiac symptoms, which we could hardly, at first thought, expect from this remedy. Yet we have no right to judge, before we prove a-remedy thoroughly, of its probable effect on the body. It does seem, however, if Rumex thus affects the heart, that of the thousands who have taken the dock in large doses, some of them would have had dangerous heart-disease; but we hear of no such instances. Dr. M. J. Rhees, one of the original provers of this remedy, furnishes the following interesting case: "Joseph H, aged 13 years, subject to violent attacks of inflammatory rheumatism. In the spring of 1858 I attended him in a severe attack, in which the disease concentrated itself on the heart with so much violence that I almost despaired of his recovery. Pul- satilla cured the disease at that time. In December, 1858, he was again attacked, but the heart was the principal seat of the disease from the first. On the 24th December, his symptoms were : violent palpi- tation of the heart, with throbbing of the carotid, and throughout the body, visible to the eye and shaking the bed; pulse 120; violent aching pain in the region of the heart; great dyspnoea, especially while lying, so that it was necessary to prop him up in a sitting pos- ture in bed ; face red and somewhat puffed up, especially about the eyes, which were red, heavy, and lustreless; tongue coated with white fur, with red tip and edges; excessive thirst; no appetite; bowels costive. I commenced the treatment by giving Aconite 3d, and Pulsatilla 3d, alternately. Some relief followed the administra- tion of these remedies, but the improvement was slow. From Decem- ber 28th to January 9th, 1859, various other remedies were used, as, they seemed to be indicated, but without decided improvement on the whole. On the latter date the patient complained of a stinging pain in the region of the heart, which was increased by lying down and by breathing deeply In my arranged proving of Rumex crispus the fol- lowing symptoms may be found :—"No. 41, burning, stinging_pain in the whole of the left side of the chest, suddenly, when taking a deep inspiration w hile in the act of lying down in the bed at night,"— " No. 49, burning-stinging pain in the left chest near the heart; came on soon after lying down in the bed at night. These symptoms were fresh in my memory, and I accordingly gave Rumex crispus 6th, in RUMEX CRISPUS. 911 water, two tea-spoonfulls every three hours. January 10th, consider- ably relieved of the pain in the chest, and otherwise improved ; con- tinued Rumex. January 11th, the pain in the chest is almost re- moved. Rumex was continued several days after this, with the effect of entirely relieving the pain in the chest; but the improvement in other respects ceasing, Rumex was discontinued, and other remedies substituted. Belladonna 30th, and Phosphorus 3> th, eventually cured the case, and there has been no return of the disease." This case is in many respects a marked one. But it will require further clinical experience to prove satisfactorily, that Rumex will cure serious heart affections. Spinal Region.—Sore or burning pain at or near the sacro-iliac symphysis ; chilliness in the back ; sensation of heat in the back ; pressive or aching pain in back at the inferior angle of scapula; ach- ing pain in the back, on the left side of the dorsal spine, either extending from the spine half way to the side, or else situated under and below the apex of the left scapula ; stinging pain in the left dorsal region near the inferior angle of the scapula ; pain in the back in the evening ; itching in the evening. Superior Extremities. —Pain in shoulder; either pain in the left shoulder, and from it along tbe upper arm to the elbow, includ- ing the joint, and leaving the arm with a sensation as if strained, commencing after four minutes, or else pain in the right shoulder on waking in the morning, ameliorated by rest, and passing off in two hours; itching on shoulder in the morning; pain in upper arm in the evening; numb sensation in the right hand about 10 p. m., or else in the left upper arm, after lying down in bed; pain at the inner side of the right upper arm ; dull aching pain in the left upper arm : pain in the upper arm and elbow, undefined or dull; pain in wrist, the left aching, or ulnar half of the right, character unde- fined. Inferior Extremities.—A sensation of weakness or fatigue in lower limbs; aching of the lower extremities; itching on lower extremities when the part is uncovered and exposed to cool air; stinging or prickling itching at an upper part of inferior extremity, either at the anterior oart of the left thigh, or on the nates; pain in knee, when in erect posture; stitch-like pain at the inner part when stepping, or rending aching in the flexure of the left while standing the legs feel weak in the evening, or tired then, though he had done but little walking; pain in anterior part of both lower extremities, either rheumatic pain at the anterior part of the tibiae, or rending in the anterior part of the tibias, or rending in tbe anterior part of the ankle joints, running down the insteps ; aching in the calves, or 912 NEW REMEDIES. drawing pain in the right calf; itching on the calves of the leg* ; legs densely covered with a rash, composed partly of small red pirn pies; itching worse on exposure to the air in the evening when un- dressing to go to bed ; aching or rending in the upper anterior part of the tarsus, the instep ; sensation of coldness of the feet during the forenoon. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. (Blood-root.) Analogues.—Arsenicum, Asclepias tuberosa, Ammonium causticum, Arum maculatum, Belladonna, Bromine, Bryonia, Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea causticum, Causticum, Chelidonium, Colchicum, Drosera, Eryngium, Hepar sulphur, Iris versicolor, Kali bromatum, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Mercurius, Phosphorus, Phytolacca, Pulsatilla, Rumex, Senega, Sepia, Spongia, Stannum, Sulphur, Tartar emetic. Botanical Description.*—Sanguinaria is a Spring plant, found in Canada, and all parts of the United States, extending southward to Florida and westward to Mexico and Oregon. It generally grows in rich lands, covered with forests aud shaded iu Summer, avoiding the sea coast and high mountains. The root is perennial, horizontal, oblong, and when green, nearly of the length of the finger, from one-fourth to one-half an inch in diameter, knotty, fleshy, with numerous radicles. Its praemorse or abrupt form is occasioned by its making off-sets from its sides, which off-sets separate as the root decays. Its color, externally, is reddish- brown ; but internally it is paler. It is succulent, and when cut or broken it emits, from numerous points on the transverse surface, a bright orange, or rather dark vermillion colored juice, which has a bitterish, acrid, but peculiar taste, which remains long in the mouth, and leaves a persistent burning in the throat. The juice of the stem is between a red color and a yellow, as that from the stem of Cheli- donium majus is pure yellow, and that from Papaver is white. The bud, which terminates the root, is composed of successive scales or sheaths, the last of which acquires considerable size as the plant springs up. By dissection of the bud, iu Summer or Autumn, the embryo leaf and flower of the ensuing Spring may be discovered; and with a common magnifying glass, even the stamens may be counted, without any caulis. * The following description and history I take from Dr. F. W. Hunt's article in N. A. Journal for Nov. 186C ; also published in Transactions of N. Y. State Horn. Association, 1866. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 913 Petiole.—But a single petiole and scape, or peduncle, generally proceed from each bud of the tuber, both being enveloped at the base with the sheaths above mentioned, which are glaucous, and somewhat succulent. The petiole is radical and solitary, from two to four inches long, and channelled. Leaf.—The leaf is reniform, sub-cordate, with five or seven large rounded lobes, separated by obtuse sinuses. The leaf is very glab- rous, delicate, of a gray-green color, resembling in texture the leaf of the Celandine ; the underside is strongly reticulated with veins, paler than the upper side, and at length becoming glaucous. After the fall of the flower, the leaves continue to grow ; and by midsum- mer, when the seeds have fully ripened, they appear like those of a different plant, being more like Asarum than Sanguinaria. The scape, or peduncle is smooth, naked, round, rising in front of the petiole, and enfolded by the young leaf. It is from two to six inches long, and flowered ; the flowers appearing in March or April. The calyx is di-sepalous, or two leaved perianth. The sepals are concave, obtuse, shorter than the cord, and caducous. The corol is polypetalous, the petals generally being eight in num- ber, but varying from eight to fourteen, and under cultivation the number is often doubled. They are white, spreading, oblong, con- cave, obtuse, and deciduous, like those of the poppy, the alternate and external petals being wider and longer than the others, giving the flower a square appearance. Stamens.—These are numerous, about twenty-four; filaments simple, shorter than the coral; anthers oblong and yellow ; recep- tacles or placentas two in number, marginal and filiform. The germ is oblong and compressed. Style.—None. Stigma sessile, thickish and two-grooved, the same height as the stamens, and persistent. The capsule is superior, oblong, lanceolate, ventricose, tapering at both ends, the apex attenuated. It is two-valved, two-celled; it bursts when the seeds are ripe, and then disappears. Receptacles two in number, filiform, marginal. Seeds.—These are numerous, roundish, compressed, dark, shining red in color, and half surrounded by a white, vermiform appendix, projecting out of the lower end. The medicinal part of the Sanguinaria is the rhizome, which con- tains the red colored juice. It should be gathered early in the Spring or late in Autumn. For all medicinal purposes we prefer the dried root. The leaves and seeds have been little tried, and have been pronounced poisonous. The odor of the root is somewhat narcotic ; and when pulverized, the dry and fine powder excites sneezing. History.—Just one hundred years after Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence river, and bestowed upon about half of North America the name of New France, Jacob Cornuti, a scientific associate of the French Governor, noticed and described the plant now known as the Sanguinaria. The name of Governor Champlain will be perpetuated in geography, in association with a New York lake ; and history will preserve the record of his services in founding the City of Quebec. 58 914 NEW REMEDIES. It is proper that science should transmit to posterity the memory of Cornuti, who, when his old commander was dying, sought a new friend in this beautiful plant, which he was the first to introduce to the botanists of Europe. It is said that within five years after it was described by Cornuti, it was cultivated in England as a rare exotic, of great beauty. It has since been found in nearly every part of North America, and has been fully described by all the botanists, from Tournefort to tho present time. At present, I propose to review the observations of about two centuries furnished by medical men ; to analyze the symp- toms they have collected, and to compare them with the results of personal observations, commenced about thirty-five years ago; I shall endeavor to retain nearly all that I can recognize as available in practice. Chemical Character.—Chemical analysis furnishes the following constituents : 1. Sanguinarina. This alkaloid was discovered by Dr. Dana, of New York, in 1824 ; in it the active properties of the plant chiefly reside. Dr. James Schiel, of St Louis, claims to have determined the identity of Sanguinarina with Chelrythrin, obtained from Celan- dine.* The formula for Sanguinarina is C37, H16, N08. 2. A second alkaloid has been found in Sanguinaria, by Riegel, which he thinks analogous to Porphyroxin, obtained by Merck, from Opium. 3. Mr- E. S. Wayne, of Cincinnati, has discovered a third alka- loid, for which the name Puccin has been proposed. Besides these three alkaloids, he says Sanguinaria contains : 4. Chelidonic acid. 5. Fecula. 6. Saccharine matter. 7. Albumen. 8. Resin, orange colored. 9. Fixed oil. 10, Gum, in small quantity. 11. Extractive. 12. Lignin.f Another analysis is given by Mr. Lee.J [Two active principles of Sanguinaria are now recognized as offic- inal, namely : Sanguinarina, or the alkaloid principle ; and Sanguin- aria, or the alka-resinoid principle. A Sulphate, Muriate and Nitrate of Sanguinarina arc now prepared from the alkaloid. Of these preparations, the Sulphate is the most powerful, and will probably become the most valuable preparation of the last three named.— Hale.] Medical History.—The first knowledge of the powers of San- guinaria obtained by Europeans, was derived from the Indians. They used the juice of the plant as a paint for the ornament of their faces, and also as a remedy in some pectoral diseases. Its most obvious * Silliman's Journal of Science and Arts, Sept. 18".5. t Pharm. Jour. March I860, vol. 46. 1 Amer. Jour, ot, Phar., vol. I, page 32. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 915 properties were mentioned by Schoeff, Colden and other early writers on Materia Medica. It is illustrated in the Botanical Magazine, p. 162, Bjgelow's Materia Medica, p. 7, American Medical Botany, vol. I, p. 175 ; Barton's Vegetable .Materia Medica, vol. II; Carson 111 IX, Willd.. Sp. Plant., vol. II, p. 1140.—(Hunt) Dr. Tully once wrote a monograph on Sanguinaria, which was a prize essay given to the Massachusetts State Medical Society about the year 1813. This is probably the most extensive paper on this plant, which has been written, and was noted for its research and ex- periments. It is now out of print, and cannot be obtained. Tully considered it analogous to "Squills, Seneka, Digitalis, Guaiacum and Ammoniacum." This plant has been largely used by allopaths, but more extensively by eclectics, and homceopathicians have used it for about 20 years. A pathogenesis of Sanguinaria appeared in the Transactions of American Institute of Homoeopathy, vol. I. This was a resume of several provings. The original provings should have been saved. I have not been able to obtain them. A resume should never be pub- lished, except in connection with the provings of which it is composed. PATHOGENETIC AND TOXICAL EFFECTS. Effects of the Crude Drug.—Experiments by Drs. Gibb and Fen- wick, of Montreal, show that in a concentrated form, Sanguinaria is extremely irritating to man and animals, affecting principally tho mucous membrane of the stomach and bowels In doses of from eight to twenty grains of the powdered root, it acts as a poison, producing: Nausea ; heat or burning sensation in the stomach ; tormenting thirst; faintness ; vertigo; indistinct vision ; finally, violent spasmodic efforts of the stomach, free vomit- ing, followed by alarming prostration. When the dose is very large, the vomiting may not take place. Prof. Samuel L. Mitchell, of New York, published the following experiment, reported in the Journal of Commerce: " Four men who had been employed to clean out and whitewash the apothecary shop of Bellevue Hospital, found a demijohn contain- ing what they thought to be brandy or some other spirit, and they each took a good drink of it. They were all soon seized with severe racking and burning pains in the stomach and bowels, with intense thirst. They all died." In moderate doses, Sanguinaria is regarded as an emetic, nause- ant, expectorant, and diaphoretic. In certain other doses it is, iu some degree, narcotic, sedative, stimulant, alterant, emmenagogue, escharotic and errhine. In small doses, its effects on the pulse resemble those of Digitalis. It is remarkable, however, that it seldom influences the pulse either in frequency or tension, until it has been used for five or six days ; and in a majority of cases the effect is not seen for eight or ten days. _ ZollikofFer says it is " sudorific, emetic and purgative." Smith, 916 NEW REMEDIES. Thatcher and Allen compare it to Digitalis. Tully says it unites the properties of Scilla, Ammonia, Senega, Digitalis and Guaiacum, without their violent operations. Rafinesque says it is "acrid, nar- cotic, emetic, deobstruent, sudorific, expectorant, vermifuge, eschar- otic, stimulant and tonic* The diseases in which Sanguinaria has been hitherto thought most useful are those of the throat, chest, stomach and liver. It has been most frequently employed in incipient phthisis, bronchitis, catarrh, influenza, pneumonia, asthma, croup, diphtheria, cynanche maligna or putrid sore throat, in which it produces the best effects when applied locally. It has also been useful in scarlatina, pertussis, dyspnoea, dyspepsia, hydrothorax and jaundice In the latter disease, it was approved by Colden, and it formed the basis of Rawson's specific for that d.sease. Dr. McBride, of South Carolina, says that he used it with great advantage for " torpor of the liver, attended with colic and yellowness of the skin," a disease very prevalent in that climate. Dr. Ives, of New Haven, also used it for diseases of the liver, and in the first stage of croup. Western practitioners have carried it much farther. Some " specifics" arc composed of it. It has also been successfully used in dysentery, amenorrhoea, inflammatory rheu- matism and rheumatic gout.— (Rafinesque.) " Blood-root is an acrid emetic, with narcotic and stimulant proper- ties, it is also expectorant, sudorific, alterative, emmenagogue, tonic, antiseptic, detergent and escharotic, according to the mode in which it is employed. It is a very active agent, and is capable of exercising a powerful influence ou the system. When given in small doses it stimulates the digestive organs, accelerates the circulation ; in large doses, it occasions nausea and consequent depression of the pulse ; in a full dose, it produces active vomiting ; in over doses it causes violent emesis, a burning sensation in the stomach, tormenting thirst, faintness, vertigo, dimness of vision, alarming prostration, and even death."—King's Dispensatory. " Sanguinaria is emetic, expectorant, diaphoretic, acro-narcotic, sedative, alterative, and in small doses, tonic and stimulant; in full doses, it induces nausea and vomiting, with a sensation of warmth in the stomach, acceleration of pulse, and slight headache. It acts on the fauces, producing an acrid impression, and in some cases it proves cathartic. The leaves and seeds possess similar properties. The seeds, however, are said to exert a marked influence upon the brain and nervous system, occasioning torpor, languor, disordered vision and dilated pupils ; in large doses the emesis is violent, there is a burning sensation in the stomach, faintness, vertigo, dimness of vision and alarming prostration.f Effects of Sanguinarina.—The late Professor R. P. Thomas, of Philadelphia, experimented with this substance, and obtained the following results: * Medical Flora, 278. t Jones & Scudder's Materia Medica. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 917 In doses of from one-twelfth to one-eighth of a grain, it acted merely as an expectorant, without disturbing the stomach. In doses of one-sixth to one-fourth of a grain, every two hours, it produced nausea, and sometimes caused vomiting. In doses of one half grain in solution, every ten minutes, it almost uniformly caused vomiting after the second or third dose. In doses of one-eighth to one-sixth of a grain every three hours, continued for two days or more, it generally reduced the pulse from five to fifteen beats per minute.* It is thus seen that the general pathogenetic effects of the chief alkaloid contained in the root were, essentially, perhaps, the same as those long known to belong to the entire substance; but our profes- sional, as well as our positive knowledge, is almost entirely derived from experiments with the powdered root,the tincture, or other prep- arations from it. Like most of our best remedies, it is indeed, a very multifarious combination. RESUME. Special Effects —IVcrvOUS System.—The toxical and pathogen- etic effects of Sanguinaria indicate that it has a profound effect upon the nerves of sensation and motion, but the exact nature of this ac#Dn has not been sufficiently investigated. Among the symptoms we find—" a quickly diffused and transient, but at the same time a very peculiar nervous thrill, which is often extended to the minu- test extremity." In large doses it causes " torpor, languor and dila- tation of the pupils." MUCOUS Ulembranes.—There are a few drugs, like Pulsatilla, which seem to affect the mucous tissues of the whole system ; others, like Squills, have a specific affinity for the pulmonary mucous mem- brane ; Sanguinaria is an analogue of the latter to a certain degree, although it more nearly approaches the action of Tartar emetic. It was known as an expectorant, long before the allopathic profession brought it into use, and now both that and the eclectic school value it highly for that purpose. (See respiratory organs.) Blood-root does not seem to notably increase the secretions from the intestinal mucous tissues. Serous Membranes.—Said to be useful in pleuritis, synovitis. Muscular and Fibrous Tissues.—Sanguinaria seems to cause pains of a rheumatic or myalgic character. It is dimcult to decide which of the two affections were cured by this medicine in the re- ported curative symptoms. I am inclined to the opinion, however, that Sanguinaria, although it may cure some neuralgiae, will not, ljke ♦Proceedings of the American Med. Association, 1863, p. 219. 918 NEW REMEDIES. Colchicum and Cimicifuga, act specifically in rheumatic affections. (For cases cured see " Extremities.") Vascular System.—Heart.—Pressing pain in the region of tho heart; palpitation of the heart, with great weakness, (large doses ;) extreme reduction in the force and frequency of tho pulse, together with great irregularity of action, and palpitation of the heart. Clinical Observations.—We have no clinical record of any disorders of the heart treated with this medicine. The symptoms would seem to indicate that it was more adapted to venous haemor- rhages and congestions than arterial, (secondarily.) Fever) Pulse.—In the evening in bed, chill and shivering in the back ; shaking chill with pain under the shoulder blade on motion; chill with headache; chill and nausea; heat flying from head to stomach ; burning heat, rapidly alternating with chill and shivering; fever and delirium (from the seeds ;) pulsations through the whole body ; a gradual increase in the force and frequency of the pulse, (from small doses ;) during the vomiting the pulse is frequent; slow pulse with the extreme nausea; strength and frequency of the pulse extremely reduced, with irregularity, and with insensi- bility, coldness, etc. ; (from very large doses) suppressed pulse with fainting. Clinical Observations.—Sanguinaria has not been used in fevers, generally, but it has been administered successfully in hectic fever. In the pathogenesis of no other medicine, except perhaps, Phosphorus and Lycopodium, do wc find the hectic paroxysm as per- fectly delineated; generally the hectic is associated with cough and other symptoms of lung affection, but there are exceptions. Dr. Bute, cured :—(1.) In a lady, coldness of the feet in the after- noons, at the same the tongue was painful and sore upon being touched, like a boil, and there was stiffness of the knee and finger joints." (2.) " Burning of the palms of the hands and soles of tho feet, compelling him to throw the bedclothes off the feet for the purpose of cooling thein. These paroxysms generally come on in the p. m. or evening." (3) Paroxysm of fever in p. m., with circumscribed redness of the cheeks : cough and expectoration. Hemorrhages.—Dr. Morrow relied on Sanguinaria as a remedy for hemorrhages in general, because of " its power of quieting excessive, or depressing the natural circulation." he advises it particularly in hoemoptysis; it has also been used in memorrhagia, epistaxis, etc. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 919 General Symptoms.—Great weakness; great prostration of mus- cular strength, (by large doses,) extreme weakness and debility in the limbs, whilst walking in the open air, during the evening of the first day; debility with vertigo and paine in the hypochondria; great weakness, with vomiting, great weakness with sup- pression of the pulse—with irregular pulse; weakness and palpitatiou of the heart; a quickly diffused and transient, but at the same time a very peculiar nervous thrill, which is often extended to the minutest extremity ; a slowly shooting pain, with long contin- ued thrill, ending in a grumbling aching in a carious molar tooth, of the upper jaw ; fainting weakness ; general sensitivenes, and weak- ness ; torpor and languor from the seeds. *Paralysis of the right side, of fourteen years duration, cured by the tincture, in the dose of a small tea-spoonful every three or four days ; (verbally from Dr. B. Becker.) convulsive rigidity of the limb. Clinical Observations.—We can sometimes comprehend the sphere of action of a drug, by comparing the ensemble of its symp- toms with that of other drugs; a careful analysis of the symptoms and toxical effects of Sanguinaria show its marked resemblance to thos£ of our most important medicines, namely: Arsenicum. Phos- phorus and Tartar emetic ; more remotely it resembles Belladonna, Lachnanthes, Veratrum viride and Iris versicolor ; Lycopodium, Sul- phur, Kali carbonicum and Rumex crispus, have some symptoms in common with Sanguinaria. Sleep.—Sleeplessness at night; he awakes at night with affright, as if he would fall; dreams two nights in succession of sailing on the sea; dream of a frightful and disagreeable character; he awakens earlier than common. Skin.-^Heat and dryness ; increased itching of an old tubercle- like eruption on the skin ; itching and a nettle rash before the nausea. Clinical Observations.—The blood-root has been used success- fully for scaly eruption; old indolent ulcers; ill-conditional ulcers, with callous borders and ichorous discharge; the powdered root is escharotic, and when applied to fungous growths causes their rapid disappearance. I consider it the best application we have for this purpose; it has also cured warts, and polypi, when given internally and applied topically. Dr. Sholl uses it externally and internally for carbuncle with alleged success. Mind and Disposition.—Mind confused, relieved by eructations; anxiety and feeling of dread; disgusting ideas and many unpleasant feelings asssociated with nausea; moroseness with nausea, cannot hear a person walking in the room ; anxiety, followed by delirium; 920 NEW REMEDIES. (caused by the seeds;) delirium with hot skin; fever; torpor of mind; stupor; heaviness; sleepiness, (seed more narcotic than tho root; their action approaches that of Stramonium ;) extreme morose- ness; anxiety before the vomiting; hopefullness; sanguine of recov- ery from illness. Clinical Observations.—The last two symptoms were observed by me several times, from the blood-root. Every physician is aware of the peculiarly hopeful condition of the mind in phthisis. Sangui- naria is quite homceopathic to that mental state. SenSOrium.—Vertigo, with singing in the ears; flatulent eructa- tion, and then tickling in the throat, which excites cough (imme- diately after taking it;) frequent vertigo, and diminished vision before vomiting, after large doses; vertigo with nausea, long continuing, with debility, and with headache; *vertigo on quickly turning tho head, and looking upward. Clinical Observations.—It has cured, " vertigo on quickly turning the head and looking upward. Head.—Confused and dull feeling in the head, which became better after eructation ; determination of the blood to the head, with whizzing in the ears, and a transitory feeling of heat; then a sensation as if vomiting was about to take place, but instead of this there suc- ceed slight cutting drawings in the abdomen, and then a stool; heavi- ness in the head ; pressing drawing in the forehead; pain of a short duration in the right side of the forehead, like a pressing, only while standing still, better while walking ; at the same time a pain deep in the ear ; headache as if the forehead would split, with chill and with burning in the stomach ; a pain occurs suddenly in the interior angle of the right eye, and thence to the forehead ; about five o'clock in the evening a severe quick-darting pain in the forehead and temple on the right side, which continued for about five minutes ; this pain re- appeared in the evening about seven o'clock ; about eleven o'clock at night a sudden pain through the forehead, like an electric stroke, of short duration; a slowly-shooting pain in the forehead; periodic stitches in the left temple ; pain in all the upper part of the head ; in the abdomen, pain like fullness ; pain in the fore part of the head pressing in the upper part of the head, in the region of the anterior fontanelle, disappears while walking ; boring pain above, in the fore part of the head ; severe pain above, on all the left side of the head, especially in the eye ; at the same time similar pains in the left foot; nausea, disposition to vomit without being able to do so ; then head- ache with rheumatic pains and stiffness in the limbs and neck ; beat- SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 921 ing headache and bitter vomiting ; headache in the evening, with tickling in the throat; headache, with chill; headache, with nausea and chill, then flying heat from the head to the stomach; headache, with vertigo and pain in the ear; the headache occurs paroxysmally ; feeling as if the head is drawn forward ; soreness of the scalp, on being touched ; feeling of looseness of the scalp on the right side ; sensation of looseness, and drawing in one side of the scalp, on raising the eyes. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Bute found blood-root curative in headaches with " distention of the temporal veins which were pain- fully sensitive to the touch, also with " feeling of soreness on small spots on the head, especially in the temples. Other physicians have cured cephalalgias with "pains in the head, in rays dra.ving upward from the neck. ' Dr. Hering considers it homoeopathic to the so- called North American sick headache. He has cured with the high dilutions the following symptoms : " Severe pains in the head, with nausea, and vomiting, frequently with bilious vomiting, in attacks, with hebdomadal or longer intervals from very different inducements commonly beginning in the morning, increasing in violence during the day, only diminished by lying quiet, and when possible, by sleep.* Dr. Hering also givesf the following indications for Sanguinaria : "It is the best remedy in most cases of migrane or sick headache. Still, it must prove most useful when the attacks occur paroxysmally, viz : every week, or at longer intervals ; or when the pains begin in the morning, increase during the day, and last till evening ; when the head seems to feel that it must burst, or as if the eyes would be pressed out, or when the pains are digging, attended with sudden piercing, throbbing lancinations through the brain, involving the forehead and top of the head in particular, and being most severe on right side, followed by chills, nausea, vomiting of food, or bile, forcing tbe patient to lie down aud preserve the greatest quiet, as every motion aggravates the suffer- ings, which are only relieved by sleep. Case 1.—A man was attacked with frightfully severe headache ; the only relief he could obtain was from pressing the back of his head against the head-board of tbe bed. An infusion ofRad. Sanguinaria removed the headache permanently.—(Hering) Case 2.—A lady suffered with frequent and severe attacks of head- ache, with such sensitiveness during the paroxysm, that no one dared to walk across the room. Sanguinaria 6th, was given, but the first dose produced such an aggravation that the patient became almost beside herself; after the second dose, she fell into a pleasant sleep, from which she awoke refreshed. Dr. Helfrig always gave Aconite and Belladonna during the paroxysm of sick headache, and used San- guinaria, 30th, during the interval, unless some other remedy was more indicated. (Ibid.) * Trans. Amer. Inst, of Horn. vol. I. r New Archives, volume 2, part 2, page 132. 59 922 NEW REMEDIES. Many of the symptoms of Sanguinaria, are similar to those pains which Inman describes as belonging to myalgic headaches ; particu- larly the superficial sensitiveness, and drawing pains. Congestions of the head are controlled by this medicine, when the temporal veins ate distended. It is probable that it is also homoeopathic to some of the varieties of Apoplexy. Its known curative influence over haemor- rhage from congestions, would suggest its use in sanguineous apoplexy. The symptoms would seem to imply that venous conges- tions (if the term may be allowed) are most under the control of San- guinaria. Dr. C. Neidhard says : " One of the most important indications for the employment of Sanguinaria canadensis is this symptom : Pain like a flash of lightning on tbe back of the head." Dr. E. W. Beebe reports the following remarkable cases of " sick headache," cured with this medicine : " Mrs. P, aged 55, blue eyes, dark brown hair, of nervo-sanguine temperament, full habit and somewhat corpulent The history of the case is as follows : Has been subject for a period of fifteen years to attacks of " sick headache," which commenced in the morning on waking, and increases during the day, and arc only relieved by sleep at night; the pain is confined chiefly to the temples and vertex, and so violent as to cause the patient to cry aloud. Nausea generally commences in the morning, followed by vomiting, first of the contents of the stomach, and afterwards of a substance that seems to be pure bile, with occasionally a considerable quantity of an acid mucus, with great distress in the stomach, of a burning character ; with great weakness or " goneness," as the patient described it, not amounting to a real pain, but which was even worse to bear than the headache ; not the least quantity of food or diink could be taken without its being immediately vomited. The attacks came on irregularly, some- times once in a week, or ten days, then again perhaps not for three or four weeks. The health of the patient is good otherwise, with the exception of slight constipation at times. She has been treated by a number of physicians of the eclectic, homoeopathic and old schools of medicine, and has, as she informs me, received no benefit. I diagnosed the case as one of dyspepsia, from the use of highly seasoned and rich food. I found also that the patient was in the daily habit of using strong coffee, which I prohibited, regulating the diet, etc. I then prescribed Nux and Bryonia, night and morning, expecting these medicines to relieve, but to my great surprise the patient did not improve under the remedies, and after continuing them until I became satisfied that I had not made a right selection, I changed them for others, such as Ars., Puis., Chin., etc., which, together with the others generally used in such cases, were continued for some four or five months, at the end of which time I had found I had not lessened the frequency of the attacks in the least, nor had been able to relieve for the time being the vomiting, though I had administered Ipecac, Tartar emetic, etc.,etc., till I had become about discouraged. The only good I could perceve I had done was to relieve the sour-risings from the stomach which I did with Sulphuric acid. About this time I procured a SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 923 copy of Hale's "New Provings," and upon reading the symptoms of San- guinaria canadensis, I said to myself here is an exact counterpart of that troublesome " headache case." Upon meeting my patient a few days afterward, I said to her 'if there was any truth in the homoeopathic law, I now have a remedy that will cure your headache,' and accordingly prescribed four pellets to be taken night and morning, medicated with the mother tincture. She had no more attacks for upwards of two months, and then had but a very slight one. I accordingly prescribed the same remedy again, and have had no further trouble with the case. I have since used this remedy in similar cases, and with the same success." Face.—Feeling of fullness in the face ; distention of the veins of the face, with excessive redness, and a feeling of stiffness ; severe burning, heat and redness of the face ; paleness of the face, with dis- position to vomit ; twitching of the cheeks, towards the eyes. Clinical Observations.—It has cured the following symptoms when occurring during other affections : " A red cheek, with burning of the ears;" " redness of the cheeks, with cough," "cheeks and hands livid in typhoid pneumonia." These symptoms are also found in the provings of Phosphorus, Lycopodium, Sulphur, and Lachnanthes. NOSC—Heat in the nose ; smell in the nose like roasted onions ; dislike to smell of syrup ; much sneezing ; fluid coryza, with frequent sneezing ; severe fluid coryza in the right nostril; watery, acrid coryza, which renders the nose sore ; copious watering of the right eye; the eye painful, especially on being touched ; and soon afterwards there occurred a copious watery discharge from the right nostril ; in the evening two diarrhoeic stools, and then all the symptoms disappeared ; fluid coryza, alternating with stoppage of the nose. Clinical Observations.—No drug so surely produces intense irritation of the nasal mucous membrane, when inhaled, as the San- guinaria. Even its internal administration causes coryza. It is not strange, therefore, that homceopathists have found it curative for acute and chronic coryzas, also for " loss of smell." It has cured " Influenza, with rawness in the throat, pain in the breast, cough, and finally, diarrhcea." This last is a characteristic peculiarity of the drug, and as many catarrhal affections tend to end in intestinal irri- tation, or diarrhoea, the Sanguinaria should be remembered in each instance. Dr. Barton (allopathic) says he has "heard of the applica- tion of the powdered root to a fungous tumor within the nostril, with the effect of producing detumescence, and bringing away frequently, small pieces of the fungus, which, in the first instance, impeded the progress of the air through the nostril, and was supposed to be a polypus." Dr. Smith (botanic) says : " Applied to fungous flesh it proves escharotic, and several polypi of the soft kind were cured by it." Dr. Becker, (homoeopathist) states that a polypus of the nose ceased to grow from the time the powder of the root was snuffed. 924 NEW REMEDIES. Several physicians of my acquaintance claim to have cured nasal polypi by the internal administration of the tincture of blood-root. It was used in the lower dilutions, in some cases. The finely powdered root forms one of the ingredients of many of the " catarrh snuffs" sold in the shops. It is often used as a domestic remedy for chronic catarrhal affections of the nose. Dr. D. C. Powers, of Cold water, Mich., was very successful in the treatment of obstinate nasal catarrhs, and ozama. He prescribed the 2d trit., of blood root, as a "snuff," to be forcibly inspired up the nose, and gave at the same time Sanguinaria 3d, or Nitric acid, internally. It has cured in my hands, many cases of ulcerative ozaena, also epistaxis. Eyes.—Pain in the right eye ; pressing pain in the left eye; stitch in the upper eyelid ; watering and burning of the right eye, which is painful on being touched—then coryza ; feeling as if tho eyes were affected by sour smoke, afternoons about two o'clock ; in the afternoons dimness of the eyes, and a feeling as if hairs were in them; very great glimmering before the eyes ; diminished power of vision ; dilation of the pupils (by the seeds). Clinical Observations—It is homoeopathic to catarrhal ophthal- mia, granular lids, and even ulcers on the cornea. I once cured a case of the latter, very happily, by the use of Sanguinaria 3d., inter- nally and topically. The case had proved obstinate under ordinary treatment, and I bethought me of the beneficial effect of blood-root in' indolent ulcers. A wash of about the strength of the third dilution was prepared in distilled water, and used as a collyrium. Under its use the ulcers healed in a week, leaving but a slight opacity. Ears.—Beating under the ears at irregular intervals, frequently only a couple of strokes ; ""burning of the ears, with redness of the cheeks ; pains in the ears, with headache ; singing in the ears, with vertigo ; humming in the cars, with determination of blood ; slow stitches in the left ear during the pain in the forehead ; beating- humming in the left ear ; painful sensitiveness to sudden sounds ; a crackling in the right ear when he draws his fingers lightly over his right cheek ; on the left side this is not the case. JaWS.—Stiffness of the jaws ; pain in the upper teeth ; pain in a hollow tooth, especially when touched by the food ; toothache from picking the teeth ; pain in one or more of the incisor teeth, and in a carious molar tooth; shooting and thrilling pain in a carious molar tooth of the upper jaw, which passes away gradually in that form of pain which is often termed a " grumbling toothache ;" on awaking, toothache in an upper carious tooth on the right side, at the same time headache on the same side ; the toothache is made worse by cold water, and better by drinking warm drink ; pain in a carious molar after cold drinking, two mornings in succession ; looseness of the SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 925 teeth ; salivation and looseness of the teeth ; he supposes himself able to take them all out; spitting, with nausea ; feeling of dryness of the lips. Clinical Observations.—Blood-root is useful in expulsive gin- givitis, in cases where the gums become very spongy, bleeding, and fungoid. Throat. —Feeling of dryness in the throat, not diminished by drinking ; heat in the throat, alleviated by the inspiration of cool air ; a long continued impression in the fauces; a transitory, but marked sensation in the fauces, as if he had swallowed something acrimon- ious ; burning in the fauces after eating sweet things ; burning in the oesophagus ; a feeling in the throat as if it were swollen up and would suffocate him, with pain in the throat when swallowing, and with aphonia; in the evening, a pain with a feeling of swelling in the throat; worse on the right side, and most perceptible on swallowing; feeling of swelling in the throat when swallowing. Clinical Observations. —Angina in several cases, particularly a species of pharyngitis. Ulcerated sore throat. I was once informed, by intelligent persons, that they had been permanently cured of recurring quinsy, with ulceration, by using a gargle of blood root. Upon testing it in practice, I found it quite equal to Ilepar sulphur in its power of preventing attacks of tonsillitis ; also iu actual ulcera- tions of the throat. The lower dilutions were used. Dr. Thomas Nichol reports the following concerning the use of Sanguinaria canadensis in pseudo-membranous croup : " Being busy at the time, I neglected contributing to the first edition of Dr. Hale's admirable work, though I bad a few items which might have proved of interest. When I received the book, I turned at once to the article on Sanguinaria canadensis, expecting to find a dissertation on the use of this remedy in pseudo-membranous croup, and was disappointed on finding that it said nothing as to its use in this disease. In tbe region in which I then resided we had many cases of pseudo-membranous croup,—not tbe mere spasmodic variety, but the kind characterized by the deposition of a fibrinous membrane in the larynx and trachea,—and the mortality had been very great. Under allopathic treatment—the usual routine of purgatives, emetics, blisters, bleeding and calomel -almost every case died ; and even under homoeopathic treatment, aided by the appliances of the so-called hydropathy, the mortality was perhaps 25 to 30 per cent I had tried, in succession, everything suggested in our works on therapeutics, from the orthodox Aconite, Spongia, and Ilepar s,, of Hahnemann to the apparently heterodox application of Nitrate of silver to the larynx, recommended by Dr. Marcy in the first edition of his work on prac- tice, and the result was as I have stated. "Despairing of help from our treatises on therapeutics, which, after all, merely present to us the views and experience of one uuu, 926 NEW REMEDIES. and calling to remembrance the grand lessons taught me by Dr. Con- stantino Hering, I applied myself specially to the study of the hom- oeopathic materia medica, and guided by the star of similia, I decided that Sanguinaria canadensis possessed, both in its symptoms and in what Prof. Walter Williamson calls ' the run of the remedy,' all the properties which would make it a true remedial agent in this disease. The symptoms which guided me were: '* Chronic dryness in the throat and sensation of swelling in the larynx, and expectoration of thick mucus. Aphonia, with swelling in the throat. *Continual severe cough, without expectoration, with pain in the head, and cir- cumscribed redness of the cheeks. Tormenting cough, with exhaus- tion ; and circumscribed redness of the cheeks. *Croup.' * Shortly after, I was called to a case of true croup, and having no preparation of the Sanguinaria in my office, I gave minute doses of the pure Sangtii- narin in a little water, giving an occasional dose of Aconite, and the result was most gratifying, and I was equally successful in a number of cases, to the diagnosis of which I paid great attention. " I am in the habit of regarding the literature of the eclectic school of medicine as being a vast mine of gems and precious metals, which can be best explored by the conscientious physician, lighted by the torch of the similia, and in the course of my studies I perused Prof. Paine's ' Epitome of Eclectic Practice,' and his testimony is as fol- lows :—' The Sanguinarin is one of the most valuable remedies known in the treatment of pseudo-membranous croup. It has proved as much of a specific for that disease as Quinine has for ague. I have seen it used in a great number of cases, and have never known a single failure. It should be made into an acetic syrup, by adding twenty grains of Sanguinarin to four ouuces of vinegar ; steep, and add one ounce of sugar to form a syrup. Dose, one teaspoonful as often as indicated." I have frequently given the remedy in the form of an acetous syrup, as Prof. Paine directs, though I found the dose he mentions to be far to large, and I found that one grain, or even less, in two ounces of vinegar to be a better preparation. I have seen better results from the acetous preparation than from the watery, and I refer those who may object to using vinegar, in prepar- ing the Sanguinaria, to the fact that Hahnemann gave his infinitesi- mal doses of Opium to scarlatina patients in beer. (Essay on the Cure and Prevention of Scarlet Fever, in " Lesser Writings," page 875). I regret that I kept no note of the greater number of my cases, but I give the record of one of the cases I attended lately. On Feb. 17th, 1866, I was called to see W. G----, aged 5 years. He had been from home visiting some friends, fourteen miles distant, when he was taken sick. An allopathic physiciau who had been called in, pronounced it a case of pseudo-membraneous croup, advis- ing a local application of Nitrate of Silver to the larynx, but the mother preferred to hurry home and trust him to Homoeopathy. I found him with a hoarse muffled cough, complete aphonia, and the pulse was 132. On examining the fauces I found the soft palate and * Jahr's Symptomen Codex, vol. II, p. 732. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 927 fauces covered with a continuous coating of pearly fibrinous exuda- tion, and on auscultating tbe larynx, the characteristic hissing sound was heard. The difficulty of breathing was very great ; tbe child stretched back his head and grasped his throat in his agony, while the dark and swollen features added to the gloom of the prognosis. I commenced with the Sanguinaria, as directed above, and in 15 hours the symptoms had undergone a notaDle modification, and in 48 hours the patient was out of danger. No other remedy was used, except an occasional dose of triturated Aconite, as became a rigid Hempelite. I have also found Sanguinaria a leading remedy in tracheitis, and in the July number of the "American Homoeopathic Observer," I recorded seven cases of diphtheritic croup successfully treated by this remedy." Mouth.—A prickling sensation on the tongue and roof of the mouth, as after chewing Mezereum, but slighter ; crawling on the point of the tongue, after which an acerb feeling extends itself over the whole tongue, in the morning on awaking; prickling on the point of the tongue; tongue feels as if burned ; a feeling of dryness and rawness, as after acrid things; begins on the right side of the tongue, and spreads over the whole tongue, mornings on awaking; *tongue sore ; pains like a boil; stitches on the left side of the tongue ; white-coated tongue, with loss of appetite ; loss of appetite, with uncertain cravings , *increase of appetite ; loss of smell and taste ; a piece of sugar-cake tastes bitter, followed by burning in the fauces ; fatty taste in the mouth ; slimy taste in the mouth ; disincli- nation for butter, which leaves a disagreeable after-taste ; dislike to the odor of syrup ; craving for he knows not what, with loss of appe- tite ; craving for piquant food. Stomach.—Pressing in the stomach ; soreness in the epigastrium, aggravated by eating ; feeling of warmth and heat in the stomach ; burning in the stomach from large doses ; burning in the stomach, with headache ; jerking in the stomach, as if from something alive ; great weakness of digestion ; loss of appetite ; *strengthens the stomach ; excites the appetite, and aids digestion ; soon after eating, a feeling of emptiness in the stomach ; inflammation of the stomach. Clinical Observations.—By reference to the " gastric symp- toms, as well as the above, it will be seen how closely the symptoms similate those of Arsenicum, Phosphorus, and Tartar emetic. It will cure according to Dr. Tully, " atonic, sub-acute, and chronic inflam- mations of the stomach." No remedy, however, is more decidedly homoeopathic to acute gastritis. We have the terrible burning, the unquenchable thirst, the pain, vomiting and prostration, which mark that disease. In acute gastritis, the sixth or thirtieth should be used. In chronic gastritis, the lower dilutions may be as useful. It ought to be useful in ulceration of the stomach. 928 NEW REMEDIES. Gastric Symptoms.—Severe nausea from large doses ; nausea, as if vomiting would succeed ; nausea after eating ; nausea, which is not diminished by vomiting; loss of appetite and periodic nausea; nausea by stooping; nausea, with much spitting ; extreme nausea, with great salivation ; nausea, with flow of saliva, and constant spitting ; long continued nausea, with chill; nausea, without vomiting, then headache; nausea, with headache, with chill and heat; nausea before the nettle rash ; heatburn and nausea; regurgitation and dis- position to vomit; flatulent eructation ; spasmodic eructation of flatus ; hiccough while smoking tobacco ; frequent flatulent eructa- tions of unpleasant odor, with disposition to vomit, and paleness of face; after the eructation of flatus, the dullness of the head becomes better. Vomiting, with severe, painful burning in the stomach, and intense thirst; many unpleasant feelings previous to vomiting; before vomiting, great anxiety ; before vomiting, pressure to stool; vomiting of bitter water ; bitter vomiting with headache ; vomiting, with craving to eat, in order to quiet the nausea ; vomiting and diar- rhoea; causes vomiting, without nausea or perceptible weakness. Clinical Observations.—Blood-root is fully indicated for nau- sea, or vomiting from irritation of the coats of the stomach. Allo- paths have cured vomiting of food, or bilious vomiting, with small doses of the tincture. It is doubtless homoeopathic to many func- tional and organic diseases of the stomach, and I would suggest its use in gastric disorders not amenable to the ordinary remedies. Dr. F. W. Hunt, in an article on "Dyspepsia, or Diseases of the Stomach,"* thus speaks of the virtues of Sanguinaria canadensis : "This is one of the most important remedies for various diseases of the stomach, throat, liver, lungs, etc. In almost every form of indigestion, for many years, it has given me satisfactory results. It is especially useful in deficient gastric secretion, with loss of appetite and periodic nausea; heartburn, nausea and irregular chills ; torpid state of the liver; dyspeptic headache, terminating by regurgitation and vomiting of bitter greenish fluids ; soreness in the abdomen, in- creased by eating; feeling of heat in the stomach ; chronic gastritis ; red tongue, which burns as if from contact with something hot; lips red and dry; throat hot and dry; tickling at the entrance of the larynx, which excites cough ; cough peculiarly severe, not relieved by expectoration, with pain in the chest and redness of the cheeks. When digestion is imperfect from deficiency of the true gastric fluid ; when the food undergoes chemical decomposition, and gas is evolved in large quantities, Sanguinaria will generally change the action of the stomach, and digestion becomes more complete. When the mucous membrane is congested, the flatus formed by fermentation is re- tained by a spasmodic constriction of the cardia. Its irritation is reflected, through the pneumogastric nerve, upon the lungs, exciting * United States Journal of Horn., vol. I, p. 190. SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 929 a feeling of " tickling," in the entrance of the trachea, with sympa- thetic cough. This peculiar, dry cough does not yield to expector- ants, but often persists for hours, and is only relieved by eructations. Aromatics and stimulants fail to expel tbe gas : they only increase the erethism of the coats of the stomach. The Sanguinaria affords a better resource. It not only relaxes the constricted cardia, permit- ting the flatus to escape, but excites a healthy, homceopathic reaction on the whole surface of tbe fauces, oesophagus and stomach, super- seding the morbid state by a healthy one. Dr. Coe and others, (allo- pathists,) caution against the use of blood-root when there exists " gastritis and enteritis, and whenever we have occasion to sus- pect ulceration or abrasion of the mucous surfaces of the bowels." This caution suggests to the homoeopathist that the medicine will cure such conditions, if administered in dynamic doses. Dr. Fairbanks, of Hudson, Mich., reports the case of a patient, a woman, aged 56, who had been subject to pyrosis, a rising of burning corrosive fluid from the stomach, with flatulence, for 20 years. She now gets prompt relief from the first attenuation of Sanguinaria, in pellets. It is the only remedy that will arrest a paroxysm. Abdomen.—Severe aud continual pain in the hypochondria; ver- tigo and debility ; *pain in the left hypochondrium, worse by cough- ing better by pressure and lying on the left side ; diseases of the liver ; torpor and atony of the liver; inflammation of the abdominal viscera; hot streamings from the breast towards the liver ; beating in the abdomen ; cramps in tbe abdomen, which passes from one place to another ; sensation as if hot water poured itself from the breast into the abdomen, followed by diarrhcea ; discharges of flatus upwards aud downwards by raising himself up on account of the cough, which then ceases ; bellyache ; paroxysmal pain in the abdomen ; slight cutting drawings in the abdomen ; colic, with torpor of the liver ; in the night digging pain in the sacrum ; an hour after taking it severe pain in the bowels, followed by single watery stool; in the morning, colic-like pain in the upper part of tjhe abdomen, and then a diarrhoeic stool. Clinical Observations.—Eclectic physicians claim that Sangui- naria has a specific action on the liver. _ The hepatic symptoms of this proving were collected from allopathic sources. — (Barton, Mc- * Bride and Tully.) It is doubtful if they should have a place in the proving at all, as by reference to the original,* it will be seen that they were mere assertions of the above named physicians, and not pathogenetic symptoms. It may not be amiss, however, to quote the statements of eclectics on this point. King says it has been used successfully in " jaundice, and other hepatic affections. In torpid conditions of tbe liver it is very valuable." Jones asserfs that it " arouses the liver and glandular system in general." Coe admires it * Trans. Amcr. Inst, of Horn. 60 !>30 NEW REMEDIES. in "all cases of hepatic torpor, jaundice, biliary concretions, chronic hepatitis, etc." The first curative symptom above noted would seem to point to the spleen as the diseased organ, although it may have been the lung, or even a myalgic affection, accompanied with cough. It is said to have cured " indurations of the abdomen," but no de- tails are given, nor the name of the observer, and consequently we are at a loss to know the character. Stool.—Pressure to stool without evacuation, with the sensation of a mass in the lower part of the rectum ; this sensation recurred frequently during the day, without stool ; inoperative pressure to stool, then vomiting ; feeling of pressure to stool; in the afternoon, frequent pressure to stool, but only discharges of flatus ; discharge of very offensive flatus ; in the morning a hard stool ; diarrhoeic stools with great flatulence ; purging ; after cutting pains, stool ; after severe pains, stool like water; diar- rhcea in the evening, with disappearance of the coryza and catarrh ; diarrhoea terminated the pain in the breast ; dysentery ; the food passes away undigested in the stool ; five natural stools in the day ; two small but not fluid stools the first day ; the first days the stools more laxative and frequent, afterwards rather costive ; hemorrhoids, a twisting pain on the left side above the groin, cqui-distant from the symphysis pubis, and the crest of the ilium ; worse whilst sitting, standing, or bending towards the right side, increased by pressure ; better whilst walking erect ; afterwards this pain passed towards the hip, around and upwards until it reached posteriorly on the short ribs and remained peculiarly sensible by bending to the right. Clinical Observations.—The blood-rcot does not generally purge unless given in large doses, hence it will not be found often indicated in diarrhoza. There is one variety of diarrhoea, however, in which it has been found curative, by Dr. Bute, namely : " With the dhrrhoca, termination of the coryza and catarrh," also, "The affection of the breast always ended with the feeling as if hot water were poured from the chest into the abdomen, which was followed by diarrhoeic stool." The "dysentery," marked as curative in the original proving, is merely an observation of Rafinesque, (botanist.) Some dysenteric symptoms, however, are found in the pathogenesis, which may be made use of. Dr. Bute asserts its curative power in hemorrhoids, but gives no special indications, nor do we find any in the proving. The last symptoms under "stool" would seem to be misplaced. It denotes either an affection of the left ovary, or was simply a myalgic pain. Take it all in all, the so called proving of Sanguinaria, as made up for the " Transactions of the American Institute," cannot be consid- ered a commendable production. Some of the most notable of the SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 931 symptoms marked* (curative) were tbe mere assertions, or theoretic deductions of allopathic observers, not verified by homoeopathic phy- sicians. I would advise the student or physician, before he attempts to use this drug upon the information obtained in that proving, to study the original, and judge of its merits for himself.) Urine.—*Frequent urination, also at night; large and frequent discharges of urine, as clear as water ; frequent and copious noctur- nal urination ; seminal emission during sleep, two nights in succes- sion, after which he feels very well ; *gonorrhoea. Clinical Observations.—The first curative symptoms belonged originally to the following group reported cured by Dr. Bute, namely : "In a lady, pain in the left hypochondrium, which was ren- dered worse from coughing, but was better from being pressed and by lying on the left side ; very copious urination at night." The whole group of symptoms may have been of renal origin. According to Dr. Coe, Sanguinaria is very useful in many func- tional disorders of the kidneys. Our provings are, however, too meagre to give us any clue to its action on those organs. I cannot ascertain who reported the curative observation of "gonorrhoea." Dr. Coe advises it for chancres, buboes, secondary and tertiary syphilis, but says nothing of its use in gonor- rhoea, nor does any other writer. I can readily imagine it might be useful in phagadenic chancre, used internally and as a topical appli- cation. Generative Organs of Women.—Abdominal pains, as if the menses would appear ; abdominal pain the whole night, like the men- strual ; at times it increases the menstruation; the menses appear a week too early, with a discharge of black blood; abortion on account ♦ of too strong operation on the uterus ; causes uterine hemorrhage ; amenorrhoea ; the menses appear at the proper time, but still much more freely than at other times, with less pain and weakness in the sacrum, but with pain in the right side of the head and forehead, and a feeling as if the eyes would be pressed out of the head, worse on the right side. Clinical Observations.—Rafinesque used it successfully in amenorrhea. Dr. O'Connor, (allopathist,) writes :—" For the last twelve years I have used tincture of Sanguinaria, exclusively, in cases of amenor- rhoea, and have recommended it to others, who speak favorably of its effects. In that time 1 have treated as many cases of this disease, as usually falls to the lot of a village practitioner, and as yet, have no cause to find fault with the efficiency of the remedy. I consider it superior to Eberle's great remedy, the tincture of Polygonum hydro- piper. I commence a fortnight before the expected return of the menses, and t and 01>snrvpr SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 933 ache; a slight cough from tickling in throat, many evenings after lying down; a dry cough, awakening him from sleep, which did not cease until he sat upright in bed, and flatus was discharged both upwards and downwards ; *chronic dryness* in the throat, and sensa- tion of swelling in the larynx, and expectoration of thick mucus.— (Dr. Neidhard)* Continued severe cough without expectoration, with pain in breast, and circumscribed soreness of the cheeks.—(Dr. Burt.) *Feels stronger and freer in the breast, mornings, and in the afternoon and evening the customary dyspnoea does not appear.—(Dr. Husman) A hot, burning, streaming in the right breast, begins under the right arm and clavicle, and draws itself downwards towards the region of the liver, (afternoon of the third day;) acute stitches in the right breast in the region of tbe nipple. Clinical Observations. -Sanguinaria has always had an exten- sive reputation in the cure of coughs. The aborigines of the East- ern States often astonished the early settlers by the cures they effected with this remedy. It is said that the most obstinate coughs disappeared during the use of the blood-root. The physicians of an early day seemed to have used blood-root more frequently than their successors. Rafinesque, Barton, Tully and others all assert its great curative power in many varieties of cough. They even assert its power to cure pulmonary consumption. Besides the above curative symptoms, the following are reported: "Cough, with coryza; then diarrhoea;"—" tormenting cough with expectoration and circum- scribed redness of the cheeks." Several instances have come under my observation, where the blood-root really appeared to cure incipient phthisis. Breast.—Whooping cough ; hydrothorax, (a ;) asthma, (a ;) pneu- monia, (a;) typhoid pneumonia, with very difficult respiration, cheeks and hands livid, pulse full.^soft, vibrating and easily compressed, (a;) diseases of the lungs, (a ;) pain in the breast, with periodic cough, (h;) pain in the breast with cough and expectoration, (h ;) pain in the breast, with dry cough, (h ;) burning and pressing in the breast, then heat through the abdomen, with diarrhoea, (h;) slowly shooting pain in the right side of the chest about the seventh rib ; acute stitch in the right breast; slowly shooting pain in the left side of the chest near the axilla; stitches from the lower part of the left breast to the shoulder; pressing pain in the region of the heart; stitches in the left side in the region of the short ribs, by moving and turning the body ; continued pressure and heaviness in the whole of the upper part of the chest, with difficulty of breathing ; slowly shooting pain under sternum ; numb pain in the whole length of the scapula, along the inner edges, which is also increased by breathing ; pressing 934 NEW REMEDIES. pain in the breast and back ; palpitation of the heart, from immode- rate doses, with great weakness; stitches in both breasts; severe sore- ness under the right nipple, aggravated by being touched; the nipples are sore and painful. Climcal Observations.—The "curative" symptoms above, which are designated (a) are from allopathic sources ; (h) from homoeopathic sources. Eclectic physicians use it in thoracic diseases where the allopath considers tartar emetic indicated. In this they are not far from the truth. Sanguinaria, in affections of the lungs, occupies a place midway between Phosphorus and Tartar emetic. It has many symptoms in common with both, and others possessed by neither. I have used the blood-root for many years in bronchitis,pneumonia, and other diseases of the respiratory organs, and have obtained from it some verv satisfactory results. In the massive doses of the old school, given to nausea and emesis, it was productive of great injury, but in dynamic doses its use is never attended with any aggravations ; a few drops of the mother tincture may be used in some chronic affections of the pulmonary organs, while in acute diseases, with a high grade of irritation, the 3d is the safest and best attenuation. In the majority of cases of pneumonia, there occurs a group of symp- toms for which we have generally used phosphorus or sulphur, with good results, although the convalescence under those remedies is apt to be lingering. But when those symptoms and conditions are met with Sanguinaria, 2d dilution, (decimal), or Sanguinarin, 4th trit., a rapid subsidence of the diseased action occurs. At the second, and during the existence of the third stage of the inflammation, we have as physical signs : dullness on percussion, bronchial respiration, etc., denoting the presence of red, or even gray hepatization, and purulent infiltration of the pulmonary parenchyma. Watson considers it doubt- ful whether recoveries take place from the third stage of pneumonia ; but under homceopatliic treatment, I do not believe such recoveries impossible. The general symptoms indicating Sanguinaria are ex- treme dyspnoea, short, accelerated, constrained breathing, the speech ceases to be free, the sputa becomes tenacious, rust-colored, and is ex- pectorated with much difficulty. The position of the patient is upon the back; there is not much pain in the chest, unless the pleura are involved, and then it is of a burning, stitching character. The pulse is quick and small—the face and extremities inclined to be cold, or the hands and feet burning hot. with circumscribed redness and burn- ing heat of the cheeks, especially in the afternoon. Under the use of this remedy, the dyspnoea subsides, the bronchial breathing disap- pears, we hear afresh the small crepitation, and first, alone, then mixed with the natural respiratory murmur, which in its turn become alone audible. The sputa becomes again less tenacious, less red and yellow, and more like the expectoration of catarrh, and is expectorated in large, heavy masses ; the febrile symptoms gradually abate, and a favorable convalescence is established. I give the medicine every two hours, generally alone, but occasionally in alter- nation with Phosphorus or Tartar emetic. In its powers over chronic SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS. 935 bronchial or laryngeal coughs, it rivals Lycopodium and Sulphur. It relieves, and often cures, " coughs with chronic dryness in the throat and sensation of swelling in the larynx; continual severe cough with- out expectoration, with pain in the breast, and circumscribed redness of the cheeks ;" "cough, with coryza, then diarrhoea." This last symptom is an important indication for the use of Sanguinaria. After a severe cold, or undue exposure, some persons are attacked with coryza, catarrhal headache, severe pains in the chest, with tightness of breathing, and dry harrassing cough, all of which subsides upon the recurrence of diarrhcea. In such cases Sanguinaria is eminently indicated, as it causes a similar group of symptoms. Dr. Morrow praises it very highly in haemoptysis. In one case which came under my observation it seemed to correct the bleeding, promptly. Cases have been reported to me, where the tincture of blood root, cured spitting of blood, which had resisted other means. It will undoubt- edly be found useful in some cases of Asthma. Croup, Larygnitis, and perhaps Pleurisy, but we have no homceopathic testimony of its effects in those diseases. Dr. Wolff claims to have used the 200th potency with success in " syphilitic pulmonary inflammation." Back.—Pain in tbe nape of the neck ; soreness of the nape of the neck on being touched ; pain in the left side of the nape of the neck ; pain in the right side of the neck, as if sprained ; stiffness of the nape of the neck; pain in the back; pain in the sacrum and bowels— (Dr. Bute) *Pain in the sacrum from lifting; pain in the sacrum, which is alleviated by bending forward; rheumatic pains in the nape of the neck, shoulders and arms ; pain in both shoulders ; severe pains in the left shoulder, in the evenings ; pain under the shoulder- blade with chill ; pain from the left breast to the shoulder ; rheu- matic pain in the right shoulder, worse in the forenoon when she has retained the arm for a long time in the same position, drawing itself downwards to the elbow ; pain on the top of the right shoulder ; sudden rheumatic pains in the shoulder joints : in the upper part of the shoulder joint, severe paiu on every motion ; *rheumatic pain in the right arm and shoulder, worse at night, in bed ; cannot raise the arm —(Dr. Bute) *Pain in the right shoulder, and in the upper part of the right arm, worse at night on turning in bed.— (Dr. Jeanes) Clinical Observations.—Nearly all the symptoms of the back, etc , are purely myalgic, and are easily mistaken for rheumatism ; in prescribing this medicine, tins distinction should be made. The curative symptoms appear to have been rheumatic, all but tbe " pain in the sacrum from lifting." Superior Extremities.—Rheumatic pains in the arms and hands ; rheumatic pains in the right forearm, in the evening; severe pain in the hand, with aching in the arm when lying quiet and warm in 936 NEW REMEDIES. bed ; it is also often felt in the left foot, now above, then in the instep and then in the toes; in the right palm near the index finger, a severe pain as from a boil; *burning of of the palms, redness of the hands, and severe burning lividity of the hands in ♦pneu- monia ;' numb pain in the ball of the right thumb and a cutting pain on the left joint of the middle finger; sticking in the point of the right small finger; stiffness of the finger joints; pain, as from a boil, at the root of the right thumb nail, then in the left, from this to all the fingers, one after another, from the thumb to the small finger, alike on both hands; ulceration of the roots of the nails on all the fingers of both hands. Inferior Extremities.—Rheumatic pain in the left hip ; pain as from a bruise in the left hip joint whilst walking, but worse on rising from a seat; a rheumatic pain on the inside of the right thigh ; a bruise-like pain in the thigh, alternating, with burning and pressure in the breast ; stiffness of the knees ; stiffness and tightness in the bend and sides of the knees; cramp and pain in the calf of the left leg ; drawing in the calves and into the instep, worse right than left; sticking pain in the right ankle; continual stitches under the right the right exterior ankle bone, similar to those from the sting of a bee; pain in the left foot, with headache, and during the pain in the right arm ; sticking as from a needle in the instep, in the morning in bed, and in the afternoon; coldness of the feet; ♦burning in the soles of the feet, worse at night; burning of the hands and feet in the night; pain in the corns; great weakness of the limbs, with pains in the sacrum whilst walking ; *acute swelling of the joints of extremities. Limbs.—Rheumatic pains in the limbs ; acute, inflammatory, and arthritic rheumatism ; acute swelling of the joints of the extremities stiffness of the limbs and rheumatic pains, with headache ; pain in those places where the bones are least covered with flesh, but not in the joints ; on touching the painful part, the pain immediately van- ished and appeared in some other part. *Paralysis of the right side. Clinical Observations.—The clinical symptoms above, are mostly from homoeopathic sources. The physician can draw his own deductions from them. SARRACENIA PURPUREA. (Huntsman's Cup.) Analogues .—Ampelopsis (?) Asclepias tuberosa, Bryonia (?) Calcarea (?) Cimicifuga (?) Dulcamara (?) Eupatorium purpureum (?) Sulphur. [It is yet very difficult to determine the medicines analagous to this remedy. The above are merely suggested.] Botanical Description.—Leaves or ascidia from six to nine inches long, radical, short-globose, inflated or cup-form, contracted at the mouth, having a broad, arched, lateral wing, from half an inch to an inch in width, and extended on the outside of the mouth into a broad cordate, erect lamina or hood, covered above with reversed hairs. Scape from one to two feet in height, terete, smooth, and supporting a single, large, purple, nodding flower.—(Wood.) History.—This plant, also known as side-saddle flower, fly-trap and pitcher plant, is an indigenous perennial, and " owes its strange appearance to a curious pitcher-shaped metamorphosis of the leaf, which resembles very much an old-fashioned side-saddle. Six of these generally belong to each plant. The leaf, which springs from the root, is formed by a large hollow tube, swelling out in the middle, curved and diminishing downward, until it ends in a stem, contracted at the mouth, and furnished with a large, spreading, heart-shaped appendage at the top, which is hairy within, the hairs pointing down- ward, so as to cause everything which falls upon the leaf to be carried towards the petiole. A broad, wavy wing extends the whole length, on the inside. These lie upon the ground, with their mouths turned upward, so as to catch the water when it falls. They hold nearly a wineglassful, and are generally filled with water and aquatic insects, which undergo decomposition, or a sort of digestion, and serve as a nutriment to the plant. The stem rises direct from the root; it is round, quite smooth, and bears an elegant, deeply reddish-purple, terminal flower, having two flower-cups ; the external consisting of three small leaves, the internal of five egg-shaped, obtuse leaves, shining, and of a brownish purple. The blossoms are five, guitar- shaped, obtuse, repeatedly curved inward and outward, and finally inflected over the stigma, which is broad and spreading, divided at its margin into five bifid lobes, alternating with the petals, and supported on a short cylindrical style ; this is surmounted by the stamens, which are numerous, having short threads, and large, two-celled, oblong, yellow anthers attached to them, on the under surface. In the yellow-flowered species of the Southern States the bottle is very long, resembling a trumpet, by which name it is often called."—King. The whole species are water-plants, and are found only in wet meadows, wet, boggy places, marshes, mud-lakes, etc., and grow from Labrador to Florida, flowering in June. There are several species:-- 938 NEW REMEDIES. the S. hcterophylla, found in the swamps at Northampton, Mass., tho S. rubra, S.flava, S. variolaris, S. drummondii and S.psyttacina,which are common to the South. It is a curious coincidence that one of the species is named from a fancied resemblance of its mottled leaves to the eruption of variola. A proximate analysis of the Sarracenia by Theobald Frohwein, of New York, gave : " Organic elements—traces of volatile oil, gum, starch, vegetable albumen, tannin, resin, bitter principle, with acid reaction aud extractive matter. Inorganic elements—sulphate of lime carbonic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, traces of lime, magne- sia, potassia and soda, iron and silicic acid." Officinal Preparations.—Tincture, dilutions, triturations.— [Infusion (?) Nearly all the alleged successful clinical experiments with this medicine were made with the 'cold infusion. It may bo necessary to adopt this form in certain cases.] Medical History.—There is no doubt but that this plant was first used by the Indians, as was many of our indigenous remedies, and from them the eclectics or botanies obtained their knowledge of its virtues. It was long in use by the eclectics as a deobstruent and cathartic, to relieve a torpid condition of the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, uterus, and the various functional derangements ; but as its value in this condition of these organs was far inferior to many other of their drugs, it soon fell into non-use. Dr. C. H. Cleaveland, of Cincinnati,* says of the Sarracenia: "As long since as the writer's earliest recollection, an aged female living near his father's residence, was famous for the syrup which she made for the cure of chlorosis and other derangements of the uterine organs, and for the relief of dyspepsia and other gastric difficulties. Not all the ingredients of the syrup were made known to those who pur- chased of her ; but, after a time, it was discovered that it owed all its active properties to the Sarracenia, with perhaps the mucilage of the Osmundia regalis. Within the last five years, I have again had my attention called to the side-saddle plant, from learning that it was used by a Canadian French doctor as a regulator of uterine derange- ment ; and, for several years, I have, with satisfactory success, pre- scribed it in many cases of gastric disease, in the form of an infusion, or in that of a syrup, made from the leuf or the root. April 17, 1861.—Dr. Morris, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was visited by a Mr. Lane, who brought with him a squaw of the Mic-Mac tribe, having in her hand some of the root of this plant. She stated that it would cure variola. The doctor began to test its virtues in this most loathsome disease, as a severe epidemic was then prevailing in his locality. Such was his success, that the good news soon spread all over, and finally found its way into the London Lancet, a Dr. Mills claiming the discovery. Such was the joy with which this news was hailed, that it at once received a severe test under all sorts ofcircumstances, and some lauded with praise and others condemned it, whether justly or not the future will determine.—(See skin.) * Journal of Rational Medicine. SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 939 These vauntings found their way to our school, who are ever ready to test tbe value of any drug, and it was often used empirically, none seeming courageous enough to undertake a proving. In 1847, Dr. Porcher, of South Carolina, made some experiments with it, as will be seen below. The profession are truly indebted to the North-western Prover's Association, for the careful provings which we publish. We do not know of any other provings. DR. PORCHER'*! EXPERIMENT. During the year 1847, Dr. F. P. Porcher, of South Carolina, ex. perimented with the root, or that portion of the stem which is below the surface of the ground. He thinks the bitter and astringent prin- ciples of the plant are imperfectly extracted by water, and that the decoction is even more destitute of these properties than the cold in- fusion. He made trial of the root, in a recent state, as well as of the dried root, on his own person, and gives the following as the result of one of his experiments : "Dec. 4th.—We again commenced experimenting with it. It had become dry, having been rolled into pills of three grains each. Of these we took sixty (180 grs.) between 10 and 12 o'clock p. m., upon a comparatively empty stomach, swallowing them at intervals, six or eight at a time. Its diuretic action in this instance was frequently repeated, the secretion being increased in quantity—pure, limpid and colorless, with scarcely any sediment after several hours' standing. Its action on the stomach resembled that following its first employ- ment, being attended with the same phenomena. A feeling of emptiness was produced in the course of an hour. After retiring to bed, the whole abdominal region was in a state of commotion, extend- ing along the track of the ascending and descending colon, all of which appeared to participate in a kind of rolling motion produced by it. To these were added involuntary rumbling sounds, as if the en- tire alimentary tube was stimulated, and apparently forewarning a cathartic effect. We are led to believe that its astringent property prevented this result. There was, also, tenderness on pressure of the epigastrium. The feeling of congestion about the head, with irregu- larity of the heart's action, which lasted several days, was again observed. Before morning, the pulse rose to 100 by the watch, re- suming its usual frequency after a time. We were prevented by sleep, which was much disturbed, from* ascertaining positively the co-exis- tence of strange impressions on the sensorial functions. The general vigor of the digestive apparatus was increased. The appetite follow- 940 NEW REMEDIES ing, the next day, was unusually active, seeming to demand much more to satisfy its requirements; but there was a sense of pain about the stomach like that following inflammation, or that felt in the mus- cular tissue after a limb has been overtasked." "In the first experiment, in which Dr. Porcher took 140 grains of the fresh root, the symptoms produced were very similar, to those de- tailed in the above quotation, pointing distinctly to the parts of the system influenced by the drug ; namely, the gastric filaments of the ganglionic or organic system of nerves. This produced an increased action of the circulatory system, and drove the blood to the head. It also increased the- peristaltic motion of the entire alimentary canal, and promoted the renal and other glandular secretions, without any apparent effect upon the nerves of animal life. As the experiments of Dr. Porcher are directly corroborative of those made by the writer, and confirmatory of the utility of the plant in all cases where there is a slug- gish or torpid condition of the stomach, the intestines, the liver, the kidneys, or the uterus—producing costiveness, dyspepsia, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea and functional derangements which are so commonly to be met with—it must be evident that this plant possesses valuable pro- perties, which render it well worthy the attention of the enlightened practitioner. Within the pa.t year, several articles have been pub- lished in regard to it, of such a nature as to attract considerable attention ; and, although some of the statements made are cer- tainly erroneous, and others may prove to be too strong and positive, it seems entirely proper to place them on record, and, in the way of repeated and thorough tests." PROVING OF DR. T. CATION DUNCAN. Recording Secretary of the North-western Provers Association. I have been vaccinated, and often exposed to small pox, but never have taken it. Sept. 11th, 1866.—Took half an ounce of the cold infusion of Sarracenia purpurea. 12 m., full feeling through the head, just, above the ears ; a slight soreness of the pectoralis major muscle, from origin to insertion ; a pain ran up the right trapezius muscle, with a wave-like motion ; heat in the whole right lumbar region; pulse 70, and full ; feel remarkably cheerful; feeling at the umbilicus as if bloated ; (flatus the probable cause.) 12th.—Awoke feeling better than*usual; pulse 76; pain in left eye, as if congested, for about ten minutes ; dull, heavy feeling in the forehead for about two hours, causing great depression of spirits ; SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 941 pain, with that wave-like motion, in the muscles of the femur ; stick- ing pains deep in the right ear ; they are transient, but recur very often for a few hours ; the same pains appeared in the left ear. A strange lameness in the femur, in its lower third, more particularly in the inner condyle. 2 p. m., those bone pains have appeared in the tibia and fibula ; they are intermittent in character, but there is a continued soreness of these bones. 4 p. m., a soreness of tbe frontal bone for half an hour, 6 p. M.,,tny face feels flushed; paroxysms of pain in the right shoulder joint; pain in the left carpus and tarsus. 9 p. M., pulse 68 ; hands feel hot, warm all over; the cold air makes me very chilly, and increases the bone pains, especially in the knees. 13th. — Awoke at three a. m., with urging to urinate ; the bladder was so full that it overcame the contractive powers of the sphincter vesicle, and the urine was dribbling away ; feel hot and feverish; lips and mouth parched ; bead feels dull and heavy ; pain and sore- ness in the sacrum ; bone pains in the arms; awake an hour. Awoke at 7:30, from a very unrefreshing sleep, although I slept an hour longer than usual : feel very feverish, pulse small and quick ; 80 beats to the minute ; sore all over, especially deep in the bones ; dull, heavy ache in the head, especially in the frontal region; eyes feel swollen and sore ; dullness of mind ; much flatus present. 9:30 a. M., stool ; the first portion was natural, the last portion diar- rhoeic. 2 p. at., very chilly in the open air ; feet and hands cold ; head hot and sore, with a full feeling; pain in the back ; this is very perceptible upon ascending stairs; kuees feel weak ; arms and back tired and sore all over; disinclination to do anything; want to lay down all the time ; losing appetite. 9 p. m., a good deal of pain iu the back, deep-seated ; brain very dull and memory poor; pain in the angle of the ribs, for half an hour ; pain in the hip joints, felt most when rising to the feet from a lying posture. Voided 40 ounces of urine. 14th.—Awoke at 6:30; sleep refreshing; brain feels clearer, spirits buoyant; a soreness of right optic nerve just behind the eye- ball, for about ten minutes; bone pains, still some present, especially in the cervical and lumbar vertebra, sacrum and femur, (whole length) especially of the inner condyle and trochanter major. 15th.—Dysenteric-diarrhoea, with a good deal of tenesmus; took a dose of Podophyllum, which quieted it; since then, bowelsscostive; the appetite has been extra good since the 14th. The symptoms gradually grew less, and to-day, 17th, quite well. 942 NEW REMEDIES. In this trial I used the same preparation as did C. Thomas, in his second trial. SECOND PROVING. 17th.—p. m., took one ounce of the decoction, and one dram of the tincture. 18th.—Awoke from a refreshing sleep ; mouth some dry; bowels moved, closing up with looseness and some tenesmus. 12.—Some pains in the condyles of the femur. 3 p. m., aching sore pain in the left humerus. 9 v. m., a warm sensation passed up the back into the head. Pain in the right patella, and metatarsal bones ; some frontal headache ; voided 25 ounoes of urine, specific gravity 1026 ; pulse 64 full. 19th.—Awoke in a fright; head is hot and aches ; a dull, heavy feeling; tongue dry ; skin feels hot and dry ; pulse 68, small ; sore- ness in the humerus, radii, ulnii, femores, fibulas, tibiae, in the tarsii, and metatarsii. 12 m., mind despondent; headache continues ; pains in the hip joints ; some transient pains in the bowels ; coldness of the extremities when idle or still, as if from deficient circulation. Appetite poor ; head and body warm ; bones in both arms pain me. Dull, heavy, sore feeling in all my bones ; same Ibone symptoms ; pulse 61, very small ; voided 27 ounces of urine ; sp. gr. 1024; vesical tenesmus. 20th.—Tired and illy refreshed ; head dull and aches' at the coronal region ; a languid feeling ; tongue brownish-white, coated ; mouth dry ; urine, acid, clear and pale ; responds to test for the phosphates, earthy phosphates and chloride of sodium ; voided 29 ounces. 21st.—But little pain this morning ; urine normal. It will be seen by the above experiments that the drug, like Variola, does not act well the second time. The most marked symp- toms do not make their appearance until twenty-four hours after taking the drug. PROVING BY C. THOMAS. Member of the North-western Provers Association. Aged 17. Nervous-bilious temperament ; cheerful disposi- tion ; good constitution ; occupation, medical student; regular habits ; sleep, about seven hours a night, from 10 p. m., to 5 a. m. ; exercise a good deal. Has been vaccinated, had varioloid four years ago. Chio-ago, June, 1866.—Weather very warm; thermometer ranging above 80° ; no epidemic or endemic in the city ; health has been good for some time previous. SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 943 The Sarracenia was taken in the form of tincture, prepared by macerating the dried root in alcohol for about four weeks. Monday, June 18th, 1866.—At 3 p. m., took 10 drops tincture ; also 8 p. m., took 10 drops tincture; retired at 10:30, feeling well. Tuesday, 19th.—Awoke at 5 a. m., feeling well in every respect ; pulse 68, full and strong; specific gravity of urine, 1.020; slight palpitation of the heart in the morning ; retired at 10 ; 5 a. m., took 10 drops ; 10 a. m., took 10 drops ; 3 p. m., took 10 drops ; 8 p. m., took 10 drops. Wednesday, 20th.—Awoke at 5 o'clock, feeling unrefreshed ; by 7 o'clock this sensation of weariness had passed off; urine 1.020 ; borborygmus and some pain in the bowels, with constipation ; pulse 70, full ; slight headache ; took at 5 a.m., 10 drops; 10 a.m., 10 drops; 4 p. m., 10 drops ; 10 p. m., 10 drops. Thursday, 21st.—Awoke at 4 o'clock, feeling very much un- refreshed ; I slept soundly ; after being up an hour or two, I felt better; pulse 72; urine 1.025, scanty, limpid ; constipation con- tinues ; took at 5 a. m., 10 drops ; 10 a. m., 10 drops; 4 p. m., 20 drops; 9 p. m., 20 drops. Friday, 22d.—Awoke at 4:30, feeling as I did yesterday ; all my symptoms remain in statu quo; pulse 74; urine 1.028; took at 5 a. m., 25 drops ; 10 a. m., 25 drops ; 4 p. m., 25 drops ; 10 p. m., 25 drops. Saturday, 23d.—Awoke at 5 o'clock, having slept well, but I do not feel at all refreshed ; urine copious, and a little cloudy, specific gravity 1.030— the cloudiness is caused by mucus; pulse 78; severe headache in the afternoon for about two hours ; took at 5 a. m., 25 drops ; 10 a. m. 25 drops ; 4 p. m., 25 drops ; 10 p. m., 25 drops. Sunday, 24th.—Awoke at 5 o'clock; slept well, still my sleep does not refresh mc ; pulse 78, strong ; urine 1.030, copious and rather cloudy, (mucus); no headache; bowels moved to-day, the first time for the six days I have been proving the drug ; stools very hard, covered with mucus, dark color; took at 6 a. m., 25 drops; 10 a. m., 25 drops; 4 p. m , 25 drops; 10 p. m:, 25 drops. Monday, 25th.—Symptoms remain the same in every respect; pulse 79; urine 1.034, copious, cloudy; borborygmus, sensation of dryness ix the mouth and throat, not relieved by drinking tea or water ; took at 5 a. m., 25 drops ; 10 a. m., 25 drops ; 4 p. m., 25 drops; 10 r. m., 25 drops. Tuesday, 26th.—Awoke at 5 k. m., feeling as usual, unrefreshed ; 944 NEW REMEDIES, urine 1.030, copious, pale-yellow, which is the color it has been all through the proving; pulse 79 ; dryness in the throat has all passed off; slight borborygmus. As I do not get any prominent symptoms I shall intermit the proving for a short time. Took at 5 a. m., 25 drops; 10 a. m., 25 drops; 4 p. m., 25 drops ; 10 p. m., 25 drops. Wednesday, 27th.—Awoke at 5, feeling the same as yesterday. Pulse 78 ; urine 1.030. Thursday, 28th.—A movement of the bowels to-day; urine 1.025 pulse 76 ; feel much better. Friday, 29th.—Feel well; pulse 70 ; urine 1.020 ; bowels moved. Monday, July 2d.—Well in every respect; pulse 68 ; urine 1.190; bowels regular ; sleep refreshing. SECOND PROVING. July, 1866.—I prepared a cold infusion by macerating an ounce of the dried plant in ten ounces of boiling water. Weather very hot; urine specific gravity, 1.018. 1st day.—Took at ten a. m., three and nine p. m., fifteen drops. Retired at ten p. m., feeling very well. Urine 1.018 ; pulse 70. 2d day.—Took fifteen drops every two hours; Rose at 5 a. m., feeling as well as usual; urine 1.017 ; pulse 68. No symptoms to-day. 3d day.—Feel rather unrefreshed, although slept soundly ; urine 1.019; pulse 72 ; lassitude present all day ; urine 1.020; pulse 71- Took 20 drops every two hours. 4th day.—Sleep still unrefreshing ; dreamed a good deal; urine 1.018 ; pulse 69; lassitude still present; bowels open freely to-day, for the first time since I commenced the proving, Stool at first very constipated, afterwards soluble, dark and highly offensive ; general malaise ; pulse 68 ; took 30 drops every two hours. 5th day.—Still feel dull and heavy; urine 1.020; pulse 70; headache for an hour; perspire freely ; find it difficult to concentrate the attention; forgetful; pulse 68; took thirty drops every two hours. It has been very hot to-day. 6th day.—Urine 1.019 ; pulse 68. Took 30 drops every two hours; no new symptoms. 7th day.—Urine at five a. m., 1.015 ; pulse 70 ; slight headache ; Felt very dull and unfit, both for work and study. Took 50 drops every two hours; pulse 69 ; hot to-day. SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 945 8th day.—Feel same as yesterday; urine 1.018; pulse 71; perspire freely; but little appetite; but what food I do eat agrees with me. Took 60 drops every two Jiours. Very warm to-day ; pulse 09. 9th day,—Same symptoms as yesterday. Urine 1.019 ; pulse 69; took 75 drops every two hours. Shall discontinue the use of bthe drug ; pulse 68. 10th day,—Urine 1.018j pulse 70 ; bowels open this morning the first for six days ; stool copious ; dark foetid, evacuated with great straining. 11th day.—Feel much better ; the dull heavy feeling is passing away. Urine 1.020; pulse 69; bowels opened again freely; appe- tite improving. Although tbe weather is still warm and I am actively employed, I do not perspire as freely as I did while taking the drug. 12th day.—Urine 1.019 ; pulse 70 ; feel almost well. 15th day.—Quite well; all the dull, listless sensation is gone • my bowels and kidneys normal. I think the presence of so few symptoms on the second trial is quite suggestive. Compare the urinary and pulse symptoms in the • first, with the last proving. It does not seem to act well the second time on the same person. RESO'ME. General Symptoms. —Remarkably cheerful ; disinclination to do anything; inclination to lie down; despondency; general malaise; general lassitude; soreness all over, especially in the bones; pains in all the bones ; dull, heavy sore feeling in all the bones. Characteristic Symptoms.—It is a noteworthy fact that this drug does not act well upon the same individual the second time. The prominent symptoms did not make their appearance until after the first 24 hours. Xervons System.—This system does not seem to be especially in- volved, except by the presence of the drug in the circulation. MttSCUlar System.—-This system seems to be affected, from the same cause as the nerve tissues. OSSeOUS System.—This system is undoubtedly affected as is noted by the many and persistent bone symptoms, and by the pres- ence of the earthy phosphates in the urine. Vascular System.—There seems to be a tardy circulation through the viscera and brain. 61 946 NEW REMEDIES. Ileart and Arteries. -Pulse 70 and fill; puPe 08; pulse 80, small and quick ; pulse 6 », full ; 68 small ; puPe 6S. full and strong; 70, full; 72,74, 78 and strong; 79; then it gradually ran down again to the standard, after stopping the drug. The second experi- ment of both provers did not affect the pulse perceptibly. FeFCr. — Feel very feverish; very chilly in the open air; am warm all over; cold air makes me feel vrry chilly and increases hone pains, particularly in the knees; hot and feverish ; xery chill} in the open air. Skin. — Perspires freely : skin feels hot and dry. Clinical Observations. — Although these provers did not suc- ceed in bringing out tbe characteristic eruption, .still, many of the symptoms quite strongly simulate those of the fiist stages of vaiiola. The experiments were made with the dried root, which seems to rapidly lose its strength, which may account for the few symptoms produced. Variola.—We have many carefully detailed "ases where this remedy seemed to meet the requirements of a specific for some forms of this terrible disease. We here present, as far as possible, all the literature on this subject. The American Medical Times has the following letter by Fred. W. Morris, M. D , Resideut Physician of the Halifax Visiting Dis- pensary : " Sir—You have by this time, in all probabilitv, beard something of an extraordinary discovery for the cure of small-pox, by the use of ' Sarracenia purpurea,'or Indian cup, a native plant of Nova Scotia. I would beg of you. however, to give full publici'y to ihe iis'onPliing fact, that this same humble bog-plant of Nova S«-oti;i is the n medy for small-pox, in all its forms, in twelve hours after the parent has taken the medicine. It is also as curious as it is wonderful that, however alarming and numerous the eruptions, or confluent and frightful they may be, tbe peculiar action of ibe medicine is such that very seldom is a scar left, to tell the story of the disease. I will not enter upon a physiological analysis now ; it will be suffi-ient for my purpose to state, that it cures the disease as no other medicine does — not by stimulating functional re-agency, but by actual contact with the virus in the blood, rendering it inert and harmless; and this I gather from the fact that if either the vaccine or variolous matter be washed with the infusion of the Sarracenia, they are deprived of their conta- gious properties. Tbe medL-ine. at the same time, is so mild to the taste, that it may be mixed largely with tea or coffee, as 1 have done, and given to connoisseurs in these Leverages to drink, without their being aware of the admixture. Strange, however, to say, it i- scarcely two years since science and the medical world were utterly ignorant of this great boon of Providence ; and it would be dishonorable iu me SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 917 not to acknowledge that bad it not been for the discretion of Mr. John Thomas Lane, of Eanespark. County Tippcrary, Ireland, late of Her Majesty's Imperial Customs of Nova Scotia, to whom the Mec-Mac Indians bad given the plant, the world would not now be in posses- sion of the secret. No medical man before me had ever put this medicine upon trial, but in 18HJ, when the whole Province of Nova Scotia was in a panic, and patients were dying at the rate of twelve and a half per cent., from May to AugusCMr. Lane, in the month of May, placed the ' Sarracenia' in my hands to decide upon its merits ; and, after my trials then and since, I have been convinced of its' astonishing efficacy. The only functional influence it seems to have, is in promoting the flow of urine, which soon becomes limpid and abundant, and this is owing perhaps to the defecated poison or changed virus of the disease exclusively escaping through that channel. f I o ' Sarracenia,' I have reason to believe a powerful antidote for all con- tagious diseases, lepra, measles, varicella, plague, contagious typhus, and even sypbil s. also a remedy in jaundice. I am strongly inclined to think it will one day play an important part in all these." Report by Dr. Herbert Miles, of the British army :—" Early in the last winter, a small coasting vessel landed a portion of her crew at an obscure seaboard village a few miles from Halifax, N. S. These persons wore sick with small-pox, and tbe disease soon spread, first among the cottagers, with whom the fishermen mixed, and subse- quently among those from the capital, who resorted to the village for the purposes of trade. Through the early weeks of spring, rumor constantly asserted that vast numbers of the seafaring population were attacked with the complaint; but it was not until early in March that the large Civil Hospital of Halifax, by the number of its weekly admissions for variola, began to corroborate rumor, and to authenticate the justice of public .anxiety. The disease, in process of time, extended to the troops ign the garrison, but the proportion of attacks to those among the civil population, was singularly small. While certain portions of the inhabitants of Halifax were suffering from the epidemic, alarming accounts reached that place, relative to the terrible ravages of the disease among the Indians, and colored people generally. Variola is tbe special plague of the Indians; and when they are invaded by this pestilence, it sweeps them off by scores. Like the fire of the prairies, it passes over their encamping grounds, destroying all of human kind in its path. On this occasion the most painful details were given of whole families being carried off by this loathsome disease. After some time, however, it was said that the pestilence had been stayed, One of the Indian race, it was asserted, had come into the disease stricken camp, possessed of a pre- paration which bad the extraordinary power of curing the kind of cases that had hitherto proved so fatal. This remedy was believed by the Indians to be so efficacious, that if given to them when at- tacked with small-pox, they looked forward with confidence to a speedy and effectual cure. An old weird Indian woman was the fortunate possessor of the remedy in question. She had always been known as the doctress of her tribe, and had enjoyed celebrity fc> 948 NEW REMEDIES. many years, in consequence of her reputed knowledge of medicine, and wonderful acquaintance with the herbs and roots of the woods. So well established was her fame among the Indians, that when sick they resorted to her in preference to the white doctors, whom they considered to be ' no good.' Captain Hardy, of the Royal Artillery, an accomplished and in- telligent officer, whj has been for years among the Indians, says that 'the old squaw's remedy had long been known to them as an infalla- ble cure for small pox,' and that ' the Indians believe it to be suc- cessful in every case.' From the information gathered from the Indians, the following observations have been carefully sifted : 1. In the case of an individual suspected to be under the influence of small-pox, but with no distinct eruption upon him, a wine-glassful of an infusion of the plant, 'Sarracenia purpurea,' or pitcher-plant is to be taken. The effect of this dose is to bring out the eruption. After a second and third dose, given at intervals of from four to six hours, the pustules subside, apparently losing their vitali- ity. The patient feels better at the end of each dose, and in the end of each dose, and in the graphic expression of the ' Mec-Mac,' 'knows there is a change within him at once.' 2. In a subject already covered with the eruption of small-pox in the early stage, a dose or two will dissipate the pustules, and subdue the febrile symptoms. The urine frjom being scanty and high- colored becomes pale and abundant, whilst from the first dose the feelings of the patient assure him that ' the medicine is killing the disease.' Under the influence of the remedy, in three or four days the prominent symptoms of the constitutional disturbance subside, although, as a precautionary measure, the sick person is kept in camp until the ninth day. No marks of the eruption (as regards pitting, etc.,) have been left in cases examined, if treated by the remedy. With regard to the medicine acting (as is believed by the Indians) in the way of a preventive, in those exposed to infection, it is curious to note, that in the camps where the remedy has been used, the people keep a weak infusion of the plant prepared, and take a dose occasionally during the day, so as to " keep the antidote in the blood." We find, also, that the following result of a trial of the Sarracenia has been communicated to the London Times, by Mr. Cosmo Gr. Logie, Surgeon-Major Royal Horse Guards, (blue). Eleven men of Mr. Logie's regiment, which is stationed at Windsor, contracted the disease. After expressing his disbelief in the perfect protecting power of vaccination, he writes : " Some time ago, seeing a paper written by Assistant-Surgeon Miles, of the Royal Artillery, on the efficacy of the North American plant, called the Sarracenia purpurea, or pitcher plant, in the treat- ment of small pox among the Indians, my colleague, Mr. Agnis, and myself have given this remedy. Four of the cases in my hospital have been severe confluent cases ; they have, throughout the dis- SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 919 ease, all been perfectly sensible, have had excellent appetites, been free from pain, and have never felt weak. The effects of this medi- icine, which I have carefully watched, seemed to arrest the develop- ment of the pustules, killing, as it were, the virus from within, thereby changing the character of the disease and doing away with the cause of pitting, and thus avoiding the necessity of gutta percha and india rubber applications, or opening of the pustules. In my opinion, all anticipations of disfigurement from pitting, may now be calmed, if this medicine is given from the commencement of the disease." A committee of the New York Medical Society (Allopathic) made a report on Sarracenia purpurea, which will be found in full, pages 7 and 19, American Medical Times, Jan. 1854. They thus close their report: " Your committee has endeavored to lay before the Society the history and recorded experience, thus far, in the use of the Sarra- cenia purpurea, for the treatment of small pox ; and in conclusion, would respectfully submit the following as their deductions from the the testimony here accumulated : 1st,—That the analyses already made of the plant, do not give any active principle, or elements, which would indicate any great medicinal potency. 2d.—That the discoverers and advocates of the specific remedial power of the Sarracenia purpurea over variola, have given, apparently, too great credit to the ' post hoc' circumstances, as being ' propter hoc ' influ- ences, (one reason for this latter inference being suggested by the loose, unscientific, and eulogistic style of the communications). And, 3d, that the reliable experience thus far, appears to preponderate against the remedial efficacy of this plant, in those forms of disease which do not generally recover under the administration of ordinary remedies." From these allopathic deductions we dissent. 1st.—The analysis showing the presence of Sulphate of Lime, Carbonic acid, Sulphuric acid, Phosphoric acid and traces of Lime, Magnesia, Potassa and Soda, and Silicic acid, also Tannin, bitter principle, etc., would evince that it is a remedy of considerable power, rather than an inert substance. 2.—Although the reports have been exaggerated in many instances, the recommendations, homoeopathic and allopathic, are too numerous to be discarded. This agent, as many of our readers will remember, was introduced to notice a few years ago, and hailed as a sovereign remedy in the treatment of small pox. Its success, in most of the cases published, did not fully maintain the hopes which were entertained of its value, but the annexed cases would seem to indicate that it deserves further trial. A thorough proving would throw some light upon the subject. The article is from the pen of Manuel Miracas, and first appeared in the Criterio Medico. During the epidemic of variola, which prevailed for so long a time at Barcelona, and which still exists in some of the neighboring dis- tricts, I had occasion to try the Sarracenia purpurea, homoeopathi- cally prepared. This remedy, which I have used in low dilution, has 950 NEW REMEDIES. invariably given me the finest results, as may be seen from the following observations, selected from the severest ciises which 1 have treated, and given with the greatest exactness possible. Case 1st.—Josefa (laso, 16 years old, born at Verdic, of a lym- phatic, sanguine temperament and a good constitution ; vaccinated during infancy, was the first person whom I had to treat. On the third day the eruption assumed tbe confluent form; the fever was intense, without delirium ; there was photophobia, general malaise, groaning without knowing why, scanty urine; the pustules of the eruption were but slightly developed. Sarracenia, tliree drops of the 1st in six teaspoonfuls of water, a spoonful every hour. Dec 13th.—The patient is more quiet; she opens her eyes and endures the impression of the light ; the eruption has sensibly pro- gressed during twenty-lour hours ; the pustules are tilling with a whitish pus ; the fever persists, though less violent; the delirium has ceased ; thirst slight; same prescription. 14th.—Tbe fever and the other symptoms have disappeared. I have the satisfaction to see that tbe pustules which cover the cheeks are the first upon which the beneficent action of tbe remedy manifests itself; they are fl-ittened or rather atrophied; the skin resumes its natural color, and the face, but little tumefied, its natural expression. The patient has some appetite. Broth ; the same prescription. 15. The pustules upon the nose, chin and forehead begin to dry up ; the fever has not re-appeared ; there is no itching in any part of the skin ; the pustules on the cheeks are completely flattened and dry ; those on the arms and bauds are still filled with pus. Suspen- sion of the remedy. Soup. 16th.—The desiccation continues ; it extends to the arms, hands and other parts of the body. The patient experiences no new symp- toms ; she has goo 1 appetite and desires to rise. 17th.—Quite well. Case 2.—Jose Soler, 22 years of age, of a good constitution, vaccin- ated ; presented Feb. 6th the following symptoms : Intense headache, drowsy, slightly delirous, pulse frequent, hard and full ; thirst, burn- ing heat of the skin ; urine scanty and hot; indifference for every- thing ; tongue dry, covered with a thick yellowish fur; insupportable pain in the lumbar region ; general lassitude. Aconite and Belladonna alternately every hour and a half; sugar-water for the usual drink. Feb. 7th.—The same symptoms a little less intense ; the same remedies every two hours. 8th.—The fever and the other symptoms have disappeared ; upon the face, chest and arms appear little oimples presenting the appear- snee of variola. The patient is quiet and free from pains. No medicine. 9th.—Eruption well marked ; no special symptom. Sarracenia purp. 1st; three drops in six spoonfuls of water ; a spoonful every four hours, Broth. 10th.—Pustules well developed ; filled with a whitish pus; face swollen ; patient tranquil and without fever. Continue. SARRACENIA PURPUREA. 951 llrh —Forty-eight hours have passed since the first dose of the remedy and the pustules on the face and forehead begin to dry. The patient experiences no new symptom ; he has a flue appetite. The same reinedv every six hours. 12th. — Pustules more depressed ; those of the nose are dry. 13th.—Pustules quite dry. No remedy. Soup. 14th.—Tbe patient feeling quite well, wished to rise. This case of variola is remarkable, for while the stage of invasion was quite severe, the others succeded in the course of nine days in such ii satisfactory manner, that at the end of that time, I was able to dismiss him from my care. Case 3. — Rosa Socias, twenty-one years of age, of a lympbatico- bilious temperament, vaccinated in childhood, was seen for tbe first time January lltb, tbe second day of the eruption ; she had the con- fluent variola, presenting an unpleasant appearance, on account of the abundance and agglomeration of the pocks all over the skin, but especially upon the face, which could not be looked upon but with re- pugnance. Her face in fact was rendered frightful by the swelling and the deep color of the integuments, at those points where the pus- tules were as yet but slightly developed. The fever was quite violent it was accompanied with intense thirst, heat and general malaise. It was with the greatest difficulty that the patient could articulate a few words, as her tongue, covered with pustules was very much swollen ; the eruption had even invaded all the mucous membrane of the palate and the larynx, rendering deglutition difficult. Sarracenia 1st, four drops in eight spoonfuls of water, a spoonful every four hours ; abso- lute rest; diet sugar-water, 12th —Third day of tbe eruption and the first of the treatment. No sensible modification of the symptoms. The pustules appear more developed. Sune remedy. 13th. Fourth day of eruption and second of treatment. The pustules are well-developed on the nose and chin; those on the cheeks and forehead are smaller and flattened. But little fever ; no itching of the skin. Sarracenia, three drops of the 1st in six spoon- fuls of water: a spoonful every six hours. 14th. Marked diminution of the pustules on the face; those of the nose and chin begin to dry ; thoti ation was always followed by tbe symptom -" spasmodic or constrictive closing of tbe jaws, and a tightness of the muscles of the face. A proving might elicit symptoms which would account for its efficacy in hydro- phobic conditions. I have used it successfully in several cases of tremors, aud twitchings of the limbs, in typhoid fever ; also in mild form of hysteric spasms, and nervous irritation in pregnant females, etc., etc. For my estimate of the general therapeutic and pathogenetic effects of this plant, I would refer the reader to my notice of the Cypripedium pubescens ; not that I consider these two remedies as possessing identical properties, but they are such close analogues, and affect the system in such a similar manner generally, that many of my remarks applied to Cypripedium, will be applicable to Scutel- laria. I have used the latter in diseases of children, and affections of the nervous system, similar to those in which I recommended the former, and with like good results. That a careful proving would el cit different symptoms, I do not doubt. If I were to attempt a differential estimate of the two remedies, I should say that the Scutel- laria affected the spinal cord more, and the brain less than the Cypri- pedium. I believe this statement will be verified by experience and observation. Professor Paine* remarks of Scutellaria as follows : " It appears to manifest itself more particularly upon the gray nerve tissue, and hence it is adapted to, and exerts a wonderful power in most of the difficulties which originate in a pathological condition of this structure. All forms of chorea are promptly relieved by the proper use of this drug; in fact, it may be correctly pronounced a specific for these affections. I have tested it in every form of this affection, and if used persistently aud judiciously in combination with such adjunct remedies as the constitution may indicate, it manifests a most won- derful power. It is of great virtue in fevers, and other affections where the gray nerve tissue has undergone partial degeneration and disintegration, or where the nerve force is impaired by this peculiar pathological change. Thus in subultus tendinum, following fevers, in delirium tremens, and other spasmodic affections, as epilepsy, cata- lepsy, hysteria, etc., this remedy, combined with iron, is of vast im- portance. It is of great valueas a tonic to the nervous system, where there is a general nervous debility, either from uterine disease or other constant irritations of the nervous system. I have used this remedy extensively in all female diseases, hepatic difficulties, and other chronic affections that influence the nervous system, and by uniting it with iron, have found it to afford most prompt relief. My method of administering it in the low forms of fevers, is to compound one or two grains with one grain of hypophosphite of soda, and give a powder four or five times a day. In hysteria, epilepsy, catalepsy, and other spasmodic affections of that class, I give it in strono-er doses. * Paine's New School Medicines. SCUTELLARIA LATERIFLORA. 965 I have cured some most obstinate cases of epilepsy by giving four or five grains, with equal parts of carbonate of iron, every two or three hours during the day. followed by occasional purges. Some most remarkable cases of hysteria have promptly yielded to two grains of Scutellarin, administered three or four times a day in combination with chalybeates. In chorea, one grain combined with one or two of the carbonate of iron, every two or three hours, baths, friction and well regulated diet, most promptly relieves, and where it is judiciously administered, results in a permanent cure. This remedy has also been used to allay general nervous irritability ; and I have frequently prescribed, where there is a want of sleep or restlessness manifested on the part of the patient, one or two grains of Scutcl'ariu at bed- time, with one or two grains of the prussiate of iron, and have found it to manifest quite as soothing an influence as opium or morphine." Dr. Coe* says: "We have found the Scutellarin a remedy of great value in the treatment of coup de so/.iel or sunstroke,particularly when the case has become chronic. We have met with entire success in many of these cases by the use of Scutellarin and Podophyllin In the treatment of epileptic convulsions, as soon as we have secured a remission of the attacks by means of Gelsemin, we employ the Scutel- larin with the Gelsemin as a radical remedy. We have used Scutel- larin with benefit in threatened trismus, tetanic cramps, and other spasmodic disorders." Since the appearance of the first edition of this work, I have used this medicine quite extensively in diseases of children when there was sympathetic or idiopathic irritation of the nerve-centres. In some instances it failed to manifest prompt curative effects ; in others it ameliorated symptoms which Coffea did not reach. I am disappointed in not receiving any clinical testimony from the members of our profession relative to its use. This may be owing to the absence of a proving, and to the fact that our school are averse to using a medicine empirically. I believe it to be better to do so, however, than to use Chamomilla, Coffea and Belladonna, in a care- less, routine manner, for these nervous affections of children and adults. PR-OVING OF F. W. GORDON, M. D. Member of the North-ivestern Pi-overs'1 Association. Am twenty-eight years of age, possessed of good constitution ; sanguine temperament; temperate habits, having always abstained from the use of intoxicating liquors ; (and from the use of medicine, except to a very slight extent;) thereby rendering the system much more susceptible to the influence of drugs. Take my meals at regular hours, three times a day ; also, free exercise in the open air daily such as walking, riding, etc.; hours of sleep quite regular, occupying about eight hours in the twenty-four ; health, for many months past, * Concentrated Medicines. 966 NEW REMEDIES. has been good ; sleep, sound and undisturbed. No epidemic or en- demic at present prevailing in the vicinity. On the 21st of November, 1865, at 12 o'clock, (noon,) took gtt. x. of Scutellaria lateriflora, mother tincture. At 6 o'clock p. m., and at 9 o'clock p. m., took each time the same quantity. On the 22d in- creased the dose one drop, taking it regularly before each meal, and at bed-time. During the night sleep was somewhat disturbed by frightful dreams. Arose next morning feeliug a little stupid, and with a slight dull headache. Continued the medicine as on the pre- vious days, increasing the dose to gtt. xii; The headache passed away soon after eating breakfast. Felt no further inconvenience during the rest of the day. Slept quite soundly through the night, with the exception of slight restlessness. On the 24th, increased the dose to gtt. xiii., and continued as before. No symptoms worthy of note were evolved during the day. Increased restlessness came on again at night, followed by frightful dreams, occasionally interrupted by " sudden wakefulness." Arose on the morning of the 25th, feeling as well as usual. Still continued the medicine, having increased the dose to fourteen drops. No particular inconvenience was experienced during the day, except an inclination to be inactive, and indisposition to study. Sleep quite sound and undisturbed until late in the morn" ing of the 26th, when I awoke with a severe headache, similar to the one previously spoken of, but much more severe. Feeling of great fullness and oppression about the head, a sensation as if the entire contents of the cranium were confined within a place too small. The eyes feel as if protruding from the orbits, also a slight feeling of chilliness, especially on getting up. Renewed the medicine, taking this time gtt. xv. Appetite impaired but slightly. Bowels continued regular. Soon after eating breakfast was seized with vertigo, which, however, did not last long. The headache continued all day, sub- siding a little at times. The pulse, which has remained normal up to the present time, viz: 70 to 72 per minute, appears first full and bounding, then gradually becoming weaker, and occasionally inter- mitting a number of beats per minute, at 7 o'clock p. m.,64. (Have noticed occasional intermitting, during previous attacks) Omit- ted to take tbe medicine at tea-time. Renewed it again on going to bed. Sleep was but little disturbed, the headache having become greatly ameliorated. Arose next morning with the same feeling of stupor as mentioned heretofore. Increased the dose to gtt. xvi, taking it before each meal and at bed-time. Headache much less severe SCUTELLARIA LATERIFLORA. 967 than on the previous day. Considerable inability is experienced in attempting to confine the attention to study. Sharp pains were occa- sionally felt in the lumbar region, seeming to proceed mostly from the region of the left kidney. Secretion of urine rather scanty, although having the normal appearance, without subjecting it to further test; pulse more natural than on the preceding day. On the 28th, the medicine was discontinued. The symptoms gradually passed away, and up to December 4th, no return of them whatever had been experienced. I then renewed the proving, using the same strength as before, tak- ing 50 drops before each meal ; weather cool and pleasant ; no distur- bance of sleep during the past five days ; appetite good ; bowels regular ; urine normal, so far as could be observed ; pulse regular ; no effect was observed until the evening after taking the third dose, at which time a marked change in the pulse took place, the average number of beats per minute would scarcely exceed the normal standard, but were exceedingly variable, (as mentioned in first trial) being at one moment strong and full, then gradually diminishing until it became exceedingly soft and thread-like. No such headache was experienced as accompanied the former symptoms, but a strong desire to be moving about ; could not confine my attention upon any single object; occasionally a slight tremulousness and considerable twitch- ing of the muscles iu different parts of the body ; during the night the same symptoms returned, as in the former trial, viz., troublesome and frightful dreams, frequent and sudden starting from sleep, in- creased restlessness ; arose next morning with dull headache, chiefly confined to the frontal region ; also, a feeling of languor. The medicine being again discontinued the symptoms soon passed away. On the 8th of Dec, a third trial was commenced; took 30 drops before each meal ; weather still cool and pleasant. Before getting up next morning, was seized with hemicrania, the pain being most severe over the right eye ; was relieved by moving about in the open air. Continued the medicine without any apparent effect during the day ; towards evening some degree of restlessness was experienced ; the mind becomes confused on attempting to study; at 10o'clock p.m., the pulse is reduced to 64 per minute ; occasional twitching of the muscles of the arms and legs ; no particular disturbance during sleep. Arose next morning feeling quite well ; pulse 63 ; continued the medicine ; no new symptoms were presented during the day. Soon after taking the last dose in the evening, slight oppression was felt 968 NEW REMEDIES. about the chest, and occasionally a sticking pain in the region of the heart. After 12 o'clock (midnight) slept soundly. Next day, Dec. 11th, felt considerable uneasiness, with twitch- ing of the muscles, and sticking pains in various parts of the body, occasionally extending up along each side of the forehead. Towards evening a dull, oppressive feeling came on, with flushed countenance, and a sensation of throbbing about the heart. Pulse strong and full, but occasionally intermitting. Felt somewhat relieved before going to bed. Slept quite soundly during the night. On the 'morning of the 12th, soon after taking the medicine, the pulse was observed to be but 54 per minute ; half an hour later it arose to 64 per minute, without exercise or change of position. A dull pain is felt extend- ing vertically beneath the sternum. On attempting to urinate, slight difficulty is experienced, as if a partial paralysis of the muscles of the urethra had taken place. A dull headache is felt most of the time, while attempting to fix the attention upon small objects; was seized with slight vertigo and photophobia. Headache is increased with feeling of great fullness; eyes feel as if pressed irom within outwards. Bowels regular, with very white stools. At six o'clock p. m., pulse 52 and intermitting. The medicine was then discontin- ued. Rested quite well through the night, but arose next morning, with feeling of languor. Soon after commencing to study, was again attacked with dull oppressive headache. Pupils somewhat dilated. Pulse considerably increased and beating rapidly. On the 14th the symptoms had all disappeared. Remarks on the proving.—The proving above shows conclusively that the Scutellaria is by no means an inert or feeble plant. It evi- dently caused considerable derangement in the central nervous system. We note several important symptoms evolved, which seem to substantiate its alleged use, and prove it to be homoeopathic to the symptoms for which it has been especially used. (1.) The nightly restlessness; sudden wakefulness; frightful dreams. (2.) The headache, one form of which, while it was apparently congestive, was probably nervous derangement. It resembles very much the cephalalgia of Cimicifuga. (3.) The irregular action of the heart is due probably to derange- ment of the cardiac plexus. In the cerebral diseases of infancy, this irregularity is often noticed. It may prove useful in angina pectoris. (4.) The tremulousness and twitching of the muscles, show it homoeopathic to chorea and nervous jactitations. SENECIO AUREUS. (Life-Root.) Analogues.—Aralia, Asarum, Asclepias incarnata, Cannabis, Caulophyllum,Copaiva, Calcarea carbonica, Cimicifuga, Cypripedium, Crocus,(?) Dulcamara, Erigcron,Erechthites Eupatorium aromaticum, Gossipium, Ignatia, Hedeoma, Helonias, Mitchella, Platinum (?) Polygonum, Nux mosciiata, Pulsatilla, Sanguinaria, Scutellaria, Sepia, Sticta, Trillium. Botanical Description.—This plant is known by several other names, as Ragwort, False Valerian, Golden Senecio, Squaw-weed, and Female Regulator. It was known to the Indians as " Uncum," the meaning of which I have been unable to ascertain. It has an erect, smoothish, striate stem, one or two feet high, flo- cose-woolly when young, simple or branched above, terminating iu a kind of umbellate, simple or compound corymb. The radical leaves are simple and rounded, the larger mostly cordate, crenate-serrate, and long-petioled ; the loiver cauline leaves, lyre-shaped ; the upper ones, few, slender, cut-pinnatifid, dentate, sessile or partly clasping ; the terminal segments, lanceolate; peduncles sub-umbellate, and thick upwards ; corymbs, umbel-like. Rays from eight to twelve, four or five lines long, spreading. Flowers golden yellow. Scales linear, acute, and purplish at the apex. [It may be a matter of surprise that I have made the Senecio aureus the officinal species to the exclusion of the Senecio gracilis, so much written about in the eclectic school, and which was mentioned in the first edition of this work. I have not made this change with- out careful investigation, and due deliberation. (1.) All the recent authorities on botany make seven species of the genus Senecio. Senecio aureus is said to have four varieties, namely : (a) Balsamite.—Stem and peduncles yellow at base; the leaves few, small and distant, pubescent; the radical ones oblong, spatulate, or lanceolate, sometimes cut-toothed, tapering into the petiole ; cau- line ones lyrate, or pinnatifid; flowers sub-umbellate, growing in pas- tures and on rocky hills. (b) Gracilis.—Stem slender; radical leaves, orbicular, on long petioles, subcordate, crenate ; cauline ones very few, remote, linear- oblong, dilated at the base, incisely dentate ; peduncles very short, pilose, subumbelled, involucre, smooth ; rays few, very short. "A slender state of the species found on rocky shores." (c) Obovatus—Radical leaves, obovate, crenate-serrate, petioled ; cauline ones pinnatifid, toothed. Flowers, subumbelled, long pedun- cled, bracted, with a cavity under the receptacle, like some others of the genus. Stem somewhat glabrous ; found in meadows. (d) Lanceolatus—Radical leaves, lanceolate, acute ; cauline lance- olate, pinnatifid at base ; found in shady cedar swamps, in Vermont. 970 NEW REMEDIES. Any one who will compare these varieties will see how trifling is the differences which designate them. The Senecio grcwilis is said to be a " slender state of the species growing on rocky shores." Docs any physician or pharmaceutist suppose that tbe great quantity of tinc- ture of Senecio, or Senecin, manufactured and sold is made from this " slender state of the species growing on rocky shores." The sup- position is simply absurd. This variety must be rare and scarce. I cannot find an authenticated specimen in the herbarium of my bo- tanical acquaintances. I have examined the packages of dried plants marked " Senecio gracilis," in many drug shops in Chicago, and have as yet failed to find a single specimen of the variety! The dried plants for sale are made of the S. aureus, S. obovatus and S. balsamite. I am surprised to find that King, in his Dispensatory, should assert that the "Senecin is prepared from the root and herb of the Senecio gracilis." He ought to know that the herbs used by manufacturers under the name Senecio, are composed of several of the varieties and species above mentioned. Homoeopathic pharmaceutists have no proof that tho tincture they offer as " S. gracilis" is made from that variety. Plant gatherers are not supposed to distinguish between species or varieties. In view of all these facts, it is time we cease to speak of the S. aureus, and S. gracilis as distinct remedies. We should designate the medicine we use as Senecio aureus, and do away with the " distinction without a difference." I shall, therefore, place the Medical History, pathogenetic effects, and clinical results,obtained from the Senecio, all under one heading, as they are, in fact, identical, or may properly be so considered.] History.—This is an indigenous, perennial plant, growing on the banks of creeks and on low marshy grounds throughout the Northern and Western parts of the Union, flowering in May and June. The root and herb are the officinal parts, and it yields its properties to water and alcohol. The root grows just below the surface of the ground and runs horizontally ; it is from half an inch to six or eight inches in length, and about two lines in diameter, reddish or purplish externally, and white-purplish internally, with an aromatic taste, and having scattered fibres. When dried and mixed with the herb, it is found of various lengths, from one fourth of an inch to an inch or two ; greenish-brown or yellowish-brown externally, with very fine longitu- dinal lines, a few fibres attached, short fracture, presenting under the microscope, a shining, waxy surface, with a central, pale, purple sub- stance, surrounded by a greenish-yellow one, with a light yellowish ring between the two. It is inodorous, and has a faintly bitter, herbaceous, peculiar, resinous taste, with a very slight degree of pungency. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture ; dilutions ; tincture-tritura- tions. Senecin; triturations. Medical History.—This plant has always been a favorite domes- tic remedy in this country. It is popularly known by two names, which express fully the belief of the people in its alleged virtues, namely : female regulator, and false valerian. SENECIO AUREUS. 971 It has not been used much in allopathic practice, that school pre- ferring to import less valuable plants from the old world, rather than use indigenous remedies. Eclectics have always considered it one of the most valuable remedies in use. In the first edition of this work, no proving appeared, but it has since been experimented with by Drs. Hull, Jones, and several per- sons not physicians. Fragmentary provings appeared in an article on Senecio aureus, by Prof. A. E. Small, in the United States Medical and Surgical Journal, 1866. dr. hull's proving. Not being able to procure the fresh herb in the proper season, so as to prepare a tincture from this, in place thereof the dried herb was substituted, in the proportion of 1 oz. to 20 oz., by weight, of diluted alcohol, and left to macerate for two weeks, and then decanted and filtered through paper. An attempt was made to institute a proving with this tincture. Forty drops were administered, early in the morning, to a young man aged 22 years, of nervo-bilious temperament, and of active habits. But little effect was perceived until after a repetition of the dose at noon, which was followed by chilliness and heat, particularly towards evening. Heat of the forehead, dryness of the nostrils, dull, stupefy- ing headache, and inclination to sneeze. In the evening, perspiration upon the forehead, and lubrication of the nostrils, dryness of the mouth and fauces ; the lips hot, and a feverish breath ; dry tongue and slightly coated ; uneasiness about the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite ; rumbling of wind in the abdo- men, sensation as if the bowels would move. Dose repeated at bed-time, followed by restlessness and vigilance, and pain in the back and loins ; copious diarrhoea in the morning, attended with great debility and prostration; severe pain in the small of the back ; copious flow of urine ; bloody urine ; urging to urinate ; tenesmus of the bladder. After the repetition of the dose in the morning—the face was pale, the countenance appeared depressed, and the respiration as if greatly fatigued ; disposition to lie down, great weariness and general malaise ; disposition to perspire ; easily chilled ; chilliness, followed by urging to urinate; urine tinged with blood ; weariness of the lower extremities ; rheumatic pains in the joints. 972 NEW REMEDIES. fragmentary proving by prof. a. e. small. Took 60 drops of the tincture in the morning. Noticed no effects until afternoon. Dose repeated. No effects at bed-time. Dose repeated on retiring. Restless before midnight; uncomfortable full- ness of the head ; urinated several times during the night; copious warm perspiration towards morning; dryness of the mouth and throat; urine void of sediment and inodorous. Dose repeated in the morning. Chilliness before noon, followed by fever and perspiration, attended with moderate thirst; nausea and weariness, which continued for several hours ; slight urging to urinate ; uncomfortable beat in the neck of the bladder ; slight pains in the region of the kidneys ; bowels not affected, passed urine frequently for twenty-four hours. PROVING BY DR. W. G. JONES.* November 25.—Having procured some of the mother tincture of Senecio aureus, I commenced proving it. Took 10 drops just before going to bed. November 26.—Took four doses of 10 drops each, a dose about an hour before each meal, and before going to bed. No symptoms. November 27.—Lascivious dreams, with an emission. Smarting pain in the left inguinal region. Dose same as yesterday. November 28.—Urine less in quantity than usual. Dose same as before. November 29.—Urine scanty. Dose same as before. November 30.—Colic and diarrhoea in the evening. Stool of a thin watery character. Dose as before, until evening, when I took a teaspoonful. December 1.—Took a teaspoonful in the morning and at noon. Griping, colic-like pain, relieved by a thin, watery stool, in the even- ing and at night. Feverish in the afternoon. December 2.—Took no medicine to-day. Colic and diarrhcea, with fever in the afternoon. Stools thin and watery. I had a catarrh when beginning to prove this drug, which is now entirely cured. December 4.—Commenced taking the medicine again at noon. Dose ten drops before each meal and before going to bed at night. Colic, pain relieved by a thin watery stool. Symptoms generally worse in the afternoon. December 5.—Sense of fullness in the nostril. Sharp pain in * Presented to the Faculty of Hahnemann Medical College, as a graduating Thesis, from the class of '65, and '66. SENECIO AUREUS. 973 the diaphragm ; pain in a carious molar tooth. Thin, watery stools, containing hard lumps. Cutting, colic-like pain in the umbilical region. Frequent discharge of flatus. Flatulence. H me-sickness. Sometimes elated—sometimes depressed. Lascivious dreams, with pollution. Dose same as before. December 6.—Dull, heavy pain in the left spermatic cord,—mov- ing along the cord to the testicle. Sense of fullness in the nostrils. Colic. Stool of a watery character. Flatulence. Frequent discharge of flatus. Many vivid dreams, showing an active memory. Frequent waking during the night. Dose 15 drops before each meal and before going to bed. December 7.—Colic, mostly in the region of the umbilicus. Dis- charge of flatus. Tenderness in front of the left ear. About the middle of tbe afternoon, lasting about an hour, sensation as if a ball was in the stomach, rising up into the throat. Dose the same as yes- terday. December 8.—Sharp, lancinating pain in the lumbar regions. Dizziness, coming on suddenly while walking the street, so sudden that I came near falling on my face, feeling like a wave from the occiput to the sinciput. Frequent yawning and shivering in the fore- noon. Urine excessive. Excessive secretion of mucus in the nos- trils and bronchi. Frequent hawking of white, transparent mucus. Darting, lancinating pain in the left side of the face. Nausea. Las- civious dreams. Frequent waking from sleep at night. Drowsi- ness all day. Sometimes very sad, sometimes highly elated. Pros- tate gland enlarged, feels hard and swollen to the touch. During the day took five doses of 25 drops each. For the past few days I have often felt very tired, almost too tired to move, for a few minutes at a time. December 9.—Stool containing blood. Painful tenesmus. Teeth very tender. Took 100 drops at three doses. December 10.—Teeth tender. Giddiness, feeling like a wave from the occiput to the sinciput. Vivid dreams, showing an uncom- mon activity of memory. Lascivious dreams. Took no medicine to-day, December 16. —Teeth still tender. Giddiness and nausea until to-day. Took no medicine since December the 9th. Cuticle dry and the nails very brittle, soon after I commenced my proving. December 24.—Took 30 drops at three doses, a dose in the morn- ing, at noon, and at night. Abundant secretion of transparent mucus 974 NEW REMEDIES. in the nostrils and trachea. Frequent hawking of white, transparent mucus. Great lassitude in the evening. Dec. 25.—Catarrh. Flatulent colic. Chilliness and sensitive- ness to cold air. Homesick. In very good spirits. Dose the same as yesterday. December 26. Catarrh. Flatulent colic. Aery sensitive to cool air. Sad most of the day. Great languor. Giddiness. Thirsty. Feverish. Dose the same as yesterday. Dec. 27.— Pain in the forehead, shooting from within, outward, Increased flow of urine. Sad. Nervous trembling. Catarrh. Las- situde. Stitches in the left hypochondriac region. Stitches in both hypochondriac regions. Vivid dreams. Restless sleep ; lascivious dreams. Dose, ten drops before each meal and before going to bed. December 28.—Trembling. Sensitiveness 'to cold in the open air. Giddiness. Catarrh, affects the trachea, bronchi, nostrils and eyes. Unquiet sleep. Many dreams. Dose same as yesterday. December 30.—Evening—weather moderate, clear, wind from the south. Health good. Took a teaspoonful about ten o'clock, and immediately retired. December 31.—Last night—many dreams, mostly of an intellec- tual character, and about different events of my life, showing an uncommon activity of memory, and of the intellectual faculties gen- erally. Morning, on rising, nausea and yawning. Smarting pain in the urethra about the fossa navicularis, before urinating. About an hour before breakfast took a teaspoonful of the remedy. Hoarse, but the trachea and bronchi seem to be clear. Sense of fullness in the nos- trils. Sensitive to cool air. Slight dizziness, At noon took a tea- spoonful dose of the drug. 2 o'clock p. m., just before dinner. Sense of fullness in the nostrils, but no mucus. Sense of smell acute. Lips and gums pale Dull pain in left lumbar region. Sharp pain in the epigastrium. About 4 o'clock p. m., sharp pain in the neigh- borhood of the sciatic nerve, shooting down the thigh, lasted for a few minutes only. Urine about 24 ounces, and high colored. Took three teaspoonful doses to-day, one in the morning, one at noon, and one at night, before going to-bed. Weather, moderate ; day, cloudy ; night, clear. January 1.—Dreams indistinct, Dizziness coming on in the open air. Nausea on rising. Faeces in hard lumps, mixed with mucus of a yellow color. Headache in the neighborhood of the temples, pain seems to be pressing outward. Took a teaspoonful dose, in the morn- SENECIO AUREUS. 975 ing and at night. Urine about 20 ounces and high colored. Weather clear and cold. January 2.—Before breakfast, pain in the abdomen, seems to have a center about the umbilicus, and spreads out in all directions— relieved by a stool. Faeces seem to be natural. About noon, before dinner, sharp stitches moving from one part to another, in both ingui- nal regions, lower jaw, right shoulder, left shoulder, forearms and the temples, lasting about an hour. Sensation of tightness in the throat, with a disposition to attempt to relieve it by swallowing. Occasional nausea. Occasional giddiness. Yawning. Sensitive to cold air. About the middle of the afternoon, sensation as of a ball in the stomach, rising into the throat; lasting for a few minutes only. Stitches in different parts of the body, in the right and left foot, back of the neck, left and right arm, and the forehead. Evening, in a very meditative mood—very serious—disposition to think of the past, and future.. Gloomy. Occasional eructations of air. Sharp pain in the left eye, shooting from within outward. Flow of tears on going into the open air. General lassitude. Thirsty in the evening. Uri- nated three times to-day, in all about 20 ounces of high colored urine. Drinking much cold water. Weather, cold ; morning, clear; afternoon, cloudy. Jan 3. Restless sleep. Frequent waking during the night, waking so imperceptible that, without an effort, I could not tell whether I had been asleep or not, and, sometimes not even then. Many dreams, about ships and cargos, wagons and teams, writing, fighting and break-neck adventures, always coming off lucky. Morn- ing on rising, yawning and feeling of tightness in the nose. Colic, griping, relieved by bending over forward. Occasional giddiness throuo-h the day. Yawning and inclination to stretch. Griping pain in the bowels, in the evening, mostly in the region of the umbilicus. Sharp, lancinating pain in different parts of the body, occasionally through the day, in the arm, legs, feet, chest, and face. Morning, stool a little thinner than usual, composed entirely of faeces, as far as I can judge from its appearance. In the evening, after supper, thin, dark-colored stool, with much straining. To-day, voided about eight ounces of high colored urine. Inability to fix the mind on any one object for any length of time. Sad and desponding in tbe evening. Weather cold ; clear most of the day. January 4.__Slept last night better than the night before, but sleep is still restless and uneasy ; many dreams, about the events of the day mostly. Sneezing, and sense of fullness in the nostrils, 976 NEW REMEDIES. relieved after a while by a copious flow of mucus. Occasionally during the day, sharp lancinating pain in the right shoulder, left heel, and in the right side of the face. Afternoon, pain of a griping char- acter in the bowels. Nausea. Giddiness. Head feels very light. Frequent hawking of tough, white, transparent mucus ; secretion of mucus in the nose and trachea. Colic. Stool thin, of a dark color. Urine about 12 ounces, specific gravity 1.035, and high colored. Great languor. Feel very tired in the lumbar region. Thirst in the afternoon and evening. Weather very cold. January 5.—Last night, many dreams about every day occurren- ces. Eructations of sour gas. Took ten drops of the remedy, diluted in water, soon after rising. Feel very tired in the lumbar regions. Pain in the anterior part of the head, feeling as if it was pressing outward. Sour eructations. Last night, many pleasant dreams. Sharp sticking pain in the left shoulder ; sharp, sticking pain in both eyes and in the forehead, shooting from within outward. Giddiness, a sensation as if the brain was pressing forward so strong, that it feels like hard work to stand up. Frequent hawking of tough, white, transparent mucus. Voided 12 ounces of high colored urine, specific gravity 1.030. Weather moderate. January 7.—Nausea on rising. Griping pain in the lower part of the abdomen. Secretion of much white, transparent mucus in the nostrils and trachea. Frequent hawking. One thin, watery stool, with much tenesmus. Lassitude ; sad ; mind confused. Giddiness in the open air. Voided 10 ounces of high colored urine ; specific gravity 1.038. Weather cold; wind from the N. W. January 8.—Nausea. Eructations of sour gas. Feel very tired ; slept very well ; many dreams of an intellectual character. Sharp, cutting pain inside of the left angle of the lower jaw. Sharp cutting pain in the coronary region. Sharp cutting pain in the frontal region, over the eyes. Griping pain in the lower part of the abdomen. Urinated about 10 ounces during the day ; in the morning, specific gravity 1.040 ; evening, specific gravity, 1.030. General lassitude. Weather clear and cold. January 9.—Slept well last night, Many dreams of a pleasant character. Pain in the bowels and urging to stool, when rising, which soon passed away. Sense of burning and fullness in the nos- trils, with a little mucus. Darting pain in the forehead and eyes. Frequent stitches in the region of the umbilicus. Weather moderate; morning clear ; afternoon cloudy ; snowing a little in the evening. January 10,—Nausea on rising ; slept well last night; many SENECIO AUREUS. 977 dreams of a pleasant character. Sharp lancinating pain in the left temple, the upper part of the left eye, and inside of the left half of the lower jaw. Urine, high colored, about 12 ounces, specific gravity 1.038. Weather moderate, January 11—Sleep, uneasy last night; coryza; slight exertion produced syncope. Urine about 40 ounces , color natural ; specific gravity 1.036. Weather damp and warm. January 12.—Headache, in the afternoon, in the forehead, press- ing from within outward. Urine, quantity normal; specific gravity, 1.025. Weather damp. January 13.—Urine, quantity normal ; specific gravity, 1.030 Weather damp and cold. January 14.—Urine normal in quantity, specific gravity 1.040. Weather damp and cold. January 15.—Urine, specific gravity 1.040, quantity normal. Sticking pain in different parts of the body. Weather damp and windy ; snow, hail and rain. January 16.—Urine normal in quantity and color ; specific gravity 1.040. General lassitude. January 17. — Urine normal in quantity and color ; specific gravity 1.040. Lassitude. January 18.—Lassitude ; giddiness ; sad most of the day. Weather damp and cloudy these days. January 22.—Giddiness, coming on suddenly, several times to- day, feeling like a wave from the occiput to the sinciput. Weather cold. January 30.—For the past two weeks the urine has been of the normal color and quantity, from 30 to 35 ounces a day ; average specific gravity 1.040. RESUME. General Symptoms.—Frodhent yawning and shivering; great lano-uor ; lassitude ; sensitive to cold air ; About noon, before dinner, sharp stitches moving from one part of the body to another, in both inguinal regions, lower jaw, right shoulder, left shoulder, both fore- arms, and the temples, lasting for about an hour. Stitches in different parts of the body—in the right and left foot, back of the neck, in both arms, and the forehead. Sharp, lancinating pain in different parts of the body, occasionally during the day, in the arms, legs, feet, chest and face. General lassitude ; yawning, and inclination to stretch. 63 978 NEW REMEDIES. General malaise; great weariness with a disposition to lie down. It has been decreed to be emmenagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, alterative, tonic, and is said to have a peculiarly specific, regulating influence on the functions of the female generative organs. Moral Symptoms.—Homesick; sad; sometimes elated; some- times depressed ; in very good spirits ; in the evening, in a very meditative mood, very serious—disposition to think of the past and the future ; gloomy ; sad and desponding in tbe evening. SenSOrilllB.—Inability to fix tbe mind on any one object for any length of time. This was an almost constant symptom. NerVOUS System.—Although its influence on the nervous sytem, is not mentioned by any writer, yet my observations have convinced me that it ranks with Coffea, Chamomilla, Valerian, and Ambergris, and it is in many respects a " nervine." It has been suggested by those familiar with its use. that it acts as a nervine, by subduing tbe irritation of the uterine organs, and thus prevents the nervous irrita- tion, which might have been of a reflex character. This may be the true explanation of its action. It has a great reputation among the country people, who, designated it " Uncum," (a name borrowed from the Aborigines) and " Wild Valerian ;" they use it extensively for nervousness, hysteria, lowness of spirits, and sleeplessness, especially when these conditions occur in females. Under the head of " Organs of Generation," will be found a case which illustrates its action in this regard. About the middle of the afternoon, sensation as if a ball was in the stomach, rising up into the throat, lasting for about an hour ; sensation of tightness in the throat, with a disposition to attempt to relieve it by swallowing. About the middle of the afternoon, sen- sation as of a ball in the stomach, rising into the throat, lasting only a few minutes, MUCOUS MemhraneS.—1 am strongly impressed with the idea that this remedy acts upon the mucous tissues similarly to Pulsatilla. It causes increased secretion from th0Lpronchial, intestinal, and vagi- nal mucous membranes, and has been found curative in abnormal conditions, characterized by mucous discharges. It seems to me to be indicated when a catarrhal affection has appeared in one organ, and caused, or is consequent upon the suppression of a natural discharge in another ; thus, profuse leucorrhoea, or a bronchial, and even a nasal catarrh will set in upon the suppression of the menses, or appear in place of the menses. A catarrhal diarrhoea often appears at such times. It is in these conditions that Pulsatilla and Senecio prove so SENECIO AUREUS. 979 successful as curative agents, by curing the catarrhal discharge, and permitting the natural functions to go on. The Senecio has also proved useful in hemorrhages from mucous surfaces, appearing upon the suppression of habitual discharges. A catarrh was cured by the proving of the drug. Sense of fullness in the nostrils, with excessive secretion of white transparent mucus in the nostrils and bronchi; sneezing; hoarse, but the trachea and bronchi seem to be clear ; sense of fullness in the nostrils, but no mucus; sneezing and sense of fullness in the nostrils. relieved after a while by a copious flow of mucus ; frequent hawking of tough, white, transparent mucus ; secretion of mucus in the nose and trachea ; sense of burning and fullness in the nostrils, with a little mucus ; coryza. Heart.—Slight exertion produced syncope ; palpitation of the heart during any exertion. i Skin.—Disposition to perspire ; copious, warm perspiration towards morning ; it causes, in large doses, free perspiration. Cuticle dry and the nails very brittle, soon after I com- menced my proving. This I observed twice. Sleep.—Vivid dreams of an intellectual character ; lascivious dreams with an emission ; vivid dreams, showing uncommon activity of memory ; restless sleep ; drowsiness all day ; frequent waking from sleep at night ; many dreams, mostly of an intellectual charac- ter, and about different events of my life, showing an uncommon activity of memory, and of the intellectual faculties generally. Frequent waking during the night; waking so imperceptible that, without an effort, I could not tell whether I had been asleep or not, and sometimes not even then ; many dreams, about ships and cargoes, wagons and teams, writing, fighting, and break-neck adventures— always coming off lucky ; slept well last night, many dreams of a pleasant and intellectual character. Restlessness and vigilance ; ,. restless before midnight. Clinical Observations.—Has proved curative in obstinate sleep- lessness, or restless, uneasy sleep. Fever.—Chilliness and heat, particularly towards evening ; fever- ish breath ; chilled ; chilliness, followed by urging to urinate ; chilli- ness before noon, followed by fever and perspiration, attended with moderate thirst. Fever every afternoon. Thirst in the afternoon and evening; feverish ; thirst; thirsty in the evening ; drinking much cold water ; pulse feeble and fast. 980 NEW REMEDIES. Clinical Observations.—It is considered by some as a " febri- fuge," but probably is not indicated in any but catarrhal fever, in which condition it seems indicated. Head.—Dizziness, feeling like a wave from the occiput to the sinciput; giddiness in the open air; sharp, shooting pains in tbe forehead ; slight dizziness ; headache in the neighborhood of the tem- ples, pain seems to be pressing outward; occasional giddiness ; sharp, shooting pain in the forehead, shooting from within outward ; sharp, lancinating pain in the left temple, the upper part of the left eye, and inside of the left half of tbe lower jaw ; sharp, sticking pain in both eyes and in the forehead, shooting from within outward ; giddiness —pressing forward so strong that it feels like hard work to stand up ; sharp, cutting pain in the coronary region ; sharp, cutting pain in the frontal region over the eyes; darting pain in the forehead and eyes ; headache in the afternoon, in the forehead, pressing from with- in outward; the head feels very light; giddiness coming on suddenly several times a day, feeling like a wave from the occiput to the sin- ciput. (The last symptom I observed 17 days after I took the last dose of the medicine.) Heat of the forehead ; dull, stupefying headache ; perspiration on the forehead ; uncomfortable fullness of the head. Clinical Observations.—From some experience with this rem- edy I would suggest its use in catarrhal headache ; also in catarrhal affections of the eyes, nose, and ears, particularly if these occur after suppressed perspiration or menstrual discharge. Eyes.—Sharp, lancinating pain in the left eye, shooting from with- in outward; flow of tears on going into the open air ; sharp, sticking pain in both eyes, and in the forehead, shooting from within outward; sharp, lancinating pain in the left temple, in the upper part of the left eye, and inside of the left half of the lower jaw. IVOSC—Sense of fullness in the nostrils, but no mucus ; sneezing and sense of fullness in the nostrils, relieved after a while by a copious flow of mucus ; sense of burning and fullness in the nostrils^ with a little mucus ; coryza. Dryness of the nostrils and an inclination to sneeze ; unusual lubrication of the nostrils. Face.—Darting pain in the leftside of the face ; tenderness in front of the left ear ; lips and gums pale ; sharp, cutting pain inside of the left angle of the lower jaw ; sharp, lancinating pain in the left temple, the upper part of the left eye, and the inside of the left half of the lower jaw ; sharp, sticking pain in the face in common with other parts of the body. The face pale and the countenance uepi._ A SENECIO AUREUS. 981 Mouth.—Dryness of the mouth and fauces ; the lips hot and the breath feverish; dry tongue and siightly coated; dryness of the mouth and throat. Teeth.—Very tender; teeth tender for a week after ceasing to take the drug; digging or beating pain in a carious molar tooth. Gastric Symptoms.—Nausea and yawning; nausea on rising; occasional nausea ; occasional eructations of air; nausea on rising in the morning; sour eructations; eructations of sour gas; appetite good during the proving. Feeling of uneasiness about the stomach ; nausea ; loss of appe- tite; nausea and weariness, which continued for several hours. Abdomen.—Stitches in the left hypochondria; stitches in both hypochondriac regions ; sharp, cutting pain in the diaphragm; colic relieved by a diarrhoeic stool, in the afternoon and at night; colic and diarrhoea, with fever, in the afternoon ; frequent discharge of flatus ; flatulence ; dull pain in the left lumbar region ; sharp pain in the epigastrium ; before breakfast, pain in the abdomen ; seems to have a center about the umbilicus, and spreads out in all directions, relieved by a stool, faeces seem to be natural; sharp, cutting pain iu the right side of the pelvis ; griping, colic-like pain, relieved by bending forward; griping pain in the bowels in the evening, mostly in tho region of the umbilicus ; griping, pinching pain in the abdomen ; griping pain in the lower part of the abdomen ; in the afternoon, pain of a griping character in the bowels ; pain in the bowels and urging to stool when rising, which soon passed away. Rumbling of wind in the abdomen ; sensation as if the bowels would move. Back.—Feeling of weariness in the lumbar region. StOOlS.—Thin watery stool, containing hard lumps; stools con- taining blood; painful tenesmus; in the evening, after supper, thin, dark colored stool, with much straining ; stool thin and of a dark color; fteces in hard lumps, mixed with mucus of a yellow color; stools not very frequent, not oftener than two or three times a day as a rule, sometimes only once. Copious diarrhoea in the morning, attended with great debility and prostration. Clinical Observations.—It may prove useful in certain nervous affections, also catarrhal conditions of the bowels. It is said to be used successfully in dysentery and diarrhoea (catarrhal). Urinary Organs. — Increased flow of urine ; clear, limpid urine ; frequent and profuse urination , copious flow of urine ; bloody urine ; urging to urinate; tenesmus of the bladder ; urine tinged with blood; slio-ht urging to urinate; uncomfortable heat in the neck of the blad- 982 NEW REMEDIES. der ; slight pains in the region of the kidneys; passed urine frequently for twenty-four hours ; urinated several times during the night ', urine void of sediment, and inodorous. PTrine less than usual, high colored; urine scanty and high colored; increased flow of urine; excessive secretion of urine; smarting pain in the urethra, about the fossa naviculars, just before urinating ; urine high colored and getting less in quantity daily, from the time I com- menced the proving until on the fourth day, it was only 8 oz. ! 5th day, 12 oz., specific gravity 1.035; 6th day, 16 oz., s. g. 1.030 ; 7th day, 12 oz.. s. g. 1.030 ; 8th day, 10 oz., s. g. 1.038 ; 9th day, 10 oz, s. g. 1,035 ; 11th day, 12 oz., s. g. 1,038 ; 12th day, 40 oz.. s. g. 1.036 ; 13th day, quantity and color normal, s. g. 1.025 ; 14th day, s. g. 1.030 ; 15th day, urine normal in quantity and color, s. g. 1.040. For the next two weeks, urine normal in quantity and color, average specific gravity, 1.040. Clinical Observations.—This medicine has long had an exten- sive reputation in domestic practice as diuretic, and used as such in cases of dropsy, suppression of urine, and irritable bladder ; " As a diuretic it has been employed with advantage in calculous affections to subdue the irritation."—(Scudder.) " It is said to be diuretic and specific in strangury."(King.) In those anasarcous states which attend chlorosis, or attacks of women at the climacteric age, and seem to be caused remotely by some disorder of the generative organs, the Sene- cio gracilis may prove a very efficient remedy ; also in ovarian dropsy, or dropsy occurring after suppression of the menses. Dr. Small has used it with benefit iu some affections of the kidneys and bladder ; also in diabetes. " To illustrate its action, the following cases reported by Dr. A. E. Small, are presented for the consideration of the profession : "Case 1.—A young woman applied for relief of dropsical symp- toms, namely : abdomen much enlarged, very tense, with an evident large amount of water in the peritoneal cavity ; lower extremities very oedematous ; urine quite scanty and high colored—not more than eight ounces a day ; considerable pain in the lumbar region, and in the ovaries. With the exception of constipation, no other abnor- mal symptom was manifest. Upon examination with the speculum, the cervix uteri was somewhat congested, and there was present albuminous leucorrhoea, but uterine pain was not much complained of—only a sense of weight, which may have been due to the perito- neal effusion. "Apis mcllifica 2d, was prescribed and taken for a week with no benefit, except to relieve the ovarian pain. "Apocynum cannabin. -fVth, was also taken for a week, but contrary to its usual effects, it did not seem to increase the amount of urine. SENECIO AUREUS. 983 " Senecio aureus was then prescribed, ten drops of the -fVth in water every four hours. In two days the urinary secretion was up to its normal amount, and the oedema, ascites, and lumbar pain dimin- ished rapidly. The peritoneal effusion did not altogether disappear, nor did Arsenicum remove it completely. Case 2.—A woman about 30 years of age, had the following symp- toms, which had increased since their accession, six weeks before : Face bloated, abdomen enlarged, feet oedematous ; urine alternately profuse and watery, or dark colored and scanty ; frequent desire to urinate, day and night. No other abnormal symptoms of importance. In this case Senecio aureus was prescribed at once, without trying other remedies. Ten drops every three hours (mother tincture) for two days; then three times a day for a week effected a cure. This remedy has also beeri useful in my hands in the dysuria of women and childreu, when the symptom was evidently of a catarrhal origin. In dysuria, associated with uterine displacement, it is often useful. The presence of a mucus sediment in the urine, is an indica- tion for its employment." Case 3.—Mrs. II—, aged about 80, of lymphatic temperament, had been suffering from chronic inflammation of the neck of the bladder for six years, from which she had received only temporary relief from treatment. At times she suffered greatly from tenesmus of the blad- der and urging to uriuate. She supposed herself to be afflicted with the gravel, as she sometimes passed bloody urine. Senecio aureus was prescribed, one drop of tincture, which she took at intervals of six hours, for several days. She felt sensible relief from the diffi- culty, after using the remedy two days. She continued its use for several days after, when she found herself entirely free from the suffering. She discontinued the medicine, and was agreeably sur- prised at the non-return of the difficulty, as it had before done, after temporary relief. She had no indications of return for several months, when some exposure occasioned its reappearance. The remedy was again resorted to, and prompt relief was obtained. She has remained entirely well of the disease since—a period of eighteen months. Case 4.—A gentleman of nervo-sanguine temperament, aged about 50, had been subject to renal inflammation, affecting particularly the right kidney, causing intense pain, and general febrile disturbance and great prostration. On one occasion his suffering was intense, and the bladder seemed to be implicated. Every time he passed urine he experienced great pain, which caused him to cry out in agony; his bowels were constipated; the urine was of a reddish color; very hot and acrid; he complained of dull headache, dryness of the mouth and throat, disposition to chilliness, fever and perspiration. Twenty drops of the tincture were put in half a tumbler of water, and a dessert spoonful was taken. A mitigation of suffering was the result. The dose was repeated every hour, until it entirely sub- sided. More than a year has elapsed since, and he has no return of the malady. This "gentleman having some acquaintances, whom he 984 NEW REMEDIES. knew to be victims of a similar disease, was prompt to furnish them with this remedy, and in some instances with like curative results. Case 5.—A merchant 45 years of age, nervous temperament, inclined to be bilious, was attacked severely with renal inflammation, atteuded by general feverishness, chilliness, and pain in the lumbar region, and particularly in the left kidney. In this case there did not appear to be any very perceptible implication of the bladder ; the quantity of urine passed was below the normal amount, and very red, and on standing awhile, a brick-dust sediment was precipitated. The arterial excitement was considerable ; the skin hot and dry ; motion very greatly aggravated the suffering of the patient, and caused him to cry out with pain ; bowels were constipated. Aconite was first given, and repeated at intervals of an hour until the skin became "moist, and the arterial excitement was somewhat subdued. Pain still severe ; urine hot and scanty. Gave Nux vom. No relief; patient complained of soreness and pain in the lumbar region. Gave Arnica, and moved the bowels with an enema of warm water. Partial relief followed for a time ; pain returned; gave Sen- ecio aureus. No relief, for some hours, from pain ; urination, and every effort to urinate, attended with pain ; urine tinged with blood. Gave Cantharis, 3d dilution. No change; gave Senecio two hours after, in an increased dose, after which the pain gradually subsided and passed off entirely ; the urinary secretion became increased to the usual quantity in health, and recovery soon followed. Case 6.—An attorney, aged 34, of a leuco-phlegtnatic tempera- ment, after a prostrating attack of fever, exhibited a marked cachexia and tendency to general dropsy ; urine rather scanty, with a blackish sediment, which, on examination, proved to be broken down blood corpuscles. Senecio, in drop doses of the tincture, was given at first, and afterwards in a more attenuated form, with no satisfactory result. (Terebinth, caused a disappearance of the sediment, and Erigeron also, in another similar attack.) In a letter from Dr. Gray, of New York, a confirmatory statement is made of the powers of the Senecio aureus : " I have used it," says the Doctor, " in renal disturbances, with satisfactory results." For children, affected with irritation of the bladder, the second or third attenuation would in all probability effect a cure. Pain in the head most always accompanies, or immediately precedes, the symp- toms of irritation of the bladder. This remedy will relieve the headache, and every other symptom connected with it. It will relieve tenesmus of the bladder. It will cure nausea, attendant on renal derangement and renal colic. It will subdue the arterial excitement that occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the kidneys, and consequently dissipate many other painful sensations. Generative Organs Of Men.—Dull, heavy pain in the left sper- matic cord, moving along the cord to the testicle ; prostate gland enlarged, feels hard aud swelled to the touch; lascivious dreams, with pollution, SENECIO AUREUS. 985 Clinical Observations.—It is recommended by some phy- sicians for the cure of gonorrhoea, in which it is asserted to have been used with benefit. Generative Organs of Women.—It is upon these organs that the Senecio is reputed to exert its peculiar and specific curative in- fluence. Clinical Obseb.vations —In accordance with the plan I proposed in the preface to this work, I shall proceed to give the suggestions, clinical experience, etc., of the eclectic and allopathic schools, and then that of our own school, together with my own. From the testi- mony thus adduced, the reader can come to some conclusion as to the value of the remedy. " It exerts an especial influence upon the female reproductive organs. In amenorrhoea, not connected with some structural lesion, it has proved very efficacious. In dysmenorrhoea, it has also proved valuable. It is serviceable in menorrhagia, administered both at the time of the discharge and during the interval."—{King) " It appears to exert a specific influence upon the uterine organs, and may with propriety be termed a uterine tonic. We have em- ployed it in many cases of amenorrhoea, both in retention and sup- pression, and almost invariably with the most gratifying results; indeed, so certain is it to restore the uterine secretion, when suppression does not depend upon organic disease, that we almost view it as a specific. Its action is peculiar ; it seems to possess the power of restoring the secretion when suppressed; of promoting it when deficient; of alleviating pain in dysmenorrhoea, and of control- ling or lessening the secretion when redundant; hence, one of its common names, "female regulator." " We have long employed it to check free and too long continued lochial discharges, after other rem- edies have failed, and with the most gratifying results. It has proved a valuable remedy in leucorrhoea, and in displacements of the uterus, attended with dragging pains in the lower part of the abdomen and pelvic region, and with leucorrhoeal discharges, when combined with Trillium."* Dr. Paine coincides with the opinion held by eclectics concerning the affinity of Senecio for the uterus and ovaries.| " It is," he says, "especially adapted to the defective uterine function, arising from a vitiated state of the system. In scrofulous and phthisical patients, I give the Senecin in doses of from \ to one grain, combined with one or two grains of Carburet of Iron, four or five times a day. There is, perhaps, no emunctory of the body that exerts a more powerful influence over scrofulous and consumptive patients, than the uterus/' In these diseases, Paine considers the Senecin useful, because it corrects irregularity of the menses, as to either time or quantity. " In cases of weak habit, when the catamenial period is protracted, and the blood appears to be poisoned or contaminated by the retention of zymotic catamcnial poison," he gives Senecin and Hypophosphite * .Tones and Scudder's Mat. Med. t New School Medicines, p. 97. 986 NEW REMEDIES. of Iron in combination. The quantity of Iron he prescribes (two grains, five times a day,) is, however, dangerous. Dr. Churchill, of Paris, who introduced the medicine, says it will bring on pulmonary hemorrhage, in such doses. The best allopathic authorities advise against the use of Iron in phthisis. Some homoeopathic physicians have cured incipient phthisis with Ferr. hypophosphis, 3d trituration. It should not be used any lower. "Senecin has proved eminently successful in the treatment of ame.no/-rhcea. When the obstruction has arisen from cold, this rem- edy in connection with warm alkaline pediluvia is generally sufficient. When the affection is uncomplicated, we know of no remedy so gen- erally reliable. It operates kindly and without excitement, and the catamenial flow is restored in a manner so natural that the patient is scarcely aware of being under the influence of medicine." "We have derived equally happy effects from the employment of Senecin in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea. The most beneficial results are obtained by exhibiting it during the intermenstrual period. It acts as a special tonic upon the uterine system, invigorating the menstrual function, and restoring equilibrium of action. If the menstrual secretion be profuse, use Trillin in combination. If scanty, Macrotin or Baptisin may be employed." (alternated.) " We have been equally successful with the Senecin in the treatment of menorrhagia. It may seem somewhat paradoxical to the reader that we should prescribe the same remedy in what are generally conceived to be opposite states of the system. (Here Dr. Coe, launches out into a verbose explanation of the reason why this remedy is thus indicated, but his logic is lame, and based upon incorrect physiological doc- trines.) " No matter in which direction the scale may be turned if we can but restore and equalize the functional activity of the parts, we shall effect a cure. For this purpose we employ the Senecin simply because it possesses the power of recalling or restoring lost or healthful action. This then explains the seeming paradox of giving the same remedy in dissimilar derangements of the same organ." "Chlorosis is another of those incidental female affections in which Senecin will be found an excellent remedy. It is particularly ser- viceable when the chlorosis occurs in a strumous diathesis."* The following case treated with Senecio gracilis, is reported to me by Dr. A. R. Smart (Homoeopathist): A lady, aged 48, presented the following symptoms : inability to sleep, nervous irritability, loss of appetite, coated tongue, bowels con- stipated, constant feeling of lassitude, disinclined to move about, wandering pains in the back and shoulders ; had been in this condi- tion six months, during which time the catamenia, which, previous to this, had been regular in appearance, have not appeared; has been treated allopathically for the last three months, with no permanent benefit. I gave Macrotin, Sepia, Secale cornutum, Zincum valerianas, Pulsatilla, Cypripedium, etc,, with but little or no success. At last the Senecio was given in doses of 20 drops, three times per day ; * Coe's "Concentrated Organic Medicines." SENECIO AUREUS. 987 this was followed by a marked improvement, and after the lapse of one week she reported herself able to sleep well all night. Under the continued use of the remedy all the symptoms disappeared in the space of two weeks longer. A relapse presented the same phenom- ena, which occurred about six months later, was in like manner cured by the Senecio. The following case was reported by me :* A lady, the mother of one child, had had an abortion three years ago, and another—at the second month of pregnancy—four months since. Since the date of the last abortion she had suffered much from painful menstruation, which had not been the case previously. The menses came on too soon—every three weeks; were very profuse, lasting eight or nine days ; and were accompanied with a great deal of pain, of a cutting character, referred to the region of the sacrum, hypogastrium and groins. She was pale, weak, and " nervous," and had a slight cough, generally at night. Thinking this a good case in which to test the vaunted virtues of the Senecio aureus, I prescribed five drops of the mother tincture three times a day, and continued its use until the next menstrual period. To the patient's gratification and my own, the menses appeared at their proper time (in 29 days,) and were nor- mal in quantity, and unaccompanied with pain or suffering of any kind. Since reporting the above case I have treated several cases of a similar nature, and with success. In one case the first decimal dilu- tion was used ; in another, the first of Senecin, and in still another the second decimal. I have used it in but one case of amenorrhoea ; Pulsatilla failed to restore the discharge, but Senecin 2nd, appa- rently had the desired effect. Respiratory Organs.—Increased secretion from the bronchial mucous membrane ; loose cough ; rattling in the chest ; labored res- piration. Clinical Observations.—It affects the respiratory organs in a manner somewhat similar to Asclepias tuberosa, Dulcamara and Pulsa- tilla. " In coughs, colds, and other complaints of the chest, Senecin is one of the most valuable remedies we possess. It is especially ser- viceable in mucous coughs."—(Dr. Coe) " It has acquired considerable reputation in chronic coughs, catarrhal affections, haemoptysis, incipient phthsis, attended with troublesome cough, the result of obstructed menstruation, with unequi- vocal advantage.—(J. & S Mat. Med.) I have used it in a few cases of cough occurring in females, according to the indication given above. It seemed to act admirably. These suggestions may seem bare and valueless, unless backed up by more pathogenetic symptoms. But it must be recollected that many of our best remedies started from just such small beginnings. * American Homoeopathic Observer, volume 1, No. 3. OSS NEW REMEDIES. The following case reported by Dr. Thomas Irish, seems to prove that it ranks high as a remedy in pulmonary affections :* " In the year 182'J, in the State of New York, I was taken sud- denly with profuse hemorrhage from the left lung. Physicians were sent for ; consultation took place ; they manifested much wisdom in endeavoring to stay the red current of life by tapping my arm. The blood refused to flow in that direction, but the lung continued to per- form its office in opposition to these endeavors to change its cunent, by cutting the cephalic vein. All to no purpose ; tbe life current continued to flow until it would hardly stain a white cloth. They gave me up as lost without hope, and then gave rules and ordered medicine taken. I refused to take medicine. I became a living skeleton ; the dry, hacking cough, the hectic flush and sleepless nights were my companions for day and night for about five months, and still living in opposition to the wisdom of the prophets, I was in the daily habit of wandering about the fields on my father's farm, and pulling and testing of roots and herbs. The Senecio was before me, near a small stream. I tasted and was impressed to try its virtues. I had it gathered, roots and tops—a pailful, and prepared a strong decoction, of which I took half a tablespoonful four times a day. Improvement set in soon after commencing the use of the Senecio. In six weeks the cure seemed complete. This was in the fall. I continued well through the winter ; in the spring went to work ; in a month was prostrated by hemorrhage from the lung again ; contin- ued to work until fall. Again the life root was taken, chewing the root and drinking a tea of the same. Again, contrary to the expecta- tion of all, health was mine. In the spring of 1824 I came to Mich- igan,; worked hard all summer; in fall was taken sick; continued feeble until spring. At every attack of the disease the lungs would sympathize, so as to have it terminate in a lung fever, with bloody expectoration. I employed no physician, but always used the "Cure- All," as I often called it. In the too free use of the green root, it proved a laxative, which was not favorable to the healing process. At every attack, for 11 years or more, of lung fever, which were many, I always used the same remedy with the same success. I have never known it used in such attacks without some benefit, and the number would be hundreds. I saw the blood spirt the size of a common straw from a cut in the leg. The Senecio, roots and tops bruised and applied immedi- ately, stopped the blood; it was tbe only dressing. • The person was not kept from his work an hour in all. It was a bad cut, and healed in a few days. It is the best dressing for cuts, bruises and sores, known to me. It has more power over diseases of the uterine organs, than any other medicinal plant, in my opinion. In erysipelas it has with me proved a useful remedy, internally and externally. It would seem by the last paragraph to have a general curative influence over haemorrhage, making it analogous upon some points * American Homoeopathic Observer. SENECIO AUREUS. 989 with Erigeron, Trillium, and Lycopus. With this I leave the con- sideration of the plant, and hope my colleagues will prdve it, and at the same time collect clinical data, illustrating the sphere of this remedy. An interesting case lately came under my treatment, which illustrates very well the action of this remedy upon the pulmonary tissues. A lady, aged 40, pasfsing through the climacteric period, applied to me for a remedy to remove a troublesome cough. Her symptoms were : July 1.—Considerable debility ; no appetite, flashes of heat at times during the day ; redness of the cheeks in the afternoon; occa- sional night sweats ; menses have been very irregular for a year. It is now two months since they have appeared. Six weeks ago she caught cold, got a cough, at first dry, then loose, with copious expec- toration of a yellowish, thick, sweet mucus, often streaked with blood, attended with a sensation of rawness and soreness in the chest. The paroxysms of coughing were quite severe and exhausting. Prescribed Phosphorus 3d, three times a day. July 8.—No improvement in any respect. Gave Sanguinaria 2d, four times daily. July 14.—Is worse ; expectoration more profuse, with increased amount of blood-streaked mucus. Gave Senecio gracilis, ten drops of the -fV dilution every three hours. In two days rapid improvement set in, and in two weeks she was free from cough, hectic, night sweats, has a strong appetite, and feels quite well. In this case the Senecio was used empirically. The experience of Dr. Irish, recorded in " New Provings," seems to show that it was of value in pulmonary haemorrhage ; but its applicability to the other symptoms was not deduced from any clinical experience yet published. My impression has been, since I have used the plant, that it was an analogue of Pulsatilla. Its curative power in irregular menses, pro- fuse leucorrhoea, led me to this conclusion. I have an impression that a thorough " proving" would show it to be capable of causing a blenorrbagia from the vaginal and respiratory mucous membranes prin- cipally, also menorrhagia and haemoptysis. In the case above given, Pulsatilla, Stannum or Sulphur might have been found curative, but as the Senecio promptly put an end to the symptoms and pathological state, it is certainly worth record. It may be remarked that the menses did not return before the cough cea"sed, otherwise we might suspect one of Nature's cures.—(Hale.) Dr. P. H. Hale relates of Senecio gracilis, that it removed a group of symptoms occurring in a body at a climateric period, which symp- toms much resembled the throat symptoms of Lachesis, namely: great irritability of the throat, with constant sensation asif there were dry spots in the mucous membrane of the fauces, pharynx and larynx, attended with general nervous irritation. Lachesis 10th and 30th was given without any benefit to the patient. Experimentally— Senecio gracilis was prescribed, (five drops of the tincture four J\.ies daily.) and the symptoms which had lasted several weeks d: appeared 990 NEW REMEDIES. in a few days. A second attack occurring several months after, was relieved by the same remedy." I gave the Senecio (2d dil.) to a lady far advanced in consumption, hoping it would relieve the cough and blood-streaked expectoration. It had the desired effect, the cough was much alleviated, the blood disappeared from the sputa, but the menses, which had been absent four months, appeared properly, and lasted six days ! Back.—Pain in the back and loins ; severe pain in the small of the back. Extremities.—Weariness of the lower extremities; rheumatic pains in the joints. STICTA PULMONARIA. (Lung-wort.) Analogues.—Asclepias tuberosa ; Agaricus (?) ; Belladonna}?); Calcarea carbonica ; Cimicifuga; Causticum; Copaiva; Dulcamara; Eryngium ; Gelseminum ; Gnaphalium ; Hepar sulphur ; Ignatia; Mercurius ; Pulsatilla ; Rumex ; Sanguinaria ; Sulphur. Botanical Description.—Thrallous, coriaceous, lax, lacunose, reticulate, dark green, and olive colored on the upper side ; the under side tomentose, with naked white spots ; lobes elongated, separate, sinuate-lobed, retuse truncate ; apothecia (fruit-caps) submarginal, reddish. This lichen is common, fertile, on trunks, in mountains and forests, also on rocks, where it varies and is oftcner sterile. It is found in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. History.—Dr. T. F. Allen, of New York City, has favored me with a list of the species of Sticta, found especially in the Northern States, namely; S. sylvatica, S. aurata, S. crocata, S. quercizans, S. scrobiculata, S. anthraspis, S. pulmonaria, S. glomeruliferia, and S. herbacea. " The first five," he says, " do not fruit with us ; the last four are oftener found with fruit. The Stictas are distinguished from other genera of leaf-like lichen by being very veiny or ribbed, and having beneath whitish depressions or spots. I do not know that any of the genus except S. pulmonaria have ever been used. In Sweden it is very bitter, and is sometimes substituted for hops. Of other lichens, Peltidea coniva has supposed to be of use in hydrophobia; Alectoria arabum is said to be sedative ; Eremia nilfina is said to be poisonous ; Parmalia parietina is sold by the botanies in Germany, and said to be a substitute for Cinchona, in fever and ague, and is STICTA PULMONARIA. 991 also astringent ; Centrana islandica is the " iceland moss," etc.; Lindley says in his Flora Medica, that Variola discoida and fogina, are very bitter, and used in intermittents. Peltigera aphthosa, purga- tive and anthelmintic, (common in this country;) Umbilicoria pro- boscidya and cylindrica constitute part of the " tripe de roche," on which Arctic travelers have had to live; they produce colic and other distressing symptoms ; Erenia prunactria, recommended in pulmonary affections ; Cladonia sanguinea is used in Brazil, rubbed up with sugar, for aphthae in children." The Sticta pulmonaria has been in use in New England for a long time as a popular and domestic remedy in coughs, colds and lung affections, whence its common name. Another reason for the application of this name, is tbe fancied resemblance of this lichen to the human lungs. The " lung-wort" of the dispensatories, is a different plant— the pulmonaria officinalis, which is not indigenous here. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture; dilutions; tincture-tritura- tions. Medical History.—The Sticta pulmonaria is not mentioned in allopathic or eclectic dispensatories. It was first presented to the notice of the homoeopathic school, by Dr. S. P. Burdick* who published a paper containing a fragmentary proving, and several clinical cases, illustrating its therapeutical influence in disease, especially in coughs, influenza, etc. He described the plant as the Sticta sylvatica. Dr. H, M. Smith, however, published a correction, made by Dr. T. F. Allen,f to the effect that the plant used in the proving was the Sticta pulmonaria. He remarks that " the latter may be easily distinguished from the former, by the eleva- ted naked spots, on the under side ; the rest is woolly ; Sticta sylvat- ica has depressions ; Sticta pulmonaria is almost always found on trees ; Sticta sylvatica never or very rarely," etc. Since the first edition of this work, considerable clinical experi- ence has been collected, and an additional fragmentary proving been made by Dr. C. H. Lutes, of Michigan. DR. BURDICK'S PROVING. Nov. 9th 1859, I commenced proving this plant, having previously prepared a strong tincture. At 7 o'clock, a. m., I took ten drops of tincture. About one hour after I had sharp, darting pains iL the arms, legs, and shoulders, commencing first in the muscles of the arms, then in the finger joints and shoulders ; next in the thighs, knee-joints, and toes ; also dull sensation in the head, with sharp, darting pains through the vertex, side of the face, and lower jaw. There was a feeling of fullness at the root of the nose and in the left hypochondriac region. These symptoms were well marked; they * American Homceopathic Review, vol. 5. p. 334. t North American Journal of Homceopathy,.volume 10, (lbbd.; 992 NEW REMEDIES continued for two or three hours, and were followed by a general feel- ing of dullness, of two or three hours duration. Nov. 10th, 7 o'clock a. m , took ten drops. The symptoms which followed were similar to those produced by the first dose. There was also, a dull, oppressive pain in the cardiac region ; slight oppression of the lungs ; dull pain in the right hypochondrium. Duration from three to four hours. Nov. 11th, took at 8 o'clock, a. m., 20 drops of the tincture. About one hour after, I experienced the previous dull sensation in the head, with dull, heavy pressure in the forehead and roots of the nose ; dart- ing pains in the temporal region ; burning in the eyelids, with sore- ness of the ball on closing the lids, or turning the eyes. There were burning, biting, sticking pains all over the body; lancinating pain in the second joint of the middle finger ; inability to concentrate the mind upon any one subject; a general confusion of ideas. The above symptoms continued to increase in intensity during the entire day, and most of them continued until the 13th, without repeating the drug. PROVING BY DR. C H. LUTES. Commenced the proving with the 2d decimal dilution, increasing the dose from five to sixty drops. After taking it four days without producing any symptoms, it was discontinued, and the 1st decimal dilution taken in like manner four days, without producing any symptoms. Feb. 6th.—Commenced proving with the mother tincture. 8 a. m., took five drops. 12:30 p. m., 10 drops. 6 p. m., 10 drops. Feb. 7th.—10 o'clock, a. :.i., took 15 drops. 12 p. m., slight head- ache in the frontal region ; dull, heavy, intermitting. 12:30 p. m., took 15 drops. 2 p. m., headache increased ; worse in the right supra-orbital region. 3 p. m., headache worse. 4 p. m., headache increased, more acute, seems to extend through the brain ; worse in the right side of the head. General feeling of weariness; mind inactive, cannot collect my thoughts. Feb. 8th.—7 a. m., took 30 drops ; in ten minutes, pain in the right temple; deep, shooting, intermitting. 8 a. m., pain in the head worse ; extends through the frontal and right parietal region; seems to extend deep into the brain. 9 a. m., took 40 drops, 11 a.m., headache increased, worse in the right supra-orbital region ; pain dull, heavy and intermitting ; eyes feel heavy, mind inactive, inabil- ity to concentrate the mind. Sensation as if the scalp were too STICTA PULMONARIA. 993 small, or were drawn too tight. 2 p. m., took 60 drops. 5 p. m., headache almost intolerable ; seems to extend through the brain. GENERAL EFFECTS. "Mr. F. aged fifty years, came to me, saying he had rheumatism all over him. and could get no relief; said he had tried everything, had been to two or three allopathic physicians, but was getting worse every day. His troubles commenced about six months ago, with sharp, darting, lancinating pain, first in the knee-joints, then in the elbow and shoulder. The finger-joints were next involved, and it gradually extended to every joint in the body ; the pain in the neck and head were intense. At the present time the joints are all swollen and stiff. He cannot sleep for the pain, and can scarcely walk. By comparing the above with the provings of Sticta pulmonaria, I found a perfect type of the disease before me in this drug, and I at once determined to test its curative power ; the following are the results : I gave Sticta 1st, five drops to a tumbler of water, table-spoonful to be taken every hour. August 23.—Mr. F. reports himself greatly improved; pains not so severe—has slept better. Sticta 1st as before. August 26th.— Reports a great deal better; can walk better than at any time during the past five mouths; pain in the head and neck gone ; all the pains are less severe, and the joint? are not so much swollen. Continued Sticta, 1st, as before. Aug. 28th. Reports him- self entirely well ; has no pain ; swelling all gone ; says he feels bet- ter than at any time during the past nine months; stiffness of the joints all gone ; he is getting young again, and walks as sprightly as a young man. At the time the above was under treatment, I was also treating a Mrs, G., aged about forty, for rheumatism of the wrist-joints. She had been under treatment for nearly three months, with very little, if any improvement. The wrists and hands with but little redness; very painful on moving them. I had given her nearly all the rem- edies that are usually given in rheumatic troubles ; none of them had afforded relief to any extent. After the results produced in the last case by Sticta, I determined to try it in the case of Mts. G. I accordingly gave her five drops, 1st, in a tumbler of water, a tea- spoonful every two hours. On the day after, I called, and on enter- ing the room, she exclaimed, " Doctor, you have done it this time!" To my great surprise, I found her sewing. The pain and swelling were nearly gone. Sticta, 1st, was continued for a few days, and the cure was permanent. [This last case is reported from memory.] Dr. John Doy, of Battle Creek, Michigan, communicates tbe fol- lowing case of rheumatism successfully treated with this medicine : " A lady of this city called at the office and requested me to give her some medicine that would positively cure it, as she had just re- ceived a letter from a sister living near the city of Jackson, who was under the care of two physicians of the old school, who were treating her for inflammatory rheumatism, she being very sick with that disease: She said she should go and give her the medicine for one week, and 04 994 NEW REMEDIES. then try to bring her home for me to treat. I then gave her mother tincture Sticta, with instructions to put ten drops into a tum- bler of water, and give the patient a teaspoonfull every hour for the first two days, then a table-spoonfull every two or three hours. In a week she brought her home. I gave the same medicine in this man- ner only, a table-spoonful three times a day, and in tliree weeks she could comb her hair, dress her baby, in fact dress herself, and con- sidered herself well and went home. When brought here she could not lift her hands or her feet, they being swelled and stiff." Dr. A. G. Chase, of Ada, Kent County, Michigan, sends me several interesting cases illustrating the curative effects of Sticta pulmonaria in Rheumatism. Case 1.—My own ; aged 45. During the latter part of last win- ter and the fore part of spring, suffered severely with rheumatism in right shoulder joint, deltoid and triceps muscles, extending at times to the forearm, commencing to pain me in the night. Towards morn- ing, my arm becoming nearly helpless, could not put on my coat with- out help, during the day lameness nearly disappearing ; this condi- tion lasting nearly two months ; no heat or swelling. Cimicifuga racemosa, Phytolacca decandra, and Colchicum were used in succes- sion in small and larger doses, with but temporary relief. I now re- solved to try Sticta, first dilution, four drops four or five times per day. Improvement commenced at once. Discontinued medicine in a few days ; difficulty permanently removed. Case 2d.—Edward P., aged forty-eight, rheumatism in the right ankle joint, swollen aud very painful, could only get around with the help of a cane ; had applied domestic treatment for several days, without benefit. Gave him a dram vial of Sticta 1st, dose four drops, five times a day ; cured in four days. Says he used no other med- icine. Case 3d. — Mrs. C, aged 41; taken very suddenly, with pain reaching through the chest from sternum to spinal column ; constant, worse on movement; the arms powerless from extreme pain, if an attempt was made to move them. Gave Sticta 1st, three drops five times a day. The first dose gave relief; well in three days. To- gether with the above symptoms, there was difficult breathing and speaking for some time. Treatment commenced about twelve hours after attack. In these cases no other medicine was used to my knowledge. Chest.—The following cases are from the Case-Book of the Nor- thern Homoeopathic Dispensary, New York, where this remedy has acquired some reputation; 1st.—Ellen Murphy, aged nineteen, scrofulous ; had haemoptysis three years ago. Every cold, damp spell brings on cough with expec- toration of dark blood. Suffers now with loose cough in the morning, expectoration less free during the day; pain in left side below the scapula ; foul taste in the mouth; tickling in the larynx and bronchia; costiveness ; courses regular. Bryonia 3d. STICTA PULMONARIA, 995 August 5th\—Pain in the left side, less, other state the same. Sticta 1st. August 8th.—Great relief. August 12.—Nervous headache, which she complained of in the temples, improved. Cough steadily improving. Sticta. August 20th.—Cured. 2d. Anna Ernst, aged fifty-one, oppression in the pit of the stom- ach ; great thirst; no appetite; tongue clean ; disgust for food ; soft cough, with expectoration. Vertigo, restless at night. Bryonia third. August 5th.—Some relief. Bryonia 12th, August 9th.—Cough the same ; morning cough ; symptoms of change of life. Sticta 1st. August 19th.—Cough improving. Raises more easily, especially mornings. Sticta 1st. August 29th.—Cough well ; only some vertigo yet. Pulsatilla 6th. August 31st.—Cough all right ; vertigo the same. Cyclamen 3d. 3d.—Joseph Wedner, aged forty. Dyspepsia. Cannot bear anything tight on the stomach. Vomits phlegm. Hemorrhoids. Nux. August 8th.—Cough raw and sore. Better otherwise. Sticta. August 11th.—Cough only after meals. Bryonia. August 16th.—Cough easier, but very hoarse. Pulsatilla. August 20th.—Cough worse, expectoration tighter. Bryonia. August 24th.—Morning cough continues. Well every other way. Bryonia. 4th,—Ellen Minaman, aged twenty-five. Cough for six weeks. Hoarseness ; nightly expectoration of whitish phlegm. Sticta. August 12th.—Greatly improved. Does not cough near so much. Sticta. 5th.—Ida Hatfield, eighteen months old. Tussis morbillosa. Had measles two months ago. Sticta. August 8th.—Greatly improved. Sticta. August 17th.—Has whooping cough. Sticta. August 19th.—State the same. Worse at night. Corallium 30th, August 24th.— State the same. Belladonna, Ipecacuanha. August 29th.—Improving. Belladonna, Ipecacuanha. 6th.—Kate Winkler, aged fourteen. Nasal catarrh. Nose always dry and stuffed up ; swollen with tickling in it. Constant dripping down throat, which feels and looks raw. Tongue clean, Sticta. August 9th.—Improving. Sticta. August 12th.—Discharges a great deal of phlegm, with great im- provement. Sticta. August 19th.—Is getting well. Sticta. 7th.—Martin Wyman, aged two years, febris catarrhalis. Aconite. August 15th.—Less fever. Rattling in the chest, coryza. Sticta. August 18th.—Improving. Sticta. August 21st.—Cured. We cured a great many such cases with Sticta. 8th.—Magd. Hauser, aged forty-two. Influenza. Sticta. 996 NEW REMEDIES. September 29th.— Cough gone ; pressure in the ('best and abdo- men, more in the leftside. Caught cold when her courses were on. Sticta. October 1st.—Cured. 9th.—Emma Russ, aged sixteen years. Otalgia, noise and beating in the back partof the head. Pimples on the face. Sticta. September 11th.—Well, except the pimples. Sepia 30th. 10th.—Louis Walker, aged thirty-six. Influenza with bilious diarrhoea. Sticta. September 7th.—Improving. Sticta. September 9th.—Cured. 11th.—Annie Wiebold, thirty-five years old. Loose cough with free expectoration ; worse from midnight to morning. Sticta. September 9th.—Cured. 12th.—William Coleman, aged sixty-six. Coryza, the result of sunstroke, comes back every middle of August, when not exposed ; if exposed to the sun in July, it comes on then. Itching in the nose ; when careless, it goes to the chest; suffers now severely with it in the chest and bead. Sticta. August 31st.—No better. Aconite 3d. Greatly improved. Aconite. September 5th.—Cured ; never cured in so short a time before. 13th.,—Stephen McCue, aged four years, had measles five weeks ago, which never came out well; cough worse night and morning; some emaciation; restless sleep on account of the cough. Sticta. September 15th and 19th.—Steady improvement and cure. Sticta first. 14th.—John Holt, aged seven years. Barking cough like whoop- ing cough, from catching cold. Cured by Sticta in a few days. 16th.—Peter Weidman, aged forty-three. October 1.—Influenza, when cough comes on he can hardly breathe ; choking sensation in the throat, free expectoration : slime coated tongue with indigestion. Sticta. October 2d.—State the same. Sticta. October 4th.—No improvement. Bryonia, Mercurius. October 6th. — Cured. 17th,—Philip West, aged seven months. October 3d.—Diarrhcea mucosa, and loose cough. Sticta. October 5th. and 6th.—Some rattling in the throat yet. Cough and diarrhoea improviug. Sticta. October 7th.—Only restless at night now. October 9th—Cured. 18th.—Julie Eitler, aged nine months. October 22d.—Diarrhoea, dentition, cough, and rattling in the chest. Passages green, like chopped eggs. October 24th.—Diarrhoea improving, but cough the same still. Sulphur, STICTA PULMONARIA. 997 November 4th —Slimy diarrhoea again. Cough abating. Sulphur. November 12th.—Cured. 19th,—Charles Bennet, aged twelve years. October 26th.—Catarrh of the head for four years. Sneezing mornings, with greenish discharges ; frontal headache and epistaxis. Sticta. October 25th.—Less bleeding from the nose. Left foot and right arm often benumbed and cold. Sticta. November 4th,—Free from catarrh, but full of boils. Sticta. November 20th.—Entirely well. Catarrhal Symptoms.—(See Dr. Burdick's proving.) Clinical Observations.—The symptoms which led to the use of Sticta in catarrhal affections, were rather premonitory than actual. No discharge from the nasal or respiratory passages occurred, but the pains in the body, extremities, head, eyes, etc., that usher in catarrhs, were caused. The following brief references to the Sticta are from the American Homceopathic Observer, of July, 1864 : Dr. F. Bathrick cured a case of catarrh with Sticta, after failure with the ordinary remedies. He proposes trying it in the form of inhalation. Dr. B. M. Pettitt, finding that an epidemic influenza prevailing in Cayuga county, New York, would not yield to the usual remedies, resorted to Sticta, and had the most gratifying success. Timothy Baker, Esq., says, that " Mrs. Baker has been very much benefitted by Sticta, used for her cough, (character of cough not reported.) Dr. Jno. C. Fall, says, "I have used the Sticta pulmonaria with very happy effect. I wish I had time to write of the remedy in ex- tenso, but may in future." Dr. C. W. Boyce writes, July 16th, 1864 :—" Dr. Lodge,—Dear Sir. — In the July number of your Observer, I notice a reference to Sticta, in Catarrh. This remedy has been of the greatest value in this vicinity, in that troublesome disease. During the past spring, there was an epidemic influenza which affected nearly every one, and which produced symptoms quite unusual here. These consisted of an excessive dryness of the nasal mucous membrane, which became painful. The secretions were so quickly dried, that they were dis- charged after great effort, in form as hard as scabs ; the soft palate felt like dried leather ; deglutition became painful from the same cause. Often, the catarrh extended to the chest, leaving an irritation lasting for weeks. There was, usually, a distinct exacerbation in the latter part of the day, and fore part of the night; the morning hours were nearly free from the distress. Sticta ivas the only remedy that relieved " Dr. Silas Jones, of New York City, reports his experience with Sticta pulmonaria, in pulmonary affections : " Last summer, two cases of pulmonary consumption came under my treatment at advanced stages. When I first saw them, they were 998 NEW REMEDIES. both suffering terribly with almost continued racking coughs, lasting for hours and producing great exhaustion. One was a widow, aged fifty years, of light complexion and nervous temperament. The Sticta promptly relieved the cough, and she seemed so much more comfortable that her friends had hope of her recovery. But her pulse continued unchanged, and after some two months, she suc- cumbed to the disease, but was most of the time quite comfortable. When expectoration became necessary, it was free and gave relief without any cough. " The other was the case of a colored woman, aged about thirty. She had been declining for years. When I was first called to her, I had no hope of her recovery ; she was supposed to be quite near her end. Her cough was incessant. I gave her Sticta as I did in the other case, rather freely, eight or ten drops of the tincture in half a tumbler of water, with directions to take some as often as the cough set in. By this means the cough was arrested, and she continued some two months. I have promptly, almost entirely, arrested hooping cough with Sticta, in three cases—all children. It was given at an early stage ; no other remedy. 1 used the tincture in solution, rather freely. One of these children is subject to attacks of croup. She was violently attacked about two iu the morning, and the mother, having no other remedy at hand, gave her one drop of the tincture in a few drops of water, and in twenty minutes she went quietly to sleep, and was quite well when she awoke. The mother gave one drop more the next forenoon, and another before bed-time. There was no return of the croup. It may be a valuable remedy taken thus early, in croup, before a false membrane has formed. I find that it promotes sleep, where there is wakefulness, preferring it to Coffea. The use of Sticta in hooping cough and croup is new with me. The following testimony in favor of its use seems quite conclusive that it has some decided influence over such disorders. Dr. Bur- dick writes : "A few weeks previous to the above experiments, I was attacked with catarrh of the head, to which I was subject and bad been for five years ; at times it was very severe, obliging me to keep my bed for a week at a time. The above attack was one of the severest I had ever experienced. I discharged quantities of bloody pus from the nose and throat, and it left me with a distressing cough, and op- pression of the lungs, causing the feeling of a hard mass collected in them. The cough was at first dry and hacking, from tickling in the larynx, which finally extended to the lungs. During the day, I was comparatively free from cough, but it returned every evening about 6 o'clock, and would continue the entire night, being almost incessant. I could not sleep nor lie down. All treatment failed to afford the slightest relief, and I had become completely worn out from the cough and want of sleep. I now prepared a tincture from Sticta, and put a few drops in a tumbler of water. At 1 o'clock, p m., I took a teaspoonful, and continued to repeat it every hour during the afternoon. At 10 o'clock, p. m., my cough had not returned, as I had STICTA PULMONARIA. 999 coughed but once or twice during the evening ; but on retiring that night there was a slight return, lasting perhaps for a half hour, after which I slept quietly all night. The next day I took of the medicine several times, and had no return of cough. 2d.—Some two weeks after, I took a slight cold, which brought on catarrh in the head again. There came with it a slight cough, which increased, and in the evening it was quite troublesome. I took of Sticta two or three times during the evening; and, to my great sur- prise, I awoke the next morning perfectly free from catarrh and cough. These results of trials of Sticta on myself in disease, induced me to attempt the proving above reported. The following notes of cases treated by this remedy may show its ordinary operations in the forms of disease in which its powers have been most frequently tested. 3d.—December 12th, Mrs. S.,had taken a severe cold, had a hard, racking cough, aggravated by every inspiration, and there was con- siderable oppression of the chest. At 6 o'clock, p. m., I gave her Sticta tincture, a few drops in a tumbler of water, a teaspooonful to be taken every half hour. The next morning she coughed but very little, said she was well, and the medicine was discontinued. A few days after she was caught out in the rain, got her feet wet, took a severe cold, and coughed worse than before. In tbe evening I gave her Sticta as before ; the cough ceased after she had taken a few doses; and the next morning she was feeling quite well. 4th.—January, 1860, Mr. B., aged fifty-six years, was suffering from soreness of the throat of long standing, I gave Mercurius third, with favorable results. A few days after, I found him suffering from coryza, I gave him Sticta tincture, a few drops in a tumbler of water, teaspoonfull to be taken every hour. But a few doses had been taken when great relief was experienced. He had been subject to frequent attacks of a similar character for ten or fifteen years. I continued the remedy, night and morning, for a week or more, as it appeared to affect his throat favorably. While taking the remedy, he was ex- posed a good deal, and took a severe cold ; but he was entirely free from those distressing symptoms of coryza, which had for many years accompanied the slightest cold. He had been treated by several homoeopathic physicians, besides taking quantities of allopathic medi- cines ; but he never experienced any decided benefit from any of them. In February followiug, he had a slight attack, and I gave him Sticta tincture as before. He said the first dose gave him great relief. This was in the evening. The next morning he was entirely free from all traces of the troubles of the previous evening. I met him almost daily for two years after, duriug which time he had no return of the disease. 5th.—The next case was that of a young lady who was subject to coryza. During one week of these attacks, which came on in the morning, I was requested too see her. In the afternoon I found her sneezing almost incessantly; with a feeling of fullness in the right side cf the forehead, extending down to the root of the nose, with tino-ling in the right side of the nose. Sticta tincture was given as in 1000 NEW REMEDIES. previous cases. Two doses effected the cure, and the next day she was feeling perfectly well. Previous attacks lasted from three days to a week. Mental and AervOUS Symptoms.—Inability to concentrate the mind upon any one subject; a general confusion of ideas ; her leg felt as though it was floating in the air, feeling light and airy, withbut any sensation of resting on the bed. Clinical Observations.—It appears to be indicated in the men- tal confusion accompanying some catarrhs ; also in hysteria ; and the following eases reported by Dr. Burdick, would appear to prove it to be indicated in certain choreic disorders. 1st.—Mrs. F., aged about forty years, had hemorrhage of the bowels. She had lost large quantities of blood during the previous weeks, looked pale and ghastly, and could scarcely walk, she had be- come so reduced. I gave Hamamelis, which arrested the hemor- rhage ; but she could not sleep, and had not for over a week, saying that as soon as it came night, her feet and legs would dance and jump around in spite of her, so that she was compelled to either hold them down on the floor with her own hands, or have some one hold them for her ; and as soon as she would lie down, her limbs felt as though they were floating in the air as light as feathers. This brought to mind what had happened to the last patient, and I administered Sticta, first, a few drops in a tumbler of water. To commence taking a tablespoonful as soon as the above symptoms should re appear, and repeat every hour. The next morning at about six o'clock, the dancing commenced. The medicine was repeated every hour until eleven o'clock, when she slept for the first time in over a week, did not awaken until seven next morning. Medicine discontinued during the day. Next evening symptoms returned, but not so severe. Medicine repeated every hour. Fell asleep at 10 p. m. Slept quietly until awakened next morning. Next evening slight recurrence. Two or three doses of Sticta were given, and she slept quietly all night. Next evening no recurrence ; Sticta one or two doses ; slept at 7 p. m., did not awaken until the next morning. Medicine discontinued. Recovery rapid without any further medication. 2d.—A lady about fifty years of age, complaining of attacks of great anxiety about the heart. Very nervous. Had had a good deal of mental trouble. Ignatia and Digitalis afforded great relief; but after two or three months she called, saying that she was troubled at night by awaking with a strange sensation about the heart , and for a few moments after she would feel as though she was floating in the air. A few doses of Sticta first, effected a complete cure. In coughs and colds, it has proved very efficient. I have never used a remedy which has been so efficacious in procuring quiet, refreshing sleep as Sticta. I have given it when all other remedies have failed, and have never save in one or two cases, has it disappointed me; and now if I have a patient who cannot sleep, it is my first resort. I have reported two cases of rheumatism which it has cured almost by STICTA PULMONARIA. 1001 magic. I have also given it in several cases in which it produced not the slightest effect ; but in these cases there was not a perfect representation of the drug in the disease. Head.—A dull sensation in the head, with sharp, darting pains through the vertex, side of the face, and lower jaw ; dull, heavy pressure in the forehead and at the root of the nose ; darting pain in the temporal region. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Burdick found it very useful in catarrhal headaches, as will be seen by his cases under the head of "Catarrh." It has also been used successfully in another variety of headache. Dr. S. Lilienthal, of New York City, in an article enti- tled "Cases from my Note Book,"* reports the following case of cephalalgia, or " sick-headache," cured with Sticta : " Miss A. M., eighteen years of age, delicate from childhood up. * * * She menstruated for the first time when thirteen years old, and since then she has suffered continually from sick headache. When these dreadful attacks come on, she has to lie down ; light and noise aggravating it; perfectly impossible to swallow anything ; nau- sea anti vomiting, nearly to faintness. These paroxysms commonly last several days, and leave great debility in their train. She never was a good eater, as her stomach seems deranged ; but enjoys, other- wise, pretty fair health. No cough whatever, although she looks like a phthisical patient. Allopathy and homoeopathy have, until now, tried in vain to alleviate these attacks. Being on a visit to an aunt here in the city, she had one of her migranes. Sticta being a great favorite in that family, the young lady was prevailed on to try the new remedy, and for a wonder she appeared that evening, at dinner, free from headache and enjoying the meal. She took a bottle of Sticta home with her, and we hope her joyful anticipations of eradi- cating her troubles with it may be verified." [Dr. Lutes, a prover of Sticta, got no symptoms but severe headache.] Eyes.—Burning in the eyelids, with soreness of the ball on closing the lids, or turning the eyes. Tho following cases are reported by Dr. Burdick : 1st.—Rose Caen, aged 13 years. September 23d.—Had small-pox a few weeks ago, and has ophthal- mia variolosa yet. Conjunctiva inflamed. Says she cannot see plainly. Pains worse when shutting the eyes. Sticta. September 26th.—Great improvement; ball clearer ; vessels in the lower part of the eye full yet. Sticta. September 29th.—Improvement continues. Sticta. October 3d,—Caught fresh cold ; keratitis and conjunctivitis with great photophobia. Aconite, followed by Apis. October 4th.-Improving. Apis. * North Amer. Jour. Horn., vol. XV, p. 72. 65 1002 NEW REMEDIES. November 6th.—Was nearly well, till she caught cold again ; has now conjunctivitis, burning pains, photophobia, hepatic eruption on the face. Apis during the day. Tr. Sulphur at night. October 12th.—Improvement. Sulphur. November 4th.—Cured. 2d.—August 20th,—Mrs. M., came to me, complaining of head- ache with severe pain in the eyes, which felt very sore on closing the lids or turning the eye-ball. The pains and soreness as she described them, were very similar to those I experienced while making the above provings, and I prescribed Sticta, first, five drops to a tumbler of water, a tablespoonfull to be taken every two hours. August 27th.—Reports greatly relieved soon after taking the medicine. Sticta continued as before. August 28th.—Reports perfectly well. Face.—Darting pains in side of face. JaWS.—Darting, sharp pains in lower jaw. Nose.—Feeling of fullness at root of the nose ; heavy pressure in the root of the nose. Clinical Observations.—The above symptoms all resemble the pains of a catarrhal attack. The medicine has been found very use- ful in ophthalmia, coryza, chronic catarrh of the nasal passages, otalgia, etc. STILLINGIA SYLVATICA, (Qucen's-root.) Analogues.—Alnus ; Aurum ; Arsenicum; Ampelopsis; Calcarea carbonica; Corydalis; Chimaphila ; Causticum; Cistus; Graphites; Hepar sulphur ; Iris versicolor ; Iodium; Juglans; Kali hydriodicum ; Kali bicromicum ; Lachesis ; Lycopodium ; Mercurius ; Mercurius iodatus ; Phytolacca ; Podophyllum ; Phosphorus ; Rumex crispus ; Sarsaparilla ; Sanguinaria ; Sulphur ; Thuya. Botanical Description.—This plant is known also by the name of Queen's-delight, yaw-root, and silver-leaf ; it is an indigenous per- ennial, with herbaceous stems, two or three feet high. The leaves are alternate, sessile, oblong or lanceolate-oblong, obtuse, serrulate, tapering at the base, and accompanied with stipules. The male and female flowers are distinct upon the same plant; they are yellow, and arranged in the form of a spike, of which the upper part is occu- pied by the male, and the lower by the female flowers. The male florets are scarcely longer than the bracteal scales. History.—This plant is found growing in pine-barrens and sandy soils from Virginia to Florida, and in Mississippi and Louis- iania, flowering from April to July. When wounded, the plant emits a milky juice. The root, which is the officinal portion, is large, thick, and woody, in long cylindrical pieces, from one-third of an inch to more than an inch thick, wrinkled when dried, externally of a dirty yellowish- brown color, and exhibiting, when cut across, an interior soft, yel- lowish, ligneous portion, surrounded by a pinkish-colored bark. It has a slight, peculiar, somewhat oleaginous odor, which is strong and acrimonious in the recent root, and the taste is bitterish and pun- gent, leaving an impression of disagreeable acrimony in the mouth and fauces. It imparts its virtues to water or alcohol, and deteriorates in activity by age. Its properties appear to be owing to a very acrid oil. It also contains resin, woody fiber, coloring matter, extractive, etc. The Oil of Stillingia, so called by its manufacturers, is more properly an alcoholic fluid extract. It is composed of about 40 per cent of oil, with the remainder consisting of extractive, resin, etc. It is prepared by adding alcohol, 95 per cent, to the recent root of Stillingia, and making a saturated tincture ; then distill off the alco- hol. The residue is the preparation sold, and used as the Oil of Stillingia. Upon standing for a length of time, a flocculent deposit takes place, of a reddish-brown character. A similar preparation is made with ether, by displacement and evaporation. It forms a more consistent liquid, probably holding more fixed oil. The above oil or alcoholic fluid extract of Stillingia, is of a dark, brownish-red color, of a strong, peculiar, not unpleasant odor, and of a faint taste at first, 1004 NEW REMEDIES. but in a short time followed by exceeding pungency and acridity, very persistent in its character, and which is especially felt in the throat and fauces, being accompanied with a very unpleasant sensa- tion in the stomach if swallowed. The recent root affords a larger quantity of oil than when old, probably because the oil becomes oxi- dized, and changed to resin by age, and is no longer soluble in ether, although the active principle of the article is but little impaired. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture: dilutions; tincture-tritur- ations ; Stillingin ; triturations. Medical History.—This plant is used in eclectic practice more than any other. It supercedes, in that school, the Sarsaparilla, once so highly estimated by the allopathists. It is, however, a much more active medicinal plant than the latter, which is considered almost inert by the latest medical authorities. Wood and Stille, the two most prominent allopathic authorities do not mention the Stillingia. King and Scudder, and others, give the following eclectic estimate of its properties and uses : " Stillingia, in large doses, is emetic and cathartic, producing in many instances, a peculiar, disagreeable, burning sensation in the stomach or some part of the alimentary canal, accompanied with more or less prostration of the system. In small doses, it is an alterative, exerting an influence over all the secretions, which is unsurpassed by any other known alterative. It is an eclectic remedy of much impor- tance and value, and is extensively used in all the various forms of primary and secondary syphilitic affections, in which it appears to have almost a specific action ; also in scrofulous, hepatic and cutan- eous diseases, in which its administration is followed by the most successful results. In the form of fluid extract, combined with oils of Anise or Caraway, it has been found very beneficial iu chronic laryngeal and bronchial affections, and in leucorrhoea. Small pieces of the recent root, chewed occasionally through the day, have effec- tually and permanently cured laryngitis and bronchitis. " The oil is entirely too acrid for internal use, unless it be well in- corporated with some mucilaginous or saccharine substance, and for internal use, the fluid extract, or syrup, will be found suffi- ciently energetic and efficacious. But as an external stimulating application, the oil will be found very valuable in many instances. One drop of it placed upon the tongue, and repeated three or four times a day, is reputed to have proved successful in cases of severe croup. The dried root is inert or nearly so, hence its power is of no utility. Dose of the tincture, from half a fluid-dram to a fluid-dram, of the decoction, one or two fluid-ounces. This article is reputed to reputed to have formed an ingredient of Swaim's Panacea ; such is not the case.* Rafinesque briefly says : " It is purgative, alterative and anti- syphilitic. Very active, specific in yaws, sores, ulcers, syphilitic and all venereal disases ; also in lepra and elephantiasis." * King's Dispensatory. STILLINGIA SYLVATICA. 1005 Coe does not add much to the estimate of King. He admires the Stillingin as the best preparation. The average dose he fixes at three grains, three times a day. ' In over doses it will produce nausea and vomiting.' He advises it to be taken two hours after meals. If taken a short time before meals it materially interferes with the appetite." He unwittingly gives a proof of the law of similia, when mention- ing the use of the Stillingia in gonorrhoea. " One fact we have ob- served, in connection with the employment of Stillingin in gonorrhoea, and that is its tendency to provoke urethral irritation and chordee, rendering its use in some cases inadmissable." With the usual allopathic stupidity, he says : " This property, however, renders it of great value in the treatment of incontinence of urine, impotence and sterility. In all atonic and paralytic affections of the generative organs and urinary apparations it seems to be a remedy of much value, also in leucorrhoea." Dr. Coe means to imply that it cures these last named diseases by its antipathic action. This is not the case. It causes, primarily, excitation and inflammation; secondarily, atony and passive dis- charges. It is therefore homoeopathic to both conditions. Dr. Scudder says : " It has been extensively used by eclectic physicians during the last fifteen years, and we hear but one report of its action : that is, it is one of the most, if not the most, efficient of the vegetable alteratives." He considers it most useful for " all scrofulous diseases ; " also in secondary and tertiary syphilis ; and even in " cachectic conditions," not caused by venereal poison. Dr. Morrow believed it possessed valuable " pectoral and expec- torant qualities." He made extensive use of of it in the incipient stages of phthisis, complicated with a strumous habit; in chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, and especially in that hoarseness and chronic laryngeal affection to which public speakers are liable. In the last named affection, he regarded it as almost a specific, a small piece of the root being masticated from time to time during the day, and swallowed. He asserted that in these affections it invariably afforded more relief than any other agent he had ever administered, and others corroborate his statements. Some physicians prefer the oil in these diseases. Dr. Frost* (allopathist) is an enthusiastic believer in the great virtues of the Stillingia. He says : " Few vegetable productions in their recent state, exhibit more power concentrated in small compass, or exercise an influence more energetic, upon the particular organs to which they are applied, and through them to the system generally. So powerful is this action exerted upon the capillary and secretory vessels, in changing their morbid states and conditions, and thereby disposing to a new'and more healthful action ; that in this respect, it is nearly allied to Mercury, exerting an influence little inferior, in many cases, and in others, greatly to be preferred. The operation of this article extends further ; it exerts an influence upon the lymphatic * Charleston, S. C, Med. and Surg. Jour., p. 617. 1006 NEW REMEDIES. vessels which Mercury cannot equal, aud is therefore an important medicine in diseases of that system. It is in chronic diseases and chronic inflammations that the efficacy of Stillingia is best manifested, and more particularly in the long train of consequences which follow syphilis." Dr. Win. M. Cornell, of Boston, (allopathist) has given strong' testimony in favor of this remedy in scrofula.* This writer contrasts the value of Arsenic and Stillingia in diseases of the skin, and gives the latter the credit of being the safest and best medicine. From the above we might hastily arrive at the conclusion that Stillingia was a panacea for a large class of obstinate and chronic maladies. One fact, however, should lead us to be cautious in our deductions from allopathic or eclectic testimony, namely, the unfor- tunate habit of physicians of those schools, of combining with it other drugs, like Iodide of potassa, etc. I have carefully examined all the clinical reports in the literature of the opposite schools, but can find only a few cases of disease where the Stillingia was used alone until the diseases or symptoms were removed. These cases are so valuable that a synopsis of the most important is here given : Dr. Thomas Y. Simons, Port Physician, and Chairman of the Board of Health, of Charleston, S. C, in a paper on the Stillingia,-{- declares : " I have used this plant for twenty years, and have found it the best vegetable alterative, separate or combined with Sarsapa- rilla, especially where Mercury is inadmissible, or to counteract the ill effects of Mercury." Dr. Simons reports the following cases in which Stillingia was given alone, and effected a cure : " The patient was a little girl who had an enlargement of the tibia to such a degree as to deprive her of all power of motion. En- largements also existed in various other parts of the body, resembling nodes, upon the olecranon process, upon the head, and one in par- ticular, upon the forehead, of the size of an egg. The bones of the nose w»re much affected, inasmuch as to cause considerable depres- sion. The condition of this patient was in a high degree distressing ; seated in a chair, Avith the limbs contracted and swollen, she bid fair to pass a miserable and protracted existence, a burthen to her- self, and a source of anguish, distress, and trouble to her parents. Various remedies, alteratives, mercurials, had been tried by a phy- sician long in attendance, with but little benefit. I determined upon a trial of Stillingia. The infusion was employed. Recent Stillingia root, four drams ; water, one pound ; simmered till one-third was dissipated. This quantity was drank during the twenty-four hours, in such doses as not to nauseate the stomach in any degree. The medicine was continued for some months, and at the expiration of several, she was so much improved as to be able to move about with the aid of a stick, have the free use of her limbs, and the swellings, particularly those on the forehead, considerably reduced. The patient ' Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, volume LVII., page 39. I American Medical Recorder, Philadelphia, April, 1828. STILLINGIA SYLVATICA. 1007 has every appearance at the present time of being speedily restored to a considerable degree of health." In this case the medicine had a fair and unfettered trial, and it certainly accomplished a great amount of curative action, as no one can suppose that nature could do all that was done during tbe use of the remedy. The Stillingia has not been used to any extent in homoeopathic practice. No cases of disease have been reported in our periodicals, treated with this medicine. I have used it in many cases where Mercurius, Aurum, or Thuya were indicated but did no good, and its effects seemed beneficial. No record was kept of these cases, and tho particular symptoms have escaped my memory. In the absence of a series of extended provings, it is difficult to make any homoeopathic estimate of its powers and effects. I have placed among its analogues those remedies which I consider nearest allied to it in general pathogenetic and curative action. It is undoubtedly a powerful anti-psoric, as much so as any to be found in Habneman's Chronic Diseases, and I predict that its patho- geneses when procured by exhaustive provings, will substantiate this assertion. Only one proving has been made of the Stillingia, and that an imperfect and fragmentary one. It is, however, quite a decided ex- periment, presenting several striking and characteristic symptoms. The prover was a medical student, about twenty-five years of age, in good bodily health, with the exception of a chronic, inveterate skin disease, a species of eczema, which had defied the attempts of many physicians of all schools to effect a cure. The proving was undertaken in the hope of causing some curative results, but the dis- ease was only temporarily ameliorated. I do not think the experi- ment was persisted in for a sufficient length of time to effect any permament result. Like all the anti-psorics, its duration of action is quite extended, especially when taken in dynamic doses. In the crude doses in which it was taken, it was perhaps eliminated too rapidly. The sixth dilution might have acted more satisfactorily as a curative agent. PROVING BY DR. A. B. NICHOLS. Dec. 16th, 1865.—8:30 r. m., took 10 drops of the tincture ; in 10 minutes a feeling of nausea ; 20 minutes, a dull heavy pain in the frontal portion of the head ; constriction of the larynx ; a feeling as if I had a heavy substance pressing on my brain, the front part, pain becomes more sharp and darting, in fact almost unendurable ; heavy pain in the hypogastric region ; dizziness in the head; smarting, stinging in the fauces. Symptoms very marked; after an hour sub- siding, leaving a feeling of rawness and smarting in the fauces. 11 o'clock p. m., sharp darting pains through the chest and shoulder, very marked; boring pains about the region of the heart; pulse ir- regular ; feel quite distressed; dull pain in the head ; dryness of the fauces. 1008 NEW REMEDIES. 17th.—10 a. M., took 10 drops ; slight returns of the former symp- toms ; smarting, stinging, and dryness in the fauces all day. 9 p. m., took 10 drops. 18th.—Rested well all night; bitter taste in the morning. 9 a. m., took 10 drops. 1 p. m., have felt most miserable all the forenoon ; pains in the head; eyes inflamed and watery; soreness of the muscles ; feel as though I had taken a severe cold. 2 p. m., took 10 drops ; immediate aggravation of the symptoms ; throbbing and dizziness in the head ; smarting and stinging pains in the fauces ; oppression of the chest; pulse 90. 3 p. m., pulse 100; violent frontal headache ; slight perspiration ; stinging, darting pains in the face ; constriction of the larynx ; colic-like pains ; violent pains in the umbilical region. 11 p. m., took 10 drops and went to bed. 19th.—9 o'clock a. m., took 10 drops : no prominent effects. 2 p. m., 10 drops ; headache and smarting pains in the fauces. 20th.—9 a. m., took 10 drops ; darting pains through the thorax ; tickling in the throat and short hacking cough. 21st.—Cough continues, at times quite severe. 23d.— Violent, smarting, burning pains through the entire course of the urethra, aggravated by micturition; difficulty in passing urine. The pains continued for two hours so great that it was impossible for me to remain quiet; dull pain in the region of the kidneys. 28th.—Have taken none of the drug since the 20th. No new symptoms ; pains in the urethra severe at times, during micturition ; can detect no discharge. SECOND PROVING. January 4th, 1866.—10 o'clock, a. m., took ten drops of the tinc- ture. 2 p. m., slight headache, and dryness and tickling of the fauces, with a short, hacking cough ; symptoms very much as before. 11 p. m., upon passing water there was a sharp pain in the glans penis, extending up the urethra. Took ten drops and went to bed. 5th.—Awoke this morning with a dull pain across the region of the kidneys, and sharp pains in the penis ; short, hacking cough; fauces inflamed. 10 p. m., pains in the urethra and kidneys have continued all day ; have been obliged to discontinue the drug on this account. 10th.—Have taken no more of the drug. The cough, and pain in the urethra, have not entirely subsided. Note.—These symptoms were all well marked. Others, less prominent, arose, but I did not take time to record them. I was in my usual health at the time of commencing the proving, and the effects were so severe, at times, as to render me unfit for study. The first pain that I experienced in the urethra, was so severe as to cause the perspiration to start. I feared that something might be the matter, but upon its disappearing, and subsequent return upon recommencing the drug, I was sure that it was the drug action. The symptoms are none of them imaginary. TRILLIUM PENDULUM. (Beth root.) Analogues. —Arum ; Asarum ; Alnus (?) ; Copaiva ; Chimaphila ; Erigeron ; Erechthites; Gallic acid ; Geranium ': Hamamelis; IIepatica(?); Pulsatilla(?); Rhus glabrum; Sanguinaria; Senecio ; Secale ; Sabina ; Tannin ; Terebinthina ; Ura ursi. _ Botanical Description.—Root oblong, tuberous, from which arises a slender stem, from ten to fifteen inches in height. Leaves, three, whorled at the top of the stem, sub-orbicular rhomboidal, ab- rubtly acuminate, from three to five inches in diameter, on petioles about a line in length. Flowers, white, solitary, terminal, cernuous, on a recurved peduncle, from one to two and a half inches long. Sepals green, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, an inch long. Petals, oblong- ovate, acute, one and a quarter inches in length, by half an inch broad. Styles three, erect with curved stigma. Htstory.—This plant is common to the Middle and Western States, growing in rich soils, in damp, rocky, and shady woods, and flowering in May and June. Wood enumerates nine species indi- genous to this country. King says " nearly all the species are medicinal, and possess analogous properties ; among them the T. Erythrocarpum, T. Grandiflorum, T. Sessile, T. Erectum, and T. Nivale are the most common, and consequently the most frequently collected and employed. These may be known by their three verti- cillate, net-veined leaves, and their solitary terminal flower, which varies in color in the different species, being white, red, purple, whitish yellow, or reddish-white. Some have the peduncle erect, others recurved." The common names of the species are Wake-Robin, Birth-root, Indian-balm, Lamb's quarter and Ground-lily, Pharmacological Observations.—From the remarks of King, quoted above, from the Eclectic Dispensatory, we learn that it is a matter of indifference which, or how many species of Trillium go to make up the preparations in use in that school. It is my conviction that no reliable knowledge can be gained by using a preparation made in this loose manner. For use in disease, some definite, reliable tincture, made from a single species should be used. I am satisfied, however, from my inquiries, that none of the tinctures or triturations now in use by homceopathists is prepared from the Trillium pendulum alone. We must adopt one of two methods—either one species ex- clusively, or several combined. If the T. pendulum is scarce, not sufficient to meet the demands, several species may be used in definite, equal proportions, not vary- ing after once fixed upon. The roots of these plants are oblong or terate, somewhat tuberous, dark or brownish externally, white internally, from oneto five inches in length, and from half an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, beset 66 1010 NEW R„..^_ with a few branching fibres, laterally. They have a faint, slightly terebinthinate odor, and a peculiar aromatic and sweetish taste ; when chewed, they import an acrid, astringent impression in the mouth causing a flow of saliva, and a sensation of heat in the throat and fauces ; The rootlets have but little of the acrimony of the root. " The root yields its active principles to water, and its tonic and stimulant virtues to diluted alcohol."—King Homoeopathic tinc- tures should be made with diluted alcohol. The active principle, Trillin, is manufactured and used quite extensively. The Tril/ine, prepared by Prof. E. S. Wayne, of Cincinnati, is not used in medi- cine, being the " acrid principle." One of the most active constitu- ents of the Trillium is undoubtedly volatile. The roots are said to contain a volatile oil, Tannic acid, etc. The root of the T. atro-purpurcum, or purple species, is generally believed to be tbe most active. " The Trillium has somewhat tuber- ous roots, having a faint, slightly terebinthinate odor, like cedar, and a peculiar aromatic taste. Tannin aud a bitter extractive, however, form two of its active ingredients, to which its medicinal effects are doubtless owing."—Lee. Nothing seems more ridiculous and puerile to the rational physi- cian, particularly the homoeopathist, thau the senseless reiteration that " certain drugs owe their medicinal power to the Tannin, or other chemical principle, which they happen to contain." Thus, they (the allopaths,) decree that Trillium arrests flooding, etc., because it is an astringent, and the Tannin is the curative principle ; they blindly deny the specific (dynamic) action of drugs, and therefore, are obliged to take up with all such absurd subterfuges. Geranium maculatum contains more Tannin than any other plant, yet possesses no specific control over hemorrhages, which the Trillium undoubtedly does. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture ; dilutions. Triturations of the root. Trillin ; triturations. Medical History.—" I have, says Rafinesque,* "the pleasure to introduce this fine genus into the Materia Medica. It has been neg- lected by all our writers, although well known to our herbalists. * * * Almost all the species may be used indifferently, although the Indians have a notion that those with red blossoms (which they call male) are tbe best for men ; and those with white blossoms (called female) are best for women's complaints. The Indians value them as astringents in leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, and after parturition. The T. tinctorum is one of the red paints of the Indians. They call all species, mochar-new-achar, or " heat and cold ;" it is their pallia- tive for consumption." Rafinesque says all the species are good for hemorrhages. Eclectics esteem this plant highly, but have varying estimates of its usefulness and powers. * Rafinesque's Medical Botany, (1825.) page 102. TRILLIUM PENDULUM. 1011 Allopathists hardly ever use it, having a general abhorrence or contempt for indigenous remedies. Homceopathicians have used it to a certain extent; a few before, and more after the publication of the first edition of this work. No provings have yet appeared, and we must therefore be content with empirical testimony, from all schools. GENERAL EFFECTS. In the jargon of the old schools, Trillium is said to be " tonic, as- tringent and alterative." Nervous System.—No known effects. Muscular System.—No direct effects. Glandular System.—No known action. Vascular System.—Nothing; definite is known concerning its action on the heart and blood vessels, but from its known power over haemorrhages, we may conclude that it has some influence over the contractile coats of the large vessels or the capillary system. MUCOUS Membrane.—It is generally considered that the Trillium has some influence on this membrane, vaguely estimated as " astrin- gent and touic." Eclectics have used it with alleged advantage in chronic diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, and as a local application in aphthous conditions, and diphtheria. Hcemorrhages.—(See the testimony under the various organs.) The following general statements may be of interest : Prof. Lee says :—" From all I have observed, and can gather from others, I am led to believe that the Trillium is one of Our most valuable tonics, astringents, alteratives, and especially beneficial in most cases of passive, atonic hemorrhages, as menorrhagia, etc. Less astringent than many other plants, it is far more alterative and tonic, yet it has decided efficacy, as an astringent, when this indication is present. The late Dr. Williams used tbe powdered root in all kinds of active hemorrhages, in doses of one drachm to an adult, repeated according to the urgency of the symptoms. Dr. Stone, of Mass., has made very extensive use of it, in all forms of bleeding, especially from the womb and lungs, and, as he thinks, with great and decided benefit. In the various forms of scrofula and cutaneous diseases, he has also seen great advantage from its use. In popular practice, the Beth root is used in parturition, and is believed to facilitate the birth of the child, hence its name. Dr. Lee found it employed extensively for this purpose, among the Chippewa Indians on Lake Superior. They also believed it to be a certain specific for the bite of the rattlesnake. It seemed to be their favorite remedy in all female complaints, especially those attended with discharges ; indeed the evidence in its favor, in cases of vaginal and uterine leucorrhoea, is very strong and satisfactory ; also in passive bronchorrhoea and h£emoptysis°" Dr. Coe (Concentrated Organic Med.) says: " Its 1012 NEW REMEDIES. dynamic influences are chiefly directed towards the mucous surfaces, over which it seems to exercise a special control. Though mostly employed in affections of the uterine system, it is nevertheless, of great utility in the treatment of all diseases involving the mucous membranes. It is decidedly antiseptic, and is useful in correcting a tendency to putrescency of the fluids, and the foetor of critical discharges. Slight hemorrhages occurring from wounds, cancerous ulcerations, etc., may be corrected by its local application." Skin.—Applied to erysipelatous and other ulcers, it is said to restrain the profuse discharges ; slight hemorrhages, occurring from wounds, cancerous ulcerations, etc., may be arrested by the same means. Nose.—"A solution of the Trillin, or the dry powder, snuffed up the nostrils, will immediately check an epistaxis."—Coe. This use of Trillium is quite common in domestic practice. It is asserted, on good authority, that epistaxis may be arrested by smelling of the recent root. I found it to act promptly in a case of obstinate passive epistixis, after other remedies had failed; it was given in five drop doses of the first dilution, and a solution of the same strength, was snuffed up the nostrils. '• Mr. W. S. Merrill states that the red Beth-roots will check ordinary epistaxis, by merely smelling the freshly exposed surface of the recent root, and he supposes, therefore, that they contain an astringent principle, of a volatile nature."—King. AVhy an astrin- gent principle ? Teeth.—A small quantity of the powder, or cotton saturated with the tincture, introduced into the cavity from which a tooth has been extracted, will effectually arrest the hemorrhage. Mouth.—" It is useful in cancrum oris ; putrid sore throat, etc., and as a wash or gargle."—Coe. "Good in aphthae and diphtheria."— Paine. Stomach; etc.—Heat in the stomach; burning in the stomach; thirst; increase of appetite ; heat rising up from the stomach into the oesophagus. Clinical Observations.—The above symptoms were noticed in several cases, from the 1st decimal trituration. It is recommended in dyspepsia by eclectic physicians. Theoretically, I would suggest it in "gastric catarrh; " also erosion of the mucous coat, with haem- atemesis. Abdomen; StOOl, etc.—Constipation ; hard, dry stool. Clinical Observations.—It is undoubtedly useful in chronic diarrhoea, where the discharges are mainly of mucus, or of bloody mucus ; in dysentery, when the amount of blood is considerable, and TRILLIUM PENDULUM. 1013 the discharges are foetid, after the acute stage, and when the disease threatens to become chronic. It is evident that a remedy which exercises such specific power over passive hemorrhages from nearly all mucous membranes, should be useful in chronic intestinal discharges of that character. Urinary Organs.—It is highly recommended in haematuria. Its action on the urinary organs is similar to that of Uva ursi, Chima- phila and Copaiva. Dr. King says : "An infusion of equal parts of Trillium and Lycopus vir. has been highly recommended for the cure of diabetes." Dr. Jones* asserts : " I have used it freely in dia- betes, and from the advantage derived from its use in those diseases, we think it merits a conspicuous place among the list of our thera- peutical agents, and one upon which much reliance can bo placed in that formidable disease. Judging from its curative action in other diseases, it should prove useful in chronic catarrh of the bladder, chronic urethritis, gleet, and even in some conditions found in chronic nephritis. Organs Of Generation Of Women.—There is considerable tes- timony concerning its therapeutic action in diseases of these organs. From allopathic and eclectic sources we have the following : Dr. E. G. Wheeler reports the following cases illustrative of its effects in flooding, menorrhagia, and leucorrhoea.* Case 1.—Mrs. G., at the third month of pregnancy, was taken at 6 o'clock, a. m., with a bloody discharge from the uterus, with pain in the back, considerable sickness at the stomach, and occasional chills. I was called in at 9 o'clock ; the flooding had greatly increased during the last hour, and the patient fainted as I went into tbe room. The pains had ceased—os uteri dilated to the size of a twenty-five cent piece, but rather tense ; loss of blood very great. I made a strong infusion of the Trillium root, and gave her two table-spoonfuls every ten minutes ; in half an hour the bleeding had great^ diminished ; the infusion was continued, but given at rather longer intervals, and in two hours from the time I was called in, the hemorrhage had ceased altogether; pains returned during the following night, and the foetus was expelled with but very trifling loss of blood." Case 2.—"AVas called in at 4 o'clock p. m., to see Mrs. S., at the full term of pregnancy; os uteri dilated to the size of half a dollar ; no pains; flooding excessive. Administered the Trillium as in the preceeding case ; it acted promptly, so that in a hour from the time of giving the dose, the bleeding bad entirely ceased. In about four hours, labor pains came on, and she was shortly delivered of two healthy children, with no more than the usual amount of hemorr- hage." Case 3.—" Mrs. M., at about the third month of pregnancy, had had slight uterine hemorrhage, for two or three days previous. At 8 o'clock in the evening of the third day, she became alarmed by * Materia Medica. t Journal of Materia Medica, vol. ii.. p. 448. 1014 NEW REMEDIES. sudden aud excessive flooding. I was immediately called in, but her fainting turns were so frequent and so protracted, that I could not give the remedy as fast as I desired ; and notwithstanding I brought all the means to my aid. that I could command, I greatly feared I should lose my patient; in about three hours, however, she had taken an infusion, made with about three drachms of the bruised root as nearly as I could judge, and the hemorrhage was perfectly controlled. Thirty-six hours after this, pains came on, and the foetus was expelled without any further trouble. It may not be amiss to state, that I think I have found this remedy of decided utility in facilitating labor. I have treated cases of leucorrhoea, satisfactorily. The plant I made use of is the Trillium atro-purpureum." This is allopathic testimony, and better than the average ; it is surprising that the medicine was given alone. According to their general usage, the physician should have given it in combination, with Kino, Plumbum aceticum, or some powerful drug, and then claimed it as a cure with the Trillium. The medicine was given in large doses, yet not inordinately so—not more than two or three drams of the mother tincture in each case. The specific curative action was promptly manifested, apparently without inducing tiny pathogenetic effects, showing that no injury was done by the material doses. In the cases which follow, it will be seen that more minute doses act just as well. It is decreed by some writers, that the Tril- lium is most useful in passive hemorrhages, but the cases above re- ported were of an opposite character. We have no proving of this remedy showing its pathogenetic action upon the generative organs of women, nor can we decide with any certainty, as to the pathological states which it would induce in the uterine tissue. To say it acts by giving tone to the uterus would not convey any exact idea, although it actually has that effect; it stimulates the uterine nerves to healthy action, and as a consequence we have muscular tonicity, and a healthy condition of the mucous membranes. Hemorrhages from the uterus either arise from relaxation or laceration of the blood vessels of that organ, or from abrasion or relaxation of its mucous coats. Any drug, therefore, whose symptoms correspond, will possess the power of causing just such pathological changes, and will, therefore, cure simi- lar lesions. The analogues of Trillium are Tcrebinthina, Sabina, Pulsatilla and Erigeron canadensis. Dr, Coe, (eclectic) writing of the Trillin, says:* " In the treatment of vaginal and uterine leucorrhoea, particularly when of an atonic character, the Trillin will be found one of tbe most reliable remedies. In foetid discharges from the vagina and uterus, it may be employed in the form of injection, one dram of the pow- dered root to one quart of hot water—used when cool. But among the most valuable of its haemostatic properties is its power of restrain- ing profuse lochial discharges. * * * We have found the Trillium exceedingly valuable in the treatment of prolapsus uteri, when of an asthenic character, and dependent upon an atonic condition of the 'Concentrated Organic Medicines, article " Trillin.'1'' TRILLIUM PENDULUM. 1015 uterine supports. In engorgements of the cervix uteri, chronic vaginitis, passive hemorrhages of the uterus, it is an efficient remedy.'' Tbe above is in the main correct, for it has been used in similar con- ditions, in minute doses, and with success. I have found the 1st decimal, or even the 3d decimal trituration, as successful as he claims massive doses are. Dr. Chamberlain,* of New Hampshire, recommends the "Trillium in cases of uterine hemorrhage, and profuse flooding after confine- ment." He prescribes half a teaspoonful of the powdered root in molasses, repeated every ten or fifteen minutes. Dr. Freeland has used it for thirty years, with success, in the same conditions. The following clinical cases occurred in my own practice : Case 1.—Menorrhagia.—Mrs. M., aged twenty-eight, had been sub- ject for several years, to frequent and profuse menstruation. Tbe men- ses came on every fourteen days, and lasted seven or eight. In the in- tervening periods, there was profuse leucorrhoea, of a yellowish color, and creamy consistence. The blood was once bright red, and but lately, owing to her anaemic condition, has been pale and mixed with a leucorrhoeal discharge. She took Crocus, Platina and Sabina, but with no apparent benefit. Trillium second dec. was then given, in doses of one grain, four times a day. The first effect noticed was a diminution of the leucorrhoea, then the menses delayed one week. The medicine was continued, and the next menstrual period came on at the end of four weeks, and was not followed by leucorrhoea. She was then put upon the use of Ferrum met. 1st dec, and Helonin 1st dec , one grain of the former after taking meals and a similar dose of the latter, before eating ; and in a few weeks her strength and color returned. Several other similar cases were treated with the same medicine, and all recovered. Case 2 —Metrorrhagia—-Mrs. S., aged forty-six, passing through her climacteric, had occasional attacks of profuse flooding, at irregu- lar times, so profuse as to bring her down very low ; the blood was thick, dark, and clotted, and would continue several days. The attacks had been partially controlled by the use of Sabina and Crocus, but being called during the first day of a seizure, I determined to test the Trillium. Ten drops of the 1st dec. dilution were given every half hour; in a few hours the flooding had decidedly diminished, and subsided completely in two days. This was continued, in alternation with Sanguinaria 3d, and she had no more attacks, but menstruation ceased normally. • Case 3.__Mrs. T., aged fifty, had been subject to attacks, similar to the above, but was anaemic, dropsical, and much debilitated. Apis 2, relieved the' dropsy promptly ; Helonin gave her more strength and better digestion than she had had for months; and when her attack of of flooding came on, Trillin 2d decimal, arrested it in two days. These attacks were of a peculiar character ; the discharge was pale, watery, only slightly tinged with blood, but very profuse, accompanied with *X. A. Jour, of Horn.. Vol. —, p. 438. 1016 NEW REMEDIES. prostration, vertigo, dimness of sight, palpitation of the heart, and a painful sense of " sinking at the pit of the stomach." All these symptoms, which usually lasted eight or ten days under allopathic treatment with Sulphuric acid, and Mur. tine. Iron, subsided in two days under the action of minute doses of Trillin. In this case the discharge was really blood as much as if it had been red; but such was her anaemia, that the red globules were very deficient. She had become jaundiced, but under the use of Leptandra 2d decimal, the liver resumed its normal functions, and her increased appetite and digestion soon brought some color to her pallid cheeks. Case 4.—Hemorrhage after abortion.—The fcetus and placenta came away properly, but imprudence kept up the hemorrhage, which was dark, sanious, and accompanied with pain in the back, dragging in the loins, and soreness in the hypogastric region. All these symptoms subsided after using Trillin 2d decimal for a few days. Dr. J. C. Peterson, of Waterloo, N. Y., reports his experience with this drug in Uterine hemorrhage : Case 1.—Mrs. C, abortion in the 4th month, with retention of the placenta. I was called in haste about midnight aud found her flood- ing excessively ; extremities cold, face pale and anxious ; the os dilated and the body of the uterus firmly contracted—so much so that it was impossible to remove the placenta by force. Gave Trillium pendulum, two drops every fifteen minutes. She responded at once to the action of this rerae y. The next day the removal of the placenta was attempted by means of the placenta forceps, but after an hours trial I was forced to abandon the attempt. It ultimately became dis- organized and passed on the sixth day. She had several attacks of flooding during this time, but the Trillium succeeded in aresting it at once. China, Secale, and Pulsatilla were given for other conditions. The patient fully recovered. Case 2.—Miss A., aged 48. Menorrhagia at change of life. Was called to visit her in haste, and found her almost exsanguinous. She had been flowing freely for some ten days, and for the last few hours the hemorrhage had been active. She presented all the physical symptoms of excessive hemorrhage. Gave Trillium pendulum tincture, three drops every fifteen minutes, which within an hour had completely controlled the flooding. Secale corn. 3d followed the Trillium. The patient has since that time, (Nov. '64) been well. Case 3.—Mrs. B. Post partem hemorrhage. Was confined with her third child. Her labors with the previous children had been attended with almost fatal hemorrhage. Immediately following the birth of the third child she was seized as in her former confinement. Gave Trillium pendulum, a drop every five minutes, which arrested the flooding immediately. " In short, without citing other cases, I will say that I know of no remedy in the Materia Medica that so certainly controls active uterine hemorrhage. It excels Sabina, Secale, Hamamelis vir- TRILLIUM PENDULUM. 1017 ginica, Cinnamomum and all external applications. A certain class of physicians may call the drugs in the new provings " new fangled medicines," and sneer at their virtues, but I can assure them that the introduction of this drug into our practice will more than repay all the toil consequent upon the compilation of the New Remedies." Catarrhal Affections.—It is recommended generally for chronic catarrhal affections, especially for cough when dependent upon chronic bronchitis, or laryngitis. Iu such cases it would seem to have an effect similar to Copaiva, Stannum, or Pulsatilla. Respiratory Organs.—Dr. Coe says: "In chronic cough, ac- companied with spitting of blood, the Trillin is useful, and may be combined with Lycopin." It has quite a reputation in haemoptysis, in the eclectic school. " Trillium has been found by us, a valuable agent in haemoptysis, also in the incipient stages of phthisis, with bloody expectoration ; even in the more advanced stages, with copious, purulent expectoration, hectic fever, troublesome cough, etc., wc have found it useful."* It has even been recommended in asthma (humid) and whooping cough, but upon rather unsatisfactory data. Clinical Observations—I would recommend my colleagues to test this remedy in their practice, carefully noting its pathogenetic symptoms, and curative results. The above is mainly suggestive and clinical, but may serve as the basis upon which to build. * Scudder—Materia Medica. 07 TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM. (Fever Root.) Analogues.—Asclepias tuberosa, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Collinsonia, Cornus, Euonymus, Ipecacuanha, Iris versicolor, Juglans, Leptandra, Podophyllum, Pulsatilla, Sanguinaria. Botanical Description.—indigenous, with a perennial, thick and fleshy root, subdivided into numerous, horizontal branches. Stems, several from the same root, simple, stout, erect, hollow, soft, pubescent, from two to four feet high. Leaves opposite, oval, acum- inate, mostly crenate, entire, abruptly contracted at the base, nearly smooth above, pubescent beneath, prominently veined, six inches long by three broad ; in some plants the upper leaves are almost amplexicaul. Flowers of a dull purple color, axillary, sessile, mostly in clusters of from three to five, in the form of whorls, rarely solitary. Fruit, an oval berry, about nine lines long, and six thick ; of an orange-red or purple color, when ripe ; hairy, somewhat three-sided, crowned with the persistent calyx ; three-celled, each cell containing a hard, bony, furrowed seed. The root is the officinal part. It is of a dirty, yellowish-brown color, externally ; about a foot and a half long, and about nine lines in diameter ; whitish internally ; sends out fibres, has a nauseous smell and a disagreeable amarous taste. When dried, it is readily reduced to powder. Its virtues are imparted to water, alcohol and ether. The T. augustifolium is a smaller species, and considered to have the same medicinal action. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture ; triturations ; dilutions. Medical History.—It is a popular remedy for fevers, especially the bilious. Eclectic physicians use it as a mild cathartic in the early stages of fever. It is also ealled a " laxative-tonic." It is thought to pos- sess diuretic and diaphoretic properties. Triosteum has been used in homoeopathic practice, but only to a very limited extent. Dr. Williamson reported to the American Institute of Homoeo- pathy, at its session of 1844, a proving of Triosteum, which appears to have been made by Dr. Neidhard and himself. This proving was introduced into Jahr's New Manual, but is not mentioned by Drs. Hempel or Lippe in their works on Matera Medica. In 1866, Dr. R. Tallmadge, of Enfield, N. Y., made a fragmentary proving, which is given below. Dr. Gatchel made a proving several years ago, and it was prepared for the first edition of this work, but the remedy was omitted from volume, as the manuscript of the proving was lost. TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM. 1019 FRAGMENTARY PROVING BY R. TALLMADGE, M. D , EXFIELD, N. Y.* A year ago, coming through one of my fields, I came across a strange looking herb, having on it a berry of a deep orange color. I picked one, and on my way home tasted it, and found it of a pungent, bitter taste. The thought struck me that it might possess medicinal properties. I made a tincture and commenced proving it on myself by using the second dilution. It acted promptly and energetically in that strength, causing aching pains in nearly every part of the body, especially of the lower limbs and head ; sharp pains in the stomach and bowels; fever, asthmatic troubles, etc. I am not sufficiently healthy to be a good subject for a proving, and will not attempt a minute detail of its effects. I sent some leaves and blossoms to Dr. M. M. Mathews, of Roch- ester, who found it to be Triosteum perfoliatum, (Fever root.) In consequence of my description of it, he commenced using it in the treatment of disease. Many of its symptoms resemble those of Aconite and Mercurius. (These, I find, antidote it.) It acts with great energy, and we have to be exceedingly cautious to prevent over-action. I am now treating a case of fever ; after giving four doses of three pills each, its char- acteristic difficulty of breathing commenced, followed by extreme nervous irritability, fear of death, etc. As the quickest antidote, I gave her Morphine, afterward Aconite, Mercurius iodatus. The patient is improving. RESUME. Mental Symptoms.—Extreme nervous irritability; fear of death. Greater cheerfulness, (first day.) Sleep.—Dullness and drowsiness, with disinclination to engage actively in business. Sleepiness, without the ability, to sleep sound after midnight. Skin.—Vesicular eruption on the forehead, over the left eye, on the middle of the chest and on the right arm ; very great itching at night, with welts all over the surface ; violent itching eruption of the skin, generally with elevation of the skin. Clinical Observations.—It appears to be indicated in urticaria. Fever.—General perspiration ; drying away of the perspiration, and development of fever with hot skin and increased thirst; aching in all the bones; aching pains in every part of the body. 'We regret that Dr. Tallmadge did not make a more extended trial of this drug, and send a detailed account of all the symptoms produced. 1020 NEW REMEDIES. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Tallmadge says, " I find it a great remedy in typhoid, as well as gastric fevers," He was informed by Dr. Mathaws that the Triosteum proved to be "one of his most, relia- ble remedies in all gastric affections, with or without fever. He has used it with success in violent attacks of bilious fever, with pains in the limbs, headache and vomiting. Prof. J. Kost,* (Eclectic,) says that "it is eminently adapted to the treatment of autumnal fevers, and has been used specifically as a fever powder, by some Western practitioners and the aborigines. Head.—Giddiness, when rising after midnight, with extreme drowsiness ; headache, which is worse in the right side side of the fore part of the head and right temple ; pain in the hinder part of the head, with the sensation of weight ; increasing pain in the head ; headache worse from sitting up. Boring pain in the left temple ; boring pain in the right temple at 3 a, m.; pain in right side of head, and in the back ; pain in the nape and occiput, with coldness and stiffness in the feet. Clinical Observations.—It will prove curative in some forms of cephalalgia. The symptoms would indicate it in bilious headache,also in hemicranias, It probably causes some congestion of the cervical portion of the spinal cord and base of the brain. It has cured head- ache ivith vomiting. Eyes.—Slight pains in the left eye-ball. NoSC.—Sneezing. Throat.—Soreness, as if from swelling of the pharynx, and pain in the oesophagus on swallowing ; difficulty of breathing. Clinical Observations.—Dr. M. M."Mathews finds it useful in sore throat, influenza and common colds. Appetite.—Increased appetite through the day; loathing of all food ; thirst, but not a very urgent desire for drink. Stomach.—At 4 a. m., the feeling of a load and oppression in the epigastrium, with throbbing and an undulating sensation all through the system ; pain in the epigastrium, increased by drinking water ; pain in the epigastrium, increased by turning in bed ; soreness in the epigastrium through the night ; soreness in the epigastric region ; slight nausea ; nausea on rising, which was immediately followed by copious vomiting of very sour ingesta ; attended with cramp in the stomach and followed by perspiration and pain in the forehead, which was worse on the left side ; vomiting at 5 a. m., on rising to stool vom- iturition, attended with severe pain in the epigastrium, and drawing in the calves of the legs, almost amounting to a cramp ; flatulency, * Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics. TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM. 1021 confined to the stomach; heat, and sharp pain in the right side of the abdomen in the evening. Clinical Observations.—It seems quite homoeopathic to bilious vomiting, and many kinds of gastric derangement. Prof. J. Kost says it has been held in high estimation as a remedy in dyspepsia. Bowels.—Stool at 7 a. m., followed by numbness of tho lower extremities ; copious evacuation of thin stools from the bowels, with- out pain ; the evacuations from the bowels seemed to proceed from the small intestines ; stools watery and frothy, voided without pain, and are followed by exhaustion ; evacuation from the bowels at 7 a. m., preceded by pain in the abdomen ; the evacuations are most fre- quent in the evening; irritation in the anus, with exudation of mucus. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Neidhard reports the cure of a diarrhoea attended with severe colic-pains. Dr. Tallmadge says : " I have cured one case of bilious colic with it. I used five pills, 3d, in half tumbler of water, teaspoonful every 20 minutes ; relieved entirely in an hour." It has been used with benefit in dysenteries and diarrhoeas. Genitals.—Discharge of semen during sleep, without an erection. Chest and Heart.—Audible beating of the heart and slight pain under the left breast. Asthmatic troubles.—{Tallmadge) Clinical Observations.—It has a reputation as a domestic rem- edy in pleurisy. It may be found useful in pericarditis. Trunk.—Pain in the right shoulder, from lying on it; pain in the nape and back ; pain in the nape, with perspiration ; rheumatic pain in the back, from stooping ; pain and stiffness in the loins ; the pain in the loins is confined to the left side. Clinical Observations.—It has been used successfully in rheu- matic affections by Dr. Matthews and others. Extremities,—Stiffness of all the joints of the upper and lower extremities; remarkable stiffness of the lower extremities, with slight coldness, and a tingling sensation ; stiffness of the knees, when attempting to rise; pain in the right knee ; numbness in the calves of the legs ; penetrating pain under and behind the left external malleolus, after sleeping ; stiffness of the joints of the toes, ankles and knees, when lying ; drawing and shrinking sensation in the legs, aud the most decided prickling in the soles of the feet; coldness and stiffness of the feet. VERATRUM VIRIDE. (American Hellebore.) Analogues.—Aconite; JEthusa; Agaricus; Asclepias tuberosa; Belladonna ; Cimicifuga ; Colchicum ; Digitalis ; Euphorbia corollata ; Gelseminum ; Helleborus niger ; Kali bromatum ; Lobelia ; Phytolacca ; Tabacum ; Tartar emetic ; Veratrum album. Botanical Description,—Root perennial, thick, fleshy, its upper portion tunicated, its lower half solid, and sending forth a multitude of large whitish roots. Stem from three to five feet high, roundish, solid, pubescent, striated, closely invested with the sheathing hairs of' of the leaves. Lower leaves large, from six inches to a foot long, and half as wide, oval, acuminate, pubescent, strongly plaited, nerved, the lower parts of their edges meeting round the stem. Upper leaves' gradually narrower ; the uppermost or bracts, linear lanceolate ; all alternate. Flowers numerous, green, in compound racemes, axillary from the upper leaves, terminal, the whole forming a sort of panicle. * * * # * A part of the flowers barren, so that the plant is strictly polygamous. Seed vessels of three capsules, vnited together, separating at top, opening on inner side. Seeds flat, winged, imbri- cated. History.—This plant is indigenous to the United States, growing in swamps, low grounds aud moist meadows, flowering in June and July. It is known by tbe common names of Indian poke and Itch weed. The officinal part is the ooot, which should be gathered in autumn, after the decay of the leaves. As it rapidly loses its vir- tues, it should be renewed annually, and kept in weil-closed vessels. When fresh, it has a very unpleasant odor; when dried, it is nearly inodorous, and has a sweetish-bitter taste, succeded by a persistent acridity. Its physical and therapeutical properties strongly resemble those of white hellebore, and contains Veratria, gallic°acid etc — (King) Pharmaceutists assert that the Veratria obtained from Veratrum viride, and the alkaloid obtained from Veratrum album, are identical. The root imparts its properties to alcohol. 835, i. 8. XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. 1067 For homoeopathic uses, however, I advise that a tincture be made from the bark in the proportion of one ounce of the dry bark (or two of the fresh) to nine of alcohol; and of the berries, in the same deci- mal proportion. These should be designated as the mother tincture. Officinal Preparations.—(1) Tincture of the bark : dilutions. (2) Tincture of the berries : dilutions. (3) Oleum Xanthoxyli : triturations. [This oil must be made from tbe berries.] Medical History.—Rafinesque seems to have been the first physician who investigated its qualities. He says* " This is a great article in the Materia Medica of our Indians ; it is called Hantola by our Western tribes; they prefer the bark of the root, and use it in de- coction for colics, gonorrhoea, syphilis, rheumatism, inward pains, toothache, ulcers, etc. It is a great topical stimulant, changing the nature of malignant ulcers. Rafinesque seems to have had a correct idea of its general powers. He says " the Xanthoxyline which was discovered by Dr. Staples, is crystalizable, and resembles Piperine. This article appears to be equivalent to Mezereum and Guaiacum, in properties. The acrimony is not felt at first, but unfolds itself, gradually by a burning sensation on the tongue and palate." He estimates it very highly in chronic rheumatism. King does not add much to the above, except to narrate its use- fulness in cholera. He decrees the bark to be " stimulant, tonic, alterative and sialagogue." Tbe berries he says are " stimulant, carminative, and anti-spasmodic, acting especially on mucous tissues." Painef says of the Xanthoxylin : " It is one of the most active diffusible stimulants known to the profession, when administered in doses of from one to two grains. In the healthy person it produces a warm glow through the entire system, and a slight tickling (ting- ling ?) sensation of the nerves, as though gentle shocks of electricity were passing through the body." From all that I can learn of the effects of the bark and berries in health and disease, I am inclined to consider the analogues above named to have a close similarity in action to the former ; while Cam- phor seems very closely analogous to the latter portion of the plant. The Xanthoxylum was first introduced into homoeopathic practice by Dr. Charles Cullis, of Boston, who brought it to the notice of our school in a "Report of the Committee on Materia Medica, of the Massachusetts Medical Society," and contributed to the first edition of this work. Dr. Cullis presented six provings, three of which were made on women. . . I regret to record that with one exception, no physician has com- municated to me any clinical cases illustrating the use of this power- ful medicine, nor have any other provings been made. I shall, therefore, republish Dr. Charles Cullis' provings and clinical remarks, with additions of my own. * Medical Botany, page 115. t New School Medicines, p. 104. 1068 NEW REMEDIES. PROVINGS REPORTED BY DR. CHARLES CULLIS. [It is not stated whether the tincture of the berries or bark was used, but it was probably made from the bark.] FIRST PROVING. Mr. S., aged twenty-nine, light hair, nervous temperament, July 9th, took at 10 p. m., four drops of Xanthoxylum tincture. Imme- diately a smart peppery taste in mouth and fauces ; slept hard all night; on the morning of the 10th, took ten drops, followed by the same smarting or prickly sensation in the mouth and throat, which soon extended to the stomach, followed by an increased pulse and a degree of heat all over the body. In five minutes a dull headache in space not larger than half a dollar over the nose; in fifteen minutes, sharp, shooting pains in right side (like pleurisy pains) occasionally extending through to the shoulder blade ; these pains increased in severity, and lasted half an hour, during this time there was a con- tinual desire to take a long breath ; in one hour a dull pain in the right ear, seeming to affect the jaw socket, the kind of pain which one has when he dont know whether it is his tooth or ear that aches ; this pain lasted t\;o hours and then gradually wore away. Two days after, took twelve drops at 8 o'clock in the evening, followed by dryness of both nostrils, constant desire to take a long breath; flatulence; gaping; one half hour after, throbbing headache over right eye with nausea ; sharp pains in right side, of a neuralgic character ; severe pain in the right arm, commencing just above the bend of the elbow"; severe pain in the wrist and extending to the thumb ; in three-quarters of an hour, ringing in ears, more particularly in right ear : throbbing headache, pulse 100 ; slept hard all night; awoke in the morning, languid and depressed ; no appetite. July 14th.—3 p. m., same prover took twenty drops ; in five minutes severe frontal headache, with dizziness ; continual desire to take long and deep respirations ; terrible, nervous frightened feeling; head feels full; pain over right eye ; pain in right side ; sharp, shooting pain ; decided catarrhal symptoms ; watering of the eyes and nose; tightness of the head, with pain increasing over the eyes; in fifteen minutes increased desire for long respiration ; flatulence ; pain in right arm ; pain in right knee ; drowsiness all the evening; urine at night, and the next morning, scanty and high colored. September 3d.—8 p. m., took twenty-five drops, almost immedi- ately experienced the same desiee for deep and long respirations ; in XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. 1069 five minutes, pulse 100; frontal headache; nausea; twenty minutes after, pulse still at 100, but more feeble ; one hour after, pulse 82, feeble and irregular. SECOND PROVING. Mr. A., twenty-seven years of age, dark brown hair, fair complex- ion, phlegmatic temperament. July 9th.—Took three drops at bed-time ; slept hard and heavy; dreamed of flying about over tops of houses ; in the morning, felt pain in right leg; bowels constipated ; took three drops, felt sleepy all the morning; great depression ; after dinner felt a bunch in the left side of the throat when swallowing ; after supper, discharge from bowels ; on going to bed the bunch in the throat shifted to right side. July 10th.—At 6:30 a. m., took five drops ; in fifteen minutes discharge from bowels; also another after breakfast; sleepy feeling all the morning with headache. At 6 p. m., another discharge from bowels ; flatulence ; slight hacking cough. July 11th.—Took twelve drops ; strong, peppery sensation in mouth and throat; five minutes after, had a darting pain under and back of the right ear; right nostril seems filled up ; sensation of soreness in right side of throat ; fifteen minutes after, had a darting pain in the left temple, recurring again and again; drowsy symptoms appear prominent ; also, about the upper part of the cranium an achy feeling accompanied by flashes of throb-like pain, as if the top of the head were about being taken off; flatulency ; slight pain inside of right arm, just above the elbow; one hour after felt a good deal of tightening about the chest, which continued with much inclination to gape ; at 10:30 p. m., or two hours after, some pain in right side below ribs ; continued gaping ; head dull, and aching; a flash of pain in right thumb, extending to hand ; another in calf of right leg ; legs and feet feel tired. July 12th.—Had a discharge from'bowels before breakfast, and one after ; soreness of throat with expectoration of tough mucus. THIRD PROVING. Prover, light complexioned, sanguine-nervous temperament, active habit, uniform health, aged thirty-three. Took two drops of tincture, followed by these symptoms : Burning and dry feeling in the mouth and tongue ; diffused pain in the upper part of the forehead ; worse in the right side; pain extends to the base of the brain, with sore- 1070 NEW REMEDIES. ness ; shaking the head produces a feeling of looseness or quivering of the brain, followed by dizziness ; rumbling of the abdomen, with soreness on pressure ; discharge of mucus from the nose with con- gested feeling, as if it were about to bleed; dull, heavy, grinding pain in the left eye; feeling of fullness or pressure at the epigas- trium ; empty eructations, with slight taste of ingesta; slept soundly without dreaming, but soon after waking at 7 o'clock, next morning, had severe, griping, abdominal pains, with thin, brown, diarrhoeic discharge, mixed with some mucus ; anorexia, could eat but a few mouthfuls at breakfast, and could only drink a half cup of coffee, which was vomited soon afterward ; griping pain continued at inter- vals, with a general feeling of indifference and malaise ; discharge of dry and bloody scales of mucus from the nose ; hoarseness, with husky feeling in the throat; obliged to clear the throat frequently. This hoarseness and obstruction of the throat continued some days after the other symptoms had subsided. PROVINGS BY WOMEN. 1st. Miss D——, aged twenty-six, black hair, active habit, good health. Took twelve drops of the tincture. In five minutes, felt pressure in the head, with fullness of the veins. In ten minutes, dull pain in the right knee. In fifteen minutes, pain in both elbows and back of, the head, also a bewildered sensation ; pain in the lid of the right eye. Half an hour after, sense of heat all over the veins, with a desire to be bled ; flash of heat from head to foot. One hour after taking the medicine, pain in the ankle; flash of heat; pain in the left heel ; a feeling of enlargement of the throat; pain in right side of the throat; dull pain in left elbow, passing to the palm of the hand, then to the shoulder ; pain in left side ; heavy feeling in the top of the head ; pain in the left leg, between the hip and knee ; pain in the left elbow, and left side of the head; dull pain in the left knee, also in the left elbow, extending to the hand, then in left side and top of the left foot; a feeling of numbness through the whole of the left side of the body, from head to foot, the division made perceptible in the head, affecting half of the nose—this feeling lasted two or three minutes ; pain in the left knee. Two hours after, pain in left knee, very severe; slight pain in left side, and under the left shoulder blade, also the left hip ; the pain in the left knee has lasted without cessation, a little more than half an hour ; pain in the lower jaw and left side ; the whole left arm and shoulder numb ; pain in both feet, shooting up to the knees. XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. 1071 2d. Mrs. H., aged thirty. Took ten drops of the tincture at 9:20 p. m.; pulse 80. Soon after taking it, began to experience a feel- ing of depression and weakness ; weakness of the lower limbs, with pain in the knees. At 8:30 p. m., pulse 74 soft; slight nausea, with sense of oppression at the stomach; nausea increased, as did the pains of the extremities, accompanied with frequent chills. Next evening the same prover took twenty drops of the tincture ; did not experience the feeling of depression in so great degree as the night before ; the weakness of the limbs and pain in the knees about the same ; some pain in the left side : menses appeared next morning, being one week before the usual time; was attended with a good deal of pain. 3d. Mrs. J., aged twenty-eight, light complexion, sanguine tem- perament, good health. Took twenty drops of tbe tincture at 8 . o'clock, p. m. In about twenty minutes, noticed a tightening of the scalp, and heavy pains in the temples, with a twitching in the left knee and trembling in the right. On the following day, took at 11 o'clock a. m„ twenty drops; felt the same feelings in the head; did not notice the lower limbs. 2 o'clock p. *., took twenty-two drops; felt the same headache, or severe pain and tightening. 3 o'clock p. m., took twenty-five drops ; increase of head difficulties, with a great heat and a quiet flowing (menstrual), being two days in advance of proper time. 8 o'clock p. m., took twenty drops ; some headache ; all the system quiet, with an unnatural forcing of nature ; went to sleep as usual, and awoke in dreadful distress and pain, baffling description; profuse flowing ; the pain, or agony, continued until noon of next day, when it gradually subsided. RESO'ME. JlerTOUS Systcm.-Priekliug sensation 'in the nerves; gentle sheets, like eJetrieity, pouring through 4. W^«O *•£ in. of numbness through whole left side of the body, from head to foot It appears to irritate and stimulate tbe nerves of sensaUon*s witness tbe'prickling and tingling sensation felt not only ,n ffi0uth, but al, « the Wy jf^ ^^T^ £ r^lT^r/^i.lyaction.ana benumbing er rendering torpid by its secondary effects. SCInS T^r^aUm. action of tbe nerves of 1072 NEW REMEDIES. motion, it would be secondarily indicated in paralysis or torpor of both. Dr. Paine records that he has used it very successfully in many cases of paralysis. He also cured one case of hemiplegia, by the use of small doses of Strychnine and Xanthoxylin, in the proportion of one grain of the latter to one-sixteenth of a grain of the former, four times a day. The patient had previously taken Strychnine without any effect, but by adding this remedy, it soon manifested its power. Muscular System.—This it primarily stimulates, through its ex- citing action on the nerves. MUCOUS Memhrancs.—On these it acts directly, by its topical effects, and also through the nervous system. The berries seem to have a peculiar affinity for this membrane. (See dysentery, etc.) Glandular System.—This it excites by its irritant action, in the same manner as its analogues above mentioned. It may be found useful when the glands of excretion are irritated and pour out undue quantities of their peculiar secretion ; or when glands become torpid, and fail to do their duty. To both these opposite states this medicine is homoeopathic. Head.—Headache over both eyes; throbbingTieadache ; pressure over the nose; grinding pain in head with nausea; head feels heavy, particularly the right side ; pressure in the forehead ; pressure and pain over the eyes ; severe pain in the top of the head ; pain directly over the root of the nose ; feeling of fullness in the head ; head seems as if divided; the division seeming to extend to the nose ; pain in the top of the head, as if the top would come off. Sleep.—Hard ; unrefreshed in the morning ; drowsiness ; sleeps heavy, and dreams of flying about over tops of houses ; annoying dreams ; awoke with severe dysmenorrhoeal pains ; continued gaping. Skin.—Skin feels hot and sore ; prickling in the skin ; perspira- tion profuse. Fever.—Fever, followed by great depression ; flashes of heat from head to foot; nausea, followed by chills ; pulse quick; face flushed and hot; a feeling of warmth all over, with accelerated pulse and moist skin. Clinical Observations—No allopathic or eclectic authority except Prof. Paine, mentions the use of this medicine in fevers. Paine says he has used the Xantnoxylin in the low stage of typhus and typhoid fevers, especially when there was periodicity. He says it stimulates the torpid functions to activity and enables absorption and assimilation to be carried on. He does not, evidently, suppose the drug has any direct curative action. XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. 1073 This may or may not be the case. I am inclined to the opinion however, that had we a full pathogenesis, we should find this drug homoeopathic to some forms of nervous and typhoid fevers, and per- haps in the latter stages of some of the febrile exanthemata. " In exanthematous fevers," says Paine,* especially diphtheria and malignant scarlatina, I have used the Xanthoxylin, combined with Macrotin, to produce a reaction, and transfer the disease to the cutaneous surface, with most happy effect." Had the combination not been made, this observation would have been of considerable value. However, from what we know of Xan- thoxylurn, we may believe it to exert the same beneficial influence in these diseases, as does sometimes the Ammonium carbonicum,of which it is a close analogue. In typhoid fever, the tincture of the berries would be indicated in about the same conditions as Ammonium carb., or Terebinthina. It is recommended by King in " tympanitic distention of the bowels during peritoneal inflammation, used internally and as an injection." Turpentine is indicated, and is a specific remedy in the same condition, but the pathological state curable by Xanthoxylum is not as formid- able as that amenable to turpentine, The former will probably not cure the intestinal ulceration which attends the tympanitis of typhus, although it might alleviate the distention by restoring the contrac- tility of the paralyzed muscular coats of the intestines. Moral SymptOBlS.—Great despondency; irritability; anguish about the chest; fearfulness ; terrible, nervous, frightened feeling. Sensorium.—Heaviness of the head ; head feels full ; vertigo ; bewildered feeling; insensibility. Eyes.—Lachrymation ; pain in the lid of the right eye; dull, heavy pain in the left eye. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Cullis, of Boston, says he has used it successfully in ophthalmia, (what variety ?); both internally and topically. Ears.—Dull pain in the left ear; ringing in the right ear. flose.—Pressure in the nose ; fluent coryza; discharge of bloody scales of mucus from the nose, particularly from the right nostril. Jaw.__Pain in the right jaw socket; dull pain in the left side of the lower jaw. Mouth.__Ptyalism ; tongue coated yellow ; foul taste in the mouth ; tongue and mouth feel hot. Clinical Observations—Eclectic physicians assort that this medicine has been used successfully for the cure of paralysis of the tongue. It is capable of causing profuse salivation, and may prove homoeopathic to some forms of ptyalism—perhaps that of pregnancy, and also the mercurial. * New School Medioinos, p. 104. 1074 NEW REMEDIES. Throat.—Throbbing in the throat; right side of the throat feels sore ; sensation of swelling ; hoarseness ; soreness of throat, with ex- pectoration of tough mucus. A "bunch " in left side of throat when swallowing. Clinical Observations.—It has been found curative in paralytic conditions of the throat, but the particular symptoms are not men- tioned. Dr. Hollembaek says it is " invaluable for restoring the loss of voice induced by cold or general debility " In this affection it pro- bably acts similarly to the carbonate of ammonia. Stomach.—Fluttering in the stomach ; a feeling of heaviness in the stomach ; eructations with nausea. Abdomen.—Colic pain in right iliac region; fullness and pres- sure at the epigastrium; griping in the bowels; rumbling, with soreness on pressure. Clinical Observations.—One of the most important of all the effects of Xanthoxylum is, doubtless, its action on the mucous and muscular tissues of the intestines, The tincture of the berries appears to be the most useful prepar- ation in the treatment of intestinal disorders. Eclectic authorities are unanimous in asserting its usefulness in spasms of the bowels, flatulency, diarrhoza and tympanitic distention during enteritis. The few symptoms above given, seem to point towards such an action. If heroic provings were instituted, it would doubtless be found that this drug would cause those abnormal conditions which it is said to cure. The most important clinical fact relative to the use of this medi cine is its efficacy in cholera. Sufficient testimony is recorded to warrant us in admitting its usefulness in that terrible disease. " In Asiatic cholera" says King, " it was extensively used by many of the physicians in Cincinnati, and with great success ; it acted like electricity, so sudden was its influence over the system ; indeed, many patients likened its action to an electric shock, which seemed to diffuse itself through the whole frame. We gave it (the tincture of the berries) in teaspoonful doses, slightly diluted, and repeated according to circumstances, every five, ten or fifteen minutes, with an injection, (of \ fluid ounce tincture : laudanum, 20 drops,) which was given immediately after each discharge from the bowels, and retained by the patient as long as possible." This would be good testimony in favor of the real efficacy of the Xanthoxylum, if it had not been absurdly combined, in the injec- tion, with laudanum. The eclectics cannot rid themselves of the allopathic notion of combination. In the allopathic treatment of cholera, laudanum is always mixed with Camphor, although the two are antidotes, and notwithstanding the fact, so notorious now, that the use of Opium in any form increases the mortality of cholera patients. XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM. 1075 Perhaps, in consideration of this fact, we ought to credit the Xan- thoxylum with powerful curative effects, inasmuch as it acted favora- bly, notwithstanding its union with a drug so useless and injurious as laudanum. It is my conviction that the Xanthoxylum acts in cholera, in a manner quite similar to Camphor and Veratrum album. It seems to possess some of the properties of both, and many of its symptoms resemble those of each drug, as witness the "tingling and electiic-like shocks, which resemble those of Veratrum album, and the peculiar nervous stimulation resembling that of Camphor. Dr. Morrow (eclectic) used the medicine alone, with very good success, in cholerine cases in Cincinnati, in 1849. In the treatment of dysentery, it is valued very highly by eclec- tics, who use it internally and by enema, after the acute inflammatory stage has subsided ; also for the tympanitis which sometimes occurs. Drs. Hale and Smart, (homceopathists), of Hudson, Mich., made use of it in a severe epidemic of dysentery, which devastated that sec- tion in 1866. After Aconite and Mercurius corrosivus had controlled the first stage, there occurred a condition which no remedy seemed to relieve. The symptoms were, intense spasmodic tenesmus, intes- tinal spasms, tympanitis, failure of strength, nervous prostration, jactitation, numbness, and sometimes symptoms indicating collapse of the vital forces. For these symptoms the Xanthoxylum was pre- scribed. The tincture of the berries was given in two, three, or five drop doses, every hour or two, sometimes cftener, and a weak infusion of the berries, (one dram to one quart of water,) used as an enema ; a few fluid ounces thrown up the rectum after each discharge from the bowels. This treatment was very successful, and succeeded in relieving cases which could not be relieved by any other. StOOl.—Inodorous discharges, with tenesmus; thin, brown dis- charges, with mucus. Urine.—Profuse and light-colored. Generative Organs Of Women.—Appearance of the menses too soon. Profuse menses, tvith violent pains. Leucorrhoea. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Cullis, of Boston, says of its uses in diseases of these organs: " Clinically, I have used this remedy in dysmenorrhea and amenorrhoea, with marked success. One or two cases will serve for an illustration : " Miss A., aged twenty-five ; brunette ; has suffered from men- strual irregularities since their first appearance ; the catamenia ap- pearing in three, four or five months, and at that time her sufferings were excruciating. Her general health, otherwise, was good. At the time of consulting me, she had not had her catamenia for two months. I gave her Xanthoxylum, 1st dilution, five drops three times a day. In three days her menses appeared, and much to her joy, with little pain. " Miss B., light complexioned, nervous temperament, aged twenty- five, consulted me for suppression of the menses, received by getting 1076 NEW REMEDIES. the feet wet, she being then about one week past her time. I gave her Xanthoxylum, 1st decimal, five drops every three hours. Her menses appeared the next day. " Mrs. C, aged thirty-two, mother of ten children, a large, fleshy woman, had not menstruated for five months, and previous to that time had not for three or four months. Gave Xanthoxylum 1st, to be taken three times a day. Menses appeared in four days. " In dysmenorrhoea, I have used this drug with very satisfactory results. I will quote one marked case : " Mrs. D., aged twenty-six, spare habit, scrofulous diathesis ; had sufferred for years from dysmenorrhoea. Her sufferings were so great, that she would be confined to her bed for two or three days. She had tried all sorts of treatment, but without any relief. She came under my care saying the only way she could live through her menstrual period was to drink whisky, or gin, until she was intoxi- cated. For several months I treated her with the usual remedies, but without any beneficial result. I then gave her Xanthoxylum 3rd decimal; this completely cured her. She was extravagant in her praises of this remedy. It has never failed to relieve her." "I think Xanthoxylum more especially indicated in females of spare habit, nervous temperament, and delicate organization. In some cases of plethoric habit it has failed me. In leucorrhoea with amen- orrhoea, it has proved very successful. In after-pains in obstetric practice, I have found it of inestimable value ; also in profuse flowing and threatened abortion." Chest.—Oppression of the chest, with a desire to take deep inspi- rations ; shortness of breath ; tightness of the chest; difficulty to inflate the chest; pain in the left side, under the fourth rib. Arms.—Pain in the right shoulder and arm ; pain inside the arm, just above the elbow ; pain in the right elbow ; pain and pricking feeling in the right arm, extending to the third finger; pain in the little finger of the right hand ; numbness of the left arm; pricking and throbbing sensation in the left arm and fingers. Legs.—Excessive weakness of the lower limbs; pain in the calf of right leg ; pain in the left leg, between hip and knee ; pain in the top of the left foot; pain in the third toe of the left foot. Clinical Observations.—The symptoms brought on by its use, would seem to substantiate its alleged usefulness in some forms of rheumatism, (chronic), or rheumatalgia, and even in certain varieties of neuralgia. Some of the symptoms present a faint picture of par- alytic conditions, in which it has been used with alleged success. ZIZIA AUREA, (Golden Alexander.~) Analogues.—JEthusa, Agaricus, Belladonna, Conium, Cicuta, Cimicifuga,Gymnocladus, Hyosciamus, Ignatia, Lachnanthes, Opium, Phellandrium aquaticum, Stramonium. Botanical Description.—Stem smooth, erect, glaucous, one to two feet high; leaves, bi or tri-ternate; leaflets entire, ovate, oblong, one inch or more in length, petiolate; rays of the umbels very slen- der, two to three inches long, about thirteen in number, with minute involucels or none ; seeds terate or five-angled. History.—This is an indigenous plant, growing in rocky woods, etc., from New York and Michigan to Georgia; flowering in May and June. It is the Zizia integemma of DeCandolle, Wood, etc., and the Smyrnium aureum of some botanists, and is also known as Musk-quash root, Water-hemlock, etc. But it must not be mistaken for the Phellandrium amanthe, or the Conium virosa, which have also received the name of Water-hemlock. The Zizia aurea may readily be distinguished from all other plants to which the appellation has been applied, by its orange-yellow flowers, ternate radical leaves, the external brown, and internal yellow color of the root, and its warm aromatic taste. The fresh root has a some- what strong, unpleasant, and nauseating odor, not unlike that of Conium. It has an aromatic, pungent taste, and is disagreeable and loathsome to the stomach. Officinal Preparations.—Tincture; dilutions; tincture-tritu- rations. Medical History.—I cannot find that this plant has been used by any allopathic or eclectic physician, nor is it even mentioned in any of the works of the opposite school. It was introduced into the homceopathic school by Dr. E. E. Marcy, who published, in 1855* a pathogenesis and some clinical observations. Since the publication of this pathogenesis, no clinical reports concerning its use have appeared in our periodicals. TOXICAL EFFECTS. Judge Gray, of Chatauque, N. Y., states that a gentleman of his acquaintance chewed a piece of the Zizia root for the purpose of test- ing its properties, and was immediately seized with nausea, vomiting, spasms, general convulsions, and fainting fits, which terminated in death at the expiration of three hours. The Judge relates another instance in which a young lady of his acquaintance, ate a large root *North American Journal of Homoeopathy vol. IV, page 52. 1078 NEW REMEDIES. of the Zizia, supposing it to be sweet Cicely-root. Soon afterwards she was seized with violent vomiting, spasms, swooning, and convul- sions. The speedy discharge of the poison by vomiting, enabled her to resist the toxical influence, and regain her usual health in a few days. The following effects were observed in an ox, after having eaten the top of the plant early in the spring: vomiting and staggering about, as if intoxicated. The animal continued sick, reeling and staggering about for three days, and then recovered. PATHOGENETIC EFFECTS. If a small piece of the root be chewed, or a few drops of the tinc- ture be applied to the tongue, it produces a sense of faintness and exhaustion. On one occasion, after filtering some of tbe tincture, the eye-lids became somewhat inflamed, accompanied by smarting, itching, and prickling pains—the right eye being affected more than the left. On bathing the face with a lotion, made by adding a few drops of the tincture to a rpint of water, a creeping, smarting and itching sensation was felt in the cheeks and lips. The odor of the root has been known to produce such an effect upon the system as to confine the subjects of its influence to bed for days. In these instances, nausea, faintness and lassitude were the symptoms produced. During the treatment of a ca3e of epilepsy, the patient on several occasions, took more than the prescribed dose, and in each instance he observed the following results: unusual exhilara- tion of spirits; lightness and pain in the head; sensation of tightness around the forehead, and at the back of the head ; increased physical strength, with inclination for muscular exertion. It is proper to re- mark, that while under the influence of the drop doses, there was a marked improvement in the spirits of the patient, which had been habitually depressed.—(Marcy) The provings which have hitherto been made with Zizia are quite limited. The writer* has made use of the 3d dilution exclusive^ taking five drops at a dose, and repeating every four hours until some effects were produced. Three other gentlemen and one lady have likewise taken the drug for the purpose of ascertaining its path- ogenetic effects. These proving have been made with the 3d dilu- tion, with one exception (Dr. O. Fullgraff,) who used the 1st dilution and tincture. * Dr. E. E. Marcy. ZIZIA AUREA. 1079 RESUME. Nervous System.—This poisonous plant seems to have a direct affinity for the spinal cord and brain, causing irritations and conges- tions, which manifest themselves in spasms, delirium, etc. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Marcy has cured with Zizia, one case of epilepsy of more than ten years' duration, the fits occurring upon the average as often as once in eight or ten days, by the third decimal dilution of the Zizia. Drop doses were prescribed morning and evening, every alternate week for two months, since which period (nearly three months) all unpleasant symptoms have disappeared, and there has not been the slightest in- dication of a convulson. Another case of epilepsy, in a lad of seven years of age, has ap- parently been cured by this remedy. In this instance, the boy had been afflicted with convulsions, at intervals of from one to three weeks, for five years. Six weeks have now elapsed without a recurrence of the malady—a much longer interval than has ever before occurred. Dr. Marcy states that he has cured, with the Zizia, " many cases of tic-doloreaux, three cases of neuralgia of the head, two of them semi-lateral and the other one affecting the forehead and vertex ; and one case of intermittent neuralgia of the left ovarium." General Symptoms.—Pains, increased by movement, noise, light or contact; spasmodic movements of the muscles of the face and ex- tremities ; affections of the brain and nervous system ; uterine affec- tions characterised by increased vascular and nervous excitement; catarrhal, asthmatic and pleuritic maladies; convulsions, epilepsy. Skin.—Surface of the whole body paler than natural; face and ankles oedematous ; itching pimples upon the forehead, wrists and legs ; sensitiveness of the entire surface of the body to the touch ; redness of one cheek and paleness of the other; white and puffy ap- pearance of the whole body. Sleep.—Drowsiness, with a sense of lassitude and fatigue ; exhil- aration of all the faculties, followed by strong desire to sleep ; sleep disturbed by unpleasant dream3 ; spasmodic twitching during sleep ; talking during sleep; sleep is sound until the sixth night, when it is prevented by pains. Fever.—Feverish symptoms, accompanying severe stitching pains in the chest; fever, with headache, pain in back, thirst; dryness of the mouth ; yellow fur upon the tongue, and oppressed respiration; chil- liness and heat alternating with faintness, nausea, pain in the right temple ; redness of the eyeballs, dry and red tongue, and thirst for cold water; hot flushes in the face and head, followed by perspira- 1080 NEW REMEDIES. tion; chilliness, accompanied with spasmodic twitchings of the muscles of the face and upper extremities, followed by fever; flushed cheeks, hot head, visible pulsations of the carotid and temporal arter- ies ; coldness of the hands and feet; drowsiuess and irritability. Mind.—Depression of spirits, with disgust of life ; depression of spirits, followed by great exhilaration, and desire for conversation dreamy, imaginative mood ; exhilaration like intoxication, (from the first dilution ;) irritability, with lowness of spirits, and indifference to everything; laughing and weeping moods in alternation; sense of exhilaration, lasting twelve hours, and then succeeded by great depression, which lasted for several days ; sometimes indolence with contentment; the behavior throughout is quiet, with much apparent suffering and sadness. Clinical Observations.—Dr. Marcy reports the cure of an obstinate case of hypochondria, accompanied by disgust of life, almost constant desire to commit suicide ; sleeplessness, hysteria, spasmodic twitchings, etc. Head.—Sensation of tightness around the head'; giddiness ; acute aching pain in the whole left side of the head, increased by light or noise ; shooting pains through the orbits ; rush of blood to the head and face, with feeling of fullness ; pressure upon the top of the brain- dull pains in the occipital region, extending down the muscles of the neck ; severe pain in the right temple with nausea ; swimming in the head; drowsiness ; headache sharp, over the right eye ; on the sev- enth day, the headache is grievous, with nausea, inclination to bil- ious vomiting, need to lie still in a darkened and quiet room ; light, noise and jar aggravate ; pain permanent on the right side, instead of shifting; when at its worst, the pain descends behind the right ear into the neck; it leaves the lips parched as from fever; it is conso- ciated with severe backache, between or at the borders of the shoul- der blades. Clinical Observations.—It has cured many cases of neuralgia of the head, (see nervous system,) also " two cases of ordinary sick headache with acid and bilious vomiting. Eyes,—Redness of both eyes ; eyes sensitive to light; sharp pains in the right orbit, increased by moving the balls, by stooping or stepping ; shooting pains through both orbits ; eyes watery ; smarting of the lids ; eyelids adhere together on rising in the morning, in con- sequence of a yellowish, muco-purulent secretion ; stye upon the right lid; the right eye is more particularly affected, but both are very weak and painful, if they are used at night. ZIZLA AUREA. 1081 IVOSC.—Irritation of the schneiderian membrane, with discharge of mucus and sneezing ; obstruction and soreness of the right nostril, which is painful to the touch ; burning and smarting sensation in the nostrils and eyes ; consociated with this soreness of the nostrils, was observed a diffused injection of the mucus membrane, covering the arches of the pharynx, with the ordinary sensations of catarrhal sore throat. Clinical Observations.—It has cured " cold in the head, with sneezing and watery discharge ; also chronic catarrh, with yellow and foetid discharge. Face.—Face pale and puffy ; redness and head of the cheeks, following the use of a single drop of the third dilutoin ; sense of heat and fullness in both cheeks ; dull pains in the jaws ; boring pains in the cheek bones. Appetite and Taste.—Loss of appetite ; bitter taste ; craving for acids and stimulants; thirst; tongue covered with a whitish fur in the middle, and reddened at the tip and sides ; unusual sensitive. ness to cold or warm drinks ; after the sick headache on the seventh day, there was a bitter, bilious taste in the mouth. Gastric Symptoms.—Nausea: acid and bilious vomiting; stom- ach sensitive to tbe touch; pressure occasioning nausea and faintness. Pharynx and (Esophagus.—Inflammation of the mucous mem- brane of the pharynx ; slight redness of the tonsils and palate, with soreness of the throat; increased secretion of mucus in the throat- Larynx and Trachea.—Roughness in the upper portion of the larynx when inspiring or coughing; sensitiveness of the trachea to the touch ; tight cough caused by taking a deep inspiration ; tight cough, excited by dryness of the larynx ; raw and smarting sensation in the larynx, from coughing ; the cough is hard, dry and short, with stitching pain on the right side, from the region beneath the sixth rib down as far as two inches below the xiphoid cartilage. Urinary Organs.— Male Genital Organs.—Excitement of the male genital organs; sexual power enhanced ; in one instance where great lassitude and prostration had long been habitual after connection, the drug appeared to effect an entire change for the better; involuntary emission for two nights in succession, while taking the drug. Female Sexual Organs.—Acrid leucorrhoea; bland and profuse leucorrhoea; sudden suppression of the menses ; profuse menstrual discharge for one day, followed by an acrid leucorrhoea. Leucorrhoea 71 1082 NEW REMEDIES. commences on the second day and continues, slight as to quantity, and at first acrid; afterward more bland and copious. Clinical Observations.—It has cured "leucorrhoea, with retarded and suppressed menses." Chest.—Dry cough, with shooting pains in the chest ; pleuritic stitches iu the right side, much increased by coughing, or taking or attempting to take a long breath ; bruised feeling in the muscles of the chest; pressure excites pain in the intercostal muscles ; sharp pains extending from the sides of the chest to both shoulder-blades ; respirations accelerated and oppressed ; asthmatic respiration ; with inability to retain the recumbent position ; short, dry cough, attended with severe stitching pains in the right side, and a sense of suffoca- tion. Clinical Observations.—It has cured tight coughs, accompanied with stitches in the chest; worse in the evening and during tbe night. Back.—Dull, aching pains under the right scapula ; severe shoot- pain extending from tbe front part of the thorax to the scapula ; smarting, burning pain in the small of the back; dull pains in lhe loins, increased by movement. Upper Extremities.—Lameness in the muscles of both arms, from the shoulders to the elbows ; prickling sensation rin the right arm, with slightly diminished sensibility of the part. Lower Extremities.—Dragging sensation in both hips ; unusually tired feeling of the legs after the slightest muscular exertion ; great desire to move about, with apparent increase of strength, but slight exercise causes fatigue. APPENDIX. ARUM TRIPHYLLUM. An interesting article on this'drug, communicated by Dr. Lippe, may be found in No. 1, volume II, page 23, of the Hahnemannian Monthly. In this paper, the differential diagnosis between this med- icine and Ammonium muriaticum, Castoreum, Kali hydriodicum, Mezereum, Nitric acid and Silicea, are carefully elaborated. Dr. Lippe, however, does not give its analogy to Phytolacca, which is quite important. Some new symptoms are mentioned, which have not yet been fully confirmed by a re-proving or clinical experience. CHIMAPHILA. Since the publication of the revised article on this medicine, in this edition, 1 happened upon a statement by Dr. Paine, (eclectic,) to the effect that the Chimaphila in large doses, will cause atrophy of the mammce. This statement I communicated to the " Medical Investigator," with some remarks concerning its action on the glan- dular system. This paper came under the notice of Dr. Hull of Wisconsin, and Dr. P. H. Hale of Michigan, who tested its effects in tumors of the mammce, and reported to me, that in every case treated with the Chimaphila, atrophy of the breasts occurred. Dr. P. H. Hale, of Hudson, Michigan, has communicated to me the history of a case of scirrhous tumor, of the right breast, in a woman twenty-six years old. The tumor had existed nearly eighteen months : it was about an inch in diameter, hard but movable, the nipple drawn in ; a good deal of sharp pain in the tumor and in the 1084 NEW REMEDIES. axillfc. The patient was in a cachectic condition ; menses always scanty; is married, but has no children. She was troubled with a very disagreeable itching on the body, but no eruption. The mammary glands were large, healthy-looking, and of natural firmness. Chimaphila was prescribed in doses of forty drops of the strong tinc- ture three times a day. The medicine was continued three months, at the end of which time the condition of the patient was as follows : General health not much improved. The tumor had disappeared; both breasts had decreased in size nearly two-thirds, and were soft and pendulous. * * * * * * * These cases, together with my remarks thereon, were published in the NewEngland Medical Gazette, vol. ii., No. 1, (and will be re- printed in American Homceopathic Observer for March, 1867,) to which the physician is referred. DIOSCOREA. In the New England Medical Gazette, vol. i., page 200, may be found an article from my pen, entitled "A case illustrating the action of Dioscorea," which was a re-verification of Dr. Burt's proving, which was looked upon with some doubt when it first appeared. The case was as follows : " A pregnant woman had these symptoms : just be- fore and during each fajcal evacuation, a severe pain in the sacral region and bowels, of a writhing, drawing character; this pain appeared to radiate upward and downward, until the whole body and extremities became involved; the fingers, hands, feet, and toes feeling as if they were about to be cramped, from tbe severe, darting, drawing pains in them. These symptoms were always accompanied with great anxiety, faintness and palpitation of the heart." These symptoms were cured with Dioscorin, 1st decimal tritura- tion. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. The following provings of Hydrastis were made by students of the Philadelphia Homoeopathic College; during the session of 1866 and '07, under the special direction of Prof. Lippe. The tincture of Hydrastis was procured from the Pharmacy of A. J. Tafel, and its preparation or potentiation was made before the class by Dr. Lippe, on the centisimal scale, using a new vial for each of the potencies up to the thirtieth ; twenty-five hard shakes being given to each potency. These provings were the result of a mutual understanding be- tween the teachers of Materia Medica at Chicago and Philadelphia. The provings by the students of Hahnemann College could not be finished and prepared for publication in time to be incorporated herewith. Although this is much to be regretted, the fact that other new provings are added to this edition, make it a matter of less moment. Much credit is due to the gentlemen who have made such careful and painstaking experiments as those which they have given to the profession. It was impossible under the circumstances, to add the symptoms recorded in these provings, to the Resume or Symptom- ology. One of these provings will be found on page 554 of this work. [At the end of these provings will be found a notable and bril- liant cure of an obstinate "gastralgia" so called, by tbe use of the Hydrastis.]—Hale. PROVING BY AUG. KORNDOEFER November 7th, 1866. —New moon. Took one dose of the thirti- eth potency of new American tincture, prepared by Dr. Lippe, before the class. Nov. 8th, 8 J a. m.—Slight headache, first on the right side, mainly in the temporal region, then passing to the left temporal region, leav- ing the left, returning to the right, lasting a few moments, and then leavincr altogether. After the pain, a sensation of fullness on the 1086 NEW REMEDIES. forepart of the head; pressing the temples removes the sensation momentarily. The headache lasted only a few moments, the full feeling afterwards, perhaps ten minutes. 11 a. m., sneezing in the sun caused flickering before the eyes. (I have been troubled with this flickering for many years, when exerting myself or standing long in the sun.) November 9th.—During the night, sleep was disturbed by dreams, troublesome, worrying dreams, travelling about, always in motion. Sleep was refreshing withal. 9^- a. m., sharp pain behind the right ear for one moment, (in mastoid process of temporal bone), passing down to the right shoulder, back of the clavicle, about mid- way between arm and neck ; the entire symptom lasted only a few moments : the pain, however, was very severe. 11 a, m., sneezing caused a fullness of the head, between temples and forehead. (I sel- dom ever sneeze when I have a cold, and I can scarcely attribute this to anything but the medicine.) 12^- p. m., dull ache from right temporal region down to last molar tooth (upper), lasting only a couple of minutes. 4£ p. m., Thirst. Feverish, with moist mouth and tongue. Roof of the mouth about a short distance back of the in- cisors, sore and smooth, as if burned. 7 p. m , sneezing caused full- ness of the head between temples and forehead. 9+ p. m., sharp pain in the last molar tooth (lower), passing up to the head on left side, and spreading to the right; this toothache was a sharp, penetrating pain, like that from an exposed nerve, lasting about fifteen minutes. Nov. 10th.—Feel refreshed from sleep, dreamed a great deal, dreams generally that of motion of travelling. 9 a. m., sneezing, causing sharp pain in right breast, between the third and fourth ribs, to the right arm, down the arm and forearm, half way to the wrist. Head feels full. Fullness across bridge of nose, and at the root of nose. Coryza, watery, not very profuse, mostly from right nostril. 10^ a. m., sneezing, jarring the whole chest, causing sore feeling, particularly on the right side above the nipple. 3 p. m., watery cor- yza, burning sensation in the lachrymal duct, or back part of the roof of the mouth, all on the right side. 4^- p. m., sore feeling through the chest. 5 p. m., expectoration of slimy mucus. 5.] p. m., pain in left foot, extending from the metatarsus to the knee, very painful. 6J p. m., symptom of 3 p. m , together with a dull pain in the head. Fullness at the root of the nose. Dull pain at the roots of teeth in upper maxilla. 10i p. m„ continued flow of watery coryza. Nose feels, however, as if a plug were in it, under the HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 1087 nasal bones. There'is a feeling as if something burst, suddenly fol- lowed by a copious discharge of watery coryza, the burning sensation in nose disappears in warm room, as also the coryza, both being much aggravated in open air. The burning in exhalation is almost insup- portable, while inhalation ameliorates. Pain, as if tired, in all my limbs. Nov. 11th.—Dreamed during the night. Sleep uneasy. Awoke early. Sore throat. Right nostril stopped up. Tickling sensation on roof of mouth, right side, back part ; sneezing, soreness of chest, mainly the superficial muscles; watery coryza. These symptoms were between 7 a. m., and 91 a. m. Ill a. m., sharp, shifting pain, first in right arm above the elbow, then in right side of thorax, above and to the right of tbe nipple about one inch, then down to the right thigh, llf A- M-> sharp, shifting pain in left leg, from the middle of the thigh down to middle of lower leg. Continued pain and rawness in chest; the pain appears deeper than it did early this morning. 6 p. m., pain and rawness of chest, with headache all the afternoon, still continue, together with pain across the small of the back and in the knees ; tired, painful feeling over the whole body. Watery cor- yza from right nostril. A little blood and dry coryza from tbe left nostril. 61 p. m., sharp pain from right hip joint to the knee, making it impossible to stand or bear any weight on the right limb. 81 p. m., excruciating pain in all the limbs and chest. Dull headache. Pain, mostly in the joints, lasted all the evening. Sore throat. 9 P. m., Chilly feeling around the shoulders and chest. 10 p. m., Great heat of whole body. Head feeling very hot, but cold to the touch. Nov. 12th, 91 a. m., sneezing. Chest and throat sore. 11 a. m., aching of superficial muscles, on right side of chest, passing to left side. 11 a. m.. cramp-like pains through abdomen, with flatulency. (These cramp-like pains in the abdomen I have very often, arising, I think, from constipation.) 41 p. m., painful, tired feeling across the small of the back, and waist and lower limbs, not as severe as yester- day. 61 P. m., aggravation of coryza in the open air ; not as bad as last couple of days. Burning feeling in right nostril. Bleeding from the left nostril quite profuse. Nose itched a great deal after bleeding. Nov. 13th.—Nose bled immediately after rising; dark blool for about ten minutes ; nostril burns very much, as if it were raw, also itching somewhat. 2 p. m., noise in ears, as from the turning of a machine in a raaohine shop. 7 p. m., flickering before the eyes in a 1088 NEW REMEDIES. bright, yellow light; streaks in squares, always nxiking three sides of a square. Pain in temporal region, both sides, and also pain over the top of the head. The symptoms of 7 p. m. I have had frequently during a number of years past, from four to six times during the year. I had such an attack about a week before I took the medicine for proving. I do not know whether the medicine produced the symptom; but I do think I would not have had it so soon after the previous attack, if I had not taken the medicine. Nov. 14th, 101 a. m.—Headache ; dull, pressing pain on top of head, pressing outward from the cars. Nov. 20th.—For several days have had a dull, dragging pain in both groins; commences in the right groin, descending to the right testicle ; sometimes passes over to the left testicle, and from it to the left groin, passing down the right side and up the left. The pains on the left side, I have noticed more in the evening; those on the right side, day and night repeatedly, lasting from one-half hour to two hours. I have a constant sensation in both groins as if I strained myself from taking a very long step. It is aggravated by anything touching the groin, even my clothes are uncomfortable. Nose sore for some days, in the right nostril, on the cartilage of septum ; bleeds on being touched. Sensation of a hair in the right nostril, under the nasal bone, at its lowest border. This symptom I have had, at least, three times distinctly. Very forgetful, losing myself in con- versation repeatedly ; cannot keep a steady train of thought. Absent minded. In writing, make wrong letters; have never been so absent minded before. I have been subject, for years, to a congestion of blood to the head, which causes vertigo, flickering before the eyes, a sensation as if the cranium were too small and would burst; an excruciating pain in the eyes, in the temporal region, and across the top of the head, accompanied with nausea. These are the symptoms in the worst attacks, of which I have from four to six every year. After these severe attacks, I have a dull pain in my head, generally for weeks, the greater part of the time. I am generally constipated, which constipation has not been affected by the medicine. proving by w. s. virgin. W. S. Virgin, twenty.four years of age ; bilious temperament, black hair, dark eyes; in perfect health when he commenced the proving. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 1089 Nov. 3d.—Took five drops of the tincture before going to bed, 11 o'clock p. m.; had been studying in the early part of the night. Slept soundly, and unusually so, in the morning; hard to awaken. Nov. 4th.—During breakfast, cutting pains in the bowels ; soon after, desire for stool, with passage of some wind before evacuating ; first part of stool seemed natural, last part soft and dark brown. 7 a. m., sneezing after breakfast, from tickling in the right nostril, left stopped up. 9 a. m., Heaviness and sensation of fullness in the fore- head, most over the left eye. Cutting pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. While walking in the cold open air, discharge of watery mucus from the nose, causing frequent blowing. Sensation as of a screeu or curtain in the right nostril, which would open and shut during inspiration ; this gradually passed over to the left, leav- ing the right stopped up. The headache, which was constant in the warm room, passed of after walking awhile in the open air. While walking, pain in the right hip joint, which passed to the knee and disappeared. While walking, severe pain in the outer part of the left knee, causing limping; at the same time pressure in the left shoulder. 10 a. m., cutting pain in the bowels, extending to the anus ; relieved by passing a small quantity of flatus while lying. Tickling, like a hair in the upper right nostril ; left stopped up. Symptoms all disappeared during the afternoon. Nov. 5th. —Slept well all night; felt refreshed in the morning. 9 a. m., while walking in the cold open air, profuse discbarge of mucus from the nose. The air seemed cold to the upper, inner, left nostril while inhaling, with pain extending deep into the head, seem- ingly from the posterior nares, with pressure in and over the left eye. (Similar symptoms were observed at 2 o'clock p. m., while going from college to boarding house.) 11 a. m„ pain in the temple, over the temple over the left eye, lasting some time. 2 p. m., slight pain in the right groin while walking. Cutting pain in the bowels before and after dinner, resembling those which preceded an attack of dys- entery, which the prover had two years ago. 3:30 p. m., soreness of the inside of the nose ; air is felt painfully and cold while inhaling, with hawking of mucus from the throat and posterior nares. General feeling of malaise ; aversion to study ; while reading, forget what I am reading about. Internal edge of right ala nasi very sore and thickened" left stopped up ; right dry and painful, (in room ) No discharge from the bowels since the morning of the 4th ; no desire; passed some flatus during the day. Urine seemed to be diminished 1090 NEW REMEDIES. in quantity and paler than usual. 9 p. m., pain in the neck, extend- ing from the left mastoid process to scapula. Nov. 6th.—Sleep natural ; feeling of lassitude after rising. Dry- ness and stoppage of the nose, with scabs in the nose. Sensation of soreness through the chest and upper part of the abdomen, when drawing a long breath ; later, soreness in both mammary regions, and great disposition to stretch the body backwards, arms upwards, with yawning. 8 a. m., pain in both supra orbital regions. Aching pain in the right shoulder and left elbow, and knee joints. 8:30, pain in the right parietal protuberance while going up stairs. Aching pain in outer part of the left knee, while sitting and walking. Pain in the back part of the neck, extending to the right shoulder, with heavy pain in the right shoulder. Burning, stinging pain in the chest, most in the region of the heart, from time to time during the whole day. (These pains are similar to those I had some two or three years ago, resulting, I believe, from adhesions, following pleurisy and pericarditis, but had entirely disappeared, only returning when I took a violent cold.) 2:30 p. m., slight bleeding at the nose after dinner ; blood bright red. 6 p. m., passage from bowels natural. 7 p. m., sneezed once. Aching pain in both shoulders (deep in), most severe in the left, with pain extending from the head to shoulder ; for a few seconds very severe. Slight colicky paiu in upper part of the abdomen. Aching pain in the left elbow, with snapping in the shoulder joint when rotating the arm. Soreness of the muscles of the arm when moving them. Nose dry and stopped up, mostly right. Sleep undisturbed and refreshing. Nov, 7th.—On rising iu the morning, soreness in the upper part of the abdomen while inhaling. Cutting pain in the abdomen, (slight.) 8 a. m., pain in the left temple, extending into the left nostril. Heavy pain in the left shoulder. 5 p. m., cutting pain ex- tending from the umbilicus to the penis. Severe frontal headache. Severe cutting pain in the left hypochondrium. 11 at night. While lying in bed, sharp, cutting pain from the right iliac region into the right testicle, which left the parts above Pouparts ligament very sore and tender, with pain extending into root of penis, while pressing upon it. Nov. 8th, 6 a. m.—After urinating, pain at the root of tbe penis just as the flow stopped. 8:30, severe pain in the forehead, and stinging pains in the chest, lasting some time. Discharge of thick yellow matter from the nose. Sensation of dryness at the root of the tongue. 9 a. m., colicky pain in the abdomen, with passage of wind HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 1091 and pressure to stool. Stool of natural size, but excoriating the anus as though covered with sand. SECOND PROVING. Nov. 18th, 11 o'clock at night.—Took ten drops of the third cen- tesimal attenuation before retiring, (bad been writing previously) ; fifteen minutes afterwards, slight, colicky pains, with rumbling and gurgling in the left side of the abdomen, high up. Awakened once or twice through the night; thought it was time to rise, but immedi- ately fell asleep again. Nov. 19th.—Slept unusually sound in the morning; hard to be awakened, which was never the case before the proving commenced. Felt unrefreshed and dull. Diminished appetite for breakfast. After breakfast, cutting (slight) pain in the abdomen, relieved by passing wind. 8 a. m., ill humor ; vindictiveness. Aversion to mental occu- pation and dullness of memory; and general feeling of dullness. Disposition to lie down. Dull, heavy feeling in the head, amounting to pressure over the root of the nose. Blowing of blood and yellow mucus from the nose. Nose dry. Aching pain in the cerebellum, first in the right, later in the left side. Uneasy, burning sensation in the abdomen. 10 a. m., pain above the left eye, which appeared sev- eral times, but was always relieved by laying the hand on the part. Pain in the left side of neck, to shoulder, relieved by laying the hand on it. 10. Sleepy, could not pay proper attention to lectures. General feeling of dullness. 11 a. m., slight chilly sensation in the back and thighs, followed in a short time by an agreeable sensation of heat in these parts while walking in the open air. 12.—Rumbling and gur- gling in the leit side of tho abdomen. Forgetfulness, while writing; if want anything and raise my hand to pick it up, or go after it, will forget for a few seconds what was wanted, which would make me very angry, and feel like damning and cursing everything, or any one who bothered me in the least. Spitefulness, and disposition to hit and knock thino-s in general. These feelings disappeared towards evening. Nov. 20th.—Slept well all night, felt refreshed in the morning. No symptoms of any consequence, but a spiteful, angry disposition, with a desire to snub any one who differed in any thing with me; lasting all day. Nov. 21st.—No symptoms this morning. 1092 NEW REMEDIES. PROVING OF THE THIRTIETH POTENCY, BY W. MCGEORCiE. Prover, light hair, fair complexion, nervous, sanguine tempera- ment; occupation printer and student; rather under the average height, well built, aged twenty-four ; no hereditary complaint. At the time of making the following proving, I was and am in the enjoy- ment of good health, but troubled at times with a slight ozocna; had been troubled during the summer, with a vesicular eruption in in the upper and lower extremities, and on the scrotum, for which I had taken Croton tiglium 200 ; this removed the erup- tion, and also the intense itching on the tips of the elbows and scrotum, in which place the itching was as bad as ever. Oct. 31st.—Took one dose of the thirtieth on tongue just before going to bed. Nov. 1st.—Felt cheerful upon getting up ; observed a tendency to take cold easily. 12 m. Very sanguine and contented. Felt very good natured and cheerful. Troubled less on the elbow and scrotum, 6 p. m. Unusual buoyancy. Felt refreshed, and like studying or working all night; 12 p. m., went to bed, not tired. Nov. 2d.—On getting up (6:30) had a little headache across the forehead. Spirits not as lively as on the previous day, and yet not depressed. Slight cold in nose in afternoon. Observed, in passing a natural, large stool, that it was tinged with blood, no paiu nor straining. Itching about the same as on previous day. Nov. 3d.—Headache on rising. Little catarrh. Nose stopped up apparently. Poor appetite, food tastes strangely. Stools covered with blood, no pain in*passing them. Went to bed at 1 a. m. Nov. 4th.—Woke up about 9 a. m., with a bursting feeling in the head, very severe and almost stupefying. Catarrh bad ; nose stopped up. Poor appetite. The pain in the head was in the frontal part; ameliorated by pressing the skin towards the middle of the forehead ; aggravated by pressing the skin towards the temporal bone, on pres- sing in the forehead, and on wearing a light hat, or loose hat drawn tightly; rather better while in motion, and while the mind was engaged. Dislike to go out, to read, to write, to do any thing. Feel fretful and low spirited. Had a desire for eggs. (Generally do not eat them or like them.) Dislike for meat and vegetables. Desire for bread aud tea. At 2 p. m., pain in the head commenced to abate, and at 5 p. m., it had almost disappeared. Nov. 5th.—Headache less ; felt better ; took one drop on going to bed ; nothing observed. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. 1093 Nov. 6th.—Felt despondent; better after "quizzing" in the evening. Quite cheerful at 11 p. m. Nov. 7th.—Felt better. Nov. 8th.—Stool tinged with blood. Nov. 9-16th.—Did not notice any peculiar symptoms. Nov. 17th.—Felt more cheerful ; took one drop. Nov. 18th.—Pain in the head as before. Stopped up feeling in the nose : no discharge from the nose ; felt high spirited and good natured. Nov. 19th and 20th.—Felt the dull pain in forehead and at root of nose previously mentioned. The prover also submits the two following provings. of a single dose, made on two other persons : proving by a. g. lillie. Fair complexion, sanguine temperament, 25 years old ; a mechanic and clerk. A remarkably well built, strong man, enjoying good health. Oct. 3lst.—Took a drop on tongue, 3 o'clock. Nov. 1st.—On getting up a dull pain in tbe head, which went away in a few minutes. In the afternoon, had heartburn, as he termed it, which he had not had before for almost a year. I could get no more symptoms from him, and he declined to take any more medicine, being somewhat afraid of it. proving by henry kusel. On Nov. 10th, a German, Henry Kusel, aged twenty-three, came to me, troubled with a sore throat, roughness and raw feeling when be talked, and severe cold in the head, which he had caught from exposure after working over a hot fire, together with some other symptoms. Under treatment his throat got much better, his hoarse- ness left him, and his taste and smell, which had left him, had re- turned, but the cold in the head only yielded slowly to the medicine. At this stage, Nov. 18th, I gave him a drop of the remedy, 30th- Next morning he complained of his cold being worse. In the even^ in0. Cornus 273. Eupatorium perfoliatum. Gelseminum 440. Hedeoma 521. Helonias 533. Hydrastis 558. Iris versicolor. Podophyllum. Triosteum ]020. Veratrum viride. ----Hectic. Asarum 97. Chimaphila 197. Gels. 418. Lach. Rhusgl. 870,871. Sanguinaria canadens 9l8. ----Inflammatory. Apocy. a. 87. (?) Asarum 97. (?) Baptisia (?) Cactus 155. Gelseminum 440. Veratrum viride. ----Intermittent. iEsculus hip 37. Aletris farinsoa 56, Apocynum cann. 67. Apocynum andr 87. Asclepias tub. 117. Asarum 97. Cactus grand. 155. Cerasus vir. 189. Chelone 193. Cimicifuga 211. Chimaph. 197. Cornus c. 274. Cornus florida 281,282,284. Eupator. perf. 346,347,348,349, 350. Euony. 342. Eupa. arom. 343. Frasera 379. Gossypium 479. Gymnocladus 487. Gels. 411,412,413,414,415. Hydrastis 557,558 Leptandra 660. Lobe. 685,686 Lycopus 706,707. Podophyllum 811,812. Verat. 1045. Xanthoxylum AND REPERTORY. 1125 FEVERS.—Continned. ■----Irritative. Baptisia, Comocladia (?) Euphorbia 376. Gelsem. 407. Lach. 646 (?), Podo. 812. Rhus vene. (?) Sanguin. (?) Veratrum 1044 ----Infantile remittent. Gelseminum 410, 411, 457. Leptandra 661. Podophyllum 812. Veratrum 1044. —— Nervous. Cypripedium 293. Eupatorium aromatic (?) Lachnanthes. Scutellaria (?) ----Puerpural. Aralia (?) Cimicifuga, Baptisia (?) Hedeoma (?) Veratrum viride 1060. ----Remittent Cerasus vir. 189. Cornus fl, 281,282. Cornus c. 274. Eupa. per. 346. Gymno. 487. Gels. 410,411. Iris 605. Juglans 640. Lept. 661. Lachn. 6l6. Podo. pelt. 812. Sang. 918. Veratrum vir. 1045. —— Rheumatic. Apocynum andr. (?) Asclepias tub. (?) Baptisia 130. Cimicifuga 208. Cactus 155. Galium 383 (?) Gels. 418. Iris 605, Puis. (?) Phytolacca. Rhus (?) Trio. (?) Veratrum. ----Spotted or Petechial. (Cerebro-Spinal) Baptisia. Cimicifuga racemosa 208. Gelseminum 416. Eupatorium p. 346, 352, 353. Veratrum viride. Xanthoxylum. Zizia. FEVERS.—Continued. ----Scarlet. Arum trip. 95. Comocladia (?) Gels. 417. Gymnn. 487. Juglans (?) Rhus (?) Urtica (?) Veratrum (?). ----Typhus. Asclepias 104. Baptisia 126, 140. Chimaphila 197. Cypriped. 295. Comocladia (?) Eupatorium perfoliatum 346. Gelsemium 457, 421. Iris 617. Podophyllum 812. Rhus glab. 870. Rhus v. (?) Xanthoxylum. ---- Typhoid. Asarum 97. Baptisia 130. Chimaph. 197. Cerasus v.l89. Cimicifuga 212. Cornus 11. 282. Cypripedium 295. Gels. 415,416,457,421. Gymno. 487. Iris 605. Lept. 654,660. Lachn. 646. Myrica 726. Podo. 812, 827. Triosteum 1020. Verat. vir. 1023,1047,1048. Xanthoxylum. ----Verminous. Apocynum androsemif 89. Euphorbia 3/6. Gelseminum. ----Yellow. Apocynum androsemif 87. Cimicifuga 208. Eupatorium perfoliatum 346. Gelseminum 416. Veratrum viride 1045. FISTULA— Myrica 727. (?) —— in Ano. Collinsonia (?) Hydrastis (?) Phytolacca 791. Sanguinaria (?) ----of Mammce. Phytolacca. I Hydrastis (?) 1126 CLINICAL INDEX FLATULENCE— iEsculus hip. 42. Arum tr. 94. Apocynum cann. 71. Asclepias tub. 120. Bapt. 143 Cactus 15 8. Caul. 177. Cistus 244. Collins. 251,254. Comoc. 269. Cornus c. 279. Cimicifuga rac. 220. Diosc. 300,301. Gels. 434. (inaph. 472. Hydr. 575. Iris v. 613. Juglans 641. Lach. 650. Phyt. 789. Polygonum 844. Rumex 902. Sang 930. FURUNCULUS - Asclepias s.108. Erigeron 3l9. (!naph. 470. Hamamelis. Iris ver. Nymph. 749. Phyto. 772. Sanguin. 919. Stillingia (?). FUNGOUS GROWTHS— Podophyllum 814. Sanguinaria 9l9, 923, GANGRENE— Baptisia (?) Frasera 379 (?) Rhus glabrum (?) Xanthoxylum (?) GASTRODYNIA- Gelseminum 443. Iris versicolor 612. Phytolacca 767. GASTRALGIA— Asclepias tuberosa 118. Gelseminum 433, 442. Dioscorea 302. Helonias 527. Lobelia 691. Veratrum 1058. Leptandra 662. GASTRITIS— iEsculus hippocastanum 41. Euphorbia 376. Hedoma 522. Hydrastis 575. Iris versicolor 611. Lycopus 707. Podophyllum peltatum 809,818. Sanguinaria 927, 928. Veratrum 1058. GALL STONKS, EXPULSION. Podophyllum peltatum 821,822 G A ST 111C D E RA X (J E M E N T— Aletris farinosa 57. Apocynum andr. 89. Asclepias syr. 109. Asclepias tub. 120. Frasera 379. Gels. 432. Helonias 533. Hydrastis 550,569,575. Iris ver. 603,611,617. Phytolacca 789. Polygonum hyd. 843. Triosteum 1021. Sanguinaria 928. Lept 662. Veratrum vir. 1058. GINGIVITIS— Sanguinaria 925. GLEET — Alnus rubra 59,61. Asclepias syr. 104,112. Chimaphila 198,200. Cimicifuga rac. 221. Coryda. 289. Collinsonia 2"i8. Erechth. hier 317. Eryng. 331. Erigeron 327. Eup. purp 360. Gelsem. 441. Geran. 461,462. Hamamelis 488,509. Hedeoma 523. Hydrastis (?) Podophyl. 828. Phytolac. 792. Stillingia. (?) Trillium 1013. GLOBUS HYSTERICUS. (See Hysteria) GLOSSITIS— Arum tri. 95. GOUTY AFFECTIONS — Apocy. andr. 90. Eupatorium perf. 346. Eupatorium pur. 360,361. Veratrum v. GOITRE. Chimaphila (?) Corydalis (?) Iris vers (?) Phytolacca 771. Podophyllum 817. GRANULATED KIDNEY — (See Bfight's disease) GRANULAR CONJUCTIVITIS Phytolacca 77o,775. Sanguinaria 924. AND REPERTORY. 1127 GONORRHOEA — Alnus ruba 61. Asclepias inc. 100. Asclepias syr. 104.112. Caulophyllum 185. Chimaphila 198. Erigeron can. 327. Eryngium aquaticum 331,339. Geranium 462. Gelseminum 448. Hedeoma 523. Hydrastis canadensis 583. Hamamelis 503,509. Iris versicolor 619. Lobelia inflata 695. NympliEea odorata 749. Phytolacca 792. Podophyllum 828. Rhus glab. 870,871. Sanguinaria 931. Stillingia 1004. Senecio 985. GRAVEL (Calculi). Alnus rubra 59,61. Chimaphila 198,201. Collinsonia 250,25 \ Corydalis formosa 289. Erigeron 319,327. Eupatorium perf. 359,360. Eryngium 331. Eupatorium arom. 344. Frasera 379. Galium 381. Gossypium 476. Podophyllum. GUMS, INFLA3I3IATION OF Cimicifuga 218. Eupatorium aromaticum (?) Helonias (?) Hydrastis 572. 31yrica cerifera 727. Phytolacca (?) HEMOPTYSIS— Cactus 161. Collinsonia 258. Erigeron canadense 329. Gal. 381, Gels.(?) Ger. 462. Hamamelis 488,493,510,511. Hepatica triloba 543,544. Lycopus 704,705. Sanguinaria can. 918,935. Senecio aureus 987,989. Sticta (?) Trillium 1011,1017. Veratrum v. HE3IATEMESIS— Cactus grandiflorus 157. Erigeron 325. Eryngium 338. Hamamelis 488,494,497,498. Lycopus virginicus 706. Rumex crispus 896. Rumex 896. Sanguinaria. Veratrum v. H.E3IORRHOIDS- Esculus 19,44,49. Chelone 191. Cactus 159. Collinsonia 250, 254. Dioscorea villosa 811. Erechthites hier. 317. Erigeron 319,325. Eryn. 331. Galium 382. Geranium 461. Gnaphal. 470. Hamame. 488. Hydrastis 580,583. Iris (?) Leptandra 671. Lobelia 686. Phytolacca 755,791. Podophyllum 826,830 Polygonum 835,844. Rhus glab. 870,871. Sanguinaria 939. Trillium 1010,1012. Veratrum v. Urtica urens. HEMORRHAGES— Alnus 61. Apocy. nan. 73. Cerasus 190. Cactus. Cimicifuga 224. Collins. 258. Erechthites 317, Erigeron 320,324,325,327. Galium 381,382. Gels. 433. Geran. 461,462. Gnaph: 470. Ham. 488,49P493,496,498,503 506,508,511. Iris ver. 619. Helonias 537, \ Lobelia 694. Lycopus 706. Rhus gla. 870. Sang. 918,922. Senecio 988. Trillium 1013,1014,1016. Veratrum viride. HEMATURIA— Alnus rubra 61. Cactus 159. Chimaph, 198. Erigeron 327. Erech. (?). Eupat. pur. 360. Geraninm 461,462. Hamamelis 503. Puis. Nut. (?) Trillium 1013. 1128 CLINICAL INDEX HEART AFFECTIONS— Cactus cr. 162,106,169. CimicitC 233,234. Collins. 263 Gelseminum semper v. 407. L"pt.675.(?) Lycjp.705,706,712 Lobelia inflita (?) Rumex (?) Sanguinaria (?) Veratrum viride 1064. HEPATIC DIFFICULTIES— Apocynum androsemif. 87, 89. Baptisia tinctoria 144. Chelone 191, 192. Dioscorea villosa 301. Euonymus 342. Eupatorium perf. 346. Hepatica 543. Hydras 575 576. Iris versicolor 603, 605, 613. Leptandra 663, 665, 675, Myrica. Phytolacca 789. Podophyllum 814, 821,822,826. Sanguinaria 929. Stillingia 1004 HEPATIC CIRRHOSIS— Apocynum cannabinum 77. HEPATIC CONGESTION— Cornus 274. Leptandra 662. 664. Podophyllum 820, 821. HEPATIZATION OF LUNGS. Cactus grandiflorus 161. Sanguinaria 933. HERPES CTRCINATUS — (See Eruptions.) Alnus 61. Euphorbia. HERNIA STRANGULATED— Gelseminum 434. Lobelia 697. HP^RPES—(See also Eruptions). Cerasus 190. Cornus 273,276. Erechthites hier. 317 Eupatorium perfoliatum 356. Lobelia 688. Phyto. 755,772. Rumex 896. HEMIPLEGIA— Sanguinaria cana. 919,936. Phytolacca. | HEADACHE — ----Bilious. Esculus hippocastanum 3S. Apocynum androsemif 88, 89. Baptisia 140. Cornus 275. Leptandra 661. Triosteum 1020. ----Catarrhal. iEsculus hippocastanum 38. Cimicifuga 215. Phytolacca d. 774. Senecio 980. Sticta 1001. ----Congestive. Apocynum androsemif. 88. Baptisia tinctoria 140. Cactus grandiflor. 156. Gelseminum semper virens 423. Veratrum viride 1055. ----Gastric, Esculus hip. 38, Asclepias tuberosa 117. Collinsonia 251. Gnaphalium polycephalum 473. Hedeoma 522. Iris versicolor 606. Podophyllum (?) Pulsatilla 861. ----Hemorrhoidal. Esculus hip. 38. Collinsonia 251. Podophyllum peltatum. ----Myalgic. Hydrastis (?) Sanguinaria 922. ----Nervous. Asclepias syriaca 109. Baptisia tinctoria 140. Cimicifuga racemosa 215. Cypripedium 293. Gelseminum semper virens 422. Gnaphalium 473. Phytolacca decandra 774. Scutellaria 968. ----Rheumatic. Apocynum androsemif. 88. Baptisia 140. Cactus 156. Caulophyllum 176. Phytolac. 7 74. Pulsatilla 861. AND REPERTORY. 1129 HE31ICRANIA— Apocynum 88. Cypripedium 293. Eupatorium per. 355. Gelseminum 422. Iris versicolor 606. Pulsatilla 861. Triosteum 1020. HEPATITIS— Chelone 191. Euphorbia cor. 373. Hepatica 543 (?) Hydrastis 576. Leptandra 665. Myrica cerifera. Phytolacca. Podophyllum peltatum 820,821 Veratrum viride. HOARSENESS— Arum triphyllum 95. Baptisia 146. Cimicifuga 218. Gelseminum (?) Eryngium (?) Iris versicolor 620. Nymphasa (?) Rhus glabrum 872. Rumex. Lachnanthes 649. Stillingia. Xanthoxylum. HYSTERIA— Aletris far. 56. Asclep. tu. 115. Cactus 155. Cerasus vir. 190. Cimicifuga racemosa 212,219. Cornus fl. 285. Cypripedium pub 293. Caulophy. 171,173. Frasera carol. 379. Gels. 403,404,420,421,430. Erechthites hier. 317, Eryngium 331. Eupatorium arom. 344. Hedeoma 521,522. 31yrica cer. 726. Polygonum hydr. 835. Scutellaria 964. Senecio Sticta pul. 1000. Veratrum 1059. 76 HYDROCEPHALUS— Apocynum cannabinum 67,68. Veratrum viride 1043. HYDROPHOBIA— Gelseminum 403. Lobelia 696. Scutellaria 963. HYPOCHONDRIASIS— Esculus hip. 38. Asarum 97. Asclepias tub. 117. Bapt. 138. Cactus 155. Cim.rac. 204,212. Cornus c. 275. Cypri. 293. Eryn. 333. Eupb. 375. Gels. 420. Hydr. 569. Hepatica 543. Podoph. 814. Iris 604. Lach. 645. Lept. 661. Lobelia 688. Mitchella 720. Podo. 814. Rhus 890. Senecio 978. Xanthoxylum. HYDROTHORAX— (See cdso Dropsy). Apocynum cann. 78. Asclepias tuberosa 115. Sanguinaria 916. HYPERESTHESIA OF THE ----Brain. Cactus (?) Cimicifuga. Cyripedium. Dioscorea 314. Gelseminum (?) Gymnocladus (?) Lachnanthes Scutellaria. Sanguinaria (?) ----Spine. Baptisia(?) Cimicifuga rac. Cypripedium. Dioscorea villosa 314. Gelseminum. Lachnanthes (?) Scutellaria lateiiflora. Veratrum viride. ----Uterus. Caulophyllum (?) Cimicifuga (?) Dioscorea 314. Eupatorium purpureum (?) Hedeoma 524. 978.! —— Ovaries. Hedeoma 524. Podophyllum (?) 1130 CLINICAL INDEX HYPERTROPHY OF HEART. Cactus 103. Collinsonia (?) Lycopus 707. IMPETIG0—(See Eruptions). Alnus rubra 61. I31POTENCE— Eupatorium pur. 368. Gelseminum 440. Hamamelis 509. Helonias 536,538. Nuphar lutea. Nymphaea odorata (?). Phytolacca 792. Stilling. 1005. Xanthoxylum (?). INTERMITTENTS — (See fevers) Caulophyllum 171. Cornus 284.285. Corydalis, 289,291, Eupa. per. 346,352,355. Euonymus 342. Gelseminum. Gossypium 479. Hydr. 557. Leptandra 660. Lob 685,686. Lycopus 706,707. Podophy. INTERTRIGO.-(See Eruptions) Hydrastis 564. INDIGESTION— Chelone(?) . Collinsonia 250,251. Corydalis 289. Dioscorea (?) Eupatorium perfoliatum 348. Euphorbia 376. Frasera 379. Hepati.543. Hydr. 550, 575. Iri vers. Juglans cinerea 641. Leptandra. Lycopus 707. Puis. Nut. Podophyllum. Sanguinaria 928. INTESTINALINTUSSUSCEP- TION— Lobelia 685,693. Podophyllum (?). INDURATION OF OS UTERI. Podophyllum 830. Phytolacca (?) Mitchella (?) Stillingia sylvatica (?) ----Glands. Chimaphila 1083 Phytolacca de. 771. INFLUENZA— Cimicifuga racemosa 217. Eryngium aquaticum 340. Eupatorium per. 346,347,357. Gelseminum 450. Phytolacca 765. Sanguin. 916,923. Sticta 991,995,997. Triosteum per. 1020. Veratrum v. ISCHURIA— Apocynum cannabin. 74. Eupatorium purp. 360,368. t. Galium 381,382. Gels. 438. Mitchella repens 718. 3Iyrica cerifera 727. Podophyllum 828. Senecio 982. INSOMNIA— Caulophyllum thalictroides 176. Cypripedium 293. Gelseminum 420. Lachnanthes (?) 647. Senecio 979. Sticta.^ Scutellaria 968. Veratrum viride JAUNDICE— Chelone 191,192. Chimaphila 202. Cornus 274. Gelseminum 437. Helonias 527. Hepatica 543. Hy Irastis 576. Leptandra virginica 661,664. Myrica 727. Podophyllum 815. Sanguinaria 916,929. KNEE JOINTS—INFLAMMA. Phytolacca 802. Veratrum v. KIDNEY AFFECTIONS— (SeeRenal Diseases.) LABOR DIFFICULT— Aralia 92. Caulophyllum 178. Cimicifuga 228. Gossypium 478. Gels. 445. Mitchella (?) Polyg. (?) Veratrum v. (?) AND REPERTORY. 1131 LARYNGITIS— Eryngium 331. Hepatica (?) Nvmphaea (?) Rumex (?) Sang. 935. Stillingia 1005. Sticta (?) ----Catarrhal. Esculus hip. 50 (?) Ampelopsis 62 (?) LARYNGIS31US — Gelseminum 404. LABIA, INFLAMMATION OF Podophyllum 829. LEUCORRHCEA— Apocynum andr. 90. Aletris 57. Aralia 91,92. Asclepias inc. (?) Asclepias tuberosa (?) Esculus hip. 50. Bapt. 146. Caulop 178. Chimap. 198. Cimicif. 222,223. Eriger. 828. Collins. 250,255. Coryd. 289. Eryng. 339. Eup. pur.360,369. Geranium 461,462,464. Gossypium (?) Gnaph. 470. Gels. 442. Hamam,488,504. Hedeoma 524. Helonias 528,538. Hydrastis 585. Iris vers. 619. Myrica 726,727. Nabul. 741. Nymphasa 749,750. Phytolacca 794. Podophyllum 828. Puis. 866. Rhus glabra 870,871. Senecio 985. Trillium 1010,1011,1014. ----Burning. Hedeoma 523. Aralia (?) Myrica (?) Nymphaea (?) Trillium (?) ----Chronic. Chim. [?] Cimicifuga 223. Hydrastis [?| Nymphasa 750. Geranium 464. Senecio 985. Stillingia [?] ----Cervical. Chim. [?] Eryngium [?] Hydr. 585. Nabulus [?J 741. Phytolacca. Puis. Nut. [?J Senecio [?] Stillingia [?J LEUCORRHG3A.-CW^e'BRlEN,W.C.(Eng.)175, etc. LIST OF REMEDIES. JEsculus glabra, - Page 16 iEsculus hippocastanum 19 Agave americana, - 52 Aletris farinosa, - 54 Alnus rubra, 59 Ampelopsis quinquefolium, 62 Apocynum androsemifolium 84 Apocynum cannabinum, 63 Aralia racemosa, - 90 Arum triphyllum, 93, 1083 Asarum canadense, - 96 Asclepias incarnata, - 99 Asclepias syriaca, - 103 Asclepias tuberosa, - 114 Baptisia tinctoria, - 123 Cactus grandiflorus, - 151 Caulophyllum thalictroid., 170 Cerasus virginiana, - 186 Chelone glabra, . 190 Chimaphila umbella., 193,1083 Cimicifuga racemosa, - 202 Cistus canadensis, - 238 Collinsonia canadensis, 249 Comocladia dentata, - 264 Cornus circinata, - 272 Cornus florida, - 280 Corydalis formosa, - 286 Cypripedium pubescens, 291 Dioscorea villosa, 297, 1084 Erechthites hieracifolius, 316 Erigeron canadense, - 318 Eryngium aquaticum, 330 Euonymus atropurpureus, 340 Eupatorium aromaticum, 343 Eupatorium perfoliatum, 345 Eupatorium purpureum, 358 Euphorbia corollata, - 371 Frasera carolinensis, - 377 Galium, - - - 379 Zizia aurea. Gelseminum semper virens,386 Geranium maculatum, 460 Gnaphalium polycephalum 469 Gossypium herbaceum, 475 Gymnocladus canadensis, 481 Hamamelis virginica, 487 Hedeoma pulegioides 514 Helonias dioica, - 526 Hepatica triloba, - 542 Hydrastis canadensis, 546,1085 Iris versicolor, - 590, 1103 Juglans cinerea, - 621 Lachnanthes tinctoria, 643 Leptandra virginica, - 652 Lobelia inflata, - 676 - Lycopus virginicus, - 704 Mitchella repens, - 713 Myrica cerifera, - 725 Nabulus serpentaria, - 737 Nuphar lutea, - - 741 Nymphsea odorata, - 748 Phytolacca decandra, - 753 - Podophyllum peltatum, 804 Polygonum hydropiper, 834 Pulsatilla Nuttalliana, 845 Rhus glstfcrum, - 867 Rhus venenata, - - 874 Rumex crispus, - - 895 " Sanguinaria canadensis, 912 Sarracenia purpurea, 937,1104 Scutellaria lateriflora, 962 Senecio aureus, - - 969 Sticta pulmonaria, - 990 Stillingia sylvatica, - 1003 Trillium pendulum, - 1009 Triosteum perfoliatum, 1018 Urtica urens, - 1105 Veratrum viride, - 1022 Xanthoxylum fraxineum, 1065 1077 one, pernaps, even severer man ^.tJ „. .._ instance did they suffer or complain of symptoms of suffocation. What to attribute it to other than the remedy—chlorate of potash freely used—1 know not. At two different times earlier in my practice, the disease appeared amongst us, and from one-half and two-thirds of the number of cases there were two and three deaths, while in the last instance there were none. That the difference was in the grade of the disease, I am not pre- pared to admit; or that the latter was a more favorable class of sub- jects to resist the ravages of the disease. But, on the contrary, the last was the least favorable of all, both as regards type and subject, so that to the remedy I am disposed to ascribe a liberal share of the success and beneficial effects, after adopting its use. J. T. Read, M.D. (Amer. Med. Times.) Notice of Meeting* Dr. F. G. Snelling :—The Semi-Annual Meeting of the Homceopathic Medi- cal Society of Oneida County will be held at Dr. Wells' Office, Utica, on Tues- day, the 18th day of June, at.10 o'clock, a. m. The following resolutions were adopted October 16, 1860. " Resolved, Thaf iEsculus-hip. be the drug of which provings are to be made during the ensuing year, and that each member is hereby requested to furnish the Society with provings, either upon himself or some other person. "Resolved, That the individual members of this Society, at its stated meetings, report in writing such cases of disease occurring in their practice as they may deem of sufficient importance." Extracts from the Report of the Central Bureau respecting the proper method of conducting drug proving. Transactions of the American Institute, 1859, p. 53. " We would urge upon all those who undertake to prove any medicine, a care- ful perusal of Hahnemann's directions as to the manner of making such experi- ments ; they can be found in the "Organon," in paragraphs 121 to 152, inclusive. "We consider it desirable, that the age, sex, temperament, and individual pe- culiarities of the prover should be mentioned. The name of the medkine, the potence, the dose, the mode of taking it, whether dry, or in water, and the time of day at which it is taken, should be clearly stated. "It is very important that each symptom be written down carefully, at, or neat as possible, to the time, and in the order of its occurrence; and the time at which it occurs noted. "That the location of each symptom be given with precision, and the symptom be described with minuteness in every respect. "That each symptom, with all its attending circumstances and concomitants* be written in a separate paragraph and numbered, that it may be more easily referred to in studying the character of the medicine and in arranging the symptoms sys- tematically. " If the prover feels doubtful whether any symptom is the effect of the medicine, he should affix to it a note of interrogation within brackets, thus : [1] "We would advise in conclusion, that each prover who makes use of poten- cies in proving, should make the first trial with high potencies, afterwards, if ne- cessary in his particular case, proceeding to the lower dilutions and triturations-, and even taking the crude substance or tincture if satisfactory results are not ob- tained with the attenuations. " One member has never been able to elicit any reliable symptoms by means of the middle or higher potencies, unless the organism had been previously saturated with massive doses of the original drug. He admits that in exceptional cases, by organisms endowed with peculiar idiosyncratic susceptibilities to medicinal action, symptoms may be elicited by the higher potencies; but he considers it unreliable to commence with these potencies." Provings should be transmitted to Dr. L. B. Wells, Utica. > NLM009886673